I enjoy a wide variety of novels, including historical fiction, action/thrillers, fantasy, chick lit, and humour. But every so often, I need to read a book that will stretch me and take me out of my comfort zone. I'm not talking about a different genre or style- I'm talking about those books that will move me and maybe even change me. Sarah's Key by Tatiana deRosnay is one of those books. Not only is it a great piece of historical fiction that will possibly teach you something new, but it will also break your heart and make you empathize and grieve for someone else. Sarah's Key is a powerful, gripping novel that just might change you.
The novel, like Kate Morton's The Forgotten Garden, takes place at different points in time. It alternates between ten-year old Sarah, living in Paris in 1942, and an American journalist living in Paris during the present day. Sarah awakens one morning to the French police pounding on her family's apartment door. She is taken away along with her Mother and Father, but not before she locks her little brother in a hidden cupboard, sure that she will return before long. In contemporary times, Julia is assigned a piece on the anniversary of the Vel d'Hiv roundup. As she investigates the historical events, she is shocked to learn that the culpability for the roundup extends to the French police force and government, and perhaps even to her husband's family. When she learns that young Sarah was arrested in the roundup, she is determined to discover what happened to the little girl.
If you are in the mood for that novel that will leave a lasting impact, give Sarah's Key a read. Though it is not a feel-good novel, it is deeply engrossing. I couldn't put it down.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Ah, white people!
I went camping with my husband and friends just before the Canada Day weekend. I'm not much of a camper- I feel very out of my element, and I'm sorry to say, my fellow campers usually feel the effects of my discomfort (ie. I can get pretty grumpy). Meanwhile, my husband, brother-in-law, and our friends, were in their element. This got me thinking about a very funny book called Stuff White People Like by Christian Lander. This book basically makes fun of white people in a good natured way, and it is sooo funny, especially because it's true. Some people (possibly with no sense of humour) have hinted that this book is racist, but I have to disagree. For one thing, it's written by a fellow white person, and for another, it's not racist to make fun of white people. Sorry, that's just how it is. Look at history- I think it's our turn.
Why did camping remind me of this book? Only because the entry on camping is one of my favourites. I am one of the few white people that does not enjoy camping, and this entry made me laugh especially hard. Take a look at this book if you need a laugh. You will not be disappointed!
Check out the book, and you can also check out the blog at http://www.stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/. Check out my favourites, #128 (Camping), #99 (Grammar), and #62 (Knowing what's best for poor people). Here's the first paragraph of #128:
"If you find yourself trapped in the middle of the woods without electricity, running water, or a car you would likely describe that situation as a “nightmare” or “a worse case scenario like after plane crash or something.” White people refer to it as “camping.”" Christian Lander, http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2009/08/14/128-camping/
So funny!
Why did camping remind me of this book? Only because the entry on camping is one of my favourites. I am one of the few white people that does not enjoy camping, and this entry made me laugh especially hard. Take a look at this book if you need a laugh. You will not be disappointed!
Check out the book, and you can also check out the blog at http://www.stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/. Check out my favourites, #128 (Camping), #99 (Grammar), and #62 (Knowing what's best for poor people). Here's the first paragraph of #128:
"If you find yourself trapped in the middle of the woods without electricity, running water, or a car you would likely describe that situation as a “nightmare” or “a worse case scenario like after plane crash or something.” White people refer to it as “camping.”" Christian Lander, http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2009/08/14/128-camping/
So funny!
Monday, June 21, 2010
The value of fiction
Some readers tend to view texts in a hierarchy. You have your "real books" at the top- non-fiction books mostly, then your highly acclaimed novels or enduring classics, then popular novels, with graphic novels and Harlequin romance novels at the very bottom. While I might agree with the manga and romance novels being at the bottom, I find it sad that so many readers- especially men- classify fiction as less valuable or worthy than non-fiction. I couldn't disagree more!
