5 Things We Love is a shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat. What are you loving this week? Send a brief description of your latest favorite thing, where to find it and how much it costs, along with your name and contact info to features@staradvertiser.com.
Book imagines a world without WWI
This year is the centennial of the start of World War I, the conflict that shaped the century that came after it. The immediate cause of the war was the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian terrorist. With “Archduke Franz Ferdinand Lives” (St. Martin’s Press, $16.99), author Richard Ned Lebow imagines what the world would be like if the archduke hadn’t died. He starts with a look at the bad decisions and freak accidents that made the assassination possible. Change any one of them and Ferdinand lives to become emperor of Austria-Hungary in 1916 and World War I doesn’t happen.
Lebow then offers two scenarios of what might follow: One is much better than what we have; the other about the same but very different. The author imagines alternative careers for some historical figures. With no World War I, Adolf Hitler goes into the health food business. Vladimir Lenin immigrates to the United States and becomes a university professor. Richard Nixon is an evangelical preacher, and Barack Hussein Obama Jr. is elected governor of Hawaii.
You may certainly disagree with some of Lebow’s assessments and alternative scenarios, but “Archduke Franz Ferdinand Lives” is fascinating nonetheless. — John Berger
Savor creme brulee tea on rainy day
I am a diehard coffee freak, but there are definitely solitary times when a nice cup of tea is called for. This is why, when the Republic of Tea’s “Hundred Foot Journey” Cardamom Creme Brulee Tea caught my eye, I was compelled to give it a try. I laced my cup with a touch of agave and a healthy dose of almond milk and was delighted with the light flavor of the black tea and the aroma of vanilla and spices that infused every sip. My friend Stephanie, a tea aficionado, called it the perfect rainy-day tea. So true. This limited-edition release, pegged to the current film, is sold in a can of three dozen bags for $12 at www.republicoftea.com or call 800-298-4832. — Joleen Oshiro
Bobblehead stands in for real Groot
After watching “Guardians of the Galaxy,” I walked out of the theater saying, “I love Groot. I want him — the ‘real’ one.” Groot is a treelike creature who along with Star-Lord, Rocket Racoon, Drax and Gamora make up the guardians. He can’t run fast like other action heroes. He doesn’t carry guns or have cool martial arts moves. But when the world is crashing in on you, he can use his limbs to form a haven around you that nothing can penetrate. He is strong, sturdy and faithful. OK, I know Groot isn’t real, so I’ll have to settle for the bobblehead Funko POP! Groot given to me by a friend and now protecting my desk. “Guardians” bobbleheads are available for $11.99 at Animation Magic, Ala Moana Center. — Michelle Ramos
Punky Pals are lovingly handcrafted
Mimi Wisnosky-Chang’s Punky Pals are made with French lavender from San Francisco and each adorable bunny is individually named (check the tag). The Honolulu artist’s grandmother owned a general store in Pennsylvania that sold lace, fabric and buttons, and the leftover vintage dry goods are used to embellish her handmade creations. I love their button eyes, stitched-on eyelashes, and intricate clothing and accessories. The Punky Pals are $44 at fishcake, 307 Kamani St.; call 593-1231. Wisnosky-Chang also takes custom orders for an array of animals from elephants to cats to dinosaurs. Email her at skymartini@hotmail.com. — Nancy Arcayna
Shop’s light cheesecakes rotate daily
Across from Hawaii Theatre, Cake Envy cranks out surprisingly light cheesecake in more than 70 surprising flavors. Lilikoi and the freshly-burnt-sugar-topped creme brulee are made daily, but the other offerings vary. On a recent trip to the bake shop, at 1129 Bethel St., there were cheesecakes in mojito, chocolate-covered strawberry, root beer float, cookies and cream, and bananas Foster. The $6 slices make a perfect pau hana treat or after-show dessert. Cake Envy is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call 599-8900 or visit www.cakeenvy.net. — Donica Kaneshiro
