BOOK: Clara Callen by Richard B Wright

Clara Callen by Richard B Wright, 415 pages

Book Awards III: Giller, 2001; 3rd Canadian Book Challenge; themed reading challenge: epistolary books

Dear Clara,
I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading your journals and letters from those four years during the 1930s. You provided a nice overview of events during the Depression, just as background, as well as what life might be like for a single lady living alone in small town Ontario. But more importantly, you showed the struggle to find personal happiness and our place in this world.

I liked your voice, and your mistakes, and your dignity in the face of difficulties. Your loving but realistic relationship with your sister, the big time radio actress living in New York City. I hope more readers discover your wonderful story.

In appreciation,
raidergirl3

BOOK: A Celibate Season by Carol Shields and Blanche Howard

A Celibate Season by Carol Shields and Blanche Howard, 240 pages

themed reading challenge: epistolary

Nice mixing up of the gender roles and identities in this novel of letters between Chas and Jock, a long married couple. The recession (the last one, not this one, but how timely!) has forced Chas from his architecture job in Vancouver and his wife, Jock into a legal position on a Royal Commission in Ottawa. So she's got the high powered job and is away from home, and he is dealing with the furnace and the neighbours and the teens at home.

They decide to write letters to stay in contact, along with some phone calls and visits, but their evolving relationship is described by what they say, and what they don't say. It's easy to see how their changing roles and new experiences lead to misunderstandings, but they are helpless to do much about it, living across the country from each other. Lots a great Canadiana, including Winnipeg, the weather, politics in Ottawa, bilingualism, and the Royal Commission on Female Poverty. Lots of great symmetry within the stories and the characters, often they were sending similar letters to each other the same day. I wish I hadn't read the Introduction by Blanche Howard first, as she mentions several key plot points, so if you don't like to know big details, save that for after you finish the book.

Well written novel, with interesting characters and fast moving story. Two Canadian authors - Carol Shields and Blanche Howard, collaborated together which adds to the letter writing between two people aspect. For readers looking for a quick, high interest read for the Dewey Read-a-Thon, you might consider adding this one to your list.

BOOK: Dear Mr Henshaw by Beverly Cleary

Dear Mr Henshaw by Beverly Cleary, 136 pages

themed reading challenge; Newbery Winner 1984

A lonely little boy, new at a school after his parent's divorce, begins to write letters to his favorite author. The author writes back and encourages the boy to write, and keep a journal. Through his writing, Leigh works through his problems - the divorce, his anger at his father, making friends, and finding who is stealing from his lunch. It never goes too deep into Leigh's life, but it shows how perspective can change you view, and gives a nice progression of Leigh's development.

My 9 year old daughter read the book after I strategically left it lying around. When she finished, I asked her opinion:

It was, wait, did you read it already? yes. OK, well the ending was sad. why? When his dad came back and then left again and called him Leigh and he didn't tell him to keep his nose clean. Was he still mad at his dad? No, it was happy-sad ending. And they found the dog, but he knew the dog would keep his dad company. It was okay.

now Rachel saw me writing her words out and is about to take over the keyboard:

And Leigh had a diary to pretend he was writing to Mr Henshaw.
I thought the person they were going to have lunch with would be Mr Henshaw and I didn't know that the girl copied the poems out of a different book or Leigh would get to have lunch with Mrs Badger. by Rachel make sure you say that was by Rachel



Beverly Cleary was born April 12, 1916 and the author of the Ramona books and all her friends. Over the years, many Beverly Cleary books have been read by myself and now my children.
Our family book club: RAchel, MOm and NAna have named our book club the Ramona book club.

BOOK: Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger

Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger, 353 pages

young adult; themed reading challenge: epistolary

I gave this to my 11 year old son for Christmas after reading a great review of it somewhere. I think it came into notice around the time The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie book began making waves as both are epistolary books - told through letters. A librarian was making a display of these types of books, sort of like the Amazon recommended list "If you like this, you may like that" and read Last Days of Summer and gave it a rave review.

