Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Where do I start with this novel...Not even sure of the genre really, but here goes my review!

Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (Who names their kid Ransom Riggs for real?!?) is his debut novel and it is an original story if nothing else. Set in the present and involving time travel to WW2, this story is about children who have fled the monsters of Europe and live in peace on an island off the western coast of England. Each child has a special gift ranging from the ability to levitate, start fire in the palm of one's hand, lift incredibly heavy items, speak with others but be entirely invisible etc.

Jakob, a boy from the present, is told by his dying grandfather to go back to the island, and help the children slay the monsters and stay safe. Jakob's family think that he is a troubled youth who is mentally disturbed and sees monsters. Check out the movie trailer which is not a spoiler:

The story twists and turns and is a very original. I have never read this type of novel, and I have to say that I enjoyed it quite a bit. It was unpredictable, and very entertaining. I thought the author did a wonderful job developing the characters and created a realistic world filled with demons and monsters.  It had some troubling parallels with the rise of Naziism and I found myself trying to figure out if the novel was a commentary on the triumph of evil over good, and the eradication of so many defenceless Jewish children by the Nazis.

The novel itself is really entertaining as Riggs includes many vintage photographs that were contributed by collectors. The photos compliment the story so well, and really fleshed out the story. Some of them are chilling, and I loved seeing them. I found myself wanting to read at all hours of the day, and I did think about the story throughout my day. Wikipedia classifies this novel as children's fiction...I think it's a bit scary for children so I would suggest young adults and older should give it a try.

Riggs is writing a sequel now called Hallow City, and it is planned for January 2014.

I recommend this one, and would love to hear what you think?

The Unlikely Pilgrimage is a Likely Hit!!!!

Value Village Rocks for
Great Title at a Fraction of the Cost!

While shopping at my favourite book store, Value Village, I found The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold
Fry sitting there, just waiting for me to bring it home! I love shopping at Value Village; the deals are just waiting to be found there. For those of you who don't know, VV is a thrift shop that sells everything from used clothes and furniture to housewares and books. It is truly a treasure trove for those who aren't afraid to dig a little. Any way, I found Unlikely Pilgrimage for a whopping $4, so I thought I would give it a whirl.



Right from the first page, author Rachel Joyce had me hooked, and I loved every page there after!

Here's a summary courtesy of Goodreads: 

Harold Fry is convinced that he must deliver a letter to an old love in order to save her, meeting various characters along the way and reminiscing about the events of his past and people he has known, as he tries to find peace and acceptance.
Recently retired, sweet, emotionally numb Harold Fry is jolted out of his passivity by a letter from Queenie Hennessy, an old friend, who he hasn't heard from in twenty years. She has written to say she is in hospice and wanted to say goodbye. Leaving his tense, bitter wife Maureen to her chores, Harold intends a quick walk to the corner mailbox to post his reply but instead, inspired by a chance encounter, he becomes convinced he must deliver his message in person to Queenie--who is 600 miles away--because as long as he keeps walking, Harold believes that Queenie will not die. 
So without hiking boots, rain gear, map or cell phone, one of the most endearing characters in current fiction begins his unlikely pilgrimage across the English countryside. Along the way, strangers stir up memories--flashbacks, often painful, from when his marriage was filled with promise and then not, of his inadequacy as a father, and of his shortcomings as a husband. 

This novel uses different perspectives to develop the characters and lets the reader flesh them out. Rachel Joyce quickly develops the characters and is very skilled at creating dynamic portraits.

It's really well written with several plot lines being developed. There is some beautifully written passages that made me stop and think.

This book is a breath of fresh air. It is creative, original and so enjoyable. My copy will be shared with many, but I will have my name clearing stamped on the inside cover so that it always comes back to my "keeper" bookshelf!

Here is the Facebook page for this great novel:

https://www.facebook.com/unlikelypilgrimageofharoldfry

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

The Light Between Oceans by M.L.Stedman

It isn't very often that I read a book that troubles me, but I have to say that I'm really on the fence about

Not My Favorite Novel.

this one! This is the story of an infant who washes up on the shores of an isolated Australian island, and  is found by a lighthouse keeper and his wife. What ensues is a huge ethical dilema that is wrought with internal conflict and tension. Isabel, the lighthouse keeper's wife is barren and aches for a child of her own. When one arrives to the island, she instantly claims the child as her own and won't hear of returning the baby to her real mother.

Thus begins the harrowing tale of what to do.

Goodreads says:

M. L. Stedman's mesmerizing, beautifully written debut novel seduces us into accommodating Isabel's decision to keep this "gift from God." And we are swept into a story about extraordinarily compelling characters seeking to find their North Star in a world where there is no right answer, where justice for one person is another's tragic loss.

