{"id":1102,"date":"2017-07-10T06:08:32","date_gmt":"2017-07-10T13:08:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bajatraveler.com\/?p=1102"},"modified":"2017-07-13T10:18:44","modified_gmt":"2017-07-13T17:18:44","slug":"baja-books","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mexmagazine.com\/baja-books\/","title":{"rendered":"Baja Books"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Baja<\/p>\n

Baja Books<\/h1>\n

by Beth Purcell<\/strong><\/p>\n

Beloved Statue<\/strong>
\nBy Pat Tyson<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"BajaTraveler Publication\u2019s beloved Executive Editor, Pat Tyson, has written her first book! The short novel, titled Beloved Statue; A Different Love Story,<\/em> is full of bygone charm. The novel is short, only 70 pages in length, including the Preamble and the Epilogue, so it may actually be better categorized as a novella.<\/p>\n

The story is somewhat predictable, but well written and presented in such a manner that you\u2019re perfectly content to know where the plot is headed. It\u2019s a refreshing read in that there is no profanity, no violence and barely a cross word. Although there is a passionate passage or two, the story never devolves into cheap romance-novel shenanigans. It\u2019s instead a straightforward, lovely story, during which you find yourself rooting for a happy ending. It\u2019s simple and sweet \u2013 a welcome change from the mostly negative daily news and frenetic pace of modern life.<\/p>\n

The story is few in characters, centering around a paralyzed man, Michael Brooks, his mother, Maggie Brooks, and a younger acquaintance of hers, Julie Carson, of whom Maggie is very fond. When Maggie discovers that she has advanced breast cancer, and a less-than-an-optimal chance of recovery at her advanced age, she hatches a gutsy, go-for-broke plan to ensure that her invalid son will remain in good care in the possible event that she doesn\u2019t survive her surgery or recovery.<\/p>\n

Following a quiet dinner at her home, and the introduction of Julie to her son Michael for the first time, Maggie asks an almost impossible question of Julie: Will she consider giving up her job and apartment in Boston to marry her son Michael, who lays almost motionless in the next room? Will she trade in her solitary and somewhat empty life for one of care-taking for a husband she doesn\u2019t even know? The proposition is not without its benefits, including complete financial security and a comfortable life in the Brooks\u2019 stately home, as well as the reasonable chance of Michael recovering his brawn and vigor of pre-accident days. But, as the book jacket asks: Can a marriage of convenience bring two strangers together to find pleasure in a close relationship and a fulfilling life? I urge you to find out.<\/p>\n

Born and educated in England, Pat Tyson moved to the United States in the early 60s. Landing in Chicago, she worked for two large advertising agencies, then later moved to San Diego where she earned a master\u2019s in telecom and film at SDSU. She taught college journalism for 10 years, as well as joining San Diego Home\/Garden magazine when it was first published in 1979. As Executive Editor, Pat has written for Traveler Publications since the beginning, in 1998. She now she lives in New Jersey; still loves to write \u2013 and enjoy her grandchildren.<\/p>\n

Personally, I wish Beloved Statue; A Different Love Story<\/em> were a short story in a collection of other short stories written by Tyson, as I would be delighted to read more of her engaging work. (That\u2019s a not-so-subtle hint, dear Pat!)<\/p>\n

Baja California: Not Food For Old Men
\nA Mexican Culinary Adventure
\nBy Giovanni Simeone and Sime Books<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"BajaThe first thing you notice when you pick up the book Baja California; Not Food For Old Men<\/em> is its rich leather-like cover and amazing cover artwork – a colorful Dia de los Muertos-styled calevera (skull) with a bright red chile pepper between its teeth. The book is very pleasing to the touch and beckons you to open it, for which you will be duly rewarded. You’ll be treated to gorgeous full-color, full-page photos throughout. It\u2019s a true visual feast that will quickly draw you in, compelling you to read through every single recipe.<\/p>\n

I did just this, and ended up with a substantial list of must-try recipes. A very simple Mint Ceviche featuring Grouper grabbed me on the very first recipe page, as did the Kiwi and Jalapeno Margarita close to the book\u2019s end. In between there are too many to mention. There are a number of recipes for vegetarians including Tomato Confit, Chiles Toreados, Mushroom Soup, Bean Empanadas and Cactus Salad. But with Baja\u2019s immense coastline, it\u2019s unsurprisingly seafood that\u2019s the real star: Mesquite Octopus, Shredded Manta Ray Meat Burritos, Marlin Tacos, Fried Crab and Palapa Clams? Yes please! Meat eaters aren\u2019t left out though. There ample recipes for the carnivore, with some featuring less common ingredients such as, Goat Tacos, Grilled Quail, and Shredded Deer Burritos.<\/p>\n

Preceding the recipes is a short history of Baja California, which, like all the recipes and other text in the book, is presented in both Spanish and English. It\u2019s apparent in some passages that the text was originally written in Spanish, then translated into English, but the slight twist on everyday English language doesn\u2019t take away from the book. Instead it\u2019s a reminder that this region is, as the book jacket so aptly states, \u201csuspended between the US and Mexico.\u201d<\/p>\n

In between the various recipe sections \u2013 which are arranged like most recipe books, starting with snacks and appetizers, moving on to soups and salads, progressing to various entrees, then ending with drinks and desserts \u2013 Not Food For Old Men includes other interesting snippets about Baja California. Subjects include whale watching, the tortilla\u2019s culinary identity in Mexico, the Baja 10000, and legends about Hotel California, the Caesar salad, and Jim Morrison\u2019s visits to Ensenada. There is also a write up about Mexican wine and Baja wine country, which includes handy descriptions of 12 individual wines.<\/p>\n

The book concludes with background information about the chefs who contributed to the book. They come from all over the peninsula \u2013 La Paz, Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos, Rosarito, Loreto and San Jose del Cabo.<\/p>\n

This unique and beautifully crafted recipe book belongs in your collection if you fancy yourself a Mexican food connoisseur or cook. The book, produced by Sime Books, was the concept of Giovanni Simeone, who is the photographer of the vast majority of the book\u2019s exquisite and captivating photos.<\/p>\n

The United States-Mexico Border
\nThe Controversial History and Legacy of the Boundary between America and Mexico
\nby Charles River Editors and Gustavo Vazquez Lozano<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"BajaThis short book drives home the fact that the United States – Mexico border is an ever-changing, man-made boundary that has always been complicated and will continue to change due to cultural, economic and political forces. As the Introduction states, \u201cIn the beginning, it was an idea…Then, it was a line on paper \u2013 a porous boundary with no physical barriers\u2026\u201d Today, it is the world\u2019s busiest border \u2013 one that is in most areas well-demarcated, semi-militarized, and heavily patrolled.<\/p>\n

The fact that the 2,000 mile-long border is currently a hot-button political issue, with President Trump set on replacing already existing border fencing with “an unbreakable barrier,” makes this book an important and timely read.<\/p>\n

Luckily, it\u2019s a pleasure to do so; the authors do a great job of capturing the history of the U.S.-Mexico border in an interesting and concise manner. At only 75 pages, it can easily be read in one sitting. The content is compelling and educational, and although I have a Master’s Degree in Latin American Studies I learned (or relearned) many intriguing facts from this book.<\/p>\n

Did you know:<\/p>\n