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    • 1 person found this helpful

    #20/52-Mr. Darcy's Great Escape

    Posted by Lana, 3 years ago

    In her third Pride and Prejudice tale, Marsha Altman continues to keep her readers intriqued. In this novel Darcy and Dr. Maddox travel to eastern Europe in search of their missing brothers. Upon hearing they have been imprisoned, Elizabeth, Caroline and Darcy's cousin Fitzwilliam set off on a mission to rescue them.
    I really enjoyed reading this book. The author manages to add humor, suspence and intrigue to her novels.

    KipseeSox 37/52 WHAT THE BODY REMEMBERS

    Posted by KipseeSox, 3 years ago

    This book centers around Roop, a young Sikh girl in India, who is married as second wife to a wealthy man. She suffers some unspeakable heartbreak but manages to eek out some happiness. I liked this book because I learned about Sikhism but I wish the author had used this book to go a little furthur with that. I was disappointed in the character development though. At times I felt like I was getting to know Roop and then next as a reader I felt very distanced. The story, too, was a bit anticlimactic. Some horrifying bits but really nothing special.

    Book #37 of 2010 – Oceans Of Fire By Christine Feehan

    Posted by Amanda Lake, 3 years ago

    After witnessing a horrible crime, Abby Drake becomes a hunted woman. The 3rd daughter in a magical bloodline, she has the ability to communicate with sea life. Her only protection from those who want her dead is a Russian Interpol Officer named Alexsander Volstov; who happens to be her ex. Even though they’ve been apart for 4 years the passion is still there even though Abby doesn’t want to admit it. She’s rather face the bullet with her name on it than having her heart broken all over again.

    This was an okay book. Not as good as “Hidden Currents” (7th book in the Drake Sister series), but I still enjoyed it. There were times when the sister’s antics became a tad Scooby Doo like and that was just annoying. I still intend on reading the rest of the series.

    • 1 person found this helpful

    26 & 27 of 52

    Posted by Manda, 3 years ago

    The Night Before by Lisa Jackson ~ Great mystery story with some twists turns and a bit of gore. I enjoyed the storyline and will be reading the next in the series.

    Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane ~ Awesome read! I read this book in one day. I just couldn't put it down. The ending totally shocked me. Can't wait to see the movie now.

    13 of 52: My Favorite Wife

    Posted by Virtopia, 3 years ago

    I liked this book; Bill and Becca's relationship was a very interesting one to follow. I felt sorry for her when the truth was revealed, but also thought more would become of her relationship with the doctor. Bill and JinJin Li's relationship was also very multi faceted. They seemed like they could've really been soulmates, or maybe he was chasing a fantasy. Either way, I like the way the book was written and look forward to reading more by Tony Parsons.

  • Book#19 - The Golden Mean

    Posted by CeyLo, 3 years ago

    The Golden Mean
    Overall it was a good book but I was a little disappointed ... and I'm not exactly sure what.... It just seemed to be lacking something... and maybe seemed too clinical at times ...

    This is the third of this year's Giller short list I've read and is my least favourite of the three.

    #25

    Posted by Charlene Morrison, 3 years ago

    I have finished the Twlight Series. It was as good as my friends said.
    An easy read and page turner. I loved the characters and the interactions. If you are open to all types of books, give this series a try.

    KipseeSox 36/52 THE INHERITANCE OF LOSS

    Posted by KipseeSox, 3 years ago

    4.5 stars Man Booker Prize 2006

    4.5 stars. I think the only thing that holds this one back as a five star is the end...as in the last few pages. I was a little disappointed. But I can't elaborate without spoiling. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. I was equally disturbed and enlightened. I was amused and saddened. This book is not a happy book but the author does include some quite humourous moments, many are sutble, more amusing in the way people are not in what they say. This book is sure to make you look at immigrants in a more informed way. Although this is set in the 80's I'm sure not much has changed. This book is sure to give one a moment or two to think on colonialism too and the double standards. One of my favourite lines, to paraphrase: "they come to My country and take My bread and then when I come to their country they tell me to get out". It is the story mainly of India though parts occur in the States. The main characters, which are brilliantly fleshed out, are a retired Cambridge educated Indian judge, his grandaughter, the Judge's cook and the cook's son (who has gone to America). There are fanatstic, insightful parallels in the stories. Irony lay everywhere.

  • Book#17 & 18

    Posted by CeyLo, 3 years ago

    I had the great fortune to read two great books this week.

    Book #17 - The Postmistress.
    Another World War II story... Really well written... A different perspective to the many other WWII stories I've read in the last year, as it is told from the point of view of 3 American women ... before the US enters the war... one who is a radio journalist and is in London and gets to witness the war first hand; and two back in the US ...

    Book#18 - The Bishop's Man
    I was a skeptic, but I have been won over.. It is quite an amazing book. Really well written... wonderful story... quite sad really...

    I've also been trying to get through Come Thou Tortoise but it's moving really slowly for me... I'm hoping at some point something 'big'happens to grab my interest...
    Otherwise ... thinking what to read next... Lots of choices... not enough time for all!

    • 2 people found this helpful

    Book #11 - Fruit

    Posted by M.L. Mac, 3 years ago

    This was another book read in my quest to increase my Canadian content. My initial reaction was ‘meh, this really isn’t that good’ I found the characters annoying and the writing irritating. What struck me was how childish the main character Peter was. However that’s what turns out to be this books genius, it truly is written in a manner that makes you believe you’re inside Peter’s head, his thoughts remind me of being a teen (remember when you thought you’d grow up and be famous, and you truly believed it.)