Contrived Novel, Just Like this Picture

It was a well written novel, but I couldn't help feel that the author was really manipulating the reader's emotions. It was a little over done. I found myself losing my train of thought and stumbling through the novel because it felt too contrived.  I kept putting down after a few pages and wanting to get away from it.

I know my friends enjoyed this one very much, but I am not a huge fan.

I have already begun my next novel...And I hope it doesn't slow me down as this one did.

The Perfect Crime...A Perfect Thriller!

During my weekly trip to my local library, I make a point to check out the "de-circulated" book shelf...It's like the library book graveyard, where books that haven't been signed out a lot, get the chop (for no good reason other than shelf space for crap--see my last blog post and you'll understand). Our local sells these slow movers for a mere 25 cents (paperbacks) while hard covers run a buck each (Criminal isn't it, and no wonder writers are starving). 

After a little looking, I uncovered a novel called A Perfect Crime by Peter Abrahams. I bought this novel because on the front dust cover, Stephen King is quoted as citing Abrahams as the best American suspense author of our times. NOW THAT'S HUGE PRAISE. I bought it for a buck and boy, was that a dollar well spent.

The Perfect Crime is the story of the affair between Francie and Ned who are both married to other people. Everything gets more and more complicated as their lives become entwined. Deception, jealousy, madness and murder...this one has it all!!

I read it in a couple of days...and I have to admit that the second half of the novel was much more entertaining than the first half.  Francie's husband Roger, is an arrogant prick who might drive Mother Theresa to adultery. Anne, Ned's gentle and ever kind wife is a lovely woman...maybe a bit too soft but alas, wonderful. This story gets the reader hooked in the first few pages and takes him on quite a good ride. 

Of interest is that Peter Abrahams has written 27 novels...How is that possible, and why haven't I discovered him before now? Am I that OTL?...

Here's a bit about Abrahams courtesy of Wikepedia:

Peter Abrahams (born 28 June 1947) is an American writer of crime thrillers. His works include Oblivion, The Tutor, The Fury of Rachel Monette, Hard Rain, The Fan, Crying Wolf, Last of the Dixie Heroes, the Echo Falls Mysteries, and Lights Out, the last of which was nominated for an Edgar Award for best novel. His literary influences are Vladimir Nabokov, Graham Greene and Ross Macdonald. Stephen King has referred to him as "my favorite American suspense novelist". Born in Boston, Abrahams previously lived in Ottawa and worked as a CBC television producer. He is currently living in Falmouth, Massachusetts on Cape Cod with his wife and children.

This is a great site for more info about this talented and prolific writer: 

http://www.peterabrahams.com/index.html

This novel is entertaining, and makes for riveting reading. I recommend it and have already lent it to my friend Mary! And by the way, I'll buy his next novel...I want to support his talent!

Random Picks and Pictures of Books

Here are a few quick pics of books that I came across this week.

I am within walking distance to my local public library. My daughter is becoming an avid and so we make it a weekly event to go and drift through the stacks and spend an hour looking at all the lovely books. While I was there this week, I took a few snaps of things that caught my eye.

Question: How much crap can one shelf hold?
Answer: Apparently, lots more than it should.

Does it even need a caption? Ugh.

My next cover pick: A couple of weeks ago, I took out a book called Novel About My Wife. It was a pick based purely on the appearance of the cover. (See my older Blog). Here's the next random book that caught my eye.

The Title Caught My Eye...

My Next Cover Pick...
Who Knows if it will Be Good

Refreshing...Water For Elephants

What a refreshing novel! In Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen takes the reader on a train ride through the life of circus entertainers of the 1920's. The story of a young veterinarian who runs away and joins the circus in an effort to avoid the reality of a terrible car accident that takes the lives of his parents.  After finding out that his parents have mortgaged everything that they own to put him through vet school at Cornell, he has an emotional breakdown and can't face his new reality.

Here's a quick summary courtesy of Teenink:

The story is told in a series of memories from Jacob Jankowski as a 93-year-old man in a nursing home. Twenty-three-year-old Jacob learns about his parents’ death in his final semester at Cornell where he is receiving a degree in Veterinary studies. He learns that his parents were deep in debt trying to pay for his Ivy League education. This was not unusual during the time period, The Great Depression in the United States. He breaks down and boards a slow moving train in the middle of the night. He learns later that the train belonged to the traveling “Benzini Bros Most Spectacular Show on Earth”. He earns a job tending animals. 

Jacob develops a precarious relationship with the head trainer, August and his wife, Marlena. Jacob falls in love with Marlena. August, a paranoid schizophrenic, becomes suspicious of their relationship and beats them both. Marlena refuses to be near August and stays in a hotel while not performing. This bothers Uncle Al, the owner of the circus and he summons Jacob to his quarters. There he threatens Jacob with the task of reuniting August and Marlena or having his two best friends and roommates “redlighted”*. (thrown to their death from the moving train during the night).

The story combines memorable characters, with a love interest, suspense, and one or two really exciting  "dust ups".  There is a great balance of adventure, action and solid character development.

I always know that I am onto a good book when I find myself waking up early, before the kids get up so that I can enjoy a quiet hour of reading before the busy day starts.  I highly recommend this one!

Villa Incognito by Tom Robbins

I discovered Tom Robbins' writing about 20 years ago. Mitra, a friend from my College St. days recommended his writing as a bit of fun reading. I started with Skinny Legs and All, and then read his more well known Even Cowgirls Get the Blues.  I still have my copies of both those novels on my office bookshelf. They were very entertaining, and I highly recommend them!

The always playful and quirky Tom Robbins continues to entertain his readers with Villa Incognito. One of the most inventive writers I have yet come across, Robbins unabashedly frolics with language. His endless literary jousting almost creates a new verbal sport. He runs amuck with alliteration, and is more verbose than Webster's thesaurus:

“Simultaneously a frantic, high-tech juggernaut and a timeless Asian dream, Bangkok straddles like no other metropolis the boundary between acrid and sweet, soft and hard, sacred and profane. It’s a silk buzz saw, a lacquered jackhammer, a steel-belted seduction, a digital prayer.”   

The language alone makes for a riveting read, that is like being on an amusement park ride with your eyes closed. There is no way of knowing where the story is going, and all the reader can do is sit back and enjoy the ride. You have to let Tom Robbins "happen".   His invented "tanukis" are a badger-like animal that speaks and understands english, boasts a scrotum as large as a parachute and is able to seduce even the most virtuous woman.


Just when Robbins lulls you into thinking that the entire novel is purely created for fun, he slips in a remarkable thought:

“It doesn't matter how sensitive you are or how damn smart and educated you are, if you're not both at the same time, if your heart and your brain aren't connected, aren't working together harmoniously, well, you're just hopping through life on one leg. You may think you're walking, you may think you're running a damn marathon, but you're only on a hop trip. The connections gotta be maintained.” 

There is no doubt in my mind that he is a creative genius, albeit playful and "out there"! (I won't even attempt to analyze the possible social commentaries that his work makes...I'll leave that to the academics.)

But besides the fun, I have to admit that the story fell apart a bit in the middle. I was lost trying to find the plot's progression, and I found myself skipping paragraphs of description. I found it a bit waffling at times, and needed the story to have more momentum. 

Sadly, I doubt that Robbins will ever achieve mainstream popularity. He touches on taboo subjects so frequently, that I almost think he is making a sport flying in the face of our cultural norms. Some of the more controversial topic include the medicinal use of heroine, interspecies copulation (animals with humans), desertion from the US Armed Forces, the ineptitude of the CIA.

I really enjoyed this entertaining work. Tom Robbins is an original. I'm leaving off with a final thought from Tom Robbins...Probably a good way to conclude:

“Why," Tanuki grumbled, "would they fell trees but leave men standing? Trees are a damn sight more useful than people, and everything in the world knows that but people.” 

Novel About My Wife by Emily Perkins

Never Know What I'm Getting!!!

Once in a while, I go shopping in an Asian supermarket, where I can't read the signs and hardly know what I'm looking at! The produce are totally different from what I'm used to seeing in my local grocery store, so it's a real adventure. On rare occasion, when I'm feeling daring, I'll pick up "mystery" package of food, and try to eat it without having the faintest idea what I'm consuming. (Thank god
I haven't stumbled into eating mothballs just yet!)

 Cover that Caught My Eye

Anyhow...Last Tuesday, I spent an good half hour at my local library simply browsing the stacks, and I came across a novel with that intrigued me. First thing, the title caught my eye: Novel About My Wife. Not "A Novel", but simply Novel. I found it a big jarring. That was followed by the fact that the authors name was clearly Emily Perkins, not Emile or Edward. I picked it off the shelf and gave it a quick peak. Cool cover: a gaunt looking redhead standing ascu wearing a simple cotton slip.

I had to open it and see what it was about. The first sentence is probably one of the best first lines I have ever read: "If I could build her again using words, I would: starting at her long, painted feet and working up, shading in every cell and gap and space for breath until her pulse couldn't help but kick back into life." Very clever writing. I could only wish to write a line as beautiful as that!

Well, I was sold. I had judged a book by its cover, and I decided that I would give this one a try. I laughed to myself, because it was like a package of Chinese dried goods...I had no idea what I was getting myself into!

Here's a quick summary courtesy of Goodreads.com:

"From one of Britain’s most exciting young writers comes the story of a couple’s emotional and complicated relationship … from the husband’s perspective. Novel About My Wife is narrated by Tom Stone as he searches through the mysteries his wife has left him with. The reader is left to discover what dark thing has come between him and his beloved partner.  

