Sunday Salon...

Sunday Salon finds me disappointed in my reading totals for November. The Paying Guests, Sarah Waters, too long, interesting but sort of a let down at the end.  Kindred , Octavia Butler was the only other book I completed. And only today did I finish I kill a Mockingbird, an enjoyable story. I'm 42 on the wait list for All the Light We Cannot See.  So I guess I'll be hitting the TBR pile in my room.  I believe it will be Norwegian by Night, that would complete my War Through the Generations challenge.

This week, only a couple of outings, and then onward toward Christmas preparations.

Not sure how many challenges I'll participate in next year, I like them, just don't always get them finished, but I find they push me to read books I would not normally pick.  Happy reading.

Vicki I think you make like I kill a Mockingbird, it's short and sweet and really quite innocent.  I rarely read authors notes at the end, BUT... being as some day soon I may be mentioned in one (hint, hint, S. Vincent) I thought I'd read it, and it was an expected notation (cancer is involved). 

I'm back!

Well I've been out of commission, or should I say, no computer.  I'd forgotten how much I did everyday on the web.

Finished reading  Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

I loved the collection of photos included in the book, and the text itself was also a fun read.  Reminded me of XMen.  I read this book as part of my War Through the Generations Challenge, WWII.

This book deals with grief, uniqueness, family, foreign entities and WAR.  Although the war is a little part of the storyline it is nonetheless a backdrop.  I loved Jacob and Emma and their relationship.

I was just getting past the description of the creatures roaming the world, when on the bus... I could not stop looking at this man with his eyes way up in his eye sockets and they didn't move, he didn't seem to be visually challenged, but?

A very interesting concept, with magical characters set in a difficult time.  I'm not big on time travel books, so when this started to go that way I almost quit reading, but am so  glad I continued.  I shall certainly look at old photos in a different light from now on.

Up next I kill the Mockingbird.

Friday 56...

The Friday 56 is a bookish meme hosted by Freda’s Voice.
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Link up at Freda’s site


"For a moment she wanted to hit him.  the blood was roaring through her ears: she felt herself quivering like a bell.  She'd supposed that he'd gone up to bed ages ago.  He must have been out here for --well, close on half an hour."

From the book The Paying Guest, Sarah Waters

Sunday Salon...Kindred, Octavia Butler

Sunday Salon finds me enjoying the sunshine, it's cold outside, but sunny, a perfect day to see that I missed washing windows... Ha Ha.  they'll have to wait for warmer weather.  

I finally finished reading Kindred, Octavia Butler.  As I said I'm not a big fan of time travel but, gave this book extra effort to finish.  Octavia's mentor was Harlan Ellison, which is "the word" around here, according to my son.  Well Harlan... I don't know?  It was o.k., but it didn't keep me turning the pages anxiously, had it not been for Harlen, I would have abandoned it.  I persisted, the end took too long to come and yet I wondered what happened to everyone in the book.  I do have to say that Dana and Kevin must have had a strong marriage, I'm not sure I could do that.  What you ask?  travel in time, an unpleasant dangerous time. How does one adjust?  Now I'm glad that Dr. Who is not my doctor. 

What's next, the Paying Guest, Sarah Waters.  

Happy Reading.

Sunday Salon...

Sunday Salon finds me a little slow reading.  I finished The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag.  All I can say is I love Flavia. I haven't read all of Alan Bradley's works, but I'm on the way.

.

And then I started Kindred, Octavia Butler.  I'm not wild about time travel, but... I'm only on page 68 and bored of it.  While I appreciate the historical comparison's, I don't know just can't get into it... this is why I can't get through the Outlander series.   Up next is the Island, Victoria Hislop, I think this might be another visit to the past, but not quite time travel.

The remainder of the week is rather full, so hopefully I'll be reading on the rails as it were.

It's Monday What are you Reading...

It's Monday again, it comes so quickly.  I'm still reading Alzheimer's 911, having  a difficult time picking it up.  Having lived through much of what is described in the book, I also realize that when you are a caregiver for "anyone" Alzheimer's, dementia, or just any illness, many of these coping techniques apply, however, there are many things in the book which I would disagree with and at the time of your coping you/me/caregiver have hardly the energy to go to the bathroom, let alone read a book about "how to do a better job" of caregiving.  I am however ordering a couple of copies for the library, even if this book is too little too late for me, it may help someone else, and that's a good thing.  I wish it was titled something else, though, I think the Alzheimer's title pockets these techniques for just patients with dementia. 

