Hello, I am just setting up my second thread to begin with book 76. ( still reading)

I wouldn't want to lose you! You are now starred.
Have a good day Cyrel!

Congrats on reaching 75! You've had some good reading this year.

Just posting so I don't lose you in the hubbub

Thank you!
I am in the middle of a reread of
Our Hearts Were Young and Gay by Cornelia Otis Skinner and Emily Kimbrough.

Got you starred again, Cyrel.

Oh, and BTW:

This message has been flagged by multiple users and is no longer displayed.

Congrats on 75........Starred ya.

I've got you starred too! I don't leave a lot of comments, but I do lurk.

Thank you all! I do lurk a lot too. So many good reading suggestions! I can't tell you how many piles of books are in interesting places in my house! And fortunately, or unfortunately I have discovered a book store near one of the universities that stocks books that are hard to find. This store also puts them on sale ( at half price) at the end of term. So my pile of books gets bigger.

76. Our Hearts Were Young and Gay by Cornelia Otis Skinner and Emily Kimbrough. I can't tell you how long ago I read this book. My old copy disappeared and I just found this reprint. This story of two young women making their big trip to England and France in the 1920's is still touching and laugh aloud funny. I recommend this story, told in a refreshingly candid manner by Otis and Kimbrough, highly.

>10: I read #76 earlier this year and enjoyed it. Have you tried Kimbrough's Floating Island? It was my introduction to her and I loved it.

No! I will have to look for Floating Island. Thanks!

77. Hotel Savoy by Joseph Roth. This brief novella is about the inhabitants of a hotel in a small town in Eastern Europe sometime between the two world wars. The narrator has just come back from a prisoner of war camp in Russia. He has a relative in the town and hopes to get some money from him and continue his traves. The story is about the people he meets- the successful tycoon from America, the revolutionary, the poor dancer,and more. I found this story of the rich and poor interesting although not as good as the Stefan Zweig book that I read last month. So it is good but I am making comparisons with other similar stories and find this one not as touching. I will have to read Roth's The Radetsky March this year.

78. Evangelista's Fan by Rose Tremain. I was not happy about this book of short stories written in 1994 by Tremain. Her other books are better. The characters were interesting but the resolutions of each story left much to be desired. Oh, well.

#10: is that bookshop in Toronto? If so WHERE, please! "hard to find", "on sale (at half price)" aren't words to be taken lightly. Thanks.

Hi Tiffin
It is The Bob Miller Book Room at 180 Bloor St. lower concourse, I'll put the phone numbers on your profile page. I went in just after term ended and there were many books that I could picked up on sale!

hooray hooray, I know where it is! Thanks, T.O. Are you at York or UofT? Sorry...nosyparker here.

79. The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood. I reread this novel for a second time. It is such a good book. Atwood describes the 1970's and 80's with accurate depictions of the times and ideas as she tells the story of four women. We hear about Zenia through the stories of Tony, Roz and Charis. Each woman has a different run-in with Zenia that ends with husbands and boyfriends enticed away and money lost. Zenia is supposed to be dead but she turns up years later. Each woman has a story that is different and really interesting. I highly recommend this book.

#18: I have been exploring some of Atwood's work this year. I will put The Robber Bride on the list to read. Thanks for the recommendation, Cyrel.

80. The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett. I have to use the word "delightful" in describing this brief novel. The Queen of England discovers the pleasure of reading and it changes her life. This is a comedy, maybe a tragedy, and most certainly a satire on the expectations of life.

#20: I liked that one so much when I read it last year I bought my own copy. Glad to see you enjoyed it as well!

I don't usually read humor, but I did enjoy The Uncommon Reader.

looks like I need to bump this up a few notches.

Oh, drat so darn many wonderful books and so very limited amount of time....

It's a little one, Whisper. You can read it in an afternoon.

81. The Spies of Warsaw by Alan Furst. This book is the latest in Furst's series on World War II. The main character is a French military attache in Warsaw in 1937-8. The reader follows him as he conducts surveillance both dangerous and mundane. It is interesting that Furst also shows French government's lack of acknowledgement of the German intent.This is a very well written book with interesting characters. The cafe in Paris that plays a part in all Furst's books is used here as well.

Have you read any of the other books in the series, Cyrel? Is it necessary to read them in order?

Hi Cyrel,
I'm going to look for that one because I enjoyed his The world at night. It's not the same main character is it?

Hi Cyrel,
I'm going to look for that one because I enjoyed his The world at night. It's not the same main character is it?

#26 Stasia - I'm not Cyrel, so I hope you don't mind me addressing this question. I have been slowly collecting this "Night Soldiers" series, of which The Spies of Warsaw is the latest (I believe), and through my research I've discovered the following...

The series does not feature a continuing main character, however Furst does make connections across the series employing other methods. For example, a Paris nightspot, the Brasserie Heininger, which features prominently in the first book, Night Soldiers, features in all the subsequent books and references are made to events that occurred in that first book. Furst also utilises about a dozen crossover characters, or close relations. These are all side characters, and a list of their names and the books they appear in are available on this WIKIPEDIA ENTRY.

So, in summary, I don't think it's necessary to read these in order. Personally, I lament the lack of a permanent main character as I like the character development aspect, and the emotional involvement, that they bring to a series.

Message edited by its author, Jun 24, 2009, 7:09am.

I did try to read all Furst's books in order of publication-but it is not necessary. I like the fact that each book has a different main character.

#29: Thanks, Peter, for all the info and the link.

#30: I will give them a try in order of publication, I think, despite the fact that there is no main character. I think it is one of those anal retentive characteristics of mine - must read everything in order, lol. Now I just have to see if my local library has them all . . .

Thanks Peter, I didn't know that about the links between the books.

82. Homecoming by Bernhard Schlink. I found this novel fascinating for the ideas and allusions as well as a good story. The main character, Peter Debauer, seems to drift through a good part of his life but he does have an interesting past. He lives with his mother in Germany- he has been told that his father was Swiss, in the Red Cross and killed in World War II. Peter spends his summers in Switzerland with his father's parents. They live in an isolated village and seem to be editing novels. Peter is told never to read them, although they give him paper to use with part of the stories on the backside. When he is older, Peter does read the scraps and sets out to find out who the author was and whether parts of the story are true. This journey leads him to an important relationship in his life, some surprising news about his father, and a search that seems to mirror that of Odysseus. Schlink writes about the nature of evil and justice in the course of the events in this novel. I really liked this book and wonder why I didn't like The Reader when I read it a few years ago. I will have to reread it.

Message edited by its author, Jun 25, 2009, 10:50pm.

#33: I did enjoy The Reader, although perhaps not as much as other folks here on LT, so I will look for Homecoming. Thanks for the recommendation, Cyrel!