Tom Stone is, as well as being cheerfully neurotic, madly in love with his wife Ann, an Australian in self-imposed exile in London. Pushing forty and newly pregnant, they buy their first house in Hackney. It seems they are moving into a settled future, despite spiralling money troubles. But Ann is dogged by a local homeless man whose constant presence comes to feel like a terrible omen. As her pregnancy progresses Ann finds solace in her new friendship with Kate, a woman Tom is both repelled by and peculiarly drawn to. Their home is beset with vermin, smells and strange noises. Is this normal for London, or is the measure of normality in this city actually mad?"

I really enjoyed this novel. It was well paced, and I was drawn to keep reading. The protagonist is a bit frustrating, as he's a bit of a lame duck writer who needs to get a steady paying job. (God bless my solid husband!) He has a good heart though tries to help his wife who is struggling to hold onto her sanity.

I would try another of Perkins' novels...It was a pleasant surprise!

(Emily Perkins and I are born in 1970. She's from New Zealand and currently lives there with her family. I'm from Canada...and the winter feels like it may never end!)

I Shall Not Hate by Izzeldin Abuelaish

A Must Read.

I am a middle aged, suburban mother of 3 who has never paid much attention to the ongoing conflicts in the middle east. I have always been confused about who exactly the Palestinians, Israelies, Hamas, Gazans and PLO are. I don't pretend to be an expert on any of these groups, nor do I know more than the average Canadian citizen. To call me ignorant in this area would be complimentary. In fact, I would say that I know next to nothing about this topic, so here goes:

I attended public school in Ontario, Canada. Here, what I learned was straight from the standard curriculum with little to no diversion. Current affairs were seldom incorporated into the classroom, so I can confidently say that I never learned anything about the middle east. We certainly never learned about middle eastern conflicts. After having read I Shall Not Hate by Izzeldin Abeulaish, I would suggest that this book be mandatory reading for all high school students. It is a mémoire of hope, pain, loss and determination to change a small part of the world; one man's story to make a difference.


Here's an overview courtesy of Goodreads.com:

At the Tel Aviv hospital where his 3 Daughters Died.

"I Shall Not Hate is Izzeldin Abuelaish's account of an extraordinary life. A Harvard-trained Palestinian doctor who was born and raised in the Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza Strip and "who has devoted his life to medicine and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians" (New York Times), Abuelaish has been crossing the lines in the sand that divide Israelis and Palestinians for most of his life - as a physician who treats patients on both sides of the line, as a humanitarian who sees the need for improved health and education for women as the way forward in the Middle East. And, most recently, as the father whose daughters were killed by Israeli soldiers on January 16, 2009, during Israel's incursion into the Gaza Strip. His response to this tragedy made news and won him humanitarian awards around the world. Instead of seeking revenge or sinking into hatred, Abuelaish called for the people in the region to start talking to each other. His deepest hope is that his daughters will be "the last sacrifice on the road to peace between Palestinians and Israelis."

Izzeldin Abuelaish

Abuelaish is a Gazan doctor who is determined to work with Israel to improve the living conditions for the Palestinian people. He believes that the medical community has a central roll in improving the public health conditions of this war torn region. He explained that for years and years, Israel and Palestine have fought over the Gaza Strip. This tiny piece of land has been the centre of so much bloodshed and war.  This land's history is so complicated that it's hard to know who and what is justified, and what motivated each hostile action. He believes that rather than looking to lay blame, we need to acknowledge the personal costs and losses that both sides have suffered. We then need to settle this dispute and establishing peace for the next generations.

This book is a good starting point for anyone who has never taken a close look at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I accept that Abulaish undoubtedly has his own politicized perspective to a certain extent, but I found his story very compelling, and informative. I was able to follow his overview of the issues, and I was able to understand the various factions.

I am open to learning other perspectives about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, so if anyone would like to make suggestions as to my next readings on this topic, I would be most receptive.

Palestinian child among the rubble

The imposed embargoes by Israel against Palestine  that have essentially choked the vitality from the majority of the population. I was staggered to learn that 70% of the population in Palestine live in abject poverty. I had no idea that running water and working filtration systems are a luxury that are threatened by the lack of parts needed to maintain these systems. How shameful.

Here are a few passages that I highlighted during my reading that I want to remember:

"One of the ways to alter the status quo is to look to the women and girls. It's easy to find a thousand men in favour of war; it's difficult to find five women who are inclined that way...The mother is the school. If you prepare this school with the right equipment, the students will be smarter and more successful and so will the nation...The evidence beyond doubt that investing in women and girls is the way forward out of poverty and conflict." page 118-119

Of the soldier in the tank that fired on and killed his 3 daughters and 1 niece: " 'What have I done?" And even if he doesn't think that now tomorrow he will be a father. He will suffer for his actions when he sees how precious is the life of his child...Hatred is an illness. It prevents healing and peace." page 167

Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca

Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca that takes place between the seventh and twelfth days of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar. This is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world; every able bodied Muslim is required to make the trip at least once in his or her lifetime.

