Book reviews from thyme2read

Modern-Day Macrobiotics

by Simon Brown

A message on the front cover reads, “Transform your diet and feed your mind, body and spirit.” Modern-Day Macrobiotics is a guidebook and inspiration for doing just that. Author Simon Brown demystifies the macrobiotic approach to eating so that a beginner can feel confident and enthusiastic about taking steps in a healthy direction. Experienced macrobiotic readers will appreciate the clarity of information and may find this a convenient gift book since it is so visually friendly. The beautiful graphic design impressed me the moment I opened this book. From nutrition charts to practical priority lists, information is organized in colorful boxes and highlighted sections, making it easy to access the facts you need. Following sections on macrobiotic principles and healthy diet, the third section features chapters on important food categories, including grains, pulses (or beans), sea vegetables, oils, fermented foods, fruits and more. The macrobiotic approach emphasizes organic ingredients, attention to seasonal eating and locally grown vegetables and fruits.Meal planning guidance and a limited selection of recipes are included. This book offers a treasure trove of helpful information to anyone wanting to explore macrobiotics or simply focus on a nutritionally sound, well-balanced eating plan with organic ingredients and vegetarian-oriented meals. Seafood, the main animal food included in a macrobiotic diet, appears in some recipes.Author Simon Brown, a British bloke, has published this versions of this title in the U.K. and the U.S. Because of measurements and other cooking instructions, I recommend that you check the ISBN to get the version you want:U.S. 10-Digit ISBN: 1556436432U.S. 13-Digit ISBN: 978-1556436437U.K. 10-Digit ISBN: 1556437862U.K. 13-Digit ISBN: 978-1556437861

A Change Of Climate

by Hilary Mantel

A Change of Climate, by Hilary MantelSet mainly rural England in the 1990s, Ralph and Anna are the technically the main characters, although there are plenty of other family characters and the narrative does not always focus on either Ralph or Anna. With chapter 4, the narrative jolts back in time to South Africa in the 1970s, where the newlyweds go as missionaries, a combination of Ralph's compliance to his father's will and a gesture of rebellion. Both the political situation and culture that surrounds them, as well as their personal experiences are intensely dramatic. At first the book seemed disjointed to me because of the flashback sections in Africa, but of course this section of life is integral to the complexity of the story, both in missing facts and complexity of the psychologies of the characters. Author Hilary Mantel spent five years in Botswana so her familiarity with aspects of African culture is personal. Beware: do not read the back cover's book, a summary of sorts, before reading the book. Aside from trivializing the story it gives far too much away and I consider it a serious publishing gaff.Hilary Mantel's usual use of language is beautiful, clear and acutely insightful in this novel, as in her other works. Hilary Mantel was born in England in 1952 and is one of my favorite contemporary authors. In 2009 she was awarded the prestigious Man Booker Prize for her historical novel Wolf Hall, published in that same year.

The Road To Oxiana With an Introduction By Bruce Chatwin

by Byron Robert

The Road to Oxiana, by Robert ByronCousin of poet Lord Byron, Robert Byron is a rakish wit who died at an early age in a ship downed by torpedoes. Fortunately he recorded his travels, with companion Christopher Sykes, in 1933-1934 in Oxiana, Persia and Afghanistan, an area defined as the region surrounding the Amu Darya River which flows along Afghanistan’s northern border. Although the author apparently ad libs with accounts of dialogs and perhaps embellishes the occasional situation, these accounts provide an element of welcome hilarity while capturing some of the difficulties of travel and cultural differences. His interest in Persian architecture inspired the journey and indeed his enthusiasm for Islamic monuments and other historical ruins shines through with his passionate descriptions. This book amazed me when I first read it many years ago. I continue to enjoy reading selected passages from time to time.Robert Byron lived from 1905 to 1941. The Road to Oxiana was first published in 1937

Italy In Mind

by Alice Leccese, Ed Powers

Italy in Mind: an Anthology, edited by Alice Leccese PowersThis wonderful collection of British and American authors includes excerpts from travel journals, essays, poems, short stories and novels. Organized alphabetically by author last name, each selection is introduced with brief biographical information. Authors include well-known Elizabeth Browning, Charles Dickens, George Eliot, D.H. Lawrence, Tim Parks, Mark Twain, Gore Vidal and Edith Wharton. Some of my favorite selections were by authors unfamiliar to me, for example, sculptor Matthew Spender who went with his family to Italy for a couple of years and stayed for more than two decades. I personally like this type of collection immensely, for its diversity and because it's easy to read a section or two at a time, and it's easy to turn to again and again. I recommend Italy in Mind for a guest room, although make sure it's not your only copy, just in case it finds itself in a suitcase. If you have spent time in Italy this book will make your own memories surge forth, and you may find tears of nostalgia in your eyes. If you long for days and nights in Italy, this book will transport you in both time and place.