Category: NonFiction

Box of Stars

gr4c5Leave a comment

Tennant, Catherine. The Box of Stars. Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1993.stars

When I first saw Box of Stars I thought to myself, “unique” because it is. A box with a book, plates and supposedly, maps of the hemispheres (I was missing mine). I love the plates. Each plate gives an beautiful illustration of a constellation pierced with holes to mark the stars. Hold the plate up and the holes glitter like the stars you are supposed to see in the sky. The book describes the myths and legends surrounding each constellation. Definitely a fun read.
I wish I had gotten this in the summer rather than chilly winter. Every plate makes me want to grab a blanket, find a wide open field to lie in and search the heavens for Pisces or Delphinus. There is magic in the night sky, especially off the coast of Maine. I can remember searching for satellites in a sky so laden with stars it made my head spin. “The stars were so many they seemed to overlap” said Natalie I agree. Maybe I’ll get Box of Stars again when I go on vacation. This time I’ll find a box with the maps

.

Book Lust Twist: Nancy put this under the category of “Astronomical Ideas” in Book Lust (p. 27).

Breads

gr4c52 Comments

Clayton, Bernard. Bernard Clayton’s New Complete Book of Breads.New York: Simon & Schuster, 1987.

I wish I baked more. When I was a teenager my mother taught me how to make a white bread with a cup of mashed potatoes that was amazing. It was the most perfect carb I could create. Grilled cheese sandwiches were heaven with this bread. I always pictured my adult wholesome self, kneading and sifting on a Sunday morning, flour dust rising in clouds around me. I don’t know what happened to that “from scratch girl” but, Clayton’s book makes me want to jump in the car, rush to the baking aisle and buy dry yeast. In bulk. This 748 mammoth of a cookbook is cover to cover baking knowledge. There are no glossy photos to fill space. Even the illustrations are small and unobtrusive. It’s all about the bread. And Bread there is. From rye bread to crackers and everything in between. My favorite chapters were, “baking for dogs” (p 715), “little breads” (p 517), and “vegetable breads” (p 409). But, I can’t forget my other favorites like potato, croissant and cheese. Of course Clayton goes over equipment, technique, ingredients, and what went wrong should something go wrong, but he also includes storing, freezing, and there’s even a chapter on homemade ovens.

I would even go so far as to say this book demonstrates culture. In addition to all the different recipes Clayton gives a little history on the more unique ones, “…In Portugal, the bread is served warm or cold with a famous dish of peas and eggs, and a potato- sausage soup” (p 183). Now I want to go out and find that recipe for the soup!

BookLust Twist: One of the reasons why I love reading Book Lust and More Book Lust is quotes like this, “For me the best part of baking bread is theupper-arm exercise involved with kneading, and the times that you can curl up on the couch with a good book while the dough is rising.” Pearl goes on to say, “I’ve used Bernard Clayton’s bread books since the first one was published in 1973, and have never found a bad recipe” (More Book Lust p72).

Africa News Cookbook

gr4c5Leave a comment

Africa News Service, Inc. The African News Cookbook: African Cooking for Western Kitchens. New York: Penguin, 1986.African cookbook

Another BookLust pick. There is something magical about this book. Maybe it’s from the introduction, “Cooking by the book is not the African way” (p.xiii). It’s romantic to learn the ingredients, forget the recipe and go with the heart; that’s what this book seems to be telling me.
On a serious side it’s crammed with interesting facts usually not associated with a cookbook. For starters there is a list of African nations and their capitals. Because this cookbook focuses on a geographical location there are maps. Because it focuses on a culture there are stories about African Women and food, and even how to eat with joy.
Probably my favorite aspect of this cookbook is the recognition of the origin of each recipe. From Malawi comes Masamba; from Algeria comes Dess b’l-besla. I think of Aubrey from Malawi who would write letters on onion paper and dream of traveling to Algeria.

BookLust Twist: From More Book Lust under the category of, “Africa: A Reader’s Itinerary” (p.2)

Om Yoga Today

gr4c5Leave a comment

Lee, Cyndi. Om Yoga Today. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2004.

Lotus

I jumped to Om Yoga Today because Sunday’s sequence from Om Yoga dull to me. I didn’t relish the idea of spending time in “restorative poses” first thing in the morning, especially since Lee suggests staying in each pose for 15-20 minutes. Yikes…or maybe Yawn.

So, Om Yoga Today it was. It’s Sunday and I had the time so I jumped to the 30 minute sequence (p60). I loaded up Yungchen Lhamo into the stereo and settled in. True to Lee form every pose was demonstrated in stick. Luckily, I picked up another yoga book with photos to supplement the stick and clear the confusion (review coming later). The best thing about OYT is the clear direction for repeating certain sequences. In the 30 minute session my favorite moves were side extended angle and star pose. The poses I *still* need to work on are pigeon (I found a perfect blanket to use for support) and half moon. I know I’m not as half as I should be. I think I’m more a quarter moon, waxing or waning, I’m not sure.
Today’s yoga sequence was perfect for today. I think I’ll call it my Sunday Sequence. B+

Om Yoga

gr4c52 Comments

Lee, Cyndi. Om Yoga. San Francisco: Chronicle. 2002.

