lit_chick's 2016 Reading (4)

All aboard for 2016's literary adventures, everyone!

This is my sixth year with our most articulate 75 Books Challenge group. I do not structure or plan my reading at all. My book choices are made on the fly and in the moment. One might say I like to fly by the seat of my pants. This works for me!

I live in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley with my magnificent three-year-old, jet black, feline rescue, Cairo. My thread toppers this year will feature Biblio Beauties, a series of paintings of women reading done by assorted artists.



Henri Matisse (1869-1954), The Inattentive Reader, 1919.




July
48. The Track of Sand, Andrea Camilleri
47. Career of Evil, Robert Galbraith
46. Go Set a Watchman, Harper Lee
45. An Incomplete Revenge, Jacqueline Winspear
44. Ordinary Grace, William Kent Krueger
43. Messenger of Truth, Jacqueline Winspear

June
42. Rules of Prey, John Sandford
41. H is for Hawk, Helen Macdonald
40. Homegoing, Yaa Gyasi
39. The Last Battle, C.S. Lewis
38. The Silver Chair, C.S. Lewis
37. The Mammy, Brendan O'Carroll
36. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, C.S. Lewis
35. When Breath Becomes Air, Paul Kalinithi
34. The House of Sky, Ivan Doig
33. Prince Caspian, C.S. Lewis

May
32. The Nature of the Beast, Louise Penny
31. The Horse and His Boy, C.S. Lewis
30. The Magician's Nephew, C.S. Lewis
29. The Paris Wife, Paula McLain
28. The Improbability of Love, Hannah Rothschild
27. Pardonable Lies, Jacqueline Winspear
26. The Story of the Lost Child, Elena Ferrante
25. Ruby, Cynthia Bond

April
24. The Book of Memory, Petina Gappah
23. The Widow, Fiona Barton
22. Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, Elena Ferrante
21. The Yellow Birds, Kevin Powers
20. Our Souls at Night, Kent Haruf

March
19. The Story of a New Name, Elena Ferrante
18. Fifteen Dogs, Andre Alexis
17. South Riding, Winifred Holtby
16. My Brilliant Friend, Elena Ferrante
15. The Wings of the Sphinx, Andrea Camilleri
14. All My Puny Sorrows, Miriam Toews
13. August Heat, Andrea Camilleri

February
12. Crooked Heart, Lissa Evans
11. Gilead, Marilynne Robinson
10. Road Ends, Mary Lawson
9. Remembering Laughter, Wallace Stegner
8. Birds of a Feather, Jacqueline Winspear
7. Trespass, Rose Remain
6. All the Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr

January
5. Crow Lake, Mary Lawson
4. Stars Go Blue, Laura Pritchett
3. Watch How We Walk, Jennifer LoveGrove
2. Maisie Dobbs, Jacqueline Winspear
1. How It All Began, Penelope Lively

Because one never knows when one might need a fainting couch ...

review

30.
The Magician's Nephew, C.S. Lewis



Rating: 5/5

2001, Harper Collins Publishers, Read by Kenneth Branagh

Having long loved and appreciated The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, I wanted to experience Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia from the start – from where the magic began. Here, two young friends, Digory and Polly, are transported to the Wood Between the Worlds, by touching magical rings created by Digory’s uncle. The Wood, readers learn, is something of a multiverse, linking Earth, Charn, and Narnia. In Charn, the children meet the evil Queen Jadis (The White Witch), who cunningly follows the children back to London, where she creates utter chaos. Eventually, Digory and Polly manage to get Jadis back to the Wood, and are surprised to discover that, along with the evil Queen, they’ve also been accompanied by Uncle Andrew, the Cabby, and his horse, Strawberry. The adventurers land next, not in Charn, but in the land that we will come to know as Narnia – created and ruled by the beautiful, majestic lion, Aslan – a force of good.

Favourite Moment:
The transformation of Strawberry, carthorse, to magnificent winged horse, Fledge – and his tender protection of Digory and Polly.



What an incredible imagination had C.S. Lewis! I know much has been made of the religious references in the Narnia Chronicles, which some readers find troublesome – I am not one of these. Without needing to analyze the Christian parallels of the literature, I accept (and look forward to) the epic battles that will be waged between the forces of good and evil.

I cannot recommend this audio edition of The Magician’s Nephew more highly: Kenneth Branagh is absolutely inimitable! – elevating excellence to perfection. And I’m off to explore more of Narnia in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Join me?

Happy new thread, Nancy! And nice review of The Magician's Nephew. I listened to the entire Narnia series on audio last year.

A 5/5 read, Nancy! With a flying horse featured, no wonder you loved it! ;) I read the Narnia Chronicles back in my youth. I think the Christian allegory was rather lost on me when I was young. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much - I'm quite sure I read it when I was younger. Of course the horse aspect for me.... ;) C.S Lewis was not only given quite a large imagination, I think he lived quite a troubled but full sort of a life. Interesting fellow to say the least. Great review!

Happy New Thread , Nancy!

>5 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie. I think I'm going to listen to the entire series consecutively. Branagh's narration of The Magician's Nephew sold me!

>6 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deb! I only recall ever reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardbrobe, and that was in a fabulous children's lit class in uni. Yes, I think Lewis did lead a very troubled life.

Happy new thread, Nancy. Back to Hemingway - his short stories are great, too. But I know he does not appeal to all.

Ah! Narnia. My son loved those books.

>8 BLBera: Thanks, Beth. I think someone else recently mentioned Hemingway's short stories, too, so they're certainly food for thought. I'm loving revisiting Narnia!

Nancy--Happy New Thread!! I read the whole series as a kid, and then read one of the last ones for a college class that was looking at religions in fiction. I obviously missed all that when I was younger. And the references to Greek and Roman mythology, too! Have run on the re-read.

Hi Nancy, happy new thread my dear, sending love and hugs.

Nice new thread, Nancy. I like the Matisse thread-topper although the subject looks a little grumpy about her book. Clearly she did not have the benefit of "our most articulate 75 Books Challenge group"!

Happy new thread, Nancy!

Happy new one, Nancy!

Narnia is magical.

Happy new thread, Nancy. xx

>10 Berly: Thanks, Kim, I think I'll enjoy Narnia tremendously!

>11 johnsimpson: Thanks, John.

>12 lauralkeet: Oh, you cracked me up, Laura, about the Matisse reader: Clearly she did not have the benefit of "our most articulate 75 Books Challenge group! Exactly!

>13 scaifea:, >14 Crazymamie: Thanks, Amber and Mamie.

>15 PaulCranswick: Magical, indeed, Paul!

Happy new thread, Nancy - and starting with an inattentive reader, or even vexed reader, we've all been there, LOL.

What a great review. Glad you're of to a flying start with the Narnia-series. You know my soft spot for C. S. Lewis. True, what an imagination. Also love the picture of Digory and Polly flying on Fledge.

I actually started last year on the series with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe but never continued. Reading them in order of publication, but I know in chronological order the The Magician's Nephew is no. 1. I better get a move on.

Aha! Here is where I saw the fainting couch! Did you see my picture of Miss Posey on the pink fainting couch -- I think it's in my April thread.

Ah Narnia!

From your last thread...I wanted to slap Hedley a few times, too, for her spinelessness in The Paris Wife. Poor woman!

What a great idea to listen to The Chronicles of Narnia, Nancy. I see that I rated them at 4 stars when I read the series for my college course back in 2012. Maybe I should listen to them and rate them individually? As I recall, The Magician's Nephew was one of the weakest books for me. I may have to dig out my class notes...

>17 ctpress: Thanks, Carsten! Yes, I do remember your fondness for C.S. Lewis. I wasn't sure how I'd enjoy delving into the Narnia series, but so far, I'm having a wonderful time! And I took the idea of revisitng Narnia on audio from you!

>18 sibylline: Hi Lucy, I definitely did see your picture of MIss Po on the fainting couch in your B&B. I think I left a comment? She is precious!

>19 Donna828: Poor woman, indeed, Donna! Still and all, I wanted to slap her for her spinelessness.

If The Magician's Nephew was one of the weakest for you in the Narnia series, see what Kenneth Branagh can do for it. He is sublime! Unfortunately, it's the only one he narrates, but I was so impressed.

Glad that you are so enjoying the Narnia series!. Donna sounds like she will be quite an expert with the interpretation. I'm close to finished The Summer Before the War and now that I am close to the end, I'm feeling sorry that soon I will leave that magical world! Perhaps I am the woman in your topper - vexed no matter what! :)

I have a soft spot for the Silver Chair, I think because of the illustrations of the Marsh Wiggle. My mum read them to the three of us from her childhood copies. Not to reveal my mum's age, but I think someone must have been quite a wise book giver to get hold of them. Or maybe they were Harry Potter of the day?

I'm glad you got 5/5 from your latest read. I read the first one to W, (the prequel??), and found the religious symbolism a little too much. I am hoping to go on with the series though as love the idea of kids thinking about the possibilities of other worlds through wardrobe doors!

Me too... I started the Narnia series and loved the first M.N. one then got distracted. Must get back to them!
I am loving the" lime" discussion. I bought a huge bag and then they languished and then I went looking for recipes and found one for lime bars. Oh they are GOOD. Pucker up baby! No scurvy in this house! Loving your new thread Nancy and all the discussions!

>21 vancouverdeb: Hi Deb, love that you're the woman in my thread topper! The Summer Before the War sounds very good.

>22 charl08: Charlotte, I'm going to have to remember the Marsh Wiggle when I get to The Silver Chair. I would love to think Narnia was the HP of the day.

>23 LovingLit: Hi Megan, I'm not bothered at all by the religious references but I know many readers are. My focus, like your children's, is on the possibilities of other worlds through wardrobe doors! Will love to know how Wilbur and Lennie like them!

Charlie and I need to get back to the Narnia books soonish - we've read the first one together, but then moved on to other things. You're giving me a hankering to get back to them...

>26 scaifea: Amber, glad I could help get you and Charlie pointed back to Narnia!

31.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis



Rating: 5/5

2000, Harper Collins Publishers, Read by Michael York

Book Description: Amazon.ca
Four adventurous siblings — Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie — step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter and enslaved by the power of the White Witch. But when almost all hope is lost, the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, signals a great change … and a great sacrifice.

My Review:
I read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe for the first time in a children’s literature class in university – and was completely enchanted. Many decades later, and I am equally charmed and enchanted by the story. I’ll say it again, C.S. Lewis had a fabulous imagination!

My favourite part of the story is Aslan’s selfless sacrifice to the White Witch, in order to save young Edmund. Yes, I’m aware of the religious implications here, but I prefer to look beyond these and focus instead on the purity of love an animal can have for a child. I choose to think of Aslan as representing any “god,” or any force of good, or simply universal good. He is honour, love, loyalty, goodness, justice – and one magnificent beast!



This audiobook is well read by Michael York, though he is not Kenneth Branagh. For reasons unbeknownst to me, different readers narrate all of the Narnia books. (At the risk of digressing, I watched the Chronicles of Narnia some years ago – and Liam Neeson should be the sole voice of Aslan!) In any case, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is easily and highly recommended!

