summerreads

August 26, 2017

The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend, by Katrina Bivald

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I picked up this adorable book at Vinnie’s in Peterborough for a whole loonie!! It was a great deal, and I figured the title meant it was about books… so I picked up it! I’ve been reading a ton of heavy, thought-provoking books on my shelves right now… and to be honest, I was ready for a break.

So I picked up The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend from my “To be Read” shelf, and started reading. Well I was instantly hooked! Here’s a list of everything that I loved about this  novel:

  • It has pen pal letters interspersed throughout it.
  • It is a book about books.
  • It has numerous references to Jane Eyre.
  • And there is a cute little love story in it.

You are first introduced to Sara, who is a bookworm, and an introvert. She lives in Sweden, and has never left her country. Her American pen pal, Amy, is an elderly woman who also is a bookworm, has convinced Sara to come for a visit to her hometown of Broken Wheel, Iowa. Sara, on a whim, decides that she is going to live on the wild side and decides to visit Amy. When Sara arrives, and is waiting patiently at the train station for Amy, she finds out that her dear pen pal has died.

Amy can’t be dead, Sara thought. She was my friend. She liked books, for God’s sake.

Sara finds herself alone in Amy’s home, with all Amy’s books, and the townspeople that loved Amy. She also starts to get to know all the town people that she has heard stories of from Amy in all their letters. Soon Sara starts to find herself getting to know the town and people of Broken Wheel in the best way she knows how; books. Yes that’s right, she opens a bookstore!

‘People are better in books,’ she muttered. She said it so quickly she didn’t think he could have heard her, but when she stole a glance at him, she thought she could see one of his eyebrow twitch. ‘Don’t you agree?’ she asked defensively.

Like I mentioned earlier, Sara is an introvert, and a bookworm. Her ideal evening is curling up with a good book on the couch, which I guess isn’t the norm?!?! Sounds like a pretty perfect night to me though 🙂 So her decision to go on her first trip, across the world, to Broken Wheel is a pretty big deal. In exchange for trying something out of her comfort zone, she learns that she is capable and worth so much more.

What I loved about this book truly was the letters from Amy to Sara. The bond that started these letters was the books that they exchanged and loved. Amy who was the wise one also shared her stories of the town she loved, and details about the individuals in this town whom she also loved. Through these letters, Sara had this feeling that she actually knew each one of these people Amy described, and as she got to know them on her own she also grew to love them. Another key point in the book that I really started to connect was about 1/4 into it there is a scene of when Sara is describing how she felt the first time she read Jane Eyre.

She placed the book on the table between them. ‘Jane Eyre’ she explained. ‘I’d forgotten how intense it was. The first time I read it, I sat up half the night, curled on the floor.’

I think any reader loves a book that either re-visits old favourites, or lets you discover new titles that you didn’t even know were so enjoyable. After all, there are so many great books in this world, and what good would it be if we didn’t have an avenue to share and discuss them. I adored all the references to old classics, and also new novels such as the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Club Society.

You can tell when reading this book that the author, Katrina Bivald, loves books. This is actually her first novel, which I thought was pretty great. I ripped through this one, and read a majority of it in one day!! Like I said though, it’s definitely on the lighter side, and includes a love story. I feel like if you are in a bit of reading rut, or just coming off a heavier book then this would be a great book to pick up!

Anywho, that’s all on this one. Have you read it? Let me know what you thought of it if you did! I’ve heard mixed reviews.

Happy reading, bookish friends!

 

 

July 16, 2017

Memoirs that Stick with You!

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As of recently, I was going through my lists of books I have read. My inner booknerd was interested to see how my reading has progressed, and what books really stood out to me. And as I was flipping through the list, it seemed most the books that really jumped out at me were memoirs. So I thought I’d share a list of memoirs that I have read that will always stick with me.

If I was to try to define my reading style, I would never said I was a fan of memoir… for some reason I always thought they seemed a bit self-righteous, and braggy. But a memoir that resonates with me is when an ordinary person who gets knocked down, gets back up again. This list of memoirs were the ones that made me see people in a different light, inspired me to be a better person, and live more dynamically. Some of these memoirs had me want to tell absolutely everyone about them, and others had brought me to tears.

Without further procrastination, here’s the list!

Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body

Hunger, by Roxane Gay. All ya’ll have already heard me RAVE about this powerful memoir. You can find the link to my post all about this one here. This is Roxane’s memoir of her body, which is a large one, and she is ready to accept it. It’s a window to see the world through her eyes, and her pain in which she carries daily. This memoir made me want to stand up and applaud for every person who has ever dealt with weight problems, and body image issues.

