I love reading and, in the past, have shared several books I have enjoyed. This month, I thought I would feature two of the most interesting books I’ve read so far this year. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman is a book that keeps you wanting to warn the characters, telling them their choices aren’t the best, but then what would you really do in this situation? It is a heartfelt book that makes you feel their dilemma, yet you want to resist the urge to get involved because it’s about ethics. Not everyone has the same inner compass. The story is set in the 1900s on an island off the coast of Australia, where a couple lives alone, tending the lighthouse.
The other book that really affected me deeply was American Dirt by Jeanie Cummins. This story is close to home for me. If you live in a USA border town near Mexico, you will definitely relate to this story. It is the story of a woman and her son from Acapulco who must undertake an arduous journey to escape the Cartel. Even though it is fiction, the story has been extensively researched, which lends it a sense of credibility. The little things that bug me, the things I thought I needed to survive in today’s world, are useless compared to the needs of those who seek a safe and better life in el norte.
I'm Melinda Stevens and living the life of a beach bum was inevitable since my father was a lifeguard for the city of Los Angeles. My memories of growing up on John Street in Manhattan Beach, California were filled with joy, excitement and adventures; until my world, as I knew it, fell apart when we moved to Del Mar, California. My father was offered the position as Captain of the lifeguards and we started the slow migration to the small deserted stretch of beach in 1963. At twelve years old, this seemed like the end of my life. Remember, I’m writing with clear hindsight now, ok somewhat clearer… Little did I know this would be the beginning of a new journey and give a bit more clarity to many of the events that led me to this new cooking adventure.