"A Dirty Job" by Christopher Moore

I've been curious about this author for awhile, because I like the supernatural. The book was an easy read in a humorous, forgettable manner. Good for the beach or airplane.

"Cloud Atlas" by David Mitchell

Read the book because I really enjoyed the movie, which happened to be a flop in the theatre. The book was more subtle than the movie and very well written, but the ending did not give me the same emotional punch as the movie. Realized that this is the author I once heard interviewed on my way to Petawawa to babysit Lucas. I was driving alone, which is a big thing for me. Mitchell really impressed me, so that I even meant to check out his work. Heard his interview a 2nd time some weeks later, coming back from Petawawa with Ray.

"Foggy Mountain Breakdown" by Sharyn McCrumb

I enjoyed this book of short stories very much. Sharyn McCrumb can be very amusing and very serious, and shines a light on the life of very poor Appalachian people. She has been on my radar since I read her "Bimbos of the Death Sun". I was always afraid that she couldn't duplicate the sense of humour that went into that book, but I was wrong.

"Through Black Spruce" by Joseph Boyden

At first I wasn't too sure about this book because it contains an awful lot of violence. But by the end, I would have to say that it was an enjoyable read. I liked how it handled families, friendship, overcoming hardship and tragedy. Everything came together nicely. It's cleverly written from 2 points of view. One is Annie, who is searching for her missing sister, Suzanne. The other is Will, Annie's uncle, who is in a coma. I learned a bit about the Indian way of life. It's mentioned matter-of-factly, and is integral to the plot, not at all heavy-handed.

"The Day of the Locust" by Nathanael West

Published in 1939, this book is by some standards one of the great novels of the 20th century. There's certainly lots of room for interpretation, if you're in to that sort of thing. I was excellent at it when I was in school, but I now find it doesn't really interest me. I read a book, and am usually satisfied with an overall impression. This book gave me the feeling of living a dream, perhaps a nightmare. The characters were more archetypes than real people, and the entire setting and events were described in a very surreal fashion. I guess I would say it was an interesting read, but I wouldn't read this author again. One interesting tidbit. The name of one of the characters in the book is Homer Simpson. The things you find out. P.S. I came across this book in the book cart of the Royal Ottawa Hospital. The main reason I read it is that I'm interested in life in Hollywood.

"A Storm of Swords" by George R.R. Margin

Book three of "A Song of Ice and Fire. This was a very lengthy book, but the numerous and unexpected plot twists made it well worth the read. Now that I have resigned myself to the fact that people die, I am quite enjoying participating in George R.R. Martin's world. Its level of detail is mind boggling.

"At the Back of the North Wind" by George MacDonald

At first I thought this book was a bit too goody goody with too much of an undertone of religion. But even while thinking that, I liked the feeling of beauty the writing. Overall impression and assessment. Beauty. I'm glad I read this story, because it conveyed a something I don't feel often enough.

"Stanley Park" by Timothy Taylor

I read this Canadian book because Eva recommended/loved it. I must admit I didn't like it too much, except for the ending, which emphasized the book theme of simplicity and honesty in cooking/cheffing. I found it to be a bit too abstract/airfairy in parts, and I didn't really get to like any of the characters. I don't think I would like this writer as a person. I'm betting he's a shade pretentious. Eva seems to like books that deal with food and cooking. She called this guy one of the best writers in Canada. Maybe she has met him, since she supports Canadian authors.

"The Amnesiac" by Sam Taylor

Kind of an odd book, but I'm not sure it was worth the effort.

"No Great Mischief" by Alistair MacLeod

Very well written book, I suppose, but a bit too Cape Bretonny/Scottish for my taste. Some of the lengthy conversation between brother and sister seemed unnecessary, repetitive. The brother's trip home at the end made it worth while.

"The Road to Wellville" by T. Coraghessan Boyle

Great satire about the Kellogg Battle Creek Sanitarium. One of the most enjoyable books I've read in awhile, with the added advantage of being educational. It was extremely well written, actually made me laugh out loud, and had a nice love story to boot. I love the way this author uses language, and agree with comparisons to Charles Dickens. I'm going to check out his other works.

