Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
A gentle story about a violent act that tears a young man from his family. Young Reuben tells the story of his brother Davy, who kills two boys who invade the family’s home and then goes on the lam; his spirited little sister Swede; and his remarkable father, whose quiet strength is glorious. Listening to the audiobook version was a pleasure. An excellent book discussion selection, and the kind of book I wished would never end.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Eating Cookies in the White House
Presidential Cookies: Cookie Recipes of the Presidents of the United States by Bev Young
Recently, in honor of the Iowa Caucuses, I busted out my cool Christmas gift, Presidential Cookies. The neat things about this cookbook are that it includes a cookie recipe associated with each president from Washington to Bush 43 – and that it includes a description of each president’s White House entertaining style and, in some cases, cool little anecdotes related to the cookies. (For example, the time Bess Truman beckoned a reporter into the Trumans’ Independence, Missouri, home, for cookies and to say hello to the president, when the reporter had been hovering outside in the cold during the Christmas holidays.) The first recipe I tried was for Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Original Chocolate Chip Cookies, which I selected because she’s the only person in the book who’s also running for president at the moment. Great cookies! Plus, they were convenient to make: I already had all the ingredients in my pantry. In the name of partisan balance, next up were the Texas Governor’s Mansion Cowboy Cookies. One note: for these cookies, I had to go shopping for some of the ingredients – and paid $4 for the pecans alone! Yikes. However, the cookies were amazing, and I am going to say they’re worth it. Another thing to love about this book: it's fun to browse, so much so that I almost could call it a "look book" (a picture-filled book that is wonderfully browseable). There are pictures of all the presidents and for most, if not all, of the cookies! Excellent feature in a cookbook.
Recently, in honor of the Iowa Caucuses, I busted out my cool Christmas gift, Presidential Cookies. The neat things about this cookbook are that it includes a cookie recipe associated with each president from Washington to Bush 43 – and that it includes a description of each president’s White House entertaining style and, in some cases, cool little anecdotes related to the cookies. (For example, the time Bess Truman beckoned a reporter into the Trumans’ Independence, Missouri, home, for cookies and to say hello to the president, when the reporter had been hovering outside in the cold during the Christmas holidays.) The first recipe I tried was for Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Original Chocolate Chip Cookies, which I selected because she’s the only person in the book who’s also running for president at the moment. Great cookies! Plus, they were convenient to make: I already had all the ingredients in my pantry. In the name of partisan balance, next up were the Texas Governor’s Mansion Cowboy Cookies. One note: for these cookies, I had to go shopping for some of the ingredients – and paid $4 for the pecans alone! Yikes. However, the cookies were amazing, and I am going to say they’re worth it. Another thing to love about this book: it's fun to browse, so much so that I almost could call it a "look book" (a picture-filled book that is wonderfully browseable). There are pictures of all the presidents and for most, if not all, of the cookies! Excellent feature in a cookbook.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Cry, Cry, Cry
Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean
A heartbreaking, haunting book about smokejumpers’ deaths in a wildfire in Montana, written by a brilliant writer who knew he was nearing the end of his own life. This is the first book I began re-reading within days after reading it the first time. And it was equally devastating the second time around (and in subsequent re-readings). Maclean’s understated writing can make a person weep. For the full experience, listen to Richard Shindell’s definitive interpretation of James Keelaghan’s song “Cold Missouri Waters” on the CD Cry Cry Cry.
A heartbreaking, haunting book about smokejumpers’ deaths in a wildfire in Montana, written by a brilliant writer who knew he was nearing the end of his own life. This is the first book I began re-reading within days after reading it the first time. And it was equally devastating the second time around (and in subsequent re-readings). Maclean’s understated writing can make a person weep. For the full experience, listen to Richard Shindell’s definitive interpretation of James Keelaghan’s song “Cold Missouri Waters” on the CD Cry Cry Cry.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
I Love the Presidents
Hugh Sidey's Profiles of the Presidents: From FDR to Clinton with Time Magazine's Veteran White House Correspondent by Hugh Sidey
I love the presidents. I think they're fascinating, and I never tire of reading presidential biographies. This great compilation by journalist Hugh Sidey is an appreciation of the presidents, written in lovely prose by a fellow who could truly evoke the sense of who these men really were, as national leaders and as human beings. The book is filled with photos that capture moments of each man's presidency, and the thing I like best about the photos is that often they capture the small moments: LBJ holding his dog on his lap while they both howl (joyously, it seems), and Ford laughing with his daughter before a reception. Hugh Sidey was one of a kind. And... he was an Iowan.
I love the presidents. I think they're fascinating, and I never tire of reading presidential biographies. This great compilation by journalist Hugh Sidey is an appreciation of the presidents, written in lovely prose by a fellow who could truly evoke the sense of who these men really were, as national leaders and as human beings. The book is filled with photos that capture moments of each man's presidency, and the thing I like best about the photos is that often they capture the small moments: LBJ holding his dog on his lap while they both howl (joyously, it seems), and Ford laughing with his daughter before a reception. Hugh Sidey was one of a kind. And... he was an Iowan.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Terrific Mystery
The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, Or, On the Segregation of the Queen by Laurie R. King
One of the best mysteries I’ve read, and – even better – it’s the first in a terrific series. As a young woman living in the English countryside, Mary Russell meets the retired Sherlock Holmes. And her brain is a match for his. Together they take on a brilliant criminal mastermind, and the outcome is surprising, to say the least. I’ve suggested this book to several people, and all have become hooked on the series.