The next two books that I have read are as different as night and day-sounds like a cliche but it is true.
83. Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons. This book was so much fun to read. My edition has wonderful illustrations on the covers by Roz Chast and a good introduction by Lynne Truss.The heroine of the novel, Flora, has a matter of fact attitude about her unusual relatives and their farm. She has set herself the task of fixing up their lives and setting their priorities straight. The descriptions and the situations are a parody of bad novels and I was giggling as I read. Of course everything turns out well and Flora has her own nice ending. ( spoiler)

84. Nazi Literature in the Americas by Roberto Bolano. Like my reading of Margaret Atwood's The Tent, this book by Bolano was not the one I should have read first. He has created a list and descriptions of fictional Fascist and Neo-Nazi writers, complete with organizations and novels. The list describes bad poets, failed novels, and shadow organizations in North and South America. The list is not particulary interesting although it is very clever as the author slides his characters into real situations and associations with real people. I can admire this creation while not being thrilled by the actual writing of the lists.I found myself making a comparison with the work of Stephen Marche's book Shining At The Bottom of the Sea. Marche created a fictional island and the history of it's literature. His book is much more interesting as I felt that I discovered more about the soul of the writing. Bolano's book is a biographical dictionary that come off as very dreary. I think that I might have a different take on this book after I read some of Bolano's main work. However if it stands alone,I have to say that I was disappointed.

Message edited by its author, Jun 28, 2009, 11:59am.

*WHEW* caught up here. You appear to be flipping between heavier history-based books and the delightful mint julep summer reads like Cold Comfort Farm. Just how I like to do things in the summer. I really want a tee shirt which says "There's Something Nasty in the Woodshed"!

Great idea!

36> It WOULD be great fun to wear that T-shirt and see how many people recognize it.

Just want to throw in that the dramatized version, available on DVD, is equally wonderful!

85. The Somnambulist by Jonathan Barnes. I do love a Victorian or Edwardian historical mystery! I liked the beginning of this novel but found the ending just satisfactory. The writing style was good but the introduction of new characters in the middle was -hmm- not as well done as I would have liked. Needless to say , this work about a conjurer, and plots against the city of London was fun to read.

Message edited by its author, Jun 29, 2009, 12:36pm.

There's another set in modern-day that's a follow-on called The Domino Men. I thought it was better than The Somnambulist and really expanded the backstory of the world Barnes had created.

#38: I second Cariola's recommendation!

Thanks, drneutron- I put The Domino Men on my wishlist of books.

86. When I Lived in Modern Times by Linda Grant. This 2000 Orange Prize winner is well written and has a number of provacative and interesting ideas about a people's ( and individual's ) past history and the relationship to " modern times". The main character, Evelyn, is a very impressionable young woman with bad judgement. She allows others- her uncle Joe who sends her to 1946 Palestine, and her lover Johnny who uses her- to determine her actions. Evelyn is a bit of a contradiction as several of her acts are quite smart in her situation. She comes across as both a survivor and a victim in in her life. The author's candid descriptions of the kibbutz life, the early days of Tel Aviv and the role of widely diverse Jewish groups in the development of the country are really interesting. The last part of the book that brings the reader up to date on Evelyn's history seems rushed and not as connected to the rest of the story. I did like this book very much.

Message edited by its author, Jul 5, 2009, 9:21am.

#42: The reviews on When I Lived in Modern Times seem to be all over the place. I am going to have to read it for myself and see what I think of it :)

>43: Stasia, I didn't care for it much, but for me that was because I wanted the story to be more about the characters. Instead, they were ancillary to ideas & messages about the politics of the times. It was interesting, but I prefer more character-driven novels.

If that is the case, I think I will give it a pass then. Thanks for the additional info, Laura.

87. My Life In France by Julia Childs with Alex Prud'homme. This book was a delight- a charming story about Julia Child's life in France from the late 1940's to the fifties. Child writes about her interest in food, France and her education in cooking. She tells a good story about her friends, cooking discoveries and how she got started in writing and later her television series.

#46: I want to get to that one sometime soon. I think I would really enjoy it. Glad to see you did, Cyrel!

It is a really feel-good book-the kind that you reread when you want something uplifting!

88. number9dream by David Mitchell. I don't remember how I discovered David Mitchell but I have loved all of his books. Some have a science fiction aspect-others are just quirky. This one is excellent. A young man, Eiji Miyake, comes to Tokyo to find his father. Eiji and his late twin sister were brought up by his uncles and aunts and grandmother. His mother had abandoned the children. The father was married with children and never wanted contact with his offspring by a discarded mistress. The story is of Eiji's quest, his contact with murderous gangs, his interior journey and extraordinary dreams. This is a book that I will return to as I think that I need to reread to see yet another layer of meaning.

Message edited by its author, Jul 18, 2009, 1:02pm.

89. The Road Home by Rose Tremain. I have been reading this 2008 Orange Prize winner for about a week. It began with the very sad story of Lev, an Eastern European widower on his way to London. He wanted to earn money for his mother and daughter who lived back home. His troubled start in London was seen in contrast to his memories of his dead wife and their life, as well as that of his friend, Rudi. Lev's sense of displacement in London is sensitively narrated.Lev's life becomes more complicated with the introduction of some interesting characters who provide friendship as Lev learns to navigate his new life with it's ups and downs. The resolution of Lev's story is surprisingly upbeat.( as other readers have reported) Definitely worth reading.

#48: I have Mitchell's Cloud Atlas home from the library now to read. I will have to look for number9dream after I finish it.

#49: I already have that one on my bedside table to read some time in the next century or 2.

90. The Idea of Perfection by Kate Grenville. This 2001 Orange Prize winner was wonderful to read. This is a romance set in a very small Australian town. Two outsiders-Harley, sent by a Sydney museum to help set up a heritage display, and Douglas,an engineer sent to tear down a bridge and rebuild it in concrete- meet and under the most trying circumstances, become attracted to each other. The town people and the countryside have a major role to play in this novel about unlikely attraction. Highly recommended.

Message edited by its author, Jul 21, 2009, 7:46pm.

#51: That one looks like one I would enjoy. Thanks for the recommendation, Cyrel.

Lots of new books! I loved The Idea of Perfection too. Have you read The Secret River? I thought they were both great, but very different.

I might look out for My Life in France as an antidote to Julie and Julia, which is going on my clunker list for 2009 (I know lots of LTers love it, but I really did not!).

edited to put the "e" back into grat...

Message edited by its author, Jul 21, 2009, 2:04am.

I did read The Secret River and have Grenville's newest book, ( in Canada that is), The Lieutenant on my wishlist.

I'll be reading The Secret River some time this year as part of my 999 challenge. It will be my first by Kate Grenville, I've only seen good reviews of her works so far so I'm looking forward to it.

91. Secret Ingredients: The New Yorker Book of Food and Drink edited by David Remnick. I have been reading this anthology of articles on food, ( reporting and fiction) from the New Yorker Magazine off and on for about 4 months now. ( The book is about 500 pages ). The range of years from the 1930's to the present really gives the reader a sense of the social history about food as well. The authors include Dorothy Parker, Ogden Nash, Woody Allen and Malcolm Gladwell to name a few. The subjects include a thirty -seven course lunch, the best ketchup, and oysters. Very interesting book.

