Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Tipped On Reading Gladwell

Do you ever feel as though every one you know has read particular book except you?  This is the case for me with Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point:  How Little Things Can Make A Big Difference (2000).  Somehow, Gladwell's book slipped into conversation at various points with several of my friends throughout the past 10 years; but it wasn't until this summer when my pedicurist, of all people, shared her enthusiasm for the book that I felt compelled to pick it up.  I'm so glad I did. 

Gladwell perhaps best describes his book as an "intellectual adventure story" that uses popular examples (Hush Puppy Shoes, Sesame Street, Blue's Clues, Paul Revere, and more) to illustrate how phenomenons "tip" from insignificance to relevance and popularity.  The result is a fascinating thesis, made even better by Gladwell's strong mind and clear writing.  He's a natural at building cases and writing arguments.  Recommended for anyone who's curious about the world around them.  Highly recommended on audio book (well read by the author). 

Friday, August 20, 2010

Shanghai Girls

Anyone whose read (and loved) Amy Tan (The Joy Luck Club and The Hundred Secret Senses) or Pearl S. Buck (The Good Earth) will fall head over heels for Lisa See's newest novel, Shanghai Girls.  Shanghai girls begins in 1930s China, prior to Japanese invasion.  The story revolves around 2 sisters, Pearl and May, who are oblivious to the many political, social and familial changes that surround them--until they discover their father has gambled away his fortune, and must thus arrange his daughters' marriage to repay his debts.  From this point, Pearl and May's world begins to decay.  Soon after, following the bombing of Shanghai, and their father's disappearance, the story begins a sweeping journey through China en route to America, and the simultaneous horrific and heroic fates these women must endure.  Shanghai Girls is not only beautifully written, but also beautifully designed.  Like Tan, the theme of sisterhood is central to the development of the story, and the implications of being Chinese-American (at the height of the "Red Scare") move the narrative into a fascinating history lesson. 

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

For Enthusiastic Bakers

I recently checked out a new baking book by John Barricelli entitled, The SoNo Baking Company Cookbook: The Best Sweet & Savory Recipes for Every Occasion.  Martha Stewart fans may recognize Barricelli's name from his contributions to her EveryDay Food Magazine and EveryDay Baking TV series on PBS.

Anyone who follows the EveryDay Food line will know that the recipes are deliberately simple, using (mostly) traditional ingredients, and having consistently good taste.  Recipes in Barricelli's new book are no exception.  The Nectarine-Blueberry Buckle (which I made using fresh, local fruit from the farmer's market) is a perfect summer treat; and Barricelli's recipe for traditional white bread brims with buttery goodness just 15 minutes out of the oven.  (Unlike many store-bought breads, his recipe produces a solid bread, which held up well over a high flame when I used it to make grilled panini.)  Bakers and eaters alike will enjoy sampling from this new collection.