Behind the Beautiful Forevers

A couple of weeks ago, I heard Katherine Boo give an interview about her new book, Behind the Beautiful Forevers, on NPR. Her definitions of poverty and extreme poverty and slums vs villages, provided a keen insight on both and the differences that distinguished the two. Listening to her descriptions of the slums-the pollution, the leaning rows of attached hovels, the shadow of the luxury hotels in the background, and the sewage-filled lake front property–were as expected, until she explained how much more life there was to live to in a slum than a village. What? How can a pollution filled, garbage sorting existence be better than a village? That’s when the idea of extreme poverty became clear; as she explained the tight bounds of class systems in villages that prevents individuals from doing anything above or beyond their station in life. When even garbage sorting is forbidden, regardless if it is the only job available, village life can be worse than living in a slum.

Needless to say, after that interview I had to read the book. Throughout most of it, I forgot that it wasn’t fiction. The book begins with a young, garbage sorter hiding from the cops after being accused of a horrible crime. I wondered how much could he have to lose?

That’s how Katherine sets this story up; she starts with the crime and then fills in all that this young boy has accomplished in his short life as slum-dweller, growing up in the shadows of luxury hotels. Then you understand exactly what’s a stake. When you have nothing, any little bit lost is everything you have.

Phenomenal story.

 

What I’m reading now: My literary destination this week is North Korea.

The Children of Men

Rounding out my dystopian feast, I finished up with The Children of Men. The author, P.D. James, created a society where men were infertile-a life without children or a future. Throughout the story, the reader is shown a world where hope is gone and all anyone wants is to finish their life in peace and quiet. With so little left to want, the government gains total power without even a raised voice to object. Criminals are quickly banished, the streets are safe, and life is good? Or as good as it gets? As with any great dystopian, the path from here to there is subtle and believable which makes for a chilling read.

I thought it dragged a bit toward the end, but it concluded with a bang-a worthwhile adventure.

The novel is a far departure from the movie starring Clive Owen. I might be inclined to say it has the essence of the novel. I enjoyed both, but I found the novel much more disturbing, as the author mastered every last detail of this world without a future.

What am I reading now? I’m deep in the slums of Mumbai, steeped in corruption and poverty.

A lesson in cyber-dating

Before online dating became mainstream and blind dates were set up by well-meaning friends, Julie Spira got a head start learning the highs and lows of cyber dating. After fifteen years of experience, Ms. Spira put her dating trials to pen and paper. Or rather, fingers to keys.

This small primer, The Perils of Cyber-Dating, is a record of the hazards she experienced in the land of online dating. Let her lessons be your guide and you can avoid some of the common pitfalls of meeting mates in a virtual world. My favorite bits of advice are often general “netiquette” rules: don’t stalk potential dates online, don’t send angry emails until you’ve slept on it, pick up the phone  to talk. So much is left on the cutting room floor when we can’t hear each other’s voices.

Julie Spira knows how to get a date and I’m certain she can guide you towards a calendar full of suitors. Now all you have to do is decide if it’s love.

A Dystopian Frame of Mind

I loved When She Woke. Then I read the Hunger Games (the first one was my favorite) and now I’m craving more dystopian novels. I think it’s the idea of something so basic, so primitive that goes wrong and suddenly the world is shrinking.

I zipped through the pages of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, satiating my need to be immersed in a world that is at once recognizable yet all wrong. This novel brings together a mess of extreme beliefs and ideals in one city. It would be too much for one country or a single continent. The characters are in a strict class system, designated by color and style of their clothes. With a declining birthrate, handmaid’s are sent to married households and expected to breed with the husband and provide a baby for the family. Handmaid’s who don’t become pregnant are shipped off because fertility problems can only reside with the female. I always feel a similar disgust when I read biographies or kings who blamed their wives for not having a boys.

The story is told through a diary of one of the handmaids and in it she expresses the rebellion and fear inside her. You feel her disgust and anger, and understand her need to be touched in a loving way. You watch her try to succeed in her role, as even she wants to achieve her ultimate goal and have a baby. The only part of the book that I didn’t love was the epilogue, but maybe it was supposed to feel cold and remote, just as it was in this strange city.

