Category: Books

Summer Reading List 2019

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To me, June signals the beginning of summer reading season. Last summer I set myself the goal of reading 20 books between June 1 and September 1. This year I don’t think I’ll be quite as ambitious; maybe I’ll read that many books and maybe not, but I am not going to be so focused on the number. Here are some of the titles I have stacked up for my summer reading.  As usual, I will mail a box of books to Maine and then, inevitably, buy a few more books here and there at my favorite independent bookstores.  Plus I already have some titles on my Kindle waiting to be read.  So, here goes!

What titles are on your summer reading list? I’d love to have you share a title or two.

FICTION—More Serious or Literary

American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson. A debut spy novel that deals with race and gender.

Beartown by Fredrik Backman. Backman is a very popular Swedish author and this book was a recommendation from a good friend.

Clock Dance by Anne Tyler. I never got to this novel last summer so this year I will.

Exposure by Helen Dunmore. A much praised author whose work I’ve never read.  This novel is set in London in 1960.  Dunmore died fairly recently.

Florida by Lauren Groff. I don’t often read short stories, but, I live in Florida, so I thought I should give this highly praised collection a try.

The Huntress by Kate Quinn. I thoroughly enjoyed Quinn’s earlier historical novel, The Alice Network, and expect this one to be equally riveting.

Jigsaw by Sybille Bedford. A New York Review classic originally published in 1989.  Bedford was born in Germany in 1911, but lived in several different countries including briefly the U.S.  She died in 2006.

Middlemarch by George Eliot. A classic I’ve had on my list awhile now to re-read.  Originally published 1871-72.

FICTION—Mystery, Crime, and Beach Reads

The Power of the Dog by Don Winslow. I’m aiming to shake up my reading selections and this novel of the drug trade was on a list I saw.

A Question of Trust by Penny Vincenzi. Women’s fiction for sure, and the last novel by this very popular British author whose earlier books featured power-hungry men, love-seeking women and lots of romance, conflict and affairs.  Vincenzi died last year.

Shadows on the Lake by Giovanni Cocco and Amneris Magellan. A mystery translated from the Italian set around Lake Cuomo that was on one of the many book-related e-mails to which I subscribe.

When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton. Continuing my novel reading about Cuba.  This is the sequel to Cleeton’s  Next Year in Havana.

In Havana

MEMOIRS

Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir by Ruth Reichl. Reichl’s account of her time as editor of Gourmet Magazine before its demise.

She Read to Us in the Late Afternoons:  A Life in Novels by Kathleen Hill. My regular readers know I am a big fan of memoirs. This one looks like it combines the personal with a love of books.

Notes: All text ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved). Header photo of reader couple from www.nymcpl.org.

Manhattan Miscellany #1

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SEA OF BLUE

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The cherry blossoms were over and done, but there were azaleas and early rhododendrons here and there. The first Japanese garden in the U.S. was created here in 1914. It is welcoming and serene with its bright red gate standing in a pond and a hilly path alongside.  However, the real highlight on this day was the span of 45,000 blue flowered plants in the bluebell wood as shown in the header photo and below. Getting to the garden was easy: we took the Q train from 63rd Street to the Prospect Park station and then it was a very short walk to the entrance on Flatbush Avenue.

Bluebell Wood

RECENT READING

Everything in Its Place: First Loves and Last Tales by Oliver Sacks

This is the second posthumous book by Sacks who died in 2015.  The vast majority of these essays have appeared elsewhere in the years between 1987 and 2015.  Even though I might have read a few of them previously, I enjoyed “hearing” Sacks’ voice again.  He writes from a deep knowledge of science, medicine and the arts, and his writing combines warmth and humor with compassion for his patients.  The book is divided into three sections arranged somewhat chronologically in terms of the essays about his own life.  I particularly enjoyed “Libraries” about his love of books and reading; the several pieces on Tourette’s, dementia, and bipolar disorder in the Clinical Tales section; and lastly his humorous and poignant take on gefilte fish in “Filter Fish.”   Dr. Sacks is a good companion for several hours of contemplative reading.  (~JWFarrington)

FINE DINING–JoJo

Every so often, it’s fun to splurge on a special restaurant, one that is more elegant or with more sophisticated cuisine.  We opted not to go to the Bar Room at the Modern on this visit, a dining experience we’ve enjoyed in the past.  Instead, we discovered JoJo, chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s first restaurant now in a new location.  It’s tucked in a pretty block of E. 64th Street and you enter by going downstairs to the lower or main level.  That level is attractive, but not as lovely as the upstairs dining space where we sat. 

JoJo upstairs dining room

It has windows overlooking the street, lots of natural light, and is mostly done in whites with a touch of color in the variety of bread and butter plates—clear pink glass, tan ringed china and other patterns—-at each place setting.  Even the napkins are different with a beige stripe against white linen.

White asparagus

The menu is a mix of the familiar and the unusual and highlights locally sourced ingredients. We began by sharing two appetizers. A platter with two fat stalks of white asparagus accompanied by a pool of mustard mayonnaise and a small bowl of delicate peeky toe crab dumplings in a citrusy broth.  Both were excellent and evoked spring.  

Crab dumplings

For entrees, the Chief Penguin had the roast organic chicken with roast potatoes and onion rings while I delighted in the seared salmon (served medium-well per my request) in the pea green curry with bok choy.  

Wines by the glass were expensive, but good.  It was such a lovely experience, we’d like to return!

Note: Contents and photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved).

Manhattan Moments: Stage, Page & Plate

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Gripping Theater

King Lear with Glenda Jackson and Ruth Wilson

(independent.co.uk)

We saw Glenda Jackson last spring in Three Tall Women and were keen to see her again, this time as the irascible domineering king.  Sam Gold’s production is not a traditional one and there is nothing staid about it.  With modern day costumes and guns instead of swords, it plays with time and makes graphic, couplings and other stage business that are more implied than acted out in other versions.  From beginning to end, it is gripping and at points even glorious.  

