Because We Are: A Novel of Haiti

by Ted Oswald

From back cover
Ten-year-old orphan Libète has been hardened by the daily struggle to survive in Cité Soleil, Haiti's most infamous slum. But when she and her best friend, Jak, discover a young mother and her baby brutally murdered in a nearby marsh, it's unlike anything she's encountered before. Though initially shocked, the adults of Cité Soleil move on quickly from the event; after all, death is commonplace in this community. Undaunted, Libète takes action with Jak in tow, plunging herself into a dangerous, far-reaching plot that will change her irrevocably and threaten everything she holds dear.

Because We Are is a profound and mesmerizing tale of a young girl's search for justice in an unjust world, set against the vivid and tumultuous backdrop of modern-day Haiti.

My rating

My review
I met Ted Oswald this summer at a volunteer orientation, and when he said he enjoyed writing fiction, I couldn't help but ask if he'd published anything, despite my introverted inclination not to. The next morning he handed me a signed copy of Because We Are, as a gift. He said it was a murder mystery, and I have to admit, I was skeptical. I don't read murder mysteries.

But Ted Oswald has an amazing talent for writing, and Because We Are is a beautifully haunting work of art. I found myself walking the streets of Haiti, a place I've never been, watching the life of Libete unfold. I could see the landscape, the homes, the people, more vividly than in many books I've read. This book drew me in, and then broke my heart. It's right up there with Silence in difficulty to get through--I actually put it down for a few days in favor of a light fantasy novel, but I couldn't leave it on the table for long.

Libete is a colorful, strong young girl who endures far more than any person should witness in a lifetime, and she pulls her brilliant friend Jak into her meddling adventures. It is easy to love these children, but difficult to journey alongside them.

When I put this book down, I had half a mind not to pick it up again. It was just too hard to get through. But although Libete isn't real, the Haiti she lives in is very much so, and I felt a strong need and perhaps even responsibility to finish this book. There was no pity, no place for it, only a strong sense of what it is to be human and to live on this earth.

late August

a pair of mourning doves, though silent,
graced my visit to the garden this morning
with their regally humble presence
and the sunflower confirmed my suspicions
of its growth among unchecked weeds
surrounding the small black compost bin
by unfurling golden petals just far enough
to bless me with a glimpse of its face
as dew-drenched grass began to numb
almost-calloused feet, drawing my gaze
upon leaving to the prematurely orange
oak leaves scattered on the ground

wordless wednesday

morning reminder

allow music to flow into your soul
let words seep out onto the page
watch Sun rise, flash through the leaves of a tree
as it slowly dyes the sky varying shades of itself
before retreating to simply illuminate
the pure blue color of air

find thin places
and dwell there

Simply in Season

by Mary Beth Lind and Cathleen Hockman-Wert

{Let's try something different today, shall we? I recently had the grand idea to review my absolute favorite cookbook, so here goes...}

From Goodreads

Not so long ago, within the memory of many of our parents and grandparents, most fruits and vegetables on North American tables came from our own gardens or from gardens close by. Eggs, milk, and meat also came from local sources. Today, the average item of food travels over a thousand miles before it lands on our tables. It is a remarkable technological accomplishment, but it has not proven to be healthy for our communities, our land or us.

Through stories and simple whole foods recipes, Mary Beth Lind and Cathleen Hockman-Wert explore how the food we put on our tables impacts our local and global neighbors. They show the importance of eating local, seasonal food--and fairly traded food--and invite readers to make choices that offer security and health for our communities, for the land, for body and spirit.

My rating

My review

If I had to choose one cookbook to use for the rest of my life, not counting family recipes (that wouldn't be fair, now, would it?), I would choose Simply in Season. This book is a wonderful kitchen resource for those of us in temperate climates interested in eating with the seasons.

All of the recipes are organized by season and then by category (i.e. salads, main dishes, desserts, etc.), and each section ends with sample menus and "invitations to action" for supporting sustainable local agriculture and healthy lifestyles. Besides the recipes, my favorite part of this book is an 18-page fruit and vegetable guide that provides tips for selecting and storing many of the types of produce highlighted in the recipes.

Unlike many healthy-eating cookbooks I've come across, this one does not require unfamiliar or hard-to-find ingredients that must be hunted down in a specialty health food store. Most recipes require only what can be found at your local farmer's market (or the garden in your backyard) and among your kitchen staples.

My favorite recipe, "Secret Chocolate Cake," does seem a little strange at first glance. You see, the first two ingredients are beets and applesauce, and somewhere in there is plain yogurt, as well. But the result? Beautifully rich, moist chocolate cake without even a hint of beets or that pesky "healthy" flavor that doesn't belong in desserts--and I can assure you that I take both chocolate and cake very seriously, so know that this is truly a delicious dessert.