Audiobook Review: Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Completed: January 22, 2014
Length: 10 Hours, 2 Minutes
Narrated by: Shelly Frasier

Synopsis from Audible:

When Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert of Green Gables send for a boy orphan to help them out at their farm, they mistakenly get Anne Shirley, a feisty, independent but warm-hearted 11-year-old girl. Fortunately her sunny nature and quirky imagination win the hearts of her reluctant foster parents and everyone in the community. But not a day goes by without some memorable adventure or prank in the tragicomedy of her life. Early on she accidentally dyes her "cursed" red hair green. Later, in an effort to impress a neighbor, she bakes a cake, but with liniment instead of vanilla.

Lucy wrote that Anne is an extension of herself and represents the independent, "new" woman of the emerging 20th century. Individualistic, resourceful, and of a great humanitarian heart, she remains a great role model for girls and women today.

In 2014 I made it my goal to read all of Lucy Maud Montgomery's books. In some cases these are rereads, like with this book, but in other cases I am going to be reading them for the very first time. It's a great project for my TBR in that sense because I have had many of them sit on my shelves for years unread. A few years ago I purged all my classics because you can get them for free as e-books. I kept my Montgomery's, though. I remember when I was about 10 I collected the entire Anne series and read them all. It was university before I read Emily and I STILL haven't read that trilogy entirely.

Fiction or Non-Fiction? Genre?: Classic Canadian Fiction.

What Lead You to Pick up This Book: Well, the project all started because I saw a few bloggers rereading Montgomery last year and it made me want to revisit her. I am sort of reading in order of publication. The deviation from this is that she only wrote short stories between 1896 and 1908 when this book was published. I read short story collections slowly, so I will work them in as the year progresses. I chose to listen to Anne, instead of read it, because Shelly Frasier narrates, and I really liked her narration of Stiff by Mary Roach.

Summarize the Plot: It's pretty simple, really. Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert make plans to adopt a little boy to help Matthew out with the farm. Wires get crossed, though, and a little girl is sent instead. Matthew was too shy to tell her they didn't want a girl and takes her back to Green Gables. At first Marilla had planned to send her back, but Anne wins them both over. The rest of the book is Anne growing up and having unique adventures.

What Did you Like Most About this Book? I love Anne. I know that some people like Emily better, and if I actually finish her books this year my opinion could sway, but ultimately Anne represents my childhood. I read the books, remember buying each book with my own money, and watched the shows. Anne is such a strong, vibrant character that even now I felt like I was just revisiting old friends. (It helps that I have actually been to Prince Edward Island and saw a lot of what is mentioned in the book.) I am pretty sure this series of books, with Marilla, Matthew, Diana, Gilbert, etc, has stayed with me more than anything else I have ever read.

What Did you Like Least? I have read this book so many times over the years that I can't really say anything bad about it.

What Did You Think of the Writing Style? What I always do with Montgomery... She is big on simplistic settings, morals, and the idea of right and wrong. It is definitely a view of her up-bringing and place in the world. To be honest, Montgomery is not a writer I would generally like at all. I just discovered her when I was young, I guess, and can overlook the syrupy writing that I would be less likely to ignore with other authors.

What Did you Think of the Main Character? I love Anne! She is vibrant, imaginative, and captivating. She definitely comes to life in these books. She is one of my favourite literary characters.

What Did you Think of the Ending? There are no cliffhangers in Montgomery's book. At the end everything is tied up nicely and if there was never another book you wouldn't really feel you were missing anything.

Thoughts on the Audio: Well, this was a hard one to get into in the beginning. First, Stiff and Anne of Green Gables are so completely unrelated that it was a bit weird at first. And then there was the fact that I have seen the mini-series too many times and had different voices in my head for the characters. At first I even thought the audio was a bad idea, but once I got going I was fine. I plan to listen to Anne of Avonlea, too, because Shelly Frasier narrates that one as well.

Overall, I am glad I tried out audio for something different. I still love this book and am glad it is not one of those books that loses something when you are older.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Completion Date: June 29, 2012
Reason for Reading: Received a Review Copy.

Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

In her exquisitely written fantasy debut, Rachel Hartman creates a rich, complex, and utterly original world. Seraphina's tortuous journey to self-acceptance is one readers will remember long after they've turned the final page.

I had heard some positive buzz about this book prior to its release, so when I was offered the chance to read it I knew it was a must. I have been slack with my fantasy reading the last few years and am always determined that I will remedy that. This seemed like a perfect opportunity to sneak a fantasy novel in with everything else I have been reading lately. And, I am so happy that I did. This book is easily one of my top reads of the year. If you haven't read it yet, you should!

I have always enjoyed books about dragons. I was told that the dragons in this book were a very creative idea and that people were enjoying her imagination. This intrigued me right from the start. And, I have to agree. Hartman approached what could be a bit of a tired subject with a totally different eye and created a very original world. I was impressed. I love the dragons and all the background information that she provides along the way. It seems very believable and brought the whole species to life. I cannot wait to see what is store for them in book two.

One of the things I most loved about this book is the use of 'girl power'. There are, of course, male characters but the spotlight is often on the girls. Seraphina is the main character and is often at the forefront of the action. Sometimes authors try too hard to make strong female characters and it comes across as being forced. Seraphina has had an interesting up-bringing that makes it easy to see how she became the girl she is in the novel. I never had a hard time believing her story. And, like the dragons, I cannot wait to see what becomes of her in book two. She is a very special girl and has a very interesting future ahead of her. Plus, she brings an element of music to the novel that is always fun.

The novel centres around court politics. Seraphina has decided to audition to be the assistant to the music director (maestro?) for the royal family. Her father is not happy with this decision, but Seraphina is talented and cannot remain locked up in her family forever. Her mother died when she was born and she has never been entirely accepted by her step-mother and half-siblings. She has always been a bit different. Her music teacher is a dragon after all. It is unusual for someone to have such a close relationship with a dragon, but it works well for her. She has the patience, most of the time, to understand him. It opens up many different elements to the novel and adds to the action that builds as the story progresses. The anniversary of the treaty between dragons and humans is near and this means revisiting the distrust that existed between them for generations. There were wars and humans are a bit divided on how they feel about dragons even now.

Ultimately, I think I have said enough because anything else would be a spoiler. I just think you should read the book for yourself and become a big fan like me.

My thanks to Random House Canada for my copy of the book.

