Judgemental foodie time traveling with recipes that feel like they are from the 1800s not the 1980s. Boiled beef? Chicken salad with poached chicken bJudgemental foodie time traveling with recipes that feel like they are from the 1800s not the 1980s. Boiled beef? Chicken salad with poached chicken breasts that should have the texture of custard? Gingerbread with raspberry filling and a chocolate glaze?? Soup made from blendered chicken jelly and yogurt?? Bizarre stuff but entertaining and wistful reading. ...more
This account of a pen pal letter that led to an American family helping a Zimbabwean family out of poverty was touching and inspiring. I struggled witThis account of a pen pal letter that led to an American family helping a Zimbabwean family out of poverty was touching and inspiring. I struggled with maintaining empathy for Caitlyn, the American writer, as she recounted emotional outbursts and naive declarations. But when I was nearly done with the book, I read a line that changed my perspective; a teacher told Caitlyn, if you can do this, other kids will see they can do it too. And it’s true. Caitlyn was interested in shopping and boys. She wasn’t the best student. She cared more about passing notes and her current crush than community service. She was painfully clueless about poverty and racial inequality. Yet she made a difference. And she changed - proof that exercising the compassion muscle makes it stronger.
Notes: This is a middle grade/YA book, which might explain the unsophisticated writing and vocabulary. At times it was very annoying. Also, much could be said about some white savior business going on here. The dead-tree book is preferred over the audio; Martin’s narrator was lovely, but Caitlyn’s narrator did her no favors. Adeline and I listened to the first half on a long drive. Then I read the second half - what a difference. ...more
Super interesting, well-written, but for the love of god, throw some maps, pictures, graphics in! I have a personal wish that *all* books would includSuper interesting, well-written, but for the love of god, throw some maps, pictures, graphics in! I have a personal wish that *all* books would include at the very least a map. Yes, even fiction. But a non-fiction book describing a journey into previously unexplored China should include a map and then some. (This is my dead horse, and I shall beat it!)
With that said, if you like tea or China, read this. You'll appreciate every cuppa that much more....more
The weather-nerd, history-geek in me loved this book. A relative (great great uncle) and his wife were swept out to sea during this storm, the 1900 GaThe weather-nerd, history-geek in me loved this book. A relative (great great uncle) and his wife were swept out to sea during this storm, the 1900 Galveston hurricane, which made it more real and immediate. Erik Larson is fabulous....more
Four stars for the first two-thirds, for its well-written, slightly gentle snark and appropriate indignation. Three stars for the last third that got Four stars for the first two-thirds, for its well-written, slightly gentle snark and appropriate indignation. Three stars for the last third that got sloppy, rushed, and poorly proofread. ...more
This has been sitting in my bookcase for ages. Ages and years. And it was wonderful, chock full of my favorite things: generational stories, magical rThis has been sitting in my bookcase for ages. Ages and years. And it was wonderful, chock full of my favorite things: generational stories, magical realism, Judaism, and a fairy tale feel. The only thing it needed was an epistolary chapter, and I would've declared it perfect. ;)...more
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