Up next:  Rose Under Fire. 

It's Monday what are you reading...The Forgotten Seamstress, Liz Trenow

 It's Monday What are you reading is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey

from the back cover:
She kept her secret for a lifetime...
A shy girl with no family, Maria knows she's lucky to have landed in the sewing room of the royal household.  Before World War I casts it's shadow, she catches the eye of the Prince of Wales, a glamorous and intense gentleman (not sure about that statement).  but her life takes a far darker turn, and soon all she has left is a fantastical story about her time at Buckingham Palace. 

Decades later, Caroline Meadows discovers a beautiful quilt in her mother's attic.  When she can't figure out the meaning...


It's Monday already.  I finished reading The Forgotten Seamstress ,Liz Trenow.  It's a neat little story,I found the historical facts quite interesting.  I also loved learning about the different fabrics used in Royal garments, not sure that still happens.  I was also heartbroken at the treatment of Maria, what a sad turn of events.    I didn't continue in the back of the book with book club questions for discussion.  I think the only thing that ticked me off and is still ticking me off is the "jumping into bed" with men you've just met, and after the recent medical issue.  I found that part not only in poor taste, but very unnecessary, it added nothing to the storyline, and if I were the editor... relationships aren't built in bedrooms, as we should have learned from Maria and the King.

A great little read for those of us who love a  little Royal  mystery

What's next... Alzheimer's 911, Frena Gray-Davidson.  I'm reading this book to decide if it should be on the shelf for the caregivers of the residents, in who's library I volunteer.  I sure could have used more available resources when my Mom was changing.  This is a MYSTERY that is ever evolving.


Photo of the book I own.

I read this book to tie off my War Through the Generations Challenge WWI and WWII combined. 

It's Monday What are you reading?A Bitter Truth, Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend

 Book Journey hosts this weekly event where we celebrate what we are reading for the week as well as books completed the previous week. I use  this weekly meme as a way to give short, concise thoughts on the books I've read.

Sheila at

Good morning all,  it's Monday what are you reading?  Well,  I just finished two books, the first being : A Bitter Truth , Charles Todd. (forgot to scan the cover, sorry).  This was a Bess Crawford Mystery.  Bess is a nurse, serving during the WWI in France.  On her occasional return to England to visit her family, she encounters "mysteries".  I particularly like the relationship between Bess and Simon.  Simon is the silent superhero in Bess' life/mysteries.  Each of these mysteries is a connection to the war and the behind the lines adventures of infidelity and crime. This one focused on orphans of soldiers, left behind when their mothers are killed and fathers return to their wives in England.  The heartbreaking events occur often, soldiers nurses become "fond of" die.  Orphans go missing or are doomed to lives of hardship.  All the while the aristocrats complain about not having enough  luxury.  I love the cars that need to be cranked, and the idea of "dressing" for dinner.  (as you know I like to be in pajamas, my idea of dressing for dinner). I read this book for the War Through the Generations Challenge, and thoroughly enjoyed Bess and Simon and one cannot help but wonder, "where will this relationship go".?  While I like a good love story,  I also think it's so very rare to have a steadfast relationship between a man and a woman based on devotion, loyalty and respect, no sex. So we shall see...

book # 2

memoirs of and imaginary friend, Matthew Dicks.  I suspect the title without capitalization is due to the fact that the imaginary friend doesn't know, or was not imagined to be grammatically correct.

An excellent book.  I thought I'd be more annoyed at the narrator being a young boy,(as I was in The Bear) but if I had read this book when my children were very young,  I would have learned to behave as a better parent.
This is a story narrated by the imaginary friend, of a young boy, with issues.  He's bullied in school, labelled and loved.  He has huge difficulties relating to others, but is very bright.  He is thrust into a scary situation and manages to deal with it, much to the surprise of his parents.  I really hate when parents are portrayed as the bad guys, but perhaps that is what children feel.  I'm sure this is all a passage of time.  However, a must read for anyone ... but especially for mom/dads.  Enlightening and scary all at the same time. I may have Book Hangover.

Up next:  The Illusionist.