Literary Novels from my Stacks

Wendy, at Caribousmom, wrote a post a couple days ago about themed reading. She tends to collect literary prize winners and then they sit on her TBR pile. I always pay particular attention to the Canadian Award Winners. In November she is planning to read the Giller winners/nominess that she owns and in December the Governor General Awards. My reading tends to slow down near the end of the year, but should I be able to stick with it, I thought maybe I would join in. These are the books I have on my TBR pile that would fit:

Giller Awards:

(I only went with winners & the short list. If I included long-list we could be here for a while.)
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
The Piano Man's Daughter by Timothy Findley
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
The Cure for Death by Lightening by Gail Anderson-Dargatz
The Englishman's Boy by Guy Vanderhaeghe
Cereus Blooms at Night by Shani Mootoo
A Recipe for Bees by Gail Anderson-Dargatz
The Colony of Unrequited Dreams by Wayne Johnston
A Good House by Bonnie Burnard
Pilgrim by Timothy Findley
A Student of Weather by Elizabeth Hay
The Russlander by Sandra Birdsell
Martin Sloane by Michael Redhill
Stanley Park by Timothy Taylor
The Stone Carvers by Jane Urquhart
The Polished Hoe by Austen Clarke
The Navigator of New York by Wayne Johnston
The In-Between World of Vikram Lall by M.G. Vassanji
The Island Walkers by John Bemrose
The Way the Crow Flies by Ann-Marie MacDonald
The Time in Between by David Bergen
The Assassin's Song by M.G. Vassanji
Effigy by Alissa York
Through Black Spruce by Joseph Boyden
The Golden Mean by Annabel Lyon
The Winter Vault by Anne Michaels

Governor General Awards:

Fiction:

(Winners and the Short List.)
The Origin of Species by Nino Ricci
Anil's Ghost by Michael Ondaatje
The Englishman's Boy by Guy Vanderhaeghe
Nights Below Station Street by David Adam Richards
The Wars by Timothy Findley
The Little Shadows by Marina Endicott
Atmospheric Disturbances by Rivka Galchen
The Last Highway by David Adams Richards
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood
Not Wanted on the Voyage by Timothy Findley

Non-fiction:

(These are just the winners. I will have to find the short lists because I know I own more...)
Christie Blatchford, Fifteen Days: Stories of Bravery, Friendship, Life and Death from Inside the New Canadian Army
Karolyn Smardz Frost, I've Got a Home in Glory Land: A Lost Tale of the Underground Railroad
Lt.-Gen. Roméo Dallaire, Shake Hands With the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda
Pierre Berton, The Last Spike

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Completion Date: July 11, 2011
Reason for Reading: Jessica, from Random House Canada, said: "The Hunger Games meets Oryx and Crake. A dystopian novel you won’t be able to put down." Needless to say, I was intrigued!

This fast-paced YA debut novel has it all: smart, savvy characters making their way through an eerily dystopian society, with all the requisite action, adventure and romance characteristic of the genre vividly and at times, chillingly, portrayed.

In a wild and lawless future, where life is cheap and survival is hard, eighteen-year-old Saba lives with her father, her twin brother Lugh, her young sister Emmi and her pet crow Nero. Theirs is a hard and lonely life. The family resides in a secluded shed, their nearest neighbour living many miles away and the lake, their only source of water and main provider of food, gradually dying from the lack of rain. But Saba's father refuses to leave the place where he buried his beloved wife, Allis, nine years ago. Allis died giving birth to Emmi, and Saba has never forgiven her sister for their mother's death.

But while she despises Emmi, Saba adores her twin brother Lugh. Golden-haired and blue-eyed, loving and good, he seems the complete opposite to dark-haired Saba, who is full of anger and driven by a ruthless survival instinct. To Saba, Lugh is her light and she is his shadow, he is the day, she is the nighttime, he is beautiful, she is ugly, he is good, she is bad.

So Saba's small world is brutally torn apart, when a group of armed riders arrives five day's after the twin's eighteenth birthday snatch Lugh away. Saba's rage is so wild, that she manages to drive the men away, but not before they have captured Lugh and killed their father.

And here begins Saba's epic quest to rescue Lugh, during which she is tested by trials she could not have imagined, and one that takes the reader on breathtaking ride full or romance, physical adventure and unforgettably vivid characters, making this a truly sensational YA debut novel.

This book was a release for June that I was intrigued about reading, but wasn't rushing to do so. I like Dystopian novels, but I am not as big a fan as other people are. I actually forgot what it was about this book that lead me to request it in the first place! June was just a very off reading month for me and I am scrambling to get caught-up. I am very happy to read this book because I enjoyed it. I knew I probably would because it came so well recommended. I love Oryx & Crake and, although I didn't love the entire trilogy, I enjoyed The Hunger Games itself. I think that is another reason why I was hesitant to read this book. It was compared to two very well-written books and had big shoes to fill as a result.

I think dystopian books are particularly frightening at the moment because we see so many warning signs now. There is crazy weather patterns over most of the planet and Nostradamus predicted that world would be ending in December of next year. If either of these events lead to doom and gloom then it makes dystopian novels even more frightening. I would not want to live in the worlds represented in these books. This book was no exception. The thing that attracted my interest in this book was that this book could be true right now because there are many things that happen in the book that are happening in the 'real' world. One that comes to mind is that as a society, people have become addicted to a drug and those that have the drug are ruling the world and controlling the masses. I try to shy away from politics on my blog, but this made me think of this black substance called oil that is basically ruling our current culture. I might be reading too much into this aspect of the book, but that is what it made me think of.

Moving on. This is the story of Saba who has lived a very isolated lifestyle. The next thing she knows, though, strange men appear and take her twin brother away. Her father is killed as a result and her and her sister are left to fend for themselves in a world that do not even begin to understand. Saba has no idea why Lugh was taken, but she promises him that she will save him. That is the basic plot for the story. Obviously, it is a mean world out there, though, and Saba has a lot more to contend with than she originally thought. She is a strong, determined young woman. She can be suspicious, but her isolation has also left her a tad naive. She is not about to give-up without a fight, though, and for that I really enjoyed her character.

This book has all the inevitable traits of the young adult novel in this day and age, but still managed to suck me in. Young wrote characters that I really enjoyed and look forward to see more from in the future. There is romance, of course, but handled better than I hoped. The love that Saba feels for her brother is much more important, but I imagine if there is a sequel there will have to be more development of the romance. As long as there are no threesomes, obsession, and other annoyances, the romance has a lot of potential to not drive me nuts. I am mostly curious to see what Saba will do next. She is a character worth reading about and so far a very good role model for young adults reading this series... trilogy... I assume there is a sequel!

I recommend this to anyone looking for strong characters, good story-line, and a fresh take on the dystopian novel.

Thanks to Random House Canada for sending me a copy of this book!

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

Completion Date: May 15, 2011

Reason for Reading: I love the author!

Susanna Kearsley is the Winner of the Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction novel for 2010 (for The Winter Sea).

When Eva's film star sister Catrina dies, she leaves California and returns to Trelowarth, Cornwall, where they spent their childhood summers, to scatter Catrina's ashes and thus return her to the place where she belongs.

But in doing so Eva must confront ghosts from her own past, as well as those from a time long before her own. For the house where she so often stayed as a child is home not only to her old friends the Hallets, but also to the people who had lived there in the eighteenth century. Eva finds herself able to see and talk to these people, and she falls for Daniel Butler, a man who lived and died long before she herself was born.

Eva begins to question her place in the present, and in laying her sister to rest, comes to realise that she too must decide where she really belongs, choosing between the life she knows and the past she feels so drawn towards.

Today I have a buddy review with Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader. This is a book that you will probably see on both our end of year Best of lists. I have the first part of the review and you can read the second part on her blog. Enjoy!