    The best part of this book came in the last 70 pages when Peter finally makes some discoveries about himself, his family, and tries to make some life changes. Some people have referred to this novel as a ‘beautiful story’ I think that’s taking it a little far. It’s an ok coming of age tale, and the author is clearly skilled. However I wouldn’t read it again and I don’t know who I’d recommend it to, so it got 3/5 from me.

    #14: The Devil in the Flesh by Raymond Radiguet

    Posted by Samia, 3 years ago

    The Devil in the Flesh

    5/5

    The author was thought to have written this when he was about sixteen to eighteen-years-old; he died at the age of twenty in the year 1923. It is based on his own affair that he had with an older woman.

    On an outing with his family, the nameless fifteen-year-old protagonist meets the M. and Mme Grangier, and he meets their daughter, Marthe. She is eighteen-years-old and she is good-looking, compared to her badly aged mother. And she takes him, the protagonist, seriously. They speak about literature, and he later learns that she is engaged and that her fiancé has forbidden her to read some books. The protagonist tells her that her hair doesn’t look good that way, and then thinks, “What sort of a girl was she … to allow a boy of my age to criticise her hair?” (21)

    “So I left, and since I was sure I would never see Marthe again I tried hard not to think about her, with the result that I thought of nothing else.” (26)

    Marthe’s husband, Jacques Lacombe is a soldier who is often gone from home. An affair eventually starts between Marthe Lacombe and the protagonist, which makes the protagonist question if he really loves her, if she is in fact speaking the truth, and which makes him act in cunning ways that he never before imagined.

    Written in first person, the prose is beautifully chosen, and the thoughts of the protagonist are poetic and insightful, making this story even more memorable. I read the translation by A.M. Sheridan Smith.

    If you want more details, you can read my review: www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/The-Devil-in-the-Flesh-Raymond-Radiguet/978071453402-583380-Review.html

    #'s 18 and 19 of 52/52

    Posted by Lana, 3 years ago

    #18 Violet, the retelling of The Princess and the Pea
    #19 Winter's Child, the retelling of The Snow Queen
    These two books were a nice relaxing light read. Sometimes I need a a book that is light and doesn't involve a lot of thinking. These two books were perfect and they were also the kind of books I would have enjoyed in my teen years.

    11/52 The Shadow of Your Smile - Mary Higgins Clark

    Posted by Nettie, 3 years ago

    This book was good. I prefer some of Mary's other books, but this was close to the top of my list of favourites. It's about the secret that a nun has and how a doctor is involved. Very good.

  • KipseeSox 35/52 THE SAMURAI'S GARDEN

    Posted by KipseeSox, 3 years ago

    This novel follows a young Chinese boy go to his family's summer house in a small resort/fishing village in Japan to recover from TB during the Japenese invasion of China (1937-1938). This book was everything I wished "The Pearl Diver" had been. A story of illness and isolation and new friendships. It's funny actually how much the two novels had in common but yet it is Tsukiyama who delivers up a story to delight in. Her elegant style is perfect here, her depictions of the characters exquisite, her storytelling is completely engaging. I do declare this to be the best of her period work. I loved it so much I read it in a day.

    KipseeSox 34/52 EMPIRE OF THE SUN

    Posted by KipseeSox, 3 years ago

    Another novel in my unofficial asian studies program. This one claims to be a classic. There's even a movie apparently! It's about a young British boy living in China while the Japenese invade. He's separated from his parents, fends for himself for a bit and eventually is sent to an internment camp. The story is based on many real experiances of the author. I'm surprised I didn't care for this over much. It started off well but it lost me quickly as I found I couldn't identify with any of the characters. I simply didn't really care. Hmmmm. Kind of sad. Perhaps I've read to much on this topic lately I'm growing apathetic *shudder*

    Book 16 (I lost track of the week)

    Posted by Sue Kupka, 3 years ago

    I finished the Nora Roberts Dream trilogy with Finding the Dream - Laura's story. I loved it and loved the character of Micheal Fury. If you enjoy Nora Roberts, this is a classic.

    Book #36 of 2010 - Darkness Unleashed by Alexandra Ivy

    Posted by Amanda Lake, 3 years ago

    This was book five in the Guardians of Eternity series and in my opinion the best in the series. Jagr is a vamp with a violent history. The first part of his vampire life was spent being tortured for past crimes he can’t remember. He is sent by his king to rescue a missing female Were named Regan.

    Regan is a pureblood Were who has spent her entire life being abused and held hostage only to be taken under the unwanted protection of a scarred vampire...even if he’s sexy. All Regan wants in life is to get revenge against the Imp who abused her all those years and doesn’t have time for any complications. And in her world that includes reuniting with the sister who has been searching for her or possibly becoming the mate of a powerful sexy vampire.

    I actually enjoyed this story and liked how things were set up for the next book which will be Salvatore, the Were King’s story. Once again I felt annoyed by the character Levet. I understand needing certain characters for comic relief, but sometimes there’s such thing as overkill.

