Mdoris (Mary) reads in 2021 #1

Welcome to my thread for the start of 2021. Happy New Year to all and wishing you wonderful health and happiness in the coming year. Oh boy, what a year 2020 was!

Hello, my name is Mary. I live in Comox, on Vancouver Island. I have been a member of LT since 2011 and I love it here. It is great to see what people are reading, to follow threads and to make new friends. I am a slow reader (it will be a miracle to reach 75!). Please don't kick me out of this wonderful group!

Almost all my books are from the library. I love cookbooks and do get lots of them too but do not list them in my grand total count.

I have 4 daughters who have all flown the coop. They are all living far away and they now have little ones. Now I am Gramma to 8, 4 boys and 4 girls. I was passionate about kids' books when our kids were little and still read lots of the newly published ones too. I am a retired Speech/Language Pathologist and loving retirement.

My junk drawer is not working so not uploading pictures these days!

Happy reading!

Hope you have a great year of reading!

Welcome back!

Happy reading in 2021, Mary!

favourite fiction for 2020 was The Innocents by Michael Crummey
non fiction for 2020 was The Madness of Crowds by Douglas Murray

>2 thornton37814: HI Lori, thank you, hope you have a very good reading year too!

>3 drneutron: Hi Jim, all the best to you in 2021!

>4 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita , wonderful to see you visit. Happy reading in 2021 for you too!

Found you, Mary! Starred now. What a sweet lovely topper! Happy new year.

Nice to see you back!

>7 jessibud2: Hi Shelley, I seem to be not able to import any new pictures so will have to recycled older ones. Chair and a matching table were from when I was a kid! This little grand just turned 2 on Christmas Eve.

>8 figsfromthistle: Thanks Anita. Great to have you visit!

Happy New Year, Mary. I hope 2021 is a great year for you and you get to see those grandkids.

Happy New Thread, Mary. Happy New Year! Glad we are turning the page on that one. Love the topper.

And keep up with my friends here, Mary. Have a great 2021.

Happy New Year, Mary! Great topper!

Happy new year - glad to find you for another year of reading.

Hi Mary, Happy New Year to you. Great photo.

Hello to my wonderful visitors Beth>10 BLBera:, Mark>11 msf59:, Paul >12 PaulCranswick:, Meg>13 Familyhistorian:, Charlotte>14 charl08:, Caroline>15 Caroline_McElwee: and here's to another year of great reading and thread visits.

So while we have had days of torrential rain here on the west (wet) coast and grey grey grey days, in my garden presently I have several plants blooming, rosemary, lithodora and scabiosa (pincushion) and my Christmas Cheer rhodo has just finished blooming. That's pretty good for January I think! My white rose was sending out blooms until just before Christmas. WOW!

This is the best "best of" list and which I search out every year at this time. It is a compilation of the best books for 2020. Check it out!

http://www.largeheartedboy.com/blog/archive/2020/10/online_best_of_80.html

Strapless by Deborah Davis V.I.Regional Library p. 262


This is a book about John Singer Sargent, an amazing artist and his life. His most famous painting is of Madame X who was a socialite in France in the late 19th century. This was a good read but an upsetting one because of the decorative and very restricted role women played in the society of the time. I have been asked to rejoin my former bookclub now that they are meeting by Zoom so distance is no longer an issue and this is my second book to read with the group. I studied Art History in my undergrad days so it brought back lots of ideas also supported by excellent descriptions of the society of the time. Most of Sargent's life was spent in France and England and he is greatly revered in the U.S. He was an American citizen.

Hi Mary - Happy new year of reading - haven't been around much in 2020, but hope I will pick up more books to read in 2021.

Must be great to join a bookclub for discussions. Wow, that is a lot of lists. I've bookmarked it - haven't followed new arrivals in 2020, so I'm completely clueless.

>20 ctpress: Hi Carsten, So wonderful to have you visit. I will look for your thread of 2021 and wishing you a year of good reading. Last year for me was a very different one too, different books and reduced numbers. Oh well!

Irreversible Damage The Transgender Craze Seducing our Daughters by Abigail Shrier home shelves p 227



Sadly this is a now a controversial book but one that should be read by many, many people. It is a courageous and brave book and well written. The subject is about the group of teenaged girls who identify as transgender and pursue the gender change but who have had no history of gender identity confusion prior to their teenage years. There is research to suggest it is a social contagion and the numbers who identify are sky rocketing. The trans activists have come down heavily on this idea and on this author who has experienced threats and cancellations and challenges with publishing the book and distribution (censoring). Many of these girls are supported in only one path to trans identity with irreversible damage to their bodies and denied the diagnostic therapy underlying their issues such as depression, anxiety, sexual abuse, autism spectrum challenges etc. Abigail Shrier has had many exceptional video interviews (Joe Rogan, Megan Kelly, Benjamin Boyce, Meghan Murphy, Graham Lineham and more) and her perspectives should be more widely known and not actively suppressed.

Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love, they depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog. It merely expands the heart―Unknown

>22 mdoris: This sounds interesting, as does Strapless. Our book club has been meeting via Zoom as well, and it has worked pretty well. Still, it will be nice when we can get together again.

We saw the sun today, Mary! It seems like it has been one rain storm after another lately. I hope you got a chance to enjoy it.

Woke A guide to Social Justice by Titania McGrath V.I. Regional Library System p. 150



This is a fun book, a satire written by Andrew Doyle to poke the bear, that is poke social justice warriors. Doyle is a stand up comedian, a musical playwright, a journalist and a free speech advocate, also a previous academic with a PhD in early Renaissance poetry (Oxford). He is Irish, opinionated, highly verbal and interesting to watch being interviewed on the many podcast interviews of late. He started a Twitter account of Titania Mcgrath and it has been swamped with followers (600,000). I did want to read his/her book but do prefer his interviews!

https://twitter.com/TitaniaMcGrath?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr...

To Speak for the Trees by Diana Beresford-Kroeger home shelves p. 283



This was a unique and enjoyable book, a Christmas gift. It is an autobiography of a woman born in Ireland and orphaned an an early age narrowly escaping the Magdalene laundries existence and instead was raised by more distant and loving family members. She was exposed and gained a great love of nature and trees from an early age. She became a botanist and biochemist and had her professional life in Ontario. Part of the book honours the various trees growing in Ireland today. Many of these trees have been a great source of pharmaceuticals and she highlights their cancer fighting and anti inflammatory features. She is a great believer of the critical need for care of trees on our planet to help curb climate change. She advises that we should all be planting trees!
(Sadly doors to academia were firmly closed to her because she was a woman)

cover flap
.........she was taught the Celtic triad of mind, body and soul, rooted in a vision of nature that saw trees and forests as fundamental to human survival and spirituality......

>24 BLBera: Hi Beth, Yes, in person meetings will be so valued when they happen!