92. February by Lisa Moore Lisa Moore is a remarkable author from Newfoundland. Her latest book is about one family and the sinking of the oil rig, Ocean Ranger. Moore uses this real life tragedy in her book as the life changing event for Helen and her children. The story is told through events from Helen's past with her husband, Cal and the present as she struggles to live with the memory of Cal's death on the Ocean Ranger. The writing is spare yet accurate as Moore describes heartbreak and later hope. A recommended read.

>56 I read a review of February in The National Post - not very favourable, to say the least. I am glad you reviewed it here - I am more likely to give it a try, now. Thanks.

#56: Some nice reads, Cyrel. I am interested in both. Thanks for the recommendations!

#56 - Agree on Secret Ingredients. I picked this up from Amazon several weeks ago, where is was (and still is) in the 'Bargain Books' bin. I'm pottering my way through it as well.

I had my next books all lined up and then I decided that I needed a memoir-spy story that was staring at me from the book pile. So I read
93. My Father's Secret War by Lucinda Franks. Franks won the Pulitzer Prize for her reporting. In this book, she tells the story of her parents difficult relationship and the secrets that she uncovers while dealing with her father's problems. Tom and Lorraine Franks had a terrible marriage. The two children were often caught in the middle. Lucinda , the oldest, rebelled when she was young and eventually had to support her father financially when she was in her twenties. (Her mother had died) This book tells about the troubled relationship and how it changed as Francks discovered her father's role as a spy in World War II. The story is pieced together from her father's failing and selective memory, research and intervews, and later with the letters that Tom wrote to his wife during the war. Francks realizes that her parents did have a loving relationship that only soured after the war. What her father saw and did might have changed him forever. Francks learns truths about herself and her family as she looks for evidence of her father's exploits. Not every clue is found but Francks has constructed a more accurate picture of her father by the book's conclusion.She also relates the story of some very secret organizations that fought in the war. A very satifying read. Personally, what I found compelling were the letters that Tom Francks wrote during the war. The phrases sound just those that my father wrote to my mother during the same period of time. And like Francks, I do cherish those pieces of paper that give life to departed family.

Message edited by its author, Jul 28, 2009, 9:17pm.

#60: Another good recommendation for me, Cyrel. Thanks! (I think)

I've picked up two for the wishlist, Cyrel. Secret Ingredients and My Father's Secret War. Good reviews, thanks. Thanks, Peter, for the tip that Secret Ingredients is in the bargain bin.

94. Heaven is Small by Emily Schultz. This is a book that I picked up after hearing the author at a reading. The premise is a little odd but entertaining and ultimately sad at the end. Gordon Small, dies, and then finds himself applying for a job at Heaven, a publisher of romance novels. He is a editor in a seemingly big corporation. Gordon had been a not too successful writer. His discovery of Heaven's secrets, and his own thwarting of the system provides the main plot. This is a clever book, although I had to read the ending more than once in order to figure out what happened.

You must really stop recommending books in which I am interested, Cyrel!

95. Geisha by Liza Dalby. This book is a very interesting study of the history of Geisha and the author's experiences passing as a geisha one year in the 1970's. I found the attitudes towards women and the geisha's place in Japanese culture fascinating. To me it looks like a loose-loose situation as opposed to the author's view that the geisha were very independent as women. There is still the very paternal attitude that makes men the centre of any life that women have.Whether the geisha can control their lives and play a role that married women don't in Japanese society is beside the point. The whole setup of relationships bothers me. The author is quite sympathetic to the geisha-wife role situation in this book.( I guess you now how I feel). The historical aspects of the book feel really complete. The author's statistics on various aspects of the geisha life are presented in a scholarly way-Dalby is an anthropologist who studied the geisha for her thesis.

Message edited by its author, Aug 1, 2009, 10:47am.

Hi Cyrel
You are reading a lot of interesting books! I've added the Lisa Moore book to my tbr list.

96. The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.What can I say? This book was an ER copy that I will review later this week. It had enough bodies, gothic views of Barcelona and mysterious strangers, lost loves, bad entanglements with the devil, and some wonderful images. Back later on this one.

I just read (and gave a thumbs up to) your review of "Love's Civil War", which I also received as an ARC. You were much more kind than I was. I really struggled with the book, did you?

Hello Tiffin
P.S.- I gave your review a thumbs ups as well!
I didn't struggle with the book. I thought of it as a picture of a past 1940-50's life where pining for an unavailable lover was very modern. I think of the TV series Mad Men. By today's standards of conduct, Bowen should have sent Richie away. However, I think that we do not know enough of Bowen-she may have treated other lovers the same as Ritchie. I, too, want to read a biography of Bowen. There was a bond between them that was fascinating.
I had previously read four of Ritchie's memoirs years ago and there was no mention of Bowen! The editing was excellent and I did go on to read one of Bowen's novels mentioned in Love's Civil War.I actually was disappointed in The Little Girls. It seemed very dated -like a 1940's movie- but I have some of her other books that are still on the TBR pile.
I found the book very interesting although the behaviour was indeed appalling( introducing the mistress to his mother! ). The book gave me an interest in looking for more books on this time period and on Ritchie and Bowen. Is it because I like good gossip? Maybe.

I have her book with September in the title tbr. Isn't that fascinating that she wasn't mentioned in his memoirs! Did his personality come out as more appealing in these? At one point the thought occurred to me that although she constantly pined and yearned for him, was this just a schwarm she needed to drive her and how might she have managed had they actually lived together? She had gobs of time and space in which to write, travel as she wanted, etc. All very interesting stuff (yes, it appeals to the gossipy side of me too).

I would have to say that Ritchie's personality did not shine in his four books- he was a very talented product of an upper class Canadian family- great connections and life in politics. I was actually surprised to see him as a love interest in Love's Civil War. Probably Bowen and Ritchie would not have lived well together as husband and wife. His wife, Sylvia, was probably the perfect 1950's wife for an important Canadian civil servant.

Message edited by its author, Aug 5, 2009, 5:28pm.

Even from the little bit about her in Love's Civil War, I got that sense about Sylvia. And ahhh about Ritchie's personality. Yes, I thought that introducing Elizabeth to his family was a bit de trop but even more so, her gushing declarations of adoration about them all, as well as writing all the time to the mother. If it was a ploy, it didn't work, however, as he never would fully bring her into his life and when he didn't, she "went off" his family.

Ok, I'm ragging this to death. Full stop.

Try the Victoria Glendinning book about Elizabeth Bowen. I really enjoyed her bio of Rebecca West and Glendinning is much more skilled at non-fiction than fiction writing.

PS. Just to pip the post before 'The Absolute End' of LCW discussion - Ritchie gave me the creeps and his photo did not help.

Lisa Moore also wrote Alligator: A Novel and she is a fine Canadian writer!

