Book Club

BOOK OF THE WEEK with Linda Jennings. Sesame & Spice: Baking from the East End to the Middle East, Anne Shooter, ISBN 9781472223609 (Headline) BD13.900  for Gulf Weekly Book Club members

CINNAMON, honey, dates, almonds, apples and pomegranate — these are all flavours that we have grown to love and enjoy and, here in this stunning book of recipes, Anne Shooter has created cakes and bakes that celebrate these wonderful traditional ingredients from the Middle East.

There are cakes laden with fruit and scented with exotic spices, honey cakes alongside cheesecakes and raisin-filled biscuits next to sticky baklava and macaroons — just glorious recipes waiting for you to try!

Anne has always been inspired by the female cooks in her family — her grandmothers, mother and aunts who baked almond cookies, vanilla biscuits and cinnamon balls.

In Sesame & Spice, Anne gives these traditional recipes a very modern interpretation to create her own collection of bakes and cakes for every occasion. A cinnamon coffee cake from the US via Eastern Europe, an apple and blackberry tray-bake, pomegranate drizzle cake from Jerusalem, flourless chocolate, pistachio and walnut brownies, halva shortbread and a chocolate bread and butter pudding.

But this is evolution, not revolution, and Anne has also kept precious family recipes for tahini cookies, smoked haddock puff pastries and the bagels and rye breads from her childhood.

If you love baking, these recipes will take you on a delightful, delicious journey.

* Read it now in paperback
The Miniaturist, Jessie Burton, ISBN 9781447250937  (Picador) BD4.500 for Gulf Weekly Book Club members

ON an autumn day in 1686, 18-year-old Nella Oortman knocks at the door of a grand house in the wealthiest quarter of Amsterdam.

She has come from the country to begin a new life as the wife of illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt, but instead she is met by his sharp-tongued sister, Marin. Only later does Johannes appear and present her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. It is to be furnished by an elusive miniaturist, whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in unexpected ways.

Nella is at first mystified by the closed world of the Brandt household, but as she uncovers its secrets she realises the escalating dangers that await them all. Does the miniaturist hold their fate in her hands? And will she be the key to their salvation or the architect of their downfall?

Beautiful, intoxicating and filled with heart-pounding suspense, The Miniaturist is a magnificent story of love and obsession, betrayal and retribution, appearance and truth and has deservedly held the No. 1 position in the best-selling charts since its publication date in paperback two weeks ago.

* My favourite read-of-the-week
Power Play, Danielle Steele, ISBN 9780552165877  (Corgi) BD4.500 for Gulf Weekly Book Club members

FIONA Carson has proven herself as CEO of a multibillion-dollar high-tech company but she still has to meet the challenges of her world every day.

 Devoted single mother, world-class strategist and tough negotiator, she weighs every move she makes and reserves any personal time for her children. Isolation and constant pressure are givens for her as a woman in a man’s world.

Meanwhile, Marshall Weston basks in the fruits of his achievements. At his side is his wife Liz, the perfect, supportive corporate spouse, who has gladly sacrificed her own law career to raise their three children. Smooth, shrewd, and irreproachable, Marshall is a model chief executive, and the power he wields only enhances his charisma. And to maintain his position, he harbours secrets that could destroy his life at any moment.

Both CEOs must face their own demons and fight off those who are jealous of their success. Their lives at the head of major companies come at a high price. But just how high a price are they willing to pay? Who are they willing to sacrifice to stay on top? Those they love or themselves?

Power Play is a compelling, heart-rending portrayal of love, family and career -— the perfect read for fans of Penny Vincenzi, Susan Lewis and Lesley Pearce.