Our Hispanic Literary Heritage September 30, 2009
Posted by bookgoddess in Book Talk, Books, Fiction, Literature, Reading, Reading lists, library programs, readers.Tags: Color Online, Hispanic literature, Nobel Prize, Spanish language literature
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At our most recent Book Talk, I presented a “sampler” of the rich feast of Spanish language literature in translation, as well as some titles from North American writers of Hispanic origin.
As I began to prepare, I started to become overwhelmed. This is a major literary language – for example, ten Nobel prizes have been awarded to writers in the Spanish language. I also became very excited about the wonderful variety of the books – a rich feast, indeed.
I should mention with pride that I am partly of Spanish descent, and perhaps that increases my appreciation of this body of literature. But I recommend these books to all of you. When we talk about culture, we are privileged to be citizens of the world, and it is a good thing to move beyond our cultural center. I love Southern food, but I don’t eat it every night of my life.
So – this is your invitation to Hispanic literature. Click here for my list of books, and also please visit the Color Online blog for another wonderful selection of titles.
Disfrute sus libros! (Happy Reading, or more literally, Enjoy your books!)
Florida Books for Young Readers June 16, 2009
Posted by bookgoddess in Books, Fiction, Reading, Reading lists, readers.Tags: books about Florida, young readers
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Several months ago, I received a nice message from a gentleman who was looking for books about Florida for a young friend. Unfortunately, the request came just at the time that we were gearing up for our move, and so I’m afraid it got shelved until now.
My correspondent was interested in books that portrayed Florida as it used to be. I have also included some books, such as those by Carl Hiaasen, that deal with contemporary issues of development and the environment. Click here for the list.
I’m sorry it took so long to complete this reading list. I might mention that I am a 5th generation Floridian, so it was a labor of love.
Please consider reading some of these books even if you don’t fall into the “young reader” category. Books aimed at a younger audience are often very readable with a compelling story line; kids won’t sit still for them otherwise.
Please send me your suggestions of books about Florida that you love! I would really appreciate it.
Happy Reading!
The Book Goddess
Cookbooks for Summer Reading June 5, 2009
Posted by bookgoddess in Book Floor, Books, Just Browsing, Public libraries, Reading, Reading lists, West Palm Beach Public Library, readers.Tags: cookbooks, cooking, Food & Wine, New York Times, NPR, Summer Books List, Summer Reading
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NPR recently released their “Summer Books List,” and this past Sunday’s New York Times featured their Summer Reading selections.
One similarity between the two is that they both included a selection of cookbooks. I love cookbooks, and my observations as a bookseller and a librarian are that many people do, whether they like to cook or not.
And in these trying economic times, it might be a good idea to take an interest in food preparation. Some financial pundits tell us that we could be wealthy if we didn’t go out to eat so much, though I doubt that applies to restaurant owners. These are complex issues.
However, the ability to prepare a good meal for friends, family, or yourself is undoubtedly a useful skill, and can also be an act of generosity, a creative outlet, or a way to take out your aggression by vigorous vegetable chopping.
We have a wonderful Food and Wine section on the First Floor, and many more food titles in the Grand Reading Room on the Fourth Floor. I’ve selected some delicious sounding titles from among our new arrivals, and you can link to the list here. Just keep in mind that there are many more!
Happy Reading and Cooking,
The Book Goddess
A Celebration of Friendship February 19, 2009
Posted by bookgoddess in Books, Fiction, Reading, Reading lists, The Latest and the Greatest, West Palm Beach Public Library, library programs.Tags: friendship
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We had a good discussion today at The Latest and Greatest – our topic was A Celebration of Friendship. It’s not surprising that many wonderful books have been written on the theme of friendship. Of all our important relationships, friendships are the ones we get to choose. I have been more fortunate than I can say to have made some of my very best friends among my book club participants and my library colleagues.