96. The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Carlos Ruiz Zafon has written a saga about the life of a writer, David Martin, living in Barcelona just after World War 1. The obsession of writing is a major theme in this story. Many times, David accepts commissions to write books under a pseudonym and in the name of another man. Ironically his work that is published under his own name is unsuccessful. Zafon creates a gloomy world of cemeteries, old buildings and secrets that David tries to solve. The one problem is that this main character is not very engaging. His obsession for writing is understandable. He has had several benefactors in his life who have provided him with work and a livelihood. Pedro Vidal, a mentor and ultimately a betrayer disappears from the story for a large amount of time, only to reappear at the end in an unsatisfactory way. Sempere, the proprietor of the book store, Sempere and Sons, is a wonderful character who gives David help and hope throughout his journey of self –discovery. The main protagonist, Andreas Corelli, steers David towards a commission that has a mysterious past involving more betrayals, murders, and lost souls. In fact, we, the readers figure out what is happening many pages before David does. I wonder at David’s powers of deduction as we see him many times in a state of disarray and depression. His female friends and lovers, Cristina and Isabella enable him to work and to look for the answers to the mystery of his last commission and the stories of those who had the same task before him. Cristina is the focus of David’s love and longing. She is both muse and traitor. Isabella gives David support although the reader wonders at her professed desire to write. The loss of true love and the enduring of friendship are themes that are also important in this novel. David experiences tragedy, has visions of events that may be out of this world and ultimately survives. Zafon has created an interesting world of mysterious images-the best has to be his Cemetery of Forgotten Books. His view of Barcelona as a dark world of decaying buildings is vividly described. Although David Martin is portrayed as a writer who obsessed by writing, his choice to set aside his own work too many times is troubling. Martin, the character is a better detective than writer in this story. This story is saved by the beautiful prose and images of the mysterious world of Zafon’s making.

#74: I really have got to finish that one!

97. Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn. This is a brief tale about a totalitarian government that seems innocent, but turns deadly with the abolishment of letters that have fallen from the monument to the island's founder. As the letters fall and are banished from speech, the prose in the books takes on the same prohibitions. The story is in the form of letters to family members and later friends who live on the island of Nollop. The writing is smart and makes a strong argument about freedom of speech. The use of pangrams is very clever. Recommended

Message edited by its author, Aug 11, 2009, 12:36pm.

Cyrel

I read Ella Minnow Pea earlier this year. I agree with you; it was a clever book.

98. Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden. Boyden's story of two Cree young men who go off to fight in World War I is brilliantly written. The circular structure of the story contains the narratives of the horrors of war, the effect on the lives of the many who fought and died, and the histories of the Cree character in the Canadian north. Boyden's book becomes one of my favourites read this year.

Message edited by its author, Aug 12, 2009, 11:25pm.

99.Book of Clouds by Chloe Aridjis. This first novel about a young Mexican woman living in Berlin is very well-written and accomplished. However, the skillful prose is used to describe a story that starts off slowly and eventually reaches a climax. Some of the images that reflect Berlin's history past and present are startling I haven't made up my mind as to whether I feel this book is as good as others that I have read lately. I think that I will look out for other books that Chloe Aridjis( I read her father's books) will write but have reservations about the plot in this one.

#78: Tad recommended that one earlier this year. I need to locate my copy so I can read it!

100. The House at Sugar Beach by Helene Cooper. The author is now covering the White House for The New York Times. Cooper has written a very engaging memoir about her family and life in Liberia , where she was born and lived until she was about 13. Cooper's family were part of the privileged class with roots in the founding of Liberia by Black freemen in the early 1800's. Her description of their life and the subsequent revolutions give the reader an interesting history lesson about Liberia. Helene Cooper had an adapted sister, Eunice, who was left behind when the family fled to the United States. Although the other members of Cooper's family do return to Liberia and keep in touch with Eunice, Helene only does so after a harrowing accident in Iraq. The reunion and her writing on her heritage is very well written. A very satisfying memoir.

Well-this is my 100 th book this year. I am amazed that I have read so much so I want to recount my favourites.
Most Humorous
Cold Comfort Farm
Our Hearts were Young and Gay
Kafka's Soup
Best Mysteries
Child 44
Farthing
Best Written
The Girls
Olive Kitteridge
Three Day Road
All Quite on the Western Front
Flights of Love
The Robber Bride
Number9dream
Best Adventure
The Outlander

Message edited by its author, Aug 15, 2009, 10:11am.

Cyrel - I've had The House at Sugar Beach on my TBR list for a while. I'll have to push it up toward the top based on your review.

And congrats on reaching 100 books! I'm so glad that you've given us a list of your favorites. I have Olive Kitteridge on my bedside table and will get to it soon.

Thank you!
I was very pleased to see that Olive Kitteridge won the Pulitzer Prize.

Congratulations Cyrel! The House at Sugar Beach is at my parents' house, and I'll get to it after my mother is finished with it, but probably not this year.

Congratulations on reaching 100 and thanks for the review of The House at Sugar Beach. That's one I've been thinking about picking up for quite a while.

Thank you, all!

101. From The Fifteenth District by Mavis Gallant. What can I say about one of the premier short story authors? Gallant writes about situations in Europe after World War II. Displacement seems to be the main theme in most of the stories. Gallant's way with descriptions to reveal character is terrific. Highly recommended.

The only book by Gallant that I have read is Overhead in a Balloon. Unfortunately, it is also the only book by her my local library carries. I will have to look further afield for From the Fifteenth District.

Gallant has published so many collections- I would suggest reading any one of them. I am going to find some more of her books for my TBR list.

There is an interview of Gallant by Jhumpa Lahiri in Granta 106 (Summer 2009).

I have that issue-thanks - I will have to get to it soon!

102. Babylonne by Catherine Jinks is a YA adventure set in the times of the battles between the French and the Cathars. I liked the history and the fiesty heroine but found the story ending too abrupt. I think that it screams " there will be another book in this story" a little too loud.

I think that it screams " there will be another book in this story" a little too loud.

I love that statement! I've read so many books that it applies to! LOL!

I should make a list- there are more books that I have read as well that did the same thing.
David Liss-The Whiskey Rebels is one

I loved that line too. hehe

Cyrel, a great line up of books, as usual. My tbr list just grows and grows!

BTW, well done on reaching the magical 100!

#92: I read Jinks' Pagan series and enjoyed it, so I will definitely be looking for this (all indications as they are) series, too. Thanks for the recommendation, Cyrel.

ETA: When I went to look the book up, I discovered that in the States it is known as Pagan's Daughter, which is indeed in the Pagan series I mentioned.

Message edited by its author, Aug 23, 2009, 3:28am.

Ahh, thats alright, I've read the Pagan series as well, but not Pagan's Daughter. At least I only have one book to read, and not a whole series.

103. Aleppo Tales by Haim Sabato. This is a group of close linked stories about families of Rabbis in Aleppo and later Jerusalem.I have to echo the comments about Sabato that Squeaky Chu wrote. Sabato's work is about Jewish religious study and specifically that of the Jews of Aleppo, Syria. The author writes of the study and pattern of observance. He is relating the stories of the lives and concerns of a number of generations. I enjoyed this work a lot but agree with Squeaky Chu that this author is not for everyone.

Message edited by its author, Aug 26, 2009, 11:34pm.

#99: I added it when Madeline reviewed it, so I do not need to add it again, but I appreciate your comments on the book as well, Cyrel. I am anxious to get my hands on it.

