On My Bookshelf

I guess there's one good thing this bitterly cold weather is good for... reading! We're into February now, so that's progress. However winter could hurry along and I wouldn't be one bit sad. I'm trying to ignore the cold weather and snowstorms and just immerse myself in good books, quilting projects, comfort foods and Netflix! That's my solution to a long cold winter...   :)
So what have you been reading lately? I am waaaay behind on book reviews, don't know if I'll ever catch up! Today I'll share with you four recent reads by the same author- Gilly Macmillan. After several "bookworm friends" told me I had to read What She Knew, I took their advice and wasn't disappointed. I read her next three as soon as I could get my hands on them: The Perfect Girl, Odd Child Out, and I Know You Know, and I'm sure I'll be reading The Nanny when it comes out this year.

What She Knew, set in Bristol England, tells the story of an eight year old boy's disappearance and the ensuing search for him. His mother Rachel tries desperately to not fall apart as hours and days pass with no signs of her son Ben. Everyone surrounding Ben becomes suspect, from Rachel's newly married ex and his wife, to Rachel's "perfect" sister, to eventually Rachel herself. Macmillan does a fine job of convincing you the reader that you know "who did it," as each character comes under the harsh glare of suspicion. The story is told by Rachel and by lead detective Jim Clemo. I felt like I was in the middle of the police investigation, complete with the use of social media posts concerning the case. The characters are solid, and one cannot help but feel sympathy for what Ben's family are going through, understanding their angst. What parent could not relate? I know this is an over used line but I truly found it hard to put this book down. The chapters are short, which made it so easy to keep telling myself "just one more chapter..." An impressive debut novel. Of the four, I enjoyed it the most.

 From the book jacket of The Perfect Girl: "Zoe Maisey is a seventeen-year-old musical prodigy with a genius IQ. Three years ago, she was involved in a tragic incident that left three classmates dead. She served her time, and now her mother Maria, is resolved to keep that devastating fact tucked far away from their new beginning, hiding the past from even her new husband, and demanding Zoe do the same.Tonight Zoe is giving a recital that Maria has been planning for months. It needs to be the performance of her life. But instead, by the end of the evening, Maria is dead.
In the aftermath, everyone - police, family, Zoe's former solicitor, and Zoe herself - tries to piece together what happened. But as Zoe knows all too well, the truth is rarely straightforward, and the closer we are to someone, the less we may see." A good read as well but it just didn't seem to hold my attention like the first one did.

 Odd Child Out, Macmillan's third novel is the second to feature Detective Jim Clemo, back from a compulsory leave after the Ben Finch case. From the book jacket: "Best friends Noah Sadler and Abdi Mahad have always been inseparable. But when Noah is found floating unconscious in Bristol's Feeder Canal, Abdi can't- or won't- tell anyone what happened.
Just back from mandatory leave following his last case, Detective Jim Clemo is now assigned to look into this unfortunate accident. But tragedy strikes, and what looked like a simple case of a prank gone wrong soon ignites into a public battle. Noah is British. Abdi is a Somali refugee. And social tensions have been rising rapidly in Bristol. Against this background of fear and fury, two families fight for their sons and the truth. Neither of them know how far they will have to go, what demons they will have to face, what pain they will have to suffer. Because the truth hurts."
I found this novel more engaging, more suspenseful. Macmillan has again developed her characters well and family dynamics and secrets play a role in the tension between the two families. Racial tensions and prejudice stirred up by a reporter, and Abdi's subsequent disappearance make the case more difficult. Just what did happen that night at the canal?  Another novel very difficult to put down...

I Know You Know, the story of two Bristol murder cases twenty years apart, is truly a "whodunnit" with lots of twists and unexpected turns to keep you guessing until the end. Cody Swift returns to Bristol to launch his own investigation into the murder of his two childhood best friends, eleven- year-olds Charlie Paige and Scott Ashby whose bodies were dumped near a dog racing rack. Although someone had been convicted of the crime, Swift was not convinced the case was truly solved. Lingering questions and doubts compel him to take matters into his own hands, hoping to find answers and uncover missed evidence. When another body is found in the same location, old files must be opened to see if the two cases are connected. The clock is ticking...
Another suspenseful story, it held my attention to the very end. If you haven't read any of Gilly Macmillan's novels, do give them a try, but if you read at night in bed as I do, and you have to get up early, maybe you should wait until the weekend, as I'm sure you'll find it hard to put the book(s) down and turn off the light.. don't say I didn't warn you...

What have you read recently that you found hard to put down?

Peace,
Linda

My favourite game is called "How many chapters can I read in one night?"

Winter Reading

Hello... it's me. Yes I'm still here. Yes I'm still sewing, quilting, stitching, teaching, reading, gardening...  just haven't been doing much blogging. I'm hoping to change that this year. 2018 was a very busy year with some unexpected demands on my time. That combined with lack of inspiration, motivation and energy for blogging.. well, you know what happened if you're a regular reader/follower. I wasn't "here" much. The year flew by and even though my intentions were good, my "output" was pitiful. (Why don't you help out with the motivation aspect by leaving me a comment occasionally?)

