Farewell grade 4s!

Today was the last day of school for my grade 4s. It's been a wonderful year and it was hard to say goodbye to such wonderful kids.

I've started a new tradition this year. Each year, I'll buy a book to dedicate to that class, then have them sign it.

This year, I purchased The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. It's such a special book, and one that has burrowed into my heart.

This is what I wrote in my dedication to this year's class:

Dear grade 4s,

In honour of you and your hard work this year, I’m dedicating The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore to you. As described in the book, your life is a story, one you can share with the world. This year has been just one chapter from your story. You have many chapters ahead of you to make up your life story. Whatever you do, wherever life takes you, I hope you will make a mark on this world. Life isn’t about being the smartest or getting the best marks, or graduating from the best university with the most prestigious career. It’s about making your mark on the world. As this chapter of your story closes, know that you have left an imprint on my life, just like words on a page. You will change the world, one way or another. I hope you will always strive to make the world better.

All the best in grade five!

Love, Ms. Mac

2015-2016

I Believe Every Child can be a Reader

I'm three courses into my master's degree in literacy and teacher-librarianship. I wanted to share my latest assignment, modeled after the This I Believe project.

I hope you enjoy it!

As long as I can remember, I’ve always been a lover of the written word.  As a kid I read anything I could get my hands on. I devoured books by Montgomery, Lewis, and Tolkien, as well as series like Nancy Drew, The Babysitter’s Club, even Sweet Valley High. I haunted the school library, bonding over books with my elementary school librarian. I racked up late fines at the public library.  I got in trouble at school for reading ahead during novel studies, or secretly reading in my desk when I was supposed to be listening. I read The Princess Bride out loud to anyone who would listen.  I missed my bus stop countless times, neglected my homework, read and re-read and re-read again. Books were an adventure, an escape, as well as a place of belonging. They still are.

I wasn’t born a reader. My grandmother, my mother, my older sister, a few teachers, and one very special teacher-librarian all helped to make me the book lover that I am today. Today when I look at my bookshelves, I see books that represent the people who instilled that love of literature in me.

Hardcover copies of The Secret Garden and Jane Eyre, given to me by my grandmother, sit on my shelf, next to my mother’s childhood Anne of Green Gables novels. I have a battered copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond in my classroom library.  I borrowed it from my junior high language arts teacher and forgot to give it back. Somehow I think she would forgive me if she knew. I also have a book of fairy tales that Mrs. Austin gave me in grade two. She was a wonderful teacher-librarian who took an interest in me. She made the school library feel like home.

Most special of all, I have my sister’s worn and well-read Lucy Maud Montgomery collection. My grandmother gave them to her, one book at a time each Christmas and birthday. I remember borrowing them without permission, hoarding them in my room until she came looking for them. After my sister passed away a few years ago, I inherited them.  Every time I look at them, I think of my sister, a woman who, among other things, was a passionate reader.

Today, I try to instill a love of literature in my students. I love to talk about books, to bond over bookshelves, to tell them about books that touched me, spoke to me, or transformed me. I love to tell them about books that made me laugh or cry, and the very special books that have burrowed into my heart.

I believe that something magical happens when you share a love of reading with kids. Books fly off the shelves. Students who are labeled as non-readers become readers. Kids beg for more reading time.  They wait with bated breath for the next installment of the read aloud. They talk excitedly about the book they are reading, recommending books to their friends, even forming impromptu book clubs. Reading skills improve, often dramatically. Sometimes it just takes one perfect book, and they are hooked. I believe that every child can become a reader.

To become readers, kids need to be surrounded by books. They need school libraries and public libraries, as well as classroom libraries full of books that come in all shapes and sizes. Not only certain books. Not only award winners or literary classics. Not only “real” books pushed by the well-meaning adults in their lives. Just books. They need silly books, books about farts, boogers, and superheroes in underwear. They need books about cupcakes, bullies, and fights with BFFs. They need comics and graphic novels, magazines and e-books. Most of all, most important of all, they need books they can see themselves in, books that truly become a part of them. They also need books that provide glimpses of worlds they otherwise could never see. They need books that transform them, that become a part of them.

I believe just one book, one conversation, and one adult can transform a child into a reader. I believe that instilling a love of reading can truly make a difference, sparking imaginations, opening doors, and unlocking potential.

