Books, What's On Your Bookshelf?

What’s on Your Bookshelf – June 2023?

Retirement Reflections

My Five-Star Reads

Starlight, Richard Wagamese

Knowing that Richard Wagamese passed away before completing this novel and believing that another writer had finished it for him, I was initially hesitant to read it. From the opening paragraph, Wagamese’s storytelling was so compelling and distinct that my initial fears intensified.

Unable to put the book down, I braced myself for the inevitable shift in wording. It never came. I panicked further when I realized that only a handful of pages were left in my book. How could this masterfully paced novel wrap up so quickly?

Wisely, the editors decided to publish Starlight unfinished. They took great pains to keep the story and writing 100% true to its author. The editors carefully went through notes, manuscripts and unpublished works to roughly outline, as an afterward, the ending that they believe Richard Wagamese intended.

Starlight is a captivating exploration of compassion, forgiveness and the transformative power of the land. As it was left unfinished, it is difficult to rate. Despite some inconsistencies, and the many questions now running through my mind, I gave it five stars. My rating is based on the beautiful writing, even in its raw form, and the editors’ respectful handling of Richard Wagamese’s final work. If you haven’t yet read Richard Wagemese, you are missing hauntingly beautiful stories.

Travels with Charley, John Steinbeck

I’ve found myself tumbling down a Steinbeck Rabbit Hole lately. It all started with Grapes of Wrath, which led me to Cannery Row, Sweet Thursday and Travels with Charley,

I first read this book as an adolescent. What I then understood of the political and philosophical content, I have no idea. The only scenes I sketchily remembered were all heavily centred on Steinbeck’s dog.

Reading this 40 years later has been both uplifting and gut-wrenching. It has made me think deeply. It offers fantastic material for discussion and debate, making it ideal for just the right book club. And the controversy! Did Steinbeck fictionalize this journey? As most evidence points to yes, which parts are factual, which parts are embellished, and which parts are entirely made up? More importantly, why did Steinbeck choose to fictionalize or embellish, and does this detract from the book’s merit?

For me, a book that makes you think this deeply, sweeps you away with its language and passionately makes you want to discuss it is a five-star read (even if it is fictionalized nonfiction). As other readers have succinctly pointed out, Steinbeck’s humanistic acuity, evocative descriptions, and this upfront glimpse into his thoughts later in his life are reason enough to read this witty and insightful book.

My Four-Star Reads:

Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday, John Steinbeck
Sweet Thursday is Steinbeck’s sequel to Cannery Row. I hoped that it would end my Steinbeck-rabbit-hole-tumble. Reading it put to rest many of my questions on the Cannery Row film (Nick Nolte). When doing one last quick check about the movie’s date, my eyes spied that Raquel Welch was initially cast in the Debra Winger role of Suzy but was let go due to being reportedly difficult to work with. I seriously wish that I had not noticed that, as I now feel another rabbit-hole dive coming on. My brain froze on the fact that the Cannery Row film was produced in 1982, 42 years ago. I had to recheck the math quickly. How could 1982 have been almost a half-century ago?? I now need to stop writing this post and lie down! But I do recommend these novels. They are short, laugh-out-loud funny, and at the same time, heartwrenching. They are a thought-provoking exploration of loneliness and ostracism.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
My Classics Book Club is currently reading novels included on lists of “100 Best Books of All Time.” Our present selection is Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.’
I first read this book in elementary school (I still have that copy). I loved the adventure, whimsy, and fun. It taught me that the seemingly impossible could be possible.
Years later, I read ‘Alice’ as part of a children’s literature course. I was surprised by how much sophisticated content could be gleaned from its pages, including pointed commentary on Victorian society. In our twenty-something discussion groups, someone always pointed out (perceived) drug references. Forty years after my university reading, I love how Carroll brilliantly transports young and old readers to a magical world celebrating imagination. For me, the witty wordplay and clever puns take center stage.
As a lovely coincidence, last night, our seven-year-old grandson performed in a school play based on this book (he was a brilliant Mad Hatter…says his Grandma without much bias)

COOKBOOKS:


Bistro Cooking, Patricia Wells
If you’ve ever wanted to transport yourself to a Parisian bistro, this book does just that. With over 200 recipes celebrating simple, flavourful French cuisine, accompanied by concise step-by-step instructions, the mouthwatering food of small back-alley bistros immediately bursts to life. Bistro Cooking is filled with tips to make home cooking easier and more efficient, including tips for using leftovers. The Kindle version is currently available (June 2023) in Canada for $3.99. That’s a great bargain for a quick trip to France!

