The Literary Word - Book Reviews

Exciting News

2012-01-28T15:14:00.003-05:00

I know I usually stick to posts regarding books I have read but I couldn't resist sharing this with my readers. I know fellow Canadians especially are going to love this!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2011

Goose Lane Editions launches new website

[Fredericton, NB] In 1994, still in the birthing years of the Internet, Goose Lane Editions, Canada’s oldest independent book publisher, made history by becoming one of the first publishing houses in the world to launch their own website. After 18 years, the site has gone through numerous transformations, changing to suit our evolving culture as technology improved and users became more computer-savvy. Now, we are proud to announce the newest iteration of www.gooselane.com, with new features, new content, and a new promotion to kick off the launch.

In addition to a complete visual redesign, we have added new website elements such as twitter feeds and ongoing blog posts by our many employees. Sample chapters are available for many books, and an ongoing stream of events and notices is added to the main page every day.

To celebrate our launch, we’d like to extend a special offer. For every day the week of January 30, we will be offering one book a day at a special highly-discounted price. Roadsworth, YOU comma Idiot, The Famished Lover, Miller Brittain, The Black Watch, Beaverbrook: A Shattered Legacy, and Ganong: A Sweet History of Chocolate will each take over one day of the week with a drastically discounted price to help celebrate our new look and attitude. All this, in addition to our regular feature of free shipping on orders of $60 or more. To take advantage of these offers, simply create an account with Goose Lane. By doing so, you’ll also ensure that you are regularly updated on upcoming special offers.

We’ve been around a long time, both physically and electronically. Here’s to many more years together.

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

2012-01-12T14:37:00.009-05:00

Published by Razorbill, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group and Penguin Group Canada

The internet is still being discovered by most people in 1996 and two young students, Emma and Josh, are about to embark on their own adventure online. Equipped with Emma's new computer and Josh's AOL disk that his parents don't want to use, they have no idea what they are in for. What they find is Facebook in 2011 and the profiles of people who look like them, just older and different. It doesn't take them long to discover that decisions they make in the present, affect their future selves in enormous ways and none of the outcomes are what the two desire.

I found this book to be a very quick read, and an addictive one at that. The concept was fascinating and unique so it's safe to say this book had my interest before I even opened the cover. It was almost surreal reading about characters trying to navigate through Facebook and discover what it was, when it's an every day part of my life. I found this book to be imaginative, thought-provoking, inspirational and entertaining. The two main characters are often scrambling to try and change their current lives in order to bring about a desired future and it never quite seems to work out how they anticipate. The ending was quite predictable which stifled my enjoyment a little but in spite of that, I still consider it a good reading experience and I would have no problem recommending it but I think adults aren't going to enjoy it as much as their young readers will. Personally my favourite aspect of this book is that it teaches about the consequences of our actions which I think is an invaluable lesson.

Authors' websites - http://jayasher.blogspot.com/
and

http://carolynmackler.com/Carolyn-Mackler-Home-Page.asp

Obsessed with Star Trek: Test Your Knowledge of the Star Trek Universe by Chip Carter

2012-01-12T14:02:00.008-05:00

Published by Chronicle Books

Distributed by Raincoast Books

This interactive game features 2,500 Star Trek related questions that span across all of the TV shows and movies. Do you think you know everything Star Trek? If you aren't the type who likes to play group games there is a single player mode so you can just challenge yourself or if you want to challenge a friend simply switch to the two player mode. You can also set up the game with your preference as to whether you want random questions or whether you would rather input your own question numbers. The results are charted via way of how many correct answers out of how many questions asked (example: 3/10) as well as a percentage format. It's a fun and interesting way to learn more about Star Trek too if you are not so familiar with it. It takes just a few seconds to set up with your preferences and is so easy to use.

I had quite a bit of fun with this book. I don't consider myself a Trekkie but I did think I knew enough to at least avoid a totally humiliating score. I was so wrong. I found myself struggling to answer at least the first 10 - the example score above is probably the same score I had at that point - but the more I got into it, the more I got right which I was pretty relieved about. Of course, given that all the questions are written in a 4 answer multiple choice format, it could have been due to my luck improving rather than skill. Regardless, I found this book to be entertaining and informative and I couldn't help but find myself wanting to watch more Star Trek after playing, if only so I can have a better score next time! I especially seem to be lacking in knowledge of the original Star Trek with Captain Kirk and crew but my knowledge all through seems pretty pitiful. It's to be expected from a bookworm I guess.

A fun gift and if you have a Trekkie in your life, this should definitely be on your 'to buy' list. I personally could see myself playing this with a few friends on those cold winter nights just for fun.

Author's website - http://chipcarter.com/

There's Lead in Your Lipstick by Gillian Deacon

2011-04-26T22:00:00.001-04:00

Published by Penguin Group Canada

Each morning we spritz, soak, and slather ourselves in 127 different chemicals, many of which are toxic. Each time we draw a bubble bath for a child, lather foaming cream for a shave, or deodorize our underarms, we expose our bodies to innumerable chemicals with limited research on their long-term health effects. The cosmetics industry is not required to prove an ingredient is safe for human health before it is used in a consumer product. Shocking, but true.

Gillian Deacon is a breast cancer survivor who decided to write this book when learning about the many toxins that are placed into so many of our beauty products and I am so glad she did. Gillian shares with the readers that she was reading Stacy Malkan's 'Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of Beauty' while waiting to have an ultrasound to help diagnose her possible breast cancer. That book inspired this brilliantly researched, informative and invaluable resource that literally shocked me to hell.

Never have I been so relieved that I am not a person who likes to wear make-up. More shocking though are the amount of products that seem to contain ingredients that are known, or suspected to cause breast cancer. In one chapter that really grabbed my attention, Gill Deacon shares the following facts:

More American women have died of breast cancer in the last 20 years than the number of Americans killed in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War combined.
Many of the big cosmetics corporations that position themselves as leaders in the struggle to eradicate breast cancer - holding annual fundraisers and pink-ribbon campaigns - are in fact, makers and marketers of products that contain many ingredients known or suspected to cause breast cancer.

More shocking still, in other chapters, was the sheer volume of baby products - products we believe we can trust to use with our precious young, that contain crazy amounts of toxins. Baby powder for example.

Talc is still found in some baby powders and as a moistureabsorbing ingredient in products like eyeshadow, blush, and deodorant. Talc is similar to asbestos in its chemical composition. It is linked to ovarian cancer and is also a probable respiratory toxin. Watch for ingredients listed as talc, French talc, or cosmetic talc.

What also concerned me, was info about baby shampoos from a brand that I had long trusted when my children were babies. Shampoos that contained ingredients that cause developmental issues, among other things. I was horrified. The news isn't all bad though. In addition to sharing a great deal of information along with the encouragement to make your own well-informed choices, Gill Deacon provides countless sources for truly natural and safe products that we can use without concern. Or at least, with the knowledge we are harming ourselves less. I especially liked that recipes for making your own products were included. One of my favourites is:

Make It Yourself: Moisturizing Mask

Greek yogourt is also very moisturizing and can be used as a base for this mask.

1/2 medium to large avocado
1 to 2 tbsp honey 5 to 15 mL

Puree ingredients together in a blender or whip by hand.
For dry, sensitive skin, add one tablespoon of oatmeal and one tablespoon of water.
Mix together into a smooth paste and apply to the face and neck area, leaving on for about ten minutes.

From There’s Lead in Your Lipstick by Gillian Deacon (Penguin Canada). Copyright © Backbone Inc. FSO Gillian Deacon, 2011

One of the resources spoken of in the book, was EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetic Database. I rushed to check it and was astounded at how many of my usual products are in the higher hazard range. To be honest, this book troubled me a great deal. So much so that when reading about shampoo and body wash, I sprinted out of bed and checked the bottles in my bathroom for the dreaded ingredients and was dismayed to see so many of them present. This book is a definite wake-up call and I have decided because of it, that our home is going to be a more natural environment and not just with personal hygiene products, but with general household cleaners and more.

I can't recommend this book enough. Please read it. In order to help people to transition to healthier products, the author has also created a wallet-sized tip sheet with important things to remember. You can find it by clicking on the image below.

I'm also happy to announce that as part of this blog tour, a prize is being offered. The prize contains a copy of There’s Lead In Your Lipstick and an Eco Kiss kit from the folks at Saffron Rouge (combined value of approx. CDN $48.95.)

It's open to Canadian residents only. Simply drop me an e-mail at: theliteraryword [at] gmail [dot] com with the answer to the following question (answer can be found at Gillian Deacon's site):

What is the title of Gillian Deacon's other bestselling book that is a friendly how-to guide to making simple changes in your day-to-day life for a cleaner, healthier world?

The first person to e-mail me with the correct answer will win the goody pack!

To check out other reviews from fellow blog tour participants, visit the links below:

April 11 Rayment’s Readings, Rants and Ramblings

April 12 My Ever Expanding Library

April 13 Jacob’s Beloved

April 14 Bella’s Bookshelves
April 15 Cindy’s Love of Books
April 18 Rowangarth Farm
April 19 Lost for Words
April 20 Curled Up With a Good Book and a Cup of Tea
April 21 A Bookworm’s World

April 22 KimWerker.com
April 25 A Mom After God’ Own Heart

April 26 The Literary Word (You are already here!)
April 27 Just a Lil Lost
April 28 In the Next Room

Better Living Through Plastic Explosives by Zsuzsi Gartner

2011-04-19T22:55:00.000-04:00

Published by Hamish Hamilton an imprint of Penguin Group Canada

Better Living Through Plastic Explosives offers the reader a glimpse into numerous lives. Slowly peeling back the layers of each existence until a sometimes brutal, sometimes funny, often quirky and always riveting story forms within the pages. A wartime photographer, angel-possessed teens, rebellious adopted children, terrorist turned housewife, and movie industry folk are just some of the colourful characters that Zsuzsi Gartner skillfully writes into being.

I love short story collections so I was thrilled to see this title land in my mailbox. The title piqued my curiosity almost immediately but I waited until I was certain I could read this with little interruption. I am so glad I did. Once I picked this book up, it was difficult to put down and everything around me ceased to exist as I dived into the pages. The writing style is truly eloquent and painted such vivid imagery in my mind as I explored each piece. What I really found unique about this book is that each story has a quality that never fails to tease and stimulate the intellect. Once upon a time, I would likely have considered these stories to be lacking, to be needing a little more 'fleshing out' so to speak, but today I find myself truly appreciating that they inspire me to give more thought to the characters and their experiences.

I was asked at one point, which story was my favourite and I had selected the story 'Once, We Were Swedes' in which a wife mourns the loss of intimacy within her marriage. I had also answered that I suspected I would have problems choosing favourite tales by the end of the book and I was not disappointed. There are so many and each is brilliant in its own way though I definitely place 'Summer of the Flesh Eater', 'The Adopted Chinese Daughters' Rebellion', 'We Come in Peace', and of course 'Better Living Through Plastic Explosives' a little higher above the rest. What I loved a great deal about this book too, is the stories strike me as being able to stand up to repeated reading. I can't help but feel that due to the previously mentioned inspirational quality, I could read this book time and again, and not suffer any loss of enjoyment.

I hadn't heard of this British Columbia based author until now but I was thrilled to see that Zsuzsi Gartner also wrote a collection of stories titled 'All the Anxious Girls on Earth'. A collection that I know will be a welcome addition to my bookcases in the near future. Not since Norman Levine have I felt so drawn to a story collection. It's simply dynamite (Yes, I can hear the groans from here! *laughs*)

I haven't checked out other reviews of this book yet (I always avoid looking until my own is written) but I am looking forward to checking out what other people think and will be most curious to see what my fellow blog tour participants think. I know that Bibliomania reviewed this on the 18th April and you can find that review here. Other stops on the tour are In The Next Room - April 21st here, and Bella's Bookshelves - April 26 here.

Additional reviews can be found at Reading for the Joy of it and Pickle Me This

Don't forget to check out the author's website at http://www.zsuzsigartner.com/

The Uncoupling by Meg Wolitzer

2011-04-13T00:12:00.004-04:00

Published by Riverhead Books an imprint of Penguin Group Canada

Eleanor Roosevelt High School has a new drama teacher, Fran Heller. Fran and her son Eli are new to Stellar Plains, New Jersey but with their newly painted colourful house and Fran's equally colourful personality, they are quickly making their mark. When Fran chooses the school play for the year, Lysistrata (in which women stop having sex with men in order to stop a war), strange things start to happen around the town. As if touched by magic, the women and girls in town are turning away from their partners with no idea as to why. Formerly healthy relationships turn sour as the women worry about this new development, the men feeling unwanted and equally as confused. Will life ever return to normal?

I wasn't expecting this book to be such a deep read. While the book blurb piqued my interest, the story line seemed pretty transparent and as such, I imagined I would breeze through this book in no time. Instead, I found myself reading a well developed tale, filled with characters I became quickly invested in, and enjoying the experience a great deal. Meg Wolitzer takes a serious and sensitive subject, blends it brilliantly with a dash of humour, a great deal of compassion, infinite honesty, and a sprinkle of surprise in order to bring us this wonderfully written novel.

I loved following the developments in each relationship, stealing a glimpse during their most intimate, turbulent, and vulnerable moments. It's impossible to read this book and not feel an empathy with one, if not many of the characters within. The author teases and tugs at the full range of emotions in the reader which I found quite exhilarating. That said, I still, weeks after reading this, have trouble trying to express fully what I thought of it. It's a book that is difficult to really describe as it's pretty different from anything else I have read but I did enjoy reading it and found myself mulling over the content in-between reading sessions. It's also a book that I feel would be great to re-read. I plan on reading it again this summer, without my reviewing cap on, so that I may savour it more completely. I also plan on obtaining a copy of Lysistrata and other works by Aristophanes.

It's definitely worth a look and you can see an excerpt here

Author's website: http://megwolitzer.com/

The Archaeolojesters (Book 1) by Andreas Oertel

2011-03-26T18:57:00.005-04:00

Published by Lobster Press

Cody lives in the small town of Sultana, Manitoba where he enjoys spending time with his best friend Eric. Now it's looking like Cody's life is about to get really depressing. Eric and his twin sister Rachel are going to be moving away so that their mother can find a new job. The restaurant she currently works at is so quiet that the owners can't afford to keep her on staff anymore.

Faced with this impending doom, the tricky trio develop an elaborate plan that is sure to bring many people to the sleepy little town and hopefully attract enough tourists to keep the restaurant hopping. The alternative is just too terrible to imagine.

I hadn't heard of the Archaeolojesters until the first two books of the series landed on my desk. Reading the back cover I found myself filled with a mild curiosity and it didn't take me long to work my through the entire first novel. I was greatly surprised. I have read a lot of novels that are geared at a younger audience but this really captured my attention with its style that is reminiscent of the Famous Five, and Secret Seven books by Enid Blyton.

Okay, so there isn't quite as much mystery and the issues seem to be self-created, but the whole dynamic of the group and the adventurous spirit just really captures the imagination of the reader. I can't wait to delve into the second book which continues the adventure as the trio head to Cairo and it's my understanding that a third is due for release in May. A fabulously fun series that is geared towards ages 9-11 and will appeal to boys and girls alike. For me personally, it also has the added appeal that the author is not only from Canada, but is right here in Manitoba. I love to support local writers.

While there doesn't seem to be an author website available, I did find a fun Q&A with Andreas Oertel here on the Lobster Press website.

Daddy's Girl: Comics by Debbie Drechsler

2011-03-26T17:11:00.002-04:00

Published by Fantagraphics Books

Daddy's Girl is a comic book with a difference. Debbie Drechser uses mostly black and white illustrations to openly deal with the dark subject of abuse. Lily is a young girl who tries so hard to avoid her father's attentions though he seems inescapable and no-one seems willing or able to help her. Franny has moved to another school and seems to have problems fitting in. She struggles so hard to be liked and takes a path where the consequences are hard to bear.

This book was a little difficult for me to review. Firstly, nothing I can say about this book would do it justice. This is simply put, a masterpiece. The deeply disturbing subject matter of sexual abuse is brought to life with a startling brutality. It's impossible not to be impacted by the experiences within the pages. I have to admit that I am uncertain if the book would have had less impact if I were not a sexual abuse survivor myself but I find it hard to believe that anyone can pick up this book and not feel a strong reaction.

These days, there are constantly new abuse memoirs being released which is both a wonderful, and tragic thing. Tragic because no-one should ever have to live through such an ordeal but wonderful in that the authors feel able to write about it and bring this dreadful subject into the light a little more. What I like about this book especially, is that due to the comic book style, it holds a certain appeal that other books in this genre may lack. At the age of 18 or 19 when I first attempted to deal with the subject of sexual abuse, even as the avid reader I am, I could not have seen myself picking up an abuse memoir. This title would probably have made my reading list though.

It's a memorable, moving, bold, and - at times - emotionally challenging read that definitely rates a 5/5 from me. You can see example pages shared by Fantagraphics here

Author's website - http://www.debdrex.com/

My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis. Illustrated by Suzanne DeSimone

2011-03-24T17:07:00.006-04:00

Published by Aladdin an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division Canada

What would you do if your child was different? Dyson Kilodavis is a 5 year old boy who has an amazing passion for dresses and all things pink and sparkly. Dyson's mom, Cheryl did what most of us would do in this situation and tried to redirect Dyson's attentions towards interests that were more socially acceptable for a male. That was, until the day that Dyson's older brother asked their mum a question. 'Why can't you just let him be happy mum?'

Dyson continued with his different style and tastes, but this time with his whole family behind him. At times when they were challenged or questioned about this, they tried to encourage acceptance but it hasn't always been easy. In many online interviews, Dyson and Cheryl can be seen discussing the issues they faced, even simple shopping trips made unpleasant due to hurtful comments by staff. To that end, Cheryl Kilodavis created 'My Princess Boy' as an aid in teaching acceptance, compassion, and the celebration of the uniqueness in each of us.

I just adored this story as soon as I heard of it. Who wouldn't? I just had to get my hands on a copy of the book and what a book this is. Within it's few pages it carries a massively impacting message about accepting the differences within the people around us. The author shares a little about each of the members of the Kilodavis family and how they interact with Dyson. She also shares a couple of negative experiences that have been experienced while out shopping, and trick-or-treating and the impact upon both mother and son.

The illustrations have a carefree and whimsical design that captures the beauty in the story of how one little boy, with the love and support of his family, and school, can grow up to be whoever he wants to be!

The world needs more books like this. In a time where so many stories are landing in the headlines about childhood bullying and the climbing rate of suicide among teens, books such as My Princess Boy can only have a positive effect as we try to spread the message that everyone, whatever their differences, should be accepted for the unique person they are. I can't express enough how much I really want to see this book succeed. It should be mandatory in all school libraries and I'd love to see a copy in every home. Such a simple yet beautiful message that needs to be shared.

More info about the book, as well as interviews featuring the Kilodavis family and the Princess Boy himself, can be found at the Author's website - http://www.myprincessboy.com/index.asp

The Knot Artist by India Wilson

2011-03-24T11:33:00.005-04:00

Published by Lightning Strikes Press

Dominique has it made. A gorgeous property in Bridgehampton and a solid career as the most costly dominatrix on the East Coast. To Dominique, delivering Bondage & Discipline to a stellar set of people, including famous faces from the stage and screen, is an everyday occurrence and she adores it. The adoration, the power, and the crazy amounts of money she makes all make it possible for her to have the life of her dreams. That is, at least until a twist of fate threatens to take it all away.

How many people get the opportunity to tie up, and discipline a senator? Dominique creates a perfect scene for the senator, all planned out with attention payed to every miniscule detail, except for one.. The senator was not supposed to stop breathing. Suddenly Dominique is in over her head and wondering how to handle things, when someone arrives at her door. Reynolds, a top security person for many VIPs, barges into her home and dungeon, and takes care of the problem. After all, it wouldn't do for a Senator's body to be found in such a place, right?

Dominique soon realizes that life is never going to be the same. Her home is broken into, ransacked as the invaders seek something, but what? Is it connected to the Senator? Used to being in control and independent, Dominique grudgingly accepts Reynolds help to solve the mystery that seems to be unfolding around her and wonders if she will ever get to feel in control of things again.

I really enjoyed this book. It took me a couple of chapters to really get into it as it seemed like there was a little too much scene setting, and the main character, Dominique, wasn't liked by me at first. She seemed too egotistical. Later in the book though, as I got to learn more about her, I understood that it was more confidence than anything and I grew to admire it. As I read further, I really began to like the history of Dominique that was shared, including an abusive childhood. It really gave her a whole new dimension, and a fresh appeal.

What I especially liked about this book with reference to the lifestyle, was the attention to detail. I particularly liked the references to safety, checking on the person regularly, rope tightness and so on. It's not often I see that included in lifestyle fiction and perhaps that's because most people want to delve into the fantasy and leave the dull safety issues behind and out of mind. Personally I'd like to see it more.

Dominique is a wonderfully written character and I adored witnesses the removal of layers throughout the book as she adjusted to everything going on around her. I particularly enjoyed the dynamic between Dominique and Reynolds more than anything else though. I would compare it to watching a well choreographed dance. I am not always so engaged when I am reading about budding relationships but the chemistry between the two characters is so charged that I found myself unable, or unwilling, to look away. I also greatly enjoyed that the story was more developed than just simple BDSM content. I would never have really envisioned a book that part kink novel and part political thriller but in this book, India Wilson really melds the content beautifully into a novel that can tease all the senses.

I am excited to see that this is part of a Trilogy and I can't wait for the next installment - titled The Whipping Girl. I am sure it will be equally as enthralling.

Author's website - http://www.theknotartist.com/blog/

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard

2011-03-22T21:01:00.006-04:00

Published by HarperTeen an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers and HarperCollins Publishers Canada

Emma Paxton has a lousy life. Abandoned by her mother so many years ago, she's constantly drifting between foster homes and finally ends up with a family where the light-fingered, pot-smoking son enjoys getting her into trouble. His latest attempt really captures her attention though when he shows her foster mother a video in which it appears Emma is being strangled to death.

Emma realizes that the girl in the video can only be her twin sister and tracks her down on Facebook. With only a couple of weeks to go before she turns eighteen, Emma is delighted to receive an invite from her sister, Sutton. With a wonderful family, money, popularity, and a gorgeous boyfriend, Sutton has everything she could ever need - except a pulse.

When Emma arrives in town, she is quickly mistaken for Sutton and is pulled into her twin sisters life. No one believes her when she tells them who she really is and now her only choice is to play along, take the role of her sister, and do a little sleuthing in order to find out what really happened to Sutton, and more importantly, who is responsible for it!

