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Reading Wednesday

    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

    The Barefoot Contessa

    June 11, 2025
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    It was no surprise to me that I loved this memoir. I’ve been reading a lot of memoirs lately (more reviews coming), but Ina Garten is someone I can really identify with for many reasons I will mention in my review below. Here is my book review Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten.

    Kindred Spirit

    It’s not hard to like Ina Garten. She is lovely on camera and exudes a fun personality. I feel a kindred spirit with her as a “foodie” (a term I learned was coined by Gael Greene of New York Magazine in 1980), as a self-taught cook, as a writer and as someone who is married to her first love. Her get-it-done personality, vision and drive are all things I identify with. But there are also differences, things she reveled about her personal life that make this story both surprising and inspirational.

    We’re All Living in Cages with the Door Wide Open

    Ina credits George Lucas with the quote “We’re all living in cages with the door wide open” and boy did I identify with that. Like Ina, my AHA! moment came late in my career, when I realized how caged I felt. She says “I realized I had the power and the responsibility to set myself free.”

    I felt that. Because people ask me often about how we launched our travel life, about how I walked away from a career and about reinventing myself. In hindsight – I walked through the wide open door.

    Food and a Whole Lot More

    Yes this book is about food. It’s about the love of cooking, running a very successful food shop called the Barefoot Contessa (no longer operating). It’s about cookbooks (she has many) and television cooking shows. But Be Ready When the Luck Happens is more about recognizing opportunities, giving up things to gain other things, knowing what your good at (despite a childhood of repression of any creativity) and building a life with a partner who is your best friend.

    How Great is That

    Ina’s signature How Great is… imbues her sense of fun and discovery and wisdom in a life that isn’t perfect, but hard work and creativity can make it pretty close.

    *****Five stars for Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten. Inspirational and few recipes tossed in too!

    Thanks for reading my book review Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten. See last week’s book review Unearthed by Chanchal Garg.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Unearthed by Chanchal Garg

    The Lies We Carry & The Truths They Bury

    June 4, 2025
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    I was provided this book gratis by Coriolis Company in exhange for a review. Here is my book review Unearthed: The Lies We Carry & The Truths They Bury by Chanchal Garg

    Tradition

    I’ve stumbled into a couple of memoirs lately. I’ve been asked in the past about writing my own memoir. It sounds exhausting. But when someone has a really strong and truthful message based on their own experience, I always am engaged. Unearthed looks deeply at a culture I am frankly unfamiliar with. Chanchal Garg explains in detail her upbringing in a traditional Indian home, by immigrant Indian parents and the traditions that were unquestioned in her upbringing. Traditions of female/male roles, marriage and childrearing, and most of all, religion. These unbending rules, almost cult like, are the basis of her personal story.

    Question

    I was intrigued from the very beginning with this open-

    Dear Reader, May you question the narrative that no longer serves you. May you have the courage to trace what you carry – and choose what you keep. And may you reclaim your truth, in all it’s beauty and power.

    This opening statement, spoke to me. I was struck by a great sense of power in this author with words like question, courage and truth. As women we all are faced with the biases against. Garg found her way out of a life defined by rules, traditions, cultural and gender expectations and spiritual abuse.

    Culture-Clash

    This story opened my eyes more widely to the difficulties of being raised “American” but with immigrant parents holding to cultural traditions. As a child, teenager and even later, searching for an identity can be fraught with confusion. Who are we when we are more than just American? This question caused the author to question her identity, turn to a religious leader, who ultimately abused her and caused her significantly more insecurity about herself. And the abuse continued for a decade as she tried to self-mitigate her personal feelings of a dutiful Indian women who should never question authority.

    Lost

    When the author finally is mature enough to realize she must make drastic changes in her life, the result is a new self-guided journey. A journey alone, without her community and faith but a journey to recovery. Her strength is inspiring and I think you will be inspired by book review Unearthed: The Lies We Carry & The Truths They Bury by Chanchal Garg.

    Unearthed: The Lies We Carry & The Truths They Bury by Chanchal Garg

    My only criticism of this memoir is it is a bit long-winded, and some readers might get lost in the minutia of details. But the outcome is positive and affirming and I enjoyed reading Unearthed:The Lies we Carry & The Truths They Bury by Chanchal Garg.

    Four stars for Unearthed by Chanchal Garg ****

    Thank you for reading my book review Unearthed: The Lies We Carry & The Truths They Bury by Chanchal Garg. See last week’s book review Cabin by Patrick Hutchison, another memoir from a PNW author.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Cabin by Patrick Hutchison

    May 28, 2025
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    The subtitle of this book, which I listened to on Audible, is Off the Grid Adventures with a Clueless Craftsman. What could be more intriguing than that? Not to mention, this is a true story based in my home region of the Pacific Northwest. Here is my book review Cabin by Patrick Hutchison.