Nothing Fancy, Alison Roman
Alison Roman’s ‘Nothing Fancy’ is a highly readable cookbook. I enjoyed her writing style and applauded her sage advice, especially “ask for help, pick your battles, embrace your quirky imperfections without apology.” I appreciated that it covered everything from snacks to cleanup. The recipes are easy to follow, and the results are impressive. I especially like Roman’s philosophy that when she has “a special ingredient, e.g. a large piece of gorgeous halibut, extremely in-season tomatoes, a perfect peach,” she does “just about nothing to it.” She wants to taste that ingredient that she’s “paying half a month’s rent for and not fourteen other things piled on top.” This is excellent advice!
I’d love for you to check out the review of the Nothing Fancy recipes that I tried here. That post could currently use some love! ❤

What’s Been On Your Bookshelf Lately?

Please let me know in the comments below. If you have a book post to share, please include it here.

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Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

95 thoughts on “What’s on Your Bookshelf – June 2023?”

  1. Pingback: Reading takes something of a back seat when travelling #WOYBS – Deb's World

  2. I like the books you’ve read and appreciate your reviews. I know I read Travels with Charley in high school, but don’t think it made an impression on me. I’ve been on a recipe book reading binge lately. I’ve read Milk Street Tuesday Nights Mediterranean, Mediterranean Every Day, and The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook. Do sense a theme here?

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    1. Hi, Ally – Mediterranean food is my absolute favourite. I read Milk Street Tuesday Nights and greatly enjoyed it (even though it was quite North Americanized). If you come across any top favourite recipes, I would love for you to share them.

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  3. I’m reading The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. “…Erdrich creates a wickedly funny ghost story: a tale of passion, of a complex marriage, and of a woman’s relentless errors.” I have Richard Wagamese’s book on the to-read pile, a pile that seems to grow rather than get smaller. The Grapes of Wrath is a memorable read for me.

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    1. Hi, Mona – It is always a pleasure to hear from you and to discover what you are reading, and cooking! I agree that Grapes of Wrath is a story that never quite leaves you. The Sentence sounds very intriguing. I highly recommend Starlight. It is a fast, compellling read that in some ways is heightened by it’s abrupt, undisturbed ending.

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  4. I’m intrigued by Nothing Fancy. I will check that out. I’m not a fan of cookbooks that are complicated, require weird ingredients you only use once and at the end are only “meh.” I like the advice about a good ingredient. A good tomato doesn’t need much for me except a sprinkle of salt and maybe a bib to catch the juice!

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      1. No real garden. One tomato plant in a pot. Potted tomatoes are not like tomatoes in an “in the ground” garden but I guess they are beetter than nothing. Once in a while I’ll sneak a slice of sweet vidalia onion in my tomato sammy.

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  5. Hi Donna – I love that the publishers left Starlight true to its author – such a change from everyone thinking they know what’s best, rather than what the author intended. I also smiled at the synchronicity of life with you reading Alice and then having a Mad Hatter in the family 🙂

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    1. Hi, Jacqui – Thanks so much for stopping by. With the exception of Travels with Charlie and Sweet Thursday, all of the other books, including the cookbooks were book club reads. One of the many benefits of book clubs is that they help to keep our reading diverse!

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  7. Hi Donna – thanks so much for sharing your 5- and 4-star reads. I was not familiar with the author Richard Wagamese or his book Starlight – it seems as if the editors made the right decision to handle the ending the way they did – and then explain the author’s intention in the Afterword. I have been thinking A LOT about John Steinbeck the last few weeks, especially The Grapes of Wrath. That’s the only book of his I’ve read, though I have read a couple short stories. I’m currently reading Demon Copperhead and it weirdly reminds me of The Grapes of Wrath, not because of the plot, but because of the gut-wrenching things that happen and how well the charcters (in this case mostly the main character) are written.