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book as I haven't read anything by Sara Shepard before though I have heard a lot of good things about the Pretty Little Liar series. This new series is truly amazing though. The author wastes no time in pulling us right into a thick juicy plot right from the very beginning and it only gets better with every page turned. I just couldn't put it down.

The story is narrated jointly, by Emma, and her dead sister Sutton who lingers by Emma constantly. The narration from Sutton is sometimes reminiscent of the style displayed in The Lovely Bones and adds an element to the story which I truly adored. Sutton gets to see from the sidelines what her life was like, what the consequences of her actions have been, and what people really thought of her - leaving her with a sense of longing and regret.

Emma meanwhile has to try and fit into the life of her sister, which is easier said than done. All she has to go on, are the meagre pieces of information she can glean from those around her, and anything she can find in Sutton's room - including information about 'The L Game'. The author has constructed a winner of a book with this novel. The suspense is constantly captivating and it's such a wild ride reading along as Emma frequently believes she is closer to solving this mystery, only to end up each time, no closer to the truth.

Brilliant, frustrating, wistful, exhilarating, thrilling, and exciting are all words I would use with reference to this book. Did I mention brilliant? As soon as I put this book down, I dashed to find the release date for the next installment. I just can't wait. I'm hooked!

Author's website: http://www.prettylittleliars.com/author/

After Life, After You by S. K. Reid

2011-03-18T16:39:00.007-04:00

Published by Jane Curry Publishing

What if something were to happen to your partner? Each day there are lives lost and whether it is due to long-term illness such as Cancer, or a sudden tragedy (accident, heart-attack, or suicide) it devastates those left behind. Those partners who must wake each day with an empty space beside them where a loved one ought to be. Those same partners who usually go through life as a team and are now finding themselves with the lone responsibility for everything. How would it affect you?

Many of us are blessed to not know the answer to that question and would rather not consider it, if we are honest. In After Life, After You, the author, along with a few contributors, have taken the time to share their experiences with the death of a spouse. They share various moments in their lives as they struggle with the loss and the unavoidable change that comes with it.

When I first picked up this book to read it, I had the gut instinct that we all get when faced with the subject of death and loss. I wanted to put the book down, get the subject as far from me as I could. Still, I picked it up and started to turn the pages and couldn't help but be drawn in. How can a reader not become invested in a book where the writers open up their very hearts and souls, sharing their personal tales of love, grief and hope.

When a person is a public figure, we learn how a spouse can be affected by those who claim a personal relationship where none existed, simply for the sake of fame and fortune and without thought for the impact on the deceased's family. When a person takes their own life, whatever the method, we learn how the spouse must face so many questions they will never find answers for. So much blame is abundantly cast about and the surviving spouse must live with the stigma that accompanies suicide. We learn that sometimes, friends and family can be such a pillar of strength for those left behind but more often than not, their 'help' can cause further pain and resentment.

Each person has such a different response to the death of their loved one, as we would expect. Each of these three men and seven women discuss candidly how they felt for their partners, how they came to terms with the loss, and the struggle to rebuild their fractured lives in the hope that they can once more feel whole and find happiness in life once again.

I'd encourage everyone to read this book if I could. I haven't often read books on this subject (the last one that comes to mind was The Farewell Chronicles by Anneli Rufus) but this is one of those books that approaches the subject openly, honestly, and with a brilliant message. I wish I could hug each of these people and offer them my thanks for having the courage to share their personal tragedies.

Extremely moving and definitely a keeper!

I Think I Love You by Allison Pearson

2011-03-18T15:09:00.007-04:00

Published by Alfred A. Knopf Canada - A Division of Random House Canada

I Think I Love You takes place in two different eras. Firstly, in 1974 we are introduced to two thirteen year olds named Petra and Sharon. Both of these girls, along with others, are fans of David Cassidy and are avid readers of his fan magazine. When the girls hear two pieces of news, they are beyond excited. Firstly, David Cassidy is coming to England to perform in a concert and if that wasn't enough, the fan magazine is running a contest. A quiz that should only be attempted by his most die-hard fans, with a prize that the girls must win. A flight to America, to meet David Cassidy in person...

Spring forward to 1998. Petra is almost 40, constantly fighting with her 13 year old daughter, her mother has just passed away, and on the day of the funeral, Petra's husband announces that he is leaving her. Can things get any worse? While sorting out a closet in her mother's home, Petra discovers a dusty letter, declaring her the winner of the contest that she and Sharon had entered so many years ago. How could this have been hidden from her? A few phone calls later, and Petra and Sharon are reuniting for a once in a lifetime experience. An all-expenses-paid trip to Vegas where they will finally meet their idol!

I was hooked on this book within the first chapter. While I was only born in 1974 and so have no real recollection of David Cassidy, a lot of the references still brought back fond memories. Things like certain British candies, Blue Peter (TV Show), and of course, Jackie - the magazine. That was an especially fond reminder for me as I had that magazine delivered to my home regularly and just adored it. I had forgotten all about it until reading this title.

There are so many things I like about this book. It's narrated by Petra herself, and also by a gentleman named Bill who, quite by accident, finds himself with a new job where he has to write in the David Cassidy fan magazine, but, as if he were David himself. The wonderful blend of Petra's young, sweet innocence and Bill's somewhat jaded bewilderment just adds a special quality to what is already quite a magical read. This book will appeal to a wide age range and is sure to warm the heart of every reader.

Of course, it also has the potential to leave us cringing as we remember our own days of pining over our latest idol. For me it was Morten Harket and then the Goss Brothers - pictured below.

For me personally, it also presented the opportunity to learn a little about David Cassidy's music. Okay, so just about everyone will know 'I Think I Love You' but as the first half of the book is all David, all of the time, it delves into so many more of his tunes and it's difficult to resist the urge to learn more. I googled for his music and got to hear quite a few of his tunes I hadn't been aware of like 'Could it be Forever' and "I am a Clown'. I think my favourite aspect of the book though is the way the girls, as teens, navigate the rocky waters of love and adoration. That, and the dynamic between Petra and her often overbearing and critical mother.

All in all, a great read (I had difficulty putting this book down even to eat and sleep). I'm definitely going to be visiting it again and I will be exploring more by this author.

The Woefield Poultry Collective Blog Tour

2011-03-14T19:26:00.006-04:00

A couple of days ago, I posted my review for The Woefield Poultry Collective by Susan Juby. As part of the Woefield Poultry Collective Blog Tour I also had the opportunity to ask some questions of the author, which I have included below along with the wonderfully insightful responses. Thank you Susan, for taking the time to respond and to Harper Collins Canada for giving me the opportunity to present the questions.

1. What was the inspiration for The Woefield Poultry Collective?

I was inspired by the tension between the contemporary desire (and need) to be more self-sustaining and all the factors that make it difficult. In my case, I lack the right circumstances, skills and funds. So I decided to send a well-meaning character to a derelict farm to see how she’d make out. It seems to me that people always matter as much or more than ideals if you’re going to have a successful life.

2. You write about some serious subjects in the book. Was it difficult to strike a balance between those issues, and the humour that makes this book so lovable?

I like my comedy to have some dark undertones. Without their troubles the characters’ (very small) triumphs wouldn’t mean as much. Peter Devries once wrote that “comedy deals with that part of our suffering that is exempt from tragedy”. That feels really true to me.

3. What is not to love about this book? I fell in love with the eclectic mix of misfits. Is this the last we will see of these characters?

Thank you! I guess it depends on whether people feel the same as you. I’d love to write a Further Adventures of Woefield Farm.

4. If you had to choose, which would be the character YOU most liked creating, and why?

That’s a tough question! I loved them all in their own way. Seth was a lot of fun and I understood where he was coming from, though I never had a traumatic incident with a high school production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Sara was also entertaining to write, though I worried about her a lot. She gave me an excuse to go to agricultural fairs and check out the show chickens and the 4-H competitors and call it research instead of pure, Grade A entertainment.

The Woefield Poultry Collective by Susan Juby

2011-03-11T11:08:00.004-05:00

Published by HarperCollins Publishers and HarperCollins Publishers Canada

Life is about to change for Prudence Burns, a New Yorker with a passion for living a more self-sustaining lifestyle. With so many ideas but not so much practice, Prudence is thrown in the deep end when she is contacted with the news that she has inherited a farm off the coast of Canada. Arriving on the farm, she discovers that Woefield Farm is thirty acres of scrubland with worn out buildings, an oftentimes cranky foreman named Earl, and one solitary half-sheared sheep. To top it all off, the bank is looking to foreclose, and a strange boy - Seth - from across the street, has asked to move in and offered his help though all he seems qualified to do is drink. What's a girl to do?

This book grabbed my attention from the start. Prudence is such an inspirational character who has the drive to achieve anything she sets her mind to. As each of the characters were introduced, I became so invested in each of them and laughed, and cried as they faced their various challenges. I love the way the author unfolds each of their stories and blends it all together seamlessly. Earl was probably the most difficult for me to truly love as he seemed very curt and almost pessimistic at times but he just dislikes change.

In addition to the colourful characters who live at Woefield Farm, we have Sara Spratt, a poultry lover who raises prize-winning chickens and needs a home for them. Prudence agrees they can reside on the farm and so we are introduced to the world of pedigree chickens and the craziness that is associated with it. The story is creative, inspirational, amusing, heartbreaking and addictive. I barely put the book down the whole time (in fact, I fine-tuned the art of balancing my dinner plate on my lap and eating while still racing through the pages) and reached the end feeling a sense of loss that I was having to end the adventure. I don't anticipate a sequel but I do know that if there was one, I would definitely purchase it to see what the Woefield crew are up to next.

On a personal note, the chicken aspects of the book, reminded me of a train ride I took last year. During a scheduled stop, there was a petting zoo including a selection of unique birds. I took so many images and this book brought those birds to mind frequently.

All in all, in case you couldn't tell yet, I really loved this book and the story is one that stays with you, long after the final page is turned. A winning read for me!

Also, check out this Q&A I did with Susan Juby as part of The Woefield Poultry Collective Blog Tour.

Author's website: http://www.susanjuby.com/

Sebastian Socks It Away by Lori Mockson & Shirley Chewick. Illustrated by Claire MacDonald

2011-03-08T12:15:00.009-05:00

Published by The Original Sock Bank Company Inc.

Sebastian Socks It Away shares the story of a young boy Sebastian and his younger sister Melissa. While at a family gathering, both children are told a story by their aunt. A story in which her mother provided her with a 'Sock Bank' and taught her how to save. When the story ends, Sebastian and Melissa are thrilled to be given a Sock Bank each, along with a shiny new coin to fill it. Money from other aunts, uncles, and chores were added and soon the children want to go and spend their cash. Sebastian struggles while deciding what to spend his hard earned coins on but finally finds the perfect idea!

During a time where it seems like there is an abundance of 'debt relief' books for adults, it's truly wonderful to see a book that is geared at teaching our children how to save at an early age. In a way that is so much fun! Who wouldn't want to save with such a cute little Sock Bank of their very own. I love mine! (Yes, I know, I'm such a big kid!)

What I really love too, is that the Sock Bank is made in Quebec Canada, and assembled in Canada so it's also a perfect gift for those who prefer to support Canadian products. That is something that for me, as a proud Canadian, is very important. A quick google search online will also show that thankfully, it's a growing trend. A well written story, great illustrations and a wickedly cute product make this a winning choice for children everywhere.

Authors' Website: http://theoriginalsockbank.com/

F in Exams: The Very Best Totally Wrong Test Answers by Richard Benson

2011-03-08T11:24:00.005-05:00

Published by Chronicle Books

Distributed by Raincoast Books

Most - if not all - of us have been there. Seated at a desk in some intimidating room, complete silence, facing a question that we realize we have zero chance of getting right. When faced with that situation, the students featured in 'F in Exams' get creative and decide to have fun.

When I attended school, I recall facing my exams and our teachers often gave us the same advice. Never, ever leave a question unanswered even if it means guessing. Somehow I don't think the examples in this book are what they had in mind but they certainly entertained me. Who knew that living closer to power lines means you get your electricity faster, or that a regular triangle is a triangle with three sides. Perhaps you are one of those physics students who knows that a transformer is a robot who can change into a sports car in 3 seconds, or a history/geography student who is certain that a migration is a headache.

When I sat down and read this, I was laughing out loud and repeating many of the examples to my husband who was also entertained by the content. Mostly funny, sometimes hilarious but always creative, this book will bring happiness to every reader. It's also probably the only book that will make you feel incredibly smarter in under an hour!

Ten Little Zombies: A Love Story by Andy Rash

2011-03-08T10:09:00.002-05:00

Published by Chronicle Books
Distributed by Raincoast Books

An original and fun take on the old children's rhyme 'Ten Little Indians'. The book begins with Ten Little Zombies, zombies that dwindle rapidly in numbers as each of them comes to a tragic end by way of campfires, fence spears, shotguns and so much more. Can there be any survivors?

This is such a fun and quirky little book. While it may appear to be almost child-like in appearance, due to the graphic violence, blood etc I would definitely avoid buying it for little people but it makes a fantastic unique gift for a loved one, and it's an ideal gift for anyone who, like myself, adores all things zombie. It takes mere minutes to read through this book but the rhyme, and the smiles it brings, will last much longer. Take a peek at a video created by the author, for a glimpse into this wonderful little book and also visit his website which is listed below.

Author's website: http://www.rashworks.com/

Bird Cloud by Annie Proulx

2011-03-08T08:57:00.001-05:00

Published by Scribner an imprint of Simon & Schuster and Simon & Schuster Canada

Annie Proulx purchased 640 acres of Wyoming wetlands, prairie, and four-hundred foot cliffs dropping down to the North Platte River. This site that she later named 'Bird Cloud' was to become the place where she would build the home of her dreams. Bird Cloud - the book - follows the construction from the design, through to completion while simultaneously allowing the reader to learn about the local nature and the history of the region. Only through the unique writing style of Annie Proulx could such subjects really come to life and spring off the page.

I hadn't known what to expect from this book. I am a fan of Annie Proulx (Brokeback Mountain, The Shipping News) so I was eager to delve between the pages. I had also known that this is her first non-fiction book in over twenty years so it would vary from anything else of hers I had read. It didn't take me long to realize that I was enthralled with this book and the author's experiences.

It's impossible to define this book, but I will try my best. It's a wonderful mix of architectural design, construction, nature, conservation, and history, all woven together with the magical writing style that Proulx is known for. It's too easy to venture between the pages and lose yourself in the vivid and gorgeous descriptions. The author captures all aspects of nature, including the most brutal, and I couldn't help but feel envious of this woman, so close to nature and able to observe it at leisure. I have to admit, I wasn't so envious when it came to the construction of the house though, and when we retire, my husband and I shall definitely be purchasing a house that is built already.

Most fascinating for me, was the history of the region. Reading Bird Cloud brings the past to life and left me with a longing to know more. You know a book is a great read when you find yourself slowing down, not wanting the book to end. That's exactly how it was with this read, for me. I could have read hundreds more pages without feeling satisfied.

I think, personally, this is one of those books that the reader will either love, or hate. Me? I adored it. I found it to be such an intimate insight into the author's life as well as her dreams, and inspirations. I loved this book a great deal, especially getting to know the other people who joined Annie Proulx on this journey, and the descriptions of the archaeological digs that took place on the land.

Try it. You just might like it!

A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff

2011-02-02T12:02:00.008-05:00

Published by HarperCollins Publishers and HarperCollins Publishers Canada

Phoebe Swift is a woman with a lot on her plate. Her parents' divorce, her newly arrived baby brother, her mum's fascination with cosmetic surgery and an ex who she would rather forget. Throw in a traumatic event in her recent past and it's a miracle she is holding it together. Still, she finds the time - and passion - to open up 'Village Vintage', a store dealing strictly in vintage clothing up to the early 1980s.

While searching for new 'old' clothing, Phoebe meets an older, distinguished gentleman who may just steal her heart away, and a wonderful old lady who shares some tales behind the clothing she is parting with. One tale, involving a blue coat, keeps Phoebe coming back to Mrs Wells time and again, while in the background she delves even deeper into the mystery. Can stories have happy endings? Do fairy-tales come true? Well, dear reader, you tell me....

I have to issue a warning about this book before anything else. This book can cause cravings to rush to the nearest vintage clothing store in search of the perfect piece of clothing for you. The author speaks passionately through her characters about the joy of vintage clothing, the history behind it, and the way a certain dress, or jacket can 'claim' the person trying it on. Personally I have to admit, I have never really been into vintage clothing but upon reading this book, I have a new respect for it and a great deal of curiosity.

I adored this book. The characters are well developed. The story-line is fantastic and really continued to draw my interest to the point where I polished off this book in around 7 hours. I couldn't help but feel sometimes that the story was a little rushed but those moments were so few and far between that it truly didn't take away from my enjoyment of this title. I was particularly invested in the relationship between Phoebe (the store owner) and Thérèse (the old lady selling her clothes) as it developed in such an intimate and trusting manner. Two souls shadowed by tragedy and trying their hardest to overcome their pasts. That relationship, above all of them, really tore at my heartstrings and kept my fingers firmly superglued to the book.

Surprisingly, I enjoyed the depth of description when it came to the various outfits. I could almost picture the rich fabrics, the simple embroidery, the glorious colours and designs. My heart overflowed with each person who entered the store and found that 'must-have' item that even if only for a little while, brought them a magical perfect moment in life. All in all, this book is a keeper. I will be reading it time and again throughout my life - of that I am sure. It's a great read. Give it a try, you won't regret it!

Author's website: http://www.isabelwolff.com/

The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill

2011-01-19T13:12:00.010-05:00

Published by HarperCollins Publishers and HarperCollins Publishers Canada

The Book of Negroes follows the story of 11 year old Aminata Diallo. It begins with Aminata sharing a brief glimpse into life within her village just before she is abducted for slavery. What follows is a sometimes grueling, oftentimes horrifying account of everything she must survive in order to finally achieve freedom.

When I picked this book up, I wasn't sure what to expect. I certainly hadn't anticipated that this novel would prove difficult to read at times due to the content. There are scenes in the book which not only tug at the heartstrings but rather, brutally pull them from the readers chest. I found it to be an overwhelming read at times and had to put it down (for those 'Friends' fans out there, I almost contemplated putting it in the freezer). It didn't take long to pick it back up though as I was so invested in the character. Aminata is probably one of my favourite female characters of all time. Her strength, and determination are limitless and though she has suffered so much tragedy, she continuously looks for the positive in every given situation and maintains a sense of hope that cannot be dashed. What constantly played at the back of my mind is that this was the life of a strong girl who, thanks to a little education, was taken on a different path that was a little more lenient. If this is such a path, the unknown life of those who were less blessed, just doesn't bear thinking about.

I learned so much from this book that I hadn't known. Not only is it an eye-opening look into the life of a slave but it really brings history to life and led me to want to know more about the subject, especially the history of slavery in Nova Scotia. I can't rave about this book enough. It's certainly clear how it became a Canada Reads winner. The characters are brilliantly developed and the novel is flawlessly written. It's easy to forget while reading, that this is written by a male author thanks to the way he captures the female essence so brilliantly in his writing. The range of emotion that this novel brought out of me as I read it, was simply awe-inspiring. I also love that this book is set in different countries (Africa, America, Canada, and England) and as such, it focuses on a variety of cultures. The Book of Negroes is easily one of my all time favourite reads and if you haven't checked it out yet, please do! You won't regret it.

Author's website: http://www.lawrencehill.com/

Little Princes; One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal by Conor Grennan

2011-01-17T21:34:00.003-05:00

Published by William Morrow an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers and HarperCollins Publishers Canada

This is one of the most amazingly inspirational books that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It all begins when Conor Grennan decides to drop his day job in order to take a trip around the world. He decides that it won't seem such a self-indulgent idea if he begins the journey by volunteering at an Orphanage in Nepal known as the Little Princes Children's home. Here, Grennan meets 18 children who were 'rescued' from Humla by a child trafficker who purchased them from their parents with promises of care, education, and safety from the civil war. Many children who are sold to traffickers in this way, become slaves or are given to foster homes where their survival is not a priority. Grennan gets to know the children at the Little Princes and is often stunned by their resilience given the trauma they have survived. When his stint at the Orphanage is complete, he vows before he leaves, that he will return in a year when his world trip is completed. When he returns, he sets upon two challenges. One is to locate seven orphans who have vanished from their foster home, and the other is to locate the parents of the The Little Princes orphans.

This is one of those books that brings home the message loud and clear, that just one person can commit an act that can bring great change, and when teamed up with like-minded determined people, the possibilities are without limit. When reading this book, I was on an emotional roller-coaster. The heartbreaking accounts from orphans who haven't seen their families in so long, and in some cases, believe their parents to be dead (incorrectly in most cases). The sheer terror that the team must have felt at times when seeking out the parents in the various villages which often called for nightmarish hikes across mountain paths that were falling apart - sometimes after little or no sleep! The joy of reunions and news of loved ones. There is no part of this book that didn't affect me deeply and I was especially moved by the ongoing romance between Conor Grennan and his love interest and fellow humanitarian, Liz. Among the many things I adored about this book is the fact that the centre of the book contains colour photographs of Conor Grennan, Liz, the orphans, parents, and much more. It really added a little something extra to be able to put faces to many of the names!

If you only read one non-fiction book this year, this should be the one. It's impossible to read this book and not find yourself changed, even if only some small way, by the content. For me, it's reading something like this that restores my faith in humanity. An excellent read!

You might also want to check out this great interview between Jason Pratt of Harper Collins Canada & Conor Grennan. I found it greatly interesting and it gave me a little more of a follow up on the book too!

Author's website: http://www.conorgrennan.net/

Bloodletting: A Memoir of Secrets, Self-Harm & Survival by Victoria Leatham

2011-01-17T16:31:00.005-05:00

Published by New Harbinger Publications
Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books

Bloodletting/ -, letting/ n.
1. Phlebotomy, the act or process of letting blood or bleeding, as by opening a vein or artery.
2. Outmoded medical practice used as a cure for illnesses ranging from fevers to hysteria.

Bloodletting is an intimate glimpse into the world of Victoria Leatham as she struggles to deal with a myriad of issues including Self-harm and Depression. Victoria writes openly about her constant battle while dealing with mental illness, and how it is to live with those issues in a world where, especially where self-harm is involved, there is little understanding from those around us. In this book, the author really lays it out on the line as she shares her fears, insecurities and most shameful moments as she searches for something resembling a cure.

As someone who has - and still does - battle with self-harm issues, I was really looking forward to reading this personal account. What I found was a simultaneously heartwarming and heart-wrenching story of a strong woman, in search of something, anything, that could help her to find a sense of peace. Victoria speaks very frankly about her inability to discuss her issues with all but a precious few and also shares what it's like to live with an illness that is still, even in these times, considered a highly taboo subject. Something I hope to change by reviewing such books on my blog whenever they become available.