>25 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg, Nice to see you. We have had 2 days of sun in a row and today I saw my first snowdrop blooming in the garden. I think snow is forecast for the end of the week though so I had not get too excited about spring being around the corner!

>27 mdoris: - This one sounds wonderful, Mary. When (time period) did this woman live? Is she still alive?

Hi, Mary. How are you? Good review of To Speak for the Trees. Sounds like a winner.

>29 jessibud2: HI Shelley,
Here is the link to her film the The Call of Forest: The Forgotten Wisdom of Trees

https://www.knowledge.ca/program/call-forest-forgotten-wisdom-trees?gclid=CjwKCA...

Diana Beresford Kroeger was born in 1944 and lives near Ottawa. She has written 8 books and is known for bringing scientific content and making it accessible to the general public!

>30 msf59: Good morning Mark. All good here. Loving the bird pics on your thread!

Weather by Jenny Offill V.I. Regional Library p. 201



What an odd little book! It is written in bursts of thoughts. It is about a young mother/wife/librarian responsible for her brother and her mother and coping on the brink of societal fragility or collapse. The book has been shortlisted for the Women's Prize for fiction.

Human Diversity by Charles Murray V.I. Regional Library p. 319



This is an interesting book looking at gender, race and class from a biological point of view. The book cites many studies.

from the flap.....The thesis of Human Diversity is that advances in genetics and neuroscience are overthrowing an intellectual orthodoxy that has ruled the social sciences for decades.

Writers and Lovers by Lily King V.I. Regional Library p. 324



This was a satisfying contemporary read about a young(ish) writer trying to find her way in life and love and creativity. It was interesting to have a peek at a writer's life!

Some very diverse reading so far this year, Mary.

>35 PaulCranswick: HI Paul, Hope all's well in your world! I will come and see what you are up to!

>34 mdoris: I enjoyed this one too Mary. I think I have one other of her novels.

I also loved Writers and Lovers, Mary. Her Euphoria is very good as well.

Ex-Libris 100 books to Read and Reread by Michiko Kakutani V.I. Regional Library p. 301



This is an excellent book and one that would be so good to have as an at-home reference. I have read 25 of the books described and would really like to read more. Hope to!

Hi Caroline >37 Caroline_McElwee: and hi Beth >38 BLBera:. Yes it was a good book! I too have read Euphoria and really liked it too. Have you read any other of her books? I'm thinking she will write more of them!

Long Bright River by Liz Moore V.I. Regional Library p. 480



There was a lot of press about this book on L.T. and I can see why. It was a police procedural (and family drama) about the drug underbelly in Philadelphia and the huge impact it has on people's lives.

Sounds like that one needs to go on my list!

Hi Mary,
I'm slowly making the 75-group rounds. Gathered a BB (>27 mdoris: good review of Diana Beresford-Kroeger's book. I have heard of her but never considered picking up any of books. I gravitate to her aesthetic, too, so it is surprising I didn't explore her work.

I like visiting your thread because you delve into such interesting titles I haven't noticed elsewhere. I've starred way too many threads this year to reasonably keep up, so it isn't surprising if I have missed these books.

>42 drneutron: Hi Jim, nice to see you visit!

I loved the Kakutani as well, Mary. I got a long list of books I want to read from it. I hope to read the ones I have on my shelves this year.

>43 SandyAMcPherson: Hi Sandy. If you get a chance try and find D. Kroeger's documentary on trees. It is gorgeous to watch and of course informative. It is on our Knowledge Network, a B.C. channel and not sure if you can access it from Saskatchewan. Snow drops are up and I am thinking of you and your missing the early blooming. Thanks for the wonderful compliment, most appreciated! I do read soup to nuts but have been really interested in the culture wars in my reading, trying to figure out the present angst in society. The reading about that seems to be endless, with lots of opinions.

>45 BLBera: Hi Beth. I am trying to read lots off my shelves this year too. Next up will be a Michael Pollan book about mind altering drugs that I have been meaning to read for 2 years now. He is such a good writer that I'm sure I will find it interesting. But from Kakutani's list I have always been meaning to read the Bruce Chatwin's books. I have read Songlines but in a way I much preferred the book by Robyn Davidson Tracks. Any books from Kakutani's list that you would recommend?

>46 mdoris: I am in the queue for To Speak for the Trees (popular judging by the hold requests, although my PL system has only 1 copy).

Re the snowdrops, I have resolved to buy bulbs next fall and plant them in a suitable pot I can shelter in the cool basement and then bring into the sunny-south-facing window in January!

Cynical Theories: How Activist Scholarship Made Everything About Race, Gender and Identity and Why This Harms Everybody by Helen Pluckrose Off the home shelves



This book is about post modernism and its influence through identity politics (Critical Race Theory) and of how it is affecting our society. It gives a history and contrasts it with liberalism. It was a bit academic for my tastes but I have been following the authors closely on video interviews (some really excellent ones) and I have been impressed with them. They became famous for an academic hoax where they submitted, were accepted and published three papers of a dubious nature in humanities journals to highlight and demonstrate the lack of vigour and scientific presence in some publications.

I liked Long Bright River when I read it too, Mary. You must have snow on the snowdrops now. There was snow all the way into Vancouver today when I ventured downtown.

Two memoirs that I have and would like to read are My Beloved World and A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius.

>51 BLBera: I bought the Eggers, after reading 100 Books to read and Reread Mary. Maybe we can read it at the same time in the Spring (after the Pamuk).

>34 mdoris: I read Writers and Lovers last year and loved it.

>39 mdoris: I was gifted Ex Libris: 100 Books at Christmas and it’s been fun to go through and read about books I’ve loved. And tp consider new ones to add to the list. :)

The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri off the home shelves p. 307



Just finished this one for next month's bookclub discussion by Zoom. I have re-joined my former bookclub post move since they are now visiting on line. I had recently read Douglas Murray's book about mass migration to Europe and this story puts a personal story to this horrendous mass exodus from troubled places. This story is about a couple from Aleppo in Syria who make the challenging trip to the U.K. It was well done!

>48 SandyAMcPherson: Hi Sandy, You will have a wait for the spring flowers but it will be worth it! Hard to remembr about it in the fall though.

>50 Familyhistorian: So much snow Meg and cold weather. We still have snow on the ground and I am itching to garden!

>51 BLBera: Thanks Beth. I will have a look at those memoirs. They sound good!

>52 Caroline_McElwee: Lots of great reading plans Caroline!

>53 Copperskye: Hi Joanne. That is lucky to have your own copy of Ex Libris. Wonder which new ones you will choose to read!

You must be back to gardening now, Mary. The snow that fell here a few days ago lasted only a few hours before we were back to spring again.

