January - The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
Although this book was set 60+ years ago and feminism thankfully continues to evolve, gender roles and traditions can run deep, as witnessed firsthand during our trip to India. I loved our trip, but it was the only time I have been made to feel like I was regarded as less, simply for being a woman. One particularly overt display of male chauvinism was experienced while in the Rajastani Thar Desert, where after spending two nights at a homestay, we were asked to register in the logbook. Circled by the men of the household, I sat down and began to fill out my name, father's name (because that seems like a pertinent detail) and address. No sooner had I began, one of the uncles began criticizing the time it was taking me, and brashly insisted that Tyler make me write faster. As you can imagine, Uncle's criticisms were met with reproach. Shortly afterwards we were getting packed up and found ourselves with a quick moment alone with the elder Auntie of the family who had prepared our meals. We thanked her and delighted as she quickly tucked the gratuity we handed her into the top of her blouse. Forge onward, Madam.
February- Indians on Vacation by Thomas King
I know that I previously mentioned that I read a lot of books set in India. Well despite the title, this book isn't about Indians from India. It's about a First Nations couple who take a trip to find out more about their ancestry and make connections to places far from home. Husband and wife, Blackbird and Mimi are very different travellers and the book got me thinking about whether I'm more a Bird or a Mimi. Bird can be a 'glass half empty' kind of guy whose morosity often reads as dry humour, my fave. ---If you've ever read A Man Named Ove, he's a lot like Ove. Also you really should read A Man Called Ove, it's funny and sad and heartwarming and so wonderful.--- On the other hand, Mimi is up for anything and wants to see and do it all. She constantly pushes Bird to experience things while on vacation, while Bird is perpetually unimpressed and compares everything to his hometown in Canada.
I tend to think I'm more of a Mimi, but with less attachment to the Lonely Planet guidebook. I did enjoy reading about their adventures in cities that we have also visited such as Prague, Budapest and Athens. And because of those guidebooks that Mimi constantly references, I learned of a lot of tidbits about the places and sights we've seen---Did you know that the Astronomical Clock in Prague has a figure representing Death who rings a bell and turns his hourglass upside down each hour? That detail is so Bird.
March- Educated by Tara Westover
I have been circling this book for about three years, and even read the first 30 pages about a year ago, but for one reason or another had never gone the distance until now. Educated is a memoir written by a woman who chronicles her childhood and evolving family relationships in the context of religious fundamentalism and mental illness. It is a story that is often painful to read.
Throughout the entire book I kept thinking about perspective and how all our memories shift and transform over time. I kept wondering about what life was like for the author's mom, the inner tickings of her father or what any one of her siblings' narrative would be if they wrote an account of their childhood or family dynamics. Yes, the children all grew up in the same home, but the sons and daughters were not treated the same. Even the order in which the children were born would play a big role in their perception of their home life. In the end, as the obscene gaslighting inflicted upon the author unfolds (fueled by religious delusion), the validity and accuracy of memories and childhood experiences is in constant question. With strength the author stands firm, and ultimately values herself over her toxic familia relationships.
April - And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
This book really needs no explanation, as it follows a cookie-cutter murder mystery formula that has been tried and tested. With that being said, I am a fan of crime fiction novels and really loved reading an O.G.
You might think, where did you even find this book? Why did you read this? Valid questions--- Found and purchased in rural Manitoba at a church rummage sale. I needed to use the washroom, and felt obligated to make a purchase ($0.25). I read it because, why not?
May - Is Everyone Hanging Our Without Me? by Mindy Kaling
Before this book I have only ever read one other memoir--FYI Seth Rogan's Yearbook is so so funny---His stories had me howling.
Generally I stick to fiction, but I am a big fan of Mindy Kaling, so when perusing the book exchange in our building's laundry room, I thought why not? (How about that sentence--three commas, two conjunctions and a rhetorical question, heyo!)
Mindy's collection of short stories and essays were light and an easy read. Having seen Mindy's play Matt & Ben and being a huge fan of The Office, I especially loved reading about her personal experiences relating to these projects.
There's something to be said about being able to read a quick chapter, put the book down, and days later pick it back up, not having to jog your memory about characters and a plot. As a now and again sleep deprived Mama, this book was there for me. I laughed, I chortled, I related.
