Finished August 3
Invisible Chains: Canada's Underground World of Human Trafficking by Benjamin Perrin
Wow. I was aware that human trafficking was going on in the world and even in Canada, but several things in this book really surprised me. First, I was surprised at the extent of this crime here. Second, I was surprised at the lack of arrests and convictions, especially given the extent. Canada is an embarrassment among other countries on several counts. This is especially interesting given Harper's "law and order" platform. Here are some criminals he can really go after, victims he can really rescue, and look good both domestically and internationally doing so. Of course it would require cooperation with NGOs (something he isn't good at) and open and clear communication (ditto).
This book is very readable and something we should all be aware of. As Perrin shows, the education of the average citizen on this issue can assist in freeing the victims and bringing justice to the criminals. Much more needs to be done by the government, but the more we know about this crime and the signs of it, the likelier we will make a real difference. Perrin outlines endeavours by a number of other countries that give us a roadmap of where to go.
This is an amazing book, with so much information. Perrin knows his stuff and works to make a difference himself every day.
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Never Knowing
Finished August 2
Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens, performed by Carrington MacDuffle
This is the second book by Stevens. Her first, Still Missing, is a finalist for the OLA Evergreen Award.
This novel uses the same device as her first, sessions at a therapist. I don't think it works as well for this one. There was one instance where I felt the contents of the session seemed like they came after the session. I can't say I liked the reader for this either. To me, the way she read it gave the main character, Sara Gallagher, a tone (put-upon, whiny) that I didn't like, and I don't think the author intended. It made her less sympathetic. But enough about what I didn't like.
The story was great. Sara is an adopted child who has felt that she was treated different from her siblings and always fantasized about her real parents, particularly her father as she always felt unloved by her adopted father. Now she is in her thirties and about to get married to a wonderful man and has a daughter she loves. She thinks she is ready to find out who her birth parents were. She researches and finds her birth mother who rejects her out of hand. As she struggles with this, she discovers that her mother was the only survivor of a violent serial killer, one who has never been caught. Which means that her birth father is a serial killer.
The rest of the book follows Sara's struggle to come to terms with this and what she feels she may have "inherited" from her father. It also shows her struggle with the publicity around it, that may have put her and her family in danger. Pageturning action abounds. And, Stevens gives us the occasional extra little twist just when we relax our guard. Highly recommended.
Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens, performed by Carrington MacDuffle
This is the second book by Stevens. Her first, Still Missing, is a finalist for the OLA Evergreen Award.
This novel uses the same device as her first, sessions at a therapist. I don't think it works as well for this one. There was one instance where I felt the contents of the session seemed like they came after the session. I can't say I liked the reader for this either. To me, the way she read it gave the main character, Sara Gallagher, a tone (put-upon, whiny) that I didn't like, and I don't think the author intended. It made her less sympathetic. But enough about what I didn't like.
The story was great. Sara is an adopted child who has felt that she was treated different from her siblings and always fantasized about her real parents, particularly her father as she always felt unloved by her adopted father. Now she is in her thirties and about to get married to a wonderful man and has a daughter she loves. She thinks she is ready to find out who her birth parents were. She researches and finds her birth mother who rejects her out of hand. As she struggles with this, she discovers that her mother was the only survivor of a violent serial killer, one who has never been caught. Which means that her birth father is a serial killer.
The rest of the book follows Sara's struggle to come to terms with this and what she feels she may have "inherited" from her father. It also shows her struggle with the publicity around it, that may have put her and her family in danger. Pageturning action abounds. And, Stevens gives us the occasional extra little twist just when we relax our guard. Highly recommended.
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Irma Voth
Finished August 1
Irma Voth by Miriam Toews
Irma is 19, lives in a rural Mennonite community in Mexico, and has been ostracized by her father for marrying a young Mexican man. Her father has expected her to live in another house on the property in exchange for work. Her husband, Jorge, sticks around for a while, but then tells her she asks too many questions, and makes himself scarce.