I also liked the fact that the book included con artists, and so reminded me of the talents of Patrick Jane from The Mentalist tv show. Unfortunately, the movie that was based on this book was apparently a dog.

"Redshift: Extreme Visions of Speculative Fiction" edited by Al Sarrantonio

Interesting enough collection of science fiction short stories that took me years to finish.

"The Lodger" by Mrs Belloc Lowndes

Read this book to compare it to the Simon Baker movie 'The Lodger'. The movie was much changed from the book.

The book was an interesting read, made more so by the fact that it was first published in 1913, so gives the reader some insight into early 20th century London. I loved that the family lived near Regent Park, which Ray and I visited during our stay in London. The book is described as one of the earliest psychological thrillers. I found it amusing during those sections where the landlady was the only one in fear of the lodger, and everyone else was going about their business in oblivious contentment.

I picked the book up as a throw-away from my FOPLA volunteer work.

"The Golden Mean" by Annabel Lyon

Fairly interesting Canadian novel told from the point of view of Aristotle. Focuses mainly on his interactions with Alexander the Great, as his tutor. From my point of view, petered out towards the end, and did not quite live up to its potential. But not a bad read.

"Her Fearful Symmetry" by Audrey Niffenegger

This book was mostly a waste of my time. Impossible premise with ordinary people doing stupid things. If I had to come up with some positives from this book, they are that perhaps I now understand OCD and the Olsen twins a bit better.  Ray has mentioned that they are odd in that they are always touching each other in their photos.

I don't think that I'll be reading any more modern ghost stories any time soon.

"Kingdoms of Elfin" by Sylvia Townsend Warner

I received this book from Eva in 1978. When I read it then, I was too much into 'beautiful' fantasy to appreciate it. I didn't like it because the elves were nothing like those in "Lord of the Rings". They were cold, impersonal, superficial, nasty.

This time round, being much more 'mature' and better read, I enjoyed the book. It paints a rich, intricate picture of elf life. The fact that there are many ugly aspects to elves just makes it seem like a more realistic portrayal. And it is only logical, considering their lengthy lifespans, that their values are so very foreign to ours.

"Demons of the Dancing Gods" by Jack L. Chalker

Read this because it's the sequel to "River of the Dancing Gods". Remind me not to read Jack L. Chalker again. Invents plot gimmicks to suit the cute story, without any firm infrastructure.

"Jane Austen A Life" by Carol Shields

I brought this book home for free from the Royal Ottawa Hospital. Someone had donated it. One of the perks of being a volunteer. 

The book was a quick and mostly interesting read, but it is frustrating how much guesswork the author had to do to try and capture the essence of Jane Austen. It's a pity more information about Jane Austen didn't survive, but I definitely understand her novels better now that I have read this book. 

"The River of Dancing Gods" by Jack L. Chalker

Very light, somewhat amusing read. Read this book because it's been lying around in fantasy forever and because I picked up volume 2 at FOPLA for Ray, with the vague idea that we had a similar/related book at home. Ray's memory is good enough that he was the one who pulled the first volume off our bookshelf. 

Now on to volume 2. Then I will have had my fill of Jack L. Chalker.

It's a real change to read a straightforward, short book, where there is only one narrative string, and nothing truly awful ever happens. Kind of pleasant and relaxing.

"The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde

Too much intellectual prose and not enough story. I don't think I'll be reading Oscar Wilde again.

"Vampyres" by Christopher Frayling

Just skimmed this, enough to realize I'm not interested in vampires at the moment. A good reference book on vampires if I ever need one.

"The Double Comfort Safari Club" by Alexander MCall Smith

#10 in the series "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency." Pleasant piece of fluff after the misery in the "Clash of Kings." As usual for this series, the book contains good, simple advice for leading a good life, even though the plot is overly simplistic at times.

"A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Lengthy book, but I enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I've read ahead about the other volumes, and so know the sadness that is approaching.