Saturday 25 July 2015

"If there was a bright centre to the universe, I was on the planet it was farthest from. Please pass the blue milk, Aunt Beru"


Oh Ernest Cline, you do write highly entertaining books.  One of my favourite things about his novels is that not only do you have the delight of recognizing pop cultures references on every page, but they alway work within the story; they aren't just filler.  My other favourite thing about both Ready Player One and Armada is that they both have such heart to them.  Ready Player One had one of the sweetest love stories I've read in years.  Armada was all about family.  I had some major tender moments reading some of the scenes that were devoted to family togetherness.

So, Armada.  When I first read the book flap, I immediately though, oh, this sounds a lot like Enders Game.  And while, yes, there are shadows of that novel, there are homages to lots of amazing sci-fi books and movies which I really enjoyed.  My only complaints were that while, yes, I realized early that there were going to be a lot of battle sequences, I did grow a little tired of reading them over and over again.  I also was somewhat disappointed by the ending.  I'm not sure what exactly I was expecting to happen but it all felt a bit...rushed perhaps?

All in all, I had a good time reading this.  It's the kind of book you wish you had a friend sitting next to you reading the same parts at the same time as you just so you could share a knowing look when you came to an awesome Star wars reference and have a moment. 

Thursday 23 July 2015

Reading Roundup

As per usual, I've been reading up a storm lately.  Here are some of my recent reads.

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
I loved her last book, Vicious, so I was pretty excited to read this one.  A very strong fantasy novel featuring the amazing Delilah Bard who really stole the show for me.  She rushed onto the scene brandishing pistols and knives and generally caused havoc in her wake.  Can't wait for book 2!

The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows
This is historical fiction at its best!  Chock full of memorable characters and a wonderful story laced with mystery, romance, and southern charm.  Willa Romeyn reminded me of two of my favourite young heroines, Bean Holladay (The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls) and Scout Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee).  Highly recommended.

Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley
Beautiful writing and a captivating and heartwarming story.  I laughed, teared up, and generally had a marvellous time reading this.  Also featuring stunning illustrations.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
My first Christie and it will certainly not be my last!  The original queen of the plot twist, she managed to throw reasonable suspicion on everyone and still shock you with the outcome!  I look forward to many more adventures with Hercule Poirot.

Tuesday 14 July 2015

Big Book of the Day: Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

It's here!


Evening plans include tea (in my snazzy new To Kill a Mockingbird mug), chocolate, and the new Harper Lee, Go Set a Watchman (bonus points if you noticed I'm sporting Star Wars pj pants).  This book has been getting such mixed reviews that I'm intrigued to see for myself if it is worth all the hype.

I'm only a chapter in and I gotta say...so far so good.


UPDATE 07/18/15

Ok, after 4 days of reading, I have finished Go Set a Watchman.  And I really enjoyed it.  I found the writing to be good and the story engaging.  I really enjoyed seeing a grown up Scout trying to find her place in the world, as well as the flashbacks to her childhood.

This is a novel about the loss of innocence, that realization that sometimes we cannot fully return home because, while it remains the same, we have changed.  It is learning that tough lesson that comes with adulthood that our parent figures aren't always perfect and that as we grow we need to decide what we take from them and what we reject.  It is about becoming our own person.

This is a book that I think everyone is going to have their own opinions on.  I think it is definitely worth reading and finding out for yourself what you think about it.

Monday 13 July 2015

Getting Cozy with Cozies

Over the last several years, I have developed an extreme love for the cozy mystery.  It's my ultimate guilty pleasure read.

Now, you might be asking yourself, what on earth is a cozy mystery?

Here's what Wikipedia has to say on the subject:

"Cozy mysteries, also referred to simply as "cozies", are a subgenre of crime fiction in which sex and violence are downplayed or treated humorously, and the crime and detection take place in a small, socially intimate community."

Here are some elements you may encounter in a cozy mystery:

- A small town girl who has tried her luck in the big city and is now back in her hometown
- Professions such as librarian, cafe owner, peach farmer, dog walker, and retiree are common
- Did I mention that pets often play a role in the story?  Cats and dogs are the most popular and, sometimes, they are somewhat magical
- There is some sort of murder that needs to be solved and your heroine will probably get the whole town involved in solving it
- You will probably want to read these with a cup of tea, cookie, and a fuzzy throw for an ultimate reading experience

Cozies are the ultimate comfort reads.  They are light, fun, and often include recipes at the end.  I often wish that I was living the life of some of the heroines I encounter in the pages of certain cozies (Why yes, I would like to work at a magical pie shop.  Want to live in a beautiful picturesque small town?  Don't mind if I do.)  Do you remember the wonderful television show, Gilmore Girls?  Well imagine if the occasional suspicious death happened in Stars Hollow.  That right there is a cozy mystery.

