Today we publish the first in a new series on A Reading Life titled Recipes for Life and written by Margo. Margo will be pairing books and recipes for your enjoyment.

As a young girl some of my early and fondest memories were visits to the Lake Hills Public Library. In the summer I could ride my bike on a shortcut trail that ran alongside the blueberry farm. I still remember that sense of wonderment walking into the library: the quiet hush, the faint leathery smell of books, the coolness on a hot summer day, the librarian seated in the center. I’d quietly make my way to familiar ground where new adventures awaited me.

Award winning books by authors such as Lois Lenski and Eleanor Estes, transported me across the country to remote places and new experiences. Those days are long gone, but have etched a love for the library in me.

My most recent book trip took me to the East coast in Alan Brennert’s latest book Palisades Park. He is best known for Molokai, a popular book club read. Palisades Park is part saga, part history spanning 40 years.

The story begins in 1922, at Palisades Amusement Park in New Jersey, where you meet Eddie Stopka as a young boy. It’s an unbearable hot summer day and Eddie’s father has arranged for the family to go to the park. Everything, including the sights, sounds and smells packaged with thrilling rides, French fried potatoes, and the largest pool Eddie has ever seen, makes a memorable impression on Eddie that day.

As a young man, Eddie makes his way back to Palisades Park and a job where he will eventually meet his wife, Adele, and have two kids. When Eddie enlists in the service during WWII and leaves his wife with the responsibility of running their concession stand and raising their kids, the story takes a twist. Things are not the same when Eddie returns home.

Palisades Park is also the story of Eddie and Adele’s daughter Toni, who has grown up at the park and has dreams of becoming a high diver. At an early age she is captivated when she sees legendary high wire and high diver Arthur Holden perform at Palisades Park. Brennart’s research is extensive but also based on his recollections of Palisades Park, where he grew up within a few miles of the park. Palisades Park portrays an era gone by but not forgotten.

Whether it’s a trip to a theme park or just getting outdoors after a long Northwest winter and spring, summer is a time for new adventure.

Recipe for Adventure: Stop in the library or go online and download an e-book, get a comfortable chair and place it preferably outdoors. Pour yourself a refreshing glass of Tzao Passion fruit lemonade tea, sit down with that book you’ve been meaning to read and enjoy. Remember Summer Reading is for grown-ups too. This is the second year Everett Public Library has offered a summer reading program for adults. Stop in or visit our website @ www.epls.org and or click on Adult Summer Reading http://www.epls.org/asr/.

Passion fruit Lemonade Tea Recipe

3 bags passion fruit tea to two quarts water brewed or sun method
Mix equal parts to lemonade or to taste
Add ice

Margo