Bean Books

Reese Danley-Kilgo is a writer par excellance! If you enjoy good writing then read this book. The story is romantic and woven together skillfully. An enjoyable read.

Reese Danley-Kilgo's gentle, poignant, and universal love story is reminiscent of the works of Harriet Doerr and Maeve Binchy. Nine Bean Rows is about time, and the tricks of timing, loves lost in unforeseen ways, and found, also unexpectedly. It will resonate with the experience of many readers, and is about creating the moment as well as about embracing life's erratic trajectory. It is about life's choices, often bittersweet, and about life's joys, often bittersweet, too. I loved this book.

I had the honor of reading with the author at a poetry reading early in 1998. I was blown away. A meek, meek individual until he grips a pen (and beer). I later performed with him, him merely reading and myself having to resort to performance art to keep up.

The book: his first book. The opening poem, "Sorry Richie" is a rich work that everyone can tap into at some level.

All the works contained in this volume possess a human quality of not being "forced" onto the page. The words reside there. This is until one READS the work. The writer took two years off to read and it shows: subtlely, and that is were his genius lies. As with his personality, his power lies in how he slides and incorporates the subconscious barbs in to snag the reader. One is drug in, but is unsure why or how, he or she just is--and likes it.

A great work yet his more recent work is a more dense, more rewarding work. Watch out for his upcoming collection of short stories.

The simple truth is that this book needs to be read. This book turned me into a fan of Crocker and of Green Bean Press as well. The book is well done on all levels and Crocker's voice will stay with you for a good long while after reading. Order the book. You'll be supporting small press poetry in america and be reading one of its finest voices.

Title: Saturday Beans and Sunday Suppers

Author: Edie Clark

ISBN; 0 - 9719934 - 5 - 9


Most readers are familiar with Edie Clark's writings from her column in Yankee Magazine. The column was originally called The Garden at Chesham Depot and later when Edie moved it was renamed Mary's Farm.

Edie Clark has written three books. The Place He Made, her first book, is an unforgettably searing memoir of love and bittersweet tragedy. Edie's second book, The View From Mary's Farm, is a collection of very special essays from past issues of Yankee Magazine. Her devoted readers are thrilled to have many of these timeless treasures all in one volume.

The writings of Edie Clark transport me to another time and place......a place where time spent with friends and family ...and the small events of everyday life ....glow with special meaning. Edie's newest book, "Saturday Beans and Sunday Suppers", is certainly no exception. It is a winning combination of delicious recipes, collected throughout the author's life, and the memories associated with them.

Edie has a very endearing way of engaging her readers and drawing them into her magical world. She has an extraordinary gift in the ability to make the ordinary seem special and beautiful. Edie often reveals her innermost thoughts, in such an honest fashion, that this creates a unique bond with the reader. You will feel as if you have reconnected with an old friend.

Edie's mother did not enjoy cooking. When Edie would visit her Aunt Peg in Massachusetts, it was there that she experienced the comfort and joy associated with food preparation and sharing her creations with those she loved. To this day Edie expresses her love of friends through cooking and entertaining.

Fast food, hurry here, scurry there, is the trend in modern society. Reading Saturday Beans and Sunday Suppers just makes you want to slow down and savor life. Many of the recipes in the book originate from the tried and true traditions of New England. However, Edie's journey even carries us to far away places, such as Iceland, where she worked for a summer herding and shearing sheep. Roast lamb had always been one of her favorite culinary delights. However, despite the fact that sheep were obviously very prevalent in Iceland, this delicacy was reserved for special occasions. In her book Edie includes a most unusually delicious recipe for Roast Lamb, which includes coffee, sour cream, garlic .... and more.

The author brings us along with her to a New England church supper where Mary Upton's beans are always the anticipated focus of the event. We are even invited into Edie's kitchen while she makes German Apple Pancakes on her treasured wood cook-stove. Another day, it's pizza on the porch.

Other recipes include Indian Pudding, Cheese Strata, Chicken and Dumplings, a savory Beef Stew....and more. Basically , Edie has written a chapter for each recipe. I found this very unique and appealing.

During the hot sultry days of summer, when as a youngster Edie would visit her Aunt Peg, they would often make iced tea together. The tea making process took a good part of the day so it was always a smart idea to begin early enough in the day before the heat set in. This was no ordinary run of the mill iced tea, but in fact was so delicious and invigorating, the family has affectionately called it the Magic Brew. Edie ponders the recipe's origins....

"In fact, this concoction was not of my aunt's devising. I don't suppose any recipe really comes from any one person and I have no way of knowing what, if anything, she contributed to the method. It came to her from my uncle's side of the family, a recipe that came with the marriage, if you will, like a mother- in- law or a set of silver. So it had further lineage. But for me the recipe belonged to Aunt Peg and was a part of her legend, which seemed to grow the longer I stood at her side, my young mind forming it's opinions, likes and dislikes. More than just a drink, it was an elixir, a potion, a magic brew."

Legend even has it that this tea once saved a young boy's life.

Many people enjoy just "reading" cookbooks and perhaps never actually prepare many of the recipes. I can tell you how I am going to put this book to very good use. I have already thoroughly enjoyed lingering over Edie's memories. It's a book one can read over and over again. Now, as I try the new recipes, and serve them to friends and family, they will receive another special treat, the reading of the story which reveals each recipe's history.

Edie is a masterful storyteller and knows how to win her reader's hearts. Recently someone likened her to a painter of words. In my opinion, Edie Clark is the Norman Rockwell of essay writers.

Mixing memories of food and friendship, family and events, this famous author shares parts of her life in the form of kitchen stories from the early 1960's when vinegar cake was introduced thru today when we enjoy even more variety in food including couscous - orange couscous no less!