Great thoughts on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Nancy.

He is honour, love, loyalty, goodness, justice – and one magnificent beast!. Exactly, Nancy - As Beaver says in the famous quote - "he's wild, you know, not a tame lion - he's not safe...but he is good". I just love the way Aslan appears and inspires awe and wonder and then he gets intimate and personal at the same time.

Oh, yes Liam Neeson as the voice of Aslan - I think I'm going to watch the movie again soon. Michael York did a good job with it but it is strange they picked different narrators.

BTW - I'm into Narnia again. Follow your lead.

>29 ctpress: Woot! I'm tickled you're back into Narnia, too, Carsten. Love this: As Beaver says in the famous quote - "he's wild, you know, not a tame lion - he's not safe...but he is good". Aslan is certainly awe inspiring, but ever so gentle; and, as you point out, intimate and personal.

Now I might have to follow your lead and rematch the movie!

Bravo Nancy! Off and running with Narnia series and you've got Carsten fired up too!

>31 vancouverdeb: Yes! Are you coming, Deb? Next epic battle in Narnia starts later tonight ...

It's hardly a new thread, but it's already happy! I'm glad you're enjoying CSL, and you remind me that I haven't read *Narnia*. I'm not sure how that happened...... I will hope to repair the damage.
I love your reader, but she looks to me as though she's thinking about what she's read, and that's certainly legitimate!

Hooray for Narnia! Last year I took the kids on the tour at Weta Workshop. They have props from several of the Narnia movies, including a "bigature" or big miniature of Caspian's castle. The kids got to hold some of the weapons made for the battle scenes too. They loved it.
I may have to splurge on the audio of Magician's Nephew just to listen to Kenneth Branagh.

>33 LizzieD: Hi Peggy, funny, but I didn't read Narnia until university, and then I only read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. These are marvellous stories! I started the third this morning, The Horse and His Boy, and I'm thinking they may all turn out to be 5* reads!

Glad you love my (Matisse's) reader : ).

>34 nittnut: Jenn, I remember you reading Narnia last year, or some of them at least. The Weta Workshop sounds wonderful! Fortunately, my library has all of these on audiobook, so my splurge was inexpensive.

31.
The Horse and His Boy, C.S. Lewis



Rating: 4/5

2002, Harper Collins Publishers, Read by Alex Jennings

The Horse and His Boy is set entirely in the Narnian world: Calormen, Archenland, and Narnia. The four Pevensie children, Peter, Edmund, Susan, and Lucy, are the reigning queens and kings of Narnia.

Shasta, an orphaned boy who is found at birth and raised by a cruel Calormene fisherman, escapes with Bree, a nobleman’s stallion – a magnificent, talking Narnian horse who was kidnapped as a foal. They encounter two other escaping travellers also bound for Narnia: Aravis, a young Calormene aristocrat, and her talking horse, Hwin. Aravis is fleeing to avoid a forced marriage. The party of four must travel through Tashbaan, the capital city of Calormen, and here, in spite of their precautions, they meet with considerable danger – and drama! A band of travelling Narnians is plotting its escape from Calormen where Queen Susan will be forced into marriage with the Tisroc’s son, Rabadash. Aravis, who is spotted by her friend, Lasaraleen, and who relies on her friend to conceal her and help her escape Tashbaan, overhears Rabadash revealing his plans to invade Archenland and then Narnia in order to capture Queen Susan. Shasta and Aravis, mounted on Bree and Hwin, must reach Narnia to warn High King Peter of the impending invasion. Along the way, they will have help from a lion …

Favourite Memories:
Bree teaching Shasta how to ride and the little diva, Lasaraleen, who made me chuckle.



Recommended: Highly! The fact that I am so enjoying The Chronicles of Narnia as an adult is a most pleasant surprise.

Glad you're still enjoying "the ride" in Narnia, Nancy. Thumb! I love the illustrations for these books. I have them all in Danish - but enjoying the audioversions right now. Just finished it and review is coming up.

>37 ctpress: Thanks, Carsten! Yes, very much enjoying the ride (good one!) and have already started The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I'll bet the illustrations are beautiful. I don't have the Narnia books in print but that may have to change. *on my way over to your place to check your review!*

32.
The Nature of the Beast, Louise Penny



Rating: 4/5

Nine-year-old Laurent Lepage has a vivid imagination – and an annoying habit of crying wolf. On a near daily basis, he regales the village’s adults with tales of aliens, dinosaurs, and other fantastical creatures he’s encountered in the woods of Three Pines. So it is not surprising that his latest breathless admission of an enormous gun in the woods of Three Pines, adorned with an evil Christian etching, goes unheeded. That is, until the boy is found murdered.

Isabelle Lacoste and Jean-Guy Beauvoir, of the Sûreté du Quebec, are summoned to Three Pines to investigate. Aramand Gamache, former head of homicide, retired and living in the remote village, works with his former staff to solve the crime. What they uncover deep in the forest sets off a sequence of events, which leads to an old crime, an old betrayal, and another murder. And last but not least – leads to the door of the cantankerous old poet, Ruth Zardo. And now it is now, she writes. And the dark thing is here.

The Nature of the Beast is the eleventh Three Pines novel. Penny does not disappoint with a solid story line and her usual roundup of eclectic characters – the Three Pines regulars, and, in this case, two mysterious CSIS agents and an aging physics professor from McGill Universtiy. If you’ve read and enjoyed the rest of this series, you must visit The Nature of the Beast.

Still haven't visited Three Pines and Gamache yet, Nancy - but I'm sure I will at some point with the many stars for this series. With a retired detective you know that the series have come a long way :)

>40 ctpress: Yes, indeed, this series has come a long way, Carsten. I've enjoyed all of these, and I think you would, too. Must sink your teeth into some CandiCrime!

Hi Nancy! Oh, I love the Narnia Chronicles so much! My mom read the whole series aloud to my brother and me, and I must have reread them 100 times. The only books I have ever reread aloud to the girls were the Narnia books and the Toys Go Out series. I am so thrilled that you're enjoying them!

>42 AMQS: Hi Anne, I'm in very good company, then, in loving the Narnia Chronicles! How delightful that your mom shared them with you, and then you with your children. I expect Callia and Marina will do the same one day ...

Hi Nancy, hope you have had a good weekend my dear, sending love and hugs.

>44 johnsimpson: Thanks, John. You, too : ).

Glad you are enjoying the Narnia series so much, Nancy ! Great review of The Nature of the Beast. Perhaps my interest in the series is renewed - I'll have a look at the library for the The Nature of the Beast next time I look online. Right now I am number 1 on 19 copies of Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave and it is 5 days overdue! Oh the suffering! I wonder if my library will consider purchasing second copy?

>46 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deb. If you're going to pick up the Three Pines series, start at the beginning; The Nature of the Beast is the last (?). I add the question mark because the one before it, Long Way Home was supposed to be the last. As long as Penny keeps writing about one of my favourite Canadian villages, I'll keep reading : ).

Make me chuckle with Oh the suffering!K/i> Indeed, the gall of libraries to put due dates on their books! I've presently got three sitting on the dining talbe, and I'm so bleary eyed by the time I get home from work, I'm managing a couple of pages a day. Hmph!

Hi Nancy, I will start off with congratulations on the new thread, - and YAY for the fainting couch making it's way over - I need to go find mine! Now for a bit of a back summary as I work my way through your previous thread since my last visit.

The Yellow Birds - Grief, Iraq, Soldier's experience.... Humm, not sure, but I may add that one to my future reading list. Powerful books can sometimes overwhelm me. Need to think about that a bit. Excellent review!

Happy to see the Ferrante books continue to draw high praise! I just quickly skimmed for your ratings for the books and now I know what I want to read this summer!

Now, The Book of Memory I can see me reading. That has great potential.

... See, I am taking BB's while I get caught up. ;-)

Ruby is already on the future reading list but still happy to see further confirmation that it is a goodie.

Love the picture of Cairo, king of the catio. 30'C is too darn hot for me, and why I choose to live near the water, to catch those cooling breezes! Poor guy was probably thinking "It's hot!" Even when I lived in Calgary and took the cats outside in the backyard, their preferred location was to lie down under the stand-alone hammock, in its shade while I lay on top enjoying the sun's ray - I know, I was young and loved to sunbathe in my youth... the cats were smarter and preferred to cool grass in the shade of the hammock.

Good luck with training Cairo to walk on a leash. I tried that and discovered the escape artist personality inbreed in the cats. They were good at staying in the yard and returning on command - sounds novel doesn't it? - so we didn't bother with the leash. I did have to reprimand the older cat for "stalking" a neighbour's collie while the collie was out on a walk but that was the extend of the excitement - that, and the younger cat who had an annoying habit of getting on the roof of the house and not sure how to get down again. I miss having cats.

>4 lit_chick: - Really?! 5 out of 5? Must ponder that. I am feeling a little gun shy after my sub-par experience with Wicked.

Looks like you are enjoying your C.S. Lewis audioreads!

The Summer Before the War was definitely written with you in mind, Nancy! I'm sure you would enjoy , on the patio, or inside with a cup of tea/ coffee, languishing on your fainting couch. As for the library, imagine the gall of the person who has Everyone is Brave is forgiven six days overdue when I am waiting ever so patiently in the library queue. I very conscientious about getting my library books back on time - especially if there is wait list . Harrumph! Maybe they have lost it? So sad. Something that I could do. * sobs just a little *

Wow! Narnia and Three Pines...way to start off your new thread with some winners!

>49 vancouverdeb: eep. Good thing we don't share the same library then, Deborah! I never mind keeping a book a week (or two) overdue and paying the 25 cents a day, especially when it is a high interest book and I only get it for 7 days. I figure it is still cheaper than getting the book new. I may have kept The Summer Before the War an extra 2 weeks to get finished. I did enjoy it though, and felt it well worth the overdue fine.

>48 lkernagh: Hi Lori, when you decide to get caught up, you get serious about it!

If you decide to experience Ferrante over the summer, I can't recommend the audiobooks more highly! Why not listen to Ferrante while you're walking across Canada? The Book of Memory and Ruby I think you will enjoy. Several readers have found the latter too dark, and it's true the character is horribly abused. But, unless the abuse is gratuitous, I believe these stories need to be told, and need to be read.

Got such a chuckle out of your feline stalking the neighbour's collie, LOL! Cairo wouldn't be on a leash or in a catio if he was good to stay in the yard, but this is not the case! He loves his catio and his daily walks around our home grounds. We're known as Black Panther Security. As a rule, he wouldn't be lying in the sun at 30 C, but his catio is right under several huge trees, so he does like to climb up there when he's tethered in the yard -- more for view/surveillance than for tanning!

Loving the Narnia reads! Haven't read Oz, don't know if I'd like it, but Lewis is tremendously talented; and Narnia is perfectly magical.