Anyway... on to a new year. And here it is already mid January! Ackkk! Since January is always a month when I try to take some extra time for reading, that's where I'm starting. I have so many projects to show you, book reviews and more, but let's start with a book chat.
I LOVE getting books for Christmas. To me there is no better gift. This year I lucked out - look at this wonderful stack of  books I found under the tree.. I can't WAIT to dive into this pile. (Actually I've already read Forgiveness and have started Eleanor Oliphant.. more about them soon.) And I received two copies of Educated and already had The Tattooist of Auschwitz, so two more from my "I Want to Read..." list will be added to this pile from those exchanges. Yippee! I'm all set for the winter - my dark chocolate stash has been nicely replenished, and I've got lots of reading material. I'll do my best to ignore the nasty cold winter weather by snuggling up to my pile of new books. 
Yes I do love getting books for Christmas. I also love giving books as gifts. My children always knew there would be new books under the tree. They both continue to love reading as adults which makes me very happy. Mark actually set a goal for last year to read 50 books, and he surpassed it by 10! Since he has a fairly lengthy commute each day to work by subway, he passes the time by reading. Good for him!
Of course I will keep my grands well supplied with books too! One which was a big hit this year was The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith. It was much in demand this fall after a Youtube video of a Sottish Grandma reading it to her grandson was widely shared on Facebook... If you have a little one you MUST add it to your library... and be sure to click on the link above to listen to Grandma reading. Get ready for some good chuckles.

So, what's on your "I Want To Read" list? What have you read lately that you'd recommend? Did you have a "favourite read" from 2018? DO tell....

Up next, a small project finish.

Peace,
Linda

"The greatest gift is a passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites, it gives you the knowledge of the world and experience of a wide kind. It is moral illumination."
~ Elizabeth Hardwick

On My Bookshelf

Nadia Hashimi is an Afghan American pediatrician and author. She is best known for her debut novel, The Pearl That Broke Its Shell, which I have had on my "want to read" list for quite a while, but once again, it was not available on a recent visit to the library. Instead I picked up her second book, When The Moon Is Low.  
Synopsis from the book jacket: "In Kabul, we meet Fereiba, a schoolteacher who puts her troubled childhood behind her when she finds love in an arranged marriage. But Fereiba's comfortable life implodes when the Taliban rises to power and her family becomes a target of the new fundamentalist regime. Forced to flee with her three children, Fereiba has one hope for survival: to seek refuge with her sister's family in London.
Traveling with forged papers and depending on the kindness of strangers, Fereiba and the children begin a harrowing journey as refugees. In the shadowy world of the undocumented who live on the streets of Europe's cities, their fate takes a frightening turn when Fereiba's teenage son, Saleem, becomes separated from the rest of the family.
Heartbroken, Fereiba has no choice but to continue on with only her daughter and baby- but mother and son will cross border after perilous border, risking their lives in hope of finding a place where they can be reunited."
Although this story and the characters are fictional, it is a realistic portrayal of what many refugees go through and certainly made me think twice about their plight. Their journey is not only a physical one, but an emotional one as well; this is a story of love and determination, which is no doubt true for most refugee families. The bonds between family members must be strong for them to endure so many hardships and setbacks, yet remain steadfast in their goal of reaching a better life. A good read!

Peace,
Linda

"The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it." ~ James Bryce

On My Bookshelf

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah has been on my list for quite a while and I have finally crossed it off. What a great read! I loved it. Historical fiction is definitely my favourite genre and WWII is one of my most favourite time periods. I would rank The Nightingale right up there with other WWII favs like Sarah's Key, Those Who Save Us, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and The Far Side of the Sky. 
The Nightingale, set in German-occupied France between 1939 and 1944 is a beautifully written story of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle Rossignol. Kristin Hannah is a master story-teller, painting her characters with a fine brush - they seem so very real and alive. This is not your typical WWII story, but rather one of family, and the courage that two women displayed, each in their own way, to deal with the horrors of Nazi-occupied France. Vianne and Isabelle are somewhat "estranged" with a difference in age and opinions. With Vianne's husband off to war, her home becomes the home base for a Nazi officer. Isabelle cannot accept this arrangement and leaves to join the French resistance. Their lives follow different paths, each showing strengths by resisting the occupation in their own way. I won't give away any more of the plot, you really must read this book yourself! A powerful and moving story, the character of Isabelle is based on a a real person who helped more than 100 downed Allied airmen escape occupied France. It left me wondering if in similar circumstances I could be half as determined and courageous. This novel has won several awards and I've heard there will be a movie. I cannot wait! 10 stars out of 10 from this reader!

