Keep Calm and Read A Book

"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have

known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and

have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an

appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that

fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving

concern. Beautiful people do not just happen."

-- Elisabeth Kuebler-Ross

Some interesting books to recommend.

This amazing memoir of Malala Yousafzai with the help of Christina Lamb, a leading foreign corespondent, certainly kept my attention. 
Malala was 15 years old when she was shot point blank by the Taliban fighter for speaking out about her God given right to education. The events that led up to the shooting and the unfolding story as she still recovers from near death, several operations, deafness and facial paralysis make for a captivating read. Truly this young women is wise beyond her years. She refuses to be silenced speaking out about education inequality. Malala has been fortunate to have parents who championed and encouraged their daughter to read, write and attend school. 
Malala and her family are in exile in Birmigham, England. In the book's epilogue Malala talks about her family's adjustment to life in England. Malala and her family miss their life in Pakistan but know it is not safe to return there. Malala's father wants her to stay in England where the schools are good and she can gather knowledge so she can use her words powerfully.
This past July on her 16th birthday Malala addressed the UN Youth assembly in NewYork. A lot of people were surprised and disappointed that Malala, a  Pakistani teen activist, did not win the the Nobel Peace Prize a few months ago.  
I was quite struck by some of Malala's closing remarks in the book, when she said referring to her father who would not let her return to her homeland, "He is right. I want to learn and be trained well with  the weapon of knowledge. Then I will be able to fight more effectively for my cause." 
A lot of money has been raised for her mission and more information can be found at malalafund.org 
Some day Malala hopes to become a politician. 

This book is by Delia Ephron, Nora Ephron's sister. It is a memoir but a much lighter read than Iam Malala.  Ephron writes 15 autobiographical essays about life, love, sisterhood, movies and family. Delia and her late sister Nora collaborated on films, plays and television scripts. Some of Ephron's best pieces in the book deal with her tortured relationship with her mother Phoebe. Her writing style is both witty and eloquent. It is easy for the reader to relate to her stories about family, everyday living and love.

The Seasonal Plate  

The following link is to the three food columns I recently have had published. Please note that when reading the E edition the format looks different than seeing it actually printed in the newspaper. Nevertheless quite exciting to have this writing opportunity!   

http://www.walkermn.com/search/?t=article&nsa=eedition&q=seasonal+plate