dear mr. hemingway’s 2019 holiday books & pairings
Peaceful Pets
literary chickens by Beth moon (Abbeville Press)
This is an absolutely gorgeous book filled with stunning black and white photos of chickens. Each photo is paired with a famous literary quote from Victor Hugo, to F. Scott Fitzgerald to Emily Bronte. This book is on my coffee table and perfect for chicken and literary lovers alike.
From the Publisher: “Fierce, funny, and flamboyant, fifty-two heritage-breed chickens assess the camera with a keen gaze. By focusing on the faces of her avian subjects, Beth Moon reveals them to us not just as beautiful and exotic creatures, but as individuals in their own right.
Moon’s intimate portraits capture a startling range of emotions and personalities, underscored by excerpts from literature. A martial Spanish White Face is flanked by a passage from Beowulf; a fantastical Buff-Laced Polish, by a line from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland; and a refined Blue Polish, by a character sketch from Swann’s Way.”
The Beekeeper’s Bible: Bees, Honey, Recipes & Other Home Uses by Richard b. jones & Sharon Sweeney-Lynch (stewart, Tabori and Chang)
This book is the perfect gift for someone who raises bees or is interested in this hotter-than-hot hobby! This book has everything bee-related in it. Basic beekeeping, harvesting honey, recipes, and DIY projects…The Bee Keeper’s Bible has you covered.
From the Publisher: “The Beekeeper’s Bible is as much an ultimate guide to the practical essentials of beekeeping as it is a beautiful almanac to be read from cover to cover. Part history book, part handbook, and part cookbook, this illustrated tome covers every facet of the ancient hobby of beekeeping, from how to manage hives safely to harvesting one’s own honey, and ideas for how to use honey and beeswax. Detailed instructions for making candles, furniture polish, beauty products, and nearly 100 honey-themed recipes are included. Fully illustrated with how-to photography and unique etchings, any backyard enthusiast or gardener can confidently dive into beekeeping with this book in hand (or daydream about harvesting their own honey while relaxing in the comfort of an armchair).”
P.S. What to pair with The Bee Keeper’s Bible…how about a sparkly beehive ornament!!!!
a street cat named bob by James Bowen (a Thomas dunne book for St. Martin’s Griffin)
You do not even need to be a cat lover to love this book. The perfect holiday read is upon you. Animal lovers rejoice…this powerful read will touch your heart.
From the Publisher: “When street musician James Bowen found an injured cat curled up in the hallway of his apartment building, he had no idea how much his life was about to change. James was living hand to mouth on the streets of London, barely making enough money to feed himself, and the last thing he needed was a pet. Yet James couldn’t resist helping the strikingly intelligent but very sick animal, whom he named Bob. He slowly nursed Bob back to health and then sent the cat on his way, imagining that he would never see him again. But Bob had other ideas.”
Molly by Colin butcher (celadon books)
You do not even need to be a cat lover to love this book. The perfect holiday read is upon you. Animal lovers rejoice…this powerful read will touch your heart.
From the Publisher: “When street musician James Bowen found an injured cat curled up in the hallway of his apartment building, he had no idea how much his life was about to change. James was living hand to mouth on the streets of London, barely making enough money to feed himself, and the last thing he needed was a pet. Yet James couldn’t resist helping the strikingly intelligent but very sick animal, whom he named Bob. He slowly nursed Bob back to health and then sent the cat on his way, imagining that he would never see him again. But Bob had other ideas.”
sea biscuit: an American legend by Laura Hillenbrand (Ballantine)
You have heard of the famous racehorse Seabiscuit…..right? Learn his whole story in this well-documented book by Laura Hillenbrand. Her writing is superb!!!
From the Publisher: “Charles Howard was a onetime bicycle repairman who introduced the automobile to the western United States and became an overnight millionaire. When he needed a trainer for his new racehorses, he hired Tom Smith, a mysterious mustang breaker from the Colorado plains. Smith urged Howard to buy Seabiscuit for a bargain-basement price, then hired as his jockey Red Pollard, a failed boxer who was blind in one eye, half-crippled, and prone to quoting passages from Ralph Waldo Emerson. Over four years, these unlikely partners survived a phenomenal run of bad fortune, conspiracy, and severe injury to transform Seabiscuit from a neurotic, pathologically indolent also-ran into an American sports icon”.
P.S. Pair this book with Horse-Opoly (Horse themed Monopoly) for a NEIGHHHHH!.
Dear Mr. Hemingway’s 2019 Holiday Books & Pairings
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