When collecting some books from the bookstore recently, I saw a display with all the books on the Women's Prize shortlist, which included this little book. On a whim I added it to my pile, not knowing anything about it. At home, reading the back cover, I had a twinge of regret - this is... Continue Reading →
Snap, by Susin Nielsen. Pub 2025
This was part of my Christmas book pile, selected due to the endorsement by Susan Juby (Mindful of Murder). There seems to be a cohort of local children's authors who are moving into light adult fiction, and this novel is part of that wave. It seemed like a nice light read and it was that... Continue Reading →
A Meditation on Murder, by Susan Juby. Pub 2024
I started this one in the hopes of finishing it to pass on to another reader. I looked forward to more delightful enlightenment from the world’s calmest butler since Jeeves and was not disappointed. In this second of the Helen Thorpe mystery series, we find Helen ensconced in West Vancouver with a wealthy and eclectic... Continue Reading →
On the Calculation of Volume III, by Solvej Balle. Pub 2022. Translation by Sophia Hersi Smith and Jennifer Russell. Pub 2025
I read both parts I and II last year, so am continuing the journey with Tara and her growing group of time anti-travellers. Tara is stuck in the 18th of November of an unspecified year. A more serious version of "Groundhog Day", Tara experiences the confusion, loneliness, challenges, and opportunities of living the same day... Continue Reading →
It Lasts Forever and Then It’s Over, by Anne de Marcken. Pub 2024
I picked this one up last year at my favourite local bookstore. It was on the "recommended by staff" shelf, recommended by someone who has pointed me to good books before. This was another. De Marcken creates a strange apocalyptic world, populated by zombie-like people (including the main character, who narrates the story) and those... Continue Reading →
The Miraculous True History of Nomi Ali, by Uzma Aslam Khan. Pub 2019
I've read one previous book by Khan (Trespassing) and enjoyed it very much, so was looking forward to this and was not disappointed. Khan has a knack for creating small believable stories within larger historical settings, providing a glimpse into lesser-known situations through her characters. In this novel, we are transported (like most of the... Continue Reading →
The Librarianist, by Patrick DeWitt. Pub 2023
I had high hopes for this book, as I enjoyed French Exit very much. I waited till this was in paperback before adding it to my Christmas wish list, which was duly fulfilled by Santa. While this novel is not as good as the other, it is an enjoyable, engaging, and well-written story with a few... Continue Reading →
The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp, by Leonie Swann. Pub 2020. Translation by Amy Bojang, pub 2023
I picked this one out as it comes from the author of Three Bags Full, a marvellously creative mystery with sheep as the central characters, with a brilliant translation. While this story held much promise as a variation on Osman's septuagenarian sleuths, it did not live up to that potential, most likely (I suspect) due to... Continue Reading →
The Glass Hotel, by Emily St. John Mandel. Pub 2020
I've enjoyed Mandel's books in the past, so added this one to my Christmas wish list. Mandel creates complex and memorable characters and unusual situations, and this book is true to form. Based indirectly (but very closely) on the Bernie Madoff scheme, the unlikely central character is Vincent Smith, a young woman from Northern Vancouver... Continue Reading →
Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi. 20th anniversary edition, pub 2023.
Given the January 2026 revolution on the streets in Iran, this seemed like a timely read, and one I've been meaning to get to for some years. While graphic novels are not usually my thing, it seemed like an interesting way to engage with the topic, and indeed it was. Persepolis (which is actually two... Continue Reading →
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