Author: Ransom Riggs
Fantastic! Starts out as any old YA novel and devolves into something mysterious and exceptional. Loved the use of old photos.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Friday, July 6, 2012
What Matters Most: Living a More Considered life
Author: James Hollis
Jungians, how I love the Jungians! All those luscious greek words, like limnos, all the legends and stories involving offended gods and the ability to make it all relevant to individuals.
Jungians, how I love the Jungians! All those luscious greek words, like limnos, all the legends and stories involving offended gods and the ability to make it all relevant to individuals.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Savvy Chic
Author: Anna Johnson
The Art of More for Less. Written by a single Mom in New York with a flair for vintage. Kind of a source for acts of self love.
The Art of More for Less. Written by a single Mom in New York with a flair for vintage. Kind of a source for acts of self love.
Little Bets
Author: Peter Sims
Sometimes authors have read all the same books you've read and it feels like an ongoing discussion. Best takeaway, try something small in limited quantities (ie. take a little risk) and see what happens.
Sometimes authors have read all the same books you've read and it feels like an ongoing discussion. Best takeaway, try something small in limited quantities (ie. take a little risk) and see what happens.
Best American Comics 2008
Editor: Lynda Barry
Mixed bag of funny, scary, lovely stuff with a great intro.
Mixed bag of funny, scary, lovely stuff with a great intro.
Claiming the Forbidden Bride
Author: Gayle Wilson
Second son rescues child of gypsies and falls for the mother and marries her (after an assortment of adventures). Grannie was the best character.
Second son rescues child of gypsies and falls for the mother and marries her (after an assortment of adventures). Grannie was the best character.
A Season of Seduction
Author: Jennifer Haymore
A widow decides to have an affair and is nearly manipulated into marriage, by a sea faring rogue.
A widow decides to have an affair and is nearly manipulated into marriage, by a sea faring rogue.
Kissing Christmas Goodbye
Author: M.C. Beaton
Nothing like Agatha Raisin on a rainy day. Pity I think I've read them all.
Nothing like Agatha Raisin on a rainy day. Pity I think I've read them all.
A Wife for Mr. Darcy
Author: Mary Lydon Simonsen
A different take on P&P, with greater agency on the part of women (esp. Georgianna & Miss De Bourgh). Odd to read a novel knowing the outcome but following a different path there.
A different take on P&P, with greater agency on the part of women (esp. Georgianna & Miss De Bourgh). Odd to read a novel knowing the outcome but following a different path there.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Insatiable
Author: Meg Cabot
I hate vampire romance but this was a tongue-in-cheek version and with typical wit, pretty funny.
I hate vampire romance but this was a tongue-in-cheek version and with typical wit, pretty funny.
No Man's Mistress
Author: Mary Balogh
Former prostitute/slave almost thrown out of home by rogue that wins it (illegally) at cards.
Former prostitute/slave almost thrown out of home by rogue that wins it (illegally) at cards.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
The Power of Habit
Author: Charles Duhigg
Cue, routine, reward. That's how habits work. To change a habit, use the existing cue and change the routine to deliver the reward.When the habit is established the cue tells the brain that its being rewarded, even before undertaking the routine.
Identify the routine
Experiment with rewards - choose something other than the bad habit and record how you felt each time.
Isolate the cue - location, time, emotional state, other people, immediately preceding action
Make a plan that involves a cue, routine and reward.
Cue, routine, reward. That's how habits work. To change a habit, use the existing cue and change the routine to deliver the reward.When the habit is established the cue tells the brain that its being rewarded, even before undertaking the routine.
Identify the routine
Experiment with rewards - choose something other than the bad habit and record how you felt each time.
Isolate the cue - location, time, emotional state, other people, immediately preceding action
Make a plan that involves a cue, routine and reward.
The Empress of Weehawken
Author: Irene Dische
Great first person narrator, forceful, superior, opinionated and mean. That the author has the same name as the grand daughter makes me want to think that this is in part a memoir, but it is clearly labeled as fiction. It doesn't matter at all because the story is so fascinating and hard to put down. WWII, emigration to America, infidelity, weight gain and loss, and family, family, family.
Great first person narrator, forceful, superior, opinionated and mean. That the author has the same name as the grand daughter makes me want to think that this is in part a memoir, but it is clearly labeled as fiction. It doesn't matter at all because the story is so fascinating and hard to put down. WWII, emigration to America, infidelity, weight gain and loss, and family, family, family.
Rogue in My Arms
Author: Celeste Bradley
This was a pleasure - a down on her luck seamstress takes care of an orphan while the man who believes himself her father pursues the actress he believes to be the child's mother.
This was a pleasure - a down on her luck seamstress takes care of an orphan while the man who believes himself her father pursues the actress he believes to be the child's mother.
Getting Rid of Bradley
Author: Jennifer Crusie
Her second book (I love reading earlier work of writers that I enjoy) and it's funny and quirky, if a bit less subtle than her later work. Loved the dogs, especially the one that played dead.
Her second book (I love reading earlier work of writers that I enjoy) and it's funny and quirky, if a bit less subtle than her later work. Loved the dogs, especially the one that played dead.
Slightly Sinful
Author: Mary Balogh
Alleyne Bedwyn's tale of being lost at the Battle of Waterloo, then rescued by a penniless girl under the protection of prostitutes.
Alleyne Bedwyn's tale of being lost at the Battle of Waterloo, then rescued by a penniless girl under the protection of prostitutes.
How to Marry a Duke
Author: Vicky Dreiling
A matchmaker who specializes in wallflowers runs a bachelor style contest in Regency London. A bit too modern to believe, but a romp.
A matchmaker who specializes in wallflowers runs a bachelor style contest in Regency London. A bit too modern to believe, but a romp.
As You Desire
Author: Connie Brockway
A Victorian Egyptologist romance. Fun, mostly due to the characters and the situations they put themselves in.
