Member: brendaough

Hi Brenda,
Yes, I have the latest Alan Bradley on reserve at the library. Can hardly wait. Happy Reading! Mary

posted by mdoris at 11:40 pm (EST) on Feb 15, 2013

Hi Brenda,
I see we share 127 books. Great to look at your library!
Mary

posted by mdoris at 4:10 pm (EST) on Jan 5, 2013

Dear Brenda,
Noticed that you like Canadian lit and also enjoy the occasional mystery/legal thriller. I would recommend that you try Robert Rotenberg - The Guilty Plea and Old City Hall. He writes legal thrillers based in Toronto and captures the Canadian environment, especially Toronto and environs wonderfully. Also a good pace and great characters.

Pennie

posted by CarterPJ at 12:57 pm (EST) on May 10, 2012

Dear Brenda,

I am finally getting organized, or trying to, with my various site profiles. Wish I were better at it! I wanted to thank you for the nice message and hope you'll stay updated. New novel in February: The Technologists!

Best wishes,

Matthew

posted by matthewpearl at 12:53 pm (EST) on Sep 14, 2011

That sounds lovely! I will admit I am a bit of a sucker for pretty books :) I was lucky enough to get a Kindle for Christmas and am now trying to find free CanLit to fill it with. Gutenberg has a lot of Anne of Green Gables and Jack London :P

How did you like The Handmaid's Tale? It was my first Canadian reading for 2011 and I found it quite powerful. I recently also acquired Last of the Crazy People and The Penelopiad.

posted by Bcteagirl at 7:19 pm (EST) on Jan 18, 2011

So far my favourites for Canadian writing are The Windflower (Gabrielle Roy), The Life of Pi, The Book of Negroes and Lost in the Barrens (One of Mowat's Children's book).Also Clara Callan. I was sad that that book did not make it very far in the top 10 books for Canada Reads this year, it deserves the award :)

posted by Bcteagirl at 6:52 am (EST) on Dec 6, 2010

I read No Great Mischief just this year as part of my reading across Canada challenge! I did enjoy it quite a bit. I have a copy of Who Has Seen the Wind but have not read it yet. I am interested in reading Year of The Flood but want to read pt.1 (Oryx and Crake) first. Have you read it? So many books, so little time eh? I only started on CanLit this year, so am finding I have an awful lot to catch up on. Serves me right I suppose :P

posted by Bcteagirl at 4:53 pm (EST) on Dec 4, 2010

I see with both have an interest in CandianLit! Have you seen that there are a few Canadian groups as well?

posted by Bcteagirl at 9:10 pm (EST) on Dec 3, 2010

Thank you so much. She really is a sweetie. I've tried to read two books at the same time, but my brain can't handle it, lol. Wish I could, tho! I'm going to look into the early reviewers program, what a great way to discover some amazing books. Anyway, thank you for the welcome, enjoy your books!

Karen

posted by KarenDeWinter at 1:01 pm (EST) on Apr 10, 2010

Gulp. I'm embarrassed to say this: but I didn't realize Paul Quarrington had died. I live in my own little teaching world sometimes. I read King Leary when it was a Canada Reads pick, and really enjoyed it. I just googled him to find out more about him -- Quite a guy!

posted by lamplight at 9:05 pm (EST) on Mar 9, 2010

Hi,

You and I share 70 books. We are also both teachers. I teacher Senior Kindergarten, which I love, but I also love my adult reading time. I retire in six years..... longing to have a lot of time to read!!!

posted by lamplight at 7:22 pm (EST) on Mar 6, 2010

Thanks for the message Brenda! We're doing a chat about The Last Dickens on LibraryThing, which you might know, starting today. Hope to see you there!

posted by matthewpearl at 8:44 am (EST) on Oct 5, 2009

Brenda,

Hi from Nova Scotia.

I just found this site and it appears you and I have many books in common. I'm definitely going to refer to your list often!

Elizabeth

posted by edumke at 8:49 am (EST) on Sep 1, 2009

Hi Brenda, well I finally got around to picking up a copy of the Jane Austen Book Club and finished it about a month ago. I'd like to see the movie again--in full. Some interesting characters! Right now I'm reading some YA novels by Canadian in Hong Kong, Karmel Schreyer, and stuff for my dissertation the deadline of which is coming up soon! By the way, Michael Ondaatje will launch the first plaque of Project Bookmark Canada in Toronto later this month--check out the event posting on LibraryThing Local (under that name). These literary plaques will be going up across Canada apparently. Anyway, hope this note finds you well. What are you reading these days?

