Frequently appearing on best-novels lists, I’ve always found this one to be intimidating, mostly because of the subject matter, but also because of its lofty reputation as elite literature. However, after a thorough introduction and assurance that the novel was worth reading by the excellent The Book Club podcast, I decided it was time. I... Continue Reading →
Lord of the Flies, by William Golding. Pub 1954
I was inspired to read this by The Book Club podcast, as it is on their upcoming reading list. I recall I had to read this in Grade 9, and also saw the 1963 film at about the same time. However, my memory was quite vague about the story details, so this rereading was like... Continue Reading →
The Odyssey, by Homer. Translation by Emily Wilson. Pub 2017
I have read The Odyssey before (not sure when), from another translator. A few years ago, listened to the audiobook version of Wilson's translation. Then I heard that Christopher Nolan's movie version was in part based on and inspired by this translation, so I wanted to read it again before seeing the movie. Very briefly, The Odyssey tells... Continue Reading →
Pandora’s Jar, by Natalie Haynes. Pub 2020
I took this book on a recent bus trip under the mistaken impression it was a novel. While I was initially disappointed to have no fiction in my travel book selection (the other being a non-fiction maths book), I stuck with it and found it enjoyable and enlightening. I've read two novels by Haynes (both... Continue Reading →
Julia, by Sandra Newman. Pub 2023
This is billed as a retelling of George Orwell's 1984, with the imprimatur of approval from the Orwell estate (while the original novel is in the public domain in England, it is still under copyright in the US, and the estate has further protected both the title, the phrase "Big Brother is watching you" and the... Continue Reading →
Departure(s), by Julian Barnes. Pub 2026
First off, I'm pleased to say this book did not disappoint me (like the previous one did). I was delighted to get the UK edition, and a signed copy at that (although the signature was disappointing, such a small scribble). The physical book is a delight, with substantial paper, a cloth binding that invites holding... Continue Reading →
The Bible, new standard revised version, Catholic edition, Anglicized text. Printed 1995.
My pop used to say that a hallmark of a smart person is that they've read the bible. In the spring, when going through some of his things with my sister, we found his bible - a Jerusalem bible, from 1966. I decided to take on reading it this year, but didn't want to risk... Continue Reading →
All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque. Pub 1928. Translation by A.W. Wheen, pub 1929.
Over the summer, we rewatched the 2022 film version of this story. I was impressed and moved by it the first time I saw it, and the second viewing delivered the same visceral horror and devastation. I’d heard that the book was even more powerful. I was less engaged with the novel, perhaps because much... Continue Reading →
The Stone Diaries, by Carol Shields. Pub 1993
Like so many favourite books from the distant past, this is one I hadn’t read since the first time, so didn’t remember much of the story (and in fact was confusing it in my memory with The Stone Angel). Like with A Prayer for Owen Meany, I decided to read it again to refresh the... Continue Reading →
We Do Not Part, by Han Kang. Pub 2021. Translation by E. Yaewon and Paige Aniyah Morris, Pub 2025.
I got this book when I read that the New York Times had selected it for its book club in March. I had also vaguely heard of it at my local bookshop, and with the added imprimatur of the Nobel Prize in 2024, it seemed like a good bet to try out this new-to-me author.... Continue Reading →