Victoria

Egan has done it again: taken a time and place in history and unlocked new insights and revelations from material we thought we already knew. He takes us to those early, hurly burly days in Seattle when Edward Curtis, a hard-strapped young man, follows his dream to become a prominent and brilliant photographer. Through Egan’s lucid, beautiful prose, we watch as Curtis hits the pinnacle, sought by presidents and millionaires, and as he takes off on a project that will ultimately consume and destroy him—photographing and describing in writing and early recording the languages, cultures, and customs of Native Americans across the continent. And yet this project will leave a vast legacy that has enriched both Native Americans and our current nation to this day. Bravo to Egan for bringing this story into the light! ~ Victoria

I love nature, particularly birds. But this treasure by Thor Hanson goes way beyond field guide descriptions of one of nature’s most perfect inventions. He wonderfully describes our love affair with feathers—from religious symbol to pragmatic and fantastic attire to the inspiration feathers give us in everything from art to science. ~ Victoria

I’m a sucker for cookbooks, and own too many. But there are a handful I pull from the shelf regularly for inspiration and recipes. This book, brimming with the flavors of Southeast Asia, clearly is in that category. Arokiasamy wins me over with her simple goal: Let’s make American tables more tasty and healthy through the use of spices! This book is well written and informative, and the recipes are generally accessible; one of my favorites is the Stir-Fried Chicken with Cashews, page 124. (Editor’s note: The Thai Shrimp and Pineapple Curry, page 157, is heavenly!) ~ Victoria