torontoc's Books Read in 2010

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torontoc's Books Read in 2010

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1torontoc
Déc 17, 2009, 12:36 pm

I will be posting in the New Year!

2torontoc
Jan 4, 2010, 7:54 am

1. Death and Restoration by Iain Pears. A very interesting mystery about a lost icon, murder, and Constantine, the last emperor of the Byzantine empire. A nice read while I was in hospital- it just hit the spot!

3Nickelini
Jan 4, 2010, 1:41 pm

We're all glad you're home from the hospital, and I'm looking forward to following your reading adventures this year.

4SouthernBluestocking
Jan 4, 2010, 3:54 pm

I love Iain Pears' art history series! Have them all, have read them multiple times. Have you read any of his other books?

5torontoc
Jan 4, 2010, 5:25 pm

Yes-I have read about three of the series.

6torontoc
Jan 5, 2010, 9:26 am

2. Fun Home- a Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel. This graphic novel relates the troubled relationship between Alison's father and his family. As Alison grows up she discovers that she is a lesbian. Her parents have hidden the fact that her father had relationships with their young male babysitter. Her father either commits suicide after her mother demands a divorce or is run over by a truck. The aspects of the family are looked at very thoroughly by the author as she talks about her education, her family's background in the funeral parlour business and her mother's acting. A very sad but well constructed book.

7torontoc
Jan 14, 2010, 10:19 am

3. Tel Aviv Short Stories:Edited by Shelley Goldman and Joanna Yehiel. I was given this book to read by a friend who recently spent four months in Tel Aviv. This publication was produced to help celebrate the 100th birthday of the city. I found the short stories were not of the same calibre. Some were very good and some not so good. However the variety and very brief nature of the work suited me this week!

8torontoc
Jan 14, 2010, 2:04 pm

4. The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman. Penman has written a very detailed historical fiction account of the life of Richard III and his family. Unlike other histories that paint Richard as a villain, this book shows him to be empathic and really at the mercy of some other nobles. The book is well written. I will be looking for more of Sharon Kay Penman's works.

9loriephillips
Jan 14, 2010, 3:57 pm

I discovered Sharon Kay Penman last year and now have all of her books, including the mysteries on my wishlist. I'm very impressed with the historical detail in her books.

10wookiebender
Jan 14, 2010, 6:21 pm

My sister is a fan of Sharon Kay Penman, and lent me the first of the Welsh series - Here Be Dragons? I'd read too many crappy fantasy novels at that stage though (with Celtic names and misty mountains, etc), and couldn't quite deal with a real historical novel set in the "same" world.

I must give her another go.

11torontoc
Modifié : Jan 16, 2010, 8:38 pm

5. Molly Fox's Birthday by Deirdre Madden. This Orange Prize for Fiction shortlisted book was a very satisfying read.A celebrated playwright has borrowed her good friend, the actress Molly Fox's house in Dublin. Molly Fox is in New York. The playwright recalls her friendship with Molly Fox,her old university friend Andrew and the relationships with her own family and Molly's difficult one with her brother and mother. The work takes the form of a narrative that is in some cases very contemplative. The book has more to say about the nature of art, play-writing and acting. Very interesting!

12torontoc
Jan 20, 2010, 6:00 pm

6. Baumgartner's Bombay by Anita Desai. This very sad story about a man who is sent to India from prewar Germany and his subsequent life is very accomplished. Desai writes about Baumgartner's early life in Germany, his travel to India, imprisonment as a German alien and later life in Bombay. What is interesting is that this main character looses his Jewish background and really doesn't fit into Indian society -he is always an outsider.

13torontoc
Jan 22, 2010, 9:39 am

7. The Domino Men by Jonathan Barnes. This book had a great start as a distopian take on present day London where a secret society has been fighting the House of Windsor since the mid 1850's. The anti-hero, Harry Lamb , blunders into the plot as a result of his grandfather's actions. The beginning and middle of this book work really well. However, I wish that there was a programme for " authors who can't write a good end to their plots." This indeed is one of those books where the ending is the easy way out. I am not going to go into details and give spoilers but many readers have seen and read similar plots. There is a way of ending a book where the reader is cheated out of a rational or interesting summing up. I finished this book feeling very grumpy

14wookiebender
Jan 23, 2010, 5:04 am

Oh, bad endings can be so annoying. Better luck next time!

15torontoc
Jan 28, 2010, 10:48 pm

8. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery.Count me in the camp of those who loved this book. At the beginning, the two narratives of Madame Michel, the concierge, and 12 year old Paloma seem very snobbish and quite nasty in their assessments of those who live in the very elegant Paris hotel. In fact both main characters seem very unlikeable as they hide their keen intelligence. The story of both main characters' discovery of humanity and truths of how to live their lives changes the reader's impression. At the beginning, the discussions of theory and philosophy seem quite off putting. But in the end, the change in both characters gives an understanding of their inner lives and how much culture shaped their world.

16wookiebender
Jan 29, 2010, 2:59 am

Oooh, I got that one for Christmas...

17torontoc
Jan 30, 2010, 9:49 pm

9. Ordinary Lives by Josef Skvorecky. This book really sums up the history of a number of characters who were part of the author's previous novels. The hero ,Danny Smiricky, comes back to the Czech Republic from Canada to attend two reunions of his high school class, in 1963 and 1993. His meetings and conversations lead Danny to remember the events that shaped his early life. The students and teachers of the high school class lived through the second world war, the German occupation and rise and fall of communism. Some suffered and some profited by the political events. I admit that ,although I liked the writing style (expertly translated by Paul Wilson) and the list of characters and notes by the author, the book could be a little confusing. I wish that I had read some of the author's earlier works just before reading this novel . ( I probably did many years ago)

18pamelad
Jan 31, 2010, 2:22 am

I've put Ordinary Lives on my wishlist. I'm a big Skvorecky fan, and well-acquainted with Danny Smiricky and friends, but hadn't come across this book so thank you.

19torontoc
Jan 31, 2010, 8:37 am

The translation in English came out in 2008.Skvorecky published it in Czech in 2004.I now am going back to read his other novels!

20torontoc
Fév 2, 2010, 8:59 pm

10. Brief Lives: Gustave Flaubert by Andrew Brown. This slim volume was an ER book. It is part of a series on short biographies of important authors. I must say that I was not impressed. Brown decided to not use a linear format and wrote in themes. His history of Flaubert's life is confusing, and ironically does not give a good account of the writing of Madame Bovary. Brown uses this book to show off his own intellect with obscure references and Latin phrases. He refers to present day works of literature, and does not hesitate to write about obscene events in Flaubert's life. In fact, the book reads like a pompous speaker taking over a discussion and boasting about his own knowledge. Hmm-I still have to write a review for this book- I am too annoyed- will do it later

21Nickelini
Fév 2, 2010, 9:39 pm

You can write a negative review, of course. I recently wrote one, but I had to wait a day after finishing the book to get over my extreme annoyance. So I know what you mean. And in the end, my review was scathing anyway.

22wookiebender
Fév 2, 2010, 11:56 pm

I think that if you didn't enjoy a book, any review you write should reflect that! Although, yes, go away and calm down so you can write a reasoned review, rather than a grumpy one. You can still give it 1/2 a star and be mean, but at least you're doing it with a cool head. :)

23torontoc
Fév 4, 2010, 10:58 pm

11. The Sari Shop by Rupa Bajwa. This is a well written novel about classes-the very poor and the very rich in Amritsar, India. Ramchand is a clerk in a sari shop. He is given the opportunity to see how the rich live. Ramchand is inspired to self educate himself,buying books and learning English. However the injustices of life for the lower class and poor women leads to choices and decisions that impact on Ramchand's life. Recommended.

24torontoc
Modifié : Fév 6, 2010, 8:47 am

12. Granta 91: Wish You Were Here. I finally have started to read some of my older issues of Granta. I remember reading a few stories and then setting it down. This issue has memoirs by Simon Gray on Allan Bates in his last years, Said Sayrafiezadeh on his father, small pieces on weather by Margaret Atwood and other writers and some short stories.Granta issues always have material that makes you think.

25torontoc
Fév 8, 2010, 11:26 pm

13. The Amazing Absorbing Boy by Rabindranath Maharaj. A teenager living in Trinidad, Samuel, is sent to Toronto to live with his father after the death of his mother. Samuel's father has not had much contact with his family and proves to be uncommunicative with his son. They live in an apartment in Regent Park. Samuel is left alone and doesn't see his father for days, so he sets out to discover the city.This beautifully written book shows how Samuel meets a wide variety of people- immigrants trying to find their way-and observes the events that bring people together in the city at the coffee shops, the library, demonstrations at city hall and the poetry readings at the Art Bar. Samuel holds a number of jobs and eventually finds a real place for himself in Canadian society, helped by his visiting uncle and aunt. The characters are both funny and sad as the author's keen imagination creates the most marvellous and colourful cast in this novel. The descriptions of Trinidad and Toronto are clever and the situations have a ring of truth to them. There are so many threads to this novel- Samuel's devotion to super hero comics and how they shaped his growth and his befriending of so many interesting people in both Trinidad and Toronto. I really liked this author's voice and work.

26torontoc
Modifié : Fév 11, 2010, 10:36 pm

14. Mistress of the Monarchy:The Life of Katherine Swynford, Duchess of Lancaster by Alison Weir. This detailed biography of Katherine Swynford, the mistress and then wife to king's son, John of Gaunt, is fascinating.The author, Alison Weir carefully looks through available records to chart the life of Katherine, and her relationship to the ruling family of England. Katherine's children by John of Gaunt became the founders of the Tudor dynasty. Weir's research is admirable.

27torontoc
Fév 15, 2010, 9:12 am

15. A People's Tragedy: The Russian Revolution 1891-1924 by Orlando Figes. I have been reading this 900 plus page book for a number of months. Figes has written an extremely detailed account of the fall of the Russian monarchy and empire and the creation of the Soviet Union. Some of the author's revelations were new to me- the real story of the October uprising, the politics of the various parties in the early days and the real intent of Lenin. Figes research is impeccable- his sources include papers released to the public recently. I read another book by Figes last year- The Whisperers and have another-Natasha's Dance- in my TBR pile. I highly recommend this author and his books for a better understanding of Russian history and culture.

28loriephillips
Modifié : Fév 15, 2010, 10:30 am

You've had some very interesting reading lately. I've heard good things about Alison Weir but have not yet read anything by her. I've got The Whisperers on the TBR pile and need to bumb it up. Thanks for the recommendations!

29torontoc
Fév 15, 2010, 8:41 pm

16. The Dog With the Chip in His Neck by Andrei Codrescu. I needed to read some essays that covered humour, satire, culture and current issues. Although this book was published in 1996, the topics are still timely.

30torontoc
Fév 18, 2010, 4:35 pm

17. The Siege by Helen Dunmore. This novel about the suffering of the people of Leningrad during World War II is very good. Dunmore has written a " gentle" story about Anna, a young woman who has cut short her education to take care of her very young brother.Her mother died giving birth to Kolya. Anna is also the support of her father, Mikhail, a writer who is no longer published. The plot is very slim- it covers the incredible hardships that the population of Leningrad had to endure as the city was attacked by the Germans. Hunger, the lack of anything to eat and the steps that people had to take to survive become the focus of the story. Dunmore uses the love between Anna and Andrei(a doctor), and Marina, an actress, and Mikhail to tell her story. Highly recommended.

31torontoc
Fév 19, 2010, 11:50 pm

18. Lives of Girls and Women by Alice Munro. I didn't read Alice Munro's books for many years. I probably know why- it has something to do with meeting people who could have come from her books in my first years of teaching. But I started reading Munro's work in the past two years. The stories are excellent- and this book from 1971 is so interesting. The short stories are all about a young girl, Del, and her family who live in a very small town in south western Ontario. Del's life and character development are the themes. Munro's depiction of Del's family and friends and her use of language demonstrate why this author must be read to understand Canadian literature. ( and the life of small town Ontario in the 1940's and 50's)

32torontoc
Fév 20, 2010, 2:55 pm

19. The Garden of the Villa Mollini by Rose Tremain. I should remind myself not to read two books of short stories in a row-especially if the first collection is by Alice Munro. This book of short stories by Rose Tremain does suffer in comparison. I found that many of the stories ended abruptly- which may be true in life but as a reader I want some resolution or punch. As a whole I was more impressed with the collection when I finished and could appreciate the craftmanship.

33torontoc
Fév 21, 2010, 9:45 am

20. Adjusting Sights by Haim Sabato. Haim Sabato writes books( I now have read three ) that combine memories, religion and faith and might be a bit autobiographical. This story is about a young man who serves in a tank battalion in the Yom Kipper War. His best friend is killed and through the retelling of his experiences, the young man, Haim, struggles to reconcile his faith and present day circumstances.

34torontoc
Modifié : Fév 22, 2010, 12:48 pm

21. The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood. I think that Margaret Atwood is a fabulous storyteller. After all the mixed reviews of this book, I have to be on the side of the positive ones. I think that I liked this novel better than Oryx and Crake. The one thing that I wasn't fond was the verse and songs of the Gardeners. The two stories of Toby and Ren kept me reading for two days until I finished the book. Highly Recommended.