Marg: So we should probably put out a general alert before we start this discussion.

Be prepared for gushing!

Kelly: I know! I have read most of Kearsley’s books at this point, but she is going to have a very hard time topping this book and The Winter Sea. They were both excellent! She has other good books, of course, but nothing even begins to compare to her later works. She is definitely at the top of her game and hopefully we have lots more wonderful books to look forward to in the not so distant future...

I have been debating with myself about which I liked more, this book or The Winter Sea, and I really cannot make up my mind. The Winter Sea was the first book I ever read by her, so I think it maintains a special place simply for that, but it was also wonderful. When I started this book I admit I was a bit skeptical that The Winter Sea could have any real competition for favourite, but then I got wrapped up in the story and discovered that a tie was possible. What do you think?

M: I am torn too. The Winter Sea will probably always be my favourite because it was my first Susanna Kearsley and I just loved that book, but this one and The Shadowy Horses are definitely right up there for me. I agree about Kearsley being at the top of her game. I was going to make a comment on my blog saying that this was the best book she had written since The Winter Sea, but that statement kind of loses its potency, when you realise that this is the only book she has written since The Winter Sea!

K: I know! It’s hard to say anything since she only has written the one book since she gained a more international audience. I wish I had been reading her all along, but I am excited that I finally discovered her when she was going through this change in circumstances. It will be interesting to see what happens now that her books are getting better known. I always have a weak spot for Canadian authors and a desire for them to do well.

What was your favourite scene in the book?

M: I don’t know which to choose.

I think the most obvious is a scene we can’t talk about because it would spoil the book, but it comes right near the end and it literally made me gasp out loud when I read it!

Other than that I loved that the setting was Cornwall, but that Kearsley still managed to bring us something about the Jacobite rebellion that I didn’t know before. I also really enjoyed all the characters, in both times, but I must confess to a bit of a soft spot for Fergal.

And yours?
K: Same as yours! When I read it, I had to put the book down and send you an email. I literally said ‘Oh, my god’ aloud when I read it. It was a perfect scene and I was excited for you to read it.

I enjoyed the setting, too. I want to go there! When I read this book, it was raining constantly here, so it sounded like paradise! Kearsley always writes such wonderful settings. Everyone of them I want to visit after reading her books. I also enjoy her main characters. I always feel like I can easily be friends with them and they are experiencing such fascinating things. It never feels like a stretch. It is very believable. I think every time I reread her books it will be like visiting with friends.

M: I already wanted to visit many of the places that Kearsley uses as settings - Scotland and Cornwall seem to have such resonance with these kind of stories. I am not sure why. I could totally see her writing a book with an Irish setting as well, because of that kind of mythical setting that is prevalent in her books.

K: What did you think of the title of the book and the cover?

M: I am not sure on the title or the cover. I think they are kind of generic. Not sure I could come up with better though! I am however glad that the title is remaining the same in all markets, unlike with The Winter Sea/Sophia’s Secret.

K: Well, the title, every time I see it, makes me start singing... Even when I opened this review to add more to it I couldn’t help thinking ‘I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden’. Until tonight when I looked it up, I had no idea who even sang that song... So, no idea why it is in my head, but it is since the book title was announced...

M: One thing I always find interesting with Kearsley’s books are the various techniques that she uses to enable to the storytelling to take place in two different places and times - whether it be through dreams, regression or whatever. How did you find the technique worked for you as a reader in this book?

K: I think the reason I love Kearsley’s books so much is because of this method. She makes it seem so natural. You want to call it a fantasy novel, but at the same time it is entirely believable. I really liked how the character in this book kept travelling through time. When she was in the other world, time in her own world stayed the same and she wasn’t even missed when she came back. The use of two times in her creative manners is definitely what leads me over and over again to read her books. I only have one left to read!

M: I have a couple left to read - particularly the hard to find ones!

We should talk a little about the actual story. The main character is Eva. Her movie star sister Katrina has recently died and Eva has been given the duty of finding a place to scatter her ashes. As Eva thinks about where that place would be, her mind turns to the place that she hasn’t lived for years but feels like home - Cornwall. She return to the village where Eva and Katrina spent their summers, and to the house where her childhood friends the Halletts still live.

The Hallett’s are battling to save their aging home, and Eva volunteers to use her publicity knowledge to help them. At first she associates the strange events with her grief and tiredness, but it quickly becomes obvious that there is something more going on.


To find out more about what happens in the book head over to Marg’s blog.

Curious about this author? Here are my links to reviews of her other books!

The Splendour Falls

Named of the Dragon

The Shadowy Horses

The Winter Sea (twice)

Dragon Seer by Janet McNaughton

Dragon Seer by Janet McNaughton

Completion Date: May 10, 2011

Reason for Reading: Read more books by this author.

Enslaved since early childhood, Madoca is astonished to be chosen as dragon seer, one who will care for the dragons of Orkney. But people now question the age-old traditions that placed the dragons at the very heart of her society, and one of the older dragon seers has made enemies among the chieftains. When the Vikings arrive with a malevolent seer who has vowed to destroy all dragons, new alliances form and the people's way of life is threatened. As Madoca's powers emerge, strong but uncontrolled, she faces the fight of her life. How can she save her beloved dragons?

In May of 2007, I read An Earthly Knight by Janet McNaughton. This was back in the days when I would buy by impulse a lot. I wasn't even entirely sure what the book was about, but I wound up loving it. I had always intended to read more by her, but it has taken me all this time to actually do so. I am getting a little tired of the same type of books, so when I saw this book mentioned in a few places on the blogosphere I knew I was going to have to give it a read. I love dragons and don't read enough books that revolve around them.

When I read An Earthly Knight, I thought I was going to be reading historical fiction. It turned out to be a retelling of Tam Lin, but McNaughton writes in such a believable manner that it really could be historical fiction. There are just dragons thrown into the mix. She doesn't go overboard with her fantasy, so it makes it easy to actually picture the events in the book as true. She also writes young adult books that feature strong female characters in the lead role. Madoca was no exception. She had a rough life in the beginning, but things change for her and propel her into a whole new world. A world full of dragons. The dragons all have personalities, too, so that also added to the enjoyment factor of the book.

Overall this was another really good book by McNaughton. It reiterated the fact that I really need to read more from her. In a world where young adult seems to be very trend driven, she manages to write fresh novels that will appeal to all ages. I look forward to reading more from her in the future!

This book counts for the Once Upon a Time challenge.

Empire of Ruins: The Hunchback Assignments III by Arthur Slade

Empire of Ruins: The Hunchback Assignments III by Arthur Slade

Completion Date: May 8, 2011

Reason for Reading: Carry on with the series.

While Modo has spent a quiet winter recovering from his adventure in the dark deeps, talk of ancient Egyptian ruins in the midst of the Australian rainforest has been swirling around London. A temple bulges with riches, but also contains danger: the infamous God Face. No one knows what the God Face is or what it is made of, but it is rumoured to be a powerful weapon; anyone who looks upon it will be driven mad.
Modo's next assignment? Go to Queensland in Australia and discover the truth behind the God Face. He won't be alone: Octavia and even Mr. Socrates will be accompanying him, as well as Mrs. Finchley, Modo's beloved caregiver from childhood days. But hot on their trail is the Clockwork Guild, with a brand-new weapon-mechanical birds, capable of transmitting signals as well as delivering poison.

