TOP TEN TUESDAY: My Movie TBW list

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted at The Broke and the Bookish and this week's topic is a Movie Freebie -- If we make TBR lists for books, how about a To-Be-Watched list of movies? I really don't watch a lot of movies so it was a little tough. I broke it up into two categories -  movies and documentaries, but it turns out nearly all of my movies are based on true stories. (Bridget feels real to me though!)

Movies I Wanted to See

Suffragette

The foot soldiers of the early feminist movement, women who were forced underground to pursue a dangerous game of cat and mouse with an increasingly brutal State.

Saving Mr Banks

Author P.L. Travers reflects on her childhood after reluctantly meeting with Walt Disney, who seeks to adapt her Mary Poppins books for the big screen.

Bridget Jones's Baby

Bridget's focus on single life and her career is interrupted when she finds herself pregnant, but with one hitch ... she can only be fifty percent sure of the identity of her baby's father.

The Imitation Game

During World War II, mathematician Alan Turing tries to crack the enigma code with help from fellow mathematicians.

Florence Foster Jenkins 

The story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York heiress who dreamed of becoming an opera singer, despite having a terrible singing voice.

In honour of Nonfiction November, and after a perusal of Netflix, here are some documentaries I would like to see:

Hoop Dreams

A film following the lives of two inner-city Chicago boys who struggle to become college basketball players on the road to going professional.

Sneakerheadz

An in-depth look into the exploding subculture of sneaker collecting and the widespread influence it has had on popular culture around the world.

Twinsters

Adopted from South Korea, raised on different continents & connected through social media, Samantha & Anaïs believe that they are twin sisters separated at birth.

Trophy Kids

The growing obsession of parents in the scholastic athletic competition of their children is the focus of this installment in HBO Sports innovative documentary series.

NON-FICTION NOVEMBER: Book Pairing

Week 3: (Nov 14 – 18) – (Sarah) 

Book Pairing: This week, pair up a nonfiction book with a fiction title. It can be a “If you loved this book, read this!” or just two titles that you think would go well together. Maybe it’s a historical novel and you’d like to get the real history by reading a nonfiction version of the story.

Here are two books I listened to this year that have Russia in common. I haven't read many books set in Russia, but they ones I have always make me realize that Russia is a very different country. So different. I read a lot of books from a British/North American background which informs my life experiences. Even books set in Africa are more relatable for me, which may be due to colonial influences. 

But Russian books, and this started for me with Edward Rutherford's Russka, and the people depicted are just foreign. Obviously, the more I read the less different they seem, but it always stands out to me.
Both books (and probably all Russian books) deal with the Communist regime, and the fall out from those policies. The level of totalitarism needed to maintain the government provides so much content - both fiction and nonfiction.

Symphony for the City of the Dead: Dmitri Shostakovich and the Siege of Leningrad - MT Anderson (YA Sync audiobook)

Most WW2 books I've read are set in France during the Occupation, or maybe London during the Blitz (I've read a lot of those!) so reading about the long three years when the Germans and the Russians were frozen in Leningrad was eye-opening. 

The book tells the story of a famous composer, Shostakovich and his love of Russia and the Russian people. He wrote commissioned songs for the government, but he also tried to appeal to the people. He was beloved by common Russians.

The stories of how people survived (or didn't) during the siege are horrific. Starvation is not pretty, and of course, as I learned watching Titantic, there are many ways to die in a disaster.

Telling the story of the siege through one famous person's experience was a nice personal touch to make the history come to life.

The Tsar of Love and Techno - Anthony Marra (audiobook)

I listened to this back in March and quite enjoyed it. I am partial to short stories, and this book was even better - short stories that are connected, but you don't realize they are connected until all of a sudden, a character shows up that you've already met. I realized it was going to be that kind of book. Awesome. 

The timeline is from 1930s Leningrad all the way through to present day, with much of it in Chechyna and covering some war times. Generations dealing with the years of KGB and Lenin and Stalin. 
Also, isn't the cover pretty?


(I copied the following summary of the stories from LT to help me remember this book)

An artist responsible for removing people from history.
Two ballerinas separated by a generation.
A quietly defiant man in love with a scarred and blind woman.
Two Russian prisoners of war.
Two young brothers living in a forest of metal.
A woman who was responsible for the execution of her own mother.
Young men seeking to avoid the war, and a father who will save his son by any means.

These are the characters that make up these stories.

NONFICTION NOVEMBER: Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat

It's that time of the year, November, when I get around to reviewing some of the nonfiction books I read or listened to this year. Here's a Canadian classic from March.

