I'm not sure that Pearl has ever actually seen a train but she sure seems to enjoy stories about them. And there seem to be multiple classic children's books revolving around trains. Our story selection tends toward mid-20th century and I'm having trouble thinking of more modern train stories. Any suggestions? Pearl's favourite of these… Continue reading Reading with Pearl: Train Edition
One of the signs of a compelling book for me is when I want to tell other people all about it. Or when I lay awake after reading it, thinking over various parts. All We Leave Behind did both. Carol Off is a well-respected CBC journalist with a long career. (For those non-Canadians, that's the… Continue reading Book Review: All We Leave Behind by Carol Off
Someone recommended this book to me and I was drawn in by the lovely cover and was excited to read this story based on Russian myth and lore. While it didn't match my high expectations, it was a readable and enjoyable story and a twist on a fairy tale that might not be familiar to… Continue reading Book Review: The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
(My dad felt that my summer reading level had dropped off so I have done my best to boost my numbers this September. However, please keep your expectations low for October.) The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters: The Jolly Regina - Kara LaReau (Amulet Books, 2017) The Good People - Hannah Kent (Little, Brown,… Continue reading What I Read – September 2017
If you ask Pearl currently what she wants to be when she grows up she will gleefully tell you, "A bunny!" This is mostly due to the book on the top left, When Bunny Grows Up. Regardless, bunnies are popular in our household and Pearl's book collection reflects that. When Bunny Grows Up and Home… Continue reading Reading with Pearl: Bunny Edition
In this novel, Brian Payton explores a lesser known portion of World War II history - the Japanese invasion of Alaska. At least, this was unknown to me and I consider myself decently informed. Our main character is John Easely, a journalist who has snuck his way into the Aleutian Islands where the native peoples… Continue reading Book Review: The Wind is Not a River by Brian Payton
I bought this book as a gift for a seven-year-old I know so the true test will be whether or not she enjoys it. In the meantime, here are my thoughts. Jaundice and Kale are sisters who enjoy looking at wallpaper, watching grass grow, and eating plain cheese sandwiches. Their parents went out to run… Continue reading Book Review: The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters (Book One): The Jolly Regina by Kara LaReau
Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? Today is the first day of the autumn season. A year ago, I sat in a hospital, swallowing back tears, repeating to myself the lines from that famous psalm, "Even though I walk through the valley of… Continue reading Death is Swallowed Up in Victory
With her second novel, Hannah Kent confirms that she is a master of historical fiction. As with Burial Rites (read my review here), Kent uses a true historical story to build her novel around. This time the setting is early 19th century Ireland and the tale revolves around "the good people" - the fairies and… Continue reading Book Review: The Good People by Hannah Kent
This collection of short essays (plus an interview and a short story) follows Higashida's previous book translated into English, The Reason I Jump. I haven't read Higashida before and while The Reason I Jump may provide some helpful context and personal history, I don't think it's necessary to have read it first. It also… Continue reading Book Review: Fall Down 7 Times, Get Up 8 by Naoki Higashida
Karissa Reads Books 