Elm Street Books Book Club

Join Elm Street Books book club. The first pick of the season is the amazing book, "Room" by Emma Donoghue. This book has got the publishing industry buzzing as well as mesmerizing the public. Call ESB to reserve your spot for our Tuesday November 23rd, 7:00pm meeting. 10% off the purchase price for members of the club. Reservation 203-966-4545 Sign up with a friend or alone to meet some new friends. Refreshments served. $2.00 donation suggested.

Eric Pooley - Climate War

Fascinating is what Sunday's event with Eric Pooley, author of "The Climate War" will be at the New Canaan Library, 5:00PM!

Eric Pooley, Deputy Editor of Bloomsberg Business Week does for global warming what Bob Woodward did for presidents and Lawrence Wright did for terrorists. In this epic tale of an American civil war, Pooley takes us behind the scenes and into the hearts and minds of the most important players in the struggle to cap global warming pollution.

A fight in which trillions of dollars and the fate of the planet are at stake.

Don't miss him!

Oprah's Pick

OK, The last Oprah Pick for her book club is Jonathan Franzen's "Freedom" which recently received rave reviews in the NYTimes Book Review. Do you remember that back in 2001 Oprah and Franzen had a feud over his book, "The Corrections?" Franzen made somewhat disparaging remarks about Oprah's book club after Oprah named his book as her selection, which then led to Oprah rescinding the invitation to appear on her show. Nice to see they are friends again. What a year Franzen is enjoying! We have plenty of copies, but it is flying out of the store so stop by soon.

Dominique Browning Tonight at the New Canaan Library

Don't miss tonight's author event at the New Canaan Library! Dominique Browning, former editor in chief of House and Garden found out abruptly one morning that she was dismissed from the job that she both loved and relied on for her identity. Her driven, purpose-filled days vanished. She fell into a panic of loss, but found humor despite everything, discovering a deeper joy than any she had ever known. What a great read for these crazy days of high unemployment!If she does'nt open your eyes to possibilities maybe your wearing blinders.

7:30 at the New Canaan Library, 151 Main Street, New Canaan 203-594-5000

Peace and Fun

I'm reading a very fun, quirky book right now..."The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise" by Julia Stuart. Set in the Tower of London it is a silly romp through the British psyche. Think of the BBC's Fawlty Towers show.

Along with that I am also reading and learning from a book of moments of quiet. It is your meditation 101 book. I think with all the noise in our worlds we need to find quiet spaces and this book helps guide you there. "Finding the Still Point" by John Daido Loori will direct you through the initial stages of developing a place for meditation in your life...try it. What do you have to lose?? Even if you don't buy into the practice you will appreciate the direction.

Dog Whisperer in New Canaan

Wow, we are lucky to host Cesar Millan the dog whisperer from National Geographic Channel. His books are amazing along with his stories of rehabilitating abused dogs. Don't miss this.

Thursday October 7 at 4:00pm at the New Canaan Library.
Call to reserve a seat. 203-594-5000

12noon - 4:00pm, August 29th is
New Canaan's Dog Days of Summer street festival. Bring your pooch for a walk down to Cherry Street Village. Dog Contests, dunking for hot dogs, pet-friendly vendors, dog adoptions, kid activities, food and fun fun!

Check out the event website to register your dog for a contest.

http://www.newcanaandogdays.com/

The day benefits

summer is fleeting

I am so behind with my blog postings. BUT, here I am with a great recipe, an excellent book and keep your fingers crossed an amazing author event. Michel Nischan the head chef of The Dressing Room, Westport Theater's restaurant has a beautiful book, "Sustainably Delicious."It has many of the recipes featured in the restaurant as well as more. He totally embraces the local food movement, giving major support to "Wholesome Wave", an inner city organization based in Bridgeport bringing wholesome food to low income customers at affordable prices. Check out this wonderful link.

http://www.wholesomewave.com/

Soooooo, I am very hopeful that ESB will be partnering with Michel for a fall event. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Here is a terrific recipe from his book.

Easy, lots of good veggies and yummy. I love the crunchiness! Try it and stop by the store for the book. Mention you read about it on the blog and you'll get another 10% discount.

