October 2022

[❀ Susan]

hi all - sorry for the delay... what are you reading? what is next? what have you enjoyed recently as we delve into fall?

[Petra]

This week I finished 3 books all at once. Funny how that happens sometimes.

Seeing Ghosts: A Memoir - I really liked this memoir. Kat Chow looks at her family's history and her place in it. I liked how she tried to come to an understanding at what makes a family a family and the history that shapes and drives her parents (and, by extension, herself).

Tales from the Ant World - a strange topic to read about but I wage war on the ants in my driveway each year. I thought I might find a way to control them in this book. Nope.....ants can't be controlled. LOL. But there are some interesting and fascinating facts on ants and the various ant breeds in this book. It was a really interesting read.

Elephant in the Sky - a story about childhood mental illness, a very important topic. However, this book is poorly written and is more about the mother's story than it was about the child's. I found the mother unlikeable, the dialogue stilted and the character's reactions "off". Not recommended.

[Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺]

I usually enjoy some spooky reads this time of the year, but my time lately has been busy with the Giller finalists. I just can’t seem to fit on as many books as I used to!

I finished my third book from the Giller shortlist today, The Sleeping Car Porter. I am also nearly finished the audiobook We Measure the Earth With Our Bodies. The only left then will be Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century.

I am also looking forward to starting Iain Reid’s new novel, We Spread, which should be perfect for Halloween reading.

[Wanda]

@Allison, I am not keeping up on reading or knowing what new books are on the horizon. I had no idea Iain Reid had a new book, I love his stuff! A wild ride each time. Off to the boom store tomorrow...lol

[Wanda]

Typo: Book store! of course :)

[Heather(Gibby)]

Finished Nikolski and this is such a great story, highly recommend if you haven't read it yet.

[Karin]

This week I managed to finish a 4 star book and also one with a full stars (not many get 5 stars). I gave 4 stars to The Winds of War and 5 full stars to Ordinary Grace

[Susan]

Hi all! October has been a slow reading month so far.

I finished Cold Comfort Farm, which seemed to take me forever to get through. It was okay. I also read The Thursday Murder Club, which was a lot of fun, and We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies, which I liked but also seemed to take me forever to get through.

I'm currently reading Haven, which is a little dull, to be honest. I'm trying to get through as much of City of Bohane as I can before book club on Wednesday - I probably won't finish in time. And for bingo, I'm listening to Vinyl Cafe: 25 Years, Volume 2: Postcards from Canada on my walks.

[Heather(Gibby)]

Have any of you read The Double Hook?
I found it pretty frustrating because everything is only hinted at , and I am never sure what is going on.

[Wanda]

@Heather, I'm not familiar with this book. It sounds like it's just a bit too elusive...

[Heather(Gibby)]

Wanda wrote: "@Heather, I'm not familiar with this book. It sounds like it's just a bit too elusive..."

Its on the list of 100 Books that make you proud to be Canadian which I was trying to finish by the end of 2022, but I am not going to make it, maybe next year.

[Karin]

At least one Canadian made this list https://best-books.publishersweekly.c... for 2022!!!

Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton is in the top 10, so I have marked it want to read. Has anyone here read it?

[Joanna G]

Karin wrote: "At least one Canadian made this list https://best-books.publishersweekly.c... for 2022!!!

Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton is in ..."
I haven't, but it's definitely on my to-read as I adore Hark! A Vagrant - that one is definitely worth a read.

[Wanda]

@Heather- what a great reading challenge! Well done, good for you for doing this!

[Heather(Gibby)]

Currently reading The Jade Peony. This is a great book, but I am absolutely disgusted how Canada treated the Chinese labourers that were brought in to build the cross Canada railroad

[Petra]

Heather, I remember enjoying that book, too, and thinking how hard the Chinese immigrants had it here when they arrived.

[Petra]

This week I finished 2 good books: In the Shadow of Alabama and The Yellow Wife: A Novel.

[Heather(Gibby)]

Happy Friday! Couldnt find a November thread, so posting here,

I finished The Jade Peony which is a solid story told about a Chinese-Canadian family told from the perspective of the three youngest children. It started out strong, but honestly I was expecting it to be stronger, not sure if it was intended to be YA or not, but it reads that way.

I am listening to a thriller right now called Need to Know which I am enjoying.

Have a great weekend!