Journey to Chogetsu
Part II of The Monticello Connection Fay’s “other house” was quite a bit different from mine: hers was famous. I’d already read about it, in Architectural Digest. It was called Chogetsu. (Moon Tide.) Architectural Digest (May 1985) “Hewn by Hand” In the 1980s, Mr Hara had been commissioned to build a Japanese complex on seven acres […]
Delphic Oracle en Route: Venice
For this month, instead of a recipe Katherine shares some recent dining highlights from her recent travels that fit the principles of the Delphic Oracle Diet (Know Thyself and Nothing in Excess). (Photos 1 & 2) Giardini morning market: vegetables, tomatoes and herbs; (3) Breakfast in Venice: oranges and smoked salmon; (4 & 5) Langoustines, […]
Venice in the Snow
Katherine was in Venice during the massive, unseasonal blizzard that swept through Europe and took these gorgeous photos of the city draped in a blanket of snow.
Think (Millennial) Pink for Valentine’s Day
Katherine in Japan In celebration of Valentine’s Day, I’ve collected some of my favorite pink things to share! I love pink in all its various hues and was thrilled to learn that my MacBook Air is, in fact, ‘millennial pink’ and it matches my Italian designer, Fratelli Rossetti, shoes. (My only concession to brand names […]
Vichyssoise a la Ritz
This lesson in the correct French pronunciation of Vichyssoise (with a great recipe) is from Craig Claiborne’s 1961 NY Times cookbook. Bon Appétit! Vichyssoise a la Ritz serves 8 – 10 Adapted from Craig Claiborne’s The New York Times Cook Book 4 leeks (white base), sliced thin 1 white onin, sliced thin 1/4 […]
The Monticello Connection
One very hot June, shortly after buying the Japanese house, I was standing on the west lawn of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, waiting for us to be called into the big open tent for our annual Cabinet dinner. The 250 Cabinet members fly in or drive in from everywhere and meet once a year for a […]
Ludovico’s Santiago Pilgrimage
Last winter, my young millennial assistant Ludovico Orsini told me that he aspired to gain speedy fluency in the French language, so he could apply for a special graduate program in France. I suggested that he spend a highly-intensive period in a part of France where no one spoke English (or where people didn’t know […]
Ludovico’s Nepalese Pilgrimage
My assistant, Ludovico, just completed another fabulous adventure. This time he journeyed through Nepal and decided to hike to Everest’s Base Camp. Below are some photos he took along the way and a description of his experiences. Ludovico’s Pilgrimage II: Nepal After crossing Southeast Asia I found myself in Kathmandu, Nepal sans plan. I spent […]
The Way of Santiago
Pilgrimage is one of the oldest forms of Quest, and is celebrated by religions and cultures all over the world. Since everyone knows that my characters and I are aficionados of Quests of all sorts, it’s no surprise that this is one of my favorites! Some years ago, I was invited to lecture in Spain […]
Homemade Peach Galette
I find galettes are the easiest, lightest dessert or breakfast fare. No sugar except sprinkled to make the crust crispy. Peach Galette Recipe One 12 inch tart Flaky Butter Pastry See recipe below + 1 tbsp sugar + 2 tbsp flour (thickening fruit juice and rolling out) Filling 3 cups fruit, sliced 2 tsp fresh lemon juice […]
My Cherry Blossom Tree
Cherry blossom festival is the best week in Washington DC, and always falls on my birthday. I wrote an entire scene in The Fire set during that first week in April. Here is a vase filled with cherry blossoms from my own tree, a 60-foot tall ornamental cherry planted fifty years ago by the famous […]
Smithsonian Libraries 50th Birthday Celebration
Smithsonian Libraries 50th Birthday: A Tribute from Great Authors! This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Smithsonian Libraries being united under one umbrella. To celebrate this event in an exciting and original way, I invited famous authors to say “Happy 50th Birthday” to the Smithsonian Libraries, and asked each to speak for a few […]
Şaştım Aşı from Nevin Halici
During one of my trips to Konya, Nevin Halici took me back into the kitchens of some of the best restaurants. We then dined with the Mevlevi dervishes and got to sample all the dishes made with exotic ingredients. Nevin is one of the most beloved cookbook authors of Turkey. Below are a few photos of her cookbook, […]
KATHERINE NEVILLE’S ‘A Calculated Risk’ 25th … Newsletter Dec 1, 2017
Neville tries on the coat of many colors KATHERINE NEVILLE’SA Calculated Risk 25th Anniversary Newsletter December 1, 2017 A Calculated Risk Turns 25! November, 2017, marks the 25th anniversary of the hardback publication of A Calculated Risk! In celebration, starting this month, I’ll be giving away 25 autographed copies of the original first-edition paperback, with a beautiful cover […]
Relocating the Kiln
As part of the restoration of the Japanese House, a team of professional potters is dismantling Teruo Hara’s historic, hand-built kilns, which will be reassembled at a pre-designed location for continued use. We are documenting the complete deconstruction/reconstruction process. Teruo Hara was a famous potter serving at the Corcoran School (now part of George Washington […]
Virginia Literary Awards Week
Art in Literature & The Virginia Literary Award Dinner Here are some photos from the twentieth anniversary celebration of the Virginia Literary Awards. My friend and colleague David Baldacci was honored this year with the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award. Also pictured is Margot Lee Shetterly, 2017 People’s Choice Award recipient for her book, Hidden Figures. Katherine with […]
Book Research at the Sailboat Show
Visiting the Annapolis Boat Show: the sailboats in the yacht harbor have more space and amenities than my old Sausalito tree house where I wrote my first two books! I had great fun updating my skills at the National Boat Show in Annapolis: shopping for sailboats to use in my next book.
