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Trim 2021 – The Official Unofficial Challenge Thread
Just wanted you all to know, that I am selecting myself as the next Trim Picker for June. There are a few more people left to circle back to, or to ask, but this month I feel particularly compelled. I think in the 2 1/2 years that I have done this challenge, I have never once had my trim match either the yearly challenge or the monthly tag. This month I am determined to randomly pick some thing that will either match fly or the tag. So if it’s a particular tag, I’ve got you covered for a particular buddy read. But if it’s the other, I know where I am headed. This is my month to take privilege, and I’m snapping it up. I promise to let you all know as soon as Anita announces the tag.
Finished the first of my two #6: Provençal Cooking: Savoring the Simple Life in France - 4 stars. The author, Mary Ann Caws, is a renowned scholar, translator of the great contemporary Provencal poet Rene Char (with whom she and her family developed a close personal friendship), who has also published non-scholarly works that are light musings and memories. This is one such gem, filled with memories of life and food and friendships in the Vaucluse region of Provence* from the 30 years Caws and her family spent summers in a petit cabanon among the herbs and olive trees. I think it perfectly described by Caws herself:
In Provence, it isn't about business that takes time: it is, as one of my friends puts it, watching the mountain grow. Or just the light shifting. So this is as much a little book abut being as about cooking.
Yes, there are recipes but not really in the traditional sense. Two-thirds of the book are reminiscences, more or less sequential, of Provence, bringing it to life. The short section describing the various outdoor markets in the region and her shopping habits at each had me there with her and long to experience them myself. I adore outdoor food markets, making a point of visiting them all over the world. As I read, I felt my self entering this quieter, slower paced world with Caws and her family, leaving the hustle and bustle of NYC behind. Food is of course the heart of every single day, of all the friendships. I was fortunate in my youth to be invited into a French farm family home in rural France for their Sunday dinner. I've never forgotten a second of that day, 40+ years later. I saw my memories of that meal reflected here.
The recipes are more the way you would tell someone how to make a dish rather than exact measurements and timing. It's cooking, not following recipes (although there are a few). I was reminded of the essence of provencal cooking (I have spent time in Provence): tomatoes, garlic, olives and olive oil, fresh herbs are the foundations. I'm even going to cook from it immediately - pencil asparagus cooked in a skillet with olive oil and onions, then covered with parmesan cheese and stuck under the broiler until the cheese melts and turns crusty brown.
This was a mini-vacation of a book, one I will continue to treasure.
In the daytime, there are more likely to be motorbikes or sturdy walkers, ready for the climb uphill. But as dark falls, the atmosphere changes, and the place grows silent. Perhaps you can just hear some faint fall of a twig in the wind. Most often, though, it is peaceful, among the trees, and happily, I tend to forget, in such a mellow mood, the many smallnesses of a Provencal village. They are in any case balanced by the collective joys, such as dinners shared under the overwhelming stars.
*This is not the Provence of Peter Mayle really, but closer to the Alps and central France - filled with mountains and hills, wild gorges, stunning scenery, and remnants of Ancient Rome. It is closer to the Provence of Julia Child, Richard Olney, Elizabeth David, and M.F.K. Fisher as described in Provence, 1970: M.F.K. Fisher, Julia Child, James Beard, and the Reinvention of American Taste - all of whom are mentioned in passing for their food and cooking influence on Caws. This is also the region familiar to fans of the Tour de France as the toughest mountain in the race was basically in Caws' backyard.
I have to change one of my books (again!). I seem to forget to check what I already have listed here. I haven't read my #1 yet, but I plan for it to be my next one after the one I'll start today. So, a new #1 will be added.
May #6 - The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
5 stars
This is such a well written book. The Vanishing Half centers around twins, Stella and Desiree Vignes, along with their daughters. The sisters are originally from Mallard, Louisiana where the town mostly consists of very light people whose ancestors were black. The sisters run away to New Orleans when they are young. Later Stella also secretly leaves Desiree to create her own life where she passes as a white person.
This story shows many sides. It includes racism, family, loneliness, abuse and secrets. People pretend to be what they are not and the author shows where that leads. We see if they can make others believe it and if a personal price is involved.
Including different generations is an element that adds to the book. Parent and child experiences differ, but they affect each other. There are many themes in The Vanishing Half and what happens when the twins are separated is the core of this complex and emotional story.
