Book Chat Issue #89
A newsletter for readers and eaters
Hello reading friends
It may surprise you to know that I don’t own very many books. I get nearly all my books from the library and as a result, my bookshelf doesn’t really reflect my reading tastes. Instead it represents a mix-tape of my life. There are old textbooks I’m hanging on to for sentimental reasons, along with with books I’ve received as gifts from friends and family.
The textbooks are so out-of-date they would no longer be useful to anyone studying the field, and the novels are yellow with age and many are unread, although I treasure them greatly. They are the books I’ll get round to reading ‘one day’.
In the meantime, the library has a siren call I can’t resist. There’s always something new and shiny at the library and there’s nothing better than picking up a new stack and working your way through them. I love my library!
What I’ve been reading
In the last issue of Book Chat I recommended Leaving by Roxana Robinson, so this week I’d like to talk about She Too, a legal thriller by Australian author Eve Thomson.
It tells the story of Romola Cross, a lawyer in her late twenties, who moves to Melbourne to take up a fancy new job in a corporate law firm. She quickly becomes embroiled in a celebrity scandal involving a young, handsome, and extremely wealthy client. (Aren’t they always?)
When Patrick’s wife dies suddenly in their apartment, the press publish an article implying he is somehow responsible for her death, and he decides to sue for defamation. This is where Romola comes in. Hampered by a micro-managing supervisor, she works hard to find out what really happened.
What struck me most about this book is that it feels very authentic, so I was unsurprised to learn that Thomson also works as lawyer specialising in commercial litigation and defamation. It’s definitely a page turner, deftly outlining the claims and counter-claims and illustrating how public opinion is influenced by the media.
In an interview with Lawyers Weekly, Thomson says that the new laws around public interest reporting (meaning that a media outlet can defend themselves on the basis that the public has a right to know), gave her the idea for the book.
I think she’s done a really good job with this book. It’s not a deep book, but it’s an enjoyable well-paced read.
What I’ve been cooking
I’m always on the lookout for ways to use up leftovers, so I was delighted to learn that the Japanese have a term for the philosophy of being resourceful and not wasting anything that might be useful. Mia Leimkuhler, a food writer for the New York Times says this is called mottainai, and even more pleasingly, explains that mottainai is as much about being creative as it is about being careful.
I couldn’t agree more.
It takes effort and skill to think of ways to use food that is languishing in the fridge, but I never thought about it as being creative before. So if you’re good at re-purposing leftovers, give yourself a pat on the back and reframe this as a creative pursuit, rather than an economic necessity.
This week I was gifted some fresh ricotta by a lovely neighbour who went on a trip unexpectedly. It had a shortish use-by date and I was keen for it not to go to waste, so I made a very simple ricotta cake. I also added a spoonful of marmalade that needed to be used up because ricotta and citrus flavours go very well together.
I was very doubtful about putting pine-nuts on top and to be honest, I didn’t really have enough, so I added a few candied walnuts I had left over from a previous baking adventure and it was very delicious.
It’s a very simple recipe. You should try it!
Book club news - let’s vote!
As usual, I’ve spent an inordinate amount time pondering what our International Book Club should read next. I’ve narrowed it down to three choices, so let’s vote.
The poll will be open for a week and I’ll report back in the next issue. If you have other suggestions, let me know.
If you’re new around here, Book Chat book club is free for subscribers. Flick me an email if you’re interested in joining and I’ll add you to the invitation list.
That’s all for this issue.
Keep well and happy reading!
Marg xx
All good choices for next book; Tom Lake (I am an Ann Patchett fan); The God of the Woods for second choice. Thx so much Marg
I have several bookcases filled with books we’ve collected, inherited, bought, etc. I haven’t read them all, but some I’ve read some several times. I really need to cull them—some really shouldn’t be there, but I’m both lazy and sentimental, a bad combo when it comes to keeping a tidy book collection. 😆
Thanks for teaching me a new Japanese word for being creative with leftovers. The cake looks terrific, and it sounds like you had some cool additions! Do you have a link to the recipe?
I’d be happy with any of those books, but I’m curious to hear what others think of The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. I’d also like the Ann Patchett novel.
Nice newsletter as always, Marg!