Beth Fish Reads

Weekend Cooking: Review: Farmers' Markets of the Heartland by Janine MacLachlan

2012-05-19T06:01:00.001-04:00

Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. For more information, see the welcome post.

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It's that wonderful time of the year . . . and I don't mean Christmas. For me, the best season is when the farmers' markets are open. I am blessed to live in an area in which I can shop at a different local farmers' market at least four times a week. From May to early November, I buy everything but orange juice from a local producer.

I'm not alone in my love of the family farm. Janine MacLachlan is "a self-described farm groupie," and her new book, Farmers' Markets of the Heartland, is a celebration of locally produced American bounty. The book can be enjoyed on several levels, but for me, the primary features are the stories of the farmers and their land and the informative sidebars, which cover a variety of issues about our food and food supply.

MacLachlan focuses on eight Midwestern states (and gives Chicago its own chapter). For each state, she provides descriptions of specific markets, including the type of information you would expect: number of vendors, location, and operation times. What makes the book unique, though, are the profiles of the vendors. Through their stories, MacLachlan paints a vivid and fascinating portrait of the modern family farm that moves beyond the barnyard to history, government, science, and philosophy. In Ohio, for example, we meed Deanna and David McMaken of Rose Ridge Farm, who are fifth-generation farmers, living on land that has been in their family since the early 1820s. As they talk about their farm, we learn about the Homestead Act, early land surveying, small-farm cattle breeding, and the woes of living in a house built by their great-great-grandfather.

Tucked between the market data, you'll find a treasure trove of facts such as the Greenfield Agrarian Book Club reading list and "A Day in the Life of a Market Manager." But being a farmer today is not always easy, and Farmers' Markets of the Heartland takes time to examine more serious issues, such as conservation, the rapid loss of farmland to development, preserving biodiversity, CSAs, and the future of the small farm.

There is much to love about this book, even if you don't live in the Midwest or even in America. Farmers' Markets of the Heartland will appeal to anyone who has interest in fresh, locally produced food. It's a book that you won't necessarily read from cover to cover in one sitting. Instead, you'll dip into it, reading a profile or two or perhaps turning to the feature on artisan cheeses.

Of course, if you live in the American Midwest or are planning a trip, you can use the book as your guide to finding great eats. In addition, you'll want to spend an hour or two just looking at the beautiful photographs. Finally, even though this is not a cookbook, MacLachlan includes a handful of yummy recipes; there's a rosemary salt bread that's calling my name.

For those of you who are looking for recipes based on farmers' market produce, visit Janine MacLachlan's website The Rustic Kitchen.

Buy Farmers' Markets of the Heartland at an Indie, at Powell's, at Book Depository, or at bookstore near you. These links lead to affiliate programs
Published by University of Illinois Press, 2012
ISBN-13: 9780252078637
Rating: B
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

Imprint Friday: The Blind Spy by Alex Dryden

2012-05-18T06:01:00.001-04:00

Welcome to Imprint Friday and today's featured imprint: Ecco books. Stop by each week to be introduced to a must-read title from one of my favorite imprints. I know you'll be adding many of these books to your wish list.

After the break up of the Soviet Union, a entire genre of fiction faced the possibility of extinction. Thanks to Alex Dryden and his Anna Resnikov novels, spy thriller fans can breath easy again. The Blind Spy, which came out in March, is Dryden's third in a series but can easily be read as a standalone novel.

Here's the publisher's summary:

Russia has never accepted Ukraine's independence and now the Patrioti—Putin, his elder statesmen, and seasoned generals dedicated to rebuilding their fallen empire—are using the KGB's controversial elite and clandestine forces of Department S to destabilize the young democratic nation and bring it back under Russian control.

But Cougar, the powerful private intelligence company that overshadows even the CIA in its reach, learns of Russia's plans and strikes at the heart of its plot with its own lethal weapon—the gorgeous ex–KGB colonel Anna Resnikov. More than a gifted spy and expert killer, Anna lost the love of her life and the father of her child at the hands of her former countrymen. Her defection to Cougar has made her the most wanted woman in Russia, but she'll risk any danger to herself for the chance to destroy the evil that rules her homeland. And on the ground in Ukraine, she meets a formidable foe, a mysterious KGB spy whose aims are suspiciously unclear but whose power is unmistakably deadly.

The Blind Spy starts in Damascus in the 1970s, when cold-war Soviet spy Lieutenant Valentin Viktorov discovers he has a son, the result of a one-night stand with a Syrian woman. After leaving the infant on the doorstep of an orphanage, Valentin returns to the USSR.

The story then jumps to Moscow in Putin's Russia, where Valentin's son, Dmitry, is now in his late 30s and is himself an elite spy for his father's homeland. Dmitry, however, is no ordinary man; although he has been blind since birth, he is blessed with an almost psychic talent to disguise his disability. The current mission for Putin's Department S agents? To find a way to bring Ukraine back under Russian control.

Enter Anna Resnikov, ex-KGB officer now working for the West, whose task is to undermine Putin's plans. Once she's on the trail of the blind spy--or is it really that Dmitry's on her trail?--the action really takes off. Thanks to believable characterizations, twisty plots, and vivid descriptions, Dryden has successfully revived the spy vs. spy genre for twenty-first-century readers.

Now for some other opinions (click on the links for the full reviews):

From Publishers Weekly: "Dryden’s personal knowledge and experience of both the British security services and Russia’s intelligence apparatus informs his fine third entry . . . in a series grounded less in physical action than in the twisting intellectual gamesmanship that makes the shadow world of espionage so compelling."
From the Richmond Times-Dispatch: "His thrillers are thus an extended clarion call to arms, despite their spy-thriller guise. And as guises go, Dryden's books are doozies. They're exceptionally intelligent examples of the genre."
From BookLoons Reviews: "A former spy and international security expert turned novelist, [Dryden] knows what he's writing about and is able to wring every ounce of suspense and riveting action from his authentic thrillers."

For more on Alex Dryden, visit his website or follow him on Twitter.

Beth Fish Reads is proud to showcase Ecco books as a featured imprint on this blog. For more information about Ecco, please read the introductory note from Vice President / Associate Publisher Rachel Bressler, posted here on July 15, 2011. Find your next great read by clicking on Ecco in the scroll-down topics/labels list in my sidebar and by visiting Ecco books on Facebook and following them on Twitter.

The Blind Spy at an Indie

The Blind Spy at Powell's

The Blind Spy at Book Depository
These links lead to affiliate programs.

Published by HarperCollins / Ecco, March 2012
ISBN-13: 9780062088086

Review & Giveaway: This Means War (Movie)

2012-05-17T06:01:00.002-04:00

A few days ago I told you I was fortunate enough to be able to offer one of my readers a DVD of the fun, action-packed, and romantic movie This Means War, starring Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Tom Hardy.

Two best friends, FDR and Tuck, work for the CIA and don't have much time for committed relationship . . . until they meet Lauren. Lauren hasn't dated in a while but when she meets two hot guys on the same day, her best friend encourages her to date them both until she decides which one, if either, she likes better.

When FDR and Tuck realize they're dating the same woman they decide to keep both their friendship and their occupation secret from Lauren. How long can they keep up the pretense and what will happen when Lauren finds out she's dating the two best buds? Pop some popcorn and get ready to try to decide which guy you would pick. To help you choose here's a list of their characteristics (thanks to Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment):

In This Means War, Lauren had one big question looming on her mind--which is the right guy for her--FDR or Tuck? Below we create a comparison of the two, just like Lauren did with her bestie, Trish.

