The charming Mr. Bradley does it again, as this series just keeps getting better. Flavia is growing up a little and the tone is turning a little darkeThe charming Mr. Bradley does it again, as this series just keeps getting better. Flavia is growing up a little and the tone is turning a little darker. She learns more in this one about not just her mother but also the family history, getting a taste of what her role in her family - and for her country - is to become. Delightful as ever....more
This quick read about a pair of artists is itself a piece of art, with a lovely, poetic writing style. Told in the always bold 2nd person povNetgalley
This quick read about a pair of artists is itself a piece of art, with a lovely, poetic writing style. Told in the always bold 2nd person pov, it reads like a love letter from Simone to Otto. Otto is Simone's art instructor and is 25 years her senior, so as their relationship forms and develops, it becomes clear he is her instructor in more than just art. But six years later, Simone has lost her naivete and inexperience and we see a power shift between teacher and student, as between lovers. Philosophical and elegant, Ireland's latest is beautifully crafted and quietly powerful....more
Hmmmm. Giving this one a generous 3 stars. It took me a looooong time to get into it - too many other books on the go at the same time, and just not iHmmmm. Giving this one a generous 3 stars. It took me a looooong time to get into it - too many other books on the go at the same time, and just not in the mood for fantasy right now I guess. It has good elements of classic fantasy - starting in the real world then the main character stumbles into an alternate one. This part starts in a dreamlike way, as the Faitoren gradually seduce and enchant Nora, taking her from modern day, back in time through the '60's, '20's, and finally the more medieval style that is the setting for the rest of the book. This is one of my pet peeves here though - why does all fantasy have to be set in a medieval world? To me, this lacks imagination. If you're going to go through the trouble of creating entire new worlds, why not get a little more creative with it? Why are there always castles and sword fights and horses as the only means of transportation and women in long dresses and corsets and roast mutton with mead for dinner? Why not just set the story in medieval England but with fantastical elements? The other lacking element here is maps - all these fantastical, made-up lands - this one to the north, that one to the southeast - but with no visual aid for the relation of all these lands to one another. Once Nora finally does arrive in this main setting, the story doesn't seem to know where it wants to go. Nora is stuck and so is the reader. A couple of incidents occur, Nora either helps or stays out of the way, they travel here and there, then Nora starts learning magic. There's not much in the way of tension, no sense of direction for the plot, and you finally get to the end of the 500+ pages only to realize this is only the beginning of a series. It makes the opening scenes of Nora at a wedding in the real world seem irrelevant, and the couple of cuts back to her world feel out of place. Once she starts learning magic things get a bit more interesting and there is room for further development there in later installments. Many of the fantastical creatures and beings are well-imagined. There is also plenty of room for further character development, although, at well over 500 pages, one would assume we would know Nora pretty well by now, but, not so much. Can't say's I really care that much about her yet, and not so sure I would invest in another 500-page installment to try....more
There is only one genre in fiction. The genre is called 'book'.
That is one of the unnamed Vonnadorian narrator's 97 (prime numbFirstreads Giveaway ARC
There is only one genre in fiction. The genre is called 'book'.
That is one of the unnamed Vonnadorian narrator's 97 (prime number!) bits of 'advice for a human' and one many reviewers seem to be ignoring. Just because the protagonist of this sweetly brilliant book is an alien, does not automatically categorize it as sci-fi, and in fact doing so is a disservice. It is a book of fiction, pure and simple. About humanity - the title kinda gives that away, don't you think? It's about being on the outside looking in, seeing all the stupidity and ugliness that is the human race and falling in love with it anyway. It's about family - marriage, crazy teenagers - and how families are never perfect and require super-human levels of work, but how we love them anyway. It's about philosophy, religion and the pursuit of the never-ending question why. It's about the fear of death and the joy of life. It's about the evolution of wolves into the pets we call dogs. It's about mathematics, particularly the beauty of prime numbers. It's about poetry and its ability to capture and distill everything that it means to be human, especially the poetry of Emily Dickinson. I think I'll go read some now......more
A gripping and intriguing story of a young woman caught up in the heady times of college life as the world marches toward its 2nd World War; and the tA gripping and intriguing story of a young woman caught up in the heady times of college life as the world marches toward its 2nd World War; and the types of people around on campus in those times, doing their recruiting for various causes. She inevitably gets pulled toward communism by her interest in a man she meets through his vivacious cousin and winds up spying for Russia, supplying them with the blueprints for building nuclear bombs. After the War, she disappears to Australia and starts a new life, only returning to England many decades later, where MI5 finally catches up with her in her 80's. As naive as she appears in the beginning, she sticks to her beliefs throughout her long life, always certain she did the right thing, for and in, that particular time. The most interesting aspect of the story, I found, (especially knowing it's based in reality) is the fact that no one gave her the slightest suspicion - including her direct supervisor, who was in fact arrested for the crime - due simply to the fact that she was a woman. I love that! Makes you wonder what we can still get away with today, simply because we are 'just' women - ha! Anyone out there need a quiet,intelligent and observant, nearly invisible (because I'm a woman) spy? Sign me up!...more
Delijani's wonderful debut draws from her own family's history, and passion for her home country of IThis book was sent to me by NetGalley for review.
Delijani's wonderful debut draws from her own family's history, and passion for her home country of Iran. It is a series of intertwining stories, each section told from the POV of different family members affected in different ways and at different times by the revolution. Secrets are kept then revealed, history destined to repeat itself as the young people of Iran find themselves in a fight for their lives, 30 years apart. A fascinating and unsparing glimpse at families being torn apart in a brutal time and place, and the healing power of survivors coming together again. A story of interconnectedness, we are all branches of one tree....more
Been a while since I've read a Grisham, but this one brought me right back to some of those early ones that got us hooked in the first place - The FirBeen a while since I've read a Grisham, but this one brought me right back to some of those early ones that got us hooked in the first place - The Firm, The Client, A Time to Kill. Still the same snappy style, fast-paced and in-your-face. Thrilling and intriguing, taking us behind the doors, into the secret worlds of lawyers. This one - even though the main character is, or once was, a lawyer - focusses more on the federal government and its law-making/crime-fighting agencies - the FBI, the US Marshal service, US attorneys, etc. Malcolm Bannister has been wrongly convicted by the feds and is out to get back at them - in a big way! One of Grisham's frequent themes of the little guy taking on the big guns and getting justice, or revenge. Always works for him, and this one is no exception. Fun, quick read....more
Predestination and free will are at war in this exciting new novel by Shyam Selvadurai, as is the counThis is from an ARC sent to me by the publisher.
Predestination and free will are at war in this exciting new novel by Shyam Selvadurai, as is the country in which it is set - Sri Lanka - as is the family into which Shivan is born. As the growing conflict of his country and his family mirror each other, so Shivan must reconcile his own inner turmoil with these external forces. This is a family truly in conflict - Shivan is pulled in different directions by his mother and his grandmother, both of whom are deeply flawed and almost irredeemably unlovable. You almost hope Shivan manages to shed them and escape into his own life away from them all, but family duty, obligation, and yes, predestination, keep pulling him back. This story is at turns tragic and deeply moving, as well as exciting and energizing, as all these forces come into play, into conflict with each other, pushing and pulling. A beautiful tale of the depths of the human heart....more
It's amazing how many stories there still are from the time of World War II - so many different anglesThis is from an ARC sent to me by the publisher.
It's amazing how many stories there still are from the time of World War II - so many different angles and perspectives, so many lives affected, all over the world. And how relevant and searing these stories still are today.
This one is about a young Jewish boy living in Johannesburg after emigrating there with his family from Lithuania. At a time when Jewish people the world over are about to be persecuted on the grandest scale, life for them in Johannesburg is low - but of course they are still not the lowest of society. Isaac Helger as a child mixes easily with other children in the streets, until his mother realizes and quickly puts an end to those early friendships. With little education and plenty of naivete, Isaac blindly fumbles his way into young adulthood, unable to figure out why he continually runs into brick walls. His mother wants one thing for him and his father another, and he is caught in the middle, unsure of his own path. Of course, he makes many mistakes along the way, and in the dramatic climate of the time and place, these mistakes are much more significant and dire than they perhaps would be otherwise.