This novel has made me think.

I am left with the thought that armies do not resolve wars, individual people who decide not to fight resolve wars. Abuelaish has made me think about the Middle Eastern conflict for the first time, and I hope to learn more.  I am open to learning other perspectives about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East also, so if anyone would like to make suggestions as to my next readings on this topic, I would be most receptive.

I encourage  you to read this memorable book.

eReader Vs Old Fashion Book...

Fancy Pants Tech is Great When It Works!

Kobo, iPad, Kindle, iPhone...Which ever device you use to read your "books", we all have our preferences.  I bought a Kobo eReader several years ago...certainly long before the iPad came to market. Since then, I have used different eReaders, and I'm now weighing in to the debate: eReader vs. traditional paper books.

Bought from Chapters, my Kobo came with 100 classics preloaded. I immediately felt that I had access to so many good reads no matter where I was. I also purchased and loaded a few more current books and downloaded a couple of novels that were offered for free. It was great to be able to carry 120 books around in my purse! No doubt, I enjoyed the portability of the Kobo from the start.

Yes, the Beaches are This Beautiful

Then I went on vacation with my husband to St Lucia. I thought that I had found the perfect combination of travelling companions: Claudio who likes to sleep undisturbed in the sun and the Kobo who will keep me from disturbing him! St Lucia is a fabulous place boasting an endless assortment of beaches and coves that are perfect for an afternoon of reading in the sun or shade. It was perfect having the Kobo in my beach bag. We were planning on lounging on the beaches and I was set for a ton of reading.

I began by finishing of Elegance of the Hedgehog, and was just getting into Still Alice, when the unthinkable happened. Yup.  You know what I'm going to tell you. Smash. Safely tucked away in my beach bag, my trusty Kobo didn't stand a chance against the unmoving volcanic rock that I dropped it on. I don't know what I was thinking when I plonked my bag next to my chair (actually, I was probably thinking about what drink I was going to order from the bar, or maybe I was thinking about whether to reapply some sun screen).  Anyway--truth be told--I wasn't thinking anything important, when I dropped my Kobo on the ground and smashed its screen.

Boom...There it was...End of my vacation reading. Just like that. Next item on the agenda?

How about a bunch of waiting for my husband to wake up and "....do something with me?" Yah right. The only person who felt more disturbed by this technical difficulty was Claudio. "What do you mean you have nothing to read? What do you mean you want me to keep you company now?" When the penny dropped, it was a bit like the end of the Fantasy Island vacation! In desperation, I ended up buying a shlocky paperback from a hotel lobby that basically annoyed me from start to page 132. I couldn't take any more, and went cold turkey for the balance of the vacation.

My Vote Goes to the Old Fashioned Book!

So here's my verdict. I enjoy eReaders for the portability that they offer, but when the chips are down, there are very few technical glitches that will get between me and my favourite paperback while on vacation. When push comes to shove, I will always travel with a couple of traditional books over the Kobo. I just don't ever want to be left on vacation without a good book!

You Before Me by Jojo Moyes

And now, for my March Break Survival read...

This novel was recommended by a fellow hockey mom who is also an avid reader.  At weekend games, we like to compare notes on our most recent reads.  Based on her direction, I downloaded this one onto my iPad and read it over the March break.  

Here's my summary (Spoiler Alert): 

Pretty basic Pygmalion plot with Eliza Dolittle or "Louie" as caregiver to young, handsome, upper crust British  quadriplegic "Will".  Louie is an awkward, but charming younger woman who lacks self confidence and it looking for direction in life.  Will is surly and caustic  and treats her dismissively.  Unbeknown to her, Louie is hired by Will's mother to cheer him up and change his mind about his pre-arranged assisted suicide.   Louie eventually finds out about Will's plan to end his life.  She then takes on the 6 month challenge of saving him by changing his mind about ending his life.  Her plan is simple:  show him a good time and demonstrate all the great things quads can do. In the course of her efforts they fall in love which ultimately drives home Will's resolve to end his life because he feels he is unable to love Louie the way he would like.   

There is little doubt from the beginning where this novel is headed and it's just a matter of time before a smouldering romance emerges between these two characters.  I appreciate the attempt to paint a non-traditional romance between able bodied and disabled characters.  There is surely not enough representation in fiction of disable characters and how they cope with real life.

Primarily though, my criticism is that it was all a bit simplistic.  It's a modern day Pygmalion plot that is terribly predictable.  While Moyes lures the reader into the story and keeps them turning the pages (a la John Grisham style), I couldn't help feeling that this book was written to be produced into a screen play. I couldn't help seeing it play out as such in my mind.  

