Tag: history

A Sweet and Spicy Memory: Biscochitos in New Mexico Culture

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I am very pleased and proud to share this article I was asked to write on the cultural significance of biscochitos in New Mexican culture. It is the first (but hopefully not last!) article for which I got paid, and so I feel like a real, true writer now. 🙂 I hope you enjoy reading … Continue reading A Sweet and Spicy Memory: Biscochitos in New Mexico Culture

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

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This is one of those epic books that feature a cast of thousands, exotic locations that span the globe, stories within stories within stories............and Count Dracula. I mean, how can it possibly get better than that? Being a former Goth girl, I still have a fondness for the darker side of things. Vampires, crucifixes, ghosts, … Continue reading The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

The Milagro Beanfield War by John Nichols

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At last, we are in New Mexico! My home state is written about beautifully in this classic, The Milagro Beanfield War. Set in the mythical village of Milagro (there is actually a Milagro, NM, but the real town is nothing like the book's version), it's the story of Joe MondragĂłn and his fight for water … Continue reading The Milagro Beanfield War by John Nichols

Feast of Sorrow: A Novel of Ancient Rome by Crystal King

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I'm back, and I greatly appreciate everyone's patience and kind comments asking when I would get my ass back into the blogging world. Well, yesterday was the day. I'm officially moved into my gorgeous new house, which has the most beautiful kitchen, so Food in Books has returned. Having lived in controlled chaos surrounded by … Continue reading Feast of Sorrow: A Novel of Ancient Rome by Crystal King

The Mirror Thief by Martin Seay

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Photography by me. Are you a Venetian at heart? I am, and any book set in Venice has a special place on my bookshelf. Venice is the most beautiful place on earth, because it shimmers. That's the only way I can describe it. The waters surrounding the islands, the lagoons with their sea-green waves, the … Continue reading The Mirror Thief by Martin Seay

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore

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Thanks to TB for the photography. This is one of the funniest books I've ever read, and I've read it several times. Though it's a very irreverent re-telling of the life of Jesus, I didn't find it at all disrespectful. It is a fictional retelling, of course, but very much grounded in historical research and … Continue reading Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore

The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon

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Thanks to Dr. H for the photography. Lord John Grey was a major character in the Outlander series, being the warden of  Ardsmuir Prison in Scotland, where Jamie Fraser was imprisoned after Culloden. Lord John, being the fascinating character that he is, got his own spinoff series - of which today's book is the latest … Continue reading The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

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Thanks to JG for the photography. Set in a slightly alternate universe, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell has been touted as the Harry Potter for adults. It's far more than that, however. Set in England during the Napoleonic wars, its a lengthy book that delves deeply into the mythology of Faerie. One thing that has … Continue reading Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

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Thanks to JG for the photography. I first heard about The Help when the movie, with Octavia Spencer and Cicely Tyson came out, and wanted to read the book first. The storyline, in a nutshell, is the story of two African-American maids - Aibileen and Minny in 1960s Mississippi - and how the lives they … Continue reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather

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Photography by me. I'm kind of embarrassed to admit this, but I never liked Death Comes for the Archbishop, probably because it was required reading when I was in the 6th grade. Anything forced is never something I want to do, even when it comes to reading. Isn't it amazing, though, how different it can … Continue reading Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather