In one sense, Alphabetical Diaries is exactly as the blurb describes. Heti has taken ten years of journal entries from her young adulthood and organizIn one sense, Alphabetical Diaries is exactly as the blurb describes. Heti has taken ten years of journal entries from her young adulthood and organized the sentences alphabetically. This sounds disjointed, and it is, but the arrangement also allows patterns to emerge. We can see the young writer as she navigates her early career and her preoccupation with men and romantic relationships. I had no idea what to expect going into this book, but I really enjoyed it....more
The plot of Bad Cree is entertaining and I enjoyed the theme of family running throughout, however the characters seemed very one-dimensional and I waThe plot of Bad Cree is entertaining and I enjoyed the theme of family running throughout, however the characters seemed very one-dimensional and I was confused about the men and boys in the family being of no significance whatsoever. I love a good story of female power, but the lack of attention paid to the men that must exist in the family felt like a gaping hole in the narrative. Also, one of the characters uses the pronouns they/them and I sometimes found it difficult to follow who was being referred to (multiple other people or this individual). I completely support gender neutral pronouns, but my inner grammarian will always default to interpreting they/them as plural....more
This book was recommended during a recent leadership course and I jumped on it right away. I've been struggling with more anxiety than usual lately wiThis book was recommended during a recent leadership course and I jumped on it right away. I've been struggling with more anxiety than usual lately with my mind feeling constantly overtaxed. The recommendations in this book are well researched and extremely timely for me. I'm making use of them already and beginning to see a difference in my mental health. ...more
Naomi Klein has had people confusing her with Naomi Wolf for several years, and through this lens she explores identity and doubling in the modern worNaomi Klein has had people confusing her with Naomi Wolf for several years, and through this lens she explores identity and doubling in the modern world. Wolf, a former feminist icon turned conspiracy theorist, makes a perfect segue to discussions about the dual nature of our online and offline selves, the once laughable, but now essential concept of personal branding, and the inevitable rise of individualism in a world where unchecked capitalism reigns. Klein's "doppelganger" is an anti-vaxxer who has been banned from Twitter, so she provides plenty of fodder to fuel the discussion. ...more
This is an interesting memoir and although there are some comedic moments, I found it more sad than funny. Johnston is around the same age as my parenThis is an interesting memoir and although there are some comedic moments, I found it more sad than funny. Johnston is around the same age as my parents so I was especially intrigued by the setting of rural Newfoundland in the sixties....more
This book was longlisted for the Giller prize and it certainly merits this recognition. The narrative follows Nabila and her complicated relationship This book was longlisted for the Giller prize and it certainly merits this recognition. The narrative follows Nabila and her complicated relationship with a childhood friend. Nabila was a well-rounded little girl with loving parents while Matthew's childhood was fraught with abuse and neglect. Throughout adolescence and into adulthood, Nabila feels a sense of obligation toward Matthew, which ultimately leads her to travel to Berlin in an attempt to help him escape a group of dangerous radicals. The author uses trees to symbolize Matthew's aloneness and the need to be part of a larger group (forest, friends, family) to flourish. ...more
If I had to describe this book with one word, it would be anger. In each of the stories in this collection, there is an underlying current of anger, rIf I had to describe this book with one word, it would be anger. In each of the stories in this collection, there is an underlying current of anger, resentment, and discontent. I don’t need my fiction to be all sunshine and roses, but this was just too much. I had to put the book down sometimes because of the overwhelming negativity. ...more
I have mixed feelings about how to rate this book. The chapters alternate between siblings, Peter and Stasi, who are both portrayed as highly sensitivI have mixed feelings about how to rate this book. The chapters alternate between siblings, Peter and Stasi, who are both portrayed as highly sensitive. I loved Peter and all the chapters from his point of view. He's a sensitive loner who self medicates with drugs and alcohol. His anxiety holds him back, but I really enjoyed his perspective and cared about what happened to him. Stasi, on the other hand, annoyed the crap out of me. Unlike her brother, she's high functioning and is busy climbing the corporate ladder, cheating on her husband, and resenting her young daughter because she has the same name as someone who got the promotion Stasi felt she deserved. Even Stasi's name irritated me. Her full name is Anastasia and instead of going by Stacy like every other AnasTAYsia I've ever heard of, she goes by StAHsi, short for AnsaTAHsia. It's been a while since I so disliked a fictional character!...more