June - State of Terror by Hillary Rodham Clinton & Louise Penny
I read this during a very busy month in my life, and it was exactly the type of book I needed. An easy story to pickup for 20 minutes every couple days and the plot just steadily ticked along--One might say it was full of action from start to finish.
The book follows Ellen Adams, a newly appointed U.S Secretary of State who has unexpectedly fallen into the job of tracking down a suave international terrorist before his evil plans materialize. Though fictional, it can't help be noticed that characters and plots-lines often touch on current and past political realities in the U.S. Special mention goes out to the often referenced past administration who is noted to have been so inept, clueless and reckless, leaving the country and international relations in a mess. I definitely chortled more than once at the digs directed at the former fictional President. Ah Hillary--If you can't beat 'em, just write a best seller "not" about them-- always taking the highroad.
July - The Lost Daughter by Gill Paul
As mentioned this story follows Romonov daughter Maria, and begins just before the family's said massacre. It follows Maria's escape, and life in Russia throughout the 20th century, enduring civil war, world war, Communism and the NKVD. Given the subject matter, as expected this book broke our hearts, and alternately had us exclaiming with triumph as the characters waded through some pretty dark times. If you like to invest in some fictional characters, read this book (and sorry to all those who happened to be hanging out with us while we read this book--It consumed us).
August - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I had heard a lot of chitter-chatter about this book, and was excited to see it on the nightstand of a dear friend. Even more excited when I asked her about it and she said it was so good, and that I could have it. A booklover's love language.
Evelyn Hugo is a Marilyn Monroe-esque 1950's bombshell who, just as the title suggests, had seven husbands. Some were unions of love, some were not. Amongst the seven partnerships are men who will melt your heart and those who will make your blood boil. And there are a couple relationships that are the real-deal and have you rooting for Evelyn to make it work.
I really liked this book as it read like a 1950's old timey movie. It was easy and entertaining. I did continuously change my opinion about Evelyn throughout the book. Do I like her? Is she as confident and in control as she perceives herself to be? Does she care about others? Are men her downfall? And if so, boo. Again, loved the book for what it was, but as I'm whole-heartedly into women who stand on their own two feet, and people in general who are genuine and kind, Evelyn's character was a bit of a trick for me. Didn't love her, didn't hate her. Then again, who doesn't love to ride an emotional rollercoaster with a book character? After all, we can't be loved by everyone all the time.
Everyone wants to know what happened to Brie. Was she murdered? Did she skip town? Is still out there? With so many theories swirling around from a multitude of characters, it all seems plausible and kept me guessing until the end.
October - The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
As a result, Esme collects her own set of words and definitions from the different people she encounters throughout her life--including near-beggars, market vendors, suffragists, wounded soldiers and domestic workers--- some who are illiterate, and all a far cry from the scholars of Oxford. In particular, Esme highlights words used by women to describe their experiences, often noticing that the accepted definition written in the dictionary is quite contrary to realities being lived. The words she finds and records are vulgar, heart-wrenching, bold and soulful---And really, all the best words are, aren't they?
November - The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
Besides having a cast of loveable characters and just a good, entertaining story, I love the idea of a vanishing half--or vanishing quarter or whatever bit of ourselves have vanished over time and been replaced with something new, better, different. At whatever age the monumental shift(s) occur, and despite the inevitable growing pains, why would we want things to stay the same forever?
December - Run, Hide Repeat: A Memoir of a Fugitive Childhood by Pauline Dakin
This story is told from a daughter's point of view, who learns the truth about her family as an adult, putting a spin on her childhood experiences. As she begins to see her youth through an alternate lens, her adult relationships twist and turn. Honestly, if not set in Canada, I would have probably been duped into the fantastical world of Father Stan and the relentless mafia threats just as long as the author.
If I'm being honest, I was hoping for a bit more of a 'true crime, investigative reporter deep dive, peeling back one shocking layer after another (we've all been conditioned by Netflix)- and altho missing a startling reveal, it's still a pretty outlandish and bizarre story and worth a read.
...And if you're not up for the read, be sure to check out the Run, Hide, Repeat podcast.
Ok team, we did it! 12 books in 12 months! What are we reading next?
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