The Orange Tree - Carlos Fuentes (translated from the Spanish by Alfred Mac Adam) (Harper Perennial, 1994) This book consists of five semi-linked novellas. I say semi-linked because you can certainly read them individually and the connections between each are subtle. However, when read together, they flow and they really do make the best sense… Continue reading Book Review: The Orange Tree by Carlos Fuentes
How to Raise a Reader - Pamela Paul & Maria Russo (Workman Publishing, 2019) This is an easy to read and idea-filled book geared toward parents who want to install a love of reading in their children. It's not so much about how to teach your child to read as it is about how to… Continue reading Book Review: How to Raise a Reader by Pamela Paul & Maria Russo
The Quiet American - Graham Greene (The Viking Press, 1967) This is not Graham Greene's best work but even subpar writing from Graham Greene will have something worthwhile to it. The narrator of this novel is Fowler, a British journalist, stationed in Vietnam. The Quiet American was first published in 1955 so this isn't the… Continue reading Book Review: The Quiet American by Graham Greene
Utopia Avenue - David Mitchell (Alfred A. Knopf Canada, 2020) For the most part, I quite enjoyed this latest book from David Mitchell. It is an exploration of youth, of dreams, of music. It's set during that unique musical period of the late 1960s, in London. It's a time exploding with creativity and Utopia Avenue… Continue reading Book Review: Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell
The Dogs Are Eating Them Now - Graeme Smith (Alfred A. Knopf Canada, 2013) Graeme Smith was a journalist in Afghanistan from 2005 to 2011, writing primarily for The Globe & Mail, Canada's major national newspaper. This book is his look back at his trips to Afghanistan, his experiences, and his changing opinions. When Smith… Continue reading Book Review: The Dogs Are Eating Them Now by Graeme Smith
My Heart - Semezdin Mehmedinović (Catapult, 2021) I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This book is for sale now. My Heart is a gentle, contemplative read. It is like reading the journal of a man who knows he is living the second… Continue reading Book Review: My Heart by Semezdin Mehmedinović
Shuggie Bain - Douglas Stuart (Grove Press, 2020) Oof. This book. Let me start by saying that it is worthy of the high praise and the awards it has received. But it's really hard to read. I started slow and came close to giving up after one particularly brutal chapter but pushed through and am… Continue reading Book Review: Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
Satellite Love - Genki Ferguson (McClelland & Stewart, 2021) I received an Advanced Readers e-copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Satellite Love was released 2 March 2021. This is a charmingly weird book. There are four characters whose perspectives we see from at various points and one… Continue reading Book Review: Satellite Love by Genki Ferguson
White Ivy - Susie Yang (Simon & Schuster, 2020) The blurb for this novel tells us that Ivy Lin is a thief and liar. And while these are certainly true of the main character of White Ivy, it doesn't tell the whole story. Ivy Lin is someone who wants more. At a young age, while… Continue reading Book Review: White Ivy by Susie Yang
Klara and the Sun - Kazuo Ishiguro (Alfred A. Knopf Canada, 2021) Kazuo Ishiguro is one of my favourite living authors and so as soon as I heard he had a new book coming out in 2021 I immediately pre-ordered Klara and the Sun. Last week, I had the chance to tune into a live,… Continue reading Book Review: Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Karissa Reads Books 