With an airship battle, an escape from spear-waving natives and an astounding discovery-one that hinges on Modo's true appearance-the Hunchback Assignments series continues to enthrall readers of all ages!

Dear Blog Readers... Did you recently read my review of Catherine Webb's second book and think it sounded like you? Have you been reading and enjoying Scott Westerfeld's latest trilogy? Do you tend to enjoy steampunk novels? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I have a series for you! A couple years ago I had the pleasure to read a book called Jolted by Arthur Slade. I was still not really reading young adult fiction back then, but I took a chance and I am so glad that I did. Arthur Slade writes really, really good books. Books that will appeal to all ages. Books that you will wait anxiously for each year. Especially now that he is writing a series and you want to know what happens next. It is only three books in, so it is the perfect time to visit with Modo, Octavia, Mr. Socrates, and all the other characters that make up these fun books.

In a weird twist, this book has an airship. The second book in Catherine Webb's series? Airship. The last book in Carrie Ryan's trilogy, which I just recently read, hot air balloons. A slightly less-techno version of the same thing. Apparently flying is a popular trait in books at the moment. Especially the steampunk ones. (Although, Carrie Ryan's trilogy is a zombie story, not a steampunk trilogy.) Moving on.

Modo is a beloved character. During the three books, you really find that you get to know him. He is often the narrator of his own story, so you get his impressions on the world. Modo has had a very strange life so far and he is only 16 or so. Then there is Octavia. She is the female lead and she is also often the comic relief. I really enjoy how the two characters play off of each other and look forward to further development in later books. Then, there is Mr. Socrates. He is the leader of their organization, so you don't get to really 'see' him during the previous two books. In this book, though, he decides to accompany them on their mission to Queensland. This opens up a very rare chance to really get to know Mr. Socrates. It is an interesting contrast to see what Modo is thinking about Mr. Socrates, the only real father he has ever known, and what Mr. Socrates, in turn, thinks of Modo. It is a unique experience.

Once again I really enjoyed the story and I cannot wait until a new book in the series is released. I hope I have tempted a few people to check this series out. If not, I will have to try even harder when book 4 is released. In the meantime, I am going to catch-up with Catherine Webb.

My thanks to Harper Collins Canada for once again sending me a wonderful Arthur Slade novel!

Series:

The Hunchback Assignments

The Dark Depths (Never reviewed...)

Empire of Ruins

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Collected Essex County by Jeff Lemire

Collected Essex County by Jeff Lemire

Completion Date: March 21, 2011

Reason for Reading: Canada Reads 2011

Where does a young boy turn when his whole world suddenly disappears? What turns two brothers from an unstoppable team into a pair of bitterly estranged loners? How does the simple-hearted care of one middle-aged nurse reveal the scars of an entire community, and can anything heal the wounds caused by a century of deception? Award-winning cartoonist Jeff Lemire pays tribute to his roots with Essex County, an award-winning trilogy of graphic novels set in an imaginary version of his hometown, the eccentric farming community of Essex County, Ontario, Canada. In Essex County, Lemire crafts an intimate study of one community through the years, and a tender meditation on family, memory, grief, secrets, and reconciliation. With the lush, expressive inking of a young artist at the height of his powers, Lemire draws us in and sets us free.

This new edition collects the complete, critically-acclaimed trilogy (Tales from the Farm, Ghost Stories, and The Country Nurse) in one deluxe volume! Also included are over 40-pages of previously unpublished material, including two new stories.

I do attempt to read the Canada Reads books, but the last couple years I have done rather bad at it. I figured I at least needed to read one and since I was surprised there was a graphic novel selection this year, I knew I had to see what it was all about. I am so glad that I did. I tend to read mostly graphic novels set elsewhere, so reading one set close to home was a bit refreshing. It felt familiar the whole time I was reading it because it was Canadiana at its best. It was very good representation of the quiet lives that appear to the outside when you live in the smaller areas, but the book shows that there is more to those quiet lives than meets the eye. I enjoyed how he managed to work the three stories together.

The collection takes the three volumes and puts them all together in one volume. This is a good idea because I can't imagine getting the same thing out of the story if you only read one of the books. They are meant to be a set or you miss out on a lot. When I first started, I thought they were three unrelated stories other than the setting, but as you get going with the story the connections begin to become apparent. I enjoyed how the nurse tied everything together and then in the end, when you discover that there is more going on than meets the eye. The stories are not happy ones, but they have their happy moments. They are just life with its ups and downs. Life is never met to be easy, but sometimes it is harder than anyone really expects.

I think this is a collection of graphic novels worth checking out. They seem so simplistic, but they are actually rather brilliant.

Comic Book Extravaganza

Supernatural: Beginning's End: Volumes 1 - 6 by Andrew Dabb, Daniel Loflin, & Company

Completion Date: March 5, 2011

Reason for Reading: Fun!

Written by Andrew Dabb & Daniel Loflin Art and cover by Diego Olmos Photo Variant Cover Picking up several years after the hit RISING SON miniseries, the Winchester clan find themselves in the strangest situation imaginable - monster hunting in the Big Apple! The definitive events that led to Sam leaving his family to attend Stanford, this gripping and horrifying story, courtesy of television series writers Andrew Dabb and Daniel Loflin, will explore the raw nerves of what makes the Winchesters unique and volatile. Fans of the cult hit TV series won't want to miss this pivotal 6-issue tale!

I really like this TV show, so when I had the chance to borrow these comics, I was curious. This is a prequel of sorts to the events in the show. It was interesting to see the early development of the characters and the story. It was particularly helpful in explaining just how fragmented the family is by the time the first season started. There are things revealed during the show, but this actually shows them playing out. The family has obviously been through some very strange things and they all have their own way of coming to terms with things. I enjoyed these and look forward to more from the books and the show.

Rock 'n' Roll Comics: The Runaways by Spike Steffenhagen, Jay Allen Sanford, & Company

Completion Date: March 5, 2011

Reason for Reading: Fun!

Joan Jett may be best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, including their hit cover 'I Love Rock N' Roll, but her career as a member of The Runaways This one shot tells about her life from when she helped to found The Runaways in the 1970s, the hardest rocking girls band, to when she broke off to her iconic solo career. Learn the true story of Joan Jett and The Runaways with this biography that's unauthorized and proud of it!

I am not a huge Runaways fan, but I do respect what they accomplished in a mostly male world. When I borrowed some comics, this one was mixed in and I decided to give it a read. This is also why I read The Guild, which I really enjoyed, so I was hoping for a similar experience. I did like this, but I didn't entirely love it. If you like the band, it is worth checking out, but otherwise I am not sure if I would call it a must read.

Dr. Horrible and Other Horrible Stories by Zack Whedon & Company

Completion Date: March 5, 2011

Reason for Reading: Fun!