Om YogaI picked up a few Cyndi Lee books to ward off falling off the practice yoga wagon. It all started when I went to a yoga instructor’s non-holiday party and ended up sharing stories of insecurity with another guest. We talked about being so out of practice, so out of shape that we were too intimidated, too insecure to go to class. How did one woman describe it? “You don’t go to class because you aren’t in shape. You don’t get in shape because you don’t go to class…and on and on.” It’s that job/experience dilemma. I decided I wanted to do something outside of class that will help me in class. Enter Cyndi Lee and her easy-easy books. I bought three.

This review is all about the “daily yoga” book because I started it today (being New Years Day and all). It’s simple to follow and very informative. I like that she requires a daily warm up. As with all routines, she walks you through every pose. Here’s Monday as an example: The sequence – Sun Salutation. The poses – Mountain-> standing forward bend -> lunge -> downward dog -> plank -> knees, chest, chin -> cobra -> child’s -> downward -> lunge -> standing forward bend -> powerful pose -> mountain. Lee requires the sequence be completed twice, paying attention to switch lunge legs each time. Each pose comes with a stick figure example that points out key body postures (lunge: “spine stays long, keep chest open” p33). Like I said, really easy to follow. One I get the sequence down, I won’t have to stare at the drawings for guidance.

My only complaints? First, sometimes the stick figures are hard to decipher. I’m not fond of Lee’s depiction of threading the needle, for example. If I were 100% clueless I would question the pose, “is this person kneeling or lying prone?” Second, Lee doesn’t use the Sanskrit terms for the poses. I really want to learn the proper names of things but I won’t do that reading Lee’s books.

A Child’s Delight

gr4c5Leave a comment

Perrin, Noel. A Child’s Delight. Hanover: University Press of New England, 1997.

So. After giving up All Souls Rising, I have switched to something lighter, more innocent if you will: essays on children’s classic books. Really. I needed a break and this has been the perfect remedy. This is going to sound all too punful, but this book is delightful. My word of advice though, ignore the preface. If you are like me, you don’t need a chart of what children’s stories you haven’t read much, less even heard of. I resent the list as if it insinuates I had a poor upbringing because I was in the 93rd percentile who has never heard of E. Nesbit”s The Phoenix and the Carpet. Never mind that Disney made a movie out of it. No matter. I’ll read it now. But. But. But, because of the preface I am constantly aware of what I don’t know. I actually find myself overly proud when I’ve read a Noel Perrin choice (like The Borrowers Series by Mary Norton or The Story of Ferdinand by Monroe Leaf).

Anyway, I’m taking notes on Perrin’s picks. I’m thinking my niece and nephews could benefit from my new-found knowledge of “classic” books for kids.

BookLust Twist: In Pearl’s More Book Lust under “Dewey Reconstructed, the 000s” (p.62).

Travels with Charley

gr4c51 Comment

Steinbeck, John. Travels With Charley: In Search of America. New York: Viking Press, 1962.

Charley This could easily be my favorite Steinback story. Maybe because it’s a true one. Maybe because it hasn’t left me wanting to slit my wrist by the last page. Maybe because Steinbeck writes about something I am interested in: traveling the country. His humor and DownToEarth voice make reading easy. I was thrilled when, by the 26th page, Steinbeck had already mentioned Deerfield, MA and my father’s school (the Eaglebrook School). His own son had attended there, hence the shout out.
Steinbeck does a wonderful job describing the small towns, the set-in-their-ways locals who inhabit each place, and the passing autumn into winter scenery. Like all his other tales (fiction or not), he makes the people and places come alive with vivid realism. My favorite part: Steinbeck wants to see the birthplace of Sinclair Lewis. He asks some locals about finding the small town of Sauk. They know the sign, “Birthplace of Sinclair Lewis” but it’s obvious they have no clue who Lewis was.

Booklust Twist: Pearl hides this gem in a chapter called ‘The Beckoning Road”, (More Book Lust, p.20)

Beautiful Joe

gr4c5Leave a comment

JosephSaunders, Marshall. Beautiful Joe: A Dog’s Own Story. Storytellers Ink, 1990.

