The Hanging Girl by Jussi Adler-Olsen

from goodreads

3.5 stars

Today is a very blustery day. The clouds are coming in and I have a feeling that there will be a sprinkle of rain right when I go out to get the older kids from school. It seems to always rain when I go to get the kids. It will stop as soon as we get home but for those ten minutes if it is going to deluge it will.

On a grey like this it is hard to think of anything to do or say. All I really want to do is curl up in a cozy blanket and read or snuggle with Miss P. Looks like I have my afternoon all mapped out!

Synopsis

This is the next installment of the Department Q series featuring Carl Morck. The cold case this time is looking at a girl who was killed on the island of Bornholm. The case takes them to a sun god commune in Sweden and to many other interesting characters. We are also beginning to find out a bit more about Carl and his connection with the shooting that paralyzed one of his partners and killed the other.

My Thoughts

This was another great nordic crime.

Adler-Olsen is the master of parallel story lines. He is able to blend together what is happening with Carl and his team with that of possible people of interests story lines so seamlessly. I always like trying to figure out how he is going to blend the story lines together.

The cold case was interesting and the lady at the commune was a bit crazy! Seriously, how does he come up with some of the characters that he does.

I really wished that more was resolved in Carl's life before his accident. Is he friend or foe? Was he a corrupt cop or was he all above board. I really want to know. I have invested so much into him and I hope he is not a bad cop. I just want answers.

I also wanted Assad's plot to move on a bit more. I know that he has some kind of secret from his former life and I would love to know what it is.

Even with the little movement in Carl's and Assad's plot lines I loved seeing them together and watching their friendship grow. You can tell that they really care for each other and see each other as partners.

If you are a fan of Department Q you will not be disappointed with the latest installment.

The 13 Days of Halloween by Carol Greene Illustrated by Tim Raglin

from goodreads

4.5 stars

Well, Halloween is coming up this Saturday. I am still making some last minute tweaks to the kids costumes but for once I am feeling like we are ready.

Miss V is going to be Little Red Riding Hood. I made her a red and white tutu style skirt and a nice warm fleece hood and cape. Hopefully the cape will help her stay a little warm when they are out on Saturday. Halloween can be pretty chilly in Canada.

Miss G is going to be a ballerina witch cat, the last time I checked. Hopefully it all works out for her and she will be happy with the result.

With Miss P I totally thought we would have an extra year of putting her in whatever costume we wanted, but nope. She is determined to be a dinosaur/dragon. Luckily my friend has a dragon costume lying around and I think it will be perfect. Seriously, how did my 2.5 year old get so opinionated?!

I am looking forward to a nice quiet Halloween. Our neighbourhood is an older one so there aren't as many kids. Last year I think we got 15 kids at our door. So, it should be a nice time of reading and relaxing while my husband take our our kids and I wait for whoever drops by.

Yay for Halloween!

Synopsis

A nicely dressed, gentlemanly ghoul gives gifts to his friend.

My Thoughts

Well here is another book where they take a familiar song and change the words around to be a fun Halloween book.

I loved the illustrations and the toads. The toads were probably my favourite.

I loved how everything worked with the tune so we could all sing along. My kids liked seeing all the different gifts. Miss P especially liked the spiders and the worms. She also liked the lady's dresses. Every time we turned the page she would exclaim "ooh pretty dress". She likes her dresses, what can I say.

All of us were a bit disappointed at the end when we don't get to see what the gift is that the lady gives the the man. I tried to make it fun by saying "oh, we get to use our imaginations. What do you think she gave?" But the kids weren't buying it. My husband even exclaimed "Laaame!"'

This is a fun book that will definitely get you in the creepy and fun Halloween spirit. Happy Halloween!!

Three Evergreen Nominated Books

Ever since I found out about the Evergreen awards, through the OLA, I get super excited ever January. That is when the nominations for the year come out and I am so excited to read great Canadian literature. I usually don't get through the whole list. Last year and this year I have read about half, and that's not too shabby. Right now you can vote for who you want to win the award. If you go to the Waterloo Public Library's home page there is a button to click that will take you right to the online voting platform. Voting closes next week so make sure you have your say on what book you think was your favourite.

