In the interest of fitness, spending time outdoors, and accomplishing other tasks I’d rather procrastinate on, I’ve been trying to limit my reading to one book a week.
Reading Goal: Read four books a month (or less).
This Month’s Reality: Six books read in the last thirty days.
Lesson: My plan was to start my last two books (Adrift and Fourteen Days) but only finish them once this post was published. I’ve been reminded once again that books are like Lays potato chips…once you start it can be impossible to stop.
I’ll spare you further excuses and dive right in.
Oh William (Book 2 in the Lucy Barton Series)
3+ Stars
After thoroughly enjoying My Name is Lucy Barton, I eagerly delved into the third book in this series, Oh William (I am still waiting for the second book to become available at my local library).
The initial allure of the first Lucy Barton book lay in Lucy’s distinctive voice – authentic, raw, and penetrating. However, Lucy’s narration in Oh William lacked the same impact that had previously captivated me.
Coupled with a slower start, I was initially disappointed. It’s possible my expectations were too high. Or perhaps binge-reading these books in rapid succession dulled their impact.
Nevertheless, I persisted in reading and was pleased that I did. While Lucy’s voice never fully regained its initial allure for me, I soon got over this, and my overall reading experience improved.
Oh, William attempts to blend plot-driven and character-driven elements, a departure from the entirely character-driven nature of its predecessor. Like My Name is Lucy Barton, Oh William skillfully captures themes of loneliness, individual isolation, an overwhelming sense of invisibility, and the endeavour to connect with others’ loneliness through writing. The narrative also delves into the age-old question of whether we ever truly know anyone, including ourselves.
These brilliantly captured themes, coupled with a well-crafted ending, made Oh William a satisfying read overall. Cleverly, Stout left room for additional books to be added to this series, maintaining the intrigue and potential for future developments (which has already happened with Lucy by the Sea).
Amy and Isabelle (Elizabeth Strout’s First Novel)
3- Stars
Another Elizabeth Stout novel immediately available at my local library was Amy and Isabelle. As a movie has been made from this novel (2001), I thought this book might be a good candidate for my Book and Movie Club. Drawing from past experiences, I chose to read this book before recommending it. I am extremely glad that I did.
Amy and Isabelle is Elizabeth Strout’s debut novel (1998). In it, Strout’s immense writing talent is undeniable. That being said, this was not the book for me. I came very close to abandoning it halfway through but compromised by taking a break and reading another book before returning to this one.
I found all characters, with the exception of Bev, difficult to like. Bleak and disturbing, the story was emotionally exhausting. The inconsistent often dragging pacing continually threw me off. Its overarching theme, exploring the stark contrast between our internal realities and the external facades we present, is effectively conveyed in some places but is unnecessarily prolonged in others.
While I personally did not enjoy this book, I was impressed with the raw talent that went into this debut novel. I have since chosen a different piece of fiction to recommend to my Book and Movie Club.
The In-Between (Memoir of a Hospice Nurse)
3+ Stars
Before borrowing a copy of The In-Between from my local library, I knew nothing about this book. I was taking a break from an emotionally intense fiction book I was reading (see above) and thought The In-Between would provide a well-needed change of pace. I know what you’re thinking. How in the heck is a nurse’s memoir about twelve patients’ experiences with death and dying a lighter read?
While this wasn’t a ‘light’ read per se, as Hadley and her patients gain peace and comfort in accepting death as a natural part of life, with repeated patterns of ‘coincidences’ too frequent to ignore, the reader gains much insight and wisdom from this thought-provoking memoir.
Some parts of this book were profoundly moving, while others seemed less convincing. In the first sentence of her book’s blurb, author Hadley Vlahos is described as a “passionate advocate for end-of-life care and TikTok star.” As I read, I found definite glimmers of social media superlatives, humble bragging, and a rose-coloured presentation. The tell-all bad-mouthing of nurses outside of the hospice field is one of the many (many) reasons I could never write a memoir.
Nevertheless, The In-Between is a compelling and provocative read that offers a close-up look at dying with peace and dignity. Despite the reservations mentioned above, I completed the book within a twenty-four-hour period. I recommend it to all those interested in exploring this topic further in a quick and easy read.
Anne of Green Gables (Book Club Read)
5 Stars
I sought a Canadian novel to suggest to my Online Classics Book Club and finally decided upon Anne of Green Gables. First, I had to admit that I had never read this or any other novels in the series nor watched any of the endless movie adaptions. All other book club members had…and I am the only Canadian in the group! Over 50 million copies sold worldwide, Canada’s most-read author, and I hadn’t read it.
In my defence, as an adolescent, I was thoroughly absorbed by the writings of Stephen Leacock, and as a teen, I had a massive crush on Michael Ondaatje. Not a fair trade-off, you say? I think my fellow book club members may agree with you.