The Survivors by Jane Harper gift from a friend p. 374


This was a darn good gobble, the latest book by Jane Harper. This time the plot is set in beachside Tasmania and rather than a hot and dry location like her previous book she captures the watery coldness of the sea. Fun to get lost in the mystery and I never guessed the "who dunnit"!

>56 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg, Yes, the gardening gloves are never far from my reach! My tiny daffs are blooming.

>57 mdoris: Ooh I really want to read this. Still #22 at the library though!

>59 charl08: Hi Charlotte. It was a good gobble. Hardly noticed that I was reading the pages turned so fast. I was #278 on the list for a library copy and a friend sent it to me in the mail. . Nice friend wouldn't you say so I sent it right back to her after finishing it.

>57 mdoris: BB for me!

>60 mdoris: BB for me too. New author to me as well!

Edited to mention, Book's touchstone goes to a MZ Bradley novel...

>61 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita. I hope you like the book when you get to it!

>62 SandyAMcPherson: Thanks Sandy. I corrected the touchstone! I have read her other books and really liked them.

Blossom Comes Home by James Haerriot V.I Regional Library



I realized that I had not read all the James Herriot children's books and knew I had to read this one. I love his books with their heartfelt stories and stunning illustrations by one of by favs Ruth Brown. No exception. I loved this one too and quite misty eyed by the end of the story. These are exceptional books.

>57 mdoris: I love Jane Harper and look forward to this title. She does have a way of putting the reader in the physical environs, doesn't she?

>54 mdoris: This one sounds good, Mary.

I like Jane Harper as well.

>52 Caroline_McElwee: Yes, Caroline, I'd like that. Maybe May?

The Bell in the Lake by Lars Mytting V.I. Regional Library p. 390



I have Donna828 (we miss you Donna!) to greatly thank for this wonderful read! She was enthusiastic about it some time ago and it hit her top 10 for 2020! It is the first in a trilogy by Mytting and I have read his non fiction book about wood stacking which a fascinating book. Norwegian Wood: Chopping, Stacking, and Drying Wood the Scandinavian Way. This one is fiction and the story of a community in remote Norway's mountains in the 1800's dealing with the demolition of the local stave church. The stave church is a wonder and thing of beauty. P's paternal grandparents came from Norway and my mother's family can trace Norway family back to the 1100s so I have always been very interested in its history. I sure would love to visit there some day! My junk drawer is not working otherwise I would paste a picture of a stave church. There used to be over 1000 of them and now less than 50. The oldest stave church was built in the 11th century.

>65 ffortsa: Hi Judy, Hope you like the new Jane Harper book as much as I did when you get to it!

>66 BLBera: Hi Beth. Have you read all the Jane Harper books? They are good mysteries!

>67 mdoris: I really enjoyed this novel too Mary, and it is the first of a trilogy, so looking forward to more.

>67 mdoris: I had no idea what a stave church is, so I googled. And whoa, they're gorgeous! That does it - this one's going on the list! Thanks for the review!

>69 Caroline_McElwee: HI Caroline. I sure look forward to the other 2 books in the series. Wonder when they will get published.

>70 scaifea: Hi Amber. Nice to see you visit. I will come and say hello on your thread! When we renovated our present house (which was like doing a new build!) we asked that it have the feel of a stave church. Of course way more modest and without the height. But aren't they amazing, inside and out! Interesting the melding of the pre-Christian and Christian!

OOps,

>72 mdoris: I think that is last year's list (2020)
Not meaning to spoil it for you, but Hamnet won.

I just looked it up and the 2021 list was released! Off to inspect...

Thanks for sharing the swimming list you posted on my thread. I do really like Leanne Shapton's books.

>73 raidergirl3: Oh Elizabeth you are so right! Silly me! Thanks.

Correction, thank you Elizabeth >73 raidergirl3:
Here is the correct long list Women's Prize for Fiction 2021

Because of You by Dawn French
Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi
Consent by Annabel Lyon
Detransition Baby by Torrey Peters
Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan
How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones (made the short list)
Luster by Raven Leilani
No One is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood (made the short list)
Nothing But Blue Sky by Kathleen MacMahon
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (made the short list)
Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers
Summer by Ali Smith
The Golden Rule by Amanda Craig
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (made the short list)
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi (made the short list)
Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller (made the short list)

I've only read the first Harper, Mary.

>76 mdoris: How many have you read?

>77 BLBera: HI Beth, I have read all the Harper mysteries so far and oh dear!!!! none of the longlist for the Women's Prize. Still the TBR piles are huge!

I didn't know that Jane Harper had a new one out, Mary. On to the library hold list it goes. I haven't read any of the Women's Long List either.

Apocalypse Never Why Environmental Alarmism Hurts Us All by Michael Shellenberger V.I. Regional Library p 282



This was a very interesting book, extremely well researched (110 pages of notes and references) about environmental concerns and how misrepresented and misunderstood they are. Shellenberger was an environmental "groupie" in his youth and then started examining contemporary issues and narratives closely with a mature eye. He presents a case for humanist environmentalism opposed to apocalyptic environmentalism. There were lots of ideas in this book that made me view things from a different point of view and I always value that in a book. He has some very interesting podcast interviews to view as well. This book is often discounted as a pro nuclear energy book but it is so much more than that. Good book!

flap
"Despite decades of news media attention, many remain ignorant of basic facts"

"Curiously the people who are the most alarmist about the problems also tend to oppose the obvious solutions"

"What's really behind the rise of apocalyptic environmentalism? There are powerful financial interests."

>76 mdoris: An interesting list. Lots to explore.

>79 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg, Hope you like the new Harper book when you get to it. The wait at the library was extremely long for me and then a wonderful pal sent me a copy. i sent it back to her when I finished it but otherwise I would ask for your address!

>81 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita. Have you read any from the list? Any you would recommend? I'm still working on last year's list!

>80 mdoris: Aha, my library has this as an ebook. I'll take a look.

>84 ffortsa: Hi Judy. It is a very interesting read and I am hoping that more people will read it!

James Herriot's Treasury for Children by James Herriot V.I. Regional Library



This is a compilation of eight of Herriot's farm stories for children. He must had these moving experiences as a visiting vet and then got the notion to write them up. The illustrations are stunning. I had read most of these stories (not a dry eye in the house) many years ago but recently realized there were a few I hadn't read. This book is a gem!

Hi Mary - I've only read The Vanishing Half and Transcendent Kingdom, both of which I recommend. I have put some of the others on hold at my library. I usually like to read at least the short list and try new-to-me authors.

The Rise of Victimhood Culture: Microaggressions, Safe Spaces and the New Culture Wars by Bradley Campbell V.I. Regional Library p 265



This book was referenced in a recent book I read by James Lindsay Cynical Theories and I thought it sounded interesting and it was. The focus is on the changes that have happened in university culture. It is written by 2 sociologists and they give lots of examples and history of these changes. They study the morality of conflict that is either honor or dignity and there seems to be a radical change occurring at the moment. While the book was quite "academic" it was well written and engaging. The book often makes reference to Jonathan Haidt whose book The Coddling of the American Mind was one of the best books I have read in years!

flap " offers a framework for understanding recent moral conflicts at U.S. universities, which have bled into society at large."