One of the best mysteries I’ve read, and – even better – it’s the first in a terrific series. As a young woman living in the English countryside, Mary Russell meets the retired Sherlock Holmes. And her brain is a match for his. Together they take on a brilliant criminal mastermind, and the outcome is surprising, to say the least. I’ve suggested this book to several people, and all have become hooked on the series.
Interwoven Marvel
The Whole World Over by Julia Glass
Perhaps the best audiobook I’ve ever listened to. A terrific story, made even better by the kind of narration that spoils so many lesser works for a listener. To audiobook narrator Ann Marie Lee, all I can say is: Kudos! In the story, a young pastry chef named Greenie decides to leave her husband Alan in New York and move west to serve as chef for an ebullient young governor. The stories of Greenie, Alan, the governor, a New York bookstore owner, a young woman who works at the bookstore and rescues animals, the young woman’s uncle, a restaurant owner, an old flame of Greenie’s who re-enters her life, the governor’s faithful assistant, and his new romantic interest… they all weave into a marvelous tapestry. Luscious.
Perhaps the best audiobook I’ve ever listened to. A terrific story, made even better by the kind of narration that spoils so many lesser works for a listener. To audiobook narrator Ann Marie Lee, all I can say is: Kudos! In the story, a young pastry chef named Greenie decides to leave her husband Alan in New York and move west to serve as chef for an ebullient young governor. The stories of Greenie, Alan, the governor, a New York bookstore owner, a young woman who works at the bookstore and rescues animals, the young woman’s uncle, a restaurant owner, an old flame of Greenie’s who re-enters her life, the governor’s faithful assistant, and his new romantic interest… they all weave into a marvelous tapestry. Luscious.
Spy Girl
The Spy Wore Red: My Adventures as an Undercover Agent in World War II by Aline, Countess of Romanones
Some people have comfort foods; I have comfort books. When life turns stressful, this is one of the books I turn to. This true story of a young model-turned-spy during WWII is enormous fun. When the OSS was new, Aline Griffith was recruited to join the agency as a spy, code-named Tiger. Her mission is to infiltrate Spanish high society to uncover a Nazi spy. And, oh yes, along the way she meets her future husband, a handsome, wealthy Spanish count. Romantic as all heck.
Some people have comfort foods; I have comfort books. When life turns stressful, this is one of the books I turn to. This true story of a young model-turned-spy during WWII is enormous fun. When the OSS was new, Aline Griffith was recruited to join the agency as a spy, code-named Tiger. Her mission is to infiltrate Spanish high society to uncover a Nazi spy. And, oh yes, along the way she meets her future husband, a handsome, wealthy Spanish count. Romantic as all heck.
Audiobook Convert
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Strangely enough, this enormous book was my audiobook conversion title. I was assigned to read the book for a genre study, read about 5 pages before setting it aside in dismay, and sought out the audio version to listen to during my commute. (Since it was bundled into 4 separate packages, little did I know that the entire book on tape was 36 cassettes long!) The story grabbed me almost from the start, and I was able to listen to the story without having my mind wander – for the first time ever with an audiobook. Remarkable. Davina Porter’s narration is a delight, and Marion Zimmer Bradley’s retelling of the King Arthur story is masterful. The combo turned me into a devoted audiobook “reader.”
Strangely enough, this enormous book was my audiobook conversion title. I was assigned to read the book for a genre study, read about 5 pages before setting it aside in dismay, and sought out the audio version to listen to during my commute. (Since it was bundled into 4 separate packages, little did I know that the entire book on tape was 36 cassettes long!) The story grabbed me almost from the start, and I was able to listen to the story without having my mind wander – for the first time ever with an audiobook. Remarkable. Davina Porter’s narration is a delight, and Marion Zimmer Bradley’s retelling of the King Arthur story is masterful. The combo turned me into a devoted audiobook “reader.”
Most Influential
Your Money or Your Life: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin
Probably the book with the greatest influence on my life. I read it in my 20s, and it made an impression then, but it didn’t stick. After re-reading it a few years ago, the effect has lasted. Dominguez and Robin suggest a new way of looking at money and paid employment, to realize that in a way, we are “selling” our lives to earn money to buy stuff. It gave me a new respect for the money I earn, for the work I’ve chosen in order to earn it, and for my own financial decisions.
Probably the book with the greatest influence on my life. I read it in my 20s, and it made an impression then, but it didn’t stick. After re-reading it a few years ago, the effect has lasted. Dominguez and Robin suggest a new way of looking at money and paid employment, to realize that in a way, we are “selling” our lives to earn money to buy stuff. It gave me a new respect for the money I earn, for the work I’ve chosen in order to earn it, and for my own financial decisions.
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