Fresh Southern Cooking

Southern cooking does not have to include anything called “Cream of . . .” from a red and white can. You know what I’m talking about. I spent seven years in the south: Birmingham, AL, McComb, MS, and Moultrie, GA. I learned to love homemade pimento cheese while I was pregnant with my first (do not buy the stuff in the store-I can send you a recipe if you need one). I couldn’t choke down a boiled peanut to save my life (I tried, I swear), but I fell in love with pork ribs, sweet potatoes, purple hulled peas, and cornbread dressing. Oh, and fresh greens quickly sautéed with a squeeze of lemon and handful of dried fruit (barberries are my current favorite).

I’m thrilled to see a resurgence of Southern cooking in restaurants all over the country. If you get down to its roots and forget about anything that comes in a can, Southern flavors are delicious and unforgettable. If you haunt food blogs and the cookbook shelf at your local bookstore, then you’ve seen this coming, too.

The most recent addition to my cookbook collection is Hugh Acheson’s (the guy with the unibrow) A NEW TURN IN THE SOUTH. He incorporates the best of southern cooking with slight twists to make the dishes a bit more modern, while maintaining everything wonderful about this cuisine. He reminds his readers to go local first and foremost. An idea I embrace, including the garden in my own backyard. Nearly every recipe begins with a quick ode to the ingredients he loves or what inspired the recipe. Entertaining and delicious!

If you think all southern cooking is fried, drowned in butter, or slathered with mayonnaise quit watching Paula and check out Hugh Acheson, Frank Stitt, John Besh, and so many more.

Catherine the Great has persuaded me to stay in Russia

The long story of how Sophia Augusta Frederika became Catherine the Great of Russia has been buzzing in my ears for days. After reading NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA, I immediately downloaded CATHERINE THE GREAT on my iPod. Both books were written by Robert K. Massie, with his incomparable ability to turn long, long histories of Russian rulers into mesmerizing tales.

I went with audio this time, as I often do when I anticipate words I will not be able to pronounce–which is anything not in english or spanish. I should work on that. Anyway, Massie begins the book with a brief history of Catherine’s parents before she was born and guides you along her path to empress of Russia. Massie defines Catherine so clearly that you understand every decision she made and how she managed to survive as the wife of Peter III, who played with toy soldiers at bedtime and left her a virgin for the first nine years of their marriage.  And yes, he was heir to the Russian throne. Interesting, no? Most importantly, she was a modern thinker and an eternal student with a brilliant mind, the antithesis of her husband and his aunt, the Empress of Russia.

Massie seems to include every detail possible, but it does not feel rambling or tiring at any point. Narrative nonfiction at its best.

It’s Winter and I find myself in Russia

The weather is chilly (but not winter-y) and I’ve immersed myself in Russian literature lately. I’m feeling colder by the page. I began with Robert K. Massie’s spellbinding tale of Nicholas and Alexandra. I have to confess that my knowledge of Russian history was thin. I’m catching up though. I listened all morning to Catherine the Great on my iPod.

I was aware of how the book ended, but I wanted to know how it came to that horrible conclusion. Robert Massie winds his tale effortlessly through the snow and frozen rivers and into the vibrant colors of spring in the Crimea. More than once I wanted to shake some sense into Nicholas or stop Alexandra’s letters from ever arriving to her husband at the front lines of the war. I, too, wanted Rasputin banished from the royal family’s life-at all costs. Until, I heard the screams and moans of Alexandra’s young son in agony from a simple fall. My heart went out to her and I understood exactly why anyone who could bring her ailing child peace would live in an exalted place in her life. She chose her son over the entire country of Russia. It’s not pretty. It didn’t end well. But I get it.

The story  is written so clearly and detailed that I could see the sparkle of all those Faberge eggs.