    Wit’s End

    The name of the street (if that’s what you can call it) is a perfect precursor to Hutchison’s project. A project on street named Wit’s End to acquire and make liveable (kinda) an off-grid cabin in the rainy and rural Cascade Mountain region about an hour from Seattle.

    Searching

    Hutchison, a single young man, stuck behind a desk with dreams for being a writer. Searching for something more, Hutchison decides on a whim to purchase a ramshackle cabin with no power or plumbing for $7000. He doesn’t have $7000 but his mom gives him a loan, and thus begins a six year adventure to bring the cabin to a place worthy of Hutchison’s dreams.


    Cabin

    Cabin is not just about a young man tackling a construction project, or biting off more than he can chew. Cabin is more. It’s about finding oneself, being resourceful, true friendship, and finding potential in the smallest things. Reminiscent of Bill Bryson, Patrick Hutchison is surprisingly honest and open about the experience. Hutchison writes with humor and hindsight about all the highs and lows of the renovation project. The story reflects on growth, worry and joy – all emotions Cabin brought to Patrick’s life.

    Book Review Cabin by Patrick Hutchison

    I laughed out loud to this book and enjoyed this story very much. Having done my own share of renovations and because I call the Pacific Northwest home, I identified closely with this story.

    ****Four stars for Cabin by Patrick Hutchison. See last week’s book review The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kajin.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

    May 21, 2025
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    What does it mean to be or have a true friend? One who forgives and still loves? This is the theme of this novel. A beautifully written story of devotion and love of friends and country. Here is my book review The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali.

    Friendship

    It’s the 1950’s in Iran, and little Ellie has a privledged life in a beautiful home with her domineering and narsisstic mother. Her mom, constantly claiming to be of royal blood, looks down on most people. Ellie is a lonesome girl and just wants a friend.

    Ellie’s father dies suddenly and she and her mother lose all of their wealth and security, and move to the poor side of town.

    When Ellie makes friends with Homa at her new school, Ellie see’s another kind of simplier life, with kind, caring parents who welcome Ellie into their humble home. Her friend Homa shows Ellie what a true friend can be, and helps Ellie come out of her shell. But Ellie’s mother looks down on Homa and Homa’s family and decides to take extreme measures to get Ellie out of the neighborhood.

    A Different Life

    Ellie’s mother marries the brother of her dead husband and once again Ellie finds herself in a mansion and opulent school. Years go buy and beautiful Ellie is “queen” of the school. She is slowly falling for a nice boy, when one day Homa arrives at the school too. Expecting to pick up their friendship where it left off, Ellie is conflicted by her old friend and her new status.

    Coming of Age

    The two young women with very different political views will come of age during the tumoltuous 60’s, 70’s and 80’s of Iran. Finding different paths for their beliefs. When Ellie makes an innocent statement in what she believes is an innocuous conversation, Homa’s life will change forever, and Ellie will live with the guilt of that night and her naivety.

    The Lion Women of Tehran

    Ellie and her husband will go to New York for him to take a tempory job. And soon after the Shaw of Iran flees the country and the Ayatolla Khomeini takes over. Women in Iran lose most rights and now are required to wear the Hajib. Ellie and her husband never return to Iran. Homa continues her political fight despite being raped, beaten and imprisoned.

    When Homa reaches out to Ellie after years of silence, Ellie’s continued guilt resurfaces for her old friend. Homa will ask Ellie for the ultimate favor. What can Elllie do but say yes?

    A story of deep friendship, political uncertainty, female strength and the ultimate sacrafice. A sweeping saga of courage and destiny and the different paths that each can take.

    *****Five stars for the Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali.

    Thank you for reading my Book Review The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali. See last week’s book review Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford

    May 14, 2025
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    Jamie Ford’s first novel The Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet was a wildly successful novel. Based on the Japanese experience during WWII and set in Seattle. This novel I am reviewing today, is also based in Seattle. It conjures so many memories for me growing up in the Pacific Northwest. Here is my Book Review Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford.

    Jamie Ford

    Wait. What? I went to Ford’s bio when writing this book review. And I learned he actually grew up in the town I currently reside – Port Orchard Washington. I was totally taken off-guard;

    “Jamie Ford was born on July 9, 1968, in Eureka, California, but grew up in Ashland, Oregon, and Port Orchard and Seattle, Washington. His father, a Seattle native, is of Chinese ancestry, while Ford’s mother is of European descent.”

    Okay, interesting little tidbit that makes this book even more personal. If you liked The Hotel At the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, I am sure you will enjoy Ford’s book Love and Other Consolation Prizes.

