Thank you for reviewing -- and promoting -- what will be a great but sobering read. The genre of science focused on our relationship to the planet is often relegated to stacks subconsciously labeled "enviro-whining." Especially so when it describes something we do or enjoy only to learn of its ripple effects across the ecosystem.
And thank you for your cold plunge into Substack. I grew up trusting journalism delivered by mainstream media outlets. Now, that ground you came from is spongy. We're grateful you are continuing your professional craft in a studio of your own making.
I love this newsletter - on Fridays or whenever it shows up. Yes, I pay for a subscription and expect I always will. I started with you in the WAPO but alas, I no longer subscribe there, and of course books and you aren't there either. You are such a good writer, Ron! Funny and talented - a joy to read! Almost without fail I find something in your posts each week to save for myself - my ever expanding reading list - or for someone else. I hope this new gig works out for you stress-wise and financially -- so many of us appreciate you!!
Buzz kill is happening in suburban yards with mosquito sprays, deceptively advertised as natural and chrysanthemum-derived. The spray, as you described, lingers on leaves and can kill insects on contact.Native bees are particularly vulnerable as many do not return to hives but sleep on foliage or in flowers.
Several of my neighbors have twice a month mosquito sprays. Fortunately they live across the street so my pot garden has a good number of bees that visit.
I recall when Washington Monthly appeared, so it's good to know it's still going. I guess I'm glad it's taken up Book World but given its emphasis on politics, I wonder how diverse the reviewed books would be. (I must admit I haven't seen an issue in some time, so perhaps the Book World editor would be left on her or his own to champion reading all kinds of lit.)
With EPA regulations and laws mostly set aside, I don't have a lot of hope for America's approach to ridding ourselves of chemicals harmful to the environment and us. One of the worst, Roundup, a known cancer-causing agent, was the subject of a class action lawsuit because of the dangers it causes (its use on the lawns where I lived in Virginia led to the death of my beloved Westie); yet, you can find it still in virtually any garden shop at places like Home Depot. That we allow permethrin's use in clothing, knowing what it does, shows complete lack of regard for the environment. Humans manufacture and use an extraordinary number of chemicals, and some only now are beginning to show their effects on us. People never thought DDT was harmful until Rachel Carson published "Silent Spring". Everything we do and use has a consequence.
Thank you for being here. Your emails are the ones I receive that I read “cover to cover” every single time! I actually cried when you got fired and I cheer your newfound space and path forward. 👏 from a former Indie bookseller
Thanks for the great reviews Ron. As for everything else, "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." You have many gifts and I know you'll make the best of them. Enjoy the rest of the summer and we'll look forward to hearing from you!!
Bucket list complete! I am in Ron Charles’s wonderful newsletter: he shares my confession that, yes, I was a hellion as a teen. What he does not share — but I will — is how the night be describes below, I wrestled his parents to the ground so I could stand alone like P. T. Barnum before a marquee with my mug on it!
Thanks, Meredith. I was happy to give up editing about 10 years ago. I know some sharp, talented person will take that job at Washington Monthly and do wonders with it.
It's always fun to read your book reviews that include a personal twist. And the rest of the newsletter is also worth reading. Love the bit about the library in Maine.
Sobering read indeed. Would be great if we paid more attention to birds and bees than we do to rabid bats and rats who think they're running a country. Thanks for sharing important book. Also must get Pickle book for my grands. All 3 big readers. Books are my go to gifts for them always. Hope you are doing well with Substack. We value your reviews and slices of everyday life...keep on travelin' and writin'.
Once again, I learned something new from your newsletter, so thank you for that. I didn’t know about privately governed association libraries. I found four near Philadelphia: Library Company, Athenaeum, The Rosenbach, and Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Each has its own specialty collections and varying membership fees. I didn’t find any that are like the treasure you found in Hancock Point. In our area, our local public library is really community centered, so we are lucky to have that.
I was surprised, too. I knew about special and sometimes fairly exclusive private libraries, but not these kind of community libraries. They're a curious phenomenon -- and old, of course. In his "Autobiography," Ben Franklin mentions starting one with his friends, the Junto Club, before they founded the Library Company of Philadelphia.
The library in Alexandria VA also started with the Alexandria Library Company in 1794, and the Company continues to have a role with three members on the public library's board. https://alexlibraryva.org/library-history
Thank you for reviewing -- and promoting -- what will be a great but sobering read. The genre of science focused on our relationship to the planet is often relegated to stacks subconsciously labeled "enviro-whining." Especially so when it describes something we do or enjoy only to learn of its ripple effects across the ecosystem.
And thank you for your cold plunge into Substack. I grew up trusting journalism delivered by mainstream media outlets. Now, that ground you came from is spongy. We're grateful you are continuing your professional craft in a studio of your own making.