Here are the final three Evergreen nominated books I have read.

from goodreads

Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese
5 stars

Synopsis
When the kid is asked by his dying father, a man he really doesn't know and care for, to be taken out in the woods to die, he learns about himself, his past, and real love.

My Thoughts

This was such a lovely story. This is the second book by Wagamese that I have read and he leaves me in awe every time. There is something about his prose that transports you into a different time and place, so effortlessly, you become enveloped.

I loved how he refers to the different characters as "the old man" and "the kid". In some instances you don't know what the real names are until half way through the story. There is something about that that is just charming and in this story so appropriate. It confirms, in a way, that these are characters who are down to earth and just trying to do their thing and do the best they can with their lives. They are not trying to put on airs.

This story shows the importance of knowing your roots, knowing the stories of those who have gone before. To know where you have come from. This book also shows the perils of loosing yourself and not expressing your fears and sharing your burdens. Often times when we try to be "strong" those are the times when we really are at our weakest. It is strong to share, it is strong to express fear.

To sum up this book I would have to say it is simple, yet breathtaking. It is definitely worth the read.

from goodreads

The Lobster Kings by Alexi Zentner
3 stars

Synopsis

This is a family saga of the Kings family. This is a mix of lobster fishing, drug wars, proving yourself, and mythology all rolled into one story.

My Thoughts

This book was okay. I found the main character, Cordelia, rather annoying and one dimensional. All she seemed to think about was her boat, lobsters, and proving that a woman could do it. I guess it is hard to understand this one dimensional thinking since I don't feel a particular calling or yearning in my life. I also didn't like how Cordelia felt she had to take things into her own hands. There were times, especially the thing at the end, where it was sheer stubbornness and stupidity that she didn't call or wait for back up. She was not only risking her life but those of her crew on the boat and that is just not acceptable. In fact it is kind of selfish.

The story is broken up by talking about art, specifically art done by the first Kings on Loosewood Island. While it was interesting and sometimes tied into the story, at times it was a bit much and the flow of the story was lost. It kind of made the story drag a bit.

I guess this book was sort of like the wild west but in the east and in fishing boats instead of on horses.

At the end of the book it left me feeling kind of meh.

from goodreads

Juliet was a surprise by Bill Gaston
2 stars

Synopsis

This is a collection of short stories.

My Thoughts

This collection was just weird. There were a couple of stories that were okay but for the most part it was just strange and I didn't get it. Strange and weird are not necessarily bad but in this case it was. It left me feeling confused and that I had just wasted my time.

Perhaps it is just the genre. I usually don't read short stories and so maybe that is just the way they are. But, I kinda doubt that.

One thing I did like is how we just got plopped into the middle of someone's life and got to see a snippit of it. There was no need for build up or lengthy explanations. You just kind of went with it.

While this has not turned me off trying out short stories again, I would not recommend this book. It wasn't for me.

The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow by Katherine Woodfine

from goodreads

5 stars

Summer is over and autumn has definitely settled in. I think autumn is one of my favourite seasons to read in. I obviously enjoy reading anytime of year, but there is something about autumn where you can curl up in your favourite chair with a cup of herbal tea and cozy socks that makes reading a pure joy.

My favourite place to read is in my love seat that is in front our big bay window. I get a lovely view of the tree lined street I live on and in the fall it is beautiful with brilliant oranges and yellows. So beautiful.

Synopsis

(I am stealing the synopsis from goodreads because it is just so good.)

You are cordially invited to attend the Grand Opening of Sinclair's department store!

Enter a world of bonbons, hats, perfumes and MYSTERIES around every corner. WONDER at the daring theft of the priceless CLOCKWORK SPARROW! TREMBLE as the most DASTARDLY criminals in London enact their wicked plans! GASP as our bold heroines, Miss Sophie Taylor and Miss Lilian Rose, CRACK CODES, DEVOUR ICED BUNS and vow to bring the villains to justice...

My Thoughts

This book was simply a delight. I was drawn to it because of its gorgeous cover. And this book had everything great heroes, horribly mean villains, deception, street urchins, kidnapping, treason and more.