What They Share

Can wear a suit really well
Live in really nice apartments
Rich
Can protect you
Have a dangerous job

All About Tuck

Sweet
Has a child and an ex-wife
British
Likes to plan
Takes relationship slowly and more carefully--he’s safe

All About FDR

Has commitment issues
Plenty of ex-girlfriends
Tall
Blunt
Spontaneous

There are several possible outcomes to This Means War, and Mr. BFR and I made our predictions early on in the film. I guessed wrong, but it didn't take away from enjoying the movie.

Giveaway Thanks to Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment I can offer one of my readers a DVD of the movie This Means War. Because the studio publicity people will be mailing out the DVD, this giveaway is open to only those with a U.S. or Canada mailing address (no PO boxes). To enter for a chance to win, just fill out the form. I'll pick a winner on May 24 using a random number generator. Good luck!

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Wordless Wednesday 181

2012-05-15T22:41:00.000-04:00

Dame's Rocket, May 2012

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Today's Read & Giveaway: The Icon Thief by Alac Nevala-Lee

2012-05-15T05:50:00.000-04:00

Enter the world of cutthroat art collecting, dance, and the Russia Mafia in The Icon Thief, a mystery/thriller by debut author Alec Nevala-Lee.

Andrey waited for what he knew was coming, barely aware of the music still pouring from his cassette deck. As he watched, the door of one car opened, disclosing a figure in a fur cap and greatcoat. It was a boy of twelve or so. His rifle, with its wooden buttstock, seemed at least twice as old as he was. (p. 2)

—The Icon Thief, by Alec Nevala-Lee (Penguin USA / Signet, 2012)

For more information about the book, take a look at the summary from GoodReads:

Maddy Blume, an ambitious young art buyer for a Manhattan hedge fund, is desperate to track down a priceless painting by Marcel Duchamp, the most influential artist of the twentieth century. The discovery of a woman’s decapitated body thrusts criminal investigator Alan Powell into a search for the same painting, with its enigmatic image of a headless nude. And a Russian thief and assassin known as the Scythian must steal the painting first to save his reputation—and his life.

The murderous race is on. And in the lead is an insidious secret society intent on reclaiming the painting for reasons of its own—and by any means necessary.

The Giveaway: Thanks to the kind folks at PenguinUSA, I have two copies of The Icon Thief to give away. Because the publishing company will be mailing out the books, this giveaway is open only to those of you with a U.S. or Canada mailing address. To enter, simply fill out the form. I'll pick two winners on May 21 via a random number generator.

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The Icon Thief at an Indie

The Icon Thief at Powell's

The Icon Thief at Book Depository
These links lead to affiliate programs.

Review: Fables 11: War and Pieces by Bill Willingham

2012-05-14T06:01:00.003-04:00

In the eleventh entry of Bill Willingham's Fables series, War and Pieces, our Fables heroes go to battle against the Adversary and Emperor. The principal characters in this book are Sleeping Beauty, Boy Blue, and Cinderella on the side of good and the Snow Queen, Hansel, and Geppetto on the side of evil. Of course many other familiar characters also make an appearance in the great war fought on three fronts.

War and Pieces marks the end of one major story arc, although there are still plenty of loose ends, many characters left to learn about, and at least one cliff hanger. This may be the most action-packed book yet, and the strategies, surprise attacks, and unexpected episodes are just part of the reason I'm hooked on this series.

The team of artists for Fables 11 is made of Mark Buckingham, Steve Leialoha, Niko Henrichon, Andrew Pepoy, Lee Loughridge, and Todd Klein. I've mentioned before that I like the work of some Fables artists better than others, so I was relieved that the style of the illustrations in this volume suits my tastes. The interpretations are not the same as the early books but are consistent with how I think the characters should look.

I picked the page at the right to scan because it's not very spoilery and because it features nonhuman Fables (click to enlarge and to read). The creatures are discussing whether they would rather stay in the Mundy (our) world, confined to a secret farm in upstate New York so humans don't see them, or would consider moving to a new kingdom in the homelands, where they wouldn't have to worry about remaining hidden. I love the art and the humor.

Don't let the fairy tale aspects of this series fool you. The books are not for your middle grade children.

Buy Fables 11: War and Pieces at an Indie, Powell's, Book Depository, or a bookstore near you. These links lead to affiliate programs.
Published by DC Comics / Vertigo 2008
ISBN-13: 9781401219130
Source: bought (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

Weekend Cooking: Dinner with Friends (Movie)

2012-05-12T06:01:00.002-04:00

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One of my favorite foodie films was produced for HBO in 2001 and stars Dennis Quaid, Andie McDowell, Toni Collette, and Greg Kinnear. Dinner with Friends is a character-driven movie that focuses on shared meals.

The movie starts soon after Gabe (Quaid) and Karen (McDowell) are married when they've each invited their best friend to the beach house for the weekend. Tom (Kinnear) and Beth (Collette) barely remember each other from the wedding but soon hit it off and eventually marry. The couples remain friends, vacationing together, eating together, and raising their children together, until the day Tom tells Beth he wants a divorce. As their friends' marriage begins to crumble, Gabe and Karen question their own relationship, the meaning of friendship, and the nature of marriage.

What makes this a foodie movie (though you wouldn't know it from the trailer) is that Gabe and Karen work for Gourmet magazine and every meal is a feast for the eyes and imagination. From a flourless Italian cake to lobsters on the Vineyard and fancy lunches in New York, almost every scene centers around a meal.

Watch Dinner with Friends for the good script, great acting, and awesome food.

Imprint Friday: The Testament of Jessie Lamb by Jane Rogers

2012-05-11T06:01:00.001-04:00

Welcome to Imprint Friday and today's featured imprint: Harper Perennial. Stop by each week to be introduced to a must-read title from one of my favorite imprints. I know you'll be adding many of these books to your wish list.

Despite the flood of dystopian novels in the last few years, I never tire of genre. The books that particularly catch my attention are those that take place in the not-so-distant future and paint a fairly believable world. Jane Rogers's The Testament of Jessie Lamb is a literary and feminist look at one possible scenario.

Here's the publisher's summary:

A rogue virus that kills pregnant women has been let loose in the world, and nothing less than the survival of the human race is at stake.

Some blame the scientists, others see the hand of God, and still others claim that human arrogance and destructiveness are reaping the punishment they deserve. Jessie Lamb is an ordinary sixteen-year-old girl living in extraordinary times. As her world collapses, her idealism and courage drive her toward the ultimate act of heroism. She wants her life to make a difference. But is Jessie heroic? Or is she, as her scientist father fears, impressionable, innocent, and incapable of understanding where her actions will lead?

Set in a world irreparably altered by an act of biological terrorism, The Testament of Jessie Lamb explores a young woman's struggle to become independent of her parents. As the certainties of her childhood are ripped apart, Jessie begins to question her parents' attitudes, their behavior, and the very world they have bequeathed her.

Like many a teenager, Jessie pays little attention to politics and the big issues that adults discuss around the dinner table. She and her friends never think to question the nature of their culture or the human-built world around them. Only when the effects of maternal death syndrome (MDS) begin to hit close to home does Jessie start to pay attention and eventually take a moral stand.

The Testament of Jessie Lamb asks some big questions about what happens when human rights are stripped away and about individual obligations for saving humanity. What if the only way for humans to reproduce was for women to volunteer to bear immunized test-tube babies? The catch is that the babies would live, but the mothers would not. What would make you chose to be both hero and victim at the same time? As Jessie evaluates her life so far and looks to the future, she must make some hard decisions before her freedom of choice is taken away from her.

Because Jane Rogers brings up so many issues relevant to today's political climate, The Testament of Jessie Lamb would make a great book club pick. Topics for discussion include bioterrorism, women's rights, reproductive rights, moral issues surrounding medical practices, and parents' power over their children. Readers seem to be divided about the target audience of this dystopian novel, but despite the teenage protagonist, the themes seem to be geared toward adults. Read it, discuss it, and you be the judge.

