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I have to have a book. One funny thing is that, over the last couple of years, I have read most of the work of Rex Stout about his brilliant overweight detective Nero Wolfe and narrating assistant Archie Goodwin. It's set in New York from the 1930s to 1970s but in thousands and thousands of words there's not a single 'eff'.

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There is nothing like a hard copy of a book. While vacationing at the coast of Oregon, I found a used copy of "The No Work Garden Book" by his sister Ruch Stout. It was published in 1977 on recycled paper and was a collection of articles she had published in Organic Gardening. I leant that book out many times to other gardeners. When a young woman who was just getting into gardening took a tour of my garden I gave it to her. Hopefully she will lend it out to many people.

In one of the articles it mentioned that she and her brother Rex had been on a local radio show to discuss gardening. Wouldn't it be wonderful is someone had recorded the conversation?

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Fascinating. As you probably know, orchids - as well as food! - get a leading mention in the Nero Wolfe books. I also love the fact that Rex Stout mentions the books being read in stories by Nero Wolfe. It has all inspired me to write a short story - The two Neros - about two people who get eventually chatting in Caffe Nero, my favourite coffee shop in a place called Chislehurst (near SE London). I go there about twice week, book in rucksack!

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It will be interesting to learn if all-online generation feels the same. I think Borges was current Pope's high school teacher. Francis is a Jesuit.

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Paperbacks are fine but if I found a Kindle on a train I might throw it in the Thames.

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