Stormy Weather Reading
November 8, 2024
Hello out there! Hope everyone is cozied up and braving the wet and wild weather of late. We talk a lot about summer and beach reading but there may be some truth to getting more pages flipped when the lamplight is on longer and the storms are keeping us cozily inside. I’m popping up here to share a few of the books on my radar lately. Amy Tyler of Red Fern Book Review podcast recorded a little chat we had about the choices – tune in over here to eavesdrop!
One of my favourite books of all time is Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann. McCann threaded the lives of a seemingly unrelated characters into a stunning tapestry. Apeirogan, published in 2020 is another creatively presented novel by McCann, this time focused on two men who have each suffered the tragic loss of a child during war time. The catch, one man is Israeli while the other is Palestinian. Though they represent opposing sides, they come together in their shared grief to work on a path to peace. McCann’s writing was inspired by a true story and through the braiding of 1001 entries, some as simple as a photo or quote, others several pages, he captures the perspectives and suffering and desire for resolution. Apeirogon, incidentally, is an infinitely sided polygon that can be looked at in any number of ways. I’ve had this on my shelf since it first published in paperback and I’m feeling it’s even more timely now to delve into. I imagine this one will lead to great book club discussions.
The Trade Off by Samantha Greene Woodruff is a recent release in our favoured Historical Fiction category. 1920’s New York City and a focus on a young woman with a particular skill with numbers and patterns finding her way into Wall Street – I’m thoroughly intrigued! Something that’s a little different. Due to the times and the woman’s religious affiliation she needs the cover of her charming brother to be involved in the traditional men’s world of finance. Money, family, romance and the Stock Market Crash … lots to entertain in this story.
Alice McDermott is a multi award winning literary writer and this is her ninth novel. Published in the fall of 2023, Absolution has recently hit the shelves in paperback. Kristin Hannah’s The Women took us to the front lines in Vietnam in 1965. Absolution also looks to women’s roles in Vietnam in the early 60’s, before the feminist movement, but this time the focus is on two trailing spouses “doing good” to support their ambitious husbands within the local community in Saigon. Their complicated relationship and the consequences of their privilege and flaws are reflected upon some 60 years later by one of the women and the daughter of the other. Ann Patchett calls this novel “A Moral Masterpiece” Absolution might be another slightly uncomfortable read that prompts excellent discussion.
Niall Williams is another writer I’m counting as an all time favourite. His book This Is Happiness is on the keeper shelf right beside Colum McCann’s Let the Great World Spin. Is it coincidence that they are both Irish writers? Time of the Child returns the reader to the small Irish town of Faha where This Is Happiness held our attention in its pages. The cast of characters return to this seasonal stand-alone read but focus is on the local doctor and his unmarried daughter. Slightly distanced from the community due to their professional status, the walls come down when father and daughter discover an infant left on their doorstep and their lives are changed forever. A heartwarming tale that unfolds over the month of December as a community gathers to help one another in extraordinary ways. The writing by Williams will have you stopping to savour descriptions and word choices again and again. A lovely giftable book.
For the non-fiction readers, Roland Allen delivers a deep dive into the simple notebook but takes it to a whole other level as he discovers notebooks represent a vast history of ideas rather than mere stationery. In The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper, we learn the first notebooks were bound and used in Florence, Italy in the year 1300 as ledgers for shopkeepers. Cooks, kings, sailors, fishermen, musicians, engineers, politicians, adventurers, mathematicians and artists all adopted their own versions of notebooks that carry over into modern day. This study entertainingly tells the stories of famous notebook users like Leonardo daVinci, Newton, Henry James, Darwin, Agatha Christie and a number of modern authors too. Bruce Chatwin’s Moleskine gets a good look. The relatively new concept of Bullet Journaling in notebooks is also discussed. I keep “commonplace” notebooks – notes and quotes gathered from a variety of sources compiled in a “common place”, the prettier the cover the better. I also keep smaller notebooks for those ideas and thoughts and recommendations that vanish into thin air not long after their first appearance. Some people keep Notes in their phones (does that count I wonder?) A good, trivia packed read into creativity with a thorough and engaging researcher.
And finally, something a bit more whimsical perhaps. Big in Sweden was released this past July and was a widely recommended summer read. I think you’ll find the humour, travel, charm, and poignancy perfect for any time of year. We follow a tall, 35 year old American woman after she successfully submits an application to participate in a Swedish reality show in which Americans of Swedish descent participate in a variety of Survivor-esque endeavours to discover more about their cultural roots. In so doing, she learns a lot about what friendship and family mean to her and about her own place in the world. “A fish-out-of-water tale filled with warmth, optimism, and wit, Big in Sweden is at its heart a love story: love for family, friends, country, and–most importantly–oneself.” As an interesting aside, Meg Ryan narrates the audio book and has exuberantly sung the praises of the tale. Sally Franson herself competed in a similar show and was inspired by her experience to set her novel in the same world.
What have you found to read lately?