There are various self-help books when it comes to depression and such, but for me personally, there is just something about reading a personal account from someone who is going through this. It screams out to us that we are not alone in this battle and in doing so, makes it just that little bit more bearable to deal with. Much of this book resonated with me and while certain parts of the book were a little uncomfortable for me, I simply loved this book. It's a book that brings hope to many who practice self-harm and battle depression. Or at least, that is what it brought to me.

I would seriously recommend this book, not just to those who live with self-harm or depression, but to everyone. There is a great deal of stigma that accompanies these diseases or afflictions and that is never going to change unless people read accounts such as these and perhaps gain a little understanding.

Fabulous book. I am so in awe that the author was able to put down her experience within these pages despite how difficult that must have been.

Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

2011-01-13T23:34:00.005-05:00

Published by Scribner an imprint of Simon & Schuster and Simon & Schuster Canada

Half Broke Horses is the true-life story of Lily Casey Smith, grandmother of Jeannette Walls. It's a compelling story in which we follow this amazingly strong and resourceful woman through her challenging life. At the age of 6, we find Lily helping her father to break horses in. At age 15 she is working independently at a teaching job that she loves, enduring a 500 mile solitary and dangerous journey to get there. A little later we find her the mother of two children, one of which is familiar to some Jeannette Walls fans, as the memorable mother, Rosemary Smith-Walls from the book The Glass Castle. Constantly, Lily finds her life to be a struggle as she survives tornadoes, personal heartbreak, the Great Depression and much more, all of which makes Half Broke Horses one of those books that you will find it hard to put down.

I have to admit, I read The Glass Castle a while ago and find myself struggling to remember any of the content (I shall definitely be revisiting that book in the near future) but I did remember that I greatly enjoyed it. As such I was looking forward to checking out Half Broke Horses and I knew from learning about the book online, that I needn't have read, or remembered The Glass Castle to enjoy this title.

Half Broke Horses is an addictive read. I had serious problems putting this book down for any length of time and as such, I finished it in just a day. I couldn't help but devour this title and the writing style of Jeannette Walls brings the characters and background to life in a truly memorable and beautiful way. I found myself to filled with envy as Lily spoke of the lands she worked, lands so dry and desolate but turned into a private oasis with hand-crafted lakes such as Big Jim. The beauty of these lands only scarred momentarily by tornadoes, floods, and droughts as we witness Lily and her family do everything they must in order to survive everything Mother Nature has in store for them.

I found myself longing for these open spaces, and for such a closeness with nature. I also found myself really admiring the family atmosphere on the ranches as the owners and staff alike worked so hard to make it thrive.

A heartwarming read that I know I shall visit again!

Friendships: Avoiding the Ones That Hurt, Finding the Ones That Heal by Jeff Wickwire

2011-01-06T18:08:00.009-05:00

Published by Chosen Books A division of Baker Publishing Group.

Friendships: Fleeting or long-lasting, helpful or harmful, we all have our experiences with them. Jeff Wickwire delves into the very core of the subject and explains why we find these relationships so difficult at times and most importantly, why we need to change the way we think about friendships in order to build them to last.

I have to admit, when I turned to the first page and saw a bible quote, quickly followed by the realization that the author of the book I was about to delve into was a pastor, I gulped. The title of this book had really grabbed my attention but I hadn't realized it was going to be a religious read. I tend to shy away from such works, but having had my own friendship problems in abundance recently, I really wanted to learn more. I can't begin to tell you how glad I am that I chose to read it through to completion.

It isn't difficult to like this book. The author, Jeff Wickwire makes it incredibly simple with his obviously in-depth research, his ease with explanations, and his straight-forward manner in which he openly speaks of Christians in a way I am not familiar with. Many Christian books I read have a tendency to display preachy and holier-than-thou attitudes and it's refreshing to see Jeff Wickwire not only shy away from such behaviour but also share with the reader that he himself has been at the receiving end of it, at times. I think if I had bumped into more Christians like Jeff Wickwire back when I was a child, I might not have been so fast to walk - well, run! - away from organized religion.

I can't say I agree with everything in this book but then, that is why I enjoy reading so much, and from such a diverse range of subjects. The freedom to read anything we choose and then accept/reject material accordingly. What I did greatly enjoy though, is the author sharing his opinion about friendship, not only through the bible, but in a way that really stopped me in my tracks and gave me much food for thought. It's little wonder that friendships are so different now with the many mediums available for meeting new people. Friends seem to come and go so quickly. It's easy to think of the earth a giant changing room in which we try on new friends constantly and just as quickly as we choose them, we discard them - or are discarded - for reasons that once upon a time would been worked through. Now with today's fast paced lifestyle, it's just easier to find a new friend that seems like a better fit. It's little wonder that compassion in humanity seems to be dwindling steadily. Jeff Wickwire phrases it a great deal better than I did and delves still deeper into why friendships have changed so drastically over the decades. It was one of those 'Doh!' moments for me because I was truly shocked that I hadn't given it any thought until now.

This book though, promises hope to those who are willing and able to look deep inside themselves, realize they want more from the friendships they have, and more importantly, realize they want to offer more of themselves to their friends. This book gave me a new outlook regarding how I interact with people and I am so looking forward to putting all my new knowledge into practice as I nurture the friendships in my own life.

I may have to check out other books by this author. Though I was hesitant at first, I really love his writing style which is warm and welcoming, while allowing his obvious love of scripture to shine through, and I still giggle at the visual that came to mind when reading the section 'A friend-shaped hole in every soul'.

I enjoyed reading this!

Remembering the Bones by Frances Itani

2011-01-05T17:40:00.019-05:00

Published by Phyllis Bruce an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers and HarperCollins Publishers Canada

Georgina Danforth Witley is looking forward to her birthday this year, more than any other. Born on April 21st 1926 - the exact same day as Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II - she is among 99 commonwealth subjects who have been invited to the palace for a birthday luncheon. Georgie is all ready to go. A two hour drive will take her to the airport where she will board her flight to England. Her daughter has primed her for the traveling. Her suitcase well packed, valuables in her purse close by, and beside her on the seat, a bright orange package bearing a gift from her daughter, something she can only open once she is safely on the plane traveling over the water.

You know what they say though: Life is what happens when we are busy making plans. A split second lapse in judgement finds Georgie and her car thrown from the road and into the ravine that borders her street. So near to home, helpless, and filled with horror at the realization that no one will look for her anytime soon, she tries to distract herself and fight through the pain that is pouring from her broken body and in doing so, finds her thoughts returning to times past.

This book was an absolute joy to read. Written in a first person style, the reader is invited to join Georgie as - faced with death - she travels back through the important moments in her life. These moments are filled with a colourful mix of characters who seem to leap from the page as we accompany them through life and witness the journey that has helped shape Georgie into the strong, independent, intelligent woman we see today.

With such a tragic life behind her, it's not difficult to understand how Georgie, although panicked inside, can exude total calm even in her darkest hours. I found myself longing for her moment of salvation from the bottom of the ravine, while simultaneously dreading that same moment as it would mean the end of the intimate bond between character and reader that could only remain in such solitary conditions. I felt so bound to the main character in such a short time and have to admire the author for such skillful storytelling. By the end of the book, when it came time to leave Georgie's tale behind me, I was filled with a sense of sorrow. This wasn't a character I was saying farewell to, it was a close and dear friend.

A truly beautiful book that will remain on my bookshelf for many years to come and will doubtless be accompanied at some point in the near future by a copy of Gray's Anatomy.

My One Hundred Adventures by Polly Horvath

2011-01-03T10:17:00.006-05:00

Published by Groundwood Books

Jane is a pretty typical twelve year old. Rather than spend her days helping to care for her younger siblings and maintain the family home by the beach, she longs to feel the rush that comes with venturing into the unknown. Is it really too much to ask for - just a little adventure?

Pretty soon, Jane finds herself in the thick of it. A psychic - and if you ask me, a little pyscho! - preacher with a fondness for fortune tellers, a solo hot air balloon ride, and an accidental crime involving a baby and a bible are just a sample of the upcoming chaos that is heading her way. Mix in a case of blackmail and a steady stream of strange men, any of whom could be her father, and it's little wonder that she finds herself wondering if she will ever have a quiet life again.

I loved this book on so many levels. The author has such a beautifully descriptive style of writing which can be evidenced by simply reading the back of the book...

YOU CAN HEAR THE WAVES CRASH more loudly when it is dark. You can smell the sharper smells of the sea. Maybe the wind will take us this time, I think, as a gust shakes the foundations of the house. Maybe we will be blown apart to the many corners of the earth, but then I feel a sharp stab of something, excitement maybe. It is the prospect of adventures to be had.

Often when I am reading, I find myself invested in one or more of the characters, but it's not often that I find myself invested in all of them. This reading experience is different. I found myself bonding with each and every person, from the nicest and most mysterious, all the way through to the most terrible and most irresponsible. You know you are hooked when a character's actions cause you to want to reach into the pages and shake them.

I think what struck me most with this book, is how the author manages to weave together a story in such an unusual (to me at least) combination. Wild and whimsical was my original thought on this book as I began to read, but as the book became more peppered with a darkness, characters making choices that come at the expense of a childhood innocence.. it took on a depth that I hadn't expected and I was wonderfully surprised. What I had assumed would be a speedy and carefree read, became a gripping read that really captures the very essence of adventure. A fantastic book for Grade 7 and upwards.

I am also thrilled to see that there is a sequel, following Jane and her family as they head to Canada for even more adventures. Look for a review of Northward to the Moon shortly!

Author's website: http://www.pollyhorvath.com

2011 Book Challenge

2011-01-01T17:25:00.005-05:00

I am likely to add other challenges for myself to this list but here are my choices so far:

1. Read the Canada Reads 2011 book selections which are:

The Best Laid Plans
The Birth House
The Bone Cage
Essex County
Unless

2. Read the following Jane Austen Books:

Emma
Mansfield Park
Northhanger Abby
Persuasion
Pride and Prejudice
Sense and Sensibility

3. Read the Marketplace Series by Laura Antoniou:

The Marketplace
The Slave
The Trainer
The Academy
The Reunion

4. Read the Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by Anne Rice:

The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty
Beauty's Punishment
Beauty's Release

5. Read at least 12 classics (Not counting the Jane Austen choices):

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (Read before, revisiting it).
Tess of the D'urbervilles by Thomas Hardy (Read before, revisiting it)
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
The Complete Short Novels by Anton Chekhov
A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen (Read before, revisiting it)
The Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford
Heart Of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf
Suggestions welcome...

6. Read at least 200 books throughout the year.

Follow my progress at http://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/17879

7. Take part in Harper Collins Canada's 50 Book Pledge:

Will be completed as part of the challenge above.

Forrest Griffin Contest & Upcoming Review!

2010-08-24T12:03:00.005-04:00

Published by HarperCollins Publishers and HarperCollins Publishers Canada

How happy am I? Not only do I learn that Forrest Griffin (UFC Fighter) has brought out a book titled Be Ready When the Sh*t Goes Down: A Survival Guide To The Apocalypse, but also the nice folks over at Harper Collins Canada have put together a contest so that lucky fans and readers have a chance to win a pair of Forrest Griffin's signed UFC gloves! *swoon*

I don't know about you guys, but for me personally this is Christmas come early. Look out for the review of Be Ready When the Sh*t Goes Down in the very near future, and in the meantime head on over to HarperCollins Canada for your chance to win, and to learn more about the book!

After River by Donna Milner

2010-05-21T19:11:00.007-04:00

Published by Harper Perennial an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers and HarperCollins Publishers Canada

Natalie Ward is a 15 year old girl, living in the Cascades of British Columbia. Natalie and her family live a happy life with their dairy farm - a farm that is known in the community as a place where all are welcomed, where every visitor is fed, and where love so obviously and abundantly resides.

Then one day a stranger arrives and accepts a job as a farmhand. Though some in the community are less than thrilled with the arrival of an American draft dodger, the Ward family are happy to have River with them. That is until tragedy strikes and a family is torn apart. Some 35 years later, circumstances make it essential for Natalie to face her fears and return to the home she has avoided for so long...

I found this novel to be a real page-turner. I had read the blurb on the back of the book and it seemed interesting but I have to say, neither that synopsis, or the one I have written above actually do this book justice. I fell in love with this novel very quickly thanks to the wonderfully developed characters and the brilliant storytelling talents of the author. Donna Milner has a gift for weaving a story so gracefully, so vividly, making the story come to life in your mind without ever providing any real clues as to the next twist or turn. In doing so she adds an air of mystery to an already dramatic and emotionally stimulating read that just really heightens the senses. Perhaps that is why this book seems so stunningly real while reading it. The downside is that when the last page is turned, it almost feels like one is saying goodbye to very dear friends.

I will definitely be reading more by this author and highly recommend you pick this one up but be warned, you are going to have great difficulty putting it back down once you do!

Author's website: http://donnamilner.com/

When Did I Get Like This? by Amy Wilson

2010-05-21T14:55:00.007-04:00

Published by William Morrow an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers and HarperCollins Publishers Canada

When Did I Get Like This? (The Screamer, The Worrier, The Dinosaur-Chicken-Nugget Buyer & Other Mothers I Swore I'd Never Be) is a book that I wish had been available when I was a mom-to-be and new mom. In this book Amy Wilson shares her thoughts and experiences as a mother and how her outlook has changed with each new child.

While reading this book I often found myself bouncing between two emotions. I found it to be an enjoyable and hilarious read at times thanks to Amy's honest and humour-filled anecdotes. The most vivid example was a flight in which Amy and her children flew to Orlando. I'm not going to talk about it here and spoil your fun but believe me when I say that it will stick in your mind for a long time and I think she ought to have recieved a medal for that day.

The second emotion was sadness. I constantly find myself disturbed by the pressure on a parent these days. I feel as though it's not enough to raise a child who is happy, fulfilled, responsible, well-balanced, and with good grades. It seems to have crossed the line into a realm where if your child hasn't been singled out as the second coming of Einstein, then you have somehow failed.

This is a great book. It reminds us what is really important when it comes to our children. It also shows us that you don't have to be a perfect stepford mom in order to be a successful mom. Now this is the kind of parenting book I can get behind! I think a quote from Amy's site says it best:

When Did I Get Like This? is the hilarious story of one mother’s struggle to shrug off the ridiculous standards of modern parenting, and remember how to enjoy her children.

Author's website: http://www.amywilson.com

My Best Frenemy by Julie Bowe.

2010-05-21T13:22:00.008-04:00

Published by Dial Books for Young Readers an imprint of Penguin Group (USA).
Distributed in Canada by Penguin Group Canada

Ida May is excited about returning to school so that she may spend time with her best friend Stacey. When the first day arrives, finally, she finds that lots of things have changed and she doesn't quite know where she belongs. At a time when she feels most alone, a hand of friendship is extended from the most surprising of places. Maybe life isn't quite so bad after all!

I love this series of books known as 'Friends for Keeps'. When I read the first book My Last Best Friend I just knew this was going to be something special. My original love of this series was that it dealt with making new friends following a move. Being a military wife, I see so many children affected by this problem and I instantly began telling people about this great book that would maybe help their children to see that they aren't alone in this.

In this third installment, I am in love with this series for a whole different reason. I love that this book shares positive messages such as it's okay to not fit in, it's okay to not surrender to peer pressure, and that friendship can come from the most unlikely of places if you just open yourself up to it. The storyline keeps the ínterest of the reader and the characters are colourful, memorable and easy to identify with. This is truly a heartwarming series of books that I believe belongs on the shelf of any young girl. Read with a parent I could see this series providing great opportunities for talking with children about the scenarios and their own feelings and experiences.

You can visit the author's website here and it even includes a step-by-step guide to making your own BFF bracelet!

Don't Try This at Home: Culinary Catastrophes from the World's Greatest Chefs. Edited by Kimberly Witherspoon and Andrew Friedman

2010-05-21T12:54:00.002-04:00

Published by Bloomsbury Publishing
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Various chefs from around the world share their personal tales from the kitchen. An eel invasion, cooking with laundry, accidental creations, a dinner party with a difference, an unexpected snowstorm, a blind cook, an owl, and a shock in the kitchen are just a small sample of the subjects contained within the pages of this book. Whether you are looking for the more outrageous experiences, the heartwarming and inspirational, or the just plain funny, you are going to find it all in this entertaining and eye-opening collection.

I found this book to be a quick and addictive read. I also found it to be greatly entertaining and surprising since I could never have imagined many of the situations that the featured chefs encountered. During visits to restaurants I have always assumed that things ran as smoothly in the kitchen as they were made to appear. Things always seemed so easy, so perfect and it's a wonderful testament to chefs the world over that they can overcome the countless challenges and ensure that their customers have a pleasant and relaxed dining experience even as chaos runs rampant behind the kitchen doors.

Many of the cooking shows on TV give the impression that preparing a meal is easy, and even when those meals are multiplied to restaurant style numbers they hardly seem to break a sweat. I found it refreshing when shows like Hell's Kitchen & Kitchen Nightmares (okay so I am a Gordon Ramsey fan!) appeared on the scene and revealed some of the challenges and hard work involved in the restaurant industry. This book takes it still further as the featured chefs set aside their pride and bare it all.

The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee by Sarah Silverman

2010-05-20T14:24:00.013-04:00

Published by HarperCollins Publishers Canada

I knew I was going to enjoy this book as soon as I held it in my hands. The back cover contains the often seen 'advance praise' you find on a book. However, this advance praise is provided in the form of quotes obtained from children aged 2-6 and struck me as particularly funny. Inside the flap of the jacket is a questionnaire that helps the reader to establish if they are going to like the book or be terribly offended. Both of these features caused me to feel good about this title before I had even turned a page.

The Bedwetter is an interesting read. In it, Sarah Silverman shares many different aspects of her life. I was greatly surprised by the lengths to which she opened up and came across as almost vulnerable at times. Even the most shocking of anecdotes (and there are more than a few!) reveal a more naive, innocent, and very unique individual. It's certainly one of the more interesting biographies I have read and the inclusion of photographs, especially the full colour images in the center of this book, added a little something.

The book reads with a flowing quality, helped I suspect by the wonderfully designed layout which clearly shows where each anecdote begins and ends. If it were not for that layout, with some of the anecdotes being a mere paragraph long I imagine the reader could have had quite a jarring experience. It was great to see that so much thought clearly went into this.

All in all, I liked this. It was an entertaining read. I love that Sarah Silverman can bring fun and laughter to any situation. That said, I admit that some parts of this book were not for me. I found myself struggling to find the humour in some of the writing when it was very clearly destined to make the reader laugh. The language and content may not be for everyone but if you aren't easily offended and have a good sense of humour, give it a whirl. You won't regret it!

I have to add too, that I had purchased the DVD of the Sarah Silverman Program and I hadn't known quite what to think of it, though some of the content was pretty hilarious. I revisited that DVD once I completed this book and had a whole new appreciation for the humour. That added a little something to this book for me.

You can browse inside this book at HarperCollins Canada by clicking here

Wings: A Fairy Tale by E.D. Baker

2010-02-19T18:28:00.014-05:00

Published by Bloomsbury Publishing
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Tamisin feels like she is different and doesn't fit in. Don't all teens feel that way? It's not just that she sees weird things that her friends seem oblivious to. Nor is it her pointy ears and freckles that sparkle, though admittedly many people consider her to be a freak because of them. No, what really has Tamisin concerned is the sudden appearance of wings! High school is hard enough without having to deal with such issues.

While her parents don't seem to have a lot of answers - and certainly not answers she really wants to hear, she does find friendship and understanding with the strange new boy, Jak.

Wings was a light and speedy read. Thanks to the wonderfully crafted storyline my attention was captured from the beginning. I found many of the characters to be interesting and creative even if not always likeable. What I liked mostly about Wings is the magical quality of the story. The book is a fun read and I find myself pretty sure of the fact that the author had almost as much fun writing it. Talking unicorns and serpentine women with lisps are just a couple of the creatures found within the pages of this story. It was entertaining, amusing, a whimsical fantasy ride that left me wishing it never had to end. I could easily have read more.

The cover of the book states that the author was inspired by a Midsummer Night's Dream which I have never read but am now highly curious about. I could easily see this as a stepping stone for introducing a tween or teen to shakespeare's works.

Author's website: http://talesofedbaker.com/

Mother Goose Manners by Harriet Ziefert. Illustrations by Pascale Constantin.

2010-01-25T17:35:00.013-05:00

Published by Blue Apple Books
Distributed in the US by Chronicle Books
Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books

Nursery rhymes and childhood go hand-in-hand. Even as adults we often remember them enough to repeat to our own offspring or those of family and friends. In Mother Goose Manners these rhymes are brought to life by the vibrant and original illustrations of Pascale Constantin. Each image is printed on a fold out page that - when lifted - reveals a whole new image accompanied by the words of Harriet Ziefert that encourage the young reader to develop their manners. Never has learning to be polite been so fun.

This hardcover book contains 12 nursery rhymes within 32 pages and is recommended for ages 4-8.

I found this read to be cute and entertaining and really wished that such a title had been available as my own children were growing up. I like the idea of introducing manners to a child by using such a fun method, especially when it encourages children to read.

Harriet Ziefert encourages children to not just consider each rhyme carefully but also how manners could have improved the situation. Who knows how many creative and considerate ideas your young reader can suggest!

This is definitely one of my favourite picks for a child's bookcase.

Illustrator's website: http://www.pascaleconstantin.com/

Communication With All Life: Revelations of an Animal Communicator by Joan Ranquet

2010-01-25T14:11:00.009-05:00

Published by Hay House Inc.
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Communication With All Life is a book that has so much to offer. Joan Ranquet shares her personal story of how she came to be an animal communicator and also blesses the reader with numerous shining examples of lives being improved because of it. Although this book does contain a great deal of how-to information, it also delves into the existing links we have with our animals every day, whether we are aware or not. The main theme of the book? "That animal communication is not something we need do or learn.. it just is."

Joan Ranquet has worked with people and their animals in order to help them deepen their connections to one another, resolve behavioural problems, assist in the process of death and dying, and examine incidents surrounding illness and accidents. Now, in this book she gently instructs the reader in how to develop such a bond with their own animals by enacting leadership, responsibility, and positivity in their thoughts and feelings as a way to develop and maintain harmony.

