Reading and Eating...my version of DIY.

You might have guessed that I love to read.  And I love to eat.  So reading about eating is kind of my favourite thing.  And I love cookbooks.  

My big hesitation around sampling/eating through a cookbook is food cost (not to mention the cost of the books!), specifically random ingredients that I am going to use in tiny portions and be left with a bag full of when the meal is complete.  Not my thing and not my stage of life.  I need recipes that are simple, delicious, healthy and cheap.  And, I am learning, this is completely doable.  

To my great joy, I found The Homemade Pantry: 101 Foods You Can Stop Buying and Start Making by Alana Chernila.  Here plentiful book contains great pictures, captivating stories and (what I hope are) delicious recipes.  I started reading this book when I should have been napping and my fingers have been itching to start creating a pantry full of treats ever since (Thanksgiving kind of got in the way).  

My library-borrowed book now looks like this (picture is also a mini-plug for the ease of these removable tabs):  

I'm excited to get started and see if this book is a buyer (ie, I'll buy it) or a library books (ie, borrow and use intensively for a short period of time).  On my list to make...well, everything!  Butter, ricotta, creme fraiche, instant oatmeal, ketchup, hummus, pesto, roasted tomatoes, granola bars, fish sticks, hot chocolate, marshmallows, butternut squash soup, graham crackers, cheese crackers, caramels and potato chips.  To start, anyway.  I *might* need more than a two week loan!  

This weekend we made cornbread (perfection -- exactly how you want cornbread to taste -- a little sweet, buttery and amazing dipped in chili) and potato chips (time consuming but worth it!  Will absolutely do again.  The crunch and flavour were fully addictive).  I'm going to keep going...so far this one reads and tastes like a winner!

Quitters Sometimes Prosper: Books I've stopped reading & others I should have stopped

I generally like to see things through to the end.  Especially food.  Chocolate should never be left unfinished.  Or these maple covered nuts.  Just sayin.

And I do like to finish most books. But every once and a while, I quit.  I just do.  My need for public confessions makes it clear that peace has not been made with these abdications.  I would love to know if you have ever finished one of these books, if you have loved it and even why I might try again.  (And I am totally up for trying again...that is how I fell in love with Margaret Atwood.  Long story.) I used to think that I would never quit a book--I would always see it through.  Then I became a parent and I learned that words like "never" and "always" are just plain foolish.  

So here is my confession.  I have quit some books. 

(Spoiler alert: At the end are some books I am looking forward to reading, lest this post feel too woe-is-me.)

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Series (Stieg Larsson).  I read the first book and part way through I started skimming.  A) I was (very) bored.  The characters ate way too many sandwiches.  B) I didn't like the violence.  I didn't feel the story was powerful enough to merit the amount of violence involved.  C)  EDIT (and I may be one to talk, but this is a blog, not a book).  So I quit on the whole series.  There was no way I was entering into another long, poorly edited, graphically violent book that seemed to be gruesome just for the sake of it.  But I'm willing to listen to another side of the story.

 

 

Middlemarch (George Eliot) A classic, right?  Have you read this classic?  I tried.  I QUIT.  It was too deep for me.  I don't balk easily at long sentences.  I like to think that any sentence, read properly, is understandable.  ERRONEOUS.  I had to read and re-read sentence after sentence.  It was hard for me to do so--this book as serious theological underpinnings and I have done some schooling in theology.  So I wanted to understand.  My pride wanted me to get it.  But I couldn't follow it.  And yes, it haunts me.

Vanity Fair (William Makepeace Thackery).  Again, a classic.  And while I could follow this story--I just got bored out of my skull.  I wasn't engaged.  Bigger confession: watched the movie just to see the ending. Terrible, I know.  

Lord of the Flies (William Golding).  I'm not sure I quit this one *per se* but I didn't really read the whole thing.  I read the beginning (in grade 11), got busy, saw the movie, read the end for a project (still grade 11) and then never got to the middle.  I feel like a Lord of the Flies flake.  I hope I can't retroactively fail grade 11 English.  