Best Books I Haven’t Told You About … Yet!
May 27, 2020
Ok, “Anonymous” commenter – this one’s for you. I can’t resist responding to a “Quick, I need a book recommendation!” plea … These are the books that stood out to me in the last year or so of reading. Hope you find something that sparks your interest. Feel free to add your own recent favourites in the Comments.
The Braid by Laetitia Colombani – A creatively structured story of three women living across the globe from one another, in vastly different circumstances, whose tales become entwined in poignant ways. Not widely promoted for some reason but a special find. I hope more readers get to enjoy it.
From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily and Finding Home by Tembi Locke – I simply adored this. I wasn’t expecting the writing to be so evocative but there were moments to stop and savour throughout. You will smell the Sicilian soil and tomatoes, I promise! An emotional story but told without high drama, just tenderly and respectfully shared. I don’t re-read very often (so many books, so little time) but am tempted already to re-visit this one.
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins – A juggernaut of positive promotion preceded its publication, Oprah blessed it too, but then controversy set in. I’ll leave you to the Googling to learn more about the politics but my experience as a reader was absolutely positive. I was captivated by the storytelling and found it to be a fascinating portrayal of a mother and son’s bond while bravely fleeing terrifying circumstances. I suggest reading the Author’s Note first. When I learned of the author’s inspiration for the story, I could personally reconcile any concerns raised among the naysayers.
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee – A big thank you to KM for this recommendation. A juicy big multi-generational saga set over several decades in Korea and Japan. An immigrant journey and a family story that is epic in scale and yet intimate in its portrayal of each character. Engrossing.
I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott – Sometimes when all the news articles seem to be too much, the reading of a personal essay can be a pleasant, just as brief, escape. This collection from a charming, self-professed Type A-overthinker, abounds with humour and poignancy. Philpott writes self-deprecatingly but honestly and often with a wink. Marriage, parenthood, big life moments, and more importantly, the little moments all feature.
The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali – A stationery shop in Tehran in the tumultuous 1950s provides the setting for a young love to ignite. The romance is complicated by politics, culture and family but the love remains intensely felt for a lifetime. An emotional story of paths taken and not taken – a really heart wrenching journey but so worth the read.
Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal – Don’t let the title scare you away (or make you overly giddy for that matter!) This is a wonderful story of a writing group for Punjabi widows that takes a bit of an entertaining turn. I get so many requests for “funny book” recommendations and this one has lovely humour, though it has some feisty adventure in it too. In fact, I was surprised by the unexpected depth. Looking forward to Jaswal’s next work.
The Library Book by Susan Orlean – AN thoughtfully gifted this to me and I looked forward to an interesting non-fiction foray. But let me tell you, I was not expecting this to be as riveting a tale as it was. Wow. I was fascinated by each of the many threads that Orlean wove together. It could be considered an academic account but it reads like a page-flipping novel. The essence of the story begins with the 1986 Los Angeles library fire and then fans out to explore the life of the suspected arsonist, the history of the library – its architecture and the people who were part of its soul over the years. This was written by a lover of reading, and this lover of reading approves!
An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff – Homelessness is a social condition that intimidates many people. In this memoir, Laura Schroff writes honestly about her own lack of understanding and how, through a simple gesture that grew, her life was changed by a young boy on the streets of New York City. Reminiscent of The Blind Side, this is an inspirational story that will stick with you.
Belgravia by Julian Fellowes – The word “romp” keeps coming forth whenever I describe this book. It reminds me of one of those Oscar Wilde plays, a comedy of manners, where everyone is dancing around everyone else and we’re only in on half of the story until it all pieces together in the end with a few wily maneuvers that leave you gasping and snickering. Julian Fellowes is of course the creator of the Downton Abbey antics and this, too, has become televised in the UK. The book was such fun, I can only imagine the TV series will be too.
Turbulence by David Szalay – A slim little chapter book oh-so-creatively pieced together and beautifully written. You know one of my favourite books of all time is Let the Great World Spin and this has a little sprinkle of that fairy dust. A passenger on a plane (you know, in the olden days) converses with his neighbouring seatmate. That seatmate goes on to have another conversation in a different city and so on and so on. The story winds around the globe and back again connecting regular people in extraordinary ways.
The Waiting Hours by Shandi Mitchell – The world of first responders doesn’t often appear in mainstream novels and so this was an interesting world in which to travel. With elements of suspense and heart wrenching emotion, it provides a glimpse into the challenge of processing trauma, personally and professionally. A Canadian writer who has also written Under This Unbroken Sky.
Coming Attractions from Favourite Writers
April 14, 2013
There is a special joy in seeing a new release by an author with whom you have earlier established a good fit. That zippy anticipation with any new book is more of a cosy feeling when it’s by an already favourite writer. Some universally “favourite” writers are emerging with new books in the coming months and I wanted to be sure you didn’t miss a beat. Jot these down and get ready to read! Let us know if you’ve discovered any favourite writers with a new work.