I may very well be biased in this review. As a lover of animal-themed books and books surrounding energy work, to find a book based on both subjects simultaneously is just heaven for me. I personally learned a great deal from this book thanks to the wealth of information but most importantly, the manner in which it is delivered to the reader. Joan Ranquet takes care to ensure that the reader is not simply given the tools and resources to build such a bond with their animals but also that they are aware of the reasoning and logic behind it all. It was so simply laid out that I couldn’t help but understand and absorb the content.

In my own experience, I had been practicing some of this before I even picked up the book. A recent feline addition (I am no longer using the word 'rescue' thanks to the author) is excessively timid thanks to her previous home and I had been talking to her gently and telling her how beautiful she is and that she is safe with me. While my husband often gives me that amused look when he catches me talking to the animals*, he was most pleased to hear that she had been allowing me to carefully stroke her. Reading this book has helped me to use my instincts as a base and develop further skills gleaned from this book in order to better relate to our fur-babies. *(Frank AKA my husband adds that it isn't that I talk to the animals, it's that I hold one-sided conversations with them that amuses him.)

Do I agree with everything in the book? Of that I am not certain but as my Grandma used to say - The proof of the pudding is in the eating. I'm certainly willing to give it a shot. What I liked especially about this book is the section called 'Overall Wellness'. I liked learning more about animal nutrition, vaccines and more. I loved the inclusion of resources such as the author's own website and books such as 'Foods Pets Die For', and 'The Nature of Animal Healing' (both titles will be added to Mount TBR in the foreseeable future),

For me, this was a joy to read.

Author's website: http://www.joanranquet.com

Dwelling: Living Fully from the Space You Call Home by Mary Beth Lagerborg

2010-01-24T14:26:00.007-05:00

Published by Revell Books - A division of Baker Publishing Group

Home. That word invokes different thoughts, feelings and emotions in all of us. For some it's just a roof over our heads, for others it's a space where we can relax and be comfortable, for still more of us it's about family and relationships. In this book the author shares her own personal stories and facts along with those from a number of people regarding what home means to them. Simultaneously, the book provides a wealth of information on how to deal with situations such as: colliding decorating tastes or cleanliness levels, making mealtimes appealing and meaningful to everyone, creating an inviting atmosphere for guests, making working from home work for you, reaching out to those beyond your walls and so much more.

I wasn't certain what to expect from this book. It interested me a great deal though as someone who likes to try and make our home a comfortable and relaxing space for my husband, our pets and myself. For us, home is wherever our family is. Being a military family can be a real challenge sometimes, especially when this is our third home in as many years. I don't think I have ever really considered anywhere to be home and a lot of that is probably due to familial dysfunction during childhood years. I am confident that will change in the future though.

Thanks to a diverse group of people sharing what is important to them, the reader can’t help but feel inspired. I know for myself, there are so many small, yet wonderful changes I will be implementing in our own space to make it more homely. It has also encouraged me to finally get serious about finishing the creation of my own workspace in the home. It has been semi-done for the past few months but I never seem to find the time to complete it.

I really liked this book. It is a Christian book but with not enough religious content that readers with other beliefs would be put off by it. I found that to be greatly appealing. Reading this book has also led me to be curious about another title ‘Once a Month Cooking’ in which the reader can learn how to prepare enough meals for a month, in one day. I am greatly intrigued by that and look forward to reviewing that title once I obtain a copy.

All in all, a very insightful and encouraging read. For me the biggest message I gleaned from it’s pages is that regardless of what our past experiences of home life are, it’s never too late to learn and make our own homes a welcoming and positive place.

Author's website: http://www.dwellingspace.net/

The Middle Stories by Sheila Heti

2010-01-23T01:01:00.010-05:00

Published by House of Anansi Press

A mermaid in a jar, a woman in a shoe, a little lost dumpling, a blind girl with clown-like hair, and a farmer with a fondness of thunderstorms (merely because he likes to see his cows get struck by lightning) are just a few of the weirdly wonderful characters to be found in this eclectic and highly original collection of stories.

I have had this book on my shelf for some time and finally decided to set it free tonight. First, I have to comment on the book itself. The version I have is the Canadian hardcover edition and sometimes, as a bibliophile, the thing I love most about a book is the feel of it in my hands. I just adore this one. For such a small book it is decidedly weighty and the book just feels so luxurious to hold and I greatly like the built in ribbon bookmark that makes life so much easier. It doesn't seem to matter how many bookmarks I have, I always end up seeking out a postcard, or the latest bill in order to mark my place.

I really liked the stories though I must admit I found myself wondering at first. The stories don't seem to have any real meaning though they are very imaginative and entertaining. Once I dropped the notion that I needed to make sense of these tales, I enjoyed them a great deal more. The writing style is fantastic and captivating while the stories are often surprising and always brilliantly crafted.

My favourites had to be Mermaid in the Jar, The Littlest Dumpling (which actually made me laugh out loud), Eleanor, and The Poet and The Novelist as Roommates. Really though, I was pretty fond of each and every story within these pages. To me, it makes an ideal read for one of those days when you just want to relax and really enjoy a book without having to think about it too much. A great addition to any collection.

To give you a small sample, here is a little of "Mermaid in a Jar":

I have a mermaid in a jar that Quilty bought me at a garage sale for twenty-five cents. The mermaid's all, "I hate you I hate you I hate you," but she's in a jar, and unless I loosen the top she's not coming out to kill me.

or the beautiful beginning to "The Girl Who Was Blind All The Time":

She lived in the hollow of her mouth and ears. She lived in the two deep hollows of her nose, and when and if someone touched her, she lived in her skin as well.

On an added note: When readers are considering buying this book, they should try and get the Canadian hardcover edition which is published by The House of Anansi Press. While there is an edition in the US, it is a somewhat limited version that had some of the content removed in the wake of 9/11. The author has previously stated in online interviews that the Canadian hardcover edition is truer to her original intention.

Author's website: http://www.sheilaheti.net

The Class Project: How To Kill A Mother - The True Story of Canada's Infamous Bathtub Girls by Bob Mitchell

2010-01-22T21:36:00.007-05:00

Published by Key Porter Books

Two teenage sisters return from dinner with friends to a shocking image of their mother dead, face-down in a bathtub of water. Frantic, they call 911 and the operator keeps them on the line, trying to calm their hysterics until the emergency services arrive. Friends and family are shocked and stunned by the news and rally around to help the girls - along with their younger brother - recover from this tragedy.

Little do authorities know that the death of Linda Andersen is not accidental, but was in fact planned by the two sisters aided by various close friends. Only a year later when Sandra (the oldest daughter) tells her dark secret to the wrong person, does their perfect murderous plot see the light of day. How is it possible that 15 and 16 year old girls almost get away with such a terrible crime?

In The Class Project, Bob Mitchell shares all the answers. With the cooperation of the homicide investigators, crown prosecutors, and the girls' own defense team, the author tells all in this inside look into the sensational trial that would rank among the most notorious in Canadian judicial history.

I was totally taken aback by this book. I admit that I am not fond of watching or reading about the news and so I knew nothing about this event. In my mind though, I have never associated homicide with youths, much less young girls. Not unless they were victims. To read about teen girls who plotted to kill their mother for months was disturbing but more disturbing still was the fact that they shared this info with a number of friends. Friends who didn't try to talk them out of it, who didn't go to the authorities or a parent and express concern. Friends who instead, chose to collaberate with the sisters on the best methods to use and safest ways not to get caught. Hence the title, The Class Project.

The author shares all the information in an interesting and factual manner that easily keeps the readers attention. Indeed, I began reading this book when I couldn't sleep last night and while I did eventually put it down (around 2am), I didn't hesitate to pick it back up when I woke at 7. I couldn't help but be drawn in even as I found myself in constant turmoil. I couldn't (and still can't) decide wether to feel sympathy for the girls and their environment or feel horror at the cold-hearted manner in which they planned and then carried out the murder of their own mother.

It's not an easy read at times but is always rivetting all the same. I have read a few true crime books and this is definitely among my favourite. The author has taken interviews, court documents etc and has woven them brilliantly together to form a gripping yet chilling read. It certainly opened my eyes.

An informative and fascinating read.

Confessions of an Onnagata by H. G. Robert

2010-01-21T22:52:00.013-05:00

Self Published by the Author via Lulu

Description as written on the author's site:
"Confessions of an Onnagata" by H. G. Robert is a colorful mix of haiku and poetic interludes spiced with pearls of wisdom about gender roles, Japanese phrases and etiquette.

The book's poetic themes are centered around the Onnagata, who is a cross-dressed male actor in the Japanese kabuki theatre. ("Onna" means woman and "Gata" (kata) means way of doing or form.)

Nothing is what it seems. Gender is an illusion.
Onnagatas are the butterflies of life.

I found this book to be a truly unique and creative read. I am admittedly very fond of all things Japanese so this book had piqued my interest from the start. I greatly enjoyed reading the beginning of the book where the reader is treated to a brief history of the Onnagata. That alone got me interested enough to go browsing the world wide web for further info (once I finished the book, of course).

I found the illustrations in the book very appealing. A simple black, white, and red colouring really added a dramatic quality. The written content itself is very diverse as the reader is treated to Haiku poetry, Japanese phrases, and some Japanese customs. I found the Haiku poetry to be beautiful, honest and uncomplicated and I honestly didn't expect to like them that much. I prefer longer poems but I was actually pleasantly surprised by the strong impact of such short messages.

The glimpse into Japanese phrases and customs was interesting to read but really felt a little out of place to me. It just didn't seem to mesh with the rest of the book. It was still a good read though and I know I will visit it again for the Haiku poetry.

*note: This review is for the first edition of the title.

Author's website: http://geriwood.us

Spirit's Inspiration - An Archetypical Journey in Short Stories by Jill Thomas. Illustrated by Suzie Hebert Ouellette.

2010-01-20T19:34:00.014-05:00

Published by Goldeye Publications

A young girl who travels a path of broken glass, a spirit guide on his own journey of discovery, and a midnight dancer are just three of the characters who are waiting for you to begin your journey within the pages of Spirit's Inspiration. This collection of short stories is inspired by the works of Carl Jung and Caroline Myss. Jill Thomas takes the subject of archetypes and not only simplifies it for the reader but also injects a little fantasy and magic for fun!

Spirit's Inspiration is an incredibly inspiring and thought provoking collection of short stories that are written with a pure child-like innocence and yet carry within them so many positive and encouraging messages.

There were numerous things I liked about this book. The whimsical illustrations created by Suzie Hebert Ouellette, the many quotes which are sprinkled within the pages, and especially the style of writing that ensures that the tales are easily accessible to people of all ages.

The cover of the book promises an architypical journey, but I honestly hadn't known what to expect. I had not anticipated such a journey could be as fun and emotionally charged as it was. With each turn of a page I was treated to a literary delight which caused my mind to race, and heart to warm as the content drew me in. Not only drawing me in but also encouraging me to search deep within myself as I contemplated each story.

I feel this collection belongs on any bookshelf but would especially like to see younger generations encouraged to read it. I believe this book is filled with so many empowering messages that it could only be beneficial. The characters are well written and easy to connect with which was a huge plus for me. All too often in short stories, our introduction to such characters is so fleeting that it's impossible to form a bond with them.

I know that usually when I review short story collections I like to share which were my favourites but that was an impossible task with this title. I don't think there was a single tale that didn't deeply touch me as I read it. This is a great read and I will be making sure this book is never far away as I feel I will be revisiting this one time and again.

You can contact the author here and/or visit her website here

The Best of A Little Joy, A Little Oy/The 10 by Marnie Winston-Macauley

2009-12-11T17:50:00.030-05:00

I love day-to-day calendars! Why? How many of us start off with a new calendar hanging proudly on the wall in January, only to turn around one day in August and see that we are apparently still in April? Oh, that's just me? Oh well. I love these little calendars sitting upon my desk, waiting for me to tear away a page at the beginning of each day and now, my days just got better.

A Little Joy, a Little Oy is a calendar that Marnie Winston-Macauley has been putting together for many years now. I have always found it insightful, educational and downright entertaining with it's humour and wisdom. I was thrilled to see that this year, Marnie has released a special 9th edition: The Best of A Little Joy, a Little Oy. On the front of each page, you will find a fact, joke, or even guidance on using yiddish language. On the back, you will find a daily extra which can be a puzzle, a random quote, seasonal sale ideas, cleaning tips and so much more. My favourites are probably the 'on this day in history' facts. I learn so much all the time from these calendars and this one is a definite winner.

The 10 is another calendar by Marnie Winston-Macauley and I have to admit, I love this one. The 10 is filled with sometimes different, sometimes weird, but always entertaining content. From nutty tax deductions to odd phobias, trendy death rituals to nursery rhymes with morbid origins (I only know of one), and even encouragement to create your own fun lists.. it's all here. Again, on the back of each page you will find the daily extras which always encourages me to relax a little each day.

When I was sent these little gems, the generous people over at Andrews McMeel informed me that they had TEN sets for me to give away here on the blog. I am so thrilled about that! So, here is the deal. Please send an email to me with your name, and full mailing address. The first ten people will win a copy of each calendar by Marnie. I look forward to hearing from you. Get sending!

Spot of Grace: Remarkable Stories of How You Do Make a Difference by Dawna Markova PhD.

2009-10-14T00:46:00.004-04:00

Published by New World Library

All too often, people find themselves wondering whether they make a difference in life. Spot of Grace: Remarkable Stories of How You Do Make a Difference is one of those books that provides a resounding response of Yes! The author, Dawna Markova PhD - co creator of Random Acts of Kindness, sent out the following e-mail:

Settle in for a few minutes and think about a person, a group of people, an animal, or a place that helped you realize that you are unique and have something to contribute to the rest of us. Or think about someone whose spot of grace you recognized and encouraged. Then scribble it down and send it to me. It doesn't have to be correctly spelled or fancy, just authentic to you, with a few details that will bring your memories alive. You can remain anonymous if you like or use your name.*

Dawna ended the e-mail with the last lines of her touching poem, "I Will Not Die an Un-lived Life":

Know that in sending me your stories, you will be "risking your significance, taking what came to you as seed and passing it on as blossom, and transforming that which came as blossom into fruit."*

*The content in italics is taken directly from the book.

The contents of Spot of Grace provide a little insight into the author and some of her treasured memories, along with memories from countless other people. These memories will warm the heart and soul even as your emotions are led on a wonderful and eye-opening journey.

Where do I even begin with this book? I was immediately hooked and literally couldn't put it down. The rare times that my attention was away from the book were only because I couldn't resist sharing some of the deeply moving content with my husband. I have so many favourites within the pages, including the following memories in which:

· A bookmobile driver who nurtures the soul of a young bookworm
· A CEO's daughter finds a unique way to communicate with her father as he struggles with Alzheimer's
· tar Wars helps an autistic boy with his violin skills
· A sister refuses to give up on her brother when everyone else has lost hope
· A stranger on a bus journey receives an invaluable gift.

I really loved this book and the optimism and great memories it brought into my life. I found myself looking back over the years, at those people who touched my life. People like my high school English teacher - Mrs Yvonne Harding - who, with her great sense of humour and constant encouragement made high school that little more bearable. Or my neighbour when I was growing up and her patience as she shared memories of her life and treated me to tiny fresh tomatoes from her backyard. My mum remains my strongest memory when thinking of grace and generosity. I remember that mum cooked extra meals for me to take to our next-door neighbour so that Mrs Lyon wouldn't have to worry about cooking or doing the dishes while her broken arm mended.

I then thought about those who touched my life and I have never met. People like the car in front of us at the Tim Horton's drive-through one day. When we arrived at the window to pay for the order we were told the car in front had paid for us. That was very surprising and I suggested to my husband that we bless someone else in the same way, so we paid for the car behind us.

I thought about the moments in my life where I may have caught a glimpse of my own Spot of Grace and spent some time smiling as I remembered cherished memories. I thought about including them but I would prefer to focus on this book, which – in case you can’t tell - I absolutely love and highly recommend. It really changed my mood and in some ways, even my outlook on life.

I know that each of you have countless memories and stories to share and the reason I posted the original e-mail at the start of this review is that the author ends with an invitation to share your own experiences with her at: http://www.dawnamarkova.com

Also, check out the Spot of Grace website on which you can view some of the stories read aloud on video. Eve's story is the first one that touched my heart in the book and I know that as most of you reading this blog are lovers of reading and books, it will speak volumes to you also. http://www.spotofgrace.com/stories.html

Free until July 10th - Scared by Tom Davis

2009-06-28T18:04:00.009-04:00

I posted the trailer to this a little while ago and I am so looking forward to reviewing it. A couple of days ago I received an e-mail informing me that a PDF version of the book is being given away. You can download this book until July 10th 2009. Enjoy!

Trailer - Talking to the Dead by Bonnie Grove

2009-06-05T08:54:00.002-04:00

Canadian author Bonnie Grove has brought us 'Talking to the Dead' which has piqued my interest a great deal. This is another title I will be reviewing in the coming weeks.

Trailer - Scared by Tom Davis

2009-06-05T08:43:00.005-04:00

This title will be read and reviewed by me in the coming weeks. I love books of this nature so I can hardly wait, especially now I have viewed this great trailer!

Deviant Behavior by Mike Sager

2009-05-12T14:30:00.008-04:00

Published by Black Cat - An imprint of Grove/Atlantic Inc.
Distributed by Publishers Group Canada

Jonathan Seede has it all – he enjoys his job with Washington D.C.’s most esteemed newspaper, and has a beautiful wife and a new baby. Appearances are rarely as they seem though, and this situation is no different. Just a short distance away is the Fourteenth Street strip where chaos runs rampant in the form of drugs, hookers and pimps. Reaching his limit on frustration with life, Seede plunges headlong into this deviant world. This novel paints a vivid and memorable picture of what happens when a person decides to Just Say Yes.

I found it pretty hard to get into this book at first. The characters are colourful and well written but they seem to almost get lost in the chaos of the first half of the novel. I was determined to see it through to the end, and I am glad I did. While the first half of the book strikes me as disjointed, and unbelievable to an extreme, the second half of the book brings everything together wonderfully – albeit a little too neatly. I liked the inclusion of very real everyday situations that many would like to ignore – homelessness, drug abuse, prostitution, police corruption and so on. It balanced nicely with the more mysterious storyline of the crystal skulls.

The writing style is greatly descriptive and scenes will often stick with you for a while. Even though I have completed the book, I am still finding my mind playing with the troubling – and even shocking – scene involving a dead hooker and a toddler. The author appears to have done a great deal of research and I have to admit that the philosophy that is sprinkled throughout really added something special. I like when a book provides food for thought, even if it’s not intended to be taken seriously.

I didn’t love this book, but once I got caught up in the story I grew to like it. One thing is for certain; it’s definitely unlike anything else I have ever read and I am looking forward to reading more Mike Sager titles. If you have the opportunity to read it, give it a whirl. If you read it, please do leave a comment and let me know what you think. It would be great to see other opinions.

Author’s website: http://www.mikesager.com

Guess Who? by A.J. Wood. Illustrated by Mike Jolley & Emma Dodd

2009-05-11T12:16:00.006-04:00

Published by Silver Dolphin Books an imprint of Advantage Publishers Group.
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Guess Who is another title in the Amazing Baby changing picture book series.

As with the other title I reviewed, the cover is bright and attention grabbing with a mixture of stimulating designs which encourage discussion between parent and child. A solid book, though, as stated in the other review, the edges lack the same protective coating as the rest of the book which could make the book a little less durable in the mouths of toddlers.

On each page in this book, there is a white silhouette of an animal or object. The accompanying question gives a little clue of what should be there, such as 'who's flying around the flowers?" for a butterfly silhouette. The page has built-in sliders again which cause an insert to pop out of the edge of the page. On that insert is the coloured image of the animal or object in question along with the answer in words. As in the other title, the back of the inserts contain various black and white patterns that can also be a great learning tool.

Great book. The Amazing Baby series is something I definitely recommend.

You can see all the available titles here

One Little Bunny by A.J. Wood. Illustrated by Mike Jolley & Emma Dodd

2009-05-11T11:50:00.006-04:00

Published by Silver Dolphin Books an imprint of Advantage Publishers Group.
Distributed by Raincoast Books

One Little Bunny is a book in the Amazing Baby changing picture book series.

At first glance this book is sure to pique the attention of any baby or toddler. The cover alone has so many different colours and patterns that it offers a learning experience before the book is even opened. The book is solid and seems to be durable though I would have liked to have seen the edges treated with the same coating as the pages and cover. I think it would have been a better idea since the age range of this book (6-18 months) just love to put everything in their mouths.

Each page in this book offers a simple and eye-catching picture which accompanies a counting question. The toddler can place a finger into the slider that is built into the page and it causes a solid insert to pop from the top of the page. The insert contains the answer in a shiny and reflective format. On the reverse of each of these pop-ups are various black and white designs such as spirals, stripes and polka dots. While great to look at, they also encourage learning about patterns too. Towards the end of the book, your child is introduced to a basic math problem which I thought was great. One thing I didn't notice at first, is that each page also contains a number of circles beside the slider so that children can count either the illustrations, or just the circles, though it also leaves the option open for more basic addition too.

For such a small book, it has endless learning possibilities. It's definitely one of my favourite board books to recommend.

You can see all the available titles here

As the World Burns by Derrick Jensen. Illustrated by Stephanie McMillan

2009-04-22T21:35:00.015-04:00

Published by Seven Stories Press
Distributed by Raincoast Books

As the World Burns covers the subjects of global warming, over consumption, animal testing, and other environmental issues that we hear about in our everyday lives. 'We meet two young girls who are concerned with preventing the end of the world, but unsure of how to do so. All the information shared in the many 'quick-fix' guides doesn’t seem to be enough. Meanwhile, the US government has worked out a deal with aliens from outer space and has granted them permits to eat the entire country in exchange for gold - gold that the aliens consider worthless. While the corporations are up in arms over the loss of resources/profits, a solitary one-eyed bunny breaks into a research laboratory in an attempt to rescue the animals within. Chaos runs rampant as many lives come together in an attempt to save the planet.

I love environmental books and graphic novels so I was pretty certain I was going to be on to a winner with this title. I didn't like it as much as I had hoped. I believe it contains strong - and important - messages that our world is in trouble and many of the 'band-aid' solutions are not making as much of a difference as we would like. I believe it is informative in some aspects and I definitely like the 'back-to-nature' theme that occurs at times. That said, I didn't like the violence, I didn't care much for the politics, or the feelings of anger it rouses in the reader but it gets the message across and I do always say that it's a well written book that can provoke emotion in a reader.