Here are some series I would recommend if you are wanting to try your hand at the genre, or if you are already a cozy fan looking for that next great read.

Georgia Peach Mysteries by Susan Furlong (Book 1: Peaches & Scream)
Takes place in Cays Mill, Georgia, with Nola Harper returning home to help out on her families peach farm.  Things take an ugly turn when a body is discovered in the orchard with her brother-in-law as the prime suspect.

Book Retreat Mysteries by Ellery Adams (Book 1: Murder in the Mystery Suite)
Who wouldn't want to visit Storyton Hall, a resort in western Virginia that caters to book lovers?  However, things go wrong during a Murder Mystery event when the murder of one of the guests becomes the biggest mystery of all.

The Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries by Ellery Adams (Book 1: Pies & Prejudice)
When the going gets tough, Ella Mae LaFaye bakes pies.  And she's putting a magic touch little in her baked goods, literally.  In the small town of Havenwood, Georgia, magic and mischief are always on the menu.

Consignment Shop Mysteries by Duffy Brown (Book 1: Iced Chiffon)
Imagine Stephanie Plum, from Janet Evanovich's series, solving mysteries down south and you have Duffy Brown's novels.  Reagan Summerside runs a consignment shop called The Prissy Fox where the gossip always runs hot and murder often shows up uninvited.

Magical Cats Mysteries by Sofie Kelly (Book 1: Curiosity Thrilled the Cat)
Librarian Kathleen Paulson relocates to Mayville Heights, Minnesota where she discovers that not only does she have a talent for shelving books, but also solving murders.  Her two cats, Owen and Hercules, often get involved in the capers, and are, most importantly, MAGIC CATS.

Her Royal Spyness Mysteries by Rhys Bowen (Book 1: Her Royal Spyness)
If you want a historical cozy, then look no further.  Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie is 34th in line for the throne of England and is flat broke.  She gets into numerous hijinks trying to earn some cash, meets a dashing rogue, and helps solves a few murders along the way.

Do you read cozy mysteries?  And, if so, what series do you like?

Tuesday 7 July 2015

Talking Books Outside the Bookstore

I've had some very cool book related opportunities with my job over the last couple of years.  I LOVE talking books not only at the bookstore but all over the place!

My co-worker and I are on The Simi Sara Show on CKNW about once a month. Simi is a huge reader and we always have such a good time talking books with her!

I was a bookseller at the TED Convention in Vancouver and it was such an amazing experience.  Can you tell we had fun?

Plus, look who we met! Neil Gaiman!!


I was a guest on CBC's B.C. Almanac.  I talked summer reading with Margaret Gallagher and the call in segment allowed me to hear what people across the province were digging into this summer.  If you are interested in hearing the full interview, the podcast is available here (interview is at around the 30 min mark).  Plus, please enjoy this photo CBC took of me posing with some books.


I also had the opportunity to talk summer reading on Global TV's Morning Show.  Steve Darling and Sophie Lui were lovely and it was fun talking about great reads for all ages!  For the full video interview, click here.

Any time I get the chance to talk books with people, it's definitely a good thing!

Wednesday 1 July 2015

Reading Roundup

What have I been reading lately?  Glad you asked!

Return to Augie Hobble by Lane Smith
Funny, touching, and as expected, wonderfully illustrated! Lane Smith hits it out of the park with his debut novel.  If you liked Wonder by R.J. Palacio then give this a read!

Pennyroyal Academy by M.A Larson
A fun 9-12 read set in the Grimm's Fairy Tale world.  Pennyroyal Princesses don't need saving, they save themselves!  Reese Witherspoon is apparently in talks to adapt this into a film.

Ms. Marvel Volume 1 by G. Willow Wilson, illustrated by Adrian Alphona 
I normally don't read superhero comics but I had heard such good things about this one and it delivered.  Well written, fun, and important.

Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll
While I enjoyed parts of this, I found as a whole it fell a bit flat for me.  It took about 200 pages for me to really get involved in the story and then I found myself still waiting for...something... by the time I finished the last page.  

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
I really liked the writing style of this one.  Some of the lines were so beautiful I had to stop a few times just to take in what I was reading.  While I preferred Noah's narration, I loved that I got to hear Jude's voice as well.  Just lovely.


*Many thanks to Simon & Schuster for the reading copy of Luckiest Girl Alive, and to RAI for the ARC of Return to Augie Hobble!



“Most of the time, there is no truth, only various levels of interpretation. Fact is a construct we provide to the public.”

The Ashford Affair  by Lauren Willig I really enjoyed Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation series and thought I would give one of her stan...