Binge-read the series. YA, but not too young. Nice blend of fantasy and reality, set in Vancouver. Young woman unsure of direction in life, obstacles Binge-read the series. YA, but not too young. Nice blend of fantasy and reality, set in Vancouver. Young woman unsure of direction in life, obstacles in her way, some yet undiscovered abilities, allies and enemies in wait - a great adventure. And very well done. ...more
I enjoy the dry humour of both Mark Twain and Samuel Clements. It's sort of a travel book, partially fictional, describing his travels through southerI enjoy the dry humour of both Mark Twain and Samuel Clements. It's sort of a travel book, partially fictional, describing his travels through southern and central Europe. He assumes the role of an American tourist who thinks he knows all, but who is in fact very naive. It's supposedly a walking tour, but compromises are often made, such as the following.
The music of a donkey awoke us early in the morning, and we rose up and made ready for a pretty formidable walk—to Italy; but the road was so level that we took the train.. We lost a good deal of time by this, but it was no matter, we were not in a hurry. We were four hours going to Chamb`ery. The Swiss trains go upward of three miles an hour, in places, but they are quite safe.
At times I was not sure if I was reading a true account or more subtle sarcasm, but I carried on chuckling my way through. ...more
Reading and enjoying. It's a slower style, encouraging the occasional reflection. Only 1/3 through so far. Reading and enjoying. It's a slower style, encouraging the occasional reflection. Only 1/3 through so far. ...more
A great collection of stories. Each includes an interview with the author, as well as links to their other works. Some of which I have followed up - eA great collection of stories. Each includes an interview with the author, as well as links to their other works. Some of which I have followed up - exactly why I love these collections. ...more
An interesting concept, told with a good story and relatable characters. Did it need to be 845 pages long? Probably not, I did feel it was lagging in An interesting concept, told with a good story and relatable characters. Did it need to be 845 pages long? Probably not, I did feel it was lagging in the middle. And the ending seemed a little contrived.
Spoiler alert - Shana seemed not that concerned about being still pregnant when she finally awakes -5 years after everyone else. We learn that the virus was not 100% effective, so there are still millions alive in the world. Yet Shana and the 1000 or so in the town are needed to lead the world. How, and why would others care? And Black Swan, rather than still live in a vast room of supercomputers, will abandon that facility and download to her and her child. Maybe it's my fault, and I didn't understand it all. ...more
"The carriage drew closer to Booksellers' Row, and Beatrice Clayborn drew in a hopeful breath before she cast her spell". That's how you start a story"The carriage drew closer to Booksellers' Row, and Beatrice Clayborn drew in a hopeful breath before she cast her spell". That's how you start a story - give me a reason to keep going. Beatrice is on her way to the big city, where she will be presented to society in the Bargaining Season. Hopefully, her beauty and social skills will secure a husband with connections and money advantageous to her family. All he will ask for her is to be a dutiful wife and mother and social hostess. But she is one of a minority of women with exceptional abilities to advance further, abilities she will be forced to give up in her marriage, or at least until her child-bearing years are done. A familiar story so far, but the twist is her ability is magic. So far she is a sorceress, capable of minor spells, but aspires to become a mage, bonded to a major magical entity. Becoming a mage is only available to males, attained in their secret brotherhood, and she would lose even her spelling ability once married. Beatrice finds a loophole, but if she pursues her dreams she will lose the man she loves. This is a great story, my favourite in the Canada Reads 2021 list. I binge-read most of it last night and finished with my morning coffee today. I'll read more of Polk's books too! ...more
Light, but entertaining. Very good description of setting and characters. It ended a little too quickly though, in terms of plot. The recent made for Light, but entertaining. Very good description of setting and characters. It ended a little too quickly though, in terms of plot. The recent made for TV movie was based on this, in part....more
Yet another unfinished book from Canada Reads 2021. I got halfway through, a bit each day, and then the 7 day express from my library timed out. And IYet another unfinished book from Canada Reads 2021. I got halfway through, a bit each day, and then the 7 day express from my library timed out. And I didn't really care. So - my thoughts . . . Food is important to this family, as a link between them. There are many recipes described, usually with ingredients I recognize. Or not, and that's the first issue I had with this book. It takes a few pages to state it's starting in Lagos, but we already have a hint from the foreign words. Some are explained from context, some we get an alias later, some remain a mystery, I get that it's the author's own culture and language, and helps place us right there, but when I have to pause to try to decipher a word or look it up somewhere, well that pulls me right out of the story. We start with the mother, Kambirinachi, who believes she is the reincarnation of a troubled spirit. She's a child now, leaving her home and off to boarding school. Then we meet Taiya, a young woman who's returned a while ago back to her home in Lagos to tend to her old mother. The same Kambirinachi. Taiya has started beehives behind the house, and loves to cook - with lots of butter. Her twin, Kelinde, is coming to visit from Canada with her Muslim spouse, Farouq. We jump back to Farouq as a 15 year old. To the mother when she was at boarding schools. The two girls, as pre-teens, and a rape. Plus there are letters between the two girls, some of them read for background, but some skipped. There are several threads, each one in a non-chronological order - I just gave up. Interesting characters, and probably another great story if I could have got to the end. Oh well.
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