35torontoc
Modifié : Fév 24, 2010, 8:41 am

22.The Scandal of the Season by Sophie Gee. I have mixed feelings about this historical fiction novel. The story, about a real scandal in 1711 Britain, relates how the poet ,Alexander Pope. uses the story of Lord Petre and Arabella Fermor as the inspiration for his poem-The Rape of the Lock.The threats faced by Queen Anne and her government from the Jacobites and the tension between the Catholics and Protestants also play a significant role in this novel. I liked the plot but found that the actual writing lacked the richness of description that I expect. The dialogue had the feeling of the times but I needed more information on the setting and place. Interesting book.

36clfisha
Fév 24, 2010, 8:11 am

I am going try Oryx and Crake (my first Atwood) later this year. Do you reckon its a good place to start? (I do like dystopian fiction)

37torontoc
Fév 24, 2010, 8:37 am

I think so- if you like Atwood then consider reading The Handmaid's Tale as well as The Year of the Flood.

38Nickelini
Fév 24, 2010, 10:56 am

#36 - it was my first Atwood, and I loved it. Since then, though, I've read many others by her, and my favourites are the Robber Bride and Alias Grace.

39torontoc
Fév 24, 2010, 4:24 pm

I agree with you!

40torontoc
Mar 2, 2010, 8:37 am

23. Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger. This is another book that I have mixed feelings about. The author is a great storyteller. Her characters and the setting (and history) of Highgate Cemetery are unique and very riveting. However the promise of the early chapters becomes disappointing when the I reached the end of the book. It is interesting that a number of contemporary authors that I have read created great beginnings but couldn't write a satisfactory conclusion to their books. Good characters just seemed to wander off. Niffenegger's plot in this book did not match her success with The Time Traveler's Wife

41torontoc
Mar 2, 2010, 10:16 pm


24.When a Crocodile Eats the Sun by Peter Godwin. This memoir of Godwin's parents in their later years living in Zimbabwe is also the story of that country and Robert Mugabe's rule.Godwin writes about his family who lived and worked in the former Rhodesia and later Zimbabwe since the end of World War II. One of his sisters was killed in an ambush, the other lives in exile in London. Godwin is a journalist who has written about Africa for many years.One discovery that he made was his father's Polish Jewish background that he hid from his family.Godwin had written an earlier book about his childhood. This account really relates the injustices done to the people of Zimbabwe by Mugabe. It is well written and let me know about the history of the area.

42judylou
Mar 3, 2010, 5:18 am

As always a wonderful range of titles here. Your comments about Her fearful Symmetry are interesting. There seems to be quite a few different opinions about it. I have a copy ready to read, but I'm a bit ambivalent about it.

43torontoc
Mar 3, 2010, 7:46 am

I think that Niffenegger is a good storyteller and I really liked the history of the Highgate Cemetery. Definitely worth a read.

44torontoc
Mar 5, 2010, 11:08 pm


25. Fierce by Hannah Holborn. This book of well crafted short stories describes some of the most disfunctional families that I have read about in a while. Most of the stories take place in British Columbia/ and the Yukon. I like the author's descriptions of place, her wry sense of humour and her character creation. Recommended.

45torontoc
Modifié : Mar 6, 2010, 11:30 pm

26. The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls. I heard so much about this book- I had to read it. Walls tells the story about her parents and their unbelievable life. The book does seem a little like Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes. The big difference to me is the incredible resilience of the children and their survival.Walls is a talented writer and I look forward to reading her book about her grandmother

46torontoc
Mar 10, 2010, 11:23 pm

27. First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde. This novel continues the story of Thursday Next. Thursday is now living with her husband , Landon and their three children. The eldest, Friday, should be joining the ChronoGuard but he wants nothing to do with the time travelling agency. Thursday is working for Acme Carpets, a cover for the Special Operations group. She is also involved with Jurisfiction, and now has to train a copy of herself from a book on her life. Sound confusing? Ffforde's fantasy adventure stories pay tribute to reading and books. I found this one fun and amusing.Fforde makes some apt comments on literature and public taste

47torontoc
Mar 13, 2010, 8:38 pm


28.The Lodger Shakespeare by Charles Nicholl. This is an interesting book about a very specific time that Shakespeare spent as a lodger in the household of Christopher Mountjoy.Shakespeare also gave evidence in a lawsuit that Mountjoy's son-in-law initiated for non-payment of dowry. ( Stephen Belott had married Mountjoy's daughter.) The author is really writing about the social history of the times. Nicholl also tries to find evidence of any sources that Shakespeare might have used in his plays. I found the beginning of the book caught up in minute detail. Later, the chapters were summed up nicely and I enjoyed the reading more.

48torontoc
Mar 17, 2010, 5:31 pm

29. Purity of Blood by Arturo Perez-Reverte. I love a good adventure historical fiction novel series. I have followed some of the Bernard Cornwell series and started reading the adventures of Captain
Alatriste by Arturo Perez-Reverte. This book is the second in his series about the adventures of a swordsman in Madrid during the reign of King Phillip the Fourth. Unfortunately, while the background of the feuds and the role of the Inquisition is interesting, this book has a very slim plot. I enjoyed the first book more but will read the next in the series as they are in my TBR pile. I also saw the movie made about the series although the film did cover the whole series. Interesting adventure but I find that Bernard Cornwell and Barry Unsworth write more complex plots in one book than Perez-Reverte.

49wookiebender
Mar 18, 2010, 12:29 am

Agreed, I thought Captain Alatriste was a better read than Purity of Blood. I am hoping that the third one picks up!

Apparently his other books are very good. I've got a couple, but haven't read them yet. (There was a fabulous adaptation of The Fencing Master that I once caught late at night on TV. And I've not once found the book on any shelves!)

50iftyzaidi
Modifié : Mar 18, 2010, 6:44 am

I quite enjoyed Captain Alatriste and was sorry to hear that the second book isn't up to the same standard. I have great expectations of this series.

I've only read Sharpe's Eagles by Bernard Cornwell and found it merely decent. Which of his works would you recommend?

51torontoc
Mar 19, 2010, 7:59 pm

Let me get back to you about Sharpe! I read all of the books in chronological order. I will go through then later this week and give you my favourites!
30. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. Sometimes I am curious about a book that has had both good and bad reviews. This is one of those books. I found the history of the role of women in China during the 19th century to be interesting and informative ( especially the bound feet stuff). However I thought that the story was not especially complex. So.. I liked the history but not the plot.

52clif_hiker
Modifié : Mar 19, 2010, 8:14 pm

#50 & 51: The first three Sharpe's books set in India Sharpe's Tiger, Sharpe's Triumph & Sharpe's Fortress are my favorites. These are first chronologically, but written by Cornwell much later. They provide some much needed background on Sharpe's relationship with Wellington.

Also the book in which Sharpe gets caught up in the Battle of Trafalgar Sharpe's Trafalgar, contains the most riveting account of that battle I've ever read. I read through the last 100-150 pages without blinking.

53Nickelini
Mar 19, 2010, 10:12 pm

30. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. Sometimes I am curious about a book that has had both good and bad reviews. This is one of those books. I found the history of the role of women in China during the 19th century to be interesting and informative ( especially the bound feet stuff). However I thought that the story was not especially complex. So.. I liked the history but not the plot.

Well said, Cyrel. That's a review on Snowflower and the Secret Fanthat I can agree with. I thought all the cultural aspects and the whole footbinding thing was fascinating, but the rest was all wrong for me. I especially disliked the language . . . it sounded like faux Chinese . . . you know, like someone pretending to speak Chinese but really missing the mark? I had the same problem with The Jade Peony by Wayson Choy.

54torontoc
Mar 24, 2010, 5:26 pm

31 George Steiner at the New Yorker. I loved this book.It is a compilation of a number of George Steiner's reviews from the New Yorker magazine. Steiner's sentences are works of art- not for all but I enjoy being introduced to his opinions on a wide variety of subjects and authors. He covered Anthony Blunt, Graham Greene, Albert Speer, Bertold Brecht, and Simone Weil.( to name a few) I liked working through Steiner's thoughts on books and history.

55torontoc
Mar 24, 2010, 10:44 pm

32. The Creation of Eve by Lynn Cullen. This historical fiction novel covers the time that Renaissance woman painter Sofonisba Anguissola spent in Spain as the lady in waiting and painter to Elizabeth de Valois, Queen of Spain. The king, Felipe II, is better known as the husband of Mary of England, his second wife before his marriage to Elizabeth. I did enjoy the novel as the author inserts information on painting and Sofonisba's musings on art. I did learn about Spainish royal history and the imfluence of Catherine de Medici, mother of Elizabeth.Certainly the life of a royal wife depended on her giving birth to male heirs. However,the conflict between Elizabeth, her husband and his half brother did take on the sentiment of a soap opera at times. As well , I did like the character of Sofonisba, but got annoyed when the author had her act very foolishly. This seems to be a plot move that a number of authors make. Why take a strong character who , in real life, was successful( she did leave Spain and live in Italy, painting, to a very old age) and have her make dangerous and silly decisions that would have had her disgraced in real life?That is a pet peeve of mine. The book is interesting for the setting in Spain and the story of a woman artist.

56torontoc
Mar 25, 2010, 1:56 pm

33. Grave Goods by Ariana Franklin. This is the third novel about the adventures of Adelia Aguilar, Mistress of the Art of Death to Henry II, King of England. Franklin is a good writer-the plot is interesting and covers a number of topics. Adelia is sent to Glastonbury Abbey to see if two recently discovered skeletons are those of Arthur and his wife Guinevere. Of course the resolution is not clear at once as Adelia is looking for her friend Emily who has disappered with her son and protector. I enjoyed this historical mystery novel.

57loriephillips
Modifié : Mar 26, 2010, 12:18 am

Nice to know Grave Goods is a good read. I've read the first two books in the series and enjoyed them, but have not yet read this one.

58torontoc
Mar 26, 2010, 4:40 pm

34.This Boy's Life: a memoir by Tobias Wolff. I really enjoyed this memoir about the author's (wait for it ..) disfunctional upbringing. Wolff's mother took him from city to city in the west avoiding unsuitable boyfriends. Finally she married a man with three children who really was a bad stepfather to Wolff. As a young boy he had a loyalty to his mother. Wolff stole and drank but he also tried to follow his stepfather's instructions. ( belong to the boy scouts, take a paper route) Wolff wanted approval and eventually found a way out of his dead end life. I have some of his other books of short stories and memoirs that I hope to read this year.

59torontoc
Avr 1, 2010, 8:29 pm

35. There Once Lived a Woman Who Tried To Kill Her Neighbor's Baby: Scary Fairy Tales by Ludmilla Petrushevskaya. Selected and translated by Keith Gessen and Anna Summers. I did not know anything about this Russian author.This collection represents a selection of her mystical and fantastic tales. In some ways they are representative of the repressive society that Petrushevskaya lived in. The introduction says that the author" describes the absolute breakdown of traditional values. " A fascinating book.

36. The Sun Over Breda by Arturo Perez-Reverte. This is the third in the Captain Alatriste series and I am happy to say that it is much better than the second book. This story is about the Spanish army in the Netherlands and the fight for Breda. The descriptions of the battles and the hardships faced by the men are very realistic. You, the reader, also get a sense of the kind of fighting that led to the Spanish victory.

37. The Painter of Battles by Arturo Perez-Reverte. This book relates the story of a present day photographer of wars and battles who has retired to a tower on the Spanish coast. Here he is painting a mural on the tower's inside walls that show the inhumanity of war. The painter has taken his ideas from painters from the past. The descriptions of the paintings and the painting technique are very accurate. A stranger comes to the tower and says that he will kill the painter after he tries to understand him.The stranger was the subject of the painter's photograph many years before. That photo changed his life. The book then becomes an exchange of ideas between the two men as the painter recognizes the stranger.The stories include the relationship between the painter and his late girlfriend. Very well written.

38. Granta 107 Another very good compilation of memoirs, photographs, fiction and non-fiction.

60clif_hiker
Avr 1, 2010, 8:40 pm

I like Arturo Perez-Reverte very much. I have several on my TBR.

61iftyzaidi
Avr 2, 2010, 1:45 am

Painter of Battles sounds very intriguing! Will have to bump it up the order in my tbr list!

62torontoc
Avr 3, 2010, 2:42 pm


39. Mukiwa: A White Boy in Africa by Peter Godwin. This is the first of the two memoirs that Godwin wrote about his upbringing in Rhodesia and later Zimbabwe. Godwin was educated in various schools in the country and later served in the police force just before the change from white rule. Godwin becomes a journalist and is eventually banned from the country. It is interesting to note that he looks at the injustices committed by all sides or groups. I liked his second memoir better but this one is very good.

63torontoc
Avr 3, 2010, 8:50 pm

40. The Frozen Thames by Helen Humphreys. What a lovely book! ( visually interesting as well as well written) Humphreys has written 40 very brief stories that span the years from 1142 to 1927 about imagined events that take place on the frozen Thames river. Some of the stories are based on real events. The characters are well drawn and the plots are finely etched. A very nice interlude!

64torontoc
Modifié : Avr 6, 2010, 2:30 pm

41. Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell. Julie Powell's account of her year cooking her way through Julia Child's book is hilarious. This is a very different person than the one portrayed in the movie. The real Julie Powell is baudy, funny,and given to swearing and tantrums. The book certainly is a very different study than Julia Child's memoir. I enjoyed it although some of the recipes that Julie cooked don't sound very appetizing. ( aspic?) Her descriptions of both friends, family and food are fun to read.

