Book Review #21

I've just gone through a reading FAIL and need a break from a certain genre.* It's so bad that I'm now running to a book I know will be good** to alleviate the pain and make reading enjoyable again.

This has brought on another book review in the hope that I can reflect on some past good reads. 

Let's see what happens.

Annabel - Kathleen Winter

I had read this before Canada Reads last year so had reason to yell at the debates when they got interesting. This was a good book overall, but there is a big part of the story that doesn't make sense - because it's impossible and would never happen?! I don't think this had a chance when up against The Orenda, but it was a good contender.

The City and The City - China Mieville

My old boss was a good source for book recommendations and this one delivered. In fact he gave me this book! Super cool "parallel universe" concept combined with a bit of a cop chase/mystery. If you can get past the author's sometimes bizarre use of language, I'd definitely recommend reading this.

Half Blood Blues - Esi Edugyan
 

This was also a contender for last year's Canada Reads and I really enjoyed it. The writing is amazing, the history of jazz in Nazi Germany was so interesting. The characters were well developed and I could almost hear the music when I read it. Edugyan deserves the recognition she got with this book.

Hellgoing - Lynn Coady

I don't normally go for short stories but this one was getting a lot of attention at the time and went on sale on Kobo. It didn't do much for me, I read it and moved on. This is why I normally avoid short stories. I think it's me?

Defending Jacob - William Landay

Ugh. Seriously? You have a screwed up kid, then another kid is killed and you find incriminating evidence in your kid's room. So obviously you can't believe he would do anything so horrible so you completely deny his guilt. And you're a prosecutor.

Spare me.

The Kitchen God's Wife - Amy Tan

Really good read and and I love the perspective of a Chinese immigrant living in America. She tells the story well and develops her characters deeply. I'll read her again and would recommend this book for sure.

The Luminaries - Eleanor Catton

Oh man...what an incredible book. The effort that went into writing this book is worth recognition. The writing is fantastic, great characters and a fascinating setting. I would highly recommend and will likely read it again in the future.


* I'm looking at you Science Fiction.
** Kate Morton here I come!