Love having coffee with you and your stack
I love this newsletter - on Fridays or whenever it shows up. Yes, I pay for a subscription and expect I always will. I started with you in the WAPO but alas, I no longer subscribe there, and of course books and you aren't there either. You are such a good writer, Ron! Funny and talented - a joy to read! Almost without fail I find something in your posts each week to save for myself - my ever expanding reading list - or for someone else. I hope this new gig works out for you stress-wise and financially -- so many of us appreciate you!!
Thanks, Judy. And thanks for following me over here. I appreciate it very much.
"That stings because bees are..." I see what you did there 🐝
Buzz kill is happening in suburban yards with mosquito sprays, deceptively advertised as natural and chrysanthemum-derived. The spray, as you described, lingers on leaves and can kill insects on contact.Native bees are particularly vulnerable as many do not return to hives but sleep on foliage or in flowers.
Several of my neighbors have twice a month mosquito sprays. Fortunately they live across the street so my pot garden has a good number of bees that visit.
Tell your neighbors about the Bucket of Doom, a great (cheap) alternate to mosquito spraying. We advocate for it in Madison NJ, can go on your porch or deck or around a pool (a dentist in town swears by it). https://ui.charlotte.edu/story/try-e28098bucket-doome28099-eliminate-mosquitoes-without-harmful-pesticides/
There was an article in the Washington Post about a woman in DC who has started a campaign to get her neighbors involved in this.
fate gherkin my chain...made my day!
LONG LIVE BAD PUNS!
Nothing bad about it at all!
I recall when Washington Monthly appeared, so it's good to know it's still going. I guess I'm glad it's taken up Book World but given its emphasis on politics, I wonder how diverse the reviewed books would be. (I must admit I haven't seen an issue in some time, so perhaps the Book World editor would be left on her or his own to champion reading all kinds of lit.)
With EPA regulations and laws mostly set aside, I don't have a lot of hope for America's approach to ridding ourselves of chemicals harmful to the environment and us. One of the worst, Roundup, a known cancer-causing agent, was the subject of a class action lawsuit because of the dangers it causes (its use on the lawns where I lived in Virginia led to the death of my beloved Westie); yet, you can find it still in virtually any garden shop at places like Home Depot. That we allow permethrin's use in clothing, knowing what it does, shows complete lack of regard for the environment. Humans manufacture and use an extraordinary number of chemicals, and some only now are beginning to show their effects on us. People never thought DDT was harmful until Rachel Carson published "Silent Spring". Everything we do and use has a consequence.
Oh, Ron - so, so good.
As usual.
Starting with the over-all [and essential] topic of endangered bees, etc., and therefore endangered world, everything in this is worthy.
But, truth be told, this little nugget is my favorite: ".... feel like wearing a Ziploc bag without the sandwich. ..."
Thank you for being here. Your emails are the ones I receive that I read “cover to cover” every single time! I actually cried when you got fired and I cheer your newfound space and path forward. 👏 from a former Indie bookseller
Thanks so much for following me here, Jenny. I appreciate your financial support!
Thanks for the great reviews Ron. As for everything else, "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." You have many gifts and I know you'll make the best of them. Enjoy the rest of the summer and we'll look forward to hearing from you!!
Ron, not sure who wrote your headlines at WP but it should have been you all along. This one’s terrific.
Bucket list complete! I am in Ron Charles’s wonderful newsletter: he shares my confession that, yes, I was a hellion as a teen. What he does not share — but I will — is how the night be describes below, I wrestled his parents to the ground so I could stand alone like P. T. Barnum before a marquee with my mug on it!
I was saving that shocking anecdote for my tell-all memoir! (So great to see you last Monday.)
Please don't apply for the Washington Monthly call for a Book World editor. We need you here!
Thanks, Meredith. I was happy to give up editing about 10 years ago. I know some sharp, talented person will take that job at Washington Monthly and do wonders with it.
It's always fun to read your book reviews that include a personal twist. And the rest of the newsletter is also worth reading. Love the bit about the library in Maine.
Sobering read indeed. Would be great if we paid more attention to birds and bees than we do to rabid bats and rats who think they're running a country. Thanks for sharing important book. Also must get Pickle book for my grands. All 3 big readers. Books are my go to gifts for them always. Hope you are doing well with Substack. We value your reviews and slices of everyday life...keep on travelin' and writin'.
Once again, I learned something new from your newsletter, so thank you for that. I didn’t know about privately governed association libraries. I found four near Philadelphia: Library Company, Athenaeum, The Rosenbach, and Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Each has its own specialty collections and varying membership fees. I didn’t find any that are like the treasure you found in Hancock Point. In our area, our local public library is really community centered, so we are lucky to have that.
I was surprised, too. I knew about special and sometimes fairly exclusive private libraries, but not these kind of community libraries. They're a curious phenomenon -- and old, of course. In his "Autobiography," Ben Franklin mentions starting one with his friends, the Junto Club, before they founded the Library Company of Philadelphia.
The library in Alexandria VA also started with the Alexandria Library Company in 1794, and the Company continues to have a role with three members on the public library's board. https://alexlibraryva.org/library-history
That’s amazing— thanks.