    • 1 person found this helpful

    KipseeSox 33/52 THE KINGMAKING

    Posted by KipseeSox, 3 years ago

    A fresh new take on the traditional King Arthur story. "The Kingmaking" stays true to the original 5th century date and many of the characters remain the same BUT they are presented in a a whole new light. Arthur isn't a shining golden boy who's innocent and precocious. Rather he's a flawed hero. And Gwenhywfar, is WAY different than you'll be used to. The author gives her alot of attention in this novel. Rather than a beautiful but unimportant leading character, here she becomes a large part of the story with a strong character to match. There's no Lancelot, no merlin and no magic. The author has really acheived something here and I'm dying to see if it carries over to books 2 and 3

    Book #7 - A Band of Roses by Pat McDermott

    Posted by Christine Bode, 3 years ago

    Stars: 3.0

    A Band of Roses by Pat McDermott is an ambitious work of romance, adventure and intrigue set in a 21st Century that has been forever changed by a fictionalized alternative history of the ancestors of Ireland’s King Brian Boru, who in this story wins the Battle of Clontarf, and goes on to found a dynasty that prevails in present day.

    The epic begins when the Irish crew of the Fancy Annie are gunned down 200 miles off the Donegal coast in the North Atlantic by an English gunboat manned by Captain Andrew Mayne of the HMS Coulter and the evil Prince Geoffrey Wessex, Regent of the Kingdom of England. Their plan is to annex the tiny island of Fargan and lay claim to it because they believe oil lies beneath it.

    Heroine Taillte Rosaleen Boru will soon be the 4th Queen of Ireland. Talty, as she is known, is 20-years-old and a member of the Irish navy as well as the Crown Princess. She does not like to think about the death of her father Brian, who is only 50, and still strong and healthy, but she must prepare herself for her inevitable responsibility to the Kingdom of Eire.

    King Brian’s younger brother, Prince Peadar is the leader of the present day Fianna and it is Talty’s dream to become a Fian warrior and earn their distinguished gold pin. Peadar’s stepson, Neil Boru, is training Talty for this honour and he takes his role as Talty’s “Shivail” (protector) very seriously.

    Geoffrey Wessex will waive his claim to Fargan if Talty agrees to marry the developmentally challenged King Thomas Wessex who has a pitiful reputation and is ailing from a neural disorder. King Brian of Ireland agrees to this unholy union and marries off Talty to Thomas, who almost kills her on their wedding night. Realizing almost too late what he has done, Thomas is horrified, and backs down, only to have his cousin Roger Wessex jump in and finish the dastardly deed himself.

    The Boru clan let the Wessex men believe that Talty died from her injuries, when in fact they hid her away in the Scottish highlands while she underwent numerous surgeries to repair the damage.

    Meanwhile, Brian Boru hires Eric Yamada of Mamoru Services Ltd. in Ireland to provide telecommunications security for his estate which is ever under the threat of a siege. After Eric is hired to establish a surveillance system in their home, a second attempt is made on Talty’s life, and for a second time she is married off (to Eric who is in love with his business manager, Kiyoshi Sasaki and therefore no real husband to Talty) and relocated to Japan in order to save her life while the Borus seek vengeance against the Wessex clan.

    The cast of characters in this novel is large and ever changing as we follow what can only be the destiny of Talty Boru and her Band of Roses: cousin Neil Boru, brother Liam Boru, Aidan Dacey (Talty’s godfather’s high-spirited son) and cousin Kevin Boru (Neil’s half-brother). I read this book in PDF format which was a challenge because of its length and the fact that I had to take notes to remember who everyone was and how they were related to each other.

    In Chapter 7, the narrative changes when Talty is moved to Japan, from the narrator’s voice to Talty’s. Eric soon recommends that she has further reconstructive cosmetic surgery to remove the scars on her face (but the ones on her body are mysteriously left alone) and she agrees. Talty quickly wins the respect and affection of Eric’s aunt Imi and his servants and settles in to life in Japan. She begins samurai warrior training led by Eric and Kiyoshi and soon develops an entirely new identity, that of Christy McKenna, Major in the International Security Forces (ISF).

    The setting changes frequently from Ireland to Japan to California and back to Ireland again. Talty is a heroine worth cheering for and we lay in wait with the hope that she and Neil, who has been in love with her for quite some time but believes that he can’t marry his cousin, can finally declare their love for each other and live happily ever after.

    Eric is killed off in a random helicopter accident and Talty finds herself in yet another subplot that is reminiscent of the book Timeline by Michael Creighton. Talty finds herself involved in the ISF’s Bioengineering Division’s top secret Peregrine Project that enables her and ISF “special agent” Colonel Richard Gale, formerly of MI6, to time travel back to 1014 Ireland to the Battle of Clontarf where Talty’s Fianna warrior training serves her well. The actual way this is physically achieved is not explained in much detail and the fact that Talty ends up giving away her virginity to a “portal person” named Gayth MacDunlan in this parallel world doesn’t ring true. Talty, up to this point, does not come across as a woman who would throw away her virginity on the first man she’s sexually attracted to after only having known him for a very short time. The rest: scullylovepromo.wordpress.com/2010/04/18/a-band-of-roses-by-pat-mcdermott/

    17/52-As Sure as the Dawn

    Posted by Lana, 3 years ago

    This is the third and final book in the "Mark of the Lion Series"
    Atretes has won his freedom in his last fight in the arena. Learning he has a son, he seeks to find him and claim as his own. Finding is son with a widow, he take both and flees Rome to his homeland of Germania. Where he falls in love witht he widow Rizpah and accepts her God as his savior and denys the Chatti's way. Cast out by his people, he, Rizpah and his son, along with a chosen few, travel and settle in small village, proclaiming the truth of God's word.
    This book was really long. It was really slow and took forever for them to reach Germania. Not until chapter 29 did things go a little faster and become a little more interesting. After these three books, I need something a little lighter to read.