The End of Your Life Book ClubThe End of Your Life Book Club, by Will Schwalbe.  This is a beautiful story of a mother and son. Mary Anne Schwalbe was a renowned educator, a woman who gave her time to build libraries in Afghanistan, raised a family, and who is now diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Will, her son, casually asks her “What are you reading?” while keeping her company through her chemotherapy. This is the start of “The End of Your Life Book Club”. It’s a story of a mother/son relationship, and the plethora of books that changed their lives.

A Sense of Direction: Pilgrimage for the Restless and the HopefulA Sense of Direction, by Gideon Lewis Kraus. When Gideon felt lost, he took up a drunken invitation to join a friend on an ancient pilgrimage, the Camino de Santiago. This gave him a feeling of purpose, and finally some commitment. He then goes to do a couple more pilgrimages in different parts of the world. This book very interesting, and gives you a feeling that you are travelling, all from your couch.

 

My Life on the Run: The Wit, Wisdom, and Insights of a Road Racing IconMy Life on the Run, by Bart Yasso. In the running world, Bart Yasso is King. He’s the man. He’s fun, intelligent, and reliable. But not many people know why he started running, how it changed him, and his battle with Lyme Disease. This memoir is a recount of his wild running races all over the world. It’s funny, and very eye-opening, and will make you want to jump off the couch and go for a run!

 

When Breath Becomes Air

When Breath becomes Air, by Paul Kalanithi. Paul is at the end of his training to become a neurosurgeon when he receives a diagnosis of stage IV lung cancer. In a flash, he goes from the doctor treating the patient, to the patient receiving the care. This is his story on dealing with death, and helping his family move forward into a what a future may look like without him. I know, you may think this sounds sad… but it actually made me feel so much more comfortable with concept of death. Just a warning, his wife writes the last chapter and will move you.

NightNight, by Elie Wiesel. This is Elie Wiesel’s account of his survival as a teenage boy of the Nazi death camps. It’s a short book, but man oh man, does it ever pack a punch. And that punch comes in the form of a deep, moving story. It’s a story that needed to be told, but more importantly to be heard.

 

 

Angela's Ashes: A MemoirAngela’s Ashes, by Frank McCourt. This memoir is the story of Frank’s childhood. One that started in Brooklyn, New York, and being raised in Limerick, Ireland. His father would drink away any little money that they had, and his very fertile mother had no money to feed the children. This is a survival story; how he survived wearing rags for diapers, poverty, and starvation. I read this ages ago, but it still strikes me how unbelievable this story is.

Gift from the Sea: 50th-Anniversary EditionGift from the Sea, by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. This is like a collection of personal essays. She shares her thoughts on age, love, solitude, and happiness, while pulling her inspiration on them from the shells in the sea. Each chapter is named after a certain shell, and covers the topic that the shell inspired. It’s a creative, and quick read!

 

 

Well… those are a couple of my favourite memoirs… And here’s a couple I look forward to reading, once they have stared me down long enough on my “To Be Read” stack!!

  • Books for the Living, by Will Schwalbe
  • At Home, by Bill Bryson
  • At Home in the World, by Tsh Oxenreider
  • The Lost, Daniel Mendelsohn

Here’s where I need your suggestions… Please leave me a comment or an email with a suggestion of a memoir that has stuck with you! I am looking to add some to my list.

Happy reading, bookish friends!

July 5, 2017

Crazy Rich Asians, by Kevin Kwan

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This book has been sitting on my shelf for probably over a year now! It was recommended to me by one of my girlfriends who loved it, and told me it was hilarious. She is one of my bookish kindred spirits, so when she suggests a book, I don’t think twice about it. And finally once I heard that a movie was coming out based on this book, I finally took the plunge.

Crazy Rich Asians, by Kevin Kwan, first opens up to a massive family tree in the beginning pages. These family trees always intimidate me, but are so handy when there is a huge cast of characters like this one. You are first introduced to Rachel Chu, who agrees to head to Singapore for the summer to visit her boyfriend’s (Nicholas Young) family, who are a very traditional Chinese family. She is expecting a reflection of Nick in his family, humble and kind, but has not been warned about the truth of his family. Well, she is definitely surprised as she discovers that his family is insanely wealthy, that he grew up in a palace, and his family frequently travels privately by plane instead of cars!  The whole purpose of this trip home is to attend the wedding of his best friend, where he is the best man.

From here ensues a hilarious, soap-opera like cast of characters, who are continually plotting on who should REALLY be with Nick, shopping at an extreme level, and eating only the best food. The problems that his family and friends have going on in their lives are solely based on the fact that they just have way too much money.