From page one, I was astonished at how deeply I fell in love with Anne and the finely drawn cast of characters surrounding her, keeping me spellbound until the very last page. Anne of Green Gables is a delightful mix of humour, heartwarming moments, and vivid portrayals of picturesque Prince Edward Island. Anne’s vibrant imagination and charming personality swiftly win over the residents of Avonlea and the reader alike. Montgomery’s writing beautifully captures Anne’s emotional journey, from her adolescent struggles to her growth into an incredible young adult.
Although I knew a rough outline of the novel’s premise, the unfolding story remained fresh and mostly unknown to me until the final chapter. There, I knew the ending before it appeared. So, perhaps I had read it or watched it long ago, or maybe I heard the ending somewhere, or another story I read had borrowed from this classic. It is also possible that the ending was predictable. If the latter, that did not remotely diminish the power of this brilliant book.
As I typically read early for book club, I still have plenty of time to reread this enchanting book before my group meets to discuss it, which is exactly what I plan to do.
If, like me, you have never read Anne of Green Gables or haven’t read it recently, I highly recommend it. The writing is brilliant, and the heartwarming story offers a refreshing reprieve from the sombre news and horrific stories typically surrounding us.
Adrift, Debut Novel
5 Stars
Adrift, by Lisa Brideau, was chosen by a fellow book club member for our April discussion. Described as a mystery thriller, a genre that typically isn’t my thing, I was confident that I would be able to read it slowly. Totally wrong!! This book was so compelling I simply couldn’t put it down.
While I wouldn’t categorize Adrift as a thriller, the reader does need to buckle up as the author takes us on quite a ride.
Brideau skillfully delves into deep-level characterization, repeatedly has us question how our memories do (or do not) define us and vividly portrays the personal, social, environmental, and geopolitical consequences of climate change past its tipping point.
While there is some romantic tension throughout, it aids and does not overshadow the story and characterizations. I loved that the ending was loose and not tightly defined, allowing readers to continue to ponder and ultimately draw their own conclusions.
Bonus points for this book being predominantly set in Nanaimo, BC, my corner of Vancouver Island. This gave me personal knowledge of the streets, buildings, and landmarks described. Now I need to check out the Casino restaurant to see if the food is as reliable as stated!
Fourteen Days, A Collaborative Novel
4 Stars
In the rare moments when Google is not sending me must-read book suggestions, I often receive them from my husband, Richard. He recently sent me BBC’s recommendation to read Fourteen Days, a collaborative novel written by thirty-six authors, edited by Margaret Atwood and Douglas Preston.
Intrigued by the concept, I proposed Fourteen Days to my local book club and suggested it as a buddy read for Richard and me. My husband and I have vastly different tastes in fiction, seldom reading the same book. I thought this volume might bridge the gap. Spoiler Alert: It was slanted more to my tastes in books, but Richard did persevere.
Fourteen Days was initially conceived to support the American Author’s Guild. This Guild works tirelessly to protect free speech, honour copyright, and ensure fair compensation practices in a changing publishing landscape. Regarded American and Canadian authors Margaret Atwood, John Grisham, Erica Jong, Celeste Ng, Emma Donoghue, Celeste Ng, Meg Wolitzer, R.L. Stine, Tommy Orange, Ishmael Reed and numerous others submitted stories to be told in this Decameron-style fiction. These stories were then woven together by Douglas Preston and edited by Atwood and Preston. Adding to the intrigue, who wrote what is not revealed until the end of the book. The undertaking of bringing this book from conception to publication was four years in the making.
Diverse tales of love, loss, horror, wonder, self-discovery and confession are shared on the rooftop of a decaying New York City Apartment building in the early days of the recent pandemic. Sometimes sweet, sometimes far-fetched, at times disturbing, the overall effect (regardless of what you think of the ending) is undeniably thought-provoking.
My husband and I read this slowly–just one chapter a day–which was a perfect pace for this unique tapestry. Was this book as tightly woven as it could have been? Not quite. Am I glad that I read it? Absolutely! Richard’s thoughts? He didn’t always love the ‘short stories within a larger story’ concept but he did like the ending.
MY RECENT BOOKSHELF
What About You?
What’s been on your bookshelf lately? Do you have any reading goals? If so, how have they been going?
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Sue @ Women Living Well After 50
Jo @ And Anyways
Debbie @ Deb’s World
Retirement Reflections 
I have seen Fourteen Days in the bookshop and was wondering about it so good to read your review. As to Lucy Barton – I have read them all and enjoyed some more than others. They are a bit mixed I think?
Anne of Green Gables – did read it as a child and remember enjoying it. Might be time to re-read!
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Hi, Barbara – While it wasn’t a 5-star read for me, I found ‘Fourteen Days’ to be incredibly thought-provoking. Its concept and construction is so unique that I felt that alone made it worth the read. And my husband, Richard, who was sure he would not enjoy this book actually quite liked it. So there’s that!
Oh, and definitely reread ‘Anne of Green Gables’ if you get the chance.