When Irma's father rents the remaining house to a film crew making a movie, Irma is intrigued and finds herself working as a translator between the director and a German actress. Meanwhile Irma's younger sister Aggie is finding life under their father's rules unbearable and wants to run away.
As the situation deteriorates, Irma finds she must make a choice and face the past she has always denied. This is a strong story with elements of coming-of-age and independence. The characters are complex and interesting. A great read.
Irma Voth by Miriam Toews
Irma is 19, lives in a rural Mennonite community in Mexico, and has been ostracized by her father for marrying a young Mexican man. Her father has expected her to live in another house on the property in exchange for work. Her husband, Jorge, sticks around for a while, but then tells her she asks too many questions, and makes himself scarce.
When Irma's father rents the remaining house to a film crew making a movie, Irma is intrigued and finds herself working as a translator between the director and a German actress. Meanwhile Irma's younger sister Aggie is finding life under their father's rules unbearable and wants to run away.
As the situation deteriorates, Irma finds she must make a choice and face the past she has always denied. This is a strong story with elements of coming-of-age and independence. The characters are complex and interesting. A great read.
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Off Main Street
Finished July 27
Off Main Street: Barnstormers, Prophets & Gatemouth's Gator by Michael Perry
This book is a collection of essay type articles, updated with comments. The articles were all previously published. I've liked everything I've read by Perry and this is no exception.
The subjects covered here are wide-ranging and include traveling with musicians, passing a kidney stone, water towers, truck-driving, and God.
Sometimes making me laugh out loud and look around for someone to share a bit with, this book is never dull and often thought-provoking.
Highly recommended.
Off Main Street: Barnstormers, Prophets & Gatemouth's Gator by Michael Perry
This book is a collection of essay type articles, updated with comments. The articles were all previously published. I've liked everything I've read by Perry and this is no exception.
The subjects covered here are wide-ranging and include traveling with musicians, passing a kidney stone, water towers, truck-driving, and God.
Sometimes making me laugh out loud and look around for someone to share a bit with, this book is never dull and often thought-provoking.
Highly recommended.
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Looking for JJ
Finished July 26
Looking for JJ by Anne Cassidy
This is a teen novel that is insightful and sad and hopeful. We start the book with Alice Tully, who is trying to create a new life and future for herself. Six years ago Jennifer Jones (JJ) at the age of 11, killed her friend and went to jail for it. She is due to be released and the newspapers are in an uproar about it. What they don't know is that she was secretly placed with a social worker six months earlier and goes by the new identity of Alice Tully. We see how Alice struggles with her guilt even as she makes friends and holds down a job. She even has a boyfriend. But the attention of the newspapers makes her nervous and unsure.
We go back six years and see what Jennifer Jones was doing, the life she was living and the events that led to the terrible tragedy. Why did she do it?
Back with Alice, we see her handle the fast moving events, trying to hold her life together.
The insights into a child's and adolescent's mind are interesting and have the ring of truth. This is a book that will prompt questions and discussion. A great book club read.
Looking for JJ by Anne Cassidy
This is a teen novel that is insightful and sad and hopeful. We start the book with Alice Tully, who is trying to create a new life and future for herself. Six years ago Jennifer Jones (JJ) at the age of 11, killed her friend and went to jail for it. She is due to be released and the newspapers are in an uproar about it. What they don't know is that she was secretly placed with a social worker six months earlier and goes by the new identity of Alice Tully. We see how Alice struggles with her guilt even as she makes friends and holds down a job. She even has a boyfriend. But the attention of the newspapers makes her nervous and unsure.
We go back six years and see what Jennifer Jones was doing, the life she was living and the events that led to the terrible tragedy. Why did she do it?
Back with Alice, we see her handle the fast moving events, trying to hold her life together.
The insights into a child's and adolescent's mind are interesting and have the ring of truth. This is a book that will prompt questions and discussion. A great book club read.
Birthday Presents!
My in-laws popped over on Sunday with some lovely birthday presents for me.
I got a lovely bag full of books (mostly Canadian) and some lovely soap that smells like the forest. The books in the bag are:
Pith & Wry: Canadian poetry, edited by Susan McMaster
Dogs at the Perimeter by Madeleine Thien (Canadian!)
