BOOK: The Spellman's Strike Again by Lisa Lutz

The Spellman's Strike Again by Lisa Lutz, 390 pages

book 4 of 5 in series

The Spellman's are silly fun, and back to their antics in the fourth installment. Izzy whines about her crazy family narrates the story again, and I am sensing some actual growth in the thirty-two year old. Some of the silly pranks between family members are being treated a little more seriously. The story is told in various reports, with her amusing footnotes, and references to previous editions (now available in paperback!).

The funniest part of this book was the case where Izzy was investigating a missing butler for an eccentric old client. She installs one of her out of work acting pals as the temporary butler, but he goes all method actor, and becomes a classic English butler, even at home with his partner, forgetting to do much of the investigating she wants. 

There is one more book, but the story feels like it could have ended here, with a lot of wrap-ups to various characters and plot lines. Lutz includes a more serious aspect of wrongful conviction , as Izzy and her sister Ray both take on the case of a prisoner that appears innocent. The ability to test for DNA has proven a lot of wrongful convictions.  There is even a short article about how a person could help at the end, after the quizzes on her brother, and the dossiers on each character. There are a number of cute extras like this that make this series a lot of fun. They are quick to read, and pretty funny, and are only vaguely of the mystery variety.

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Books I Recommend The Most

The topic for Top Ten Tuesday today is the books I recommend the most. A lot of factors go in to offering a book as a recommendation, especially knowing the type of books that the other person already likes to read. Not everyone likes mysteries, but those who do should try Indridason or Deon Meyer for some international type. Mostly, recommended books are very readable with a catchy plot. I'm all about a great story.
Check out The Broke and the Bookish for more Top Ten Lists.

1. Pope Joan by
Great historical fiction full of adventure and women doing cool sneaky stuff, like learning and helping and leading people.

2. Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
I sent this one around the staff room last year and everyone liked it - male and female. Plus, it's a beautiful cover.

3. Quiet by Susan Cain
Highly recommended for all introverts, and even those who aren't. Hey, that's pretty much everyone. I listened to this one on audiobook, and loved it. It's good for teachers of introverts as well.

4. The Light Between Oceans by ML Stedman (just read this weekend)
I'm only beginning my mission of spreading the word about this one, but I gave it to a colleague the day after I finished it.

5. Arnaldur Indridason's Icelandic mystery series
I recommend this for mystery fans as something a little different with the Iceland setting. I've gotten a few readers hooked on the series.

6. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Such a great nonfiction narrative I feel safe recommending this to anyone. Very engaging, with all the aspects that Skloot covers.

7. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
The sweetest romance you can read. It has British village, family fights, aging, and immigration.

8. Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeiffer
This is a young adult book, but the suddenness of the incident (the moon is struck by an asteroid) and the ensuing effect on Earth will stay with you as a scary possibility. 

9. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Oh, Ishiguro will take you in and break your heart. This is a gem.

10. Clara Callan by Richard Wright
It's the books that sneak up on you when you have no idea what they are about that I find are the ones I want to recommend. Clara was such a book.

BOOK: The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman, 343 pages

Australian Book Challenge; Orange Longlist 2013

So good! I'll be recommending this to many readers in the next few months.

First, the historical and technical details of a lighthouse worker off the southwestern coast of Australia in the 1920s, a WWI veteran, were very good. The setting was realistic and the sense of the ocean greatness felt so real. The romance and marriage of Tom and Isabel and their life on the isolated island was touching. The repercussions from the first world war permeate all the characters in the story.

Then, the tragedy or bad decision by Tom when a baby washes up on shore (it made sense in the book) comes back to haunt Tom and Isabel. I was back and forth between who I felt was in the wrong (nobody?) It was a terrible situation especially for Lucy, the child. My heart broke for everyone. Parental love for a child is a strong, and parents will make decisions to protect their child.

This is going to make a fabulous movie, and everyone will be in tears.

BOOK: Skippy Dies by Paul Murray

Skippy Dies by Paul Murray, 664 pages

Ireland Reading Challenge; Booker Longlist 2010

Skippy dies in the first sentence, so that is no surprise. The rest of the book gets us to that point, and looks at the repercussions after the fact.

