The Outlander

I've been listening to a lot of CBC Radio and caught this year's rendition ofCanada Reads, and of course they had a book I'd read already (Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill) so I'd like to make my way through that list too. I wasn't sure about The Outlander, from the beginning I was uncomfortable with the the main character, the narrative seemed so disconnected from her, or she was so disconnected to herself. As the novel journeyed through the wilds of the Canadian Rockies I found myself as lost as the heroine, where was she from why was she there, where was there... and I came to the realization that as hard as it was to read at points it was exactly the way the character felt, sort of lost to the wind, not quite bound to anything in the physical or emotional, perhaps lost or never had in the first place to lose. there were times when I shook my head while reading, what a dumb thing for her character to do, and at other times it was her protagonists who were unfair in their actions. I ended up enjoying this book, the main character forced her way out of her situation, and probably made choices to removes herself from a relationship that made her unhappy, not exactly the same choices I'd have made in their extremities, but possibly necessary in the time the story took place.

Buy•ology

A look at advertising under a new light, a scientific slant; the study of how the human brain works when shopping and how we think it works (which is wrong!). Martin Lindstrom's book Buyology: Truth and Lies About Why We Buy takes an alternative view to the classic selling tactics that are taught ad nauseam in marketing classes. After reading this I have attempted to become more aware of how my thoughts direct me in my purchasing decisions; like the fact that I won't always pick the cheapest brand, or how there are some brands that have so solidified my loyalties they'd have to really screw up to lose my business. As far as how this affects my professional life as a graphic designer, well - I see a long hard road for anyone who reads this book and tries to put it into practice. To change people's ideals of what sells, after years of having pounded into them that repetition repetition repetition works (and other such sells) how can we now go to them with and entire different line? Especially if they're absolutely convinced that it is their business card that sells best. (Tongue in cheek here!) Really most advertising will have to be re-worked in this new age of internet, dvds, kindle and dvr (aka tivo). Note: I listened to this book on audio. Excellent Read!

Through Black Spruce

I do plan to work my way through all of the Giller Prize winners, and one of the first was Through Black Spruce. Joseph Boyden brought light to a part of Canada I've never been to, don't know anybody from there, and really I don't know anything about. Well, part of the book being as it hopped between major cities and the boondocks. I found the characters intertwining pasts, their mysterious current life and the journey finding themselves completely enveloping. So encompassed I was with the book that I didn't notice I'd run out of pages... you know that feeling of dread you get when you know that soon your joy of reading will soon end because the amount of pages can be held back with your fingernail... or is that just me? While I was was satisfied with this book I felt a need to read more of Boyden's books, and so I shall.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

When I got to the end of this book I was so disappointed, only because I finally got around to checking out the author's bio on the back flap, awww! Lucky for us, before he passed away Steig Larsson had submitted some manuscripts to his publisher (as per the flap), so we will be allowed another brilliant story of his.

I was at first intimidated by this book, hard cover and, well, lots of text! It wasn't until I opened it up and started to read did I find my self swallowed whole by the story. I've attempted to read swedish books translated to english before and found that the disjointed story, and foreign-ness, was too hard to read past. This was not the case here, even when it became seemingly convoluted and confusing it was still an easy read.

I can't wait till the next book!

Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill

If you like scary books, if you like books that you can't put down... than this baby is for you! I actually listened to the audio version of this which added so much more depth. I generally like to hear the characters voices in my head, but having the audio clues, the twangs of accents... it made it all that much more creepy. It was a rather long read, but it was more than worth it, my concern for the fates of the characters drew me in further and further into the novel. If you were to ask me what else was going on in my life during my reading (okay, listening) of this novel, I wouldn't be able to tell you, I don't think! I don't think it was scary enough to give me nightmares (thank goodness), but the twists and turns, the surprises... it was an exhilarating read!

The Gum Thief by Douglas Coupland

I've got to say, Mr. Coupland is most definitely my favorite author of late. I am rarely dissatisfied with his books... and have you caught CBCs jPod? So awesome.

So, anyways, The Gum thief is another gem. I always suggest Mr. Coupland's work, and this is no different. I felt like I was each different character, even in the fragmented way the story comes through. I felt what the character was feeling, their emotions, failures and success'. Just another tribute to Mr. Coupland's outstanding writing, I can't wait to see what's next.

Tongue in Cheek: Maybe he'll even save the world...if it could be done, he'd be the one!