A tribute to my sister

As I am dealing with some big life changes, my emotions are also closer to the surface as they have been every October since 2009. That was the year I lost my sister. I'm thinking of her a lot lately. I know she would be here for me right now, to support me and lend a helping hand when my life becomes overwhelming. I wrote this poem for my Mum in the winter of 2010. I hope she doesn't mind me posting it here.

I love you Cynthia

The Key

I stand before a garden gate

Set in a wall of gold and pearl.

Priceless treasures within await-

Their fragrance fills the air.

I bask in the glow of golden blooms,

The sunshine streaming down.

I breathe in the flowers’ sweet perfume,

Drink in an eternal dawn.

Yet this beauty pales beside the lure

Of my loved ones living inside-

Their spirits golden, light and pure,

Their faces joyous and bright.

I’ve longed for them since they left

To dwell in this glorious garden.

Yet I know these walls are a refuge, a cleft,

Untouched by pain and death.

With a heavy heart, a tear on my face,

I turn away from those gilded walls.

Yet I know I’ll return to this place

One day when I hear His call.

And in my hand I’ll hold the key

That will open up the door.

They will be there to welcome me

To this ever-blooming garden.

And in His gentle face I’ll see

Love and an end to strife

For He is the giver of the key

That opens the garden of life.

Sad Stuff

October used to be Thanksgiving dinner,  pumpkins and oodles of candy. Now it is a reminder of what my family and I have lost.

Three years ago (minus two days), my older sister died from a sudden and completely unexpected illness at the age of thirty-three. At Thanksgiving, just a week and a half before she was sick, I laughed over board games with her and my family. The next- and last- times I saw her she was in a coma from which she never awoke.

To add to the sadness that is October, a beloved colleague passed away from a short sudden illness less than a week ago. My co-workers and I are deeply saddened by the loss of such a bright and wonderful person.

I am further saddened by the news of Amanda Todd's suicide and the shocking, heart-wrenching video about the events that led to her death. My heart goes out to her family and loved ones. I am shocked by what happened to her and the cruelty of her classmates. 

As someone who was definitely not cool in junior high, I can relate to Amanda to a small extent. I was never abused in the ways she was, but the names I was called and the way I was treated continue to cause insecurities to this day. 

Amanda's story reminded me of a truly gut-wrenching novel I read when it first came out in 2011. It is called Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. The story revolves around Hannah Baker, a teenage girl who ended her own life. One of her classmates, reeling from her death, receives a set of cassette tapes from Hannah, in which she chronicles the events that led to her suicide. Clay follows her voice around town, stopping at various sites that affected her as he dissects his own culpability for Hannah's death. Ultimately, Clay must grieve for Hannah, accept that she is gone and try to prevent the tragedy from happening again. Asher uses a dual narrative so that Hannah's voice and emotions mingle with Clay's, creating one powerful narrative. Although it is not a pleasant novel in any way- I kept hoping that there would be some mistake and Hannah would be alive and well- it is an important one. As I learned about the cruelty of her classmates and the inaction of her teachers, I was devastated by the cost to Hannah Baker and the way she gave up on life. It inspired me as an educator to do the best I can to support and care for my students as much as I can.

I hope Amanda's death gives courage to those who are suffering in silence and afraid to share what they are experiencing. I hope her story helps kids and adults alike think about the way their words and actions can affect others.

A perfect start to your day

I've decided to expand this blog. While books are and will always be important to me, there are so many other things I'd like to talk about: teaching, everyday experiences, food, animals and travel. So I've decided that while books will continue to be a big part of this blog, I'm not going to limit myself to one small subset of my life. Hopefully, this will help me keep this blog more up to date.

This morning my husband and I hit the gym then went out for breakfast. I absolutely love breakfast and I'm always looking for that perfect breakfast spot, beyond the boring and often questionable big chains. As a vegetarian, breakfast is great because there are always choices for me, unlike going out for lunch or supper. I love being torn between a few choices rather than being stuck with the one thing on a menu that is vegetarian.  Ryan and I have tried a few contenders and here are my favourites in Calgary. Coming soon...my favourites in Edmonton.

