Shark's Fin and Sichuan Pepper: A Sweet-Sour Memoir of Eating in China

I discovered this book from an excerpt in The Best Food Writing 2008. I was impressed by the writing and thought the concept of going to a university in China was pretty bold for an English girl. But that what was thought I learned from the excerpt. But when I actually got the whole book, it was an even better story!

Fuchsia Dunlop went to China to study Chinese policy on ethnic minorities, on a British Council grant in 1994. She was working at the BBC. She ended up at Sichuan University in the foreign students wing. She wasn't quite sure what she was doing there. Her Chinese was too poor to do scholarly work, and the topic she had chosen was a "subject fraught with political sensitivities." She ended up writing down her impressions of the food. She had thought about being a professional cook, but that is not where her path lead her. But here, she finds herself curious about Chengdu and the region's food, it's cooks and their kitchens and she tours around asking questions, making friends and writing down recipes. And because China was just beginning to open itself up the world, Fuchsia and her fellow students are a curiosity to the locals too.

Shark's Fin and Sichuan Pepper: A Sweet-Sour Memoir of Eating in China is more than just a book about food. It is a story of finding one's place in the world - even if that happens to be China, and creating a life. It is a traveler's journey and Dunlop writes with insight and humor about a time and place that has changed irrevocably since she has been there. And then there is the food. She writes with such knowledge and discription you will be craving Chinese food there after. Makes you wish you went with her. And after reading the book, I guess I did. A very good read.

Colonial Foodies

The Founding Foodies: How Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin Revolutionized American Cuisine By Dave DeWitt


This is a great and concise title on how our founding fathers really were the first foodies in the land. Jefferson and Washington were plantation owners and experimented with crops and vegetables in their particular states. Franklin spent time in France as the U.S. ambassador and definitely enjoyed himself while there! He also was a early supporter of corn. Jefferson used his time in France to discover new plants and vegetables and had some of them brought back to Monticello.

This book goes into detail about food (and drink) during colonial times and how the tavern really helped the growth of the democracy. There is also a lengthy section with recreated recipes. There is a very detailed appendix with historic colonial foodie sites to visit. And perhaps best of all - an extremely detailed bibliography for more books both on Washington, Jefferson and Franklin, but food and living during colonial times. A fun read.

Foodies, This Title is for You!

I'll start by saying right off that I have never had the pleasure of eating at Alinea, and I do not think I have the money to do so either. With that said, let me tell you about chef Grant Achatz's memoir Life, on the Line: A Chef's Story of Chasing Greatness, Facing Death, and Redefining the Way We Eat by Grant and his business partner Nick Kokonas.

Grant grew up in Michigan in a family that had been in the resturant business a long time. He attended culinary school right out of high school and was working for the chef, Thomas Keller, at the French Laundry by the time he was 22 years old.  Let's talk about drive, here people. I think you can say he has it. His drive led him to work at Trio in Chicago area. One of his best customers was Kokonas. But he really wanted to try something further and the ideas for Alinea were born. 

That is where Kokonas comes in. He partners up with Achatz in his restaurant venture. And he tells his version of the "we are going to build a restaurant" story. And they do. And Achatz and Alinea win acclaim and awards. But he is also diagnosed with tongue cancer. How can a chef taste with out his tongue? 

So it is the story of a vision, food techniques, a partnership, a theatrical presentation (I'm sorry, opening night of a restaurant reminds me of a theater production), a sickness and the drive to get the most out of life while you're still here.  And as a book - it works. Fact is stranger than fiction sometimes. And it seems to have a happy ending - they opened up their latest restaurant venture - Next - and Grant is in remission (I'm sorry, I can't say cancer free- it is bad luck to me.)

Are they perfect people?  No, but they have a unique story to tell and it is done well. So for foodies (and other readers) who like books about challenges and struggles and of course - food, this might be the one for you. A very good read.

Unfamiliar Fishes

Sarah Vowell's book Unfamiliar Fishes has left me with a mixture of sadness, excitement, and questions. Questions about how the United States and its government has left its manifest destiny all over the globe. Excitement, because  - well - I really wanted to visit Hawaii before, but now I really want to go. And sadness, because commerce and greed was the reason that we overthrew the Queen of Hawaii.