  • Book #10 - The Hunger Games

    Posted by M.L. Mac, 3 years ago

    What a treat, to get to read 2 incredibly good books in a row. I read Hunger Games in a few days, and I absolutely love it and will likely be reading it again. It's well written, the story is engrossing and believable. Thus far my favorite read of 2010. If you like post-apocalyptic fiction this is a book for you!

    I reviewed this on my profile if you're wondering what it's about, I'd put it up in the Harry Potter/Eragon realm, the writing is superb and the story is totally enthralling.

    Book 15 Week 15

    Posted by Sue Kupka, 3 years ago

    Nora Roberts is my favorite author and though I have read most of her books I discovered 3 trilogies that I had not read and constantly looked over when in the book store. The Dream Trilogy is one of them. I have to say, I am not sure what I was waiting for. I have really enjoyed meeting this groups of characters.

    Though not the normal mystery and intrigue I enjoy how Nora writes a about family relationships and the dramas that come up in larger families.

    This book is the second in the series and I am excited to spend this Saturday night getting into the last installment. Hopefully my 8 week old daughter will sleep well tonight so I can get a good start on it.

    Book 25 of 52

    Posted by Manda, 3 years ago

    The Sculptor by Gregory Funaro ~ This book took a long time to get into. I'm glad I stuck it out though. It proved to have lots of twists and turns and suspense.

    I don't think I would put this on my Top 50 best reads but it was okay for a mystery/police thriller.

  • Book #9 - The Bishop's Man

    Posted by M.L. Mac, 3 years ago

    Wow, all I can say is Thank you Linden MacIntyre. This book deals with sex scandals in the Catholic Church centering very close to home in a small town in Cape Breton Nova Scotia. Bishop's Man centres around one Priest trying to come to terms with his part in the sex scandal, while also dealing with other issues such as forbidden love, and addiction, things that many readers can relate to.

    This book was suspenseful, sorrowful, and totally engrossing. I burned through it in less than a week. MacIntyre did an incredible job and the Giller win was definitely deserved. I would highly recommend it, but I don't think I'd read it again because it is definitely depressing.

  • Book #8 - The Lightning Thief

    Posted by M.L. Mac, 3 years ago

    I've wanted to read this book since I saw the preview for the movie (which I never did see because of bad reviews). Anyway I was hoping to find another Harry Potter/Eragonish series, and while this book is not in the same league as those titles (it's just not near as well written) it is an entertaining little read. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for books for their kids, and it has the added benefit of piquing your interest in Greek Mythology.

    12 of 52: Snapped

    Posted by Virtopia, 3 years ago

    Rating: 3/5

    I enjoyed this book by Tracy Brown; it had all the drama I was hoping for and had a fast pace that I kept up with. The one thing I didn't like was the ending. There were 4 main characters and it seemed they only really wrapped up the storyline for 1 of them, which was really odd. That must mean there will be a sequel. It was good, nonetheless.

    A Call For Help

    Posted by Amanda Lake, 3 years ago

    First I want to say sorry if you get this email more than once. I’m posting it in all the groups I’m in. My birthday is coming up soon (no this isn’t a plug) and I’m looking into getting an eReader. The thing is besides the fact that you can read your favourite books on them, I don’t know anything. So, I’m turning to you my fellow readers for your knowledge. If you have any suggestions and/or opinions about which eReader is the best that would be great.
    Right now I have my eye on the Sony PRS600S in silver for $299. To go with pink or red just seems wrong and I’m not cool enough to pull it off.
    Thanks.

    Book 35 of 2010 – Wild Blue Under by Judi Fennell

    Posted by Amanda Lake, 3 years ago

    For a future king, he was sort of a tool.

    Her entire life Valeria avoided the oceans at all costs because of sever allergy. She grew up with her mother who kept her far from the salt water and the truth that unfortunately dies with her.

    One day while tending the store her mother left her, a strange man, Rod, comes in claiming he knew the father who had abandoned her and that she has been left an inheritance. In order to collect, Valeria must travel to the ocean because it turns out that her father was a Mer. Turns out that Rod is a Mer as well as being the future king.

    Along the road, they are attacked several times by a vengeful albatross. Their one protector is a seagull. In the matter of days, Valeria’s world has turned into a living fairytale right down to the charming prince...too bad he’s part fish.

    This was an okay book. I felt it was a little confusing at times with characters that didn’t need to be a part of the story. There was no really motive to the bad guy’s plans. And I was upset that Reel and Erica (the characters from the first book; In Over Her Head) didn’t make an appearance.

    This book was nothing spectacular, but I still plan on reading the next and final book in the series; Catch Of The Day.

    10/52 What the Dog Saw: and other adventures - Malcolm Gladwell

    Posted by Nettie, 3 years ago

    It's a collection of Malcolm's articles that were published in the newspapers and magazines. I enjoyed the whole book. Excellent read.

    Books 23 & 24 of 52

    Posted by Manda, 3 years ago

    The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong ~ After a very, very long wait I eagerly dove into this book setting aside the one I was reading. This is not something I usually do but I just couldn't wait.