Regards, Christine

posted by betterthanchocolate at 7:40 am (EST) on Apr 19, 2009

Hi,

Was wondering if you'd be interested in reviewing my new novel and posting your comments here as well as a few other book-related sites. Saw you liked Paris Trout, and I thought you might like my novel since it's also southern and a bit dark. I could e-mail you the novel in an e-book format if you'd like. Let me know if you're interested. Here's a link to a summary in case you're interested:

http://christophertusa.com/blog/?page_id...

Thanks,

Chris

posted by cmtusa at 9:24 am (EST) on Mar 20, 2009

Hello, I hope you are doing well and enjoying a good book! I just read The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher. She lives in Scotland and I have read several of her other books... but I really believe this is her best! I thought you might enjoy it. She weaves a story about a family that seems very real... their frailties and strengths are clearly shown. I enjoyed this book almost as much as Who Has Seen the Wind( Your recommendation ). Some of the book is set in England during WW2 but the author moves you back and forth through time. When I finished reading this book I could almost believe I knew these people. LOL! Sorry it took me so long to answer you back. How is the painting going? I would love to paint. My husband used to paint using watercolors. I think I need a hobby...maybe I will try painting someday. If I can pull myself away from all the books I still want to read. I plan to visit Amazon and order some of the last books you wrote me about. Happy Reading!!! Brenda

posted by wordwanderer at 8:51 pm (EST) on Mar 2, 2009

I just realized that I never responded to the comment you posted about a million years ago. I'm sorry - so rude of me!

I read Whale Music and a couple of other Paul Quarrington novels about 10 years back so my memories aren't that strong. I have a few more on my shelf now that I haven't yet read - The Spirit Cabinet and Galveston among them, and I actually just picked up King Leary in a booksale last weekend. I've got to get reading!

What other sorts of authors are you interested in? Since you're an Atlantic Canadian, have you come across Wayne Johnston? He's one of my favourites - Colony of Unrequited Dreams in particular. I'm in BC right now, but I have a strong connection with Newfoundland and I miss it every day. Hopefully soon I'll get back to the "right" side of the country!

Happy reading - Krista

posted by kjhill45 at 1:58 pm (EST) on Mar 1, 2009

Hi Brenda,

Nice to see someone from home! The book launch for LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU is May 10 (Sunday) 1-4 at the Saint John Arts Center. We juggled around a few days, now its official. It's be great to see you if you can make it. I see we share a few good reads here. So many books, so little time!

kathy-diane
http://kathy-dianeleveille.com

posted by kathydianeleveille at 9:52 am (EST) on Feb 19, 2009

Hello from Texas! I bought Who Has Seen The Wind? from Amazon.com and I am really excited about reading it. Have you ever read The Good Earth by Pearl Buck? It is an amazing read....It is a historical classic set in China. This book "made me think"...I went away from this book with such an appreciation of the people who went before us on this earth and how hard it was to survive. The book Three Cups of Tea reminded me of how life is so very difficult for many people in our world and yet..how rich they are in so many ways.If a person wants to have more compassion and understanding of people....Read Good Books!!!! It has certainly enriched my life and taught me that life is amazingly rich, diverse, and complex when it comes to people. I am currently reading a Dorothy L. Sayers mystery Stong Poison. The book also includes her mystery Have His Carcase. I enjoy mysteries that take us back in time and teach us a thing or two about history. I really enjoy Sayers writing...although until recently I had only read one of her books. I am looking at the books we share and you have definitely read some of my favorites.By the way...the Zoo book you told me about sounds very interesting. Years ago I read The Peaceful Kingdom:A year in the life of America's oldest zoo and I enjoyed it alot. It was written by John Sedgwick. So I will be putting your recommendation on my list. We are having some cold weather here already but it is woven among some pleasantly mild days. This area of Texas tends to have extreme weather most of the year!!!!But, what is better than a good book on a cold day! A hot cup of coffee, my favorite chair,and a facinating book! Perfect!!!!! Happy Reading! Brenda

