In an era of compromised writing and substandard visual accents in books, this one stands out as a gem not to be missed. Glorious Indoor Gardens is meticulously researched and beautifully written. It highlights gardens across the United States which are characterized by the fact that they are, well, indoors.

If you are not familiar with the author, Miclele Driscoll Alioto, she is the host of HGTV's "The Inside Dirt". I have also read several articles she has written for the San Francisco Chronicle Home and Garden section, where I believe she is a regular columnist.

Alioto structured the book creatively. She clearly spent time interviewing the subjects of the book and has written fascinating profiles of these gardeners (seriously, you want to meet each and every one of these people and have dinner with them!) and the diverse gardens they have developed (small spaces, large spaces, urban, country - one even features a floor made out of sand!)

Glorious Indoor Gardens also provides quality gardening information and tips. You can tell that the author is well-versed and educated about practical gardening, and presents these hints and suggestions in a clear manner.

In addition to the useful, culturally diverse and interesting content, Alioto's book is absolutely gorgeous. It is well presented and the photographs are stunning. Truly, one receives a glimpse into the lives of the gardeners and their gardens. This book is phenominal - I have never been so intuitively moved by a book on gardening. I think it is because so many of my gardening books are either too dry and factual, or they are too heavily reliant on the beauty of the photographs, and the text suffers.

This one really stands out. I have already purchased several copies for friends, gardeners and non-gardeners alike, as gifts. I brought one copy to cheer up a friend who is currently in the hospital recovering from a serious procedure, and who is slightly depressed. She called me bubbling with excitement - I hadn't heard a smile in her voice for a long time. Reading this book, and looking at the beautiful pictures, lifted her spirits and momentarily took her mind off of her pain. Now, she can't wait to get home and start gardening again!

I highly recommend this book to you, even if you are not an avid gardener. This is the first time I have ever posted a book review, and give it a HUGE thumbs-up, it is really not one to be missed and is one of a kind. I can't wait for her to write another!

I am always on the lookout for great books I can give as gifts. One I found recently is Glorious Indoor Gardens by Michele Driscoll Alioto. The book is exceptionally informative, and provides a wealth of practical ideas for anyone interested in gardening, regardless of level of expertise. On top of that, it has some great pictures of spectacular gardens! I put it on my coffee table and all of my guests have commented on how amazing the gardens are. It is a great addition to any household, both as a flip-through picture book and an informative reference guide. I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates the beautiful things in life!