Quiet

Finished June 18
Quiet: the power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking by Susan Cain, read by Kathe Mazur

This book fascinated me. I've always thought of myself as shy, having difficulty making small talk, and uncomfortable in social situations. But I have spoken in public, lead a team at work, and smile to people I don't know at conferences. According to this, I may be a pseudo-extrovert, making the effort outside my comfort zone in the interest of things I am passionate about: books, helping others, and social issues. Over time, I've become better at it (make it 'til you fake it).
But that is just a tidbit and this book offers so much. Showing us how introverts have contributed in a world where extroversion is valued highly, this book looks at other qualities often associated (some rightly, some wrongly) with introversion. We see how to use the strengths of introversion to make valuable contributions and how to make sure every child (introvert or extrovert) develops to their potential.
Through psychology and neuroscience, Cain shows the qualities of introverts and how society has undervalued them. With lots of research, personal experiences and stories from real people, this book will change the way you look at the world and the people around you.
Because I listened to the audiobook, I found myself wanting to go back to certain sections (not that easy) and will be rereading this in hardcopy form again very soon.

Taka-chan and I

Finished June 17
Taka-chan and I: a dog's journey to Japan by Runcible as told to Betty Jean Lifton, photographs by Eikoh Hosoe

This is a lovely picture book told from a dog's point of view. Runcible digs a hole on the beach near his home on Cape Cod. As he digs deeper, he finds a tunnel and enters it, realizing after a time that it is too narrow to turn around in. After much time, he sees a light ahead and emerges in Japan where a little girl, Taka-chan is on a beach. She is fearful of the reaction, but agrees to take him home, where she bathes him gently and feeds him. After the two rest, she introduces Runcible to her captor, for she is indeed being held prisoner. He is impressed with Runcible's courage and agrees to set Taka-chan free if Runcible can complete a task within the alloted time.
The pictures, all in grey-scale, are lovely and illustrate the story beautifully. The story itself is inspiring and mystical. A wonderful choice as always by the NYRB.

Think Colour

Finished June 10
Think Colour by Naomi Beth Wakan and Ruth Artmonsky

This book was created as part of the celebration of the authors' 80th birthday (they are twins) and the photos used to illustrate were all taken by family members.
They give us a celebration and meditation on colour, from the idea of colour and questions around it, to specific colours. Included are beautiful photos and great quotations, as well as brief but thoughtful commentary.
For the individual colours included, they begin with a brief list of colour names associated with the colour, qualities associated with it (with examples) and commentary followed by photos and quotations. I found the choices interesting and thought-provoking, as were omissions: where are my favourites French blue, Lime green, and Pewter grey? I know, I know, there are so many colour names as to make the task impossible.
A lovely book to inspire, and enjoy.

The Dead Are More Visible

Finished June 11
The Dead Are More Visible: stories by Steven Heighton

This collection of short stories offers wonderful variety. Each story stands alone, with the voices individual. Some men, some women, many facing a life-changing event, or dealing with the aftermath of one. The writing is wonderfully done, with interesting turns of phrase. A favourite example: "In a world where there isn't enough importance to go around, men like him, who need a lot of it, will always be disappointed."
I loved the variety of settings: urban Japan, the Okanagon Desert, a drug trial institution, an outdoor city ice rink at night. And the characters, some comfortable in their lives, some trying to find their way. A collection like this shows the range of the author. I'll definitely be recommending this collection.

The Unquiet Dead

Finished June 6
The Unquiet Dead by Gay Longworth

This is the second book in the series featuring DI Jessie Driver, although I haven't read the first one. Jessie's DCI has just retired and she starts off on the wrong foot with the new boss. When a moderately famous actress reports her daughter missing and demands action, Jessie's intuition tells her that it doesn't read as foul play. The search leads the team to an abandoned public bath, and the discovery of a long-dead body. The body becomes Jessie's case, although she is given limited support in solving it.
On the personal side, Jessie's brother, a doctor with Doctors Without Borders, who has been serving in Africa has come for a visit, something she's been looking forward to. And Jessie is struggling with her attraction to a famous singer she fell for during a recent case.
Jessie's intuition, and her team's trust in it, lead her on. She also finds that she can't explain everything with logic and must learn to respect others' faith, even if she doesn't share it.
Jessie is an interesting woman, complex and with her own issues. A good character for a novel like this. Highly enjoyable.

Charming Grace

Finished June 5
Charming Grace by Deborah Smith, read by William Dufris and Moira Driscoll

(Couldn't find an image of the audiobook, so figured this was close).
I picked up this audiobook romance novel at a recent conference. The author was new to me, but it was an enjoyable book.
Set in a small southern town in Georgia, a big movie star, Stone Senterra, known for his action movies, has come to town to film his first movie as a director. He wants to tell the story of a man who grew up there, a man who died recently in a very public act of heroism. The man's widow, Grace Vance, however, doesn't trust him, and wants to keep her husband's life private. Grace has plans to obstruct the movie and has some allies.
A twist in the story is the ex-con bodyguard of the movie star, Boone Nolene. Boone wants to go straight and set his older brother, still in jail, on the right road as well. He wants to reward the trust that Senterra places in him. But he also wants Grace. Grace, a former beauty queen and talk show host, is caught up in the past and has to be forced to look to the future.
With lots of great characters, quirky humour, and hot romance, this book will charm you.

One Man's Wilderness

Finished June 3
One Man's Wilderness: an Alaskan odyssey by Sam Keith

This book is written from the journals and photographs of Richard Proenneke.
A few years ago my husband and I watched the documentary about Richard Proenneke on PBS and were captured. We bought a copy of both the documentary and the book, but I hadn't got around to reading it until now. Proenneke lived a hard-working life as a heavy duty mechanic for the US Navy, a commercial fisherman, and for the Fish and Wildlife Service. When he turned fifty he decided to live his dream of living closer to nature. He settled on the Twin Lakes area, chose a site, and built a cabin with hand tools and hard work. Relying as much as possible on local supplies, this book tells the story of Dick's first 16 months at the Twin Lakes, detailing his construction work, his commentary on his surroundings and his love of the animals and wilderness. He picks up after messy campers, takes the meat from trophy kills abandoned by others, and respects the world he lives in.
His cabin is still maintained by the Park Service and remains a memorial to an amazing man.