A Victorian Egyptologist romance. Fun, mostly due to the characters and the situations they put themselves in.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Over 66 before the halfway point...
Oh dear. I haven't been able to hold back as much as I thought I could. Maybe it's time to take a reading break and focus only on writing for the next two months.
There's at least another five books read but not entered. Next library trip is only to return, not to sign out any...
There's at least another five books read but not entered. Next library trip is only to return, not to sign out any...
The Art of Intuition : Cultivating Your Inner Wisdom
Author: Sophy Burnham
Easily read and easily forgotten (within a week of reading).
Easily read and easily forgotten (within a week of reading).
The Summer Book
Author: Tove Jannson
Summer reading about a cabin on an island off the coast of Finland told from the perspective og=f the grandmother and 8 year old Sophie. Full of summer magic, storms and discoveries.
Summer reading about a cabin on an island off the coast of Finland told from the perspective og=f the grandmother and 8 year old Sophie. Full of summer magic, storms and discoveries.
A Woman in Berlin
Author: Anonymous
Memoir by a journalist of the surrender of Berlin to the Russian Army. Tragic, human and insightful.
Memoir by a journalist of the surrender of Berlin to the Russian Army. Tragic, human and insightful.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
A Matter of Class
Author: Mary Balogh
A re-read. Interesting use of time unwinding to explain the current events of the novel.
A re-read. Interesting use of time unwinding to explain the current events of the novel.
The Secret Pearl
Author: Mary BAlogh
Unusual in romance novels to have such a crappy loss of virginity scene with the romantic hero. Somehow modern writers never fully capture the helplessness of the female in the manner of Jane Austen.
Unusual in romance novels to have such a crappy loss of virginity scene with the romantic hero. Somehow modern writers never fully capture the helplessness of the female in the manner of Jane Austen.
Swamplandia!
Author: Karen Russell
Romp through the swamp! For much of the novel I wondered why it wasn't YA, and then I found out. Great detailed landscape and creatures and quasi-mythic inhabitants. Funny, painful and sad. Flawed and believable characters living larger than life.
Romp through the swamp! For much of the novel I wondered why it wasn't YA, and then I found out. Great detailed landscape and creatures and quasi-mythic inhabitants. Funny, painful and sad. Flawed and believable characters living larger than life.
Bridal Favours
Author: Connie Brockway
Odd romance novel with espionage, a spinster and intrigue tangled up with pride and wedding planning.
Odd romance novel with espionage, a spinster and intrigue tangled up with pride and wedding planning.
A Promise of Safekeeping
Author: Lisa Dale
I suppose this is what they call women's fiction. Romance, plot, love and regrets, all rolled up in one.
Very enjoyable read. Particularly evocative of the south - I could feel the stickiness in the air.
I suppose this is what they call women's fiction. Romance, plot, love and regrets, all rolled up in one.
Very enjoyable read. Particularly evocative of the south - I could feel the stickiness in the air.
Florence & Giles
Author: John Harding
I really didn't want to believe what the main character did. I liked her and didn't want her to be capable of her crimes, though there were enough clues and I should have known better.
Very creepy.
I really didn't want to believe what the main character did. I liked her and didn't want her to be capable of her crimes, though there were enough clues and I should have known better.
Very creepy.
Hold on to your Kids
Author: Gordon Neufeld & Gabor Mate
Worth rereading when rough spots arise. But for now, just healthy food for thought. Must get back to the dinner table again.
Worth rereading when rough spots arise. But for now, just healthy food for thought. Must get back to the dinner table again.
V is for Vengeance
Author: Sue Grafton
Fantasy vacation - a month in a beach-side cabin with the entire Kinsey Millhone series. Even better if I have access to eighties music and food.
Love this mystery series, the characters, the setting, the doggedness of Kinsey when she's on a trail.
Fantasy vacation - a month in a beach-side cabin with the entire Kinsey Millhone series. Even better if I have access to eighties music and food.
Love this mystery series, the characters, the setting, the doggedness of Kinsey when she's on a trail.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Flush: A Biography
Author: Virginia Woolf
The biography of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's cocker spaniel, Flush. The dog's life was so interesting, I now want to learn about the owner. Not as humourous as Shakespeare's Dog, and suffering from a bit of author presence.
The biography of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's cocker spaniel, Flush. The dog's life was so interesting, I now want to learn about the owner. Not as humourous as Shakespeare's Dog, and suffering from a bit of author presence.
Girl in a Blue Dress
Author: Gaynor Arnold
The tale of Charles Dickens' estranged wife told from her point of view after his death. Much quicker read than the biography and much more engaging.
The tale of Charles Dickens' estranged wife told from her point of view after his death. Much quicker read than the biography and much more engaging.
The Secret Book of Sacred Things
Author: Torsten Krol
The scribe writes the name of the moon, over and over to keep the moon in the sky in a church of women. Natural disaster and angry men reacting destroy the world as she knows it. Surprisingly hard to put down. The narrator is flawed, egotistical and self-absorbed, but so distinctly voiced.
Torsten is a pseudonym. Will have to seek other writings.
The scribe writes the name of the moon, over and over to keep the moon in the sky in a church of women. Natural disaster and angry men reacting destroy the world as she knows it. Surprisingly hard to put down. The narrator is flawed, egotistical and self-absorbed, but so distinctly voiced.
Torsten is a pseudonym. Will have to seek other writings.
The Origin of Tepees
Author: Jonnie Hughes
Subtitled - the evolution of ideas (and ourselves) explores how memes are in fact a 'survival of the fittest' kind of organism. Interesting and engaging.
Subtitled - the evolution of ideas (and ourselves) explores how memes are in fact a 'survival of the fittest' kind of organism. Interesting and engaging.
Slightly Tempted
Author: Mary Balogh
If memory serves, this was about Morgan Bewcastle going to Brussels and tending the wounded after Waterloo. Loved the historical information and setting.