Based on the Emmy Award-winning web series Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, this collection of stories written by Zack Whedon (Deadwood, Fringe) chronicles some of the earliest adventures in the lives of archenemies Captain Hammer and Dr. Horrible.

This anthology solves many unanswered questions left over from the show. For instance: What event inspired Dr. Horrible to become the world's greatest criminal mastermind? Why is Penny, the beautiful girl from the Laundromat, still single? How can you, the reader, be like blustering do-gooder Captain Hammer? And why is Horrible's sidekick, Moist, so . . . um . . . well, you'll find out!

If you haven't had the chance to watch Dr. Horrible, DO SO NOW! I love it and I was so happy to read this comic book based on the web show. It was a lot of fun and I was so happy to revisit all of the characters and learn more about them. Just talking about it is making me excited. I might rewatch the show tonight!

Sweet Tooth - Volume 1: Out of the Deep Woods by Jeff Lemire

Completion Date: March 9, 2011

Reason for Reading: Fun!

Following on the heels of THE NOBODY, his Vertigo graphic novel debut, writer/artist Jeff Lemire pens his very first ongoing series SWEET TOOTH. A cross between Bambi and Cormac McCarthy's The Road, SWEET TOOTH tells the story of Gus, a rare new breed of human/animal hybrid children, has been raised in isolation following an inexplicable pandemic that struck a decade earlier. Now, with the death of his father he's left to fend for himself . . . until he meets a hulking drifter named Jepperd who promises to help him.

Jepperd and Gus set out on a post-apocalyptic journey into the devastated American landscape to find 'The Preserve' a refuge for hybrids. This unique and haunting new series is written and illustrated by Eisner-nominated creator Lemire (The Essex County Trilogy) and colored by fellow Eisner nominee Jose Villarubia.

I was rather curious about this comic because of the attention his other comics, The Essex County Trilogy, gained a bunch of attention recently because of Canada Reads. I have also seen a couple reviews of this that made it sound interesting. And, it was pretty good, but I think I might be heading towards my 'get sick of graphic novels' period. Last year I hardly read any at all, so I was into them a bit lately, but now I am getting bored again. I think when I read book two, I will reread this one to give it another chance. Despite thinking I was a bit indifferent to it, though, I did like it. Don't think that I didn't. I just don't think I gave it a fair chance... It could be the idea, too. Post-apocalyptic-type books are very popular right now and I have read a bunch, so maybe I need something different for a while.

Mr. Shakespeare's Bastard by Richard B. Wright

In a quiet manor house in Oxfordshire, an ailing housekeeper by the name of Aerlene Ward feels the time has come to confess the great secret that has shaped her life-she is the illegitimate daughter of William Shakespeare, England′s most famous playwright.

With a brilliant eye and ear for this rich period of history, Richard B. Wright brings to life the teeming streets of Elizabethan London and the seasonal rhythms of rural life in Oliver Cromwell′s England as he interweaves the intriguing stories of the lovely Elizabeth, who allows herself to be seduced by a struggling young writer from Stratford, and her plain but clever daughter, who must live with the consequences.

As their lives unfold, secrets are revealed, love is found and lost, and futures are forever changed. Readers will be fascinated by glimpses of the young Will as an actor with the Queen′s Men and, fifteen years later, as a world-weary but increasingly wealthy playwright -- who may have had an unexpected daughter.

An engaging blend of invention and historical detail, and echoing the unmistakable style of the Bard himself, MR. SHAKESPEARE′S BASTARD confirms Wright as one of our finest storytellers. This unforgettable novel will delight the senses and touch the heart.

When the Giller long-list was announced this year I was shocked that Room by Emma Donoghue wasn't on it. I was hoping it would be because she has been writing for a long time and seems to get more recognition elsewhere than she does in Canada! Then, I saw no Richard Wright on the list. As someone who loves Richard Wright's books, I was shocked he didn't make even the long-list this year. Everyone should run out and get a copy of Clara Callan. It was the first book I read by him and I loved it! Now when he has a new book out I get excited and rush out and get a copy. He has never been able to top Clara Callan for me, but he is still an amazing Canadian author who I love everything by.

I was a bit surprised by the topic of his latest book. A book about Shakespeare? Very different from the other books I have read by him! I have to admit I haven't read all of his backlist yet, but I still think if I had I would be surprised by this book. I appreciate Shakespeare, don't get me wrong, but I think he is way overdone... In university there were courses dedicated to him, but to no one else. Is he really the greatest writer of all time, or is it more the mystery and conspiracy theories that surround him? Then, there are all the non-fiction and fiction books centred around him. I will read a couple here and there, but generally I stay away. If this wasn't written by an author I respect, I probably would have glanced at it and decided it was not a priority read. But, it is Wright's book and I read it at the first opportunity.

This was a good book. It is considered fact that Shakespeare was not in a happy marriage, right? He only left his wife a bed. So, it stands to reason that if he wasn't very happy in his marriage he had plenty of mistresses and as a result of that there were probably bastards. This book imagines what it would be life for a child of Shakespeare's that was not acknowledged. Aerlene is nearing the end of her life and has decided that she wants to tell her story. She gets the daughter of the house that she helped raise to copy down her lines and reveals that she is Shakespeare's daughter. She has never spoke of it before because she fears being ridiculed, but knowing that she is likely not long for this earth she wants people to know.

The novel starts by telling about her mother. Her mother was a bit risque for the time period. She married a man that died soon afterwards, had an affair with a man that was unable to speak, and then was sent to London to ride out the scandal. While there she meets Will Shakespeare while he was still an apprentice. Over the course of a few weeks they have an affair, but it all ends when she becomes pregnant with his child and the people she is living with decide they don't want anymore to do with her. She returns to her small town to live with her brother and his wife. There she raises Aerlene, but she dies young and leaves her to her brother to decide her future. After a bit of drama, Aerlene is also sent to London where she has the chance to meet her father. With the exception of the courtship, of sorts, and this brief meeting, Shakespeare is more a ghost to the pages than an actual character. Aerlene's mother did not know that he was a playwright until she finds a copy of one of his plays by chance. That's the night that she tells Aerlene who her father is, though.

I am not even sure if this is a spoiler-filled review. The story of Shakespeare is well-known. Wright just imagines a bit more of his life. This could even be very close to true, we will never really know. One thing that keeps getting brought up is how people are able to read and write and how surprising that is. That's one of Shakespeare's problems; people don't think it was possible that someone with his upbringing would be able to write. I like to think that anything is possible, but maybe I am too optimistic.

This was another good book by Wright. It wasn't the same as other books I have read by him, but he still made England come alive, created believable characters, and wrote a story that made me want to continue reading. If you like Shakespearean fan fiction, this is a good one for you. If you enjoy books set in Elizabethan England, this is also another one for you.

Room by Emma Donoghue

To five-year-old Jack, Room is the entire world. It’s where he was born and where he and his Ma eat and play and learn. At night, Ma puts him safely to sleep in the wardrobe, in case Old Nick comes.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it’s the prison where Old Nick has kept her for seven years, since she was nineteen. Through ingenuity and determination, Ma has created a life for herself and her son, but she knows it’s not enough for either of them. Jack’s curiosity is building alongside Ma’s desperation -- and Room can’t contain either of them for much longer...