    I was not disappointed one bit. The plot moved along at a fast pace and kept me guessing right up to the end. The ending of course seemed pretty open ended so now once again I am left waiting for the next installment. I'm hoping that it will be out soon. I'm so impatient when it comes to book releases.

    I love this series! I think it is a series that can be enjoyed by YA and adult readers. Definitely recommend this series to anyone who enjoys Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld series.

    Living With the Dead by Kelley Armstrong ~ Excellent read with the addition of some new characters that I found very enjoyable. Loving this series. I'm waiting for Frostbitten to be released in paperback so I'm taking a break from Kelley Armstrong until that is released.

  • 2010 - Books 8 - 12

    Posted by Kristy, 3 years ago

    Have read some excellent books in the last few weeks!

    Book #8 - Graceling by Kristen Cashmore - was a good YA read, interesting with a solid female hero. Many similarities with the Hunger Games and I really enjoyed it. Recommend for the YA fans!

    Book #9 - The Golden Mean by Annabel Lyone - was a historical fiction about Aristotle focusing on his time in Macedonia when he was Alexander the Great's tutor. It was well written and very interesting, but the description of the book is slightly misleading as it certainly focuses on Aristotle's life, with very little about Alexander's.

    Book #10 - Lullabies for LIttle Criminals by Heather O'Neill - was an EXCELLENT novel about a young girl growing up, essentially, on the streets of Montreal. Defintely recommend.

    Book #11 - People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks - was recommended to me some time ago and I finally got around to reading it and it was wonderful. I wasn't sure that the history of a book would make for exciting reading but it was great!

    Book #12 - The Virgin's Daughters by Jeane Westine - historical fiction focused on the stories of two of Eliz I's ladies. It was okay...kept me reading/interested but nothing special.

    #16/52- An Echo in the Darkness

    Posted by Lana, 3 years ago

    This is Book 2 of The Mark of the Lion Series.
    Marcus is distraught, and grieving the Death of Hadassah. He flees to Palestine in search of answers to her death and why God allowed someone who is so faithful to him die.
    Julia is extremely ill and dying Both her husband and her lover have left taking with them her money, leaving her poor and to suffer her fate alone.
    Both Julia and Marcus are looking for redemption, but have no idea where to find it.
    Now , on the the third and final book in this series.

  • KipseeSox 32/52 SUNFLOWERS

    Posted by KipseeSox, 3 years ago

    I loved this little fictional take on the last two years of Vincent Van Gogh's life. Told from the point of view of his prostitute lover (extrapulated from the Rachael he delivers his severed ear bit to) it's engaging and wholly believable. I enjoyed ever word and am impressed to see this is a first novel from a new author. My five star rating may be coloured a bit by the fact I adore Van Gogh, but what ever, I loved the book!

  • Book #6 - Let The Great World Spin by Colum McCann

    Posted by Christine Bode, 3 years ago

    5 STARS

    Redemption, joy, wonder; that which is meaningful to the human heart. These are just some of the themes of the most brilliant book I’ve read in years: Let The Great World Spin by Colum McCann. This is a story that will stay with you for a very long time. As McCann writes in the Author’s Note at the back of the book:

    “Literature can remind us that not all life is already written down: there are still so many stories to be told.”

    Let The Great World Spin intertwines the stories of several remarkable and yet ordinary people’s lives, how they intersect with each other over the passage of time, and how life can be changed in a matter of seconds by people who don’t even know us. In it he is able to punctuate the fact that no matter how bad our heart is broken the world doesn’t stop for our grief so it is essential to realize that love, joy and the journey is all there is. “Our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are but we are responsible for who we become.”

    We see the world through the eyes of Corrigan, an Irish priest who lives in the bowels of the burning Bronx surrounded by hookers and have-nots as he struggles with whether or not he will fail God if he breaks his vows and gives in to his love for a Guatemalan woman named Adelita. We meet Corrigan’s brother Ciaran and later, his wife Lara, as well as the hookers that Corrigan tries to help in modest ways. There is Tillie Henderson, a 38-year-old hooker whose daughter Jazzlyn walks the streets in her footsteps, and Jazzlyn’s two young daughters who may or may not have a future.

    On the other side of the city, a group of mothers who are mourning the loss of their sons to the Vietnam War gather in a Park Avenue apartment to share their stories. We are particularly captivated by Claire and Gloria who are as unlikely to be friends as two people can be and yet they find peace with each other. Gloria was my favourite character because her strength and integrity is inspirational, but it is hard not to love something about every one of them.

    “A big smile went between us. Something that we knew about each other, that we’d be friends now, there wasn’t much could take it from us, we were on that road. I could lower her down into my life and she could probably survive it. And she could lower me into hers and I could rummage around. I reached across and held her hand. I had no fear now. I could taste a tincture of iron in my throat, like I had bitten my tongue and it had bled, but it was pleasing. The lights skittered by. I was reminded how, as a child, I used to drop flowers into large bottles of ink. The flowers would float on the surface for a moment and then the stem would get swamped, and then the petals, and they would bloom with dark.”

    The characters have a depth, honesty and beauty that come alive with such truth that it seems inconceivable that McCann created them from his imagination. All but one character, the tightrope walker, who was based on the true story of Philippe Petit, are works of fiction, but in some ways they are more real than many people I have known.

    While it has been described as the “first great 9/11 novel”, the New York City of 1974 that McCann describes with his magical, eloquent prose is as alive in every sense on the page as the pulse within my wrist. He also takes the readers with him back to Dublin, Ireland where we not only discover Corrigan’s history, but McCann’s as well.