104. Apricots on the Nile by Colette Rossant. This is a memoir with recipes. The stories that Rossant tells about her growing up in Cairo and Paris are quite sad. Her father died when she was about 6 years and her mother left her for years at a time with her grandmother in Paris and her grandparents in Cairo.Rossant learned to love food by watching in the kitchen. Her enjoyment of the food prepared in both countries obviously influenced her later in life. This is a book about the enjoyment of food and serious neglect by the author's mother. Yet her memoires of the life she led in both Paris and Cairo are lovingly described. A very interesting read.

Cyrel
This does sound like a fascinating book.

I just read Rossant's The World In My Kitchen and enjoyed it very much! I look forward to reading more of her books!

totontoc, how exotic are the recipes and ingredients?

Congratulations on reaching 100, Cyrel. I like your summary of best reads - it gives us 'food for thought' and pushes up the ever tottering pile of TBRs.

blackdog- the ingredients are not too hard to find- I will try a couple of them and report!

You've had a splendid summer of reading, Cyrel. I'm looking forward to your autumn fare!

I'll be looking forward to hearing about your experiences with the cookbook. My wife seemed interested in the book, but sometimes the recipes in such memoir/cookbooks are too intricately tied with local or ethnic ingredients and culture to be makable (I like making up words) for someone outside the area.

I just looked for Three Day Road on my library's website - unfortunately almost 200 people are on the list for it. Yikes! It may be a book for 2010 or 2011!
Mavis Gallant wrote the intro. for my mother's book on the War Brides. I have never read any of her work, I am ashamed to say. I do have a couple of her books. I think I should move one up the list.

105. The Devil's Company by David Liss. This is the third historical fiction novel by Liss on the adventures of Benjamin Weaver, " thieftaker" in London in 1722. The story is a mystery about The East India Company, cotton from India, protection of goods produced within a country ( sounds modern) and those who oppose it, blackmail,and new inventions that may change industry and trade. I liked the story and do look forward to the next book. However, I hope that Liss gets away from the pattern that he has followed in the past two books. Some of the details of the story have started to sound the same. I also think that the reader has to read the two previous books in order to get a sense of the relationships that Liss has constructed.

Message edited by its author, Sep 1, 2009, 9:39am.

Torontoc, the series by Liss sounds v. good. I will looking for it for future reading. Thanks for the review.

106. The Journal of Dora Damage by Belinda Starling. This book of historical fiction is really well written with a number of references to the trade of bookbinding, the slave trade and freed former slaves in London before the American Civil War, pornographic literature and the secret societies that promoted these books. All this was framed in the story of Dora Damage, who takes over her husband's business when he becomes ill. Dora's perseverance and her adventures make this book a good read. Not for the faint hearted, though. There are some grisly parts.

#112

Sounds very good, onto the wishlist it goes.

Ditto what lunacat just said!

#114

Am I weird in that whenever I say something and someone else says ditto, I get a big grin cos I've said something 'right' that someone else agrees with. Even when just saying I like the sound of a book!

Yes, I'm weird........

>115, That's kind of adorable! Lol.

#115, 116: Ditto. :)

:) :D

#112: I am adding that one to Planet TBR too, Cyrel. Thanks for the recommendation!

>#115 Luna, I had to laugh out loud at that. I do the same thing. I guess we just want to be part of the "popular" crowd! Just goes to show you--we never really get out of high school!

Thank goodness I am not in high school.When I taught, I wanted to make my students' experiences different than mine were.
University was much more fun.

107. Un Lun Dun by China Mieville. What a fun adventure! This young adult book introduces the reader to an alternate London or UnLondon where rubbish bins ( my favourite word-binja) are trained in martial arts, there are nasty attacking giraffes and the threat of smog leads to feats of heroism by the most unlikely band of heroes led by a girl named Deeba. The writer's invention of characters in this novel are extremely creative. A good read.

#122: Already on Planet TBR or I would add it again :)

Look out library, here I come . . Un Lun Dun sounds like my cup-of-tea!

#122

That sounds worryingly good. And I am not allowed to bring any books into the house. And I'm skint. *sigh*

It's a great story...you can't get the library book out, luna?

108. Quarrel With The King: The Story of an English Family on the High Road to Civil War by Adam Nicolson. I have mixed feelings about this book. The premise and ideas introduced are indeed riveting. However, the author seems to have put two short histories into one book. I thought that the book was about the Pembroke family, owners of Wilton and their lives and relationships with the kings and queen of England from the Tudors to the Stuarts. In this, the author has very good insights. He also relates the history of the division and ownership of land. Nicolson describes the ideas of Arcadia and how this work of Philip Sidney influnced the Pembroke family and other nobles. I was left with the feeling that Nicolson left the family history without any satifactory resolution and ended with the story of the disolution of the old land distribution system. Hmm- so the book is well written but I wanted more of the Pembroke family biography.

#127

Would you recommend it to someone who likes historical biography/fiction of this kind of era or didn't like it enough to do so?

Lunacat, I am not sure- lately I have been thinking that with all the really good books around , this one would not be at the top of my list.

Message #122. I've added this book to my tbr pile. It sounds like something I would really like.

#122: Un Lun Dun sounds crazy and wacky! Sign me up.

Oh, I recently got Quarrel with the King on audio, but I haven't listened to it yet.

I probably have something on my shelves that really is about the Pembroke family . . . I know that I have The Uncrowned Kings of England, which is about the Dudleys, to whom they are related by marriage, and a number of books on the Sidneys, also related (William Herbert was the poet Philip Sidney's cousin). I'll take a look this weekend and get back to you, if you like.

Thank you! I was disappointed that Nicolson didn't wrote more about the family.

>132 The Uncrowned Kings... sounds like something I will add to my non-fiction list for 2010. My kids are descended from the Dudleys through Gov. Thomas Dudley of Massachusetts (and through his daughter, I think I have this right, the poet Anne Dudley Bradstreet) - Gov. Dudley was part of the Dudley family you mention. And just all that royalty/family stuff fascinates me anyway...

109. Galore by Michael Crummey. Newfoundland author Michael Crummey tells a great story. In his new book, he moves seamlessly through the stories of about six generations of two families living in a remote section of Newfoundland. The story ends at the time of World War I. There are spells, ghosts, a man found alive inside a beached whale and feuds. The very hard lives of fishermen in isolated outposts is very much a major theme. Crummey starts his book with a quote from Gabriel Garcia Marquez that I came back to-"The invincible power that has moved the world is unrequited, not happy love".That, too, is a strong focus. Highly Recommended.

Galore sounds very good! Onto the wishlist it goes.

134> It has some wonderful portraits!

The Elizabethan and Tudor courts are my areas of expertise; my dissertation was on Ben Jonson and involved many members of the extended Sidney/Dudley/Herbert circle, so I'm always looking for these bios. I recently read Out of the Shadows, about Lucy Harington Russell, who was a cousin to Philip Sidney and William Herbert (Pembroke). He's one top candidate for the "W.H." to whom Shakespeare's sonnets are dedicated. And Sir Philip Sidney's mother was a Dudley. He almost inherited the fortune of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (the queen's longtime favorite) . . . I just love the way all these people interconnect.

