The Golden Mean

Finished March 2

The Golden Mean by Annabel Lyon

This novel is narrated by Aristotle, the real historical figure, and creates a story around his time with Philip of Macedon, mostly taking place at the city of Pella. Philip had known Aristotle when they were both boys, and Aristotle arrives in Pella carrying a message from Hermias, the satrap of Atarneus under whose patronage Aristotle had been living. 

Along with Aristotle and his household, are his wife Pythias and his nephew Callisthenes. Aristotle soon meets Philip's sons, Arrhidaeus and Alexander, and is asked to work with both of them in very different ways. Arrhidaeus suffered an injury early in his life that damaged him, creating learning disabilities. Alexander is the golden child in many senses, spoiled, used to getting his way, and entitled. Aristotle is one of the few people who challenges him, and that creates an interesting dynamic. Aristotle covers many subjects in his teaching, but at the core of them is the idea of balance, the golden mean referenced by the book's title. 

We see Aristotle's personal life, his relationship with his wife, servants, slaves, and his nephew. We also see his inner thoughts about both this personal life and his more public responsibilities. 

Lyon makes her characters come to life, they have personality and flaws, and she has obviously researched the real people she portrays. 

This was her debut novel, and won the Writers' Trust Fiction Prize, as well as being a finalist for the Giller. I found it a compelling read. 

Fortunate Son

Finished March 1

Fortunate Son by Walter Mosley

I've read a few standalone books by Mosley, and I find they always have depth and make you think about the world in different ways. This one is no exception. 

When Tommy's mother Branwyn got pregnant with him, his father Elton wanted nothing to do with the situation. Branwyn managed on her own, and when Tommy was born with health issues, visited the ICU every day after work, hoping that he would survive. A doctor at the hospital, Minas Nolan, noticed her and began a courtship. He had recently had a son, Eric, and his wife had died in childbirth. His nanny Ayn did as well as she could but the child was inconsolable. When Branwyn and Eric meet, he is immediately calmed by her, and soon they become a small family. 

When tragedy comes to them, Tommy is separated from Eric, and though the two have a strong connection, they lose track of each other for years. 

Mosley shows how they class origins and the colour of their skin has a big effect on how they manage through life. Despite trauma and setbacks, Tommy gains the nickname Lucky, and feels that he is as well. Eric has a charmed life, and yet longs for something that he can't identify. 

When another tragedy brings the two back together again, they find more barriers between them and it is their found family members that each of them has gained along the way that help them find a way forward. 

This book explores social issues in America, particularly race and poverty, with the prejudices that underlie even the organizations that are supposed to support people. But it also explores outlook, and how each of us views the world we live in, and treats the people that we interact with along the way. A thought-provoking read. 

March Reviews for the 18th Annual Canadian Reading Challenge

 This is where you add your reviews for books finished in March that meet the Canadian Reading Challenge. Read more Canadian!

Still Life at Eighty

Finished February 27

Still Life at Eighty: The Next Interesting Thing: A Memoir by Abigail Thomas

This is the second memoir I've read by this author, following Three Dog Night, a memoir she wrote after her husband's death. This memoir is about aging, starting as she begins her eightieth year. Abigail doesn't want to relive her life differently, but she finds memories coming to her, forgetfulness becoming more common, and her body failing her at times. 

She has moved from New York City to a house in the Catskills, living with her four dogs, who are also aging. She watches nature both outdoors and as it creeps into her home. As lockdowns from Covid keep her from much social contact she relies on friends and family for support, and finds herself with memories, emotions, and the ability to notice even the small things. 

She writes about aging and its accompanying challenges and emotions, about her losses and small joys. 

This is a lovely book that will have you taking the time to notice the small things in your life as well. 

The Best Life Book Club

Finished February 26

The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts

This feel-good novel has books, families, and romance. Karissa Newcomb has just moved to Gig Harbor, Washington from Seattle after her divorce. She has primary custody of her young daughter Macy, with her ex-husband having her on alternate weekends. Karissa has been betrayed by her husband and best friend who began a relationship that she discovered. She didn't want to live near them, and has found a job at a small publishing firm where she will work as the administrative assistant. The firm is run by two editors, Edward and Shirley. 

As Macy begins at a new school she finds her way into a friendship with another student after a few days of struggle. 

Karissa finds her way at work, among her co-workers and the authors they work with. She also meets her neighbours, Alice and Margot. Alice is in her late 50s, widowed by the love of her life, and just beginning to interact more with people beyond her family. Her older sister Josie spends a lot of time with her, trying to get her to overcome her fears and find a way forward. Margot is divorced and has a college-aged daughter. She's also just lost her management job, and is struggling to find a new one. 

Karissa decided to start a book club with these other women, and as they work their way through self-help and fiction, they find ways to move forward with their lives, opening new doors to personal fulfillment, professional growth, and romance. 

I enjoyed seeing the different women undergo growth and find happiness. 

A Pocket Guide to the Unheralded Artists of BC Series

Finished February 24

A Pocket Guide to the Unheralded Artists of BC Series: The Life and Art of Jack Akroyd, George Fertig, Mary Filer, Jack Hardman, Edythe Hembroff-Schleicher, Leroy Jenson, David Marshall, Frank Molnar, Arthur Pitts, Mildred Valley Thornton, Ina D.D. Uhthoff, Harry Webb, and Jessie Webb edited by Mona Fertig, with Introduction by Marsha Lederman

This small guide has a lot of information packed into it. The editor Mona Fertig began her project of creating a series of art books about lesser known artists after the death of her father George. She started her own publishing company when she couldn't find a publisher willing to take on the task. Except for Frank Molnar, all of the artists had passed away when she began the series, which covers artists working between 1900 and the 1960s. 

For each artists there is a biography and overview of their work, a portrait photograph, and several pictures of their art. At the front and back of the book are pictures of the artists in their studios. There is also a list of what public places one can find art by them. Besides going to these places, readers interested in more can go to the longer books Mona produced on the individual artists. 

I learned about artists I hadn't been aware of before, and appreciate this work she did to bring them to us. 

Against the Currant

Finished February 24

Against the Currant by Olivia Matthews

I heard about this book from one of my students and decided to try it. It is the first in a series of cosy mysteries set around a Grenadian bakery in Brooklyn, New York. The main character, Lyndsay Murray is just opening Spice Isle Bakery with her family. While she is the majority owner, her parents and grandmother also own part of it, and her older brother Dev, a lawyer, is eager to help out. He's even taken some time off to be there for the first week. Many community members are eager to see one of their own launch a new business, but the owner of another bakery, a few blocks away, isn't pleased. 

Claudio Fabrizi, owner of a bakery named for himself, as well as many pieces of real estate, has threatened Lyndsay repeatedly, and while she isn't one for confrontations, she isn't backing down on her dream. When he turns up at her soft opening and threatens her yet again, she ends up in a very public argument. 

Lyndsay doesn't even understand what his problem is, her bakery carries traditional West Indian fare that his doesn't, so they don't attract the same customers. But when Claudio is found dead the following morning, Lyndsay's public facedown with him means that the police have their eye on her. If she wants to salvage her reputation and get off of the police radar, she has to find the real killer on her own. 

This is definitely a new culture for me, and I enjoyed learning about it here. There are even a couple of recipes at the back of the book. 

The series holds promise, from Lyndsay's kickboxing routine to her strong family support, with many interesting characters, I can see this developing in interesting ways.