First, you have to consider the exposure to vocabulary. While you can also increase your vocabulary by reading non-fiction, I would wager that fictional novels contain words that are more conducive to everyday conversations- unless you discuss very specific topics on a daily basis. Then there's the spelling- some of the worst spellers that I know read very seldom, and some of the best spellers that I know are voracious readers. In a world where spelling and grammar are becoming a lost art, it really sets you apart as a professional when you have those communication skills.
Next, fictional novels can be very informative. I do enjoy the odd non-fiction book, but I just don't find them nearly as engrossing as a good novel. A well-researched novel can provide plenty of information, but in a way that captures the readers' interest and attention. I probably retain more information by reading fiction than non-fiction, just because I am so engaged. Fictional novels also bring the historical characters, events and issues to life, making the reader more likely to read more about the subject.
It's so important to have an imagination, and nothing feeds your imagination better than a good book. Without imagination, we wouldn't have innovation, creativity or even empathy. As Albert Einstein wrote, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” Without imagination, we could never improve the world that we live in. There would be no spark, no magic, no beauty. In short, we would live in a dull, dreary and hopeless world.
A beautifully written and powerful novel can also teach us empathy. It's one thing to see a picture or to read a dry paragraph about a traumautic event suffered by someone unknown to us. That usually gives us a twinge, but it is nothing compared to the way words can infect our souls and stir our imaginations. Just think about it- when we read a novel, we put aside our own problems for a short while and we immerse ourselves into someone else's world. When an author imagines the thoughts, words and actions of a character, that person becomes a part of us. We share their fears, we weep for them and we laugh with them. We imagine ourselves in their place and we want to make their world-and consequently our world- a little bit better. Novels that feed our empathy- something so easy to turn off in this world of desensitization- truly make the world a better place because they help us to care a little more about others.
In short, the world would be an uglier place without the beauty of a good novel. And, perhaps even more tragically, nobody would know how to spell!
First, you have to consider the exposure to vocabulary. While you can also increase your vocabulary by reading non-fiction, I would wager that fictional novels contain words that are more conducive to everyday conversations- unless you discuss very specific topics on a daily basis. Then there's the spelling- some of the worst spellers that I know read very seldom, and some of the best spellers that I know are voracious readers. In a world where spelling and grammar are becoming a lost art, it really sets you apart as a professional when you have those communication skills.
Next, fictional novels can be very informative. I do enjoy the odd non-fiction book, but I just don't find them nearly as engrossing as a good novel. A well-researched novel can provide plenty of information, but in a way that captures the readers' interest and attention. I probably retain more information by reading fiction than non-fiction, just because I am so engaged. Fictional novels also bring the historical characters, events and issues to life, making the reader more likely to read more about the subject.
It's so important to have an imagination, and nothing feeds your imagination better than a good book. Without imagination, we wouldn't have innovation, creativity or even empathy. As Albert Einstein wrote, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” Without imagination, we could never improve the world that we live in. There would be no spark, no magic, no beauty. In short, we would live in a dull, dreary and hopeless world.
A beautifully written and powerful novel can also teach us empathy. It's one thing to see a picture or to read a dry paragraph about a traumautic event suffered by someone unknown to us. That usually gives us a twinge, but it is nothing compared to the way words can infect our souls and stir our imaginations. Just think about it- when we read a novel, we put aside our own problems for a short while and we immerse ourselves into someone else's world. When an author imagines the thoughts, words and actions of a character, that person becomes a part of us. We share their fears, we weep for them and we laugh with them. We imagine ourselves in their place and we want to make their world-and consequently our world- a little bit better. Novels that feed our empathy- something so easy to turn off in this world of desensitization- truly make the world a better place because they help us to care a little more about others.
In short, the world would be an uglier place without the beauty of a good novel. And, perhaps even more tragically, nobody would know how to spell!
Monday, June 7, 2010
What's your number?
I have always been a giant bookworm. It runs in my family, at least among the females- my Grandmother, my Mum and my late sister are (were) all voracious readers. Whenever someone actually watches me read they get a little awed and slightly creeped out, or they accuse me of pretending to read because the women in my family are also very fast readers. We didn't take any speed reading courses or consciously try to read quickly. It's just how we read. I'm not sure if we're quick because we read so much, or maybe we read so much because we're quick. I knew I read faster than the average Joe, but nonetheless I was shocked and a little horrified to learn that the average person only reads about ten books per year...that's right...ten! That's less than one book a month!