The Main Dish: Since doing personal training at In Bridgeland, Ryan and I have become regulars at this great place just down the block from our gym. The Main Dish is an unusual concept in that it has both casual dine-in and gourmet take out options. The take-out section features cold items that you can re-heat at home. Ryan's faves are the sundried blueberry turkey burgers and I like the Apricot Quinoa for easy lunches. Their take-out choices seem quite pricey, but when you consider the quality of ingredients, it would probably not be too inexpensive to make at home either. As for the dine-in choices, the prices are great and the food is amazing, especially the brunch items. Their veggie omelette is the best I've ever had, especially when you add mushrooms. Ryan likes their stuffed French toast that is basically a Monte Cristo done up as French toast. Their coffee (according to friends- I don't drink coffee) is amazing and I like their premium loose tea and London  Fogs.

Reds- Located on 17Ave, this popular breakfast spot is worth the wait outside. And plan to wait at least 30 minutes, though they will bring you coffee while you wait. All the food is locally sourced and made with premium ingredients. Their buckwheat blueberry pancakes are amazing! I also really love the classic 2 egg, toast and hashbrowns breakfast. They serve Mighty Leaf tea, which is one of the few bagged teas I will drink. I recommend the Green Tea Tropical. The only criticism I have of Reds is their service, but considering how busy it is, it is understandable. Basically, you should go for the food and expect decent but not amazing service.

Blue Star Diner- Just down the street from the Main Dish is a spot we tried today. Every time I drive by I see a crowd waiting outside so I knew it had to be good. And it was fantastic! Ryan got the stuffed French toast, stuffed with mushrooms and gruyere, and I had the veggie Eggs Benedict. I was a little disappointed that they didn't have a veggie eggs Benny on the menu, considering they have 4 types of veggie burgers (so excited to try them). But my friendly waitress was happy to accommodate by suggesting tomato and avocado as a substitute for the meaty bennies. The result was delicious! I substituted fresh fruit for the hashbrowns and it was a lovely melody of oranges, blackberries, grapefruit, strawberries and raspberries. Ryan stuck with the hashbrowns and they were really good and nicely crispy.  One of the regulars advised us while we were waiting outside to come around 9ish to avoid waiting for a table. Like Reds, they will bring you coffee to make the wait a little better.

We're happy to have found some fabulous restaurants for brunch in Calgary. Hopefully, we will keep adding more to the list. What are your favourites?

Sisters and friends

Sisterhood. It's really a strange relationship, filled with tears, laughter and the odd screaming match. If you're like me, your sister fills some of your most intense memories, good, bad and silly. When I lost my sister to a sudden illness two years ago, I realized that she was my best friend. It's sad that I didn't know it until she was gone. We were very different and we drove each other crazy, but she was my sister, my buddy, my co-conspirator, my scapegoat, my confider and my friend. I miss her every day.

Recently I read Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur. It is a powerful juvenile novel about a young girl who is transformed by loss. Her younger sister dies in the story, and I found myself sobbing as I identified with her anger, grief and confusion. The novel was cathartic for me, for it seems that the loss of a sibling is seldom discussed. It is such an unusual relationship; our siblings are our past, present and future. Losing one is truly like losing a part of yourself. Aubrey's story resonated with me as she coped with her loss, grieved and ultimately moved forward. The most moving parts of the story reduced me to a little girl, missing her big sister.

To e-read or not to e-read?

When e-books first came out, I was quite resistant to the whole idea. I couldn't imagine giving up so-called "real books" to read a soulless, uninviting electronic file.  As time went by, I gradually opened my mind to the whole idea. As a fast reader, I often brought several books with me on vacation (this didn't work so well when I was flying). I wanted the practicality of bringing a dozen books with me without taking up so much space. My husband sure didn't enjoy stopping constantly on road trips to buy books and it just seemed like the smarter way to go.  I wasn't willing to give up my "pretty" books- my shelf full of old hardcover books just can't be replaced by an electronic shelf- but for the everyday read it seemed like a great option. Once I embraced the e-reading movement,  I started thinking about what type of  device to buy. At first I only considered  the e-reader options but when the tablets started to come out, I wondered if that would be a better way to go.