Personally, I don't really enjoy Grisham style writing.  I would much rather read a novel that is a bit more challenging, and watch screenplays on the big screen.  

It's time for some Non-Fiction. Stay tuned!!!

The Imposter Bride by Nancy Richler

Shortlisted for the 2012 Giller Prize, The Imposter Bride was one of the hot books at my Book Club's Christmas Exchange this past December. It made it's way around the room at lightening speed, and eventually went home with someone else (I can't find my meeting notes right now! and no, I don't keep notes...no worries!!!)

I bought this one and enjoyed it quite a bit. I have been spending a lot of time at the hockey arenas lately with 3 kids playing winter hockey, I am invariably at an arena at least 3 times a week. When tournament season hits, it's awful--the expectation is for the players to arrive an hour early, and then play for an hour. Rather than squander the time away, I like to find a quiet spot and bang off a few chapters when possible.

The Imposter Bride kept me company this week, as my daughter Abigail was playing in the Leaside March Madness Tournament. Their team didn't fair very well, but I made good progress with my book!

Here's a quick summary provided by Book Browse:

"An unforgettable novel about a mysterious mail-order bride in the wake of WWII, whose sudden disappearance ripples through time to deeply impact the daughter she never knew. 
The Imposter Bride blends gorgeous storytelling and generation-spanning intrigue in the story of Lily Azerov. A young, enigmatic woman, Lily arrives in post-WWII Montreal on her own, expecting to be married to Sol Kramer. But, upon seeing her at the train station, Sol turns her down. Out of pity, his brother Nathan decides to marry her instead, and pity turns into a deep - and doomed - love. But it is immediately clear that Lily is not who she claims to be. Her attempt to live out her life as Lily Azerov shatters when she disappears, leaving a new husband and a baby daughter with only a diary, a large uncut diamond - and a need to find the truth. 
Who is Lily and what happened to the young woman whose identity she stole? Why has she left and where did she go? It's up to the daughter Lily abandoned to find the answers to these questions, as she searches for the mother she may never find or truly know." 

(I actually take issue with the term "mail-order bride" as stated in the above review.  It's an awful, pejorative term that really doesn't have any place in describing the influx of immigration to Canada of young adults who are left without family after WW2.)  

From the author's own website, here's a much better summary:

"In all my writing I explore the slipperiness of morality and identity in the face of extreme loss and threat, though the settings and circumstances change with each novel. The Imposter Bride is set in the postwar Jewish community of Montreal, the setting of my own childhood. Here, too, one of the igniting sparks was an event in my family history: My paternal grandmother immigrated to Canada for the purposes of marriage, only to be rejected by her prospective bridegroom at the moment of her arrival in Montreal. The young woman who arrives in Montreal at the beginning of The Imposter Bride faces the same crushing rejection that greeted my grandmother at the start of her new life in Canada, but her circumstances are entirely different. The arrival I depict in that opening scene is drawn from my mother’s descriptions of greeting relatives who came to Montreal in the late forties, having survived the Second World War in eastern Europe. The Montreal that I describe grew out my own experiences and memories of a community where loss and dislocation lay at the core of so many people’s lives."  http://www.nancyrichler.com/bio.html

Here's a brief interview with the author about her latest work:  

I enjoyed this story. It was mysterious, and engaging. The author draws clear characters and describes several distinct perspectives during the course of several years. I was fascinated to explore the issue of child abandonment and the fall out created by such unnatural actions. I truly saw the depth of Lily's despair and grief, and Richler does an excellent job of painting the picture of a young woman who is struggling with PTSD. There was no such label for shell shocked civilians in the late 1940's but there was an entire generation and their families were left to pick up the pieces.

This story also examines the effect on the daughter who is left to grow up without a mother. Ruthie is a resilient child who questions why Lily simply walked out of the apartment and never returned. She internalizes a great deal of guilt about not having a mother and imagines the negative reactions of others. 

It was a well written novel and I would recommend it as a good read. I will read her first novel Throwaway Angels because I believe that the media may have passed over it as a result of the sexual orientation of the protagonist....I'll let you know what I think!

Noteworthy Business Books from Vegas!

Just back from the International Re/Max Conference in Las Vegas NV, and I can tell you that Vegas is NO place to read. I brought my book Cutting for Stone, and tried several times to steal away for a few quiet chapters, but alas, no luck. It didn't matter if I was in Starbucks or sitting alone at the breakfast table, the noise, distraction and constant interruption conspired against me. Thank goodness it's a 5 hour flight for Toronto, so in the end, I was able to really "fly" through my novel once we were in the air. (I have already finished my post on Cutting, and I highly recommend it.)


Here's a topic that I have never blogged about before: Business Reading.

Now, for the most part, business reading--be it motivational, strategic planning or self-help, is typically pretty crappy reading. I have found that these books are often poorly written and are more a means of getting the author onto the TV interview circuit.

