CanadianContent discussion

I am finding it hard to believe that we are more than half way through June and that the kids will be out of school very soon! I am looking forward to some down time this summer and perhaps... whittling away at the TBR pile during my holidays (while of course reading towards a completed BINGO card and reading my way across Canada)!

What have you been reading and what is up next?

Good mornin', good mornin'
We've danced the whole night through
Good mornin', good mornin' to you

I finally finished East of Eden last night. What a book! It's now official: I love all things John Steinbeck.

I've been listening to 1984 this week and will probably finish it today. This book, along with The Handmaid's Tale, has been garnering so much attention in the wake of Trump's presidency. It's an interesting novel, but in my view it can't touch The Handmaid's Tale.

All these classics are making me think too much so I started reading Arranged by Catherine McKenzie last night. I think it will be a fun palate cleanser.

Happy Friday, everyone!

This week I finished Madame Zee and Scott Pilgrim, Volume 6: Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour. I've now completed one of my annual goals: to read a series or linked books. :-)

I also read The Death Factory, a novella that precedes a 2300-page thriller/suspense trilogy. Greg Iles is a very popular author down in these parts and he will be at a book festival I'm attending in August. I'm hoping to follow up on this novella and read at least the first book in the trilogy (800 pages!) before the fest.

I'm still reading Ghosts of Mississippi: The Murder of Medgar Evers, the Trials of Byron De LA Beckwith, and the Haunting of the New South. I'm also reading The Animators, which was highly recommended by a friend. This author will also be at the fest in August. I'm not even halfway through this novel and it's already taken two turns I didn't see coming. I'm really enjoying it.

Happy Friday!!
This week I finished A Twist in Time and Wonder. They are both easy reads, just what I need these days. Just started Ragged Company. Hopefully, some of you are reading it too!
Have an amazing weekend!

Hi all! Happy Friday!

I finished two books this week.

First was The Best Laid Plans, which I've owned for years. Pleased to have it finally completed. I enjoyed it, but wow, it was silly in so many ways! Definitely not a serious read. I did about a quarter of the chapters in paper, and the rest by listening to the audio podcasts online, which was kind of neat.

I also read, on @Magdelayne's recommendation, Unf*ck Your Habitat: You're Better Than Your Mess. I whipped through it in a day, as there were many parts that didn't apply to me, so I could skim (extreme/hoarding mess, roommate mess, etc). Ultimately, I confirmed what I already knew -- that my "mess" issues are about too many people with too much stuff. Too many shoes at the door. Too many lunch bags. Too much tupperware, too much laundry, too much paper-clutter... Without giving away any kids, I can't see how I can reduce much of my problem, although I did get a few tips I'll be able to use. If you're looking for a "clean up book," this one is a good, easy one, I think. Thanks, @Magdelayne!

I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to get to Ragged Company (I've even moved it to beside my bed) but I'm slow-going through Minds of Winter, so I'm not sure I will. I'm seeing the author of Minds of Winter on June 29, so I'd really like to get a whack read before then, so this book jumped the queue.

Happy Friday everyone....

I finished London Under: The Secret History Beneath the Streets this week. It's an interesting book, looking at different aspects of the underground of London. There are amazing archeological finds made, rivers encased, the Tube and much more. While this is all interesting, this book skimmed it all. So, while interesting, also skimpy on details. It's a good introduction, though.

I'm currently listening to Hag-Seed and loving it. I highly recommend this.

I've started reading Dead Simple, a crime drama with a terrifying premise. So far, it's a crime novel featuring a detective with "issues" but it's suspenseful waiting to find out what's going to happen.
This book was recommended through a GR discussion. Was it here?

Happy Friday! It's another cold/wet day here in Edmonton.

I finished reading Aloha Candy Hearts for my Canadian mystery square. I really loved the first book in this series, this one not so much.

I read Mennonites Don't Dance. This was a truly beautiful collection of short stories. I grew up with a farming, conservative, religious family, these stories really resonated with me.

I'm about half way through Even this Page is White. This book of poetry hits me in the heart.

Up next is The Right To Be Cold: One Woman's Story of Protecting Her Culture, the Arctic and the Whole Planet. I've been waiting for this book for about 5 months from the library. I admit I'm not 100% looking forward to it based on all the reviews of how the writing is.

@Allison, I have Clutterfree with Kids on hold at the library. It might be more up your alley. I'm hoping that there are some realistic options and ideas in this book for my house!

Petra wrote: "I'm currently listening to Hag-Seed and loving it. I highly recommend this."

