A Book Meme…

I don’t usually capitulate to memes, but A Book Meme, via Dove Grey Reader is irresistible.

The book that’s been on your shelves the longest.

I have no idea what this could be!  It might be one of the books from my childhood, but because they were shared with my sisters, they lived on shelves at my parents’ house until I was in my twenties – and a good thing too or I might have mislaid them in the years before settling down in Cheltenham.

After wandering around the house and considering our numerous bookshelves, I’ve concluded that the book that’s graced my shelves the longest is probably my much-loved Mastering the Art of French Cookery.  It’s actually two volumes – as you can see in the picture – but I learned to cook from Volume 1.  My sister, who defied family tradition to become a great cook, gave them to me after I produced a truly regrettable meat pie at one of my first attempts at a dinner party.   It was from these books that I learned that any fool can cook well, if she takes the time and trouble to learn.   I still follow my sister’s advice: learn the proper method first, and then you can decide if you want to take shortcuts.

It was from Mastering the Art that I learned that

• most kitchen appliances are a waste of time and money, and they make extra washing up;
• a sharp knife is a cook’s best friend;
• home made ratatouille is sublime;
• it is not true that you can skip salting the aubergines; and
• children will love vegetables if they are cooked and presented properly.

A book that reminds you of something specific in your life (a person, a place, a time).

This is Indonesia, my first book, which still makes me feel inordinately proud even though it’s only a little children’s book, mainly used by teachers of Indonesian to introduce something of the country’s history and culture.  It was commissioned by Harcourt, Brace Jovanovich on the strength of an article I wrote in a professional magazine, and I was thrilled to see my name on the front cover when it finally hit the shops.  I was even more thrilled when it sold out and a reprint was done by Pascal Press who took over from HBJ.

But that’s not why I chose it for this meme.  The deadline for this book was the very day before my wedding, and that the book was finished at all was in no small part due to the support of The Beloved.  I would never have got it done without him.

A book you acquired in some interesting way.

This has to be my First Edition of For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway. I found it in the Avant Garden Bookshop in Daylesford when we were on our way to the Woodend Winter Arts Festival in 2008. If ever there was a case of synchronicity, it was this, for I had brought with us the audiobook of this magnificent tale, narrated by Campbell Scott, and had played it in the car en route. I would never have expected to find a first edition of this, one of my favourite books, in a country town in Victoria, at a price I could (recklessly) afford.  I didn’t hesitate.

The book that’s been with you to the most places.

My travel diary.  I’ve kept them for most of my journeys, but these days I use the famous plain black lined Moleskines.  They fit nicely into a handbag, and they have a little pocket to keep miscellania as well.  They’re discreet – it’s easy to whip them out & scribble a few lines in a restaurant, cafe, plane or train; they don’t need internet access; and most importantly, they’re private.  After all, sometimes when we travel, and things go wrong as they must, the pen may perhaps record vitriol or disappointment best not shared with the world on my travel blog!

The most recent addition to your shelves.  

They all came at once,  in a nice big box, from the latest Readings catalogue: More by Austin Clarke, The Virtuoso by Sonia Orchard, The Life You Can Save, Acting Now to End World Poverty by Peter Singer; and Christina Stead, A Biography by Hazel Rowley.  These bring the number of books on my TBR to 396…

Your current read, your last read and the book you’ll read next.

 At weekends I’m reading the new translation of War and Peace, by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky, and at bedtime I’m reading The Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford.  After that? Song for Night by Chris Abani, I think, because it’s due back at the library soon, and I want to finish Flavours of Melbourne, by Charmaine O’Brien. It’s my last book to read before voting in the SLV Summer Reading Challenge, and it’s full of interesting snippets to add to our Marvellous Melbourne unit for Years 5 & 6 at school. .

And then the next book on the ANZLL schedule!