Gold Diggers: striking it rich in the Klondike by Charlotte Gray (Canadian!)
The Free World by David Bezmozgis (Canadian!)
Death or Victory: the Battle of Quebec and the Birth of an Empire by Dan Snow (Canadian!) part of The History of Canada series.
The Deserter by Paul Almond (Canadian!) book one of the Alford Saga
A New Leaf: growing with my garden by Merilyn Simonds (Canadian!)
Alone in the Classroom by Elizabeth Hay (Canadian!)
Nothing Daunted: the unexpected education of two society girls in the west by Dorothy Wickenden (looks fascinating)
From their two charming cats I got a paperback mystery (Stitch Me Deadly by Amanda Lee) and these lovely bookends.
What to read first? Hmm.
I got a lovely bag full of books (mostly Canadian) and some lovely soap that smells like the forest. The books in the bag are:
Pith & Wry: Canadian poetry, edited by Susan McMaster
Dogs at the Perimeter by Madeleine Thien (Canadian!)
Gold Diggers: striking it rich in the Klondike by Charlotte Gray (Canadian!)
The Free World by David Bezmozgis (Canadian!)
Death or Victory: the Battle of Quebec and the Birth of an Empire by Dan Snow (Canadian!) part of The History of Canada series.
The Deserter by Paul Almond (Canadian!) book one of the Alford Saga
A New Leaf: growing with my garden by Merilyn Simonds (Canadian!)
Alone in the Classroom by Elizabeth Hay (Canadian!)
Nothing Daunted: the unexpected education of two society girls in the west by Dorothy Wickenden (looks fascinating)
What to read first? Hmm.
One Hundred Names for Love
Finished July 24
One Hundred Names for Love: a stroke, a marriage, and the language of healing by Diane Ackerman
I admit that I've taken my time over this book for a couple of reasons. First the writing is so good (as Ackerman always is) that I wanted to take my time and really savour it. Second, the ideas she presents are so provoking that I want to take the time to think about them and how I feel about them.
The book is told over time beginning with Ackerman's Paul West (who is also an author that I haven't yet read, but am now intrigued to) having a massive stroke that resulted in global aphasia. That means he lost his language skills. He couldn't talk, or read, or understand. It begins in the hospital with evaluation and treatment. At first Paul can only say "mem" which he says over and over. He has some physical challenges as well in moving his body, relearning how to walk steadily, sit down, get into bed and hold objects. Two fingers on his right hand are cramped up into a claw.
Despite the massive brain damage, Ackerman and West refuse to give up. Ackerman details their daily life once West moves home, how they adjust their routine, how Ackerman must change her relationship with him, and what therapies they use are.
This is indeed a story of love. Because of Paul's long relationship with language as a writer, language is one of the main tools they use in their therapy. Ackerman is totally open and honest in this book, sharing her doubts, joys, and innermost feelings. A wonderful book with insights into the mysteries of healing.
One Hundred Names for Love: a stroke, a marriage, and the language of healing by Diane Ackerman
I admit that I've taken my time over this book for a couple of reasons. First the writing is so good (as Ackerman always is) that I wanted to take my time and really savour it. Second, the ideas she presents are so provoking that I want to take the time to think about them and how I feel about them.
The book is told over time beginning with Ackerman's Paul West (who is also an author that I haven't yet read, but am now intrigued to) having a massive stroke that resulted in global aphasia. That means he lost his language skills. He couldn't talk, or read, or understand. It begins in the hospital with evaluation and treatment. At first Paul can only say "mem" which he says over and over. He has some physical challenges as well in moving his body, relearning how to walk steadily, sit down, get into bed and hold objects. Two fingers on his right hand are cramped up into a claw.
Despite the massive brain damage, Ackerman and West refuse to give up. Ackerman details their daily life once West moves home, how they adjust their routine, how Ackerman must change her relationship with him, and what therapies they use are.
This is indeed a story of love. Because of Paul's long relationship with language as a writer, language is one of the main tools they use in their therapy. Ackerman is totally open and honest in this book, sharing her doubts, joys, and innermost feelings. A wonderful book with insights into the mysteries of healing.