posted by wordwanderer at 9:07 pm (EST) on Nov 16, 2008

Hi

I have just started to add some of the children's books I have read and loved over the years. I have five children, the youngest of which is 13 so my storytime days are mostly over and I, too, miss it very much. I do have a beautiful 10 month old granddaughter though and I look forward to reading to her. She is all the way in Saskatchewan(I'm in Newfoundland)so I don't see here nearly as much as I would like. I absolutely love the book 'A Fine Balance'. I often refer to it as my all time favorite book. I have not read MacLeod's book yet but I do have it added to my 'to read' list. I just finished a book that I thought was quite nice - 'The Elegance of the Hedgehog' by Muriel Barbery. Have you read this one?

Michelle

posted by moquinn2 at 11:24 am (EST) on Nov 12, 2008

Hi!

Thanks so much for your nice note. I appreciated your recommendations.

I share your love for P.D. James mysteries and A Fine Balance. My only minor gripe is that those books are pretty graphic, so I hate to recommend them to my friends, fearing I might offend someone. But overall, I really LOVED those books.

I hope you enjoy Three Cups of Tea as much as I did. That book changed the way I think about the people in that part of the world. I really do have more compassion now.

I'll have to keep an eye on your library. Thanks for sharing your books and thoughts with everyone on this Web site.

I was looking up Saint John on the Internet. It looks like a beautiful place with a rich history. I also live in a lovely place on the water (Saint Joseph, Michigan right on Lake Michigan), though it's a small community compared with yours. Truly, "There's no place like home!"

Jennifer

posted by itbgc at 3:17 pm (EST) on Nov 11, 2008

Hello! I highly reccommend The Glass Castle. It was an amazing book! When you read this book you experience so many emotions. The family members are very complex. I wanted to scream at the parents so many times and yet found them so intriguing. A book that will touch you, anger you, and finally amaze you! I honestly found it gratifying to realize that the author went though so many challenges in her younger years and still grew into a successful and thriving person. Wow! The human spirit is awesome! What is the name of the Beach Boy book? I too am a fan! Happy Reading! Your friend in Texas! Brenda

posted by wordwanderer at 9:23 pm (EST) on Oct 10, 2008

Hi! I am definitely entering your book suggestion in my To Be Read List! It sounds exactly like the books I love to read. Three Cups of Tea has been a wonderful read! It is about a tall mountaineer named Greg Mortenson who ventures into the Karakoram mountains to attempt a climb of the K2. He fails the attempt but his failure becomes an adventure when he sees children in a village attending an outside school and writing in the dirt. He promises the village elder he will return and build a school. He does build the school and 54 more!!! The depth in which this story is written made me feel I became aquainted with the people he met and saw the amazing mountain scenery he described. It is a book that really is uplifting! I also love to learn about other countries and cultures and this was very informative. One of the best true stories I have read recently. I think you would find it very interesting and worth your time. Happy Reading!! Brenda

posted by wordwanderer at 2:06 am (EST) on Oct 2, 2008

HI

I enjoyed King Leary. I thought it was both funny and sad. This is the first book I have read by this author and choose it because it was part of the 'Canada Reads' selections for this year. I enjoy Canadian authors very much and as a Newfoundlander I have a particular fondness for stories that take place in this province. I had a look at you top ten Canadian books and am excited to look for the ones I have not read yet. I see you have "A Fine Balance" in you list - this is, so far, my all time favorite book.

Michelle

posted by moquinn2 at 9:59 am (EST) on Aug 14, 2008

Have a great trip! We are leaving for PEI in a couple of weeks... Won't be doing much "Anne" stuff though - neither hubby nor my two year old are that interested ;)

posted by jmyra at 10:47 am (EST) on Jul 21, 2008

Hi there!
I don't actually own Rainbow Valley, and have not read it since I was a child. - my favourite L.M. Montgomery books are not the Anne ones, I really like Jane of Lantern Hill, Blue Castle and Story Girl :)
No Great Mischief is sitting on my bedside table, waiting to be read. As soon as I finish my current book I will start on it. I hope I love it as much as those I've spoken to about it. I quite enjoyed the Historian - found it to be a good page turner.
I have not read Whale music, although I love the movie.
Nice to hear from another Maritimer ;)

posted by jmyra at 12:05 am (EST) on Jul 18, 2008

I got on Jan Karon's website and the last book I see is [Home to Holly Springs], it is about Tim when he was a boy. It came out last Christmas, my husband got it for me and I really enjoyed it. Do you know if there is another one coming out in that series?