>49 vancouverdeb: Oh, Deb, make me smile! Some people have the bloody nerve, LOL! A fainting couch on the patio is a divine idea!

>50 Berly: Beth, winners indeed!

>51 raidergirl3: Hi Elizabeth!

#49, 51: The fee/charge for library books in Denmark. 1 day overdue: 3 $. More than a week: 18 $. It will keep you on your toes:)

I love Black Panther Security. When our Dandy (also black, come to think of it) got old, we could walk him on a leash around the yard, but none of the others. Not yet!
I know I need to get into the better *3 Pines* (I believe I've read only the first 3), but those first 3 didn't really grab me. I'll take a BB, but it's way on down from the summit of Mt. Bookpile at the moment. Some of the others, Ruby for sure!, will lurk higher up.

>53 ctpress: Holy! I'll say Denmark's libraries are keeping their patrons on their toes!

>54 LizzieD: Black Panther Security is us, LOL! I don't think the Three Pines books are for everyone; if I'm not mistaken, Deb (vancouverdeb) tried them but wasn't really drawn to them either. Now, Ruby, that was very nearly a 5* read!

>53 ctpress: Wow Carsten, those library fees would keep people on their toes. I am not honestly sure how much our overdue fees are - will have to check on line - but if you run up a $5.00 fee, you must pay it before you can borrow any more books! Seriously! At least you can pay on line. With the decrease in funding and service in at my library, and the library relying on overdue books for a revenue scheme, you bet they won't see a dime out of me!Argh! Argh and a chuckle about it all too.

>51 raidergirl3: Elizabeth, I missed your comment that first time round! LOL about the overdue stuff. If I knew the person , as know you, all is forgiven about the overdue book that is being finished up! :) I'm just really careful when I get a book that has 22 patrons waiting on it because I know the agony of waiting for an overdue book being returned as a person waiting :) I'm not sure that I used to be when I I did not rely on the library as much , but now I am . But yes, I suppose that I would hold a book back myself if just had a couple days worth of reading .

It is must 50 cents day here for an overdue book, unless it is a ' Rapid Read " aka 5 or 7 borrowing period book and then it is $1.00 a day.

Okay, must run ! :)

>56 vancouverdeb:, >57 vancouverdeb: Well said, Deb!: With the decrease in funding and service in at my library, and the library relying on overdue books for a revenue scheme, you bet they won't see a dime out of me! Argh!

At our little library we decided that the time costs of keeping track of and extracting fines from people wasn't worth it. The computer urges folks to renew themselves and a lot of them do. We encourage "guilt gelt" and people do pony up a dollars, grateful they are not being fined but wanting to atone . . . and you get the full whammy if you have, in fact, lost the book. Plus losing borrowing privileges, sometimes for quite a while. You have to return a book if someone else wants it, of course. And ILL is another ball of wax. Anyway, people really don't violate the basic protocol of renewing and returning, we've found.

Catching up Nancy. Loving the fat that you are enjoying the Narnia books so much!

My university library has just canned fines -yay! (not that I have ever had one....). And the normal library still has theirs :( (and has upped the fees for reserving books to $3 which equals about US$2)

>59 sibylline: Sounds like your library has a very sensible system, Lucy ... an honour system in some regards, and that it is working effectively. Institutions get so blogged down in micro-management that I often question the effectiveness of what it is that's being achieved versus the cost and people-hours involved.

>60 souloftherose: Hi Heather! Yes, Narnia is more of a treat than I expected! Delightful!

>61 LovingLit: Yay to your university library!

Well, my book, Everyone Brave is Forgiven came into the library on Friday, so it's all good. I guess when there are hold queues I am pretty careful to take that particular book back the minute I have finished it. I can't bear the thought off 22 people waiting on me for a book. No cost for putting a hold on a book - so I suppose that is a blessing. Since my local library changed its hours and borrowing privileges, I've been using the hold system quite a bit. It has worked out better than I anticipated.

The library has 5 different branches, so I guess that makes a difference.

Hope you are enjoying the heat!

I imagine you are loving the heat, Nancy! We have our air conditioners full speed, but I know you really enjoy higher temps.

>63 vancouverdeb: Yes, I often observe long waiting lists for books, too, Deb, when I'm using the reserve/hold system. Sometimes I've observed in excess of 100 readers, patiently waiting. But the Okanagan has a LOT of branches, and there are often 20 or more copies of a book moving around when it's a really popular one, so the system works.

We broke a heat record yesterday for Jun 05. I love the heat but I do have my limits! Turned on my AC for the first time over the weekend. I love that spring period when I don't need heat or air -- or, more accurately, I love the gas/hydro bills at that time, LOL.

Ah well. We have summer here now but much later than in many other years, so I guess I can't complain. High humidity too. My once straight hair is in cork screws.

>66 LizzieD: High humidity I find very hard to take. Made me laugh, Peggy: My once straight hair is in cork screws.

Winner:
The Glorious Heresies, Lisa McInerney

Glad to hear you are going to put a hold on Glorious Heresies, Nancy. I think I'll wait for my library to get it - as I mentioned it has been or order for quite some time. I've no idea whether I will enjoy or not - but I hope so! At any rate , exciting news for us! :)

>69 vancouverdeb: Hi Deb, it's still on order at my library, but I've put in a request anyway. No idea whether I'll like it either, but sounds like we'll both find out! I was in Shoppers Drugmart today, and The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper was on display with the books ... must be quite popular? I had not even heard of it until you read it.

It's almost a downgrade for a book when you find it at Shopper's Drugmart Nancy. I checked my library and there are 10 people waiting for one copy of The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, 23 people waiting for 1 copy of Everyone Brave is forgiven and 26 people waiting for 9 copies of The Summer Before the War. So I guess, yes it a fairly popular book. I saw if first on amazon ca in recommend for you feed, I think My mom picked up a copy of The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper at a bookstore at an airport somewhere in Canada, so I suppose it must be fairly popular. It's one of those books that I would say has a broad appeal. Not too heavy, but not 'frippery " either.

Wow! My library serves a population of about 200, 000 and it has one main branch and two smaller branches ( and two small satellite branches ) . I can't imagine 100 people waiting for x number of books. Zowie!

*sigh* I can't imagine my library (which serves the largest county in NC area-wise) ordering even one copy of The Glorious Heresies.

>71 vancouverdeb: Hi Deb, I think drugstores and airport shops tend to carry books that have broad appeal, just as you describe Arthur Pepper. Like this: Not too heavy, but not frippery either ... well said!

>72 LizzieD: Hi Peggy, sorry to hear your library won't order even one copy of The Glorious Heresies. I do understand that libraries everywhere are under budget constraints, but it's unfortunate ... and I think unnecessary, what with government waste at every level exorbitant and essentially unpunished. But I won't get going on that, LOL ...

33.
Prince Caspian, C.S. Lewis



Rating: 4/5

2003, Harper Collins Publishers, Read by Lynn Redgrave

Prince Caspian begins and ends at a British railway station where the Penvensie children are waiting to return to school. Whisked once again into the land of Narnia, they land on a beautiful beach near an old, ruined castle, which they determine to be Cair Paravel, where they once reigned as Kings and Queens. Although the children are only one year older than they were in their last Narnian adventure, centuries have passed in the magical world.

King Miraz has usurped the throne of Prince Caspian, its rightful heir. Aided by a talking badger, Trufflehunter, two dwarves, Nikabrik and Trumpkin, the inimitable mouse, Reepicheep, and, of course, the magnificent Aslan, the children engage in battle on behalf of Prince Caspian.

Favourite Memories:
I absolutely loved Reepicheep! I was saddened to learn that Peter and Susan, by the conclusion of the novel, are too old to return to Narnia – this reminded me fondly of a moment in my own childhood when my dad explained that there are some doors in life through which only little people can pass.

Recommended: Absolutely, highly! These audio versions are fabulously done.

Yes, Nancy! Hurrraayy for Reepicheep :) Have just finished "The Dawn Treader" where he have a more prominent role. Lynn Redgrave does a good job. Love the picture of the valiant mouse.

this reminded me fondly of a moment in my own childhood when my dad explained that there are some doors in life through which only little people can pass. That is so sweet . What a wonderful memory! I'm glad that you and Carsten are enjoying the Narnia series so much.

>75 ctpress: Hurraayy for Reepicheep, indeed! I'm now about halfway through The Voyage of Dawn Treader, and agree that Lynn Redgrave is marvellous.

>76 vancouverdeb: Deb, that is one of my most cherished childhood memories. Wish you were with us in Narnia, LOL!

34.
This House of Sky, Ivan Doig



Rating: 4.5/5

Book Description: from Amazon.ca
Ivan Doig grew up in the rugged wilderness of western Montana among the sheepherders and denizens of small-town saloons and valley ranches. What he deciphers from his past with piercing clarity is not only a raw sense of land and how it shapes us but also of the ties to our mothers and fathers, to those who love us, and our inextricable connection to those who shaped our values in our search for intimacy, independence, love, and family.

My Review:
Lyrically and beautifully written, This House of Sky evokes an intimate sense of place in the Montana frontier. Doig’s memories of the characters he meets throughout his peripatetic upbringing – one ranch to the next – are effused with idiosyncrasies and humour. When Doig loses his mother as a young child, the tragedy serves to make the bond between he and his father the more intimate. And after his maternal grandmother is widowed and Lady, as she is always addressed by his father, becomes a permanent staple in their lives – the team of three and the relationship that evolves between them becomes something unforgettable, best described by Doig:

Memory is akin of homesickness, and like homesickness, it falls short of the actualities on almost every count. In the end, I come to think of the wondrous writer Isak Dinesen, when she was taken up in a biplane over the green resplendent highlands of Kenya and arrived back to earth to say, The Language is short of words for the experiences of flying, and will have to invent new words with time. So do I wait for the language of memory to come onto the exact tones of how the three of us, across our three generations and our separations of personality, became something-both-more-and-less-than-a-family and different from anything sheathed in any of the other phrases of kinship. (239)

Highly recommended, particular to those who enjoy a frontier story, historical non-fiction, and an intimate look at the relationships that shape us.

4.5 stars, Nancy, for This House of Sky. Hmmm - your wonderful review and high star rating have me reconsidering this author and this book. Great review!

>79 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deb. This House of Sky did not start out as a 4.5* read for me, but that's certainly where it ended up. Will be standing by to see whether you decide to read it!

35.
When Breath Becomes Air, Paul Kalinithi



Rating: 4/5

Paul Kalinithi, a brilliant thirty-six year old neurosurgeon is diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. And like that – in that instant – the future he and his wife, Lucy, have planned evaporates. When Breath Becomes Air is his story as he navigates terminal cancer, becomes a new father, and confronts his mortality. Well-written and well worth the read: poignant, sad, but also celebratory. Kalinithi died March 2015, less than two years after his diagnosis.

