Sapiens, by Yuval Noah Harari. Pub 2011 (English translation 2014) I chose this book after seeing it on Bill Gates’ top-ten book list, reading a bit about it, and then finding it during my January top-up splurge. I was daunted by the length of it (466 pages), and skeptical about getting through it. A previous... Continue Reading →
The Innocents, by Michael Crummey. Book report #2 (2020)
The Innocents, by Michael Crummey. Pub 2019. Also, Most of What Follows is True, by Michael Crummey. Pub 2019 Acquired during my New Year splurge purchase, I had added this book to my list back in September when I read about its publication as part of reviewing the Giller Prize nominations list. When I at... 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 →
By Gaslight, by Steven Price. Book report #25 (2019)
By Gaslight, by Steven Price. Pub 2016 I have Steven Price’s most recent book (Lampedusa) on my “to read” list for 2020 (since I’m not allowed to buy it in 2019). I almost picked up By Gaslight during my trip to Munro’s in Victoria in September but was scared off by its size – at... 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 →
Twitch Force, by Michael Redhill. Book report #23 (2019)
Twitch Force, by Michael Redhill. Pub 2019 I was attracted to this book because of the author - last year, I read and enjoyed a novel by Michael Redhill, and so was interested to read his poetry. Unfortunately, the poetry was not as enjoyable as the novel, nor as interesting as the cover art. The... 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 →
The Testaments, by Margaret Atwood. Book report #21 (2019)
The Testaments, by Margaret Atwood. Pub 2019 At long last for everyone, the sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale. I’m glad I chose to read this while away, and I had not spoiled it at all by reading up on social media (although I might now). I wanted to love this. Perhaps after time and attention,... Continue Reading →
The Secret Lives of Colour, by Kassia St. Clair. Book report #19 (2019)
The Secret Lives of Colour, by Kassia St. Clair. Pub 2016 I’ll confess to having envy – I envy those who can see and use and interpret colours. Those artists who make something remarkable appear on a canvas or through a camera lens, those fashion plates who effortlessly look fabulous all the time, birdwatchers who... Continue Reading →
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