Turquoise waters, crystal-clear skies and lush greenery?

All this, yet still you haven’t called your boss to say you’re finally taking that vacation you’ve been putting off for far too long?

The Eastern Caribbean island of Mustique is not your average island packed with tourists in fannypacks.

Here, homeowners not only have a say in the happenings of their environment, but a share of the island’s ownership.

The homeowner’s association, The Mustique Company, is responsible for the preservation of the island’s flora and fauna.

In the newly released book, The Taste of Mustique, Elizabeth Penniman and Chef Kevin Snook take you on a guided tour of the island, featuring stories from locals, more than 100 recipes, poems, and images from acclaimed photographer Sophie Munroe.

Longtime Mustique home owner, Mick Jagger, wrote the book’s foreword. In it he expresses his love for the island, painting a lyrical picture and commenting on his appreciation that a portion of the book’s proceeds will go to the Mustique Island Foundation.

Jagger, however, isn’t the only celebrity who has been drawn to the island. Shania Twain, Princess Margaret, David Bowie, Prince William and Kate Middleton are among others who have frequented the island.

When asked how the locals feel about their celebrity crowd, Penniman suggests a “so what?” gesture: “It’s such a laid-back community, everybody can mix in together.”

As the photos in the book illustrate, the locals provide a pleasant welcome for visitors. Of the island’s locals, there are more than 24 different nationalities. While there is a mid-sized cultural mix of people living in Mustique, the majority of locals are natives of nearby St. Vincent.

Aside from Snooks’ recipes, some of the local cooks get their chance to shine in this book. In a chapter titled, “From the Local Pot: Soups from Mustique’s Favorite Cooks,” you can find down-home recipes, such as Callaloo soup. A calla-what?

“It’s similar to spinach,” Penniman explains. Originating from St. Vincent, this vegetable is one of the very few staple foods on Mustique.

As for Kevin Snooks’ recipes, they seem fairly manageable to prepare and the Caribbean flair adds a special flavor most would savor. The Morning Glory muffins with raisins and pineapple, and ginger waffles with fresh mango preserve, couldn’t look more scrumptious.

Sunday on the island offers no real sour notes as beach “lime time” sets itself in motion. Many locals gather for a family-style barbecue to enjoy their resting day, while kids play in the tranquil blue, warm waters. Some beach lime recipes include: Baked Caribbean Christophene (also known as, Chayote squash), Jerk Baby Back Ribs and Carambola Barbequed Chicken Legs. In this region, summertime – July through August – is generally “hot” but there’s “always a breeze,” says Penniman.

With just a glance through The Taste of Mustique, this tiny island seems to have it all: fresh and local cuisine, hospitable locals, spectacular scenery, and a community’s desire to preserve the nature of its homeland.

The only question left is, do you buy the book and bring the island of Mustique home to you, do you jet off to Mustique now—with book in hand—and risk the possibility of never returning home?

Check please, I’ve got a plane to catch.

By Brandi Andres for PeterGreenberg.com.

Check out more from our Travel Book Spotlight series.

Are you a foodie? Have a Culinary Travel Adventure.