Booktalk

[listersgirl]

Winston Choy The Jade Peony

This was great - stories of three Chinese Canadian siblings growing up in Vancouver around the time of the (second?) world war. I especially liked the middle one. It made me want to read more social histories of that time and place, and the Chinese experience in BC. (One of the Canada Reads titles)

Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games

Everyone who has read this seems to love it, and I did too. Totally engrossing. My only issue was that since it was in the first person, I never really felt any threat of danger toward the narrator, so it lost a little of the suspense for me. Still, I can't wait to read the next one.

Nicolas Dickner Nikolski

I liked this much more than I thought I would. Normally I find it hard to get into translated novels - I'm always aware that the author's words have been filtered in a way - but I loved the writing, and the translation was part of that. Engaging story, too, although the ending was a little flabby. (Another Canada Reads title)

Stephen Fry Stephen Fry in America

Oh, Stephen Fry, I love you so. This, I believe, is a companion book to a BBC series where Stephen Fry visits all 50 states. It's highly entertaining and very quotable, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Alice Munro Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage

Fabulous short stories. I love Munro's writing.

Kathy Reichs 206 Bones

I used to read and quite enjoy her books, but I find most of these procedural sorts of books get a little exhausting with their continual need to top themselves. Not every story has to be epic and life-threatening! But we started watching Bones, and I was curious to see how similar they are (plus the book was sitting on the Fast Reads shelf in the library). Answer? Really not similar at all, other than the name of the main character. Heh.

Nora Roberts Red Lily

Something I picked up quickly at my parents' library. I actually didn't like it much - there was an odd ghost story that felt tacked on (although that's probably because it was the 3rd in a trilogy), and I found the guy got way too pushy as the book went on. Meh.

Sinclair Ross As For Me and My House

The struggle of a small-town preacher's wife to maintain her marriage and survive the tiny towns. Liked it, didn't love it.

Comments

[globetrotter1.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you liked The Jade Peony, that's one of two books that I still need to read for Canada Reads (with Good to a fault).

[listersgirl]

It was great.

I've read all the new-to-me books now - I just need to re-read Generation X because I remember exactly nothing about it.

[globetrotter1.livejournal.com]

That's because it's easily forgettable. Meow!

[blue-lotus.livejournal.com]

Do you want more recommendations about Chinese Canadian history? Oh man, I can deliver ;)

[listersgirl]

I was going to ask you for some recommendations, actually. Growing up in BC, it's one of those things that is always there but never really studied, and I'd definitely like to know more.

[liquid-siftings.livejournal.com]

oh, Alice Munro's writing is sublime. If only I could write 1/3rd as well!

[listersgirl]

I know. She's one of the only short-story authors I actually like, because her stories are so very complete and satisfying.

[metamorphosa.livejournal.com]

I fail at the starting blocks on this post, so, erm, Hello!

[listersgirl]

Hello! The books will love you anyway. :)

[metamorphosa.livejournal.com]

Do you think? Well, that's nice to know, at least. :)

[starfishchick]

I agree with you about the narrator in The Hunger Games, but yes, it was still a really good read!!

[sh1mm3r.livejournal.com]

I just got the Munro from the library after seeing it on a "Best of the decade" list. She tends to be hit-or-miss with me, but I'm still looking forward to it!

[listersgirl]

I think a list of that sort was what made me pick this one up. :)