>87 BLBera: HI Beth. i will keep track of the books you are reading from the list. I still haven't read last year's winner. Yikes!

Happy Friday, Mary. It looks like I have not visited in ages. Bad Mark. I hope all is well there and you are having a good time with the books.

>90 msf59: Hi Mark, no worries mate! I know you are very busy with the 3 B's.

Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy V.I. Regional Library p. 254



Lots and lots going on in this novel, the sea, climate challenges, family challenges, love, extinction of birds and animals, personal voyages, personal tragedies. Wow! There is the pull of water throughout the story and as a swimmer I found that captivating.

Hi Mary, I'm finding your titles here fascinating. At #88 especially, it is an insightful-looking analysis. I think it better go on my NF (Non-Fiction) TBR list.

I guess you are bathed in spring blooms now. Happy Easter-time!

>93 SandyAMcPherson: HI Sandy, Yes I am down quite the rabbit hole trying to understand the cultural shifts (like tetonic plates!!). I was somewhat surprised and exceedingly pleased that our library system had this book. i have been asking them to purchase many non fiction books and then patiently wait, otherwise I have to spring to the wallet.

Happy Easter to you too!

>92 mdoris: Hit with a bullet Mary.

>95 Caroline_McElwee: Hi Caroline, Hope you enjoy it when you get to it!

The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd off the home shelves p 416


I read this for bookclub and while it would not necessarily be a book I would have chosen to read on my own it was an interesting read. It tells the story of Jesus as if the story is told from his wife Ana's point of view. She is a oddly educated for the times (she can read and write) and ambitious (a writer) and there is the focus of the injustice of women told through her story. It was a little melodramatic for my taste but does sink you into the time and location and the tragedy and power of the story. Many bible stories came to make more sense. Imaging that a great deal of research went into the writing of this story!

>92 mdoris: Migrations sounds interesting, Mary. I will check that one out.

Not sure about The Book of Longings...

>98 BLBera: Hi Beth, the plus and minus of bookclub is that it gets you reading books out of your zone and then a chance to have a good discussion about them. I sure appreciated looking at the various reviews on LT for The Book of Longings with such variation of 2 to 5 stars. Migrations seems to have had a lot of press too on LT.

I'm going to come over to your thread to see what you are up to! I just got Andy Ngo's book on Antifa. The violence of this group is greatly disturbing.

I just got a book about wild swimming in the Lake District (Cumbria in the UK). It looks very cold, but the scenery is very beautiful and the photos are lovely.

>99 mdoris: I'd not heard of Andy Ngo or his book, but the LA Times review doesn't make me want to read it. Ouch!

“Unmasked” will do no more to help Americans understand antifa than Borat helped us understand Kazakhstan...
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2021-02-08/andy-ngo-new-b...

HI Charlotte, I certainly would not trust latimes for an unbiased balanced assessment. I'm done with mainstream media. But for sure I will have a look at the review when I am finished the book and thank you! I sure wouldn't want to walk in Andy Ngo's shoes. He has an interesting background and very concerned where this violence is heading.

Oh wild swimming.....hope you enjoy the book!

>97 mdoris: BB for me!

Sweet Thursday, Mary! I also loved Migrations! One of my favorite surprises of last year.

Unmasked: Inside Antifa's Radical Plan to Destroy Democracy by Andy Ngo V.I. Regional Library p. 239



Continuing with my reads to try and understand the culture wars and the state our countries are in right now.
This is a very good title for this book. It looks at the history of the Antifa group, what they hope to accomplish, their training and philosophy and it is frightening. Ngo is a photo journalist from Portland observing Antifa who has been beaten with resulting head trauma and has been much reviled by the group. HIs parents are new Americans who fled the communists of Vietnam and had horrible experiences in reeducation camps and were "boat people" to flee the country. He has grave concerns about the direction that Antifa wants to take the country. This book should be read with an open mind. For me any group that does and tries to justify violence is reprehensible. Antifa has been protected by the left leaning press.

>102 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita. Hope that you enjoy the book when you read it. Love sharing BBs!

>103 msf59: HI Mark. I might have had the BB for Migrations from you. I know there has been a lot of press about it on L.T.

Tales from the Inner City by Shaun Tan V.I.Regional Library



Shaun Tan's books are fantastic and they just seem to get better and better. He writes the stories and paints the illustrations and this book is about animals in juxtaposition with human city life. The stories are imaginative, creative and wonderful. WOW!

Look like some interesting reads that you are getting in lately, Mary. Your garden must be in full bloom now. Amazing weather.

Hi Mary!

I'm glad you enjoyed Migrations! It has been one of my favorites this year.

Hmmm. Unmasked sounds interesting. It's hard to read on several sides of a subject, isn't it? The books that I've read about the BLM movement make me support their goals - but the violence is disturbing. It's currently not available through my library, but I'll keep it in mind.

However, I was able to request Tales From the Inner City. The only other Shaun Tan I've read is The Arrival which was spectacular.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett off the home shelves p 339



Today this book was short listed for the Women's Prize! I read it for my book club selection for this month and look forward to the discussion about it. It is about 3 generations of related black women in the U.S., their relationships with each other and their attempts to find independence from one another as well. For me there was a plus and a minus going on at the same time. On the plus side there was insight into a transgender relationship, (sensitively told), insight into the difficult lives of black women over time but on the minus side it felt at times too contrived as if the current "in" subjects were being ticked off the list for a really contemporary novel . It was a fast and engaging read and I empathized with the characters. I kept seeing the book as a movie with perhaps one or two too many stereotypes happening.

>108 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg. Back to winter woolies. Hope all's well with you. How's the writing going?

HI Janet, It might have been from your thread that I became interested in reading Migrations. If so thank you! Hope you like the Tan book when you get to it! I feel it is really important to read around the edges of these controversial subjects. I have also been watching some interviews of Andy Ngo. I just love how we can get information that way!

Breath by James Nestor V.I Regional Library p. 230



I got the idea to read this book from someone I met at a local park while walking my dog. He is a counsellor and was interested in breathing. and was taking classes. I know, I know we all know how to breath but there is lots of information behind this automatic activity that is very interesting to know about. The author visited dentist, doctors, pulmonologists, scientists doing studies, and particpated himself in a few. There is a huge challenge out there related to breathing such as mouth breathers. people who snore and have sleep apnea, nasal blocking, sinus infections and asthma. He does do some research into ancient practices that give way to our modern prana practises in yoga. It was an interesting read!