Here are some other views (click on the links for the full review):

Liviu writing at Fantasy Book Critic: "foremost it is a voice novel which kept me hooked me from the first to the last page with its poignant and emotional style."
Christa writing at Hooked on Books: "There is so much I loved about this book . . . . But the best thing is the range of emotions it provokes while you're reading it."
Katy Guest writing for The Independent: "The novel does not set up an elaborate apocalypse, but astringently strips away the smears hiding the apocalypses we really face. Like Jessie's, it is a small, calm voice of reason in a nonsensical world."
For a variety of opinions both positive and negative, see the Book Club discussion in the comments at Linus's Blanket. (Warning: comments contain spoilers.)

The Testament of Jessie Lamb was long-listed for the Man Booker Prize and short-listed for an Arthur C. Clarke award. For more on Jane Rogers, visit her website or like her Facebook page.

Harper Perennial is a featured imprint on Beth Fish Reads. For information about the imprint, please read Erica Barmash's welcome note posted here on June 18, 2010. I encourage you to add your reviews of Harper Perennial books to the review link-up page; it's a great way to discover Good Books for Cool People. And don't miss the The Olive Reader, the Harper Perennial blog.

The Testament of Jessie Lamb at an Indie

The Testament of Jessie Lamb at Powell's

The Testament of Jessie Lamb at Book Depository
These links lead to affiliate programs.

Published by Harper Perennial, May 15, 2012 (HP edition)
ISBN-13: 9780062130808

Thursday Tea: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

2012-05-10T06:05:00.001-04:00

The Book: I'm not sure why I waited so long to read A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, considering I've had a copy of the book for more than a year. I finally took the advice of one of my best friends (not a blogger) and downloaded the audio and started listening. I was immediately hooked.

I really loved the story about Diana Bishop (historian and reluctant witch) and Matthew Clairmont (geneticist and vampire) and the ancient book Diana finds in the Bodleian Library. Although I wanted Diana to be a bit stronger and more self-assured, I didn't let that stop me from being swept along in this tale of mystery, action, and love.

Harkness's take on the nature of vampires, witches, and daemons is refreshing and fun. Diana, for reasons I'll not reveal here, doesn't understand her past or the power of her family and so we learn right along with her. Matthew, on the other hand, has lived for almost two thousand years and knows very well who he is. I especially liked to see the historian in Diana light up when she realizes that Matthew actually met the people she has only read about or was a firsthand witness to events that she is studying.

The audio edition was read by Jennifer Ikeda, who did a wonderful job with the accents and characterizations. She was equally at home with the action scenes and the more tender moments between our two heroes.

For more about A Discovery of Witches, watch this short video of Deborah Harkness on a walking tour of Oxford:

The Tea: Although Diana and her aunts would prefer a pot of tea, I took a tip from Matthew and chose wine instead. One of our favorite wines of late is a red blend by Rex Goliath called Free Range. Here's the producer's tasting notes: "With big and juicy red fruit flavors, this wine is smooth and easy to share with your fellow red wine adventurer." It's all that and still on the dry side and fairly inexpensive. We've been buying it by the big bottle.

The Assessment: I'm going out on limb that Matthew would tolerate this wine. But considering that he has wine from the year of the comet in his cellar, I doubt this is going to become a big favorite of his. Diana might go for it, however. One of her aunts prefers scotch, which is fine by me; I'd be happy to join her in a wee dram. In keeping with the original theme of this feature, I need to say there are plenty of tea lovers in A Discovery of Witches, but I think I'm going to hang out with Matthew.

What About You? What would I find in your mug or glass? And do tell me what you're reading this week.

Buy A Discovery of Witches at an Indie, Powell's, Book Depository, or a bookstore near you. These links lead to affiliate programs.
Thursday Tea was the brainchild of Anastasia at Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog.
Published by Penguin USA / Viking 2011
ISBN-13: 9780670022410
Source: audio = bought; hardback = review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)
FTC: I buy all teas (and wine!) myself, I am not a tea reviewer (but would be happy to become a wine reviewer).

Upcoming Giveaway: This Means War (Film)

2012-05-10T06:01:00.002-04:00

Get ready for a fun giveaway (details next week) from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. One of my readers will have a chance to win a DVD of This Means War, starring Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, and Tom Hardy.

Here's a quick synopsis taken from the studio's summary:

They are the CIA’s best, trained for any situation . . . except one. [In this] ultimate spy game . . . two best friends fight for the right of one woman’s hand in This Means War. The world's deadliest CIA operatives, FDR Foster (Pine) and Tuck (Hardy), are inseparable partners and best friends until they fall for the same woman (Witherspoon). Having once helped bring down entire enemy nations, they are now employing their incomparable skills and an endless array of high-tech gadgetry against their greatest nemesis-- each other.

Which of two friends will win Lauren's heart or will she decide to go it alone?

To help you decide if FDR or Tuck is the right one, check out the "Top 10 Things to Consider When Choosing Your Perfect Guy" (click the poster to enlarge it, use your browser's zoom tool, or print it).

I'm not sure which point on this check list is most important for me, but I think number 6, all about trust, is certainly a big one.

Look for my review and giveaway next week. I just got my copy of the film and can't wait to watch it. Even Mr. BFR is interested . . well, mostly he wants to see Reese Witherspoon.

Wordless Wednesday 180

2012-05-08T22:41:00.000-04:00

Cloud Eats Moon, May 2012

Click image to enlarge. For more Wordless Wednesday, click here.

Today's Imprint Read: My Name Is Memory by Ann Brashares

2012-05-08T05:50:00.000-04:00

If you had the ability to remember all your past lives—millennia of deaths, lives, tragedies, and joys—would you consider it a blessing or a burden? Daniel is one such person, and throughout all his hundreds of lives, there has been one constant: Sophia and the irresistible love he feels for her. Each reincarnation, Daniel can't shake the hope that this time their love will bloom and grow with them into old age.

I've never had a child, and I've never gotten old. I don't know why. I have seen beauty in countless things. I have fallen in love, and she is the one who endures. I killed her once and died for her many times and I still have nothing to show for it. I always search for her; I always remember her. I carry the hope that someday she will remember me. (p. 2)

—My Name Is Memory by Ann Brashares (Penguin USA / Riverhead Books, 2010; quote is from uncorrected proofs and may differ in the published edition)

Quick Facts

Setting: Virginia (modern times); all over the world (in the past)
Circumstances: Daniel remembers his past lives but Sophia doesn't; mystery of why their relationship is always cut short through death
Characters: Daniel and Sophia/Lucy, who meet as high school seniors
Main themes: love, reincarnation, living in the moment, what it means to have a fulfilled life, choice/fate, relationships
Genres: reincarnation, historical/contemporary fiction mix, romance (not bodice-ripper)
Publication date: June 2010 (hardcover); June 2011 (paperback)
Why author sounds familiar: she also wrote the young adult Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series
Miscellaneous: Indie Next pick for June 2010; first in a planned trilogy

The following video was made by BookList in 2009, but it gives you a feel for Ann Brashares:

Want to Know More? Author Ann Brashshares spoke with a CBS morning show about My Name Is Memory, becoming an author, and the transition from young adult books to adult fiction; another interview was posted on the blog Today's Adventure. For more about Brashares, visit her website, follow her on Twitter, and like her Facebook page. The publisher's website offers an excerpt, information about the different media and editions, and a reading group guide. For more Riverhead Books and for news about events and great books, like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

My Name Is Memory at an Indie

My Name Is Memory at Powell's

My Name Is Memory at Book Depository
These links lead to affiliate programs.