This prompted me to start keeping a book journal, to determine how many books I read in a year. I created a spreadsheet on good old google docs to keep track. I'm not very good at updating it, and I'm sure I miss some, but I thought it would be interesting to at least get a pretty good estimate. I started the book journal on December 19th, 2009. Since then, I have read about 154 books of assorted genres, sizes and styles. Rounding today's date up about a week, that would be about six months, which means I read about 26 books a month, and about 6 books a week. We'll see how the journal continues, and in the meantime, I'm happy to be pulling up the average (though we can do better than 10 a year....seriously!).
So....what's your number?
This prompted me to start keeping a book journal, to determine how many books I read in a year. I created a spreadsheet on good old google docs to keep track. I'm not very good at updating it, and I'm sure I miss some, but I thought it would be interesting to at least get a pretty good estimate. I started the book journal on December 19th, 2009. Since then, I have read about 154 books of assorted genres, sizes and styles. Rounding today's date up about a week, that would be about six months, which means I read about 26 books a month, and about 6 books a week. We'll see how the journal continues, and in the meantime, I'm happy to be pulling up the average (though we can do better than 10 a year....seriously!).
So....what's your number?
Thursday, June 3, 2010
The Tudors
I am a huge fan of historical fiction, particularly when it takes place in Tudor England. I don't know what it is about that particular time period, but I love reading about Henry VIII and his six wives, the reigns of his children Mary, Elizabeth and Edward, and the tragic and short-lived reign of Lady Jane Grey. I find that time period so fascinating. I am also a big fan of the show, The Tudors. That show is alive with the colours and passions of the Tudor court, and while it is not 100% historically accurate, it is a pleasure to watch. Like many who are interested in the Tudor era, I am a fan of Ms. Phillipa Gregory's Tudor novels. I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with Phillipa Gregory- I love her Tudor novels as well as a few others, and I can't stand some of her others. Let me explain by telling you about some of her great ones.
First, the classic. The Other Boelyn Girl wouldn't be so well-known if it wasn't for the poor film rendition. But please, don't judge this book by its movie. It tells the story of Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boelyn through the voice of his former mistress and the mother of two of his illegitimate children. She also happens to be Anne's sister. Mary Boelyn is manipulated into place by her scheming family as Henry's mistress. Although he seems to love her at first, his eyes soon start to wonder and Anne steps in to take her place. Cast aside, Mary watches Anne's triumphant rise to the throne of England, as well as her tragic downfall to the executioner's block. After a lifetime of being manipulated and used, Mary decides to take control of her own life, and perhaps even find real love. The Other Boelyn Girl is a unique account of the tragic Boelyn family, portraying Anne in a desperate and unflattering light. It is a well-researched and highly entertaining novel. Equally as good is The Boelyn Inheritance, which tells the story of Henry VIII's third and fourth Queens, Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard, as well as Jane Boelyn, sister in law to Anne Boelyn.
In The Queen's Fool, Gregory tells the story of the Tudor court through the eyes of a young girl. Hannah Green is a young Jewish girl, trying to escape the Spanish Inquisition. She finds her way to Edward VI's court where she becomes the court fool, mentored by Will Sommers. She is sent to spy on Mary, and she witnesses Mary's victorious ascension to the throne following the unsuccessful attempt to put Jane Grey on the throne. Hannah is witness to court intrigues and battles, and like Mary Boelyn, she must take control of her own life and find love and a family.
In The Virgin's Lover, Gregory tells the story of a young Elizabeth I as she ascends to the throne and falls passionately in love with Robert Dudley. Robert plots a way to divorce his wife, Amy, and marry the Queen, but when Amy turns up dead under suspicious circumstances, Elizabeth's throne is at risk. Gregory gives her interpretation of a long unsolved mystery, doing so with style.
