Thursday, January 27, 2011

January Book Club


With the motivation to make more time for reading this year, I thought at the end of each month I will discuss what books I have read over the past month.

Here are my picks for January.



Everyone at Dartmoth College knows Kristina Kim, Conni Tobias, Albert Maplethorpe and Jim Shaw. Attractive, intelligent and poised for brilliant futures, they are campus elite, and ever since freshman years, they've been inseparable--almost like family. Led by the beautiful, spirited and enigmatic Kristina, they share an intimacy others envy.But it is more than camaraderie that unites the friends. Dark and seductive secrets bind the four to one another--intense passions and simmering tensions that have been building for years. When those passions finally explode the dead of a bitter cold night, a brutal act will be committed--one that will reveal shocking truths about each of them. 


I read this when I was in my first year at University, not as part of any course reading, but for a summer read while sunning myself by the pool. I enjoyed it then; a bit of fluffy light reading, but with a conclusion you see coming a mile off and a little heavy on the clichés.


I picked it up again when I was in Australia over the Christmas holidays, I couldn't remember how this 'thriller' panned out when I started to re-read and it didn't take long to realise it wasn't particularly great. Thumbs down. I guess I was feeling a sense of nostalgia when I picked it up again. Simons has her fans and I am sure they read anything she has published. I'll leave it to them.



The Continuum Concept introduces the idea that in order to achieve optimal physical, mental and emotional development, human beings - especially babies - require the kind of instinctive nurturing as practiced by our ancient relatives. It is a true; back to basics approach to parenting. 
Author Jean Liedloff spent two and-a-half years in the jungle deep in the heart of South America living with indigenous tribes and was astounded at how differently children are raised outside the Western world. She came to the realisation that essential child-rearing techniques such as touch, trust and community have been undermined in modern times, and in this book suggests practical ways to regain our natural well-being, for our children and ourselves.---


I recommend this book to anyone that has children or is thinking about starting a family. I feel very grateful that I knew of the theories discussed by Liedloff and more importantly, that I had found a 'crunchy community' before Avalon was born. 
An insightful read.



Domestic Goddess Part Deux

Introducing....


While the little one and the hubby are playing then bathing upstairs, I thought I would whip up a treat to go with my coffee tomorrow...
This one is a tried and tested recipe but here it is for you to enjoy too...

Now, first things first, pour yourself a class of wine... I recommend a red from the Stellenbosch region...
Make sure to take frequent 'breaks' to sip and enjoy.

Grease a tin....


Mash 2 bananas


*sip*


In a mixing bowl combine 150g of castor sugar and 125g of melted unsalted butter..... 



... mix in the mashed banana


... add two eggs... beat well.


*sip*... again


To the mix add 1/2 tsp of bicarb... 2 tsp of baking powder... and 150g of plain flour...

.... and fold.....


100g of chopped walnuts





Pop the loaf in a pre-heated oven for 50mins (gas mark 3)... time to polish off that glass of red...

and...

Voila!... banana & walnut loaf. 

You don't have to thank me.