Too ill to post but I have been reading:
The Heart of Buddha**** by E.Sze Canada 2010
Bhutan, Tibet, missing sister, danger, monks, political and religious oppression, travel. Includes a glossary of local terms used. Very enjoyable, highly recommended.
The Butterfly Chair**** by Marion Quednau Canada 1987 (202 pages)
Awarded the 1987 Books in Canada Best First Novel Award.
German immigrants to Canada 1950s, severe architect father, family violence. How daughter copes and finds her own balance even years after mother is killed. Very interesting story, highly recommended.
The Carnivore***** by Mark Sinnett Canada 2009 (255 pages)
Hurricane Hazel 1954; Toronto, 81 deaths, can hero policeman's marriage survive the consequences of that disaster? Original, and highly recommended.
Notes From an Exibition****+ by Patrick Gale UK 2009 (401 pages)
Study in creative process that drives a bipolar mother and wife in her painting, how her husband and four children cope with this and family tragedies. Steven Fry liked the novel so I tried it. Very enjoyable, a good writer, very observant. Highly recommended.
Breaking Lorca***** by Giles Blunt Canada 2009 (260 pages)
2009 Governor General's Award Longlist.
El Salvador and US 1980s; torture, cruelty, repression, and the search for redemption. Excellent. Not for the faint of heart.
Fall 2010: Release of Crime Machine, the new John Cardinal novel from Random House Canada. My son (37) and I read every book as he publishes them and we've enjoyed them all. I also reviewed No Such Creature.
On the lighter side:
Benny and Shrimp**** by K. Mazetti Sweden 1998 209 pgs.
Charming, complicated romance between two people with very different expectations. Some sex scenes, though most of it them I just found goofy.
Little Face**** by S. Hannah UK.
Missing baby; police procedural, original, suspense from tip to tail, complex, well-written, highly recommended. Have just acquired The Wrong Mother and can't wait to read more of Hannah.
When Will There be Good News?***** by Kate Atkinson UK (389 pages)
Read the first chapter online and simply had to know what happened. Thoroughly enjoyable, much more than a crime/mystery drama. Well developed characters and more than a single story line. Loved it, can't wait to read more Atkinson. This was my first. Highly recommended.
Currently Reading:
Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada Germany 1947
Darkness Visible by William Golding UK 1979 Nobel author
Please leave links to reviews, reading recommendations, comments or questions.
Friday, April 16, 2010
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Sorry to hear your ill. I hope you get better soon. It is good to see that you enjoyed Little Face - I loved it!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you're not doing well right now.
ReplyDeleteTake it easy Sandra. Thakns for the updates and I hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeletetake care, feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that your health has been troublesome, and hope that so many lovely books have helped to divert you.
ReplyDeleteI love Sophie Hannah and Kate Atkinson, so it's good to see you discovering two great series.
And what you may not know is that Notes From an Exibition is set around my home - Patreick Gale lives just a few miles away.
Hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear that you've been ill.
ReplyDeleteI'm hope that your reading has helped you during this time!! You had some great ones!
Get well soon!
ReplyDeleteI also loved Little Face and I have two other Sophie Hannah novels on my shelf! And I have just reminded myself that I should order When Will There be Good News.
Hi Sandra, just popped in to say hi and I'm sorry to see you haven't been well. I hope you see improvement soon.
ReplyDeleteHurricane Hazel sounds interesting. Benny and Shrimp had some good moments and like you said, some definitely goofy ones too.
Take care.
Sorry to hear that you've been feeling so poorly but I'm happy to learn you're still enjoying your books! The Butterfly Chair sounds like one I'd especially like to read, thanks for all the briefs.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon! Looks like you're getting lots of reading done.
ReplyDeleteAll your books sound really interesting, Sandra. I hope you get to feeling better soon. Thinking of you!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blog... very nicely organized. Just stumbled upon it from the Salon.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful list of books! I have added several to my TBR list. I hope you are feeling better and thanks for stopping by my blog.
ReplyDelete