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How Not to Completely SUCK as a New Parent | 10/10 |
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Author: Scott Freschuk
Genre: Family and RelationshipsHilarious! While it offers no serious parenting advice, this book is perfect for making any parent laugh. The sarcastic and irreverent discussions about diapers to feeding (and everything in between) will leave you wanting to read this book aloud to anyone within earshot! Reviewed: April 12 2005
Rating: 10/10 - 1 review
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Cod, A Biography of a Fish that Changed the World | 9/10 |
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Author: Mark Kurlansky
Genre: HistoryAwesome book! I really didn't know what to expect, I mean how much is there to say about a fish? I was totally surprised and impressed! Kurlansky is a master historian and storyteller and I have to admit that I have never had a more interesting history lesson. This book will definitely be on my shopping list at Christmas time! Reviewed: September 02 2006
Rating: 9/10 - 1 review
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The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy | 9/10 |
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Author: Douglas Adams
Genre: Science Fiction/FantasyTo poorly review this book is considered blasphemy by many. What can I say?
Douglas Adams, the originator of the science fiction comedy, combines his original radio show into a wonderful, humorous adventure. As his unlikely heroes head on a involuntary search for the meaning of life, the universe and everything, Adams weaves in hilarious asides that cover things like the smartest life forms on the earth (hint: it's not us) and a planet devoted to the lucrative used ball point pen business.
With a such huge cult following, especially in the UK, you owe it to yourself to find out what the fuss is all about! Reviewed: December 05 2005
Average Rating: 7.2/10 - 4 reviews
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The Colony of Unrequited Dreams | 8/10 |
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Author: Wayne Johnston
Genre: Historical FictionThis was quite an interesting novel and gives the reader a feel for the pride-soaked turbulent journey of Newfoundland from British settlement to Canadian province.
It is a fictional story but based on the actual first Premier of Newfoundland, Joe Smallwood. Often times it is extremely difficult to distinguish fact from fiction, except that the other leading character, Shelagh Fielding, is completely fictional.
It was a long novel but enjoyable and makes me want to learn more about the history of Newfoundland. Reviewed: June 01 2006
Rating: 8/10 - 1 review
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For Whom The Bell Tolls | 7/10 |
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Author: Ernest Hemingway
Genre: Historical FictionI enjoyed this war-time romance set during the Spanish civil war and found the characters real and the relationships believable. Most of my book club didn't care for the slow pace (only three days pass in an over 450 page novel).
Worth a read if you have the time and are curious about Hemingway.
Reviewed: June 01 2006
Rating: 7/10 - 1 review
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And God Created the Au Pair | 7/10 |
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Author: B. Newland
Genre: General FictionThe format of this book is a series of emails between two sisters and their friends. Once I got used to the style I enjoyed the story. Nothing too amazing but an amusing light read nonetheless. Probably more enjoyable for mothers. Reviewed: November 08 2005
Rating: 7/10 - 1 review
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Paula | 6/10 |
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Author: Isabel Allende
Genre: General FictionThe style of this book was a little difficult for me to get used to at first. Written as a diary to her sick daughter, there are no chapters, or paragraphs and the sentences go on and on without ever stopping and they seem to go forever even though they should have stopped a while ago, like they definitely should stop but they keep going... and going.
But seriously, I had heard it was an amazing story so I was slightly disappointed that I wasn't as taken by it. It was interesting, but not amazing. Reviewed: September 02 2006
Rating: 6/10 - 1 review
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Obasan | 5/10 |
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Author: Joy Kogawa
Genre: Historical FictionThis was a very well reviewed book and has won many awards so I was looking forward to reading it. It's a very tragic tale of a girl and her family during the internment of the Japanese Canadians in Canada. It provides fascinating insight into a dark period in Canadian history that we should never forget.
Unfortunately, I found it utterly too depressing. The worst part was that not only does it discuss the terrible things the government did to the Japanese Canadians, but the family in this story seem to add to each others pain and misery.
Reviewed: June 01 2006
Rating: 5/10 - 1 review
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Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim | 5/10 |
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Author: David Sedaris
Genre: Biography and MemoirsI bought this book because it was a #1 National Bestseller but was disappointed that it didn't live up to the hype. A collection of well written true stories that were interesting but not "funny as hell". Reviewed: November 08 2005
Rating: 5/10 - 1 review
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Tamarind Mem | 4/10 |
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Author: Anita Rau Badami
Genre: General FictionThis is a story about two generations of Indian women. The first half of the book is written from the daughter's perspective and the second half is from the mother's. It was very well reviewed on the Chapters' website, but no one in my book club enjoyed it. Obviously having never heard the advice, 'If you have nothing nice to say...', both woman seem to dwell on the negative and have a very dysfunctional relationship with each other and everyone else. I guess on the positive side, Badami does do a wonderful job describing things using all 5 senses and provides insight into female roles in Indian society. However, I still wouldn't recommend it. Reviewed: February 07 2006
Rating: 4/10 - 1 review
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