How Do I
Melissa's Picks
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Skloot, Rebecca The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Nonfiction |
| This tale is an interesting mix of science, social history, and ethics. In 1951, Henrietta Lacks died of cervical cancer. While being treated and without her knowledge, doctors took a sample of her cells and sent them to a scientist attempting to cultivate the first immortal human cells, cells that would continue to live and divide outside of a human body. No other cells had done this before, but hers did. Known as the HeLa cells, they continue to live, and have aided in such medical breakthroughs as the polio vaccine, in vitro fertilization, and cloning. They have also gone into space and were the first human cells to test the effects of an atom bomb. The entire cell and tissue culture business was based on the reproduction of the HeLa cells. Her family found out thirty years after she died and have never received financial compensation, even though others have profited from the cells' sale and distribution. The juxtaposition of Henrietta’s and her family’s life stories with the scientists and scientific discoveries makes for a varied and entertaining read. Recommended August 2010 |
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Symon, Michael Michael Symon’s Live to Cook: Recipes and Techniques to Rock Your Kitchen Nonfiction |
| Michael Symon, Iron Chef and James Beard Award Winner,
presents his first cookbook. With his background, we might expect
fancy food out of reach of the average cook. But no. He explains in
detail fundamental cooking techniques. Most recipes include a photo
to either illustrate the finished dish or highlight one of the steps.
Helpful “Symon Says” tips appear throughout the book. I recommend
Live to Cook for those ready to try a twist on a standard
dish or to branch out into something slightly unusual, but still within
reach. May 2010 |
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Cannon, Kevin Far Arden Graphic Novel |
| This was my first graphic novel, and I chose a good one.
The artwork is simple but effective. The writing is believable and
laugh out loud funny. I especially liked the placement of words for
sound effects and other wordless happenings, which reminded me of
the old Batman television show. This adventure comic features
characters with hidden pasts, conflict, intrigue, a touch of romance,
a mythical island, and circus sideshow performers. In short, Far
Arden has a bit of everything for everyone. Recommended February 2010 |
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Fisher, Carrie Wishful Drinking Nonfiction |
| Have you ever had lunch or drinks with a friend who tells
great stories, but doesn't necessarily tell them in chronological
order? Stories that are funny, revealing, a little disjointed, eminently
entertaining. That is what this book reminds me of. I felt like I
was having a personal conversation with Carrie Fisher as she told
me about her life in a stream-of-consciousness kind of way. I enjoyed
insights about her famous parents. Her tales of the making of the
Star Wars movies are priceless. She talks about all of the failed
relationships she has witnessed and in which she has participated.
But her willingness to discuss her addiction and mental health problems
is what moved me the most. Plus, she provides a list of other famous
people who have had similar issues. It always softens the blow when
you can see that others have walked the same path before you. This
is a quick, entertaining read. Recommended December 2009 |
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Bullock-Prado, Gesine Confections of a Closet Master Baker Nonfiction |
| This light, satisfying read reminds me of a good pastry.
It has multiple layers, comforts and delights you, and leaves you
wanting just a little bit more. Through an hour by hour account of
her day as master baker and owner of a patisserie in Montpelier, you
learn about the author’s past and present -- connections between her
childhood and family, experiences in soulless LA, and the formation
of her sweet treats. At the end of each chapter is a recipe so you
can recreate one of her decadent pastries. I read four chapters before
I figured out the author’s sister, Sandy, was that Sandra. Bullock,
that is. Part anti-Hollywood exposé, part diary of a Vermont baker
and shopkeeper, and part cookbook, I thoroughly enjoyed it all. Recommended November 2009 |
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Ebershoff, David The 19th Wife Fiction |
| The 19th Wife contains chapters that alternate
between the historical story of Ann Eliza Young, one of Brigham Young's
many wives, and a young man, Jordan Scott, who was kicked out of his
fundamentalist sect in present-day Utah. Ann Eliza left her powerful
husband and then gave many notable speeches against the practice of
polygamy in the late 1800’s. Her chapters trace her childhood, marriage,
subsequent "divorce," which was hotly contested, and her mysterious
later life. The chapters on Jordan constitute a modern-day murder
mystery and center around his efforts to vindicate his mother, the
nineteenth wife of a polygamist, who is accused of killing her husband.
If you’re interested in the private lives of those who practice plural
marriage, this book will not disappoint. Recommended October 2009 |
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Handler, Chelsea Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea Nonfiction |
| If you watch E! late at night, you'll be familiar with
the author of this collection of personal essays. Chelsea Handler
is the star of Chelsea Lately, Girls Behaving Badly
on the Oxygen network, and is an accomplished stand-up comedian. If
you've seen Chelsea’s shows or routines you won't be shocked by her
subject matter (her own life), and the language she uses. After reading
these essays, you won’t be surprised that Chelsea became a comedian.
With her penchant for spinning outrageous lies, it was either that
or become a criminal. None of her family members or friends escape
her sharp tongue and sarcastic view of life’s events. You'll likely
recognize someone from your own past or present in her colorful collection
of characters. And no doubt you'll laugh out loud. If you're looking
for a quick read to pass an amusing afternoon, Are You There,
Vodka? is a good contender. Recommended September 2009 |
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Shulman, Martha Rose and The Culinary Institute of America Culinary Boot Camp: Five Days of Basic Training at the Culinary Institute of America Nonfiction |
| If you’ve ever dreamed of going to culinary school, but
reality got in the way, one answer might be to attend a CIA Boot Camp.
These sessions introduce food enthusiasts to basic cooking techniques,
combined with fine dining at award-winning campus restaurants. Part
cookbook, part memoir, part campus restaurant review, Culinary
Boot Camp is the result of the author’s attendance at two such
camps. I enjoyed reading about the personalities and quirks of the
chef instructors, as well as their sometimes contrasting procedures
for creating the same dish. Recipes for most of the menus created
in the author’s camps are included. But the real heart of this book
is the explanation and understanding of primary cooking methods: simmering,
braising, poaching, roasting, frying, searing, etc. Each technique
is covered fully, in language familiar to non-chefs – no exclusive
techie terms here. The lesson is that good food doesn’t have to be
fancy, even when coming from one of the premier cooking schools in
the world. Inspired by a short paragraph on how the author’s group
prepared scallop appetizer, using the same simple technique, I pan
fried scallops in butter for only minutes on either side. They were,
in my husband’s opinion, the best scallops he'd ever had. You can
never beat easy and delicious! Recommended August 2009 |
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