    Another great post by you! 😊

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    1. Hi, Barbara – Thank you for your kind words. Richard Wagamese is an Ojibwe Canadian author and journalist from the Wabaseemoong Independent Nations in Northwestern Ontario. In March 2017, two days after Embers: One Ojibway’s Meditations was nominated for a BC Book Award, Wagamese died at his home of natural causes.The film adaptation of one of his best-known novel, Indian Horse, was released later that year. I highly recommend his books, which also include Medicine Walk and Ragged Company, amongst other greats.

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  9. I’ve never read any John Steinbeck but feel the need to tumble down that rabbit hole once I emerge gleefully from Alice’s… I can’t believe I’ve never read Alice before. This book was made for someone like me.

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    1. Hi, Jo – I wholeheartedly agree with both of your sentences. You will love Steinbeck (or at least I am pretty sure that you will) and Alice was totally meant for you. I look forward to discussing it together. (I also read Through the Looking Glass. If you haven’t read it, I recommend that too). 😀

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  10. I got slightly confused here about if we were on a book review or a food review with your request for us to join in with what was on our plate!
    You’ve read an interesting selection of books this month but that never surprises me as you are so well rounded and seem to read from a wide variety whereas I tend to head in the same direction most of the time. Thanks for hosting. I will see what I can pull off the shelf to include. Bernie

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    1. Hi, Bernie – I totally can’t believe I did that. I obviously host too many link ups! 😀 Thank you for your kind words and your quick eye. As I mentioned to Jacqui, all but two of the above books were selected by my book clubs, thus I can’t 100% take credit for the varied reading. I hope that all is well for you and you have been settling back in well after your awesome trip away.

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  12. I’ve never read Steinbeck, but have always intended to. Travels of Charley sounds interesting. I am intrigued that Starlight was published unfinished, but it sounds like the way it was done was very respectful and touching. Interesting post Donna.

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    1. Hi, Jennifer – Thanks so much for stopping by. If you have never read Steinbeck, I highly, highly recommend him to you. Grapes of Wrath is a great place to start. It is a heavy book but a read that never leaves you (at least it has never left me).

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  13. Hi Donna, I haven’t read Steinbeck in 40 years, but your review has lit an ember of curiosity. I am going to go back and revisit his writing. I recently read The Covenant of Water by Verghese, Trust by Diaz, and Hang the Moon by Walls. All three are fascinating books, but each one is very different from the other.

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  14. I loved Grapes of Wrath and Charly wat back when in my high school days. You inspired me to take a look at it again.

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  15. Hi Donna, I am also down a Steinbeck rabbit hole. The writing in Grapes of Wrath is so amazing I think I may well more of his books. I often only read a writer’s most famous work due to time constraints. I wrote a post about the dark origins of Alice in Wonderland. If you are interested you can find it here: https://roberta-writes.com/2023/04/26/dark-origins-the-creepy-true-story-behind-alice-in-wonderland-darkorigins-aliceinwonderland/. I like Alison Roman and will order her book and pay the high courier fee 🤦‍♀️. John Rieber has shared at least one recipe from a Patricia Wells cookbook.

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    2. Hi, Robbie – More and more I realize what kindred spirits we are regarding books. I also don’t often read several books from one author – but I highly recommend doing this with Steinbeck. So far I have read five of his novels and am unlikely to stop there. Thank you for sharing your post on the dark origins of Alice. I greatly look forward to reading it.