Teenage boys at boarding school in Dublin in the 2000s so we have: girls, girls with eating disorders, drugs, geeks, priests, bullies, teachers, sex with girls, teenagers being apathetic, teenagers with varying interests, physics (that was a cool surprise!), cell phones, sexting, divorces, parents even more immature than their children; a little bit of everything, with a strong helping of sex and drugs.

Murray covers a lot of ground with his readable novel. The teenagers and their angsty confused world. The teachers/adults who are their own microcosm of high school with bullies and self-esteem issues. Confusing the issue, many of the teachers are former Seabrooke alumni, coming back to teach with former classmates and teachers and all the previous relationships inherent in that. The relationships and inner thoughts all rang very true for me.

My only issue was with the acting vice-principal character, and only because I hated him so much, which only speaks to how well the character was written. That type of arrogant, ambitious, self-centered control-freak bully can be so impossible to deal with. Watching him make decisions only based on how it served him best, and living the 'old-boys' network makes you realize what obstacles are in place in many work-places for people not in the circle. He made some very infuriating decisions and judgments and every time he was in the book, I hated him.

But the other characters were good and I liked the book.

 also reviewed: jackie at farmlane books; jenners at life with books; 


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BOOK: The Idea of Perfection by Kate Grenville

The Idea of Perfection by Kate Grenville, 400 pages

Orange Prize Winner 20014; Australian Author Challenge

Two awkward middle aged professionals meet in a small town in Australia and attempt to find love.

Or rather, love finds them. It's not as sweetly romantic sounding as that one line; the engineer who loves concrete and the museum curator are more likely on a collision course. Each is brought to town to deal with the local old bridge. One to fix it (with concrete!) and the other to possibly preserve it. Each is so entirely awkward within their own skin, and concerned about how they fit in amongst the rest of the people (whom they see as well-adjusted) that it is amazing they look up and out enough to actually meet.

The story is very slow, especially the first half. I enjoyed the second half much more. Each of the characters spends lots of time in their head, going over past love affairs and their deficiencies. But there is someone for everyone, if they can just get out of their own heads long enough to notice that other person.

CHALLENGE: Once Upon a Time VII

It's the first sign of spring, online if not in the actual world around here. Carl is hosting his seventh annual Once Upon a Time event, running during the spring season - March 21st until June 21st.

Fairy Tale, Folklore, Fantasy and Mythology

Some years I have more interest in fantasy/fairy tale type books than others. (The fall RIP is the one where I have no problem and lots of  interest in reading books.) Last year I read seven books. This year looks like a Journey for me:

By signing up for The Journey you are agreeing to read at least one book within one of the four categories during March 21st to June 21st period. Just one book. If you choose to read more, fantastic! 

The Books I Have Around Here:
Anasi Boys by Neil Gaiman
Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and her daughter
Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster


The Book I Actually Read: 
1. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
2. 

CHALLENGE: Science Book Challenge

 

The annual science challenge hosted Jeff at Scienticity. I get my reminders from Melanie at the Indextrious reader  thanks Melanie!

Rules =

Read 3 (or 3.14!) science books during 2013, then tell us and others about the books you've read--why you liked them or didn't like them--and help spread science literacy.

Jeff states that the general theme this year is  "Science & Culture". 

Your books should have something to do with science, scientists, how science operates, or the relationship of science with our culture. Your books might be popularizations of science, they might be histories, they might be biographies, they might be anthologies; they can be recent titles or older books, from the bookstore or your local library. We take a very broad view of what makes for interesting and informative science reading, looking for perspectives on science as part of culture and history.

Possible Books:
Force of Nature: Ernest Rutherford
Waves by Susan Casey
The Great Influenza by John Barry
something by Mary Roach (Packing for Mars)

Books Read:
1. The Calculus Diaries by Jennifer Ouellette
2. 

 

BOOK: Astray by Emma Donoghue

Astray by Emma Donoghue, 280 pages

Canadian Book Challenge (Donoghue is living in Canada, but is herself an immigrant from Ireland)

The mark of a talented writer is one who writes in very different styles and keeps the reader interested. Donoghue of Room fame, also writes historical fiction (The Sealed Letter) and now short stories, Astray. Although I guess this is still historical fiction, and like The Sealed Letter, each story is based on a true incident.