However, during the course of the conference, a few books were recommended and I would like to note them here as future possible reads:

• My Next Step by Dave Liniger, Founder and CEO of Re/Max International.  

• The Success Principles by Jack Canfield. Recommended by Dave Liniger.

• The Travelers Gift by Andy Andrews. Not sure about this one, but Andy Andrews addressed us at the conference, and I found him to be a very engaging speaker. I will give it a try and let  you know how I do!

• Deliver the Unexpected by Richard Robbins

Just Finished, But Didn't Want it to End!!!

Cutting for Stone is a Treat!  

Here's a summary of Abraham Verghese's novel courtesy of the New York Times Sunday Book Review, Feb 6 2009 (I'll leave the book reviewers to write the summary, but I'm happy to offer my thoughts afterwards!):

"The plot of this big, dense book is fairly straightforward. Marion and Shiva Stone are born one dramatic afternoon in 1954 in Addis Ababa, the same day their mother — a nun, Sister Mary Joseph Praise — dies of complications from her hidden pregnancy. The boys are conjoined at the skull, yet separated at birth; they are raised by Dr. Kalpana Hemlatha, a forceful woman known as Hema, and Dr. Abhi Ghosh, both immigrants from Madras and both doctors at the hospital where the boys’ natural parents also worked. Missing Hospital, it’s called: “Missing was really Mission Hospital, a word that on the Ethiopian tongue came out with a hiss so it sounded like ‘Missing.’ ” They grow up amid the political turmoil of Ethiopia (its actual chronology altered slightly by Verghese to suit his fictional purposes), and in 1979 Marion flees, first to Nairobi and finally to New York, where he qualifies as a surgeon. Shiva, too, goes into medicine, specializing in treating vaginal fistula, for which work he is acclaimed in this very newspaper, a sure sign of his renown. Almost supernaturally close as children, the brothers become more and more distant as the novel progresses; they are dramatically reunited at its end — through the mysterious agency of the long-vanished Thomas Stone."

This summary doesn't spoil the story whatsoever, and I encourage you to read and enjoy it.
The following brief interview with Verghese will help explain the inspiration of his novel:



Cutting for Stone was a memorable treat: I found the language rich and flowing, the imagery enchanting and insightful. As a general rule, I do not mark a book. I know that markings distract subsequent readers, and so I really avoid this practice. However, in this novel, I just couldn't help but highlight a few passages that stood out for me. Here are a few lines that I really want to remember:

On the topic of death, what insight:  "...the tragedy of death had to do entirely with what was left unfulfilled." and as the novel's father figure struggles to impart the last of his insights to his son:  "He was teaching me how to die, just as he'd taught me how to live." and further along, "Death is the cure for all disease."

How true is this statement?: "Life too is like that. You live it forward, but understand it backward."

"Guilt leads to righteous action, but rarely it is the right action."

"Knowledge shall be promoted by frequent exercise
Art polishes and improves nature
Fortune is a fair but fickle mistress
Yesterday misspent cant be recalled
Vanity makes beauty contemptible
Wisdom is more valuable than riches."

And wouldn't our world be so different if we would live this idea more in our actions: "How we treat the least of our brethren, how we treat the peasant suffering with volvulus, that's the measure of this country. Not our fighter planes or tanks or how big the Emperor's palace happens to be."

On the lighter side, I caught myself laughing out loud when Matron chides Dr. Stone's cursing during a medical emergency: "Custody of the tongue." I have never heard this reproach, but it was memorable for me.

The following article written by Verghese explains how the author's work mirrored some of his personal experiences:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/apr/11/abraham-verghese-ethiopia-coup-1973

I hope you discover this work, and enjoy it as much as I have! 

In Progress: Cutting for Stone

Well, we haven't yet discussed this novel at our next book club meeting, so I won't spill the beans about it, but I am loving this story. I find myself stealing away to read a chapter or two at a time.

There's nearly a foot of snow on the ground here, and I am loving the trip to Addis Ababa that is the basis of this novel. To hear of the warm breezes and lush bougainvillea is a lovely, welcomed treat. I love novels that transport me to far away places.

I'm heading to Las Vegas tomorrow, and will take this one with me on the plane. It's about a 5 hour flight and I plan to polish this one off...it's been a pleasure so far. I'll write more upon my return.

A Post from My BFF Katherine Shea!!!



Best thing to come out of McGill
was my friendship with K.

Katherine is one of my best friends. We met back in first year at McGill University in Montreal. In the old Douglas Hall residence, she lived just across the lounge from me, and we became fast friends. We had a blast together when we were young. We'd go out dancing until all hours in places like The Lizard Lounge, and other fun night clubs. We made lots of great memories, most of which will never grace the pages of ANY blog!

