Delicious!

by Ruth Reichl
2014

Author Ruth Reichl, usually writes food non-fiction. In her debut novel,  she wrote food fiction.

Newly interested in this genre, Delicious! grabbed my attention at the Barnes & Noble in Charlottesville, Virgina. Instead of shelling out my struggling Canadian dollars, however, I waited until I got home and did what any Canadian skinflint would do: place a hold at the library.

Thank goodness for libraries.

Delicious! was worth the wait.

Billie Breslin moved to New York City to take a job at the iconic food magazine, Delicious. Shortly after Day One, the magazine shut its doors and Billie was left all alone to answer phones and honour the "Delicious Guarantee" for even the most eccentric of callers.

Surrounded by new food, new friends and a series of historic letters, the solitary burden that Billie arrived in New York with, soon disappears.
Replaced by a rediscovered life.


Delicious! is not a masterfully written novel, but, for me,  it didn't have to be.
I was thoroughly entertained start to finish.

Drawn in by character and plot.
Fascinated by food and palate.

And,
completely captivated by moments of whimsy.


Not to mention, I learned all about Chekhov's gun.




Reading on...

The Dovekeepers

by Alice Hoffman
2011

Drawn to Israel and captivated by Masada... I couldn't wait to read this book!

The Dovekeepers tells the story of Masada's final days through the eyes of four women. All at the fortress with different stories.

Yael, pregnant and alone.

Revka, caregiver to grandchildren.

Aziza, struggling with the past.

Shira, keeper of medicine and magic.

I loved this book despite its occasional R-rated content. I loved the story, the characters and the historical depth woven throughout the pages.

Alice Hoffman's writing was truly beautiful to read.


The one aspect of the story I didn't enjoy, however, was the heavy superstition, spell and witchcraft content. While integral to the plot, it hit right up against what I know to be Truth.

Just how prevalent was superstition and "ancient magic" in Israel circa 70 C.E.?

Despite this, I completely recommend The Dovekeepers. 

Masada

Once a fortress built by King Herod, Masada became the only remaining Jewish stronghold in the revolt against Rome. It eventually fell in 74 CE when the attacking Roman Legion built a rampart up the cliff and breached Masada's walls with a battering ram.

The Jewish Defenders committed mass suicide with only two women and a few children surviving to tell Masada's tale.

For a more complete history, check out The Jewish Virtual Library. 

I visited Masada several years ago and was completely blown away by its historical richness, barren beauty and the remnants of tragedy still acutely present. 

Reading on...

Life in Motion

by Misty Copeland
2014

The subheading of this fascinating autobiography is, "an unlikely ballerina", and after only a few pages, it is easy to see why.

Misty Copeland, now a soloist at the American Ballet Theatre in New York City, grew up experiencing almost every kind of adversity there is towards a successful career in ballet.


Familial Instability.



Poverty.


A late start.


Racism.




Misty's book certainly raised the curtain on a world I've only watched from afar. And only once or twice a year, if that.


What I didn't know...
That it is very rare for a "little brown girl", as she writes throughout her book, to achieve professional success as a ballerina.



What I did know...
Starting ballet at age 13 is not a recipe for success.

Nor is coming from a poor family.

Not to mention moving from house to house, (or motel in Misty's case at one point), or stepfather to stepfather.


But,
prodigy is what they called Misty.

And,
she had the right people come alongside her to make it happen.



With all the disappointment and heartache Misty experienced over the years as she struggled to "make it", it was truly encouraging to read the end result.


Reading Life in Motion reminded me about how important it is to encourage and mentor the kids we have in our lives. In sports, activities, relationships and character. 

(Coppelia 2014 - Photo Credit: Naim Chidiac Abu Dhabi Festival - courtesy of Wikipedia).

Reading on...

The Crying Heart

by Clara Bernice Miller
1962

Claimed off my mother's bookshelf, a third place Sunday School prize she had won in 1965, The Crying Heart was a welcome read.


Growing up in an Amish community, Martha only knows about God through the traditions of her forefathers. When her boyfriend, Daniel, comes to know Jesus personally, her world is thrown upside down. Then tragedy strikes...

Written in the language of the 1960s (sometimes irritatingly so), The Crying Heart faces the question of suffering and the age-old complaint, "Why does God let bad things happen to good people?" How the author responds to these dilemmas was beautiful, encouraging and thought-provoking to read.

One can still find The Crying Heart online, but I doubt many readers will race to pick it up. That said, I found the book to be wonderfully refreshing and I recommend it wholeheartedly.



Reading on...

While We’re Far Apart

by Lynn Austin

2010

I have to say, after reading this book, Lynn Austin continues to be my current favourite Christian fiction writer.

 

While We’re Far Apart takes place in the USA during World War II where men are absent, anti-Semitism is present and women are trying their best to carry life along.

Penny Goodrich has loved Eddie Shaffer for as long as she could remember so, when the opportunity to care for his children comes up, she jumps at the chance. After all, taking care of his children is a step closer to marrying him, right?

Little does Penny know how this one decision will impact her life.

And her heart. 

I loved reading this book though I have but one complaint: it wrapped up too quickly. After spending pages and pages on detail and depth, I felt that the story concluded without the same attention. The story deserved more.

All that to say, I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting an interesting and enjoyable read.

Reading on…

Death Comes to Pemberley

By P.D. James

2011

Loving all things Austen, especially all things Pride & Prejudice, I grabbed this book off the library shelf.

Death Comes to Pemberley takes place five years after Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett married. They are enjoying their quiet life at Pemberley, when a hysterical Lydia arrives - Wickham has been murdered!

 

This launches the whole Pemberley household into uproar. 

For certain, Death Comes to Pemberley is an interesting story, not that I have much experience with murder mysteries. I did, however, have no problems with putting the book down.

Always a telltale sign.

Did I love it?

No.

Throughout the entire book, I couldn’t shake the feeling that P.D. James had messed with characters that shouldn’t be messed with.

Not only did she add to the lives of these most beloved characters after Pride & Prejudice had ended, but she also fleshed out and suggested new thoughts and motivations influencing their lives during the time period of Pride & Prejudice itself.

In essence, she disrupted my impressions and ideas, which really didn’t sit well with me.

To all Pride & Prejudice fans, I would say, "read at your own risk."

Reading on…

Ben-Hur

by Lew Wallace

I believe Ben-Hur is best known as a 1959 Hollywood drama starring Charlton Heston.
Who can forget the chariot race?

But have you ever picked up the novel and read it cover to cover?

If you have, have a coffee on me.
If you haven't, let me warn you - don't expect a story like the movie.


Having watched the movie, Ben-Hur seemed like the right read for a trip to Israel, but honestly, I didn't get very far.

In fact, I didn't get very far the whole vacation and only finished two months later.
At home.


Truth be told - Ben-Hur didn't grab me.

Beautifully written.
Deep and provoking.
Amazing plot.


What more could I ask for?
Still, I felt wanting.



Despite my lack of interest, however, there are a few things that have stayed with me.

The dedication.
"To the wife of my youth who still abides with me"


The detail.
Lew Wallace describes to perfection.


The depth.
Judah discovers we are physical beings with bodies of flesh and blood, yet also spiritual beings created with eternal souls.



Would I recommend Ben-Hur?
Despite my humble opinions, definitely.




Reading on...