I just looked at what I have left to read, and guess what? I don't want to read any of them🤣. Might be replacing a few, with the rule it has to have been on my TBR before this challenge started.
Joanne, for one of the ones you have left, its a buddy read. And if the tag gets called, I am calling it. On the likelihood that it does not, have a blast with the substitutions. but I got ya covered for one of the possibilities. You don't even need to think about it. But welcome to drop out as well.
Oh, I missed that one-I am good for that one -:)
Joanne wrote: "I just looked at what I have left to read, and guess what? I don't want to read any of them🤣. Might be replacing a few, with the rule it has to have been on my TBR before this challenge started."That is an excellent rule!
Amy wrote: "This month I am determined to randomly pick some thing that will either match fly or the tag. ..."So, it's not really random .... But I'm still good with it.
Nope, I am picking outright - but a different number depending on what the tag will be. But interestingly, for the last five months I have offered to the picker that they could pick out right and no one would ever know, or they could announced they were picking out right. Not one of them ever did. They all chose to stay with the spirit of random.
I am a huge supporter of Executive Privilege going to the organizer and person who keeps something on track. Besides, we are down to so few numbers to pick from that random is almost eenie meanie minie moe.... or however that rhyme is spelled.
Thank you Teresa! I do feel like I have worked hard with the task of keeping trim going this extra year and a half, and have held it steady. So yes I am claiming my privilege. And stating it honestly and above board. I believe in that transparency. Claiming executive perk of Unofficial Trim Leader status, which amounts to a whole lot of nothing but a boast post. But why the heck not.
The Official Trim the TBR # for June is #3! I have Butterfly's Daughter, which has me flying from China to Mexico, so for the first time ever, my Trim and Fly are the same. It may turn out also to be a Beach Read, which would be a triple hit for me - and just in time!!!
Woot! Both of my #3 fit my definition of a beach read: The Mysterious Benedict Society and Jack of Spies - thank you Amy! I think Jack of Spies was drawn last year and did not get read due to Proust and Poll Tally. Looking forward.
So I'm still trucking along on my #6, Obama's A Promised Land, and my #3 is... Michelle Obama's Becoming! I might have to do another switcheroo, that's a lot of consecutive time to spend with the Obamas. We'll see how I feel once I finish his book.
My number 3 is For RouennaSigrid Nunez, who also wrote The Friend, but this was published in 2001 and I've had it as a tbr forever.I'm excited to finally read it and see how she has developed as an author over the years.
My #3 is When Christ and His Saints Slept, the final book in my three year plan to reread all my favorite Sharon Kay Penman novels. I picked up the 36 hour audio a few months ago.
Olivermagnus wrote: "My #3 is When Christ and His Saints Slept, the final book in my three year plan to reread all my favorite Sharon Kay Penman novels. I picked up the 36 hour audio a few months ago. I'm ..."I love her books. I may have missed one or two mysteries, but I think I have read all of her big books.
My #5 were Five Quarters of the Orange and Vox, but I switched the first one to The Great Alone because I want to read it for Fly the PBT Skies
Kimber wrote: "My #3 is Of Mice and Men. I bet I can fit that in next month."I just finished reading this one, Kimber. Had mixed feelings about it:| I really want to see if you'll like it!
Heather Reads Books wrote: "So I'm still trucking along on my #6, Obama's A Promised Land, and my #3 is... Michelle Obama's Becoming! I might have to do another switcheroo, that's a lot of cons..."Maybe you will need to invite yourself to dinner with them as all that time surely makes you an adopted family member!
Theresa wrote: "Heather Reads Books wrote: "So I'm still trucking along on my #6, Obama's A Promised Land, and my #3 is... Michelle Obama's Becoming! I might have to do another swit..."😄-let me know when and where, I will get there
Theresa wrote: "Maybe you will need to invite yourself to dinner with them as all that time surely makes you an adopted family member!"OMG, I wish! From what I can tell, they seem like a very wholesome family.
My original # 3 was The Girls by Emma Cline ... which I read in February.So, I've substituted:
Jumbo: This Being the True Story of the Greatest Elephant in the World by Paul Chambers
Diana H. wrote: "Kimber wrote: "My #3 is Of Mice and Men. I bet I can fit that in next month."I just finished reading this one, Kimber. Had mixed feelings about it:| I really want to see if you'll like..."