USE A SPOON CHOPPED SALAD

Serves 6
1 1/2 cups white wine vinegar
3 celery ribs, cut into 1/4 inch dice
2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch dice
1 large red bell pepper, seed, cut into 1/4 inch dice
1 heirloom apple, cut into 1/4 inch dice
1/2 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/4 inch dice
1 cup each of the following; all sliced thin. radicchio,arugula & napa cabbage
3 TBSP good olive oil
seasonings to taste (sea salt, ground pepper)
1 1/2 cups crumbled local goat cheese
1/2 cup toasted almond slivers

Bring the vinegar to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat.Add the celery and carrots.
Remove the pan from the heat.
When the vinegar has cooled, add the peppers. Cover and refrigerate til cold.
Strain the chilled vegetables through a sieve. Reserve the vinegar and vegetables separatel

Lastly,
Mix together the apple, cucumber,arugula,raddichio and cabbage in a lare bowl. Add 1/4 cup of the reserved vinegar and the oil and toss well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the goat cheese and almonds.
This is a salad that displays summer's bounty. Enjoy.

Summer Pick

Jayne has just finished the new Hilderbrand book...check out her review!

Elin Hilderbrand's new novel "THE ISLAND" is the perfect beach read if you are looking for a quick read with sun, romance, secrets,and a deserted island! If you are heading for a Nantucket vacation, or just want to go to Nantucket in your mind, read on because Elin takes you to the inside life of this popular little Island out to sea by setting the story on the remote, privately owned Island off the coast of Nantucket, called Tuckernut.
The story centers around a Mother who brings her two grown daughters and her Sister together for a long stay on Tuckernut to bond one more time before the wedding of one of her girls. India, Birdie, Chess and Tate each come full of personality, secrets, desires and search for answers at their ancestral home, now almost deserted but for the ghosts of relatives and their own memories. Grab your beach towel and umbrella, and don't forget to take along this great beach read!

The Heat Is On

OK, 90 degrees today in the New Canaan area! Good day to grab an icy Swedish thriller and sit by the pool, the beach, the woods. If you have'nt already started the Steig Larsson books "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" group you are one of only a few left. Lead character Lizbeth Salander will take you on a ride you won't soon forget....and then just when you think it's over, two more books join the pack,"The Girl Who Played With Fire" and "The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest." She is a heroine for the 21st century.

Finished all the Larsson books? Then try Camilla Lackberg, one of Sweden's bestselling thriller writers. "The Ice Princess", another icy cold read for this steamy weekend.

Or jump into Henning Mankell's stand alone thriller "The Man From Bejing." Readers applaud Mankell as the "intellectual" thriller author. He reaches for deeper truths about humanity and largely succeeds.

On a lighter note we have the author and illustrator of the adorable "Ladybug Girl" books joining us at the New Canaan Library, 11:00am today, Saturday, June 26th. Don your ladybug wings and fly by for a storyhour and signing. Great gifts for the little ones in your life.

Richard Russo Sunday June 27

Richard Russo

Sunday June 27 @ 4:00pm
The Wilton Library,
137 Old Ridgefield Rd, Wilton, CT
203-7623950

Pulitzer prizer winner, Richard Russo will be speaking about his lastest best selling novel, "That Old Cape Magic." Enjoy the opportunity to pose questions to Richard and hear his insights on the creative process of writing. Not to be missed! Be early, this event is sure to sell out.

Tupperware

Remember Tupperware??

Well Elm Street Books will be hosting an
old-fashioned Tupperware Party on
Wednesday June 9th @ 6:00-7:30pm
at Elm Street Books, 35 Elm Street, New Canaan
Stop by to see all the new cool products. Bring your friends.
Wine and cheese soiree.

Hay Fever, How Chasing a Dream on a Vermont Farm Changed My Life

I love stories like this!

Thursday night at the New Canaan Library, 7:30pm we are hosting author Angela Miller of "Consider Bardwell Farms" cheese makers. She left her high powered NYC job to give the rural life in Vermont a try. What began as an innocent project to restore her new country home became a full-blown obsession that led to a successful artisanal cheese-making business. Still pursuing her NYC career she somehow balances this second "act" in life for a fulfilling culinary adventure.
Her cheeses are featured in the finest restaurants, including Daniel and The French Laundry.
Stop by for a glass of vino and a great tale!

Memorial Day 2010

This weekend we will be celebrating Memorial Day across the USA. A day when we pay tribute to the men and women who serve or have served in our armed forces to keep our American ideals alive. Pick up some books that speak to these values.

