Book Chat Issue #36
Hello reading friends,
If you’re new around here, thanks for joining us. Every time a new person signs up, it’s really thrilling. This newsletter comes out every two weeks and contains unbiased book reviews, recipes, and chitchat about my writing life and life in general.
I would love to get to know you better, so if you have any questions, comments, or reading recommendations, let me know.
Or just say hi, that would be nice too!
What I’ve been reading
I read a thriller last week which I won’t name for reasons I explained in my last newsletter. Let me just say that it was a bit predictable.
It started out very promisingly with some beautiful people (one was a female detective, what are the chances?) who go to a swish new hotel in a snowy place high in the mountains somewhere. They’ve barely unpacked their suitcases when someone is murdered. More grisly murders ensure and when they are cut off by an avalanche, the detective has to work out who is responsible for all the killings as well as deal with her own backstory about an unexplained death in her family and some career failures.
It was quite well written, but when I reflected back on the plot, it didn’t really make sense. Oh well…
I had more luck with my second book, Counterfeit which was really entertaining and well plotted. Written by Kirstin Chen, the story revolves around two women who run a manufacturing and distribution business selling fake designer handbags. I’m not really into handbags (I had no idea you could pay $40,000 for a real one, or that they come with authenticity certificates) but the book was full of interesting information about the business of making and selling luxury goods. It turns out that even fake handbags come with authenticity certificates. Who knew? Apparently only a few people can pick a fake if it’s really well made, and apart from the price, what exactly is the difference? They are both made in factories by underpaid workers.
This book explores these themes and ask some interesting questions about the great American dream and the importance of being seen to be successful. The writing is clever and engaging. Recommended!
What I’ve been writing
Over the past few months I’ve noticed that lots of books set in countries other than Australia have references to gum trees, and it made me wonder how our native eucalypts ended up growing all over the world. The answer is surprising and you can read it here.
What I’ve been cooking
Speaking of fakes, last night I made a cheat’s version of lamb biryani. I know purists will be horrified, but honestly it was delicious.
Instructions
Cut some leftover roast lamb into small pieces as well as any leftover roast potatoes, carrots, sweet potato etc.
Fry some spices in hot oil - I used fresh ginger, garlic, garam marsala, ground coriander and a few chilli flakes.
Slice some onions and capsicum and add to the oil and spice mixture. Cook until soft.
Add one packet of pre-cooked brown rice (microwave it first) and add a handful of cashews and sultanas .
Toss it all together and add a little bit of stock if it seems too dry.
Serve topped with yogurt, a squeeze of lemon and fresh coriander or mint.
That’s all for this edition.
Hope your reading life is going well and you are taking time to look after yourselves.
Warm wishes,
Marg xxx
Always enjoy your book suggestions, Marg. Also fascinating linked post about eucalyptus’ popularity abroad, particularly in Southern California where we live in the shadow of an enormous blue gum, planted probably 70 or so years ago. Far be it for me to malign an Australian native, but the folks who decided these trees were appropriate to line tiny urban lots made a big mistake because the trees grew massive, towering over small homes and terrifying dwellers (like us!) therein, especially in our frequent high winds. Sorry to rant. It’s not Australia’s fault that our city forefathers made a bad decision to appropriate your native trees and now refuse to allow us to remove them when they threaten our homes. Ah well, I think I’ll calm down and make lamb biryani. It sounds like the perfect antidote to a troubled mind!
Many many eucalypts in Sth America and in Spain. Whilst walking the Camino, I wandered into a Eucalypt forest plantation about 100klms from Santiago. I dropped my pack and ran to the closest tree I could reach, snapped off a leaf, crushed it and cried. A welcome cure for my homesickness - the scent of home. Also, try adding some soaked dry apricots chopped up to your Biryani - lovely. Thanks for another excellent read. C