I look forward to sharing thoughts with you on it, Diana, once I've finished it. I have liked the other books I've read by John Steinbeck, although they are often sad. I think my favorite, so far, is Cannery Row.
# Is The Fireman.Just finished my May read which was the Hatching and was way way better than expected so I have to read the next one now.
My #3 is Hell Hound and it's super short so I should be able to read one of my trim finally! Coincidentally, my husband and I just rescued a dog on Wednesday so this should be an interesting read! 😂
First dog since my Bluto passed away in December of 2019.
He is about 1 yr, we named him Ornette after the saxophonist Ornette Coleman and he is a sweetheart. 😍
Meli wrote: "My #3 is Hell Hound and it's super short so I should be able to read one of my trim finally! Coincidentally, my husband and I just rescued a dog on Wednesday so this should be an i..."
Yeah for new forever friends!
Congrats, Meli! Wish ypu and your newly expanded family much happiness and love together! 💞👨👩👦👦🐕💞
Meli wrote: "Coincidentally, my husband and I just rescued a dog on Wednesday so this should be an interesting read! 😂First dog since my Bluto passed away in December of 2019.
He is about 1 yr, we named him Ornette after the saxophonist Ornette Coleman and he is a sweetheart. 😍..."
Awww, congrats on the new "puppy"!!
Thank you very much for the congrats and well-wishes 😊
Mine are Apeirogon and 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You.I don't know if I can read either of these! I don't think I want to read a book about Israel/Palestine at this moment in time. And 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You, when I took a 2nd look, leans toward spirituality a bit more than I am likely to enjoy.
My process has been to knock at least 1 book/month off this list. That has been working pretty well, and I will stay with that approach. It will probably be This Tender Land, which at #8, was already picked.
Meli wrote: "My #3 is Hell Hound and it's super short so I should be able to read one of my trim finally! Coincidentally, my husband and I just rescued a dog on Wednesday so this should be an i..."
Congratulation! Pets bring so much love into our lives and who can't handle a little more of that.
Way to go Shelley! Totally in the spirit of this challenge. Anything goes, but the intent to clear some thing off.
Olivermagnus wrote: "Congratulation! Pets bring so much love into our lives and who can't handle a little more of that."Thank you!
It has been a wonderful first week 😻
I finished my # 5 for April- Cold Sassy Tree!Review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I knocked 3 books off my Trim lists this month! (I have 2 lists, which give me more opportunities to read what fits a tag or Fly or my mood). The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Nothing to See Here
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Big Little Lies
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
FINISHED May # 6 - (This is a substitute, since I read the original # 6 back in January!)
The Face of Deception – Iris Johansen – 2**
First in a series starring Eve Duncan, a forensic sculptor, whose job it is to create a likeness based on skulls retrieved from crime scenes. There is plenty of action as Eve moves from crisis to disaster to being chased and having her mother in danger. Political intrigue and power-hungry people with evil intentions further muddy the waters. Then Johansen throws in a romantic tension, with a push/pull attraction between billionaire John Logan and Eve that just didn’t ring true for me. It held my attention and kept me reading – but I’ve already forgotten it.
My full review HERE
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Hot Milk is a compelling book, which I had trouble putting down. It is a story perfect for Mother's Day, or is it? Rose, the mother is an invalid or is she? Sofia, the daughter must do everything for her mother including fetching the wrong kind of water or must she?
Sofia trained as an anthropologist, languishes in a sea of jellyfish, medusas. While serving as a detective for her mother's illness, she cannot develop and flourish as an individual.
Deborah Levy is a skilled author and in Hot Milk she presents an entertaining character study. Sofia is such a quirky character and I enjoyed occupying her head. Here is a brief note of hers:
Anything covered is always interesting. There is never nothing beneath something that is covered. As a child, I used to cover my face with my hands so that no one would know I was there. And then I discovered that covering my face made me more visible because everyone was curious to see what it was I wanted to hide in the first place.
While I enjoyed reading this book, I did not particularly like it nor would it get my endorsement to wholeheartedly recommend it. But that is more about me than anyone else. I am not a great lover of character studies as many including this one, as I find they study characters who are not likely to exist. Both Sofia and Rose are such exaggerated characters, that they are not believable, even though I do accept that there are cases in which a daughter is put into a situation of taking care of her mother's needs. Saying that I am not sorry that I read the book and I would possibly read more of Deborah Levy.