Uh-oh.  This list is getting longer the more I think about it.  Maybe I'll stop.

After all is said and done, I do think it is worth sticking most books out until the end.  That being said, here are a few I wish I had read differently:

Little Bee (Chris Cleave).  This book has a great beginning.  I loved it.  And then the whole thing falls apart.  My book club all felt the same way: great start, riveting and interesting...but then...blurg.  Everything goes downhill.  It is either a brilliant comment on the contrast between Western-suburban culture and rural African life OR it is just not that great.  I think the latter might be the case. 

 

The Expats (Chris Pavone).  I didn't mind this book, I just wish I hadn't started reading it while I was home alone with my kids.  It was midnight before I went to bed because I had to know what happened.  Good read, Bourne-like mystery...but don't read it home alone.  Consider yourself warned.  

 

State of Wonder (Ann Patchett).  This book is added to the list hesitantly because I like Ann Patchett's writing, especially Bel Canto (it is a go-to recommendation for me).  However, this story was too thin or almost too thick--I'm not sure which.  It was well-written but weakly told.  Great moments but too long before anything happens.  However, if you are looking for an exercise in character writing, you could check this book out.

Most books I have read from start to finish, whether I like them or not.  But sometimes, you just have to give up and let a book slide.  Not to worry.  Behind each disappointment is another book waiting to wow you.  I'm off to start Divergent (Veronica Roth), Ender's Game (Orson Scott Card)  and The Virgin Cure (Ami McKay).  I'm sure my high hopes will be met!

Good food, good books, good advice!

Friday nights in our house are pizza night.  We used to get take out, but for a few months now we have been making our own.  Not only because my next door neighbour makes the best pizza dough in the world or because our little guy will eat anything sandwiched between bread and cheese, but because there is something so deliciously creative about concocting colourful, plentiful and fanciful pizzas.  If art class had been about pizza making, I would have been a much better student.  

Last night's pizza included on our favourite combos: pepperoni, pineapple and olives.  We amped it up a bit substituting local pork chorizo sausage for the pepperoni and adding some dollops of pesto for a bit of zip (totally inspired by our garden's basil fiesta).  It was amazing.  But I didn't come up with this perfect blend of salty/savoury/sweet on my own...it was on the advice of a good friend.  Who has taught me much about life and love--including how to buy books.

How does one buy a book?  The shelves of bookstores & libraries, large or small, are packed with options.  While I love to bend the ear of our local bookstore experts, they aren't always on hand while shopping online or browse at the library.  So how do you pick?  My good friend, who inspired our pizza last night, taught me her own reliable method:

1) Look at the cover and pick something that looks interesting.  I know, I know -- don't judge a book by its cover.  Fine.  THEN MAKE COVERS BORING.  If you don't want me to use them, stop investing in them.  Until then, I'm going to be drawn to books that have cover I like/find compelling.  And book cover artists know this moth-to-a-flame tendency is true.  Go ahead...use the cover.  Pick something pretty or scary or funky or simple.  Follow your gut.

2) Also use the cover to read about the book .  I'll skip this step on books that come with strong recommendations as I am willing to trust my book-loving friends.  But when I'm on my own, you have to check out the back and find out what you are getting in to.   [nb: I am always wary of the words "disturbing" and "chilling".  These tend to indicate dark topics inside.  Which can be fine, I just like to be warned and to have decided I'm good with some sad content.]  Read the quotes from others and check out who is reading the book as well. 

Still interested?  Okay, step 3.

3) Open to a random page and read a bit.  This step is key.  You will get a sense of the writing and content.  It will give you a chance to engage the book a little bit.  I would also read the Acknowledgements.  They are the 'big picture' of the book and offer a bit of insight into the character of the author without giving away the plot.  

If you are still intrigued about the material then find the book at the library, purchase it or borrow it.  There are lots of local booksellers online and amazing online used bookstores (I like www.abebooks.com).  Look around before going with the big guys...you will be amazed what you can find.

How do you buy a book? 

