Book Chat Issue #79

A short travel report, a good read and a healthy salad

Hello reading friends!

March was a busy month for me. I went on two trips and attended a family wedding in Sydney.

The first trip was to Bendigo, where hubby and I attended the Lost Trades Fair. We saw many men with beards demonstrating olden day craft skills, and some women without beards doing equally fine things, including weaving and whittling. Many stallholders had items for sale, but the prices reflected the time and skills required to produce handcrafted products, so everything was very expensive. We didn’t buy any of the $1,000 boots, but we admired their beauty.

On the way to Bendigo, we stayed in a gorgeous little cabin which the owner had built as a lock-down project. It was made from recycled wood and corrugated iron, but also had air-conditioning, which we appreciated as Victoria was suffering from a heatwave and the temperatures were well over 40ºC.

Our little cottage in Cootamundra and some furry friends

My second trip was to Adelaide and the Barossa Valley, a well-known wine region in Australia. The purpose of this trip was to celebrate the birthday of my middle sister, Jennifer. We had a great time doing quizzes, drinking good coffee and nice wine, and talking a lot. Our accommodation was fitted out with things from the 1950s, which was very appropriate since we are also from that vintage.

Retro accommodation in Angaston, Barossa Valley

Then it was back to Sydney for my nephew’s wedding. A beautiful event and a chance to catch up with extended family and friends.

Last weekend, we celebrated Easter which involved more delicious cake, fun and family chats. I hope you had nice break over Easter as well.

Lunch with my two sisters, me with my tall nephew (the groom), and an Easter cheesecake

What I’ve been reading

Unsurprisingly, I haven’t had much time to read during the past few weeks, but before my holiday I managed to finish Loyalties, by Delphine de Vigan.

Katherine Hobson from Three Great Books recommended Kids Run the Show by the same author, but it wasn’t available in my local library, so I borrowed this one instead. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I was in the mood for it, but it was excellent. Beautifully written and a tiny bit heartbreaking.

The book opens with Hélène voicing her concerns about one of her students.

“A few weeks into the new school year I requested an appointment with the Head about Théo Lublin. I had to go through it a few times. No, there were no marks, and he hadn’t confided in me. It was something to do with his attitude, as though he was closed up, a particular way of avoiding attention. Mr Nemours laughed at first: avoiding attention? Wasn’t that true of half the class? Yes, of course I knew what he meant: the way they have of shrinking into their seats to avoid being asked a question, of rummaging in their bags or suddenly becoming absorbed in looking at their desks as if it were a matter of life or death. But this was completely different.”

Delphine de Vigan has a strong backlist which includes No and Me, Nothing Holds Back the Night, Gratitude, and Based on a True Story, all of which have been translated into English by George Miller. If you’re looking for some fabulous writing, why not track down one of her books?

What I’ve been eating

Where do I start? I’ve had plenty of cake and coffee, but I promised you some healthy food this week, so here goes. Sadly, I forgot to take a photo of the one healthy meal I cooked, but I can give you the recipe. It’s vegan, gluten free, and FODMAP friendly. (No garlic or onion). And it’s super easy.

Warm rice salad

Chop a couple of carrots into bite-sized pieces. Steam until tender and then fry in coconut oil with a teaspoon of ground coriander and one of cumin. Blanch some green beans or broccoli and set aside.

Microwave a packet of pre-cooked brown rice and tip it into a serving bowl. Top with carrots and beans or broccoli. Gently fry some pine nuts in the pan you cooked the carrots in.

Make a lemon and oil dressing (add a pinch of sugar or maple syrup) and pour over the warm rice and vegetables. Top with pine nuts and a good tablespoon of chopped mint.

This version uses coriander and feta, so it’s vegetarian rather than vegan, but it’s basically the same recipe. You can really use anything you have on hand. Give it a try. It’s hearty and delicious and can be served with added protein, or on its own.

Photo and recipe from Edible Perspective

What I’ve been listening to

Regular readers will know I love children’s books. I love the words, I love the pictures. I love the warm feelings they leave in my heart.

So it was with much pleasure that I listened to this podcast with author and illustrator Clara Vulliamy, daughter of the beloved Shirley Hughes. This interview will be of special interest to any aspiring children’s book writers. Clara’s very open about her writing process and speaks lovingly of her famous mother who kept writing and drawing right up to the day she died, at the age of 92.

If you like books for younger readers, why not check out this newsletter which features some new middle grade and YA reads?

A New Favorite Granola Recipe

Book Club: a message for new (and old) subscribers

If you’re new around here, let me tell you about our international book club. We meet every three months or so via the magic of the internet. Our next meeting is in early May and we’re reading How to Build a Boat by Elaine Feeney. Book club is free for subscribers, so all you need to do is hit reply and I’ll add your email address to the invitation.

If you’ve never been part of a book club and think they sound daunting, rest assured that this one is super low-key and friendly and you’re very welcome to come along.

Cheers and happy reading,

Marg xxx

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A little bit about me…

Hi, I’m Margaret Moon, a writer and editor living on the sunny Central Coast in New South Wales, Australia, and my goal is to help you find your next great read.

I read a lot (massive understatement) and often borrow great piles of books from the library, but I’m also a mood reader and quite picky, so many get returned after only a few pages. When I recommend a book, be assured that I have actually read and enjoyed it. I don’t solicit review copies or get paid to write reviews.

This newsletter is free and will remain so, but if you like my work please consider sharing it with a reading friend. That would be awesome!