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  16. I really like the way you write book reviews with personal commentary. Fun and thoughtful. I don’t think I read the Travels with Charley book by Steinbeck and now I will. Being a writer and teacher of creative writing, I tell my students that whether something is “fiction” or not doesn’t matter. All good fiction is truth, to me.
    I’m worried about reading Starlight because I like an ending to the books I read. Hmmmm. I just finished reading Demon Copperhead. Wowzie. Incredible writing – how’d she create these characters? Disturbing and illuminating on so many levels. xo

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    1. Hi, Pam – Thank you for your very insightful comment. The more that I think about it, all fiction is truth. This also sheds a new light to my reading. Despite its lack of ending, I think that you will enjoy Starlight. Wagamese was such an incredible author, with a remarkable personal story. Being an author yourself, it is a book that I think you would appreciate. Ironically, earlier this week, I searched my online library for a light ‘ferry read’ and Demon Copperhead popped up as available. I do want to read that but didn’t borrow it this time because I knew that it was not remotely light!

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  17. I love this monthly post, your book selections and your commentary, especially about Travels with Charlie and Alice and Wonderland. And nearly a half century since the movie Canary Row? Yikes! I remember seeing that movie when it came out. I am currently reading Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld. Not sure if I am going to finish it. Not a fan of romance novels, and I was hoping this would be the witty exception that would draw me in. Alas, it isn’t.

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    1. Hi, Laurie – Thank you for your very kind words. Yup, I definitely needed to lie down when I realized that the was more than 40 years ago. Where does the time go?
      Thank you for the warning on Sittenfeld’s ‘Romantic Comedy.’ There are some authors, like Jo Tracey, who write Romance Plus novels that I greatly enjoy and get into. But the typical, predictable romance novel is usually not for me.

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  19. I laughed out loud when you wrote about realizing how old The Cannery Row film is. I feel you, girl!!!!🤣 Same here.

    I’ve just had to return a number of books (previously on hold) to the library as they all came in together and I feel guilty hanging onto them while others are waiting. When I just know it’s going to be difficult to get through them all. Between travel, home renos, Bowser and the garden, my reading time has been severely knocked down…for now!

    I will be adding Starlight and more John Steinbeck to my list. Thanks for the reviews, Donna!

    Deb

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    1. Hi, Deb – I’m glad that this post gave you a smile this morning!
      I totally know the feeling of needing to immediately return unread library books because too many of them have come in together at one time. I am pretty sure that you will enjoy Starlight. The death of Richard Wagamese was a great loss to Canadian literature.
      See you very soon!

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    1. Hi, Gail – I think that you will greatly enjoy Richard Wagamese’s writing. He was an exceptionally talented writer and he survived many trials in his life. When he was born, his family followed the traditional lifestyle of the Ojibwe people, fishing, hunting and trapping. His first home was a canvas army tent hung from a spruce bough frame. When he was two, his parents left him and his three siblings alone in a bush camp for days while they were drinking on a drinking binge. Spotted by a policeman, Richard and his siblings were taken away in the “Sixties Scoop,” a government program that aggressively scooped Indigenous children from their homes and placed them into foster care. His is definitely a remarkable story.

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  22. Hi Donna, I appreciate you sharing your reviews. I read Starlight a few years ago and loved it. I’d give it 5 stars too. The words in that book read like gentle poetry with wonderful imagery to me.

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  24. Hi Donna I always look forward to reading your What’s On Your Bookshelf? posts as I enjoy your reviews. I’ve not read any of the books you have mentioned although I do have Grapes of Wrath downloaded. I may read Starlight as firstly, you have peaked my interest as the book was not finished before the author died and secondly it will fit well with one of my 52 book club challenge prompts – a book published posthumously. Xx

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    1. Hi, Sue – Thank you for your very kind words. It’s so cool that you may read ‘Starlight’ as one of your 52 Book Club Challenge prompts. If you do, I would love to know your thoughts when you are finished – especially about Wagamese’s writing style. Welcome back home. I can’t wait to catch up with you.

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  25. Hi Donna, your reviews are always so eloquently written and want me to read the books immediately! Starlight sounds interesting and I’m really looking forward to talking all things Alice when we get together!

