Historically known as “heaven on earth,” this next country is one which Mia (our club co-founder) chose. However, it’s also the country I visited first in my life. Well, when I was in the womb as my intrepid parents decided they needed to visit this land before settling down. My mom brought dried milk to ensure I stayed nourished, hacked her way through the jungle, & paddled in canoes with members of an indigenous tribe all while she was 6 months pregnant with me!
Can you guess which land we’re referring to from the unique tidbits from Factpacker?
It’s 1 of the 17 most biodiverse nations on the planet—no wonder since it contains warm-water islands, icy masses, mountains, canyons, rivers, deserts, high country meadows, marshlands, forests, & jungles.
It’s also the location of the oldest lake on Earth.
That’s not to mention the 25,000 species of its national flower, more than 3,900 species of fungi, 23% of the world’s reptiles, & 50% of the world’s amphibians!
Despite its biodiversity, it’s also 1 of the leading oil exporters with the price of oil actually being cheaper than water there.
Another interesting fact is that it offers a choice to its children allowing them to decide whether they want to attend school in the mornings, afternoons, or nights.
Any guesses which country we’re referring to yet?
What if I noted that this land features…
Beautiful women boasting of more Miss World winners than any other nation.
The world’s sixth-largest national park with the mountain that inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World.
Folks in its capital city strapping on roller skates & gliding to Christmas Mass. Yep, this tradition has become so popular that the government took to closing streets until 8am so that families could skate together to mass in safety.
So what country are we reading next?
It’s la República Bolivariana de Venezuela (i.e., the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) as it’s officially known or Venezuela as its commonly called. And if you’re wondering what its national flower is—it’s the exquisite orchid!
Before we get to your book suggestions, I wanted to spotlight a wonderful cookbook that is also on a mission to support refugees including those from Venezuela. From now until March of 2022, the publishers will donate 2% of the cover price for every copy sold to the International Rescue Committee, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing humanitarian aid, relief, & resettlement to refugees. (This includes cookbook sales in the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, & EU member states. See rescue.org/cookbook for more info about the IRC.)
The Kitchen Without Borders is a special kind of cookbook. In it, chefs from around the world—all part of Eat Offbeat, a NYC catering company staffed by immigrants and refugees who have found a new home and new hope through cooking—offer up to 70 authentic, surprising, nourishing recipes. The food has roots that run as deep as its flavors, celebrating the culinary traditions of Syria, Iran, Eritrea, Venezuela, and more. Discover a mouth-watering Venezuelan street food called Cachapas, fried corn cakes topped with melted butter and cheese. Iraqi Biryani, a rice dish combining vegetables and plump dried fruits with warming spices. Chari Bari, hand formed meatballs simmered in a Nepali-spiced tomato and cashew sauce. Iranian rice with garbanzos, Sri Lankan curry dhal, and Manchurian cauliflower straight from the Himalayas.
More than a collection of delicious foods from around the world, this inspiring cookbook—with its intimate chef profiles and photographic portraits—offers a glimpse into the journey of displaced people and features the inheritance of flavor carrying memories from a faraway land.
So inspiring & I hope you’ll join me in purchasing this delicious cookbook. But now onto the books for the club.
HAVE ANY BOOK SUGGESTIONS?
Just let us know your Venezuelan suggestions by Fri., July 23 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 2 suggestions from book club members, 2 of my suggestions, & 2 suggestions from Mia to compile a list of 6 books on which book club members will provide their thoughts. 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 described is an alternate reality
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