42.I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. I understand that this book was written in 1949. It does read like a period piece although well written. So - I did like it and the heroine Cassandra. However, what set me off ( on a bit of a rant ) is the attitudes of the time. The father - considered a genius writer- is forgiven for really neglecting his children. In fact, I believe that today such behaviour would land him in court for child abuse. ( the family never has anything to eat and exisited on the real kindness of others.) The daughters saw marriage to a rich man as their only way out. Cassandra was bright , but " left school" and lived an aimless existance in an old castle. I know that the behaviours would be considered normal -or near normal at that time- but.. end of rant. I liked the book but the attitudes made me grit my teeth.

I looked at the reviews for I Capture the Castle. Most loved it and compared the plot to Jane Austen's work. I guess that I can see the Cinderella qualities in the book. Interesting!

65loriephillips
Avr 6, 2010, 3:09 pm

I agree with your comments regarding I Capture the Castle. It is well written, but the attitudes and neglect made me cringe a little bit. It probably causes more discomfort for a modern reader than those who read it in 1949.

66Nickelini
Avr 6, 2010, 7:30 pm

Interesting comments about I Capture the Castle, which is high on Mnt. TBR. You remind me of some of my thoughts on Swallows and Amazons, which I read a few years ago. "Go off boating and camping for the summer by yourselves, children! Have fun!"

67torontoc
Avr 7, 2010, 10:38 pm

43. A Death in Vienna by Daniel Silva. The author writes a good thriller. What more could I ask for- spies, a good story line, interesting history of the Holocaust, and a fast moving pace. Silva has this genre down to an art and I look forward to reading more in the series.

68torontoc
Avr 11, 2010, 11:29 pm

44. Cary Grant : A Biography by Marc Eliot. I picked up this book from my TBR pile. It had been given to me when I just got out of the hospital. I was in a mood-didn't want to read my Early Reviewer book just yet- (Stalin and friends play a big part). As a biography, the author didn't solve any mysteries ( he never saw any FBI files on Grant) but did a not too bad job on the story. I found out about some gossip on 1930's and 40's actors-who knew what was said about Gary Cooper! I am now refreshed and ready to read some more substantial work!

69torontoc
Avr 13, 2010, 1:35 pm

I wasn't going to read this book next but I am glad that I did.
45. The Golden Mean by Annabel Lyon. This book was nominated for three of the top literary prizes in Canada. It won the Writers' Trust Award and is well deserved. Lyon writes about the time that Aristotle spent in Pella at Philip of Macedon's court, teaching the boy, Alexander. This historical novel reads beautifully with wonderful characters based on real people. The story is also about the early life of Aristotle. Alexander is depicted as a bright but dangerous adolescent. The teachings of Aristotle, and politics are engrossing. I read the book in two days- couldn't stop. Highly Recommended.

70torontoc
Avr 14, 2010, 9:12 pm

46. Writing in the Dark: Essays on Literature and Politics by David Grossman. First of all, thank you to Squeaky Chu for pointing out this book. Grossman's essays cover his feelings on writing,and tragedy both for his family and the Mideast situation(s). The essays were composed for talks at conferences articles and meetings 2002-2007 and the Yitzhak Rabin Memorical Rally in 2006. Grossman approaches the subjects of writing, politics and culture with honesty and insight. A recommended read for those interested in the art of the writer and Mideast relationships.

71captainsflat
Avr 15, 2010, 7:08 am

I really enjoy the range of your reading. There are some titles here I must definitely follow up. Thank you!

72wookiebender
Avr 15, 2010, 8:12 am

#68> Did Cary Grant have an FBI file?? I never knew!

Good books, as usual. Nice (and interesting!) choice of books, I'll have to keep my eye out for The Golden Mean in particular.

73torontoc
Modifié : Avr 18, 2010, 11:07 am

47. The Waterproof Bible by Andrew Kaufman. The author writes about a number of related people who have relationship issues. They are all quirky (one character-Rebecca can project her emotions on to others and she keeps souvenirs of good and bad times in a self storage unit.) Rebecca's sister, Lisa dies, and before the funeral a number of actions change the course of several lives. Lisa's husband, Louis, runs away from the funeral and heads out to Winnipeg where he encounters a woman who says that she is God. Rebecca contacts her husband, Stewart, who left her and is now living in Manitoba and building a boat in the Prairies. Just when you, the reader, think that you have sorted out the issues that unite and separate the characters, Kaufman throws you a curve ball. He creates a race of "Aquatics"- entities who live under water, and can also exist on land. The green creature,Aby, driving recklessly in Toronto nearly crashes into the funeral limosine carrying Lisa's relatives. Aby has a mission and this plot line neatly intersects with the Lisa/Rebecca/Stewart/Louis relationships. This book is funny, creative( you learn a lot about the "Aquatic" culture) and a joy to read. The end is sorted out nicely for me and I highly recommend this book. I couldn't call it science fiction- but see for yourself.

74torontoc
Avr 18, 2010, 5:39 pm

48. The Emergence of Memory: conversations with W.G. Sebald by Lynne Sharon Schwartz. This slim volume is a compilation of reviews, interviews and essays on the work of the late author W.G. Sebald. Sebald had an interesting history. Born in 1944, his father was in the German army. His parents said nothing about their wartime experiences. Sebald felt that he had to leave Germany and eventually settled in Manchester, England where he taught at the university. His books were all written in German and late translated into English. Much has been written about Sebald's style- he used a style named " a prose poem" for After Nature. He used many photographs that were both real and in some cases, manipulated. His sentence structure and format were works of art in themselves. Sebald was lucky to have gifted translators. Sebald's subjects were based on real people and histories.He never mentions the Holocaust although certainly the subject matter figures prominently in his work.
This book helps the reader navigate Sebald's work. I found it informative and it has also given me a path to relook at Sebald's books. ( I read four of his books a number of years ago). Tragically Sebald died in a motor accident in 2001. This book of essays helps to place Sebald in the forefront of late twentieth century writing and response to the events of World War II. Do read Sebald's work before reading this volume. Recommended

75wookiebender
Avr 18, 2010, 8:35 pm

I've got one Sebald on the TBR shelves - Rings of Saturn. I think I might bump it up a bit on the pile, he sounds like a very intriguing writer!

76torontoc
Avr 20, 2010, 3:50 pm

49. Market Day by James SturmThis is a graphic novel that relates the story of a rug weaver some where in Eastern Europe before World War II The man is going to sell his rugs in the market. He encounters major problems in his journey. There is uncertainty as the reader does not know how the weaver will solve his problems. The characters and landscape of the villages are very strong and precisely composed. The artist/writer does credit the work of photographer Roman Vishniac. ( subject of a very interesting article in the New York Times Magazine a couple of weeks ago). Nice work by a graphic novelist and artist.

77torontoc
Avr 20, 2010, 10:37 pm

50. The Betrayal by Helen Dunmore. Dunmore's latest novel continues the story of Anna and Andrei from her last book about Soviet life-The Siege. In The Siege, Anna and her family survived the siege of Leningrad by the Germans. She had met Andrei, a doctor who had fought with her father in the defense of the city. The Betrayal takes up the story of their lives after the war,Married to Anna, Andrei was a doctor in one of the hospitals. Anna still worked at a nursery while her brother, Kolya had become a rebellious teenager. The early 1950s' was a time of living carefully and not attracting too much attention to oneself. The plot of the book revolves around Andrei's care of the son of a very powerful man. The boy, Gorya, is very ill with cancer. One of Andrei's colleagues at the hospital arranges for Andrei to give an opinion and eventually take charge of the case. Unfortunately when things do not go well, Andrei must take the blame. The book examines the feelings and arrangements that people take in order to preserve their lives. The story is heartfelt although I felt that the prose could have been edited more. The description of the Soviet interrogation process is horrific but other authors had done it with a more sinister impact. Interesting addition to the growing list of books on modern Russian times.

78torontoc
Avr 24, 2010, 4:25 pm

51. Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli. This is a graphic novel that was sent to me by a relative. It is very good!. Both the story and the graphic illustrations are well thought out. The book follows the life of Asterios Ployp, a university professor of architecture, and his relationships. The character goes through a number of catistrophic events in his life and the reader is shown two threads-the past and the present. But this is not a simple story. The author explains Asterios's theories of art and design as well as other character's take on life and the universe.
Recommended if you are interested in graphic novels.

79torontoc
Avr 28, 2010, 9:51 am

52.The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Excellent short stories that revolve around life in Nigeria,and new lives in the United States. The themes of lives interrupted by politics and tragedy are adeptly described by the author. Some of the stories have been published previously in the New Yorker and Granta magazines. Highly Recommended.

80torontoc
Avr 29, 2010, 8:44 pm

53. Poppy Shakespeare by Clare Allan. This first bookl by the author is very sad. It is a satire on the mental health system in England. The narrator has been in the system her whole life. "N" goes to a day programme at a hospital. She is asked to show a new person- Poppy Shakespeare- around. Poppy protests that she should not be there. The story of how Poppy got to the mental health unit and how she tries to cope is bizarre. Well written.

81wookiebender
Avr 29, 2010, 9:20 pm

I've got *both* of Adichie's novels on Mt TBR. I really must make the time to read them!

82torontoc
Mai 3, 2010, 4:15 pm

54. The Egyptologist by Arthur Phillips.This was a fun read. Secret murders, opposing digs in Egypt, lies and characters that don't tell the truth or do- I enjoyed every twist and turn in this novel. I found that in order to figure out what really happened, you, the reader, have to look for the clues that might be dashed off as an aside. Recommended.

83torontoc
Mai 4, 2010, 11:15 am


55. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Greg Mortenson is an amazing person. When I read what he has accomplished in Pakistan and Afghanistan, I was thrilled. He has the right idea in his work to establish schools for girls. I did think that his ghost writer or second writer didn't do his story justice in the first half of the book. I gather that Mortenson has used another writer for his second book. Worth reading for the memoir part.

84torontoc
Mai 5, 2010, 11:17 pm

56. Broccoli and Other Tales of Food and Love by Lara Vapnyar. I really like this author's short stories. This book relates the conflicts and loves of new Russian immigrants living in New York. Each story is linked with a recipe or food item.And the author has a section of recipes at the end of the book which is very amusing.I have read all of Vapnyar's books. Her first and third are the best-short stories. Her second book, a novel- I wasn't so happy with.

85pamelad
Mai 6, 2010, 5:42 am

torontoc, I had the same response to Three Cups of Tea and bought a few copies for friends, because Mortenson's charity gets a %. I know some of the recipients did the same. I'm now waiting for his next book to come out in paperback.

86torontoc
Mai 6, 2010, 7:48 am

I have been told that the second book is better written- I am also waiting for the paperback.

87torontoc
Mai 7, 2010, 11:09 pm

57. My Letter to the World and Other Poems by Emily Dickinson and illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault I'm not sure whether the touchstones will refer to the right book. KCP Poetry or Kids Can Press has commissioned a number of illustrators to interpret some notable poets' work. The illustrations by Isabelle Arsenault are beautiful and capture the spirit of the work. Highly recommended as is the whole series of books called "Visions in Poetry"

88torontoc
Mai 9, 2010, 10:14 am

58. Things I've Been Silent About: Memories of a Prodigal Daughter by Azar Nafisi Azar Nafisi writes about her family and the history of Iranian politics as it relates to her life in Iran. She doesn't cover the activities of her first book but concentrates on her love/hate relationship with her mother. As well, Nafisi writes about her relationship with her father-he was mayor of Tehran and then jailed on a trumped up bribery charge during the shah's reign. Really interesting account!

89torontoc
Mai 10, 2010, 8:11 am

59. Italian Fever by Valerie Martin. Valerie Martin writes very interesting books. I really liked Property. Italian Fever is not as very good as Property but still is worth reading. A mediocre writer of best selling books dies in a small village in Italy. His assistant , Lucy is sent to deal with the funeral, and his belongings and papers. Lucy stays in the house that the author had lived in and tries to resolve some unanswered questions about the author's life. An affair with the handsome but married translator and a raging fever help Lucy find herself as well as find the answers. There are also some nice descriptions about the effect of real art as Lucy sees the work of Bernini in Rome. A good read!

90torontoc
Mai 18, 2010, 4:12 pm

60. Nikolski by Nicolas Dickner and translated by Lazer Lederhendler I just finished this book that was the winner of Canada Reads. I was amused and really liked the characters from the Prairies and the Atlantic coast who eventually ended up in Montreal- for a while. Dumpster diving as the new piracy, long lost relatives ending up in Nikolski or not, and finding and losing love are some of the main themes. Again this year, I loved the book but hated the ending. I don't like good characters drifting off. So the book was not satisfying in that regard. But do read it

91torontoc
Mai 19, 2010, 10:14 pm

61. The War Memoir of (HRH)Wallis Duchess of Windsor a novel by Kate Auspitz. This ER book is terrific. Auspitz writes a novel where she imagines part of the life of the Duchess of Windsor. In this altered world, Wallis is working or "run" by for the British government. All her actions are taken to insure that Edward does not remain king. The memoirs show a very vain, not very knowledgeable woman who lives to wear nice clothes and jewels. She is certainly brighter than her husband who is referred as having the "I.Q. of a radish" at one point.The reader doesn't have a sense of how Wallis got into this position.She is very passive in her situation. Her handlers are Duff Cooper, and the writer W.Somerset Maughn. They direct her to initiate relationships with a number of politicians. At times the reader has to remember that this is a novel although it feels like a real memoir. The book sets up a number of interesting speculations. Did Wallis Simpson really love Edward or as in this book, go along with instructions to marry him? Edward's prejudice against Jews, Roosevelt , his favouritism towards the Germans and Hitler and his infantile behaviour at most times are an interesting take on why Wallis Simpson really did England a favour by taking him out of politics. The author really sets up a very interesting set of questions for the reader. The depiction of Edward is very cruel but accurate? What kind of manoeuvres that did take place in this fiction mirrored reality? Wallis is depicted as easily led but clever enough to manage her husband. This is a very intriguing book with its mix of real and unreal. The footnotes are fun and again raise a number of questions. A very interesting read!

