Monday Book Review - Paris I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down

Another Monday is upon us, which means it's time for this week's book recommendation. In keeping with preparations for an upcoming trip to Paris, I've been reading every Paris related memoir I can get my hands on. This one was particularly good, so you know I had to tell you all about it.

PARIS I LOVE YOU, BUT YOU'RE BRINGING ME DOWN by Rosecrans Baldwin

 

Not just your average memoir, Rosecrans Baldwin tells the funny, lonely and sometimes embarrassing story of the time he and his wife spent living in Paris. After growing up with a love of Paris since a family vacation at nine years old, Rosecrans always wanted to live in the city of light. When an opportunity presents itself, he and his wife jump on it. But when they arrive, Rosecrans realizes Paris isn't quite the same as how he remembered it.

I love a good memoir, especially one that has all the elements I adore, which this one has in spades. It's funny, unapologetically honest and no one dies. Especially pets. I cannot (and will not) read memoirs that end with a pet dying. I just can't do it. This one stands head and shoulders above the rest for being so well written, laugh out loud funny and with such a unique perspective. I've read a lot of memoirs focusing on Paris, but this one felt a little more honest. The author wasn't afraid to bare his flaws, or the flaws of the city he adores, and it made me respect him a lot more.

In addition to the bizarre scenarios, unforgettable characters and fantastic storytelling,what I liked best was the author's ability to be realistic about his favourite city. Is Paris beautiful? Absolutely! Is it one of a kind? Of course! Does it sometimes make you want to pull your hair out in frustration? You better believe it! And what's more, it makes me appreciate my own unique perspective, going to visit as a tourist. But more than that, it's universal. If you've ever felt like you were on the outside looking in, or experienced a lost in translation moment, you'll love this book. It's a great read, don't miss it!

Monday Book Review - The Snow Child

Welcome to Monday and this week's book recommendation. I'm excited to share this one with you. I read it in under twelve hours because I simply could not put it down. Yep, it's that good.

THE SNOW CHILD by Eowyn Ivey

 

To put it simply, THE SNOW CHILD is a fairy tale. A really, really well done fairy tale. It's the story of Mabel and Jack, who have moved to Alaska to make a fresh start and put their grief stricken past behind them. About to enter their second winter, the move doesn't seem to have worked and the two are more miserable than ever. That is, until a flight of whimsy causes them to build a snowman... or more precisely, a snow child...

I can't think of a more beautifully told fairy tale. Eowyn leaps effortlessly from character to character, telling the story from each character's perspective and giving a very rich voice to the story. The flow is perfect, the pacing so well done it seems like a sin to put the book down for even a moment. At the same time, she's made it so digestible, the story given in such perfect bite sized pieces that time flows by like water and suddenly you realize you've read half the book without ever thinking of stopping.

More than the expert story telling, it's whimsical, effervescent and just a tad bittersweet. It's a beautiful story, as mysterious as the snow and landscape within. This one is a definite must-read.

Monday Book Review - Fooling Houdini

It's Monday, time to shake off the weekend and begin a new work week. It's not all bad though, it's also time for this week's book recommendation. And this week it happens to be very magical.

FOOLING HOUDINI by Alex Stone

 

This week's book recommendation is a little different from previous weeks. First of all, it's not fiction. It's a memoir, and a fascinating one at that. It takes us inside the world of magic, magicians and their obsession with this rather underrated art. I'll admit, I've never been a big fan of magic. Honestly, I find magicians just a little too corny to bear. But Alex gives a fresh look inside their world from his own perspective, that of an emerging magician with an equally emerging obsession. 

What makes this book so great is its duality. First you have the story of Alex and his journey deeper into the world of magic as he attempts to master its secrets. That, in itself is a pretty good story. But, then he adds a whole new level, looking at magic through the guise of psychology, neuroscience, physics, history and crime. Magic becomes an onion, with layer after layer adding to the illusions you or I would take for granted. Instead of just being another book that reveals a magician's secrets, it elevates them to something more profound than a simple card trick.

This is one of those books that gets your brain buzzing. You'll find yourself reading passages out loud to family, friends and complete strangers, just because they're so utterly fascinating. It's a great read, one that will leave you dizzy with possibilities.

