"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.