If memory serves, this was about Morgan Bewcastle going to Brussels and tending the wounded after Waterloo. Loved the historical information and setting.
Super Sad True Love Story
Author: Gary Shteyngart
Just wasn't in the right mood for a 40-something's tale of woe and love (lust?) for a young Korean woman in a slightly altered reality.
It's a shame because I absolutely loved a book he'd blurbed - Flatscreen, and was hoping for more of the same, but this wasn't quite it.
Just wasn't in the right mood for a 40-something's tale of woe and love (lust?) for a young Korean woman in a slightly altered reality.
It's a shame because I absolutely loved a book he'd blurbed - Flatscreen, and was hoping for more of the same, but this wasn't quite it.
The Bolter
Author: Frances Osborne
The biography of Idina Sackville, an Edwardian who went to Africa and lived - wild parties, opiates, alcohol and lovers. All in the best British tradition.
Fascinating. Now I want to read up on her cousion, Vita Sackville-West.
The biography of Idina Sackville, an Edwardian who went to Africa and lived - wild parties, opiates, alcohol and lovers. All in the best British tradition.
Fascinating. Now I want to read up on her cousion, Vita Sackville-West.
Unless It Moves the Human Heart
Author: Roger Rosenblatt
The book follows a creative writing class through a semester and tackles the questions that arise from the assignments:
A short story - shirt stories are about why what you know matters (best definition I've heard)
an essay
poems
Too narrative to use as reference, too many insights to neglect as non-fiction.
The book follows a creative writing class through a semester and tackles the questions that arise from the assignments:
A short story - shirt stories are about why what you know matters (best definition I've heard)
an essay
poems
Too narrative to use as reference, too many insights to neglect as non-fiction.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Charles Dickens: A Life
Author: Claire Tomalin
Best soporific text in memory. Crawled through half of it, waiting for the juicy, gossipy stuff, then had to return the book, unfinished. Not really interested enough to pick it up again. Somehow the Victorian era lacks the interest of the Regency or Edwardian period.
Best soporific text in memory. Crawled through half of it, waiting for the juicy, gossipy stuff, then had to return the book, unfinished. Not really interested enough to pick it up again. Somehow the Victorian era lacks the interest of the Regency or Edwardian period.
10-10-10: 10 minutes, 10 hours, 10 years: A Life Transforming Idea
Author: Suzy Welch
Despite the author's assumption that the reader knew who she was, this book has a very helpful strategy in making decisions that are easier to put off in the short term, leading to long term pain.
What are the consequences right now (10 minutes)?
What will the consequences be in 10 months?
What will the consequences be in 10 years?
As simple as that.
Despite the author's assumption that the reader knew who she was, this book has a very helpful strategy in making decisions that are easier to put off in the short term, leading to long term pain.
What are the consequences right now (10 minutes)?
What will the consequences be in 10 months?
What will the consequences be in 10 years?
As simple as that.
This Saint will change your Life
Author: Thomas J. Craughwell
Neat summary of catholic saints, listed by professions that they are patrons to. Many I'd never heard of, and a few familiar ones. Loved the colour pages showing the Saint cards and symbolism of items with them.
Neat summary of catholic saints, listed by professions that they are patrons to. Many I'd never heard of, and a few familiar ones. Loved the colour pages showing the Saint cards and symbolism of items with them.
Imagine
Author: Jonah Lehrer
alone and blocked, ease off and allow the insights in
horizontal interaction to seed new crossover ideas and flexible attention (take a walk)
work in a blue room to stimulate the imagination
working memory to refine and edit and unconceal, feeling of knowing - stick with it, if stuck, need an insight
outsider view - not knowing what isn't possible
the power of Q - the number of old and new partners in work, consult with more people
Pixar's criticism plus a new idea that builds on the flaws of the original
take in the offerings of the city
culture largely determines creative output
sharing ideas helps them multiply
immature poets imitate, mature poets steal - T.S. Eliot
alone and blocked, ease off and allow the insights in
horizontal interaction to seed new crossover ideas and flexible attention (take a walk)
work in a blue room to stimulate the imagination
working memory to refine and edit and unconceal, feeling of knowing - stick with it, if stuck, need an insight
outsider view - not knowing what isn't possible
the power of Q - the number of old and new partners in work, consult with more people
Pixar's criticism plus a new idea that builds on the flaws of the original
take in the offerings of the city
culture largely determines creative output
sharing ideas helps them multiply
immature poets imitate, mature poets steal - T.S. Eliot
Maybe This Time
Author: Jennifer Crusie
A ghost story, mystery and romance all rolled into one. Some minor characters are really round and enjoyable.
A ghost story, mystery and romance all rolled into one. Some minor characters are really round and enjoyable.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Silver Wedding
Author: Maeve Binchy
This is another wonderfully chatty book with many points of view, lots of secrets and surfaces and a few happy surprises. Just as expected.
This is another wonderfully chatty book with many points of view, lots of secrets and surfaces and a few happy surprises. Just as expected.
Monday, April 16, 2012
The Cellist of Sarajevo
Author: Steven Galloway
Another book club choice (K's). I read this when it first came out and was hoping that I hadn't confused the novel with another one. I so wanted it to be the one with the water gathering and street crossing and was delighted to find that it was. Something about those simple acts resonated so strongly.
This time through I was aware of how much narrative distance I felt, that the author kept the reader emotionally apart from the events, in part because of the characters methods of dealing with their reality. Generally that kind of distance annoys me, but in this book it worked well, and served as a coping device.
One of the more engaged discussions came out of this, or my expectations of book talk at book club have adjusted.
Another book club choice (K's). I read this when it first came out and was hoping that I hadn't confused the novel with another one. I so wanted it to be the one with the water gathering and street crossing and was delighted to find that it was. Something about those simple acts resonated so strongly.
This time through I was aware of how much narrative distance I felt, that the author kept the reader emotionally apart from the events, in part because of the characters methods of dealing with their reality. Generally that kind of distance annoys me, but in this book it worked well, and served as a coping device.