    Winner of the National Book Award as well as a plethora of stupendously positive and prestigious reviews, Let The Great World Spin should become a classic for the ages and have as much longevity and relevance as The Catcher In The Rye. I often buy novels by Irish authors and leave them on my shelves unread for years while I’m distracted by other books. I purchased two other works by McCann ages ago: Everything In This Country Must (which was also an Oscar nominated Dramatic Short by McCann) and This Side of Brightness, but haven’t read them. Now that I’ve fallen in love with this author they have moved into a new position near the top of my must read list.

    If you read one book this year, let it be this one.

    KipseeSox 31/52 WILD SWANS

    Posted by KipseeSox, 3 years ago

    Non Fiction. This book follows three generations of Women in China. The story, their lives, are dominated by the unrest in China as it throws off the imperial system and introduces a Communist/dictatorship. The story is intensly horrifying and hugely enlightening. If you ever want to know what the cultural revolution was all about and what lead up to it then this is a book you MUST read.

    11 of 52: The Interruption of Everything

    Posted by Virtopia, 3 years ago

    Rating: 5/5

    I've read this book before, but I rushed through it and didn't get a good understanding of what took place. Now, that I've read it again, I really enjoyed it. Marilyn, the main character, really makes you feel for her and the various situations she goes through at the same time. I always enjoy Terry McMillian books. They are well written and I enjoy the humor that's presented through the difficult moments.

    Book #34 of 2010 - Wild Card by Lora Leigh

    Posted by Amanda Lake, 3 years ago

    This was the 1st book in the Elite Ops series and I have to say it was pretty good. I’m a huge fan of Leigh’s Breed series and was a bit wary to try a series by her that wasn’t paranormal.

    Nathan Malone was a Navy Seal who goes away on a dangerous mission leaving behind his wife. Then one day his wife, Bella, is told that Nathan is dead. This isn’t true. Nathan had been held hostage and tortured by a drug cartel. Once he rescued it takes year of reconstructive surgeries and retrain before he can function again. The only thing he asks is that Bella not be told that he’s alive. He leaves the SEALs to join the Elite Ops.

    Well 6 years after his death, Nathan, who is now Noah , must return to his home town to help bring down a group that is kidnapping and killing illegal immigrants. Trouble is, the wife he left behind is in the centre of the madness, so it up to Noah to protect her, without ever letting her know his true identity.

    The was a touching story that was hot in all the right places. I liked that just because Bella thought she lost her husband that she didn’t just fall apart. She stepped up and became the person she needed to be in order to take care of herself instead of waiting for someone else to do it for her.

    I fully intend to read the rest of the books in these series.

    Books 10 to 14

    Posted by Macwolf01, 3 years ago

    I think I'm barely holding on this year but hopefully like last year I'll make up for lost time in the summer.

    10) The Children of Hurin by JRR Tolkien is good Tolkien Epic tale about the Children of Hurin who continually struggle against the curses of evil. Good story, not in the Lord of the Rings league but a good tale.

    11) Scent of Darkness by Christina Dodd is book 1 of the Darkness Chosen: The Wilder's ancestor made a pact with the devil, all decedents would be coldhearted predators. But one and his sons ... a prophecy gives them one chance to break the pact and live normal lives. This is Jasha Wilder, the wolf's story. Good book pretty fast paced. I wanted to read book 2 but of course it wasn't at the 2 stores I went too so to order them

    12) Storm of Vision by Christina Dodd is book 1 of The Chosen Ones. NOTE this book links back to the Darkness Chosen series so you might want to read it first. This series reveals more of the mystic powers that work in the world the Abandoned Ones - Others or the Chosen Ones. Jacqueline has been running from her mother & bodyguards for years. She finally finds a place she likes until Caleb D'Angelo appears and shatters her fantasy of independence

    13) Storm of Shadows by Christina Dodd is book 2 of The Chosen Ones. The Brilliant Dr Rosamund Hall has spent her entire life chasing wonders of the world with her parent both brilliant in their own right. Now they are both gone and Rosamund is looking for answers, until she encounters 2 men an Other & a Chosen One. Neither does she want believe in. Both sides want the prophecy her mother had been looking for ... but she might die trying to find it. Both these book are good I find some of her character traits too symplistic .... Jacqueline's Mommy issues and Rosamund is the stuff never lived prime proper librarian/Docter.

    14) The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong is book 3 of the Darkest Powers YA series. In a few short weeks life for Chloe has gone from relatively normal to completely upside down. She can see ghost and summon dead things, her new friends are a werewolf, a male spell-caster and a female spell-caster. They're running away from the Genesis Group who has killed other teens with special powers like them. They don't know who to trust ...
    I'm very happy to have read this book, Kelley Armstrong writes wonderful stories but yet again I am now going to have to wait until the next book for more. I sure hope I don't have to wait another year for the next book The Gathering

    Book #33 of 2010 - Call Of The Highland Moon by Kendra Leigh Castle

    Posted by Amanda Lake, 3 years ago

    I found this book by searching for a different one and having this title suggested for me. I went to the author’s website and read an excerpt and thought it sounded really good. And it was, up until the villain was revealed. It reminded me of one of the bad guys on the Mighty Morphing Power Rangers which was a huge disappointment.

