teany book
Stories, Food, Romance, Cartoons and, Of Course, Tea
By Moby and Kelly Tisdale
(Studio, 2005)

Reviewed by Veronica Marian

 




A tiny teahouse by the name of teany might seem like an outcast in a world of celebrity-owned restaurants like Chi (Justin Timberlake) and Dolce (Ashton Kutcher and “That 70’s Show” cast), much like a cartoon-infused tea book might seem out of place among the latest celebrity-chef authored tomes. But Moby, one of the hardest-to-define modern musicians, teany co-owner and teany book author (along with ex-girlfriend, Kelly Tisdale) has always been a bit out of place himself, with his music ranging from Deep South blues-inspired tracks to rave-style electronic. So it seems only fitting that his book be just a tiny bit weird.

The title promises "stories, food, romance, cartoons, and, of course, tea," and the read-in-one-sitting book delivers, if only a little too well. There's just too much stuff in this teeny book, and not enough of any one thing. Not quite a cookbook because there aren't that many recipes, and not quite a memoir because there isn't enough personal information, teany book lies somewhere in-between. It is a mish-mash of tea and vegetarian recipes combined with bits of history, music, health and the authors’ own experiences. Inside, you will find personal stories about Moby and Kelly's relationship, breakup and struggles (mainly Kelly’s) to open teany, as well as a history of New York City teahouses, photographs of teany customers, a poem by a mutual friend, music suggestions and Moby's drawings of his cartoon alter-ego, the Little Idiot.

The book is a fun read, written in a journal-entry style, with the co-authors taking turns joking and flattering their former significant other in print. If you read carefully, you'll also find just enough activist commentary on politics and animal rights to assure you it is Moby’s book. Somewhere in between all this, Moby and Kelly talk about tea. They discuss the process of making Pu-erh tea and the benefits of ginkgo biloba, hibiscus and lavender. Then there are the recipes for teas, sandwiches, soups, salads and cocktails. To top it all off, we are given home-made (with tea, of course) remedies for hangovers, dry skin and tea bath suggestions.

Whew! Although short and entertaining, teany book has us reaching for a big cup of tea to unwind with. And maybe a Moby iTune (no illegal downloading here!) to relax to.