Bonert crafts an incredible story. He brilliantly captures the dramatic beauty of the South African landscape juxtaposed with the seething heartbeat of city life. He seamlessly blends the vernacular and nuanced cadences of all the people we meet in his Johannesburg streets and beyond - Hebrew and Lithuanian Jewish, mixed in with Colonial English, Afrikaans and Black. The cast of characters is as vast and varied and enriching as the setting. And the story moves at a breathless, heartstopping pace - coming in at well over 500 pages, it reads as quickly as something half that size.
In the bottomless well of stories of one particular time in history, this one stands out as it grabs you by the heart right from the beginning and does not let go right to the very end. Stunningly rich and powerful....more
I entered for the Firstreads Giveaway for this but didn't win, so Helen Ryan directed me to the free ebook giveaway at Kindle - thank you Helen! This bI entered for the Firstreads Giveaway for this but didn't win, so Helen Ryan directed me to the free ebook giveaway at Kindle - thank you Helen! This book is a fantastic companion for anyone working on some lifestyle makeovers. It is not a diet book, it is not an exercise book. Ryan directs you to the websites, gyms and books where you can look after that stuff yourself. There are no doctors or scientists quoted. No statistics shoved down our throats to scare us into eating better. No cheesy platitudes or rah-rah-rah cheerleading. Rather, it's simply Ryan's own story of losing weight and parlaying her new-found joy for fitness into a career as a personal trainer and spinning instructor, and the simple, every-day steps she took to get there. The '21 Days' in the title does not refer to a 3-week plan of diets and menus and workout routines to magically transform your body in less than a month. Rather, she lays out 21 new good habits you can start implementing into your lifestyle gradually - one a day, or month, or at whatever pace suits you. Very simple and straightforward with no BS or filler - starting from the basic common sense point of fewer calories in and more calories out equals weight loss, she lays out easy steps such as increasing your daily activity, making sure you weight train as well as doing cardio, making sure you eat a good breakfast; as well as giving you mantras, meditations, and questions to ask yourself to prompt self-reflection about your existing habits and address your fears. Each of Ryan's 21 habits is divided into 2 parts - one for the head, one for the body - because we all know about the mind games we play with ourselves while trying to make changes. So as well as advising us to do interval training to kickstart a flagging metabolism, she also has us stare down that snack we're craving and tell it, 'maybe later' then go do something else for a few minutes to get your mind off it. It takes time to establish new habits and 21 days of implementing these ones will set you on your way. In a very real, down-to-earth, easy to do, commonsensical way....more
I don't read a lot of YA but as long as the story is good, I'm in. This one is good! Yes, the main chaFrom a digital edition sent to me by the author.
I don't read a lot of YA but as long as the story is good, I'm in. This one is good! Yes, the main characters are teens, and there is plenty of teen romance and teen angst, but that is not the focus, nor is it cheesy or sappy the way a lot of YA can be. No, this is all character-driven plot. The 1918 post-war, pre-depression circus setting is unique and Kayne does a great job describing it and all the bizarre characters, sights, sounds and smells one associates with circus life. It is dark and dangerous and Laila seems in for it when she signs up on the spot, no questions asked and barely a backward glance. And we can hardly blame her, as bits from her past are gradually revealed. Maybe because of her own secrets she'd rather keep buried, Laila easily trusts and falls for Dex, even though everyone is quick to warn her about him and his dark, mysterious past. Does this make her foolish, and sure to get hurt? I suspect we'll find out more about mysterious Dexter and his twin Seth in the next installment. Enjoyable and engrossing, this beautifully descriptive tale can be recommended to anyone 11 and up....more