Douglas Hall, McGill University

Although I didn't stay at McGill for the entire 4 years
(I left early due to aforementioned activities), Katherine and I have maintained a close friendship ever since. We have lots of great memories and I hope that we will have lots more in the future.

One of our common points, is our love of reading. When we get together, we always go talk about what we're reading or what we've uncovered. I recently asked Katherine about her favorite books, so she sent along this list, and I'd like to include this note from Katherine on my blog. I hope you enjoy some of Katherine's suggestions...I know there are several that she recommended to me, and I have since enjoyed! 

"Hi Claire,



Melissa, Me, Katherine & Alex
Oct 15, 2005

This is just a running list of books I love .. but my top ten? Hmmm…that’s really hard because I classify them differently in my head – Anne of Green Gables is from my childhood so I’ll always love them … Harry Potter series were the first books I shared with the kids and we talked about them incessantly ….. hmmm….some are sad and touching.. others I can’t stop thinking about – I’ve taken a stab at a top ten list for adults:
 
1. The Year of Magical Thinking (extremely sad but so touching and beautifully written..)
2. Touch
3. Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand
4. The Descendants
5. The Book Thief
6. The Kite Runner (I loved this one too!!!)
7. Sarah’s Key (Ditto)
8. Room (not a favorite but was entertaining)
9. The Help (fell asleep during the movie)
10. The Glass Castle (read it, but have forgotten the story line--hence the blog!)

You can include this on your blog in any way, shape or form you wish – I’m always happy to share the books I love! The Prodigal Summer isn’t on this list nor is The Red Tent because I only started this list about 2 years ago & I read those books a while ago. A Fine Balance and Such A Long Journey are two more I love but I read them ages ago … and The Poisonwood Bible …
 
Love
K"

I love you too Katherine!!!

CFUW and A Night with Robert Hough

Last night, I attended the CFUW Vaughan Chapter's Annual Winter Fundraising Dinner at the local Woodbridge Legion Hall. The night consisted of a hearty roast beef dinner followed by a presentation by Robert Hough, author of Dr. Brinkley's Tower.

Although I haven't yet read this novel, I couldn't help picking up an autographed copy of the fictional novel. It sounds like a fun tale about a larger-than-life conman from the 1930's.  I'll let you know how it goes!

Here's a little info about CFUW:

The Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) is a voluntary, non-profit, self-funded, non-partisan, non-governmental organization, which serves to improve access to education for women, for peace, justice, human rights and to support programs that improve the environment. This dedicated group is about 10,000 members strong in 112 clubs across the country.

If you’d like more information on becoming a member or to learn about the work done by the CFUW, visit www.cfuw.org.

The Butterfly House by Marcia Preston

Originally, I had planned to save this for summer reading, (see Dec's post), but I changed my mind. Having just finished Wally Lamb's novel, I was in the mood for something a bit lighter. (i.e. no killing, raping, cheating, insanity etc). I guess I avoided a couple of those  topics, but got another bid dose of the "neurosis"...

The Butterfly House was given to me at my Book Club's Christmas book exchange. It's not a book that I would have chosen myself, but that's why I looked forward to reading it! A Harlequin book (not the romance type), I have to admit having never read anything from this publishing house. That's the beauty of the book club...I am willingly forced to try new genres and read authors that I would have previously dismissed.

Here's a quick summary as per Goodreads.com:

"As a child, Bobbie Lee found refuge from her lonely life at her best friend's house. Rockhaven was a place of magic, colored by the butterflies that Cincy Jaines's mother, Lenora, studied. Her friendship with Cincy and Lenora soon became Bobbie's compass. But the tangled intimacies between them began to unravel, and in one night, Rockhaven became a place of unspeakable tragedy. Now, a decade later, the long shadows of that night continue to haunt Bobbie, despite her attempts to hide from the past. When a stranger with ties to Lenora and Cincy arrives at her doorstep, she is forced to confront the memories she has tried to avoid, and the dark secret at the heart of the tragedy slowly emerges"


Marcia Preston

This novel is an easy read. It's about two childhood friends who grow up together and both suffer from absent fathers. Their mothers are both struggling financially and they both have very little material wealth. While Bobbie Lee's mom struggles with severe alcoholism, Cynthia's mom takes on the nurturing role for both girls. Lenora is an unemployed butterfly researcher who conducts experiments on her sun porch. The central metaphor is thus established between Bobbi Lee's coming of age, and the butterfly's metamorphosis.

There is an interesting, brief interview with this author at: http://www.trashionista.com/2008/06/author-interv-1.html

The author also has a website that shows she is quite prolific: http://www.marciapreston.com/

Anyhow, this novel has left me yearning for a strong, stable and intelligent protagonist, who isn't loosing her mind, temper, husband or morality. As you can tell with my reading list, it's been a while since I've enjoyed a strong, solid female character.  Not sure if I'm on track with my next novel, but I'll let you know!