Always Home, by Fanny Singer. Pub 2020 This book was an unexpected birthday gift from a friend living in California. She knows of my love of good writing and good food (and of the annual reading challenge), and after reading some favourable reviews of this book, she kindly sent it my way. It came along... Continue Reading →
The Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt. Book report #15 (2020)
The Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt. Pub 2013. I've had this book for a while now, a recommendation from a friend. It has been avoided due to its size - >700 pages - and that it is a "check-out" book (as in, one that I frequently see amongst the pulp fiction collections at the grocery store).... Continue Reading →
The Diary of a Bookseller, by Shaun Bythell. Book report #13 (2020)
The Diary of a Bookseller, by Shaun Bythell. Pub 2017 A gift from a dear friend, this one-year diary by Shaun Bythell was a delightful read, perfect for reading a few entries or pages just before bed. I especially like the excerpts from George Orwell as introductions to each month, confirming that bookselling has not... Continue Reading →
Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell. Book report #6 (2020)
I read this book with a friend at work; he chose it as something we could each read and then talk about. I should have been wary - the last time I did this, the book was The Tipping Point, also by Malcolm Gladwell. That book was remarkable in that I did learn some new... Continue Reading →
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman. Book report #4 (2020)
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman. Pub 2017 This book was not even on my radar. But, a few weeks ago, I gave a presentation on goal setting at work, and mentioned some of my own goals (writing more blog posts, not buying more books). A friend and colleague left this book for... Continue Reading →
The Man in the Red Coat, by Julian Barnes. Book report #1 (2020)
The Man in the Red Coat, by Julian Barnes. Pub 2019 A great start to 2020! Being a total Barnes-ophile, when I saw that this book was coming out in England in November, but not in Canada until end of February, I could not wait. I ordered two copies of the lovely first edition (one... Continue Reading →
2020 Reading Challenge
Out with the old, in with the new. 2020's reading list takes us to 30 items, with some new categories to keep things interesting. The list is below. This year we removed book you can read in one day and book set where you live (too easy for my friend (London), too hard for me).... Continue Reading →
Ex Libris, by Anne Fadiman. Book report #24 (2019)
Ex Libris, by Anne Fadiman. Pub 1998 I remember exactly how and where I came upon this now-treasured collection of essays (and its companion, At Large and At Small) – it was in 2008, on a vacation in Victoria, and a visit to that Mecca for booklovers, Munro’s Books. My favourite spot in the store... Continue Reading →
I Heard the Owl Call My Name, by Margaret Craven. Book report #22 (2019)
I Heard the Owl Call My Name, by Margaret Craven. Pub 1967 I had resolved not to purchase any new books in 2019 – a kind of book-buying fast. As my home is seemingly overflowing with books, many unread, I wanted to try to get through the year reading what I had. Alas, on a... Continue Reading →
Pops, by Michael Chabon. Book report #18 (2019)
Pops: Fatherhood in Pieces, by Michael Chabon. Pub. 2018 It was the title of this one that got me – not many people I know refer to their father as “pop” as I do – and also Michael Chabon as the author. I have read only a few of his books, and enjoyed each of... Continue Reading →
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