Book Review: The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende

I've long been told that I should read Isabel Allende so I happily picked up this second hand copy at Powell's Books when in Portland. The Japanese Lover wasn't exactly what I expected but Allende didn't disappoint. Her writing is effective, dense, and infinitely enjoyable. Allende packs a lot into this book. The story encompasses a lot… Continue reading Book Review: The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende

Book Review: Autobiography by G.K. Chesterton

I've previously read Chesterton's The Man Who was Thursday (review here), Orthodoxy, and some of his Father Brown mysteries and generally enjoyed Chesterton's writing. So I thought it might be interesting to read his autobiography, first published in 1936. Autobiography is, perhaps, a misleading title. What this book really is is a series of essays,… Continue reading Book Review: Autobiography by G.K. Chesterton

Book Review: The Lonely Hearts Hotel by Heather O’Neill

I've read all of Heather O'Neill's published work and reviewed two of them here. (Daydream of Angels  and Lullabies for Little Criminals) Obviously, I enjoy her work and thankfully her latest novel didn't disappoint. If you like O'Neill's previous work, then I think you'll be pleased with The Lonely Hearts Hotel. Using Montreal once again as her setting,… Continue reading Book Review: The Lonely Hearts Hotel by Heather O’Neill

Book Review: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

I was inspired to re-read Agatha Christie's famous mystery novel And Then There Were None after reading FictionFan's book review. I'd read this short mystery story a couple of times before, years ago, but it had always stuck in my memory as one of the finest mystery novels I've read. Years ago, reading it for the first time,… Continue reading Book Review: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Canada Day 2017

This year Canada celebrated 150 years of existing as Canada. We are obviously a young country and we would do well to remember that culture existed and people lived on this land for many, many years before European settlers arrived. In 150 years, we as a nation have made a great many mistakes and we… Continue reading Canada Day 2017