Told entirely in the inventive, often funny voice of Jack, Room is a celebration of the resilient bond between parent and child, and a brilliantly executed novel about a journey from one world to another.

I first discovered Emma Donoghue when I read her historical fiction novel Slammerkin a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Since then I have been collecting her books, but not actually reading them. Then, this one came out and caught my attention. It works for the R.I.P. reading challenge and book bloggers that I trust have been saying good things about it. I decided to finally read something else by Donoghue and see if Slammerkin was it, or if I was going to enjoy all her books. Both books are by Donoghue and both were really well written. Other than that, though, there is really nothing similar about the books. It amazes me when authors can write so many entirely different types of books and manage to write them all well.

Room is told from the viewpoint of 5-year-old Jack. Jack has spent his entire life in Room and to him that is the entire world. Ma, though, knows better and has spent the past 7 years as a prisoner to the man that Jack calls Old Nick. Not knowing how to handle the situation any differently, Ma tells Jack that everything that happens on television is only TV. She wants him to not know what he is missing out on, but eventually he has to get older and more curious about the world. Then, she is faced with the decision to either continue telling him the elaborate lies or to finally let him in on the fact that there is really a large world out there. When he finds out he doesn't believe her at first. This is a lot for a child to take in, but Ma is tired of her captivity and needs to find a way to finally escape. In order to do this, though, she needs Jack's help.

For those of you that read my blog, you will know that I am not always a big fan of young narrators. So, first up I am going to admit that the 5-year-old angle drove me crazy sometimes. Yes, he was cute and yes, he was funny, but he got on my nerves sometimes. This was my main problem with the book. I had to keep getting passed it in order to enjoy the book. This is me, though, and I want to say that I did like the book a lot despite the fact that I wasn't always a big fan of the narrator. This book was actually a page turner. I finished it in one sitting and for the most part, loved every minute of it. Emma Donoghue is such a great author and she knows how to use every word. Even if I wasn't a big fan of Jack at times, she did a really really good job of capturing what it would be like for a 5-year-old to grow up in isolation and then be transported to the 'real' world. I really felt like it was believable the entire time.

I think I will try and leave something to the imagination and not say anymore about the book. It isn't a page turner if you have read a review that tells you everything that happens in the book.

Thanks to Harper Collins Canada for sending me a copy of this book!

This book counts for the R.I.P. V challenge.

Rough Magic by Caryl Cude Mullin

Out in the midst of the ocean, rising out of the rough seas, lies a mysterious island.

It has seen visitors over the years, and has learned to fear them. Humans have done nothing but take, stealing the island’s magic and enslaving its spirits.

Caliban, born to a great sorceress who was marooned on the island’s shores, grew up half-wild with its creatures. Having escaped the island to live amongst kingdoms and courtiers for many years, he now finds himself returning with his young charge Chiara, a girl who has a power within her that no one suspected. Once back on the island they are joined by Calypso, a magical young woman with ties to them all.

Inspired by The Tempest, Shakespeare’s famous play of love, loyalty, and magic, it is the island and its power that draws them all back. But this time the dragon who lives at the bottom of the sea has been awakened and must be satisfied. It will be up to the humans to strike a balance between their power and the natural world.

I like to think of myself as a supporter of both Canadian authors and of women authors. So when Second Story Press approached me about reading a couple books from their catalog; I was ecstatic! The very first paragraph on their home page states:

Second Story Press was co-founded in 1988 by Margie Wolfe and three other women dedicated to publishing feminist-inspired books for adults and young readers. We are proud to have been publishing award-winning books that entertain, educate, and empower for over 20 years.

I have never heard of them before! Let me just tell you the best way to explain my feelings, though. I was allowed to pick from their catalog. They did not approach me with a specific title in mind. I had no idea what to pick! There are so many excellent sounding books that I could pretty much read anything and be quite happy. Thankfully one of the friendly staff members was happy enough to pick my books for me! Rough Magic is the first book I read. It makes me very happy when I am approached to review books, but it is even better when the person offering has actually read my blog and is offering me something I would be even slightly interested in. So, to summarize, I am quite taken with Second Story Press at the moment. (For those of you participating in the Women Unbound challenge, there are many books offered by this publishing company that would work quite well!) I feel terrible that I am only know discovering that they exist! My library has loads of their books, though, so at least they were paying attention!

Moving on to the actual book, Rough Magic is a Shakespearean-retelling. It is based around The Tempest, which I have to admit I haven't actual read. This means that I have no idea how this compares to original, so not entirely sure how fans of the play would respond to this book. I did read a Manga Shakespeare version of the story, but those were so bad I have entirely forgotten what happened. One review I saw of this book compares it to Mists of Avalon. I was a little worried because I consider that book to be one of my favourite books of all time, so if you are going to compare a book to it in any capacity it better be a really good book! I can see how it has the same idea behind it after finishing it. It is the story from a female point-of-view instead of the male perspective. There is a male that tells the story from time to time, though.

I feel like I am rambling and have entirely lost structure in this review, so to be a bit more focused, I really liked this book. It was dark and atmospheric. The characters were engaging and troubled. The settings came entirely to mind and the characters developed quite well. There were a few times where things didn't entirely work for me, but it was nothing major. I enjoyed that the characters were flawed and not perfect, but that might be how things were in original play to begin with. This is a book that is very easy to read in one sitting and enjoy yourself doing it. I am glad that I got a chance to give it a try and look forward to more from both this author and from Second Story Press in general.

I apologize for the disorganization of thoughts! I hope that you got something out of my rambles!

Cool Water by Dianne Warren

Juliet, Saskatchewan, is a blink-of-an-eye kind of town -- the welcome sign announces a population of 1,011 people -- and it’s easy to imagine that nothing happens on its hot and dusty streets. Situated on the edge of the Little Snake sand hills, Juliet and its inhabitants are caught in limbo between a century -- old promise of prosperity and whatever lies ahead.

But the heart of the town beats in the rich and overlapping stories of its people: the foundling who now owns the farm his adoptive family left him; the pregnant teenager and her mother, planning a fairytale wedding; a shy couple, well beyond middle age, struggling with the recognition of their feelings for one another; a camel named Antoinette; and the ubiquitous wind and sand that forever shift the landscape. Their stories bring the prairie desert and the town of Juliet to vivid and enduring life.

This wonderfully entertaining, witty and deeply felt novel brims with forgiveness as its flawed people stumble towards the future.

I feel bad. I was supposed to review this book as part of a blog tour MONTHS ago, but then things happened and here I am posting it late! The further behind I am, the harder it is for me to get started on things. That means that things just get worse and then I have an even larger problem to tackle. The good thing is that I wound up loving this book! I wasn't sure if I would because it doesn't seem like the type of book where a lot happens, but that's okay. What does happen made for compelling reading and I really felt like both the characters and the town itself came alive for me. I think this book stands a good chance of going up for some of Canada's awards this year, but I suppose we will have to see what happens.

