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I suppose this one needs some expectations management. Don‘t come to The Orchid Thief looking for a profile of an interesting man or an account of a baffling crime. Treat it more like a memoir, the story of Orlean‘s lost year (or two) following orchid obsessives around Florida and reading the police blotter for intriguing stories about plant crimes. Full review: https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/the-orchid-thief-susan-orlean/

This book is not about John Laroche, the "thief" in the title. He shows up a few times. But he is by no means the focus. Orlean goes to Florida, meets a lot of quirky orchid-obsessed collectors, learns about shady real estate deals and the exploitation of native people, and absolutely does not EVER, not one single time, EVER see a ghost orchid. Not one. Sorry if that's a spoiler, but I would have liked to have known this going in.

Read the bulk of this #staycationintime book on my actual staycation. Vacation fell through so I made the best of it and did lots of reading by the channel. I SO enjoyed this one. So many rich descriptions of beautiful plants and places ♡ It did take a little longer to get through because I was constantly googling images of all the different orchids. I love the way the author tied so many aspects of Orchid history and current culture. 🌸💕

I cannot say enough about how much I love the package that you sent! @AmyG You hit the nail right on the head with your choices in books, snacks, stationary, bookmarks, seeds and PROPAGATION STATION!!! I'm going to dive right into The Orchid Theif today. I saw the film years ago but wasn't aware that it was based in real events/a book and I adore Meryl Streep so totally looking forward to a rewatch after the book! I also have big plans ⬇️

Not only did I save my orchid from the brink of death, (She was down to only 2 leaves.) I got her to bloom! NOT an easy feat! Orchids are not easy to keep alive long term. And I've never had a green thumb so that didn't help either. Thanks to some fb groups I figured out what worked. For me it was going to full water culture. Anyone else out there orchid fans? I did read the tagged book and enjoyed it. Though I found it sad too.

starting #2022 off right

#Movie2BookRecs @Klou
Prompt: Chopper

A borderline pick because the author managed to put the information in an interesting manner. But the main issue I had with this was that it was not so much about the one “orchid thief“ that she was trying to highlight but also about the many throughout the centuries, making it a bit too tangential.

#ThankfulThursday
@Cosmos_Moon

1. It was uncommon.
2 Thankful for my time of meditation that takes me through the day.

@EadieB

I can see why this has been described as Tiger King for flowers. The Orchid obsessives in this book have similar fascinating yet disturbing pull.

I‘m not done yet but it‘s been really interesting so far. Also the narrator has the best voice for this. She sounds intrigued but baffled. (And sounds so familiar).

There is lots of info in this one, much of it quite sad. Peoples obsessions plundering forests, stealing from others, and overall ruining themselves. There was also some interesting history of orchids in this country as well as some history of the Seminole Indians in Florida. And of course lots of info about orchids. Also WAY different than the movie version. There was definitely no romance between the author and the man she interviewed, John.

Looking forward to starting this random indie bookstore pickup. I can‘t just walk past tables of books on the sidewalk without getting a book!

#7days7covers - Day 7

Tagging anyone who hasn't played yet - maybe a new follower or a past swap partner? 😊

A in Herbology NEWTs: 3⭐️

This was a fun read when you want something a bit ridiculous and weird to shake up your reading. With the whole Florida man news trend, this is definitely that idea in a book. It followed the trial of a man who stole orchids from a protected park and it showed how the results of that trial impacted his life and those involved in the issue. It was definitely a weird read and not for everyone but I‘m happy I gave it a try.

Thanks eBay. This new orchid is one I bought for my daughter so she wouldn't steal mine. I'm guessing she might want to borrow the book too.

My son had this shipped to me for mother's day. He is currently stationed overseas but never forgets me. 😊 Now I need to read this book.

Great nonfiction. Orleans pick odd topics and immerses herself. She wanders about the story and tells tangential tales. But it is all fascinating.

#Psychokiller #MarchIntothe70s
In the film Adaptation, Donald Kaufman shares an idea with his screenwriter brother for a film about a serial killer that sends demented clues to the police with a twist ending revealing he has multiple personalities. Charlie is not a fan of the idea.
This is a film, but partly adapted from Susan Orlean's novel The Orchid Thief. But screenplays of the real-life Charlie Kaufman should count- they remind me of books.

Yaaasss! So pumped for the #ReadtheMoviesSwap hosted by @DoonTheGoon 🎞🎉🎞🎉

Like movies? Like books? Do like I did and head to @DoonTheGoon 's page to sign up!

There were parts of the book where I absolutely couldn‘t put it down but much of the book was a lot of information that I just found boring.

reading this definitely made me want to rewatch adaptation

It's been a busy day, with errands and a meeting of the education committee at the botanical garden (of which I'm a member). Fortunately, it was a brief meeting, and I took a few minutes to enjoy the garden on a day when the weather is perfect. Now it's time to settle in for#litsypartyofone!

..love this book and it takes place in Florida, where I live #BIGYELLOWBALL @Liberty thanks for the rad give-away

Mystery, fiction, non-fiction. #3books3differentgenres #bookishspring2017

#FunFridayPhoto - favorite film adaptations.

Still haven't finished the source material, though I'm well aware of the distinctions. Need to give the movie a rewatch too.

Adaptation was one of those slow burns for me, the kind if movie that doesn't do much for me initially, but later becomes an all-time favorite.

Sometimes this kind of story turns out to be something more, some glimpse of life that expands like those Japanese paper balls you drop in water and then after a moment they bloom into flowers, and the flower is so marvelous that you can't believe there was a time when all you saw in front of you was a paper ball and a glass of water.

I think my orchid is confused. #blizzard #christmasorchid

#FunFridayPhoto : books w/ flowers on the cover.

Really need to get around to finishing this, though I already saw the movie, so I guess the ending's kinda spoiled. 😜

Here is my tbr pile for @24in48 (in partnership with @Litsy ) reading challenge. I tried to pick books that I knew I would get through quickly. They ended up being all YA. I'm looking forward a bit of a break from reading dense adult novels.

I love barbecue weather; I can cook while I read!

I recently bought an orchid for my wife and cannot stop thinking about this amazing book. When buying the orchid, I bored the woman at the flower shop with all my stolen orchid facts!