Just finished a Dee Henderson book tonight. I like her books, they are fast easy reads.

posted by investory at 10:52 pm (EST) on Jul 16, 2008

Hi!

Love your library. If I ever got all my books entered we would probably have more alike. I read all the Jan Karon series and have read part of the Alexander McCall Smith series. I have 2 by my bed right now that I need to get reading. I am a big Dee Henderson fan, have you read any of hers?

I am from the States but my husbands company is based out of Canada so he goes fairly often. We have been to Niagra at least once a year and several times to Toronto. He flies in to Calgary quite often. I always wanted to go on a 3 month vacation tour of Canada. I have a friend who lives in the States but married a guy from Canada.

K

posted by investory at 11:08 pm (EST) on Jul 9, 2008

Hi,

Sorry, it's the other way around -- I'm in Texas now, but from Saint John. I finished up a degree in English in 2007 at UNBSJ. Worked with Anne Compton and David Creelman on a project about Lynn Coady and Cape Breton writing. Those were the days! It's been a big change -- there are almost as many people living in Texas as there are living in Canada. It's been hard wrapping my brain around that, among other things. We can't wait to move back to the area but my husband needs to finish up a degree first.

Your review of Deafening reminded me that I've been meaning to read that. I'm currently reading Peter Behrens The Law of Dreams. I collected books while in school but had no time to read much outside of required texts -- it's been fun working through my collection. You can probably relate to that!

If you hear any rumblings about new Maritime writers I'd love to hear about them. I'm so out of the loop down here!

Take care,
Rachel

posted by climbingtree at 5:33 pm (EST) on Jun 21, 2008

Hi there --

I noticed that we have a good number of books in common and that you're from Saint John. I moved from Saint John to Texas a year ago and miss the city very much. Where do you teach?

Cheers,
Rachel

posted by climbingtree at 11:56 am (EST) on Jun 20, 2008

Hi Brenda -
Just read your reply now - little slow catching on here! I see you had the name of that book correct Charlotte Taylor, not Charlotte Gray!!

Deafening - I liked it a lot. Interesting portrayal of life in those times,the trenches, the flu. I would read another by her. Have you read this?

Lullabies for Little Criminals - It was ok. Not my usual pick, but read it because of Canada Reads. Life as a child on the streets of T.O. I live pretty far from that scene.

I am reading Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen now and have Glass Voices by Carol Bruneau waiting. My latest 'book thing' is to place library holds on all the books I want to read and just wait for them to trickle in. I was enjoying buying them and passing them on to my 35 year old daughter but she started sending them back unread - ingrat!!- too busy with small children and her own type of books to read.

Nice to make your acquaintance, Noreen.

posted by reeny at 10:41 pm (EST) on May 19, 2008

Hi Brenda - I am new to this site, but find it very addictive. You and I have many books in common, as I go for Canadian award winners. I see you live in New Brunswick - have your read The Nine Lives of Charlotte Gray? I just finished it and really enjoyed the historical detail. Based on a true story also. Do you remember Sally Armstrong - she was an editor of Homemaker's magazine. I live in Nova Scotia and my favorite book would be No Great Mischief. Nice photo. I must try to find one to put in.

posted by reeny at 7:40 am (EST) on Apr 23, 2008

Hi again
I feel stupid as I just noticed Fifth Business in your library! I hadn't seen it the first time, but there it was. So, in lieu of that (which of course I should have know any Canadian would have read) I recommend to you another old one that I really loved: The Woman in the Dunes by Kobo Abe (Japanese) . It was also a fascinating film. Not sure if it is still in print though...

posted by RoxanneMcT at 3:06 pm (EST) on Feb 24, 2008

Hello, I just wanted to thank you for your recommendations of A Guilty Thing Surprised and The Keys To The Street by Ruth Rendell. I had read reviews for her mystery writing in several publications and by several authors.... and then when you told me the books you enjoyed I ordered them and read them. I am a true fan of Rendell's now and will be reading more of her books. Hope you are experiencing joyful reading!

posted by wordwanderer at 7:11 pm (EST) on Feb 17, 2008

Hi

I was peeking around different libraries, and noticed that you had so many books that I had that I absolutely love. Esp. Helene Hanff....I changed the picture in my profile of Helene and I when I visited her NYC back in November of 1995.