Sound Recommendations: Fantasy & Paranormal Series

2012-05-07T06:01:00.003-04:00

This month I take an otherworldly approach to audiobooks. Whether you're already a fan of paranormal and fantasy or are looking for a gateway into the genre, take a look at these series, all of which translate well to audio. I have spent many an hour walking through my neighborhood in the company of witches, werewolves, dragons, and vampires. Here are five recommended series to download to your mp3 player.

Fantasy for the Young and Old

Angie Sage's Septimus Heap books are perfect for a family listen. Although geared to middle grade readers, there is plenty to keep older kids and parents engaged. Septimus (as his name implies) is the seventh son of a seventh son who was separated from his family at birth. In the first book, Magyk, the boy is re-united with his parents and siblings and is stunned to discover he has the potential to become a powerful wizard. The books follow Septimus's journey to self-discovery and magic. Septimus's world is filled with fun characters and creatures, and his story isn't too scary for your primary school kids. At present there are six books in the series, and the seventh is due out in winter 2013. Magyk is read by Allan Corduner, who does a brilliant job with this family fantasy. The rest of the books are read by Gerard Doyle, who takes a different approach but still holds your attention.

George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire books are most definitely for adults. Although there are indeed dragons and fantastical creatures in the books, Martin's world is one in which the very human quest for power and the struggle to stay alive are front and center. Starting with A Game of Thrones, listeners are transported to a medieval-like realm of spies and assassins, noblemen and peasants. As the uneasy peace is disturbed, the fragile alliances among the kingdoms are shattered, and the ultimate fight for the throne is set in motion. No one in the Seven Kingdoms can be trusted, no matter how friendly they seem seem on first meeting. There are currently five books in the series, with the sixth book due out later this year. The complex, violent, sexy, and utterly addictive series is read by Roy Dotrice, who is outstanding.

Strange Creatures Hot and Cold

The Mercedes (Mercy) Thompson series by Patricia Briggs is urban fantasy set in the Pacific Northwest. Half Native American, Mercy is a shape shifter who was raised in a community of werewolves. In the first book, Moon Called, Mercy is the sole owner and mechanic at an auto shop and counts vampires and gremlins among her clients and friends. When a young werewolf stumbles into her shop, Mercy is thrown into the middle of wolf and vampire politics. The series focuses on Mercy's discovery of her background and her place in an alternative world in which humans know about paranormal beings. Currently there are six books in the series, and the seventh is due out next year. There are a number of spin-off books in this fun series, so be prepared to get ensnared. The books are read by the wonderful Lorelei King, who brings the characters and action to life.

MaryJance Davidson's Undead/Queen Betsy series stars Betsy Taylor, who died on her thirtieth birthday . . . well kind of. In the first book, Undead and Unwed, Betsy's first thought upon realizing that she has arisen from death, is that her evil stepmother has decided to bury her in plastic shoes and an ugly outfit. Betsy's undead adventures include a delightful mix of zany, romance, and mystery as she and her BFFs figure out how to cope with the world of vampires and the prophecy that predicts Betsy's royal standing. Thanks to a rich girlfriend, a hot but annoying suitor, and a devil of a half-sister, there's never a dull moment in Betsy's world. There are currently ten books in the series, with the next one due out in June. This funny, sexy, and fashion-conscious series is read by Nancy Wu, whose pacing and inflections capture the true Betsy.

One of the newest paranormal series is Deborah Harkness's All Souls trilogy, starring Diana Bishop, a witch, and Matthew Clairmont, a vampire. The series is set in a modern world in which three types creatures (daemons are the other beings) live semi-secretly among humans. Although Diana's very powerful witch family lives in the United States, her academic research takes her to England and her love life takes her Matthew's home in France. The first book, A Discovery of Witches, sets up the story by delving into Diana's and Matthew's histories and introducing us to a mysterious book whose discovery stirs up rivalries and friction among the magical creatures. Will Diana and Matthew learn its secrets before the power struggles among the realms get out of hand? The second book is due out in July. Book one is read by Jennifer Ikeda, who handles the accents and different characters with ease.

Weekend Cooking: Review: A Year in a Vegetarian Kitchen by Jack Bishop

2012-05-05T06:01:00.003-04:00

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Do you know Jack Bishop? If you're on the America's Test Kitchen bandwagon, have watched The Today Show, or have subscribed to Cooks Illustrated magazine, you'll probably recognize his name. I've been a fan of his for many years and own most of his cookbooks. One that sits within easy reach of the kitchen, especially in the summer, is A Year in a Vegetarian Kitchen.

Bishop's recipes are inspired by a global perspective, and you'll find dishes with Mexican, Caribbean, Italian, French, Spanish, Indian, and Asian flavors. There is nothing boring in this book. And better yet, Bishop does not rely on soy and soy protein products to make meat dishes into vegetarian.

Instead he calls for mostly fresh ingredients, rounded out by some canned items when necessary (such as coconut milk or beans). In addition, Bishop's recipes will encourage you to push your food envelope. He may call for ingredients you've never used before (or maybe never heard of), but they are readily available. Despite complaining about unusual ingredients last week, I love to try new dishes and to learn to cook with new foods, but I hate being frustrated when it comes to tracking them down. So I'm happy this isn't an issue with A Year in a Vegetarian Kitchen.

To make using the cookbook especially easy, Bishop provides dozens of sidebars describing ingredients, dishes, tips, and techniques. I turn to that information time and again:

What are the best tomatoes for homemade salsa?
What are some seasoning ideas for roasted potatoes?
How can I add more flavor to a bean-based soup?
What's the secret to great mac and cheese?

The book is divided into seasons and includes suggested menus and a section on everyday basics. The subtitle of the book is Easy Seasonal Dishes for Family and Friends, and the recipes are very doable for almost every cook. One encouraging fact is that Bishop cooks vegetarian meals at home almost every day. This means he has a pretty broad repertoire and some tricks to get fresh meals on the table even after a busy day. It's also important to know that at the time he wrote the book, he had two small children, so he really does have a clue about feeding kids.

This is a great reference for those of you who are already vegetarian but want new ideas and for those who want to cook vegetarian a few times a week. Are you running out of ideas for your CSA basket? Look to Jack Bishop. Vegans will be well-pleased with A Year in a Vegetarian Kitchen; if the dish isn't already vegan you won't have any trouble making it so.

I've made many dishes out this cookbook, but I'll share one that's a favorite and appropriate for Cinco de Mayo. These burritos are good even without the tortillas; just serve the filling on the rice and top with sour cream and salsa. The recipe is easy to adjust to what you have on hand: I've used kale and spinach instead of the chard, and we usually use brown rice (though it takes longer to cook). In the winter when tomatoes are hard to get, I use store-bought chipotle salsa. We also like to add cilantro to the burritos before rolling them up.

Chard Burritos with Tomato-Chipotle Salsa
Serves 4 as a main course

Bishop's note: The chunky salsa--more like a diced tomato salad--adds substance to these burritos. I prepare this recipe when I have some leftover rice on hand, because the rice doesn't need to be hot. Just bring it to room temperature before using it if it's been refrigerated.

Tomato-Chipotle Salsa

1 pound tomatoes, cored and cut into ½-inch dice
1 small chipotle chile in adobo sauce, minced
½ teaspoon minced fresh oregano leaves
salt

Chard Burritos

1 pound chard, preferably rainbow, leaves washed, shaken dry to remove excess water
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 medium garlic cloves, minced
salt
4 large flour tortillas (12-inches in diameter), warmed one at a time in a large skillet
2 cups cooked white rice (from 2/3 cup raw rice)
¼ cup sour cream

For the salsa: Combine the tomatoes, chile, oregano, and salt to taste in a medium bowl. Set aside.

