The Monk of Mokha
7 journalers for this copy...
"The Monk of Mokha is the exhilarating true story of a young Yemeni American man, raised in San Francisco, who dreams of resurrecting the ancient art of Yemeni coffee but finds himself trapped in Sana’a by civil war. "
Did you know that the beverage that we call coffee was first made in Yemen? It was and it was made by the title character of this book, a Sufi monk who smuggled the first plants out of Ethiopia back when nobody in Ethiopia knew what those "weeds" were.
This is not a textbook, but it certainly is a fascinating, non-fiction book about the middle East and the hazards of the coffee industry.
Did you know that the beverage that we call coffee was first made in Yemen? It was and it was made by the title character of this book, a Sufi monk who smuggled the first plants out of Ethiopia back when nobody in Ethiopia knew what those "weeds" were.
This is not a textbook, but it certainly is a fascinating, non-fiction book about the middle East and the hazards of the coffee industry.
My choice for the 2019 Roundabout.
Order :
1 Billbooks Australia > The book is here.
2 Math-Girl40 Canada
3 Mcsar Canada
4 original-slicey USA (swapped with Valpette) . Please skip.
5 Valpete USA (swapped with original-slicey)
6 Dark-Draco UK > another copy on its way for the European participants.
To read the other entries :
https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/15981308/
7 Earthcaroleanne UK
8 Cross-Patch UK
9 greenbadger UK
10 Estelle1806 Ireland
11 Fifna Netherlands
12 dutch-book Netherlands
13 Lamilla Belarus
14 Back to Icila France
Order :
1 Billbooks Australia > The book is here.
2 Math-Girl40 Canada
3 Mcsar Canada
4 original-slicey USA (swapped with Valpette) . Please skip.
5 Valpete USA (swapped with original-slicey)
6 Dark-Draco UK > another copy on its way for the European participants.
To read the other entries :
https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/15981308/
7 Earthcaroleanne UK
8 Cross-Patch UK
9 greenbadger UK
10 Estelle1806 Ireland
11 Fifna Netherlands
12 dutch-book Netherlands
13 Lamilla Belarus
14 Back to Icila France
Finally can't believe what a horrible year 2020 has been. My favourite book round about fell apaert but the healing process is beginning. Was about to pass this book on to Mathgirl when like any good reader I sat down and have started to read it. Sorry Mathgirl just a few days more Melbourne is in stage4 lockdown co-vid gone wild so reading has leapt to a high priority as I can't keep worrying about what's happened and move forward and reading does help !!
Well folks he did it getting the groove back and reading. Can't say I enjoyed it as muchas Icila but it was intriguing read about a persons determination to achieve his dream Thought if got bogged down in parts but overall a satisfying read to reboot my Book Crossing life. Now onto Mathgitl40
This book has arrived in Canada. Looking forward to reading it!
I really enjoyed this story, which exemplifies what I (as a Canadian) would imagine the "American Dream" to be. I am also an enthusiastic coffee drinker, as is the rest of my family, and we regularly buy fair-trade beans from a local roaster. It was fun to share some of the facts I learned about coffee's history (especially its origins in Yemen) from this book with my family members as we sat drinking our coffee at breakfast.
Thank you, Icila, for providing this book, and to Billbooks for managing to send the book in the midst of very trying times for you!
Thank you, Icila, for providing this book, and to Billbooks for managing to send the book in the midst of very trying times for you!
This book is on its way to mcsar now.
The book is here. I will start reading soon.
Wow, what a tale! It is an amazing story and it is lucky he came out unscathed.
I am also an enthusiastic coffee drinker, and this gives me an added level of appreciation of my daily cup. I usually buy fair trade from my local roaster and now I have more reasons to do so. I don't think I have tried Yemen beans in particular but I will be on the lookout for them.
I am also an enthusiastic coffee drinker, and this gives me an added level of appreciation of my daily cup. I usually buy fair trade from my local roaster and now I have more reasons to do so. I don't think I have tried Yemen beans in particular but I will be on the lookout for them.
On its way to valpete.
Received!
An excellent book for the Roundabout! I learned so much about coffee and will not be taking it so much for granted as I enjoy my morning cup from now on. On to the next reader.
Journal Entry 13 by dark-draco at Ledbury, Herefordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Received. I have already read this book .... this was what I had to say about it....
This book surprised me!
I'm not a coffee drinker and I didn't think I would be at all interested in this, but the writing is superb and you are drawn into the story of Mokthar. Maybe he's a bit naive or stupid, or actually very clever, but his ability to hold onto his dream when his world is literally being torn apart, is admirable.
Of course, the sense of jeopardy is somewhat removed as you know he will get out of Yemen and survive - after all, he introduces the book along with the author! But it is interesting to see how he manages it and you can't help but be frustrated by all the petty bureaucracy, racism, terrorism and political ideals that he has to fight against on his journey.
An enjoyable read - and makes me want to try drinking coffee again!
This book surprised me!
I'm not a coffee drinker and I didn't think I would be at all interested in this, but the writing is superb and you are drawn into the story of Mokthar. Maybe he's a bit naive or stupid, or actually very clever, but his ability to hold onto his dream when his world is literally being torn apart, is admirable.
Of course, the sense of jeopardy is somewhat removed as you know he will get out of Yemen and survive - after all, he introduces the book along with the author! But it is interesting to see how he manages it and you can't help but be frustrated by all the petty bureaucracy, racism, terrorism and political ideals that he has to fight against on his journey.
An enjoyable read - and makes me want to try drinking coffee again!
Journal Entry 14 by dark-draco at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Thursday, February 11, 2021
Released 3 yrs ago (2/11/2021 UTC) at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
SURPRISE
I hope you enjoy your wishlist RABCK.
I hope you enjoy your wishlist RABCK.
The book is here, along with some chocolate and labels. It was a lovely surprise that brightened up a damp and dreary day here. Thank you very much.