Haiku

Haiku: Inspirations, Poems and Meditations on Nature and Beauty – by Tom Lowenstein and Dr. Victoria James

Inspiration, History, Poetry

159 Pages

Footnote/Endnotes: No

Illustrations: Yes

Suitable for eReaders: No

Rainy Day is a poet, and enjoys writing haiku, and what she calls birdku (about the birds in her yard), and when she found this book, it simply had to become a permanent part of her library.

It is a small, square book (about 8 inches on a side), and every page is illustrated, many are double page illustrations, especially the ones with the haiku on them. Because of the illustrations and the 'side notes' on some pages, as well as the double paged art, Rainy Day thinks much of the beauty of the book would be lost in an eReader.

Mr. Lowenstein is an anthropologist, cultural historian, and poet. Dr. James is a journalist who has lived in Japan. Their book shows their love and respect for the Japanese people and culture.

This book not only traces the history and evolution of haiku, but also gives an easily accessible, concise history of Japan, her people and their culture. Especially some of the more known poets and artists.

The illustrations are both painting and photography, deliberately chosen to go with the words, and are stunning in the beauty and subtlety.

Rainy Day heartily recommends this book to anyone who has ever had even a wee teensy interest in Japan and her culture.

Beaten, Seared, and Sauced

Beaten, Seared, and Sauced: On Becoming a Chef at the Culinary Institute of America –by Jonathan Dixon

Memoir

266 pages

Footnotes/Endnotes: None

Illustrations: None

Suitable for eReaders: Yes

Rainy Day knew she would love this book after reading the first three words in the Acknowledgments. "Thank you to..." Rainy Day found a writer who understands. He did not think it necessary to want to thank them, he found it necessary to thank them.

Therefore, Jonathan Dixon, Rainy Day thanks you for a most engrossing book.

Have you ever considered, in your wildest dreams, of becoming a Chef? Oh, Rainy Day has. Every year or two she dreams it for oh, maybe 3, possibly 4, nanoseconds. And then she remembers – Chefing is darned hard work, and Rainy Day isn't as young as she used to be, and, besides, she likes cooking small, intimate meals for one, possibly two.

But, if you are one who has wondered, this book is a must read. If you are one who is sure positive you can win an Iron Chef America, or Throwdown with Bobby Flay, read this book before applying. Rainy Day thought 8 weeks of (WAC) Army Basic back in the 1960's was pure, unadulterated hell. She can't imagine what Mr. Dixon and his classmates voluntarily put themselves through – two years of it. I think a lot of the Chefs mentioned in this book, could easily put on a military uniform and transition to being a Drill Instructor!

Jonathan Dixon was a writer before he entered the CIA at age 38. He was able to put his writing skills to excellent use in this memoir about his two years learning how to be a Chef. His writing style is approachable and easily read. He took Rainy Day on a delightful trip through some of the most gorgeous country in the US, and into some of the best kitchens. He made Rainy Day laugh, and he made her cry. And he taught her a few things along the way.

Many thanks, Jonathan Dixon, for a most delightful book!

Hidden in Plain View

Hidden in Plain View: The Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad –by Jacqueline L Tobin and Raymond G. Dobard, Ph.D.

History, African American

220 pages (including glossary, etc.

Footnotes/Endnotes: None

Illustrations: Yes, black and white, color, and line drawings

Suitable for eReaders: Possibly (graphics capability)

Rainy Day has read a bit, here and there, on the Underground Railroad, and how the urban (or perhaps suburban) legend of folks hanging quilts in certain ways guided the slaves on their journey. That has been pretty well debunked, and this book does not talk about that.

This book talks about the symbology of the quilt patterns, and how they instructed the slaves. Most slaves left in the spring, which was when quilts used all winter were aired. The authors talked about how the quilts were hung on fences to air, and the story they (may have) told. They were, according to the authors, used to tell the slaves when it was time to leave. However, did the house slaves have the authority to decide when to air the quilts? And in what order? Rainy Day also doesn't believe the slaves had access to enough scraps from the house to make their own quilts in such designs. Those quilts would have been kept in the house. Rainy Day suspicions the quilts the slaves made for themselves more closely resembled those of Gee's Bend of today. Click here for images of Gee's Bend quilts. For a bit of history on the Gee's Bend collective, go here.

Frankly, Rainy Day doesn't think the quilts played all that important a roll; however, she is not an historian. What she did find interesting in the book were the comparisons of the quilt squares with African patterns brought by the slaves. And the history of the spiritual, and how the slaves were denied their drums but figured out how to use their feet to stomp to their old drum beats. Not as effective, but better than nothing.

This book was not overly easy or accessible to read.  And unless one is either an avid quilter, or historian of the Underground Railroad, and or days of slavery, Rainy Day recommends you pass on it, and read other books.

The Waters Rising

The Waters Rising --by Sheri S. Tepper

Fantasy

498 pages

Footnotes/Endnotes: No

Illustrations: No

Suitable for eReaders: Yes

Rainy Day has long been a fan of Sheri S. Tepper, and while she enjoyed this book, she found it rather long in places. Ms. Tepper has both the imagination, and the ability to write it, that Rainy Day would die for. Of course, if she did, die for it, it wouldn't do her much good, would it?

The Waters Rising is a post-apocalyptic novel about global warming – and how people react to it. As villages, cities, forests, indeed civilizations, drown, a princess of the far north fights death with the help of a fearful girl child who becomes the savior of humankind aided by a motley crew of people and animals.

If you are a fan of Ms. Tepper, then I recommend this book; however, if you've never read her, there are, I think, better books out there with which to start.