92torontoc
Mai 21, 2010, 10:21 am

62. Monet's Passion: Ideas, Inspiration, and Insights from the Painter's Gardens by Elizabeth Murray.
This is a book for gardeners and admirers of Monet's paintings and garden at Giverny. The author spent time as a gardener at Giverny. She writes about the history of both the house where Monet lived with his family and the garden. Murray has captured the beauty of this property with beautiful descriptions and lush detailed photographs of the flowers, trees and bushes and Monet's paintings. A wonderful feature is the careful description and diagrams of the plants used in all the garden features. The plans are explained so that readers can try to duplicate the colours and flowers in their own space. In a way this book is a textbook for the garden that Monet created and used as his inspiration for his art.

93torontoc
Mai 29, 2010, 11:44 am

63. The Black Tower. by Louis Bayard. Bayard is an author whose work I really have grown to like. His mix of historical fiction and mystery draw the reader into the events of the past.In this novel a not very successful medical student and young man, Hector Carpentier, in 1818 Paris is dragged into the investigation of a murder by the master former thief and now head of the Undercover Police, Vidocq. The quest involves the mystery of the fate of the son of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. The dauphin was supposed to have died while in captivity. However, Hector's father was the doctor who took care of the dauphin and he may have been part of a plot to save the young boy. The fast paced story has a number of twists and events that lead the reader to a intereesting conclusion. Recommended for those who like historical fiction and mystery

94torontoc
Mai 31, 2010, 1:22 pm

64. Queen of the South by Arturo Perez-Reverte. My brother recommended this book to me. I had just finished one of the author's more recent books. I must admit that the subject matter- drug smuggling and the people who take part- isn't what I usually read about but the heroine, Teresa and her story, was quite absorbing. The author tells the story two ways- one from the point of view of the main character and the other from the view of a journalist interviewing people who were part of Teresa's story. Teresa started out as the girlfriend of a smuggler in her native Mexico. When she hears that her boyfriend has been killed , she knows that she must get away as she will be the next victim. The reader follows this woman as she moves to the south of Spain and becomes more involved in the tranportation of drugs. The story has it's exciting moments.At some point, you the reader wonder whether some of the details and people were inspired by real people and events. A very good read.

95Nickelini
Mai 31, 2010, 3:08 pm

Cyrel - I've never heard of Queen of the South before. It sounds intriguing.

96torontoc
Mai 31, 2010, 10:31 pm

It is- my brother recommended it when I borrowed his copy of The Painter of Battles.

97wookiebender
Mai 31, 2010, 11:43 pm

I've read some books by Arturo Perez-Reverte (the Captain Alatriste ones) and enjoyed them. I have some of his others on Mt TBR, waiting for me, but not that one. (Kinda wish I did have that one, now... ;)

98torontoc
Juin 2, 2010, 9:40 am

I found my copy of the book through Bookmooch.

65. The Pale Blue Eye by Louis Bayard. This is a book that I might want to read again This novel was about a murder at West Point Academy in 1830. A retired detective, Augustus Landor, is asked to investigate. He enlists the help of a cadet, Edgar Allan Poe. The story introduces many intriguing characters and the plot, about motives and continuing dangers is thought provoking.However, the surprise ending leads me to wonder about the unreliable narrator device. I am not sure that there were enough clues to lead the reader to the final conclusion. So , at some point I am going to look at the book again. I did enjoy it .

99torontoc
Juin 4, 2010, 9:18 pm

66. The City and The City by China Mieville. All I can say is wow. This story held my interest through the chases and the murder and the mystery. A detective in the city of Beszel is looking into the murder of a graduate student who may be involved with some extremist groups. The complication is that Beszel is closely linked with another city, Ul Qoma. In fact the cities overlap although their respective inhabitants have been trained to ignore or " unlook" at any one or thing from the other city.The gradual understanding of how each city works is revealed slowly by the author. I really enjoyed the premise and the chase!

100torontoc
Juin 5, 2010, 11:46 am

67. In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin. This book is a series of short stories about a wide range of characters who live in Pakistan. The very rich and poor are described in situations of abject poverty or abundant wealth. The tone of the stories is sad. The privileged do not know what to do with their lives or are in uncomfortable relationships. The very poor try to better their positions but inevitably end up worse than they started. I liked the tragic feeling invoked by the stories and hope to read more by this author.

101torontoc
Juin 6, 2010, 10:00 am

68. Shadow and Light by Jonathan Rabb.On paper, this book should have been good. A detective in 1927 Berlin, a few bodies and missing persons, a lost process for creating sound films, interest by the National Socialist Party in the investigation, and interesting underworld figures would lead the the reader to think that this novel would be great. Unfortunately, the plot got a little muddled. I think that the author had too many strands to tie up at the end so that the mystery was not as clear as it should have been. The author is writing a sequel featuring the detective's son.-The Second Son. I might read it.

102torontoc
Juin 6, 2010, 5:03 pm

69. The Dutchman: a historical mysteryby Maan Meyers. This novel is the first in a series of historical novels that use the members of one family throughout history in New York. ( starting with New Amsterdam in this book) Pieter Tonneman is trying to solve a murder during the time the English have blockcaded New Amsterdam,The historical information is very interesting. The actual plot does become a little melodramatic. I guess that I have read better books.

103wookiebender
Juin 7, 2010, 9:31 pm

I got The City and the City from the library a little while ago - I'd better go and start reading it before I have to return it!

104torontoc
Modifié : Juin 9, 2010, 11:32 am

70. The Black Book of Colors by Menena Cottin and Rosana Faria. translated by Elisa Amado. I put in an order to Amazon and added this children's book that had been on my wish list for ages. The book uses raised line drawings on black paper and narration ( describing the imagery) to describe colours. The author and illustrator demonstrate how it is possible to present a visual image in touch and sound. The book was originally written in Spanish. It is quite astounding.

105wookiebender
Juin 9, 2010, 6:44 pm

Oh, I've seen that in the bookshops! It really is quite a remarkable piece of work. (And it turned up in the school's bookdrive, but my kids chose much more colourful books to donate to the school.)

And I've started The City and the City and I do rather like it so far! Thanks for the recommendation, even though I'd already snaffled it from the library. :)

106torontoc
Juin 9, 2010, 7:15 pm

Interesting that Mieville also used the theme of two linked cities for his YA book- Un Lun Dun.
The embossing in The Black Book of Colors is so well done.

71. Through Black Spruce by Joseph Boyden. This book won the Giller Prize a year and a half ago and I am glad that I read it. I did like the story and structure. There are essentially two major threads and narratives. A former bush pilot, Willy Bird is in a coma in a hospital in Moose Factory. He relates the story of his later life-the threats against his life and his dealings with his friends and relatives. At the same time, his niece, Annie, is visiting him in the hospital and telling Willy about her search for her missing sister, Suzanne and her life modelling in Montreal and New York. I found the story interesting although there was too much description about hunting in the north for my taste. In fact when I compare my reactions to Boyden's first book-Three Day Road- I prefer the story of Three Day Road.I still think that this book is a good read.

107wookiebender
Juin 9, 2010, 7:26 pm

You know, I might buy The Black Book of Colours for myself, as a nice piece of book art. I don't have to wait for the kids to think it's cool first!

108torontoc
Juin 10, 2010, 6:36 pm

72. Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann. This is a wonderful book. I love the language, the phrases, and the plot lines that converge at some points. The story takes place in New York in 1974. A tightrope walker is walking on a cable stretched between the twin towers. The event is sometimes central and sometimes peripheral to the lives of a woman mourning her son's death in the Vietnam war, an Irish monk trying to help prostitutes in the Bronx and other characters who interact in this novel. McCann recreates the beginning of computers, taggers, and the violence in the city of New York. However, the mood and tone is optimistic in some ways with the survival of those who were affected by those times. Highly Recommended.

109loriephillips
Juin 10, 2010, 9:18 pm

Nice to know that Let the Great World Spin is a good read since I've got it on the TBR pile!

110wookiebender
Juin 10, 2010, 9:29 pm

It's on my Mt TBR as well. So many good comments about it here, I couldn't resist!

111torontoc
Juin 11, 2010, 8:45 pm

73. The Kingsbridge Plot by Maan Meyers. This historical novel is the second in a series that follows one family through the history of early New York. I did like this book better than the first. The murder plot was enhanced by real history of the almost poisoning of George Washington in 1775. The history ,as in the first book, was interesting. The plot line and characters were better. An interesting but not fabulous read.

112torontoc
Juin 12, 2010, 8:19 am

74. Far Flung and Well Fed: The Food Writing of R.W. Apple Jr. by R.W. Apple Jr. with a forward by Corby Kummer. I have been reading this book for about three months now. It is a compilation of the food reviews of R.W. Apple Jr. from all parts of the United States and many countries around the world. Some of the reviews end with mouth-watering recipes. The descriptions and history of bourbon, paprika, herring, and Worcester sauce-to name a few- are interesting for the background and judgements on taste. A lovely book for the reading and as a reference.

113torontoc
Juin 13, 2010, 10:12 am

75. Zoli by Colum McCann. After reading Let the Great World Spin, I realized that I had one of McCann's books in my book tower. So I read Zoli. It is an accomplished novel about a Roma woman from Slovakia who is a noted singer and poet. Zoli tells the horrific story of her life- her family killed just before World War Two, her travels and life in the communist state where her image is used by the government,and her survival alone. The story is told by Zoli and two other narrators- an Englishman who collected her poems for publication, and a nameless journalist. McCann says in his author's note that he was inspired by the book by Isabel Fonseca-Bury Me Standing: The Gypsies and Their Journey. I did read that book many years ago and it does give a good sense of the lives of the Roma people. McCann's book never goes to the melodramatic but gets dangerously close. He does use part of the real life story of a singer Papusza. I think that this book does not have the " magic " of Let the Great World Spin. It is a good read but I am glad that McCann's more recent work is better.

114torontoc
Modifié : Juin 14, 2010, 11:23 am

76. Delicate Edible Birds and Other Stories by Lauren Groff. I was really looking forward to reading this book as I had really liked her novel The Monsters of Templeton. Well, I hated these stories! Except for the first one " Lucky Chow Fun" which had all the good features of the novel- endearing characters, good dialogue and a good plot. The rest of the stories had a different style- all narrative, horrible things happening for really no reason in my opinion and curiously flat. So I did read the whole book hoping for a return to the first story's charm. It didn't happen. I just checked the reviews of this book- I am in the minority- everyone else loves it!

115torontoc
Juin 20, 2010, 9:09 am

77. Granta 57 India! The Golden Jubilee I got around to reading this old issue of Granta- I like Granta for the variety of writing. In this case, great memoirs of living in India and excerpts of fiction by Indian and British authors make this issue a good reference for Indian history and literature.

116torontoc
Juin 22, 2010, 8:39 am

78. Prince of Fire by Daniel Silva. Sometimes when I am in the middle of deciding what to read next, I pick up a mystery. This book was a quick read in the world of spies and lots of revenge.

117torontoc
Juin 24, 2010, 1:21 pm

79. The Journal of Helene Berr translated by David Bellos. Helene Berr was a young French woman who lived with her parents in Paris. She kept a diary of her thoughts from 1942 until she was arrested in 1944. Helene Berr wrote about her boyfriend, Gerard who had left France to fight with the Free French, and her increasing doubts about their relationship. After breaking off the engagement, she met another young man,Jean. The diary records their meetings as they both go to classes at the Sorbonne. Helene became involved with a group that was trying to place orphaned Jewish children with families. Her life as recorded in the diary is a very cultured one- playing the violin in groups with friends, going to lectures, and dealing with some very terrible times. Helene's father was an industrialist who was arrested and sent to Drancy concentration camp; he was released after his firm paid a large ransom. Helene's brothers and sisters did leave Paris- she stayed with her parents and thought of leaving much too late. She was killed in Bergen Belsen five days before it's liberation. The diary is of a very thoughtful young woman, intelligent and despairing over the events of the time. A very good read.

118torontoc
Juil 4, 2010, 7:57 am

80. The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt.This was an interesting book as a story and a compendium of information on the Fabians,boys's English public schools, Theosophy, puppets, fairy tales, woman's rights and the beginning of the twentieth century and the close of the nineteenth. I found that multiple characters and families a little confusing at first. When I read more, the relationships were clearer and the stories became moving. Although the book centers at first on the Wellwood family and the matriarch, Olive, I felt that certain issues became more key. The role for women in society was an important thread to me. Caught in situations that proved to be intolerable, the nineteenth century woman had few choices. Olive put up with her husband's philandering even though she became the breadwinner. Her daughter, Dorothy, as a twentieth century woman made her own decisions about her life and career. Her brother, Tom was lost about growing up. I eventually found the stories and characters fascinating. Byatt ends with the havoc that World War I had on families. Definitely recommended.

119jfetting
Juil 4, 2010, 9:15 am

Ooooh, I can't wait to read The Children's Book. Great review!