Memorable Quotes:
On time:
"Time for me is now double-edged: every day brings me further from the low of my last relapse but closer to the next recurrence – and, eventually, death. Perhaps later than I think, but certainly sooner than I desire. There are, I imagine, two responses to that realization. The most obvious might be an impulse to frantic activity: to “live life to its fullest,” to travel, to dine, to achieve a host of neglected ambitions. Part of the cruelty of cancer, though, is not only that it limits your time; it also limits your energy, vastly reducing the amount you can squeeze into a day. It is a tired hare who now races. And even if I had the energy, I prefer a more tortoiselike approach. I plod, I ponder. Some days, I simply persist."

To his infant daughter:
"When you come to one of the many moments in life where you must give an account of yourself, provide a ledger of what you have been, and done, and meant to the world, do not, I pray, discount that you filled a dying man’s days with a sated joy, a joy unknown to me in all my prior years, a joy that does not hunger for more and more but rests, satisfied. In this time, right now, that is an enormous thing."

_______________

*Thanks to Laura (lauralkeet) for putting When Breath Becomes Air on my radar! I saw it on your thread one afternoon, found a library copy a couple of hours later, and finished it the next morning!*

That last one is a beautiful quote. Thank you for sharing it. Very moving.

>81 lit_chick: you're quite welcome Nancy!

There are, I imagine, two responses to that realization. The most obvious might be an impulse to frantic activity: to “live life to its fullest,” to travel, to dine, to achieve a host of neglected ambitions. Part of the cruelty of cancer, though, is not only that it limits your time; it also limits your energy, vastly reducing the amount you can squeeze into a day. It is a tired hare who now races. And even if I had the energy, I prefer a more tortoiselike approach. I plod, I ponder. Some days, I simply persist." So true of cancer and I suppose many illness. It sounds like a heart breaking book. Beautiful review Nancy.

I'm not sure I could read it, even though I lost my dad to cancer 8 years ago, and I know you lost your mom to cancer just a couple of years ago. You are braver than I am.

>82 charl08: Yes, isn't that a beautiful quote, Charlotte! Made me cry.

>83 lauralkeet: Love LT, Laura!

>84 vancouverdeb: I've thought those same thoughts, if ever faced with a terminal illness: live hard, all those unrequited dreams; but most illnesses don't work that way. The book is sad, but I think celebratory, too: he so wanted to finish his book ... and he accomplished that! And he met his daughter ...

Two interesting memories/autobiographies, Nancy. The frontier life, vast and open spaces - and life reduced to a fight with small cancer cells within. I love the quote from When Breath Becomes Air - on time. I guess confronted with the brevity of life, that same life is also magnified and made very important and valuable - "this time, right now", as he writes.

I have been drawn to the biographies lately and have a few lined up in the coming months.

Happy Sunday Nancy.

>86 ctpress: Thanks, Carsten. I read memoirs so rarely, and then to read two in a row! Both wonderful novels. If only we understood the value of this time, right now every moment ...

Look forward to what biographies you've got lined up.

>87 johnsimpson: Thanks, John, you too : ).

Nancy, what books by Colm Toibin have you read? I think I might remember that you read The Testament of Mary ? I was at the library and had heard of all of the buzz about Brooklyn , so I took both Brooklyn and Nora Webster out of the library , and Nora Webster seemed to hold the most appeal to me. Later on, I hope to get to Brooklyn.

>89 vancouverdeb: I've read The Testament of Mary and Let the Great World Spin. Loved the first but not the latter, although it was also highly rated by meany readers. I want to read Brooklyn because I want to watch the movie. Saorise Ronan is such a fine actor. You've also reminded me that I want to read Nora Webster.

Nancy, your last two books have so many memorable quotes. I like the ones you chose. I'm excited because I found another Doig memoir at the Kansas City book sale...a mint condition hardcover for a dollar! I can't wait to get to Heart Earth.

I'm not quite finished Nora Webster but I think you would enjoy it. When I got both books out the library,Nora Webster just appealed to me more so than Brooklyn, though eventually I plan to read Brooklyn. Nora Webster is the story of a young ( early 40's ) Irish woman dealing with the loss of her husband. One of those quiet , everyday activity sort of reads. Brooklyn appears to be more about the Irish - American immigrant experience, but I'm sure you already knew that.

36.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, C.S. Lewis



Rating: 4/5

2003, Harper Collins Publishers, Read by Derek Jacobi

Lucy and Edmund Pevensie are staying with their irritating, ill-mannered, bookish cousin Eustace Scrubb, when the three of them are transported into a painting of a ship on the ocean. The children are rescued by Caspian, the captain of the Dawn Treader, who is on a voyage to rescue the seven Lords of Narnia whom his uncle Miraz banished. Caspian invites the children along – and what a voyage it is! – a magical pond, a monstrous sea serpent, one-footed Dufflepuds, seahorses large enough to ride, and more!

It is revealed at the conclusion of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader that Lucy and Edmund will not be returning to Narnia. Lucy asks Aslan whether Eustace, who has become much better tempered over the course of the voyage, might return, but she is reminded that we can only know our own stories.

Favourite Moments:
Reepicheep continues to rule! And he plays a much more substantial (and dramatic and entertaining) role here than in Prince Caspian.

I'm so happy that you and Carsten are enjoying the Narnia series! Gorgeous images! Oh I do remember Lucy and Edmund. Even though I am not reading the series right now , your images and review make me smile! :)

Nancy and Deborah, Brooklyn is the only Tóibin I've read, but I loved it. I don't know why I haven't gotten back to him.

>94 vancouverdeb: Hi Deb, I love the images, too!

>95 LizzieD: Appreciate your endorsement of Brooklyn, Peggy. *bumps novel upwards on the pile*

>61 LovingLit: You've never ever ever had a library fine? Ever? *shock and awe*

>74 lit_chick: LOVE Reepicheep. :) Particularly in Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which I see you did get to recently. :)

>78 lit_chick: Hooray! I loved this one as well. I am reading another western themed group of short stories by Annie Proulx, and I find her to be lacking the joy and sense of beauty of Ivan Doig's writing. It's a struggle.

I concur, Nancy :) What a voyage it is. Here's a quote that capture the character of Reepicheep:

“My own plans are made. While I can, I sail east in the Dawn Treader. When she fails me, I paddle east in my coracle. When she sinks, I shall swim east with my four paws. And when I can swim no longer, if I have not reached Aslan’s country, or shot over the edge of the world into some vast cataract, I shall sink with my nose to the sunrise.”

That's longing and hope and bravery together.

Hi Nancy - I love the Narnia books comments. You're bringing back memories. I read them with my kids. I should try them again. The Doig reaffirms my desire to get to something by him soon. When Breath Becomes Air sounds heartbreaking.

>97 nittnut: Great to have another Reepicheep fan on board, Jenn! Too bad that Proulx's stories are a struggle, especially when The Shipping News was so fabulous.

>98 ctpress: LOVE the Reepicheep quote, Carsten! Yes, longing and hope and bravery together What a marvellous little character : ).

>99 BLBera: Thanks, Beth, glad you are enjoying the Narnia comments. Soon it will be time to read them to Scout! I think you'll enjoy Doig tremendously. When Breath Becomes Air is heartbreaking, but such a lovely read.

Hiding amongst the end of school marking and report cards, Nancy? I think I can now recommend Nora Webster and in time I will get to Brooklyn as well, but I had to return Brooklyn to the library as there was a request for the book.

>101 vancouverdeb: Drowning more than hiding, Deb, LOL! Gah! Thank God July is coming. Delighted to hear that Nora Webster is a rec!

Hang in there, Nancy - just a few more weeks, after June comes peace and rest. Actually I thought of you when I read this in the Staggerford-novel Dear James:

There was something about sitting on a wide porch on a fine day in early summer that made him want to be more than he was. The bird song, the smell of new-cut-grass on the breeze, the lovely shade under the elms along the riverbanks - all of this seemed so clean and luxurious and heavenly.....

Something to look forward to.

>103 ctpress: Ah, beautiful quote! Thank you, Carsten : ). Counting the days ...

The end of school is rough with all the paperwork that needs to be done. Summer vacation makes it all worthwhile, though, right? Loved your comments on Dawn Treader. I'm another Reepicheep fan!

>105 Donna828: Yes, the summer is the saving grace of teachers, Donna! I'm very selfish about my July and August. Delighted to know you're another Reepicheep fan!

37.
The Mammy, Brendan O'Carroll



Rating: 4/5

“Sometimes this turbulent, tragic, sad and busy world turns on its head and comes to a sudden halt just to accommodate somebody’s dream …”

Agnes Browne, a young widow struggling to raise seven children in a North Dublin neighbourhood in the 1960s is The Mammy. Mother, father, and referee for her brood, she is also best friend to Marion Monks – whom she will lose tragically – the object of an overly amourous Frenchman’s attentions, a resourceful market merchant, and a particular singer’s most devoted fan.

O’Carroll is delightful: witty, colourful, exuberant, and irreverent. The Mammy is not only about life’s struggles but also its triumphs, and about romance, friendship, generosity, and loss. I was completely charmed!

“Dream on, Agnes Browne! For everyone’s sake, dream on!” (174)

Oh! And you've knocked off another book Nancy! It is was Lori that turned me onto The Mammy , so we have her to thank in a big way. O’Carroll is delightful: witty, colourful, exuberant, and irreverent. The Mammy is not only about life’s struggles but also its triumphs, and about romance, friendship, generosity, and loss. I was completely charmed! So true! I hope you enjoy the The Chisellers and The Granny when you get a moment. Thumb!

>108 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deb : ). We do have to thank Lori in a big way! Absolutely delightful!

He, Nancy - I remember that cover from Deborah's read. Look at that boy smiling to his mammy. So I guess you'll continue the series....Seven children. Reminds me of my grandparents raising 12 children in the late 40's and 50's. Days where the money only reached to the next day.

>110 ctpress: Hi Carsten, I will probably read the other O'Carrol Agnes Browne novels, if not right away: so many things on my list (I know you can relate!). Kudos to your grandparents raising 12 children, my goodness! Yes, when money was treated very differently than it is today, for sure.

38.
The Silver Chair, C.S. Lewis



Rating: 3.5/5

Eustace Scrubb and his classmate, Jill Pole, are miserable at their school, Experiment House – the school, under the management of an incompetent headmistress, has become overrun with bullies. Seeking escape, Eustace tells Jill of his past Narnia adventure. And, lo and behold, the two soon find themselves in the magical world. Aslan charges the children with finding Prince Rilian, the son of King Caspian X, who disappeared several years ago. The prince had been searching for the green serpent that killed his mother, and was taken under the spell of an enchantress. Aslan gives Eustace and Jill four signs which will help guide them in their search. The children have other help, too, of course: the now elderly Trumpkin the Dwarf; Master Glimfeather the Owl; and the ever-pessimistic Marsh-wiggle, Puddleglum.

Recommended: Yes, as part of the Narnia chronicles, though this installment did not endear the way the others have. I keenly felt the absence of the Penvensie children, and Jill, who narrates The Silver Chair, is not a terribly interesting character.

