Okay, so I just got my hands on 'The New Book of Apples' and wow, it's like an apple encyclopedia! As someone who's been trying to grow some unique varieties in my backyard, this book is a goldmine. Over 2000 varieties? That's insane!

The watercolor illustrations are absolutely gorgeous – they make me want to plant every single variety mentioned. Though I do wish there were more photos of actual apples for better identification (some descriptions can be a bit vague).

What really stands out is the historical background section. Did you know some apple varieties date back to the Roman times? Mind blown! But fair warning – if you're looking for super technical growing tips, this might not be your go-to resource.

My only real complaint? The directory section feels a bit rushed compared to the rest of the book. Some lesser-known varieties I was curious about barely got a mention. Still, for $25, this is an amazing reference that'll look great on my bookshelf (when I'm not constantly flipping through it!).