My son enjoyed it, but was put off a bit by the 'bad' words, and told me the ending shocked him. So of course I had to read it. Joey, a 12 year old Jewish boy in 1940 Brooklyn begins writing to Giants third baseman Charlie Banks. They don't hit it off, but Charlie continues to write back, which just encourages Joey. Joey is friends with a Japanese American, and they are getting beat up and hoping Charlie can help them. Thus the language - Charlie is a 23 year old professional ball player and Joey is a tough guy without a father around so these guys are a little rough around the edges.

Joey and Charlie form an unusual friendship but it becomes very important for both of them, and they both grow. About the shocking ending? Just the difference between being 11 and 41. I have read a lot more books, especially ones set during wars, so I can predict better what might happen. The reviews I read at librarything called the ending 'predictable,' which it was, but it didn't detract from the book at all. And to me, that's why young adult books can be predictable and still very enjoyable. You have to be shocked for the first time in a lot of ways before endings become predictable. The characters here were very delightful, and the letter writing style between the different characters told the story in a very readable way. I was crying by the end because these characters touched each other, and me, so much.

The story is about so much more than baseball. The Japanese internment during World War Two is also a part of the story. But it was more a story of a young boy who had been abandoned by his father and looked for that guidance from someone and a young man who takes on responsibility for a young kid.

BOOK: Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, 246 pages

Pulitzer Winner 2004; themed reading challenge

Old preacher man writes a letter to his young son. Writes about his grandfather - saint and sinner preacher abolitionist who fought in the Civil War and stole random items in his old age. Writes about his father, preacher and pacifist. So much father and son dynamics.

Writes about his sermons, and biblical passages. So much philosophy that puts me to sleep. He actually gets confused in the middle of some passages himself, so I didn't feel so bad.

Writes about his namesake, a preacher friend's troubled son. This part of the story was more interesting as the narrator had to deal with his own jealousies and prejudices. He was very human, less religiously perfect in his dealings with his godson.

Loneliness, prejudice, good, man's relationship with God. I think there are many people who would enjoy this slow, character driven novel. It was well written but not about things that interest me enough. I can see why it was a Pulitzer winner. Prize winning books should make you think, should show an inner conflict, and make for great discussion. Not for me but I can recognize it would be loved by another type of reader. It's too far away from a good murder mystery to entertain me.

also reviewed by Rhinoa (and she gave it 4.5/5, I knew others would like it)

BOOK: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, 274 pages


themed reading challenge (I know it doesn't really start until February, but some books are hard to get at the library and you have to take them when they come)


Guernsey Island, a small English holding just off the coast of France was occupied by the Germans during World War II. Just after the war, an English journalist begins a correspondence with some people from the island. They relate their experiences during the war and the occupation and through their letters, Juliet, the journalist, gets to know and appreciate them. The whole story is told in letters to, from or about Juliet. Each character had their own voice and their letters told so much more than what was printed.


It surprised me how such a sweet little story with quirky yet real characters could whack you with Nazi atrocities every now and then. But it also showed lots of brave and courageous moments. At its heart, this is a story about love and survival, with books and war thrown it. I quite enjoyed it. You know an author did a good job of describing a location when you want to visit after finishing the book. This is the second book set on Guernsey during the war I've read; I read A Place of Hiding by Elizabeth George several years ago.

CHALLENGE: Themed Reading Challenge

Wendy, caribousmom, is again hosting the themed reading challenge, where reader's pick four to six books of a theme of their choosing. This was one of my favorite challenges last year, reading books about books and I had some spectacular reads.
The dates are: February 1, 2009 - July 31, 2009

I am going to read epistolary [An epistolary novel is a novel written as a series of documents. The usual form is letters, although diary entries, newspaper clippings and other documents are sometimes used] novels. I always enjoy them when I read them, like 84 Charing Cross Road, Bridget Jones, and Jaclyn Moriarity's other book, The Year of Secret Assignments. Here's a list of books in the library that fit this category

• The Pull of the Moon - Elizabeth Berg Apr 10/09
  


• Last Days of Summer - Steve Kluger Feb 9/09
• Dear Mr Henshaw - Beverly Cleary Apr 7/09
  
