I picked this book up last year as a possible Christmas present for my cousin's son. It came up in a book search as one of those, "other customers also bought..." suggestions when I was picking something else for him, and the idea sounded interesting. As I was heading up to visit the family for the weekend,... Continue Reading →
Followed by the Lark, by Helen Humphreys. Pub 2024
To me, a hallmark of a good book is one that I get so caught up in that I finish it in a day. Helen Humphreys usually does that for me. In Followed by the Lark, Humphreys novelizes the life of naturalist and philosopher, Henry David Thoreau. Based on his many writings and extensive journal, Humphreys... Continue Reading →
Held, by Anne Michaels. Pub 2023
Anne Michaels is, to me, a favourite and not nearly prolific enough writer. Her Fugitive Pieces remains an all-time favourite novel (might be time for a re-reading). Her second novel, Winter Vault, was not as good, both empirically and by comparison. With Held, she has burst out again as brilliant IMHO. Her writing style is not for everyone. It... Continue Reading →
Payback, by Margaret Atwood. Pub 2008
I've owned this book for several years, and thought that I had previously read it. I recall (now) reading at least part of the first chapter, as I remembered the elements of the modern history of mortgages, credit cards, and government loans. However, I realized very quickly that I had stopped reading at about page... Continue Reading →
Women Talking, by Miriam Toews. Book report #4 (2024)
Women Talking, by Miriam Toews. Pub 2018 I was interested in this book after learning about the movie version from 2022 that won an Oscar for best adapted screenplay. The premise I’d heard was that a group of women in a Mennonite community who are usually mostly silent have some special circumstance to gather and... Continue Reading →
Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel. Pub 2014
Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel. Pub 2014 I chose this book based on a recommendation in the acknowledgements of a book I read last year (The End of Men)*. It was interesting to read a second post-apocalyptic book so close after the previous one (Moon of the Turning Leaves), especially one set in... Continue Reading →
Moon of the Turning Leaves, by Waubgeshig Rice. Book report #1 (2024)
Moon of the Turning Leaves, by Waubgeshig Rice. Pub 2023 This book is a sequel to Moon of the Crusted Snow, a book club read in 2020. In the earlier story, an unknown apocalypse event has occurred, cutting off power and communication to a small First Nations community (the "Rez") in Northern Ontario, forcing the survivors... Continue Reading →
The Adversary, by Michael Crummey. Book report #36 (2023)
The Adversary, by Michael Crummey. Pub 2023 Michael Crummey is a favourite author. I've read almost all his novels and short stories, and a few books of poetry, too. I heard about this book coming out, and while I'd normally wait till Christmas or for a paperback version, I also saw that Crummey was going to... Continue Reading →
The Wayfinders, by Wade Davis. Book report #31 (2023)
The Wayfinders, by Wade Davis. Pub 2009 I've had this book for many years, likely not long after it was published. I recall reading a few previous books in the series - especially Payback (Margaret Atwood) and A Short History of Progress (Ronald Wright) - and purchasing this one when it came out. After starting it, I think I... Continue Reading →
Pandexicon, by Wayne Grady. Book report #31 (2023)
Pandexicon, by Wayne Grady. Pub 2023 I don't recall where I first heard of this book, but I know it was in the last month or so, likely on a podcast of some kind. Needing a book to fill the language category, this seemed like a timely fit, and promised (according to the cover) to... Continue Reading →
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