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Another Book Challenge
I am joining another book challenge. I'm thinking this one will be easy for me as it focuses on Canadian books.
It is called the Canadian Book Challenge and the challenge is to read and review 13 or more Canadian books in a one year span that runs from Canada Day to Canada Day. Sounds like a great idea.
It is called the Canadian Book Challenge and the challenge is to read and review 13 or more Canadian books in a one year span that runs from Canada Day to Canada Day. Sounds like a great idea.
Too Far
Finished July 16
Too Far by Rich Shapero
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This is the story of two young children, Robbie and Fristeen. Robbie's parents have moved to Alaska for his father to do graduate study work. His mother is controlling and worries about his safety. His father encourages his sense of adventure and first moves to independence. His parent's marriage is breaking down and Robbie feels that he is to blame for some of the outbursts.
Fristeen's mother is more interested in her next fix than she is in her daughter. Fristeen runs wild, and is not cared for.
For one summer the two six year olds explore the forest around their homes, finding secret spots, learning about each other and both sharing and protecting each other from the two worlds.
In the forest they are led forward by Dawn and the Dream Man. They encounter the malevolent force Shivers that threatens them. This is a summer that will change their lives, and that they will never forget.
An interesting story and a glimpse into the mind of a young child.
Too Far by Rich Shapero
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This is the story of two young children, Robbie and Fristeen. Robbie's parents have moved to Alaska for his father to do graduate study work. His mother is controlling and worries about his safety. His father encourages his sense of adventure and first moves to independence. His parent's marriage is breaking down and Robbie feels that he is to blame for some of the outbursts.
Fristeen's mother is more interested in her next fix than she is in her daughter. Fristeen runs wild, and is not cared for.
For one summer the two six year olds explore the forest around their homes, finding secret spots, learning about each other and both sharing and protecting each other from the two worlds.
In the forest they are led forward by Dawn and the Dream Man. They encounter the malevolent force Shivers that threatens them. This is a summer that will change their lives, and that they will never forget.
An interesting story and a glimpse into the mind of a young child.
Dreams of Joy
Finished July 15
Dreams of Joy by Lisa See, read by Janet Song
This book is a sequel to the earlier Shanghai Girls. Following the revelations at the end of that book, Joy is feeling guilt and shame. Her college experiences have also led her to idolize China's political changes, and she decides to go to China and search for her father, the artist Z.G. Li. She arrives just a Z.G. is going off to the countryside to "learn from real life" and teach art skills to peasants. She goes with him and finds herself drawn to a certain young man.
Pearl is also hard hit by the events at the end of the previous novel, but is worried about Joy and takes off after her. She does so with some planning though instead of running headlong like Joy. She sets up communication links and possible allies. Pearl finds herself back in her family's home in Shanghai, where things are both unchanged and changed immensely. As Pearl follows Joy, she confronts her past and finds courage for a new future.
With China imposing the Great Leap Forward, much is changing in the country as well, and these changes will have great impact on the two women.
A moving epic of a story, with lots of personal growth for both characters.
Dreams of Joy by Lisa See, read by Janet Song
This book is a sequel to the earlier Shanghai Girls. Following the revelations at the end of that book, Joy is feeling guilt and shame. Her college experiences have also led her to idolize China's political changes, and she decides to go to China and search for her father, the artist Z.G. Li. She arrives just a Z.G. is going off to the countryside to "learn from real life" and teach art skills to peasants. She goes with him and finds herself drawn to a certain young man.
Pearl is also hard hit by the events at the end of the previous novel, but is worried about Joy and takes off after her. She does so with some planning though instead of running headlong like Joy. She sets up communication links and possible allies. Pearl finds herself back in her family's home in Shanghai, where things are both unchanged and changed immensely. As Pearl follows Joy, she confronts her past and finds courage for a new future.
With China imposing the Great Leap Forward, much is changing in the country as well, and these changes will have great impact on the two women.
A moving epic of a story, with lots of personal growth for both characters.
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