Leslie Zemeckis's Blog - Posts Tagged "martini"

This is the reason we write books. This is the reason we read books. A story about something; love, sacrifice, spirituality and belief, set in an exotic setting of Ethiopia. So pour a coffee martini (coffee's their drink, martini is a tribute to the book when it moves to NY). I was hooked - no pun intended - by this story of Siamese Twins (my documentary Bound by Flesh is on the Hilton twins). But this book and its doctor(s) heros moved me like I haven't been moved in so long. The love the author poured into taking his time with his characters, and the turbulent political setting makes me wonder why I didn't pick up this book before. As you know - I don't give away plot, just suggest the drink to go with it and say "yes" don't wait like I did. A great - and I mean great - book.

Book two in the trilogy series by master author Ken Follett. A monster of a book (I liked part one better)I was engaged and then I wasn't. Where I cannot fault his writing and storytelling some parts absolutely riveting and surprising (I hate when bad things happen to main characters - and I LOVE it.) but a lot of it was dull information about Soviets and nuclear bombs - and politics - necessary but the most boring parts. I could only recommend this hefty doorstop if one really wanted to settle into a book for quite sometime.
If so pour the following Freedom Martini:
3 cups good cold gin
1/2 c. vermouth
3 T. lemon, throw in a little zest for fun
shake with ice, pour and hope you make it past the Nazi torture bits in one piece.

Well, better make that a double dirty martini: 3 oz good vodka (you'll need it good) chilled, 1 oz dry vermouth, just slightly more than 1/2 ox olive brine, stirred, strain sip and forgive this ultimately disappointing read. Ava Gardner, notorious drinker, man-eater, beauty. I was already to hear from her own lips tales about her affairs with Howard Hughes and marriages to Artie Shaw, Mickey Rooney (that needed explaining) and Sinatra. What this book is instead is mainly an ongoing page after page argument with Ava and her ghostwriter Peter Evans. Okay after the fourth or fifth argument "are you sure we should write that honey?" I wanted Mr. Evans to step out of the way, stop interrupting her late night rambling conversations where he could have gleaned more, possibly finished the book (before she quit) but he insisted she keep to a chronological order which she did not want to do. A mess of a book, as much of a mess as the woman herself, a sad, fierce woman who cannot sleep because of her guilt and her regrets. Someone needs to pick up her story and complete it, martinis, hangovers and one-night stands all.

There are several warnings - no, as you know I barely discuss plot, I won't be giving out spoilers. I hate when a reviewer tells the plot. First careful when you buy this book, I see it listed under different titles. I've made the mistake of ordering another of Jussi Adler-Olsen's books and then realized they are listed under multiple titles. The second warning is DO NOT READ THIS BOOK AT NIGHT. This book is so deliciously creepy the only accompanying drink I can think of is a warm peppermint martini with coffee to keep you awake.
1 oz peppermint schnapps
1/2 oz vodka
1/2 oz espresso warm
1 tsp creme de menthe
good rich dark chocolate
I love this writer. He thrills me and makes me laugh. This is a Dept Q novel - with the wonderful Detective Morck, his Pakistani assistant Assad, and his punk asst. Rose. Anything involving the disappearance of children is enough to raise the hackles. Its got a spectacular car chase that will keep you on the edge of your seat rooting for the outcome.

Taos Tini: 2oz tequila
1oz Cointreau
1/2 oz on
1/2 a line
A dash if cayenne
Mix and pour into two small martini glasses then settle in for this sometimes slow, occasionally repetitive book on the Oul Standard heiress Millicent Rogers. A delicate beauty with fragile health this woman born in 1902 led a life if art beauty and fashion- however she was more than a trendsetter she was a great philanthropist and champion of American Indians . An arguably neglectful mother she led a trail of romances, including Clark a Gable in her sable-cloaked wake. The book gives depth to what could have been a shallow rebelling of courtiers best customer. Living with the shadow of death always looming Rogers made much if her brief sojourn on earth. We'll worth the read.