I also noticed your Robertson Davies, who I started reading a number of years ago, starting with the Cornish Trilogy. I think after I finish the current book, I must go back and read Davies again. HAs been a number of years since I read the Cornish and Deptford Trilogies.

Have not been through your whole library yet, but looking forward to the adventure

Ken
Columbia, SC

posted by Kenkwa at 10:06 pm (EST) on Jan 11, 2008

Hi Brenda! Half a year flown by just like that. My explorations online always bring me back to LibraryThing though. I loved Catwings, and Ursula Le Guin, and no, I haven't seen the sequels yet, but would love to. As for Alice Munro, it's been a while, and I plan to dedicate some time to catching up on a few of her recent novels.

Speaking of Le Guin, I just watched (most of) the movie The Jane Austen Book Club, which features a reference to her throughout. It's quite charming and I plan to watch the rest of it (having been cut off in the last 15 minutes because the flight ended). Have you seen it? I do recommend it!

Happy reading in the new year!

posted by betterthanchocolate at 9:17 pm (EST) on Dec 31, 2007

Hi from Northern California!

Thank you for the comment! I love the Mitford books and Alexander McCall books! I think you will enjoy "Like a Watered Garden", I did. I am looking forward to reading something else written by Patti Hill. I would also recommend anything written by Charles Martin. Have a great New Year!
Rikki

posted by rowdybookworm at 3:35 pm (EST) on Dec 29, 2007

Hi, from Ontario!

Thanks for your message. Can you recommend another favourite Canadian crime writer? If not, can you recommend a favourite crime writer from any other country? I tend to read most of my crime novels in the wintertime for some reason.

You have a wonderful selection of books. I need to get at keying in my book collection because this is such a great web site for so many reasons. Your library has inspired me to get going again - or at least continue entering each book as I go along reading.

Have a good read!

posted by see_a_knight at 7:00 pm (EST) on Nov 15, 2007

Thanks so much for your friendship. You have a very noble position... where would we all be without teachers? I also agree that one can never have too many books! I'm glad you are interested in reading my work and would recommend you start with BEAUTIFUL LIES. SLIVER OF TRUTH is the sequel. Look forward to hearing from you.

All the best,
L

posted by lisaunger at 11:17 am (EST) on Nov 7, 2007

I ordered Guilty Thing Surprised and The Keys to the Street ....thanks for recommending them. I am excited to finally sample Ruth Rendell's mysteries. I hope you are having a great day in New Brunswick

posted by wordwanderer at 2:28 am (EST) on Oct 23, 2007

Hi Brenda, I thought I would tell you I ordered No Great Mischief and am anxiously awaiting it's arrival. There are three books that I recently recommended to another LT member and I thought you might enjoy them also. They are Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessi and Beautiful Lies by Lisa Unger.(Sliver of Truth is the follow up to Beautiful Lies) I really enjoyed reading them. Do you have a favorite mystery of Ruth Rendell? I heard she is one of the best mystery writers and I noticed you read her books. So many books...so little time!

posted by wordwanderer at 7:52 pm (EST) on Oct 19, 2007

Hi Brenda!
So great to hear from you. Thanks for the gems regarding Canadian Lit. I'm really interested in exploring this avenue of reading. Going to have to hit my internet "thrift stores" in search of these authors and titles.
I'll be sure to share my reviews with you once I do some reading.

posted by sunqueen at 2:49 am (EST) on Sep 27, 2007

Hello again and thanks for answering back. I will definitely read the book you recommended. I have found the members of LJ to be great people with diverse libraries. When I saw your profile and interest in Canadian Literature I thought this would be a wonderful and new reading experience for me. Readers are the best advisers when it comes to books and authors! What great fun to get a new recommendation from a fellow reader, read the book, and find a gem! I also love Mitford and my real name is Brenda. Ha!

posted by wordwanderer at 8:51 pm (EST) on Sep 25, 2007

Brenda, I haven't read much Canadian lit but would really enjoy hearing your opinion on some of your favorite Canadian writers and novels. I have read a few books from Canada but would really enjoy what you could advise me on the subject. Thanks. Oh, by the way, I am adding you to my interesting libraries list because you have many books that look..well..interesting!

posted by wordwanderer at 7:39 pm (EST) on Sep 15, 2007

Hi. Thanks for welcoming me to Librarything. So far 99 books in common, and I've only just started on my bookshelves. Gee this thing is addictive. It appeals to my compulsive, cataloguing nature.