KATHERINE NEVILLE’S Autumn Adventure in Art Newsletter Sept 21, 2017
KATHERINE NEVILLE’SAutumn Adventure in Art NewsletterSeptember 21, 2017 Happy Autumn Equinox Happy New Moon of Autumn! On the equinox (the time each year when day and night are equal) we’d better get stocked up for the winter — which already proves, this year, to be a long one, ushered in by hurricanes, earthquakes and tidal […]
Tarragon Beets
Before the weather turns to chilly temperatures, enjoy this beautiful and simple recipe. My favorite summer vegetable fresh from the garden: Tarragon Beets. Tarragon Beets 3 lbs beets (tops removed) 1/3 cup vinegar 1 tablespoon fresh chopped tarragon (or 1/2 tablespoon dried) 5 tablespoon unsalted butter cut into pieces 2 tablespoon drained capers salt and pepper […]
New plants in the Japanese Garden
When it comes to gardening I’m into instant gratification. I can’t stand empty spaces anymore, I’m planting every plant I can before snowfall! Here are a few highlights from my recent gardening endeavors at the Japanese House. New ferns in the garden beds Ginkgo fruits Sedum with bees White wort Winterberry Nandina Tree of Heaven […]
Publishers Weekly Interview with Katherine Neville
Katherine Neville was interviewed by Publishers Weekly for the December 22, 1988 edition. Neville received the first full-page interview given to an unpublished author. Click images to enlarge.
KATHERINE NEVILLE’S Hazel Month Newsletter August 4, 2017
KATHERINE NEVILLE’SHazel Month NewsletterAugust 4, 2017 Lammas Night In ancient times, Celtic months were named for trees. Today, August 4, is the last day of Tinne, the Celtic Holly month. Tomorrow, Coll, the month of the Hazel tree begins, kicked off each year on August 1 by Lammas, the Eighth and last Celtic fire festival […]
Basil & Black Pepper Summer Fruit Salad
Another delicious fruit salad recipe from Katherine’s kitchen. (see Fascinating Fruit Salad) Basil & Black Pepper Summer Fruit Salad Serves 4 to 6 3 medium peaches / ~3 cups (pitted and sliced into 1/2 inch pieces) 2 half pint blackberries (~2 cups) 1 pint strawberries (washed, hulled, quartered) 1-2 tbsp juice from 1 lime 2 tbsp […]
Splendid Sardine Sandwich
“Sardines or kippers are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, known to help reduce risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer.” –Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. This healthy, easy, and delectable sandwich pairs wonderfully with the Simple Chickpea Salad and a few cornichons. Splendid Sardine Sandwich Pumpernickel (or other European black bread) Canned (in oil) […]
Simple Chickpea Salad
A simple and savory salad addition to your spring and summer lunch menu. This recipe delivers pantry staples in a fresh new way. Simple Chickpea Salad 1 can of chickpeas (drained) 1 small jar of pimento stuffed olives (sliced – olives, not the jar!) 1 tbsp of chopped Italian parsley Dressing Mix together olive oil, […]
Mysterious Return of the Bowls
Scott, the director of my heating & plumbing company, sent me a surprise that he’d found in his mother’s attic, along with this story… When Teruo Hara built my Japanese house in 1965, Scott was a child and his own father was Mr Hara’s mortgage banker. In the course of constructing the home & kilns […]
Fennel & Zucchini Spring Salad
Fennel & Zucchini Spring Salad Toss together some of spring’s best fresh ingredients with a quick dressing for a refreshing spring lunch or side salad. 3 sm zucchini (sliced thin) 1 med fennel bulb (sliced thin) 1 cup peas 4 cups fresh watercress 1/2+ c fresh mint (torn up) Dressing 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 3 tbsp […]
Grand Central Station Market
Whenever I’m in New York for the Edgar Allan Poe Awards, I always drop downstairs to the Grand Central Station Market and pick up things to take home, wonderful teas, spices, cheeses, fruits and seafood from their vast selection of gourmet provisions from all over the world: the healthiest and most delicious carry-out! Below I’ve […]
Pre-Roman Sacred Spring
While traveling through Brittany I visited this beautiful pre-Roman Sacred Spring.