The backdrop which is almost a character to itself is the Sinclair department store that is about to open. The store is the biggest and fanciest store in all of London. It is full of dark stair cases, opulent show rooms and more. I would love to go there and walk around.

I love the characters. Sophie, who is an orphan, who is used to living more comfortably but is determined to make it. Lilian, who is from a well off family but wants to be an actress. And then a great cast of supporting characters. While the characters were young, young teens, there actions were appropriate. Sometimes books or t.v. shows who have young characters are not realistic in what they have them do (I'm speaking to you Arthur). This book was completely believable, especially given the time the book was set in (pre world war one).

While there were times in the mystery that seemed rather obvious it was still a fun and I would say sophisticated mystery and story. For those who are a bit sensitive there is a drugging, a shooting and an intentional murder. Though it is not gory and doesn't go into detail, it still happens.

I think this is the perfect book for your budding detective. I would recommend it for 11 and up. This is the first book in what is to be a series. I am really looking forward to the next installment.

The Halloween House by Erica Silverman Illustrated by Jon Agee

from goodreads

5 stars

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And it seems to be especially true when it comes to books written for specific holidays. Why reinvent the wheel when you can take something beloved and make a few tweaks to come up with a great holiday tale.

I am definitely one of those people who will take a song and change the lyrics to come up with something to fit the situation. I must say that seems to be a talent all on its own. It can be hard to fit things into the rhythms and rhymes.

So hear to all the original creators of songs and rhymes and stories that allow the rest of us to use our creative juices. We wouldn't be able to do it without you.

Synopsis

Two men on the run from the law decide to hide in a mansion. Yet what they meet there is not what they thought.

My Thoughts

This book is awesome! Not only do my kids love it, but I love it too.

It is a play on the song "Over in the Meadow" and the rhymes fit the song perfectly. I would sing the song but it was still a bit too cheerful for the book so I changed the song to its minor key form and it definitely helped the story become a bit more eerie.

In this Halloween house they meet werewolves, vampires, worms, skeletons, witches and more. The illustrations really helped the story come alive. I loved seeing the scared expressions on the faces of the convicts as they were running from monsters and dancing with skeletons.

I especially love the last picture of the book. I won't tell you what it is but it definitely completes the book.

If you are looking for a fun book to get you into the Halloween spirit this definitely is the book. It was such a delight.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

from goodreads

4 stars

Growing up I watched a lot of movies from the 40s, 50s and early 60s. I love them! Black and white, technicolour, musicals, film noirs, I watched them all. I especially loved and still love Alfred Hitchcock. Like seriously, how could you not.

Some of my favourites aren't his most popular but they are still great, such as The Trouble with Harry and To Catch a Thief.

I know when I was young I saw Rebecca, but I didn't remember much if anything of the story line or anything. All I remembered is that the housekeeper was creepy. Now that I have finished the book I think I am going to have to rewatch the movie. Perhaps a Hitchcock marathon is in order.

Synopsis

After a whirlwind engagement and marriage our narrator arrives at the home of his husband, Manderly. Once there the presence of his first wife, Rebecca, can be felt everywhere in an almost oppressive shadow.

My Thoughts

This was a confusing read, but ultimately I really liked. It seemed to have me go through a bit of an emotional roller coaster with me going from feelings of indifference, to exasperation, to anger, to relief, to sorrow, to hope.

The settings were great and you could picture things to clearly. I don't know if it is because of the style or if because I have seen the Hitchcock movie version before but I pictured the scenes of the book in black and white.

For most of the book I felt so sorry for the narrator. Here she was this young, innocent, inexperienced girl who was not sure of herself or her new station in life. She really needed her husband to be a bit of a mentor for her and he was not. It bothered me that Maxim, her husband, seem so indifferent and didn't notice how uneasy she was. It also bothered me that she didn't gain gumption to sort herself out and do things her way. Both those points eventually got rectified but it was almost painful to see the narrator go through such sadness and awkwardness.

While the narrator was going through her awkward period the book sort of dragged a bit, but once the boat went ashore the book picked up and was quite exciting and intense.