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Just put a hold on Adrift at our library. It was interesting how many books with that title there were. Having spent a month in the Nanaimo two summers in a row, I’m eager to reacquaint myself with the area
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I’m delighted to hear that you are going to read this. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this book once you are finished. And did you actually spend two summers in Nanaimo without visiting me? 😀
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Okay, maybe we aren’t kindred spirits! I am totally godsmacked that you had never read Anne of Green Gables or any of the other books that L.M. Montgomery wrote. I am so glad you corrected this. Now you need to read them all!! I just re read the entire series before we went to PEI 2 years ago. There are also a couple of really good books about L.M. Montgomery that I really enjoyed. OK – rant over!! Like you I am trying to read less so am not taking notes about your other books!
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Hi, Bernie – Your comment made me smile. In my defense, Deb (of WidowBadass fame) doesn’t remember ever reading ‘Anne of Green Gables’ before either. Yup, she’s correcting this too.
I totally get your point about not looking for any other book recommendations at this time. Richard and I have just picked up ‘Covenenant of Water’ for our next buddy read. We plan to read it VERY SLOWLY. <3
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What…. a second Canadian of about my age that hasn’t read it?? How can this be?? I am so pleased your are rectifying this. L.M. Montgomery doesn’t disappoint in my opinion.
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🙂
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Lots of good stuff here (as usual). I’ve read almost all of Elizabeth Stout novels and enjoyed them all, but some more than others. I haven’t read – or had even heard of – Amy and Isabelle, though. I may pass based on your review.
I don’t think I ever read the Anne of Green Gables novels, but something tells me that I may have seen a tv adaptation. Perhaps I should check those out. They sound like well-written, uplifting books.
It sounds like I should put Adrift and Fourteen Days on my TBR list (like I need to add more).
I just finished Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner for my book club (4-) and am starting the latest book in The Thursday Murder Club mystery series (each one has been a lot of fun).
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Hi, Janis – Yes, I highly recommend putting ‘Adrift,’ ‘Fourteen Days’ and ‘Anne of Green Gables’ on your reading list. And don’t forget to add ‘Cutting for Stone’ for your August Guest Book Club! :D
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Those are really good. Adrift caught my eye. I like survival stories. I’m working on EMP survival right now (yeah, I know)
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Hi, Jacqui – ‘Adrift’ is definitely a survival story – with many twists. I think that you will really like it. If you do get a chance to read it, I would love to know what you think.
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I can’t remember ever reading Anne of Green Gables though I am sure I must have, at some point. Definitely going on my list, so I don’t have to turn in my Canadian card 😉! If you’re looking for another Canadian book, can I recommend The Diviners by Margaret Laurence? It’s one of my favourite rereads.
Deb
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This is another (of the many, many reasons) that I love you so!
And I have read The Diviners by Margaret Laurence….even though the Canadian Margarets (Laurence and Atwood) are not my favourites. More passport deduction points for me! :(
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I loved Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables in 1966, but I have never read it since. Thank you…now may be the time to have a more mature read of her writing.
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I didn’t read Anne of Green Gables as a child, but most who read this as a child and then as an adult have continued to enjoy it a second time. If you do choose to read it again, I would love to know your thoughts. ❤
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Sorry, this was Anne of Green Gables comment was by
Hels
Art and Architecture, mainly
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Hi, Hels – thanks for adding this. More and more, Word Press is defaulting to ‘Annonymous’ for comments. I love knowing who wrote each comment so I can personalize our chat!
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Hi Donna – I watched the original Anne of GG series and absolutely loved it – Anne was just perfect, and so were the rest of the characters. I didn’t read the books until a few years ago, and once I started, I read thru the entire series. I was so excited to see Netflix take it on with Anne with an E – and it was HORRIBLE – I didn’t like Anne, and hated how they took so many liberties with the storyline that took away the innocence and beauty of the story and it’s time in history. I turned it off and will keep the Anne of my memories – her sweetness and joy are a delight.
Good luck with keeping your reading under control – with so little on TV, I find I churn through books in the evenings – especially the lighter weight ones that I’m drawn to. 🙂
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Hi, Leanne – I’m glad that you read and enjoyed the Anne of Green Gables books. I don’t remember watching any of the Anne movie or tv adaptions. As I am not much of a film watcher, it will likely stay this way. I will definitely keep your Netflix warning in mind! :D
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HI Donna, I’ve read ‘Oh William’ but would like to read ‘The In-Between (Memoir of a Hospice Nurse). As for Anne, I’m afraid she isn’t my most favourite character. I’m enjoying the book but feel I could only spend a few moments each day with Anne otherwise I would be mentally exhausted. LOL 🙂
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Hi, Sue – Your comment above is one of the main reasons that I absolutely LOVE book clubs. I love how the same book or character can elicit different responses and I enjoy sharing different points of view. Now I really can’t wait for our next discussion! :D
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Maybe I’m just turning into a ‘grumpy old woman’ 🙂
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No one could ever, ever call you that. You’re always quite the opposite!
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I love “Anne of Green Gables.” It is by far my favorite childhood read and I know I would enjoy it as an adult. It has a bit of everything, dished up with comfort, humor, love and a fascinating setting and time period. We read “Lucy by the Sea” in Book Club and most of us loved it. The characters seemed so real. I don’t think I would like the hospice memoir since I recoil from the appellation “Tiktok Star.”
