(Dolen Perkins-Valdez, hardback). From the title you might think this is a book about the s-x word. It’s not. By a long shot. But the story, set in about 1852, is about a black slave woman, and her somewhat misguided “love” for her master. About the children she bore him, under the eagle eye of the master’s wife. But it’s all tied together with a yearly journey made to a place called Tawawa House, a rural inn of sorts in southern Ohio (a free State), that for some years allowed white slave owners to stay at the resort in rustic cottages with their black slaves, as couples. This place existed, according to the author’s afterword, and finally closed because some of the regulars (white couples who stayed in the main house) didn’t fancy this concubine business going on out in the woods. It’s about Lizzie’s relationships with the other slave women, about their desire to run to safety through the local underground, about them secretly meeting some free blacks, finding out more about abolition, and about the hardships all these black mistresses endured, and how little their lives were valued. A real stunning book. (I was sent this book as a perk from Harper Collins – because I had mentioned The Help. No strings attached – I could choose to mention this book, or not, here on my blog. I’m glad to because it’s a very good read.)
(Jamie Ford, on my Kindle). A poignant story about a Chinese-American, growing up in Seattle at the beginning of World War II. Henry falls in love with a young Japanese girl before her family is interned in a relocation camp. It a very secretive relationship because his parents would highly disapprove. The story goes back to the 40’s and forward to the 1980’s when Henry is in his 50’s and his wife (not the Japanese woman) has just died of cancer. The story pulls you in from the first page, especially when some artifacts are found in the basement of an old hotel which contain personal belongings from several Japanese families who were suddenly taken away back in 1942. You can see where it’s going, can’t you? I heard criticism of this book that it was just a little bit contrived. Halfway through I’m enjoying it very much.
(Kathryn Stockett on my Kindle, an excellent read); 
by Jetta Carleton (Kindle edition, eh); 
by Susan Richards (Kindle edition, good book); 
by Sally Gunning (Kindle edition, very good read)
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(Mario Batali & Gweneth Paltrow); 
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Sorry, I don’t have any photos of this restaurant. Or the food. I know, a picture speaks a thousand words, but I just didn’t feel like photographing in the restaurant that night. It isn’t a fancy place necessarily and casual attire is fine.
Just trust me, okay, that the food is worth it? Our dinner was really wonderful. We ordered a little lighter meal, actually – we both had some local wine (most restaurants in the area serve a preponderance of local wines). They served us some fresh bread including a paper thin baked lavash with some kind of seasoning on it. Very different. VERY good.
We both ordered a scallop appetizer as our entree. It was 3 gorgeous sea scallops on a bed of onion puree with some microgreens sprinkled on top. And some little drizzles (I think it was extra virgin olive oil and balsamic) around the plate. Dave and I both wished we could have picked up the plates and licked them clean. The onion puree was to die for. Probably local sweet onions (Walla Walla sweets) is my guess. Dave had asparagus soup (cold, a brilliant bright green) and I ordered a rustic cherry tart with their house made vanilla bean ice cream. Splendid is all I can say. Hood River isn’t exactly in a mainstream location, but they do have some great restaurants. Don’t miss this one if you happen to be driving through. Open for lunch and dinner, plus Sunday brunch too.
Celilo
16 Oak Street, Hood River, OR
Phone: 541 386-5710
Melynda
said on July 1st, 2009:
It is interesting to see the journey of another traveler who travels the same route and what they saw along the way, compared to your own sightings. I have traveled I84 to Yakima so many times to visit family, but I must say this is the best “trip” I have ever taken. thanks for sharing.
If you go with the plan to really enjoy the food and wine, and the B&B’s, then this area is just full of delightful surprises. Tomorrow we’re off to Yakima and the wineries in that area. Stay tuned. . . carolyn t