Sunday Salon...A Change of Climate

Sunday Salon finds me frustrated.  My lap top has had issues, so I'm forced to wait till one of the guys is not using their computers to do "anything" .  My husband has some weird program on that keeps asking me if I'm him.  Way too much security, wait till he sees I've "fixed that".  It's been an unusual week, other than I'm still waiting for workmen to get to me and do things they have been paid for.  I told my husband that it was his job to wait, but then again I can't exactly have him staying home from work to wait.  So it's me... that means I'll be missing my watercolour workshop tomorrow.  DANG! The inside job is very SLOW! and there are no inside fairies at work.  A dear friend is not doing well, and I suspect she'll give up.  SAD, all around story.  Why do some people just have it so hard? 

The rest of the week I imagine will be a bit of this and a bit of that.  It is suppose to cool down, so I'm hoping to use "pesticides" on my lillies, imagine a bug eating my beautiful lillies, one day they were there and then they weren't. 

I try really hard not to use pesticides, but this did it, between the red spider bite, and no I'm not radioactive, but I still have a hard unhealed spot in the area where I was bitten, so pesticides it is.  We here in the GTA are not permitted to use harsh chemicals so I'm not sure what I bought will be very effective, but dish liquid just didn't do it.

On the reading front,  I finished Change of Climate, Hilary Mantel,  a good story, which I enjoyed reading, even if it left me very sad.  I can't remember who reviewed it, but thank you for suggesting it.  It was well worth the trip to the library. 
from amazon.ca

Ralph and Anna Eldred are an exemplary couple, devoting themselves to doing good. Thirty years ago as missionaries in Africa, the worst that could happen did. Shattered by their encounter with inexplicable evil, they returned to England, never to speak of it again. But when Ralph falls into an affair, Anna finds no forgiveness in her heart, and thirty years of repressed rage and grief explode, destroying not only a marriage but also their love, their faith, and everything they thought they were.

My young niece is a missionary, and we worry. 

up next,  The Wives of Los Alamos, Tarashea Nesbit.  I'm not quite half way through, but so far all I can say is "we've come a long way baby..." or have we?

---

Sunday Salon...Tell the Wolves I'm Home...

I just finished this book.  WOW! it's definitely going on the list for the top ten reads of the year.

 description from Amazon.ca
 1987. There’s only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that’s her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn’s company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is turned upside down. But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into June’s life—someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even though it took me way too long to finish it.  I laughed and cried, not necessarily at the same time.  I have Nise to thank for suggesting this wonderful read, Russian Teapot and all...

 Sunday Salon finds me in a reflective mood, if only because, my body is aching from gardening, and the usual household tasks.  I don't normally do gardening or any real gardening until July 1st.  Canada Day.  Historically it's been the first opportunity I've had to get at it, consequently I had planted perennials to show their blooms before then, making it look like I've been slaving away, when in fact I've been busy elsewhere.  But, the weeds didn't get the memo.  So Saturday is a good day to begin the weedin'.And what a lot of weeds have survived this harsh winter.  the plants not so much.  I've lost all my water lilies, and couple of roses and the evergreens look tired.  I managed to clear off the patio weeds, and only dropped one stone on one finger, I won't be flipping anyone off for awhile, it hurts too much.  Today it's on to the rose garden, what's left of it.  Apparently my nursery is open on Canada Day so I'll be heading out to get a few things.  I do have to say that about 5 minutes into the weedin' a red spider bit me, and it hurt like the dickens,  I though I might be radioactive and you could call me Spider Woman, even today it's still a hard spot.  After our major house improvement, (which has only just begun with the roof replacement) I think I may call someone to level my patio, I've already paid Dan for this job, but it's taking too long to get it finished.  NEVER HIRE A RELATIVE.  I'd like to get rid of the ugly pavers and put in some flat field stone,  more my style, it would also blend in quite nicely with the pond surround.  But for today... Let get those weeds out,  I may even crash and read a bit.  

It's Monday what are your reading? &Still Just Thinking...

I finished The White Giraffe, YA book.  It was a lovely story.  I love when young people get to do outrageously heroic acts, with wonderful animals.

