A wonderful fantasy filled novel
This novel marketed towards teens, is a great novel for fantasy lovers of all ages. Set in a world where faeries live among humans, this story tests the bonds of love. I liked that the story did have a happy ending, though it was not what one would have thought "happy" would be. Ash and Keenan were both able to have what they really wanted, once they were able to "think outside of the box", and allow themselves to want what they thought was not possible. A wonderful story with a good message for our youth!
This book was courtesy of HarperCollinsCanada The Reading Group, as a crossover event with the theme of books for teens, that adults would enjoy as well.
Friday, December 28, 2007
The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox
I quite enjoyed this book
The story is of a woman who has spent over 60 years in a mental hospital. When the hospital is set to close, they contact a relative, who had no idea of her existence. Initially Iris is concerned about her long lost relative's mental stability, and whether it is safe to be with her. Iris however, soon warms to her Grandmother's sister. She searches for the reason why Esme has been locked up for so long, and can find only sketchy records at the institution. Her grandmother, Esme's sister, suffers from Alzheimer's, and can offer little to no help. We are able to view bits of Esme's patchy memory throughout the book, giving us only clues as to the events that led to her institutionalization. In the end, the truth comes, but too late.
This book started it's journey in the U.K. by a bookcrosser who mailed it to a bookcrosser here in Winnipeg. I picked it up at a local bookcrossing meeting.
The story is of a woman who has spent over 60 years in a mental hospital. When the hospital is set to close, they contact a relative, who had no idea of her existence. Initially Iris is concerned about her long lost relative's mental stability, and whether it is safe to be with her. Iris however, soon warms to her Grandmother's sister. She searches for the reason why Esme has been locked up for so long, and can find only sketchy records at the institution. Her grandmother, Esme's sister, suffers from Alzheimer's, and can offer little to no help. We are able to view bits of Esme's patchy memory throughout the book, giving us only clues as to the events that led to her institutionalization. In the end, the truth comes, but too late.
This book started it's journey in the U.K. by a bookcrosser who mailed it to a bookcrosser here in Winnipeg. I picked it up at a local bookcrossing meeting.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
The Christmas Train - David Baldacci
A delightful "feel good" Holiday novel. Light reading, perfect for this busy, stressful holiday time.
This book delivers the usual elements of holiday fare, but in the end, that is why we choose holiday themed books this time of year. Brimming with love, hope, kindness to strangers, and second chances, this book will give you the warm fuzzies you might not be able to find being elbowed in the mall, and having the parking spot you've waited 5 min. for be taken by someone who just drove up that second from the other direction!
I will be releasing this book immediately through bookcrossing, in the hopes of giving someone else the warm fuzzies this Christmas season!
This book delivers the usual elements of holiday fare, but in the end, that is why we choose holiday themed books this time of year. Brimming with love, hope, kindness to strangers, and second chances, this book will give you the warm fuzzies you might not be able to find being elbowed in the mall, and having the parking spot you've waited 5 min. for be taken by someone who just drove up that second from the other direction!
I will be releasing this book immediately through bookcrossing, in the hopes of giving someone else the warm fuzzies this Christmas season!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
The Swinging Bridge - Ramabai Espinet
A good book by a Canadian Author.
This book really studies the need for all of us to have "roots", and how those roots may be tied to land, traditions, family, and history, or a combination thereof. I really felt that Mona found her roots in the end, and that while some of those roots were tied to the land of her childhood, she could accept those roots, despite being elsewhere physically. Mona was able to find peace in her life once she was able to define her roots and their origins.
Thanks to HarperCollins Canada Reading Group.
This book really studies the need for all of us to have "roots", and how those roots may be tied to land, traditions, family, and history, or a combination thereof. I really felt that Mona found her roots in the end, and that while some of those roots were tied to the land of her childhood, she could accept those roots, despite being elsewhere physically. Mona was able to find peace in her life once she was able to define her roots and their origins.
Thanks to HarperCollins Canada Reading Group.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
The Assassin's Song - M.G. Vassanji
This book was well worthy of it's nomination for the Giller Prize, and it's subsequent short-listing. It would have been worthy of the prize had it won.
A stunning novel about living with the pressures that come from religious, cultural, political, traditional and familial sources, and the difficulties in amalgamating these pressures with our own wants and desires, and how in our youth, it is often difficult to define our wants and desires.
This story is set during turbulent times in India, and follows a young boy named Karsan, from his earliest days with his parents and brother, living at a shrine. He is next in line to succeed his father as Guru and caretaker of the shrine. Though is father tries to keep him in the traditional ways, he soon rebels and seeks his own life in America. But soon Karsan finds it is not always so easy to escape your past.
The book ends with a subtle but delicious twist at the end. A fine work by Vassanji.
A stunning novel about living with the pressures that come from religious, cultural, political, traditional and familial sources, and the difficulties in amalgamating these pressures with our own wants and desires, and how in our youth, it is often difficult to define our wants and desires.
This story is set during turbulent times in India, and follows a young boy named Karsan, from his earliest days with his parents and brother, living at a shrine. He is next in line to succeed his father as Guru and caretaker of the shrine. Though is father tries to keep him in the traditional ways, he soon rebels and seeks his own life in America. But soon Karsan finds it is not always so easy to escape your past.
The book ends with a subtle but delicious twist at the end. A fine work by Vassanji.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
The Memory Keeper's Daughter - Kim Edwards
A wonderful novel about how the line between right and wrong can blur, how secrets can damage our relationships, and split second decisions can haunt us always.
The story starts in 1964, when Dr. David Henry ( an orthopedic surgeon) delivers his own twins during a bad snowstorm. The first, born healthy, and the second with Down syndrome. He makes a split second decision, and hands this baby to his nurse with instructions to bring her to an institution. The nurse in turn, makes a split second decision, NOT to leave her in the institution. The novel follows the impact of these decisions for decades to follow.
Edwards navigates this psychologically and emotionally complicated tale with compassion, and leaves you feeling a connection with all the characters, disliking none of them. A Good read.
The story starts in 1964, when Dr. David Henry ( an orthopedic surgeon) delivers his own twins during a bad snowstorm. The first, born healthy, and the second with Down syndrome. He makes a split second decision, and hands this baby to his nurse with instructions to bring her to an institution. The nurse in turn, makes a split second decision, NOT to leave her in the institution. The novel follows the impact of these decisions for decades to follow.
Edwards navigates this psychologically and emotionally complicated tale with compassion, and leaves you feeling a connection with all the characters, disliking none of them. A Good read.
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