The Monk of Mokha
9 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 Sanaâa 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.
A replacement copy, the first being stuck in Australia for too long.
I decided to bend the rules and send it directly to Dark-Dacro to avoid the bottleneck in America for the time being.
To read the entries on the other copy :
https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/15823035
Order :
6 Dark-Draco UK
7 Earthcaroleanne UK
8 Cross-Patch UK
9 greenbadger UK
10 Estelle1806 Ireland
11 Fifna Netherlands
12 dutch-book Netherlands
13 Lamilla Russia (?) . Last reader for this copy.
2 Math-Girl40 Canada
3 Mcsar Canada
5 Valpete USA (swapped with original-slicey)
A replacement copy, the first being stuck in Australia for too long.
I decided to bend the rules and send it directly to Dark-Dacro to avoid the bottleneck in America for the time being.
To read the entries on the other copy :
https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/15823035
Order :
6 Dark-Draco UK
7 Earthcaroleanne UK
8 Cross-Patch UK
9 greenbadger UK
10 Estelle1806 Ireland
11 Fifna Netherlands
12 dutch-book Netherlands
13 Lamilla Russia (?) . Last reader for this copy.
2 Math-Girl40 Canada
3 Mcsar Canada
5 Valpete USA (swapped with original-slicey)
On its way to Dark-Draco.
I hope that you w'll enjoy it.
I hope that you w'll enjoy it.
Journal Entry 4 by 
dark-draco
at Ledbury, Herefordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 12, 2020
dark-draco at Ledbury, Herefordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Received. Thank you. It seems ages since I last had a roundabout book to read đĽł
Journal Entry 5 by dark-draco at Ledbury, Herefordshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 1, 2020
dark-draco at Ledbury, Herefordshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 1, 2020
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 6 by dark-draco at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 15, 2020
dark-draco at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Released 3 yrs ago (9/15/2020 UTC) at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Off to the next reader in the âFavourite Book of 2019â Roundabout.
Journal Entry 7 by 
earthcaroleanne
at Falkirk, Scotland United Kingdom on Sunday, September 20, 2020
earthcaroleanne at Falkirk, Scotland United Kingdom on Sunday, September 20, 2020
Picked up from the post office yesterday.
Because I have a book backlog, I was delighted to find this at my library on audio. It gives me a great chance to catch up. So, it started off fairly straight-forward and a little uninteresting but I truly hate coffee â no one could understand how much I hate coffee. I hate the taste, I hate the smell, I hate the smell on other peopleâs breath and I really hate how it takes forever to make a fancy coffee which causes a huge queue when I just need a teabag and boiled water. Therefore Chapter 14, âThe Basicsâ bored me stupid. And later when they were discussed a coffee and cheese drink - argh!!!! Why? However I will say, a few chapters on and I was really interested in the history. I agree with dark-draco ânaive or stupid, or actually very cleverâ. His journey to try and leave war-torn Yemen did get a bit exciting and frustrating â frustrating for the reader, never mind the people trying to make this journey â and just for a coffee convention!
And apparently I've finished reading this on International Coffee Day. :-)
And apparently I've finished reading this on International Coffee Day. :-)
Journal Entry 9 by earthcaroleanne at South Croxton, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Monday, October 5, 2020
earthcaroleanne at South Croxton, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Monday, October 5, 2020
Released 3 yrs ago (10/5/2020 UTC) at South Croxton, Leicestershire United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sending on in the roundabout.
Journal Entry 10 by 
Cross-patch
at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Sunday, October 11, 2020
Cross-patch at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Sunday, October 11, 2020
Sounds very interesting!
Journal Entry 11 by Cross-patch at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Sunday, November 29, 2020
Cross-patch at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Sunday, November 29, 2020
Another non coffee lover here. I had never heard of this book and would never have bothered with it without this roundabout. It turns out that I was pulled into the narrative by the very strong conviction of Moktar and the fascinating history both of Yemen and coffee itself. Yet again good literature has educated and entertained and I am much the wiser for it. Thank you Icila.
Journal Entry 12 by Cross-patch at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Monday, November 30, 2020
Cross-patch at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Monday, November 30, 2020
Released 3 yrs ago (12/1/2020 UTC) at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way to delight and inform. Enjoy!
Journal Entry 13 by 
greenbadger
at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 9, 2020
greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 9, 2020
It's arrived with me, thank you!
I'm amused to see how many of the readers so far don't like coffee - I can't stand it either.
I'm amused to see how many of the readers so far don't like coffee - I can't stand it either.
Journal Entry 14 by greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 23, 2020
greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 23, 2020
The fantastic true story of a young man, Mokhtar, an American Yemeni. Originally planning to study law when he loses money and gets into debt his dreams are destroyed, and he ends up working as a doorman or 'Lobby Ambassador'. When one day he sees a statue of a Yemeni man with a cup, he finds out about coffee's origins in Yemen and is inspired to start a coffee importing business - bringing the finest coffee to the US and helping Yemen's farmers to break out of poverty. Mokhtar's travels in Yemen and the extreme danger as the situation between the Houtis and Saudi Arabia erupts is fascinating. I didn't like the previous Dave Egger I've read all that much, but this is a great read.
