Arrived Safely In Aruba

Many thanks to American Airlines for delivering me safely to Aruba one more time. (This has to be the 50th time or something.) Anyway, excellent flights all the way around. The pilot did a fantastic job landing the plane in the gusty wind conditions here on the island. Touched down with hardly a bump. We’ve all had those late, delayed, canceled flights. It’s only right that we take notice to the good ones. In all my trips to Aruba, only one or two were late.

Now that I’m here, book events for my novel, An Island Away, will be locked in. The first one will be at the Casa del Mar facility on 9 January from 9AM to NOON. Hope to see you there, at one of the bulletin board parties, at Charlie’s Bar or around somewhere else. Don’t forget your sunscreen.

Published in: on January 6, 2009 at 9:52 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Donald E. Westlake, RIP

Donald Westlake, the prolific mystery novelist, died on New Year’s Eve while on vacation in Mexico. These are sad tidings for those of us who enjoyed his books. The man wrote something like a hundred under his own name as well as several pen names. He also wrote the screenplay for the movie, The Grifters, adapting it from the Jim Thompson novel. Westlake preferred to write his books using a manual typewriter. Given that he wrote an incredible number of pages, his fingers must have been ready for the Olympics.

Well, rest in peace, Mr. Westlake. Your books will be around for years to come.

Published in: on January 2, 2009 at 2:29 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Spain, A Culinary Road Trip

Spain, A Culinary Road Trip by Mario Batali (with Gwyneth Paltrow) is, quite simply, a wonderful book. I received it as a gift and immediately plunged in, seeking out those Spanish culinary delights that I’ve come to love during my annual treks. Much to my delight, I encountered numerous items that I normally wouldn’t try. However, given the interesting descriptions, I’ve decided the next time I’m in Spain I’ll be expanding my palate.

The book itself may seem like your typical coffee table tome. Don’t be fooled. Sure, the book contains many photographs but they are handsomely integrated with the recipes and text. Batali and Paltrow put the food into cultural context, one of the things I appreciate most about this book. Furthermore, the photos show a bunch of people having a great time. The enthusiasm and love for the people and food of Spain literally leaps off the page. You’ll meet ordinary people as well as famous chefs courtesy of this duo.

Of course, I’m an easy sell in this department. During my many trips to Spain, I’ve come to love the culture. Still, I’ve seen my share of travel, history, and cooking books. This one is among the best. In some ways it brings to life portions of H.V. Morton’s A Stranger in Spain. If you are even remotely interested in the subject, don’t hesitate to plunk down your cash. You will not be disappointed.

Published in: on December 22, 2008 at 2:35 pm  Leave a Comment  
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The Spies of Warsaw

The Spies of Warsaw, by Alan Furst, is not your high-powered spy novel with chase scenes, torture, derring-do etc. More of a slow burn during the run-up to the Second World War, which is true to the Furst style. The plot revolves around a French embassy attache who recruits spies in Warsaw and pries information from the Germans in clever ways. Furst has been paring his style over the years, giving the reader fewer words, which concerns me a little as the sparseness now borders on frugality. I wouldn’t mind if he painted the pictures with a little more detail now and then. Still, a decent read about the ups and downs of people in tight spots doing tough jobs. 

Colonel Mercier was in the Great War, but unlike his relatives and ancestors, he would like to live through the next one. Thus, he’s careful about his operations and when they go wrong, does his best to correct the situation. He’s not immune from a past heartbreak and finds himself drawn to a woman who plays the game as well as he does. Through all this, the Germans are up to no good, the French General Staff denying reality, and people on the ground like Mercier are making the best of it. 

My hope is that Furst fleshes out his future books a little more than this one, which could have benefitted from some of the scene-setting that can be found in Night Soldiers.

Published in: on December 17, 2008 at 4:53 pm  Leave a Comment  
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