Peace,
Linda

"The book to read is not the one that thinks for you, but the one which makes you think." ~ Harper Lee

On My Bookshelf

The Deep End of the Ocean, Jacquelyn Mitchard's debut novel, is the story of a child abduction - every parent's worst nightmare. It opens as Beth Cappadora heads off to her 15th high school reunion in Chicago with her three young children and a babysitter in tow. While she is registering in the busy hotel lobby, three year old Ben disappears, escaping the (not quite watchful enough) eye of older brother Vincent, aged seven. It seems he has vanished without a trace...
His disappearance leaves Beth wallowing in guilt and agony, and drives a wedge through  her marriage and the family as a whole. As the family dynamics deteriorate over the next nine years, it seems things will never be the same again. And then... Well, I can't tell you anymore - that would spoil the story, wouldn't it? You'll have to read it yourself to see what happens.
I'm sure every mother could identify with what Beth goes through, who knows how one would react? Indeed, it IS every parent's worst nightmare. I can remember so clearly being in a similar situation sixteen years ago.. We had taken our two, ages 10 and 12 at the time, to Florida; our first big family vacation ever, their first time flying. It was a fabulous holiday, spent mostly at Disneyworld. The kids had been SO good - no problems at all, and we all had had SO much fun! But on our very last full day there, Laura disappeared. We were still at the hotel, ready to have breakfast, after having a family portrait taken (you know, one of those promotional package deals offered by the hotel that you couldn't resist.) We split up before heading to the dining room and both of us thought Laura was with the other parent. It was all a misunderstanding, and she had gone back up to our room. But for a few agonizing minutes that seemed like hours, I was in a panic. I was sure someone had abducted her, on our very last day!! I think I almost squished her to death, hugging her so tight when she re-appeared. I'm sure I aged at least 20 years in those few minutes...
Have you ever had a similar experience with one of your children?

Peace,
Linda

"Children are happy because they don't have a file in their minds called "All the Things That Could Go Wrong." ~ Marianne Williamson

On My Bookshelf

I recently finished reading A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It took me a while to "get into".... in the beginning I found Ove to be annoying - a cranky  curmudgeon and I was thinking to myself "Seriously? A good friend LOVED this book?" But I continued reading, and just as Ove gradually "softens" so did I. Ove has recently been widowed and he is angry and lonely, bitter and truly lost without his wife Sonya. Ove is grumpy and to say he is set in his ways would be an understatement! He has little interest in forming relationships with his neighbours, particularly the new ones who have just moved in next door. He just wants to be left alone. But like it or not, they come into his life...  I won't reveal any more of the story, but it will make you both laugh and cry and touch you in a very human way. It is simply written with a good deal of humour and although not a page turner, I kept wanting to read "just one more chapter" to see what Ove would get up to next. Read it, I think you'll like it.







 
Peace,
Linda

"Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die." ~ Anne Lamott

On My Bookshelf

"January 2, 1761.  Lyddie Berry heard the clatter of the geese and knew something was coming - Cousin Betsey, Grandson Nate, another wolf, or, knowing those fool birds, a good gust of wind - but when she heard the door snap hard against the clapboards she discounted all four of them; she whirled with the wind already in her skirts to see the Indian, Sam Cowett, just ducking beneath the lintel. He had the height and width to crowd a room, and the black eyes - what was it about a pair of eyes you couldn't see through? She took a step back and was sorry she'd done it, but he'd not have noticed; already he'd looked past her, calling into the empty doorway behind, "Blackfish in the bay!" The words had been known to clear every man out of a town meeting, so Lyddie wasn't surprised to hear the instant echo of Edward's boots or see the great sweep of arm that took up his coat and cap along with his breakfast. The bread went to pocket and the beer to mouth; he set back the mug and smiled at her; never mind it was a smile full of whales, not wife - she answered it, or would have if he'd stayed to see it - he was gone before her skirts had settled." ~ Sally Gunning, The Widow's War.
I knew by the end of this paragraph that I was going to love this book!
I love reading books recommended by other bloggers. I read The Widow's War by Sally Gunning because my friend Kathy at Four Miles North of Nowhere said it was her favourite book of 2016. That's good enough for me! I did thoroughly enjoy it, and now I'm recommending it to you! Set in 1761 in a small whaling village on Cape Cod, it's the story of Lydia Berry whose husband drowns while out on a whaling expedition in the very first chapter. Her difficulties over the next year, as a young widow, are quite a history lesson! Let's just say I'm grateful I live in this era and not back then!
Women of the eighteenth century had no rights and this doesn't sit well with Lyddie. As a widow Lyddie has no rights to her home or possessions therein, and is expected to live under the thumb of her difficult son-in-law, her closest male relative. She is determined to challenge both the legal and social system, and risk the scorn of family, neighbours and church to make her own way.  The trials of her day to day life serve only to make her stronger and more determined to be independent and fight for her freedom.
Gunning, a history buff who specializes in the eighteenth century, writes beautifully and provides a fascinating look at pre-Revolutionary life in New England, not such a pretty picture for women. If you enjoy historical fiction, you will want to read this book. There aren't many books I read a second time, but this may be one. Five stars from this bookworm. Thanks Kath, for the recommendation.