• A Celibate Season - Carol Shields, Blanche Howard Apr 12/09
  
• Angus, Thong, and Full-Frontal Snogging - Louise Rennison April 10/09
• Clara Callen - Richard B Wright July 10/09
  


• Feeling Sorry for Celia - Jaclyn Moriarity


• Gilead - Marilynne Robinson Feb 8/09


• From A - Z: A Story in Letters - John Berger


• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer (I'm on the list at the library and it might come in before February. If it does, I am going to count it for this challenge because it was this book that made me think of the theme and I thought this challenge was going to start in January!) Jan/09
• Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell - turns out to be written in many forms of letters, diaries, and interviews. Jan/09
  

Unless I change my mind and come up with a complete new theme. It could happen.
Other possible themes include:

• books I've bought for my children


• catching up on a series like Miss Julia, #1 Ladies Detective, Insp Lynley


• books I've won from other bloggers

CHALLENGE: Themed Reading Wrap-up

Themed Reading Challenge sponsored by wendy at caribousmom




The challenge was to read at least 4 books, with a theme chosen individually. I decided to read books about books. Not too imaginative, but there were a few books I was very interested in reading, and who knows better about books than writers. I also decided to use this as a category for the 888 challenge, which means 8 books about books. The list I originally made had well over 8, so I didn't run out of options.

The List of Books

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
The Case of the Missing Books by Iam Sansom
Housekeeping vs the Dirt by Nick Hornby NF
84 Charing Cross Road by Helen Hanff NF
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
Ex-Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman NF
Booked to Die by John Dunning
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi NF
a few I'd still to read
The Bookseller of Kabul
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
Literary Murder: A Critical Case by Batya Gur
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly


1. What things did you enjoy the most about this challenge?
I liked the choice of picking your own theme, whatever you saw as the theme in your head or on your bookshelf . I liked that I balanced fiction and nonfiction. Plus, it was Wendy hosting.

2. What were your favorite reads? Least favorite?
They were all very good. The driest was Reading Lolita in Tehran, a nonfiction memoir. The Book Thief and 84 Charing Cross Road were both very good, and I always love Nick Hornby, but The Eyre Affair was the funnest and my favorite. It gets bonus marks for being the first in a series, and using Jane Eyre as a major plot device.

3. Would you do this one again if it were offered next year?
I certainly would!

4. Anything you'd change about the challenge?
Nope, it was a good time of year, a good number of books, and lots of choice. Thanks Wendy! I think I was first to finish.

BOOK: Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi

Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi

in their shoes challenge, themed reading challenge

Isn't it interesting how, even if you don't plan it, the books you read go in themes? Reading Reading Lolita in Tehran so soon after Persepolis makes me feel I have just taken a course in Iranian women and the effect of the revolution on their lives. And it certainly makes me appreciate my freedoms and the rights we have to think and live and dream in North America. Added to the Iranian history are the books discussed in Reading: Lolita, The Great Gatsby, Jane Austen's, and Henry James, all of which I have read in just the past year or so (except James').

in 1995, Nafisi started a small discussion group with a few young women after she was fired from her University job as English Literature professor. In the safety of her home they discussed, argued, and dreamed. Nafisi's book is divided into four sections: Lolita, Gatsby, James and Austen, and each section uses those books and authors to parallel and support her discussion of life during the revolution.

There were parts of the books I really liked, most notably the direction comparisons in Austen's books to their lives, and her student's trials and tribulations. There were a lot of big themes and ideas: modern novel, revolution, reformers, democracy, imagination and some sections I am sure my eyes read over but my brain did not comprehend. Nafisi is into 'real literature' and her references and allusions went over my head on many occassions. Her passion and honesty and intelligence come through, and it was a good book, but it was a hard read in that the ideas take some thought and when my poor brain was getting tired, the book dragged. But when I would pick it up full of energy, I would enjoy it. Luckily it was broken into little chapters within the sections, making it easier to pick up and put down.