I listened to Hag-Seed and I thought the narration was spot on with the tone of the novel. I really enjoyed it and I'm glad you did too!

@Megan -- interesting to see Joshua Becker's book! I used to subscribe to his blog. I don't anymore -- needed to declutter my inbox! -- but I didn't know he had a kid-specific book now. I will check it out!

I finished a few this week so all this week's current reads are mostly just beginning aside from one that I seem to be skipping through rather quickly.

I finished Gold Fever by Vicki Delany (Yukon), Ava Comes Home by Lesley Crewe (NS), Barney's Version by Mordecai Richler (Quebec), and The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. I liked that one and Barney's Version both better than I thought I would by the time I finished them. The first two were quick, easy reads.

Now I'm reading A Jade Peony by Wayson Choy and can use that for Cross Canada (BC), Court of Lions by Jane Johnson (ARC giveaway, historical fiction/modern, so far so good), Gone Astray by Michelle Davies (Netgalley, thriller), The Way Back to Florence by Glenn Haybittle (also Netgalley, historical WWII fiction)

I finished Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy earlier this week. It was a great read. Then I raced through How to Be Human, which was weird and engaging - liked it a lot.

I'm now reading Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening, which is not really my thing, and Homegoing - not far in, but so far so good.

It is always nice to start our Friday mornings with Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺!! Clearly I need to read East of Eden!

@Allison - I am chuckling about your clutter issues... you are in good company. I too have this issue!!! I started 2016 with The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing which was the most ridiculous book ever! It made the author a lot of money but i cannot bring my self to thank my socks or... the horrors.... get rid of books!!!

@Megan - good luck with The Right to Be Cold. there are not many books that I don't finish but this was one! I really wanted to like it though... as it is an important topic.

It has been a slow reading weak for me. I did finish listening to Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action which was a fabulous leadership book and also Island of the Blue Dolphins which was a quick listen which my daughter had read.

I am still reading The Underpainter and Rilla of Ingleside which I hope to get through this weekend. I started listening to Commonwealth today and think that it will be an interesting book to listen to.

Hello all- as always, I had fun going through everyone's lists today. I have a few too many books on the go, cannot decide what my reading tastes are these days. I did recently finish an ARC of an enjoyable short story compilation called The Dead Husband Project. I am currently reading Better Now: Six Big Ideas to Improve Health Care for All Canadians. I had heard about this book on CBC back several months ago and so far it offers some logical solutions to our country's healthcare system. I also jumped on the Paula Hawkins bandwagon and am reading Into the Water- I did enjoy Girl on A Train and am enjoying this one so far too. Wishing everyone sunny skies ahead!

@ Megan - I too really enjoyed Even this Page is White by Vivek Shraya. Thought it was very powerful. Unlike many others I also enjoyed The Right To Be Cold: One Woman's Story of Protecting Her Culture, the Arctic and the Whole Planet. There was a lot of criticism for the book's detail and cries for editing, which I totally understand. Nonetheless, I found the detail interesting as it brought the bureaucracy to life for me and helped me appreciate her advocacy work and struggle. I also felt that Sheila Watt-Cloutier was being respectful to everyone on the journey with her by naming all the names...e.g. giving credit. I remember Candy Palmater on the Canada Reads' debates mentioning that giving background on oneself and others was part of native tradition for oral storytelling - something I didn't know. Her actual book defender had no prepared response for this criticism which could be easily seen coming. I hope you enjoyThe Right To Be Cold: One Woman's Story of Protecting Her Culture, the Arctic and the Whole Planet.

Last week, I read Cool Water by Dianne Warren for an in-person book club and also for Saskatchewan in the Cross Canada Reading Challenge. I liked but didn't love this book of linked short stories. I thought the writing was strong but a bit slow for my taste (perhaps in keeping with the pace of the townspeople and their hard labour). It was definitely filled with what felt like real life and real people in and the descriptions of Juliet, Saskatchewan really gave me a strong sense of the region's locale, lifestyle and geography.

Am about 40% through Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout and am impressed. It's totally different from My Name Is Lucy Barton which was a 4 star book for me. My Name is Lucy Barton is a fictional novel. Anything is Possible is a collection of short stories about people who live in the town where Lucy Barton grew up. Strout's writing is amazing!! So sharp, so smart, sometimes light, sometimes dark. Very talented. Hope the rest keeps up the same high quality.

Ahead, I am looking forward to our book club discussion about Ragged Company. I hope it gets off the ground.