The concept of each story is part of what makes this a fun read. After each story, there is a note, which explains from where Donoghue was inspired - a single sentence in a newspaper article, Charles Dickens' letters, London Times articles, or even published memoirs or biographies. Waiting to see what part might be real, or how Donoghue teased out a fictional account of real people made each story even better. Then, the overarching theme of 'astray', geographically or morally, of immigrants coming or going, connects the stories furthur. Fans of historical fiction and short stories should investigate this collection.

sidenote: I am averaging one Canadian authored short story collection a month in 2013. Kinda weird.
January - Whirl Away by Russell Wangersky
February - Dressing Up for the Carnival by Carol Shields
March -  Astray by Emma Donoghue
Putting some pressure on me for April, aren't you Alice Munro?

Astray is also (favourably) reviewed: Joy at thoughts of joy; karen at morsie reads; carrie at nomadreader;

BOOK: Moloka'i by Alan Brennert

Moloka'i by Alan Brennert, 384 pages

Wonderfully epic novel of both the twentieth century, and the life of a Hawaiian girl who contracted leprosy. We see how life being a leper changed with changing attitudes (which in some ways mirrors today's treatment of AIDS/HIV patients) and how life for everyone changed - movies, airplanes, electric lights. American world war two involvement is also covered, from Pearl Harbour to Japanese internment camps and the modern history of Hawaii to statehood.

Rachel is just a young child of seven when she is sent to the leper colony on the Hawaiian island of Moloka'i. Torn from her family, her resilient spirit eventually allows her to build a life on the island, while always dreaming of a cure. Brennert throws a lot of history and information into his novel, but it flows very well.  The progression of Rachel through childhood, teenage years, and into adulthood and the characters she meets are all layered and developed. The whole situation was terrible, and many places in the book brought me to tears, but it is ultimately an uplifting and happy book. And now I want to go to Hawaii!

also reviewed: ramya's bookshelf;

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Series I'd Like To Start But Haven't Yet

Top Ten Series I'd Like To Start But Haven't Yet: Sadly, this list was far too easy to generate. I probably could have also done a list of 'series where I want to read the 2nd book in the series'. I'll save that for another day. Check out The Broke and the Bookish for future lists, and the find all the other participants.

1. Mo Hayder's Jack Caffery series (5 books)

2. Laurie R King's Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series (12 books)

3. George RR Martin's Game of Thrones series

4. Karin Slaughter's series with Georgia (3 books), Will Trent, and Sara Linton

5. Kate Ellis' Wesley Peterson mysteries (17 books)

6. Amitov Ghosh's Ibis Trilogy

7. Michael Stanley's Assistant Superintendent David 'Kubu' Bengu (3 books)
A new Botswana series to take the place of my Precious Ramotswe

8. Ariana Franklin's Mistress of the Art of Death (5 books)
ETA: Oops, already started. It's great too!

9. Declan Hughes' Ed Loy mysteries (5 books)

10. Anchee Min's Empress Orchid series (2 books)

BOOKS: February Reads

http://blogdelanine.blogspot.ca/2012/02/february-desktop-calendar.html

Some months I get more reviewed than others. Some months I don't. Those months get posts like this, with short thoughts. Short month, short thoughts! perfect

Best books: Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin, and I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I've Ever Had by Tony Danza.

7. The History of Love by Nicole Krauss, 254 pages

Orange Prize shortlist 2006 The History of Love - Nicole Krauss

A little confusing in the time line for me, several different stories which all connected up. Survivors of the Holocaust, writers, an obscure book. Many readers love this book and I can see why, but it didn't quite wow me.





8.  Lola's Secret - Monica McInerney  see review

9. Dressing Up for the Carnival by Carol Shields, 210 pages

Canadian Book Challenge

There was a chapter from Unless; a while story without the letter I, (but inexplicably with one word that did - did it ever stand out!). This was an okay collection with a few stories that are sticking with me, other than those two. I enjoy them as I read them, but some really get into the writing process and if I were an English major, I'd probably love.