I liked the illustration a great deal. Graphic Novels always seem to have such unique styles of artwork and this is no exception though I do wish it had been released here in colour as it is going to be in France. One thing I didn't like about it was that the corporations, president etc were all designed to look like villains, sharp monstrous pointy teeth and all. While I am in agreement that companies have a great deal to answer to, and that priorities need to be changed, I don't think it's fair to present them in such a negative way. Most especially when the environmentalists are usually depicted as cute little girls and tortured animals. I am a firm believer in balance and this book struck me as very one-sided in many aspects and honestly comes off as a personal rant designed strictly to enrage the reader.

Whether you love this book or hate it, one thing is for certain. It will definitely provide much food for thought and while I may not agree with the somewhat violent message, it's always a great thing to see someone else speaking out about the state of this planet.

You can learn more about the author at: http://www.derrickjensen.org/ and the illustrator at: http://mcmillan.livejournal.com/

Temping Fate by Esther Friesner

2009-04-22T13:54:00.003-04:00

Published by Dutton Children's Books an imprint of Penguin Group Canada

Ilana Newhouse is sick of weddings - or more specifically - the wedding between her sister Dyllin and her partner Ras. Okay, so Ilana can see why her sister would freak out at the freshly drawn skull that Ilana is sporting on her cheek but in all fairness, it's not like Ilana knew that it was a permanent marker! To get away from the wedding craziness and to silence her parents' non-stop speeches about responsibility and colleges, she looks for a summer job but no one seems interested in hiring her. That is until she finds a business card in Dyllin's room - a card for D. R. Temps. She is hired on the spot (well, after a little breaking and entering...) and is very eager to begin her new job. It doesn't take long for her to realize that this job is a little different and she is surprised to learn that she is temping for the fates. What follows is a comical look into the world of the many Greek Deities and more importantly, the many temps who help to keep the world running smoothly while the Gods and Goddesses are busy slacking off at the beach, dealing with their children’s hectic after school activity schedules, and so on.

I enjoyed this book a great deal. It was funny, dripping with sarcasm - always a winner with me -, and very creative in general. It was a great mix of adventure, love, and of course - the old battle between good and evil. Throw in a few Deities with frayed nerves and short fuses, along with a temp-gone-wild and you can just imagine the chaos that follows.

It was a quick, easy read and though I enjoyed it a great deal I couldn't help but feel like it got a little rushed towards the end. I think also that because I previously read Gods Behaving Badly - written by Marie Phillips and also based on Greek Deities in the modern world - and loved it, this book was always going to come off second best for me. That said, I think Temping Fate is the better choice for younger teens. I will definitely be exploring other works by Esther Friesner in the future.

Author's website: http://www.sff.net/people/e.friesner/

Red Colored Elegy by Seiichi Hayashi

2009-04-21T23:13:00.004-04:00

Published by Drawn & Quarterly Books
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Red Colored Elegy tells the story of Ichiro and Sachiko, two people who live together (on and off) as they struggle to make ends meet, and dream of better days. For Ichiro those better days include becoming successful with his comics. For Sachiko, she simply longs for the day when the man she loves will propose marriage.

I love graphic novels. I love to explore the pages and different drawing styles of each author. At first I was a little thrown off by the faces that are sometimes missing, and the characters can have a 'super bendy' look that would cause any yoga expert to be green with envy. It's very easy to put that aside though as the reader gets drawn into the story by the turbulent and often dysfunctional lifestyle of this young couple.

I couldn't help but keep my hopes up that they would eventually manage to communicate to each other what they truly desire in life, even while I found myself greatly saddened by the constant struggle between the two characters. Seiichi Hayashi expresses so much in his artwork and though I could have read this book a lot more quickly than I did, I found myself lingering over each image and admiring the way the author can cause the emotional side of this story to leap out from each one.

For a preview, visit: http://www.drawnandquarterly.com/imagesPreview/a477d4683b76d3.pdf

This is definitely one of my favourites and I look forward to reading it again.

Ms. Hempel Chronicles by Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum

2009-04-21T18:40:00.003-04:00

Published by Harcourt Inc.
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Ms. Hempel is a seventh grade teacher who, while passionate about teaching and nurturing her students, sometimes wishes she could seek out a different path in life. It seems that every time she holds this debate in her mind, she can't quite grasp a way to achieve this without being seen as dishonourable. In these chronicles the reader gets to witness memorable moments of life through the eyes of this charming, yet seemingly fragile character. Often these moments are reflected through her relationships with other teachers and of course, her students.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The first word that springs to mind is 'intimate'. It's written in such a style that the reader can't help but feel a close bond with Beatrice Hempel as she moves through her life. She is charming, unsure of herself, and often finds herself visiting old memories and longing for a change she doesn't feel brave enough to reach for.

Through the various 'glimpses' into her life, Í couldn't help but feel sorry for this character. When we first meet her, she is in her early to mid twenties and we are still with her as she reaches the thirties but it often seems that the only thing to change is her age. I got the distinct impression that she tends to just stand still and let life happen around her, taking very little control over her own destiny. I was relieved when offered an image of her in earlier years when she had blue hair and dressed in torn t-shirts and leopard print mini skirts, as it showed that she wasn't always this quiet, almost timid woman.

Along with her quietness though, she sometimes displays a child-like naivety that is simply endearing. The naivety lessens as the years unfold though she still seems to retain an ‘innocence’. I would have loved to have seen more of this character and followed her through the next couple of years to see how she would further develop. It's rare to read a book and feel like you have so much invested in the content but with this title, it's exactly how I felt - almost like a doting parent, cautiously watching as Beatrice struggles to discover who she is and what she really wants in life.

This was a wonderful work of fiction.

Website: http://www.mshempelchronicles.com/Welcome.html

The Gospel of the Second Coming: The Long-Awaited Sequel! by Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy

2009-04-20T22:29:00.004-04:00

Published by Hay House Inc.
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Pretty much everyone knows the main players in this book. We follow Jesus during his second coming as he introduces Mary and Peter to Gnosticism. Mary is eager to learn but then again, could that have something to do with the fact that she has a teensy crush on the big JC. Peter is more sceptical and struggles to keep his old ideas of religion safe. If it were possible, I think Peter would be calling the men in white jackets to take Jesus away. I mean, what else can you do with a guy who claims not to exist! Especially when his dear old dad - AKA God - butts in and claims to be on the 'non-existent' team too.

This is actually a really well written book. During the first chapter or two, it was the humour and outrageousness of this book that kept my interest but as the authors got more in depth, I paid less attention to the humour and was genuinely engrossed in the thoughts and ideas that are shared within the pages.

I can imagine some Christians being offended by the content but I personally think this is the kind of book that everyone should read at least once, regardless of your religious preferences. I am all for a book that promotes love, peace, tolerance and above all, self-love and self-respect. I love that this book pushes readers towards enjoying the life that you live today and turns readers away from the guilt that is all too often attached to religious beliefs.

A positive and inspirational read though admittedly, it did get dry in a few places.

Author's website; http://www.timothyfreke.com

Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez

2009-04-20T22:08:00.002-04:00

Published by Harcourt Inc.
Distributed by Raincoast Books

High School can be a nightmare and very rarely do students make it through the experience unscathed. For Daisy Giordano, high school just got a whole lot worse. Her mother and sisters have psychic abilities and though Daisy's mother is convinced that Daisy is just a slow developer, it doesn't make her 'norm' status any easier to bear.

Throw in the fact that the head cheerleader has just returned from summer break looking somewhat dead and random female teens have been showing up dead (or very close to it) and it's very clear that something nasty is happening in the town of Nightshade. Whatever it is, it seems to be revolving around the Nightshade High cheerleading team. As members of the team are falling victim to some unexplained weirdness, new talent has to be found and Daisy is taken on as a new addition. Hopefully she is in a better position to help solve this mystery before anyone else gets hurt.

'Dead is the New Black' is a highly addictive read which drew me in from the very first page. The writing style is perfectly descriptive - enough detail to paint a very clear image in the mind of the reader, yet not enough to take away from the fast pace of the story. The characters are equally as well written and it's not often easy to become attached to characters within such a quick read but I found myself dreading the end of the book. Thankfully it seems there will be a couple of sequels at least, including 'Dead is a State of Mind' which should already be available and which I hope to review soon.

This is the first book I have read by Marlene Perez but it certainly won't be the last. This book is a welcome addition to my bookshelf and it's a sure-fire winner as a gift for any girls over the age of 12.

Author's website: http://www.marleneperez.com

All We Ever Do Is Talk About Wood by Tom Horacek

2009-04-20T22:06:00.003-04:00

Published by Drawn & Quarterly Books
Distributed by Raincoast Books

All We Ever Do Is Talk About Wood contains a variety of cartoons which deal with the darker aspects of life. Death, Insanity, Marriage, and Infidelity are among the many topics covered in these simple yet brilliant drawings.

The back of the book describes the characters in these drawings as having the hydrocephalic proportions of playmobil people and I have to agree. The characters have a definite 'cute' factor and I am a big fan of any book that can add humour to the more negative aspects of life.

My favourite comics in this book are: the Agoraphobics Anonymous meeting (page two of the preview PDF which is linked to below), The mousehole, Josh, and the Broken Leg. This is a smaller book, filled with delightful single panel gags that will entertain and amuse.

Preview Link: http://www.drawnandquarterly.com/imag...

How to Behave: A Guide to Modern Manners for the Socially Challenged by Caroline Tiger

2009-04-20T22:05:00.003-04:00

Published by Quirk Books
Distributed by Raincoast Books

This book is divided into various environments that you will encounter on a day-to-day basis. It covers Transportation, At the Office, Big City Living, Leisure Time, Dating Love and Sex, and Out on the Town. Caroline Tiger captures so many situations that we can all associate with but rather than being a book on manners for the socially challenged (as the title would suggest) the reader is instead faced with a book on how to deal with rude people.

I find it less a book on etiquette, more a book on how to deal with obnoxious people by being more obnoxious than they are. It's hard to tell whether this book is written tongue in cheek but in some places I would sincerely hope it was. I believe that if one were to follow the advice laid out by the author in much of this book, the situation could (and probably would) escalate to levels that do nothing to resolve the original problem but instead would create new ones.

The main theme of the book seems to be 'an eye for an eye' which, personally, I dislike.

On a plus note, at least the author usually offers two solutions per situation. One is tactful and the other is confrontational. If you are someone who likes to be pro-active in correcting the behaviours of those around you then perhaps this title is for you. I did glean a little information from this title regarding general consideration for those around me but was it worth digging my way through the rest of it? I don't know.

It’s not a book I would read again.

Author's website: http://www.carolinetiger.com

Gentleman Jim by Raymond Briggs

2009-04-20T22:02:00.003-04:00

Published by Drawn & Quarterly Books
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Jim has a steady job working in the public toilets, a job he is really good at. During his breaks he takes time to read the papers and see what new job opportunities are available but it seems like every job needs 'levels' these days. Life was so much easier back in the days of the old west, or even during the times of Dick Turpin. Gosh those times looked exciting. After spending 12 years thinking about switching jobs, Jim finally decides to look at an alternative life and soon finds that although he has more excitement in his life now, it's not the good kind.

I loved this book. I fell in love with the work of Raymond Briggs when I first saw The Snowman (which I still have on DVD along with Father Christmas.) I hadn't heard of Gentleman Jim and was further surprised to see that it's one of the first graphic novels ever published. The illustrations are vivid, brilliant, wonderfully detailed and often rich and vibrant. The story itself is heartwarming and inspirational while also terribly sad in places. That said, it's also greatly entertaining and caused me to laugh out loud more than a few times.

Easily one of my favourite reads this year.

Preview can be seen at: http://www.drawnandquarterly.com/imagesPreview/a477d459beb320.pdf

Garbage Land by Elizabeth Royte

2009-04-18T16:38:00.002-04:00

Published by Little Brown and Company an imprint of Hachette Book Group

Do you ever find yourself wondering what happens to your garbage? The author - Elizabeth Royte - decides to track the weekly journey of the garbage from her home. What follows is an in depth account of trips to landfills, recycling centers, sewage treatment centers, scrap metal centers and much, much more. There are some parts that are a little 'squicky' like the subject of composting and 'disco rice' (maggots) or while doing cleanups and encountering 'Coney Island whitefish' (used condoms). I think the biggest gross factor for me was the subject of Biosolids. I am completely in awe of the author and her determination to leave no stone unturned.

The detail in this book is both incredible and fascinating. To quote a san man (garbage collector) - 'People think there is a garbage fairy. You put it on the curb and pffft, its gone. They don’t have a clue'. This totally applies to me. I didn't even think much about what happens after I drop off my recyclables at the local depot so it was wonderful to get such a great education on the subject. I found myself frequently quoting parts of the book to my husband as I learned new facts and it even raised my own curiosity about landfills here in Canada since the book is based in the USA. I will definitely need to see if I can find a Canadian book about trash.

What did I like most about this book? It was most probably the facts and figures that are sprinkled throughout the narrative. I found them easy to understand and the author clearly put a lot of time and effort into making sure the book was not only easy to comprehend but that it would keep the reader interested also. I couldn't put this title down and read it in about a day and a half. I especially liked the sprinklings of garbage history. Another thing I liked was that unlike so many books which tell a reader what they need to be doing differently in their life, this author provides many different thoughts and ideas in such a friendly manner that the reader can't help but be enthused about garbage and how to maybe handle it a little differently in their own way. I especially love that the book covers both the pros and cons of recycling and that it encourages the reader to consider cutting down on the garbage at the origin - being more aware of purchases.

I loved one of the ideas that was thrown around by a student in the book, during a recycling meeting. The student in question asked about making the original producers more responsible. Someone replied that they wouldn't agree to 'sticking it to the companies' but it really got me thinking and in an era where nothing is really built to last, this could really be a viable option. If companies were forced to take back the packaging, damaged goods and so on and had to handle the financial responsibility for disposal then surely they would be encouraged to go back to building things that last longer, or cut down on the endless - and oftentimes unnecessarily excessive packaging. It sounds good to me.

This was a brilliantly written and greatly informative read that I would recommend to anyone. You can get an idea about things you can do to make a difference at http://www.booknoise.net/garbageland/ and you can learn even more about the book too.

I Became a Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt: Replacing Souvenir Religion with Authentic Spiritual Passion by Vince Antonucci

2009-04-18T16:36:00.003-04:00

Published by Baker Books

I was raised Church of England (in school at least) though I was exposed to Jehovahs Witnesses for a while and then religion just seemed to drop out of my life in early teens. I did explorations of my own, Pentecostal, Jehovahs Witnesses, Catholic, but nothing seemed right. I think a big part of it was all the rules, all the judgments, all the hypocrisy of people going to church once a week and then going against those beliefs the remaining six days of the week. It was disheartening. Now I am not religious formally though I do try to live a good life (in my own eyes) and treat others with kindness and as I would like to be treated.

I still enjoy reading about all the various religions and personal views of those involved. Some may come across as too dry a read, others may seem too preachy, but 'I became a Christian and all I got was this lousy t-shirt' is neither. It's subtitle is replacing Souvenir Religion with Authentic Spiritual Passion and it sums it up perfectly. Vince Antonucci provides an authentic glimpse into his life, his journey as a Christian, his moments of disappointment, his 'a-ha!' moments and just basically provides a sincere, personal view on what Christianity is about.

The words that come to mind as I recall the content are: honest, sincere, imperfect, funny (my favourite by far is the subject of Monks), inspiring, uplifting, and personal. Not just personal because the author is sharing his life but because the author talks to - not at - the reader which makes the whole experience feel less like reading a book, and more like listening to a good friend. This book is a must read for any Christian but I would also highly recommend it to anyone who has questions regarding religion of any kind. I would recommend it to parents of teens who have questions regarding religion (it's the most fun book on Christianity I am aware of!) Most especially, if you are like me, then you have all met Christians who preach but fail to live by their own words. Or the Christians who seem to direct judgement at everyone around them. This book if nothing else, will show that just like everything in life there will always be good and bad sides to our religious experiences. It will lead you into the heart and mind of a Christian who is far different than most I have met, and one who provides much food for thought.

The content is presented in a greatly entertaining manner. A good example is in Chapter 6: Hungry, from which I will provide a quote;

Jesus: 'Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.'
The bible tells us this was the day almost everyone decided not to follow Jesus anymore.
I bet this was also the day when Jesus' closest disciples realized they had a problem: Jesus was a loose cannon. I can picture them, later that night, suggesting to Jesus that perhaps they could help him with his PR.
'Now Jesus, if we heard you correctly, earlier, your new marketing slogan is: Bite Me!'

There is much more to it but I tried to capture a little part of it so as to share an example of the fun discussion without ruining your enjoyment of the book should you get it and read it.

Did it make me want to rush out and get baptized? No.. but it did provide me with a lot of ideas on ways I can improve my life and the lives of those around me. It did inspire me to take a look inside myself and check out my priorities in life. I greatly enjoyed this book.

Author's site: http://www.vinceantonucci.com/

There's a Dead Person Following My Sister Around by Vivian Vande Velde

2009-04-18T16:34:00.009-04:00

Published by Magic Carpet Books - an imprint of Harcourt Inc.
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Ted has a problem. It all started one night while Ted and his sixteen year old brother were watching TV. Looking up he spies his younger sister Vicky - who is in kindergarten - trying to watch TV even though she shouldn't be awake. Vicky explains that she is only there because her new friend Marella was curious about TV. Chalking the experience up to invisible friends, Vicky is sent back to bed by her brothers. Following that there seems to be more than a few strange events including one terrifying night when Ted wakes up from a really bad nightmare only to hear his sister screaming that 'the bad lady' was trying to hurt him.

Through a conversation with his cousin, and later with his grandparents, Ted is convinced the house is haunted and he learns that their almost 150 year old home used to be a part of the underground railroad. Furthermore, his grandparents tell him of a secret room in the house that is now unreachable but which once held a diary. He is thrilled to learn the diary is in the attic but soon learns that someone really doesn't want him to go up there.

Will he get the answers he needs, and will it be in time to put an end to the hauntings before something really bad happens?

I decided on a quick read tonight and this title just caught my eye. From the beginning this book grabs your attention and has no problem holding onto it. The reader is informed that unlike most ghost stories, this one doesn't begin with an old old house, or being sent to stay with an aunt who lives near a windswept moor. Nor does it involve a lighthouse or any of the other things usually found in those kind of stories. Within the first couple of pages I was already chuckling at the humour and I was already drawn in to the point where I didn't want to put the book down at all.

I liked that this book delves into some of the history of slavery and the underground railway. It was fascinating to read about and I especially liked the reactions from Ted as he learned of his family's involvement. The tale has a wonderfully balanced mix of fantasy and educational content that is sure to please both parents and children alike. It's an entertaining read with many fantastic twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat right until the very end. For ages 10 and up.

Author's site: http://www.vivianvandevelde.com

Overcoming Overeating by Jane R. Hirschmann

2009-04-18T16:34:00.006-04:00

In Overcoming Overeating, therapists Jane Hischmann and Carol Munter delve into the many patterns (diet/binge, good food/bad food, punishment/reward) that lead to overeating and weight gain. Rather than focus on weight-loss, they offer up a new way of dealing with this situation. Throw all your diet materials out of the window and focus purely and simply on reconnecting with your body while taking control over your own habits and behaviours rather than following the latest 'quick fix' diet fad. Contained within these pages is a step-by-step plan which has been well proven.

Taken from the back of the book:

The authors will show you how to:

Give up dieting forever and discover that you actually eat much less without the pressure of restraints.
Eat from true stomach hunger instead of 'mouth' hunger - the emotional trigger that makes you turn to food even though you're not hungry.
Enjoy the enormous satisfaction of meeting true hunger with the foods you most desire.
Stop overeating and lose weight naturally.
Move beyond your negative preoccupation with eating and weight towards a fuller, more satisfying life.

While talking about my inability to keep weight off when I lose it, this title was recommended and loaned to me. I will admit to being a little uncertain about the idea of 'putting an end to overeating', after all, that's just another way of saying diet isn't it? I am so glad I read this book. Many people who have eating disorders and especially those caught in the vicious diet/binge cycle, will find themselves experiencing frequent 'a-ha' moments as they recognize their eating and thought patterns. I truly felt like this book was a real eye-opener.

There were a few things I especially liked. One is that regardless of what is being discussed in the book, it is communicated in a supportive and non-judgemental way. It is also made clear that this is no quick or magical fix which is refreshing to me. I am so used to reading books that promise a guaranteed result within a set timeframe. This book simply informs the reader that everyone is unique and the timeframe for the results will depend on the individual needs of the reader. I know, I hear your groan from here but if, like me, you have found yourself losing weight regularly only to gain it back and then some.. then what do you have to lose from trying something different? I know that the average reader, like I did, will have frequent questions spring to mind as they read but I found that everything I feared or was nervous about was answered in a clear and reassuring manner.

I greatly enjoyed that this book encourages the reader to be in touch with their body, how to reconnect with your emotions and your hunger/fullness signals. It comes across as a 'back to the basics' kind of book and I like the idea of that. Mostly I loved that it encourages the reader to take responsibility for - and nurture - his/her own body, mind and spirit. I found this book to highly encouraging, inspirational and positive - not to mention empowering. I will be putting the plan into action in the very near future and will update this review after I have done that,. but for now this book definitely gets a big thumbs up!

Website: http://www.overcomingovereating.com (site includes links to Overcoming Overeating online support groups hosted on Yahoo).

Any Given Doomsday by Lori Handeland

2009-04-18T16:32:00.003-04:00

Published by St. Martin's Press an imprint of McMillan Books.
Reviewed as part of Librarything's Early Reviewer program.

Elizabeth Phoenix has never had what you would consider a regular life. She always knew she was a little 'different' than other people and had she been raised by anyone else, maybe that would have been more of a problem. As it was, her foster mum Ruthie, was very supportive and tried to encourage Liz to learn more about her gifts. This is a good thing as Ruthie has been killed and it's down to Liz to uncover the truth behind the brutal death. At least she has some help but with the help being provided in the form of a cheating ex-boyfriend who left her heartbroken some time ago, and a creepy navajo guy who she has never felt comfortable with, I am sure Liz would rather go it alone. Little does she know (at first) that she has been thrust into a position of major responsibility, she has a limited amount of time to develop her gifts and on top of it all she has to save the world!

I have limited experience with supernatural fiction but I am finding that I like the genre a great deal. I mostly enjoyed this book though I found some parts to be a little too ' B-movie' in style. It was interesting to see the way Liz develops as a person who has to grow in maturity at an alarming rate if she is to succeed with her current task. It was also great to see the way she handles her psychic and supernatural abilities though I could have lived without the linking of sexual activity to her gifts. I think that took away from the story some and it almost makes the reader not take the author seriously. Then again, it could have been written that way in an attempt to add humour. Personally I prefer the humour that was expressed with snappy comebacks and hilarious descriptions that show up from time to time.