Peace,
Linda

"To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting." ~ Edmund Burke

On My Bookshelf

Just a short review today. Anyone who enjoys reading and especially those who appreciate small independent bookstores would enjoy  The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. It is the story of a bookseller who owns a small bookstore on Alice Island, not far from Hyannis MA. He is a young grieving widower having lost his wife, the love of his life, in a tragic car accident. He's lonely, somewhat cranky and seems to have lost interest in life. Book sales are poor, and his most valuable book has been stolen. What else can possibly go wrong?
One evening when he goes out for a run, he leaves the store unlocked.... and the result changes his life. I won't give away any more than that. You'll have to read it to find out what happens.    :)
Two of my favourite quotes from the book:
"No Man is an Island; Every Book is a World" from the sign on A.J.'s store, Island Books.
"Sometimes books don't find us until the right time." So very true!
It is a charming, well written story. Heartwarming. A light read, and a joy to read. There is humour, love and unexpected relationships. It's a book for book lovers. What more can I say?


Peace,
Linda

Between the pages of a book is a lovely place to be.

On My Bookshelf

Are you getting tired of hearing me profess my love for Louise Penny and her writing? I finished the tenth and eleventh books in her series, The Long Way Home and The Nature of the Beast shortly before Christmas, so all that I have left now is her latest, The Great Reckoning. I am taking a break and reading some others on my long list before I get to this one.
The Long Way Home leaves Three Pines for Toronto, Paris, Scotland and finally a remote stretch of  the St. Lawrence River where the search is on for Clara's missing husband, artist Peter Morrow. I found the plotline in this one a little weak, it didn't hold my interest as strongly as some of the others did... regardless, still worth the read. Although Gamache has now retired from active duty and has moved to Three Pines to enjoy a quieter life, he obviously has not fully given up his "former life and love" and is willing to help out Beauvoir and the others solve the mysterious disappearance. Penny obviously has a great understanding of the art world, as she conveys how art is created and how various people react to it. (I am still contemplating the upside down photo on the cover..,am I missing something?)
The Nature of the Beast returns to Three Pines where there is a dark cloud of evil lurking. In fact this is likely the "darkest" story in the series, with not only the murder of a child but what seems to be a serial killer, not to mention draft dodgers and war criminals, arms dealers and government corruption. I was surprised to learn at the end that the character Gerald Bull (an engineer who developed long range artillery) and "the beast" were real. I don't want to give away too much of this superbly crafted storyline, suffice it to say this is likely some of Penny's best writing. This story will no doubt lead you to reading further on the My Lai massacre (South Vietnam, 1968) as it did me, for I was too young at the time to understand much of what was happening with the Vietnam war.

photo from book jacket

There's not much that I haven't already said (in previous posts here, here and here) about Ms. Penny and her wonderful writing, other than I wish I had discovered her earlier. Not that several friends hadn't recommended her, yes, more than once! The only advice I can give if you are "new" to this series (and you've heard me say this previously) is to start with the first book. Don't diminish your reading pleasure by jumping in anywhere, even though each is fine as a "stand alone" read. The characterizations of  Gamache and his Sûreté staff, and the residents of the idyllic village of Three Pines build from book one. Each novel adds to the detailed personalities and I'm sure I'm not the only Penny fan to feel that I know these characters as well as many of my own friends. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this series and look forward to returning to it in the future to read The Great Reckoning.

Peace,
Linda

The worst part about finishing a book is having to find another that is just as good or better than the last.

Waiting On My Bookshelf

One of the most anticipated, and very best, parts of Christmas for me, is the anticipation of new reading material. For as long as I can remember (and that's a very long time) books have been high on my Wish List. As you know I love to read. I always have a considerably long list of books I'm looking forward to. Many have been recommended by friends, some recommended by my good friend Amazon, some are the result of reviews I've read, etc. But there is ALWAYS a list. I don't think I'll live long enough to ever reach the end of said list...
Several friends and I exchange books as gifts, and my children know if they are ever stuck for a gift idea a gift card for a bookstore is always a good choice. Although hubby does not read as much as I, he does enjoy a book or two for winter reading so I often choose one for him that I'd like to read too. (Sneaky, yes I know!)
This year, I even picked up a few secondhand books at Value Village just to be sure I have lots of choices on hand. (wink) Because a full donation card afforded me a 30% discount plus I had a "Free Book" card as well, I figured what better time to check out their fiction section and I did find a few to bring home... The Red Tent, The Deep End of the Ocean and  The Hatbox Letters. (Anyone read any of these? Your thoughts?)  New York was my freebie; I've read it before, but want to enjoy it again. (Love love love Rutherford's writing!) The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is a loaner from a friend, Truth and Honour is hubby's new read, and Victoria was a gift. So, I'd say I'm good for a while... aaaand I have a few Indigo gift cards when I finish these... Now, which shall I start first?
Did you get any new books for Christmas?