What I’m reading for BC: “West with Giraffes” and “Vaster Wild.” I’ve finished “The River We Remember” and “Lady Tan’s Circle of Women” although we haven’t discussed them yet. For pleasure-I’m currently into an Elly Griffiths mystery called “Zig Zag Girl.”
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HI, Margaret – I wholeheartedly agree that ‘Anne of Green Gables’ does have a bit of everything and it is brilliantly woven together. Did you book club also read ‘My Name is Lucy Barton’? LBTS is the only book in that series that I haven’t read yet.
I haven’t yet read any of the other books that you have mentioned above, but I have repeatedly heard great things about ‘West With Giraffes’.
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Hello there. This month I read a novel by Rachel Joyce: The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry. It’s pretty good. It’s about 40 pages too long, but much of the writing is compelling. Neil S.
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Hi, Neil – Thanks so much for dropping by with this recommendation and honest feedback. I have heard good things about this book and will check it out further (once I dig myself out of the pile of books currently surrounding me). :D
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H Donna, I applaud your intentions to read less and do more of other things but I’m sorry to say I won’t be joining you 🙂 We have both mentioned Anne of GG and Lucy books in our posts and I must say the only Elizabeth Strout I’ve read is Lucy by the Sea which I didn’t enjoy very much I have to say. Maybe I should have read the earlier ones first, as everyone is now telling me, but she didn’t do anything for me I’m afraid so I probably won’t be going back to find what I missed!!
But Anne of Green gables is my absolute favourite! I can’t wait for our bookclub chat now that we’ve all just about finished it. I’m also adding Adrift to my want to read list, you’ve had a great month of reading and I love the fact your buddy read with Richard, how cool is that!
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Thanks, Debbie – I am also excited about my buddy reads with Richard. A few years ago, while on vacation, we only had my copies of ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ and ‘Boys on the Boat’ so we both read them and discussed them together at length. We then took a huge buddy reading gap but are at it again – wej ust finished ‘Fourteen Days’ and are now beginning ‘Covenant of Water.’ We plan to read ‘Covenant’ very slowly so hopefully that too will help with my goal of reading & rabbit holing a bit less and getting other stuff done. 😀
I too can’t wait for our ‘Anne of Green Gables’ discussion. What an incredible book! ❤
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I like mysteries, I probably like Adrift, and the loose ending is my preference. It’s interesting you read The In-Between, Donna. I witnessed three hospice cases, two family members and one close neighborhood. The two family members accepted death. One knowingly went with the angel. I was there the weekend before she went. She said someone sat next to me and it was the third time “she” came. Afterwards, she told me she was going “home” on Monday. Sure enough, she went on the following Monday.
I didn’t think I can read a book describing that experience. It would remind me of my close encounters.
You read two of Elizabeth Strout’s books and they didn’t seem to impress you. I like Annie of Green Gables.
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Hi, Miriam – I love how deeply you read and comment upon blog posts. That is very impressive. That is so interesting that you had a similiar experience with your relative in hospice that nurse/author Hadley Vlahos described. So often there is much more to ‘coincidences’ that we first understand.
I’ve now read three of the four books in the Lucy Barton series. It’s not that I didn’t like the other two, they just didn’t captivate me in the same way that the first book had. Even though Strout’s original debut novel was not my cup of tea, her immense writing talent is undeniable. ❤
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You’re welcome, Donna! Your books are interesting! I belong to a book club in California. I’m in a writing critique group so I may not join a book club. ❤
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Hi, Miriam – I know all about be careful not to take too much on. Until recently, I was in five book clubs. Although I enjoyed all of them, I found that I was always reading for book club and seldom reading free choice. I am now in two bookclubs and have instituted buddy reading with my husband. For now, that’s perfect!
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Hi Donna. I loved Oh William. It was the first book of Elizabeth Strout that I read, so I had to go back and catch up. I have Amy and Isabelle on my list to read also. Ann of Green Gables is a big LOVE from me, so I enjoyed reading your comments about the book. I think it’s ageless.
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Hi, Jennifer – Thanks so much for your comments. I remain incredibly impressed with the amount of books that you read — and that you have often read many of the books that I discuss in my posts. I very much agree that Anne of Green Gables is timeless, although I do think that readers likely view the characters a bit differently depending on the reader’s age (e.g. MIrella may be hastily judged by teens but more understood by mothers and grandmothers). <3
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Hi Donna, an interesting reading month. I am currently reading/ listening to 4 books simultaneously. AoGG is a delightful story which I reread when Michael was young. The others all sound interesting.
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Hi, Robbie – I am very impressed that you can handle four different books at one time. I usually focus on a single book at a time, but recently have had two different books on the go. Sadly, I think that two is my max! :D
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We are all different 🌸
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So different and so alike! This amazes me every single day!
