I was utterly transfixed by In the Heart of the Sea. Reasons I loved this book: It took place on a ship at sea. There was a shipwreck, and therefore much of the story was about survival (I love survival stories!). There was whale revenge. It was a true story that read like fiction. I … Continue reading In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick
Month: November 2015
Library Checkout November 2015
Hosted by Shannon at River City Reading. If all goes according to plan, my library use after this month will be dwindling. Starting in the new year I'm hoping to concentrate more on the books I own. There are so many good ones that I never get to because I keep putting books on hold … Continue reading Library Checkout November 2015
Novellas in November #2
Hosted by: Rick at The Book-A-Week Project, Laura at Reading In Bed, and Poppy at Poppy Peacock Pens. Quite a while ago, I don't remember when, I had heard that Jane Smiley's novellas were very good. Despite owning a couple of her books, I still haven't read anything by her, so I thought this might be a … Continue reading Novellas in November #2
Novellas in November #1
Novellas in November is being hosted by Rick at The Book-A-Week Project and co-hosted by Laura at Reading In Bed. There is also a Novella November going on over at Poppy Peacock Pens. I thought it would be fun to try to fit some in this year. Here are the first three I could get … Continue reading Novellas in November #1
Fallsy Downsies by Stephanie Domet
This book is delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the road with Lansing Meadows and Evan Cornfield as they made their way across Canada en route to Winnipeg, Manitoba where Lansing is to receive a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to Canadian folk music. (The title of Fallsy Downsies comes from the conditions of employment … Continue reading Fallsy Downsies by Stephanie Domet
Icefields by Thomas Wharton
... Mom said that in Jasper there used to be two sure signs that winter was over. One was the glacier lily poking up through the snow, and the other was Doctor Byrne stepping off the train. Icefields takes us to Jasper Alberta, where in 1898 Doctor Edward Byrne falls into an ice crevasse. While … Continue reading Icefields by Thomas Wharton
Year 2 of Reading CanLit
A couple of days ago, I was reminded by WordPress that my blog is now 2 years old. This year just flew by! Last year, for my 'blirthday', I focused on the Canadian content of my blog, since challenging myself to read more CanLit was the reason I started blogging. I'm doing the same thing this … Continue reading Year 2 of Reading CanLit
Canadian Poet, John McCrae
100 years ago, John McCrae, Brigade Surgeon and Major of the 1st Brigade Canadian Field Artillary, wrote In Flanders Fields after the death of his friend Alexis Helmer. In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce … Continue reading Canadian Poet, John McCrae
The Voyage of the Narwhal by Andrea Barrett
So long ago now, way back in the summer, I read The Voyage of the Narwhal. It was recommended to me by both Valerie and TJ after my plea for follow-up books to The Signature of All Things. It has only taken me so long to write about it because it's not a library book with … Continue reading The Voyage of the Narwhal by Andrea Barrett
Confidence by Russell Smith
Russell Smith's stories are full of the kinds of people and events that I don't usually enjoy reading about, and almost none of his characters are likeable. Yet, I felt strangely compelled to read on. And, he nails the dialogue. From a review at Now: "You may loathe his characters - almost all of them … Continue reading Confidence by Russell Smith
Consumed by Ink 