This book helps to illustrate the importance of not keeping secrets, especially from spouses. It shows the importance of having a belief in your capabilities and not feeling put upon by other people. It can be hard to do but so essential. It is also a book that shows the importance of choosing the correct spouse and not settling for crazy.

This was a great gothic read.

Monster Mash by David Catrow

from goodreads

5 stars

Growing up we were making the transition from records to tapes to cds. My family had a collection of very interesting records. There was a Smurf record, a Muppet compilation, and my favourite one with spooky songs. This was my first interaction with the song Monster Mash. You cannot hear that song with out wanting to do your best 50s dance moves.

Now I get to pass that song on to my own kids, and they like it because it is about monsters and it is just fun. While listening to a cleaned up sound version isn't quite as nostalgic as listening to a scratchy record, this song still brings me a lot of joy and usually kicks off a dance party.

Synopsis

Illustrator David Catrow takes the beloved song Monster Mash and brings it to life through his fun illustrations.

My Thoughts

This book was so much fun. Nothing is better than trying to make your spookiest voice while reading it. My husband is the champ. He is so good at spooky accents.

When we got it out I wasn't sure what to expect. I didn't know it was going to be the song Monster Mash. I was thinking they were going to try create monsters in a mashup or something. So when my oldest kept singing Monster Mash and then my middle daughter kept asking about the Monster Mash song I was a bit confused and was like what is going on. But then when I finally read the book myself it all clicked together.

This was a great book. The illustrations were just perfect for the song and it got you in the spooky groovy feeling. It was just so much fun.

So if you love the song, you will love the book.

They Left Us Everything by Plum Johnson

from goodreads

4 stars

While I am fairly youngish, 32, my parents are rather elderly. I was born late in their life as the youngest of six children. While my parents probably have quite a while to live, as some of my grandparents lived to be quite old, their mortality is still present in my mind.

While they are still doing well for their age they are definitely starting to slow down, be more cautious and need more help. Their memory is slowly going and they just aren't as with it as they once were, which I am not as patient about as I should be.

When they finally move from their house, or when they pass on, I am not looking forward to going through their stuff. My mom, more than my dad, is a collector of things. They aren't even particularly nice things or collectible things. It is just stuff. Walking into her house is sort of like walking into a community yard sale. And you know what, if that makes her happy I'm all for it. Unfortunately going through the stuff will be quite another thing. While most things will be donated or discarded we will still need to sift through everything as it is all sort of jumbled together. Really, who knows what kind of treasures we will find.

At least I have the comfort in knowing that when that time comes I won't be tackling it myself. I have other siblings who are as capable of moving stuff around as I am. It can be a team effort and not a solo expedition.

Synopsis

Plum Johnson has been looking after her parents for years. When her mother passes away she is filled with a sense of relief and yet has guilt as well. She decides to tackle clearing out her parents house and while doing so confronts her own conflicted feelings.

My Thoughts

This is a book that everyone caught in the sandwich generation should read. It is a mix of family history meets antiques meets therapy. She is fairly candid about her feelings, about her struggles with her parents, especially her mother, and her desires for her children. She shows the process of going through what parents leave behind and dealing with the estate.

I like how she touches on the subject of not really knowing someone, in this case a parent, until they are gone. As she read her mothers diaries she discovered her mothers fears, hopes and ambitions. I think it is this late discovery of how her mother truly felt about her that made the author long for more time with her parents, even though when her mother was still living it was hard too. The only people we really know are ourselves. When we see the outward shell of those around us it is hard to know if it is an act or them. We don't know what they are thinking or what makes them tick. Her mothers diaries and letters helped this author know more about her parents and in turn her own life.

It was also interesting to see how the actual things were dealt with. Somethings were heirlooms, or antiques or something not intrinsically valuable, yet it seems those less valuable items were what held the most sentimentality.

There were times when the story line of her time emptying her parents house got a bit lost and a bit overshadowed. She would often start talking about the life her parents lived, which, while interesting, isn't why I wanted to read the book. I was more interested in what Plum was going through than the history of her parents.

Over all it was an enjoyable read, one that I can definitely identify with.