Another Booklust special. I’m not being sarcastic. This book is special. I loved it. Decidedly a children’s book with great illustrations, I dove into it for a quick-like-bunny read (think an hour or so). I think I just needed a break from Admiral Hornblower and all his blowing (more on that in another post). Beautiful Joe is the haunting story of an abused puppy told from the puppy’s point of view. Very unique. This dog suffers cruelty at the hands of his farmer owner (like his tail and ears being chopped off). If you need a good cry, pick up this book! For all its sadness, at times it also is poetic and preachy. I’ve heard of other versions being underwritten by the ASPCA, though my edition made no mention. The narration does leave the story and focus more on animal rights from time to time, but all in all it is a moving story. It has touched the hearts, and remained in the memory of many.

Spoiler: Joe is rescued and ends up in a loving household.
Booklust Twist: Pearl calls this a “three hanky read” (Book Lust p.237). If you love animals I agree!

Here First

gr4c5Leave a comment

Krupat, Arnold, and Brain Swann, eds. Here First: Autobiographical Essays by Native American Writers. New York: Modern Library, 2000.

Here First was, well, here first so I’m reading it first. I’m a little over 100 pages in and my first reaction is voyeurism. I’m peering into lives and seeing cultures I know little to nothing about. There is bitterness in their words, humor on the surface. Poetry in pieces. I’m having a tough time with the prejudice because I’m one of Them (being white) and not them. A perfect example is a favorite quote:
“The neighbor boy pointed to the screen laughing at the hooting Indians being chased by cavalry and told her that she was an “Indian.” I hugged my heartbroken daughter and said, “But you are an Indian.” She told me right back, “But I’m not that kind of Indian.” None of us are.” (Bird, Gloria. Autobiography as Spectacle: An Act of Liberation or the Illusion of Liberation? p65)

Booklust Twist: Categorized as “American Indian Literature”, (Book Lust, p.23).

Last River

gr4c5Leave a comment

Balf, Todd. Last River: the tragic race for Shangri-La. New York: Crowne Publishers, 2000.

This just came in for me. Not only is this a BookLust mention, but Todd Balf is a Massachusetts man. I’m curious about this (nonfictional) story because I have a near & dear friend who does the whitewater thing. When I’m not worried about him cracking his skull open, I’m proud of him.

EDIT: I’m still reading Here First so River will just have to wait. 11/21/06

11/23/06: I gave up on Here First so I could jump into Last River.
11/25/06: Wanna hear something weird? Back when I first ordered Last River I said I was curious about the story because I have a friend who kayaks. I’m 60 pages into it and already Balf has mentioned HACKS, which my friend is a member (okay, president), and Falls River where my friend lives AND the very house my friend lives in. It doesn’t take much to excite me. I know I won’t see his name in this print, but it thrills me to know I’m delving into his world.

11/27/06: I finished Last River. Once I really started reading I couldn’t put it down. Was it the sense of imminent doom? I did know someone would die tragically. Balf was clever never to let on who would meet his doom on that monstrous river. I think that was part of it, but I think it was more out of fascination for Balf’s respect for the Tsangpo Gorge and everything that went with the October 1998 expedition. I have a deep rooted respect for the places I’ll never see, the things I’ll never do and the dangers I’ll never comprehend. This book opened my eyes to a different way of life: a life challenged and driven and obsessed by whitewater. In the end, I think I understand my friend a little better too.

Booklust Twist: Categorized as “Adventure By the Book” the kayakers are called, “gung-ho”, (Book Lust, p.8).

Prejudice

gr4c5Leave a comment

Muse, Daphne. Prejudice: A Story Collection. New York: Hyperion. 1995.

On a lunch break today I picked this up. On a whim I started to read. It’s another “classified as young adult” collection of short stories all dealing with prejudice and the swirling labels that go along with ignorance: hate, fear, discrimination…all from the point of view of a child/young adult. I don’t know how I get myself into these books. Native American. Jewish. Japanese. Pretty. Lesbian. Poor. Southern. White. All within the first 62 pages. This is supposed to be a collection of stories written by different writers but all the stories sound the same. All told in that Coming-Of-Age voice, with Insert-Your-Prejudice-Here terminologies. I’ve gotten through six of the 15 stories and I’m admitting defeat…for now. My main goal is to read every book that Nancy Pearl suggests in Booklust, so I don’t know I keep getting off track with these “moral dilemma” books!

UPDATE: I finished all 15 stories and wasn’t impressed.

The Pursuit of Happyness

gr4c5Leave a comment

Gardner, Chris. The Pursuit of Happyness. New York: Harper Collins. 2006.