I am not good at making decisions and I was torn. I loved the idea of the "smart ink" technology on many E-readers since it would seem more like a real book, but I also loved the functionality and practicality of the tablets. My laptop, at four years of age, was a bit of a senior citizen and my techno-savvy husband recommended the ipad for its high quality and great features. I started to lean towards the tablet side of the question and although I considered other brands, the ipad2 just seemed to be the best option for me. My husband very kindly bought me one for my birthday in July and I love it!  I take it with me wherever I go and I use it constantly, particularly for reading and for the internet. Sometimes I wish I had chosen an e-reader because there can be glare on the screen when you are reading outside or in the car, but I absolutely love the other features of the ipad. One great feature is  the fact that I am not limited to one merchant; I can purchase books from ibooks, Amazon and Kobo. I love this because I can shop around for the best price and use a variety of gift cards. Sometimes I have to check all three just to find the book I'm looking for so it works well to have the choice. I would consider that a significant drawback if I could only buy from one merchant because of the e-reader brand.

One of the perks of e-books is the price. For example, when I decided to read the Game of Thrones series, I found the first four books for $15.00 on Amazon. You can't beat that. Or when the last Jack Reacher book came out, I was able to purchase it for only $12.00 (rather than the $30 in stores) and my husband and I were able to read it at the same time, on different devices. As well, I can borrow books from the public library without having to leave my home and I never get overdue fees since the books are removed automatically from my device.

Although I will continue to buy hardcover classics to decorate my living room, it feels very liberating to stop cluttering up my house with books I probably won't read again. I have embraced it wholeheartedly and I don't plan to go back.  Anyone who is resistant to the e-book movement, keep an open mind. You just might love it!

Not your typical dracula novel

I was looking for a new book to read at my local bookstore. I don't like to go to the bookstore with nothing in particular in mind because I usually end up buying something that fails to deliver. The book ends up sitting on my shelf collecting dust after that initial read and I experience buyer's remorse. Because I was desperate for a new book, I took the chance- and I'm so happy I did! I stumbled upon Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian and it is a winner.

The Historian is written in the style of a Victorian gothic novel, yet is is immensely readable. Kostova delivers layer upon layer of suspense at just the right pace, which kept me glued to the pages. A young girl follows her father across Europe, learning as she does so about her parents's mysterious contacts with the bloodthirsty noble believed to be long dead- no other than Vlad the Impaler. Immersing herself in her father's fascinating story, she finds herself increasingly in danger from the unbelievable evil her father has discovered.
 Like Morton's The Forgotten Garden, the story is told from the perspective of several characters over a long period of time. Their stories weave together, sometimes abstractly, piecing together cohesively at the end. Yet it couldn't be more different from Morton's novel-in short, The Historian is a vampire novel. Before you lose interest, you should know that this is no twilight or Sookie Stackhouse novel. Instead it is literary, heavily researched and so enjoyable to read. Mingled with the supernatural and suspenseful elements are historical details about the Ottoman Empire and Eastern Europe. This novel might even teach you an historical fact or two. If vampire novels aren't your thing- keep an open mind. This is surprisingly light on gore and oh so good! This book has put me in the mood to read Bram Stoker's Dracula and  Kostova's newest novel, The Swan Thieves. Happy Reading!

Another winner by Katherine Morton

Don't you love those books that you just can't put down? The ones that you devour in a single sitting? The ones that you anticipate getting back to when you have to put them down?

Katherine Morton is that kind of author for me. I have read her books eagerly and they provide a welcome escape from daily life. Her books combine mystery, tragedy, suspense and romance in just the right combination that keeps you fully immersed in the story. My favourite Morton novel is The Forgotten Garden, a novel that I have recommended to other readers. I love the way she tells the story across several generations, through the voices of various strong female protagonists. I especially love the way she incorporates fairy tales into the novel, using them to help the reader piece the story together. And though I figured out the biggest mystery before it was revealed in the final pages, it did not fail to capture me.

Morton's newest novel, The Distant Hours, delivers another great story of passion and tragedy and family relationships. Elements of the gothic seep into the story, setting an intense pace at times. Again, the story takes place across several generations; a young woman tries to learn more about her mother by visiting the castle where her mother was billeted as a child during World War II. By interviewing the elderly sisters who inhabit the castle, Edie learns about her mother, while also solving an old unsolved mystery. Again, Morton uses stories to set the tone; a haunting children's book is the basis for the mystery of the novel. While she uses the same formulas in each of her novels, the stories are fresh and it feels like you can connect to the many protagonists who each help to unravel the mystery.

I look forward to continued work by Katherine Morton; I only hope that she can continue to incorporate new story lines so that her work does not become simply a tried and true formula.