I found the first part of the book when Martine lost her parents, extremely sad, and yet somehow the author did say in the first few pages how something really horrible can turn to be something really good, and that was encouraging.  I know a child could not possibly adjust to the death of parents as quickly as Martine did, but how encouraging that the love of an animal could make her feel better.   This book has everything, mystery, magic, and all at an animal reserve in exotic Africa.  An nice little story suitable for young adults as young as 10 and as old as me.

Up next:  Tell the Wolves I'm Home. The second book of my What an Animal Reading

Just thinking...

O Holy Night...

Oh come let us Adore Him

Wednesday, what are you reading...

I know I've signed up for a number of reading challenges, and this book was not one that I had chosen for any of those, but, it was a Canadian Author and I couldn't help myself. I've just finished reading The Painted Girls  a love story, or sorts, the devotion of sisters, the neglect of an addictive mom, and poverty, poverty, poverty.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I've always loved that Degas  ballerinas.  And then I read this very little book The Orchard , the Swallow
When I started this little novel, I wasn't sure I'd like it, it was both horrific, and thought provoking.  Again a Canadian Author.

If you have an opportunity I highly recommend each of these books, I'm glad I read them.

My only complaint was finishing the book on my trip into town, and having to twiddle my thumbs on the way home.

What an Animal Reading Challenge.

It's Monday What are You Reading?

This past week I managed to finish two books, in spite of the reno going on in my basement, we are no where near finished.  Maus and this is where my troubles begin, meh!  I committed to reading a graphic novel at least twice a year and that was the reason I chose this one.  It's the second book of author Spieglman a prize winner.  I can't say this is the best  story about the Holocaust I've read, but I do understand why it won a BIG prize.  It would be a story (true) that readers of graphic novels would and could manage.  I'm not a big fan of this genre, but it certainly has it's place in the literary world, not sure where but...I found the first book a little more interesting.  I sure hope my son's don't feel about me the way this son felt about his father.  And I did find this very stereotypical as far as character development.  It didn't make me love Artie, or Vladek because of the stereo type, and it didn't really tell the whole story, so once again ... Prize winner?  It's short, as a matter of fact I read the whole thing while having my hair done.  So I'm sure this is one of the reasons it would appeal to a younger reader.

And the other book I finished was Five Little Pigs, previously released as Murder in Retrospect.  Well you know I love Agatha, but this one in particular kept me guessing, maybe I'm losing my Poirot mojo, but I seriously didn't know who did it until he layed it out on the table, so to speak.  I don't know if Agatha was drawing on her experience of a "tolerant " wife or wheather this was purely fiction, but I'm sure I couldn't be so tolerant.  Anyway, I did like this one, took me a little longer to read, for no apparent reason.  The story of a gifted painter, and his women and guess what someone murders him.  And the little grey cells begin to work.  

Sunday Salon...

Well it's Sunday, and winter has reared it's very white head, here in the GTA, not sure how cold it is, but it's white again, or more white I should say.  I've done fairly well with my reading this week, finished How the Light Gets In, Louise Penny.  In my effort to read more Canadian authors, I chose this book on the recommendation of Shonna of the Canadian Book Worm.  Thanks Shonna.  I read at the bottom of the book description this is the ninth Inspector Gamache mystery, where have I been?  I love Armand.  I know I have read Louise Penny before, not sure which one though, I enjoyed it obviously as much as this one.  This was a murder mystery, with historical implications, all tightly woven in a thriller.  I was trying to cast the part of Armand (Hollywood style) and could only come up with my all time fav  Gregory Peck, now that says a lot, because I normally would cast Tom Sellick or Aidan Quinn, but they don't have that wonderful Peck quality.  It would have to be a young Peck. Like the time of Atticus Finch.  Now of course I have to go and read Pierre Berton's the Dionne Years, I remember having this on our reading list in highschool, but it never arrived in time for us to complete it, quite a lot of controversy about this one.  As a matter of fact, I've now searched 3 different cities in their libraries and had no luck,  is it a "forbidden read"? The mystery continues... I'll be calling the library board in the a.m.  A five star read.

“There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” —Leonard Cohen. ( Love Leonard Cohen even if he is a bit weird.)

The next reading adventure was all Trish's fault.  I'm not big on graphic novels and Jenners almost had me convinced, but when Trish said she enjoyed this one, I thought "o.k. time to stop being so old, and venture into a new reading experience".   So I chose to read Maus,1: A survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History.