#137

Lol, you're the opposite of me. I find it highly confusing how all the people interconnect! Plus they all have ten different names and titles. I am ashamed to admit that even though I did A-Level History which was mainly studying Elizabeth I, it wasn't until about 2 weeks before the exams that I worked out that Mary Queen of Scots, Mary Tudor (sister of Henry) and Mary (daughter of Henry) weren't all the same person/two people or some kind of weird conglomerate of various different titles and roles.

#135: Adding that one to Planet TBR. Thanks for the recommendation, Cyrel.

I've heard or read something about Galore not long ago (damn this aging memory!) and your review reinforces my wish to read it.

Message edited by its author, Sep 12, 2009, 1:28pm.

I'm adding Galore to be huge tbr pile. My library is filled with books you recommended Cyrel.

110. Crazy Hair by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean. I haven't finished any reading for the past two weeks as I was at a film festival ( 21 movies in 10 days!).
This children's ( or young adult) book was recommended by a bibliophile friend. The story is fantastic and the illustrations superb.

Galore is a wonderful book- I am sorry that it was not on the long list for the Giller prize.

111. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson. I read this book over the past two weeks. There are things that I like about it and some aspects that I do not. A man almost dies in a car accident, is burned horribly and is recooperating in a hospital. He meets a woman who says that she knew him in a past life-in fact the year 1100 or so. The novelist leads the reader through the history of this woman, now a sculptor and in the past, a calligrapher. There are also a few other stories about a Viking, an Italian and a woman who lost her husband to the sea. The stories are fascinating but the wrapping up in the end leaves alot to question. So, I am recommending this book and not recommending it. There are both good and awkward parts. I'm glad that I read it but I wanted a better connecting of all the stories.

Cyrel - I am intrigued by the Crummey book. I haven't read any of his titles yet, so it is hard to give an opinion whether he is a Giller oversight.

The Giller is certainly full of females this year. One author on that list I really want to read is Paulette Jiles. Anyone read any of her stuff?

I loved Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles! -American Civil War, Missouri woman imprisoned as a Confederate spy ( she wasn't) adventure-lots of good reading-

112. The Unlikely Spy by Daniel Silva. Sometimes, I am in the mood for a spy thriller and this one fit the bill! I had not read Silva before and think that he writes a decent thriller. This story involves German spies in London during World War 2 and the race to keep Hitler deceived about where the Allies would be landing on D-day. The ending was not too contrived.( a complaint I have had recently with some books)

113. Company of Liars by Karen Maitland. This book about a travelling group of nine strangers trying to avoid the plaque in 1348 England is interesting. The mysteries and killings are easily solved-in fact I knew one major secret really early in the story. It was a good read although the ending had a cheap thriller feel to it.( no spoilers)

#146 The unlikely spy sounds good - and the plot sounds like The eye of the needle. And Agent Zigzag! I guess there are only so many spy plots for London in WW2... I'll add it to Mt TBR.

>146: I'm always up for a good spy novel. I'll give this a try. Thanks.

>147: I read that earlier this year and, while I think I liked it a bit less than you did, I generally agree with your comments. It's too bad...I really wanted to love it and kept hoping that it would kick into gear.

Message edited by its author, Oct 1, 2009, 7:15am.

114. The Wife's Tale by Lori Lansens. Lansens has written a very good story about Mary Gooch, a very large woman living in the town of Leaford, Ontario with her husband. Mary leads a very isolated and narrow life, working at the drugstore and finding comfort only in eating a lot of food. The novel begins when her husband does not return from his job on the day of their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. Mary's life of one disaster after another changes when she decides to travel to find her husband. She has never been outside of Leaford but is able to do so because her husband has left her a small fortune in their bank account. Gooch, Mary's nickname for her husband won a lottery and left her a note telling to her to use it. The novel becomes the story of an odyssey for Mary. Although she is searching for her husband in Toronto and then California, Mary learns more about herself and changes in a good way. We the readers, see how good a husband Gooch was and how Mary squandered this relationship with her actions. Ironically, her search leads Mary to become a better person. The language and descriptions are wonderfully written. I must admit that this book is not as good as The Girls. I found that the dynamic of the story is not as important in this book as the behaviours and changes in Mary's personality are the main focus. Still, I would recommend it.

#150: I will give that one a try. Thanks for the recommendation, Cyrel.

Waiting for the alarm system to be repaired gave me time to read....
115. The Disappeared by Kim Echlin. This slim volume by Echlin is written in a very poetic manner. The story of the romance between a young woman from Montreal and an exile from Cambodia spans about 14 years from the late 1970's to the early 1990's. Meeting in jazz clubs in Montreal, separating when the Cambodian student, Serey, goes back to his homeland, the woman, Anne,searches for her lover in Cambodia 11 years later. The events in Cambodia reveal how life is interrupted by politics. Through her story, Echlin describes the tragedy of Cambodia. Recommended.

Message edited by its author, Oct 2, 2009, 2:25pm.

#152: That one looks very good. Thanks again for another recommendation, Cyrel.

116. Ghost Train to the Eastern Star by Paul Theroux. One of the best and most magical travel books that I have read is Paul Theroux's The Great Railway Bazaar. Theroux took a rail journey in 1973 from London through Turkey to Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, then Burma, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, and then back to London via Russia on the Trans-Siberian Express. It was a fascinating read. Since then, Theroux's books of travel in other parts of the world have been interesting but in the past couple of years I passed on them because of the author's attitude. I found his writing grumpy and in one book-kind of nasty. I had to read this book because he was retracing his journey with a few exceptions,(Afghanistan) and adding some destinations that were forbidden in 1973. This book is a nice discovery. The author is more mellow and discusses what his personal life was like at the time of the last book. He writes that he now looks at gardens and spends less time in bars. Theroux has some wonderful descriptions of the places that he visits, and interesting discussions with writers that he encounters in Sri Lanka, and Japan. In The Great Railway Bazaar, Theroux wrote about a guesthouse in Maymyo, Burma and its manager. It was a very sensitive portrait of a lifestyle and history of the area. In his new book , Theroux again travels to Pyin-Oo-Lwin ( new name) and meets the son of the manager at the same guesthouse. I enjoyed this book and will go back to some of Theroux's travel books that I skipped.

Message edited by its author, Oct 5, 2009, 5:13pm.

154: I have had Theroux's travel books on Planet TBR forever. I definitely need to get some of them read. Thanks for the reminder, Cyrel.

117. The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti. This is an adventure story with some very colourfull and arresting characters. I wouldn't call it a Young Adult book although you could recommend it to a mature young adult-there are many killings. Certainly the author created a story and "semi-mystery" that held my interest. A young orphan boy with one hand has been living in a Catholic orphanage. A young man claims him as his long lost brother. Ren, the young boy, finds himself taking part in a series of adventures that lead him to the story of his past. The plot is not as direct as I would like but Tinti does write well.

118. The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga. This satire on India and the haves and have nots is insightful and entertaining at the same time. Balram is a successful entrepreneur who tells the story of his early life in a series of letters to the premier of China. His description of his job as a driver and the pull of his family and his employers is disturbing. The divide between rich and poor is crisply delineated. This book is one that helps the outsider understand the contradictions of modern India.