Never Cry Wolf - Farley Mowat (audiobook 4h, 52 min)
Adam Sims narrator

While there has been some criticism of Mowat's nonfiction writing, I won't let that get in the way of a great tale. 
In the 1960s, Mowat gets sent to the north to study the wolf, but mostly to gather information to support the removal of the wolf. Mowat lives near the wolves and discovers that they aren't vicious and they aren't eating the caribou. Turns out, the wolf is a social, interesting animal.

The writing felt a little dated to me, with some of the terminology and the style. But Mowat is a Canadian legend for a reason and this book is humorous and enlightening about the wolves. 

Also try: Owls in the Family, the story of Mowat's childhood in Saskatchewan, and his adventures with a pet owl. Perfect read aloud to children.

NONFICTION NOVEMBER: Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton

It's that time of the year, November, when I get around to reviewing some of the nonfiction books I read or listened to this year. This one is from February!

Hark! A Vagrant - Kate Beaton

Beaton is from Cape Breton and started her comics online. Her blend of literature and historical figures, plus Canadianism fit right in my wheelhouse. Some of these were very funny.

Laura Secord, Jane Eyre, Nikola Tesla, (and you know how I enjoy him); even Tycho Brahe with his fake nose get mentioned. The references come fast and furious and there were many I certainly didn't get. But if you enjoy irreverent humour from a vast range of sources, this might be for you. 
Each comic is short (3-4 panels) but is jam packed with ideas.

Sometimes an idea gets a series of comics. There was a whole section of guessing the content of a book based on the cover and title. I might have enjoyed this more if I were more familiar with many of the books, but this might be the point. Many of these seemed obscure and were chosen due to their terrible covers! Then Nancy Drew gets the treatment all for herself with the cover and a short synopsis. Then, imagine a Victorian sitcom. 

My take after this book is that Kate Beaton is a very well-read person with a broad range of knowledge and interests. Speaks well to one of our small Maritime universities, Mount Allison, her alma mater. Also, she should be more famous, in Canada, and elsewhere.

http://www.harkavagrant.com/ (Comics are posted here and archived. You can even buy a print if you want)

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Books I've Added to My (nonfiction) TBR List Lately

This week's theme from The Broke and the Bookish people is Top Ten Books I've Added to my TBR list lately. And since this is Nonfiction November, only nonfiction will be allowed! (just for me)  This is actually quite perfect, as I noticed a large number of nonfiction books at the GoodReads poll of best books of 2016, and I hadn't heard of very many of them!

Canada by Mike Myers

I am so pumped about this book! I am asking for this one for Christmas. Mike Myers raving about why he loves Canada? perfection

Patient H.M.: A Story of Memory, Madness and Family Secrets by Luke Dittrich

I think this is a book that was mentioned in Moonwalking With Einstein. About a guy with amnesia who was very studied

Grunt: The Curious Story of Humans at War by Mary Roach

Can't go wrong with Mary Roach, but I still haven't read Gulp, and that one looks really good!

Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman by Lindy West

Looks like a good book looking at the role of women

Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, from Missiles to the Moon to Mars by Nathalia Holt

Women in science, and the unknown women who didn't get the notice

The Immortal Irishman: The Irish Revolutionary Who Became an American Hero by Timothy Egan

I'm not even sure what this one is about, but I do like Irish history 

Seinfeldia: How a Show About Nothing Changed Everything by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong

One of my all time favourite TV shows. Very seldom does a day go by that a Seinfeld episode is not quoted in our house

Hillbill Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by JD Vance

This might be a little too American for me, but I'll give it a try.

As You Wish by Cary Elwes

I'll be waiting for the audiobook version of this one, for sure!

Unseen City: The Majesty of Pigeons, the Discreet Charm of Snails & Other Wonders of the Urban Wilderness by Nathanael Johnson

There is so much more to cities than steel and concrete

NONFICTION NOVEMBER: Choosing Nonfiction

Week 2: (Nov 7 – 11) – (Rachel) 

What are you looking for when you pick up a nonfiction book? 
I like a wide variety of books and learning about new things. I also want the writing to be enjoyable. Sometimes a narrator I like is enough to make me pick up an audio NF book.

Do you have a particular topic you’re attracted to? 
I lean to science books of many kinds, including social science. There have been several books I've read in the last few years that have to do with brain research - the amygdola for example, was a common thing in books for me one year. The brain is fascinating. I also like biographies or memoirs from famous people or even interesting unfamous people. But a well written book on any topic is the main thing. 

Do you have a particular writing style that works best? 
Narrative nonfiction, nonfiction that tells a story within the information tends to appeal to me the most. Strict science info can get deadly, but throw in some anecdotes and I'm interested. If there can be some humour as well, I'll probably love it.


When you look at a nonfiction book, does the title or cover influence you?
Yes. A clever title will draw me in. Like How I Killed Pluto, and Why It Had It Coming by Mike Brown or We Need to Talk About Kelvin are two scientific titles that I noticed, and then the book was worth while as well.