One of the more engaged discussions came out of this, or my expectations of book talk at book club have adjusted.
Bel Canto
Author: Ann Patchett
Another great read. This was one of my book club choices. Terrorists invade a birthday party and take hostages and relationships evolve. The end was devastating, the denouement saved it in a sorrowful way. Very rich writing, characters that can do little, but feel a great deal, so well depicted.
Also loved the way that the characters rose to the occasion, taking on new roles, finding reasons to get up in the morning, and caring for the individuals that held them hostage.
Another great read. This was one of my book club choices. Terrorists invade a birthday party and take hostages and relationships evolve. The end was devastating, the denouement saved it in a sorrowful way. Very rich writing, characters that can do little, but feel a great deal, so well depicted.
Also loved the way that the characters rose to the occasion, taking on new roles, finding reasons to get up in the morning, and caring for the individuals that held them hostage.
A Crimson Warning
Author: Tasha Alexander
A murder / scandal mystery set in London in the Victorian era. Well told, despite a few bumps of complexity that strained belief (why hide things in the museum library using such a cryptic coding system?).
Liked the characters, and actually felt sad upon discovering the villain.
A murder / scandal mystery set in London in the Victorian era. Well told, despite a few bumps of complexity that strained belief (why hide things in the museum library using such a cryptic coding system?).
Liked the characters, and actually felt sad upon discovering the villain.
Bird Lake Moon
Author: Kevin Henkes
The lake cottage, a dead brother, a displaced kid next door and friendship and a tiny bit of mystery. Very gentle in the telling of the friendship between two boys and the ways in which they cope. Particularly loved that Mitch only connected with his Grandma over the card table.
The lake cottage, a dead brother, a displaced kid next door and friendship and a tiny bit of mystery. Very gentle in the telling of the friendship between two boys and the ways in which they cope. Particularly loved that Mitch only connected with his Grandma over the card table.
Stargazing Dog
Author / Illustrator: Takashi Murakami
Lovely, sad story of a lonely man and his dog and the child he tries to help, who (I think) ultimately helps him. Beautifully drawn, and the dog talks, but it isn't as irritating as that might sound.
Lovely, sad story of a lonely man and his dog and the child he tries to help, who (I think) ultimately helps him. Beautifully drawn, and the dog talks, but it isn't as irritating as that might sound.
A town Like Alice
Author: Neville Shute
I loving having books that are worth rereading again and again over the years. This is one of them. Admittedly, very much of its time and place, so really quite racist, yet with an endearing low key feminism.
I loving having books that are worth rereading again and again over the years. This is one of them. Admittedly, very much of its time and place, so really quite racist, yet with an endearing low key feminism.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Dreaming of You
Author: Lisa Kleypas
An authoress goes out in the field to do research and ends up hanging out at a gambling hall, buddies with the prostitutes. As often in romances, the villainess was a bit much and the hero as well. The female lead was more to my taste - regency feminist!
An authoress goes out in the field to do research and ends up hanging out at a gambling hall, buddies with the prostitutes. As often in romances, the villainess was a bit much and the hero as well. The female lead was more to my taste - regency feminist!
Flatscreen
Author: Adam Wilson
I will take this guy over Phillip Roth any day of the week. He's funny, self-aware and hopeless. Loved the Kahn character and the adoptive father persona he carried for the novel. I'd like to reread this to see what shifts in language brought Eli out of the dark funk and back into the light. I felt it happen, but didn't see any of the strings.
I will take this guy over Phillip Roth any day of the week. He's funny, self-aware and hopeless. Loved the Kahn character and the adoptive father persona he carried for the novel. I'd like to reread this to see what shifts in language brought Eli out of the dark funk and back into the light. I felt it happen, but didn't see any of the strings.
How to be Good
Author: Nick Hornby
Despite being overwhelmed by the narrator's unceasing monkey mind chatter, this turned out to be an interesting look at trying to be good and what comes of it. It makes you question many assumptions, which was unexpected in an amusing novel.
Despite being overwhelmed by the narrator's unceasing monkey mind chatter, this turned out to be an interesting look at trying to be good and what comes of it. It makes you question many assumptions, which was unexpected in an amusing novel.
The Sisters Brothers
Author: Patrick DeWitt
If not for the remarkable voice of the narrator, gentlemanly and precise, I doubt I'd have picked this book up. It was fantastic. Bizarre, comic, violent but such a satisfying read. Even the intermissions, which made no sense at first came to have meaning, like a strange dream.
If not for the remarkable voice of the narrator, gentlemanly and precise, I doubt I'd have picked this book up. It was fantastic. Bizarre, comic, violent but such a satisfying read. Even the intermissions, which made no sense at first came to have meaning, like a strange dream.
Monday, March 26, 2012
The Periodic Table
Author: Primo Levi
Unique memoir examining people and places from his life by way of the elements. Reminded me very much of Mike Edwards' work on the atomic weight of guilt, in a less diect way.
Levi survived Auschwitz and has written other books about that experience. He touches on this only in crossing paths with a German chemist that he'd known there, and the correspondance they engaged in post war.
I liked the disjointed nature of the piece and read many chapters out of order, depending on the element under discussion.
Unique memoir examining people and places from his life by way of the elements. Reminded me very much of Mike Edwards' work on the atomic weight of guilt, in a less diect way.
Levi survived Auschwitz and has written other books about that experience. He touches on this only in crossing paths with a German chemist that he'd known there, and the correspondance they engaged in post war.
