Book Chat Issue #37
A clever whodunnit and spicy cauliflower
Hello reading friends,
If you are a new subscriber, welcome! I’m really thrilled that you’ve joined our little bookish community and would love to know more about you. What kind of books do you like to read? Do you have a favourite book?
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You can also read previous editions of Book Chat if you’d like more reading recommendations and recipes.
What I’ve been reading
This week I read an epistolary novel. Epistolary novels are those which tell a story using letters, emails or journals. Famous examples include The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows, I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith and 84 Charing Cross Rd, by Helene Hanff (all of which I recommend if you haven’t read them). I suppose the most famous example I can think of is The Diary of Anne Frank.
Some people dislike epistolary novels intensely, but I think they are fun.
The Appeal, by Janice Hallett is written in the form of emails between the cast members in an amateur drama group, all of whom are suspects in a murder case. These exchanges are overlaid with emails between two trainee criminal lawyers who are trying to figure out who the murderer is. There are also transcripts of WhatsApp exchanges between the two lawyers and their boss, which are quite amusing because he’s a bit of a luddite and has to dictate his messages to his secretary. If this all sounds a bit confusing, let me reassure you that although you need to concentrate in the opening chapters to work out who everyone is, the author helpfully provides a list of all the key players and their relationships to one another, so pretty soon you feel like you know all the main characters and their little quirks. I found it fascinating how easy it was to gain insights into each character and their motivations, without the benefit of any descriptive passages.
It’s a cleverly plotted novel, with clues being dropped at the appropriate time, and several of the correspondents masquerading as other people. It moves along at a pace and was very enjoyable. You can read The Guardian review here.
Changing your mindset
One of my favourite newsletters is Oldster Magazine, by Sari Botton. Despite my great aversion to the very idea of being old, this fabulous magazine explores getting older in a fun and interesting way. In this article she talks about embracing your limitations on your own terms. It’s a great read.
A new book by Becca Levy also explores the idea that we actually shorten our lives when we take onboard ageist assumptions about growing older. “Breaking the Age Code: How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long and Well You Live” claims that thinking positively about yourself and your life can actually help you live longer.
Combine that with some good books and food, and you’ve got a recipe for success.
What I’ve been cooking
I love making salads that feature baked cauliflower, but I don’t like putting the oven on to cook a few florets, it seems like a waste of electricity. I know I could cook a bigger quantity and use over several days, but last time I did that it went a bit soggy and was unappetising.
My solution is to fry a bit of cauliflower in some oil and a few spices (garam marsala, ground coriander and maybe some chilli) until it’s flavourful, but still crunchy. It works a treat.
Then all you need to do is add your usual salad ingredients (tomatoes, celery, fresh coriander) as well as a tiny tin of chick peas. Top with some yoghurt and lemon juice and you’ve got a lunch that’s delicious and healthy.
That’s all for this week. Keep well and look after yourself.
Warm wishes,
Marg xxx
Great article Marg on epistolary novels (although didn't know they were called this). The novel I'm reading is in fact one of those as its constructed of email exchanges between two women living on opposite sides of the world. While the narratives themselves are quite interesting, I'm finding it hard not to hear the author's voice in both characters. Feels more like a rambling monologue about the author's inner thoughts than two characters interacting and responding to each other as separate people! The book is 'From where I fell' by Susan Johnson. So not finding it that enjoyable but I'll give your suggested read 'The Appeal' a go as it sounds way more exciting!!! Thanks for suggestion.
Lovely read, Marg, thank you.
84 Charing Cross Rd. is in my list... although, I must confess, I'm not a huge fan of epistolary novels.
When I don't want to turn on the oven to bake a cauliflower, I steam it halfway through first and then pan fry it. Next time I'll add the spices, too!