Edie Clark writes from her heart. Gifted, insightful, humorous and inspiring, she connects with the reader in a special way. Her collection of about three dozen recipes are easily prepared and very satisfying. I felt gently transported to thoughts of my own family, friends and events from the past. Upon completion of reading this delightful and absorbing book, my own reaction was to share it with friends at once and also to begin preparing the recipes and enjoy my own kitchen capers more! Thank you, Edie Clark, for sharing your memories and expressing yourself so honestly.

A 5 star book in my opinion. I highly recommend it. Vermont baked beans anyone? Or a special refreshing iced tea? Edie writes that "food is an adventure, food is communion, food is comfort, food is love. We may as well make it good." And so we shall. Thanks again.

This truly is a spectacular book!! What a wonderful girft to give to anyone. The photography captures the essence of each location and shows off how very spectacular America is. I consider it one of the most beautiful coffee table books that I've ever seen. Well worth the money!!

This book is wonderful, it captures the beauty of America in page after page of splendor. It's a must for everyone that enjoys what America has to offer for scenery. I have bought many of these books as gifts to people from other countries. I think it shows just how beautiful America is, and helps them decide where to visit. Everyone we've given this book to seems to love it. Seeing is believing in this book. You won't be disappointed!

This was the greatest. I want to buy copies for Christmas gifts..I was laughing, agreeing, crying, and laughing again. Drink Cultura was just as awesome, I wish I could meet you in person, and have you sign my book...Que Viva la Raza..Y que Dios los bengiga con mas y mas...

When i opened up the book I had zero expectations because i had never heard of this author. As I started reading I found myself laughing out loud. I nervously looked around to check if anyone was around. Its that kind of book. As a mexican I found I had alot of things in common with many parts of this book. I feel very strongly that all latinos will be able to relate with some or most of this book's content. I really recommend this book to everyone. If you are not a latino or chicano you will be able to enjoy a slice of my culture as well as the culture of chicanos. I would frequently show tidbits of the book to my friends. This book has the right mixture of humor, inside jokes, facts, and deals with some serious issues. A book to be read more than once.

This is a wonderful childrens book with great illustrations

This is a wonderful childrens book with great illustrations

Hats off to the author for a very moving book of feelings. Awsome can not put it down.

great emotion in the lines of these poems. a must for poetry fans

I took this book out of the library on a whim, but what I saw of it in the 3 weeks of the loan period persuaded me to buy it. It is chock full of information, both historical and uses, on pretty much any grain or bean I've ever heard of - and many that I haven't. It has a very well set out table for every grain and bean giving basic cooking instructions that I found very helpful, and it also contains a number of interesting recipes. Unfortunately, it is out of print, so I'm now hoping someone can find a copy for me!

I pulled this one out of the library and then spent the next year and a half looking for it in all the used bookstores around. It is a great cookbook in general, and full of great recipes. The tea-poached plums with vanilla barley pudding is one my favorites. Definitely one of my most used cookbooks.

Poor Clarice Bean, just a bit late to school, and now her teacher, Mrs Wilberton, has paired her with that awful Robert Granger for a project on the environment. Boring Robert wants to see who can walk faster, a snail or a worm. Could things get any worse? Obviously, yes they can, as her teenage brother Kurt informs the family. The city's going to cut down a tree right on their street. An old hundred year old tree. Kurt is upset and too depressed to even eat, and decides to camp out under the tree to save it. Pretty soon, the whole extended family gets involved, making signs that say "Free The Tree", and spaghetti marinara dinner to eat while sitting in the tree, and becoming ecowarriors. When the local newpaper sends a photographer to take a picture of this ragtag protest, Clarice and Robert (of course Robert Granger got himself in the picture) find they have an even better environmental project in the works..... Nobody captures the irrepressible and feisty grade schooler like Lauren Child, and Clarice Bean's latest eco-adventure is sure to have readers laughing out loud. Her fast-paced, text is entertaining and engaging, true to life, and full of witty asides and observations. But it's Ms Child's marvelously creative and innovative illustrations that make this book stand out. Her busy and clever collage artwork, mixing colorful pen and ink drawings and photographs, with imaginative fonts of all shapes and sizes, traveling up, down, and all around, will have youngsters entranced and poring over the pages, finding something new and interesting every time they open the book. Perfect for readers 7-10, or younger for reading aloud, What Planet Are You From, Clarice Bean? is a charming and hilarious, manic romp you don't want to miss and the third installment of a terrific and delightful series.

Clarice Bean, the irrepressible little charmer created by Lauren Child, is seeing green. Green as in ecology, that is.

School is getting interesting for Clarice as she's learning about our planet Earth. Gravity is an amazing force to her, as is the fact that the sea doesn't spill over at its edges. Nonetheless, her class is assigned a project called The Environment. She's pleased because to her that is simply nature, and she knows a lot about that as there is plenty of it in her backyard.

Being paired with Robert Granger, the pest who lives next door, is enough but when Clarice learns a tree on her street is about to be cut down, well, things get really rugged. Brother Kurt decides to try to save the tree by camping in it, and others sport "Free the tree" signs.

Just imagine what Clarice comes up with in order to save the tree. Once again, Lauren Child comes up with a fun way to make an important point.

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I didn't know you could do so many things with beans! The split pea soup is good. Some of the recipes are almost identical but just call for different kinds of beans.

This is the best little cookbook! It has recipes for using beans in breads, appetizers, salads, main dishes, AND hints and information on cooking with beans! Most of the dishes are very easy to make. Many, but not all of them are vegetarian. And lots of them have a southwestern flavor! I bought the book for myself, but now I plan to give copies to friends as gifts! It's a real bargain!