Eustace Scrubb and his classmate, Jill Pole, are miserable at their school, Experiment House – the school, under the management of an incompetent headmistress, has become overrun with bullies. That sounds like a fun premise, unless of course I was the miserable student at the school. Sorry it did not live up to your hopes. Great review. You are sure knocking of those Narnia books like nobody's business. Woot!

Good review - and beautiful drawing again from the book, Nancy. The individual books in the series are very different although they all take place in Narnia. A strength in one way, but as you point out you miss the continuity of the characters in the early Narnia-stories.

I'm just in the beginning of the Silver Chair myself so too early to judge, but yes I miss the Penvensie children. And I'm not too keen on Eustace and all his complaining.

Come and say hi to me when you get a spare moment , Nancy. I have a new thread. Almost finished my current book - but not quite.

>113 vancouverdeb: Hi Deb, thoroughly enjoying Narnia and have now started The Last Battle.

>114 ctpress: Carsten, the illustrations are beautiful, aren't they? Will be curious to see how you like The Silver Chair. Am into The Last Battle now, and it's good!

>115 vancouverdeb: Oh, dear, did I miss a new thread again, Deb? Am so behind, given June workload. I'll be over in a minute!

Such fond memories of Narnia and Reepicheap!! And, although I meant to do it before, I finally added When Breath Becomes Air to my Wish List. Thanks!

I see that The Mammy is part of a trilogy????????

Hurrah for Puddleglum! I'm guessing that the owners of this boat (spotted last week at the wharf in Liverpool) were Narnia fans...

>117 Berly: Hi Kim! Good to have more Narnia fans on board! I saw When Breath Becomes Air on Laura's thread; excellent read!

>118 sibylline: Hi Lucy, yes, The Mammy is part of a trilogy. My library has the other two (one of them only in large print), but I think I'll read on. Completely delightful!

>119 charl08: Hi Charlotte, LOVE the Marshwiggle! Yes, I think it's safe to bet that the owners of the boat where Narnia fans : ).

39.
The Last Battle, C.S. Lewis



Rating: 3/5

2004, Harper Collins Publishers, Read by Patrick Stewart

Narnia has long enjoyed peace and prosperity under the reign of King Caspian X, but trouble is brewing. In the North, an greedy ape named Shift convinces a simple minded donkey, Puzzle, to dress himself in a lion’s hide and pretend to be Aslan. By manipulating Puzzle, Shift – in league with the Calormene warlord Rishda Tarkaan – manages to persuade the Narnians that he speaks for Aslan – and convinces them to serve the Calormenes and to cut down the talking trees of Narnia. The proceeds of the work will go to “Aslan’s” treasury, for the benefit of all.

When Tirian and his magnificent unicorn, Jewel, learn of the deceit, Tirian accuses Shift and, in doing so, is captured. He calls on Aslan for help, and Jill and Eustace also return to Narnia. The group must engage Shift and the Calormenes. But many Narnians are slaughtered. The kings and queens bear witness to the end of the Narnian world. All the inhabitants, including those who have died, gather outside the barn to be judged by Aslan; the faithful enter Aslan's Country while those who have opposed or deserted him become ordinary animals and vanish. (Wikipedia)

Admittedly, I did not find this last installment terribly interesting, and the Christian overtones are a bit heavy-handed here. That said, Patrick Stewart, who narrates The Last Battle is sublime! And as a whole, the the Narnia Chronicles are easily recommended.

Glad you enjoyed the Narnia Chronicle so much, Nancy. Great review. Sounds like a complex book - but then I'm not good with fantasy, even as children's literature. Fabulous images to go with your reads. Are you finished with the school year as yet?

>122 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deb. Finished report cards yesterday. English 12 provincial exams are tomorrow. Courses are not yet entirely ready for next year, but our school is moving ... so, today, in our spare time, LOL, we were packing! Hopefully, next week, our new location is actually ready to be moved into (it wasn't as of yesterday). Fun, fun! But next week is our last week before summer, so it will be what it is ... and I am out of there for a break!

Are you excited about the new location? Good luck purging and packing!

>124 Berly: Hi Kim, our new spot is in a lovely location, and still downtown, so I like both of those points. Physical space is much smaller, so that'll be interesting.

>123 lit_chick: Oh my faith! Moving from one room to another in the same building was a nightmare for me. I'm doing my best not to imagine moving to a completely different location! I wish you smoothness, St. Nancy the Patient..........and a great vacation coming up!

"Moving in your spare time":) Indeed , Nancy! I don't envy you that at all. I'm glad to hear it is good location . If it helps to know, I am trying to do a house purge. Not fun. And I have slight hoarder tendencies . I always wonder - but might I need that when.... LOL! I hope your school move goes not too badly.

I love the images at the bottom of your reviews. They conjure up such adventurous thoughts....I wanna go on an adventure now!! Luckily I am going to the cabin at Peel Forest this weekend with a friend and your littlests. That should satisfy some of my adventure needs. And next time I go there I swear I will walk up the mountain...which is a 5 hour slog! Next time.

Oh, by the way, how is Homegoing ? That is on my mental TBR list. Enjoying it? Difficult read, or not too bad?

>126 LizzieD: LOL, Peggy! If you only knew some of the things going through my mind while I'm packing at school, you wouldn't be calling me St Nancy the Patient, hehe.

>127 vancouverdeb: Deb, I tend to be the opposite of hoarder, at least at home. At school, of course, I have other staff to consider in terms of materials we keep, LOL! They tease me that I'm a brutal purger/packer, but all in good fun.

>128 LovingLit: Thanks, Megan. Woohoo! Sounds like you have a RL adventure in the wings that will be almost as good as Narnia : ).

>129 vancouverdeb: Homegoing is fabulous! Very distracted and not getting too much reading accomplished, but I'm over 100 pages in, and it's definitely a rec!

Hope your new location is available soon - and good luck with the packing.

I am looking forward to Homegoing - a while to wait yet until it is published here.

Great that you've enjoyed Narnia so much although the last two installments was below the others. Yes Heaven is in the forefront in The Last Battle as I remember it - one of Lewis' favorite themes.

I've not gotten so much ahead with The Silver Chair.

Have been busy with Brexit and have extra shifts this weekend. Interesting times but not the vote I was hoping for. I see some difficult times ahead for the UK.

>131 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte. I think you will enjoy Homegoing.

>132 ctpress: Yes, Carsten, I've thoroughly enjoyed Narnia, though not the last two as much. It was the idea of judgement in The Last Battle that I found heavy-handed.

I'll bet you are busy with Brexit and will be working extra shifts! Was reading just a little bit last night before bed about the vote. The articles I read also predicted some difficult times ahead for the UK.

Hi Nancy, I was so very far behind on threads (and still am) but the dust is settling and we shut the door on the move (well sort of.... we are in transition). Moving after 36 years is not for the faint of heart! Have hardly been reading anything but yesterday started my first Doig book English Creek and loving it. So fast forward June and you are now finished and will no doubt have a fabulous summer. You inspire with all the C.S. Lewis books that you have read! Have a very nice summer break!

Hi, Nancy! Enjoy the weekend.
BB for Homegoing already. *sigh*

Good to know that Homegoing is promising. I confess I have it in a TBR pile. I wish I had some of your brutal purger traits. When we moved from our house to our townhouse, I did a LOT of brutal purging, but now that we have been in our townhouse for i6 years, I need to do more purging and it does not come easily to me. .

Nancy, I felt the same way about The Last Battle. A bit disappointing of an end. And I don't like having symbolism/allegory/whatever used as a bludgeon to beat me about the head :)

I should be starting Homegoing in the next few days - very much looking forward to it!

>134 mdoris: Hi Mary, lovely to "see" you! Have been thinking of you and your move, and am delighted to hear that it is going well. You must be so glad to have the dust settling.

>135 LizzieD: Thanks, Peggy. I predict you will love Homegoing!

>136 vancouverdeb: Hi Deb, Homegoing is excellent! I've been in my townhouse 18 years and am the anti-packrat , but I do understand what you're saying that purging does not come easily to you.

Nancy, I've been purging this past couple of days, so much so that my shoulder is very sore. I am actually enjoying getting rid of stuff. It is less difficult than I thought. But physically, my shoulder is very sore today. I'm feeling anti - pack rat! :)

>139 vancouverdeb: Well done, Deb, but for the sore shoulder. Hope it feels better tomorrow. Packrats beware!

>137 katiekrug: - *cough*

>137 katiekrug:, >141 katiekrug: How could I miss you, Katie? What rudeness, LOL!

Good to know you felt the same way at the conclusion of The Last Battle. It's funny, I wrote about the first couple of novels that, while the Christian symbolism/references was obvious, I found the novels easy to enjoy simply as great children's literature. I did not feel the same way about the last one.

I hope you will love Homegoing as much as I am! Planning to finish tomorrow and will post a review later in the day.

Hi Nancy. Glad to see you continued to enjoy your adventures in Narnia - I think The Last Battle has always been my least favourite if the series but I think I liked The Silver Chair more than you did although it's been quite a while since I read them.

>143 souloftherose: Hi Heather, I did find The Last Battle a disappointing conclusion to a wonderful series. But overall, Narnia was well worth the adventure!

Ah, see you have picked up H is for Hawk as an audiobook. Good listening. Loved that one.

The school holiday started this weekend in Denmark - hope you'll soon be able to get some relax and rest from work :)

Looking forward to your review of Homegoing . No pressure though - if it takes you a couple of days - no problem! Enjoy your time in the hammock and out with Black Panther Security. :-)

>145 ctpress: H is for Hawk is good listening, Carsten! I remember how much you liked this one. I've got one more week to work before school holiday, but almost there ...

>146 vancouverdeb: Hi Deb, review is coming right up ... Black Panther Security and I have enjoyed a lovely day outdoors.

40.
Homegoing, Yaa Gyasi



Rating: 5/5

“Before Esi left, the one called Governor looked at her and smiled. It was a kind smile, pitying, yet true. But for the rest of her life Esi would see a smile on a white face and remember the one the soldier gave her before taking her to his quarters, how white men smiling just meant more evil was coming with the next wave.” (49)

In eighteenth century Ghana, two half-sisters, Effia and Esi, are born into different villages. Effia is married off to a wealthy Englishman by her stepmother and lives in the palatial comfort of Cape Coast Castle. Beneath the opulent rooms in which she lives, in the castle’s dungeons, her half-sister Esi is imprisoned. Esi, along with thousands of other Ghanaians, has been captured into the Gold Coast’s booming slave trade, and will be sold off and shipped to America, where her children and her grandchildren will be raised in slavery.

One thread of Homegoing follows Effia’s descendants through centuries of warfare in Ghana as the Asante and Fante nations combat the slave trade and British colonization. The other thread follows Esi and her children into America: from the plantations of the South through the Civil War, the Great Migration, the coal mines of Alabama, and into the jazz clubs of Harlem. Some three hundred years and seven generations after the novel began, the two threads of the sisters’ families will reunite.

Gyasi delivers a stunning first novel in Homegoing, setting unforgettable characters against the historical forces which shape them. I didn’t want to put it down! Highly, highly recommended.