First off, Jackson is superb; androgynous in appearance, she is the king:  entitled, dictatorial, and expecting obedience. Ruth Wilson is the gentle, but rebellious Cordelia, who also excels as the Fool. With a Cockney accent and the right combo of jokes and wisdom, the Fool flatters, cajoles and soothes Lear.  Another noteworthy performance is Jayne Houdyshell’s Earl of Gloucester, the loyal retainer who is yet duped by one of his sons.  I also particularly enjoyed the warmth and dedication of the Earl of Kent, as played by John Douglas Thompson.

This is a very busy stage, and some reviewers found it a bit much.  I have to agree that the string quartet sometimes masked the dialogue in a way that was distracting.  The very diverse cast also included one deaf actor, Russell Harvard as the Duke of Cornwall, who was signed to by an aide throughout the entire play.  Apparently, having a diverse cast (this one had racial and gender diversity for sure) is one of Gold’s hallmarks.  My quibbles are minor ones and this, for me, was a wonderful experience and a most memorable Lear! (~JWFarrington)

Engrossing Mystery

The American Agent by Jacqueline Winspear

Author Winspear turns out one Maisie Dobbs a year and this is her latest.  Set in London during the Blitz (late 1940 into 1941), it’s engrossing and I read it in little more than a day.  The murder here, and there is generally only one, is that of a talented young news reporter, Catherine Saxon, who’s been noticed by Edward R. Murrow and hopeful of the chance to join his team.  

(amazon com)

Catherine lives in a rooming house run by an older widow and, while extremely dedicated to her work, is attractive and attractive to a variety of young men.  Maisie is assigned to the case, but requested to work along with Mark Scott, an American diplomat, whose involvement is ostensibly because Saxon’s father is a U.S. senator.  

These mysteries are largely procedurals with lots of interviews and following up on leads, but this one weaves in accounts of the devastation of the nighttime bombing (Maisie and her friend Pris are volunteer ambulance drivers); Maisie’s progress toward adopting Anna, her child evacuee; and also Maisie’s developing relationship with Mr. Scott who appeared in an earlier novel. Lots of richness of character here and a mystery with some suitable twists and surprises.  It’s one of my favorites among the most recent entries in this ongoing series!  (~JWFarrington) 

Turkish Fare: Beyoglu

Beyoglu (pinterest.com)

This Upper East Side restaurant was a perfect venue for a family lunch that included our granddaughters.  We had a large table in a corner and our meze platter was quickly ordered and promptly delivered. The combination of yogurt, hummus, sautéed spinach, and other spreads was great with the puffy bread rounds and kept the two little girls occupied until the rest of the meal arrived.  We sampled the shrimp appetizer, tomato and cucumber salad, sausages and potatoes, grilled chicken over shredded carrots and other veggies, and the very tender doner lamb.  All scrumptious and something for everyone’s taste!

Note: Header photo of Manhattan architecture by JWFarrington. Credits noted for all other photos.

Tidy Tidbits: Reading & Dining

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RECENT READING

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

I purchased this novel since I had recently visited Cuba and figured I would like the setting.  Cleeton has written several contemporary romances, but this book and her newest, When We Left Cuba, take place in Havana and were inspired by stories of her own family.  Adopting the popular trend of parallel plotlines, the book focuses on Elisa, a young woman in Havana in 1959, and on Marisol, her 30ish granddaughter who visits Havana in 2017, ostensibly to scatter her grandmother’s ashes.  Each woman meets and is attracted to an unconventional man, either not of the right class and/or involved in politics she doesn’t fully comprehend.  

I recognized many of the Havana streets and monuments and enjoyed reading about them and the city’s natural beauty.  I also appreciated the author’s weaving in detail about the current state of Cuban society.  The plot is somewhat predictable, but overall, it’s a good read, perfect for the beach or a long flight.  So much so, that I’m ready to read the new novel too! And for those who might care, this title is one of Reese Witherspoon’s picks for her book club.  (~JWFarrington).

SOPHISTICATED DINING

Indigenous in downtown Sarasota has been on our list for several years and, in celebration of my birthday, we dined there this week.  The gray wooden building is somewhat rustic in appearance with a welcoming wraparound veranda for outdoor dining.  Not knowing what to expect, we had requested inside and were taken to a small adjacent structure called the wine cottage.  It had a small bar in the back and just a few tables.  One wall was attractively paneled with sides from wooden wine cases showcasing a variety of different vineyards.  Chad, our waiter, was both experienced and very knowledgeable about the menu.  It’s built around seafood and is both innovative and sophisticated.  But for diehard meat eaters, there’s also an elaborate burger.  

Pork Belly Kimchi

We sampled the pickled peppers to start and then the Chief Penguin enjoyed the wild mushroom bisque (robust and rich), Thai green curry fish dip with crackers and veggies (nice tang to the dip!) and the pork belly kimchi (he’s a devotee of kimchi). I ordered the ocean crudo appetizer which had cobia as the base and elements of vanilla, some crunch, and a bit of hot pepper.  It was interesting, but I thought there were too many flavors competing which made the overall effect a bit muddy. 

Red Snapper

 For my entrée, I tried one of the fish choices of the day, delicate red snapper on a bed of peapod risotto with some tiny cherry tomatoes and micro greens.  It was exquisite!  Other entrees include baked scallops and a shrimp dish.  For dessert, we indulged in a dish of their milk chocolate ice cream, smooth and soothing to the palate—the perfect finish.

Note: Photos ©JWFarrington.