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Such well balanced reviews, some displaying the benefits of perseverance
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Thanks, Derrick – That perseverence thing can definitely work for and against me. In last month’s book selection, I continued to read ‘Revenge Wears Prada’ all the way to the end…even when it steadily got worse! :(
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What a list! You are definitely an eclectic reader, which I love. So am I. I, too, am surprised that you had never read Anne of Green Gables. I was smitten by Anne when I was young, even though as an older reader I discovered the author wasn’t exactly a fan of French Canadians. Boy oh boy, what was it about authors during the first half of the 1900s? Right now, I am reading The Home Maker, written by Dorothy Canfield and published in the 1920s. I do like the story, ahead of its time, where the husband is best suited to stay home with the kids and the wife to go to work. But then come the racial slurs against Jews and the Irish. Ah, the good old days.
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Hi, Laurie – I did not know about LLM’s dislike for French-Canadians (aren’t they simply Canadians who speak French?). That’s so strange — I wonder where that came from. I will definitely check it out.
Yes, racial slurs and digs against other peoples and cultures are very hard to take — even in books written back in the day. :(
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My understanding is that French Canadians are folks descended from French colonists as well as other French immigrants. They are a sizable and distinct ethnic group. On my mother’s I am a descendent of French Canadians who came to northern Maine in the 1850s. On my father’s side, from Prince Edward Island in the early 1900s, right around the time Montgomery wrote about “those stupid, half-grown little French boys” in the first chapter of Anne of Green Gables. Then, not content with insulting the French, she went on to disparage “London street Arabs.” I had to look that one up and found out it meant a ragged orphan. There was also a flag that this phrase was not only archaic but also offensive. Yup.
I read a lot of older fiction, and I have found that most books published between 1900 and 1938 have at least one horrible ethnic slur. Or even worse, a racist rant. Then, after World War II, it seems to have pretty much stopped. I expect World War II was a terrible example of where such ideas led. Now, there might be books pre-World War II that don’t do this, and books after the war that do. So far, I haven’t found any, but would be interested in hearing about any exceptions.
Montgomery was a very good writer who, with Anne, came up with an enduring character. But she sure had her prejudices.
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This is such an interesting thread of discussion, Laurie. Thank you so much for taking the time to share it, and to share your personal connection. I shared your earlier comment with my fellow book club members today. I also found this article on the topic, L.M. Montgomery and the French . I will now search further articles regarding this before our bookclub members meet to discuss Anne.
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I have read all of the Elizabeth Strout novels and have enjoyed them. I really liked that Oh William sort of closed the circle on Lucy’s marriage. I was fortunate enough to see My Name … performed by Laura Linney at the Manhatten Theatre Company. It translated to the stage brilliantly. It is funny how some books just resonate and some don’t. I am listening to Michael Cunningham”s new book “Day” and am not enjoying it as much as I did his previous novel “The Hours”.
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Hi, Bernadette – I greatly admire Laura Linney as an actress and would loved to have seen her performing in ‘My Name is Lucy Barton’. You are so fortunate to have done this. I wholeheartedly agree that even great books don’t always resonante with readers for a long variety of reasons. So many different factors can always impact our reading experience. <3
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Oh I just LOVED Anne of Green Gables! It was such a great story and the move always made me want to go to Prince Edward Island too.
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Hi, Joanne – I love how books can inspire our travel…and how we can travel via books without physically leaving our home!
BTW – PEI is beautiful if you do get the chance to go there! :D
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I think I have read all of Elizabeth Strout’s books now, and I agree some are better than others. I can’t remember what Amy & Isabelle was about which suggests I found it neither Very Good nor Very Bad!
Now for Anne – I am so glad you are a fan or we might have had to fall out 😉. I read and loved all the books as a child and have reread Anne of GG several times. I’ve only reread the rest once though, after we went to PEI, and found as they got more pious my enjoyment lessened a bit. BUT – did you know there is a prequel? The author picked up on the hints Anne gave about her previous life and made a good story out of them, and got Anne’s character quite well too I thought. The book ends with her sitting on the railway platform waiting to be picked up by her new family.
https://booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/before-green-gables/
I wrote about my rereading of Anne on an old blog.
http://anabelsblog.blogspot.com/2013/01/reaquaintance-with-anne-shirley.html
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Hi, Anabel – Thank you so much for these links. I have shared them with the other members of my book club. It is so fascinating how Anne has worked her way into the hearts and minds of so many different people around the world, in a unique timely manner.
And I am most glad that we can still be friends! <3
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I liked Anne of Green Gables then… and might reread it now. Glad you had the chance to read it. Stout’s novels are popular, yet they all seem so different. When an author becomes the rage it’s usually because of the consistency of the writing, yet not so with Stout. A sign of changing tastes among readers?
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Hi, Ally – I love how your writing and comments always give me great gems to ponder. I had never thought of writers becoming the rage because of their consistency in writing. I seldom read book series, or even multiple books by the same author, so I am definitely not a good judge in the area. When I have read different books by the same author (Lianne Moriarty, Kristen Hannah, Elizabeth Stout…even Bill Bryson, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters) I have always preferred some of their writing over other things that they have written.
