When I was a teenager, I had an insatiable appetite for novels. Nowadays, I seem to read only Non-Fiction, but there are certain novels I hold dear. The Thorn Birds is one of them.

Set in the Australian Outback, it tells the story of the Cleary family’s many tragedies and triumphs. A special emphasis is placed on the forbidden relationship between the daughter, Meggie, and her priest, Father Ralph.

Not being a Catholic, it’s hard to understand why Priests can’t marry. Rabbis certainly do. Anyway, I found this book gripping. Colleen McCullough has a beautiful writing style—vivid and concise. She weaves real historical events into the book perfectly.

This book was so successful, it was made into a miniseries with Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward. I own both the novel and the miniseries. It’s very hard to say which is more entertaining, however, the two versions differ. Both are available, new and used.

If you’re looking for a good tearjerker, The Thorn Birds is it!

Have you read or watched The Thorn Birds?

Before I ever read the book, I watched the documentary, “Crazy Love” on Sundance Channel. To call it “Crazy,” is just; to call that farce “love” is absurd! Read on so I may elaborate…

Burt and Linda are a couple in love. Things are complicated, since Burt is already married and has a Special Needs child. Linda demands he divorce and remarry her. Burt lies, schemes, and eventually loses Linda. In an effort to win her back, he hires some thugs to pour acid in her face, maiming and blinding her for life!

Cue the media firestorm and melodramatic trial. Burt goes to prison; Linda tries to adjust as a blind person. It should rightfully end there. Instead, time goes by, love is renewed, Burt is released, and they get married.

Think about that: Who could marry the man that blinded them?!  Certainly not anyone rational.

This book is no longer in print, but you can find a used cheapie on Amazon.

Would you ever reunite with a man who abused you? (Please say no!)

If you’re looking for a Jewish cookbook, I highly recommend this one by Evelyn Rose. She is a renowned British Chef who’s been cooking for decades.

Many of the recipes are old favorites—challah, chicken soup, brisket, etc. The most unique thing about this book is that Mrs. Rose lists 3 different cooking temperatures—Fahrenheit, Celsius, and English Gas Mark—so wherever you are in the world, you can use it!

There’s a treasure-trove of info on cooking for crowds, and sample Holiday menus that are really helpful.

It was originally released in the 1970’s, revised in the 1990’s, and released yet again in 2011. I have the ’90’s edition without photos, but the newest version has many.

I plan to post my picks from The New Complete International Jewish Cookbook in the future, especially some for Passover!

What’s your favorite Jewish cookbook?

Update: I can’t believe Phillip Seymour Hoffman died shortly after I posted this! He was an amazing actor, especially as Truman Capote. So sad!

Since I’m always on the lookout for book recommendations, I thought I’d offer some of my own favorites.

I’m starting with an oldie, but goodie, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. This is one of the best True Crime books ever written, if not the best. Capote is credited with inventing the “Non-Fiction Novel,” and it truly does read like a novel.

It’s about the senseless murder of a Kansas farm family in 1959. Many times, I’ve thought about the Clutter family, in their isolated farmhouse, on the lonesome prairie, struck down by two vicious killers.

Killed for nothing, by nobodies, looking for a “big score.” (Which ended up being nothing more than $40, binoculars, and a radio.)

There were multiple movies made as well, but the book tops them all!

Have you read In Cold Blood?