If you've already read it, or have other books you'd like to recommend, make sure to let us know in the comments section!

Monday Book Review - State of Wonder

Ugh, Mondays. I once saw a poster that read: "You don't hate Mondays. You just hate your job." Although I actually really like my job and the people I work for, it's definitely true. Given the option of going to work or staying at home to nap and do whatever I please, the decision is pretty easy. But there is one good thing about Mondays. It's time for this week's book recommendation.

STATE OF WONDER by Ann Patchett

 

To put a rather complex book quite simply, this is the story of a woman's journey into the amazon to discover the circumstances of a coworker's death for his wife. It's definitely not the kind of book I would normally read, I tend to shy away from books like these as though they actually carried the malaria they talk about. So, what made me pick up this one? That's easy. I didn't know what it was about. It was recommended, so I just picked it up and started reading. By the time I knew what it was about, it was too late. I was too intrigued to put it down.

I don't even know how to describe why it was good. It was just so... fascinating. Everything around me dulled in comparison. A large part of it was due to the main character, Marina. She was so brilliantly complex. Her reactions to her circumstances, her surroundings, made the book come alive. She was as intriguing as the amazon around her, full of secrets, hidden truths. 

This is a book that will hold your attention to the end. You'll never have trouble picking it up, but you'll always have trouble putting it down, even when its over. It sits with you, pushes its way into your thoughts even when you're trying to focus on something else. It's a brilliantly written story.

I'm glad I was pushed out of my comfort zone for this one. Definitely give it a try, and let me know what you think in the comments section. Make sure you leave your own book recommendations as well!

Monday Book Review - Horns

Welcome to Monday and this week's book recommendation. I hope you've got your reading goggles at the ready, because this one is going to knock your socks off! And no, in answer to your question, there is no such thing as reading goggles. I made them up. You're welcome.

HORNS by Joe Hill

 

After a truly horrible night Iggy can barely remember, he wakes up with more than a hangover. He has horns growing from his forehead. It seems fitting, given that the love of his life was raped and murdered a year ago that he should have a breakdown, or at least that's what he assumes is happening. But the horns are not a hallucination, and they come with very strange powers he can't explain. Powers that could be put to use...

I can't say enough good things about this book. It's like hands reached out from between the pages and grabbed me, pulling me in and refusing to let me go. It was one of those books that make you cancel plans, because the thought of having to put it down, even for an hour or two is more than you can bear. Of course it was brilliantly written, that's a given, but I'm not lying when I say it had me captive from the first paragraph. 

What was my favourite part about this book? I think the originality of the plot for one, the idea of waking up with horns on your head is just too intriguing to ignore, but more than that, it was the way the plot was structured. The flow of the story was perfect, so well paced, the flashbacks and character reveals so cleverly done. I also enjoyed the fresh take on the idea of the devil and the role he plays on each of our shoulders.

Definitely pick this one up, it's a devilishly good read. (I know. I couldn't help myself).

Don't forget to leave your own book recommendations and comments in the comments section below!

Book Review Monday - The Last Policeman

Monday has arrived, bringing with it this week's book recommendation. I'm quite excited about this one, so if you've read it, or have your own book recommendations to suggest, please share in the comments section below. This week's selection is THE LAST POLICEMAN by Ben H. Winters.

THE LAST POLICEMAN by Ben H. Winters

What's the point in solving a murder if you're going to die soon anyway? That's the (paraphrased) tagline of this exceptional book and the question being asked of Detective Hank Palace, a recently promoted detective working in a world that's learned it's already doomed. An asteroid is set to collide with Earth in just 6 months, and in the face of the looming disaster many people are choosing to take their own life rather than wait for the end. But Hank has suspicions about the recent suicide he's just been called out to, suspicions that it's not in fact a suicide, but a homicide and for reasons he can't completely explain, he needs to get to the bottom of it.

What a fantastic book. First of all, you just can't beat that premise. An end of the world murder mystery? How on Earth could you a put a book like that down? It helps that it's well written and it's main character is someone you immediately identify with and root for. Then you take into account its masterful plot that leaves you guessing right until the last page, whose tension just keeps building and building until you're staying up half the night to finish it, and you've got yourself a real winner.