“For Sonny, the problem with America wasn’t segregation but the fact that you could not, in fact, segregate. Sony had been trying to get away from white people for as long as he could remember, but, big as this country was, there was nowhere to go.” (244)

Homegoing sounds excellent, Nancy. 4.5 stars and this recommendation of yours Gyasi delivers a stunning first novel in Homegoing, setting unforgettable characters against the historical forces which shape them. I didn’t want to put it down! Highly, highly recommended. I'll have to push it further up the TBR pile. Excellent review!

Edited to add - your touchstone for Homegoing leads to the wrong book.

>149 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deb : ). Will be looking very forward to hearing what you think of Homegoing. And I fixed the touchstone (gah!).

>148 lit_chick: I love the name Esi, is all I have to say today ;)

Wow, Nancy. Homegoing sounds wonderful. Off to check to see if my library has a copy.

>148 lit_chick: LOL, Megan, delighted you love the name Esi.

>149 vancouverdeb: Hi Beth, I hope your library has a copy!

>148 lit_chick: Great review! I've put it on my library wish list. Thanks!

>148 lit_chick: Homegoing looks interesting. Adding it to the pile... :)

Setting unforgettable characters against the historical forces which shape them. Great review, Nancy - and well said. I like the quotes. Seems like an amazing historical tour-de-force.

>154 mdoris:, >155 nittnut: Homegoing is a good one to take a bullet on, Mary and Jenn.

>156 ctpress: Thanks, Carsten. Homegoing is a fabulous read!

41.
H is for Hawk, Helen Macdonald



Rating: 3.5/5

2015, Blackstone Audiobooks, Read by Helen MacDonald

Macdonald recalls as a child reading T.H. White’s The Goshawk – an account by the troubled novelist of his struggle to train a hawk. When Macdonald loses her father and is knocked sideways by grief, she becomes determined to train her own hawk, and, to that end, purchases Mabel, a goshawk, in Scotland for £800 and takes her home to Cambridge.

H is for Hawk finds its strength in Mabel and the relationship between her and Macdonald. I found the tribute to (or biography of?) T.H. White consumed too much of novel – White was an interesting character, but he was not my reason for reading.

Sorry the read didn't work for you, Nancy, as it did for me. The T. H. White storyline was one of the fascinating aspects of the story for me. The way they were both lonesome individuals with the same fascination for goshawks.

I'm starting Homegoing today! Looking forward to it...

>159 ctpress: I remember how much you enjoyed H is for Hawk, Carsten. White and Macdonald were certainly both lonely individuals, and White seemed to come from quite a violent/disturbed background.

>160 katiekrug: Katie, I hope you love Homegoing as much as I did!

Ah, thanks for taking one for the team, Nancy :) I know a lot of people have loved H is for Hawk but I've avoided it, thinking it might be too sad/ depressing for me. At our townhouse complex , we had our fence replaced about a year ago. There are 34 townhomes in here, and though a lot of people are not that interested in the colour of the fence - we have contracted a company to paint it - today at 5:30 I'm out to check out some new colours that have been applied to the fence. Dave is on the condo board, and I am the brains :-) and he is the physical presence on the board. We've already had 4 colours applied to some of the boards, none of which seem to be satisfactory, and today the condo folks are meeting again at 5 :30 to check out the new colour possibilities. It is very difficult. When just Dave and I tried to choose a new colour for the exterior of our previous house, I think it took us about 8 - 12 tries of different shades until we both liked one, - never mind a group of about 10 people. Wish us luck.

>162 vancouverdeb: Oh my goodness, I will definitely wish you luck with deciding on a paint colour for your townhouse complex, Deb. We are only 9 townhomes in my complex, and a decision is hard enough! Keep me posted.

Nancy, I think we will be going with the least of the worst! :) I was of the understanding that painting company was bringing 3 or 4 more new colours of semi - transparent stain to choose from , but no, he brought back the same colours and painted them on larger area. I can't say that I like any of them, but I suppose we will have to make do with the least offensive colour, which has yet to be determined. I hope after is applied, it will disappear from my consciousness- the fence colour that is. Our townhouses have vinyl siding , so no one wants to paint the vinyl siding ( I'd love to do it for curb appeal ) but that is not in the cards. The colour of townhouse is very light blue - way out of style in my opinion. However, the people in here are very nice and moving is so expensive and such a hassle, I guess I live with an ugly fence . What to do. First world problems, I guess. We have to make a choice by Sunday. Cabin Brown, New Cedar or Desert Wood. I think a light grey would be best, but apparently that is what we had previously and most residents decided that was a " hideous colour". At least people are friendly and speak their mind in a kind way and we all get a few laughs out it. The cedar fence has been up for 1 1/2 or so - maybe less and I've gotten used to the plain old wood colour, which is quite neutral, but without the staining, the fence will break down with the rain, mold , and whatever else grows on fences. sigh.

>164 vancouverdeb: Yes, the fence will certainly break down eventually if the wood is left untreated. My cedar patio fence was replaced last year, and I stained it a semi-transparent light grey, Cape Cod Grey. It's lovely. Would love to see a picture when it's all done, Deb. You'll make the right choice!

Well, the colour has been chosen. It will be the Desert Sand . Between the lot of us that were even interested in the colour, we decided that lightest was best . None of the colors are really that great, but though some had like the " cabin brown" it was decided that the colour would be too dark, especially as each townhouse backyard ( if they can be called a yard ) has a 6 foot high fence. We decided that a dark colour would make a backyard seem smaller than it really is, and the " Cedar " colour actually looked mustardy. We'll see how it turns out after they painting company gets on it as of next Tuesday. It was decided to go with a solid stain. I would have preferred a semi transparent stain, but because the cedar had been left for 1 1/2 in the elements and for a more long lasting finish, we are going for the solid stain.

I think I will adapt. :)

>166 vancouverdeb: Good word on making a decision, Deb. That is never an easy task with so many opinions. Desert Sand sounds like it will be lovely; I agree that a lighter colour is best. Yes, you will adapt, LOL!

Happy Canada Day to all of my Canadian friends. Enjoy the long weekend!

>158 lit_chick: I also really liked H Is For Hawk with the reservation that there was way too much T.H. White in it for my taste as well. :) Happy Canada Day to you. I hope your weekend is nice and relaxing.

Happy Canada Day! It's a perfect, sunny day here in PEI. Enjoy!

>169 nittnut: Great minds, Jenn. Hope you have a wonderful weekend, too.

>170 raidergirl3: Thanks, Elizabeth! It' lovely here, too.

Your review of Homegoing sends a strong BB my way and a thumb your way. Thanks, Nancy!

Hi Nancy, a belated Happy Canada Day my dear. Hope you are having a good weekend my dear, sending love and hugs.

Hope you enjoy a long Happy Canada weekend - and I guess also holiday now, Nancy.

>172 LizzieD: Happy to exchange a BB for a thumb, Peggy. Hope you enjoy Homegoing as much as I did!

>173 johnsimpson: Thanks, John. Enjoying a lovely weekend, and hope you and Karen are, too.

>174 ctpress: Thanks, Carsten. Yes, I'm on summer holidays! Yay, yay, yay!

I learned of Elie Wiesel's July 02 death on Jenn's thread, and I copy her dedication here:



Rest in peace Mr. Wiesel. Thank you for your life and for your books.

Yes, rest in peace, Elie Wiesel - and thank you for all you did to make us remember and not forget the crimes of war and holocaust.

Let's see how chatty we are, when you first log on LT on Wednesday 6th July, check your zeitgeist and post how many talk posts you have written, thank you. Can all who read this spread it about so we can get a good response, it is a bit of fun but it will be interesting to see the figures. I have set up a group called talk posts for the totals to be posted.

>177 ctpress: Exactly, Carsten. Lest we forget.

>178 johnsimpson: Sounds like fun, John! How do I know how many talk posts I have written?

Hi Nancy, when you click on Home on the LibraryThing on the left is a list of things to look at, Dashboard is at the top and then below is Yours and under that it says about you, click on that and it gives you your zeitgeist with info about your books, daily post avg etc and their is total posts that you have written, hope this helps.

>180 johnsimpson: Brilliant! Thanks, John!

42.
Rules of Prey, John Sandford



Rating: 3.5/5

“The Star-Tribune had SERIAL KILLER SLAYS 3 CITIES WOMEN. The Pioneer Press was bigger and better: SERIAL KILLER STALKS TWIN CITIES WOMEN. He liked the word “stalks.” It reflected a sense of a continuing process, rather than a historical one; and work that was planned, instead of random.” (135)

Louis Vuillon is a lawyer come sadistic maddog serial killer who preys on women. Hot on his trail is police detective Lucas Davenport: brilliant, intuitive, committed. The two are engaged in a fast-paced battle of wits that only picks up speed as the novel progresses.

Sandford’s series is new to me, but I will definitely read more of these: fast moving thrillers make for great escape reads. And Lucas Davenport is a character who appeals: on the one hand, your classic bad boy – well-dressed, handsome, charming, woman-loving, Porsche-driving – but he is a fine and accomplished detective. Go get ‘em!

Classic bad boy - well-dressed, handsome, charming, woman-loving, Porsche-driving - what's not to love, Nancy :) See you have begun the holiday in style. Haven't heard of this series before, but it sounds like a good hard-hitting escape.

>183 ctpress: Carsten, hard-hitting escape is the perfect term for Rules of Prey. Learned of this series by Sandford in a roundabout way over at Donna's thread when she commented that her husband liked to read them. Gotta love LT!

Glad you've found a good escape read for your break - hope the rest of your holiday reading is as successful :-)

Glad you enjoyed Rules of Prey. My dad was a keen reader of the Prey series, as are my brothers. fast moving thrillers make for great escape reads

>185 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte.

>186 vancouverdeb: Yes, great escape reading, Deb. Just started Ordinary Grace. I know you and Carsten really enjoyed this one, so that bodes well for moi.

Oh! Yes, you are in for a treat with Ordinary Grace. I hope you enjoy it as much as Carsten and I did. Even Dave enjoyed it :)

So glad you are finally on summer vacation, Nancy. I hope the move to a new location goes smoothly for your school.

I really enjoyed your trip to Narnia. I probably won't continue mine as they are still pretty fresh in my mind. If Haley wants to listen to them with me, though, I would gladly continue.

So glad that the first Prey book worked for you. I'll be sure and tell my husband. Right now my escape books take me to outer space with the Vorkosigan Saga.

>188 vancouverdeb: Awesome, thanks, Deb!

>189 Donna828: I'm on summer vacay all right, yay! But the move did not go smoothly: new building still not ready, so furniture got moved but nothing else. Gah! Staff will go in for a day towards the end of August and hope that a) building is ready; and b) that the rest of our stuff is moved by then.

I hope Haley decides to listen to Narnia with you and loves the books! You're doing some pretty fabulous escape reading, too, launching off to outer space : ).

Homegoing Yaa Gyasi sounds like a winner. Super review!