The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer V.I.Regional Library



I read this for June's bookclub selection. It is two stories woven together. One is a difficult story about WWII wartime in Poland and one is of a contemporary couple with a nonverbal autistic child trying to make the family work, also a difficult story. The two stories are related and one solves a long standing mystery of the other. Rimmer told a very good story. I found the romancing intense and too gushy, too drippy, but that's just me! (Oh I get it now, the author has written romance novels and I have never dipped in that direction). The book had a bit of the feel of The Book Thief, a book I thoroughly enjoyed. I read it in large print as that was the only book available and it read very easily. I would say the story line is the forte of the author not the writing style.

How are you doing with the added travel restrictions, Mary? It keeps getting worse, when we think it should be getting better. Well, if we ever do get back to travelling again I think we can bet on extra security at the Vancouver Airport.

I'm still writing and enjoying the weather again now the sunshine is back.

Prey immigration, Islam and the Erosion of Women's Rights by Ayaan Hirsi Ali Vancouver Island Regional Library p. 275



This is a brilliant book that all should read. A H Ali is a most brave courageous woman to delve into the subject of how immigration policy and failure of integration in Europe is greatly eroding women's rights and safety. It opened my eyes.

>115 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg., I do fear for the future as restrictions are staying and getting tighter and tighter.

>116 mdoris: On the list it goes Mary. She has had quite a life, and is a fine writer.

>116 mdoris:

Although Ayaan Hirsi Ali was criticized for leaning to the right after her move to the U.S.,
her first book, Nomad, was, as you have written "brilliant" and full of intelligent and frightening persuasive enlightenment.
A definite keeper.

Murder in Amsterdam: The Death of Theo Van Gogh offers a fuller explanation of her strong stance after leaving her own country.
A tough never to be forgotten eye-opener.

>119 m.belljackson: I agree about Murder in Amsterdam Marianne. A fine and eye opening book indeed.

I read Nomad and Infidel and agree that she is a very strong and brave woman.

Hi, Mary. Hope you are doing well. We are still in lockdown here, it having just been extended to at least June 2. Even though most doctors and covid science experts scientists on the province's *Science Table* are saying on all public media that it is so much safer to be outdoors than inside as our weather turns summery, and that there are safe ways to open up outdoor recreation, our premier knows best of course and refuses. He is such a dimwit, that it is no wonder people continue to defy him; nothing he says or does makes sense, and of course, that benefits no one. At least we are getting vaccinated, if in a haphazard way. I received shot #1 in April and my next one is scheduled for Aug. 8.

>118 Caroline_McElwee:, >119 m.belljackson:, >121 jessibud2:, Hello visitors! Yes, I have read some of Ayaan Hirsi Ali's books but now tempted to read more. She has had quite the life and to be able to research and write in what is her third language is remarkable. I think she has lots to teach us and she has walked the walk and knows intimately what she talks about. We need to listen!

There is a piece I came across recently that she wrote warning us about societal concerns of deep conflict that was moving and timely. We must learn to get along and be tolerant.

https://unherd.com/2021/05/tribalism-has-come-to-the-west/

>117 mdoris: The restrictions are hard, especially as other places, unlike Canada, are opening up again. It seems like we have been left behind. Fingers crossed our continued ordeal will be over sooner rather than later.

>123 Familyhistorian: Yes, Meg I have fingers crossed too. We are lucky to get out for our daily walks though.

The Diversity Delusion: How Race and Gender Pandering Corrupt the University and Undermine our Culture by Heather Mac Donald V.I. Regional Library System p. 247



This book is about what changes are happening in universities with the vast changes that Critical Race Theory is creating. For me it was like watching the movie The Red Pill made by a feminist film maker about the men's movement. It made me view things differently and with concern and change my understanding of what is presently happening. Mac Donald is not a popular voice in main stream media but she states concerns that should be considered. The author has written 14 books, two about cops which I imagine would be very interesting!

Blackout by Candace Owens V.I. Regional Library system p.284



This is a interesting book written by a very passionate black young woman. She presents her arguments on many themes to encourage black voters to consider leaving their traditional Democrat allegiance. I was impressed with Owens writing skills. She is courageous in her determination.

Difficult Women An Imperfect History of Feminism by Helen Lewis V.I. Regional Library p. 329



The other title for this book was "A History of Feminism in 11 Fights". The fights were..... divorce, the vote, sex, play, work, safety, love, education, time and abortion. Helen did a very good job introducing the historical characters and circumstances behind these fights with a sprinkle of personal stories added too. I had watched the controversial interview that she had with Jordan Peterson where the two locked horns and was intrigued to then read her book. i think they both got off to a bad start and it's a shame as they really had a lot of concerns they could have explored together. Lewis is a good writer and has written for The Atlantic, Guardian and much more. I was sympathetic to her point of view. Maybe she is a bit of a "difficult woman" too!

My criticism might be that H.Lewis should have included a #12 fight that would have been with transgender activists who are adversely impacting women's rights (prisons, lesbians, rape and domestic violence shelters, crime statistics, sporting competitions, sex related spaces (washrooms, change rooms etc.)

Wow - you've been reading some tough but interesting books, Mary.

>122 mdoris: That was a great article.

I hope your restrictions are lifted soon!

How to Raise an Elephant by Alexander McCall Smith V.I. Regional Library p. 242



This is #21 in the series and as delightful as all the rest. Mma Rowatswe is as kind, thoughtful and insightful as ever. The theme was elephants, baby orphaned elephants and as I love elephants it was a great story for me.

Hi, Mary. As usual I like your diverse reading selections and many are very topical. Prey immigration, Islam and the Erosion of Women's Rights especially sounds good.

Whereabouts A Novel by Jhimpa Lahiri V.I. Regional Library p. 157



I don't quite know what to make of this book. This is the 5th book of Lahiri's that I have read and while the writing is beautiful the story is perplexing. It follows a single, childless, career oriented academic looking at her daily observations during her routines. The focus is on detail but it does describe a lonely, isolated life. The chapters are short and for me it was bit like a David Sedaris without the family focus and without the humor. It did feel like a memoir and wonder how personal to the author's life it is. I wonder!

>128 streamsong: Hi Janet, thank you! I'm glad you liked the article. For me it rang very true and scary too. I'm wondering if your foal has been born yet. I will have to come over and visit your thread.

>130 msf59: Hi Mark. I have been watching wonderful and interesting podcast interviews with A.H. Ali. I think she is amazing!