The Other Queen is another great Tudor novel, narrating the imprisonment and execution of Mary, Queen of Scots by her rival, Elizabeth I. The Constant Princess tells the story of Katherine of Aragon, her short marriage to prince Arthur, his premature death and her marriage to Henry VIII. Gregory even answers the question of the King's Great Matter. Though not a Tudor novel, The White Queen tells the story of Elizabeth Woodville, Queen consort to Edward IV and mother to the tragic Princes in the Tower. A Respectable Trade is another great piece of historical fiction, telling the story of a slave, kidnapped from Africa and sent to England where he falls in love with his unhappy white mistress.
Gregory novels I did not like? The Wideacre trilogy, and The Wise Woman. I found them to be way too graphic, depicting things that made me uncomfortable (like incest). She is a skilled writer, but some of her novels are not for the faint of heart (or stomach)! Fallen Skies was pretty good (set in 1920s England), but it just couldn't compare to her Tudor novels.
So, if you like the Tudor period or just a great piece of historical fiction, try Phillipa Gregory. She is able to capture the intrigues and mysteries of the royal court. Her books will keep you absorbed and they're historically accurate enough that you might even learn something!
First, the classic. The Other Boelyn Girl wouldn't be so well-known if it wasn't for the poor film rendition. But please, don't judge this book by its movie. It tells the story of Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boelyn through the voice of his former mistress and the mother of two of his illegitimate children. She also happens to be Anne's sister. Mary Boelyn is manipulated into place by her scheming family as Henry's mistress. Although he seems to love her at first, his eyes soon start to wonder and Anne steps in to take her place. Cast aside, Mary watches Anne's triumphant rise to the throne of England, as well as her tragic downfall to the executioner's block. After a lifetime of being manipulated and used, Mary decides to take control of her own life, and perhaps even find real love. The Other Boelyn Girl is a unique account of the tragic Boelyn family, portraying Anne in a desperate and unflattering light. It is a well-researched and highly entertaining novel. Equally as good is The Boelyn Inheritance, which tells the story of Henry VIII's third and fourth Queens, Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard, as well as Jane Boelyn, sister in law to Anne Boelyn.
In The Queen's Fool, Gregory tells the story of the Tudor court through the eyes of a young girl. Hannah Green is a young Jewish girl, trying to escape the Spanish Inquisition. She finds her way to Edward VI's court where she becomes the court fool, mentored by Will Sommers. She is sent to spy on Mary, and she witnesses Mary's victorious ascension to the throne following the unsuccessful attempt to put Jane Grey on the throne. Hannah is witness to court intrigues and battles, and like Mary Boelyn, she must take control of her own life and find love and a family.
In The Virgin's Lover, Gregory tells the story of a young Elizabeth I as she ascends to the throne and falls passionately in love with Robert Dudley. Robert plots a way to divorce his wife, Amy, and marry the Queen, but when Amy turns up dead under suspicious circumstances, Elizabeth's throne is at risk. Gregory gives her interpretation of a long unsolved mystery, doing so with style.
The Other Queen is another great Tudor novel, narrating the imprisonment and execution of Mary, Queen of Scots by her rival, Elizabeth I. The Constant Princess tells the story of Katherine of Aragon, her short marriage to prince Arthur, his premature death and her marriage to Henry VIII. Gregory even answers the question of the King's Great Matter. Though not a Tudor novel, The White Queen tells the story of Elizabeth Woodville, Queen consort to Edward IV and mother to the tragic Princes in the Tower. A Respectable Trade is another great piece of historical fiction, telling the story of a slave, kidnapped from Africa and sent to England where he falls in love with his unhappy white mistress.
Gregory novels I did not like? The Wideacre trilogy, and The Wise Woman. I found them to be way too graphic, depicting things that made me uncomfortable (like incest). She is a skilled writer, but some of her novels are not for the faint of heart (or stomach)! Fallen Skies was pretty good (set in 1920s England), but it just couldn't compare to her Tudor novels.
So, if you like the Tudor period or just a great piece of historical fiction, try Phillipa Gregory. She is able to capture the intrigues and mysteries of the royal court. Her books will keep you absorbed and they're historically accurate enough that you might even learn something!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
A future possibility?