I can't fix the touchstone - it won't even give me a choice of Yaa Gyasi! I hate whatever the LT powers-that-be have done to the Touchstones. It is beyond lame is all I can say.

ha! I got it to fix when I put in the author's name beside the book here in the comment. More work for us. Grrrrr.

>191 sibylline: Homegoing is definitely a winner, Lucy. I hear you on the touchstones! Gah!

Stopping by to say hi! I've been neglecting the threads in favour of real life and a bit of book funk, but I've found myself a new Karin Fossum. Creepy good fun -but a wee bit dark! :)
Sorry about the hassle with moving at work.

>193 vancouverdeb: Hi Deb, I just commented on your thread that it was awesome you've found a new Karin Fossum! The work move was destined to be a hassle: very poorly managed (what a surprise!).

43.
Messenger of Truth, Jacqueline Winspear



Rating: 4.5/5

2006, Audio Renaissance, Read by Orlagh Cassidy

Book Description: adapted from Amazon.ca
London, 1931. The night before an exhibition of his artwork opens at a famed Mayfair gallery, the controversial artist Nick Bassington-Hope falls to his death. The police rule it an accident, but Nick's twin sister, Georgina, a wartime journalist and a infamous figure in her own right, isn't convinced. She seeks out a fellow graduate from Girton College, Maisie Dobbs, psychologist and investigator, for help. Nick was a veteran of World War I, and before long the case leads Maisie to the desolate beaches of Dungeness in Kent, and into the sinister underbelly of the city's art world.

My Review:
Messenger of Truth was, for me, the best of the Maisie Dobbs series to date: a fabulous read listen, in fact. Not long into Maisie’s investigation of Nick Bassignton-Hope’s death, it becomes apparent that she does not trust her old schoolmate, Georgina – though this will be the least of her worries as the story progresses. In the end, given the truths Miss Dobbs uncovers, Georgina will question the wisdom of having pursued the investigation at all.

Billy Beale, Maisie’s faithful assistant and a wonderful character, figures largely here – it is a joy to observe their evolving relationship and mutual trust. I was not prepared for the tragic loss of little Lizzie Beale, and was surprised at my painful response – I hadn’t expected this from Winspear in this series. In any case, the sign of a fine writer.

Messenger of Truth comes highly recommended!

The best yet. Sounds good, Nancy - also that Billy still play a big role. Love that character. I'm curious but not peeking, as I don't want anything spoiled :)

>196 ctpress: Carsten, I find the Maisie Dobbs series very enjoyable. I, too, love the character of Billy Beale.

Great review - how many stars did you give Messenger of Truth. I could peek at the spoiler of course, since I've already read book. I would like Maisie to say to Billy Beale - just call me " Maisie" . Since she is one for a just society, I think the " Miss Dobbs " and " Billy Beale " needs to come to an end. My only complaint with the series. Come on Maisie! :)

>198 vancouverdeb: Oh, I need to edit my review ... gave Messenger of Truth 4.5*. I think the Miss Dobbs speaks to social class barriers Maisie feels unable to overcome, which is odd, given that she has worked in donestic service.

44.
Ordinary Grace, Willian Kent Krueger



Rating: 5/5

“That was it. That was all of it. A grace so ordinary there was no reason at all to remember it. Yet I have never across the forty years since it was spoken forgotten a single word.” (270)

New Bremen, Minnesota, 1961. Frank Drum is thirteen years old and preoccupied with the innocent concerns of all young teenage boys. But the tragic summer which is about to unfold will forever change him and his family – a Methodist preacher father, a passionate, artistic mother, an adored older sister who will attend Juilliard come fall, and a precocious younger brother. It would be enough (serious understatement) for any young boy to process the several deaths that rock New Bremen that season: death by accident, suicide, natural causes, and murder. But Frank will also find himself caught up in an adult world incomprehensible to his young years – one of secrets, lies, adultery, and betrayal. And, decades later, he will clearly remember his struggle to navigate the fateful summer.

Ordinary Grace, narrated by Frank, some forty years after the summer of ’61, is an unforgettable novel about discovering the terrible price of wisdom and the enduring grace of God. Krueger is brilliant, his writing beautiful – his characters unforgettable. The mystery that permeates the novel had me furiously turning pages. Fabulous read!

>182 lit_chick: I have to be in the mood for a thriller, but it definitely fits the bill sometimes. I will have to make a note of this author. :)

>200 lit_chick: I have had this lurking in the pile for some time, but I keep avoiding it for some reason. Must not be in the mood for murder. *shrug* Your review makes me want to move it up the pile though.

>200 lit_chick: Not come across this one, but great review and a definite BB. Fingers crossed the library has a copy!

Great review, Nancy. The mystery that permeates the novel had me furiously turning pages. One of those novels that you didn't know where it would end. A great coming-of-age summer.

You've started the holiday with some great reads.

>202 charl08: Oh, Charlotte, I hope your library has a copy of Ordinary Grace!

>203 ctpress: One of those novels that you didn't know where it would end. Exactly, Carsten. What a fantastic read! Yes, summer is off to a great start reading-wise.

Ordinary Grace a five star read for you, Carsten and me! That's amazing! So glad that you enjoyed it. It was a great coming of age story, as Carsten mentioned. So glad you enjoyed it so much! Great review!

>205 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deb! Love that Ordinary Grace was a 5* read for the three of us! That is amazing!

Hi Nancy - I'm a fan of the Prey series - it's fun to follow Lucas and crew around Mpls. A couple were too gory for me, but then he settled down a bit. Sandford does know how to pace his stories; his journalism experience shows.

I have Homecoming on reserve at the library; I hope to get it in August.

I'm also a fan of Maisie Dobbs. I have two I haven't read...

Ordinary Grace sounds great -- another Minnesota writer. :)

>207 BLBera: Delighted to hear your endorsement of the Prey series, Beth! I'll be reading more of them, and more of Maisie Dobbs, too. I think you will love Homegoing (and Ordinary Grace should you decide to read it, too).

>176 lit_chick: me too. What a man, all that he went through. It's incredible.

>200 lit_chick: pretty cover! I'm so fickle ;)

>209 LovingLit: What a man indeed, Megan. As to book covers, I'm also incredibly fickle, LOL!

* gasped* on my thread that only now have you requested The Summer Before the War - and not yet, but the even more wonderful Everyone Brave is forgiven. I was so eager to get to those I purchased them both. The library lineup were and are crazy for both of those books. Annie Dunne should not be so difficult to get - as long as your library has it. Mine didn't . Sighs. Needs to bump up blood sugar - off to eat supper. Oh the surprise! They are turning of the water in my neighbourhood tomorrow for some sort of construction or repair - not sure. Bummer!

>142 lit_chick: How could I have forgotten Lucas Davenport and Nun the Wiser??? I'm sure that I still have some on the shelf unread.

>211 vancouverdeb: LOL, Deb, as I wrote on your thread: you inspired me to read these right after you'd read them ... it's just that I'm finally getting around to taking action. You know, a bit slow on the uptake!

>212 LizzieD: Exactly, Peggy: Lucas Davenport and Nun the Wiser! Good memory, my friend! Grab Lucas off the shelf when you're in the mood for some fast-paced escape.

Hi Nancy, just passing by my dear, sending love and hugs.

>214 johnsimpson: Thanks, John, back to you and Karen.

45.
An Incomplete Revenge, Jacqueline Winspear



Rating: 4/5

2008, MacMillan Audio, Read by Orlagh Cassidy

Book Description: adapted from Audible.com
In the midst of the hop-picking season in the village of Heronsdene, Kent, Maisie Dobbs undertakes an assignment from James Compton, son of her long-time supporter, Lady Rowan Compton, to look into aspects of a land purchase on his behalf. She quickly discovers the locals’ prejudices against the seasonal workers from London and the traveling gypsies who flock to Kent at harvest-time. As she is pulled deeper into the investigation, Maisie is increasingly intrigued by the peculiar mood of melancholy and secrecy that shrouds the village, a feeling that is inflamed by the villagers' fear – but just what has caused them to be so afraid?

My Review:
Another great Maisie Dobbs installment. I loved the setting of this one: hop-picking season in a small village – as well as the varied groups of characters. Particularly, I enjoyed reading about the gypsies: the elderly Bula who becomes an ally to Maisie, and teaches her the skill of divining – and I found the customs of the larger group very interesting. Maisie puts her psychology degree to good use here, uncovering the mysterious melancholy and fear that permeates Heronsdene. Great story!

Great review, Nancy! I remember this story so well - the hop picking and the atmosphere the gypsies provided. I think I read An Incomplete Revenge earlier this year. It is an addictive series. Both Hell Fire and Yellow Crocus were kindle books from amazon ca. Hell Fire is not available in physical book format until late August or September - I forget and I was not going to wait :)

>217 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deb, yes, Maisie Dobbs is a wonderful series. Appreciate the tip on your Amazon finds of Hell Fire and The Yellow Crocus.

I have to tell , you , Nancy, I am so disappointed in the lack of books at my library. I was in the main branch yesterday and it's quite depressing how few books they have compared to 5 years ago. I really don't know what drives that. Because our population is 60 % Asian, we do have an extensive Chinese Language collection, but I can't believe how few English books we have and how fast they cull the books. Glorious Heresies and the The Hummingbird by Stephen Kiernan have been in the purchase situation for 4 or so months now. What is up with my library? I'm trying to use it most of the time, but it does get discouraging.

And the library has wasted so much space on the so - called " Launch Pad' - a large area devoted to helping people learn how to use a kobo etc and audio books, except there is never librarian to help you with that. And the at 3 - D printer sits unused. sighs.

>219 vancouverdeb: Deborah, at least your library has heard of *Heresies* and *Hummingbird*. That's not happening here. All our books are English, but they have to buy romances and adventures for our readership, such as it is.
Hi, Nancy. Glad you're enjoying your summer fun reading!

>219 vancouverdeb: Deb, that does sound like a discouraging situation with your library, and one that is difficult to understand. I have to say that I find ours impressively stocked; and I've had good response to most of the items I've suggested for purchase. It's a brand new building as of two years ago, so also an impressive facility, which appears to be well-used by our community.

>219 vancouverdeb: Hi Peggy, summer reading is always the best! Had a regularly scheduled meeting with financial planner today: retirement is getting closer!

Hi Nancy - The Maisie Hobbs series does continue to be good. I have the last two to read and am looking forward to them. I do like that time doesn't stand still in these novels. WWII is approaching in the last one.

>222 BLBera: Good to hear that the series remains strong, Beth. I also like that the era progresses with the series.

Glad that you're enjoying another Winspear-crime. Nice to hear that Maisie Dobbs make good use of her psychological insight and learning - one of the interesting aspects of the novels.

>221 lit_chick: Good to hear that your library is well stocked and well used. I am hoping that maybe a new broom in government here means some high level support for libraries.(Not holding my breath though).

>224 ctpress: Hi Carsten, wholly agree that Maisie's psychological insight is a very interesting aspects of the novels.

