Four Stones is a suspense-filled page-turner set in a Toronto, Switzerland, and briefly in upstate New York. After a flight to Buffalo New York,Four Stones is a suspense-filled page-turner set in a Toronto, Switzerland, and briefly in upstate New York. After a flight to Buffalo New York, Canadian Psychologist David Stone makes his way by car to his home in Toronto, a few hours north and a border crossing away. Once across the border, Stone has a flat tire and when looking for the spare tire he finds a dead body in the trunk. Unknown to Stone, the dead woman is Rita Brickston, a CIA agent with a secret that the Russians want, a microdot. The Russians have sent their own agents to find Brickston and stop her. They have, but the lost the body before retrieving the microdot from her corpse. Stone panics and dumps the body, thinking this is the end of the matter, but this is just the launch pad for the rocket of events that will blast off for the next eighteen hours. The quick-witted Russian spies have identified Stones car, and the chase across the border begins. The story is fast paced and well written, the characters believable, and the Stone family members, who get drawn, one by one into the intrigue are fascinating. The action builds steadily and the twists add excitement, making this a riveting read. The only criticism, and it’s a small one, is the use of such an archaic technology as the microdot. Other than that it is easy to imagine anyone getting caught up in the events within the book. I would only hope that I would be as resourceful as the Stone family in the same circumstances. Fun and exciting! Definitely a worthy read. ...more
If you've ever been to summer camp, or seen a movie about going to a summer camp-or just have ideas about what life is like in a summer camp, you mustIf you've ever been to summer camp, or seen a movie about going to a summer camp-or just have ideas about what life is like in a summer camp, you must read LOST IN MOSCOW: a brat in the U.S.S.R. by Kirsten Koza.
You can't imagine what summer camp was like in the Soviet Union in 1977. Kirsten Koza knows first-hand, and has written about what it was like for an 11 year-old girl from Toronto to go to camp in cold-war Russia. What would possess a parent to send their child to the other side of the planet to go to summer camp? She tells us that her grandmother entered her name in a raffle that was hosted by the Soviet government. The prize was for a child to be sent to a camp in the USSR for the summer. She goes on to say, "It was the only raffle my grandmother ever won."
Even before she arrives at the camp, she gets lost in Moscow, breaks the rules in Red Square and gets chased by the Red Army. Her book, besides being a wonderful time capsule of the early seventies, has a voice that is true and authentic. It represents perfectly, the language and cadence of the seventies, and for context touches on seventies current events to anchor you to the period. Lost In Moscow reminds us that it was a different world in the seventies. For instance, everyone seemed to smoke, and smoke everywhere: something we find completely foreign now. Russia was then a part of the Soviet Union, and for most people, a dark grey mystery. The young campers' characters are rich and nuanced, and the Soviets are serious, kind, and puzzled by the westerners. The beauty of this memoir, is the unwavering perspective of the author as an eleven-year-old Kirsten. Kirsten, who's name most people seem to mispronounce, allows us to accompany her on this adventure, and confides in us. This is no summer camp for the privileged suburbanite. I won't spoil it for you by giving anything away, but the chapter titles are priceless. Chapter 1 is, "There is no milk. You may have vodka."
This book had me hooked as soon as I turned the first page, and held me throughout. You'll love LOST IN MOSCOW: a brat in the U.S.S.R. ...more
Well researched and well told, Ted Barris' The Great Escape brings us the true story behind the popular Hollywood film. Barris also gives us a glimpseWell researched and well told, Ted Barris' The Great Escape brings us the true story behind the popular Hollywood film. Barris also gives us a glimpse into the lives of the main characters before they were captured, and after they left Stalag Luft-III. If you have seen the movie, you must read this book to uncover the true story behind the Hollywood myth. Highly recommended!...more
Beautifully written. Each poem a complete journey. Gail Sidonie Sobat has written a poetic dance where the steps are strangely familiar, and the songBeautifully written. Each poem a complete journey. Gail Sidonie Sobat has written a poetic dance where the steps are strangely familiar, and the song is quickly embraced as one's own. I will read this again and again. ...more
Joel Yanofsky's Bad Animals is an honest and heartfelt book about raising a child with autism. Not a self-help book, this has a more literary feel. AJoel Yanofsky's Bad Animals is an honest and heartfelt book about raising a child with autism. Not a self-help book, this has a more literary feel. A great read for anyone who knows someone raising a child with autism, and for the experts who really need to understand what the parents on the other side of the child are facing. ...more
An interesting and entertaining read. A really nice illustration of the Canadian north, too, and just the right amount of the supernatural to give itAn interesting and entertaining read. A really nice illustration of the Canadian north, too, and just the right amount of the supernatural to give it twinkle. ...more
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