I am a big fan of futuristic or post-apocalyptic science fiction novels. A really good futuristic novel is not only intriguing and engrossing because of the fictional future world it depicts, but it is also rather frightening because the reader can see parallels to our own present-day societies. Books like 1984 or The Giver are prime examples of this. These novels would not be nearly so powerful if we didn't see Big Brothers or vestiges of the community in our own lives.
Two such novels look at some very important questions: do some members of society have more value than others? Should some members of society be used to improve the lives of others? Are some people dispensable for the greater good? This isn't a new issue. We see it everyday in abortion clinics and in the debates about euthanasia. This blog isn't intended as a platform for either of those issues but it is hard to dispute that the futures described in The Unit and Never Let Me Go are very frightening possibilities.
In Ninni Holmqvist's The Unit, there is a special place reserved for those who don't contribute meaningfully to society. The unit is full of unmarried and childless men and women, past middle age who do not work in important industries. They are given fine food and entertainment, art, recreation and the company of others. While the unit is a pleasant place, it has a much more sinister purpose: the residents of the unit are kept healthy for as long as possible while their bodies are slowly harvested for the desirables. The men and women of the unit are fully aware of their role in society. They are even accepting of their imminent deaths- but what happens when two people on the unit fall in love? Holmqvist keeps the reader emotionally invested in the novel, right up until the surprising- but perfect- ending.
Kazuo Ishiguro explores similar themes in Never Let Me Go. Kathy narrates her experiences growing up in an unusual English boarding school. As Kathy transitions from childhood to adulthood, she dares to deam about a future with the boy she loves. More than anything, Kathy just wants to be a normal girl- will she be given the chance? As you put the pieces together, you will be captivated by Ishiguro's commentary on humanity and value. This is a complex, multi-layered and intelligent novel.
I hope that you will enjoy these novels and, more importantly, I hope they will make you see the frightening possibilities.
Two such novels look at some very important questions: do some members of society have more value than others? Should some members of society be used to improve the lives of others? Are some people dispensable for the greater good? This isn't a new issue. We see it everyday in abortion clinics and in the debates about euthanasia. This blog isn't intended as a platform for either of those issues but it is hard to dispute that the futures described in The Unit and Never Let Me Go are very frightening possibilities.
In Ninni Holmqvist's The Unit, there is a special place reserved for those who don't contribute meaningfully to society. The unit is full of unmarried and childless men and women, past middle age who do not work in important industries. They are given fine food and entertainment, art, recreation and the company of others. While the unit is a pleasant place, it has a much more sinister purpose: the residents of the unit are kept healthy for as long as possible while their bodies are slowly harvested for the desirables. The men and women of the unit are fully aware of their role in society. They are even accepting of their imminent deaths- but what happens when two people on the unit fall in love? Holmqvist keeps the reader emotionally invested in the novel, right up until the surprising- but perfect- ending.
Kazuo Ishiguro explores similar themes in Never Let Me Go. Kathy narrates her experiences growing up in an unusual English boarding school. As Kathy transitions from childhood to adulthood, she dares to deam about a future with the boy she loves. More than anything, Kathy just wants to be a normal girl- will she be given the chance? As you put the pieces together, you will be captivated by Ishiguro's commentary on humanity and value. This is a complex, multi-layered and intelligent novel.
I hope that you will enjoy these novels and, more importantly, I hope they will make you see the frightening possibilities.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
My Hero!
The last time I bought a book on opening day, it was the long awaited seventh installment of the Harry Potter series. I love to own books, but I try to only buy books that I have read and immensely enjoyed so I don't have shelves full of mediocre books that I will never read again. The exception- besides Harry Potter- is Lee Child's newest book which came out on Tuesday. I picked it up on release day and read it that evening...and I was not disappointed!