Edward Rutherfurd – Paris, April 23rd
I raved about Rutherfurd’s New York a few summers ago and I also enjoyed his London before that. In a style comparable to that of James Michener, Rutherfurd explores the history of a place – social, geographical, and beyond – by introducing readers to a fictional family and then following its members’ endeavours for a number of generations. I’m a big fan of these big books – truly sagas – and am delighted the next setting is Paris. Ooo la la!
Colum McCann – Transatlantic, June 4th
I can’t imagine narrowing down favourite book choices to a top 10 list but if I were forced to, Colum McCann’s Let the Great World Spin would be guaranteed a spot; definitely one of my favourite reads in recent times. I am therefore tickled pink that a new McCann read is on the horizon. As with Spin, this story weaves together several story-lines, some true-to life, and relates them in unexpected ways. While Manhattan was the setting in his last tale, this one connects North America with Ireland. Can’t wait – and love that cover!
Khaled Hosseini – And the Mountains Echoed, May 21st
There are very few shelves around without a copy of The Kite Runner. Its enormous success and popularity was followed by another winner, A Thousand Splendid Suns. Hosseini skillfully, and sensitively, introduced a generation of us to the realities of modern Afghanistan through his compelling characters and their stories. His novels also illuminated the universal ties of family across generations and this new one will explore this theme as well, from Kabul to Greece to the U.S. By all early-reader accounts, this one’s another keeper for the shelf.
Isabel Allende – Maya’s Notebook, Just published (April)
Isabel Allende is another family saga specialist with almost twenty popular fiction and non-fiction works to her name. Famously hailing from Chile, Allende writes novels that feature themes of the Latino experience – immigration, political upheaval, balancing South and North American identities, and the evolution of family and place over generations. Her latest book, just released, is more of a contemporary tale than some of her historical ones and blends the Chilean and American experiences in an engaging way.
Jeannette Walls – The Silver Star, June 11th
A sentimental favourite for her startling, and riveting, memoir The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls shared more of her family’s unique story with Half Broke Horses. Both were un-put-downable. The Silver Star is a novel, rather than memoir, and so follows a fictional arc. The themes are familiar – extraordinary families, resilience, and ultimately, triumph.
Joseph Boyden – The Orenda, September 2013
A Canadian favourite, Boyden is known for his award-winning Three Day Road, and Through Black Spruce – beautifully evocative writing and emotionally-charged stories from the Native Canadian experience. His new novel is still a wee wait away but worth anticipating. This time, the setting begins in very early Canada and explores the meeting of traditional and emerging approaches to social, political and spiritual thought. Guaranteed good methinks.
Lauren Weisberger – Revenge Wears Prada, June 4th
This will appear in shops just as you’re busting out your beach bag so be sure to save room. The Devil Wears Prada had us all feeling titillatingly voyeuristic as the shocking behind-the-scenes dynamics of a famous fashion magazine were revealed – all fiction, of course. Substantial sport followed in imagining the true-life inspiration for the antics, just the same. I’m always a champion of book over movie, but Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt shall always vividly remain the personification of Weisberger’s written characters. They’re back on the page in Revenge so buckle up for more hijinks.
Amy Tan – The Valley of Amazement, November 2013
Remember The Joy Luck Club? I think it was one of the first real book club favourites when it was released in, brace yourself, 1989! Tan followed her first novel with other successes, The Bonesetter’s Daughter, The Kitchen God’s Wife, and several more. This new story will similarly pursue the experience of several generations of Chinese women in China and North America – the intriguing world of Courtesans being the feature this time. “Spanning fifty years and two continents, The Valley of Amazement is a deeply moving narrative of family secrets, the legacy of trauma, and the profound connections between mothers and daughters.” (goodreads) While you’re waiting, you might want to read Amy Tan’s biographical notes – her personal story is a wild tale unto itself.
April Book Club Update
April 27, 2010
A few weeks ago I posted about making my selection for Book Club last month. Well, my choice was Colum McCann’s Let the Great World Spin and while I really enjoyed it, I was awaiting the response from my book club with a little angst. The pressure of putting a book out there and then waiting for the group to approve or disapprove can be uncomfortable! Well, the verdict is in and it was a unanimous “thumbs up”! You can now feel confident enough to read it and share.
Our next choice is The Law of Dreams by Peter Behrens and it looks great. Here is the snippet (technical term I’m sure) from the back cover: “Driven from the only home he has known during Ireland’s Great Hunger of 1847, Fergus O’Brien makes the harrowing journey from county Clare to Canada, travelling with bold girls, pearl boys, navvies, and highwaymen. Full of vivid, unforgettable characters, The Law of Dreams is lyrical, emotional, and thoroughly extraordinary.”
Why don’t you let us know what you alone or you and your bookclub are reading? Post a comment by clicking on “Comments” at the bottom of the post. Remember too if you are interested in having new posts sent directly to you, you can hit the “Sign Me Up” button .