    The story is about a werewolf named Gideon who is running away from his responsibilities as the future Alpha by trying to see the world. Well one night while out running as a wolf, he’s attacked. He gets mistaken for a large dog by a bookstore owner named Carly. She takes him in only to wake up to his human form in her bed the next morning.

    This story had a lot of potential. The characters were likeable, the story interesting, but the villain was the downfall of the entire book.

    The 2nd book in the series, “Dark Highland Fire” is no longer available to order new at Chapters and I doubt that I will be going out of my way to find a copy.

    Late to Group

    Posted by Charlene Morrison, 3 years ago

    As I was late in finding this group I thought I would list the books I have read to date.
    Baldacci, David Divine Justice
    Child, Lee The Hard Way
    Connelly, Michael Trunk Music
    Connelly, Michael The Brass Verdict
    DeMott, Wes Heat Sync
    Evanovich, Janet Lean Mean Thirteen
    Evanovich, Janet Twelve Sharp
    Gruley, Bryan Starvation Lake
    Herbert, Brian Dune, The Buttlerian Jihad
    Iles, Greg The Devil's Punchbowl
    Lescroart, John Sunburn
    Patterson, Richard North Eclipse
    Robinson, Peter Strange Affair
    Sandford, John Dark of the Moon
    Sandford, John Heat Lightning
    Small Bodman, Karna Checkmate
    39 Clues Books 4-7
    Percy Jackson and The Lightening Thief
    Percy Jackson and The Sea of Monsters
    I have a 13 year old son and he has the reading bug, so when I run out of sometime to read, I grab something from his bookshelf.

    I think 21/52, not bad, I guess.
    Of course, now I have fallen prey to the Twilight Series, so many of my friends loved, almost finished it.

  • #15/52-A Voice in the Wind-Book one of the Mark of Lion Series

    Posted by Lana, 3 years ago

    The story takes place in the time after Jesus' cruxification. Some select Jews have converted to the Christian faith are trying to spread the new word of God.
    Rome destroys Jerusalem and kills most of its population. Those that survive are sold into slavery, thrown to the lions or the strongest are trained to be gladitors.
    Hadassah is a slave in Roman household. Marcus is the rich Roman who falls in love with her. Julia is his sister that she serves. Atretes is a Tribal Prince of Germania who is captured and forced to be a gladitor in the Roman Arena.
    As the story unfolds, Hadassah struggles with her faith and desperatley tries to free herself of her secret, but fear stops her from revealing the truth. Marcus struggles with his desire for a slave girl and Julia desperatley seeking independence, sets on path of destruction and deceit.
    I wasn't sure I wanted to commit myself to a three book series. but i really did enjoy this book. It did start off a little slow for me, but it picked up and I found i couldn't stop reading it and wanted to know what happened in the end.
    So now on to Book Two.

  • Book 22 of 52

    Posted by Manda, 3 years ago

    Personal Demon by Kelley Armstrong ~ Another installment of the Women of the Othwerworld series.
    Fast paced novel with lots of great characters. A few twists and turns to keep things interesting.
    Loving this series...I've just started Living with the Dead which may be put on the back burner for the newest in the Darkest Power series The Reckoning which I am going to pick up tomorrow.

    • 1 person found this helpful

    Book 15 Week 13 - Another Nora

    Posted by Sue Kupka, 3 years ago

    Well to give myself a break from all the school reading, I found a couple trilogies of my favorite author that I have not read - Gotta love a good Nora Roberts book. I have started her "Dream" triology and completed the "Daring to Dream" book featuring Margo as the main character out of the group of friends who live in Monterey.

    A fun romance that is a quick read and perfect for the sunny spring balcony, backyard or sun-room, can't wait to get to the next one (after my next school book first!)

    9/52 The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks

    Posted by Nettie, 3 years ago

    I've been busy with spring cleaning and painting the kitchen, and it's still not done, so my reading has slowed down. I finished The Last Song. It was a predictable Nicholas Sparks, but it was still a great story. I'm waiting to see the movie to see if it's similar to the book.

    I like the Title

    Posted by Charlene Morrison, 3 years ago

    I loved Pillars of the Earth and also the follow up World without End. I cannot imagine reading this book, but I got hooked. I've read others of Ken Follett but this kept popping up so, I thought I would try it. Another series I have read is the Diana Gabaldon Series Outlander. Again I kept seeing this book, so... I bought the first, it was a little dull at times but by the time I finished I purchased the rest immediately. I started the first in August a couple of years ago and was determined to read them all by Christmas. As I only read at bedtime this was a challenge. Two weeks before Christmas, my son pointed out the 6th book in the series was out, I was finished all by Jan 1st. Quite a feat as they are about 1500 pages each. Now, I am waiting for the 7th in paperback, should be soon! I guess I could have been close to the 52 books that year. I think it is a great idea, so many books, so little time. Good Luck to all.

  • Just Wondering...

    Posted by M.L. Mac, 3 years ago

    So I have wasted about 4 weeks of solid reading time on two books that I've yet to finish (and I'll be amazed if I actually do)

    As anybody read Pillars of the Earth? It was recommended to me by a friend who said it was his favorite book ever, and I like it, but it's not page turner, plus the bloody thing is almost 1000 pages long. I read a book I like and then go and try and knock off a few 100 pages of this, but it's so tedious, which means that I read it even slower because I don't take time away from other activities to read it.

    The second book is Sweetness At The Bottom Of The Pie, which has great reviews online, but as far as I can tell is awful reading. It was given to me as a gift so I feel compelled to read it. But it took me a week and a half to get 150 pages in!!!!!

