Hello reading friends and a big welcome to new subscribers. It’s so exciting to wake up in the morning and find that another lovely person has joined the community. I’m glad you’re here, all of you.
A couple of things you should know:
I’m a big library enthusiast, so I nearly always recommend books you can (hopefully) get from your library. Not everyone can afford to run out and purchase the latest book, and I like to be inclusive.
Speaking of that, this newsletter is free for all (like a library) and I won’t be introducing subscriptions or a paywall anytime soon. This is not a criticism of those who go down that route. People have a right to get paid for their work and I strongly support my fellow writers who are trying to make a living using their hearts and brains, I just feel uncomfortable introducing a system that excludes people. When people send me newsletters that include ‘subscriber only’ content, I always feel a small frisson of disappointment that I’m not part of the club and I don’t want you to feel like that.
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What I’ve been reading
This week I’ve been thinking about books that explore social issues in interesting ways and without being heavy handed. I love books that make me think, without trying to tell me what to think.
There are a lot of books that fit into this category, but here are two I would particularly recommend if you are looking for an engaging read.
Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie is a modern re-telling of Antigone, by Sophocles.
Fortunately, I didn’t know this before I started reading it because I would not have started it, had I known. I am not familiar with the classics and would have been very put off, thinking the book was somehow out of my league. I want to reassure you that you definitely don’t need to know the story of Antigone to enjoy this story. (To be honest, I’m still not sure who she was).
Home Fire tells the story of two muslim families whose lives are entangled by politics and conflict, but it’s also a story about love, family loyalty, and faith.
As the book opens, 28 year old Isma is on her way to the USA to complete a doctorate in sociology, leaving her twin 18 year old siblings at home in the UK. She meets Eamonn, a friend of the family, and is immediately drawn to him, but he is only interested in her younger sister Aneeka. When Eamonn returns to London he begins a secret relationship with Aneeka, but doesn’t realise that Aneeka is using him to organise safe passage for her twin brother Parvaiz, who has joined the media arm of a jihadist group in Syria.
This is a multi-layered and fascinating read.
The second book I’d like to recommend is Behold the Dreamers by Imobolo Mbue. This came out a few years ago, but if you missed it, it’s definitely worth reading.
Set in 2007, it tells the story of Jende and his wife Neni, two struggling migrants who have come to the USA from Cameroon to seek a new life in the land of opportunity. They are full of hope about their future, and are delighted when Jende lands a job as a chauffeur to Clarke Edwards, a wealthy Lehmann Bros executive. When Neni subsequently agrees to work for Clarke’s wife Cindy, she finds out more than she bargained for about their marriage, and the effort of keeping their secrets puts a strain on her own marriage.
This book explores racism, immigration and class, in a new and fresh way, and the ending is both satisfying and surprising.
What I’ve been eating
I’m very fond of making small amounts of things, mostly because it’s often only me who’s going to eat whatever I’m making, and partly because I hate waste and if a recipe doesn’t turn out as expected, or tastes horrible, I can just throw it away without feeling guilty.
Here’s a look at my fridge…
In the last couple of weeks I made a tiny quantity of pesto, the smallest imaginable amount of salad dressing and some chilli crisp (basically a mix of fried garlic, sesame seeds, soy sauce and oil. Delicious on pretty much anything and featured in the last edition of Book Chat.)
My newest find is chilli paste with soybeans. It’s slightly sweet and a wonderful addition to minced beef or pork.
Here’s a recipe for Zha Jiang Mien which is easy to make and delicious. I have made it three times in the last month. It’s basically mince and noodles, but my hubby loves it.
Earthly delights ( gardening update)
I planted my single dahlia rhizome but it has yet to emerge from the soil. The instructions said not to water it until the leaves appear, so I’ve been anxiously checking it every day. Hopefully it will send some shoots up soon.
The cherry tomatoes are doing well and we are expecting a bumper crop. To be honest, they are slightly out of control, but we regard this as a good sign.
International Book Club
If you joined the book club you should have received an invitation to the next meeting (scheduled for the end of next week). Please check your junk mail folder if you can’t find it. If you would like to come and I’ve somehow missed you, let me know and I’ll forward an invitation. Everyone is welcome. We are discussing The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store and I can’t wait.
That’s all for this edition.
Short and sweet as usual!
Hope you have a good week and please get in touch if you want to say hi!
Marg xxx
I loved Behold the Dteamers!
I totally agree with those 2 books recommendations. I'd also add Pigeon English about a Ghanian boy struggling with the English language in an ugly English tower block. Sad but has stayed with me.
ps my dahlia is shooting - I hope it flowers!