Peace,
Linda

"Fill your house with stacks of books, in all the crannies and in all the nooks" ~ Dr. Seuss

On My Bookshelf

My love for Louise Penny and her mystery novels continues to grow and grow. I last wrote about her series here when I was finishing the fifth book in her series... I am now on the tenth. This fall I have read  A Trick of the Light, The Beautiful Mystery and How the Light Gets In, and am now well into The Long Way Home. I have read a few other books in between (yes, sadly, I am way behind on reviews here) but I just cannot stay away from this series. And as I have said before, each one gets better. (With each one I keep thinking she can't possibly get any better, and she keeps proving me wrong!) My favourite of these last three is definitely How the Light Gets In. I could not read the last hundred pages fast enough, all the while not wanting to reach the end because then it would be over.  :(
Again, I won't go into detailed plot summaries here, but the same cast of characters appear in each book, Chief Inspector Gamache and other officers of the Sûreté du Québec, and the colourful villagers of  Three Pines. Penny has a wonderful ability to "grow" each distinct character and with each novel we gain more insight into their personalities, their hopes and fears, their weaknesses and insecurities.
Three Pines artist Clara Morrow is a central character in A Trick of the Light, as she is finally having her solo art show at a Montreal gallery. She is on a "high" after such a successful opening, until an old friend is found murdered in her garden the next morning...
The Beautiful Mystery is one of only several in the series so far, that is not set in Three Pines. Rather, Gamache and Beauvoir are investigating a murder in an isolated monastery, deep in Quebec's wilderness. Two dozen Gilbertine monks live there in seclusion and silence, and one of their own has been murdered... by one of their own, it seems. Despite the secluded peaceful setting, there is a great deal of conflict in this novel, conflict among the Gilbertine Order, conflict between Gamache and his superior Francoeur, and conflict within Beauvoir as he unravels with a drug dependency...
How the Light Gets In returns to Three Pines just before Christmas when villager Myrna Landers reports that an expected guest has failed to arrive for the holidays. Gamache is intrigued when Myrna seems reluctant to reveal who her guest is, and agrees to stop by her Montreal home, where he finds her body. Although her murder and true identity are the main plot line, even more riveting is what is happening to Gamache. His elite team has been decimated, his right hand man Beauvoir has turned against him, and it seems evil in the department is going to bring Gamache down. Although Penny writes each of her novels as a "stand alone" you really owe it to yourself to read them in order, as the relationships between the Sûreté officers and the conflict in their department has been steadily building and it comes to a head in this novel. You'll get a lot more out of this book if you understand how they got to this point...
Maintaining momentum in a lengthy series is not easy but Penny has no trouble keeping her readers coming back for more. I for one am hooked, and bedtime is coming earlier each night as I head upstairs with book in hand...
 
Peace,
Linda

"There's a crack in everything.. that's how the light gets in." ~ from Anthem by Leonard Cohen.
RIP Leonard

On My Bookshelf

Back in January I read my first Louise Penny mystery, Bury Your Dead, the sixth in a lengthy series (you can read that post here.) I knew long before I finished the book that I would be reading more of her work, so I set about searching for the previous five in the series. I bought the first two, Still Life and Dead Cold (titled A Fatal Grace in the USA) and finished them both within a week. The next three, The Cruellest Month, The Murder Stone (title A Rule Against Murder in the USA) and The Brutal Telling were borrowed from the library last week and I am now well into the fifth one. Each one could certainly stand on its own and be enjoyed as an individual mystery, but I have so enjoyed them as a series, getting to know the characters a little better with each successive story. The series is set in Three Pines, a quiet (fictional) village in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, south of Montreal and close to the Vermont border. The principal character is Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, head of homicide with the Sûreté du Québec, an appealing and intelligent man with great listening skills and an uncanny ability to make people open up and  share their thoughts. His sidekick second in command Jean Guy Beauvoir and several other police detectives appear in each book, and form just part of the lovable cast of characters. The eccentric inhabitants of Three Pines are also "regulars" in each story... Peter and Clara Morrow the struggling artists, Olivier and Gabri, the gay couple who run the village B and B and bistro, Ruth the curmudgeonly poet who always speaks her mind (often with colourful language) and Myrna who left her career as a psychologist to run a used bookstore in Three Pines. I could never pick a favourite as they all have their own (lovable) quirky traits, but Gamache is certainly a character I'd love to meet. Penny admits the Chief Inspector is based on her husband Michael.
I'm not going to give plot summaries for each book, you can find those elsewhere if you want to. Suffice it to say murder mysteries are not my usual genre, but I am LOVING this series and each one gets better than the last. Penny makes the characters come to life, and writes so descriptively I am often salivating for the meals cooked at the bistro. I can clearly picture the town square of Three Pines, and the cozy cottage-like homes of brick and fieldstone and I'd love to book a relaxing weekend at the B and B. I cannot wait to continue reading more titles in this series.
What are you reading lately? Any recommendations?