    So I guess what I'm really wondering is, how many of you out there force yourself through books, and for those who don't what's your endpoint???? (I usually say 100 pages, but I don't like to give up on anything so I typically end up forcing myself through)

    Happy reading! I clearly need to pick up my reading game as I'm far behind the goal.

  • Book #7 - Bitten

    Posted by M.L. Mac, 3 years ago

    I've been on a mission this year to up my Canadian content, so imagine my surprise when I found a nice little fluffy werewolf read that would fit the bill.

    Kelly Armstrong does an excellent job of delivering a compelling read. When I started this book I was wondering how anyone could write a werewolf novel that was 432 pages, seemed a little long, but found myself wanting more in the end, can't wait to grab the rest in this series.

    Good book, I'd give it 4/5, I'd recommend it but I likely won't read it again. The story is well written, the characters are likeable.

  • Book #6 - Still Alice

    Posted by M.L. Mac, 3 years ago

    Still Alice follows a highly educated and respected Harvard Professor's battle with an aggressive form of early onset Alzheimer's (she's in her early fifties). This book is both informative and heartbreaking in a single paragraph. Rarely do books bring me to tears but this one had them streaming down my face in the end.

    Lisa Genova did an amazing job, especially for a first time novelist. I immediately connected with the main character. The writing was so well done it had me feeling the characters fear, frustration, happiness, it was amazing.

    This book is the first book of 2010 to get 5 stars from me which is reserved for books I would read again. Tragic and beautiful at the same time I would recommend this book to anyone.

    Book 14 Week 13

    Posted by Sue Kupka, 3 years ago

    This book is a short read and a lovely example of the love between sisters and the amazing connection they can share. It is narrated by Lydia Cassett (sister to the painter Mary Cassett) who modeled many times for Mary. It takes place in the 2 years before Lydia passes away. It is a sweet novel that tells the story of the muse from the muses perspective as she looks back on a life that is nearing an end. In the book there are 5 prints of the painted Mary did of Lydia, knowing the story behind each image form Lyd's perspective brings even more life to the Impressionist image.

    This is a charming work of fiction.

    KipseeSox 30/52 SAVING FISH FROM DROWNING

    Posted by KipseeSox, 3 years ago

    This is a story following 11 American tourists (of varying ethnic backgrounds) on a prearranged tour of Burma. The narrator was the tour organiser but died shortly before departure. This novel occilated between mediocre and some what interesting so it really didn't capture me at all. While it wasn't painful, it was anti-climatic and not particularily note worthy in any fashion. Disappointing. It seems that Joy Luck Club is a tough act to follow.

    • 1 person found this helpful

    Book #32 of 2010 – Dark Thirst by Sara Reinke

    Posted by Amanda Lake, 3 years ago

    The first book in a vampire trilogy. It’s the story of Brandon Noble, a member of the Brethren, a ruthless group of vampires. His life has been nothing but abuse from his brother and grandfather because of a horrible that has left him deaf and made him a mute. Terrified of what his future holds, Brandon runs away from home. While hiding out in the apartment of the only friend he’s ever had, he meets up with a human woman named Angelina. A woman he’s loved for years, but who he could never be with because of Brethren laws. Despite what it might cost him, Brandon gives in to his desires even though the one thing he wants more than Lina’s body is her blood.

    This was a weird book. The Brethren are a huge freaky family that big on polygamy. They breed horses, make booze and terrorize the crap out of each other. We don’t really ever learn why everyone hates Brandon. He hardly becomes the hero as you just feel sorry for him.

    The book just ending with no real conclusion, the characters go their separate ways and hope for the best. Not really sure I will get the next book in the series, let alone want to get it.

    • 1 person found this helpful

    Books 19 thru 21 of 52

    Posted by Manda, 3 years ago

    Final Victim by Stephen J. Cannell ~ I was intrigued to read this book because I have only read his Shane Scully series which I really enjoyed. Final Victim seems like the kind of storyline you would see on Criminal Minds. The only thing that I think could throw a reader off is the "old school" technology they discuss. They are using 90's technology and I actually found myself chuckling a little with some of the computer terms they were using. Overall, a good read. Twists and turns. Intrigue, mystery and a little surprise at the end to keep you guessing.

    The Devil's Workshop by Stephen J. Cannell ~ Another great read. A super secret bio weapons lab is at the center of this thriller! I liked this one. I think even though it is a fictional setting it is thought provoking to see the kind of power governments can have when it comes to secret weapons and how that can go terribly wrong.

    The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold ~ I didn't know what to expect with this story. I wanted to read it before seeing the movie. This is a haunting yet beautiful story of a girl who dies and all the people that are affected by her death. I couldn't put this one down. I just had to keep reading and finish and see how it ended.

    KipseeSox 29/52 THE BONESETTER'S DAUGHTER

    Posted by KipseeSox, 3 years ago

    This book took too long to grab me, otherwise it might have scored higher. The first third of the book is present day, focused on Ruth, an american born woman of Chinese ancestry. Her mother is slipping mentally (probably Alzheimers). Ruth is newly committed to translating her mother's story (written in manderin) of her life in China and that story makes up the next third of the book. This is easily the best part. The last third returns us to the present day and ties it up (a little too neatly). It wasn't my favourite Amy Tan book.

> Read more posts from: March 2010 or May 2010

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