Here's an interesting post written by doppleganger at 50 books about the famous cover of Reading Lolita in Tehran. I think that post was where I first got the inkling to want to read this book. (I hope I credited that article and post alright)

ps: I need my spellcheck and soon.

BOOK: Booked to Die by John Dunning

Booked to Die by John Dunning

themed reading challenge, another something about me



Great mystery, starring Cliff Janeway, ex-cop and now book dealer, set in Denver. It took me a while to get into the book, because the first half of the book was necessary to set up the series - Janeway changing from cop to book store owner. Once the second act started, the mystery moved along solidly as Janeway looks to solve the murder of a bookscout, and learns the ropes of owning a store. It had the feel of a thirties hard-boiled mystery, where many things were happening and people's motives were just out of my understanding. I still enjoy these types of books, but I just ride the wave until the end and hope I'm not too confused. I'll look for more of these, since his romantic future seems up in the air, and he seems like a man looking for love, as well as his next big book find.



I'm sure I said I wasn't going to start anymore series, and here I am, with two started in the last two weeks - Thursday Next, and Cliff Janeway. New rule: I must finish at least one series before I read another of these books, or any more new series. I have the last Lily Bard book from the library, and I bought the lastest Shopaholic book last month.


This book was recommended by Bonnie for the Something About Me challenge. I'm still trying to read books from that list.

also reviewed by kristi

BOOK: Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman

Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman

themed reading challenge

Bookies love to read books about reading, and apparently, writers enjoy writing about their love of books as well. This was a pleasant collection of essays, covering topics such as combining libraries between spouses, writing in margins, favorite pens, reading aloud, and second hand book stores.

I enjoyed Fadiman's stories of growing up in a family of devoted bibliophiles, who were fanatical about punctuation and obsessed with book trivia. A slim volume, perfect for an afternoon of easy reading, this book was ideal for my themed reading challenge: books about books.

BOOK: The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

themed reading challenge, Cardathon, more something about me


I loved this book! The imagination, the humor, the adventure, and Jane Eyre or rather Mr Rochester, black holes and warped time and literary detective Thursday Next, SpecOps of the LiteraTec Swindon Office.

I took my time reading this, because I enjoyed thinking about it during the day, and all the effects and jokes in the book, and wondering what would be next. I luxuriated in the story and can't wait to read the next one, Lost in a Good Book. Fforde has created a parallel, not quite right world that revolves around books. There were so many funny parts, and perfectly plotted events, I can't begin to summarize. The story involves a madman, and books that have 'soft' boundaries, where people and characters are moving back and forth, and Jane Eyre plays a pivotal part. I am so glad I read Jane Eyre last summer as it added immensely to my enjoyment, knowing that plot. It sounds weird, but Fforde knows what he is doing, and I was quite safe in his hands. I think I probably missed many jokes and allusions because this is packed full of goodness.

Example of small funny part: There are Baconians, knocking on doors in London like Jehovah Witnesses, trying to convince people that Francis Bacon wrote Shakespeare's plays. That was hilarious.

BOOK: The Case of the Missing Books by Ian Sansom

The Case of the Missing Books by Ian Sansom

a mobile library mystery

themed reading challenge

Israel Armstrong accepts a job as a librarian in Ireland. Things aren't exactly as they first seemed, as Israel is actually the librarian of the mobile library, and all the books, 15,000, are actually missing. And Israel is a bit of a boob.

The mystery is cute and there are funny passages as Israel tries to adapt to a very different life - he's a Jewish, vegetarian from big city London, used to coffee, papers, and civilization trying to live in a very small village with people who aren't very accommodating to him.

I found the interactions with Israel, while meant to be funny and show his ineptness could be a little uncomfortable. His boss in particular was so bossy and pushy, I found it difficult to believe it could happen, even to Israel. It is his job to find the missing books? Without calling the police? I realize it was necessary for the plot, and to set this up as a series, but it just seemed unfair. Maybe I took some of this a little too seriously, and it was meant to be more of a farce.

