This is my, "Christmas in July" book. What a treat reading a Christmas story right smack in the middle of a heatwave This is my, "Christmas in July" book. What a treat reading a Christmas story right smack in the middle of a heatwave ...more
I liked the suspense a lot! It catches you from the start. I appreciated the short chapters and her writing style flows well and is easy to read. JustI liked the suspense a lot! It catches you from the start. I appreciated the short chapters and her writing style flows well and is easy to read. Just the way I like it!
It definitely grabs you from the beginning. Wren Fern runs a secluded Women's shelter. There's a rackety clackety bridge that one must cross in order to get to Willow's Home. From the window at night Wren hears a truck go over the bridge and stops. There are no planned visitors. Wren must keep the women safe from intruders and possibly any partners looking for them. Can she keep herself safe too? The suspense was built early from the start. After the truck lingers for some time it leaves. A short time later another car appears with a couple inside and the woman appears to be hurt. Can Wren help her stay safe? With all these happenings the story starts to form. We begin to learn Wren's backstory and the women's stories. Another thing about Wren is she has a "gift" that's been passed down from her Grandmother. When she smells what she calls funeral flowers death is imminent. She smells the flowers that night.
I like that this book was unique. It's a Mystery/Thriller that touches on the heavy subject of Domestic Abuse. With all this add in a wee dash of mystical realism and a wee dash of very subtle romance and you've got a book that keeps you turning those pages quickly. Kudos to my Goodreads and Bookstagram friend and ...more
We are getting more snow today so I pulled out one more book from the basement storage bins!
This was another favourite pick in the winter for my DaycaWe are getting more snow today so I pulled out one more book from the basement storage bins!
This was another favourite pick in the winter for my Daycare children and subsequently later on with my own as well. It was originally published in 1985. The author was born in New York City but became a Canadian citizen in 1973 so I think we can both claim him ...more
I've chosen a Personal Reading Challenge close to my heart this year. I'm going to try to read and highlight TEN popular Canadian books. This is my fiI've chosen a Personal Reading Challenge close to my heart this year. I'm going to try to read and highlight TEN popular Canadian books. This is my first one.
This book was first published in 1974. It won the, "Book of the Year Award" in 1975 by the Canadian Library Association. It's a Canadian Children's classic. A fun and silly collection of poetry by Dennis Lee. The poems mention many cities, and locations all across Canada. Lots of mentions of hockey and a Prime Minister too! Probably one of the most famous short poems is, "Willoughby Walloughby Woo" that was later made famous as a song by the popular Canadian Children's performer, Raffi. Just take a look at that awesome cover too! Little children everywhere will delight with these bouncy and silly rhymes....more
A beautiful picture book that was originally published in 2004 and is very popular in Canadian schools. It helps to explain Remembrance Day and the syA beautiful picture book that was originally published in 2004 and is very popular in Canadian schools. It helps to explain Remembrance Day and the symbol of the poppy to the very young.
The words are simple but heartfelt. The book contains the ever-popular poem, "In Flanders Fields" by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae who was a Canadian soldier who fought in the First World War. This poem is read at every Remembrance Day ceremony across Canada.
The pictures in the book are by an award-winning illustrator and are bright and crisp.
There are additional notes after the story with much information about the poppy and how Remembrance Day is commemorated in Canada. It's a wonderful book to share with children in a school or home setting to help them understand about the day.
I will wear my poppy with pride and respect. Lest we forget ✚...more
This is the second novel in the, "Barry's Bay" series. I enjoyed this one a lot! It feels like a more, "grown-up" novel than the first one, "Every SumThis is the second novel in the, "Barry's Bay" series. I enjoyed this one a lot! It feels like a more, "grown-up" novel than the first one, "Every Summer After" (which I also enjoyed quite a bit.) I loved all the Cottage talk and summer feels. I felt like I was right there enjoying my summer in Barry's Bay along with Alice and Charlie!
Alice goes back to Barry's Bay to help her Grandmother heal from hip surgery. She herself also needs to heal from a recent break-up. Alice fondly remembers one summer she spent in Barry's Bay as a 17 year old with her Grandparents. She recalls eyeing some teenagers in a yellow speedboat and taking a picture of them. Charlie Florek grew up in Barry's Bay but now works in Toronto but is back for the summer. He owns a yellow speedboat. Is he familiar to Alice?
This is a great little summer story perfect for reading on the beach or poolside. This ...more
I wrestled with a 2 or 3 star rating. Honestly, Ms. Atwood is a renowned author and of course it's well written. Just how much did I enjoy this short I wrestled with a 2 or 3 star rating. Honestly, Ms. Atwood is a renowned author and of course it's well written. Just how much did I enjoy this short story? Well, not so much....
The premise sounded fun and I enjoyed all the Toronto locales mentioned. It's a short story so it's hard to really develop or care for the characters. Perhaps, I expected a little more "oomph." I liked the ending. That's all.