I very gratefully received this ARC from the publisher and proceeded to devour this 'only-in-Canada' true story of survival, tragedy and heartbreak, aI very gratefully received this ARC from the publisher and proceeded to devour this 'only-in-Canada' true story of survival, tragedy and heartbreak, and ultimate transformation. Carol Shaben had a difficult task with this as it is a deeply personal story - the surviving politician in the plane crash is her father - but she handled it brilliantly by sticking to the facts, and by heavily researching and presenting all sides to the story. The facts leading up to, during, and through the aftermath of the crash are perfectly counterbalanced by the stories of the struggles of the four survivors in such a way that one is never bogged down by the other. Shaben's writing is compassionate without melodrama, factual without being dry. The story itself is almost low-key, in a purely Canadian way - the survivors are humble and guilt-ridden and forgiving. What is truly compelling is the story of the rest of their lives, after the crash, how it changed each of them in fundamental - but each very different - ways, how it changed the trajectory of their lives. A classic transformation out of tragedy tale, pulled from the deep snow and dark woods of the Canadian North....more
This book was so much fun! A cheeky look at the behind-the-scenes machinations of minority governments, the unnecessary calling of elections, and prorThis book was so much fun! A cheeky look at the behind-the-scenes machinations of minority governments, the unnecessary calling of elections, and prorogations, told from the point of view of 2 of the most powerful women in Ottawa - the PM's wife, and the Governor General. Becky and Lise were 2 of the most fun women I've read in ages. Becky - the PM's wife - is manipulative and even cruel when it comes to politics and directing her husband's career, but fiercely protective and caring of her children. Lise is smart and sophisticated and takes her role as GG very seriously, but often finds herself handcuffed by its 'figurehead' nature. I loved some of the 'alternate reality' touches, like the fact that Queen Elizabeth has stepped down and we are now ruled by King Charles. Serious subject matters like the war in Afghanistan and aid in Africa are tempered nicely by pokes at many Canadian institutions like the CBC. Sharp and searing, this book is a must-read for anyone who wishes for an alternate reality - Canadian style....more
This is an ARC, sent to me by the publisher. Finished it last week and am still processing. Beautiful interweaving of the story of Kamal Punja searchiThis is an ARC, sent to me by the publisher. Finished it last week and am still processing. Beautiful interweaving of the story of Kamal Punja searching for his identity, and that of his country of birth, Tanzania. Kamal is a successful Canadian doctor who travels back to Kilwa in Tanzania to search for his childhood sweetheart, Saida. His search takes him deep into the colonial and chaotic history of the country, while he also grapples with his own turmoil. He is part Indian and part African, without feeling fully one or the other. Emigrating to Canada seems to only compound this inner divisiveness, sending him, years later, back to his land of origin. Saida is cloaked in mystery, and we're never sure what he is going to find when he does find her. This is a gentle tale of 20th Century Colonialism and its lasting impact, how a divided country and a divided man try to find their identities, come to terms with their pasts, and become stronger for it. If they can......more
This is a sweet little beauty of creative fiction about the power of storytelling, of painting pictures with words, and of how storytelling can bring This is a sweet little beauty of creative fiction about the power of storytelling, of painting pictures with words, and of how storytelling can bring seemingly disparate people together. And Richardson does just that. He masterfully brings early 20th C. Paris to life, with the cake-slice building, the changing greens - depending on the time of day - of the bookstall beside the Seine, the marble slab table in the bakery. He transports us there - dipping our toes in the boat pond in the Tuileries, meandering through the Grande Galerie of the Louvre, lining up for our morning brioche at the Boulangerie Notre-Dame, pausing on the Pont des Arts to watch the sun dappling the water. The characters are all flawed, physically and/or emotionally, all searching in their own ways for truth and beauty. It's really quite bohemian and could easily have been set 20 years earlier during the Belle Epoque, but works just as well here, as the City of Lights deals with and emerges from World War One. The power and beauty of books swirls through the story - Henri, the young proprietor of the bookstall, closes his eyes and runs his fingers along the spines of the books as a way of choosing what to read next; Henri also uses a specific book to stand on, closing his eyes again, and being transported to other worlds; Octavio's one book, The Arabian Nights, and the pictures in it which allow his father and him to create their own stories; then his collecting of books - chosen by colour - to keep for the girl he admires but hasn't actually yet met; and Madame T's story of her first love and his library, allowing him to travel the world through books. Lush, magical and romantic, this is a lovingly crafted ode to imagination and art, and the best city in the world in which to find it....more
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