I can't decide what I liked most about this book. There's the unique concept, the masterful plot, the brilliant writing. Of course, there's the relatable and thoroughly likeable main character, and the unrelenting build of suspense that makes it impossible to put down. It's just an overall great book. If you're looking for an amazing read, you've found it.

Book Review Monday

It's Monday, and I've decided that should mean something. Something good. Mondays are not generally a day I look forward to, so I've decided to celebrate them here on the blog with something fantastic: book reviews! Every Monday I will review a new book that I've read. I will only be reviewing books that I truly love and recommend, as I think there's enough trash talk on the internet. So, it's really more of a recommendation. I love getting book recommendations from people (so feel free to give suggestions) and I think they're important to every writer out there. There's no better way to get people to read your work than by word of mouth, and if you love someone's work, why not give them a shout out and let people know about it? So that's what I'll be doing here every Monday. This week, it's all about David A. Poulsen's new book, OLD MAN.

OLD MAN by David A. Poulsen

OLD MAN is a YA novel about sixteen year old Nathan Huffman. Nate has plans for his summer, big plans. And they're all centered around getting a girl. It's going to be the summer of the Huffman, that is, until his dad calls. Nate's old man left when he was five and since then they haven't had too much contact. But now, his old man wants to take him on a trip, a trip that will change Nate's perspective of his dad and life in general.

I can't say enough good things about this book. I really can't. The writing is fantastic, and the story grabs you right from the beginning. I'm not joking, from the first line I was hooked. 

I think what impressed me most was the voice. The author captures Nathan's voice so perfectly, you really feel as though you're inside his head experiencing it all with him. He feels so real and so honest.

From the start, I had a hard time putting this one down. It was like when you announce that you'll only have one bite of dessert, and as soon as you taste it you know you just lied. You can't put the fork down. I was greedy for this book, and like a really good dessert, when it was done I was perfectly satisfied. 

Read this book.

The Mystery of a Good Mystery

I've been reading a lot of detective novels of late, and by a lot, I mean two. First, there was THE SHERLOCKIAN by Graham Moore and lately I've been enjoying THE MANUAL OF DETECTION by Jebediah Berry. Normally, I wouldn't say I'm much of a mystery buff, but I've been enjoying these detective novels so much that I'm starting to really warm to the genre. And I think what makes both of these novels great, is their ability to keep the whodunnit completely unguessable right up to the bitter end.

It's a very rare and precious skill to able to craft a good mystery. I'd say ninety five percent of the time, when I sit down to read one, I already know who did it within the first chapter or two. But to be completely dumbfounded page after page, desperately trying to assemble the clues as you creep towards the end, that is something brilliant. And to be perfectly honest, I don't know how they do it. It's like a really good magic act. The slight of hand is so subtle you don't even realize it's happening.

What is the best mystery you've ever read? Of course, we have to give props to the Sherlock Holmes stories, those are undoubtedly the best. But, aside from such an obvious choice, which mystery left you so startled and amazed you never forgot it? What was it that made it so unforgettable? I'm not just asking rhetorical questions here either. I really want to know. Because when I finish my current detective novel, I want another one. So, help a fellow reader out!

My Fall Book List

Well, I hate to say it, but summer's over. Fall has arrived and with it, it brings countless cozy evenings curled up with a book. I did pretty well on my summer reading list (did you?), so I thought I'd make another. Here is my new and improved fall reading list. (And yes, you'll notice I included a few of the summer reads I didn't quite get to).

1. The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

Mostly it's just curiosity that's got me hankering for this book, but come on! She wrote Harry Potter! You know, you're interested in reading her first attempt at a book for adults. Maybe it'll be good, maybe it'll be awful. You've got to read it to find out!

2. The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

A book about Father Time? Say no more. I'm already there.

3. Speaking From Among The Bones by Alan Bradley

Another installment in the Flavia De Luce chronicles? Yes, please! Who wouldn't enjoy a story about a young, mystery solving girl obsessed with chemistry and poison? If you guessed no one, you'd be correct.

4. Isis Unbound by Allyson Bird

Maybe it's because it's fall, and there's that certain, slightly spooky chill in the air, but I'm going to try and read a horror. I'm particularly drawn to this one, not just because it's an award winner, but because it's a fresh and creative take on the whole zombie scenario. Of course, I'm sure zombie infested nightmares will follow...

