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 →
The Ten (Food) Commandments, by Jay Rayner. Book report #17 (2019)
The Ten (Food) Commandments, by Jay Rayner. Pub 2017 This book was a gift from my book club buddy, who shares my delight in good food and good writing. The author here is a regular contributor of restaurant reviews and food commentary at The Guardian, and I've read and enjoyed his style before, but this... Continue Reading →
The Library Book, by Susan Orlean. Book report #16 (2019)
The Library Book, by Susan Orlean. Pub 2018 This was my first reading of Susan Orlean (The Orchid Thief) in book form. I’ve read a few pieces by her in The New Yorker, but never a whole book. What I have I been waiting for? Starting out as bit of mystery, exploring a devastating fire... Continue Reading →
Fierce, by Hannah Holborn. Book report #15 (2019)
Fierce, by Hannah Holborn. Pub 2008 Rereading this book for the first time since 2008 when it came out. I have this book because I know the author: we met in 2007 in Pender Harbour, and she recommended a few other books (Wild Dogs, Raw Shark Texts) as well as her own forthcoming story collection.... Continue Reading →
Little Dogs, by Michael Crummey. Book report #14 (2019)
Little Dogs, by Michael Crummey. Pub 2016 New and selected poems from a favourite writer, this was a great way to get introduced to Crummey’s excellent poetry. The book includes selections from his previous four collections along with a set of new poems. The landscapes, the people, the history and the personal details are intertwined... Continue Reading →
Help the Witch, by Tom Cox. Book report #13 (2019)
Help the Witch, by Tom Cox. Pub 2018 An Unbound book, I don’t recall what took me to this one – likely a Facebook suggestion, or newsletter blurb make it sound intriguing. And it was. A quirky set of short stories, all with a ghostly theme, they are a bit uneven (trying to be eclectic)... Continue Reading →
The Raw Shark Texts, by Steven Hall. Book report #12 (2019)
The Raw Shark Texts, by Steven Hall. Pub 2007 Like Wild Dogs, I’ve at last gotten to this long-ago recommendation. I can’t believe I waited so long. This book was fantastic – literally. Part The Matrix, part Griffin & Sabine, with definite shades of David Mitchell, this adventure paranormal mystery love story is a page... Continue Reading →
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