I liked the disjointed nature of the piece and read many chapters out of order, depending on the element under discussion.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Change Anything
Authors: Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan & Al Switzler
Non-fiction, how to change anything. Six critical points:
1. Love what you hate
2. Do what you can't
3 & 4. Turn accomplices into friends
5. Invert the economy
6. Control your space
Willpower is useless, there are skills that will serve you better. The weight loss chapter gives these examples:
1. find exercise & healthy food you love, tell yourself a vivid story of why you want to change, visit your default future, use value words, connect to who you are becoming, make it a game
2. Skill scan (what do you know & need to learn), employ deliberate practice (break skill down and practice each in short intervals, get instant feedback & evaluate, prepare for setbacks), learn to distract yourself in weak moments
3 & 4. Add new friends, have check-ins & be accountable, have transformation conversation with partner/cook
5. use incentives(in moderation and combination) and loss aversion
6. build fences (keep bad stuff out), manage distance (exercise close, brownies far), use cues, use tools
We'll see if this ever gets implemented. Some of it does work, especially the distraction technique.
Non-fiction, how to change anything. Six critical points:
1. Love what you hate
2. Do what you can't
3 & 4. Turn accomplices into friends
5. Invert the economy
6. Control your space
Willpower is useless, there are skills that will serve you better. The weight loss chapter gives these examples:
1. find exercise & healthy food you love, tell yourself a vivid story of why you want to change, visit your default future, use value words, connect to who you are becoming, make it a game
2. Skill scan (what do you know & need to learn), employ deliberate practice (break skill down and practice each in short intervals, get instant feedback & evaluate, prepare for setbacks), learn to distract yourself in weak moments
3 & 4. Add new friends, have check-ins & be accountable, have transformation conversation with partner/cook
5. use incentives(in moderation and combination) and loss aversion
6. build fences (keep bad stuff out), manage distance (exercise close, brownies far), use cues, use tools
We'll see if this ever gets implemented. Some of it does work, especially the distraction technique.
Holiday Reading...
...doesn't count!
During our trip to Las Vegas and Arizona:
Non-fiction - Soiled Doves (prostitutes in the wild west
YA Fiction - Harvey Girl (14 yr old runs away to work in train stop eateries incl. Grand Canyon)
Historical romance - three of them
So ten days = 5 books. Sounds pretty good to me. This month has been so busy that I'll be able to read happily during the summer, since I'm way behind on reading.
During our trip to Las Vegas and Arizona:
Non-fiction - Soiled Doves (prostitutes in the wild west
YA Fiction - Harvey Girl (14 yr old runs away to work in train stop eateries incl. Grand Canyon)
Historical romance - three of them
So ten days = 5 books. Sounds pretty good to me. This month has been so busy that I'll be able to read happily during the summer, since I'm way behind on reading.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
The Summer of Permanent Wants
Author: Jamieson Findlay
I loved the magical, floating reality of the worlds that are strung out along the Rideau Canal in this tale. I want to go to Zeya Shan, and the darkfield and the town without music. So beautifully written, it was a captivating journey. The title says so much, more that the ship's name, it speaks to that longing for magic and places and people that inhabit it.
I loved the magical, floating reality of the worlds that are strung out along the Rideau Canal in this tale. I want to go to Zeya Shan, and the darkfield and the town without music. So beautifully written, it was a captivating journey. The title says so much, more that the ship's name, it speaks to that longing for magic and places and people that inhabit it.
King of the Mild Frontier
Author: Chris Crutcher
Possibly the funniest autobiography I've read. A dissection of those misunderstood teen years in a town so small that even the nerds have to be on the sports teams. Sort of horrific, but redeeming.
Possibly the funniest autobiography I've read. A dissection of those misunderstood teen years in a town so small that even the nerds have to be on the sports teams. Sort of horrific, but redeeming.
Thwonk
Author: Joan Bauer
A real live cupid shoots the cutest guy in school for a teenage girl, but the results are just too much. Fun, silly with lots of stereotyped high school cliques (are there any other kind?).
A real live cupid shoots the cutest guy in school for a teenage girl, but the results are just too much. Fun, silly with lots of stereotyped high school cliques (are there any other kind?).
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
What the Psychic Told the Pilgrim
Author: Jane Christmas
To celebrate her fiftieth birthday, Jane walks the Camino de Santiago Compostela. She starts off with a group of fifteen other women and finishes alone with a fair haired man. It sounds bloody awful and fantastic and funny all at the same time.
Next up, Shirley MacLaine's version.
To celebrate her fiftieth birthday, Jane walks the Camino de Santiago Compostela. She starts off with a group of fifteen other women and finishes alone with a fair haired man. It sounds bloody awful and fantastic and funny all at the same time.
Next up, Shirley MacLaine's version.
Squashed
Author: Joan Bauer
Joan Bauer's first novel, which gives me hope, because it isn't as exceptional as some of her more recent work. Ellie grows a giant pumpkin, protects it from hail, frost and thieves and gets it to the pumpkin festival in good shape and wins. In doing this she becomes a minor celebrity, makes a new friend/boyfriend, reconciles with her father, gets a dog and gets over the twenty pounds she thinks she needs to lose.
Running through the novel is the simple joy of growing.
Joan Bauer's first novel, which gives me hope, because it isn't as exceptional as some of her more recent work. Ellie grows a giant pumpkin, protects it from hail, frost and thieves and gets it to the pumpkin festival in good shape and wins. In doing this she becomes a minor celebrity, makes a new friend/boyfriend, reconciles with her father, gets a dog and gets over the twenty pounds she thinks she needs to lose.
Running through the novel is the simple joy of growing.
Milagros: Girl from Away
Author: Meg Medina
This was really interesting, hard to place into a time category, because the magic spills out from the pages. Milagros is a disobedient, independent child on a Caribbean island paradise. The island is taken over by people from a poor island, Milagros escapes to the water where the rays carry her to safety, far away in New England. There she is considered the 'girl from away'.
There's a lot packed into this small book, pirates, fog, the scent of roses and a quilt made from scraps.
This was really interesting, hard to place into a time category, because the magic spills out from the pages. Milagros is a disobedient, independent child on a Caribbean island paradise. The island is taken over by people from a poor island, Milagros escapes to the water where the rays carry her to safety, far away in New England. There she is considered the 'girl from away'.