Now shortlisted for the Booker and longlisted for the Giller, this book is getting lots of attention. The entire narrative is a stream of consciousnesNow shortlisted for the Booker and longlisted for the Giller, this book is getting lots of attention. The entire narrative is a stream of consciousness monologue that sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t. I loved it in Milkman, for example, but I had trouble staying focused with this one. No doubt, Bernstein’s writing is exquisite, but this book just wasn’t my cup of tea. ...more
A cute cozy mystery, but Miranda takes some getting used to. There were a lot of characters to take in, but isn’t that always the case with the first A cute cozy mystery, but Miranda takes some getting used to. There were a lot of characters to take in, but isn’t that always the case with the first in a series of mysteries? ...more
A very important book about a very important topic. I greatly enjoyed learning more about plastic and its impact on ocean wildlife, however I’m not muA very important book about a very important topic. I greatly enjoyed learning more about plastic and its impact on ocean wildlife, however I’m not much of a naturalist and easily became bored with all the descriptions of birds and various expeditions the author has been a part of....more
What can I say? Cozy mysteries are my thing if, and only if, I especially like the protagonist. And I especially like Molly Gray. I don't know how manWhat can I say? Cozy mysteries are my thing if, and only if, I especially like the protagonist. And I especially like Molly Gray. I don't know how many murders we can expect Molly to solve at the Regency Grand, but I'm down to read along every single time....more
Michael Crummey has again delivered a fantastic piece of Newfoundland historical fiction. I really enjoyed some of word choices common to NewfoundlandMichael Crummey has again delivered a fantastic piece of Newfoundland historical fiction. I really enjoyed some of word choices common to Newfoundland (e.g. livyers) and I had no idea there was ever a Quaker presence here. I’m a little confused by the deer hunting, but I guess that was caribou? ...more
I was riveted by this book. From Vaillant's chronicling of the 2016 Fort McMurray fire to his chilling chronology of our obsession with fossil fuels aI was riveted by this book. From Vaillant's chronicling of the 2016 Fort McMurray fire to his chilling chronology of our obsession with fossil fuels and combustion, this book should be required reading for all inhabitants of planet Earth. Vaillant describes the Lucretius Problem to explain the delayed evacuation of Fort McMurray and projects that concept unto our inability to fully act on climate change, despite the science staring us in the face. The Lucretius Problem is a mental defect where we assume the worst-case event that has happened is the worst-case event that can happen. The Lucretius Problem has proven itself to be a feature of society's response to our new reality....more
My reading interests do not lie in genre fiction, especially not romance. I'm usually forced into reading romance books by some outside force, e.g. boMy reading interests do not lie in genre fiction, especially not romance. I'm usually forced into reading romance books by some outside force, e.g. book club or Christmas (admittedly my own doing) or in this case, Canada Reads. Unlike a lot of romance novelists, Carley Fortune is a good writer and I enjoyed the story. Being a fan of literary fiction, I would have liked more on the post-partum OCD and less on "the thing with his thumb," but I can't knock the author for writing romance. It sells. If you don't believe me, check out the number of Goodreads ratings on this book versus the other Canada Reads contenders....more
On the surface, Birnam Wood is a thriller with a big bad capitalist villain and some hippie heroes, but it’s also a startling commentary on the power On the surface, Birnam Wood is a thriller with a big bad capitalist villain and some hippie heroes, but it’s also a startling commentary on the power discrepancy in contemporary society. The final sentence is so hopeful as Tony prays that “somebody would see it…somebody would notice…somebody would care.”...more
Moore writes beautiful character driven novels. I knew this book wouldn’t really be about Snowmageddon any more than February was about the Ocean RangMoore writes beautiful character driven novels. I knew this book wouldn’t really be about Snowmageddon any more than February was about the Ocean Ranger, and it’s not. It’s about heartache and tragedy, but mostly about love and the inextricable bonds we form throughout our lives. ...more
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