 EDIT: Since I've had some questions in the comments, here's a little more info. Louise Penny's website can be found here. On her sidebar you'll see the 11 books of the series listed in order; her newest, #12, A Great Reckoning, comes out next week, August 30. It has already been named one of the top 10 books of  September by O Magazine. Penny was born in Toronto, and became a journalist and radio host with CBC, working in Toronto, Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Quebec City and Montreal. She currently lives and writes in a small village in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, south of Montreal near the US border. This New York Times and Globe and Mail best-selling author has won five Agatha Awards, five Anthony Awards and numerous others. 
You can find recipes for some of the mouth-watering dishes described in her books here and answers to many frequently asked questions here.

Peace,
Linda

That moment at 3a.m. when you whisper to yourself "I need to stop..." as you turn the page.

On My Bookshelf

I have just finished reading one of the best books ever. I plowed through its almost 800 pages quite quickly, because it was very difficult to put down. Yep, one of those. Don't start it until you can dedicate a block of time to it. A while back a friend asked me what I've been reading lately, and then she said "What's your favourite book of all time?" Now that's not an easy question to answer, and in fact at the time, I couldn't answer her. I replied "I'll ponder that and get back to you." I'm still not sure if I could pick just ONE most favourite (That's kinda like which one is your favourite child?  Impossible to answer...) but Margie, this one would certainly be in the running: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes.
It's not my usual genre, and maybe that's one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much... it was something different. I guess I would call it a cross of murder mystery with suspense thriller, with the accent on the suspense thriller.. lol.
I don't want to give away too much of the story, but the two main characters are an American (codename Pilgrim) who works for an unknown covert US government agency higher than the FBI or CIA and a young terrorist from Saudi Arabia. Hayes takes us on a whirlwind journey, from New York City where the story begins with a murder, to Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Paris, Syria, Gaza, and Turkey as Pilgrim races to solve a perfect crime and foil his adversary's plot to bring down the USA.

From the book jacket: "A breakneck race against time.. and an implacable enemy.
An anonymous young woman murdered in a run-down hotel, all identifying characteristics dissolved by acid.
A father publicly beheaded in the blistering heat of a Saudi Arabian public square.
A notorious Syrian biotech expert found eyeless in a Damascus junkyard.
Smoldering human remains on a remote mountainside in Afghanistan.
A flawless plot to commit an appalling crime against humanity.
One path links them all, and only one man can make the journey. Pilgrim."

Of course, these seemingly unconnected events all eventually come together in a fast-paced, action-packed, well organized, well researched  and very cleverly written plot. The reader cannot fly through the text as there are many details to be noted. Just when you think you have something figured out, things take an unpredictable turn...  Foreshadowing is used effectively and the characters are so very well developed. Both Pilgrim and his "prey" are extremely intelligent and you keep wondering which one will outsmart the other. In short, an amazing read! Warning, there are some scenes of graphic violence.
Hayes has already had a successful career as a journalist and a movie and tv screenwriter. I Am Pilgrim is his debut novel. I can only say I hope he continues writing novels, I will be at the head of the line to purchase his next one. MGM has secured the movie rights to I Am Pilgrim. I'll be in that lineup too.

Peace,
Linda

"Good books don't give up all their secrets at once." ~ Stephen King

On My Bookshelf

Hello again! It's high time I got back here... as one blogger friend put it, I've been "summer busy"... Lots to tell you about so stay tuned the next few days for some catch up. Today, another book review as I am so far behind with those...

Two Rivers by T. Greenwood is well-crafted. I like a story that "builds".. you know "something big is coming" but you can't figure out what... and then at the end, there's a twist.... This is such a book.
Here's what the book jacket has to say: "In Two Rivers, Vermont, Harper Montgomery is living a life overshadowed by grief and guilt. Since the death of his wife Betsy, twelve years earlier, Harper has narrowed his world to working at the local railroad and raising his daughter Shelly, the best way he knows how. Still wracked with sorrow over the loss of his life-long love and plagued by his role in a brutal, long-ago crime, he wants only to make amends for his past mistakes.
Then one fall day, a train derails in Two Rivers. and amid the wreckage Harper finds an unexpected chance at atonement. One of the survivors, a pregnant fifteen-year-old girl with mismatched eyes and skin the color of blackberries, needs a place to stay. Though filled with misgivings, Harper offers to take Maggie in. But it isn't long before he begins to suspect that Maggie's appearance in Two Rivers is not the simple case of happenstance it first appeared to be."
This is one of those "hard to put down" books... the characters, especially Harper, are well developed and I found it easy to identify with his struggles. The strong plot keeps the reader turning the pages, and the ending is a surprise. A story of love and loss, redemption and forgiveness. What more could a reader want?

