I was struck by the quietness of French Braid also--quite a contrast to most of my fiction diet, which often includes a murder or two!
I hope I’ll be able to be part of the book club. Given the time difference, that could be a problem, but I’m so glad you’re doing this!
I believe I use almost all the additions to my salad that you suggest, and they make all the difference. I love the idea of fresh fruit--berries are great, but also sliced apple or pear. Sometimes I like to take leftover bread that I’ve bought or made and turn it into croutons. It’s pretty easy. I just chop leftover bread into cubes, spray on a little oil, add seasoning and maybe a little Parmesan, tgen toast lightly in the toaster oven.
Thanks for the link to interview with Anne Tyler. I didn’t know her husband had died quite young which explains the Iranian connections in Digging to America. A friend often comments that The Ladder of Years where a woman walks out on her ungrateful family really resonated with her when her kids were teens (circa 1995). Me too!
I liked the way she made it clear in French Braid that you can love someone and still want your own life.
I'm glad you enjoyed the interview, I listened to it a while back and had forgotten that her husband was Iranian, so I went back and listened to it again today. I'd also forgotten that she lives in Baltimore which features heavily in French Braid and apparently all her books. I liked the bit where she talks about listening to Sheep May Safely Graze and have been listening to different versions of it all afternoon.
I forget you are in Australia when I get involved in your blog. I am in Tucson, Arizona.
I know you will do your very best, and if my neck of the woods can't fit in, I feel you will give an update in your posts. Thanks so very much Margaret.
Oooh I have done most of those toppings and you have given me a couple more! I look forward to the info on upcoming book get together. Have a great week!
Thanks Sally. May I ask what part of the world you are in? I'm trying to choose a time where most people are up and around. There's a three hour time difference between the east and west coasts of Australia, so it's tricky. I know not everyone will be able to make it, but I'm trying to do my best.
Great suggestion. I saw them at the shop last week and wondered what they were like. Will try them out. IGA have a range of salad toppers that look interesting, but packet things are often too salty. French Braid was an odd book but I enjoy her writing.
I was struck by the quietness of French Braid also--quite a contrast to most of my fiction diet, which often includes a murder or two!
I hope I’ll be able to be part of the book club. Given the time difference, that could be a problem, but I’m so glad you’re doing this!
I believe I use almost all the additions to my salad that you suggest, and they make all the difference. I love the idea of fresh fruit--berries are great, but also sliced apple or pear. Sometimes I like to take leftover bread that I’ve bought or made and turn it into croutons. It’s pretty easy. I just chop leftover bread into cubes, spray on a little oil, add seasoning and maybe a little Parmesan, tgen toast lightly in the toaster oven.
I'll try to make the time difference work for as many people as possible with the Book Club. It's a bit of an experiment really!
I loved your idea of adding croutons to salad so today I made one slice of bread into croutons in a tiny saucepan. They were delicious.
Thanks for the link to interview with Anne Tyler. I didn’t know her husband had died quite young which explains the Iranian connections in Digging to America. A friend often comments that The Ladder of Years where a woman walks out on her ungrateful family really resonated with her when her kids were teens (circa 1995). Me too!
I liked the way she made it clear in French Braid that you can love someone and still want your own life.
I'm glad you enjoyed the interview, I listened to it a while back and had forgotten that her husband was Iranian, so I went back and listened to it again today. I'd also forgotten that she lives in Baltimore which features heavily in French Braid and apparently all her books. I liked the bit where she talks about listening to Sheep May Safely Graze and have been listening to different versions of it all afternoon.
I forget you are in Australia when I get involved in your blog. I am in Tucson, Arizona.
I know you will do your very best, and if my neck of the woods can't fit in, I feel you will give an update in your posts. Thanks so very much Margaret.
What a lovely person you are.
Oooh I have done most of those toppings and you have given me a couple more! I look forward to the info on upcoming book get together. Have a great week!
Thanks Sally. May I ask what part of the world you are in? I'm trying to choose a time where most people are up and around. There's a three hour time difference between the east and west coasts of Australia, so it's tricky. I know not everyone will be able to make it, but I'm trying to do my best.
I often add crispy onions (the Asian kind in a plastic jar), crispy noodles to my tuna/vegetables/rice or grains salads.
Loved French Braid but then I do like Anne Tyler’s style of writing.
Yes, Chang’s fried noodles are great on salads.
Great suggestion. I saw them at the shop last week and wondered what they were like. Will try them out. IGA have a range of salad toppers that look interesting, but packet things are often too salty. French Braid was an odd book but I enjoy her writing.