There's a lot packed into this small book, pirates, fog, the scent of roses and a quilt made from scraps.
The Gilded Web
Author: Mary Balogh
A quick regency read, in which an oppressed young woman is moved from Father's burden to Fiancee's. Very puritanical and abusive relationship in the family. Her fiancee brings her to some freedom and adventure and sex before marriage, and allows her to make her own decisions.
The landscape seemed to pop from the page in this book, but without any real geographic grounding. Somewhere by the sea and cliffs.
A quick regency read, in which an oppressed young woman is moved from Father's burden to Fiancee's. Very puritanical and abusive relationship in the family. Her fiancee brings her to some freedom and adventure and sex before marriage, and allows her to make her own decisions.
The landscape seemed to pop from the page in this book, but without any real geographic grounding. Somewhere by the sea and cliffs.
Boy Meets Girl
Author: Meg Cabot
Written in memos, diary entries, IM, and email, this is a light romance crossed with office politics slightly exaggerated for comic relief. Cabot is a very funny and prolific writer, but it took me a while to settle into the swift changes between writing medium that the story progressed through.
Written in memos, diary entries, IM, and email, this is a light romance crossed with office politics slightly exaggerated for comic relief. Cabot is a very funny and prolific writer, but it took me a while to settle into the swift changes between writing medium that the story progressed through.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
One Day
Author: David Nicholls
I loved the concept, checking in with his characters on the same day as the years pass and they drift apart and together. Great dialogue, very funny and distinct characters and quick, but telling descriptions of others. Love, loss, redemption. Brilliant.
Still quite upset about the death, though. Didn't see it coming.
I loved the concept, checking in with his characters on the same day as the years pass and they drift apart and together. Great dialogue, very funny and distinct characters and quick, but telling descriptions of others. Love, loss, redemption. Brilliant.
Still quite upset about the death, though. Didn't see it coming.
Peeled
Author: Joan Bauer
I've loved her other books fo rthe rich sense of place and people and the things that fill their worlds, such as shoes. This was a good read but not her best. I mistook it for middle grade when it is actually YA. Some of the lesser characters are not that well developed (ie. the villain newspaperman). Somehow though, the deep abiding sense of love comes through.
I've loved her other books fo rthe rich sense of place and people and the things that fill their worlds, such as shoes. This was a good read but not her best. I mistook it for middle grade when it is actually YA. Some of the lesser characters are not that well developed (ie. the villain newspaperman). Somehow though, the deep abiding sense of love comes through.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The Geography of Time
Author: Robert Levine
Really enjoyed this exploration of cultural time differences. It's something that I've always suspected but never had a way of expressing or understanding. Takeaway thoughts include cultures that value people more than time, the subtleties of saying yes hesitantly in Japanese to say no, navigating time and social expectations and event time versus clock time.
Reminded me of Flow, so I'll have to pull that out for a reread soon.
Really enjoyed this exploration of cultural time differences. It's something that I've always suspected but never had a way of expressing or understanding. Takeaway thoughts include cultures that value people more than time, the subtleties of saying yes hesitantly in Japanese to say no, navigating time and social expectations and event time versus clock time.
Reminded me of Flow, so I'll have to pull that out for a reread soon.
Molly's Cue
Author: Alison Acheson
High school filled drama, stage fright and family troubles. The worst is the truth about her Grandmother, who Molly believed was a stage actress. Finding out it was only a dream shakes Molly's self-confidence on stage to the core. She rebuilds and recovers with the help of friends and family.
Very solid and honest with adults behaving badly and coming to grips with their own issues as Molly solves her problem.
High school filled drama, stage fright and family troubles. The worst is the truth about her Grandmother, who Molly believed was a stage actress. Finding out it was only a dream shakes Molly's self-confidence on stage to the core. She rebuilds and recovers with the help of friends and family.
Very solid and honest with adults behaving badly and coming to grips with their own issues as Molly solves her problem.
Monday, January 30, 2012
The Distant Hours
Author: Kate Morton
I've been eyeing this book since reading The Forgotten Garden. Story within a story, it explores the literary history of 'The True History of the Mud Man' by investigating the author's three daughters, their wartime evacuee and her daughter.
Intricately intertwined and spell-binding.
I've been eyeing this book since reading The Forgotten Garden. Story within a story, it explores the literary history of 'The True History of the Mud Man' by investigating the author's three daughters, their wartime evacuee and her daughter.
Intricately intertwined and spell-binding.
Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes on the Right
Author: Kieran Kramer
A sworn spinster spurns her suitors with a fictional Duke, until he actually turns up. Then there is much intrigue involving the Russians and a spy, but it ends well, despite a lot of pre-marital explorations. Time machine wanted to verify just how much sex they got up to prior to marriage.
A sworn spinster spurns her suitors with a fictional Duke, until he actually turns up. Then there is much intrigue involving the Russians and a spy, but it ends well, despite a lot of pre-marital explorations. Time machine wanted to verify just how much sex they got up to prior to marriage.
Simply Love
Author: Mary Balogh
A follow up book - the wounded younger brother meets his love, a shockingly unmarried mother who teaches at a girl's school.
Lovely setting near the beach in Wales, mostly psychological barriers to overcome and a happy ending.
A follow up book - the wounded younger brother meets his love, a shockingly unmarried mother who teaches at a girl's school.
Lovely setting near the beach in Wales, mostly psychological barriers to overcome and a happy ending.
Monday, January 23, 2012
The Secret Life of Ms. Finkleman
Author: Ben H. Winters
This is the same author that wrote Sense & Sensibility and Sea Monsters (with a little help from Jane Austen). I much preferred this book.
Ms. Finkleman is the invisible music teacher that gets exposed as the lead singer of a 90's punk rock band. She is forced to lead her music class to produce a rock'n'roll entry to a choral corral competition, aided by two students.
