“Books for Chilly Evenings”
Published in Caledon Living, Autumn 2006:
Wine for the longer nights, supernatural activities and substantial furniture that no unseen force should be able to hurl about, are the themes for this autumn. Pour yourself a glass, sit back, and get the chills from some unexplained phenomena!
The Encyclopedia of Shaker Furniture
By Timothy D. Rieman and Jean M. Burks
Surely the definitive reference for Shaker furniture, this is a huge, beautiful book about beautiful furniture. The simple lines and quality craftsmanship of Shaker pieces make them highly popular for almost any décor but most of all, for country style.
The Shakers’ design philosophy is neatly summed up with the words: “Material goods such as furniture were to be functional and humble, not fashionable and grandiose.”
More than a collection of photographs of furniture, this volume also gives the history of the origins of the Shaker religion, an analysis of Shaker design and its colour palette, and a glossary of Shaker terms.
Schiffer Publishing, $125.00
When Beds Float: Examining the Poltergeist Enigma
By Michael Clarkson
Written by a retired, cynical police reporter for daily newspapers, this book presents theories for and case studies of poltergeist activities. Also considered to be “spontaneous psychokinesis,” these unexplained phenomena include physical objects floating or moving through the air. Sometimes items smash into walls, furniture and even people.
Often, disturbed children or adolescents are present when the incidents occur. Some activities have even been photographed, although unfortunately, they aren’t printed in this book. While some cases have turned out to be fraudulent, many remain unexplained and even alarming to the young people associated with them.
Clarkson explains that, long ago, demons used to be thought responsible, but then ghosts of the dead came to be blamed. Current theories involve unusual yet scientific explanations like zero gravity and human electricity.
“I now suspect that poltergeists exist, or at least a type of poltergeist energy exists,” declares Clarkson.
This is a spooky book for a fun read on a dark and stormy night!Key Porter Books, $24.95
Clueless About Wine
By Richard Kitowski & Jocelyn Klemm
Caledon Living’s own wine columnists have revised and updated their best selling, award-winning guide. Although they claim to cover the basics of wine, they really cover quite a bit more.
Subjects include all the world’s wine-producing countries and regions, how to taste (actually, smell) wine, and how to match wines with various foods, recommendations that go way beyond serving white with fish and red with meat.
It’s unlikely that many readers will find this a basic instruction, for instance: “The wine you cook with should be of the same style or grape variety as what you are drinking. This forms a bridge between the wine in the glass and the wine in the sauce.”
Tips are also given for what to do when a server opens a bottle of wine for you, and the proper etiquette for visiting a winery. Two points are not to walk in the vineyards without permission, and not to touch the grapes.
The book wraps up with information about keeping your own wine cellar, and which wines to age for 15 years or more, another topic that most readers will not regard as basic.
If you’re looking for a book that provides a good education about almost every aspect of wine, this can turn you from clueless to very well clued in.
Key Porter Books, $21.95
By Gloria Hildebrandt