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I am not surprised you enjoyed Anne of Green Gables. it is my all time favourite book and have read it many times. I often use it when teaching English as another language. I recently listened to an audio version narrated by Sandra Oh. It was so good and brought back all kinds of good memories.
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Hi, Darlene – I had heard that Sandra Oh had recorded one of the audiobooks for Anne of Green Gables. I know her a bit from Grey’s Anatomy (years and years ago) but really couldn’t imagine her as the narrator. I didn’t realize until just now that she is partly Canadian. It is absolutely amazing what I learn from blogging! 😀
I am glad that the audiobook was a good one!
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I agree, we learn so much from our blogging friends. Sandra Oh does such a great job as the narrator. Catherine O’Hara reads Marilla Cuthbert and Victor Garber, Matthew. The young girl, Michela Luci, sounds just like I imagined Anne would sound.
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Hi, Darlene – I love when an audiobook comes together like that. The last audiobook that I listened to was read by the author. Although he did an okay job, the quality was sadly lacking.
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I love Elizabeth Strout’s work, but I haven’t read the first one. I’ll definitely have to see if my library has it.
I just finished “The Glass Chateau,” by Stephen Kiernan. I had loved “The Baker’s Secret,” so I was excited to read this. It was well written with great characterization, but I found the ending kind of abrupt and not making a lot of sense to me. But it was still enjoyable.
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Hi, Dorothy – From the title alone, ‘The Baker’s Secret’ does sound like the perfect book for you. I am always greatly impressed with your creativity in the kitchen, and the cooking gems that you share with us.
I do have a reputation amongst my book clubs about being very fussy about book endings. I still haven’t forgiven Amor Towles for his ending of ‘A Gentleman in Moscow.’ :(
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I know! It has to work seamlessly, when you get to the ending you should be a little surprised, but then realize it is the only possible way it should end with all the bits in line!
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Hi, Dorothy – I totally agree. And I strongly dislike a quickly wrapped up, glossed up, “hollywood” ending, especially after a beautifully written, gut-wrenching read!
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On your recommendation I have Lucy Barton waiting at the library for me to pick up, but might not bother with the rest of the series. I haven’t yet finished Anne but am loving it. Fourteen Days sounds interesting, but it’s no wonder it took so long to put together – all those different writing voices to try and corral.
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Hi, Jo – I am delighted that you were able to secure a copy of ‘My Name is Lucy Barton.’ I can’t wait to hear what you think of it.
The process of creating ‘Fourteen Days’ was a unique one. The contributing authors all submitted a short piece (no specified length) to be part of a ‘decameron style’ novel. I don’t believe that any of the authors knew what each other had written, except for Douglas Prescott and Margaret Atwood.
Doug then spread out the 36 different submissions and molded them all together. That incredible task alone would do my head in! :D
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As a fellow Canadian, and a long-time fan of Anne of Green Gables, I’m so glad you finally read it and enjoyed it! She is one of my all-time favorite characters, and I remember how delighted I was that my daughter fell in love with her as well. Happy Reading!
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Hi, Kym – Thank you so much for dropping by and commenting. I was late in reading Little Women as well. I did read a lot of Farley Mowatt — it was definitely the animal connection!
It was a wonderful experience reading Anne for the first time at age 65. With no disrespect meant to Louisa May, I enjoyed Anne much more than Little Women.
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Thanks so much for sending the link to the Gavin White article. Those French slurs are peppered throughout Montgomery’s works. No surprise. I especially liked his ending paragraph that begin with “How are we to judge this aspect of a famous writer who normally receives our
affection and respect? We should regret that she held such views, and yet we
should recognize that they were commonplace.” Absolutely, not just in Canada, but in England and the United States as well and with different ethnic groups. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, especially when you really like an author, but these novels are an important record of the times. Even though they are fiction, they show how people were feeling about different groups. And it wasn’t pretty. If you have time, keep us posted about what your book group thinks.
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Hi, Laurie – Our book club meets on Zoom next week to discuss Anne of Green Gables (the other book club members all l live in Australia). I did message them the Gavin White article. One member replied “A sign of the times… as Tom Barney said in Midsomer Murders. “The past is a different country, Troy, the borders are now closed.” Sadly, another member replied that she and her husband had witnessed this disrespect to French Canadians (by non French Canadians) when they were on a Cruise of Nova Scotia. As this would have been in the last 10 years, that was most shocking of all!
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I think we had better not get too smug about those borders being closed. Under the right circumstances…
Unfortunately, as a Franco-American in Maine, I have had plenty of experience with disrespect because of my ethnic group.
Looking forward to hearing about your discussion.
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Hi, Laurie – I am a descendant of French-Canadians on my father’s side. (Guilbeault)
I am so saddened when predjudice of any kind continues to hamper our relationships with others.
This is such an important area for discussion.
I will keep you posted on next week’s book club thoughts.
