As you can see, we’re getting the book club back on track in starting our book suggestion & voting cycle mid-month so folks can get the winning book for June in advance. Yay!
Our moderator, Sue, picked this next country. Can you guess which it is based on this list of facts from 12Go?
This country is home to over 700 different languages & dialects.
It boasts of being the Guinness World Record holder for the “largest packet of instant noodles” weighing 14,65,937 lbs (664,938 kg)— 8,000 times a regular packet! It even included a seasoning sachet & was fit for human consumption.
Canada has the longest coastline in the world. This place has the 2nd longest.
It’s known as the “Lost World of [area]” because it’s the playground of increasingly rare & beautiful animals that are reaching critical levels of endangerment. :(
Enacted in severe cases, this land enforces the death penalty by firing squad.
This country is home to the biggest Buddhist temple in the world.
It’s capital is the most Instagrammed in [this area of the world].
In 1976, it was the 1st developing country to operate a domestic satellite system.
Any guesses as to which country this is? What if I told you that…
It & Monaco have completely identical flags—this country’s flag is just slightly wider.
It’s made up of over 17,000 islands & 1 is home to the tallest island peak on Earth.
The world’s biggest flower grows here—the “corpse lily” which smells of rotting flesh. The plants grow to 8 ft (2.4 m) tall with leaves 13 ft (4 m) wide.
This land is literally the hottest spot on the Pacific Ring of Fire, has the world’s largest volcanic lake, & had 1 of the world’s largest volcano eruptions….
Erupting in 1883, the volcano let loose gigantic tsunamis that killed 36,000+. The sound emitted by the eruption was the loudest sound ever heard with it reaching ears 2,891 miles (4,653 km) away. Ash fell on ships that were 3,775 miles (6,076 km) away. The straits above were covered in darkness for 20 hours & unusual sunsets occurred in the US for an unbelievable 3 years afterwards despite it being 9,824 miles (15,811 km) away.
So what country are we reading?
It’s Indonesia (aka the Republic of Indonesia) & the volcano was Krakatoa! Before we get to your suggestions, I hope you take mine to pick up this outstanding cookbook by an Indonesian/Australian chef which the NY Times selected as 1 of the best cookbooks of 2020! It’s also featured in Food & Wine, Epicurious, Travel + Leisure, Saveur, & more.
You’ll be transported to the bountiful islands of Indonesia by this collection of fragrant, colorful & mouth-watering recipes…
Coconut & Sambal reveals the secrets behind authentic Indonesian cookery. With more than 80 traditional and vibrant recipes that have been passed down through the generations, you will discover dishes such as Nasi goreng, Beef rendang, Chilli prawn satay and Pandan cake, alongside a variety of recipes for sambals: fragrant, spicy relishes that are undoubtedly the heart and soul of every meal.
Lara Lee uses simple techniques and easily accessible ingredients throughout Coconut and Sambal, interweaving the recipes with beguiling tales of island life and gorgeous travel photography that shines a light on the magnificent, little-known cuisine of Indonesia.
“Tells the story of the food, both through memories and evocative explanations, as it introduces us to the flavours and feel of the Indonesian kitchen, and explains not only how to cook the food, but how to eat it. It's impossible to read it without being both inspired and very hungry!” —Nigella Lawson, famed English food writer & tv cook
”Start with Lara's fragrant chicken soup, do lots of exploring on the way whilst dousing everything with spoonfuls of sambal, and end with her coconut and pandan sponge cake.” —Yotam Ottolenghi, noted Israeli/British chef, restaurateur, & food writer
HAVE ANY BOOK SUGGESTIONS?
Just let us know your Indonesian suggestions by Fri., May 20 11PM ET. (That’s NYC time. See it converted to your time below.)
You can comment with your suggestion below or in our online book club in Facebook.
We'll use 1 suggestion from each moderator, 1 suggestion from an admin, & 2 suggestions from book club members to compile a list of 6 books. The book judged as best will then be read.
Please note - We're specific in our books, they must:
Largely occur in the location specified unless the world/situation described is not specific to a country (e.g., sci fi, fantasy, some poetry, philosophical books, etc.)
Be written by an author born there who has spent a good portion of their life there
Exist in paperback & ebook available on both Amazon & Kindle at least in the US & hopefully elsewhere
Also, we love it when folks suggest books which are also available in audio format. While we know this isn’t always possible so it is not a requirement, it is more inclusive & something for which all of us should strive.