First things first, I liked Rules of Civility better than A Gentleman in Moscow, Towles' first book and I think I'm in the minority in this opinion so I'll explain why. Both novels are well written and Towles clearly excels at bringing historical time periods to life, whether that's New York in the 1930s, as seen in Rules of… Continue reading Book Review: Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
Generally speaking, I don't enjoy books centred around bookstores. I find they tend to romanticize an experience I've known very well in the real, practical world. So I didn't begin 84, Charing Cross Road with high hopes, despite the fact that it was recommended to me by a bookseller. In the end, it surprised me. This… Continue reading Book Review: 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
Happy New Year! Back in October, or November, I intended to share a little about how our family is adjusting to life with two little ones. But I never seemed to have the time or energy to sit down and write a post...so that probably tells you what you need to know about life with… Continue reading Christmas 2017
My Favourite Reads of 2017: Do Not Say We Have Nothing - Madeleine Thien The Break - Katherine Vermette The Lonely Hearts Hotel - Heather O'Neill Silence - Shusaku Endo All We Leave Behind - Carol Off The Golden House - Salman Rushdie You Don't Have to Say You Love Me - Sherman Alexie The Good People - Hannah Kent Bellevue Square - Michael… Continue reading What I Read – 2017
The Lifters - Dave Eggers (Alfred A. Knopf, 2018) Wonder - R.J. Palacio (Alfred A. Knopf, 2012) Beloved - Toni Morrison (Plume, 1998) My Cousin Rachel - Daphne Du Maurier (International Collectors Library, 1952) Currently Reading: See What Can Be Done - Lorrie Moore Rest, Play, Grow - Deborah MacNamara The Turn of the Screw… Continue reading What I Read – November 2017
I read Wonder and The Lifters back to back and so it's hard not to compare them in my mind. While they are two very different books, they are geared toward the same age. The key difference that stands out to me in this regard though is that while The Lifters has an appeal likely… Continue reading Book Review: Wonder by R.J. Palacio
I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book, which will be released March 27, 2018. Being a moderate fan of Dave Eggers I either avoid nor search out his work. I find him to be guilty of over-writing, which made me more curious how his style might translate to a book for young readers.… Continue reading Book Review: The Lifters by Dave Eggers
I've read Toni Morrison's Bluest Eye previously and had a vague idea of what Beloved was about so I knew I was in for a heavy read. To be honest, I'd put off reading this novel for that very reason. Yet as I read Beloved, I was reminded that sometimes it's important to look closely… Continue reading Book Review: Beloved by Toni Morrison
I didn't read this book from cover-to-cover, nor do I expect anyone to run out and buy this exact copy, so for those reasons this isn't exactly a book review. I picked up this story collection at a thrift store but my dad later pointed out to me that we had the same book at… Continue reading Not a Book Review: A Boys’ Treasury of Sea Stories
Where to start talking about a book like Winter's Tale? Almost more of a philosophical venture than a novel; it's magic realism, fantasy, historical fiction, a little bit of cyber punk. There's even time travel. Sort of. Blurbs will tell you that Winter's Tale is the story of Peter Lake, a thief who falls in… Continue reading Book Review: Winter’s Tale by Mark Helprin
Karissa Reads Books 