With all that in mind, I found this book impossible to put down. I even took the book to a seminar I had to attend and continued to read it there. I had someone approach me and ask what I was reading and it turned out she was a fan of this genre but hadn't heard of this author before but she was thrilled to learn about it and hopes to read some of Lori Handeland's books in the future. All in all, I liked this book and I have to say, I am so hooked on the story that I can't wait for the next installment which is due out next month I believe.

Great read.

Author's site: http://www.lorihandeland.com/

The Piano Teacher by Elfriede Jelinek. Translated from German by Joachim Neugroschel

2009-02-12T14:42:00.006-05:00

Published by Grove/Atlantic Inc

Erika Kohut is a 38-year-old piano teacher who shares an apartment with her mother. A mother who seems to live through her daughter, micromanaging every aspect of her life right down to the clothes she wears and what happens to her wages. She bullies, screams, slaps, and shouts at her daughter while simultaneously declaring her love and that all her words and actions stem from her love for her offspring.

Erika appears to remain the perfect daughter while struggling with both sadistic and masochistic tendencies. She ventures to a seedy part of town to take in a peep show after work sometimes, visits the cinema to view brutal, dark and violent movies featuring S&M, other times she prefers spying on unsuspecting lovers in the woods. When a 17 year old student of hers shows an interest in her and also displays an unwillingness to give up on his desires she wonders if this could be the one, the man with the unbending will, the one who can give her all she needs and who will understand her darkest desires.

A friend of mine, who lives overseas, had mentioned this book to me a few times. I finally bought it and I am so thankful I did. So many books can lose a certain quality when being translated to other languages (A prime example is the Mercy Room which I reviewed a while ago) but The Piano Teacher is certainly not one of those books. I read it from cover to cover within 48 hours. It was one of those books that left me wishing I didn't need sleep and could just stay up and finish it. In an ideal world I would have done just that.

The writing is fantastic, the characters are excellently developed, and the reader can't help but be pulled in by the story. As I was reaching the last few pages, I wished that the book could have magically sprouted a few more chapters. This is my first book by this author but it will definitely not be my last. I love the cover on this book too.

Permanence: Tattoo Portraits by Kip Fulbeck

2009-02-12T14:32:00.004-05:00

Published by Chronicle Books
Distributed by Raincoast Books

While tattooing is becoming increasingly popular there is often still a great amount of stigma surrounding those who decide to decorate their bodies in this fashion. Kip Fulbeck takes images of a diverse group of these people and puts them into this book along with their own stories regarding their experiences with ink.

Whether you sport tattoos or not, you are sure to find this book an eye opener. Great photography and a very voyeuristic look into the personal choices behind each piece of art. A great gift for those who are into body modification and for anyone who has a curiosity as to why anyone would get inked.

Myself, I have three tattoos though it looks like two. I have a wolf with native feathers on my right arm and later had my husband's name placed alongside. Both of those are a symbol of my commitment to him. I also have a more personal tattoo on the back of my neck to remind me of my spirit and strength.

I loved this book and hope it is the start of a new trend. I would love to see more books on the subject of body modifications.

Bad Sex: We Did It, so You Won't Have To by the writers of Nerve.com

2009-02-12T14:26:00.001-05:00

Published by Chronicle Books
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Most adults can share at least one or two personal bad sex stories, though admittedly many would be too embarrassed. The writers of Nerve.com have put together this collection of their own dodgy experiences which are funny, sad, and often just plain weird. There is the guy who ejaculates so often that he could probably put a fire out quicker than the local fire department, a sleeping cat (easily my favourite story!), intimidating vibrators, drunk sex, and the handjob from hell. These are just a few of the situations that arise in this slightly naughty, greatly voyeuristic read.

Bad sex stories. Many of us have them. There is the time I had a knock on the door and opened it only to find that my ever-so-helpful neighbours had called the police in concern for my safety. Imagine my surprise when they asked if I was okay, and their surprise when I answered with a perfectly straight face that I was just having sex. Then there is the drunken exchange with a younger guy which has led some of my British friends to repeatedly sing Paul Hardcastle's song "19" at me just so they can see me blush. Or perhaps the bondage scene in the woods where I packed everything we could need including a spare blouse since my husband was going to cut mine off. Imagine his amusement, and my horror when I realised that I had left it at home on the arm of the couch which was thankfully only a short distance (and a VERY fast sprint through the yards of 4 neighbours) away.

Your enjoyment of this book will depend on how adventurous you are. I am admittedly a little too adventurous at times and I think that is a big part of why I found some of the stories (okay, a lot of them) fell short of the entertaining mark. To someone else, they could be pretty shocking and funny. That said, the book can also be looked at as a way of discovering things to try and those not to. A perfect example would be the licking of eyeballs as foreplay. (In my wildest dreams I could never have thought to do that!)

Featured Book Trailer

2008-09-06T10:50:00.000-04:00

Please do check out the trailer section. I like viewing book trailers. They are such a fun way to introduce a reader to a book. The current featured book trailer is Almost Green by James Glave and is brought to us by GreyStone Books - a division of Douglas & McIntyre. Please click on the book cover to see it.

Also, while I do try to cover as many of the great books as I can, I can't find *all* the great titles (though I do try!) and there are a huge number of great titles that slip by me. When you have looked around this blog, please do take the time to check out the links to other book related blogs that can be found in the links section and you will find lots more wonderful eye candy!

Free Books Update!

2008-09-05T19:39:00.000-04:00

I am thrilled that a couple of authors made it possible for me to give away copies of their books.

Here are the offers and details:

Offer 1 (2 sets remaining!)

Diana S. Zimmerman and Noesis Publishing provided FIVE extra copies of the book 'Kandide and the Secret of the Mists', each of which comes with a bookmark and also a hard copy of the magic trick that can be found online here. Five lucky readers will get one of these bundles of goodies. All you have to do is e-mail me at theliteraryword@gmail.com with the answer to the following questions which can be found on Diana’s site http://www.kandide.com/

Diana S Zimmerman has many roles in life including that of the World’s Foremost Lady Magician and star of her own HBO TV show. What is the name of the show? (Answer located in About the Author)
What is Lady Aron’s favourite book? (Answer located in Friends and Foes)
In the Garglan Magic Trick there are 10 Garglans at first, how many are there after you click on the screen? (Answer located in the Magic Trick)

Again, the email is theliteraryword@gmail.com. The first five people to send me the correct info will be contacted so I can get their mailing info and send their free bundle!

Offer 2 (Down to a Sunless Sea is still up for grabs!)

Mathias B Freese has graciously provided me with signed copies of 2 books. Down to a Sunless Sea (which I recently reviewed and loved), and i Tetralogy (which I will be reviewing soon).

The first person to e-mail me at theliteraryword@gmail.com (please put the title of the book you want in the subject line) will win the signed copy. I will then contact the winner and request mailing info so that I can send the book.

Enjoy, and good luck!

Almost Green by James Glave

2008-08-26T10:31:00.000-04:00

Published by GreyStone Books - a division of Douglas & McIntyre

Global warming, carbon footprint, climate change, and sustainable living: these phrases and others like them have become popular the world over, and with good reason. Who can fail to notice the extreme weather, the deteriorating air quality, and other warning signs that show this planet to be in trouble? There is an endless supply of information on the subject, from DVDs such as 'An Inconvenient Truth', clips such as Tomorrow's Climate, Today's Challenge and of course the countless websites and books.

James Glave's book - Almost Green, is unlike most other books on this subject. The author approaches the subject of Green Living with humour and frank honesty as he attempts to build a sustainably designed writing studio in the front yard of his home. While it starts off as a noble and wonderful idea, the reality is constantly clouded with unpleasant surprises and challenges. Challenges that the author and his family constantly rise above, seemingly with a new sense of determination that is both inspirational and admirable. Not only set on changing their own carbon footprint on the world by way of building this eco-friendly studio and downsizing their SUV for a more environmentally friendly vehicle, the author also tries to encourage his neighbourhood to take baby steps towards green living too.

I loved this book. Absolutely adored it. I have read books on the climate change and environmental issues before but I have to admit, many have been greatly informative yet dry, dull reads which insist on drowning the reader in facts and figures. Almost Green is completely different. From the very beginning the author draws the reader in and points the reader in the direction of the video clip that is linked above for your convenience. He briefly discusses his own thoughts on this clip and the impact it had on his thinking and way of life, and then shares his ideals and hopes regarding his own environmental impact.

This book is honest, personal, and deeply informative with the information shared in a way that is easy to digest and understand. One of my favourite sections was a chapter in which the author converses with Solitaire Townsend, co-founder of Futerra which is - to quote the author - "a leading authority on the tricky business of talking about global warming in a way that inspires action, not apathy". Helpful tips were given regarding how to discuss environmental issues with other people in a way that would inspire a community to join together and create positive solutions, rather than alienate. Also a number of resources were shared which are invaluable to anyone who is trying to implement change on a community level.

One of my favourite reasons for liking this book though, is the way it engages the reader. While the author shared his discoveries on this green journey, I found myself learning to look at things on a whole new level. For example, I have been guilty of only really thinking about my environmental impact when it comes to travel. I don't often think of the impact at home, other than the obvious switching off lights and recycling. The author brought up a valid point though in which he mentions that he would drive to the recycling centre to drop off his stuff, which seemed to negate his efforts somewhat. I realised that I myself am guilty of that one and will in future be making sure I plan my recycling trips around other activities. That is just one of the many ways this book has made me use my head a little more.

It has also inspired me to start thinking about other changes I can make to become greener. More baby steps, as the author likes to call them. The author has made this subject so much more approachable and in my own case at least, less daunting. It was a greatly inspirational read and one I would highly recommend to anyone.

On a fun note, the publisher (Douglas & McIntyre) has arranged a contest in which the winner can win a night's stay at the Eco-Shed.

Author's website: http://glave.com/

Thor's Wedding Day: By Thialfi, the Goat Boy as told to and translated by Bruce Coville. Illustrated by Matthew Cogswell

2008-08-21T19:03:00.002-04:00

Published by Magic Carpet Books - a division of Harcourt Inc
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Thor is having a really bad day. His hammer has been stolen by the king of the giants, Thrym, and is being held for ransom. Thrym wants to marry Freya - The Goddess of Love, but the fiery tempered Freya will have nothing to do with him. Following a meeting with all of the Gods and Goddesses, it is decided that the only solution is for Thor to bury his pride and don a bridal gown. The mischevious Loki and the nervous Thialfi - the goat boy - need to dress for the occassion too. Thor just hopes he doesn't have to walk down the aisle!

This book was hilarious, original, and captivating. I love books about the Gods and Goddesses and it seems that we are starting to see more authors having fun with the subject. (Gods Behaving Badly is a book that came to mind). This was a quick and easy read which was expected since it is a book aimed towards children ages 8 to 12. I can imagine it would make delightful bedtime reading for children and parents alike and I could also see this book as a great way to get children introduced to Mythology in a fun way! I laughed out loud often while reading this one, it was a great adventure! I also enjoyed the sometimes dark, always wonderful illustrations of Matthew Cogswell. I especially liked his depiction of Thrym.

A great read.

Author's website: http://www.brucecoville.com/
Illustrator's website: http://www.matthewcogswell.com/

The Old Stories by Kevin Crossley-Holland. Illustrated by John Lawrence

2008-08-21T12:12:00.002-04:00

Published by Dolphin Paperbacks - a division of Orion Books UK

A collection of traditional tales, folk lore, myths, rhymes and more, The Old Stories contains short pieces that are memorable and oftentimes quirky. Whether dealing with humour, fear, problem solving and many other topics, the theme often seems to turn to morals as is the way for many folk tales and myths from around the world. The rhymes are often in old dialects (though sometimes adjusted slightly to make them more understandable).

I liked this collection a great deal. I loved reading the local rhymes which, while not identical, were extremely similar to my own lancashire dialects. It made me smile and think of the region where I was raised. The writing style is beautifully descriptive and the tales are often filled with words that inspire the imagination, words such as bogles and woodwoses. I found that in the 'darker' pieces, the writing style was brilliantly chilling. As with any collection, there are always going to be favourites. Mine were the following:

The Suffolk Miracle: In which a farmer's daughter and a ploughboy fall deeply in love much to the displeasure of her father who does everything to prevent the joining of the two. True love as always, will not be denied.
The Dead Moon: In which the moon, who protects the local swamp from the bogles, dead things, and crawling horrors, decides to explore the swamp and see what the locals are so afraid of.
Sea Tongue: The voices of so many objects in a town (church bell, church, houses, the cliff) come together and share moments in their history.
Cape of Rushes: Folk tale which very much reminded me of Cinderella.
Samuel's Ghost: Samuel tries his best to ensure his spirit can rest.
A Coggeshall Calendar: Hilarious accounts of events during a year in Coggeshall and the steps the locals take to deal with these events. Pretty much a folk tale version of the Darwin Awards.

I was glad to see that the author includes sources and notes in the back of the book for those who wish to delve more into where these tales originated. The illustrations by John Lawrence which are of a simple style, were a tasteful and eye-catching addition. My only issue with those images was the fact that a few of them were repeated alongside different stories so I felt the illustrations in places were used more as 'fillers'. I liked that the stories are also paired with rhymes and sayings with the same theme. It's nice to see a layout so obviously well thought out.

Also, last but not least, I loved the book cover itself. In fact, I picked up this book just because of the cover. It was simply captivating. I am so glad it got my attention. While it was the cover that drew me to this author, it is his writing that has made me eager to find and read more of his books.

Author's website: http://www.kevincrossley-holland.com/
Illustrator's website: http://www.imagesofdelight.com/

Kandide and the Secret of the Mists by Diana S. Zimmerman. Illustrated by Maxine Gadd

2008-08-21T11:00:00.000-04:00

Published by Noesis Publishing

The kingdom of Calabiyau is in turmoil. King Toeyad, ruler of the Fée kingdom, is dead. Next in line is his eldest daughter Kandide who has been prepared for her special role as Queen – and Keeper of the Gift - since birth. Unfortunately, being constantly reminded of how important she is has led to Kandide being spoiled, willful, and incredibly vain. To be fair, her vanity is valid as no finer, more perfect creature can be found anywhere.

While preparing for her upcoming crowning ceremony, Kandide suffers a tragic accident and suddenly her worst fears become a reality. Mercilessly cast aside by her mother, she is banished to a dark and dangerous land where all Imperfects are left to survive – or die, as they will. Kandide has always detested and feared Imperfects. Now she must face and co-exist with them, and harder still, she must accept her own future as one of them.

Back in Calabiyau, Kandide’s family has problems of their own. The high council is demanding to know the location of Kandide – and the Gift, on which life itself depends. Now Kandide’s siblings must go seek their banished sister and return within three days. The very life of their mother is dependant upon their success. With their mother’s enemy, the fiery Lady Aron, working against them, can the family survive?

Okay, I can’t even begin to tell you how much I loved this book. I was hooked and literally couldn’t put it down from start to finish and on reaching the last page, I was eager for the story to continue. Now I can’t wait for the second and third installments of this series. I have read many fantasy novels and of those, many have contained faeries and magic but none have ever moved me in the way this did. This is not simply a faery tale or a tale of magic. This is not even just a tale of good against evil. This is a story which is inspirational, teaches patience, tolerance, acceptance and perhaps most important of all, it teaches the important lesson of beauty being much more than skin deep. This is a tale that all children should read but I think for the adults it is a superb choice too. It certainly spoke to the inner child in me. The simply stunning artwork by Maxine Gadd made me love this book even more. My favourite illustrations in this book are Tara, and Lady Aron (both viewable here)

Fantastic read. I saw on the website that someone had said that after reading Harry Potter they had wondered if a series of books ever knock them off their feet again. The same person said they found that the Calabiyau Chronicles did just that and I find myself agreeing. I love Kandide’s world and I don’t think I could ever get tired of reading about it. I think what I loved too, was that after reading the book, I went to check out the site and it’s an online playground and wealth of information regarding the series and characters so you can learn even more. I loved the character biographies (which are also in the back of the book).

Author's website: http://www.kandide.com/
Illustrator's website: http://www.fataraworld.com/

Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

2008-08-20T14:55:00.000-04:00

Published by The Dial Press - a division of Random House

Lexi Smart is a woman with problems. In addition to having a family she can't connect with, she has a husband who is deliciously handsome, drives a fast car, is a multimillionaire who showers her with diamonds AND a guy who knows how to drive a powerboat. She has an amazing apartment, a wardrobe to die for, a personal shopper and a highly successful career as the youngest Director the company has ever had. Okay, so it doesn't sound too problematic I grant you but what if you were to wake one morning in hospital, discover this amazing life you have and realise that you can't remember any of it. I imagine like Lexi, you would be terrified.

Now she finds herself here, in 2007, with the last three years having vanished from her memory entirely. Her old girlfriends want nothing to do with her, she doesn't know the first thing about doing her job, and as for her marriage... even reading the marriage manual that Eric considerately put together for her does little to ease her nervousness about this strange, new relationship. Things get even more confusing when one of her husband's business associates decides to try and help Lexi remember things. Will she ever remember? Can she get her life back on track?

This book was a fantastic read and I loved it even more than the Undomestic Goddess (also a great read by Sophie Kinsella). This book drew me in from the first page where I couldn't help but connect with this twenty five year old woman, Lexi, as she struggled to deal with the loss of her father, her unreliable boyfriend 'Loser Dave' standing her up again, and her job driving her crazy. The plot was well written and kept me constantly filled with suspense though at least one of the events is easy to anticipate. I enjoyed the sprinklings of humour, the camaraderie that is evident later in the book, and I especially loved the journey of self-discovery. It's a heart-warming and emotional feel-good story that makes this book a perfect choice when you need a pick-me-up. Heck, the bright cheery cover caused me to smile even just taking the book down from my shelf.

Author’s website: http://www.sophiekinsella.com/

The White Guy: A Field Guide by Stephen Hunt

2008-08-18T20:52:00.000-04:00

Published by Douglas & McIntyre

When I first started reading this book, I really wanted to like it. Half way through the book, that goal changed to just wanting to be able to finish it in it's entirety. This is probably the shortest review I have ever done but I like to focus on the positive aspects of the books I read. With this title I could find no positives unless you count the fact that Moby Dick is no longer the worst book I have ever read.

I will simply say that the cover states that this book is 'funny as hell'. The hell part of the statement I will agree with, the humour must have slipped right by me. I found this book irritating, and offensive (note: I am almost impossible to offend).

I also found myself wondering about much of the content. It seems to have nothing to do with the subject of 'The White Guy: A Field Guide' and more to do with how the white guy is responsible for everything that has ever gone wrong with the world. I also noted certain facts that were thrown in without being checked out. Such as on TV for example, every CSI guy is white. Oh? Gary Dourdan, Adam Rodriguez, & Archie Kao must find that fact quite surprising. I find it amusing that the author throws in a comment about Michael Moore and how he 'fits facts to fit the story he is telling' and yet the author himself does exactly that. It was just yet another thing I hated about the whole experience.

I would suggest bypassing this book and reading something else but as always, everyone has different tastes and opinions. Take a look at his website and decide for yourself.

Author's website: >http://www.stephenbhunt.com/

Down to a Sunless Sea by Mathias B. Freese

2008-08-13T14:56:00.000-04:00

Published by Wheatmark

A young man stands before a mirror, another is preparing to open a new business with a friend, a bear visits a local town, a young boy keeps an old woman company for a time, a woman visits a graveyard, and a child is taught to swim. These are everyday events that happen all over the world on a daily basis and hardly seem worth a second glance but when mingled with the imagination of Mathias B. Freese these same events become short stories containing something dark, morbid and at times just plain weird.

I found this collection of short stories to be an addictive read thanks to the author’s gift for piquing the reader’s curiosity and also because a few of the stories have a sprinkling of information that leads the reader to think and question. Sometimes more info will be given but most often not which could be frustrating to some – it was to me at first and then once I got used to the style it didn’t bother me so much (though I am still giving a lot of thought to the pit bull!)

I liked most of the stories. I have to admit that the story, which shares the title of the book ‘Down to a Sunless Sea’, was my least favourite – and sadly, if I had not been reviewing this title, I might have been hesitant to continue reading. Half way through the second story I was really glad I had though because the book really was a great read. Each character is well written and I loved that this book explores the more negative emotions and experiences in life. Some of the circumstances can feel very uncomfortable but again, I liked that. I tend to believe that without experiencing the discomfort and negativity, we can’t always appreciate the wonderful things in life.

I had four favourites in this collection.

The Chatham Bear - in which a bear ventures into town and the reader is treated to the various reactions of the inhabitants. This story had me constantly thinking – and even now I am still mulling it over.

Herbie – in which a young boy and his friend plan on opening a shoe-shining business, His father’s reaction begins a cycle in which the two feed from each other’s negative energies. For this story I loved the inclusion of raw, animalistic behaviour though the emotion that was in mind when I finished reading it was sheer hopelessness.

Unanswerable – in which a moment shared by Father and Son totally shatters a life. I felt a great deal of anger, resentment, and hatred. It’s probably one of the most powerful stories in the book and like many of the stories in this collection it touches on the subject of WWII and the holocaust.

My most favourite, Little Errands – in which an errand as simple as mailing a letter becomes a task filled with great stress. It really stuck a chord in me but then, like the character in this tale I am one of those people who finds it necessary to check my front door many times even after I know I just locked it. I could empathise with the character completely.

Try it, read it and if you do, please let me know which are your favourites!

Author's website: http://www.mathiasbfreese.com/

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. Illustrated by Portia Rosenberg

2008-07-28T21:00:00.001-04:00

Published by Bloomsbury Publishing
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Mr. Norrell is a strange man who is withdrawn and obstinate to the extreme. His passion is magic and his foremost love is his ever-growing library of magical books. In fact it is this same collection that leads to others seeking him out and requesting his aid in the unending war against Napoleon. England is astonished by his glorious feats; particularly the raising of a woman from the dead and it would soon seem that Mr. Norrell may single-handedly reunite England with her magical past which has long since been forgotten.

To Jonathan Strange life is an adventure. The regular trappings that interest a person of his age hold no interest for him. Nor does he seem able to find a career that suits him until he gets it into his head that he shall be a magician but with all the books on the subject being bought by Mr. Norrell, where is he to begin his studies?

Fate brings the two gentlemen together and so begins a love/hate relationship like no other. Fuelled not only by their own differences but also by the unremitting meddling of their acquaintances and the mischievous actions of a gentleman from the Otherworld who has his own agenda.

What follows is a magical, brilliant, captivating story that will awake the imagination of any who should read the tale.