BTW... the tv execution of jPod is really beyond awesome... I know I'm addicted to the good ole television, but i truly adore this show and again can not wait until the next season!

PPS: I didn't know the CBC had cancelled jPod! Ughh! Go to Save jPod to sign the petition they've got going. The link to the petition os on the right, and remember to confirm your email address! gee whiz people!

Year Zero by Jeff Long

It's probably the best piece of science fiction melded with western world history I've read. I'm usually not big into sci-fi, which is why it took me such a long time to finish it... But I would suggest the read to anyone interested in either genres, or both.

A Man without a Country (Kurt Vonnegut)

My brother introduced me to Kurt Vonnegut, and I found the writing a bit of a stretch. I also recognized that it wasn't the right time in my life to read his work. I started out with Hocus Pocus, and believe I've read a couple of others too (perhaps the Breakfast of Champions). And upon the news of his death, I researched him once again and borrowed his most recent book from the library. Thank goodness he wrote something else, after so many years.

As far as the book went, I enjoyed it. It was my evening treat, the last thing I did before I went to sleep. I remember reading the other books and finding that the deconstructionism too much for me, but this time the ride was so smooth. (it was easy to connect the dots for little old me!) I found that his message, although well known and depressing in it's content, had an upbeat note to it. Perhaps because he knew (simply by the amount of years he'd lived) that he was nearing the finish line, and the torment would end. That's just speculation on my part.

Something I wanted to say, is that I always expected that I'd meet Kurt, that we'd be on first name basis and though he wouldn't exactly be nice, he'd like me enough to grimace once. And when he did pass (without consulting me! really! huh), I had some instant disappointment. (I often think this of authors I regard and are still alive; I'll meet 'em some day.) But I felt as if he left me something in his stead with this last book. (Yeah, I know, I am not the centre of the world, just hear me out!) This book was him. Not him in his rip-roaring youth, this was all of his gathered insight over the years. And it's not a bag of wind blowing hot air. He got to the points quickly, it's a short read, I spread it over a couple of weeks but could've ate it up in a n afternoon. This book just proved (again) that he was insightful and didn't want others to trip on glaring mistakes. Now whenever I read him I know I'll be taking steps back into time when he wrote, the next of his will probably be Slaughterhouse Five.

A Walk In The Woods

I've just finished this book and have found once more that Bill Bryson has made me want to do things that I've never had the inclinations to do before! Now i go to sleep dreaming of the Appalachians, again, I've never before cared to know more about. And to be honest, I've had this book hanging round my house for a while being that it was lent to me in october. But since I get most of my books at the library, and there is a three week limit for the books that I've put on hold... I haven't gotten to my personal library lately.

Speaking of the library, when I borrowed Sunburned Country the guy who processed me through said it was the funniest book he'd ever read. I disagree, A Walk In The Woods was a lot funnier (in my humble opinion). So far I've fully read two of Bryson's books and I'll be reading more (I've got A Short History of Nearly Everything in my library as well) and I like his writing and love the humour. When I read his stuff I can also find it chock full with historical tidbits that I otherwise never would've known about.

I also find that the most humorous situations (the parts that you'll hear me guffaw out loud over) are the parts where Bryson is experiencing something with people, as opposed to when he is experiencing things by himself. For example (this may be a SPOILER alert, but I think it happens within the first chapter) Bryson starts the walk with an old pal, and then walks alone. And when he's with someone else (any other person, as long as there is some sort of congeniality between them) he tends to bring the laughter meter up, way up. And since I believe I've bruised my ribs, every bit of laughter hurts, so it's got to be funny! (most of the time the laughter is past my lips before I realised it).

If you like a good laugh and then, if you're up to, a walk in the woods then this is the book for you. (Even f you never want to step outside your door, I'd totally suggest this read.

Book Review: The Mephisto Club

If you like scary mysery novels, like I do, this book is for you! I've always enjoyed Tess Gerritsen's novels, and usually pick them up as son as I see them on display (yes at the library).

It gets the heart beating faster, and the experience is memorable (from the couch). And, I can often finish it off in a relaxing day, which I like because to spend a day lazing about and reading, and knowing that I won't be staying up too late to finish the book off.

Just a delicious book, maybe not better than chocolate, but yummy none-the-less.