Self Portrait in Black and White by Thomas Chatterton Williams V.I Regional Library p. 169



I watched the Munk Dialogue a few weeks ago interviewing Douglas Murray author of The Madness of Crowds a book that I thought was FANTASTIC. At the end of the podcast Murray was asked to recommend 2 books. The first was Cynical Theories by James LIndsay and Helen Pluckrose (which I have read) and the other he raved about was this one! I knew about TC Williams as I have been following interesting conversations (podcasts) by black intellectuals and he is included with others such as John McWhorter, Glen Loury, Coleman Hughes and more. HIs father is black. His mother his white. His wife is white (French). He has two children blond haired and blue eyed and this brought many questions to the fore for him concerning race. This is a book about those questions. I found some thoughts very interesting and accessible and others not as easy to understand but I am glad I read it. He is well read and ponders much and writes much that lures the reader to ponder. His decision at the end...

p. 159 " I too was retiring from race, so to speak-stepping out of the flawed and cruel game. "
(From Part three Self Portrait of an Ex-Black Man)

I have The Madness of Crowds home from the library and they also have the Williams book which sounds interesting.

>135 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg, I will be very interested in your opinion of Murray's book after you read it. I also read his book on immigration and it was good too. He is willing to float controversial ideas and he has such a gift for language and he is passionate about his concerns.

Rabbit Foot Bill by Helen Humphreys V.I. Regional Library p. 224

This is the most recent book written by one of my favourite authors. It is quiet and intense and tells a story that Humphreys saw referenced.

From the author's note it states:
"This story is based on a murder that took place in Canwood Saskatchewan in 1947 and on the LSD drug trials that were undertaken in the Weyburn Mental Hospital through the 1950's."

Although it is a story of various tragedies, I loved it! What a talented writer!

Hi, Mary. I have been away from LT for a few months - but I'm reading again, so that's nice.

#129 - Book 21!!! - that's a lot - I listened to the first one in the series a few years ago - had always intended to come back to the series - a very gentle person, Mma Rowatswe, as I remember.

The Channel Shore by Charles Bruce off the home shelves in tiny print of 400 pages.



Summer is here and FINALLY I am reading in summertime. For some crazy reason other summers I have stopped reading but happily not this summer. And summer has hit here on the west coast with temps predicted this weekend of 37c. YIKES!

So back to the book at hand. This book has been sitting on the home shelves for forever and made the cut with several moves but I finally got to it after P had been suggesting I read it for years. Sure glad I did! It felt like a solid Canadian classic with writing in the old style. It was more like music and best read slowly to hear the rhythm. The story is a classic Canadian one about rural coastal Nova Scotia where religion is strong and dividing and where neighbours must greatly depend on each other and where fishing has failed and struggling farming must make do. Bruce gets into and under the skin of those he follows. I loved it!

to catch a flavour p. 156
"There on the southwesterly slope of the Head, the eel-grass lay in tide-rows, thrown up by the wash of the seas grey-brown and dry on the surface of its ragged folds, green-black and heavy to the fork beneath."

>138 ctpress: Hi Carsten. Great to see you visit! Hope you can get back to reading.
The Mma R. books are such a delight for me, so comfortable and assuring.

Glad you liked Whereabouts, Mary. I have been on the fence on that one. You got me with Rabbit Foot Bill I had never heard of this one.

>141 msf59: Hi Mark. "Like" would be too strong a term. Lahiri IMHO is a very talented writer but this time her book was droopy, depressing, not life affirming.

Hi Mary. Stay safe and cool, if you can, this weekend (and beyond). Your weather is making our news.

Hi Shelley, Thanks. I'm old school, it is 95 inside in the shade. It's a blaster! Trying also to keep the black dog cool. She turned 2 yesterday and we were told that's when she will grow a brain. We are patiently waiting!

Wake up: why the world has gone nuts by Piers Morgan V.I Regional Library p. 340



I have been following Piers Morgan lately and his association with the T.V.show GMB and his fury over Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's life choices and communication styles so I was interested to see what he had to say about the present "woke" and cancel cultures and he does have PLENTY to say. Surpirse, surprise! He is a diarist so outlines the first 6 months of the pandemic Jan. to July of 2020 and covers stories that happened during that time. He is challenged by many concerns, mostly illiberal liberalism and government mishandling of the pandemic. With the aid of his tv work he has supported many positive endeavors (knighthood of Sir Tom Moore). It was an interesting read but sort of a one horse race. He is an excellent and experienced writer and a strong advocate for free speech and open debate. I just greatly wish there was a similar personality in Canada who would hold a few feet to the fire!

Unsporting How Trans Activism and Science Denial are Destroying Sport by Linda Blade with Barbara Kay off the home shelves, p 195



It is a very sad day indeed that science and biology have been denied and activists have politicized women's and girls' sports to the degree of denying biological women and girls FAIR access. This is a very important book to read. It is another substantial wedge and compromise in sex based rights for women. Completely appalling. Our Charter of Rights is not worth the paper it is written on.

Linda Blade is well qualified to be writing this essential book. She is presently president of the board of Athletics Alberta. She has been involved with women's sports for over 45 years as an elite track and field athlete and national champion, setting national records, and as a coach and a resource for athletes in Canada for her entire career. She had access to information concerning Canada's doping scandal of the 1988 Olympics in Seoul so understands the unfairness that doping or hormones can do in relation to sports competitions. She has a PhD in Kinesthesiology so understands well the difference between a male and female body.

The Devil's Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea off the home shelves p. 220


I finally got to this book. I have been meaning to read it for ages. It was not available in my library system so I splurged and purchased it. Wow, what a book! It is the 4th book about Mexican migration that I have read. and with so much in the news about it I wanted to read more. First was Coyotes by Ted Conover (excellent), then Jaguar's Children by John Vaillant (fabulous novel) then American Dirt, the recent controversial one by Jeanine Cummins. All books were very good and this one was no exception. It is the story of the 'Yuma 14"who died as part of a larger group of Mexican men and a young boy who tried to make their way from the Mexican northern border into the U.S. in a desolate part of Arizona in the most inhospitable of conditions and become lost. I have read other books by Urrea and must read more as he is an exceptional writer and tells this tragic story very well.

>139 mdoris: What part of rural coastal Nova Scotia is The Channel Shore set in, Mary? I have an interest in Antigonish and also in Isle Madame, both part of coastal NS but with different cultural influences from many other parts of NS.

>146 mdoris: The book about the changing rules in who qualifies to compete in female sports looks interesting.

>148 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg, The back cover of the book says "you will not find the Channel Shore on any map or chart. It is somewhere in Nova Scotia, close by to the sea and surrounded by rolling countryside".

Charles Bruce was born in Port Shoreham N.S. in 1906.

Hi, Mary. I am glad you corrected me on your thoughts pertaining to Whereabouts. I will be in no hurry to read that one. I also loved The Devil's Highway. I love Urrea's fiction but he handled NF just as deftly.

Hi Mary,
Just in time before you perhaps start a new thread...
Thank you for your kind thoughts recently. I'm resigned to the situation and deplore that the BC government made no arrangements to set up respite facilities.

