Books, Books and Books

I love books and lots of them. Books are definitely my most precious possessions despite the internet revolution. I am not about to give up my right to hold a beautifully bound hardcover book in my hand and curl up with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine on my couch in front of the fireplace. My evenings could not be more perfect. Nor am I ready to migrate my entire life to the web and do all my reading with my eyes peeled to the computer screen. I am old fashioned in that sense. I am convinced in a decade or so, real books are going to be in short supply and much sought after. I want to keep collecting these precious books and add to my library. In my utopia land, I am surrounded by books that span wall to wall and floor to ceiling and my wine cellar is just a stone's throw away (yes, wouldn't that be perfect).

Of my sea of books, I have many favorites. below are a few that I cherish:

1. A book I highly recommend if you are a student of photography or photojournalism is Dorothea Lange: Photographs of a Lifetime (Aperture Monograph) (Paperback)
by Robert Coles (Author), Therese Heyman (Afterword), Dorothea Lange (Photographer)


Dorothea Lange: Photographs of a Lifetime (Aperture Monograph)


Reprinted for the first time, this is the most comprehensive collection of the photographer's work ever published. It includes portraits from her early years as a fashionable studio photographer as well as classic images that established her as the preeminent documentary artist of her time. "Dorothea Lange: Photographs of a Lifetime captures--like all of her work--the extraordinary in the commonplace, with rare candor, compassion, and dignity."

Doorthea Lange's poignant work reminds me of what humanity is and what photography should really be. You have seen her works in exhibits, especially "The Migrant Woman". Numerous books have been written about her and her photographs shot during the last Great Depression. She is definitely the people's photographer extraordinaire holding those of us who aspire to be better photographer to a very high standard!!

2.Homestead (The World As Home) by Annick Smith.



Homesteadis a rivetting read and it is hard to put the book down. I had stumbled on the book in a little quaint bookstore on Third street Promenade in Santa Monica.

A very moving story of her life journey and the time she spent living in Montana's beautiful countrywide. It is as if you are taking the journey with her from the time she was in Seattle to her move to Montana during the cold winter. The book also chronicles her friendship with Norman Maclean of the Big Blackfoot in A River Runs Through It and Other Stories. Remember that wonderful movie starring Robert Redford and Brat Pitt in the story of two brothers growing up in Montana spending their summers trout fishing with their preacher father. Norman Maclean penned the original story.



3. My list would not be complete without a book on wine and country recipes. Check out Vintage Feastng by Joy Sterling.


Vintage Feastng

Vintage Feasting is a book of personal recipes in the wine country and stories of the author tending to vineyards and the winery business. How despite having graduated from Yale and a long journalism career, Joy Sterling answered the call and returned to the family vineyard outside Sebastopol in Sonoma county, California and lives the life of a vintner. It is a wonderful book of great recipes, stories, landscapes and nature's garden.

Journeys of a Lifetime - A Beautiful Picture Book

National Geographic has done a phenomenal job bringing the world to all of us. The many stories and precious photographs of beautiful landscapes, people and cultures of countries far away make us all want to jump on the plane or cruise ships to go and see it for ourselves. I am a big National Geographic fan and I hope its legend continues for many decades to come. The story of National Geographics humble beginning and its trials and tribulations through the early years are stories not often told and in my next blog, I shall explore that and share with readers.

In the meantime, if you are looking for that perfect coffee table book for yourself or a special travel bug, consider getting "Journeys of a Lifetime". You will not regret it. -from a book bug (me)



Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Greatest Trips (Hardcover)


by National Geographic (Author)

"No one knows the world like National Geographic—and in this lavish volume, we reveal our picks for the world's most fabulous journeys, along with helpful information for readers who want to try them out.

Compiled from the favorite trips of National Geographic's travel writers, Journeys of a Lifetime spans the globe to highlight the best of the world's most famous and lesser known sojourns. It presents an incredible diversity of possibilities, from ocean cruises around Antarctica to horse treks in the Andes. Every continent and every possible form of transport is covered.

A timely resource for the burgeoning ranks of active travelers who crave adventurous and far-flung trips, Journeys of a Lifetime provides scores of creative ideas: trekking the heights of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania... mountain biking in Transylvania... driving through the scenic highlands of Scotland... or rolling through the outback on Australia's famous Ghan train... and dozens of other intriguing options all over the world.

Journeys of a Lifetime also features 22 fun Top 10 lists in all sorts of categories. What are the world's top 10 elevator rides, bridges to walk across, trolley rides, ancient highways, or underground walking adventures? Readers will love evaluating and debating the selections.

Each chapter showcases stunning photography, full-color maps, evocative text, and expert advice—including how to get there, when to visit, and how to make the most of the journey—all packaged in a luxurious oversize volume to treasure for years to come."

Green Mangoes and Lemongrass

Just came across this book and I am so excited:

The last few blog entries have been about food and good recipes and not much about photography. Well, it is that time of the year, the holiday is about getting together with friends and families to enjoy good times, good food. I was born on the island of Penang in Malaysia. Penang is the "Pearl of the Orient" and also "Gastronomie Capital" of South East Asia. Naturally my food and recipes have revolved around the many Asian spices and ingredients.

Green mangoes and Lemon grass, how can one go wrong with that!!!



Green Mangoes and Lemon Grass: Southeast Asia's Best Recipes from Bangkok to Bali

Amazon has it for $16.47 New. Not bad for a great recipe book with 100s of recipes from Bangkok to Bali.

Bali is a gem of a place, one of my favorite holiday destinations.