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I’ve never heard of someone setting a goal to “read less!” 🙂 I’d love to read more but have eye issues for close reading. Always enjoy your reviews.
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Hi, Kate – I agree that this is not a very common goal. And logic would say ‘just quit reading.’ But to me, it’s a bit like ‘just quit drinking…or smoking….or eating’….easy in theory, harder in practice! :D
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maybe there are meetings? 🙂
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Bernie (at Equipoise Life) just wrote about the same affliction. So maybe! :D
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Re: Amy & Isabelle, a book that elicits such emotion as you described – characters … difficult to like; bleak & disturbing – sounds like a good read to me. I’ve said it before, I’m in awe of the number of books you read & the astute reviews. I usually get through one book per month. I’m currently reading The Bittlemores by Jann Arden, singer/songwriter/author. “Full of her down-to-earth wisdom and outrageous humor, Jann Arden’s debut novel … is a rural fairytale, a coming-of-age story and a prairie mystery all-in-one, saturated with her observations of the world she grew up in and the deep connection to the animals she loves.” I’m a huge fan of Jann Arden & would pay to listen to her read the phone book. She also wrote Feeding My Mother, Comfort and Laughter in the Kitchen as my Mom Lives with Memory Loss. So poignant. I’m anticipating an evening with Jann Arden & Rick Mercer in May.
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Hi, Mona – Have I mentioned before how much I thoroughly enjoy your comments?
The Jann Arden books have specificially caught my attention. Although I swore I would not reserve any more books at my library for a while, I am off “just to see” if they have copies of the Jann Arden books. :D
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I read the Anne of Green Gables books when I was a girl and then read the first in the series to my elder daughter as a bedtime book when she was about 8 years old. She loved it and for a time ‘became Anne’ which earned her a few quizzical looks in shops and when visiting friends. Fortunately, this didn’t last long!
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Hi, Clare – I LOVE when children ‘become’ characters from books that they enjoy. Well, at least when the characters are pure like Anne…and the phase doesn’t last too long! :D
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Haha! Yes!
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Hi Donna, Thank you for sharing your recently read books and reviews. I enjoyed Anne of GG book and visited the GG when I was in PEI. I understand your goal to limit your reading time for other activities as I’ve tried to do the same. I’m currently reading Exiles by Jane Harper.
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Hi, Natalie – I have heard good things about Jane Harper’s works. Please keep me posted on your thoughts for this book.
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Hi Donna – I’m still reading but nothing that needs mentioning here other than an earlier blog post (yes I will sort out that email listing) – but comment as such:
When I was out on the Island – I came across a biography on Lucy Maud Montgomery – my post 14 July 2018. I found it very informative and interesting … I still haven’t read her book though … but this biography is riveting: Richard might even find it worth delving into!
Since my elders’ time – mother and father’s BIL – slowly came to an end … I’ve learnt so much about ‘illness’ of various descriptions – been there for them, while also being part of a Nursing Centre, and for my uncle the Hospice system … and I continue to learn and be interested.
I read ‘The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margo’ a debut novel both had cancer … interesting to think about …
Just William books – we are read a few of his stories by a member of a group I join in with … but the Oh William ones I’ve not come across.
Blogging started 500 years ago … see my post 23 Feb – with appropriate book suggestion about Michel Montaigne …
Lots to read – lots not read – lots on list to get my eyes to … always interesting and informative post from you – thank you … cheers Hilary
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Hi, Hilary – I love your comments. So wise and thought-provoking. And it’s so true — “lots to read and lots not to read”.
I will check out the posts that you mentiond above. <3
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Thanks for the great book reviews! And of course I’m a huge fan of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s works!
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Thanks so much for stopping by. You are in great company. There are many, many ‘Anne’ fans who have commented on this post! :D
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thank you for reminding me about Anne of Green Gables. I read the novel to my daughters as our nightly storytime, I reread and read again, our favorite. I might have to find the book.
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Thanks Antoinette – It was a wonderful adult read!
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Donna, thank you so much for sharing your reading month and for these detailed end exceptional reviews. It seems you’ve had a mixed time with Elizabeth Strout and an author I still haven’t read. I recently reread Ann of Green Gables and was surprised at how much I loved the book, the characters- a true classic. Adrift sounds terrific and one I’m adding to my list and wow, what a concept for Fourteen Days! My last read was the brilliant and compelling The Smallest Man by Frances Quinn set in mid-1600s in England and about a small man / dwarf born into poverty, sold by his father to the young French queen and his adventurous life thereafter. A great set of characters, storyline and place all captured with skill and one of those books I was really sad to finish! Like you, I aim to read four books a month but I’m just ahead for now. Happy Reading & Happy Spring! Xx ❤️
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Hi, Annika – Thank you so much for dropping by and for your very kind words. With only 5 days into my new ‘reading month’ (I start from when this book linkup is published) I am already on my 3rd book — so I am not necessarily doing well on my goal. But I am definitely slowing down. The Smallest Man sounds like a very interesting read. I love a book that I am sad to leave. ❤
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Hi Donna – thank you for sharing your reads! I like your new schedule – I can only handle 4 books a month, so it’s nice to have company 😉 I was interested in your comments about the two Elizabeth Strout books. I loved Olive Kitteridge and I had every intention on reading Olive Again, but I never got to it. I also read My Name Is Lucy Barton and I didn’t enjoy it as much, so I’ll probably be moving on from her books and picking up Anne of Green Gables, one I’ve never read!