I've just been eating up the books these days, and have to finish two of 'em before this Sunday... mmmm

Book Review: In a Sunburned Country

I've always wanted to travel, and I've read more than a few books on travelers and their journeys through different lands, and almost always find them fascinating. This book was no different, I loved it! I generally pick up a Bill Bryson book on the suggestion of a friend or article, and get through the first chapter and put it down because I've got books from the library that are due, so I've got to read them quick! (Three weeks is just not enough for me)

So this time I took the book out of the library (ha ha) and was forced to read it within a set time, although I did end up renewing it once in order to finish it. I decided to read it after reading the book list of fussy's and put it on hold at my local library (Yes, I do purchase books and even have bought a book of Bryson's, but books are expensive! A library card is a lot cheaper, and I will go out and buy books as gifts to other people).

This book is about Australia in the viewpoint of a visitor. In North America we are generally oblivious to this entire continent, as self-centered we are (or, as the u.s. draws all of our attention, certainly enough to fill our news broadcasts). Only recently, after the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the explosion of the internet and sites like youtube (online communities) have we been exposed to this marvelous country. I went through a lot of National Geographics in highschool for art projects, and probably learned most of what I know about Australia, other than that it was only necessary to remember the spelling and difference in location to Austria (which I easily got mixed up with).

The thing that got me hooked was on the first chapter of this book, an amazing part of Australian history and I found I was so ignorant, and only Bryson could lead me through my lack of knowledge of this country. Sure, I've known many Aussie wives of (richer) Canadian men, and several friends has gone to travel through the country (one even attended private school there, much to her dismay at the time), and I've watched Crocodile Dundee and the Crocodile Hunter... but I didn't know how much I didn't know!

It's a fab book, and I'm definitely suggesting it... (even though I didn't talk too much about it here!) And, I'll be finishing the other books I've got too! And now I know enough about Australia that I'd like to learn so much more.

Book Review: The Ghost Map

I've been remiss in returning this book to the library... sorry folks, but I had to finish it!

Recently I've been on this reading kick where I've been finding other bloggers suggestions for books and ordering them through the library even when they are non-fiction! Not to say I don't like non-fiction books, but this is the second one this year, and I'm actually finding that I'm enjoying them. Which is a relief, because you can only read the same mystery plot so many times in a row before you change over to romance novels just for a change of scenery. so I think I'll be reading more of these non-fiction thingys...

This book is a great read, and I may be getting another book from the library by this author, it's just that good. Basically you know the ending before you begin reading it (it's on the book jacket), but Steven Johnson's take on the outcome the outbreak of cholera in nineteenth century London is eye opening. I found this easy to understand, and only felt once or twice that I really should look up a word for a clearer understanding (that might be because of my cold, and I faked it anyways. Perhaps what I enjoyed most out of this book is what I completed today, the epilogue. It brought a long ago event of the cholera outbreak into todays terms, how it set out the premise that todays human populations will survive. And just maybe it reminded me to be open-minded when it comes to new ideas in science and medicine, among other things in life, and not go with the consensus because that's the way it's always been done.

I would suggest that, unless you've got a strong stomach, you don't need to read this during your lunch break as I did...

Review:JPod by Douglas Coupland

Last night I finally finished Douglas Coupland’s JPod. I skipped most of the word puzzles, which took up ample amounts of space, and didn’t mind doing it. Usually I’ll attempt to follow puzzles, but figure that if this book was directed to game-creators and those with knowledge of C++ and I’d never catch up. Not to say I didn’t get the joke(s). It was definitely an interesting read, especially with Douglas Coupland as one of the characters in the book. That would’ve been confusing had I not been familiar with his writing. I started out with Nostradamus, which I loved, then went sort of backwards and read some of his earlier works. He’s pondered on his website (coupland.com) about reading his works out of sequence, as I had done. And I remember when reading his earlier stuff I distinctly felt out of order – until I read the book previous. I’ve got to say, JPod was wild in its adventure, but my favorite is still Eleanor Rigby. If I were concerned about anything in JPod, it’d be the obsolete-ness of the content. Which is understandable in any novel concerning the tech industry… I suppose that just comes with the territory. I’m thankful that I read it this year, and not a year or two down the road (which is generally when I finally get a new book at the library) when it’d just irk me every time I come across something that is just so absolutely obsolete. To conclude, I’d say read it if you’re familiar with Douglas Coupland’s style. If you’re not – you may want to ease into it by reading another one of his books (Generation X). Or just live on the edge and jump in cold. I like his writing and read everything he's done (bookwise). The next thing, in regards to Douglas Coupland, that I’ll do is rent his film “Souvenirs of Canada”.