book reviews (last 3 canada reads candidates +1)
unless by carol shields. Rita Winters is a writer who lives a "normal" life with three daughters - until one day she finds her oldest daughter Norah sitting on the corner of Bathhurst and Bloor with a sign around her neck saying GOODNESS. Some people said this was too predictable, but I thought it was really well done - of course I've only read one more of her books; I adore her characterization. She makes the BEST characters. the main character is a writer, so there's a lot of interesting musing about writing, too: newtypeshadow and other writer friends would probably enjoy this. :)
The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis. In the end, this was selected to be the Canada Reads book, and I'm not surprised; it's humorous - an excellent read with a deeper message underneath. It's a book about Canadian politics, but it's good even if you're not "into" political books (i'm not, and I thoroughly enjoyed this.) Daniel is forced to find a Liberal Candidate to run in ultra-Conservative Cumberland-Prescott; he makes a deal with his new landlord, Angus, in order to save him from teaching first year English For Engineers for the second year in a row, with the proviso that Angus will be on the ballot in name only and not actually campaign. In a series of amusing events, Angus actually wins by a slim margin, and becomes a controversial new MP in all the best ways.
The Bone Cage by Angie Abdou. Digger is a wrestler. Sadie is a swimmer. Both of them have qualified for the Sydney Olympics, and this is about the trials and tribulations of making it there. I actually, honestly, didn't think I'd enjoy this as much as I did given that it's about sports, but it's also about loss and love and disappointment, which are more or less universal, I guess .. it's a quick read, and her descriptions are excellent.
bottle rocket hearts by zoe whittall. On the eve of the 1995 Referendum in Quebec, Eve is trying to get out of the small bedroom community she lives in and into Montreal, and trying to find a girl to kiss her who means it. I read this in one night when i couldn't sleep. it's a cute first person coming of age story, kind of not to dissimmilar to 'the bone cage' (except more gay).
So YAY. One resolution done! All five Canada Reads candidates completed!
Still to go:
More Artz.
12 fics in wintercompanion (2 completed)
go see the tiny ninjas. :)
The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis. In the end, this was selected to be the Canada Reads book, and I'm not surprised; it's humorous - an excellent read with a deeper message underneath. It's a book about Canadian politics, but it's good even if you're not "into" political books (i'm not, and I thoroughly enjoyed this.) Daniel is forced to find a Liberal Candidate to run in ultra-Conservative Cumberland-Prescott; he makes a deal with his new landlord, Angus, in order to save him from teaching first year English For Engineers for the second year in a row, with the proviso that Angus will be on the ballot in name only and not actually campaign. In a series of amusing events, Angus actually wins by a slim margin, and becomes a controversial new MP in all the best ways.
The Bone Cage by Angie Abdou. Digger is a wrestler. Sadie is a swimmer. Both of them have qualified for the Sydney Olympics, and this is about the trials and tribulations of making it there. I actually, honestly, didn't think I'd enjoy this as much as I did given that it's about sports, but it's also about loss and love and disappointment, which are more or less universal, I guess .. it's a quick read, and her descriptions are excellent.
bottle rocket hearts by zoe whittall. On the eve of the 1995 Referendum in Quebec, Eve is trying to get out of the small bedroom community she lives in and into Montreal, and trying to find a girl to kiss her who means it. I read this in one night when i couldn't sleep. it's a cute first person coming of age story, kind of not to dissimmilar to 'the bone cage' (except more gay).
So YAY. One resolution done! All five Canada Reads candidates completed!
Still to go:
More Artz.
12 fics in wintercompanion (2 completed)
go see the tiny ninjas. :)