This books has so many funny parts, and one liners. It also includes end-notes throughout, which I thought those were some of these best parts of the novel. They would make me laugh out loud, or learn a tidbit about Chinese culture. Another little detail that I loved about this novel was the quotes that separated each part of the story.

Lately, I have been reading a lot of deep and thought-provoking novels… which I love, but sometimes a girl has got to read some fluffy stuff! This was book that filled that void, and was a great change of pace for me. I haven’t laughed out loud at a novel this much since I read The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion. But, if you are looking for a deep, meaningful read, this one is not the one for you. It’s a fluffy, fun book, and I think if you know that going in, you can appreciate it for what it is. I also think it’d be a great pool or beach read!

Some fun information is that this is actually Kevin Kwan’s debut novel. He grew up in Singapore, and currently lives in New York. Sound familiar to the book?? I guess that’s why he writes this experience so well. He is super successful in many different things, and even his website is funny! And for fans of this book, there is three in this series now. The other books are called, China Rich Girlfriend, and Rich People Problems.

If I can be honest here, not my favourite book, but enjoyable all the same. Anywho, I just started reading Hunger, by Roxane Gay and was hooked by the second page. Stayed tuned for that review!

Happy reading, bookish friends!

June 25, 2017

Beartown, by Fredrik Backman

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If you have heard of Fredrik Backman, you probably have read his heart-warming novel A Man Called Ove. It was a New York Times bestseller, and also made into an international movie. This novel, Beartown, is a step in a different direction for his writing style. And the step is in a beautiful, groundbreaking way, and left me admiring a truly great writer. This novel felt as if I was looking at a snow globe, first seeing what instantly catches your eye. But as you look closer, and see the details of the town, the people, and their values, you begin to see so much more.

This novel is full of sentences that carry enough weight to knock you over . I tagged and re-read these strong passages, and they just resonate so deeply with a reader. And after I had read this book, those phrases continue to run though my head. The thing about this book is that even though it’s fiction, it could realistically happen to anyone. As a reader your heart breaks for all these characters, the parents, the teenagers, and the team. They are all put into situations where morals and ethics are blurred. Backman uses the hockey team as a vessel to discuss how a community handles touch situations, and who they rally with.

beartown-tags.jpgIf you are looking for a book to uplift you, this may not be the one for you. But if you are interested in a book that makes you look into the culture of a community, and makes you examine how different people react to the same situation… then this one is for you!

Beartown is a town in Northern Sweden, of whose heart beats to the rhythm of hockey. For generations the men in this town played hockey, and continue to root for their team. When the junior hockey team stands a shot at winning the national semi-finals, the whole town puts the pressure on the team to win. The semi-finals provoke a traumatizing event for a young girl, the team, and shatter their families. It is here where a community finds itself unable to pick up the pieces so easily after this traumatizing event, and confused on which side they should be fighting for.

Growing up in a hockey town in Canada, this novel just gets the hockey culture. If you grew up in the rink, you can probably think of the parent who cussed at the ref, and the other parents. You probably remember the player who hustled like no other, the one who scored all the goals, and the one who threw all the punches. This novel brought to focus on how a parent’s actions and morals were transferred to their child’s actions. It also showed everyone how hockey is such a small game, but plays a large part in a community and a child’s life.

The most dangerous thing on the ice is being hit when you’re not expecting it. So one of the first things hockey teaches you is to keep your head up, always. Otherwise- bang.

As a parent of a toddler and a baby, I recognize that it’s hard for me to relate to the parent of a teenager. But something that I can understand is the depth of the love a parent has for their child. There were many different types of parent/child relationships in this book, and reading of the kid’s whose parents believed in hard love, so their child would be strong was a hard one to see. It really brought to light that because this boy’s parents weren’t capable of showing him love, he wasn’t capable of it either. Meanwhile another character’s mother teaches him to be kind and nice above all, and when push comes to shove, he stands up for the truth and what is morally right.

If you are honest, people may deceive you. be honest anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfishness. Be kind anyway. All the good you do today will be forgotten by others tomorrow. Be good anyway.

The characters in this novel are etched out so carefully that I felt as if I could picture their faces, expressions, and feel their emotions. Although Beartown is a small community, it tackles some big topics. It addresses sexuality in a small community, the stigma of rape, and the depth of loyalty. I won’t give anything away for those who haven’t read it, but Benji and Amat were without a doubt my favourite characters. These two young men were so true to their morals, and as a parent that is all you wish for. Then there was also an example of a beautiful friendship between Maya and Ana, which to any girl who has had that best friend you spent every waking moment with understands.

Never again do you find friends like the ones when you’re fifteen years old.

