May 10th 2024.
Caroline Eden, an author and journalist, has found solace in her basement kitchen in Edinburgh. She has recently published a book where she shares recipes from her travels, reflects on her past adventures, and ponders on the kitchen's ability to narrate human stories.
Looking back on her reading journey, Caroline fondly remembers being enamored with the Choose Your Own Adventure paperbacks that were popular in the 1980s. She was fascinated by the idea of entering a world and choosing her own role, leading to exciting adventures and different endings. These books may have also sparked her wanderlust, with titles like Mystery of the Maya and Mountain Survival.
When asked about a book she would recommend to everyone, Caroline enthusiastically suggests Jigsaw by Sybille Bedford. This novel, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1989, is partly autobiographical and transports readers to European worlds that no longer exist, mainly the French Riviera. Bedford's descriptive writing, particularly when it comes to meals, captivated Caroline.
Reflecting on the past year, Caroline shares her top three reads: Volcanic: Vesuvius in the Age of Revolutions by John Brewer, Tourists by Lucy Lethbridge, and High Caucasus by Tom Parfitt. Volcanic is a momentous and captivating book that delves into the lives of those who traveled to the famous Vesuvius. Tourists explores the history of British travelers and their experiences, both fascinating and grim. High Caucasus is a travel book that Caroline describes as the best she has read in years, taking readers on a journey through a part of Russia that is now inaccessible.
While Caroline has enjoyed many books, there is one she did not finish - The Eighth Life by Nino Haratischwili. Although she found the epic tale about Georgia in the South Caucasus absorbing, she couldn't bring herself to finish the 900-page saga. It was like a marathon that she couldn't complete due to its length.
An author who has greatly inspired Caroline is Carla Grissmann, particularly her book Dinner of Herbs: Village Life in Turkey in the 1960s. She admires Carla's bravery, trust in the road, open-mindedness, and insatiable curiosity. Caroline believes that more people should know about her and her work.
When it comes to her favorite place to read, Caroline loves being on a quiet train with a large flask of strong coffee, preferably on the LNER service between Edinburgh Waverley and Kings Cross. This is where she can fully immerse herself in a good book.
Caroline, who currently resides in Edinburgh, has had her work featured in popular publications such as The Guardian, The Times Literary Supplement, Daily Telegraph, and Financial Times. Her latest book, Cold Kitchen, is available for purchase from Bloomsbury.
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