Final Verdict: cute little book, interesting characters, and the setting was great. There are more books coming in this mystery series which I might read, but it will be a library mystery book for me, not a buy it book. I'm not rushing to get the next book, but I would eventually read it.

* * * * * * * * *

Question: why do I have such trouble getting spaces in my blog spot entries? If I write a post, with spaces between paragraphs, and then post after preview, I never get my spaces. I have to save the draft, close the post, and then reenter through a draft/edit post, to get my spaces. Anyone else have this problem? Any solutions, or am I doing all I can?

In other news, another storm day! School was cancelled yesterday because of the impending storm, which never arrived, until today, so we are home again. Lots of correcting getting done, and a bit of reading too. A few panicked emails from students wondering on the status of their test that was supposed to be tomorrow (it is Friday) On the one hand, a storm day is great, but on the other hand, we only have next week before final exams, so the pressure will be on to cover the last chapter of material.

BOOK: 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff, 97 pages

themed reading challenge, another from something about me


Way back when, historia picked this as one of her Something About Me books because: Because I love reading anything about books - and I absolutely LOVED the movie. There were several glowing reviews at the blog by everyone who read this. I bought this one, big decision for me since it is a slim volume, to read for the Themed Reading Challenge, books about books.

What a delightful little collection! I didn't realize it was nonfiction until the end; I'm such a twit. Helene Hanff, a NY writer, begins a correspondence with a Marks & Co. in London. This book demonstrates a different time, before instant communication and was very charming. Helene would ask for a book, and they would find it and send it. Then, she would send a few dollars cash in the mail. They scrupulously kept track of the cents in credit and debit. Helene develops a relationship with the company, sending lots of packages to help the Brits through post war rationing. Travel was much more difficult in those days, as it is hard to imagine today she wouldn't just jump on a plane and hop over the pond to meet them.

It was also a different time in books and publishing, as Hanff was looking for books of letters and collections of essays, and specific editions of books. Or it just may be there is a whole world of book collectors that I am not familiar with at all. (seems more likely) I am also reading Remains of the Day right now; I am having difficulty adjusting to the 21st century since my reading life is decidedly early 20th century England. Both books would be excellent for Anglophiles with delightful slices of life in England.

If you enjoy books about books, or England, or need a quick read, you could try 84, Charing Cross Road. And there is also a movie? I must look into that.

BOOK: The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

Chunkster Challenge (545 pages), Themed Reading Challenge (books about books), Young Adult Challenge, Notable Books Challenge


A few comments:

1. I am an ostrich. I bury my head in the sand when I'm scared. I avoid, avoid, avoid to deal with things I don't want to deal with. That's why this book took me as long as it did to read. It was put down and left for several days at a time. As beautiful as the writing was, and it was beautiful, holy cow! As beautiful as it was, I could only read a few chapters at a time. Which surprised me, because I usually devour books when I read them, speeding through like a Tasmanian Devil, staying up too late to finish a page, a chapter, the whole damn book. But I had to protect myself from this book somewhat, because of the intensity of emotion.

2. I think I am done reading Holocaust books. They are awful, depressing, and the uplifting part of any book, that is always there, is only against the background of depravity and horror that I don't like to delve into. Again, the ostrich. I saw A Beautiful Life at the theater, and it was beautiful, but I remember this horrible, frantic feeling, about halfway through as the father and son were heading to the camp: What year is this? Is it 1944? or '45? How much hope can I hope for here? Because we all know how that whole thing turned out, and there aren't many good endings when you are headed for a camp.

3. Marcus Zusak writes the most beautiful, uplifting books. There is a hope on his soul of the beauty capable in humans even in the most horrific of settings. His writing gently caresses you while reading, saying there, there, we'll get through this and you will see what you should see. Have faith in me, and the human race: we are capable of great good.

4. Death may be one of the best characters I've ever read. His perspective on humans, and his gentle caring were the best part of the book. Such a terrific narrator for life in Germany during the Holocaust.

5. I liked the divisions of the book, into ten books with little chapters within. It made it easier for me to read, (see note 1), and when I saw the significance at the end, it was even better. Again, Zusak is an amazing writer.

