This year I am making it a point to indulge in one of my fave pastimes, and to read
at least one book a month. These books will be of my choosing based on my interests and/or for entertainment (which will most certainly exclude the latest approaches to teaching primary math or how to introduce baby-led weaning). Twelve books throughout an entire year doesn't seem like such a daunting task, does it? Well we'll see. One book, one blog update, one month at a time.
January - The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
Being ever intrigued and enamoured with Indian culture, I have read
many fictional novels set in India. When this little number popped
out of my Christmas stocking, I was pretty eager to dive in (and ended up reading it in two days). The story is set in Rajastan's capital city of Jaipur in 1955, 15 years after the repartition. The main characte
r, Lakshmi works to carve out a life of her own choosing, and helps provide women with more choices than society would otherwise give them. No small feat when navigating the caste system, gender inequalities and expectations, as well as the ever pressure to procreate. This novel highlights the hard truths about women and their choices in India. Having to be her own heroine, Lakshmi does have delicious moments of triumph throughout the novel and there are a handful of likeable characters who come through with decency and kindness.
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
From the queen of the genre, a classic whodunnit! Although dated in themes and language (published in 1939), this story had us guessing until the epilogue as to who was terrorizing Indian Island. As a cast of characters gather under mysterious pretense on the luxurious Indian Island, it is only a matter of time before thing goes awry.
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
State of Terror was a bit of a departure from my regular book choice. I can count on one hand the number of action thriller novels I have read. They usually have me rolling my eyes and muttering "Come on".
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
Found by chance at a campground library,
The Lost Daughter is a perfect summer read. A fictional story based on the former Russian Royals, this story follows Maria, and entertains the notion that one of the Romonovs survived the family's tragic massacre. Always finding the Romonov family intriguing, this story right away captured our imaginations---what if one of the members of the most wealthy family in world had survived? Couple that with a 'Women of WWII' theme, and gosh darnnit, you've got yourself a ripping yarn!
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.
September - Take Your Breath Way by Linwood Barclay
I'm a fan of Linwood Barclay and have read a few of his books. I tend to pickup one up and fly through it thoroughly entertained... but to be honest I could not recall another title or plot written by B-Clay. To be further transparent, while talking with Tyler about this book three days after reading it, I still struggled to remember the details of the thriller. Again, that's not to say that I didn't devour it.
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
Ohhh guys, we've got ourselves a goodie! The Dictionary of Lost Words is a story that is loosely based on historical events surrounding the collection, research and editing of the Oxford English Dictionary published from 1884-1928. I know, it sounds like a total bore. Luckily the main character, Esme spices things up as she begins to think about the words and definitions that are being accepted into the dictionary-- a dictionary that is supposed to be the ultimate historical record of the English language. As Esme begins to notice that the content is being written and edited largely from an upper-class male's perspective, she questions the process.
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
On the surface this story is about a protagonist who makes a choice to leave her past behind and devoid herself of her race, and the associated limitations. When doing so, she leaves behind her community, family, and most notably her twin--literally becoming the vanishing half of a couplet. As the search for the lost twin fuels this story, there are so many wonderful characters that develop along the way. Following the characters through decades, it becomes apparent that all players have experienced a personal 'vanishing half', where their lives have taken a monumental shift at some point throughout their lives.
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
I don't know how I feel about this book---It was definitely one that evoked a lot of feelings while reading it, which of course translated into me exclaiming "Come on!, Yah right!, No way!" constantly. I transitioned pretty quick from wanting to hug the characters to wanting to shake them...and then wanting to hug them again.
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.
Ok team, we did it! 12 books in 12 months! What are we reading next?