I have only one regret with this book, and that is the regret that I did not read it sooner. I actually read The Ladies of Grace Adieu and other stories first which introduced me to the world of Strange and Norrell. You can read the review of that title here. As for this book, I simply adored it. While I acknowledge that I have always been fond of books containing magic and fantasy themes I find it hard to believe that anyone could pick this book up and not love it as much as I did.

I often find myself loving one character more than the rest when I read works of fiction but with this novel I found that there were too many to choose from. Each character is beautifully written and holds unique qualities that appeal to me. On the flip side, I can tell you without question that I detested Henry Lascelles who is an acquaintance of Mr. Norrell and an exceedingly nasty piece of work. I can’t remember the last character that inspired such a negative reaction in me.

What I loved about this book too, were the footnotes that often reference fictional pieces of work and which I found helped to draw me into the book more, making it more real as it were. It was a wonderful addition. I also liked that many historical figures are included or referenced in the tale.

For those who love illustrations, there are black and white images sprinkled throughout the pages that are created by British artist Portia Rosenberg and which also add a little something special.

I really loved this book and while the size of the novel itself may seem a little daunting, please do take the time to check it out. It’s well worth it.

Author’s website: http://www.jonathanstrange.com/ (lots of great extras to be found including news regarding a film of this book)

My Last Best Friend by Julie Bowe

2008-07-28T13:13:00.005-04:00

Published by Harcourt Inc
Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books

Beginning a new school year is not the easiest time for anyone and for Ida May it's more difficult still. Her best friend has moved away and she has spent part of the school holidays being pushed into a new friendship, by her mother. A new friend might not seem like such a terrible thing, and after all Jenna is the daughter of the President of the PTA. It's a pity she is also the meanest, most bossy and disliked person in Ida's class.

When a mysterious new girl called Stacey Merriweather joins the school, Ida can't help but like her. Stacey smiles constantly and shows kindness towards everyone, even to the bossy Jenna. Ida is determined that she can't allow herself to have another friend ever again but will her heart agree?

My Last Best Friend is a truly beautiful and heartwarming tale about the trials and complications of love and friendship. It captures childhood years perfectly and when I read it, I found myself feeling light and carefree as my inner child remembered the joy of youth. The characters are extremely vivid and easy to connect with while the story is written in a way that will capture the interest of any young girl.

A fun, quick, and entertaining read for ages 7 to 10. I was delighted when I got to the end of the book and saw a sneak peek of the next title 'My New Best Friend'. I can hardly wait to see what happens next for Ida and Stacey and I am sure that after you and your child read this book, you will feel the same way.

On a more personal note.. As a military wife I know all too well how much of a struggle it can be to relocate on a regular basis. When doing so with children, it's an added strain as they try and deal with loss, new schools etc. This book is an especially great gift idea for children in the military lifestyle.

Author's website: http://www.juliebowe.com/

Late Nights on Air by Elizabeth Hay

2008-07-27T10:32:00.004-04:00

Published by Random House Canada

It's the year 1975 and we join the characters of this novel in a radio station situated in the Canadian North - Yellowknife to be exact. We first meet Harry who is filled with a love for Radio. One night while listening, he hears a new voice and falls head over heels for the woman to who it belongs. Dido is a unique woman who has arrived at Yellowknife shrouded in mystery, a woman who seems to have an enchanting quality making her irresistible to those around her. Gwen also works at the station and seems very quiet, and unsure but eager to make a new life for herself. These three are just a sample of the characters who I cannot define in a way that brings them justice.

The novel covers the lives of a hugely diverse cast of characters, first within the radio station and later, when a group of 4 take a trip into the arctic wilderness, following the route of the legendary Englishman John Hornby. With the knowledge that Hornby and the rest of his party had starved to death during their expedition, the journey is looked upon as somewhat of a challenge but I don't think the adventurous group have any idea just how life-changing an event it will be.

The novel also has the background of the controversial Mackenzie Valley pipeline that threatens to separate the natives from their land, and destroy what has become a unique community. With politics, love, adventure, soul-searching, loss, mystery and so much more, Elizabeth Hay has created a masterpiece that is a truly satisfying read.

I can't believe I waited so long to read this novel. I know many of you who are reading this review, have likely already read this title, but if you haven't, you ought to. I have not read anything by Elizabeth Hay before but if the rest of her books are as incredible as Late Nights on Air, you can expect to see me review more in the future. This author has a true gift for storytelling.

I found myself constantly amazed by how the author writes a novel that seems so stark and sparse while simultaneously providing a great deal of intricate detail. The characters are so raw and seemingly unfinished which made a much-welcomed change from the norm. By that, I mean that there are never excuses made for their behaviours, explanations are lacking, and it adds a fantastic quality which greatly enhanced my enjoyment of this book.

The author leads the reader through the novel in a winding, twisting manner. I found myself trying to guess what was about to unfold but i rarely got it right. I love when an author can hide the ending so successfully. It's a novel that keeps you guessing right until the very end and leaves you longing for more. It says a great deal that I found myself wistfully hoping that when I turned the final pages, I wouldn't find the author's acknowledgment just yet, but still more of this engaging tale. The writing style is beautiful, seductive, poetic even and I know there were more than a couple of occasions where I read passages out loud simply because I wanted to see for myself if they sounded as delectable as they looked to be. (They were)

A must read. It was simply fantastic.

Author's website: http://elizabethhay.com/

Searching for Paradise in Parker, PA by Kris Radish

2008-03-31T06:16:00.003-04:00

Published by Random House Large Print an Imprint of Random House Canada

Meet the Liptons. Lucky Lipton is a man who loves to spend time with his friends, collect random items from all over the neighbourhood, and build bowling ball sculptures. Addy Lipton is a woman who wants more from life. She can't remember the last time she felt happy in her marriage and she hates that her husband's hobbies mean that she can't park her car in the garage. She has many hobbies of her own but her most recent is daydreaming about ramming the family car through the garage door and destroying both it, and the chaos contained behind.

One day as she finds herself seated behind the wheel of her car, in the driveway, finally about to give in and hurtle into the garage, her husband rushes over with great news. He has won a trip to Costa Rica! Addy feels a tinge of excitement for the first time in forever and allows herself to feel hope that this is their chance to discover paradise and turn their marriage around. Fate is a cruel mistress though and on the morning of their departure, Lucky fractures his back. Now Addy finds herself feeling trapped and uncertain about everything, except for the fact that she knows, as sure as the sun will rise in the morning, she doesn't know her husband - or herself - anymore.

What follows is a tale of drastic decisions, self-discovery, heartache, friendship, love, suspense and humour as Addy decides to follow her heart - wherever it may lead, and takes a whole community along for the ride!

I loved the cover on this book. After many, many, many months of looking at nothing but snow around me, this book was a welcome change. Warm colours along with an image of someone basking in the rays from the sun reminded me that summer is not that far away. Yay! As for the book itself, I was a little daunted at first glimpse but once I realised it was a Large Print edition, I knew it wouldn't take me long to inhale this novel.

I will admit that I struggled with the first 2 or 3 chapters of this book. It just didn't grab my attention the way so many of my latest reads have and I found myself caught between wanting to give up on reading it, and forcing myself to continue so that I could do a fair review. I am so glad I stuck with it! It wasn't long before I realised that not only had I stopped having a debate with myself on whether I wanted to finish the book or not, but I was actually caught up in the story and hesitant to put the book down.

The characters really draw the reader in. I am not sure which of them had more of an impact on me. Addy is the main character, in that she fills most of the chapters with her life, her hopes and dreams, her regrets and so much more. The reader can't help but feel for this woman who is going through so much and feeling things that if we are honest, most women have felt about their marriage or relationships at least once! Sprinkled throughout are chapters in which her husband Lucky speaks. What caught me by surprise about Lucky was that in each of his chapters he only actually has about a very small amount of things to say to the reader and yet I found myself feeling more attached to him because of his frankness, his heartfelt emotion, the hope, regret, and so much more that he manages to express in such a small time.

This was a wonderful read for me once I got past my initial frustration with the novel. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I know I didn't anticipate that I would find it to be such an engaging read. I love that the author managed to include tragedy, heartache, laughter and fun in perfect harmony. I found it to be really surprising also. I had no idea where the characters would lead me next and as much as I tried to guess ahead, I was never even close.

Another thing I liked was that I found myself feeling the turmoil that the characters were facing. As much as they were struggling to discover what they wanted from life, I found myself constantly changing my hopes for each of them. I can't remember the last time a novel caused that type of reaction in me and it really added a little something to the experience. What I liked too is that none of the chapters are all that long which makes it a really easy read because if you want to read it continuously, you feel like you are reading at an incredible rate as the chapters pass you by but if you find yourself having to deal with real life and have a couple of minutes here and there to pick the book up again, you can easily squeeze a chapter in. There is a downside to that also. I found myself crawling into bed some nights and feeling far too tired to read but knowing I could squeeze a chapter in before falling asleep, often led to me actually reading much more.

I love when a book surprises me. When I look at my original reaction to this book, and how I felt upon finishing it, it was a real turnaround. I am glad I stuck with it.

Author's website: http://www.krisradish.com/

How to be a Canadian by Will Ferguson & Ian Ferguson

2008-03-26T10:56:00.003-04:00

Published by Douglas & McIntyre

Canadian brothers Will and Ian Ferguson provide an entertaining and hilariously funny glimpse into what it means to be Canadian. The content is divided into 17 chapters covering subjects such as: Canada: A Rich Tapestry (Who to Hate and Why), Learning the Language, Canadian Cuisine (and How to Avoid It), Mating Rituals, Beer, Social Values, Twelve Ways to Say "I'm Sorry", and one my favourites - A Cross-Canada Tour or How to Get Lost.

The final chapter is a simple test to see just how Canadian you are and cracked me up in the worst way. I would have enjoyed exams in high school so much better had the Ferguson brothers been responsible for putting them together!

This book was hilarious from the first page. Be advised that it's not a great idea to begin reading it late at night, in bed, when your partner is trying to sleep. (Sorry Honey!). I had to give up after waking him up four times due to me laughing out loud. It's one of those books where you just have to share the contents with friends and what I loved about this one is, when I usually share snippets that seem funny to me, I often get a strange or bored look in return as the humour is not easy to understand without reading more of the book. You can easily share any random piece of info from this book and it will always cause a smile - or more likely, chuckling and laughter - from the one you share it with. My husband found lots of it to be highly funny and I won't be surprised if he reads it next.

It's not easy to be offended by this book, though I found myself wondering if I should have been. I could only personally associate with two of the provinces involved (Ontario and Quebec) but greatly enjoyed reading about the others too. The parts of the book referring to Ontario and Quebec were right on the money and I especially liked the Quebec's guide to evaluating ballots. I found it great that the authors could take a topic like politics which is usually tedious to read, and made it just as funny (if not funnier) than the other subjects covered.

Another section I loved was the food section. I greatly enjoyed learning about some of the foods that are enjoyed across the provinces. Here in Quebec for example, the authors speak of poutine (my own personal thoughts on this food is that it is simply delicious but ought to be made illegal because of calories included), sweet things like sucre à la crème and tarte au sucre aka sugar pie (which are both so sweet that I swear they can cause a sugar coma), and of course the snails. I also had to laugh when the writers commented on the strange use of the word "ketchup" to mean first class here in Quebec. I am so glad it isn't just me who doesn't understand that one. The first time I heard it used was by my Father-in-law and I just couldn't work out where ketchup came into the conversation we were having.

The writers commented that no one eats the snails and similar stuff but I have to admit that when I first moved to Quebec I visited the Red Lobster here and finally tried snails - which my dear husband likes to eat from time to time (EW, never again!) and frog's legs (which are not like chicken but not that offensive either). The writers also comment on the fact that Quebecois folk like their hot dogs and I have to agree with that one. There is a restaurant in Chicoutimi in fact, that gives away a free hot dog each time you use their cash machine. Also discussed were Beaver Tails (a pastry) and Prairie Osyters among others. Beaver Tails are something I wanted to try for the longest time and even have a recipe for, but never created them. I will include the recipe in the comments. Prairie Oysters are something I think I will avoid, at any cost.

All in all. A great read that really made me look at all things Canadian in a refreshing way. I can hardly wait to dive into Will Ferguson's title "Why I Hate Canadians" which I will be reviewing soon. Highly recommended for a fun gift or something to read when you need a pick me up. It can't fail!

Author's website: http://www.willferguson.ca/

The Gathering by Anne Enright

2008-02-12T10:52:00.000-05:00

Published by Black Cat - An imprint of Grove/Atlantic Inc.
Distributed by Publishers Group Canada

Compared to the rest of her family, Veronica seems to have it all – a nice house, a loving husband, beautiful children and financial freedom. Following her brother's tragic death, Veronica makes the journey to collect his body and bring him home to Dublin where the rest of the Hegarty clan - including Veronica's other eight siblings - are waiting. As Veronica travels with her brother's body, she finds herself revisiting childhood memories and once more faces the dreadful secret that she shares with only one other. Liam. Now, more than ever before, it seems that Veronica's family are relying upon her to keep things together and only time will tell if she will succeed, or whether the Hegarty wake will be accompanied by fireworks.

This was a fascinating and powerful read. The eloquence and descriptive detail were truly impressive. In the early pages when the character discusses the first time her grandparents met, I found it practically spellbinding. This author has a gift for intertwining everyday facts with thought and emotion that make every single second of life seem magical.

The style of writing is unique - to me at least. The character shares her life as it happens with a frank and honest style and I especially love the way her thought process is captured. Fleeting images, playing out each line of thought to the end only to begin again and letting her mind wander through each alternative scenario. The reader is teased into playing along and using their own imagination in such a way that the characters seem to become more real. I think another thing that did it for me, was the richness of the Irish culture. It made me realise just how much of my Irish ancestry was still evident in my own upbringing and perhaps that made this novel just a touch more special to me.

I will definitely read this again.

The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story by Lemony Snicket. Illustrated by Lisa Brown

2007-12-22T18:13:00.000-05:00

Published by McSweeney's
Distributed by Publisher's Group Canada

A unique tale set in a small cottage, within a tiny village - the only cottage not adorned with the bright and cheery Christmas lights and decorations that could be easily seen on every other home. A piercing cry shatters the stillness of the night and so begins a wild adventure. A runaway latke has a number of encounters during which he explains not only his own existence but also the traditions and history of the holiday known as Hanukah.

Just a glance at this cover will show what a treasured book this is destined to be. With its hard cover in a rich, deep red which is foil-stamped, it seems almost too pretty to read. Maybe it's just the book-lover in me but I just adore some of the covers out there as much as I love the contents within. When you open this book the illustrations inside are just as delightful albeit more of a simplistic style. It was a fun - and strange - little book. I would even say whimsical, A great resource for teaching all children, from any background, the basics about Hanukah.

Author's website: http://www.lemonysnicket.com/

America's Report Card by John McNally

2007-12-22T17:37:00.000-05:00

Published by Free Press - An Imprint of Simon & Schuster

Meet Janie. Janie was a pretty normal student with good grades and a great attitude. Now she finds herself sporting green and purple hair, skipping school and trying not to think about why her brother spends so much time hiding in the attic. She also has to deal with the suicide of one of her favourite teachers, a teacher who left her a mysterious letter.

Charlie and Petra are in love. Petra is Russian and simply oozes sex appeal. Charlie is average. Both decide to get a job with the National Testing Centre to tide them over the summer. They can’t help but wonder why their co-workers include homeless people and drunks. One day while marking essays, Charlie discovers an essay written by a young girl who claims that her teacher was killed and the people responsible are now in pursuit of her. Charlie doesn't know quite what to make of it but since Petra seems to have vanished and nothing else is holding him back, he transfers so that he can investigate.

What follows next is an unforgettable adventure containing the main characters plus many other colourful additions such as a female hypnotist who is a nymphomaniac and an ex soldier who believes he is the next Son of God.

This book was an amusing read for me. I was chuckling to myself early in the book and I loved that the author has a great talent for weaving tales. I found myself constantly trying to fill in the blanks while the author seemed to tease by sprinkling hints throughout.

The characters are well written, memorable and easy to connect with. I don’t honestly think there was even one that I didn’t care about in some way. The plot is equally well done, thought provoking and energetic. I would love to see more teens reading this one but given some of the controversial content it’s not likely to happen. If you haven’t read this one yet, please do. I wish I hadn’t left it unread on my shelf for so long.

Author's website: http://www.bookofralph.com/

The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories by Susanna Clarke. Illustrated by Charles Vess.

2007-12-22T13:27:00.001-05:00

Published by Bloomsbury Publishing
Distributed by Raincoast Books

The author of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell offers an enchanting little volume of eight stories that will delight the reader, especially those with a fondness for fairy tales. The vibrant characters contained within the pages include none other than Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and an untold number of fresh yet familiar faces in the forms of Mary Queen of Scots, the Raven King, and the Duke of Wellington. Each is placed in an exquisitely detailed surrounding as the author uses her magic to weave unforgettable tales.

I fell in love with this book as soon as I picked it up. The cover is simple yet almost entrancing and I loved the way my fingers could linger over the cloth and the imprinted delicate pink flowers. The illustrations of Charles Vess are also a favourite with me, especially one in which we get a glimpse of the Raven King strolling through the woodland, with ravens soaring overhead and a large dog by each side. As gifted as the author is for defining her characters, these black and white illustrations are a stunning aid to the imagination.

As for the stories, where do I even begin? This is one of those books that make it impossible to explain exactly what you loved best about it. I gave some thought to the subject of my favourite tale and I have to say I couldn’t choose. I loved them all. A couple even stirred up childhood memories. I couldn’t read the story of Mrs Mabb without being reminded of the Alf Proysen character Mrs. Pepperpot and I hadn’t thought of those books in forever. I am not going to say much about the plots even though I usually do. I think it would take away from your own experience as you discover this fantastic book.

I have a fondness for books that stir the imagination and this is certainly one of those. It is one of those magical books that on reading will make you feel just a little younger and a little lighter in the heart. I loved fairy tales as a child and now thanks to Susanna Clarke and other authors like her, I get to love them again as an adult.

This one makes it into my favourites shelf and I will be hunting down a copy of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell also as the title story 'The Ladies of Grace Adieu' has piqued my interest in it.

Author's website: http://www.jonathanstrange.com/

The Custodian of Paradise by Wayne Johnston

2007-12-21T21:38:00.000-05:00

Published by Vintage Canada - An Imprint of Random House Canada

In The Custodian of Paradise, Wayne Johnston builds on the tale that he began in The Colony of Unrequited Dreams – a book I have yet to read but will be looking for very soon. The main character of this novel is Sheilagh Fielding, an extremely tall woman who has led a challenging life. She is frequently looked upon with scorn and pity and thus it is hardly surprising that as she grows in years, her personality takes on a hardness that is unmatched.

The book begins with Sheilagh seeking out a new life on a deserted island. Her only contact being the lighthouse keeper from the next island who agrees to provide her with supplies, even then, such contact is fleeting and rare. She looks back upon her life as she shares her experiences with the reader.

I loved this book. The character of Sheilagh Fielding is unique, unforgettable and complex. From the very start it is clear that this is a woman who knows her own mind and lives life on her own terms. As I learned more about her, I found myself feeling all at once, so very close to her and yet totally unable to figure her out. She feels to me, to be a character that is in a constant state of change and I loved that I couldn’t shake her from my thoughts for days after completing the book. I was lucky in that I got to read this along with a book club and so afterwards a few of us were able to bounce around ideas and share our views. This is a great choice for any book club and a book club guide to this novel can be found at bookclubs.ca

The other characters in this novel are also interesting in their own ways. I found myself intrigued by Sheilagh’s father. A man who is very hung up on what the world thinks of him and who has an obsession with finding out the identity of Sheilagh’s real father. He is convinced that because of her height, it is impossibility for her to be his offspring. It made for a curious dynamic between them.

Little is seen of Sheilagh’s mother in the novel but for the brief glimpse I got, I am rather relieved about that fact. I didn’t much care for her at all, to be honest but as I reached the end of the book, I found myself sympathising with her a little more.

This is a novel that is hard to resist. It’s a joy to read and great to discuss with others. It’s definitely one of my favourite reads of this year. Not just for the memorable characters but also for the wonderful writing style. It’s a very fluid and addictive read.

Author's website: http://waynejohnston.ca/

Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin

2007-12-21T18:43:00.000-05:00

Published by Running Press
Distributed by Publishers Group Canada

Skinny Bitch is "a no-nonsense, tough-love guide for savvy girls who want to stop eating crap and start looking fabulous." Authors Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin write in a bold and frank manner about the foods we eat on a daily basis. They make it easy to make informed choices by providing information on a variety of subjects.

Whether you are concerned about the disturbing trend of chemically altering foods (including the surprising use of arsenic), the devastating occurrences in slaughterhouses around the world, the addictive qualities of dairy products (yep, you read it right) or the countless other subjects that are explored, the authors present much food for thought and do it in a way that everyone can understand.

This is one of the most powerful books I have read. I couldn’t put it down and even found myself sitting in bed, 2am in the morning, crying as I read the segment on slaughterhouses. That part of the book alone had such an impact on me that I switched to a vegan/vegetarian lifestyle the next day. I shared pieces of that section with my husband the next day and saw from his face that he found it as disturbing as I did. Contained are quotes from actual slaughterhouse workers as they share the atrocities they have witnessed, or have been guilty of. The evident lack of humanity is simply heartbreaking.

The book also contains a lot of frightening content on the subject of the use of chemicals and antibiotics. While it was easy to understand, I also found it overwhelming. It has been bothering me for some time that food is being altered and treated so commonly and it makes it difficult to avoid many of the ingredients. They seem to be in everything.

In addition though, this book provides many practical ideas for changing your lifestyle and eating habits as well as providing countless resources for alternative food sources. I found it an immense help the next day as I set off on my quest for vegetarian information.

It’s an addictive read which packs one heck of a punch. It will probably cause your TBR (to be read) pile to grow at an astonishing rate also as it includes references from scores of fascinating titles.

I only had one issue with this book and before I share it with you, I ask that you keep in mind that this book was worth the read, and that despite my irritation that will soon become obvious, I still believe this is a book that should be read by all.

My issue was the disproportionate use of bad language. While I can swear better than any sailor and don’t usually care about the use of expletives in books I read. I found that the language was irritating, excessively used, and distracting. I believe the authors run the risk of losing readers because of this. It was a great read but I would have liked it better if the expletives had been less overbearing.

