This is one that's been on my To Read list for a long time. The Shadow of the Wind (Penguin Books, 2001) takes place in Barcelona, following the Second World War. Daniel is ten years old, living with his father, the owner of a bookshop. As the story opens, Daniel is taken for the first… Continue reading Book Review – The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
A year ago, I was swimming in this river: But summer locally is not too shabby either: This past weekend, Peter and I explored an area neither of us had previously been to. Francis Point has been a Provincial Park since 2001. A trail takes you along the water and through the trees. Walking through… Continue reading Hike at Francis Point
If you love a good mystery novel - with a private eye who smokes too much, drinks too much, likes to comment on a lady's legs (and calls them "gams"), but always gets the job done - you owe a debt of gratitude to Raymond Chandler. The Big Sleep is Chandler's first novel, published in… Continue reading Book Review – The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
Some books should come with a warning. Something like, "You're probably going to cry before this book is through. Even if you think you're not a crier." All My Puny Sorrows (Knopf Canada, 2014) is Miriam Toews' sixth novel. Like the first five, this novel involves Mennonite characters. Though while being Mennonite is key to… Continue reading Book Review – All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews
This past weekend, Peter and I had a whirlwind city trip to attend a wedding. And by whirlwind, I mean that we totally had time to stop for donairs when we stumbled across the Vancouver Latino festival. (Not that donairs are Latino...) A wedding gave me a chance to wear one of my fancier dresses… Continue reading Lately (+ a bonus dress!)
I'm rather inclined to think of Tell the Wolves I'm Home (Dial Press, 2013) as a young adult novel. That's certainly not a bad thing, I just think teenagers would benefit from reading this one. June is 14-years-old and her favourite person in the world has just died. Her uncle Finn, a talented artist, her… Continue reading Book Review – Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
Canada Day! Each little community along our Coast has a different occasion they celebrate throughout the summer. Sechelt's is Canada Day. It's the social event of the year around here. Here's a few from the parade: I often think of how fortunate I am to be a Canadian. Through a fluke of birth (even though… Continue reading Canada Day 2014
This dress may look familiar. In fact, this picture may look familiar. I'll be honest - this is a photo from Day 2. I wore this dress again yesterday and when I curled up in bed last night, realized I hadn't taken a picture that day. So the 30 Day Dress Challenge ends on a… Continue reading Day 30 – 30 Day Dress Challenge 2014
Today Canada celebrates its 147th birthday. In honour of the occasion, I would like to present to you the top 50 novels you should read if you want to be A Well-Read Canadian. And who doesn't, right? This idea was inspired by this list, as well as my general love of listing books. My criteria:… Continue reading The Well-Read Canadian
Karissa Reads Books 