Why I love Graphic Novels

Oh, the graphic novel.  All of a sudden, a few years back, these came across my radar.  In my naivety, I scoffed--pictures?  comics?  Who needs those?  I like the pictures I create in my head; slowly building up the details as the author paints a word picture.  I'm a reader, I don't need pictures!  Then again, I've been wrong before.  

After all a picture is worth a thousand words.  Especially a good, provocative picture.  Then it is worth a million words (or maybe more).  Graphic novels can go to deep places quickly, because the pictures can move with a speed words cannot. It might not take long to read, but this genre leaves a lasting impression.  

My first graphic novel came from Canada Reads 2011:  Essex County.  I read it as I decided to read all the books but was the least familiar with the style and content of Jeff Lemire's work.  Turns out, it was gripping.  Great story, interesting pictures, heartfelt.  I really enjoyed it.  But I still felt 'out of touch' with the world of graphic novels.  How does one even begin to engage a whole new kind of book.  My limited, incorrect definition of comics (Saturday mornings, super heroes, or Japanese anime) crippled me when I walked into the section.  I hardly knew where to start.  I really liked reading Essex County, but then what?  

 

Recently I came across Jerusalem: Chronicles from the Holy City by Guy Delisle (from CBC Book's Summer Reading List).  Also a graphic novel, I was excited to dig in.  And while Essex County was heartfelt, Jerusalem was heart wrenching.  With a wit that transcends his pictures and a poignant eye that notices truth in little moments, Delisle's take on the people, the realities and the challenges of life in the Holy Land fascinated me.  Delisle's story follows his year there with his wife (works with MSF/Doctors without Borders) and children, showing aspects of daily life (like finding a good playground) and big moments (like living through bombings).  He provides lots of simplified background information so that his vignettes are accessible even if you aren't familiar with Middle East relations.  Absolutely challenging subject matter.  But this book is a great way to start engaging with a reality that ought not be ignored. 

Both graphic novels I have read opened my eyes to the beauty of the genre and to the emotions, truths and moments which pictures can convey better than words.  I'm on the hunt for more (probably going to check out Delisle's other books).  Any suggestions? 

Juliet, Czechs and the Saddest Book Ever

I like starting books when I know nothing about them -- it adds a sense of adventure to my literary travels.  Going on recommendations or just curiosity, I stumble into incredible worlds and stories that I might have steered away from had I read the back.  

So it was with The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.  The title gives away nothing and I walked in blind, joined by a few friends, to the world of Juliet Ashton.  Even though I highly recommend starting books without knowing exactly what to expect, I am going to give you a small snapshot of this book.

World War 2 has just ended and England is searching for footing, hope and stability after a long and arduous war.  Rationing, coupons and devastation still fill the air as author Juliet Ashton provides some relief through her light-hearted stories.  While searching for subject matter that goes deeper, she engages with a group on the small English Channel Island of Guernsey and...well, that's all you need from me.  

You know what I loved about this book?  It was so balanced.  It was funny, sweet, poignant, intruiging, heart breaking, devastating, challenging and witty.  I was captured in minutes.  It took me two days to read this book -- and I have two children under the age of two.  So that meant something (ie, my own sleep) went largely neglected for the sake of the story.  But it was worth it.  When people want to read something 'light but not frivolous' I think this is what they want.  A good story, with great heart, that doesn't burden you with suffering but still goes deeper than surface interactions.  

What would I change?  Just one more chapter.  That's all I wanted.  One more look into what happened.  I would have liked that.  

I love reading about World War 2 (we go way back).  Here are some other books that I would recommend:

Far to Go (Alison Pick).  A story of Czech citizens in World War Two, this story is a present day-past day interaction that culminates in the past and present meeting.  Lovely writing, interesting story and made me want to head back to Prague.  Also, written by a Canadian.

The Book Thief  (Markus Zusak).  See my other posts.  READ!  

 The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by (John Boyne).  This story is told from the perspective of a little german boy in WW2.  Adorable in his naivety, it is also one of the saddest books ever.  At one point my hand flew to my mouth and it stayed there until the end of the book.  However, it is a good read.  Just be warned: saddest book ever. 