    Worlds Fair

    Love and Other Consolation Prizes explores the Asian experience in Seattle, beginning with the Great Alaska Yukon Exposition of 1909. The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE), was held in Seattle from June 1 to October 16, 1909. It followed on the heels of the 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition in Portland, Oregon.

    It’s here we meet young Ernest. He has already had a treacherous journey to the United States, lucky to still be alive. Taken under the wing of an evangelical women, Ernest is placed in a christian school. Then without his knowledge he is used as a “prize” in a raffle. Promoted as “a healthy boy to a good home” at the AYPE. The winning raffle ticket goes to a local well-known “madam” of a high class Seattle brothel.

    Love

    Ernest is very happy with his new position as a houseboy at the brothel. He feels at home for the first time in his life. He befriends the Madams daughter Maisie and “working girl” Fahn and finds himself in love with both girls.

    Consolation Prizes

    In 1962 the Seattle World’s Fair is opening and Ernest is now an old man. He lives in a tiny apartment alone. His wife lives with his daughter who cares for her ailing mother with dementia. Ernest carries secrets from his childhood he has never shared with anyon. Secrets that bubble to the surface with the opening of the worlds fair.

    When his journalist daughter begins to ask questions for a news story, Ernest is thrown back in time. Confliced by memories of a remarkable life, a remarkable love, and a consolation prize unimaginable. Ernest must face his personal Love and Other Consolation Prizes.

    Love and Other Consolation Prizes

    This is an easy read full of emotion that looks at the Asian immigrant experience in the Seattle area. I enjoyed this book very much and should be a read by anyone growing up in Seattle.

    *****Five stars for Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford.

    See last week’s Book Review The Measure by Nikki Erlick. Thanks for reading my book review Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review The Measure by Nikki Erlick

    May 7, 2025
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    Surprising. A unique plot that brings the reader intimately into the lives of eight people, and the decisions each make that defines the measure of life. Here is my book review The Measure by Nikki Erlick.

    An Ordinary Morning

    It’s an ordinary morning like any other. Or is it? Around the world, whether you live in a high rise apartment, a slum dwelling, or a sailboat, each person on earth wakes to the same thing. A box. Some people will open the box. Some people never will. But inside the box is a piece of string…the measure of ones life.

    Worldwide

    Governments and scientists analyze the strings while society goes into a confused and frightened state of awareness. What can it mean? Do you want to know? Do you really want to know how long you will live? What would you do differently if you knew the answer to this question?

    The Measure

    Erlick’s debut novel looks at how society as a whole, and individuals, deal with a lifeline knowledge. The novel explores families, couples, politics and friendship and how these relationships change when you possess a knowledge never imagined before.

    I enjoyed this story despite it’s lack of reality. What it brings is a magical essence to how people view their lives and the value each person puts on relationships and our individual existence. Both sad and uplifting The Measure is a perfect read for the times we are living in.

    Book Review The Measure by Nikki Erlick

    *****Five Stars for The Measure by Nikki Erlick. Thank you for reading my Book Review The Measure by Nikki Erlick. Read last week’s book review Next Year in Havanna by Chanel Cleeton.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

    April 30, 2025
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    Part history lesson, part love story and part mystery, Next Year in Havana will keep you engaged. I learned some great history in this story, that will help me ironically when I visit Havana next year. Here is my book review Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton.

    Revolution

    Cleeton herself is a descendant of those who fled Cuba during the revolution, much like her characters in Next Year in Havana. She writes with great insight how difficult the decision was for families who fled Castro’s Cuba in the early 1960’s.

    The story is told in alternating timelines. 1958 Cuba we meet Cuban heiress Elisa Perez. Born to wealth and power she is young and naive about politics and revolution. Until Elisa meets and falls in love with a revolutionary. Their love affair will change the projection of Elisa’s life.

    Miami 2017, we meet Marisol Ferrera. Following her beloved grandmother’s death, Marisol is challenged by her grandmother posthumously, to bring her remains to Cuba to be scattered. No one in Marisol’s family has returned to Cuba since they fled. How can Marisol manage this final request of her beloved grandmother Elisa.

    Sixty Years

    Despite Fidel’s recent death, Marisol arrives in Havana to find a vastly different Cuba than the one her grandmother left sixty years before. She is welcomed by her grandmother’s childhood friend who gives her a box of memories and letters Elisa had left behind. Marisol will begin a dangerous scavenger hunt after reading the letters, to learn answers to secrets of Elisa’s life she took to the grave.

    Book Review Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

    Though somewhat predictable in the story line and plot, I enjoyed reading this novel. This is one of many books with similar themes by Cleeton. I was intrigued by the family saga and both present and past examples of life as a Cuban woman. I can’t wait for my visit to Cuba next year and I hope to read more about it in the months ahead.

    ****Four stars for Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

    Thank you for reading my book review Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton. See last week’s book review The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon.

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