 

10. The Calculus Diaries: How Math Can Help You Lose Weight, Win in Vegas, and Survive a Zombie Apocalypse by Jennifer Ouellette, 310 pages The Calculus Diaries - Jennifer Ouellette

Sadly, much less about calculus than I expected, but the author takes very different life situations, and shows how math or calculus could be used to apply. She writes in an easy style, and explains the science and math and why they are useful. Lots of history, and I'd easily recommend it to people.

11. Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin, 461 pages

Twelfth century England is always a fun time - lots of political history, and the church. Reminds me of the Brother Cadfael books, but a little less cozy. A 'doctor of death' is brought over from Italy to clear the Jews of Oxford from the deaths of some children. She has to fight many prejudices clearly, but also develops a romance. It was involved, had a great mystery, was gory, and a romance. Excellent historical mystery!






12. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight - Jennifer E. Smith see review

13. I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had - Tony Danza see review

14. A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainain - Marina Lewycka, 235 pages
 2005 Orange shortlist

Not at all what I was expecting, but it was a darkly humorous good book. Two women get involved when their widowed father brings a young gold digger to England from Ukraine and marries her. One daughter was born before the second world war in Ukraine, the other was born in England after the war, and their vastly different family situations colours how they view their parents and each other. Eventually more of their family history before and during the war is revealed.

15. The Black Ice - Michael Connelly, 368 pages Harry Bosch #2

Harry is not invited to investigate the suicide of a fellow cop in LA, but when would that stop Harry? Harry Bosch continues his lone wolf style of investigating, annoying his bosses, meeting the ladies, and searching for some peace in his soul.
Bosch is a easy reading series, with a great main character, good intricate plots. Connelly has written almost twenty books in this series, plus 2 or 3 other interlocking series. 

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Authors That I'd Put On My Auto-Buy List

Top Ten Authors That I'd Put On My Auto-Buy List (basically an auto-buy list is no questions asked..you love this author so much that no matter what they wrote next you'd buy regardless of genre or subject matter)

I don't buy a lot of books, so this is easy to make. For more Top Ten Lists today, head to The Broke and the Bookish.

1. Kate Atkinson - Jackson Brodie mysteries, plus her stand-alone books. She has new one coming out this spring with a lot of buzz

2. Andrea Camelleri - Inspector Montalbano of Sicily I cannot resist

3. Lisa Lutz - The Spellman Files are hilarious, and her co-authored book, Heads You Lose made me laugh. A lot.

4. Tracey Chevalier - Historical fiction from many perspectives, I still have a few to read, but I haven't found one yet that I havent' enjoyed.

5. Deon Meyer - South African mysteries, just excellent! If you like thrilling police stories, you must try him.

6. Bernice Morgan - Newfoundland author extraordinaire. She has only written a few books (Random Passage, Waiting for Time, Cloud of Bone) are fabulous

7. Sarah Waters - British author who has explored the Victorian age (Fignersmith, Affinity, Tipping the Velvet) and the World War 2 era (The Little Stranger, The Night Watch)

8. Marcus Zusak - I'd read his grocery list

9. John Green - He's got some real winners in his backlist, and is still very young. I expect to be able to read his books for many years to come.

10. Brian Selznick - His two books, Wonderstruck and The Invention of Hugo Cabret, are two of the most imaginative and spectacular books I've every read. He has invented his own genre of book.

BOOK: I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had by Tony Danza

I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had by Tony Danza, 262 pages

First of all: the title. How perfect! I've actually had several former students who returned to teach at my school apologize to me for their behavior while in high school. Luckily, as frustrating as high school students can be, I know not to judge them on their time as teenagers in my class.

Reality Television: Did anyone else watch the A&E series, Teach based on Tony Danza's time in a Philadelphia high school? It was only six episodes long and aired in 2010, and the book covers the same material. Both the series and the book ooze with Danza's sincerity, and since I don't think he is a better actor than I imagine, I believe him. Danza took a lot of criticism for working as a teacher - it was only for the show, he just wanted to be on television, I actually buy his sincerity. (He originally thought he would become a teacher, but boxing and acting too over. At fifty-nine and out of work, he decided to try teaching for a year.) He continued to teach after the show gave up on him and his class for lack of drama, and finished his year.