5. Here I Go Again, A Novel by Jen Lancaster

It's true. I have a Jen addiction. Even though sometimes she's mouthy about really dumb stuff (Macey's discontinuing their plus size section, annoying political views...), I still love her where it counts; her writing. I thoroughly enjoyed her first foray into fiction (shaky start, but great once you got into it), so I'm sure her second attempt will be just as enjoyable.

6. Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

Just when you thought I wasn't going to include any books that had anything to do with late 1930's upper society in New York, I went and turned the tables on you. I think this books sounds immensely charming and witty. I can't wait!

7. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

If the title hasn't already sold you on it, read the synopsis on Amazon. It sounds so wonderful it makes my heart ache.

And the repeats (can't believe I still haven't had a chance to read these ones)....

8. Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

9. Off the Menu by Stacey Ballis

10. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

What novels are you looking forward to reading this fall?

Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts

Yesterday I finished a fantastic book, but surprisingly it wasn't on my summer reading list. I saw this one while I was on vacation in Palm Springs, wandering through a Barnes and Noble. I was walking up and down the aisles, fingers trailing along the spines and covers, the taste of Mrs. Field's cookies still warm in my mouth. And that's when I saw it. The cover of this book.

Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts by Lucy Dillon

I don't know if it was due to the aching of my heart, being away from my own beloved Great Dane, Maddie, or if it was just my innate love of the breed, but I saw that adorable Great Dane on the cover and I plucked it from the shelves immediately. When I read the back, I realized the Great Dane on the cover had not steered me wrong. It sounded fantastic! So, of course, I bought it, took it home and read it. The result?

The book was fantastic! Although the story does not actually contain a Great Dane (boo!), it does contain Bertie the Basset Hound, whose hijinks reminded me of my own odd little darling. The book features multiple characters, each dealing with secrets and problems of their own, whose lives become intertwined through their dogs. It's one of the best books I've read all year. Not only do I highly recommend it, but I INSIST that you read it immediately. You won't be sorry you did, although I must warn you, it may cause you to pull your own dog a little closer for a hug.

The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service

One of the things I love most about being on vacation is the extra down time it gives me to catch up on my reading. For example, when I went to the Bahamas, I read eight books in ten days. Pure bliss. I didn't do quite so well this time (probably due to the enormous amount of shopping), but I did manage to get in enough down time to read three books and a collection of short stories. The first one I read was THE LUCKY DOG MATCHMAKING SERVICE by Beth Kendrick. And it was positively lovely.

I'm a dog person, but I don't usually pick up books that center around dogs. Why? Because there seems to be some sort of unwritten rule demanding that all dog stories must have a sad ending. And I just can't do it. When I was little, I started reading WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS and never finished it. I could tell what was going to happen so I just put it down and walked away. Not so with this one. It was lighthearted and fun, with a quirky and sympathetic main character. I found myself unable to put it down and devoured it in a single afternoon.

It was the perfect holiday read. I recommend it for anyone that enjoys a good book, likes dogs or just wants to read something with a happy ending.

What about you? Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

Bride of New France - A Book Review

I'm happy to report that I spent this weekend exactly as I wanted to. I caught up on laundry, cleaned the house, slept like a bear and read a great book.

I started BRIDE OF NEW FRANCE on Friday, and couldn't put it down until this afternoon when I finished it. BRIDE OF NEW FRANCE, by Suzanne Desrochers is about a girl named Laure living in Paris in the 1600s. Taken from her parents at the age of eight, Laure is brought to the Salpetriere, an infirmary for downtrodden women and girls. It is actually more of a prison, brought on by King Louis XIV's promise to rid the streets of Paris of beggars, children and prostitutes. She grows up there, learning to make lace with her only friend Madeleine, dreaming of a day when maybe she can become a seamstress. Unfortunately these dreams are dashed when she is chosen to be sent to Canada to become a wife for one of the settlers there. It is a fate some believe to be worse than death. And although she survives the journey to the new world, she realizes it is nothing like she expected and that it brings all new challenges that will threaten her survival.

