Some authors wow you with their debut novels and then disappoint with the follow-ups. With others, it works the opposite way and you're able to see their writing improve. White Teeth (Penguin Books, 2001) is Zadie Smith's first novel but the third one by her that I've read. While I enjoyed White Teeth I don't… Continue reading Book Review: White Teeth by Zadie Smith
Tag: Book Review
Book Review: Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson (Reading with Pearl)
I'm Scottish in the way that a lot of Canadians are. Meaning, a couple hundred years ago some people came from Scotland and had children and they had children and on down the line until I was born. And, like most Canadians again, the Scotishness got mixed up with other Europeans and folks from around… Continue reading Book Review: Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson (Reading with Pearl)
Book Review: The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan
Coincidentally, I began reading The Omnivore's Dilemma around the same time that my daughter began eating solid foods. Food was on my mind. I quickly realized I was being more discerning about what Pearl ate than I ever am about my own diet. Thinking and planning what my girl should eat, and how she should… Continue reading Book Review: The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan
Book Review: The People’s Act of Love by James Meek
This book suffered from what I've come to think of as "my 2:30 am problem". That's where I start reading a new book in the middle of the night while up nursing. A good book is typically how I stay awake for these sessions (and if a book is really good I've been known to… Continue reading Book Review: The People’s Act of Love by James Meek
Book Review: The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld
This is a surreal, fantastical tale set in a crumbling prison. It's about life and death, corruption, and a little bit of love. Our narrator is a prisoner on death row - both his name and his crime are kept from us until the end. We learn that he is a selective mute, a voracious… Continue reading Book Review: The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld
Book Review: The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James
I made an attempt on a Henry James novel once before and didn't get far so I didn't have high hopes for this book (not to mention that it's about 800 pages long). Fortunately, I was very pleasantly surprised and was drawn in by the characters and plot almost immediately. (Warning: I always try to… Continue reading Book Review: The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James
Book Review: Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller
It's kind of an odd choice to read a book about work at this stage of my life. I'm a stay-at-home parent and I love it. I feel a lot of value in what I do and so I try to do it to the best of my ability. Which is really what lies at… Continue reading Book Review: Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller
Book Review: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
This book was dangerously over-hyped for me. When I start to hear over and over again how great a book is (or anything really) my stubborn heels begin to dig in and I am ready to dislike it. Which is a silly reaction, I know, but a difficult habit to shake. Fortunately, I still enjoyed… Continue reading Book Review: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Book Review: Grace River by Rebecca Hendry
Grace River is a slim little novel, told from the alternating perspectives of four residents of a small town in British Columbia called Grace River. It's a town where most people know each other, where most people grew up nearby, and the main industry is the smelter, Axis. Our four narrators are Jessie, Daniel, Kali,… Continue reading Book Review: Grace River by Rebecca Hendry
Book Review: Crazy Love by Francis Chan
There are two ways I have to approach a book like this. 1) As a reader and 2) as a Christian. In the first instance, I didn't love this book. I really wanted to. I've heard great things about Chan as a speaker but it unfortunately seems to be the case that, though he may… Continue reading Book Review: Crazy Love by Francis Chan