120torontoc
Juil 9, 2010, 2:38 pm

81. Old Filth by Jane Gardam. I read this book in honour of Orange July- Gardam 's book was on the 2005 Orange Prize shortlist. I started the book for a second time-the first time I was not drawn into the story. On the recommendation of a friend whose taste I trust, I started again.A retired 80 year old Judge who spend his professional life in Hong Kong, is reliving his past after his wife dies. Sir Edward Feathers was known as Old Filth-failed in London try Hong Kong. However the book really deals with this man's early life in England and his present understanding of his past relationships.Born in Malaysia-his mother dying just after birth- and shipped to England to be brought up, Feathers never had a real relationship with his father. Gardam cleverly adds details about Feather's wife and aunts that give the reader added information on the deceits that shaped Feathers life. This is a beautifuly written book.

121torontoc
Juil 13, 2010, 8:22 pm

82.Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain. I like food writing. I started to like this book but found it repetitive after the first chapters. Bourdain's writing is amusing but Heat by Bill Buford is better. I don't think that I want to eat in any of the restaurants mentioned.( I know enough not to order any meat well done but now! absolutely)

122torontoc
Juil 19, 2010, 5:28 pm

83. Beyond Black by Hilary Mantel. This is my second Orange July read. Hilary Mantel is a superb writer. This is the third of her novels that I have read. Each story has it's own unique voice. This book is about ghosts and mediums- specifically one named Alison. Alison is a medium who is successful but finds herself taking on an assistant-Colette- to make her life easier. Throughout the novel Alison reveals her nightmarish past- the men who tormented her and her horrible mother. Alison's spirit guide, Morris, is also a big problem.By turns, funny and cruel, this story is about ghosts and the spirit world. A very good read!

84.If Today Be Sweet by Thrity Umrigar. I liked certain aspects of this book about a newly widowed Parsi woman from Mumbai who is staying with her son and his family in Ohio. Tehmina is not sure whether she wants to stay in the US with her family or return to India. The feelings expressed by the son and mother about their relationship and life in
America and India are very interesting. The plot line doesn't ring true. I hesitantly recommend this book-there are better stories out there ( my recommendation- Anita Rau Badami

123torontoc
Juil 24, 2010, 8:54 am


85. Empress of Asia by Adam Lewis Schroeder. I liked this first novel by the author. The story is really about a very young and innocent man, Harry Winslow who is caught up in World War II in Singapore and the former Dutch Indies. Harry works on ships that take goods and soldiers around the world. His ship is blown up entering Singapore and the book is his story of surviving the war in the camps. The complication is his meeting with Lily Brown and her mother in Singapore and their story. The beginning and end of the book-the story of the elder Harry journeying to Thailand to fulfill the wish of his dead wife, is not as believable as the rest of the book. ( I am really not including spoilers as the details are from the first pages of the novel) Other than that, I am looking forward to this author's next work.

124torontoc
Juil 24, 2010, 2:12 pm


86. Forever Flowing by Vasily Grossman. When I think of the time that this book was written, I am amazed at the author's bold account of Soviet history. The story of a man who has just returned from 30 years in the Gulag is the main topic. However, Grossman digresses and gives the reader an account of the suffering of the famine in the Ukraine and the fate of women prisoners as well as a very informed opinion on the theories of both Lenin and Stalin. Grossman died in 1964. This book was published in1970. It was translated into English by Thomas Whitney in 1972. I am curious at the reaction by Russian readers and will have to do some research. Recommended highly.

125torontoc
Juil 25, 2010, 9:21 am


87. Except the Dying by Maureen Jennings. This mystery is the first in a series about a detective, William Murdoch, in 1895 Toronto. I had previous seen the TV series ( very good) and heard the author talk about crime in the 1890's. Murdoch is working on solving the murder of a young servant girl. The complications that surround the suspects are very interesting. Jennings writes a good story and I will be reading the whole series. Her books were just re-released this year in a new printing

126torontoc
Juil 27, 2010, 8:25 pm

88. Save the Deli: In Search of Perfect Pastrami, Crusty Rye, and the Heart of Jewish Delicatessen. by David Sax. I did enjoy this book. It is part history and part anecdotal reporting on the state of deli's in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The author has good knowledge of how to make deli meat, and what the standard should be. Sax also has a sense of the atmosphere that a good deli should have. This is a very entertaining book. It is also sad as it chronicles the deli's that have closed. Sax's book is a social history of an institution that is really North American

127wookiebender
Juil 27, 2010, 11:27 pm

Ooh, pastrami. I can feel lunch calling to me now! Shame there are no great Deli's around here...

128torontoc
Juil 31, 2010, 8:08 am

89. Chef by Jaspreet Singh This ER book has been shortlisted for a number of literary prizes. I can understand why as the author has expertly chronicled the life of a man who was a chef in the Indian army in Kashmir. The book has a melancholy feeling. The main character is a mostly relaible narrator although , because of some key information revealed at the beginning of the book , the reader does wonder about his revelations that have a nightmare quality. Kirpal Singh's father died on the Siachen glacier. Kip follows his father,joins the army and is assigned to the Kashmir area. He is at first a cook's apprentice in the house of a general. His mentor, Kishen, teaches him about cooking and more. This book is interesting as the reader learns about Indian cooking as well as following a story. Kip's interaction with a woman accused of being a terrorist is a key theme throughout the book. His life as a cook for the general leads him to learn of the contradictions of the struggle in Kashmir. I did like this book although some of the events seem to take place in a dream. This effect is understandable as we learn of Kip's recent history.

129torontoc
Août 2, 2010, 8:39 pm

90. Bringing Home the Birkin by Michael Tonello. This is a cute book about the author's adventures as a reseller of Hermes scarves and Birkin bags. A fun,light summer read.

130torontoc
Modifié : Août 4, 2010, 8:34 am

91. Burmese Lessons by Karen Connelly. Karen Connelly won the Orange Broadbend Prize for New Writers with her novel The Lizard Cage. It should be read either before or after this memoir which sets the stage for her research for that book. The novel has an incredible power. The memoir makes more sense if you see how Connelly crafts her fiction. There are really two different tones to both books. In The Lizard Cage, you the reader really suffer with the imprisoned protagonist. Burmese Lessons relates the author's travels in Burma and Thailand and her meeting with many Burmese activists. The memoir is also the story of Connelly's love affair with a leading activist, Maung. Connelly suffers from indicision as she interviews and travels through the border country. She wonders whether her contribution as a writer matters as much as the work done by journalists and NGO's. Connelly also learns about the priorities that Maung puts on their relationship compared to his calling as a revolutionary leader. Although Connelly writes about her actions in meeting many activists, you don't get a sense of her own worth until you read The Lizard Cage. Burmese Lessons is interesting and an autobiography of a point in Connelly's life. But her novel, The Lizard Cage is outstanding and justifies her work in her memoir. Read both.

131Nickelini
Août 4, 2010, 12:40 am

Okay! I will read both! Lizard Cage has been on my wish list for too long, so I'll have to move on it.

132torontoc
Août 5, 2010, 8:55 am

92. In Pharaoh's Army: Memories of the Lost War by Tobias Wolff. I had read Wolff's about his childhood -This Boy's Life and was eager to read his next memoir. This series of linked short stories take place during the Vietnam war. Wolff had joined the army and was stationed as a liaison officer with the Vietnamese army. The descriptions of the situations in battle and the relationships with the people and soldiers sound similar to the current situation in Afghanistan. Wolff provides the reader with a vision of survival, destruction and in some cases, the funny and bizarre episodes that mark his time in Vietnam. Highly recommended.

133torontoc
Août 6, 2010, 10:46 am

93. Women of the Silk by Gail Tsukiyama This novel is about a young girl in southern China in the 1920's who is given by her parents to the silk industry. The family is poor. The daughter, Pei, will live at a girls house and work in the silk factory-giving her earning to support her family. The story follows Pei as she grows up and makes friends. I learned a lot about the condition of the factories and the young girls who worked there. The author also writes about the practice of young women who give up marriage and live independently. This was Tsukiyama's first novel. I think that her later work becomes more complex. A satisfying read.

134torontoc
Août 10, 2010, 11:05 am

94. Dreamers of the Dayby Mary Doria Russell. Imagine an American middle aged woman ( by the narrator's own description) who takes a trip to Egypt in 1921. She meets and travels with Winston Churchill, T.E. Lawrence, Gertrude Bell and a few other notable politicians. This historical novel that explains the creation of some of the Middle East countries, is also a coming of age for the heroine, Agnes. All of Agnes' relatives have died in the influenza epidemic. Having been repressed and guided solely by her late mother, Agnes really breaks out of her old life as a teacher and determines that she wants to visit Cairo and perhaps the mission where her late sister taught. Travelling with a small dog, Rosie, Agnes meets Col. Lawrence and a German spy, Kurt Wielbacher. The story is interesting and a pleasure to read. The only aspect of the book that I did not like as much was the last chapter. ( no spoilers here). Recommended.

135wookiebender
Août 10, 2010, 11:36 pm

I keep on hearing good things about Russell's The Sparrow. And now I'm finding other good books of hers to read too! Oh, the wishlist is exploding...

136torontoc
Août 11, 2010, 8:44 am

I will have to look for The Sparrow.

95. C'est La Vie: An American Woman Begins a New Life in Paris and--Viola--Becomes Almost French by Suzy Gershman. This memoir was a nice light summer read. The author, known for her Born to Shop series, decides to try living in Paris for a year after the death of her husband. Gershman describes her life as she negotiates her way through the paperwork and learns how to live in a different culture.

137clfisha
Août 12, 2010, 8:04 am

I enjoyed The Sparrow, shocking but vey good sci-fi. I havent read any of her other books though.

138torontoc
Août 12, 2010, 8:39 pm


96. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet by David Mitchell. Oh , my, this book is good! Mitchell's story about Jacob De Zoet and Orito Aibagawa is riveting. De Zoet is a young clerk sent by the Dutch East Indies Company in 1799 to Dejima in Nagasaki. Actually Dejima is an island where foreigners live while they trade with the Japanese. He meets a young woman who is a mid wife and student to the doctor, on Dejima. The story of their relationship and the consequences are the threads that tie many other stories of betrayal, greed and courage. Beautifully told, I had to turn each page and find out what was happening. Definitely recommended.

139wookiebender
Août 13, 2010, 12:56 am

Oh, I've been eyeing that one off in the shops! I really liked Cloud Atlas, but maybe I should read some of the other David Mitchell books I already own before splurging on another one. :)

140clfisha
Août 13, 2010, 5:24 am

18 oo I have just finished The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet and I am struggling to encapsulate my awe in a review. There were a few wonky things about the book that should mean it doesnt work but it does and gets 5 stars from me.

141torontoc
Modifié : Août 13, 2010, 8:37 am

I think that I have read all of Mitchell's books so far. Each book is so different.

142clif_hiker
Modifié : Août 13, 2010, 9:51 pm

I'm almost halfway through The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet and am enjoying it very much. I asked our small town public librarian about Cloud Atlas and received a blank stare. I suspect that she mostly reads Nora Roberts.

143wookiebender
Août 13, 2010, 10:53 pm

Oh, it's a shame that your librarian is unaware of that particular book, I thought it was one that should be widely read (or at least, known of). Do you have any other librarians?

Must admit though, most of my best book conversations are with the booksellers I go to, not the librarians. :)

144torontoc
Modifié : Août 18, 2010, 10:07 am

97. I just finished a children's book for over 8 year olds- A Circle of Cats by Charles de Lint and illustrated by Charles Vess. The illustrations were great- the story-interesting but not fabulous. The story has a nice element of fantasy but the illustrations were wonderful. I read this book as a break from my current non-fiction read-Gulag by Anne Applebaum- good but grim.

145torontoc
Août 21, 2010, 1:15 pm

98. Poor Tom is Cold by Maureen Jennings. This murder mystery set in 1890's Toronto sends Inspector Murdoch to the Toronto Asylum and other parts of the city in search of clues to solve the murder or suicide of a young policeman. I like the way the author uses historical facts in her story. In this novel, the reader sees what the jury system was like as men are put into the 13 man jury. The jury starts their deliberations on the spot of the murder and right after the body is discovered. One ina series of books about Inspector Murdoch.

146torontoc
Août 21, 2010, 7:32 pm

99. Gulag: A Historyof the Soviet Camps by Anne Applebaum. It is hard to begin. The author has written a very complex and complete history of the Gulag labour camps in Soviet Russia from the 1920's to the dissolution of the system in the early 1990's. She chronicles the structures, the kinds of camps and, carefully based on hundreds of interviews, memoirs and documents, relates how people lived and died. The figures are numbing. Where there is no evidence, ( any memoirs from the punishment camps) Applebaum writes about what she has found from the existing archival material. In the beginning I found the tone of the book very objective and perhaps a little dry. I had a more emotional response after reading The Whisperers. However, after finishing the book and looking at the figures of those jailed and killed as well as reading about Stalin's plan( carried out) to obliterate various ethnic peoples, I did feel numb. Applebaum writes with a very businesslike tone until the last chapter. Her conclusion about the problems of not remembering and it's effect on the Russian people and the rest of the world is an important appeal. Applebaum's last sentences are worth repeating.
"This book was not written "so that it will not happen again," as the cliché would have it. The book was written because it almost certainly will happen again. Totalitarian philosophies have had, and will continue to have, a profound appeal to many millions of people. Destruction of the "objective enemy", as Hannah Arendt once put it, remains a fundamental object of many dictatorships. We need to know why- and each story, each memoir, each document in the history of the Gulag is a piece of the puzzle, a part of the explanation. Without them, we will wake up one day and realize that we do not know who we are. page 514

147torontoc
Août 29, 2010, 8:09 pm


100. Come, Thou Tortoise by Jessica Grant. This first novel by Grant is a lot of fun. Audrey Flowers leaves her tortoise, Winnifred, in Oregon and flies back to St. John's, Newfoundland when her father is killed in an accident. The reader knows that this young lady has a different way of looking things when Audrey disarms an air marshall on the flight. Some of the chapters in the book are narrated by the tortoise who fills in the gaps of Audrey's history. An uncle ( Thoby) who lives in her father's basement in a mockup of an airplane, a twenty year old mouse, and many other unique characters inhabit this story. The book is whimsical in a good way, although Audrey is depicted as more than eccentric. A fun read with flights of fancy and many plays on words

148wookiebender
Août 29, 2010, 9:29 pm

Sounds delightful!