I’m going to let the reading list speak for itself (here’s the link), but I should mention a few titles that my book-loving friends reminded me about:
Christina recommended Little Woman by Louisa May Alcott. This is one of my all-time favorites, too. I read it multiple times in my childhood, and in recent times had the pleasure of visiting the Alcott home. Christina also recommended Leaving Cecil Street by Diane McKinney-Whetstone.
Other recommendations were The Tender Bar, a memoir by J. R. Moehringer (Lois); A Red Bird Christmas by Fannie Flagg (Marsha); and The Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor (Claudia). All great suggestions, and I would love to hear yours, too!
Happy Reading!
The Book Goddess
Cooking, Culture, and Community October 18, 2007
Posted by bookgoddess in Books, Reading lists, West Palm Beach Public Library, library programs.Tags: Caroline Stuart, community, cooking, culture, Faith D’aluisio, Florida Cookbook: From Gulf Coast Gumbo to Key Lime Pi, Hungry Planet: What the World Eats, Jeanne Voltz, Peter Menzel
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I chose the theme of cookbooks for this month’s “All You Can Read Book Buffet” because October is National Cookbook Month (and because almost everyone loves food and many people love cookbooks). And yes, there were some yummy selections. But it turned out to be about more than that.
As I was making my choices, I was reminded that food is about so much more than taking in enough calories to get our daily tasks done. The two themes that stood out for me, and that overlap considerably, are culture and community.
I started with my own cultural heritage – quite a mixture, really – and the first book I chose was the wonderful Florida Cookbook: From Gulf Coast Gumbo to Key Lime Pie by Jeanne Voltz and Caroline Stuart. They do a terrific job of bringing together the diverse regions and cultures that contribute to Florida cuisine. And there are wonderful anecdotes and information about Florida cooks, restaurants, and specialty foods like swamp cabbage and stone crabs.
Other selections are from many of the world’s cuisines and culinary techniques (click here for the whole list), but one of my very favorites is Hungry Planet: What the World Eats with text by Faith D’Aluisio and photographed by Peter Menzel. This fascinating volume documents the eating habits of the world by showing families in several dozen countries with their weekly grocery shopping gathered around them in their homes. Other photographs portray markets, food, and ways of life. Statistics on income, overweight, and other related topics are provided. From Great Britain to Bhutan, from spacious houses to rented rooms, everyone needs to eat.
Recently, I attended a multicultural event in which people brought dishes from their native cuisine, or that of their ancestors, to share. It was a wonderful dinner, and we all had the opportunity to try something new. And I have to think that, in general, people who sit down and share a good meal have a much better chance of getting along.
I hope there’s a good meal and good people to share it with in your plans!
All the best,
The Book Goddess
P.S. If you would like to be notified of book-related events at the West Palm Beach Public Library, please send your e-mail to me at albeet@mycitylibrary.org.
The Armchair Gourmet September 21, 2007
Posted by bookgoddess in Books, Reading, Reading lists.Tags: chili, Elizabeth David, food writers, Jane and Michael Stern, M. F. K. Fisher
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We just had the annual City of West Palm Beach Chili Cookoff, and I was one of the cooks. We didn’t win this year, though I think it was a fine chili – Miss Jenn, our Teen Librarian, provided her family recipe.
The proceeds from the Cookoff benefit the American Heart Association, so you could say that we were cooking (and eating) for a higher purpose. Which I think is a good thing.
(We’re just about to get to books, really….)
Cookbooks, actually. I have a particular love for a certain type of cookbook. It’s the sort of book where the recipes are inextricably linked with a place, a culture, or a person’s life. It’s not generally the “quick and easy” cookbook, and actually it may not have recipes at all.
From my perspective, no one has outdone M. F. K. Fisher in this kind of writing. Her food writing has a sacramental quality, reminding us that the ordinary things in life can be beautiful and significant.
But you also don’t want to miss Elizabeth David, a British food writer with a wonderful sense of humor. Or Jane and Michael Stern, who have wandered the highways and by-ways of America in search of the best local cuisine.
If you want to read more, here’s my Armchair Gourmet reading list. I hope some of these titles enhance your taste for life.
Fondly,
The Book Goddess
