But first you gotta guess which country we’re adventuring to next.
You might be wondering why an image of coffee & a pastry is included here when I usually display a beautiful image of the country we’re visiting next. That’s because what inspired my choice of this country was coffee.
There’s a cafe in my neighborhood with a unique name & delicious coffee/pastries. When I asked about the name, I was told that it describes an important part of this country’s culture—the social coffee break. This shocked me because when I think of this country, I never think of coffee & certainly wouldn’t have thought that a coffee break could be a bigger deal than where I live in NYC. However, this tradition is taken so seriously that it’s built into a part of the daily schedule even at many companies with two 10-30 minute breaks added into the day specifically to drink coffee & bond with other employees.
Know which country I’m talking about? What if I name that coffee tradition & that coffee shop—Fika?
If you’re just as clueless as I was about fika, then perhaps if I mention clean cities, ice hockey, & music?
Or the Northern Lights, Spotify, or Candy Crush…or you hear the music below from this movie?
So what country are we reading next?
If you haven’t guessed by now, that’s Abba’s music above from the movie, Mamma Mia & the country is Sweden!
Fika (both my local cafe & the idea of the social coffee break) is amazing as is this wonderful cookbook which details the art of the Swedish coffee break & includes sweet illustrations along with delicious treats.
If you’re looking for some lovely recipes, this book is darling. My three favorites from it are:
Kladdkaka (Sticky Chocolate Cake)
Mjuka Pepparkakor (Soft Ginger Cookies)
Pannkakor (Jam-topped Swedish Pancakes)
So good!
HAVE ANY BOOK CLUB SUGGESTIONS?
Just let us know your suggestions from Sweden by Tues., Sept. 24 11PM ET.
(That's NYC time. See this converted to your local time below.)
We'll use 2 suggestions from book club members, 2 suggestions from Mia (the book club co-founder), & 2 of my suggestions to compile a list of 6 books on which book club members will provide their thoughts. The book judged as best from the list will then be read.
Please note - We're specific in our books, they must:
Largely occur in the location specified unless the world described is an alternate reality (e.g., fantasy, sci fi, 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