If you are a football fan, like I am, you know that David Goldblatt's new book is a must read. His vast knowledge of the game and extensive research goes beyond what's happening within 90 minutes between twenty-two players on the football field. To the fans it is so much more: it's passion, sense of belonging, dedication, religion - and Goldblatt manages to capture that and so much more. Football has gotten into every aspect of today's world and every aspect of our lives. Exploring socio-economic, political, national and global implications of the game throughout continents, teams and competitions, Goldblatt will take you on a journey - through football and the world in the 21st century - that you won't regret taking.
Loosely based on the events that took place during the Orange revolution in Ukraine in the winter of 2004, Independence Square follows the lives of the politicians, protesters and diplomats involved, one way or another. Alternating chapters cover the occurrences during the revolution and the results of it some 13 years later. A British diplomat caught in the middle of it all, politics, manipulation, intrigue, corruption, betrayal; battles won but lives ruined. It's a thriller that will have you turning the pages, and wondering who was it that won; was it the people on the streets or the figures pulling the strings from the shadows?
Queer Eye’s food and wine guru Antoni Porowski leaves the screen and enters our kitchens with his cookbook Antoni in the Kitchen (Rux Martin/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $30). If you haven’t decided on a holiday gift, look no further—this cookbook can be enjoyed and used by a novice, as well as by more experienced home cooks. From easy and fast-to-make appetizers, snacks, and sides to the more elaborate pasta and rice, weeknight, and meat dishes he covers all the bases and makes sure you don’t feel overwhelmed. His guiding principle is that with just a couple of ingredients and a bit of effort, you can have Chicken Milanese, Champagne Lemon Risotto, or even French omelettes for your home brunch extravaganza. The same enthusiasm for food that comes through from Antoni’s appearance on the show is fully evident here, too, and trying out the recipes—whether you are cooking for yourself or preparing for a party—will bring you joy.