#156: I just finished that one this past week, too. I enjoyed it, but not as much as some others seem to have done. I just got in a copy of Tinti's short stories, Animal Crackers. I am anxious to see how they are.

Message edited by its author, Oct 10, 2009, 7:42am.

119. Dear American Airlines by Jonathan Miles. A truly messed up failed poet and now translator is stuck at the Chicago Airport. He will probably miss his daughter's wedding. So Bennie Ford writes a letter to the airlines explaining about his chaotic life, failed relationships, eccentric family and why it is so important to be in California for the wedding of a daughter who he has not seen since she was a baby. This slim volume is well written and worth reading.

Cyrel

Your most recent read sounds poignant!

I read the Miles book last year, Cyrel. He is a talented writer but I am stretching my memory to remember what I thought. I think I found the character rather an irritating neurotic whining alcoholic, if I remember. I think that put me off a bit.

"I think I found the character rather an irritating neurotic whining alcoholic, if I remember. I think that put me off a bit."

Those are not good character traits. In fact, it sounds like some of my family members....

Hello to you Karen. I hope you are well!

Karen and Linda- the character in Dear American Airlines is indeed a " irritating neurotic whining alcoholic". I thought that this very troubled character, who probably would not change, was a good focus for the book. Good to hear from you both!

>154: I'll try that one. I love travel books but did not enjoy Theroux's attitude so, despite his prominence in that category, I've avoided him.

Yes, for a while, his attitudes certainly coloured his thinking about some of the places he visited.

Message edited by its author, Oct 17, 2009, 6:31pm.

#159: I am going to give that one a try. Thanks for the recommendation, Cyrel.

120. Unbuilt Toronto: A History of the City that Might Have Been by Mark Osbaldeston. The author discusses and shows the plans for city planning, buildings and transportation plans that were never approved or were second place in competitions. The illustrations give me an interesting perspective on what may have been. In some cases the choices made were the right ones and in some- bad! A good book for readers interested in architecture and urban planning.

Message edited by its author, Oct 18, 2009, 8:06pm.

121. High Chicago by Howard Shrier. This book is my July Early Reviewer book that was just delivered by Canada Post. It is a high powered fast read about murder, cover ups and some truly ugly fights. The characters- a private investigator named Jonah Geller, his partner Jenn Raudsepp, his hitman-turned-restaurant-owner friend Dante Ryan-take on a powerful Chicago businessman who is behind a number of murders. The crimes were committed to make sure a large waterfront development would still be built inspite of environmental problems. The only bothersome theme that runs through this book is one of vengence and turning the tables on some hideous crimes without the help of police.

122. St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves by Karen Russell. I have a lot of time to read this week and I finished this excellent book of short stories by Russell. I first read the story that gives the book its name in Granta Magazine. Russell was named a " Granta Best Young American Novelist". A LT reader told me that Russell had published a book- so I looked out for it. The ten stories have a mix of fantasy, very inventive and creative plots and societies set in Florida and other altered and dark places. One major theme that unites most of the stories of that of loss and displacement- lost siblings, parents, and homes. The St.Lucy story is the most haunting. Russell writes with skill and incredible creativity. I found the first few stories in the collection set me up but ended without a satisfactory resolution. The later stories were in some cases, without hope. Russell's misfit characters are very memorable.I won't recommend this collection for everybody- I think that you have to know yourself and the kinds of stories you want to read.

Message edited by its author, Oct 19, 2009, 11:29pm.

#169: I have had that one in BlackHole TBR forever. One of these days I may actually end up reading it. Thanks for the reminder, Cyrel.

I started St. Lucy's last year, got distracted and never went back to it. Must clear the deck of that one.

123. Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold. This adventure takes the reader to the world of magic and the history of magicians in the early twentieth century. Charles Carter, after a slow start on vaudeville as a magician, becomes a noted illusionist. Tragedy and a final encounter with President Harding leave him a suspect in murder. The plot races to the end of the book tying up loose ends and providing a good resolution. Fun to read, this novel takes real historical figures and works them into a plausible altered history.

I keep picking that book up in bookstores (soley based on the title/cover) and then putting it back down. After your review I might actually go and read it :-) thanks

#169 I read Russell's book a few years ago and didn't really care for it. But I did use a story from it (the one about the minotaur father) in an Interdisciplinary Arts course.

#172: I actually own that one. No idea where it is, but I am sure it is in my house somewhere . . .

124. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. This book is every bit as good as everyone says. I really enjoyed reading it and was sorry to see it end. i am thrilled that Mantel is writing a sequel. The author takes the viewpoint of Thomas Cromwell from his early life through his rise to Henry VIII's chief minister. The characterizations of Anne Boleyn, her sister Mary, Sir Thomas More and Cardinal Wolsey are masterful. I found that Cromwell himself was a bit of a cipher as well as the portrayal of Henry. The plot follows the rise and partial descent of Anne Boleyn as well as the breaking away from Rome on the matter of religion. Mantel writes from Cromwell's viewpoint and pulls the reader into the conversations. Sometimes her use of the pronoun " he" is a little confusing. On the whole I think that anyone who enjoys historical fiction will want to read this book.

Message edited by its author, Oct 28, 2009, 11:23pm.

Cyrel...
I'm on the list at my local library. There are two ahead of me in line for Wolf Hall. Since I love Tudor history, I'm very anxious to get my hands on this book. Thanks for your informative comments.

I'm glad you enjoyed Wolf Hall as much as the rest of us :)

125. The Messenger by Daniel Silva From the sublime to the ridiculous- I went from Wolf Hall to the above spy-thriller. I guess that sometimes you need a little easy read. Silva's book about plots to kill the pope and vengence is fast paced but not as good as the last Silva book that I read. I haven't been too impressed with the last couple of books like this. I must find out when Stephen Miller's next book will be published- now his books are good thrillers. ( I was thinking of The Last Train to Kazan.)

Message edited by its author, Oct 30, 2009, 4:27pm.

126. The Bus Driver Who Wanted to be God by Etgar Keret. This book of short -very short- stories by Israeli author Keret are surreal, bizarre and in most cases very disturbing. I'm glad that I read them and will still be looking out for Keret's work. Beyond the bizarre are some very astute thoughts.

Surreal, bizarre...yep, sounds like something I'd like. And the cover of the book is quite disturbing. I'll definitely look out for this one. Thanks, Cyrel!

Message edited by its author, Oct 31, 2009, 10:55am.

#181

Is this because our very own Darryl is surreal and bizarre ;) or just disturbing in his torture of others..........like me.

My copy of Wolf Hall arrived last week, but I probably won't get to it until Christmas break. I have four books on hand to review first.

I saw a film directed and or written by Etgar Keret a couple of years ago at the Toronto film Festival- it was called Jelly Fish and was a little surreal, and mysterious.
I enjoyed Wolf Hall so much that I will probably do a reread at some point.

Wolf Hall sounds wonderful - but there are 400 people on the wait-list in my city's library system. Yikes! Think I'll be waiting a while....