Reality TV and Food? Count me in!

I like Gail Simmons--not only is she very knowledgeable about food but she gets to wear great clothes and eat for a living.  She has THE BEST JOB EVER (other than being mother to my children, which is the greatest job, period).  But, seriously, I want to be paid to eat for a living.  Unfortunately, my food knowledge is almost entirely gleaned from Food Network shows and one encounter with Susur Lee and his food (totally amazing) so I'm pretty sure I would be a terrible food presenter.  But Gail is a great food presenter.  AND she's on Top Chef.  AND she's Canadian.  AND she wrote a book!  How could I resist?  
  
Eating with My Mouth Full by Gail Simmons

I love food on TV and I particularly love good reality TV about food...and the best of the best is Top Chef.  As a person who has extensively googled about reality shows are filmed, Gail's chapters on being a Top Chef judge and Top Chef: Just Desserts host were enthralling!  She provides great anecdotes without giving away too much.  All the details, little insights and explanations of how such a production happens were morsels of goodness to my ever hungry behind-the-scenes appetite.  Now I just have to get myself on a set one day to see it happen in person! 

Even better than the reality TV dish are her food descriptions. They are amazing.  Drool worthy.  Made me want to live at the St. Lawrence Market and my next trip be to the Aspen Food & Wine Festival.  I was inspired to cook (and bake) for days.  I was made a better cook through her little hints and offerings as she weaves her tale, starting from childhood in Toronto to line cook in Toronto to marketing manager to event producer to TV personality.  Her tone is upbeat and optimistic while maintaining a vulnerability and honesty that I wasn't expecting but really appreciated.  She seems so real as she tells her story and yet the food seems completely unreal and incredibly delicious.  Her lovely, conversational tone adds accessibility to high-end food and life experiences.    

It is clear that Gail loves food.  She made me want to eat and eat and eat.  It was a truly delicious read.  But more than that, it is clear she loves people, her family, her friends and her colleagues.  Her love and respect shine through; her humility and openness make you love her.  

Enjoy the book but make sure you have good snacks handy!  

Elizabeth & Hazel -- the unexpected!

I started reading Elizabeth and Hazel: Two Women of Little Rock (on my fancy new e-reader!) blissfully unaware of the subject matter.  I knew it was about a black woman and white woman during desegregation in Arkansas; I naively assumed it was the story of how they became friends and forged a relationship despite the societal pressures against them.

WRONG.  I'll take, "Sarah is completely wrong for $200, Alex" wrong.  Wrong, wrong, wrong.

It is about two women during desegregation, but not two women who get along.  Not even two women who engage in a conversation (or at least them haven't yet, I'm only half way done).  But, so far, they are not forming a friendship.  Admittedly, this lack of relationship-despite-the-odds-theme made me feel remotely better.  Apparently, I was afraid of reading another tale of people overcoming situations.  Reading it against my own life made me feel inadequate and I feared the judgement I would bring on myself.  

I'd like to think I'm a fairly decent person who doesn't discriminate or judge others I don't know based on things like race, ethnicity, social class, etc.  But I do fall prey to many cultural norms and tend to hang out people who are like me.  Okay, fine, people who are exactly like me.  I'm not pushing the boundaries of societal pressure with my relationships.  At all.  So when I started reading Elizabeth and Hazel I thought this would be yet another book that would make me question whether or not I would have been able to be as brave as these women were (to be clear, I'm not brave like Elizabeth but that's another story) and if I would have been able to befriend the outsider.  I was actually pleasantly surprised to find the book more of a historical account of the situation that I find completely fascinating. 

As I am realizing that my assumption was wrong and enjoying the alternative presented, it became clear that a fear of having my relationships examined was a bigger issue than I wanted to admit.  I should be making friends with people who aren't like me: that's how we grow and learn.  I should want to be inspired and challenged into change, not just comforted into complacency.   But sometimes comfort is nice.  But when the potential content of a book brings up fear of examination (and internal struggles), then it is time for a change.

I'll let you know how it goes.