The book is told from many different points of view. All of the characters are flawed in some way. This is not a book of perfection by any stretch. There are scenes where you want to cry for the characters, but there are also scenes where you can't help laughing. There are scenes that will stick with you long after you have turned the final page. I was also surprised by how some of the events turned out. Things happened that I did not see coming, and there were a couple times where I wondered just what the author was thinking and whether things really were going to work out to a satisfying conclusion.

There is one character who has inherited a farm from his adoptive parents. He is still rather young and not entirely sure how to make things run as smoothly as they did. A chance encounter, though, gives him a chance to stretch his legs and figure out just who he is. I found him to be a crush-worthy character. Then, there is the family that are seriously feeling the pressure of the recession. They have no idea how they are going to get by, but the wife can't seem to be the farm wife-type and the husband doesn't know what to do anymore. It all gets rather over-whelming for them after the book progresses. Their oldest son is taking things the worst and honestly doesn't know what to do anymore. He has to break-away for a while to get some perspective. Those are just some of the characters that make up this novel.

The thing that I really liked about this book is that it was so ordinary. It is about small town people their small town problems. Everything is entirely possible and able to be related to in some way. The stories are just told in such a way that even when they are plain, they still feel like they have a lot of life to them. I really enjoyed this book and hope that it receives lots of recognition in 2010 because it deserves it!

My thanks to Harper Collins Canada for sending me a copy of this book!

All Families are Psychotic by Douglas Coupland

The story is set in Florida, USA, and is about a dysfunctional family. The plot is supposedly about Janet Drummond, a divorced sixtysomething with three kids, Wade, Sarah and Bryan and an ex-husband Ted who's taken up with a younger woman. It's all set around Sarah's Space Shuttle flight, an event which brings the family together in one place for the first time in years - and then things start to unravel.

Today is another buddy review! Today is with Darren from Bart's Bookshelf. We have been trying to do this buddy review for days now, but things kept coming up. I am glad we finally managed to get it done!

1. Did you have a favourite character?
I have been thinking of this question over and over again because how can you not have a favourite character in a book, but honestly, I didn't! I liked all of the characters in the book and they all add something fantastic to the story. They were all so dysfunctional and flawed. They are written really well and interact so off-the-wall that you never know what is going to happen next. Coupland wrote really well!

2. The plot occasionally (well more than occasionally if we're honest!) could be described as 'out there' :) Did that detract or enhance the book for you?
It enhanced it! It is so fantastic! I love the craziness of it all. You never knew what was going to happen yet. This was actually my very first Coupland novel and it lead to me reading mostly all that he has to offer. I think this is why I love Coupland so much. You get tired of the same thing over and over again. Coupland gives you something different to look forward to every time one.

3. I know you've read a few of Douglas Coupland's other books, how does this compare/rate with those.
When someone asked me what my favourite Coupland book was, I always said this one. I think part of that is because it was my first one. If I hadn't read it then I wouldn't have read all of his others. It is hard to compare Coupland's books to one another because with a few exceptions, they are all so different! I think when I read it the first time I had never seen anything like it and was in love with how different it was.

4. While this was a first time read for me, I know that you said it'd be a re-read for you, what was your experience of the book second time around?
I hardly remembered this book at all. It was like 7 or 8 years ago that I read it. It was almost like the very first time I had read it. Things came back to me as I read it, but otherwise it was like an entirely different book. I really liked it this time around, though. It reminded me of why I wanted to read it again so many times and just didn't get around to it.

Thanks, Darren! I look forward to our next one! Be sure to head over to his blog to read his answers to my questions.

Fall by Colin McAdam

A masterpiece of adolescent perspective, emotion, impulse, and relationships: the riveting story of two male roommates at a co-ed boarding school and what happens when the girlfriend of one of them goes missing during their final year.

From an internationally acclaimed, prizewinning author, whom critics have compared to Dave Eggers and Michael Ondaatje, comes a tour de force: a mesmerizing novel that is at once a spellbinding psychological thriller and a brilliant portrait of adolescence that goes deep into the heads of two very different boys.

Awkward Noel thinks he's been allowed into the inner circle of his elite boarding school when he discovers his senior-year roommate is to be handsome, athletic Julius. Julius, in turn, cares only for the fleeting joys of teenage life: sneaking out to parties, playing pranks with friends, and most of all, spending the night with his girfriend, Fall. As Noel narrates this fateful semester from a perspective of many years, interwoven is Julius's own in-the-moment experiences of first love and male camaraderie.

Always an outsider, Noel develops an unhealthy fascination with Julius, and his crush on Fall begins to border on a dangerous obsession. As Julius experiences all the pleasures of an eighteen-year-old in love, we watch as Noel self-consciously analyzes his interactions with Julius and Fall, convincing himself of a deep connection that might not exist. When Fall disappears close to winter break, Julius and Noel are forced to face their own inner desires, a confrontation that ushers the two boys out of the innocence of adolescence and into adulthood.

A tremendous literary page-turner that perfectlycaptures the agonies and delights of adolescence, Fall is the exhilaration and angst of teenage love and friendship- and the ultimate transience of those feelings.

From BarnesandNoble.com

I was going to leave 2009 in the past and start fresh for 2010, but there are a few books I read last year and loved. I thought they at least deserved a review. I read this book because it was shortlisted for the Canadian Giller Award. I always plan to read them all, and I own most of them, but my reading always slows down at about this time of the year. Needless to say I did get around to a few of them and this was my favourite so far. There was a time in the middle of the book where I thought it was going to all come crashing down, but McAdam managed to keep the novel alive for me. I was disappointed it didn't win the Giller, but I also haven't read the book that did win yet. If it was better than this one it must be a really great read!

This book takes place in a boarding school, which I have discovered is an aspect of novels that I really enjoy. I am not even sure why, but some of my favourite reads from the last few years have taken place in boarding schools. I thought that McAdam wrote very believable characters that have stayed with me even though a few months have gone by since I have read the book. Even scenes from the novel are still circulating in my mind as I write this review. It is not like it is about things that have never been written about, but it is done in such a way that will keep you on the edge of your seat. While I can not necessarily relate to the experiences that these teens have, I can relate to the emotions that you experience as a teen and are trying to fit in any way that you can. It was a very believable book.

I really think you need to give this book a read. It is easily one of my favourite Canadian reads from 2009. I am looking forward to reading more from McAdam in the future. I think he has a Giller in his future if he can keep up the strengths of this novel.

This was my very first read of a review copy from Penguin Canada. I am very happy that my first experience was a win!

Canada Reads 2010

I had all my posts for this week planned out and then I didn't actually post them! I don't know what is with me lately. I am hardly reading, I am hardly reading blogs, and I have hardly any interest in my own blog. So, I guess all my plans for this week will have to move until next week! I am not sure if I am going to do one of my Sunday posts tomorrow or not. My slowed down reading is kind of depressing me... I am just stressed period, I imagine!