"7 Events That Made America America and Proved That the Founding Father's Were Right All Along"
By Larry Schweikart

"A welcome, refreshing, and solid contribution to relearning what we have forgotten and remembering why this nation is good and worth defending." -National Review

Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address Illustrated - Jack E. Levin

“Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”

A wonderful gift idea for graduates, friends, family! Inspirationing.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest!!!!!!

Yahoo, tomorrow is the long awaited release of the third Stieg Larsson book,

"The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest." The Larsson trilogy is really an amazing series, "The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo" was the first, followed by "The Girl Who Played With Fire." Not for the faint of heart, but if you are ready for a spine chilling ride with Lizbeth Salander set in Sweden start the trilogy or grab the newest. Why not create a Swedish cocktail hour with swedish meatballs and the newest drinks, "The Wasp" and "The Blomkvist"while pouring over the pages.

The Wasp

1oz. Smirnoff No 21 Vodka

1oz grapefruit juice

1 Teaspoon salt

In a shaker, add Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka and grapefruit juice. Stir and serve over ice in salt-rimmed glass.

The Blomkvist

1oz Jim Bean bourbon whiskey

6oz cream soda

Pour the Jim Beam bourbon whiskey into a highball glass almost filled with ice cubes. Add the cream soda, stir and serve.

The Farmer's Voice Screening

Opps, I forgot to mention in my last blog the screening is at the New Canaan Library. 6:00pm Chat time with members of the New Canaan Farmer's market, screening at 7:00pm

New Canaan Library, 151 Main Street, New Canaan, Ct

Screening of " The Farmer's Voice"

Great opportunity this Thursday, May 13 to see a screening of "The Farmer's Voice" a movie concerned with local farming, on both the commercial and personal level. Members of our local farmer's market will be on hand at 6:00pm for tastings and talk. Movie begins at 7:00pm. Free!

Great review of Sebastian Junger's "WAR."

I just read an excellent review of the latest Sebastian Junger book, "War." Check it out on The Daily Caller, Tucker Carlson's new website/blog...it's under the opinions section. Such a serious, sad reality, but deserving of our attention. These are the individuals we expect to protect us...wow, big job. My heart goes out to them.

Stop by for a copy of the book.

Cool Mother's Day Jewelry Just Arrived!!

Just in time for Mother's Day we have some really great jewelry from Belart. They are a wonderful small Fair Trade company in Vermont and Columbia, SA. The bracelets are made from the seeds (huge) of the fruit of the elephant plant. It's referred to as the "new green ivory" renewable and sustainable. Leave the elephants to roam the plains.Lots of styles...here is just one.

You really do make a difference when you buy products that encourage positive global change...and Mom will love them too!! A win win for all.

Mother's Day

I have been lucky enough to have had a terrific Mother as well as enjoy the good fortune to be a mother to three amazing daughters. This Mother's Day we have some excellent gift ideas, whether your Mom loves cooking, reading, decorating,business, gardening or just about anything else we have it! Check out some of our picks.

Bread, Bread, Bread

"52 Loaves, One Man's Relentless Pursuit of Truth, Meaning, and the Perfect Crust"

by William Alexander

Thursday May 6 @ 7:00pm at the New Canaan Library, 151 Main Street we will be hosting author William Alexander with his latest book "52 Loaves." What a fun idea for a book. The seach for the perfectly baked loaf of bread! Alexander is determined to bake the PERFECT loaf of bread. He decides to bake a peasant loaf from scratch every week for a year...he really means from scratch...growing, harvesting,winnowing, threshing and milling his own wheat! I'm exhausted already. What a wild man. You'll be sure to know lots about bread along with the funny stories that accompany this crazy adventure...Maybe he'll speak a little about his last book too."The $64 Tomato." Perfect for your spring planting.

Eat locally!!

Eat locally is a great idea, especially when one of the employees of Elm Street Books grows her own asparagus and drops some off at your doorstep! Right from the garden to the table is a whole other kind of asparagus. I swiftly put it to good use in an asparagus risotto from my newest favorite cookbook! "Recipes from an Italian Summer." This cookbook is not just recipes but beautiful photos of the Italian summer at its best along with essays that bring the warm breezes of Tuscany to your own backyard. Mangia!

Design Night in New Canaan

Tonight, April 29th is the New Canaan Design Night...great night to get out and about. ESB will be opened til 7pm. I'll be up at Kitchens By Deane, 189 Elm Street for a demo and tasting by chef John Barricelli, author of "The SONO Baking Company Cookbook." John is a favorite of Martha Stewart as well as Espresso NEAT in Darien.