For the burritos: With a chef's knife, separate the fleshy stalk from the green portion of each chard leaf. Trim the ends of the stalks and chop fine.You should have about 2½ cups chopped stalks. Stack the leaves and slice them crosswise into ½-inch -thick strips. You should have about 8 packed cups of sliced leaves.

Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and chard stalks and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chard leaves (it's best if they are still slightly damp from washing) and salt to taste. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until very tender, about 7 minutes. If the greens are soupy, remove the cover and simmer for a minute or two. Adjust the seasonings, adding more salt, if necessary.

To serve: Lay the warmed tortillas flat on a work surface. Spoon ½ cup of the rice over the bottom of each tortilla. Top with some chard (about ½ cup) and 1 tablespoon sour cream. Roll the tortillas, tucking the sides toward the center to form neat bundles. Slice each burrito in half and serve, passing the salsa at the table.

Buy A Year in a Vegetarian Kitchen at an Indie, at Powell's, at Book Depository, or at bookstore near you. These links lead to affiliate programs
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2004
ISBN-13: 9780618239979
Rating: A
Source: Bought (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

Imprint Friday: All Woman and Springtime by Brandon W. Jones

2012-05-04T06:01:00.002-04:00

Welcome to Imprint Friday and today's featured imprint: Algonquin Books. Stop by each week to be introduced to a must-read title from one of my favorite imprints. I know you'll be adding many of these books to your wish list.

Until this year I'm not sure I had read any books that took place in Korea and certainly none that talked about life north of the DMZ. Debut author Brandon W. Jones was inspired to write All Woman and Springtime after thinking about the ramifications of living in a tightly controlled society.

Here is the back-of-the-book summary:

Before she met Il-sun in an orphanage, Gi was a hollow husk of a girl, broken from growing up in one of North Korea’s forced-labor camps. A mathematical genius, she has learned to cope with pain by retreating into a realm of numbers and calculations, an escape from both the past and present. Gi becomes enamored of the brash and radiant Il-sun, a friend she describes as "all woman and springtime." But Il-sun’s pursuit of a better life imperils both girls when her suitor spirits them across the Demilitarized Zone and sells them as sex workers, first in South Korea and then in the United States.

This spellbinding debut, reminiscent of Memoirs of a Geisha, depicts—with chilling accuracy—life behind North Korea’s iron curtain. But for Gi and Il-sun, forced into the underworld of human trafficking, their captivity outside North Korea is far crueler than the tight control of their "Dear Leader." Tenderhearted Gi, just on the verge of womanhood, is consigned to a fate that threatens not only her body but her mind. How she and Il-sun endure, how they find a path to healing, is what drives this absorbing and exquisite novel—from an exciting young Algonquin discovery—to its perfectly imagined conclusion.

There are several things about this novel that intrigue me, but I'm particularly interested in everyday life in North Korea. As Jones notes in an interview provided by Algonquin, it is "difficult to get reliable information out of the country." Although the bulk of his research was conducted in libraries and online, he was fortunate enough to track down a couple of firsthand accounts, which helped him create a fairly authentic description of life under Kim Jong-il.

The other aspect of All Woman and Springtime that caught my attention is its focus on sex trafficking. For those of us who live in free, modern countries, it's hard to believe that sex slavery still occurs. One important point Jones makes is that sex trafficking may start in underdeveloped countries but its victims often end up in the major metropolitan areas of our own countries. Something to think about.

This is a novel that can be read from a number of viewpoints. It certainly discusses the political and social issues I just mentioned, but it's also about friendship, survival, and a rather brutal awakening into adulthood. In a post on The Page 69 Test, Jones says, "All Woman and Springtime is about crossing boundaries of all kinds, about universal humanity that transcends borders and cultures, about taking charge of one’s own destiny."

Here a quick peek into the novel. On the first page, Gi is watching the sewing machine needle while working in a factory:

She watched intently as the needle danced across the rough fabric, plunging in and out of the cloth with methodic violence—she was amazed the fabric did not bleed. It was a paradox of sewing, that such brutality could bind two things together.

And so it was to be between Gi and her friend Il-sun.

All Woman and Springtime is an Indie Next pick for May 2012. To learn more about Brandon Jones, visit his website. There you'll find an excerpt from the novel, an audiobook sample, a fascinating essay on the writing of the book, and Jones's tour schedule. You can also follow him on Twitter and like his Facebook page.

Algonquin Books is a featured imprint on Beth Fish Reads. For more information about the imprint, please read Executive Editor Chuck Adams's introductory letter, posted here on January 7, 2011.

All Woman and Springtime at an Indie

All Woman and Springtime at Powell's

All Woman and Springtime at Book Depository
These links lead to affiliate programs.

Published by Workman / Algonquin Books, May 2012
ISBN-13: 9781616200770

Review: Flicka: Country Pride (Movie)

2012-05-03T06:01:00.000-04:00

Call me corny, but I love a good horse movie. I rarely miss them and have seen many of them multiple times from the 1944 classic National Velvet through the decades--Misty of Chincoteague (1961), The Black Stallion (1979), The Man from Snowy River (1982)--to last year's documentary Buck.

One the newest additions is Flicka: Country Pride, starring Clint Black, Lisa Hartman Black, and Kacey Rohl, which is just out on Blu-ray and DVD. Although the movie is geared to families and is somewhat predictable, it has depth to it and avoids being sappy.

Lindy and Kelly are on their own trying to keep their riding stable and dressage equestrian club up and running. Kelly has been putting on a good front, pretending not to mind that she no longer competes because she has to help her mother tend to the horses. When Toby arrives to manage the stables, he brings several horses with him, including Flicka, a spirited Mustang. Has Lindy hired Toby in time to save the family farm?

Flicka: Country Pride definitely satisfied the horse lover in me; the riding scenes held my attention and the animals were beautiful. Kelly's story involves coming to terms with the hardships in her life and learning to open herself up again to friendship and young love. Other themes are jealousy, mother-daughter relationships, and trust. In addition, there is a strong message of the satisfaction one gets from hard work and trying, no matter what the outcome.

The DVD/BluRay contains several bonus features, including a featurette on Clint Black and a music video. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment has released the DVD/BluRay edition exclusively at Walmart and Sam's Club.

I couldn't find a movie trailer, but here is a short video about the film.

Thanks to Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment for the review copy.

Wordless Wednesday 179

2012-05-02T00:01:00.000-04:00

Sunlight on Bloom, 2012

Click image to enlarge. For more Wordless Wednesday, click here.

Today's Read (Giveaway & Guest Post): Reign of Madness by Lynn Cullen

2012-05-01T06:01:00.003-04:00

In the early 1500s, Juana of Castile, the eldest daughter of Ferdinand and Isabel of Castile and Aragon, inherited her mother's crowns. Soon thereafter there were rumors of Juana's insanity and the need to sequester her in a palace, out of the public eye. Was she truly mad or was she misused by her brothers and father who wanted her throne? Lynn Cullen explores Juana's life in Reign of Madness, historical fiction just out in paperback.

I looked up with a grin only to find Mother staring at me from the high table, her face slack with disappointment. I turned away. I would not show emotion. Strike me all you want, I was an anvil like Papa. It was I who had stayed by him when that monster had stabbed him in the neck as we were leaving the palace. While my sisters had clung to one another in a wailing heap, and my brother had stormed the plaza with his sword drawn in a futile show of revenge, I had followed Papa to where his men, shouting and weeping, had lain him on the floor of the Salo del Tinell. He was bleeding onto his own cape, carefully folded under his head.

He had opened his eyes when I stepped near. "Isabel."