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  26. Hi Donna – I must read some Steinbeck … but I saw the Film ‘Indian Horse’ when I was out in Duncan! I love food books that take me on journeys … but I’ve just read Peter Fiennes’ ‘Footnotes – ‘A Journey Round Britain in the Company of Great Writers’ … amazingly engaging … someone mentioned it’s a more literary and stylish Bill Bryson – whose writing I don’t like ! I’ve also got his ‘A Thing of Beauty’ – travels in mythical and modern Greece – which I’m looking forward to reading. Way too many books to read … thanks for adding more for us to delve into. Cheers Hilary

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    1. Hi, Hilary –
      That so cool that you saw the film “Indian Horse” when you were out this way. I still kick myself that we didn’t meet up when you were out here.
      Somehow I no longer receive email notification of your blog posts. I’m not sure how that happened or how to rectify that. I am happy to re-register for your blog but am unsure how to do that. Any hints that you can give me will be greatly appreciated.
      I greatly enjoy your writing and do not want to miss further posts.

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  27. I’m impressed with your output, Donna. I linger over a book for weeks, partly because I’m a slow reader, partly because if I really love a book then I want to delay its ending. But I’d really prefer to read more! I read Travels with Charley years ago; what a great choice to re-read.

    I completely understand about rabbit holes lately: I’m currently in one for the books of Ian McEwan. Happy reading! – Marty

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    1. Hi, Marty – I try to linger over books more slowly. Truly, I do.
      As I often state, I don’t have a sleeping problem. I have a reading problem. “Just one more page” leads to “one more chapter” and then another, and quite often, another. I am truly hopeless in this regard. Enjoy McEwan. I agree that he is a great writer!

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  28. Just read for book group two novellas by Claire Keegan: Small Things Like These, and Foster. Both set in 1980s Ireland and both packing a devastating punch despite their short length. Beautifully written, and also prompted a discussion about society. The Ireland of the books was economically poor and socially conservative. Now it has left us behind. We are poorer since leaving the EU and are going backwards socially. Depressing.

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    1. Hi, Anabelle – I will keep an eye out for these novellas by Keegan. They sound like books that I would appreciate…despite the devastating punch.
      Your closing thought is indeed depressing. I am so sorry to read this.

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  29. Just finished Smoke Jumpers by Nicholas Evans. Written in 2021 it felt like it was todays news. I enjoyed the read. Good light reading with some drama and romance. I shed a tear.

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  30. Pingback: Best 6 Books in 6 Months #WhatsOnYourBookshelfChallenge #WOYBS #6BooksIn6Months - Reading Ladies

  33. I’ve got a long list for my June read, but I still like to check what others are reading. Thanks for sharing your June list!

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  34. Donna, I fear your mention of Steinbeck will have me rereading his books! I was enthralled as young and like you, wonder what I made of some of them! I’ll check out a couple you mentioned here. I like your cookery books reviews and it’s rare I buy any but recently bought one recommended to me. A simple vegetarian called Nosh – I needed some new veggie recipes and trying out one for my husband’s birthday party this evening! One book that has stayed with all year is The Silence Project – superb, unusual, frightening how one could imagine this happening for real and a great variety writing style! Happy Reading! 😀 📚

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      1. Thank you!

        I realise I’m probably late to Nosh and the first meal was superb – although slightly thrown by the mention of a random item that wasn’t in the ingredients!

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  35. Ooh, I love Steinbeck, although I haven’t read any of his books since college. It might be time to revisit! I have enjoyed my guilty reading pleasure: dystopian trilogies. It is always exciting when I find a new series to binge resd!

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  36. This was your month for Steinbeck, wow. You are such a great reader. I don’t know how you get so much done. Do you read the whole cookbook? I’ve never done that in my life. I look at the pictures and decide what I want to try. Now more often, I go to the internet for something that sounds tempting. My hat is off to you for reading them.

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    1. Thanks, Marsha – For our Cookbook Confidential Book Club (all bloggers) we do read the whole cookbook in order to review it. I had never done that before, atleast not cover to cover. It has been a very interesting and rewarding experience!

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  37. I have not read Richard Wagamese yet, so I definitely will give him a try! I am currently reading The Survivor’s Guide to Family Happiness by Maddie Dawson and really enjoying it.

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