Peace,
Linda

"I have lived a thousand lives and I've loved a thousand loves. I've walked on distant worlds and seen the end of time. Because I read." ~ George R.R. Martin

On My Bookshelf

The Piano Maker written by Kurt Palka is the suspenseful story of  Hélène Giroux, a widow with a mysterious past. Hélène arrives in a small town on the southwestern shore of Nova Scotia, well dressed and driving an elegant car, with all of her belongings in the backseat. It is clear from the outset that she is also carrying a secret... It is the winter of 1933 and after exploring St. Homais and finding an old Molnar piano in the local church, Hélène decides to make the small town her home. Her family manufactured Molnar pianos in France for three generations before the war, and she is thrilled to once again have a Molnar to play. As she tries to make new friends and fit into the local community by taking the job of pianist for the local parish, rumours and questions begin to surface. Where has she come from? What is in her past?
Palka has written a compelling story, keeping the reader engaged until the final page. He gradually reveals Hélène's difficult history, from her involvement in the family piano-making business and the loss of her soldier husband, to a relationship with a suitor/business partner which leads her on a journey with a fateful ending.When she is confronted by the local police, past and present collide and she must face her secret once again...
I thoroughly enjoyed this book; I thought it well written with attention to detail and imagery. It flows easily from present to past and I felt I knew Hélène, a character of great strength and courage. I'll be checking out another novel by Palka - has anyone read Clara?

Peace,
Linda

"I'm the kind of girl who fantasizes about being trapped in a library overnight." ~Fangirl, Rainbow Rowell

Waiting on the Bookshelf

What are you reading these days? Do you have a stack of books stored up for "summer reading" awaiting your attention? I've been lucky lately in finding books at a great price in some of my favourite used bookstores. I even found one which has been on my "want to read" list for a while, in a favourite lunch spot. When I stepped in the door recently I noticed a lovely basket full of books, with a sign reading "Take One, Leave One." Wow, what a great idea! The owner let me take one even though I had nothing to leave. I assured him next time I was there I would bring several to leave behind for someone else to enjoy.
I've already told you about my luck in obtaining many in the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency series here. These are the other recent acquisitions, two of them on loan from friends.  Have you read any of these? Any suggestions for others I should add? I have finished The Pink Suit and A Desperate Fortune, and am currently reading The Boston Girl. Next up will be The Piano Maker. Bring on those lazy days of summer, I'm ready! (Well, I will be once the gardening chores are finished...)
What are you looking forward to reading this summer?

Peace,
Linda

Sometimes I tell myself to stop reading and get things done.... then I laugh and turn the page.
Source- Pinterest/Aesta's Book Blog

Score!

We all know that friends are the best!  But having a friend who is also an avid reader, knows what you are reading, and keeps an eye out for you is the absolute best! Last Friday as I was getting ready to leave for the weekend, my friend Barb called and said she was working at her church rummage sale. Among the books were a number of the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency series, and would I like her to get them for me? "Well Yes, absolutely." So look at what I now have on my shelf - 1 through 12 except for 2 and 11. I know our local library has #2, and no doubt they have #11 as well. She picked up 7 books for me, for the whopping sum of $5.00! What a score! How lucky am I?! Thanks Barb! So if any of my local reading friends are interested in this series, you know Linda's Library is open!!   :)

Peace,
Linda

"A book is a magical thing that lets you travel to far-away places without ever leaving your chair."
~ Katrina Mayer