"No, Papa—it's Juana." (p. 23)

—Reign of Madness by Lynn Cullen (Penguin USA / Berkley Books, paperback edition 2012)

When people think of the connection between England and Spain they may remember that Henry VIII's first wife was Catherine of Aragon or that the British (and the weather) defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588. What they might not know is that Catherine's oldest sister, Juana I, queen of Castile and Leon, had caught the attention of her sister's father-in-law, Henry VII.

I asked author Lynn Cullen to talk to us about the connection between Henry VII of England and Juana, the mad queen of Spain.

Henry VII and Juana of Castile

Could Juana of Castile (right), the "mad" Spanish queen in Reign of Madness, have met Henry VIII, the Tudor king known for his appetite for wives? At first guess, it might seem unlikely that in the day of sea travel in ships little larger than a modern RV, a Spanish queen would have a chance to meet an Englishman on his own turf. But chances are that she did meet the then teenage prince, in 1506, when her caravel was shipwrecked off English shores during a voyage from her husband's court in present-day Belgium to Spain. Her mother, Isabel of Castile, the monarch who had sent Columbus on his voyages of discovery, had died, and Juana was to return to Spain to inherit her mother's crowns.

What is certain is that Juana met Henry's father, Henry VII, at this time. Although Juana was on her way to her own coronation and Henry VII was the reigning king, and as such, the two were among the most powerful people in the Western world, they almost didn't get together. Juana's husband, Philippe, Archduke of Austria, better known as "Philip the Handsome," had his own idea of who should inherit the Spanish crowns—himself—and tried to prevent his wife from consorting with the English king.

Philippe (left) went to great lengths to keep them apart. After recovering from the shipwreck, during which he hit the panic button while Juana calmly put on her jewels so that her body could be identified, he locked Juana in the inn in Falmouth where they were sheltered. He galloped off to Henry VII's court at Windsor, where he told the king that Juana "had a small incident" that kept her from joining him "for the moment."

During this episode, Philippe was so ridiculously unscrupulous in real-life that I had little embellishing to do when writing Reign of Madness to make him look villainous. While his wife, the rightful queen, was kept locked in her room, he made merry in Henry VII's court, partying and magnanimously pledging his son Charles to Henry's daughter Mary, a promise he had no authority to make. He also tossed his unwilling sister, Marguerite, into the deal, promising her to Henry VII himself—anything to ingratiate himself to the British king.

Eventually Philippe ran out of excuses for his wife's absence. For appearance's sake, he let Juana join him at Henry's court. But Juana had more than political reasons to meet with Henry. She wanted to see her sister. Catalina (Catherine of Aragon; right, as a young girl) had been sent to England in 1501 to marry Henry VII's oldest son, Arthur. Like all princesses married off to seal treaties or to forge political bonds, Juana and Catalina never expected to see each other again when Juana was sent to the Habsburg Netherlands (modern-day Belgium) in 1496. They couldn't believe their luck when a shipwreck brought them together. The sisters had been close while growing up, and It was particularly cruel of Philippe to keep them apart during this unplanned visit.

Thoughtless and domineering as usual, Philippe cut their reunion short. There was little time for talking, let alone dancing. Juana was at court only long enough to approve an agreement for commercial cooperation between England and Spain and to see her sister briefly. Philippe then forced the sisters apart, a move that seemed unnecessarily harsh even to Henry, who was not known for his sentimentality. Henry wanted Juana to stay but was advised by his councilors to "not intervene between husband and wife."

Two years later, Henry VII (left) spoke of his meeting with Juana:

When I saw her, she seemed very well to me, and spoke with a good manner and countenance, without losing a point of her authority. And although her husband and those who came with him depicted her as crazy, I did not see her as other than sane.

As a matter of fact, Henry wished to marry Juana in 1507, after the handsome Philippe died. Some scholars think that Juana traveled with her husband's body for a long period following his death because she was trying to avoid being forced into marrying Henry and other suitors. She claimed to be taking Philippe's body to Granada to be buried with her mother, but was she actually just trying to slip from the bonds of wedlock? Her father saw an opportunity to rule as her regent if she appeared incapable of governing. And thus he promoted the myth of Mad Juana, the queen who was so in love with her gorgeous husband that she could not part with his body. After convincing her subjects that she was insane, her father, and then her son, ruled in her place, imprisoning her in a palace in Tordesillas, Spain for 46 years.

Maybe she should have married Henry. (All images in the public domain; click to enlarge.)

_______

Thanks so much, Lynn. Juana's story sounds fascinating, and her visit to the Tudor Court is not often discussed in nonfiction or in historical fiction.

The Giveaway: Thanks to the publisher, I have one copy of Reign of Madness to give away to one reader with a USA/Canadian mailing address. All you have to do to enter for a chance to win is to fill out the following form. I'll pick a winner via a random number generator on May 8. Good luck!

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Reign of Madness at an Indie

Reign of Madness at Powell's

Reign of Madness at Book Depository
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Nine Books You Might Have Missed in April

2012-04-30T06:01:00.006-04:00

I haven't written a must-read post in a long time and thought it was time to revive this feature. It's hard to believe April is over, but I'm looking forward to better weather and, of course, heading to New York (in just a few weeks!) for BookExpo America (BEA). Here are some great books you may have missed this month. Be sure to check out my Imprint Friday and Today's Imprint Read posts for more recommendations.

It'd Be Criminal to Miss These

Seth Greenland looks at blogging, politics, crime, and the contemporary American way of life in the dark, satirical The Angry Buddhist (Europa, 9781609450687). S. J. Parris's Sacrilege (Doubleday, 9780385535472) invites you to take a trip to 16th-century London where ex-monk Giordano Bruno gets entangled in a complex murder that may have it roots in medieval Canterbury. Cozy fans won't want to miss Nancy Atherton's Aunt Dimity and the Village Witch (Viking, 9780670023417), a fun puzzle of a mystery complete with a diary, quirky characters, and a ghost.

Reunions, Reconciliations, Relationships

In Roberta Rich's historical novel The Midwife of Venice (Gallery, 9781451657470), Hannah Levi reluctantly agrees to help deliver a Christian baby, unknowingly setting off a chain of events that starts a family rivalry and threatens her plans of being reunited with her husband. Patrick Flanery's Absolution (Riverhead, 9781594488177) focuses on Clare Wald, who, like others in contemporary South Africa, is haunted by her memories of apartheid and her fear that it's too late for forgiveness. Sarah Pekkanen's skill at capturing the strength and importance of women's friendships shines in These Girls (Washington Square Press, 9781451612547), about three New York City roommates looking for satisfying careers and personal fulfillment.

Real-Life Musings

When Wenguang Huang was a boy in China, he slept next to his grandmother's (empty) coffin; in The Little Red Guard (Riverhead, 9781594488290) he talks about his family and the clash between old and new caused by Mao's Cultural Revolution. How have climate change and an increasing global population affected the essential nature of the food we eat? Josh Schonwald's The Taste of Tomorrow (Harper, 9780061804212) takes a look at the science of what we put on our plates. Attention all book nerds! Whether you're a reader, author, or editor you don't want to miss James W. Hall's fascinating Hit Lit: Cracking the Code of the Twentieth Century's Biggest Bestsellers (Random House, 9780812970951), a critical look at the key to popular success.

April may be over but it's not too late to run to your favorite bookstore and pick up one or two or all of these must-read titles.

Weekend Cooking: Review/Giveaway FoodTrients by Grace O

2012-04-28T06:01:00.002-04:00

_______

When I was asked if I wanted to review Grace O's FoodTrients cookbook, I was at first hesitant but then became curious enough to take a look at the book. Grace O was born into a culinary family in the Philippines and emigrated to the United States in the late 1980s. Combining her experience as a healthcare professional and as a cook, she identified a number of foods with beneficial elements--which she named FoodTrients--that seemed to help promote youthfulness and health.