If so, share a title or cover which you find striking

All of the Dava Sobel titles are gorgeous. The gold not coming through on the blog, but have a look for any of her titles - all beautiful. Plus, her books are really good too!
Check out the covers for Galileo's Daughter, Longitude, Planets, and A More Perfect Heaven: How Copernicus Revolutionized the Cosmos

The colours attract me, and the Memory Palace idea is a big concept in the book. I looked at this one at my library for a long time, mostly because I liked the rows of colours.

How could you not love this cover?

NON-FICTION NOVEMBER: Your Year in Nonfiction

I had such fun last year with Nonfiction November, I definitely wanted to participate again.
Each week has a different topic related to nonfiction. I don't read very much nonfiction, but this event reminds me of all the books I wish I had read.

Your Year in Nonfiction: Take a look back at your year of nonfiction and reflect on the following questions – 

A Neighbourly War: New Brunswick and the War of 1812 - Robert Dallison
Dead Wake - Erik Larson (audiobook)
The Frozen Thames - Helen Humphreys
Hark! A Vagrant - Kate Beaton
Never Cry Wolf - Farley Mowat (audiobook)
Yes Please - Amy Poehler (audiobook)
Divine Collision - Jim Gash (audiobook)
The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial - Peter Goodchild (audiobook)
Boy Born Dead - David Ring (audiobook)
Moonlighting With Einstein - Joshua Foer (audiobook)
Mandela: An Audio History (audiobook)
Symphony for the City of the Dead - MT Anderson (audiobook)
This Boy's Life - Tobias Wolff (audiobook)



1. What was your favorite nonfiction read of the year? 

The Frozen Thames by Helen Humphreys was a wonderful book! It was in the nonfiction section at my library, but I've also seen it labelled as historical fiction. Humphreys looks at each year that the Thames froze over and different events that occurred during that time. Sometimes it would be thirty years between freezing, so it was always an event.

If it doesn't count as nonfiction, my next favourite book was probably Moonwalking With Einstein by Joshua Foer. Foer investigates (and participates) in the competitive world of memory and also how memory works. There were a couple other books mentioned in the book that made me want to look into.

2. What nonfiction book have you recommended the most? 

Other than The Frozen Thames, none of the books were that memorable that I'd recommend. They were all okay, but few had that compelling narrative voice. Although, Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton was a pretty good comic, even if her blend of literature and history and Canada was a little obscure.

3. What is one topic or type of nonfiction you haven’t read enough of yet?

I didn't get much science nonfiction read this yeawhich usually like to do. I also didn't read many memoirs.
Many of my books were from the YA Sync free audiobook program from the summer and I still have a couple left to read. YA Sync certainly exposes me to books I wouldn't read on my own, like Symphony for the City of the Dead, about the Seige of Leningrad, which had some truly horrific scenes in it.

4. What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?

Reflecting on the books I read, finding out some of the new, good nonfiction books around from this year, and trying to review some of the books I never got around to reviewing.

BOOK: The Trespasser by Tana French

The Trespasser by Tana French

review copy from Random House Canada

The most unique mystery series - The Dublin Murder Squad. Each book 'stars' a different detective, usually someone who had a minor role in the previous book. Such a brilliant idea. (I will spend the next several weeks thinking in Irish, jaysus)

Plot. Characters. Writing. A strong element of any of these is all a reader really needs but Tana French delivers on all three. A lovely twisty plot that makes you think you are sure where it is going, but then changes direction. Characters so vivid, whether you want to like them or not. Gorgeous writing.

Antoinette Conway and Steve Moran are the two young pups on the Murder Squad. Each have something to prove and want to belong, but Conway, as the only woman, is in tough trying to fit in. (I vaguely remember Moran from the last book, The Secret Place. My only complaint about the French books is the time between them! I don't remember the last detectives like I wish I could.)

After a night shift, Conway and Moran get assigned a murder of a woman found in her home, dead. To complicate matters, a more experienced Detective Breslin gets assigned to 'help' them out.

A main theme throughout the book is how ideas in your head, the stories you tell yourself, affect how you see the world around you. Your own paranoia determines how you interact, whether true or not. This is happening to all the detectives, the victim, and the suspects. So, a few red herrings to keep the story going and cause bad decisions.

Each book in this series is getting better and tighter. The first few books had some ramblings, but each new entry is better than the last. The politics of the office, the interactions between the detectives, and the effects this has on the  investigation add a whole new level to the mystery.

This was a really good read! (and I can't wait, already, for the next book)

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Books on My Fall TBR List

This week's theme from The Broke and the Bookish people is Top Ten Books on my Fall TBR List. I enjoy making these seasonal lists and have been doing well in getting to most of them. Sometimes the waiting list at the library plays havoc, but I base my list on some books I own, some library books, new releases, and ole stand-by series.

The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud

Library book 

The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith

#2 in Cormoran Strike series

own it

The Water Rat of Wanchai by Ian Hamilton

#1 in Ava Lee series

own it

The Last Policeman by Ben H Winters

#1 in The Last Policeman series

own it

The Trespasser by Tana French

new release

review copy requested

Queen of Hearts by Rhys Bowen

#8 in The Royal Spyness series

library book

Criminal by Karin Slaughter

#6 in Will Trent series

audiobook

Mislaid by Nell Zink

audiobook request #4 in line

The Wonder by Emma Donoghue

new release

I'm first in line when it comes in at library

I still have quite a few YA Sync audiobooks left to read, so I'll hope to listen to 4-5 of my remaining summer books. Juba!, The Young World, The Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man, Most Dangerous, This Boy's Life, Words in the Dust, Donny's Brain, The Omnivore's Dilemma, Bone Gap

BOOK: Last Days of Night by Graham Moore

Last Days of Night by Graham Moore, 357 pages (review copy from Randomhouse Canada)

Legal thriller, inventors/scientists, Nikola Tesla, historical fiction, quotes and chapter titles for all the chapters.

This book is ticking all my boxes and was a wonderful, easy read. The narrative style reminded me of Erik Larson's books like Devil in the White City and Dead Wake. Larson's books are nonfiction and this is technically a fiction accounting, but the basic characters and plot line are true. Moore includes an afterward and specifies where he changed from order of events to make the story flow better.

I've mentioned here and here my interest in Nikola Tesla, so a book with Tesla as a main character? Emphasis on the character part. In the notes after, Moore mentions that in today's world, Tesla would probably be diagnosed as schizophrenic. He was inventing wireless telephones! in the 1880s!

Graham Moore is the young guy who won the Oscar for screenwriting The Imitation Game and gave a heartfelt speech. He's written a great book here and now I want to watch The Imitation Game with Benedict Cumberbatch. Cumberbatch plays Sherlock Holmes, and Moore has also written The Sherlockian. Woo, I'm going in circles here. Quality circles.

Plot Summary: (from randomhouse website)
New York, 1888. Gas lamps still flicker in the city streets, but the miracle of electric light is in its infancy. The person who controls the means to turn night into day will make history—and a vast fortune. A young untested lawyer named Paul Cravath, fresh out of Columbia Law School, takes a case that seems impossible to win. Paul’s client, George Westinghouse, has been sued by Thomas Edison over a billion-dollar question: Who invented the light bulb and holds the right to power the country?

While I read this book from the science perspective, enjoying the development of the electrical system and the debate between alternating current and direct current, it turns out Cravath the lawyer is famous in law circles for the design of modern law firm, which it is posited he based on the scientific firms of the day. Cool. As if I wasn't enjoying this enough, at one point Cravath takes a trip to talk to a scientist who has actually beaten Edison, and he goes to Cape Breton! to visit Alexander Graham Bell! Bell moved to Cape Breton after inventing the telephone, and his home, as all good Maritimers know, is in Baddeck, Cape Breton. (Now a Canadian National Historic Site)

I hoped it would be a little more suspenseful, but overall, I really enjoyed this book. It read very quickly and even included a little bit of a romance. Since all the characters are based on real people, there are no stereotypical characters and while my review makes it sound like it does too much, it flows nicely and relies on 'truth is stranger than fiction.'

 

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Favourite RIP books

This week's theme from The Broke and the Bookish people is Top Ten ALL TIME Favorite Books Of X Genre  Since we are in the middle of Readers Imbibing Peril season, those books of mystery, suspense, thriller, golthic, horror or dark fantasy, that's my genre: scary books. I'm only picking my favourite books that I've read during RIP season. I realize I read many suspense and thriller  and mystery books all year, so the only way to make this a bit easier is to limit to actual challenge books.

2007

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Everything's Eventual by Stephen King (short stories)

never let me go by Kazou Ishiguro

The Thirteenth Tale Diane Setterfield

2008

Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith

2009 (both Canadians!)

Still Life by Louise Penny

No Time for Goodbye by Linwood Barclay

2010

Room by Emma Donaghue

Thirteen Hours by Deon Meyer

2011

Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King

And then there were none by Agatha Christie

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

2012

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane

Stiff: the curious lives of human cadavers by Mary Roach

The Calling by Inger Ash Wolfe

2013 (both audiobooks)

Mr Churchill's Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal

The Treatment by Mo Hayder

2014

Sharp Object by Gillian Flynn

The Secret Place by Tana French

2015

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman  on audiobook again!