Hey, congratulations on reaching #100!

149torontoc
Août 31, 2010, 9:35 am

Thanks!

101. Under The Dragon's Tail by Maureen Jennings. This mystery novel is another of the series with Inspector Murdoch in 1890's Toronto. In the story, there are three murders-all related to keeping information quiet about a midwife and abortionist who knows something that someone wants to suppress. The details of the investigation and the life in 1890's Toronto are very interesting. I will continue to read this series.

150torontoc
Modifié : Août 31, 2010, 10:02 am

102. The Fun of It:Stories from The Talk of the Town: The New Yorker Edited by Lillian Ross.
This compliation of the short pieces from the columns of the New Yorker Magazine serve as a social history of New York and in some way, the United States. The pieces are whimsical, cover politics, sports and celebrities. It is interesting that the book finishes in 2000. The dark times of the events of Sept.11 and the subsequent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan would change the tone of any commentary on everyday life. This book is a good introduction to life in the 20th century in the U.S

151torontoc
Sep 3, 2010, 4:01 pm

103. In Search of a Lost Ladino: Letter to Antonio Saura. by Marcel Cohen and translated by Raphael Rubenstein. I have to thank rebeccanyc for introducing me to this book on her thread. I find that LT members' recommendations have really enriched my reading since I joined. This slim volume was originally written in Ladino- the language of the Sephardic Jews. The book has the text in Ladino or " Judeo-Spanish" as well. The editor also keeps some of the words in the original language with a glossary in the back. I did find it a little irritating to turn back and forth. Cohen describes the " dying language of Ladino" and describes the life of Sephardic Jews who fled from Spain, through Italy to Turkey and Salonica -where Jews were captured and sent to concentration camps in World War II. The work is brief ( I have read more inclusive novels and non-fiction works about the Ladino culture) but very interesting and evocative of a lost culture.

152torontoc
Sep 6, 2010, 11:32 am

104. The Angel of Forgetfulness by Steve Stern. I haven't read any of Stern's fiction for a number of years. This book seemed at first to have magic of a good plot, interesting characters and great language and imagery. The novel is narrated by three men. The first, Saul is a young man from Memphis who is studying in New York City. He goes to meet a relative,an aged woman named Keni Shendeldecker, who lived on the Lower East Side. When Saul takes Keni for walks in the area, she describes the Lower East Side of the 1900's in such a way to make Saul the ghosts of a past vibrant society. Keni eventually talks about her past as a painter, her relationship with the artist Yenobsky,and her first husband Nathan Hart who wooed her with a story. Saul's narrative takes him from New York to a commune in the south, then to Prague and finally to a college in New England. The second narrator is Nathan Lane, and the story of his story and his pursuit of Keni. Nathan takes us to stories of gangsters,the Yiddish theatre and newspapers in the 1900's. Nathan's story that he never finishes is about an angel who goes down to earth, marries a young woman, and has a child. After a pogrom, the angel, Mocky, takes his son back to heaven to be raised. The son, Nachman leaves heaven and lives as an actor in the Yiddish theatre. The third narrator is Mocky , the angel and his quest to help his son. I liked the book but found that there were issues that were not resolved satisfactorily for me. Although the narrator's sections were staggered so that the reader picked up one thread and left another in the midst of a crisis, the book was too long. The most interesting character, Keni, was not given her own voice and was missing for me in a good section of the story. I admired this writer's short stories and wlll read his next book ,The Frozen Rabbi. This book, however did leave me with mixed feelings.

153torontoc
Sep 10, 2010, 8:55 pm

105.Old City Hall by Robert Rotenberg. This was a great murder mystery! The author created believable characters with the lawyers, police, and the accused. He set the story in present day Toronto and included many details of place that I recognized. The story was a good one with a plausible ending - unlike a number of books that I have read this year. The pace and plot were exciting and I did race through the book to find out what was happening. I will look for more of Rotenberg's work.

154torontoc
Sep 15, 2010, 8:38 am

106. The Incident Report by Martha Baillie. I was going to call the book charming for it's format. But this easy read of a Toronto librarian's incident reports from her branch has some deeper issues hidden in the everyday life of quirky patrons. The narrator, Miriam writes about her family and her father's tragic end and her lover, a man who has immigranted from Slovenia. The book in some places reads like poetry. It is sad and I wonder about the author's choice of plot at the end.

155torontoc
Sep 19, 2010, 9:10 pm

107. A Case of Exploding Mangoes by Mohammed Hanif. I enjoyed this satire on the events leading up to the death of General Zia of Pakistan. There are two parallel stories. The first, relates the life of Ali Shagri, son of a Colonel whose suicide was suspicious. Ali is in a military college and the disappearance of a fellow cadet leads to Ali's brief imprisonment. The second story relates the story of General Zia'sactions just before the plane trip that killed him. The thoughts and behaviours of all the generals, CIA people, the US ambassador, and officials seem outrageous and bizarre. In a way this book reads a little like Catch 22.Recommended

156torontoc
Sep 20, 2010, 5:06 pm

108. This Cake is for the Party: Stories by Sarah Selecky. This slim volume of stories has just been placed on the Giller Prize Longlist. I must admit that I wonder whether the book is substantial enough to make the shortlist. The stories are about young adults who are in or getting out of relationships and some nice character studies. The settings are all in small Ontario towns. I enjoyed them but will have to read some of the other longlist books to make any judgements.

157torontoc
Sep 26, 2010, 9:33 am

109. Campo Santo by W.G. Sebald. I loved the writing of Sebald. I decided to read this compendium of essays that were written over a twenty year period after abandoning a number of novels. Sebald's style is like a cold drink water-refreshing and providing energy. I found that his travel notes, thoughts on history and writers really wonderful to read. Sometimes I need to leave fiction for a while ( when the stories start to sound the same) and read really good essays.

158iftyzaidi
Sep 28, 2010, 9:49 am

I read A Case of Exploding Mangoes earlier this year and quiet enjoyed it!

159torontoc
Sep 28, 2010, 11:37 am

I will look for more of the author's ( Hanif) works.

110. Our Story Begins by Tobias Wolff. These short stories do have echoes of the author's memoirs. The stories are about people in ordinary circumstances, living in small towns in the U.S.. The style is expert but I found myself reading about too many similar situations. This is to be expected in short story collections. I just wasn't sure whether it was the author or me.I might be short-storied out for a while.

160torontoc
Sep 29, 2010, 1:17 pm

111. City of Thieves by David Benioff. This adventure, set in Leningrad during the siege in World War II is very good. Two young men, Lev and Kolya, are arrested- Lev for looting and Kolya for deserting- and are given a task by a colonel. They are to find a dozen eggs for the colonel's daughter's wedding. The adventures and events involve, looking for chickens and eventually going behind the German lines. This is good story and well written. Definitely recommended.

161torontoc
Oct 1, 2010, 2:30 pm

112. Life Class by Pat Barker. I really enjoyed this story of two art students at the Slade School in London just before the start and during World War I. Paul Tarrant is not sure of his ability as an artist. His friend, Elinor Brooke is an accomplished artist who does receive praise for her work. The various romantic entanglements are set against the changing atmosphere in England as the country enters the war. Paul's experience as a helper in a hospital and later an ambulance driver in Belgium help him mature. The attitudes and dilemmas of the many well-drawn characters make this book so interesting.

162torontoc
Oct 6, 2010, 8:11 pm

113. The Winterhouse by Robin McGrath. This novel is a really lovely book. There are two stories related- one in 1820 on a small Newfoundland outpost and the other in the present as two historians try to track down any Jewish people by the name of Harris in early Newfoundland. The book begins with a phrase that Rosehannah Quint, a fourteen year old orphan sews into a seam -" My father has married me to a mad old man." With that beginning we learn about the history of Jacob Harris and how he ends up on the outpost of Ireland's Eye. Interspersed with the story are the present day letters between a retired historian from Newfoundland and an Israeli researcher living in London who both are looking for the same person. The story is about the everyday life and work of fisherman, traders and the women who live in remote settlements in 1820. Beautifully written.

163torontoc
Oct 7, 2010, 2:08 pm

114. Moon Over Marrakech by Nazneen Sheikh. I don't know about this book. Do you have to be a romantic to read it? Or am I too much of a realist as I felt like saying as I progressed thorugh this memoir- " You are crazy! Get away from this man!"
The author relates the story of her second marriage to the love of her life-Cesar, a Toronto doctor who takes her to Morocco for their honeymoon. In Marrakech, they use the services of a guide, Khadim. The author does not seem to like him or what he stands for in terms of treatment of women. After a number of years, Nazneen's husband disappears. She finds out that he has been hiding a manic-depressive order from her. After a number of tumultuous episodes( actually many, many scenes are highly dramatic), the author divorces Cesar. He later dies of cancer. Nazneen Sheikh, decides that she would return to Marrakech in order to research a book that would be based on her life. Sheikh reconnects with Khadim, fall madly in love with him and arranges to move to Morocco and marry him. The deceptions and lies as well as the draining of her financial resources don't seem to make an impression as Sheikh tries to save the relationship. She flees in the end and returns to Toronto. When I read a book or memoir where I wonder about common sense and "was she crazy", I turn to other reviews. The book has been favourably covered .
One reviewer had personal knowledge of the writer and called some of the people described as " train wrecks waiting to happen". The writing is lush and highly descriptive and I have to say very dramatic. So am I confronted in this memoir with people who live life as in a highly charged drama?Yes. It is entertaining and at the same time disturbing to see how deception works many times into the story.

164torontoc
Oct 8, 2010, 9:25 am

115. The King's Gold by Arturo Perez-Reverte. This is the fourth novel in the series on Captain Alatriste. It is interesting that the author writes about one situation but describes the life and specific place in great detail. In Seville in 1626 after returning from the siege of Breda, Alatriste is asked to take a dangerous job for the king. He will recruit a group of mercenaries and ambush a ship that is carrying gold back from the Americas. This gold will be prevented from falling into the hands of corrupt ministers. In the course of the story , the reader learns of the celebrations in prison before a thief is excuted , and of the sanctuary provided by certain churches to undesirables. I still think that his third book in the series-The Sun Over Breda was better but this one was a good read.

165torontoc
Oct 9, 2010, 10:52 pm

116. The Petting Zoo by Jim Carroll. This novel by the late Jim Carroll tells the story of Billy Wolfram, a very successful New York city artist who has a breakdown after vewing some paintings by Velasquez at the Met Museum. The story is told in the third person and this leads to a sort of separation from the character of Billy. The reader really does not get to know Billy although we learn of his background and thoughts on art and inspiration. The characters in this novel don't seem to have individual personalities although they do go on and on about theories and ideas that detract from the main storyline. I can only compare the diversions to being monopolized at a party by one person who won't stop talking.Some of the interesting situations described are not used in the latter half of the book. There is also a talking raven who makes a number of appearances. I really tried to like this book. I just found it too long and the discussions about almost everything obscure. .

166torontoc
Oct 11, 2010, 12:02 am

117. Other Colors: Essays and a Story by Orhan Pamuk. I have been reading this collection of stories, reviews,essays and memoirs-Pamuk included his Nobel Prize acceptance speech- for the past three weeks. I really like the variety in Pamuk's books. In fact he is one of the essayists whose work I admire for the opinions and craft. ( W.G. Sebald, George Steiner and Cynthia Ozick are the others). In this book Pamuk writes about the place of Turkey and the country's relationship to both East and West. He also covers his politics and the background of his books. There is a nice variety of work. This has been an enjoyable read that I will return to because of the quality of opinion and language.

167torontoc
Oct 11, 2010, 10:04 pm

118. Night's Child by Maureen JenningsThis book is one of the Inspector Murdoch series. The novel is fast paced with murder, child pornography, blackmail and Murdoch does solve all. A very satisfying read.

119. Nocturnes: Five Stories of Music and Nightfall by Kazuo Ishiguro I really enjoyed this collection of five stories thar feature the theme of music. The stories are studies of personality and some lost opportunities.