I was not disappointed, and I can see the purpose for graphic novels, they offer an avenue to tell a story in a format perhaps more appealing to a younger reader. I'm not a younger reader, but found the book easy enough to read.  Love the language used, even if it was a little stereotypical. Now I suppose I'll have to read the second part.

A four star read.



Beyond my reading adventures, I'm well on my way to finishing and oak desk for my son, to replace the one he lost in our flood.  wish I could get new arms, that sanding really does shake things up on an old babe, like me.  Needless to say pictures will follow.  AND, I'm almost done with a little painted sign for a friends business, for her ladies room.  It's coming out pretty cool.

My sister Donna is coming along very slowly, (she thinks she's fine) THANK YOU LORD.  We did a small road trip with her on Friday.

It was a good news week here on other fronts as well, so once again, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, if good news is coming our way we can handle the shoveling

Up next in reading, hmm...Five Little Pigs, Agatha Christie (thanks Margaret Books Please)  

It's Monday What are you Reading... For Your Tomorrow...

It high time I let you know what one of the best books I've read this year was all about.  For Your Tomorrow, is a beautifully written Non fiction account of a young man who gave his life for his country and humanity.

The story line jumps between Canada, and Afghanistan. A beautifully written account of a young man who struggles with his decisions of career until he finds his "calling".  Feeling his duty to humanity so strongly that he gives his life.  This is the story of before and the after of that wonderful life.

The only problem I found reading this book was the constant need for tissues.  As I tend to read on public transit, this is a difficult thing to do, I found other passengers deeply affected by my weeping, some would write down the title, others would change seats.  I finished this book many weeks ago, but just couldn't write the review.  I don't like to read non-fiction.  Lets face it I like to pretend, but this was outstanding.  I ordered this book when it was first released, and then my son joined the army.  You can understand why it sat on my bookshelf.  My son has now moved on into another area.  I cannot imagine the feelings of those left behind.

Product description:

What compels a young, affluent Canadian to put on a uniform and risk his life for the controversial mission in Afghanistan? And how does his family cope with his loss when he is killed there? Jeff Francis was a thirty-year-old doctoral candidate and student of Buddhism when he decided that joining the armed forces was the best way to make a difference in the world. In elegant, spare prose that captures both the hardness of war and the nuances of a grieving family, Melanie Murray - Captain Francis's aunt - uses the lens of his life and death to give Canada's war in Afghanistan the perceptive, literary treatment its soldiers, families and citizens deserve.

I read this book as part of my War Through the Generations Challenge.  While this is not the Iraqi War/Gulf Wars, I felt I needed to be true to my Canadian self and my countries involvement in these wars.

 Rated - Excellent

Teaser Tuesday... For Your Tomorrow...

"A Hundred and fifty meters from the road, a squat earthen hut sits within the maze of vines.  It's normally used for turning green grapes into sweet raisins.  But for the men in the turbans, this grape-drying hut is a bunker.  The ventilation slits in its meter-thick walls make perfect ports for firing and surveillance."

Would you continue reading?

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of  Should Be Reading.




I wish I could say I'm reading this on my e reader, but I've just not gotten the hang of that, so it's a hardcover book.  One of my New Years resolutions is to read one book a month on e reader, and learn to audio read.  Next one maybe?

P.S. Much like many of you this is a difficult read it's just so "now".  I just feel I need to understand what's going on. 

Lost Letters...

I've just finished reading Lost Letters, Neil Mulligan.  What a nice story line.  It was predictable, no earth shattering revelations, just a love story with no blood and guts or lewd sexual scenes, or fowl language.  I love that the author was accurate in his religious facts, and  historical facts as well, even if the story line is fictitious.  I love the mother and daughter relationship, and most certainly loved the "love story" portion.  These love stories really do happen, there are people in the world that only fall in love once, and are faithful to their love.  I don't read much romance, and I wouldn't say this was a romance, the only mystery left in this book, for me, was What happened to Tommy?  I'd have wanted to know.  For a very calm, nice read please give it a go.

Up next: 

For Your Tomorrow: The Way of an Unlikely Soldier by Murray, Melanie.

 

Lost Letters completed my What's in a Name Challenge of 2013, this is a new author for me too, I also bought this book and read it for that challenge.