They knew this intense 40 oC-plus heat was going to happen, but didn't plan well at all. Did you see that idiot Horgan said "Some deaths were inevitable?" (Incredible, considering that in one week, there were over 700 sudden-deaths, all heat related).

>150 msf59: Oh Mark I thought you had already read it. Hope I didn't discourage too strenuously!

>151 SandyAMcPherson: Hi Sandy,
Such a difficult time for you and you are really correct that it was handled so badly by the provincial government.

Hamnet and Judith by Maggie O'Farrell off the home shelves p. 367



This book takes a close look at Shakespeare's family with him mostly in absence. It was well written and had the allure by the author of Irish second sense and also the knowledge of medicinal plants of the time as part of the plot. Tragedy occurs and the human response to loss prevails. Many years ago I read a book by Leon Rooke called Shakespeare's Dog in which Shakespeare's life is told from the dog's point of view. It was a remarkable book too! I would like to read more about this amazing person and maybe the Bill Bryson book is next. I see too that Germaine Greer has written a book Shakespeare's Wife. So many books........

Just found this link of a video to Leaf to Leaf, of a book review of Shakespeare's Dog.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OutX0KEyA8I

I read this one last year, Mary. The Bryson book on Shakespeare was delightful. I also read a novel awhile ago called Mistress Shakespeare that I quite enjoyed. It's easy to get sucked into the topic, isn't it? ;-)

Hi Shelley, thanks for the plug on the Bryson book. It's on my list now! It is so easy to get sucked into so many topics

Mary's Monster a graphic novel by Lita Judge V.I. Regional LIbrary. p 311


I haven't read a graphic novel for ages and zoomed through this one today. I do know about Mary Shelley's life and this graphic novel does a very good job of covering her life story! I think it is with thanks to Streamsong (Janet) for this recommendation. Really, it is just so horrible the lack of women's rights of her time.

Yes!!! I finally got my Junk Drawer to work so can upload pictures again. Here is the latest and probably last addition to the family. We now have 9 grandchildren and this one is Lucy Katherine born June 17, 2021. I think she is a cutie!

Lucky me I just got my 10 year Library Thing badge. Joined July 18th, 2011. Can't believe that 10 years have happened.They sure have whizzed by!

>158 mdoris: Congratulations, welcome in this world Lucy Katherine!

>159 mdoris: And congratulations on your 10th Thingaversary, Mary!

>160 FAMeulstee: Thank you Anita!

>158 mdoris: Congratulations grandma. Definitely a cutie.

>159 mdoris: double congratulations Mary.

>162 Caroline_McElwee: Thank you Caroline!

>158 mdoris: Definitely a cutie, Mary. Congrats. God bless her.

>164 ctpress: Thank you Carsten. I wish I could get my mitts on her but she is far away.

Congrats on the new arrival Mary.

Congrats! Definitely a cutie.

>166 charl08: Thank you Charlotte. Love how she pops her hand out of the wrap. They have a way of their own right from the beginning!

>167 drneutron: Hi Jim. Thanks for the congrats. I think she will be the last addition to the family. Just looked at your latest reads. My brother is a physicist too and loves math. I should mention the Math Without Numbers. book to him. Sometimes I phone him and he is working on a math problem.

Congrats on the new addition, Mary. Lucy Katherine is a beauty. 9 grandkids? Impressive. Still waiting on our first. Soon??

I also loved Mary's Monster.

>169 msf59: Thank you Mark! I'm sure you will love being a grandpa when it happens soon. I think yours will be close by which is even better.

Lucy Katherine looks perfect. Nine grandchildren! Woot! You are blessed. When will you get to meet Ms Lucy? I agree that they are born with opinions. Not quite the 'blank slate' hypothesis that was popular some years back.

I'm glad you liked Mary's Monster. I've added the movie about her that you mentioned to my Netflix queue.

And congrats of coursse, on your 10th Thingaversary!

>171 streamsong: Thank you so much Janet. No idea when I will meet Lucy in person but thank heavens for online visits. Hope you like the Mary Shelley film when you get to it!

>158 mdoris: - Mary, she is adorable! Congratulations! Where is she? Now that the borders are set to open soon, maybe you will get your mitts on her sooner rather than later!

Hi Mary.
A darling new one. Lucy Katherine ~ such a lovely name.
Hope the weather is providing some rain in your area... the Island has escaped bad forest fires so far, is that right? Some of our family camped at Rathtrevor Beach for their summer holiday, since the Okanagan is full of smoke.

I haven't read much so far this month, so not a lot of bookish chatter on my end of LT threads.

>173 jessibud2: Thank you Shelley. Her little majesty is in Denver, so not so easy to get our mitts on her in these times!

>174 SandyAMcPherson: Hi Sandy, Thank you about our new family addition.
Another gorgeous day here on the island (not a cloud to be found!). It is worrisome as no rain now for about 6 weeks. Everything is crunchy, tinder dry and even though I have done my research about drought tolerant plants, they are suffering with the little sprinkle we are giving. We must be careful with water on the Gulf Islands. But so far no fires on V.I. thank heavens!
Take care as I know this has been a troubling time for you.

We Are What We Eat A Slow Food Manifesto by Alice Waters V.I. Regional Library p. 187



I have been reading about FOOD for a very long time and also have wanted to go to Water's Chez Panisse in San Francisco for a very long time. Hoping one day I will get there! Although the content of this book was preaching to the converted (that's me!) I still wanted to be reminded of the importance of organic food, seasonal food, the connection of farm to table, the value of a living wage for farm workers, the protection of lands where food is grown, the value of slow food as opposed to the fast food culture, the value of soil (and so much more) and this book served the purpose. Alice Waters has been an advocate of these values for a very long time. While at times the tone was a tad preachy and earnest, I still enjoyed it and there were lots of good reminders for making good food choices.

Next up is a wee book, On Tyranny Twenty Lesson from the Twentieth Century by Timonthy Snyder V.I Regional Library p. 126



I see this book is on one of Powell's lists 50 books for 50 years with this write up.
On Tyranny is at once both inspiring and frightening. Small enough to not be a burden on those who normally do not read history or politics, yet with ideas big enough for the deepest thinkers. If you are puzzled by how the world got to today, this book might help. – Tracey T.

https://www.powells.com/featured/50-books-for-50-years

I was very interested to read the reviews about this book because people loved it with 5 stars or did not and gave it 2 stars. It is quite clear which political side the author sits on and this is reflected in his writing and will make the book dated and perhaps compromised. Snyder is very concerned about the political future based on patterns he sees and based on the history of the past.

>171 streamsong: A good read, and one I plan to revisit Mary.

>178 Caroline_McElwee: Glad you liked that one Caroline!