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Hi, Barbara – I am glad to hear that you also had never read Anne of Green Gables before. I was starting to think it was only me! I am confident that you will love it. I greatly look forward to your review.
I did recently finish the second book in the Lucy Barton series and I did like that one better than the third. But I do think I will take a break from Elizabeth Strout – at least for now.
I am currently buddy-reading The Covenant of Water with my husband. It has us both thoroughly absorbed!
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Oh yes, I’m very interested in reading The Covenant of Water – I read The Cutting Stone years ago and thought it was very good!
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Great reviews! I will add some to my reading list.
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Thank you for dropping by and commenting. I greatly appreciate it!
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Wow – and I thought I was a voracious reader! I read Anne of Green Gables years ago, but it might be fun to read it again. Better yet, I might have to read it to my 7-year-old granddaughter!
I am a nurse (hum I guess that makes me one of those nurses that she bad mouthed – grin). My bestie was a Hospice nurse for years. Hospice nurses gain a wealth of knowledge and understanding about life from their patients, which would be a good read.
I recently read Mad Honey (I know I am a little late to the game), and The River We Remember. Both were excellent reads.
Thanks for the suggestions.
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Thank you so much for stopping by and for your very thoughtful comment. I agree that reading Anne of Green Gables to your 7-year-old granddaughter would be perfect. Quite randomly, my 35-year old son who lives in HK asked me on Skype last night what was the most translated Canadian novel. Immediately I knew the answer (yup, it was Anne of Green Gables). He hadn’t realized that I had just read it. I think that he was disappointed that I wasn’t stumped by his trivia question.
Thank you for the recommendations of Mad Honey and The River We Remember. I haven’t yet read either of them.
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Gosh, I’m so sorry I’m late to your WOYBS, Donna! I adore your heartfelt reviews and I know you will call it like you see it. The e-mail for this post is long-buried in my inbox and I’m so glad I got sparked to check back!
I have not read Anne of Green Gables either–so I’m going to check our online library for this and also…The In Between. Wow, this hits home NOW as a family member is in hospice and why I’m a bit distracted these days. My Christian faith allows me certainty that she will be home with the Lord soon, which gives me peace. But the “in-between” part as experienced by a hospice nurse will be a timely read to help me and others cope with more losses as we all age.
Thanks you for sharing these and what a reader you are!
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Hi, Terri – Thank you so much for going back and checking. I always love your comments and our online conversations that ensue.
My online bookclub group will be discussing Anne of Green Gables tonight (in 15 minutes actually). 😀 I highly recommend reading it, and also recommend “The In-between”. I am sending warm prayers to your relative in hospice.
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Thank you, Donna! I had to wrestle with my two library cards but I’ve got Anne all ready to go! In Between is on hold but I may be able to get it at our local library–I’ll try tomorrow.
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Some of the novels sound quite interesting. Thanks for the tips!
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Thank you for dropping by and commenting. I greatly appreciate it.
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My book club read THE IN-BETWEEN and we all thought it was super interesting and insightful. We had a great discussion about it. ANNE OF GREEN GABLES is one of my all-time favorite novels. I’m glad you loved it too! ADRIFT sounds right up my alley. I’m definitely going to take a closer look at it. Thanks for the rec and review for the #SummerReading collab!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
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Hi, Susan – Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out one of my posts. It’s funny about Anne of Green Gables. My Online Classics Book Club has 3 Australian members and 1 Canadian (me)..and I was the only one who had never read any of LM Montgomery’s books. I’m really not sure how that happen. But I did love it once I read it.
‘Adrift’ was a wonderful read, heightened by the fact that it was set in a neighbouring town to where I live…and the author responds to social media DMs. 😀
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That is funny! Also funny is the fact that after I left my comment on this post, I went to Goodreads to add ADRIFT to my TBR list and discovered I already read it a couple of years ago. Ha ha. My memory is SO bad 🙂
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That’s great that you already read ‘Adrift.’ There are a few different books by this title. Did you read the one by Lisa Brideau? There is also one by Rob Boffard, another by Michael Gear, another by Erica Conroy, another by Isabeller Adler, one by Jaycee Weaver, Wild Rose Cherry (yup, that’s the author’s name), Robin Wainwright, Jena Deleon, Rei Rosenquist….you get the idea! 😀
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Great recommendations! I love the sound of Drift, and Fourteen Days has been on my tbr for a long time now 🙂
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Thank you so much for stopping by. Adrift and Fourteen Days are both very different reads – but they both will keep your mind working putting the pieces together. I highly recommend both of them! ❤
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