Cheers

Veracity.

posted by veracity at 7:51 am (EST) on Jul 19, 2007

Hi Brenda, it's really nice to hear from you. I haven't started to catalogue my Canadian books yet, though it's not a huge collection - and some of them are in store at the moment - as it can be difficult to get some writers. There's no problem with the "big" authors like Atwood or Shields or Ondaatje, and I've got the latest Munro on my "to read" list. I do keep an eye on Amazon.ca but I'm always interested to hear about authors who don't get published in the UK - Madeleine Engel, for instance, is virtually unknown here. I would say that, apart from Atwood, students only hear about other authors if they are among the very few doing Canadian Studies.

I've been lucky enough to hear MacLeod read - he used to visit Edinburgh from time to time. When I was young I spent quite a lot of time in very remote village on the west coast of Scotland, and MacLeod's stories remind me so much of the landscape and the people. Only the flowers would be different, I think, and with that coastal flora maybe you'd hardly notice that. My only problem with MacLeod is that I found him heartbreakingly moving, and I haven't been able to finish No Great Mischief. I must go back to it.

posted by GeraniumCat at 10:21 am (EST) on Jul 9, 2007

Hi Brenda- I love Munro too. I think she is getting more recognition in the States, but otherwise is largely unknown. Regarding Canadian books I've enjoyed lately, I just finished The Perfect Circle by Pascale Quiviger. Quite a beautiful book, very poetic, written after a love affair that fell apart. Another one that I read not so long ago and is worth recommending is Natasha and Other Stories by David Bezmozgis. It's a collection of interlinked stories about the immigrant experience of Latvian Jews who come to Toronto in the 80s told from the point of view of the son who is six in the first story and an adult in his twenties in the last. I really enjoyed it.
Greetings.

posted by Niecierpek at 10:37 pm (EST) on Jun 30, 2007

Hi Brenda, Niecierpek here. We still share the most books in our libraries. When you left me a note, you were in the middle The In-Between World of Vikram Lall, but I noticed that you liked it only so so in the end. Why is that? I really liked the narrator there. Sort of dark and feeling guilty beyond redemption, a bit like some of Graham Greene's characters. Or, at least this is what I remember.

posted by Niecierpek at 2:10 pm (EST) on Jun 23, 2007

Hello again, Brenda! Have your cats crossed the threshold into the outdoors, yet? One of mine has developed the habit of darting out the front door when I enter, only to find himself in the elevator lobby, not Spring, poor thing. Sometimes I don't know he's "out" until I hear him calling at the door to be let back in.

I've discovered a way to connect with some Canadian literature from an online book seller here in Hong Kong. I plan to revisit Canadian/Quebecois SF writer Elisabeth Vonarburg's novel The Maerlande Chronicles, and see if we hit it off again, and I'm reading Wayson Choy's All That Matters. I'm enjoying it immensely as a longer and more mature novel than his earlier Jade Peony.

Have you ever picked up Tsitsi Dangarembga's Nervous Conditions? It's set in former Rhodesia and is told through the eyes of a young girl growing up next to her privileged, foreign-educated cousin and her family in the decades leading up to independence. --Christine

posted by betterthanchocolate at 10:09 pm (EST) on May 20, 2007

Thanks for the recommendations re Halifax! I will look into those. Canadian history tends to get glossed over, here in the UK, which is a shame.

posted by BoPeep at 9:36 am (EST) on May 8, 2007

Hi Brenda! Well it seems to me you are an avid traveler as well as reader. Thanks for the recommendation of Elephant Winter--I will surely check it out. (So it's an old friend that went traveling with you this time.) I'm actually in the course of applying for further studies right now, so I'm awaiting shipment of a spate of critical writing on literature to come in the mail--and dipping into a collection of essays about rereading childhood favourites, titled Rereading(s) ed. by Anne Fadiman in the meantime. Some good stuff for a commute.