Given to me as a gift, I wasn’t sure what to make of The Pursuit of Happyness. The misspelling of happiness drove me crazy and I was wary of words on the cover like, “soon to be a major motion picture starring Will Smith” and “advance reader’s edition – not for sale.” So, I did what any hesitant reader would do. I kept the cover closed and tried to read other things. Remember American Tragedy? I had to give up on that one (due date came up and I didn’t have the heart to renew so,  AT got an “attempted” tag on librarything).  Meanwhile, I read more cookbooks, more young adult fiction – blowing through Here’s to You Rachel Robinson until finally, finally I revisited Pursuit.
About Pursuit. I’m 122 pages into it. Just up to “Part Two” and counting. I’m impressed with it’s tell-it-like-it-is first person voice (it is a true story, nonfiction after all). Gardner is honest about his upbringing. He doesn’t sugarcoat abuse, rape, theft, poverty, jealousy, lust and hate. Although the premise of the book is tell Gardner’s rags to riches story, it’s a social commentary on attitudes towards domestic abuse as well. In heart-wrenching detail Gardner’s mother is beaten by her husband in plain view of her community. A crowd gathers but no one tries to intervene. In the 1960s women were to obey their husbands…at all costs. I have more to say about “fighting back” but that’s for another time. In Part Two Gardner is about to join the navy so I’m sure there will be a snapshot of how the military is viewed in a country still raw from the horrors of the Vietnam War. I’ll keep you posted.

UPDATE: 11/17/06
I was wrong. Chris managed to avoid real confrontation so we sort of flew over his military career. I just finished the book in it’s entirety. Here’s my takeaway: anything is possible. It doesn’t matter where you are from, where you’ve been, or even if you’re not sure where you’re going. Anything is possible. Chris is a perfect example of someone who didn’t have the best while growing up but still managed to grow up to be the best he could be. Millionaire, Father of the Year, Humanitarian. You can’t beat that.

Best Eats…or Rachael Lovefest

gr4c53 Comments

Ray, Rachael. Best Eats in Town on $40 a Day. New York: Lake Isle Press. 2004.

I’m an on again, off again fan of Rachael Ray. In other words, in small doses she is wonderful. Too much of her peppiness can kill you. I watch most of her shows, flipping back and forth between something a little less sweet during the commercial breaks, (or when she gets to be too much). I’m not sure if $40 a Day the book is a spin off of $40 a Day the show because of popularity or a crazed attempt to saturate the market with all things Rachael. I’m banking on the second notion because the book is a Rachael Ray lovefest. I have never seen so many pictures of RR in one place. It’s like looking at her personal photo album with commentary. Rachael looking dreamy at a coffeehouse table, Rachael snuggling at the Grand Canyon, Rachael in a helicopter, Rachael with a glass of wine…you get the point. But, the book is more than that. It’s Rachael’s commentary on the places she’s been, the food she’s tried. It has recipes and travel advice. Contact information for the restaurants listed…Here’s why I’m not buying: the book. Not only does she succeed in finding 3-4 places to spend her $40 (and always comes in under budget), but each and every single time the food is orgasmically fantastic. What are the chances of that? Cheap and mind-blowing? I doubt it. If I was really curious I would take this book with me to a RR traveled city and test it out. Go to the places she mentions, order the food she samples and see/taste for myself. In the meantime, I’m returning the book.

Edited to add: I had the opportunity to eat at Becky’s in Portland, Maine (one of Rachael’s picks). I had the basic egg/cheese sandwich and mom had the fruit bowl. Her meal definitely looked better than mine, but my sandwich was less than $3 and worth every penny. My biggest gripe? Only one refill on the coffee.

My Brother Sam

gr4c5Leave a comment

Collier, James L. My Brother Sam is Dead. New York: Scholastic. 1974.

I don’t know what made me pick up this grade school book. A strong desire to finish the books I should have read in my youth? Probably not, since I’d never heard of this one before. I was wandering the stacks of our Education Resource Center when I stumbled across it. It looked interesting so I gave it a chance…and read it in one day.

It’s the life of a kid in the midst of the American Revolution. His brother (Sam, obviously) joins the fight while the rest of the family tries to remain neutral. All sorts of tragedies befall the Meeker family and I found myself praying for the book to finish. I didn’t think there would be a happy ending (judging by the title) and I was right – there wasn’t.
Interestingly enough, the towns and even some of the characters are nonfictional. It makes me want to travel to Connecticut just to find the tavern, the fishing grounds, the trade route…just to stand in the path of history.

Culinary Boot Camp

gr4c5Leave a comment

Shulman, Martha Rose. Culinary Boot Camp: five days of basic training with the Culinary Institute of America. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2006.

Aside from the recipes I thought this was a real read-it-once kind of book. Not something I would want to own for myself. I enjoyed holding the glossy book as much as reading Rose’s diary-like account of her experience(s) with the CIA (she actually went twice). My favorite sections were about different procedures: knife handling and water cooking. I learned something about testing the “doneness” of meat by feel. My least favorite part of the book were the photographs. Most of the photos were blurred to indicate “action shots”: cooks plating, students sitting in lecture, a chef chopping, students stirring and so forth.
Another reason for the read-it-once philosphy: I doubt I will make any of the recipes. At the end, a little less than half of the book,  are recipes mentioned elsewhere. I know I will never need a brown veal stock and Rose admits as much, too.