Nose Stuck In a Book

Books Abroad: Austria Edition

2012-01-27T07:23:00.000-08:00

Along with a love of books, food and fashion, travel definitely makes the short list as it seems to with most people I know. Without question, I subscribe to the thought that “the world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” Even when traveling, books are a constant pull as evidenced by the fact that my husband and I often end up in bookstores or libraries. With that in mind, I'll start sharing awesome libraries (or perhaps bookstores) that I find that I have been to or would love to see.

First up is the incredible Austrian National Library located in the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. It was established in the 18th century and is the largest library in Austria with 7.4 million items. It looks absolutely spectacular!

Photo from TheEuropeanLibrary.org

Photo from Bibliojunkie

Photo from Windows of Shanghai

Tiger Tale

2012-01-26T08:18:00.000-08:00

Storytelling at its best, The Tiger’s Wife by Tea Obreht reads as though it is a tale passed down through your own family. The novel follows Natalia in her role as a doctor and, more importantly, as a granddaughter in a Balkan country. Bouncing between past memories of her grandfather and the present search for details surrounding his death, Natalia explores both worlds in exquisite detail. Her story serves as the base for the two other lines running through this work as well; the tale of the tiger’s wife and the deathless man. Both are from earlier in her grandfather’s life but take on an air of fable as they are removed from the normalcy of the modern world and have a mythological feel. A deaf and mute woman who builds a relationship with a runaway tiger in a small town and a man who cannot die but helps others move on are certainly not everyday occurrences but help further the “acceptance of death” theme that runs throughout. It’s virtually impossible to not get caught up in this multi-part tale and I think it is easy to see why Obreht was named one of the “20 under 40” by the New Yorker.

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Nose stuck in a book, literally

2012-01-25T06:50:00.000-08:00

Like some people with new cars, I have always loved the smell of an old book. It turns out that there is a legitimate explanation for the scent. That at least partially explains the high I always get in the Strand...

From the blog "this isn't happiness"

Tinker Tailor Seamstress Spy

2012-01-24T10:56:00.000-08:00

I was surprised to find out that The Time in Between is the first novel by Maria Duenas. The beautiful way she spins the tale of the seamstress Sira Quiroga, and the relationships she builds in Spain and Morocco, speaks to much more writing experience than a debut. While reading I was wrapped up in both the dramas of Sira’s personal and professional lives as well as the greater Spanish Civil War. After two surprising men dramatically alter her life, Sira relies on her professional strengths as a seamstress to plant her roots in her new country of Morocco and rebuild. Gradually elevating herself in society's esteem and making well-connected friends along the way results in adventures and intrigue that take her back to Spain and the life she thought she left behind. Uniquely situated to learn the secrets of her clinets' spouses in the administration, Sira becomes entangled in the greater political affairs of the region as a spy. Highly recommended as an engaging historical fiction read, this is the story of a woman who loses everything, begins anew through her own merits in a foreign land, and leads a life she could not have imagined.

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Calling all Francophiles and Manhattanites

2012-01-23T10:02:00.000-08:00

Paris versus New York: the never-ending debate of two awe-inspiring cities. With an upcoming release on January 31st, the coffee table book Paris versus New York by Vahram Muratyan is a fun romp for a lover of either city. It began as a blog and has been converted into a great book with clever taglines and inspiring graphics that pit the City of Lights against the Big Apple. Some of the match-ups include Karl Lagerfeld v. Marc Jacobs, macarons v. cupcakes, baguette v. bagel. Tough to determine which side to support! Additionally, if you love the art in the book, you can buy some of your favorite prints online. Definitely the best of both worlds, n'est-ce pas?

The original blog

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Catherine Deserves the "Great"

2012-01-22T11:07:00.001-08:00

The new biography Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert Massie is a fascinating read. It comes as no surprise that it was named one of the top ten books of the year by Publisher’s Weekly and has received endless praise from the publishing world and readers alike. Covering both the political and personal sides of her life, Massie delves into every aspect of Catherine’s life from her beginnings in Germany, to her surprising relationship with Peter III, to her numerous advances for Russia as well as her many affairs. By the conclusion of the book, the reader is left with a great sense of who she was as a woman and a leader, and is likely amazed by both facets. Massie’s writing brings this historical period to life and I am truly excited to read his previous books about Peter the Great (1981) and Nicholas and Alexandra (1969) too.