As for Can lit, I haven't read anything new there in a while, but some of my favourite Canadian authors to date would be Alice Munro, Alistair Macleod, Carol Shields, Stuart Maclean, Matt Cohen (from the few I've read) and E.T. Seton, to name a few. Always looking for more.

Love art, used to keep a sketchbook on hand when I was less busy... and would love to get back into drawing sometime. What media have you used in your art course? How does your book list look these days? Regards, Christine.

posted by betterthanchocolate at 1:24 am (EST) on Apr 18, 2007

Hello there from Hong Kong again. Thanks for your notes post-Florida. I was really excited about the prospect of seeing Alistair Mcleod on screen after your mention of the author biography, but couldn't seem to find anything after searching both the CBC website and the web. Do you recall anything more on the broadcast you saw?

You've been reading fully, I see, including a book from the Canada Reads 2007 booklist. I haven't any comment there yet as I've been reading locally for the moment--it being cheaper and quicker to obtain desired titles. I'm on a books about books kick, with Rereadings (ed. Anne Fadiman) on the go. No fiction these days.

Who incidentally is your favourite Canadian artist? I do love Tom Thomson (p or no?) and try to visit the Group of Seven gallery at least once a year. Happy continued reading!

posted by betterthanchocolate at 10:23 pm (EST) on Apr 6, 2007

Hi
Yes I do know Heather Toole, through Maggie (Marg Urquhart) and my sister who lived in an apt. across the hall from her before she married Fred.The four of us travelled to grand Manan together one summer I was home from Regina. Heather and Maggie were in Kenya this past fall on a tour. I know Maggie loved it. It was a tour organized by Jim Miles, a retired teacher from Fredericton. Have you ever been to one of Heather's New Year's Eve morning drop-ins? You may have met my sister, Sally Marshall. She uses a walker.
I notice that the comment above mine mentions Sarah Ellis, a librarian/writer from B.C. Have you read Deborah Ellis another Canadian author. Her Y.A. fiction on Afganistan (3) is wonderful. She also did a non-fiction book interviewing teens from Israel and Palestine.
At the moment I am reading Margaret Wente's "An Accidental Canadian Reflections on my home and (not) native land." It is interesting but different from what I expected, much more on her (living in the country, stress of work, why women are having fewer babies ...) and less about Canada and being a Canadian. Once it is finished I have to decide between a book on the middle east or a mystery by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles or ??
Penny

posted by pmarshall at 3:05 pm (EST) on Apr 5, 2007

Hi
I went through your library and found a few more books we have in common, ones I hadn't listed. What did you think of "Elephant Winter?" I have a thing for elephants and really liked "Water for Elephants." Try it. I enjoy McCall Smith's books about Botswana because I think they truly reflect the society and people I experienced in the 1970"s. A great respect for elders, the land and the culture of the Batswana people. I have the new one on order.I agree with you about Deborah Crombie. I am amazed that someone from Texas got the British so right! Have you tried Ann Granger? She writes about a couple - he is with Scotland Yard and she is with the Home Office. I like them. Also Laurie R. King's series featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. Lee Harris has 2 series going one based on holidays which are good but I really recommend the Jane Bauer series. She is with the NYPD, the first title is "Murder in Hell's Kitchen." Finally try John Dunning, he write about a former cop, Cliff Janeway, turned used book seller in Denver - "Booked to Die" is the first. They all feature some aspect of collecting books. I could go on but it is late.
Penny

posted by pmarshall at 1:41 am (EST) on Apr 3, 2007

Hi Brenda

No, I am not from Botswana - just from Fredericton! My father was an engineer and went to Botswana with CIDA for 4 years in the early 1970's. I went to visit and then travelled across Africa to London. We may also share people in common. Do you know Marg Urquhart - former English teacher, head of guidance with the SJ board? We are friends from university. My sister Sally, also lives in SJ, she worked at the UNBSJ library.

