This post-apocalytic story has several unique features that make it stand out from the usual fare in this increasingly popular genre. The apocalypse here is brought about by the Georgian Flu, a virus with an insanely quick incubation period and a fatality rate of approximately 99%. The novel follows three intersecting stories and timelines: Before,… Continue reading Book Review: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
I'm not sure why I haven't read many short story collections this year but that seems to be what happened. I'm happy to make amends with Leesa Dean's debut collection. For me, the mark of a good short story is one which, when it ends, causes me to pause and look around for a minute… Continue reading Book Review: Waiting for the Cyclone by Leesa Dean
The Autumn season is prime book-reading time. The rainy and cold weather means I want to stay inside and read and there seem to be so many books to read. The autumn is when many new books are released (leading up to Christmas) and many of the major literary prize winners (and shortlists) are announced.… Continue reading What I Read – October 2016
The Glass Castle exploded onto the scene of the book world - Jeannette Walls' hugely popular memoir of her unconventional childhood. Many cite Walls as the first in a growing trend of memoirs from "average" people (ie: not celebrities). A huge part of Walls' memoir (and its appeal) were her parents, especially her mother, Rosemary.… Continue reading Book Review: Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls
When a friend loaned me a copy of The Dirty Life I wasn't that excited. I don't read a lot of memoirs and it's rare that they appeal to me. My friend also happens to be a little more of a hippy than I am and I wasn't sure I was interested in reading a… Continue reading Book Review: The Dirty Life by Kristin Kimball
My initial reaction and concern upon reading the tagline of this book - "The true story of an 11-year-old panhandler, a busy sales executive, and an unlikely meeting with destiny" - was that it would turn out to be a sort of "white saviour" story. Wealthy white women meets young black boy and his life… Continue reading Book Review: An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff & Alex Tresniowski
I'm not sure that I would have finished The Trees, except that it was loaned to me by an acquaintance and I didn't want to seem like someone who doesn't finish books. (They offered to loan it to me after I commented on how beautiful the cover is. Seriously, that's a lovely cover, isn't it?)… Continue reading Book Review: The Trees by Ali Shaw
Joseph Boyden is easily one of the best Canadian writers currently being published and I'm a big fan. His latest offering is much shorter than his three previous works - I read Wenjack in two sittings over a couple of days - but brings forth all his familiar talent. What sets this brief story apart… Continue reading Book Review: Wenjack by Joseph Boyden
I make no secret of the fact that Ann Patchett is one of my favourite authors. So when I found out she had a new book coming out this fall, I immediately pre-ordered it. I'm happy to report that Commonwealth doesn't disappoint. Patchett's latest novel begins in the 1960s at a christening party. Franny Keating is… Continue reading Book Review: Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
Missing, Presumed - Susie Steiner (Harper Collins, 2016) Rumours of Another World - Philip Yancey (Zondervan, 2004) Commonwealth - Ann Patchett (Harper, 2016) Flight Behavior - Barbara Kingsolver (Harper Perennial, 2012) Currently Reading: Prayer - Timothy Keller The Trees - Ali Shaw
Karissa Reads Books 