The FoodTrients can be grouped into five main categories: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, disease-preventing, immunity-boosting, and mind- and body-enhancing foods. And Grace O explains the benefits of each important food element. She developed the recipes in her book so that each one provides several age-defying nutrients.

If you live in a big city or an area of the country with a large Asian population, you will likely be able to track down the bulk of the FoodTrients needed for the recipes. I, however, would be hard-pressed to find bitter melon, hemp milk, and moringa. In addition, a fair number of the recipes call for a dairy, soy, or peanut product, which means this book might not be the best for people with allergies.

On the other hand, if you can get the ingredients, the recipes look fairly easy to follow and the photographs are beautiful. Some, like the recipe I'm sharing today, are easy as can be; others require more steps, but the instructions are straightforward and most cooks would have no problem re-creating the dishes at home.

One odd thing was that Grace O notes "My recipes are made with whole foods. This means that I have used ingredients that are unprocessed and unrefined to maximize their nutritional benefits" (p. 16). Yet I spotted a recipe that called for canned mushrooms, another that uses canned cream of mushroom soup, and another that uses canned sausages. In addition she prefers Smart Balance 50/50 Butter Blend, which contains no trans-fats but does contain additives and a mix of oils. I think I'd rather have real butter, just less of it.

Vegetarian/Vegan alert: Vegetarians will have the most luck with the starters, salads, and desserts. Vegans will not find much to fit their diet; most of the vegetarian recipes call for eggs, dairy products, or honey.

The publicists generously provided me with the following recipe and photos. I think the salad sounds good and looks pretty.

Spinach and Grapefruit Salad
Serves 2

Spinach contains iron as well as age-defying antioxidants. Grapefruit is chock-full of vitamin C and potassium. You can use pink or white grapefruit in this salad, though pink grapefruit has the added benefit of lycopene. If you use whole segments of the grapefruit, you’ll also add fiber. The candied walnuts and dried apricots balance the acidity of the grapefruit and increase the antioxidants in this dish.

1 bunch or 1 bag spinach leaves
1 whole grapefruit, segmented
¼ cup candied walnuts
¼ cup dried apricots
Add Tangy Ginger Dressing (see recipe below) to taste.

1. Wash and stem the spinach leaves and place in a bowl.
2. Add the grapefruit, walnuts, and apricots.
3. Toss with Tangy Ginger Dressing to taste.
FoodTrients: Carotenoids, Fiber, Lutein, Lycopene, Omega-3s, Vitamin C

Tangy Ginger Dressing
Yield: about ¼ cup

Ginger gives this dressing its flavor as well as amazing anti-inflammatory benefits and pain-reducing effects. It also relaxes muscles, increases circulation, and aids digestion. Buy the whole gingerroot, then peel or cut off about an inch of the rough skin. Grate only as much ginger as you need, and put the root back into the refrigerator, ready to be peeled and grated for the next dish. Grace uses this dressing with her Green Tea Noodles with Edamame and over her Spinach and Grapefruit Salad. It works well with any mixed green salad.

1 tablespoon grated gingerroot
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon mirin (seasoned rice wine)
1 tablespoon sesame oil
Dash of ground pepper

1. Combine all the ingredients in a container with a tight-fitting lid and shake until well blended.
FoodTrients: Gingerol, Isoflavones

Giveaway: Thanks to the publicists I am pleased to offer one copy of Grace O's FoodTrients cookbook plus an apron to one of my readers (US/Canada mailing address only). To enter, fill out the form and I'll pick a winner on Saturday May 5 using a random-number generator. Good luck!

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Imprint Friday: Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale by Lynda Rutledge

2012-04-27T06:01:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Imprint Friday and today's featured imprint: Amy Einhorn Books. Stop by each week to be introduced to a must-read title from one of my favorite imprints. I know you'll be adding many of these books to your wish list.

Faith Bass Darling has lived in her family's home her entire 70 years. She is the richest person in the town (which was named after her Bass ancestors) and definitely one of the most eccentric. Although she's suffering from early dementia and hasn't prayed in decades, she knows that if God speaks to her directly, she'd better listen. Lynda Rutledge's debut novel, Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale, tells us what happens next.

On the last day of the millennium, sassy Faith Bass Darling decides to have a garage sale. Why is the richest lady in Bass, Texas, a recluse for twenty years, suddenly selling off her worldly possessions? As the townspeople grab up the heirlooms, and the antiques reveal their own secret stories, a cast of characters appears to witness the sale or try to stop it. Before the day is over, they’ll all examine their roles in the Bass family saga, as well as some of life’s most imponderable questions: Do our possessions possess us? What are we without our memories? Is there life after death or second chances here on earth? And is Faith really selling that Tiffany lamp for $1?

At first glance, Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale seems as if will be a quick Southern story populated with quirky characters, but the novel has unexpected complexities. Faith loves antiques and was lucky enough to have the money to feed her habit, but beneath her perfect home and privileged existence are heartache, resentment, and unfinished business. The entire plot unfolds over a 24-hour period, beginning on December 31, 1999, when Faith hears the voice of God telling her she will die before the start of the new millennium and ending at almost the stroke of midnight.

Is Faith really about to die, and if so is this to be physical death or a mental death? Or perhaps her desire to empty the house of all its goods for "whatever you can pay" is simply a sign of her worsening Alzheimer's. As her possessions find new homes and new lives, Faith revisits her past, thinking of her family and struggling to remember herself. Although the novel is colored by sad moments and the seriousness of deeper issues--dementia, family conflict, spiritual faith--Rutledge manages to avoid being maudlin by including well-placed spots of comic relief.

Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale is the type of book that makes you assess your life and the people around you. It prompts you consider the purpose of holding grudges, the need for forgiveness, the difference between remembering and not letting go, and the desire to accumulate material goods. You'll also think about what makes life worth living and the effects of Alzheimer's disease, especially when it comes too early.

I'm not the only one who was won over by Faith Bass (click the links for the full reviews):

Kathy from Bermuda Onion's Weblog: "On the surface, it's a fairly light read but there’s a lot below the surface. I've had this book on my mind since I finished it and I really like the subtle way Rutledge deals with tough issues."
Heather from Raging Bibliomania: "It's an odd thing to be smiling through eyes bleary with tears, but this was what often happened while I was reading this book. If you're a reader with a love of finely honed literary novels, this is the book I would recommend to you. It is strikingly forceful yet oddly gentle, and I recommend it highly."
Kristen at BookNAround: "Told from multiple perspectives, the story reveals itself slowly, creating a perfect narrative tension. Both addled but still strong and imposing Faith and self-focused for her own emotional protection Claudia Jean are sympathetic characters and the reader roots for them both even when they seem to be at cross-purposes."

Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale is an Indie Next pick for May 2012. For more on author Lynda Rutledge, visit her blog and read an interview with her at The Reading Frenzy.

Amy Einhorn Books is a featured imprint on Beth Fish Reads. For more information about the imprint, please read Amy Einhorn's open letter posted here on January 25, 2010, or click the Amy Einhorn tab below my banner photo. To join the Amy Einhorn Books Reading Challenge, click the link.

Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale at an Indie

Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale at Powell's

Faith Bass Darling's Last Garage Sale at Book Depository
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Published by Putnam / Amy Einhorn Books, 2012
ISBN-13: 9780399157196

Thursday Tea: Le Road Trip by Vivian Swift

2012-04-26T06:01:00.002-04:00

The Book: I've only just begun Vivan Swift's absolutely beautiful travel book Le Road Trip. Although the subtitle is A Traveler's Journal of Love and France, it is so much more than that.

First and foremost, although the focus of the book is a trip Swift and her husband took to France soon after marrying, you don't have to be someone who dreams of Paris or to have a travel companion to find plenty to hold your interest. As Swift herself says in the beginning, Le Road Trip is mostly about travel in general than about a specific vacation.