It's fun, the characters are engaging and it has a feel-good vibe about self-discovery and individual gifts.
This is the same author that wrote Sense & Sensibility and Sea Monsters (with a little help from Jane Austen). I much preferred this book.
Ms. Finkleman is the invisible music teacher that gets exposed as the lead singer of a 90's punk rock band. She is forced to lead her music class to produce a rock'n'roll entry to a choral corral competition, aided by two students.
It's fun, the characters are engaging and it has a feel-good vibe about self-discovery and individual gifts.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Agatha Raisin and the Case of the Curious Curate
Author: M.C. Beaton
I can't seem to resist the pull of an unread Agatha Raisin book. No matter how I dislike the way she gets on with the men in her life, I can't resist her bull-headed plod to solving mysteries.
A very quick read, almost over too soon, and another single white male neighbour (where do they all come from?) and three more vicious murders, solved by a hunch that arose from less than gratifying memory of her misspent youth. Maybe that's what I like: she's hopelessly imperfect and fully aware of it, like the rest of us. Go Agatha!
I can't seem to resist the pull of an unread Agatha Raisin book. No matter how I dislike the way she gets on with the men in her life, I can't resist her bull-headed plod to solving mysteries.
A very quick read, almost over too soon, and another single white male neighbour (where do they all come from?) and three more vicious murders, solved by a hunch that arose from less than gratifying memory of her misspent youth. Maybe that's what I like: she's hopelessly imperfect and fully aware of it, like the rest of us. Go Agatha!
The Journey that Saved Curious George
Author: Louise Borden
Illustrator: Allan Drummond
There was a traveling exhibit in town that included memorabilia from the journey that H.A. Rey & his wife, Marguerite took when fleeing the Nazis. I missed the exhibit, but since I love their work, bought this book about it. The ink and wash illustrations are reminiscent of Bemelmens (who wrote & illustrated Madeline) than of H.A.Rey, who used cleaner lines and more solid colours.
I love that the book has the feel and energy of a Curious George book, even though my favorite Rey title is The Stars: A New Way to See Them.
Illustrator: Allan Drummond
There was a traveling exhibit in town that included memorabilia from the journey that H.A. Rey & his wife, Marguerite took when fleeing the Nazis. I missed the exhibit, but since I love their work, bought this book about it. The ink and wash illustrations are reminiscent of Bemelmens (who wrote & illustrated Madeline) than of H.A.Rey, who used cleaner lines and more solid colours.
I love that the book has the feel and energy of a Curious George book, even though my favorite Rey title is The Stars: A New Way to See Them.
The Seven Crystal Balls
Author /Illustrator: Herge
Ah, Tintin! I almost hate reading him in english because I always read him in french class and somehow Capitain Haddock's curses just sounded better. Also, the dog's name is Milou, not Snowy.
Apart from the choice of language, I love these books. The use of colour, clean lines and very full pages. Great characters with ample quirks, adventure, gunshots, travel, mysteries and never a lack of money or bravery. There's so much detail and so many things to learn about drawing a graphic novel contained in any one episode.
Ah, Tintin! I almost hate reading him in english because I always read him in french class and somehow Capitain Haddock's curses just sounded better. Also, the dog's name is Milou, not Snowy.
Apart from the choice of language, I love these books. The use of colour, clean lines and very full pages. Great characters with ample quirks, adventure, gunshots, travel, mysteries and never a lack of money or bravery. There's so much detail and so many things to learn about drawing a graphic novel contained in any one episode.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Sima's Undergarments for Women
Author: Ilana Stanger-Ross
Funny how we find great books. This one was reviewed in my alumni magazine. I loved the way the setting, pace of life and religion seeped in around the edges of the central story. Indeed, it feels like a story that couldn't exist in any other place in the world.
Although there are a few abrupt moments, it is gentle, human and loving. The ache of longing for a child, and the need to save someone else's child from pain are all too beautifully drawn.
The sanctity of the dressing room and shop and the way women talk and treat each other and observe, sometimes critically, always with love and empathy. I wish I could buy my bras there.
Funny how we find great books. This one was reviewed in my alumni magazine. I loved the way the setting, pace of life and religion seeped in around the edges of the central story. Indeed, it feels like a story that couldn't exist in any other place in the world.
Although there are a few abrupt moments, it is gentle, human and loving. The ache of longing for a child, and the need to save someone else's child from pain are all too beautifully drawn.
The sanctity of the dressing room and shop and the way women talk and treat each other and observe, sometimes critically, always with love and empathy. I wish I could buy my bras there.
Little Women and Me
Author: Lauren Baratz-Logsted
I was so looking forward to this - after all who hasn't wanted to go back and fix Little Women? Everyone wants Beth to live and Jo and Laurie to live happily ever after. That's just what the main character sets out to do, once she's been sucked inside the book and dressed in dowdy linen.
Unfortunately, the main character is shallow and very much on the outside of the story. Too much irony, perhaps? There's a sense that she doesn't (and possibly never did) fully embrace the story and characters with love and acceptance. That distance kept putting me off while reading this. It felt like she was unworthy of the honour of entering the story.
Also, I found the surprise the main character showed as the story unfolded hard to believe. Really, so much of that book is so memorable that it couldn't surprise any avid reader the second time through.
I was so looking forward to this - after all who hasn't wanted to go back and fix Little Women? Everyone wants Beth to live and Jo and Laurie to live happily ever after. That's just what the main character sets out to do, once she's been sucked inside the book and dressed in dowdy linen.
Unfortunately, the main character is shallow and very much on the outside of the story. Too much irony, perhaps? There's a sense that she doesn't (and possibly never did) fully embrace the story and characters with love and acceptance. That distance kept putting me off while reading this. It felt like she was unworthy of the honour of entering the story.
Also, I found the surprise the main character showed as the story unfolded hard to believe. Really, so much of that book is so memorable that it couldn't surprise any avid reader the second time through.