168torontoc
Oct 13, 2010, 10:54 pm

120. Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi by Geoff Dyer. The more that I think about it, I have to say that this was a fascinating book. Also, in comparison to my last ER book, this story stands out in terms of narration. The book in divided in to two stories about a freelance writer. In the first story, the writer, Jeff Atman, goes to Venice to cover the Biennale and interview the former girl friend of a famous painter. He meets Laura, and embarks on a love affair with her during his short stay. Actually the book blurb says that it is a story of " erotic love". I think that it was more of a story about two compatible people having good sex and lots of it.The narration really shows the reader the personality of the writer, Jeff. The story gently satirizes the whole art critic/gallery/ artist/ scene in Venice and is quite funny in places. The second half of the book is about a travel writer( unnamed) who is asked to go to Varanasi, India and write a piece about the city. The reader is not sure whether this writer is Jeff, although all the descriptions seem to indicate that it is the same person . The descriptions of the city, the ghats where bodies are burned and the temples are so precise. The writer's gradual assimilation into the culture of Varanasi and his thoughts are sad as we, the reader see things that the writer does not. Whether it is a case of achieving spirituality of the soul or destruction of the person is up to the reader to discern. It is a sad but very good book that leads the reader to think about fulfilment or lack of it in both stories.

169loriephillips
Oct 14, 2010, 9:43 am

Just stopping by to tell you that I really enjoy your reviews. I like the analysis you provide without spoiling the plot and they are just the right length. You've added a lot to my TBR pile this year!

170torontoc
Oct 14, 2010, 10:50 am

Thank you!

171torontoc
Oct 18, 2010, 9:46 pm

121. The Bells by Richard HarvellThis ER book is a historical fictional account of the early life of a castrati singer. Moses Froben is Swiss, the son of a deaf-mute woman who rings the bells of a church in the Alps. Moses father is most likely a priest who in turn tries to kill Moses and then his mother. Rescued by two monks, the young boy is taken to the Abbey of St. Gall where his powerful voice is discovered. Moses sings in the choir and befriends a young girl when he sings for her dying mother. Moses is castrated against his will and this act will lead to eventful choices and decisions. After he leaves the monastery and arrives in Vienna, Moses becomes the pupil of the renowned singer Gaetagno Guadagni. The story describes the opera Orphaeus and Euridice written by Gluck as an integral part of the plot. I must say that although I usually like historical fiction, this novel is very melodramatic. I found the hero was not heroic but very foolish The plot of a novel can present courageous adventures but this story presents events that are, even for fiction, too unbelievable.

172torontoc
Oct 19, 2010, 11:33 pm

122. Sanctuary Line by Jane Urquhart. What a beautiful book! I had forgotten what wonderful prose the author uses in her novels. In this story, Liz an entomologist living on her family's old farm in the Essex county area near Lake Erie, remembers the history of her family. The structure of the novel allows the reader to see episodes in the life of Liz's aunt and uncle, her distant relations in Ireland , the Mexican farm workers who picked the fruit during the summer and her late cousin Mandy , killed on duty in Afghanistan while serving in the army. Liz tells the stories while she is observing butterflies at an sanctuary near her home. The mysteries are presented and some solved by the end of the story. However the prose is so engaging. I really enjoyed this book.

173Nickelini
Oct 20, 2010, 12:04 am

Cyrel - I'm so excited to hear that someone else has read Sanctuary Line and loved it too! I just wrote my review on it for Belletrista, so I've been a bit quiet about it. But it really is a lovely book. It was the 4th Urquhart book I've read, and I really love the way she layers her motifs. As I was writing my review and thinking of all the different elements she weaves through her stories, I realized how bits that seemed inconsequential at first actually packed in more meaning when I looked back on the book at the end. I've realized that she's actually like Virginia Woolf in that her books are richer upon rereading them. I think I'll keep this one to read again sometime.

Have you read Map of Glass? That's my other favourite Urquhart. I read The Underpainter early this summer, and I liked it, but not as much as these other two. The other one I read years and years ago when I first started my English degree--Changing Heaven-- and I thought "I really like this, but don't really get it--but I will one day! So it's packed away waiting for me to pull it out again sometime.

Interestingly, I checked my ratings on these books today--all entered at different times--and I gave every one a four star rating. I think on re-reading, a couple of them will go up to five stars.

174torontoc
Oct 20, 2010, 9:25 am

My favourite Urquhart books are The Underpainter, The Stone Carvers and now Sanctuary Line. I did read A Map of Glass and Away but the first three are my favourites.There was one other early book that was made into a play at the Tarragon Theatre a couple of years ago.- I will have to look up the title. You are right about re-reading the work- it is one of the reasons that I love reading her books-the way she writes is great! I can hardly wait to read your review in Belletrista.
I wonder why this book didn't make it to the Giller finalists- I read one of the nominees and it doesn't have the depth of this book.

175torontoc
Modifié : Oct 21, 2010, 8:59 pm

123. Sweetsmoke by David Fuller. This novel is a very entertaining mystery/historical fiction story about a Cassius Howard,a slave in Virginia during the civil war in 1862. Cassius is a carpenter who discovers that a woman who once saved his life has been murdered. He resolves to find her killer although his life is bound to the tobacco plantation of his owner. How Cassius tracks down the killer and witnesses part of the civil war battles and the inhumane actions of master to slave make this book very interesting.

124.Memorial by Gary Crew and Shaun Tan.This young adult book-I couldn't call it a children's book- was written by Crew and beautifully illustrated by Shaun Tan. The story is quite simple- a tree that was planted in the centre of a town to commemorate World War I and later wars- is about to be destroyed. The illustrations and memories of those who want the tree to remain are the focus of the story. Worth reading and viewing

176torontoc
Oct 23, 2010, 10:52 pm


125. Defiance by Nechama Tec. Nechama Tec is a historian who interviewed many of the survivors of the Bielski Partisan group and wrote this book about their story. Three brothers, Tuvia, Zus and Asael Bielski, do not go into the ghettos in Western Belorussia in 1941. Instead they flee to the forests and establish camps where any Jewish person is welcome. Unlike many of the partisan groups in the area, the Bielski group accept those who cannot necessarily fight. In fact although some of the members do fight with some of the other groups, the Bielski Otriad or partisan detachment provides workshops that help the other fighting groups. The leader, Tuvia, has good relationships with the important Russian partisan commanders and is able to withstand any opposition to his organization. The Bielski Otriad has to move quickly when the Germans try to attack them-they escape through a swamp. This thorough account of this group is well documented and easy to read. Tec examines all aspects of this partisan group including uncomfortable stories of executions and the treatment of women in the partisan groups in this area.Recommended for those readers with an interest in World War II history.

177torontoc
Oct 24, 2010, 5:52 pm

126. Light Lifting ( stories) by Alexander MacLeod. This book consists of well-crafted short stories. The topics are diverse-long distance runners, parents, young brothers, a father who kills his wife and son in a car accident,swimmers and a young boy who delivers orders for a drugstore. Some of the stories, while interesting, have that ending that leaves the reader on the edge. You don't know what is going to happen and you are left to puzzle over a bad or complicated situation. This first book by the author is on the short list for the Giller Prize. I enjoyed the stories but do like more resolution at the end.

178torontoc
Oct 27, 2010, 8:17 am

127. A World of Love by Elizabeth Bowen. i have been interested in reading Bowen's work since I read a book about her relationship with Charles Ritchie. This is my second Bowen read and I do have mixed feelings about it. The descriptive writing is beautiful but the story and dialogue are very dated. A very complicated family are living at an old country house, Mountefort, in Ireland. Antonia owns the house but only visits from London. She gave the running of the house and farm to Fred- with the proviso that he marry Lilia, the young woman who had been engaged to Antonia's cousin Guy who died in World War I. The couple did marry and had two children, Jane and Maud. Jane is a young woman when the book begins who has been educated and supported by Antonia in London. The group are at Montefort during a very hot summer. Really not much happens except for Bowen describing everyone's feelings toward each other. The key plot device is the discovery of a packet letters in the attic from Guy to Lilia. For an example of writing set in the era after the " The Great War" and written in the 1950's. this book is interesting. As a novel that can compare with others written at the same time- I think not.

179Nickelini
Oct 27, 2010, 10:24 am

Yeah, I have problems with Elizabeth Bowen too. There's something very dated feeling about her--especially her dialogue. Did people ever talk like that? Yet there is something I like and I really want to like her (and since I own two more of her books, I hope she gets better for me.)

180torontoc
Oct 28, 2010, 7:11 pm

I own one more book of Bowen's- I'll try to read it soon.

128. Far To Go by Alison Pick. This novel traces the story of a Jewish family in Czechoslovakia in 1939 and how the Kindertransport saved their son. The story is narrated by the governess, Marta, who know more secrets about the family and is really the mother figure for the little boy. Pick also writes from the point of view of a present day narrator. The reader doesn't know who this person is until the ending of the story. The two strands work because we never know the specific fate of many of the characters-in fact this plot device mirrors what happens in real life when we do not know everything. A very interesting book.

181torontoc
Oct 31, 2010, 10:54 pm

129. The Weekend by Bernhard Schlink. This slim volume is about a weekend reunion of former friends who were members and sympathizers of a terrorist group in Germany. They were invited by Christiane, whose brother, Jorg, has just been released prison after twenty-four years. Jorg had been convicted of murder. The very diverse group who meet at Christiane's country home are joined by two young men who have their own causes and agendas to pursue. The discussion about rights and the means to further a cause are embodied by Jorg's reactions and statements to his friends. The debate continues through the weekend. I found that I was disappointed in the character development and plot. I am glad that I read it but was it up to the standard of the author's other works? I think not.

182torontoc
Nov 2, 2010, 3:00 pm



130 The Postmistress by Sarah Blake This book was not a bad read but not a great one either. I have to say that the author was trying hard. She created some very nice characters. But the plot really never took off for me. Frankie Bard is a radio reporter broadcasting rom London in 1941. She later travels throughout Europe recording the voices and stories of Jewish refugees trying to leave. At the same time, the stories of various townspeople of Franklin, Massachusetts link to the time before America entered the war. The postmistress, Iris James, keeps a terrible secret to protect one person. How the two stories intersect provides the climax of the novel. I would say that I was disappointed in the story and how the author used some interesting characters.

183torontoc
Nov 5, 2010, 9:42 am

131. Fool byChristopher Moore. What an exhilarating novel! I was laughing all the way through this book. Imagine King Lear on speed or as told by Monty Python. This bawdy outrageous and very funny novel tells a fractured revision of King Lear- sort of- from the point of view of the Fool. The story isn't exactly what Shakespeare wrote with anachronisms thrown in or guest appearances of the three witches from " The Scottish Play"". It was great fun to read.

184torontoc
Nov 6, 2010, 8:17 pm

132. I just finished and quite enjoyed Vermeer's Hat: The Seventeenth Century and the Dawn of the Global World by Timothy Brook. The author uses some of Vermeer's paintings and their contents as an opening or " door" to discussions on China-Spanish-Dutch history in Asia and more. I read about the history of tobacco and opium, the origin of beaver hat styles and Champlain's explorations, the relationship of Chinese porcelain to Dutch and the balance of power in Asia. This book was a great read for me.

185clif_hiker
Nov 7, 2010, 7:59 am

>181 torontoc: you lost me with a title with the word "Weekend" in it and an author with the name Bernhard (Bernie)...

sorry.. carry on

186torontoc
Nov 7, 2010, 8:17 am

>185 clif_hiker: It was a disappointing book!
Fool and Vermeer's Hat were much better!

187wookiebender
Nov 8, 2010, 4:12 am

I've read one book by Christopher Moore - Lamb - and thought it was an excellent read. I've got another couple on Mt TBR, thanks for the reminder to bump them up a bit!

188torontoc
Nov 9, 2010, 9:16 am

133. Songs for the Butcher's Daughter by Peter Manseau. It is interesting that the subject of Yiddish as a language and as part of early Jewish American history has become a focus of a number of books. In this story of a Yiddish poet and his translator, Manseau recreates the life in Kishinev just after World War 1 and the Lower East Side. The story is told in two ways-the memoirs of Itsik Malpesh and the second, his translator's story of work in a Yiddish book depository.( freely taken from Aaron Lansky's National Yiddish Book Centre). Malpesh's obsession with the butcher's daughter, Sasha Bimko and her participation in Itsik's birth drive his literary work. I must admit that I was fascinated by the first half of this book as Malpesh finds himself in Odessa and later the Lower East Side. Manseau recreates the world of Yiddish speakers and the characters who inhabit the tenements of 1920's New York. I did find that the character of Malpesh became a little tiresome as he made very foolish decisions that changed his life for the worse. In fact a lot of the plot's turns relied on the regrettable things that Malpesh did. I longed for a wise character to move the book forward. The translator did serve this purpose later in the novel. So, in the end my feelings for this book are mixed. The writing is good but Malpesh was not the focus that I wanted. It is also interesting that this is the second book that I have read on Yiddish culture where the author developed a wonderful female character and then did not use her effectively.

189torontoc
Modifié : Nov 10, 2010, 7:38 pm

134. Underfoot in Show Business by Helene Hanff. This is an amusing account of the author's early days in New York City. Helene Hanff came to write plays and eventually wrote for early television. Her stories are fun although her book 84. Charing Cross Road is better.

190wookiebender
Nov 10, 2010, 8:22 pm

#188> I read an amazing review of Songs for the Butcher's Daughter a couple of years ago in the local paper, and have been keeping an eye out for it ever since. No luck actually finding a copy! Good review, my desire for it is somewhat tempered, but I'm still interested in it.

191torontoc
Nov 12, 2010, 8:56 am

I am glad that I read the book but wanted more. I did go back and look at some novels on the Lower East Side that I read years ago. I think that I will reread one of those soon in order to compare.