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New Chick Lit for Valentine's Day

2012-01-20T06:30:00.000-08:00

Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite chick lit authors with past hits like the Shopaholic series, Remember Me?, The Undomestic Goddess, and Twenties Girl. Just in time for the most sentimental day of the year, she is releasing a new novel I've Got Your Number. Centered around the happily engaged Poppy Wyatt, her world turns upside down one afternoon when a hotel fire drill results in the loss of her engagement ring as well as her cell phone. Picking up a discarded cell from the area results in even more hijinx as she gets mixed up in the cell's owner's life. Perfect recipe for disaster and another great story from Sophie!

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The Joy of Books

2012-01-19T08:24:00.000-08:00

If you ever wondered what books or toys did while you're not in the room, here is the answer. This beautifully done video is a bibliophile's dream and my only disappointment is that this adorable bookstore named Type is in Toronto. This is simply magical.

The Joy of Books

State of Wonder: An Amazon Adventure

2012-01-18T14:19:00.000-08:00

If you are not already a fan of Ann Patchett from past hits such as Bel Canto and Run, now is the time to add her to your bookshelf with her new novel State of Wonder. A refreshing combination of mystery, travel, and scientific exploration, this book will hold you until its conclusion. With surprises around every corner, she creates an environment and characters that both captivate the reader and makes one consider the dilemmas and decisions the central characters encounter.

Pharmaceutical researcher Dr. Marina Singh is sent to the Amazon after her coworker mysteriously dies at a scientific camp. The purpose of her trip is to find Dr. Anneck Swenson and not only check in on the progress of her research but also deliver this crucial information, and hopefully a result, to the parent company. Mystery shrouds the entirety of the trip from locating Dr. Swenson to discovering more about the monumental research occurring in the jungle. Along the way, Marina tackles scientific queries while also struggling with moral and ethical dilemmas that reach their peak toward the conclusion of the book.

With surprises along the way including the details of the prior relationship between Marina and Anneck, Patchett unveils this fascinating story in the ultimate setting of wonder, the jungles of Amazon. The location adds as much suspense and mystery as the plotline itself as Marina adjusts from life in Minnesota to the climate and wildlife found along the river. Between satisfying a sense of wanderlust and the curiosity from riddles posed and solved, Patchett’s State of Wonder is definitely one not to be missed.

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Blood, Bones & Butter: A Culinary Romp Through a Chef’s Life

2012-01-18T14:11:00.000-08:00

My initial interest in Blood, Bones & Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton was based on the excellent dinner I had a few years ago at her New York restaurant, Prune. Prune was one of those meals that you don’t easily forget the feeling of satisfaction and joy it brought, regardless of whether you remember exactly what you ate. It somehow seems appropriate though after reading her memoir, that Prune was the first time I ate marrow. Her writing is like the marrow I had: rich and flavorful while also something I could not eat too much of.

Blood, Bones & Butter is the story of Hamilton’s life and her journey through the culinary world. Brutally honest and candid, Hamilton opens her life up to the reader in a way that is almost startling at times. The details of her family and her relationship with food are told in heartfelt detail and there is no doubt of her strong voice throughout the tales. Her rocky ride through relationships and restaurants builds to the genuine enthusiasm Hamilton displays over the almost serendipitous beginning of Prune. Her work ethic is extremely apparent throughout and the way she manages the different complications and issues that arise are truly motivational. At the conclusion, there is a feeling that the terrific meal Hamilton created through her life story has ended but the flavor remains.

There is one portion of the memoir that I found particularly relevant. Hamilton is asked to be part of a panel of the best female chefs at a culinary institute. Not only does she point out the obvious sore point of distinguishing female chefs from the general culinary group, but the reader gains insight into the gender divide in the kitchen in much more detail. She manages to touch on many of the issues women encounter across all industries while also weighing in on the differences that women may inherently face. The question of how she manages to do it all, including running the grueling brunch station then scrubbing the pancake batter off the refrigerator ten days before her first child is born, is almost a moot point—the woman is a hard worker and extremely dedicated. This seems to be the tantamount lesson she preaches to women throughout. After all the delicious food descriptions and cooking information, the most apparent take-away is the true strength and candor of the amazing chef and woman Gabrielle Hamilton.

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The Dream

2012-01-10T08:46:00.000-08:00

I'm fortunate that I have always been a reader. Ever since I was little, I have loved curling up with a book and getting lost in the story and the world. When Beauty and the Beast came out in elementary school, I clearly fell in love. From Belle's love of reading to the fact that she's a brunette like I am, I was completely entranced. I always thought the most striking part of the movie is when the Beast presents Belle with that exquisite library; it literally takes my breath away. It is the epitome of what I dream of: spiraling staircases, tall ceilings and more books than you could read in a lifetime. Absolute perfection. Too bad the 3D version Disney is re-releasing this month doesn't let me walk through the library itself!