>225 charl08: Charlotte, here's hoping that your library gets more support from local government. That's a shame.

Hi Nancy,
Hope you are having a wonderful summer now that you have been "let out" of school!
Hope too that you are having a better summer in the Okanagan that we are having on the coast.
Following your wonderful reading!

You are fortunate in the library department, Nancy. Our library used to be the very best - open until 10 pm at night, full of new books, but somehow over the past 5 or so years, things seem to have deteriorated. It baffles me why things are not going better, as our local goverment increases our property taxes by 5 % each year and property values and construction are booming. Not sure what the issue is, but I know that the deputy librarian told me that overall, use of the library is down. Maybe it is down because they carry fewer books and cull so many or are people in my city a ) not reading much or b) purchasing most of their books? I don't know. I guess I can just make the best of it, but every now and then I have to complain just a bit.

>220 LizzieD: Oh Peggy, I know what you mean about my library and apparently yours getting in 20 copies of the latest book by Harlan Coban etc. My library tells me that will get in the prize books and sometimes I suspect that they only know of them because I have requested them. I guess the library has to get in what most people will take out. Frustrating, I know.

Hi Nancy! Lots of my favorites here -- Ivan Doig, Narnia, and Brendan O'Carroll! I read the entire trilogy years ago and loved them all. I think I read recently that there's a new (4th) book?

Did you get to all of the Narnia books? I agree with you that The Last Battle is not the best. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is by far my favorite. It's just magical!

>227 mdoris: Hi Mary, summer is always wonderful for me! That said, our Okanagan weather is not performing like it usually does at this time of year. It's been cooler, many grey days, and considerable rain. Pun intended: can't let that dampen my reading adventures, LOL!

>228 vancouverdeb: Hi Deb, sounds like your library is suffering from political will: it is not the priority of some/all of present elected officials.

>229 AMQS: Hi Anne, yes, I read all of the Narnia books. Like you, my favourite remains The Lion, the Witch. Doig is a fine writer, and new to me, so I've got more to explore there. There are now four in the O'Carroll series, but my library does not have #2 or #3, so I've requested these.

46.
Go Set a Watchman, Harper Lee



Rating: 4/5

“Prejudice, a dirty word, and faith, a clean one, have something in common: they both begin where reason ends.”

Go Set a Watchman revisits the characters, well, most of them, from To Kill a Mockingbird some twenty years later. Jean Louise Finch, now living and working in New York, returns to Maycomb to visit her father. The first several chapters of the novel are largely Jean Louise reminiscing of childhood escapades with Jem and Dill. But Jem is dead! – died suddenly of a heart attack at age 28, and Dill is now in Italy. The story picks up momentum as Scout confronts issues both personal and political, involving Atticus and the small Southern town that shaped her. The last chapter of the novel is its strongest – Jean Louis’s relationship with her uncle, Dr John (Jack) Finch, is a highlight. Witherspoon is adequate – her strongest performance is also the final chapter.

Just trying to catch up here. Your reviews remind me that I haven't read Maisie in far too long, and they are perfect for summer! Also loved you rave of Ordinary Grace--thanks! Enjoy being out of school and hope the movie-in goes smoothly in the fall.

I'm glad you enjoyed Go Set a Watchman. So far I've not tried reading it. Nice review, Nancy - but I'm not going to read the spoiler, just in case. Hope you are enjoying a sunny day!

>232 Berly: Hi Kim, Maisie Dobbs does make for delightful summer reading! If you get the chance, read Ordinary Grace! Thanks for the summer wishes : ).

>233 vancouverdeb: I wish I could say we were having a sunny day, Deb, but this is not what's happening in the Okanagan: not at all a characteristic July. I think you'd enjoy Go Set a Watchman.

I loved Ordinary Grace too! Must check out his other books. Glad you liked it!

>235 mdoris: Thanks, Mary. I will definitely check out more of Krueger's work too!

>231 lit_chick: I'm embarrassed to admit that I still haven't read To Kill a Mockingbird but that and Go Set a Watchman are on my list.

>237 souloftherose: Hi Heather, you've got some wonderful reading ahead of you. No need for embarrassment: there are simply too many books and too little time!

47.
Career of Evil, Robert Galbraith



Rating: 3.5/5

Book Description: adapted from Amazon.ca
When a mysterious package is delivered to Robin Ellacott, she is horrified to discover that it contains a woman's severed leg. Her boss, private detective Cormoran Strike, is less surprised but no less alarmed. There are four people from his past who he thinks could be responsible … With the police focusing on the one suspect Strike is increasingly sure is not the perpetrator, he and Robin take matters into their own hands, but as more horrendous acts occur, time is running out for the two of them ...

My Review:
There’s no question that Rowling writes an clever mystery. But from the start of this series, my primary interest has been the characters of Ellacott (less so) and Strike (more so), and, more particularly, the dynamics of their relationship. In Career of Evil, both experience a number of moments where they find themselves inexplicably thinking of the other – a mutual attraction, obvious to all but them, continues to evolve. The novel’s ending is delightfully humourous – and perfect!

My criticism, mentioned in my review of Silkworm is that the novels are too longwinded. That said, they’re certainly well-written and worth reading, and will appeal to many. Remains to be seen whether I’ll continue with the series.

Glad you enjoyed Career of Evil, Nancy. Well done review. So far, Robert Galbraith has yet to catch my interest, but I suppose one never knows. Hope you are enjoying the weather - or how is it in your area? Nice day here today. William and Serenade are off to Europe on July 19th. Gatwick , then straight onto Paris for three days, then onto Italy for six or seven days, and the 4 days spent in London. I'll be relieved when they have departed France. I'm sure they will have a lot of fun, but I'll be glad to see them home all safe and sound. :)

I'm hooked on the Cormoran Strike novels. Yes they are long-winded, but in a Harry Potter sort of way with lots of characters and detail to get lost in, and then a thrill a minute for the last 100 pages.

>240 vancouverdeb: Hi Deb, it's lovely here today weather-wise, but our July has been very uncharacteristic for the Okanagan. Your son and DIL have a wonderful trip planned! But I understand how you'll be glad to have them home ... becoming a very violent world we live in.

>241 lauralkeet: Hi Laura, I remember you wrote a fabulous review of Career of Evil, and I reread it recently. I confess I haven't read any of the Harry Potter novels, which somehow sounds irreverent, I know. But I'm glad you're hooked on Strike!

Good reviews, Nancy - I'm a little behind I'm afraid. Glad you're enjoying some good holiday readings. I'm also considering Rowling's new crime series. But I guess with all the crimes series I've already started hmmmm....Afraid to go on with another one right now.

I'm not really in a reading mood right now, but hopefully it will change soon - also busy with my new apple tv and indexing my movies and converting dvd's to digital - a loonnnggg proces :)

>243 ctpress: Thanks, Carsten. I've also got several crime series on the go, so may not continue with Rowling's.

Sounds like you're in a bit of a reading funk, which I think we all go through from time to time. Nothing wrong with playing with Apple TV. Love mine! Have had it several years now, cancelled my cablevision altogether shortly after I got it and just use Netflix, TED, whatever strikes my fancy. I don't miss the cable bill, and I miss the horrendous commercials even less. I've got many DVDs that I've not even thought about converting to digital: long process indeed. But it'll be worth it when you're done!

>244 lit_chick: My daughter also has only AppleTV and has no need for cable. Based on her experience I thought about "cutting the cord," and may do so someday. We get phone, internet, and cable from the same provider and their pricing scheme is such that dropping one of the three services actually increases your total bill. Annoying! Someday when I feel like moving a mountain I will figure out a way to do it.

>245 lauralkeet: My internet provider also "bundles" services so that each is less expensive. And for a long time I did have phone, internet, and cable bundled. But I wasn't using the cable for much other than news, just found there was so much nonsense on TV. The price of my home phone went up when I dropped the cable, but then when I decided to cut my home phone, too, the company offered me a barn-burner of a deal to keep both it and internet (I'm a 20+ year customer, so that helped).

You made me chuckle with Someday when I feel like moving a mountain I will figure out a way to do it. My sister would love to cut her cable, too, but she's married to a news hound, so that's not going to fly in her house.

Hmm so they made you an offer to keep your service eh? That gives me hope. I need to do some research on the sports my husband enjoys to see what we could get via AppleTV, and if I could convince him to cut the cord. Old habits die hard.

>247 lauralkeet: I'd be curious to know what you find out when you look into AppleTV offers in terms of sports, Laura. I don't watch sports whatsoever, so can't help there. And I do understand that old habits die hard. Yes, they do!

I rarely watch TV, and don't even know how to turn it on (there are like 4 or 5 remotes!). I wish I could chuck the TV altogether, but my husband does like to watch -- particularly sports. Sometimes, though, if you're in a book funk, you need to be gentle with yourself and do what feels good:)

>249 AMQS: Hi Anne, I don't watch a lot of TV either, but I've usually got it on at some point each day, if only briefly.

Dave and I are newshounds, so I we will be keeping our cable. Not much else to watch on TV, I agree. My sister and husband have Apple TV, plus net flix plus every channel - maybe a satellite too :) We just got HD tv and learned how to PVR in the past year or two - so no rush on the Apple TV for us. Our internet/ TV/ cellphone/home phone provider just phoned to offer us $20.00 off per month to bundle our products, though I thought they were already bundled. Just one bill and $20 bucks less per month. Nothing huge, but why not?

>231 lit_chick: that is promising! I was given that book for mothers day from my lovely other, and have not read it yet. I might have to read a few reviews of To Kill a Mockingbird before hand, just to refresh my memory!

We haven't had cable for the past 5 years and we don't miss it one bit. Netflix and amazon streaming and our dvds keep us happy.

>251 vancouverdeb: Any time a service provider offers $20, Deb, take it and run! You'll need to keep your cable, at least for now, if you're newshounds.

>252 LovingLit: Hi Megan, I think you'd enjoy Go Set a Watchman.

>253 scaifea: Hi Amber, don't miss my cablevision either. Not one bit.

We don't miss TV either. We can get what news we wish for via the internet, and it saves tons of time having to monitor what the kids are watching. Most of it is rubbish anyway. We do have Netflix and Amazon Prime, which is great for movies.

>255 nittnut: Hi Jenn, another cable ex-pat!

48.
The Track of Sand, Andrea Camilleri



Rating: 3.5/5

2010, Blackstone Audiobooks, Read by Grover Gardner

Book Description: from Audible.com
Inspector Salvatore Montalbano wakes from strange dreams to find a gruesomely bludgeoned horse carcass in front of his seaside home. When his men come to investigate, the carcass has disappeared, leaving only a trail in the sand. Then his home is ransacked, and the inspector is certain that the crimes are linked.

My Review:
Another racy Montalbano romp: this time through the moneyed world of horseracing and its not-so-glamourous underbelly of Mafia connection. Fine cuisine, per Montalbano’s standards, is in abundance. But the intrepid inspector appears to be on the rocks with Livia – again. Of course, he’s not short of beautiful female company. Note to the inspector: answer your own phone!