Poplar Forest & Monticello (Esoteric & Exoteric)
Thomas Jefferson’s Houses and Gardens [TJ’s Houses and Gardens] Copyright 2007 Katherine Neville Please contact Katherine Neville for permission to quote from this article. From: Katherine Neville To: Lynn Beebe, President and Travis McDonald, Historian of Poplar Forest May, 2007 Dear Lynn and Travis– Here are my notes on TJ’s two kinds of architecture: esoteric and exoteric. As I […]
The Sacred Architecture of Thomas Jefferson
written July 4, 2010 (Katherine Neville’s July 4th Newsletter) “THE SACRED ARCHITECTURE OF THOMAS JEFFERSON” “Let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them.” -Thomas Jefferson, July 4, 1826 On July 4, 1826–a date that, coincidentally, also marked the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence–Thomas […]
Fabulous Artichoke Dip with Fennel Crudites
This recipe is an easy and delicious way to enjoy artichokes any time of year. (And happens to be vegan and gluten free as well!) Artichoke and Olive Dip w/ Fennel Crudites · 14/16 oz can whole artichoke hearts (rinse well, pat dry) · 1/4 cup olive oil · 1 clove garlic minced and mashed […]
Secret Smithsonian Castle Tour
A memorable way to spend my birthday! April 4th private tour for 50 guests, of the legendary Smithsonian Castle: my fellow author and fellow board member of the Smithsonian Libraries, Steve Berry, led a guided tour of hidden locales in the Castle.
KATHERINE NEVILLE’S April Pilgrimage Newsletter April 4, 2017
KATHERINE NEVILLE’S April Pilgrimage Newsletter April 4, 2017 April Arrives According to one of my favorite poets, TS Eliot, April is a scary month that brings unwanted feelings: APRIL is the cruellest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire, stirring Dull roots […]
Menhirs and Dolmens of Brittany
After my arrival at le Chateau in Brittany, France… I soon found these fantastic menhirs, nearby to the Chateau, in Carnac. (Menhir – from the Brittonic languages – ‘maen’ or ‘men’ meaning stone and ‘hir’ or ‘hîr’ meaning long) And then journeyed to Lagatyar, north of Carnac, for even ‘longer’ stones and a small dolmen. […]
Fascinating Fruit Salad
For March’s installment of The Delphic Oracle Diet, I’ve chosen a simple and delicious fruit salad that welcomes this early spring weather we’ve been enjoying. My friend and fellow gardener George gave me a collection of unusual fruit salad recipes that always refresh your palate. The lime zest, grated fresh ginger, & cayenne pepper ‘pop’ in […]
THE FIRE Book Tour through Spain
The Fire was greeted spectacularly in Spain. Below is a great video that follows the book tour’s progress through Spain, and a few selections from the many photographs taken during the tour. “El Fuego” Book Tour in Spain Click on the video to watch (3:24 minutes) One of the fabulous window displays and floor displays […]
Preview ‘The Lunar Society’
Preview of Katherine Neville’s short story, “The Lunar Society” Read more from Katherine on the Lunar Society (the real society of scientists and humanists) For review purposes only. Read more from Katherine about the Lunar Society on the history and background of the real society of men
The Pilgrim’s Guide to Santiago de Compostela by William Melczer
If you are interested in El Camino de Santiago (The Way of Santiago) – this is the best guide: The Pilgrim’s Guide to Santiago de Compostela by William Melczer Professor Melczer, an authority on the pilgrimage of El Camino de Santiago, translates the medieval pilgrim’s book with notes and fascinating history. There are four routes that […]
Venetian Soup
Living in Vienna one winter, I got really sick of the ice and slush, so one morning I jumped on an 8:00 a.m. train to Venice, ate a three-course lunch while going through the alps, arrived in Venice at 4:00 p.m., jumped on a boat to my small hotel near Piazza San Marco, where I […]