Yummy and healthy (seriously)

As we’ve discussed earlier, my food philosophy is one of moderation-without deprivation and a big dose of common sense. If it grows in the ground, I’m probably going to eat it. Even Brussels sprouts. I love them. If you don’t, you haven’t had them roasted until the edges are brown and crispy, tossed with a good pinch of salt. However, I’m always open to new ways of preparing vegetables.

While searching the bottomless Internet one night, I came upon Heidi Swanson’s 101cookbooks.com. She is far healthier than me and I’ve learned so much from her methods for cooking whole, natural foods. I can’t imagine straying from my omnivore roots, but her vegetarian recipes are easily incorporated into our meals. She has taught me everything I know about whole grains and how to use them. 101cookbooks is the reason I sought out King Arthur’s Whole Grain Baking. Her flavors are bright. The recipes bursting with color.

Several of her breakfast recipes make weekly appearances at our table. My youngest daughter and I eat her muesli a couple days a week. The millet muffins are satisfying and filling. The baked oatmeal recipe pages were stuck together just now. That’s how often I make it. It’s so easy to eat healthy when it tastes this good. If I get started on her soups right now, I won’t be able to stop. With Heidi’s books on my counter, I’m happy to be vegetarian a few times a week. Or just happy to have new vegetable side dishes to complement my favorite roast chicken. Delicious!

 

Holiday Gift Round Up

The holiday shopping time is dwindling, so let’s talk about gift ideas. Books! I think a well-thought out book choice is a wonderful gift for gift-receivers of all ages.

For kids who still enjoying being read to:

1. Everything written by Kate DiCamillo. Her words become magical the minute they are read out loud. The cadence of these magical words is a joy to read. THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX (a teeny bit dark in places but outstanding story); THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE (a great lesson, well hidden in a lovely story); THE MAGICIAN’S ELEPHANT (achingly beautiful and a joy to read out loud)
2. THE SISTERS GRIMM SERIES (great books to use all your best voices for a wide cast of characters)

For kids reading on their own (early middle grade-aka, just beyond past chapter books):

1. See #2 above. SISTERS GRIMM SERIES (nothing like a burping, farting fairy boy to keep the Grimm sisters on their toes)
2. THE GIRL WHO COULD FLY (kids with super powers at a special school with sinister plans)
3. THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY (3 book series about kids with specials skills brought together to stop Mr. Benedict’s evil brother–bad guys throw things like pencils or rulers, very kid friendly with excitement to spare)
4. PRINCESS ACADEMY (the smallest girl in a mountain village will save her classmates and the future of their village. This is the only book I would say is more geared toward girls.)
5. THE BOOKS OF ELSEWHERE (a young girl moves into an old house with her mathematician parents but the original owner (a witch) hasn’t quite moved out. Between Olive and three guardian cats, they free the house of its evil inhabitant. A bit dark with lots of humor thrown in. A really great read.)

For the literary fiction fans on your list:

1. THE SURRENDERED (gorgeous writing with lots of heart-break and a touch of hope)
2. THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS (this book will hit you in your softest places and refuse to be put down)
3. THE NIGHT CIRCUS (tinged in magic in the most believable way with a love story at its core)
4. THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET (excellent writing, beautiful story)
5. THE HISTORIAN (a historical take on vampires with no sparkle, but the vampires are only a tiny part of this novel that takes you on a journey through eastern Europe tracing the history of Vlad the Impaler) One of my all-time favorite books.

Women’s fiction:

1. THE HELP (I loved it. A great story. Period. And really great in audio)
2. THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS (see above)
3. THE SOLDIER’S WIFE (a lovely story of struggle during war and finding love anyway)
4. Everything by LISA SEE. My favorites are SHANGHAI GIRLS and it’s follow-up DREAMS OF JOY. (Her books are always about Chinese characters and she’s wonderful at immersing you in their culture, but it’s her skill at depicting close relationships that will hook you. Also wonderful in audio)

General fiction:

1. THE BOOK THIEF (written in a creative style that blew me away)
2. The Pendergast Novels beginning with RELIC (Preston and Child are one of my favorite author teams. Their main character Pendergast is a well-to-do secret service agent from New Orleans with unorthodox methods.)
3. WHEN SHE WOKE (a dystopian take on the Scarlet Letter)
4. TRUE BLOOD (Buffy for grown ups. I liked it. It’s creative. Vampires “come out of the coffin” and enter society what’s not interesting about that? P.S. The HBO series strays quite far from the original books after season one.)
5. RULES OF CIVILITY (I could not put this down but I’m a sucker for anything jazz-age in New York)
6. CROOKED LETTER, CROOKED LETTER (murder in Mississippi)
7. FRONT PORCH PROPHET (hilarious and touching)

For the Non-fictions readers:

1. DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY (the true story of a serial killer during the Chicago World’s Fair, written like a great novel)
2. THE POISONER’S HANDBOOK (Outstanding and also as thrilling as a great novel)
3. THE DISAPPEARING SPOON (a history of the periodic table of elements and one I wish my science teachers had when I was in school–I would have retained a lot of more of the info!)
4. LAST CALL (a lot more scholarly but full of interesting information-for the patient reader)
5. EMPIRE BOARDWALK (the true story of prohibition in Atlantic City)
6. GENGHIS KAHN AND THE MAKING OF THE MODERN WORLD (so fascinating and engaging)
7. SIN IN THE SECOND CITY (All of Chicago’s dirty secrets during the years surrounding prohibition)
8. THE WORST HARD TIME (about the survivor’s of the Dust Bowl–I learned a lot)

True Crime enthusiasts:

1. THE KILLER OF LITTLE SHEPERDS (how an early serial killer paved the way for the birth of forensics–fascinating)
2. THE DEVIL’S ROOMING HOUSE (a woman takes in the elderly and convinces them to sign over the finances to her and when a new client comes along, somehow a room always opens up)
3. HELLHOUND ON HIS TRAIL (the stalking of Martin Luther King, Jr by the man who assassinated him)

Well, that’s my list for this holiday season. This is not a list of freshly published books. Some are fresh off the presses, some are still in hardcover, and some are paperback. I think a good book is a good book, regardless of it’s age. If I missed a category, send me a comment and I’ll find a recommendation for you.

P.S. I just found this great post for picture book recommendations from a librarian. You know you can trust these titles. This is also where I find the books I read and write about on findingBooks.

 

Let’s bake

I love to stuff my friends and family with all types of baked goods during the holidays. I’m the girl who bakes her own rustic bread for Thanksgiving stuffing/dressing and roasts several pounds of turkey for turkey stock to moisten the stuffing/dressing. I know that’s not normal, but I can’t help it. Nevertheless, I’d love to share one of my new baking cookbooks that I can no longer live without and I’m sad that I ever did.

Let me introduce you to King Arthur Flour WHOLE GRAIN BAKING. It’s a massive book (611 pages). I read it for days like a really great piece of non-fiction. Seriously. I’m not a health nut, well, a little. I eat dairy, and meat, but I really love fruit and vegetables. I have not shunned white flour, but the flavor of whole grains is too delicious to be left out. That’s why I love this cookbook.  It suits my food philosophy and I know we will be together for a long time.

I have finally found THE cornbread recipe (pg 556); the one I will use forever and never search online for hours trying to find better and better cornbread. I’m done and it was at King Arthur all along. I make graham crackers (pg 167) for my kids and they love them! I like soft graham crackers like the ones from a box that sat open a little too long in the pantry. Now, I can bake them that way-a whole batch of soft graham crackers. Or crispy, if we’re roasting marshmallows for s’mores. I could go on and on and on.

Did I mention that lots of their recipes are 1-bowl recipes? That’s right, no dry bowl and wet bowl. It works. I was hesitant, I considered doing it the old way, but I gave into the pressure. I wanted to hug King Arthur himself.

Also, you can visit their website to find more recipes and reviews. For my gluten-free followers, please check out Canelle et Vanille. She has a cookbook coming out soon and I know it will be amazing.

P.S. I’m happy to share the page numbers of the recipes I tried and loved, just leave me a comment.

Happy Holidays!