The Canada Reads books for 2010 were announced, though. I have a little goal that I don't make official to eventually read all of these books eventually. This year I have all ready read three. Yay! I also have those Giller-a-thon aspirations... I have a lot of the books, but I need to actually read them! For some reason my reading always slows down at this time of the year. Anyway, the books up for the Canada Reads are:

Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald - Yay! Nova Scotia representation is always a good thing. Plus, this is a really good book. I still have to read her other book. I read her play earlier this year, though, and enjoyed it!

The Jade Peony by Wayson Choy - I actually read this book this year, but I didn't like it... I just couldn't connect with it. It wasn't terrible, but I expected better I guess.

Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture by Douglas Coupland - I love Douglas Coupland. I am not sure about this book. I often think I need to reread it because I don't know if I entirely got it the first time I read it. I think he has better books, but I am happy to see Coupland on here period!

Good to a Fault by Marina Endicott - Requested this book from the library.

Nikolski by Nicolas Dickner, translated by Lazer Lederhendler - I wanted to read this when it came out, but didn't get to it. Requested it from the library!

Thoughts on the books? I have until I think March to read those other two books... That might be doable!

Graphic Novels: Mini-Reviews

Writing mini-reviews left me feeling so accomplished yesterday that I think I am going to do some more today! This time I am going to concentrate on some of the graphic novels I have read lately and haven't had time to review. It won't contain anything by Bill Willingham, though, because I am going to post about him on his own.

Bone - Volume 1: Out From Boneville by Jeff Smith
Finally! I am so glad I finally read the first book in this series. Everyone has said great things about it, but I was waiting for it to come in for me at the library. I might buy the series eventually, but for now I am going to enjoy it through the library. The art is great and the story is fun. I like how Smith combines the believable and the unbelievable so easily. I am looking forward to the dysfunctional Bone-folk characters developing as the series go along. Plus, there is a dragon and I love dragons!

The Eternal Smile by Gene Luen Yang & Derek Kirk Kim
I read Gene Luen Yang's other book earlier this year. I think he is lost on me, but I will keep trying! It isn't that I don't like his books, I just don't love them as much as other people tend to. I will say that this one wasn't as good as his first book no matter what I think of him overall. He does have creative ideas, though, and I appreciate the creativity. I just still have some hang-ups with graphic novels no matter how many I have read this year.

Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki & Steve Rolston
I think this is actually a perfect book for a teenage audience. Many teens feel a bit left out at some point and time during high school. Emiko has friends, but she is starting to feel like she doesn't fit in with them anymore so she goes looking for another social group that will make her feel better. She just wants to belong. Sometimes you need to break out of your comfort zone in order to find yourself, and that is what Emiko is doing here. She is surrounded by a great cast of characters which is clearly illustrated by the graphics that accompany the text.

Salamander Dream by Hope Larson
I read this book because of a review I read on Nymeth's blog. I have to be honest. I am still not always the most comfortable about books that rely more on the pictures than the words. This book is based on reading the story through the pictures. I always feel like I am missing something. When you read a novel with words you pick up on everything. When you read a book through pictures it can often be more about interpretation. I think I prefer knowing what it is going on... That's not to say it is always clear in novels, but it is different. I am not sure if I am making sense. I guess what it comes down to is that while I thought it was a good book, I didn't particularly love it. I am glad I took a chance on it, though.

Skim by Mariko & Jillian Tamaki
By the same authors of Emiko Superstar. I enjoyed this book, too. This is another book about fitting in, really. They seem to like that idea. It's another one that I can see working well for young adults, though. This graphic novel also tackles suicide, love of a teenager, and other teenage issues. Skim was a troubled character, but she is also a typical teen trying to make her life work for her when things don't always make the best sense. Another good graphic novel from this team.

Jellaby by Kean Soo
Jellaby: Monster in the City by Kean Soo
Book one and two in Kean Soo's graphic novel series. For anyone looking for a fun graphic novel series for their kids I strongly recommend this one. I thought that it was a lot of fun. Jelllaby is a monster that finds himself meeting a little girl who takes him as her pet. A large purple monster. It was an enjoyable series so far. I look forward to book three to see what adventures that Jellaby and company are up to this time.

3rd Canadian Reading Challenge: Mini Reviews

In the last few months I have read a lot Canadian book for the 3rd Canadian Reading Challenge. The problem is I apparently still need to review 5 books in order to count it as finished. So, I am going to do some mini-reviews. I think that you will see more of this in the next two months because it seems to be the only way I am ever going to review even a large part of the books I have read this year.

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong (The Darkest Powers Series, Book 2)
I received a review copy of the first book in this series last year, and while I enjoyed it I didn't love it. This time around I decided to get the book from the library. What happened is I actually really enjoyed it! It really is hard for Kelley Armstrong to write a bad book. She is the author of the Women of the Otherworld series which I love! This series is a young adult one. It is a paranormal novel. My biggest problem with this book and with the book that came before it is the main character. She kind of annoys me, but she grew on me a bit more in this book. The other characters are compelling and I am looking forward to seeing what happens with them in the further books. I think there are some surprises in store as the characters grow into themselves and into their paranormal abilities. A recommended read!

As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised As a Girl by John Colapinto
I spoke about this book a bit in one of my Sunday posts. To go into a bit more detail, I don't think this is what I was expecting. I just wanted to read what it was like for a boy to be raised as a girl. I was interested in that story, but I found all the other stuff that was mixed in got a bit unnecessary. There was one chapter I got annoyed and ended up skimming my way through. I think that the author was trying to accomplish too much in such a short book and it got a bit boggled down. I found parts of it really interesting, but overall I found this rather dull.

War Brides: The stories of the women who left everything behind to follow the men they loved by Melynda Jarratt
This book was actually really interesting! It is the personal story of the women and their family involved in the war bride movement during the second world war. The stories are told in their own words and do not just tell the success stories. Obviously when you only know a man for a short time and marry him you don't necessarily know him at all. It was shocking what these women came to Canada to live in. Many of them were from middle-class homes and they went to places where in some cases there was not even indoor plumbing, so it was a bit overwhelming. I think this is the best way to tell this story and I am glad that I read it. I recommend it!

The Iambics of Newfoundland: Notes from an Unknown Shore by Robert Finch
I totally read this book because of the title! It was just fun, so I had to see what it was all about. What happened was I read a really interesting book about Newfoundland. I should mention that while Nfld is near to me, I have never actually been there, so whether or not this is an entirely believable portrait is something that people that actually live there would have to tell you. What did happen, though, is I learned a lot without even stepping outside my living room. Plus, I could see a lot of Nova Scotia in it... Did it live up to the title? Maybe not as much as I hoped, but I still really enjoyed it. I recommend it.

The Lost Garden by Helen Humphreys
I read Coventry last year and I really liked it. This book was good, but I think it is a bit lost on me... I read a book for the story and am not a huge fan of fancy writing that sort of takes away from the story. This book was a bit flowery and it was not something that worked for me all the time. I entirely acknowledge that it is just me, though. At its core I really liked the story and the characters. I still plan to read more from Humphreys in the future. For whatever bothers me about her books, there is always wonderful things that keep me reading her. So, I guess I recommend this, but then on the other hand I don't. If that makes any sense...