Journal Entry 15 by greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Saturday, January 2, 2021
greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Saturday, January 2, 2021
Released 3 yrs ago (1/2/2021 UTC) at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
The post office are accepting post again now, so this is on its way to estelle1806. Hope it doesn't get stuck in a backlog...
Received in good time, thank you!
Well, it seems I am the only one who did not like this book so far...
I found it a very dry story-telling. It was as if the writer had a train to catch!
As extra-ordinary as the fate of Mokhtar is, the narration of it is quite flat and the character just one-dimensional.
I couldn't wait to finish it!
I found it a very dry story-telling. It was as if the writer had a train to catch!
As extra-ordinary as the fate of Mokhtar is, the narration of it is quite flat and the character just one-dimensional.
I couldn't wait to finish it!
On its way to Fifna, after having paid a hefty postal charge for this hardback cover...
Please let us know when you release it again...
Please let us know when you release it again...
Arrived today, thanks estelle 1806!
Unlike most of the readers so far I do drink coffee. And our office went to a coffee workshop a couple of years ago and learnt a lot about the coffee trade, including its origins in Yemen. So some of the story was familiar, but I also learnt lots more, and found it very interesting. It also prompted me to look up Willem Boot's company here in the Netherlands, and his website talks about Mokhtar too. A great pick for the roundabout, thanks for sharing!
Oh, and at the workshop we also drank that tea made from the cherries - very nice! And then when I was at the Bookcrossing convention in Mainz, we came across it again in a tea shop there, so of course we had to have some.
Oh, and at the workshop we also drank that tea made from the cherries - very nice! And then when I was at the Bookcrossing convention in Mainz, we came across it again in a tea shop there, so of course we had to have some.
Released 2 yrs ago (5/3/2021 UTC) at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Travelling to dutch-book. Apologies for the delay. It doesn't fit through the letterbox and my parcel point was closed for a while. Back in business now though!
Journal Entry 22 by 
dutch-book
at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Tuesday, May 4, 2021
dutch-book at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Tuesday, May 4, 2021
This has arrived here. Since Lamilla stepped out of the roundabout a while back, it seems I am the last reader.
Journal Entry 23 by dutch-book at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Monday, May 31, 2021
dutch-book at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Monday, May 31, 2021
I am an occassional coffee drinker but nothing too fancy. Coffee tends to give me heart palpitations. I knew nothing about the origins of coffee.
I enjoyed the story but some parts annoyed me. Like the fact that Mokhtar can talk his way out of every situation, people seem mesmerized by his story about coffee from Yemen. Not quite buying it. Also I thought he needlessly endangered others by refusing to leave Yemen while the US government implored their US citizens to leave while they could. Then he seems mad that the government doesn't help to get them out when all infrastructure is shot. Dude, they told you to leave when you could!
Also there is this portrayal that he is poor, which I don't quite believe as he managed to rent an expensive apartment but also got to travel to multiple countries before he made any money from coffee. Alongside all the borrowing from friends and family. Although this view may very well be my Dutch outlook 'act normal, you're crazy enough as it is.'
For the rest it was a good story and some of the things Mokthar encountered on his way were so frustrating.
I enjoyed the story but some parts annoyed me. Like the fact that Mokhtar can talk his way out of every situation, people seem mesmerized by his story about coffee from Yemen. Not quite buying it. Also I thought he needlessly endangered others by refusing to leave Yemen while the US government implored their US citizens to leave while they could. Then he seems mad that the government doesn't help to get them out when all infrastructure is shot. Dude, they told you to leave when you could!
Also there is this portrayal that he is poor, which I don't quite believe as he managed to rent an expensive apartment but also got to travel to multiple countries before he made any money from coffee. Alongside all the borrowing from friends and family. Although this view may very well be my Dutch outlook 'act normal, you're crazy enough as it is.'
For the rest it was a good story and some of the things Mokthar encountered on his way were so frustrating.
Journal Entry 24 by dutch-book at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Monday, May 31, 2021
dutch-book at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Monday, May 31, 2021
Released 2 yrs ago (5/31/2021 UTC) at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Traveling back home.
Back to me, thank you dutch-book for mailing and all of you for your reviews.
Reserved as my June Offer on greenbadger's "One book a month offered 2021."
Reserved as my June Offer on greenbadger's "One book a month offered 2021."
In the mail towards Paulanni in Finland. Enjoy !
Journal Entry 27 by Paulanni at Riihimäki, Kanta-Häme / Egentliga Tavastland Finland on Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Paulanni at Riihimäki, Kanta-Häme / Egentliga Tavastland Finland on Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Thank you for offering the book, Icila. It took exactly 4 weeks to travel, while I received the other book from you (newer roundabout one) two days ago, after less than two week's travel. I think the heavier the parcel, the longer it takes to travel. Makes sense, sort of, as the heavy books are not able to run as fast!
I look forward to reading this book as I love coffee and am used to drinking a lot of it. Just regular, filtered coffee, nothing fancy.
I look forward to reading this book as I love coffee and am used to drinking a lot of it. Just regular, filtered coffee, nothing fancy.
