In a pass at some good books for holiday gifts, these few jumped out for various reasons.
On the serious side is "Gallatin Canyon" by Thomas McGuane. Gallatin Canyon, in southwest Montana, some six (more or less) hours from the Wood River Valley, is a stunning and evocative place. McGuane, as a longtime Montana resident, knows this well and uses the mystery and unfamiliarity of its landscape as a jumping-off place to examine the inherent oddness of people and their relationships in this well-regarded book of short stories.
A boy makes a surprising discovery while skating at night on Lake Michigan; an Irish clan gathers at the bedside of their dying matriarch; a father tries to buy his adult son out of virginity; and a convict finds refuge at a ranch in ruination. In the final story, while a couple drives to Idaho through Gallatin Canyon, the man expounds on a business deal: "I'm a trader. It all happens for me in the transition. The moment of liquidation is the essence of capitalism." The New York Times Book Review wrote, "McGuane has become our poet-philosopher of the arm's length ... A writer (who) knows something about writing, real writing."
Another Big Sky book comes by way of co-authors Meredith Brokaw and Ellen Wright, called "Big Sky Cooking." One pertinent line is, "When you're seventeen miles from the nearest town, you tend not to forget that quart of milk." Folks here-about may be able to relate. Structured like a day on the ranch from "Sunrise" to "Under the Stars," the book has essays by writers such as Tom McGuane and Jim Harrison. There are recipes for hearty fare like bison osso bucco and pork tenderloin with native chokecherry glaze. It's been called the best gift book this season for those who love the American West.
"The Artful Dog: Canines from The Metropolitan Museum of Art," takes the reader on an illustrated journey through the wonderful New York City institution. This book features paintings of canines by Thomas Eakins, Jean-Honore Fragonard and Pierre-August Renoir that are paired with relevant quotes from the likes of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and George Bernard Shaw.
"French Women for All Seasons: A Year of Secrets, Recipes & Pleasure," is this year's follow-up to the gigantically successful "French Women Don't Get Fat." Among author Mireille Guiliano's credentials are that a) she was raised in Provence (Ah, bliss) and b) that she is the president and CEO of the Veuve Cliquot Champagne house (Ah, double bliss). This is the woman we should, whether we need tips on living healthier or not, refer to on such essentials as how to properly tie a scarf, what to look for in wine and what to eat at what time of the year. Thankfully, she includes seasonal recipes, mostly with attached advice, information and reminiscences.
Then there is the delightful "Dishrag Soup and Poverty Cake." This slight tome was compiled by the Idaho Humanities Council, which was inspired by a traveling Smithsonian Exhibit called "Key Ingredients: America by Food" that came through the state and was presented at libraries and other community centers. Perhaps you recall its stay at the Hailey Public Library and the fun book and film series that adult program director Lisa Horton cooked up to go along with the exhibit. In fact, Horton is one of the 43 contributors from Pocatello to Cottonwood, Winchester to Eagle, who were asked to supply something yummy to the collection of potluck essays.
Another contributor is Bellevue resident Florence Blanchard, whose "Kitchen Sorcery" essay and Butternut Squash with Apples recipe could have Wood River Valley residents cozying up to her for an invitation to dine, if not to just hang around in her magical kitchen.
Bethine Church talks about trading recipes on the campaign trail with Nancy Hamilton, Congressman Lee Hamilton's wife. The Dishrag Soup essay and recipe comes from Gaetha Pace of Weiser, and the name comes from her grandmother's peers, who had a saying, "She could make dinner out of dishrag." High praise indeed.
Poet William Studebaker and his wife sent in a great dueling story of cooking on the river called "Mutiny on the Middle Fork." And the entry by legendary folk singer Rosalie Sorrels for Blintzitos is recommended for "dead of winter fare for your unlikely Mexican/Russian/Jewish Princess lost in a blizzard at the heights of Machu Picchu for a picnic in the company of spirit wolves." OK!
Proceeds from the book benefit the Idaho Humanities Council, a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the awareness, understanding and appreciation of the humanities in Idaho.