Sidenote: Both Tony Danza and Jeff Conaway were on the 1970s television show, Taxi. Both reappeared on television in the late 2000s. Danza gave up his acting life to teach inner city students, and worked his butt off. Conaway appeared on Celebrity Rehab several times and sadly died in 2010. The ways their lives turned out could not be more different, and it increased my respect for Danza.

Danza as a teacher: Again, he truly wanted to do well. His respect for education and teachers is evident. He is however, an actor, with a 'look at me' mentality. All teachers need to have this to some extent if they are going to get up in front of a class of students everyday. He also acknowledged how much he talked and that his students kidded him about his big mouth. I think my biggest criticism of him as a teacher, is that he was more interested in teaching them lessons to learn from his mistakes, as opposed to creating a learner and teaching them how to learn. Again though, you can't argue that he wanted the best for his students, and really struggled with how invested he got in their lives, and realizing how little control he had over so much of their learning situations.

Criticisms: Many of the amazing things he was able to do (trips to Washington DC, New York and Broadway, video camera prizes for a poetry contest, elaborate scavenger hunts) were not realistic. He had the support of the production company, plus his money, to pull off some of these events. Hard for other teachers to compete with that. Also, his understanding of bureaucracy was terrible, and he was forever getting in trouble with the vice-principal for not following procedures, from simple things like signing in each day, to larger things, like not getting permission for students to take a field trip or having a drink at a bar while on the field trip.

The book: The book just flows along, and I really liked it. Danza isn't afraid to show the mistakes he made, and he made lots, or to talk about his sweat stains and how he completely forget he had a lesson plan on the first day! Each chapter has two sections: one about classroom and students, and the other about the staff and teachers. His respect for teachers and understanding about their frustrations never wavers. Knowing that there are people out there who do recognize the difficult position teachers are in, makes it easier to go in every day.

BOOK: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith, 236 pages

This was the perfect light read for Valentines Day. First of all, speaking as a math teacher, I love the title! As a young adult book, it was very readable. Plus, love at first sight based on a friendship, so with a better outcome than Romeo and Juliet.

Hadley, seventeen, is reluctantly heading to London for her father's wedding when she misses her plane. She meets up with Oliver, a British teen heading home. They spend the long flight together, getting to know one another, mostly through Hadley's complaints and misery. Hadley is still upset that her parents have split up; she feels pulled between missing her dad and feeling disloyal to her jilted mom. Very common and understandable feelings in a too familiar situation.

The time in London is frantic and fast, a wedding,a funeral, several trips on the tube. Hadley and Oliver meet and separate several times, with Hadley growing up and coming to be more patient with her father and his new wife. It was predictable, but lovely. It felt like it could have been one of the plot lines in the movie Love, Actually, which is probably why I liked it so much. If you are looking for a short, sweet romantic book, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight would be perfect.

BOOK: Lola's Secret by Monica McInerney

Lola's Secret by Monica McInerney, 304 pages

Aussie Author Challenge

For readers looking for an author to replace the late Maeve Binchy, I may have found someone. Monica McInerney writes the same style of book, with homey, real people facing life dilemmas. Her island is Australia instead of Ireland, but the same comforting feeling of getting to know a family is here. She even used the same type of set-up as A Week in Winter, with different guests coming to spend some time at a family style hotel. The guests were less of characters than in Binchy's, but used to the same effect.

Lola's Secret is actually a sequel to The Alphabet Sisters, and there are references to that book in this one, but without having read it, I still enjoyed Lola's Secret. Lola is the matriarch of the family, and she runs the family; she's everyone's favorite. Except her daughter-in-law. We get to know the granddaughters (the Alphabet Sisters), and great-granddaughters as everyone runs to Lola with their problems. One might even say that Lola gets overly involved, a tad too busy. She's a model, however, of an active senior, keeping mind and body and soul active.

 The title is a little misleading, as the secret wasn't that huge and my library made it even more misleading by slapping a 'mystery' sticker on the spine. I like my mysteries with a dead body, and it wasn't that type of book at all. It was a pleasant read however, and I've marked Monica McInerney's books as future reads in my library.