Lee Child's 61 Hours is the latest installment in the Jack Reacher series. Reacher is an ex-military cop who drifts from town to town with only the clothes on his back, a foldable toothbrush and an expired passport. He is homeless by choice, used to his military upbringing and career in which he moved constantly. He feels restless when he is in one place for too long, so he drifts all over the United States, buying clothes as he needs them (even carrying a small bag makes him feel tied down) and always in search of the perfect cup of coffee. Reacher is a giant- he is 6'5 and he weighs about 250 pounds. His battle scars from the military and his many misadventures add to his imposing looks. He is not looking for trouble as he drifts from town to town, but trouble always finds him. He will operate outside the law when his sense of justice warrants it. Whether he's protecting an innocent or it's self-defense, or whether he's punishing someone for a ghastly crime, Reacher's violence is always justifiable. He is reluctant at times to get involved in other people's concerns, but once in he will do his best to help and protect others. Reacher is the ultimate hero, and can always be relied upon to save the day.
It is not just the unusual and very likeable hero that makes these novels so great. Lee Child is a master at creating suspense. He writes in a straightforward, sparse style, never using a word he doesn't need. This builds up and creates suspense, so these books are hard to put down.
In 61 Hours, Reacher finds himself stranded in a town in South Dakota during a bitterly cold blizzard. He is soon helping the police to protect an old woman-and key witness- and to hunt down an unknown killer. He soon learns that there is a greater conspiracy at work, and that the corruption may have spread to the police force. The police must abandon the town during a riot at the nearby prison, leaving Reacher as the woman's only hope. Will he be able to keep the both of them alive? The suspense picks up throughout the book until the unforgettable conclusion- let's just say that I'll be buying the next installment, which will be released in October.
If you decide to read the Jack Reacher books, there are thirteen other novels. I would recommend reading 61 Hours last, or at least after you've read a few other ones. These are not books that must be read in order, but the first novel is The Killing Floor. I read them out of order, and each book is a story of its own- you'll pick up details of Reacher's early life and personality as you go.
In short, if you want novels with an unforgettable hero and pulse-racing suspense, try Lee Child's Jack Reacher series. You will not be disappointed!
Lee Child's 61 Hours is the latest installment in the Jack Reacher series. Reacher is an ex-military cop who drifts from town to town with only the clothes on his back, a foldable toothbrush and an expired passport. He is homeless by choice, used to his military upbringing and career in which he moved constantly. He feels restless when he is in one place for too long, so he drifts all over the United States, buying clothes as he needs them (even carrying a small bag makes him feel tied down) and always in search of the perfect cup of coffee. Reacher is a giant- he is 6'5 and he weighs about 250 pounds. His battle scars from the military and his many misadventures add to his imposing looks. He is not looking for trouble as he drifts from town to town, but trouble always finds him. He will operate outside the law when his sense of justice warrants it. Whether he's protecting an innocent or it's self-defense, or whether he's punishing someone for a ghastly crime, Reacher's violence is always justifiable. He is reluctant at times to get involved in other people's concerns, but once in he will do his best to help and protect others. Reacher is the ultimate hero, and can always be relied upon to save the day.
It is not just the unusual and very likeable hero that makes these novels so great. Lee Child is a master at creating suspense. He writes in a straightforward, sparse style, never using a word he doesn't need. This builds up and creates suspense, so these books are hard to put down.
In 61 Hours, Reacher finds himself stranded in a town in South Dakota during a bitterly cold blizzard. He is soon helping the police to protect an old woman-and key witness- and to hunt down an unknown killer. He soon learns that there is a greater conspiracy at work, and that the corruption may have spread to the police force. The police must abandon the town during a riot at the nearby prison, leaving Reacher as the woman's only hope. Will he be able to keep the both of them alive? The suspense picks up throughout the book until the unforgettable conclusion- let's just say that I'll be buying the next installment, which will be released in October.
If you decide to read the Jack Reacher books, there are thirteen other novels. I would recommend reading 61 Hours last, or at least after you've read a few other ones. These are not books that must be read in order, but the first novel is The Killing Floor. I read them out of order, and each book is a story of its own- you'll pick up details of Reacher's early life and personality as you go.
In short, if you want novels with an unforgettable hero and pulse-racing suspense, try Lee Child's Jack Reacher series. You will not be disappointed!
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