This book is about Hawaii, its history and natives, and how the United States took it over. And it is told in Vowell's quirky and wry style.  She goes into depth about the missionaries who came to this wild and unknown land from cold New England. They were not prepared too well for the voyage or for what they would find. But they managed to bring education and helped create a written language for the Hawaiian people. But island life was interrupted by commerce, farming and taking as much from the islands as the newcomers could get.

Vowell is what I would call a uncomfortable historian. (Howard Zinn does the same thing.) She tells you what happened to whom and when. She gives you details from different viewpoints. But what she shows you is that history is messy. Heroes are human. People make bad choices. And it can make the reader uncomfortable in their easy chair.

And perhaps that is the point. We are to question why we are choosing this route; is it really better policy? And for whom? These are things that Americans have forgotten about.These are questions that their ancestors and founding fathers raised and fought about. Today we seem to argue more about television reality shows.

Vowell gives us questions to ponder. And the more we know about history, the better we are to deal with the present. At least I hope so. A very good read.

Here We Go Again: My Life in Television - Betty White Is So Cool!

I have always thought that Betty White was cool. She reminds me of a favorite aunt of mine with her humor and laughter. So maybe that is why I responded so well when I started listening to her audiobook of  Here We Go Again: My Life in Television. And the fact that she reads it doesn't hurt either!

Betty White has been in television since 1949! I had no idea she was such a pioneer. I must admit my TV memories of her are of her playing Sue Ann Nivens on the Mary Tyler Moore show in the 70's. But in this memoir you find out about her early days of broadcasting on a daily show for over 6 hours a day, as well as countless variations of the Betty White Show, her regular spots on the Tonight Show with Jack Paar, and her many guest spots on game shows, and talk shows. And then there is MTM and the Golden Girls.

I think anyone who is interested in the history of the television industry would be interested to check out her story. The story is told with good humor (hello! It's Betty White!) But not everything is rosy - she tells the story behind the scenes as well.

My only problem with this audiobook is that it is abridged! (And it does not say it on the container.) I wanted more! Have a listen and laugh. A fun read.

Speak Ill of the Dead: A Camilla MacPhee Mystery

There are times when you finish the first book in a series, when a feeling of excitement comes over you. You have discovered a new author to read! You like the plotting, the character, and setting. It was witty and funny. And it suited your mood perfectly. Ah, the right book at the right time. And then you want to tell everyone about it - but only special people - cause you don't want them to check out all the titles before you...

However in this case, the books in this series might be harder to come by because they are Canadian! (Shocking - I know!) But some libraries have them - the power of interlibrary loan - and can get them for you.

Speak Ill of the Dead by Mary Jane Maffini introduces us to Camilla Mac Phee - a lawyer who runs a justice for victims office. She is feisty woman who has issues with her older sisters (why can't she just find a nice guy and get married), her assistant (who was foisted on her from a work/release program), her nosy and elderly next door neighbor and her best friend (who discovers a body, and collapses and so Camilla has to take in her six cats.)

While she is trying to clear her friend from the charges of murder, she finds out there were many people who had motives to do the deed, for the victim was a famous (and nasty) gossip writer. She discovers the detective on the case has a crush on her sister Alexa, so she pumps him for information, as well as the attractive hotel manager at the hotel where the victim stayed. She gathers information on the other gossip victims and finds evidence of drug use, fat farms and former lovers. And then there is another gruesome victim. (Let me say this is not a cozy! )

In between these goings on, she copes with hiding the cats from the super and her neighbor, and facing those dreaded Sunday night dinners with her family. But her concern for her friend and her determination to solve the case bring her closer and closer to danger.

Camilla is a character you can relate to, her life is not perfect, and she cares about people - even if she is grumbling about them all the way. Maffini writes a nicely plotted mystery and she has come up with some pretty funny and quirky characters. And her descriptions of Ottawa in the spring make it sound lovely.
Sign me up for another one please! A fun and frothy read!

Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie

Scott has made the transition to high school and found his world spinning. His friends are not in the same classes and their group seems to be separating. His mom and dad have just announced that they are having a baby. His older brother, who he hopes will show him the ropes, keeps leaving home. And he has fallen for a former classmate who now looks like "a goddess." The only place this book worm feels comfortable is in his English class. He gets himself involved with student council, the newspaper and the class musical because he wants to be near his "goddess", but his plans keep back firing. Now he has ended up on the football team’s most wanted list because of some of his articles. It’s a good thing he’s a lowly freshman that nobody knows.

In Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie, David Lubar writes with skill and humor to bring the reader, the experience (and the terror and the fear) of being an underclassman. He provides us a great look into Scott’s home life including the pressure he feels with the new baby coming and his anxiety about his changing place in the world. He uses Scott’s writing to his unborn sibling as a chance to show Scott’s sense of humor and his thoughtfulness about being the first in his family that might have a chance to go to college. He deals delicately with the subject of being different by having Scott interact with a quirky cast of characters who are both funny and troubled.

This is a fun book for those who are interested in writing because Lubar does a wonderful job of incorporating Scott’s English class topics within his articles for the school newspaper. This coming of age story is highly recommended for younger readers who are looking for a glimpse of what to expect in high school and it can be enjoyed by those readers who already know high school can be a comedy of errors.  It is a very good read.

My Nest Isn't Empty, It Just Has More Closet Space

Lisa Scottoline has paired with her daughter Francesca Scottoline Serritella to write her latest book of essays My Nest Isn't Empty, It Just Has More Closet Space. Most of essays were first published as newspaper columns for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

If you have not read Scottoline's essays, you are in for a treat. They are filled with humor about the foibles of modern day life. This group have a bit more to do with Francesca's moving out to NYC and how they both feel about that. The tale about Francesca giving her mom dating advice is priceless!  And then there are the stories about Lisa's mom in Florida - pretty darn funny.

Pick it up for a laugh and give yourself a mini-break during the holidays. A fun frothy read! My previous post about her other book of essays is here.

Keith Richards - The Man, the Myth, the Musician, and the Junkie

In the age old question which rock group is better : the Beatles or the Rolling Stones - if you answer the Stones - this is the book for you.

Life by Keith Richards with James Fox, gives the Rolling Stone fan a glimpse into the creative and sometimes chemically enhanced mind of a founding member of the band. Richards is very straightforward on some issues (the music, his ex- girlfriend and Brian Jones), and cagey on others (Altamont.) It is amazing he remembers as much as he does and it is fun when he has others in his circle being interviewed about the topics at hand.

I must admit it is pretty wild reading about the crazy life on tour with the Stones in the 1970's. And it brings up (for me at least) the question of how much time was wasted on the drugs and how much original music was lost in the process. Keith is such a raconteur that he is even funny during the dark times of his excess. You keeping hoping he's gonna get out of the daze and back into his music. He goes into great detail on this and I will admit most of it was over my head since I'm not a guitarist. I would be curious to hear a musician's perspective on this part of the book. But I can hear the results - and have had his song "Happy" in my head for weeks.

At 564 pages, this is a long read, but Keith's humor and unique perspective make it worth while. Definitely a must read for anyone who is interested in the 60's and 70's music scene in England, and in one of the biggest rock bands of the last century. Just a warning - you might as well get your Stones music out when reading, because you will be hearing the songs in your head!
 
To continue with a Rolling Stones frenzy take a look at the Rolling Stone magazine issue 1105 from May 27th, 2010. There is an excellent article called  "Making of 'Exile on Main Street'"  by David Gates. Put out to coinside with the rerelease of the album (38 years old!) it has a lot of information in it on the creation process behind the album and it is very different from Keith's perspective which is fairly detailed in his book.
 
Get out your albums and CDs and let it bleed. A very good read.

How Did You Get This Number

Sloane Crosley is back again with How Did You Get This Number, another batch of essays. (Okay - this is one of the ugliest book covers I have seen in a long time. Somebody did her a disservice here!) Some are more personal than others - such as the one about how her bad sense of direction is actually a spatial learning disorder and how it provides her with challenges in everyday life. Then there are others such as being a bridesmaid in Alaska - where there is indeed an encounter with bears.

This book does not have as much of the laugh out loud snark as her first one did (see previous review), but it again provides one with a glimpse into urban life in the twenty-first century. I think one of the most thought provoking tales was the story in which she explained how she was getting some new furniture for her apartment. Apparently it was off the back of a truck. But he was such a nice shyster! (Only in New York City!) It really does say something about extreme shopping for discounts, and how far is one willing to draw the line between getting a deal and stealing.

I really enjoy her voice and am looking forward to the next batch of essays. And hopefully you will too. A fun read.

Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Making It Work

Tim Gunn, Tim Gunn, Tim Gunn. Just saying his name makes me squee! I love the man! He is one of my favorite parts of Project Runway (PR) and he is just a classy guy.  I knew I would like this book right away, after all I did like his last one - see former review .

Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Making It Work by Tim Gunn with Ada Calhoun is a fun book if you are a fan of Tim and PR. It is a wacky mixture of PR gossip, behind the scenes info, and a mini memoir of Tim's life and career. And he tries to teach/remind us that good manners will get you far. And if that doesn't work - karma - might do you in...

But really it does not sound like he had a great home life growing up. It appears that he is enjoying his fame for what it is worth, but does not take it too seriously.  I think that is the secret to his success as a mentor on PR. He knows what it is like to be the nerdy kid in the room, and he relates to the designer's struggles.

Just when you are thinking the book gets a little too serious, he will come out with some snarky comment or PR gossip to keep the reader interested. A fun book. Definately a frothy one. And if your a fan of the man - a must read. We love you Tim Gunn!

Delizia! : The Epic History of the Italians and Their Food

Hmm, my blog seems to have morphed into food and fiction! Seriously I do read more - I'm just behind in the blogging! But brace yourself for some pasta cravings...

Delizia! : The Epic History of the Italians and Their Food by John Dickie is a foodie book as well as an explanation of the growth of the city states of Italy. Each chapter focuses on a city or region and the how that city contributed (and during what time period ) to the 'national' cuisine.

Fun facts you can bring out at parties:

- French food was highly influential in Italy during the 1700s and 1800s. There was a leaflet campaign "insulting the wealthy for adopting French eating habits."

- Rome was the gastronomic capital of Italy during the Renaissance.

- Bologna had a Guild of Sausage - Makers fight to keep their standards for making mortadella.

- Marco Polo may have claimed to have brought over noodles from China (very much debated in this book) but what he did bring was spices and heavily spiced dishes were considered good for digestion. This trend lasted until the 1700s.

- The Margherita pizza is named for Queen Margherita of Savoy. While she visiting in Naples in the 1880s, she asked to try pizza and she was given three different kinds. The she one chose to eat was the one with basil and tomatoes. It was eventually named for her.

I love the ease with which Dickie combines his stories about food and history. I think this book would be a great one to read before taking a trip to Italy. Or a trip to your favorite Italian market. A fun, frothy and yummy read indeed!

If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince?

It isn’t easy being the new kid in the school, or in the house. Sophomore Lucy Norton is left in her new home with her stepmother and her evil twin stepsisters by Lucy’s bi-coastal working father. Feeling ostracized in the house and isolated in her new high school, she takes refuge in her art class. Inspired by an older classmate Sam’s painting, she thinks he’s a jerk in person, but her opinion changes after he invites her to a show at an art gallery. Lucy finds herself struggling to find her identity and place in the world when she has an assignment to create a self portrait. But when a basketball game comment in the cafeteria attracts the attention of Connor, the star of the varsity team, Lucy suddenly rises in social status. She gets a date and some new girlfriends who are plugged into the school’s gossip feed. Will she remain the art aficionado or become part of the “in” basketball crowd? Is Connor really her prince?

Melissa Kantor's  If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince? provides her independent narrator heroine with the wit and sarcasm to have the reader identify with her. She allows Lucy to show us the humor in her uncomfortable home and school life - “It’s so Brothers Grimm.” As she tries to maintain her bond with her dad, she feels that her stepmother is changing everything. This is a good account of a created family trying to adjust to their new life together. It is a charming story of a contemporary teen dealing with the change and uncertainty that being in a new environment can bring. This book shows that having different and creative talents can be a beneficial and positive experience.  Kantor does a great job at updating the Cinderella fairy tale. A fine frothy read for young adult collections and a fun read for adults too.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Sherman Alexie's book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, is a wonderful coming of age story. Junior lives on the Spokane Indian reservation and has found that he needs a better education than what he is receiving in his community. He takes the great leap to attending an all white high school in a neighboring farm town.

As he learns to adjust to his new classmates and they to him, he is being called a traitor by his friends on the "rez." He discovers that this is a year of challenges both in his personal life - several family tragedies - and his school life - competing with his old school on the basketball court.

Alexie provides the reader with a great lead character who takes his punches but still manages to keep his sense of humor about life and himself. He challenges the reader to think about the strength it takes to go against the grain and make changes to your life. Ellen Forney provides the illustrations that add so much to the story and provide the reader with more insight into Junior's character and his cartooning. Take a chance on this National Book Award winner. It's a fun read for both teens and adults.