THE PALACE OF THE SNOW QUEEN: WINTER TRAVELS IN LAPLAND
by Barbara Sjoholm
In the middle of November, 2001, Sjoholm sets off from Port Townsend, Washington and travels to Lapland, where the there's only one hour of daylight and the average temperature is -13 degrees F.
She watches the construction of the Icehotel, a yearly, temporary structure built of snow and ice, created by architects and artists, before it melts in the spring; goes dogsledding and then decides it's not for her after falling off and injuring herself; attends an outdoor ice theatre to see Macbeth performed; explores the rich culture of the indigenous Sami people, who have 200 words for snow and whose way of life is being compromised by tourism.
The Palace of the Snow Queen is the power of snow, the color blue, the deep silence, and the beauty of the far North.
A captivating memoir.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
TRAIL OF CRUMBS: HUNGER, LOVE, AND THE SEARCH FOR HOME
by Kim Sunee
When Kim Sunee was three years old, her mother abandoned her, in a Korean marketplace. Adopted by a less-than-perfect family in New Orleans, she learns about Cajun cooking from her grandfather.
In her early twenties, Sunee goes to France and becomes involved with multimillionaire Olivier Bausson, a very controlling entrepreneur. She leads a charmed life, but is not happy. Only through food does she find solace.
Trail of Crumbs is a sensuous, lyrical, intimate memoir, with mouth-watering descriptions of gorgeous meals that she prepares in Provence. The recipes are at the end of chapters.
A beautifully written book.
by Kim Sunee
When Kim Sunee was three years old, her mother abandoned her, in a Korean marketplace. Adopted by a less-than-perfect family in New Orleans, she learns about Cajun cooking from her grandfather.
In her early twenties, Sunee goes to France and becomes involved with multimillionaire Olivier Bausson, a very controlling entrepreneur. She leads a charmed life, but is not happy. Only through food does she find solace.
Trail of Crumbs is a sensuous, lyrical, intimate memoir, with mouth-watering descriptions of gorgeous meals that she prepares in Provence. The recipes are at the end of chapters.
A beautifully written book.
Friday, February 8, 2008
THE GLASS CASTLE: A MEMOIR
by Jeannette Walls
Jeannette Walls had a chaotic upbringing. Her mother, Rose Mary, was an eccentric artist, who could care less about taking care of children and a house, while Rex, her father, was a self-made man, who was not able to keep a job and was known as the town drunk.
Walls, along with her siblings, had to be resourceful. When there was no money, they foraged in trashcans for food and used markers for their skin, so that the holes in their pants wouldn't show.
The Glass Castle is an incredible story of poverty, survival, hope, and love.
Highly recommended.
by Jeannette Walls
Jeannette Walls had a chaotic upbringing. Her mother, Rose Mary, was an eccentric artist, who could care less about taking care of children and a house, while Rex, her father, was a self-made man, who was not able to keep a job and was known as the town drunk.
Walls, along with her siblings, had to be resourceful. When there was no money, they foraged in trashcans for food and used markers for their skin, so that the holes in their pants wouldn't show.
The Glass Castle is an incredible story of poverty, survival, hope, and love.
Highly recommended.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
MY LIFE AS A TRAITOR
by Zarah Ghahramani
In 2001, while walking home from the university, Ghahramani was arrested and taken to the infamous Evin Prison in northern Tehran. Her crime? Protesting against the severe regime in Iran. For the next thirty days she endured both psychological and physical torture, with grueling interrogations and sadistic beatings.
Nothing from her sheltered upbringing prepared her for such a brutal ordeal.
My Life as a Traitor is a harrowing memoir of bravery and survival.
To understand Iran, read this book.
by Zarah Ghahramani
In 2001, while walking home from the university, Ghahramani was arrested and taken to the infamous Evin Prison in northern Tehran. Her crime? Protesting against the severe regime in Iran. For the next thirty days she endured both psychological and physical torture, with grueling interrogations and sadistic beatings.
Nothing from her sheltered upbringing prepared her for such a brutal ordeal.
My Life as a Traitor is a harrowing memoir of bravery and survival.
To understand Iran, read this book.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
I'M LOOKING THROUGH YOU: GROWING UP HAUNTED
by Jennifer Finney Boylan
In the 1970's, Boylan, a Pennsylvania native, moved with her family from Newtown Square to Bryn Mawr. They settled into a mansion known as the "Coffin House." The residence dates back to the 1700's.
I'm Looking Through You is a memoir of growing up in a haunted house and feeling haunted yourself. Creaking floorboards, whispering voices, and floating blue mists are everyday occurrences.
From a cast of eccentric characters, which includes family, friends and ghostbusters, Boylan has written a marvelous story.
by Jennifer Finney Boylan
In the 1970's, Boylan, a Pennsylvania native, moved with her family from Newtown Square to Bryn Mawr. They settled into a mansion known as the "Coffin House." The residence dates back to the 1700's.
I'm Looking Through You is a memoir of growing up in a haunted house and feeling haunted yourself. Creaking floorboards, whispering voices, and floating blue mists are everyday occurrences.
From a cast of eccentric characters, which includes family, friends and ghostbusters, Boylan has written a marvelous story.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
THE AIRMEN AND THE HEADHUNTERS: A TRUE STORY OF LOST SOLDIERS, HEROIC TRIBESMEN AND THE UNLIKELIEST RESCUE OF WORLD WAR II
by Judith M. Heimann
While flying in a B-24 bomber, during 1944, over the Borneo Coast, army airmen were shot down by the Japanese. The aviators were met by jungle natives called Dayaks, who were known as headhunters.
Heimann writes a gripping tale of how the tribesmen fed and sheltered the airmen and hid them from the Japanese occupiers.
A little known piece of history from World War II deserves to be read.
What a terrific book!
by Judith M. Heimann
While flying in a B-24 bomber, during 1944, over the Borneo Coast, army airmen were shot down by the Japanese. The aviators were met by jungle natives called Dayaks, who were known as headhunters.
Heimann writes a gripping tale of how the tribesmen fed and sheltered the airmen and hid them from the Japanese occupiers.
A little known piece of history from World War II deserves to be read.
What a terrific book!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
THE MASCOT: UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY OF MY JEWISH FATHER'S NAZI BOYHOOD
by Mark Kurzem
In 1941, when Alex Kurzem was five years old, he left his home in Russia and escaped into the forest. There he hid from the Nazis who slaughtered his family and villagers. Eventually, Alex was "saved" by a group of Latvian SS soldiers, who gave him a miniature uniform with boots. He became their mascot, but, in reality, he was used in the most horrifying of ways.
For over 60 years, Alex kept the secret of his past to himself, until, finally, he revealed the story to his son.
From the first chapter to the last the narrative is riveting. Mark Kurzem does a remarkable job.
Highly recommended!
by Mark Kurzem
In 1941, when Alex Kurzem was five years old, he left his home in Russia and escaped into the forest. There he hid from the Nazis who slaughtered his family and villagers. Eventually, Alex was "saved" by a group of Latvian SS soldiers, who gave him a miniature uniform with boots. He became their mascot, but, in reality, he was used in the most horrifying of ways.
For over 60 years, Alex kept the secret of his past to himself, until, finally, he revealed the story to his son.
From the first chapter to the last the narrative is riveting. Mark Kurzem does a remarkable job.
Highly recommended!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)