Friday, January 6, 2012
No reading of books - Jan 7th to 14th
Already over my limit in the first week of the New Year. I tried to tell myself that the business books didn't count, but that would be lying.
Tomorrow, I return all my library books. The best thing about the new library at Hillcrest (Terry Salman Branch) is that you don't need to enter the library to do this any more. There's an automated take-in window by the skating rink. It significantly lowers the risk of perusing the new books and fast read sections.
This also means no more friendly chit-chat with my library ladies about which books were great, and how the chickens are doing. I miss that. It seems to me that books are a great thing to build community around - especially because they contain ideas and dreams.
Tomorrow, I return all my library books. The best thing about the new library at Hillcrest (Terry Salman Branch) is that you don't need to enter the library to do this any more. There's an automated take-in window by the skating rink. It significantly lowers the risk of perusing the new books and fast read sections.
This also means no more friendly chit-chat with my library ladies about which books were great, and how the chickens are doing. I miss that. It seems to me that books are a great thing to build community around - especially because they contain ideas and dreams.
The Art of Non-Conformity
Author: Chris Guillebeau
Set Your Own Rules / Live the Life You Want and Change the World
Do we see a New Year's theme emerging? Wrong. I subscribe to the newsletter and have read his manifesto and much of his on-line writing. It's not so much news as it is review and re-invigoration. It's helped with decision making (Graduate school? Finish BFA? Keep or give up studio?) (No, no, yes).
The best part was recommending it to my partner, who said, "I'm already doing that." And it's true. He is. Me too.
Set Your Own Rules / Live the Life You Want and Change the World
Do we see a New Year's theme emerging? Wrong. I subscribe to the newsletter and have read his manifesto and much of his on-line writing. It's not so much news as it is review and re-invigoration. It's helped with decision making (Graduate school? Finish BFA? Keep or give up studio?) (No, no, yes).
The best part was recommending it to my partner, who said, "I'm already doing that." And it's true. He is. Me too.
Tribes: We need you to lead us
Author: Seth Godin
Sometimes Seth annoys me, other times he inspires me, but his work is always worth looking at, especially when refreshing your approach to business and/or life.
This time around I am inspired. I'm sure I've read this before, or similar content on his blog, but today it is timely. There is work to do, and ideas to articulate and communicate. Starting now. Critical points to remember (and act on):
Sometimes Seth annoys me, other times he inspires me, but his work is always worth looking at, especially when refreshing your approach to business and/or life.
This time around I am inspired. I'm sure I've read this before, or similar content on his blog, but today it is timely. There is work to do, and ideas to articulate and communicate. Starting now. Critical points to remember (and act on):
- Publish a manifesto.
- Make it easy for your followers to connect with you.
- Make it easy for your followers to connect with one another.
- Realize that money is not the point of a movement.
- Track your progress. Publicly.
The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Author: Jamie Ford
Loved many things about this novel - the perspective of Henry in his fifties versus Henry at twelve and the backdrop of Seattle during WWII, the Japanese internment, Chinese society and Black jazz all intersecting. Racism and the absence of anticipated racism, denial, acceptance, grief, all sorts of emotions were touched on and gently revealed.
I look forward to his next novel.
Loved many things about this novel - the perspective of Henry in his fifties versus Henry at twelve and the backdrop of Seattle during WWII, the Japanese internment, Chinese society and Black jazz all intersecting. Racism and the absence of anticipated racism, denial, acceptance, grief, all sorts of emotions were touched on and gently revealed.
I look forward to his next novel.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Death Comes to Pemberley
Author: P.D. James
I was a little concerned that this might be more PD James than Jane Austen, but it wasn't the case. Admittedly, it wasn't quite as emotionally engaging as Austen, but was a good read, despite an overly long denouement. Had to sleep and finish when I woke up.
Best part was how the characters remained true to themselves.
I was a little concerned that this might be more PD James than Jane Austen, but it wasn't the case. Admittedly, it wasn't quite as emotionally engaging as Austen, but was a good read, despite an overly long denouement. Had to sleep and finish when I woke up.
Best part was how the characters remained true to themselves.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Dakota
Author: Martha Grimes
The trouble with limiting your reading quantity is that you feel like every book has to be a work of genius to warrant reading. This one wasn't genius, just intriguing and a bit frustrating since the amnesiac main character never recovers her memories or learns anything about her past.
Instead we learn about factory pig farming and the slaughterhouse, which does move me to think twice about buying meat in grocery stores (instead of the organic stuff that's been coddled at the farmer's market).
The trouble with limiting your reading quantity is that you feel like every book has to be a work of genius to warrant reading. This one wasn't genius, just intriguing and a bit frustrating since the amnesiac main character never recovers her memories or learns anything about her past.
Instead we learn about factory pig farming and the slaughterhouse, which does move me to think twice about buying meat in grocery stores (instead of the organic stuff that's been coddled at the farmer's market).
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Why 100 books?
Last year I read 281 books.
My partner wants me to join Readers Anonymous.
And avoid all libraries.
And bookstores.
And maybe even quit my book club (which only reads 10 books a year, for crying out loud!)
This is a compromise.
If I read two books per week, it adds up to 104 books in total (the extra four are my secret bonus). Sitting here on New Year's Day, it's hard to imagine how much time this might free up for other things (like writing or knitting penguin sweaters).
I'm already looking at that stack from the library and wondering which books are worthy.
*sigh*
My partner wants me to join Readers Anonymous.
And avoid all libraries.
And bookstores.
And maybe even quit my book club (which only reads 10 books a year, for crying out loud!)
This is a compromise.
If I read two books per week, it adds up to 104 books in total (the extra four are my secret bonus). Sitting here on New Year's Day, it's hard to imagine how much time this might free up for other things (like writing or knitting penguin sweaters).
I'm already looking at that stack from the library and wondering which books are worthy.
*sigh*
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