Website: http://www.skinnybitch.net/

Christmas is Coming by Lisa Marsoli. Illustrated by Lucy Barnard

2007-12-21T17:21:00.000-05:00

Published by Robin Corey Books - An Imprint of Random House Canada

Join Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves, as they get ready for the Christmas season in this entertaining board book. Each page has 2 holes cut from it and built into the book is a 'touch and feel' wheel of various colours and textures which the reader has to align with the holes in each image. It brings a whole new level of fun that will encourage younger children to realize the joy of books.

This book was fun to play with. The story is simple and pleasing. The touch and feel wheel adds a nice touch which brings the book to life. The fur of Santa's hat and the glittering coarseness of the icing on the roof of a gingerbread house are just two of the different textures which younger children are going to be fond of exploring. As simple as this book is, it encourages the reader to think and problem solve as they complete each page. Who knew learning could be so enjoyable?

Love Sick: One Woman's Journey Through Sexual Addiction by Sue Willam Silverman

2007-12-20T20:44:00.000-05:00

Published by W.W. Norton & Company

Love Sick is a deeply moving memoir in which Sue William Silverman shares her experiences in dealing with sexual addiction. She writes candidly about her childhood during which she was sexually abused by her father, and the way those events led to her skewed belief that sex is love. She also talks about her experiences with other men which, naturally, are always of a sexual nature.

We share the journey as she goes to rehabilitation and faces up to the person she was, the person she is, and the person she can be. Often moving and intense, always personal, this memoir is a rare look into one of the least talked about addictions.

Like so many books I have read this year, I couldn't put this one down. The author holds nothing back in this memoir. She speaks from the heart and the reader can't help but hope but silently cheer her on as they read. In rehabilitation she learns so much even though it seems a constant struggle. I hadn't ever given it much thought but her experience in the rehabilitation centre was tough but nurturing as she learned how to relax, how to play games, new coping skills, how to ask for help, how to have platonic relationships with men, and friendships with women.

Mostly though she learns about how to love and respect herself. I was in awe that she was able to share not just her fears, failures, and successes but also her shame, insecurity and vulnerability. The reader can’t help but feel close to the author when reading this story and even now, days after reading it, I still find myself wanting to pick it back up to see if magically, some extra chapters have appeared inside the cover so that I can check in on her. It gave me a whole new respect for anyone who deals with addictions and a whole new insight into aspects of myself that I hadn’t really paid attention to.

A great read!

Author's website: http://www.suewilliamsilverman.com/

Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips

2007-12-13T09:59:00.001-05:00

Published by Random House Canada

Artemis, Apollo, Aphrodite, Ares. These are names we all know to as belonging to Greek deities. When brought to mind, these names invoke images of toga wearing beings, relaxing in a stunning temple, grapes and wine all around them as they use their powers to guide the world. Marie Phillips takes these characters and brings them kicking and screaming into the twenty-first century.

Imagine if you will, a house in London. The exterior of the house in serious disrepair and in danger of falling down within a decade or less while the interior is such that it would make even the most filthy hovel seem like a show home. The occupants of this house are none other than the various Greek Gods and Goddesses who have been residing here since the seventeenth century, seemingly forgotten by the world.

Shadows of their former selves, these deities have very little power left and no idea how to fix the problem. In order to survive, they have taken on jobs usually reserved for mere mortals. Apollo for example is an overly dramatic TV psychic in addition to his usual duties as the God of the Sun. Artemis, in addition to taking care of Hunting and the Moon, spends her mornings walking dogs, and Aphrodite - Goddess of Beauty - is a phone sex operator. Ares seems to be one of the few exceptions but let's face it when you are the God of War you don't have time for a second career in this era.

This situation is bizarre enough but when Aphrodite gets irritated by Apollo one day and plots her revenge, Neil and Alice (two mortals) get dragged into it and all hell breaks loose. What follows is a non-stop tale filled with love triangles, plots, twists, hilarity and adventure.

I loved, loved, loved, loved this book. It's an absolute pleasure to read and I was laughing so much when reading it. It's brilliantly original. There are so many Gods and Goddesses squeezed into the run-down house in London that it makes for a lively setting. My favourite dynamic was definitely Artemis and Apollo who, like most twins, are very close and constantly in conflict with one another. Artemis is very level headed and practical where as Apollo spends most of his time thinking about sex and dealing with those who reject his attentions in imaginative ways.

After Artemis has an incident with a talking tree (formerly Kate who worked in mergers and acquisitions), Apollo is forced to swear on Styx that he will never harm another human. Reluctantly he complies but spends the rest of the book finding loopholes. In addition to the well-written deities, there are also 2 main mortal characters. Neil and Alice. Both seem unsure of themselves, reserved, shy even and when they find themselves drawn into the world of the deities, the results are comical. Their dynamic is most often a 'will they, won't they' situation, which is made even more complex when Apollo falls for Alice in a big way. Neil thought he was lacking confidence before; now he has to compete with a God, get his could-be-girlfriend back, and save the world!

The author paints a great picture. Her words fire the imagination and I often found myself forming great visuals in my mind as I read the book. My favourite setting in the book had to be the underworld though. I loved the obvious amount of thought put into it. Not only the aesthetics but also the way it works. As someone who lived in London for a few years and had to deal with the Tube on a daily basis, I found it fitting that it was the setting for the entrance to the Underworld.

A perfect book for those moments when you just want to unwind with a light read. Please note this book does contain some adult language and sexual content (usually surrounding Apollo and Aphrodite). Easily one of my most favourite reads ever! It reminded me at times of Terry Pratchett's writing which isn't surprising when you read the author's blog and discover that he was one of her earlier influences! As a hardcore Pratchett fan, I know I will be watching Marie Phillips for future releases.

Author's website: http://www.mariephillips.co.uk/
Author's blog: http://www.womanwhotalkedtoomuch.blogspot.com/

If You're Afraid of the Dark: Add One More Star to the Night/Remember the Night Rainbow (2-in-1) by Cooper Edens

2007-12-11T15:31:00.002-05:00

Published by Chronicle Books
Distributed by Raincoast Books

In this 2-in-1 book, the reader is treated to a magical and whimsical look at the world. Whether dealing with emotions, or the every day trials that face us, there is a little pearl of wisdom on each page and an illustration which is sure to bring a smile. Some of you may recognise the title from when the original was published in 1979, for others it may be an unknown. One thing is for certain, this book is a one which will be treasured by the young and old alike.

I loved this book. Both titles are presented in a unique flip-book format. The covers are simple yet eye-catching and sprinkled with shiny silver stars.

The illustrations within the pages are bright and cheery. A perfect match for the positive messages alongside. I love the idea of children reading this when they are young and being inspired to hold on to their imagination and positivity. I love that the lines inspire the reader to think about them, and take away whatever message the reader desires. I can imagine sitting reading and discussing this with a child. A great choice for personal development. My own personal favourite wisdoms (and boy was it hard to choose!) were:

Remember the Night Rainbow:
If you lose a memory... embroider one to take it's place.
If the sun never shines again.. hold fireflies in your hands to keep warm.

and

Add One More Star to the Night:
If you're at the end of your rope... untie the knot in your heart.
If the sky fills with clouds.. let the rain do your crying for a while.

This book is simply a joy to read and I consider it timeless. I find it hard to imagine a child ever growing too old to enjoy it. It says a lot that at 33, almost 34 years old, I love it and will enjoy it for many years to come.

Great idea for a gift!

Comes the Darkness, Comes the Light: A Memoir of Cutting, Healing, and Hope by Vanessa Vega

2007-12-11T04:36:00.000-05:00

Published by AMACOM - a division of American Management Association.
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Comes the Darkness, Comes the Light is a memoir of cutting, healing and hope. The author Vanessa Vega shares her heart-wrenching story in which she would often find herself overcome by a darkness. She would try anything to fight it. Watching TV, reading a book, talking with friends but the outcome would always be the same. She would go in search of an appropriate tool… and cut.

In this intense account, Vanessa Vega shares her life, thoughts, emotions, and deeply personal experiences. While the content could be defined as sometimes shocking and disturbing, it is simultaneously beautiful and stunning as we witness the healing of a soul.

As someone who was a cutter, I am probably a tad biased in this review since I know it would have reached me on deeper levels than someone who had not lived through such destructive habits. That said, I find it hard to believe that anyone could read this memoir and not be incredibly moved by the content found within.

I am in awe of the strength and courage that it must have taken to share such a secret. Cutting is something that is becoming more widespread and is often seen as shameful or worse, the act of someone mentally ill. I am so relieved that it is finally being brought into the open more. Books of this kind make it easier for people to learn about the subject and hopefully understand it a little more. It certainly gave me some insight and I wish that such a book had been available during those dark periods of my life. At a time when I thought I was the only person in the world who had these urges, when I thought that I was going crazy and hated myself with a passion, I might have learned a lot sooner that I was simply trying to deal with things in the only way I knew how.

I loved the writing style. It matches the title perfectly as the author has indeed managed to balance the darkness and light in her words. This is one of those books I will no doubt rave about. It is a 'must read' for anyone who cuts or self-injures in other ways, and the people who love them. It is a 'should read' for everyone.

A deeply inspirational and uplifting book.

I will be reviewing another two books on the subject in the very near future.

Author's website: http://vanessa-vega.com/

Fat, Forty, and Fired: One Man's Frank, Funny, and Inspiring Account of Losing His Job and Finding His Life by Nigel Marsh

2007-12-08T16:00:00.000-05:00

Published by Andrews McMeel Publishing

Nigel Marsh is about to have his world turned upside down. While recovering from an embarrassing surgery, this stressed husband and father of four was fired from his job. He decides to take some time to rediscover himself and share more quality time with his family. What follows is a frank and honest insight into one man’s experiences with hands-on parenting, training for an ocean swimming race, the battling of alcoholism and the many other issues he must learn to juggle.

This book was a laugh a minute. Even at the most saddest of moments the humour of Nigel Marsh shines through. There were many laugh-out-loud moments as I ventured through the pages but my favourite parts of the book were by far those involving his relationships with the children. In the early days when he rushes to take them to school I found myself both howling with laughter and wanting to give the author an enormous hug. I also found it enlightening as I witnessed the various reactions to his new role in life. It’s amazing how in a world where woman can do anything they choose to, a guy reversing the roles can still seem so abnormal.

Throughout the book, the author shows himself to be full of wit, grace, compassion and many other great qualities. He rises to the multitude of challenges and conquers each, though not always in the way he expects. I am in awe of his fearlessness and determination.

It is a great book. I found it funny, inspiring, honest, brilliant, and a joy to read. It’s a great choice for those seeking a book with a feel-good factor as I was positively glowing by the last page. I love that the author took what could have been a bad situation and rather than let it get him down, turned his life around and took back control. The world could use more books like this one.

Author's website http://www.fatfortyandfired.com/

Gifted by Nikita Lalwani

2007-11-26T07:07:00.000-05:00

Published by Random House Canada

Gifted is the moving and compelling tale of a young girl named Rumika Vasi - affectionately known to those around her as Rumi. At just 5 years old, Rumi was recognised by her teachers as being mathematically gifted and her parents were advised to get in touch with Mensa. Rumi’s father sees this as a fantastic opportunity for their family but decides that he is better qualified to deal with the nurturing of his daughter’s gift and devlops a strict program to help Rumi.

The reader looks on as Rumi struggles with self-discipline and the pressures that surround her. She soon begins to navigate her teen years which, often troubling enough, are especially difficult for a child with parents who are trying to raise her with Indian values.

This book was a joy to read. It’s not difficult to fall in love with this book from the beginning. The writing style is both fluid and poetic, while the characters are very distinct and complex. The book also has an intensity that is obvious from the start. I especially like the mathematical sprinklings throughout.

When we first meet Rumi she is growing up with a multitude of challenges. At school she doesn’t fit in as her skin colour, awkward social skills, and seemingly strange family all become things for other children to mock. As she grows, she seems to blossom a little but her parents seem to fight her at every turn as if afraid of what, or who she will become. I found myself often feeling sad for Rumi. While other children were attending parties, playing outside and regular kid stuff, Rumi was studying and had limited access to pleasurable activities and even then, the activities were things that her father believed would be more valuable to her educational development.

Though Rumi is the main character in this book, her father plays a very strong part throughout. His identity seems to be in a form of limbo. Wanting so much to be accepted in his adoptive country, yet shying away from all things western. He is very strong-minded and expects everything to be done his way, with no exception and very little thought given to the emotional cost. He is also a person who is unable to express his softer side. I felt wistful and sorry for him at points in the book but at the same time I wanted to reach into the pages and shake some sense into him.

Her mother is different again. Raised in Indian ways and then brought to the UK with the understanding that it was only for 3 years, she is constantly homesick for her homeland. She rarely fights or argues with her husband but when she does, it’s always about wanting to go back home. She worries about Rumi a lot and feels that Rumi is growing too bold, too shameless. An incident that really hit home with me was when Rumi asked her mum for a bra. Her mum turned on her, told her she shouldn’t be thinking of such things and that she was shameless for even thinking about it, much less talking about it. Rumi argued that she wasn’t saying anything wrong, that it was a natural thing to talk about but that, along with other incidents seemed to distance the mother/daughter bond still further.

The dynamics are often awkward between the characters, but never more so than when Rumi is accepted into university at a young age. Faced with a sense of freedom she has never known before, she begins a journey of self-discovery and it’s hard to tell if the Rumi, or her family, will survive.

A great read. I adored it for the most part. The ending was a tad frustrating but it was still an enjoyable experience.

My Happy Life by Lydia Millet

2007-11-01T15:28:00.000-04:00

Published by Soft Skull Press
Distributed by Publishers Group Canada

Lydia Millet has created a stunning book that leaves the reader surprised by the choice of title. The book begins in a hospital building. A building that contains one solitary soul who has lived a tragic life leading finally to her withdrawal from society.

The book continues with a tour of the main character's life. How she started life abandoned in a cardboard box and was constantly shuffled from place to place. Instead of knowing love and kindness, she experienced only spite, indifference, and worse. The events are sometimes shocking, sometimes deeply saddening, and never fail to reach the heart and soul of the reader.

I adored this novel. It was my first experience with books by Lydia Millet though I do have Oh Pure and Radiant Heart on my bookshelf waiting for me to discover it.

I am unsure what I expected from this book. When I saw the title, I had imagined it would be perhaps a feel-good story, or maybe perhaps if the title were meant in sarcasm, it would be something along the lines of the Adrian Mole diaries. I was so off the mark.

The author pulls no punches and opens with a scene that is so surprising, shocking and unexpected that I thought the book couldn't possibly continue on that level. Again, I was so off the mark. As I continued to explore the pages, the events continued to touch me in ways that so few books do. The experiences the character had to face are terrible and seemingly endless. What stunned me most is the fact that the character seems to think nothing of them, and simply believes that this is how life should be.

One of the memorable moments for me, was when upon being struck by a car, and having one of her feet crushed as a young girl, the character feels the need to apologise to her foot until she feels it has forgiven her. I can't even begin to explain the extent of the sadness I felt during that scene as I realised that this character believes that everything is her fault. I just wanted to reach into the pages and hug her so tightly. We never learn the name of this remarkably strong woman, and yet she still affects the reader on an extremely deep level. The content of this novel will linger on long after the last page is turned.

A brilliant, moving novel that I think has become one of my favourites. Read it. You won't be disappointed. Don't believe me? Try an excerpt

Author's website: http://www.lydiamillet.net/

The Diary of Petr Ginz: 1941 - 1942 edited by Chava Pressburger

2007-10-30T15:25:00.000-04:00

Published by Atlantic Monthly Press - An Imprint of Grove/Atlantic Inc.
Distributed by Publishers Group Canada

This diary is an account of Petr Ginz's life as a 14 year old boy in the time of the Holocaust. It is written in a wonderfully - and often heartbreaking - open and frank style that couldn't possibly fail to touch the reader deeply.

The events, which led to the discovery of this diary, are almost as fascinating as the book itself. The following is taken from the back of the book:

In 2003, before setting out on the ill-fated Columbia space shuttle, Ilan Ramon - the first-ever Israeli astronaut and a son of Auschwitz survivors - sought to bring something on his voyage to commemorate the Holocaust. At the suggestion of the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, he took Moon Landscape, a small drawing made in 1942 by a Prague teenager, Petr Ginz who died in Auschwitz.

After the shuttle's tragic explosion on February 1, 2003 - what would have been Ginz's seventy-fifth birthday - news reports of the teenage prodigy and his painting reached Prague, where a man made a startling discovery: he was in possession of Ginz's wartime diary, which had been hidden away in his attic for decades. Soon thereafter, the diary made its way to Petr's sister, Chava Pressburger, who instantly recognized her brother's handwriting and his playful but precociously perceptive voice in its pages. The diary has since been published throughout Europe, where it has moved thousands of readers and become an international best seller.

I have read many books on this subject and as tragic and devastating as many of those books are, few are written from the eyes of a child and I think for me it was the backdrop of hatred, brutality and despair mixed with such innocence, hope, and playfulness that made this one of the most touching accounts I have read.

I liked that the book is sprinkled throughout with some of Petr Ginz's artwork and the drawings are just incredible. It's a great pity that he died so young, as I could see from the artwork, and from his writing, that he had a great deal to offer the world. I think the thing that struck me most, was the fact that regardless of how tough life became, he was dedicated to learning and exploring culture. He comes across as so much older than his actual years. His knowledge of music and authors is great and it is clear in the entries where he discusses school, that he is probably the brightest student in the class, if not the whole school.

This was a fantastic book and I loved that Petr's sister added notes throughout to explain the background a little on some days, and shares extra information about this wonderful boy.

The Diary of Petr Ginz is one of my favourite reads of the year. I can't imagine anyone reading this book and not being incredibly moved by it.

Signspotting 2: More Absurd & Amusing Signs From Around the World compiled by Doug Lansky

2007-10-18T15:34:00.000-04:00

Published by Lonely Planet Publications.
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Signspotting 2 is a fun little book filled with amusing signs from around the world. The reader is treated to warnings such as 'Take care, fall into water carefully', 'If you fall into the water you will be boiled', and 'Be aware of invisibility'. Then we have funny place names and fun signs like 'Tattoos for lease' and 'Hazyview eye care', plus so much more.

I loved this book. I didn't really think about funny signs too much until I went for a drive with my husband one day and saw a great new approach for getting people to attend church. The sign on the side of the building read "Having problems sleeping? Come to our sunday morning sermon" or something along those lines. It tickled me something fierce and I paid more attention to signs after that but it's rare to see the really good ones.

Now you don't have to go anywhere to find them. You can discover them all from the comfort of your living room as you explore this little book and all it's gems. I chuckled out loud so much and my husband liked many of the signs too. It's a great way to kill an hour or so and even more fun when read with friends.

Visit the Signspotting site for even more laughs!

Author's Site: http://www.douglansky.com/
Signspotting site: http://www.signspotting.com/

Training People: How to Bring Out the Best in Your Human by Tess of Helena with Brian Kahn. Photographs by Gretchen Lemaistre

2007-10-18T15:29:00.000-04:00

Published by Chronicle Books
Distributed by Raincoast Books

This is a training book with a difference. It's written for dogs, by a dog and discusses how to bring out the best in their human companions. Subjects covered in this book are: How to Choose a Human, Male Female or Both?, Basic Training, Discipline, Getting the Food You Want, Advanced Training, The Human Pup, and When They Get Old. Each subject is accompanied by many photographs to make it more simple to follow the techniques included.

This book is by far my favourite training book ever. I couldn't help but laugh out loud while reading it and I know I must have been constantly grinning. It reminded me of books I read as a child by Sheila Hocken (Emma's Story, Emma and I, Emma VIP - I so need to track these down and buy them again!) in which the books are written in the hand of Emma, a puppy learning to be a guide dog. Though it has been twenty years since I read those books, I still remember Emma's first experience with snow. It still makes me smile.

In this book, Tess provides a number of techniques designed to help dogs around the world with the training of their humans. A section that made me laugh the most I think, was the section on dealing with cats who share the household. As a pet lover who shares our home with both a dog, and cats, I found that highly amusing.

A great read that makes it fun to learn about life with dogs. I learned so much more from this than I did reading many other pet training books and it's certainly easier to remember the content. Who said pet training can't be fun?

Photographer's site: http://www.gretchenlemaistre.com/

Forsaken by Lana Slezic

2007-10-18T04:31:00.000-04:00

Published by House of Anansi Press

Lana Slezic has put together a perfect blend of photography and words to portray life in Afghanistan. In particular, life as a woman in Afghanistan. In 2004, Lana Slezic visited Afghanistan for a 6 week assignment which ended up becoming a two-year stay. Over those 2 years she collected a number of images and personal accounts which she presents in this book - Forsaken.

I fell in love with the cover on this book. The image itself presents a breathtaking mix of the past, the present, elegance, mystery, boldness, hope, and sorrow all in a single image. Rarely has photography ever moved me on such a level and I was really not prepared for the contents of this amazing, must-have book.

Within the pages, Lana Slezic shares a vast number of images which capture life at a basic level. There is nothing sugar-coated in this book. It's an honest and open look at Afghanistan women and their way of life and it will give you much to think about.

Along with the many images, there are different accounts of the author's experiences with a number of women. These accounts cover a wide spectrum as they are shocking, crushing, uplifting, saddening, hopeful, peaceful, and dramatic all at once.

This is one of those books which will change the way you look at life. While I admit that I may be a tad biased as I *love* learning about other cultures, I find it hard it imagine anyone reading this book and not loving it as much as I did.

I would love to see further books of this style in the future.

Author's website: http://www.lanaslezic.com/ (Please do check this out. Many of the images found in the book can be seen here by selecting the Afghanistan menu. If you have this book you will still love the site as there are extra Afghanistan images there along with photography covering other subjects.)

Bagel's Lucky Hat by Hector Mumbly: Illustrated by Dave Cooper

2007-10-16T15:41:00.001-04:00

Published by Chronicle Books
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Hector Mumbly brings us an amusing little tale featuring a dog named Bagel, and his friend - a cat named Becky. Bagel gets frantic when he realises he has lost his lucky hat. Becky calms him and asks him to think back to when he remembered wearing it last, but soon wonders what she started. Bagel recounts his day, including his visit with laughing fishes, a helpful flock of birds, a strange and mysterious laboratory, and so much more. Becky, needless to say, is quite unimpressed and who wouldn't be with such a tall tale? Becky starts to give Bagel a lecture on honesty but is interrupted by unexpected and unusual guests.

This book is a laugh a minute. It's for ages 4-8 but even at my age it was a fun and playful read. I can imagine it would make a great bedtime book as it isn't too long with just 40 pages which are wonderfully illustrated by Dave Cooper. The illustrations match the story's whimsical nature perfectly.

A great choice that begs to be read again, and again...

Illustrator's website: http://www.davegraphics.com/ (site is not suitable for children)