Have some indigenous books in hand to read and have set myself a goal of 3 books June's Indigenous Book Challenge.

Madame Zee and Unf*ck Your Habitat: You're Better Than Your Mess have both piqued my interest in recent threads - down the road. Thanks Susan, Magdelanye and Allison for the suggestions. Thanks ❀ Susan for confirming the negative comments I'd heard about the other decluttering book selling sensation. Looking forward to your review of The Jade Peony Diane - it's been on my possibility list for a long time and am also curious to read your review Emmkay of How to Be Human - sounds a bit like Marian Engel's Bear

Happy Reading All!!

On the computer earlier, spent too much time trying to figure out how to get my bingo card operative. Im not sure i was completely successful, that is, i managed to copy the template but think its on the wrong thread.
Then I entered my last weeks reading, but lost it

@MJ, thank you for your take on The Right To Be Cold: One Woman's Story of Protecting Her Culture, the Arctic and the Whole Planet! I accidentally left it in a drawer at my office, so now I'll have to pick up a different book this weekend and start with that one on Monday.

@ Magdelanye - just smile although I know how frustrating losing info can be. Not to worry about posting this week's readings. What you posted last week would take many of us five weeks!! You're such a voracious reader!!

Your 2017 Bingo Plans should be posted under 2017 Bingo Completion Plans (didn't see it there.) Email me if I can help. Am around for a bit tonight but tied up for the weekend with other stuff in town but available from Monday on.

@Mj Not having too much luck with Friday Spine Crackers. At least my last message posted tho i wasnt quite finished. @Mj...my bad, i believe my bingo template is under bingo links. Not to worry about it tonight it can wait a bit more. Have an enjoyable weekend!
Just have to mention last weeks highlights...5 stars to Nostalgia and the Lonely Hearts Hotel. Heather O has done it again with a black fairy tale for modern times. How can something so bleak be so charming?
Have just begun the nightingale wont let you sleep by Steven Heighton which is indicating im on a 5 star roll.
Glad people are liking Unfuck your habitat. It written for real people with real messes. Must say i got a kick out of Marie K. even tho she is so yuppy in her approsch and knows zich about the joy of owning books. i have no problem thanking my socks :-)

@ Magdelanye - I'm chuckling. You're such a treat!! Can just picture you thanking your socks. Have a great weekend yourself!!

Am I correct in thinking next week will mark one year of our Friday Spine Crackers?

Yes! I would not have realized if you hadn't mentioned it but it was started June 27th. Thanks to @Natasha for the great name of this thread!!! This past year has certainly inspired me to add A LOT more books to my TBR list!!!!

I thought it was around the end of June this group really took off. What a great year it's been. Thanks to each and every one of you for the inspiration to read more Canadian!

Oh wow! Nice job everyone! It's such a nice group to be a part of. Thank you to you all!

Hey everyone, hubby and I were away on vacation to Cape Cod the past week, just home yesterday (after spending the night in the Toronto Airport because our Friday flight home was cancelled)

I didn't manage to get all the books I brought along read, but I did hit my 10,000 steps on my fitbit every day.

What I did get through was
The Sellout I must say, although I didn't have any expectations going in, I did not like this book that much. It has some very good parts, but the satirical black humour was really uncomfortable to listen too. Perhaps that is what the author had in mind? trying to make the reader uncomfortable.

Fifth Business-I can't believe it took me until now to read a Robertson Davis novel. I really enjoyed this, and will be definitely reading more from him.

Minister Without Portfolio This was one of the past Canada Read books that I have been trying to catch up on. This is a really well written book, but I can see why it did not do too well during the debates, as the main character is not very sympathetic.

Nice to be home again so I can catch up with everything happening here in the group and on Goodreads in general.

Congrats on the daily 10,000 steps @Heather(Gibby). Vacations are great for that, which seems odd since they're supposed to be relaxing!

Hi Everyone!

I recently finished Pachinko by Min Jin Lee and I really liked it. I didn't love the last third of it as much, but I think it is because she introduced a character I disliked intensely. I really enjoyed the first two thirds. If you like sweeping family dramas, this is a good one.

I'm in the middle of 2 books right now, Canada which I am iffy on so far... and The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundati Roy. I loved her first book, and am just about a third into this one. It is gritty and an interesting blend of hope and despair.

It is summer and so much of my spare time often dedicated to reading is spent in the garden. I love my garden. I love my books. I love summer. :o)

Thanks for everyone's updates, I love seeing what people are thinking about their books.

Cynthia