Motherhood: Facing and Finding Yourself by Lisa Marchiano off the home shelves p. 206



This is such an interesting book! I was tempted to read it because I am the mother of 4 daughters who are now adults and have long since flown the coop. I believe I have pretty thorough experience in the motherhood department! i was also tempted because Marchiano is a Jungian therapist and I have been wanting for a long time to find out more about this therapy approach as much is referred to it in contemporary writing. But most importantly I was interested in it because Lisa Marchiano is a brave therapist who supports teenagers who are struggling with gender identity and is forthright in her support of therapy before irreversible damage of drugs of puberty blockers or hormones or surgery are administered. She has received a lot of flack for this and for her support of the research the Dr. Lisa Littman who identified ROGD Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria.

So this book looks at Motherhood from an analyst's point of view. She illustrates the psychological challenges of mothering with the use of many fairy tales and also case histories and shows how these challenges are understood from a Jungian framework. Very, very interesting!

In the epilogue she suggests what attitudes you need to have to make the most of the encounter with yourself in parenting to create the best parental attachment. These are PACE, that is playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy. Good book!

>177 mdoris: - I read that one a couple of years ago, Mary, and it is a good one. Snyder does have a newer book, published in 202, called Our Malady about health and illness. I own it but have not yet read it. It is the same small format as On Tyranny. Hmm, maybe I will pick it up now.

>181 jessibud2: Hi Shelley, Thanks for the tip about his newer book. I will see what you think of it before I jump in. .

Lucy Katherine looks like a cute bundle of joy, Mary. I hope you get to see her in person in the near future.

>183 Familyhistorian: Thanks Meg, with all the travel restirictions it may be a while but thank heavens for video calling.

Five Little Indians by Michelle Good off the home shelves p. 291



This book is for September's bookclub meeting. It is a novel about characters greatly affected by the residential school experience. I think it will be an interesting discussion. There is quite a bit I have to say and think about!

Here is an interview with the author.

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/tuesday-june-1-2021-michelle-good-girl-in-red-and-mor...

She has some very passionate opinions!

What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad V.I Regional Library p. 235



This is quite the suspenseful novel about a young Syrian boy's escape from a failing migrant ship heading towards Greece and then his experience there rescued by a local girl. It is written by the same author of American War. It sure puts you in the shoes of terror and fear of the Mediterranean crossing on such flimsy and ancient boats. Beware of an unusual end and look forward to beautiful writing. There is much to think about concerning morality and choice once the book ends.

A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson V.I Regional Library p. 282



I have really liked her other books and this one is no exception. It is the story of 3 lives connected all with some emotional challenges and those connections help tell the story. The writing felt to me like the writing of Kent Haruf quietly giving a window on to relationships, how they start and how they work or don't work and how they end.

>186 mdoris: This one has been on my radar for a while. BB for me!

Enjoy the rest of the week.

It's starting to feel like the summer is coming to an end, Mary. I hope you are enjoying the cooler weather.

Hi, Mary. I also enjoyed and got something out of On Tyranny. Five Little Indians sounds interesting. I have the new Lawson on the list.

>188 figsfromthistle: Hi Anita, I sure hope you like it when you get to it. It was very well written.

>189 Familyhistorian: HI Meg, I am a BIG fan of hot weather. Maybe i am part lizard. With this cooler weather I am already looking for my wool sweaters. I love fall though too. Hope you're finding the cooler temps more comfortable.

Hi Mark, Slow moving over here not like your wild and crazy threads but nice to see you visit.

Hi Mary. I'm back from my New Westminster trip. Thought I'd posted here...
Isn't it a relief that the intense heat which lodged so long on the coast, has left? I do find how cool it suddenly is, though. I needed my wind breaker when I was walking around in the early mornings. Even here, with 10 oC mornings, I feel really "cold".

Doing an Island visit next month. Hanging out in the Victoria area this time.
We're contemplating a winter, off-season trip upisland, though. Have you any insights into renting winterized cabins? I've had the Alders resort recommended. I think it is in the Courtenay area. I'm planning on devoting a week to beach walking and lots of reading!

>194 SandyAMcPherson:
Hi Sandy,
I am a big fan of heat so didn't mind the high temps at all. We are close to the ocean so can have frequent dips so that changes things I'm sure. Nice that you will get an island visit soon. I have not heard of Alders resort but don't be alarmed by that as we are pretty new to the community. I had a peek online and it looks wonderful, and likely my kind of cup of tea. Beach walking and reading sound perfect!

>195 mdoris: Thanks, Mary. Cross our fingers we don't have to go into lockdown and a travel ban.

>196 SandyAMcPherson: HI Sandy, I have some pals exploring around the world right now. It seems pretty adventurous. But maybe they are just making it happen while they can. I'm sort of glad I don't have a crystal ball!

This is Happiness by Niall Williams V.I. Regional Library p. 380



I loved this book. It is a very tender writing about a community village in Ireland during the time that electricity was coming to remote communities and told in the voice of a young man. It tells many stories within the story, all very human and told with insight. The writing is exquisite, truly wonderful and I must now read his other books. I believe that Donna828 who is on sabbatical from our LT community this year told me about this gem.

Thank you so much Donna!

>198 mdoris: I'm intrigued! A new author to me, too. Nice overview Mary.

Hi Mary! I loved the interview with Michelle Good that you posted in >185 mdoris:. The book is ever so intriguing to me and I love the fact that she started writing at age 64. I'll definitely be reading this one.

Other tempting reviews in >176 mdoris: >177 mdoris: and >198 mdoris: . A dangerous thread to be sure.

>198 mdoris: What a wonderful title :) Sounds just like a book I would love. Thanks for the rec. It is noted. For several years I've wanted to go to Ireland - and now that I've visited Scotland - I have my eyes on the green hills.

>192 mdoris: I'm a big fan of warm weather too although 40 C seems to be beyond my limit. I can't say that I'm happy that autumn seems like it's here, especially as we seem to be getting enough rain today for all that we missed during the summer months!

>199 SandyAMcPherson: Hi Sandy. Now I want to read all his other books!

>200 streamsong: Hi Janet. Another book I really loved by a writer who was a late bloomer is Swamp Angel by Ethel Wilson. Hope you like Michelle's Good's book when you get to it!

>201 ctpress:. Hi Carsten. Thinking you will like this book too! I thought it was a gem.

>202 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg. That was some crazy amount of rain and wind that we had yesterday and it is looking none too settled today. But oh boy did we ever need it. Finally the plants are perking up and thee are lots of dead needles on all the conifers. Yikes, you need to be tough here in B.C.!

The Secret to Superhuman Strength by Alison Bechdel V.I Regional Library p. 233



I have read Bechdel's other books and quite intrigued with them. I do however struggle with the memoir format and I did struggle with this one. It is maybe a tad SELF FOCUSED! It is nonetheless quite an accomplishment to tell your story pains takingly in pictures, to relate to historical figures who have struggled with the same challenges and to put your heart on your sleeve. But.....it felt more like therapy for the author than enlightenment for the reader.