Lit for Chicks

I love my local library. It has saved me many times from both boredom and financial problems- it would be easy for me to max out my credit card at the local bookstore! And while I love almost everything about the library, one thing drives me crazy. Chick Lit is not recognized as its own genre- it is lumped together with romance. I take great issue with this, because I think they are very distinct genres. For starters, chick lit is not about the romantic relationship-though that may play a large role- it is about the personal journey of the female protagonist. She faces struggles and difficulties with which the reader can sympathize, and though many chick lit novels are hysterically funny,  they tend to pull at the heartstrings too. There seems to be more layers to (most) chick-lit novels than to the typical romance novel. The plot involves more than the classic boy meets girl, girl changes boy, boy marries girl scenario. They are usually more realistic and more real-life. And most importantly, I love a good chick lit novel, but I can barely tolerate romance novels!

My favourite chick lit authors are definitely Sophie Kinsella and Helen Fielding, but recently I've discovered another fabulous author- Jennifer Weiner. I first discovered Weiner when I read In her Shoes after seeing the movie. Having experienced my own up and down (but always there for each other) relationship with my own sister, I related to the story of the tumultuous relationship between two completely opposite sisters. Recently, I read Little Earthquakes at the recommendation of a co-worker who, as it turns out, has fabulous taste. This novel tells the story of four very different women and the way their funny, heartwarming and even tragic experiences with their pregnancies and children bring them together. This novel made me laugh and cry- I thought it was great. In Goodnight Nobody, a woman with three kids and an absentee husband moves to a Stepford-like community where she just doesn't fit in. When a seemingly perfect mommy is murdered, she is determined to find out what happened. This is more of a suspenseful read, although thoroughly enjoyable.

I hope to continue to add to my repertoire of fabulous chick lit authors. Happy reading!

I dare you to move

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.

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!

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!

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?

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!

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.

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!

    

Frugal Chic

My husband and I have increasingly been leaning towards a more frugal lifestyle. We've always tried to be responsible with money, but it's so easy to get caught up in consumerism. Unfortunately, consumerism never ends, because there's always something bigger and better out there. We're finding that our lives are increasingly full of stuff, and downsizing, streamlinging  and de-cluttering has never been so appealing. So when I spotted a book called The New Frugality: How to Consume Less, Save More, and Live Better by Chris Farrell on my library shelves, it seemed to be right up my alley.

This is a good book- well written, and full of great advice. Unfortunately it wasn't quite what I expected. I thought it would talk in depth about strategies to reduce consumerism and embrace a frugal lifestyle. It does touch on this, but it is more of a financial planning book than frugal living book. If you're looking for advice about mortgages and low risk investments, this is a great book.  Because I live in Canada, many of the advice about specific American funds and companies was completely inapplicable- though that's not really the book's fault. Nonetheless, this book is full of wise advice about financial stewardship. Mr. Farrell's advice rests on a few principles that any reader can take away:

1. Create financial margin- it's ridiculously simple. Just stop spending more than you have.
2. Save Save Save- You never know what's ahead, so start saving for retirement, and possible hard times.
3. Invest smart- Go for low risk options that will give you a modest payoff. Don't gamble with the stock market or expect your home to be a lucrative investment.
4. Try to live better instead of richer- Get out of the mindset that money = happiness. Invest in what matters- your family and loved ones, and making the world a better place.

The New Frugality is an interesting and engaging book. It was able to keep me reading despite some of the dryer financial stuff. Farrell uses anecdotes to keep the material interesting and engaging. It is a breath of fresh air in a society that emphasizes stuff and more stuff. It's definitely worth a read if you're wanting to become frugal chic.

We're definitely excited about embracing frugality in our everyday lives. We're tired of consuming to death, and we want to be smarter about the way we spend our money. I hope that more books will be written on the subject, and that this trend will slowly catch on. Let's get out of the mindset that we need so much stuff, and let's start living within our means.

For a great short video about consumerism and the environment, go to http://www.storyofstuff.com/
It will open your eyes about the harmfulness of consumerism.

Let's embrace frugal chic together!

Should we censor Hitler?