On My Bookshelf

Have you read anything by Alexander McCall Smith? I had not, until my friend Barb introduced me to the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, and I'm so glad she did! McCall Smith has written over 100 books, but he is best known for this series which has risen to the top of bestseller lists around the world. It would be a bit of a stretch to assign them to the "mystery" genre, rather they are charming tales of a woman who is a "self-proclaimed" private detective. She is not just any woman... she is Precious Ramotswe. a Botswana woman "of traditional build".. a charming character if ever there was one. She is delightful, dealing with daily issues and challenges with intelligence and intuition - after all what more do you need, says Mma Ramotswe? She feels her mission is to help people with the problems in their lives, not to solve crimes.
Very soon after opening her agency in Gaborone, she is hired to find a missing husband, uncover a con man and track a wayward daughter, but her biggest challenge in this first novel is the case of a missing boy, only eleven years old, who she fears has been snatched by witch doctors. She quickly won me over, solving each case with her clever ways, common sense and keen observation.
I love Smith's writing style. Straightforward simple prose, sprinkled with beautiful descriptive passages such as this: "Then, just past the Mochudi turnoff, the sun came up, rising over the wide plains that stretched away towards the course of the Limpopo. Suddenly it was there, smiling on Africa, a slither of a golden red ball, inching up, floating effortlessly free of the horizon to dispel the last wisps of morning mist." and "She stopped the van an hour later, beside a dry riverbed. They were completely alone. with not even a fire from a remote cattle post to break the darkness of the night. Only the starlight fell on them, an attenuated silver light, falling on the sleeping figure of the boy, wrapped in a sack which she had in the back of the van, his head upon her arm, his breathing regular, his hand resting gently on hers, and Mma Ramotswe herself, whose eyes were open, looking up into the night sky until the sheer immensity of it tipped her gently into sleep." The story line is light and humourous, not complicated, and it moves along at a good pace so you don't lose interest. In fact, I found myself often thinking "I'll read just one more chapter.''
The second book Tears of the Giraffe carries on smoothly from the first novel. Although there are more cases to solve, more of this book is centered around Mma Ramotswe and her relationship with Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, the local mechanic who keeps her old van running smoothly. They become engaged and it is amusing to watch their relationship develop. Among her cases to solve are a wandering wife, and the long lost son of an American woman.
If you enjoy an entertaining story with "real" characters, you should investigate this series. I find it a refreshing positive change from what we hear of Africa in the news. I can hardly wait to get into the third book in the series, Morality for Beautiful Girls.

Peace,
Linda

"I became a book lover at a very young age. Books taught me that there were different lives and beautiful things." ~ Rene Denfeld

On My Bookshelf

Crow Lake, Canadian writer Mary Lawson's debut novel, is set in a small rural farming community in northern Ontario. The four Morrison children have been suddenly orphaned when a car accident claimed their parents. Narrated by Kate Morrison, seven at the time of the tragedy, the story shifts between present and past. Kate is now in her twenties and a professor of Zoology at a university in Toronto. As a child she idolized her elder brother Matt; he taught her to love nature, and likely planted the seed for her career choice, but now she feels estranged from all three siblings, and going back to Crow Lake will not be easy. She is haunted by memories of  her childhood and feelings of guilt over the sacrifices made by her two older brothers to keep the four children together.
A story written with depth and honesty, it's a study of family relationships, love and loss, regrets and resentment, hidden secrets and dreams sacrificed. Lawson, a distant relative of L.M. Montgomery, was born and raised in southwestern Ontario. She has written a beautiful story about family and about life, rich with description and characterization. I was drawn into the story quickly, and just had to keep reading. This is a story/family that will remain with you long after you've finished the last page. A #1 National Bestseller, Heather's Pick, a Globe and Mail Best Book, winner of the Ontario Library Association Evergreen Award and the Amazon.ca First Novel Award. Definitely worth the read, and a great choice for bookclubs.
What are you reading this week?
Spring has arrived (supposedly) and my birthday has come and gone. For us spring brought snow, after several weeks of warmer temps, bare ground and dreams of an earlier spring... Easter is almost here, seems way too early... I'll be back soon with another small finish, just some quilting to complete, and the binding.

Peace,
Linda

"I love books. I love that moment when you open one and sink into it, you can escape from the world into a story that's way more interesting than yours will ever be." ~ Elizabeth Scott

On My Bookshelf

Sweetland by Michael Crummey is set on a small remote island off the coast of Newfoundland. Moses Sweetland has lived there all of his life, as have many generations of his family before him, in fact the island is named after the family. When the government decides to "re-settle" the community, he's having none of it. Moses is stubborn, set in his ways... you might even say "crusty." The offer is generous, but it must be unanimous, everyone must agree and sign before the offer will go through and Moses is the hold-out. Sweetland has been home for him for sixty-nine years, and despite its rugged lifestyle, he's not interested in leaving. With mounting pressure from family and friends, he does eventually sign the papers, but he won't leave. He manages to stay behind on the island he loves, alone, battling the elements, memories of the past and the desolation of a solitary life.
Crummey, also born and raised in Newfoundland, has written this story beautifully, perfectly capturing the island and its people. He has developed the character of Moses so thoroughly, I feel as if I have known him a long while. Newfoundlanders have their own way of speaking, and although some might find the expressions hard to understand, Crummey has "nailed" the vernacular. This is part of the charm of the story for me. His descriptions of the island make it easy to visualize, and the rugged land, the ocean and the weather become characters in the story as much as the people. A heartbreaking story of sadness, it is a realistic depiction of the decline of outport communities in Newfoundland, following the collapse of the commercial fishery. Time marches on and takes its toll. Sweetland is a story of past and present, of strength and determination, and of love for the land one calls "home."
Five stars from this reader.

Peace,
Linda

"We read books to find out who we are. What other people, real or imaginary, do and think and feel.... is an essential guide to our understanding of what we ourselves are and may become." ~ Ursula K. LeGuin