Swift starts with anticipating her trip and packing and then moves right into how she likes to spend a day in Paris (including dressing, eating, and shopping). Then she takes a break to talk about what she calls "reality checks": financial problems, national holidays, bad hotels, and so on. She also muses about the little things: waiting for trains, walking beaches, and noticing the play of light.

As I mentioned, I've just started reading this delightful book, but I can already unconditionally recommend it . . . to some of you. I am a person who likes to travel with only half-made plans. I do a ton of research ahead of time, but I have no set-in-iron schedule, except for plane tickets and a few strategic hotel reservations. I like adventure and discovery and I pack extremely light. And in these ways, I am very much like Swift.

Sadly, in another way I am in no way whatsoever like her. I cannot draw or paint. But if I could, I would spend my days turning my photos and memories into paintings like she did. The scan (click to enlarge) is from page 103 and doesn't really reproduce the beauty of her artwork or the pure pleasure it is to read and absorb the material in Le Road Trip.

In addition, I don't have the years of experience in France that she has. I find her down-to-earth attitude about a country she knows very well to be refreshing. I can't wait to finish reading. For more on Swift and her life as a world traveler and art expert, visit her website and read her blog.

The Tea: We actually had a little snow this week. Fortunately, it didn't stick, but it did mean I could reach for a cup of hot tea. This week I turned to an old favorite: Stash Tea's English Breakfast tea, which the company describes this way: "We blend bright Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka, malty Assam and smooth Nilgiri from India, and full-bodied Keemun from China. The result is a very distinctive, rich tea. It takes milk and sugar very well. This stimulating tea is the perfect morning wake-up drink." I was drinking it black and in the afternoon, but regardless, it's a BFR family favorite.

The Assessment: Umm, you know I love tea. I drink at least one cup almost every day. But for this book, tea isn't doing it. I'm going to have to switch to a little espresso or perhaps a nice Bordeaux because Swift visited many places in that part of France. Oh, I know what would taste wonderful if the weather warms up: a really good Norman cider (and I'm not talking about apple juice). Now I need to think about the proper food pairing: cheese? bread? pastries? a little salad? Ahhh to dream.

What About You? What would I find in your mug or glass? And do tell me what you're reading this week.

Buy Le Road Trip at an Indie, Powell's, Book Depository, or a bookstore near you. These links lead to affiliate programs.
Thursday Tea was the brainchild of Anastasia at Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog.
Published by Bloomsbury USA 2012
ISBN-13: 9781608195329
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)
FTC: I buy all teas myself, I am not a tea reviewer.

Wordless Wednesday 178

2012-04-25T00:01:00.000-04:00

Ironwork (New York), 2011

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Today's Read: Fifteen Digits by Nick Santora

2012-04-24T06:01:00.000-04:00

A small team of men spend their days doing grunt work for the wealthy partners in a prestigious law firm. They don't have the kinds of jobs that require tailored suits; they don't need them to file, copy, and deliver the confidential files that make their way to the building's basement each day. They hate being at the lawyers' beck and call. Then one day someone convinces the men to start reading the documents that pass through their hands.

Jason Spade leaned across the table, over the half-finished Harp's and the untouched onion rings. In the crowded bar, between the blare of the Smithereens on the jukebox and the howl of drunk Irish electricians toasting some dead buddy, there was no need to whisper, but Jason Spade's was the kind of idea that demanded secretive tones. Even if whispers weren't required by the environment, they were called for by the very nature of what he was about to propose.

"The benefit of being invisible," Jason whispered, looking straight into Mauro's eyes, "is that people don't see you when you're robbing them blind . . . now, how 'bout you and I get rich, Rich?"

And with that simple question, a chain of events began that changed, destroyed, and ended lives. (p. 3)

—Fifteen Digits by Nick Santora (Little, Brown / Mulholland Books, 2012; quote is from uncorrected proofs)

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Review: Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen

2012-04-23T06:05:00.002-04:00

In the late 1980s one of my favorite treats of the week was to read Anna Quindlen's New York Times column "Life in the Thirties." Although Quindlen and I were in different stages (I was in graduate school writing my dissertation and building my freelance career and she was the mother of two small boys with a prestigious job), I felt a deep connection with her through her observations and her outlook on life. Her column was much discussed among my women colleagues.

Quindlen (who is just a couple of years older than I am) and I are still in different places. This time because she has grown children, a big-city lifestyle, and a comfortable bank account. I'm now fairly small town, childless (by choice), and still building those savings. Nevertheless, her latest collection of essays, Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, has only tightened our connection.

Written in the style I grew to love almost twenty-five years ago, Lots of Candles speaks particularly strongly to those of us quickly being forced to make friends with sixty. As Quindlen looks back on the collective experience of the baby boom women, she points out the many firsts we were witness to. Some of these were related to technology (first color televisions, first manned space flight, first home computers), but the truly defining firsts had to do with the women's movement and the opportunities--and stresses--that came with it.

On the positive side were the first woman on the Supreme Court and the first coeds in Ivy League schools. On the stress side were the first generation of super mothers and the first women to be sandwiched between our dependent (or semi-dependent) children and our aging parents.

In fifteen essays, Quindlen covers such issues as friendships, parenthood, marriage, materialism, mortality, aging, body image, and the future. She uses a personal voice and fluid style and has the knack to zero in on the heart of the topic at hand. I am but one of many women who not only will agree with most of what Quindlen says but will need to pick up the phone or crank up the email to share choice bits with our close women friends, our mothers, and our daughters or nieces.

The subtitle of the book is A Memoir, and I suppose it fits in that genre. What Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake really is, however, is a collection of musings, observations, and opinions of a smart, vibrant woman who generously lets us in on her thoughts.

About friends:

Perhaps only when we've made our peace with our own selves can we really be the kind of friends who listen, advise, but don't judge, or not too harshly. My friends now are more cheerleader than critic. They are as essential to my life as my work or my home, a kind of freely chosen family, connected by ties of affinity instead of ties of blood. (p. 28)

About surprise in our lives:

We are, after all, always a work in progress. There were things I hadn't done, didn't know, couldn't imagine at fifty that have all come true in the last decade. There must be such things in the decades to come as well. They arrive not because of the engraved invitations of careful planning but through happy happenstance, doodles on the to-do list of life. (p. 88)

About body image:

We women have such a strange relationship with our bodies nowadays, even stranger than it was when I was a girl. All of it takes place at the margins, between the Boston Marathon and all-you-can-eat buffets, between draconian diet plans and the Triple Quarter Pounder with cheese. Obesity and anorexia--you have to hand it to us Americans, we never do anything halfway. We have a culture that elevates women in advertisements who are contoured like thirteen-year-old boys, a culture that showcases actresses on television so undernourished that they look like bobblehead dolls. We've invented a new--and apparently desirable--class of clothes, size 0. A Harvard University study showed that up to two-thirds of underweight twelve-year-old girls considered themselves to be too fat. In other words, we have a culture that reflects contempt and antipathy toward a realistic female body, which is just another form of hating women.

. . . It's a story everything around us tell us, and, worse, it's a story young women hear as they're growing to adulthood. The invisible negligible disappearing woman, the cultural ideal just at a time when women are becoming more powerful and participatory in the world. No mystery to that equation. And speaking of equations, zero is nothing. (pp. 96-97)

The unabridged audio edition (Random House Audio), was read by Anna Quindlen herself. For a more personal and intimate experience I recommend giving the audiobook a try. My full audiobook review will be available on the AudioFile magazine website.

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Published by Random House / April 24, 2012
ISBN-13: 9781400069347
Source: Review, print and audio (see review policy)
Rating: A-
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)