READATHON: Snowmageddon Update

hosted by chrisbookarama

We got our storm! Lots of snow, and the forecast today is continuing blowing snow, and high winds. Day two of being storm-stayed. The treats I bought at Wal-mart on Friday in preparation of the storm have been discovered by the children (smarties, macaroons, corn puffs) and husband (beer) and we are just about out of snacks now.

the view from our front window

Reading has gone well. I finished Dressing Up for the Carnival by Carol Shields, a short story collection I have been reading slowing for a few weeks. I also read a few more chapters of The Calculus Diaries by Jennifer Ouellete, a non-fiction account of how useful calculus is, and I expect to finish it today. I am also making headway on Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin. It's a historical mystery, set in 1171 England and the first of four books in a little series.

I took a break in reading yesterday to watch the Coal Bowl final. My son's (and my school's) basketball team made it to the final, and while they played a great game, the other team was a little better. The Raiders lost by 7. And now, they are stuck in Cape Breton with their silver medals. Today, breaks in reading will be taken for a little correcting, but overall, it's been a great storm as storms go. The RCMP have been advising everyone to stay off the roads, so everything is cancelled and there is no where to go. Reading and eating shall continue.

Oops, the family just found the garlic bread in the fridge, so off I go for more snacks.

READATHON: Snowmageddon! 2013

Chrisbookarama is hosting an impulsive Snowmageddon! Read-a-thon because our East Coast is going to get walloped this weekend. Here's what she said on her blog:

What to expect from Snowmageddon! Readathon:

• Reading updates
• Gratuitous photos of snow, pjs, socks, and snacks
• Weather reports

With the start of new semester at high school, I am up to date on planning and correcting, and now that I expect most sporting events to be cancelled on Saturday and Sunday, my week-end is looking pretty free. Although I do have a great pile of books I can work through.

The only break in my schedule is my plan to watch a livestream basketball game that my son is playing in. He's actually in Cape Breton with Chrisbookarama at the prestigious Coal Bowl. His team is going to be in the cross-over game tomorrow, and hopefully, the 2 pm final game on Saturday. The only problem for me is if there are any internet problems. We've been having some trouble with buffering some of the games so it better be working on Saturday. Feel free to cheer for the Charlottetown Rural Raiders along with us!

Weather forecast: strong northeast winds, snow at times heavy, and blowing snow will begin overnight Friday night and intensify on Saturday. Amounts of 20 to 30 centimeters are possible by Sunday morning.

And when watching the weather here, it's all about the winds! Anyone else want to grab a book and join?

CHALLENGE: New Authors Challenge

Hosted at Literary Escapism. I like to keep track of new authors read.

 Disclaimer: Artwork used (with permission) for the button is Anglerfish by Vlad Gerasimov. Please be sure to post a link to the artist when using the button – thanks!

The challenge will run from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013.
You can pick to do either 15, 25 or 50 new authors.

New Authors in 2013
1. Russell Wangersky (Whirl Away)
2. Andrea Levy (Small Island)
3. Ada Leverson (Love's Shadow)
4. Nicole Krauss (The History of Love)
5. Monica McInerney (Lola's Secret)
6. Jennifer Ouellette (The Calculus Diaries)
7. Ariana Franklin (Mistress of the Art of Death)
8. Jennifer E. Smith (The Statistical Probabiltiy of Love at First Sight)
9. Marina Lewycka (A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainain)
10. Alan Brennert (Moloka'i)
11. Flannery O'Connor(A Good Man is Hard to Find and other stories)
12. Kate Grenville (The Idea of Perfection)
13. Paul Murray (Skippy Dies)
14. Cheryl Strayed (Wild)
15. Emily Perkins (The Forrests)
16. Maria Semple (Where'd You Go Bernadette)
17. Zadie Smith (NW)
18. Mo Hayder (Birdman)
19. Susanna Kearsley (The Firebird)
20. Edith Wharton (The House of Mirth)
21. Stephen Emond (Winter Town)
22.  Maxine Kenneth (Paris to Die For)
23. Elizabeth Wein (Code Name Verity)
24. Jim Crace (Harvest)
25. Marcia Clark (Guilt by Association)
26. Richard Wagamese (Indian Horse)
27. Susan Elia MacNeal (Mr Churchill's Secretary)
28. Ake Edwardson (Death Angels)
29. Mark Mills (The Savage Garden)
30. Claire Messud (The Woman Upstairs)
31.