I first heard of Wolf Hall on Daryl's thread. I keep waiting for the book at my local library where I am on the list....I'm very anxious to read the book because I am fascinated by English history.

I also saw mention of Wolf Hall on Daryl's thread but didn't know what it was about - now that I do, it's on my list, even it it's the 2011 list!

127. Suspense and Sensibility by Carrie Bebris. Yet another sublime to the ridiculous moment- I have been following this one series of mysteries about the Pride and Prejudice characters-Elizabeth and Darcy and their family. However, the author has included some paranormal stuff in both of the books that I have read so far. I am sorry that the plot does not stick to mystery. Bebris also takes the characters from Sense and Sensibility and includes them in this book. No one really fares well. I am not sure whether I will read the next in the series as there are so many interesting books out there that I want to read.
I went to the International Authors Festival in Toronto and discovered some new ( to me) authors.

Message edited by its author, Nov 1, 2009, 11:37am.

Which authors did you discover, Cyrel?

I bought books by Boualem Sansal ( reviewed as number 128), short stories by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt- The Most Beautiful Book in the World, Kate Pullinger-Canadian living in London but nominated for the Governor-General's literary award for The Mistress of Nothing and Annabel Lyon's The Golden Mean she read at one of the presentations that I attended- her book has been nominated for the three major Canadian prizes- the Giller, Writers' Trust and and Governor-General's awards. I wanted to buy a book by another author, Nikos Papandreou but his new book didn't make it to the festival- he read one of his short stories- it was very good!

128. The German Mujahid by Boualem Sansal This fascinating book has been translated from the French by Frank Wynne. Two brothers, born in Algeria to a German father and an Algerian mother, had been sent to live in France with an uncle. The eldest, Rachel is a success story- studied at university, worked for a big multinational company and married. The young brother Malrich is a bit of a thug on the estate( called public housing in Canada ) where he lives. Rachel goes back to Algeria after his parents are murdered by fundamentalists in their small village and discovers that his father had been a Nazi SS officer. Rachel eventually becomes obsessed by the discovery and after two years of travel, commits suicide. Rachel leaves his diary of his travels to his brother Malrich. The book reveals the contents of the diary and Malrich's anger and thoughts on his father - his life and actions and on Rachel's reactions. Malrich also connects the behaviours of the Nazis to the fundamentalists taking over the estate. The book has been called the first Arab novel to confront the Holocaust. It also make some bold comments on the policies of Algeria and France. According to the book cover, the plot is based on a true story. It was a really good read!

#188: Skipping that one.

#190: Definitely adding that one. It looks right up my alley. I have a nonfiction book called Among the Righteous by Robert Satloff about the Holocaust's reach into Arab lands, so I may read the two books in conjunction with each other. Thanks for the recommendation, Cyrel!

129. The Glass Room by Simon Mawer. This novel has at its centre a very revolutionary modern house built in a small town in 1929 Czechoslovakia. The Austrian architect meets his wealthy patrons, the Landauers, when they are on their honeymoon in Venice. Victor and Liesel decide to build their " dream" house on a hill just outside the town, called Mesto,. The story follows the building and then the fate of the Landauers and their friends when Germany takes over Czechoslovakia at the beginning of World War 11. The description of the house is wonderful. The stories of those in the Landauer circle of relatives and friends are not unfamiliar to those who read Holocaust history. Actually, there was a real house, the Villa Tugendhat, built by Mies Van der Rohe in Brno.The fictional house is modelled after it.
I liked the story and how the plot is built around the fate of the house to an extent.

Message edited by its author, Nov 4, 2009, 3:23pm.

130. A House in Fez by Suzanna Clarke. Suzanna is an Australian writer and editor who fell in love with the old homes in Fez , Morocco. Susanna and her husband decided to buy and restore an old riad in the old city. This book is the story of that restoration and the people that Suzanna met during this process. The book provides interesting information on the history of the buildings and the decoration. I found it to be a " comfort" read -very gentle and not as crazy as the Tahir Shah book about a similar reconstruction.

Message edited by its author, Nov 5, 2009, 9:09am.

#193: That looks like one I would like. Thanks for the recommendation, Cyrel.

131. The Secret Servant by Daniel Silva. Murder, kidnapping, more mass murder and revenge of all sorts. i gues that I am going to look for another mystery/spy author- I am waiting for the latest Boris Akunin book to be translated and published.

132. Too Much Happiness by Alice Munro. This is a collection of superb short stories. Whether Munro writes about the terrible thing that two young girls did at summer camp or the life of a Russian mathematician, she does it with precise language and images. I highly recommend this author and book.

I read Munro's Dance of the Happy Shades earlier this year and am anxious to read more of her stories. I will check that one out. Thanks for the recommendation, Cyrel.

I'm hoping I get the new Munro from my bro for Christmas (he's a HUGE Munro fan), even more now, Cyrel. I thought it was pretty classy of her to back out of the Giller as she had won it twice, leaving the field more open for new/younger authors.

Cyrel.

I agree with you! Alice Munro is a terrific author.

133. Jane Boleyn: The True Story of the Infamous Lady Rochford by Julia Fox. The book was interesting although it was mainly about the Tudor era as there is not a lot of written evidence about Jane Boleyn. The author also shows how Jane was blamed for some things that she was not necessarily responsible for in the deaths of her husband George and sister-in-law Anne.

Message edited by its author, Nov 14, 2009, 5:43pm.

Cyrel

I read this book a few months ago. Overall, I didn't give it high marks. The author seemed to be very favorable toward Jane. I've read a lot of Tudor history fiction and non-fiction books and most do not paint Jane favorably.

It was an interesting read, but I remember thinking the author took a lot of liberties regarding what she thought Jane thought or said or did.

I must admit that after reading every Tudor novel or biography, I go back to David Starkey's books. My favourite-Six Wives: The Queens of Henry VIII.

134. The Dawning of the Day: A Jerusalem Tale by Haim Sabato. I have to thank Squeaky Chu for the recommendation and mooch for this book. It is a lovely " quiet" book about an unassuming man who really lives for the prayer and life in his small synagogue and his relationships with the religious community in Jerusalem. The stories are linked with the study of Jewish religious texts and prayers.

Cyrel..
Interesting that you should mention the David Starkey book. I just checked it out of the library today.

135. God's Secretaries: The Making of the King James Bible by Adam Nicolson. I enjoyed this book very much. I liked the way the author put the accomplishments of "The Translators' -the group of men who did the work- into context. The story of the translation and previous bibles and how a large group of scholars managed to create the King James
Bible is a good story involving politics, and religion.

#205: I liked that one, too, when I read it a couple of years ago. Frankly, I was amazed that such a large group of scholars could overcome their differences and get the job done. Nicolson did a good job in telling the story.

I agree! The book was very interesting to read.

136. Granta 105 Lost and Found I finally read one of the Granta magazines that I have in my book pile. This issue has some nice articles on Elizabeth Pizani's memories of Tiananmen Square, and Jeremy Treglown's account of finding and identfying the bodies from the Spanish Civil War.