Penny

posted by pmarshall at 12:25 pm (EST) on Apr 2, 2007

Hi Brenda,

For the past few days, I was thinking about what I could say about the stories of Alistair Macleod that hasn't already been said. The thing is, I've gone back to revisit his short story anthology, Island, a few times now and every time I find something so deep and real, a literary experience so poignant, I just know I'll come back again and again. My favourite stories are the much anthologised "The Boat," "The Closing Down of Summer," and "In the Fall." (That single feather plastered to the forehead of the narrator's little brother is an unforgettable image of this last story.) Oh yes, and the title story, "Island." (I'm going by memory here since the book is in Toronto.) Which stories moved you the most?

Regards,
Christine

posted by betterthanchocolate at 11:34 am (EST) on Feb 16, 2007

Hello, Brenda!
Thank you very much for your recommendations. I will definately be looking into them. You are incredibly helpful. I'm a fairly new Library Thinger myself so it's great to make new contacts.
Hmmm...The Historian.
It was a bit disappointing, generally. I thought there was a bit too much story within a story within a story and became tedious. I know some people really thought highly of it, though
Thanks again, Brenda. Keep in touch. Cheers!

posted by chrisdroberts at 5:11 pm (EST) on Feb 6, 2007

Hello from Hong Kong! Thanks for dropping by and browsing. I'm glad I came by here--I love your collection. I believe I would like to spend hours browsing through your books--we seem to share a love of many a good and handsomely bound novel. Many in yours I'd like to pick up and have a taste of--so I've added a few to my library "to find through browsing". As for me, I'm a beginning teacher in my fourth year, always looking to branch out into a field where I could come by fresh new novels for free or cheap... or at least make enough money to buy them en masse--and in the meantime trying to inspire a love of reading in the young people I see every day. Your Great Canadian novels list is great. Yes--about this Jenny the Cat series, I like the look of the illustrations and would like to pick one or two up to see if the story is as good. Let me know if happen to first. Happy reading in the meantime!

posted by betterthanchocolate at 7:53 am (EST) on Feb 1, 2007

Hello, yes the Kite Runner is very sad, and brutal in places, but it is such a beautiful journey into another culture - my book club all agreed it was very good. I thought Library Thing would help me prioritize my reading, but I'm afraid it has only added to my pile to read. I just got in the mail today A Gentle Madness: Bibliophiles, Bibliomanes and the Eternal Passion for Books. It's mesmerizing, and just bumped the other 5 I was trying to finish! Lucky to have such problems! Enjoy your books.

posted by readaholic12 at 10:36 pm (EST) on Jan 31, 2007

Hello, nice to meet you. I am smitten with Library Thing, and will spend many happy hours just reading lists of what other people have read, and reprioritizing my to be read list! Your library is very impressive too! I have a son, 12 and daughter, 9 and they both have started LT accounts. I am gearing up for our school's 8th annual Used Book Sale in April, so prepare to see a jump in my collection by May! Happy Reading!

posted by readaholic12 at 12:37 pm (EST) on Jan 18, 2007

Yes, we do share a lot of books in common. I love Canadian literature. Atwood, Shields, Ondaatje, Richler. Currently, I'm reading Children of the Day by Sandra Birdsell. My mother gave it to me for Christmas and I'm enjoying it very much. I'm also working my way through the *Canada Reads* books. My sister and I read the selection every year.
Interestingly, Atonement is one of my favourite books. I could not put it down once I started reading. It still haunts me today. I haven't read Saturday either.
Please feel free to send me some recommendations.
Erin

posted by novascotia32 at 9:56 am (EST) on Jan 10, 2007

it's funny you mention fugitve pieces. i just purchased it recently but havent read it yet, will have to move it up on my to be read list before the movie comes out!!

posted by amanaceerdh at 8:55 am (EST) on Jan 8, 2007

Hello! We do have a lot of books in common! I have yet to read the Sarang book; I picked it up because it looked interesting but will get it in soon because of your recommendation. I'm also a teacher but am not teaching until my licensure gets sorted (moved to a new state, paperwork paperwork).

I actually had a class in grad school just on Canadian Children's Lit. Judith Saltman from UBC taught it and I discovered a lot of new authors, namely Brian Doyle and Sarah Ellis. Margaret Atwood was in town a month ago to launch her newest short story collection and I went to hear her speak!

Good luck with the Bulgakov. I read it last year and it's like nothing else!

posted by Sarahsponda at 9:32 pm (EST) on Jan 2, 2007