Debut Authors
1.  ML Stedman (The Light Between the Oceans)
2. Sahar Delijani (Children of the Jacaranda Tree)
3. Suzanne Rindell (The Other Typist)
4. Kristel Thornell (Night Street)
5.

BOOK: Whirl Away by Russell Wagnersky

Whirl Away by Russell Wagnersky, 207 pages

Canadian Book Challenge

Whirl Away was shortlisted for the 2012 Giller Prize, a well deserved recognition for it. We (Canadians, not me personally) seem to be prolific in short story writing. I'm thinking of Alice Munro and Mavis Gallant who almost exclusively write short stories. One of the best books I read in 2011 was a Giller nominated Light Lifting by Alexander MacLeod, son of Alistair, another short story writer, Lost Salt Gift of Blood.

The stories had overall sad characters, characters at a crossroads in their life, where nothing is quite what it seems. Many of the stories had a surprise or shock at the end for the reader, or the character. Divorce, death, accidents, each story was a slice of life. One man who gets obsessed with the accidents that occur at the "Sharp Corner" in front of his house. "Bolt" shows us that no one ever really knows someone, as a woman finds out after her partner is killed in a car accident. Life for a young family at an isolated light house is described by the father, in "Look Away", but it may not be what it seems. Most of the stories are set in Newfoundland, city and outport. "Little World" was a sad tour of a small village by a lonely woman. I'm making these stories sound depressing, and they were, but in a well written, identifiable way. It's life, eh.

Bolt - guy gets killed by random bolt that breaks
Echo - little kid in the middle of a violent family crisis
McNally's Fair - caretaker for many years [heh, this has my maiden name in the title]
911 - rogue ambulance driver heads out on on a call on his own
Family Law - lawyer, with mistress, researches adultery
Little World - woman tours police around deserted village
No Harm, No Foul - travelling salesman picks up a hitchhiker
Look Away - light house keeper, and his family
Sharp Corner - guy gets obsessed with accidents, and their retelling
Open Arms - lawyer story again from very different perspective
The Gasper - guy has panic attacks and repeatedly calls ambulance
I Like - elevator inspector's marriage drifts apart

A wonderful, well-written review by Buried in Print can be found here. In fact, her review is as amazing as this book.

BOOK: Small Island by Andrea Levy

Small Island by Andrea Levy, 530 pages

Orange Prize for Fiction winner, 2004

Great book to start the reading year! This was a winning book for the Orange Prize in 2004 and I can see why - readable, historical, big themes, great characters with plenty of flaws but realistic.

Why the title, Small Island?  Because I don't think it gives me the right memory of the book. There are four main characters who interact in 1948. We meet them in their individual pasts, and then all together in a rooming house in London in 1948. The back and forth in time works well, as knowing where they end up makes seeing how they started worthwhile. Two of our characters, Hortense and Gilbert are from Jamaica, a very small island.  Gilbert served in the RAF in England during the war, and then emigrates, with Hortense, his wife, following him to London and the rooming house. The rooming house is run by Queenie, and is the house her husband Bernard grew up in. Bernard is British, with a capital B, but as he travels the world, maybe he discovers that England is a small island as well, not as important as he once thought. Queenie is the star of the book, a small island unto herself in post-war England, with progressive (ie non-racist) views of the immigrants.

That's it for 'small island', the best I can do. It stilll doesn't feel like the right title, even after I've managed to connect it to each character, and maybe an overall theme. I think if it was called 'Queenie', it would be more memorable about the character, the Britishness of the book, and the nickname that I could probably hear in a Jamaican accent.

I loved how Hortense was more British than anyone in the story, and yet was looked upon as a barbarian immigrant by the locals. Bernard was an idiot, who had the least growth, unless growth is considered waking up to his world around him and participating in his own life. Nah, still a stiff-upper lip, totally clueless in his unaccountable superiority, naive idiot. Queenie and Gilbert were the most realistic about life, and were charming, wonderful characters dealing with a terrible hand that life dealt them, and yet improving their situations somewhat.

All the good things I've heard about Small Island were true - a wonderful book (with a lousy title). Did you love the book? What do you think about my title change?