Not hard to believe that I couldn't put it down, am I right? BRIDE OF NEW FRANCE is such a rich book, filled with terror, excitement and tribulation. It was such a welcome change to the last book I read, which was rather dry and boring. It took me almost a month to read the last one, and I devoured BRIDE OF NEW FRANCE in a weekend. What a difference. Part of what made this book so good (aside from the excellent writing and story telling) was Laure herself. She was such a perfect character. She was full of dreams and hope, but realistic enough to realize the truth of her situation. She was flawed, scarred by the experiences of her troubled life, but had a deep seated will to survive. It was fantastic.

So, if you're looking for a good book to devour next weekend, I suggest you give BRIDE OF NEW FRANCE a try. I found it to be the perfect weekend read.

Winter Reading

Winter. The weather outside is indeed frightful, and it's true, the fire really is delightful. I'm not the biggest fan of winter, but it has its high points. For one, it's eerily beautiful outside; with thick, foggy steam rising from every available chimney, the entire world blanketed in white. From the warmth of indoors, the frosty exterior is truly lovely to behold. Especially in the morning, when dawn casts everything in a shade of pink and the air is thick with fog.

Yes, winter makes me poetic. Winter has a great many effects on me, from my intense need for sleep and comfort food to my voracious reading habits. Over the past couple of weeks I've gobbled my way through a staggering amount of books. It was only today, when I ran out of books to read and had to make a trip to the bookstore that I realized how many I'd gone through. Santa had been good to me this year in the book department, and having run out after only nineteen days was a little surprising. So, I've decided to give you the highlights of all the best I've read so far this year. Winter is definitely a time for reading, so grab a soft blanket, pull your chair up close to the fire and get ready for some good reads.

The Secret Lives of Dresses by Erin McKean
A girlfriend suggested this one to me, and I'm so glad she did. It was lovely. It tells the story of Dora, a young woman unable to make up her mind on what she wants out of life. When her grandmother (who raised her when her parents died), Mimi, has a stroke, Dora drops everything and drives home to see her. She ends up taking over her grandmother's vintage clothing store while she's in the hospital, and discovers a whole new side to herself when she indulges her grandmother's longest wish - for her to wear vintage. She discovers a whole new side of her grandmother as well, when she finds out that Mimi has been writing stories to go along with the dresses she sells.
It's a wonderful tale, full of the power of vintage and guaranteed to get you perusing vintage shops. Seriously, not long after reading this book I found myself shopping on websites for vintage dresses. There's nothing more enticing than old school glamour.

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender
I'd wanted to read this one for a very long time, so I was extra excited to find it under the tree for me this year. This novel tells the story of Rose, who on her ninth birthday discovers she can taste people's emotions in the food they make. Unfortunately, it has a rather eye opening effect, and Rose discovers that her mother, who seemed happy and content, is actually rather hollow and unfulfilled. Her gift reveals a world of secrets to Rose, secrets she's not so sure she wants to know.
This book was written in a very unique style, with no quotation marks around spoken words. It was a little confusing at times, but gave a nice flow to the story. It was such an interesting idea, I really couldn't put it down. It's the kind of book you'll think about for days afterward. Not to mention, it really makes you hungry for lemon cake with chocolate icing.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
I first heard about this book while I was competing in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). The author had written a pep talk for those competing, in which she described her own trials while working on The Night Circus. She had several mysterious characters doing mysterious things very mysteriously, but it wasn't going anywhere. So, to shake things up, she took all her characters and put them in a circus, just to see what would happen. And what happened was a masterpiece. It is a book so intoxicating to read that you never want it to end. It's so visual and stimulating, so imaginative and fantastical. I really can't say enough good things about this book, but since I refuse to give anything away, I'll have to leave it at that.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Filled with strange and disturbing old photographs, the story itself is just as strange. It tells the story of Jacob, who goes on a search for answers after the horrific death of his grandfather. It turns out that the fantastical tales his grandfather told him about his childhood are true, as are the dark, nightmarish monsters that had hunted him all his life. And those same monsters are now hunting Jacob.
I loved the sheer strangeness of this book, particularly the photos. It was such a creative idea, with a new take on the idea of mutants and strange abilities. I had a really hard time putting this one down.

And there you have it. These are the best of what my winter reading olympics have so far had to offer. I hope they offer you many a comfy and cozy evening of reading, inside by the fire. Spring will come one day, but until then, there's always good books.