Censorship is one of those hot button issues that is very difficult to resolve. Obviously there's a line for everyone (ie. no playboy in Elementary Schools), but that line tends to be drawn in different places. My opinion on the topic is that it's up to the reader and in the case of children, the parents, to decide what is appropriate or not. Librarians should select age-appropriate materials for school libraries, and parents should monitor what their children are reading and  (gasp) discuss those titles with them. One parent at a school or a library, in my opinion, does not have the right  to decide what all the other children can read.  It's simple- if you don't like it, don't read it!

My beliefs have been tested over the last couple weeks after I read an article in Macleans Magazine (to read the full article, click here: http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/04/21/the-return-of-hitler/).  This article discusses the resurgence of Hitler's ideas in various countries, exemplified in Hitler-chic clothing, elected politicians with anti-semitic leanings, and the renewed interest in his book, Mein Kampf. Normally I would say that it is up to the individual to decide what to read or not, but in the case of hate literature like Mein Kampf,  it is not so simple. Eight million people were murdered because of Hitler's ideas- is this really a book that we should allow on our library shelves?

I had this discussion with some co-workers at the library, and one quoted a very powerful quote that I thought very applicable:

Obscenity is not a quality inherent in a book or picture, but is solely and exclusively a contribution of the reading mind, and hence cannot be defined in terms of the qualities of a book or picture. ~Theodore Schroeder

In short, Mr. Schroeder suggests that a book is powerless on its own- it is the reader that gives a novel power and validity. What frightens me is not the book itself- it is merely the ramblings of a paranoid and deluded man- but the readers who will give those beliefs power. Hitler's ideas were powerless on their own- it was the masses of people that supported him that gave him credibility and transformed those ideas into action.

Thankfully, it goes both ways. Readers also have the power to strip Hitler of power, and to replace his hatred with honour and love for his many victims. Perhaps the book can serve as a souvenir of the basest aspects of humanity. Perhaps by remembering both the victims and the perpetrators, we can ensure that we will not victimize others. We can't pretend that evil doesn't exist, and we can't erase the blights on our histories. All we can do is do our very best to ensure they don't happen again.

In short, let Hitler stay on our library shelves. There are many valid reasons to read the book that do not give power to his hate-filled spewings. But let's continue to educate ourselves and each-other so that we don't  give his ideas power ever again.

Past and Present, Intertwined

I love novels that alternate between the past and the present. When a novel like this is well done, the historical story enriches the story taking place in contemporary times. Two novels that do a brilliant job of intertwining the past and present to make one richly complex story are The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton, and The Tenth Gift by Jane Johnson.

The Forgotten Garden is a title that I instantly fell in love with. A few chapters in, I knew that I loved this novel, and the rest of the story did not disappoint. Morton beautifully weaves this story, seamlessly blending mystery, history and fairy tale together, and telling a story across several generations. I was captivated and absorbed by this book and deeply invested in the fate of each heroine. It is an exquisite story- deeply moving, acutely tragic and yet profoundly uplifting and hopeful.

It is 1913. A small child is found at the docks in Australia. The dockmaster and his wife decide to raise the child as their own, since she is unable to tell them who she is or why she is alone. As an adult, Nell sets out to solve the mystery of her past. But it is a complex, layered mystery, and it is not until after her death that her grandaughter is able to fully solve the mystery. This novel takes place at several different points in time. As you read, you slowly put the pieces together until you have a truly wonderful story. I just loved it. I have recommended this novel many times, and everyone who has read it has really enjoyed it as well. I also read Morton's A House at Riverton, and while it can't compete with The Forgotten Garden, it is an excellent read as well.

More recently, I read The Tenth Gift by Jane Johnson. This novel takes place in Cornwall, in the 17th century, and in present day. Julia is a woman in a dysfunctional relationship with her friend's husband. He breaks up with her to make amends with his wife, and he gives her an antique embroidery book. Written in the book are diary entries from 19 year old Catherine, an embroider living in Cornwall in 1625. Catherine is kidnapped from her church by pirates and brought to Morocco as a slave. Catherine writes about her terrifying experiences, and Julia journeys to Morocco to learn more about Catherine's story. As Julia encounters Catherine in her writings, she must find her own path, and perhaps her own love story as well. The Tenth Gift offers a glimpse into a different time and place, a different culture, and an oft ignored part of history.

Both novels are enchanting, and Johnson and Morton demonstrate the ways the past can enrich the present. I highly recommend them both.