BUY LOCAL
The Florida season is over, the snow birds have retreated north, and it’s quiet time for many local merchants. If you live in Sarasota or Bradenton, remember to visit your favorite downtown shops and restaurants. They need you and they really appreciate your business!
Two of my regular stops are Bookstore 1 Sarasota and the Artisan Cheese Company. In addition to Stilton (a stately, elegant cheese) and creamy, nutty L’Amuse Gouda, we indulged in some soft cheese and, for the first time, tried the store’s own pimento cheese. Now, I know of pimento cheese from Southern novels, have sampled it from several suppliers and have always been underwhelmed. Louise said that her version flew out of the store as soon as she put it on the shelf. Well, it’s scrumptious! The right mix of cheese, enough bits of pimento, and a hint of heat make it positively addictive. I’ll be back for more.
At my favorite bookstore, a proper one with shelves of books and more books, magazines, a children’s section and tables of temptation, I was intrigued by at least six new novels. I settled on two, one the latest from Lauren Belfer, while the Chief Penguin located the hefty libretto for Hamilton. With somewhat lighter pockets, we left happy merchants and headed home.
GIRL POWER
For this year’s summer musical, Asolo Rep is presenting the U.S. premiere of Hetty Feather. Based on a book by Jacqueline Wilson, it’s the story of Victorian girl Hetty’s tumultuous and, at times rollicking, journey from a foundling hospital to a foster home and then back to the hospital with encounters with the circus along the way. Hetty is spunky and lively and always on the lookout for her real mother. With exceedingly creative and clever staging (ropes, ladders and a suspended ring) and a very nimble and talented British cast, this is delightful family fare.
SHOUT-OUT
While in New York, I finally visited Rizzoli Bookstore’s new location on Broadway not far from Eataly. It is very spacious and all on one floor, but retains the feel of the old Rizzoli on W. 57th Street. Dark wood bookcases, long tables of books and classic chandeliers. I was told by one of the staff that they were able to save and re-use many of the fixtures including cases and lights, hence the familiarity. They have a big space at the back (I’m assuming for events) with some comfy chairs and even several restrooms (another plus). I enjoyed my time browsing and left with one of the several new novels I’d spied. Definitely add it to your bookstore list!
WHAT I’M READING
Main Street by Sinclair Lewis. I suggested this title (previously unread by me) to my west coast book group and found myself plodding through it. Published in 1920 and Lewis’ first successful novel, it is the story of Will Kennicutt, a doctor in small town Gopher Prairie, Minnesota, and his younger wife, Carol. She is from the big city and has problems adjusting to what she views as a provincial, gossipy, unsophisticated place. She is both a romantic and a self-appointed reformer who doesn’t really know what she wants or how to accomplish her supposed aims. A satirical study in gender roles and cultural mores in a different time, but with a perspective on social class that still has relevance. Overall, I found it too long and very dense.
First Women: The Grace and Power of America’s Modern First Ladies by Kate Anderson Brower. For a relaxing change of pace, this breezy work is about the bonds, the correspondence, and the unlikely friendships between these First Ladies. Each is unique in personality and style and each, as wife of the president, made the White House her home. Not a lot of new information here, but an engaging look at the times they inhabited and the roles they played—from Jackie Kennedy to Michelle Obama. Brower’s earlier book is The Residence about those who staff the White House.
Note: Header photo and Rizzoli image by JWFarrington (some rights reserved)
