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A highly entertaining memoir interspersed with sections of botanical and biological research and trivia. Jahren begins her story as an impressionable young girl exploring in her dad's lab at the local college. From there we accompany her through her love of literature, which comes from her mother, and her love for science, both of which combine for us in a very readable chronicle of her struggles and accomplishments. Interspersed with Biblical and literary quotes, the work makes it seem like I was a long-time friend who studied along with her, looked at the same puzzling questions, faced the same challenges with academic administrations and funding, and had the same eccentric friends and adventures. The writing style reminds me of Barbara Kingsolver, with quick, pithy asides and similes and her ability to draw the reader into the scenes. I don't give many five-star reviews, but this one earns it for style, substance, edification, and overall fun.