My last attempt to persuade you to read this novel is from the mouth of Fredrik Backman, I recently listened to an interview with him and I’m paraphrasing but it was along these lines, “When you write from the heart, people can heart it through your voice. People have a bullshit meter, and can feel something.” What’s so cool about Backman is that he’s an amazing writer, but he’s also pretty badass!! Plus his dedication of this novel was what really hooked me.

Anywho, if you have read this book I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you haven’t, do yourself a favour… and read it!

 

June 11, 2017

Everyone Brave is Forgiven, by Chris Cleave

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This book gave me all the feels! It left me speechless (which is near impossible), inspired, and curious. Just take a moment to read the title… Everyone Brave Is Forgiven… brilliant! When I tell you that this novel is set in London during WWII, this title starts to make sense. And when you read this novel you realize that during war things that were not acceptable before, were pardoned, whether or not you had a conscience about your actions. Ultimately, the ones who did terrible things would never be able to forgive themselves for a lifetime.

It starts off when War is declared, and Mary North, a well-off socialite, leaves school unfinished and signs up. When she finds out her assignment is to become a teacher, she is less than thrilled. Soon after, Mary finds that she has a passion for teaching, and a soft spot for the students. It is here where she meets Tom, and they enter into a relationship of sorts. Tom’s flatmate, Alistar, is enlisted and reappears on a leave. When Alistar meets Mary for the first time on a double date (with other people), they fall in love at first sight. Mary is stuck between two men, a looming war, and her London falling to pieces around her.

This novel is truly a love story, but that isn’t the takeaway for me. Like the title states, and the book reads, it’s about bravery. That we are all not brave in the beginning, but if we start to flex that muscle… it grows. It’s about having a beacon of hope in such a dark time. There were many symbols of hope shining through small everyday items… letters, jam jars, and humour! This novel also felt so entirely British through it’s language and quick wit.

The thing that sets this WWII fiction novel apart from the others I have read is that it showed the aftershocks of a trauma. In war time what the average person was exposed to was so far from their normal. The way that Cleave’s has intertwined the dark humour, and the realities of war was so humanizing in this cast of characters. Obviously all the people who were affected by the war would have a hard time going back to life after, but this isn’t always depicted in your typical WWI and WWII novels. Sometimes I feel like they are too neatly tied up in a bow at the end, and this novel isn’t like that.

EBIFOne thing I regret, and would encourage to anyone wanting to read this novel would be to turn to the back and start with the “Author’s Note” before you start reading. He describes his whole reason for wanting to write this novel which is incredibly close to his heart. I almost feel inclined to re-read this novel now that I know the “Author’s Note”! He tells the reader that this story was initially inspired by his grandfather who wanted him to write a memoir based on his experiences from the war. When Cleave finds over 1,000 pages of love letters that were between his grandparents during the war, he is then inspired to do something more with his story.

I’ve recently listened to several interviews with Chris Cleave, and something else which is extremely interesting was that he actually went to Malta and lived on the rations of the soldiers there. He did a large amount of research for this novel, and also tried to live the way the soldiers did to know exactly how they were feeling. That’s dedication, my friends! He is also currently doing research to see whether he has enough of a story to write a sequel, which I would love to read and see how he deals with the PTSD from the war that these characters may experience.

Hope you enjoyed this little post about this beautiful book!! And please if you have read it feel free to open up the conversation. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

June 3, 2017

Summer Time, Reading Time!

summer readsHey there, reading friends! I am overjoyed that warm weather is upon us. I love everything about summer. Sandals, sunglasses, and of course, summer reading!!

I consider summer reading to be a personal thing. Some like beach reads, some like long in-depth novels… I kind of just like everything. I’ve always considered myself a varied reader, willing to give any book a shot as long as I’m liking it. And if I’m not, I don’t read it! Summer is wayyyyyy too short to read a book I don’t like.

As I have been picking out titles, and putting books on hold at my library, I thought I’d send along the titles that I’m most looking forward to digging into this summer!

The Women in the Castle: A Novel

The Women in the Castle, Jessica Shattuck. “Three women, haunted by the past and the secrets they hold.” Set at the end of WWII, in a crumbling Bavarian castle that once housed German high society, a powerful story of three widows whose lives and fates become intertwined. If you were a fan of The Nightingale, or All the Light You Cannot See, you may be a fan of this one!

 

The Radium Girls: They Paid with Their Lives. Their Final Fight Was for Justice.The Radium Girls, Kate Moore. Here’s a non-fiction one that looks fascinating! It’s the true story of the women who worked a coveted job in the radium factories. These women literally glittered in the radium dust that would illuminate them head to toe. They were considered to have one of the luckiest jobs, until they mysteriously started to fall ill, ultimately their lives were cut short by this chemical. This was one of the biggest workplace scandals in the 20th century, and these brave women have paved the path for safety in the workplace.