192torontoc
Nov 13, 2010, 9:15 am

135. Taking Pictures by Anne Enright. The first ten short stories in this book were funny and witty. The last number of them seemed a little tedious. So I liked and disliked the book for that reason.

193torontoc
Nov 17, 2010, 9:43 am

136. Master of Shadows :The Secret Diplomatic Life of the Painter Peter Paul Rubens by Mark Lamster. I really enjoyed this history of the diplomatic missions conducted by Rubens. I really only knew him as a very prolific painter. This book details his involvement as a spy for the Spanish ruler of the Flemish provinces. Rubens delivered messages in Paris and London. He arranged secret treaties between England and Spain. The author does write about the artistic career as well but concentrates on the political role. The history of the area now known as Belgium was something that I did not know, This book helped me understand the history and politics.

194wookiebender
Nov 17, 2010, 8:17 pm

#193> Wow. This is rather like discovering that Hedy Lamarr was a great engineer! How fascinating, I shall have to keep my eyes open for it.

195bonniebooks
Nov 17, 2010, 8:29 pm

193 & 194: Wow 2! That does sound like an intriguing story.

196torontoc
Nov 20, 2010, 11:01 am

137. Let Loose The Dogs by Maureen Jennings. This mystery is another in the series on Inspector William Murdoch in 1890's Toronto. This story has Murdoch investigating a murder that has his long lost father in jail waiting to be hanged. Murdoch is rechecking the situation to see if his father really was guilty. The many characters get a little confusing in the beginning but all gets revealed in the end! A good read.

197torontoc
Modifié : Nov 22, 2010, 9:46 am

138. Every Past Thing by Pamela Thompson. Sometimes I read a book because of the cover. The painting on the front of the book is by Edwin Romanzo Elmer. " Mourning Picture" is sort of surreal. This is a portrait of Elmer's family outside of their house in the country. Their daughter, Effie, positioned in the left foreground and larger than life, died when she was 10 years old. Her parents sit in the middle ground of the painting on the extreme right dressed in black. Their house, in the background is set in a beautiful landscape. Effie is shown beside a tame sheep and and a small cat. It is a beautiful painting.
The cover was the best part of the book. I should have put the book down after 50 or so pages but I didn't. I was curious about the story. Elmer and his wife Mary did spend some time in New york City, The book covers a week with narrative by Mary and Elmer. Here is the problem. I think that I know what the author wanted to do. She used a very descriptive, somewhat poetic writing style. However Anne Michaels does it so much better. There were interesting revelations about Elmer's family and his relationship with his brother Samuel. Was it worth reading a narrative that was in some small part confusing. I don't know.

198wookiebender
Nov 22, 2010, 7:05 pm

I Googled the picture, I hope you don't mind me putting it here, but I was curious about the painting, and I think others might be too:



I hadn't heard of Edwin Romanzo Elmer before, but I rather like his style.

199torontoc
Nov 22, 2010, 7:29 pm

Thank you-Yes -I would like to see more of his work- too bad the book wasn't good!

200torontoc
Nov 25, 2010, 7:50 pm

139. Stone's Fall by Iain Pears. This is a very clever book. I will be going back to reread parts of it to see if I missed some clues. The story is divided into three major sections taking place in London 1909, Paris 1890 and Venice 1867. The introduction in Paris 1953 sets up this historical fiction mystery. A man who was hired by the widow of John Stone or Lord Ravenscliff, a major industrialist, is given instructions to find a lost heir to Stone's fortune. The story of what he finds and how the governments and banks of Great Britain, France and Russia are involved really starts in Venice then later Paris and finally London. However the reader learns how all the characters are related in a reverse order. The memoirs of Matthew Broderick, Henry Cort and finally John Stone all have a mysterious woman, Countess Elizabeth Hadik later Lady Ravenscliff, at their centre.
Spies, bankers and assassins all figure in the excellent story of the murky realationships of governments, industry and finance. Sometimes the author has a little too much description and explanation but overall this book was a good read.

201wookiebender
Nov 27, 2010, 2:34 am

Stone's Fall sounds fascinating! I've also heard good things about his An Instance of the Fingerpost, I must keep my eyes open for his books.

202torontoc
Nov 27, 2010, 9:30 pm

I stopped at the beginning of An Instance of the Fingerpost. I will have to get back to it.

140. Life on the Lower East Side: Photographs by Rebecca Lepkoff 1937-1950 This book of striking photographs is also a brief memoir of two people who lived on the Lower East Side. Peter Dans recalls his life and Rebecca Lepkoff is interviewed on her career. The images, in black and white capture the life and lifestyles of Immigrants on the Lower East Side. Lepkoff photographs the architecture- the crumbling buildings, the markets and the stores. She also has a very good eye for her portraits of people both young and old.

203torontoc
Déc 4, 2010, 2:48 pm

141. Roots, Schmoots Journeys among Jews by Howard Jacobson. I started out hating this book. I found the author was crude and irreverant as he traveled to the United States, Israel and Lithuania to look at the state of Jews. I know that Jacobson is considered a "humourist writer" but I was not laughing. His comments on a stay at the Concord resort for Rosh Hashana was sometimes on the mark ( having spent a wierd week at the Concord many years ago there I can attest that a lot of things that he wrote about were true) but often very cruel. Although Jacobson wanted to encounter many groups that make up the Jewish world, he didn't do a lot of advance research. He did go to a meeting with the Lubovich Rabbi ( the book was written in 1993) and did try to get into synagogues in New York City on the Jewish holidays without any previous contact. Jacobson was impressed with the service of a Gay synagogue but wrote very insensitive comments about many groups that he encountered in Israel. I thought that he was interested in the extreme and not the full range of the political and religious. Some of the best comments are written about his time in Lithuania. So I ended appreciating his writing on some of places that he traveled to but was not happy with the whole book. Why did I not stop reading it? the book belonged to an old friend who loved it. I think that the themes beg many discussions not only about the topics but also the mindset of the writer.

204torontoc
Déc 6, 2010, 3:22 pm

142. Vices of my Blood by Maureen Jennings. The title is lurid but this Inspector Murdoch mystery is very interesting as the author uses the "poor houses", and the world of " queer plungers" or people who fake injuries for her novel. Jennings is quite skilled in her descriptions of the jury system and the lives of the tramps and the down and out. The murder in this story is a Presbyterian minister who is found dead in his office. The Reverend Howard has also been a "Visitor" for the House of Industry or charity that gives food to the poor. His involvement is key in the investigation of his murder. A good mystery read.

205torontoc
Déc 9, 2010, 7:58 pm

143. The Collected Stories of Isaac Babel edited by Nathalie Babel. This collection also has a great introduction by Cynthia Ozick. What can I say? The stories described a life during revolutionary times of war, corruption, easy death and callous feelings. Babel's descriptions of soldiers in really dirty wars, gangsters in Odessa( actually my least favourite stories), and families caught in the crossfire of progroms are well crafted. Some of the narrators seem to have no sense of right and wrong. I was glad that I read this book as it brings alive a very troublesome period in Soviet history. There are some chapters of stories that may have been planned as books. Unfortunately any more of Babel's fiction may have been destroyed after his arrest and murder. A must read.

206torontoc
Déc 10, 2010, 10:12 am

144. Soulless by Gail Carriger.And now for a silly distraction. Carriger's book is about an altered world in Victorian times with werewolves, vampires and some new evil scientists. The heroine is "soulless" -she can reverse the change in vampires and werewolves. I was hoping for more of an adventure. There was some, but more pages were detailing the love-lust between the heroine and the chief werewolf. There are more books coming from this author. A brief and fun quick read.

207torontoc
Déc 14, 2010, 9:17 am

145. Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Cape Town by Paul Theroux. I thoroughly enjoyed this travel book by Theroux. For a while I found his later work curmudgeonly. This book is not although Theroux is quite critical about the politics of aid to African countries. He revisits several of the countries that he lived in when he was a young teacher and beginning writer. He compares what he saw then and now. The growth of cities and the corruption of governments are some of the themes that Theroux writes about as he journeys from Cairo to Cape Town in buses, trains and boats. His observations on the remarkable people that he meets, and the descriptions of the Africa that he encounters are terrific. A must read.

208torontoc
Modifié : Déc 14, 2010, 10:09 pm

146. The Kitchen Boy a novel of the Last Tsar by Robert Alexander. Hmm- the dramatic story of the death of the Tsar and his family has given writers some good material for fiction. There is mystery-did anyone escape? There is a lot of room for some interesting suggestions on the true story. Unfortunately this book does not succeed in creating a new take on the event. Told from the point of view of the kitchen boy who served the family in Yekaterinburg in 1918, the novel relates the last days of the family before their murder. There is always an interesting turn to the story. This one really doesn't make sense to me. I enjoyed Last Train to Kazan-a book that covered the same time period- much better.

209torontoc
Déc 17, 2010, 11:26 am

147.Revelation by C.J. Sansom This mystery novel is the fourth in a series set in the English Tudor times. Catharine Parr is deciding whether to marry Henry VIII and there are problems with various religious factions. The lawyer , Matthew Shardlake, is working on a troublesome case of a young man who seems to be mad and has been locked up in Bedlam Hospital. His good friend and colleague is murdered and Matthew becomes involved in the search for his killer. Themes of reformers versus traditionalists in the church, serial killers, and effects of the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry are important aspects of this very interesting novel. I look forward to reading the rest of the series-although I seem to have started at the latest book. Highly recommended for mystery and historical fiction lovers although the details are very grisly.

210wookiebender
Déc 20, 2010, 10:21 pm

I liked the first Shardlake mystery - Dissolution, I think it was. I've got the second (and fourth) on my shelves, I must make time to read them!

211torontoc
Déc 22, 2010, 10:04 am

I found the first and third books and have started to read them!

148. Bess of Hardwick by Mary S. Lovell. Lovell is an excellent biography writer-I am going to track down her other works. I had previously read her work on Jane Digby. Bess of Hardwick with her four husbands and relationships with Queen Elizabeth provides the author with more material. Lovell presents the life of this remarkable woman in a clear fashion with great notes and research. For those readers who love a good historical biography ( that would be me ), Lovell relates the history of a very complicated period of time in an understandable way.

149. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery retold and drawn by Joann Sfar. The French graphic artist Joann Sfar has adapted the story of a lost pilot who has a meeting with The Little Prince. The story of the Prince's travels and his wisdom about relationships is beautifully told. A delight to read and to look at the wonderful art.

212torontoc
Déc 22, 2010, 9:46 pm

150. Dissolution by C.J.Sansom. I am finding this series on the adventures of Tudor lawyer Matthew Shardlake very interesting. This is the first in the series. The dissolution of the monasteries provides the background for this murder mystery.
Shardlake is working on solving the murder of one of Cromwell's representatives at a monastery. I enjoy the setting and explantions of historical facts that fit into this novel. I am on to the third novel in the series- can't find the second one yet .

213torontoc
Déc 27, 2010, 2:51 pm

151. The Ghost Brush by Katherine Govier. Govier has written an excellent historical fiction account of the life of the daughter of the printmaker Hokusai, Katsushika Oei. The description of the Yoshiwara in Edo and the details of the lives of the artists are so richly done. In addition to creating the world of Japan in the 1800's, Govier has created a heroine who personifies the both the sacrifice of a woman artist in a man's world and the boldness that will free women in later years. Oei not only helps her father with his art work, she takes over of the painting as he gets older. I enjoyed the recreation of 19th century Japan.

214torontoc
Déc 27, 2010, 8:47 pm

152. Great House by Nicole Krauss. This has to be one of my top 2010 reads. The author has constructed a complex story that links a number of people to a writing desk. The chapters that describe a situation between father and son in Israel, a husband finding out some puzzling facts about his deceased wife in London, a writer given a desk by a Chilean poet in New York and more are eloquently told. Krauss writes in a poetic manner. I couldn't put the book down. The characters who narrate the monologues in each chapter have defined personalities. They are not all likeable but inhabit a world that connects at the end.

215torontoc
Déc 28, 2010, 9:24 pm


153. The Bishop's Man by Linden MacIntyre. This novel was the 2009 Giller Prize winner and it is good. MacIntyre writes about a priest who was the "bishop's clean-up man" when there was a charge against one of the clergy. Father Duncan MacAskill took care of informing and sending the offending men away to another locale. He himself had been sent to Honduras after he witnessed a questionable action. The story takes place in Cape Breton where MacAskill has been sent to a small village-perhaps to keep him out of sight from reporters. MacAskill was brought up in the area and the mystery of his own family's origins as well as other tensions keep him busy. The mystery of who affected a troubled young man and past abuse are major themes in this well crafted novel. Definitely recommended.

216torontoc
Déc 29, 2010, 7:21 pm

I think that this is it for 2010- I have enjoyed writing my reading log here. The last two books read are in the top books list. ( haven't compiled it yet)
See you in the 2011 group!

217torontoc
Jan 1, 2011, 11:36 am

Here is my list of the books that I liked best in 2010.
The Amazing Absorbing Boy by Rabindranath Maharaj
Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell
Come, Thou Tortoise by Jessica Grant
Old Filth byJane Gardam-this book seemed to get better the more that I thought of it.
Sanctuary Line by Jane Urquhart
Light Lifting by Alexander MacLeod.
Great House by Nicole Krauss
The Bishop's Man by Linden MacIntyre

and Non-Fiction

Gulag: A History of the Soviet Camps by Anne Applebaum
George Steiner at the New Yorker
Writing in the Dark: Essays on Literature and Politics by David Grossman