6. After the end of the book, go back and reread the Prologue. It is probably a good idea with most books, but by the end, the beginning made so much more sense.

7. Do we need a summary? Liesel is sent to live with foster parents in Munich at the beginning of WW2. Hans and Rosa take and love Liesel, as well as a Jewish man, Max, in their basement. Liesel touches a few characters, especially Rudy, her neighbour who dresses up like Jesse Owens and runs, and the Mayor's wife, keeper of the library, around which much of the novel revolves, and Max. Death is always around. Books and words are very important, as they should be.

8. Extra Credit Assignment: Compare Hans and Rosa to Matthew and Marilla in Anne of Green Gables.
Both take in an orphan, damaged, looking for love and support. Matthew and Hans immediately know how to love, unabashedly, the little girl thrust in to their lives. The child has an immediate connection to the Hans and Matthew. This is where the phrase 'kindred spirits' comes from. Marilla and Rosa are brisk, not showing overt displays of love, and it seems unclear what the relationship is between the Marilla/Anne and Rosa/Liesel. However, in both cases, they show their emotions less freely, but with no less passion and devotion. Their love of the girls, and Hans and Matthew, are the most touching moments of the books, because it is more unexpected.

9. War is no good. Both sides lose, everyone loses. Except Death. He does very well in wars.

BOOK: Housekeeping vs The Dirt by Nick Hornby

Housekeeping vs The Dirt: Fourteen Months of Massively Witty Adventures in Reading by Nick Hornby

themed reading, essays (mini challenge)

This would be the sequel to The Polysyllabic Spree, Hornby's collection of essays from the Believer, something I've never read. When I originally read the Spree, I thought I read a lot of different books, but I recognized very few of the books Hornby read and even fewer of the books he bought - two separate categories, as we all know. His writing was still hilarious, as if he understood the voice in my head and knew how to tickle it. Two years later I'm reading the sequel and my book intelligence quota (B.I.Q.)has risen immensely.

Several excerpts are included: Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell(I've read); Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris (I want to read and had heard of ); Persepolis, a graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi (which I recognize the name of from the Graphic Novel challenge); Citizen Vince by Jess Walters, plus a few more. But it is Hornby's essays as he studies his reading, and the writing of other books and his admiration of authors that keep me reading.

I wish I could analyse and discuss books as coherently and interestingly as he does. I can follow his train of thought but as soon as I try to explain what I just read, I can't. His logic is not my outline logic ( I organize ideas in classic outline form, with Roman numerals, letters, numbers, etc), but it still works. His defence of reading what you like makes so much sense - why struggle through a book you find difficult and are not enjoying? And then in another essay, he talks about buying a book because he'd like to be the guy who reads a book like that.

I think this is the book that So Many Books, So Little Time wanted to be, but wasn't quite there. It was very good, but Hornby is even better.

CHALLENGE: Themed Reading Challenge

Wendy, over at caribousmom, while not busy keeping everyone organized at A Novel Challenge, is coming up with interesting challenges as well. She has designed the Themed Reading Challenge, and everyone gets to make up their own theme. I am going with a decidedly nonimaginative theme of books. This one last for the first half of the year, and asks for at least four books. I have a big list of books that fit this theme that I might read, including:

• The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
• The Case of the Missing Books by Iam Sansom
• Housekeeping vs the Dirt by Nick Hornby
• 84 Charing Cross Road by Helen Hanff
• Booked to Die by John Dunning
• The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
• Reading Lolita in Tehran
• The Bookseller of Kabul
• Literary Murder: A Critical Case by Batya Gur
• The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
• Ex-Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
• The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett

This seems more ambitious than it actually is. Most of these books are from the Something About Me challenge list; not surprising that so many readers picked books about books to describe themselves. And several of these books are on other challenges I've signed up for. I thought I had written this all up months ago, because I already ordered a few books form amazon, and in my mind, the month of January will be devoted to reading these. I'm really looking forward to these books, especially The Book Thief. I find I like to read a challenge all at once, focus on one challenge for a month or so.

Wrap up for challenge is here