A Little Life: A Novel

A Little Life, Hanya Yanagihara. Every bookish podcast I listen to at one point or another has raved about this book. It’s on the longish side at 814 pages, but the hype has convinced me to read it. This novel follows four college classmates- broke, adrift, and buoyed by their friendship- they move to New York in search of fame and fortune. While their relationships face addiction, success, and pride, it deepens over decades.

 

Tenth of December: Stories

Tenth of December, George Saunders. I recently read Saunders first novel this year, Lincoln in the Bardo, and was blown away by it’s creativity, humour, and complexity. So I did not hesitate when his collection of short stories was recommended to me. I especially love short stories for their ability to be read in short pockets of time.

 

Everyone Brave Is Forgiven

Everyone Brave is Forgiven, Chris Cleave. This is another one that I’ve been hearing great praise about. It’s also been sitting on my nightstand for about the last 6 months! So when a library friend was telling me how beautiful she thought it was, I decided this summer it’s being read! It’s a fiction WWII novel that has an interjection of humour and a love story, all while dealing with the realities of war.

 

The Dry: A NovelThe Dry, Jane Harper. Here’s a mystery/thriller for anyone out there whose also into them! This one is getting ALL the buzz this year, so I can’t resist putting it on the summer list. It’s based in small town Australia during one of the worst droughts in history. Teenager Aaron left town in a cloud of suspicion when a young girl drowned, and he was accused of her murder. 20 years later, Aaron is a financial investigator with the Melbourne Police Department, and returns to the town for his friend Luke’s funeral. Aaron reluctantly investigates Luke’s death,                   which opens up a town full of secrets and long buried mysteries.

Anything Is Possible: A Novel

Anything is Possible, Elizabeth Strout. I’ve read several novels by Strout, and have yet to be disappointed. She is a Pulitzer Prize winner, and her novel, Olive Kitteridge, was made into an HBO series. This one follows up My Name is Lucy Barton, and follows Lucy who visits her estranged siblings in their small home town. Her novels are quiet, but so moving. Strout has the ability to transform the complexities of a normal life into an extraordinary novels.

 

The Arrangement: A NovelThe Arrangement, Sarah Dunn. So hear me out on this one… it’s a fictional novel based around a couple who decides to embark on the journey of an open marriage. I recently heard Sarah Dunn being interviewed on Just the Right Book Podcast with Roxanne Coady, and it convinced me to pick up this fun, fast paced summer read.

 

 

Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding JoyOption B, Sheryl Sandberg.  This is one I heard about on Katie Couric’s Podcast and Sandberg was being interviewed and I knew I had to read her novel. It is her autobiographical novel is based on when her family was struck with tragedy when her husband died suddenly on vacation. It’s her story on how she rose above grief, built resilience, and found joy again.

 

The Handmaid's TaleThe Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood. Here’s an older novel that is also getting a ton of buzz again since the new series came out. Embarrassingly I haven’t read this classic yet, so it’s happening this summer. This is the story of Offred, one of the unfortunate “Handmaid’s” under the new social order who have only one purpose: to breed. In Gilead, where women are prohibited from jobs, reading, and forming friendships, Offred’s memories of her life in the time before act as a rebellion.

BeartownBeartown, Fredrik Backman. Ever since I read Backman’s novel, A Man Called Ove, I have been craving another beautifully constructed novel like that. So when I heard about Beartown, and that he was combining hockey, small town, and a tragic event, I was in. This novel has also been getting a ton of buzz, and amazing reviews. I loved A Man Called Ove, so here’s to hoping this one doesn’t disappoint!

 

Mr. RochesterMr. Rochester, Sarah Shoemaker. This is a newly released book that I’m so excited to dig into. I recently read Jane Eyre for the first time, and I was just overwhelmed with the feelings I felt from it. Mr. Rochester is Jane’s love interest! This fictional novel tells the story of Mr. Edward Fairfax Rochester’s life story, and why he became the way he is in Jane Eyre. And just so you know, he is a complicated man with a complicated past in Jane Eyre… so naturally i need to know why that is!

WOW! Lots of books to keep my busy with this summer! Stay tuned for the updates on them, and the other books I read. I  also plan to interject some Agatha Christie novels in there as well since I have been picking them up for a whopping 50 cents at the Thrift Store, and hear that they are just thrilling mysteries.

Please let me know what you plan on reading this summer, or if any of these interest you!! Happy reading!