Just four more days until it’s ‘officially’ spring in Canada. I must confess, I spent much of early March huddled by my fireplace reading, writing, and watching the snow fall on Vancouver Island. Although the snow in March is just plain wrong, the cold weather allowed me to enjoy some amazing books.
Jane Austen
emma
My classification: 4.5
Goodread rating:4.04
Rating on Amazon:4.5
Pages: 464 (13 hours on audible).
It has been said that Jane Austen suspected that no one but herself would like her heroine, Emma Woodhouse. To this, I quietly raise my hand and say that I like it. Yes, Emma has flaws. Yes, she is spoiled and vain. And yes, she has an undeniable penchant for manipulation.
But we can witness how he struggles with his mistakes and his careless treatment towards others. Her agony is so vividly drawn that it’s impossible not to feel for her. This novel is wonderfully witty and wickedly funny. It brilliantly displays Austen’s mastery of both character development and her social commentary.
I read Emma with my classic book club, where we finished our readings and discussions by baking something inspired by the book. This time we did ‘Cranachan’.
A Scottish dessert inspired by an English novelist? Yeah! Emma’s father, Mr. Woodhouse, ate little more than oatmeal heated in milk. Also, one of the key scenes took place at a strawberry picking party. Therefore, this was the perfect choice for us. It was an easy recipe that could be made within our time frame. Win win win! (Sue, a member of the book club and co-host of this link, is missing from our photo.)
charles dickens
The cricket in the home
My classification: 4
Goodread rating: 3.45
Rating on Amazon:4.2
Pages: 96 (3 hours on audible).
This has been a very Dickensian month for me. I have started reading Great Expectations with my Classics Bookclub. We read in sections, so I’ll post my full GE review next month. I also continued reading Dickens’ Christmas Novels as part of the challenge organized by Yvette, trent and marsha.
This month I read Crickets on the Hearth, the second of Dicken’s Christmas novels. Despite not making a direct reference to Christmas, it captures the essence of the holiday through themes of family, hope and love united by the central character, a cricket. Often criticized for its sentimentality, I enjoyed this moving story full of magic and fantasy. Still, the final paragraph left me stumped. Who was the narrator? What was the meaning of the characters that vanished into thin air? Was it an expression of the transience of life or just a reminder that this is a fairy tale? If you have any thoughts on this, I’d love to hear them.
If you’d like to join this novella challenge, it’s fun, easy, and time-friendly. You only need to read one of Dickens’s novels (less than 100 pages) between now and June. It’s a great way to connect with Dickens’ writing (without committing to one of his 900+ page novels). And you can meet some fabulous new people along the way!
jessie burton
the muse
My classification: 4
Goodread rating: 3.85
Rating on Amazon:4.3
Pages: 417 (13 hours, 20 minutes on Audible)
The Muse weaves together two stories: one set in Spain in 1936, the other in London more than thirty years later. Burton’s captivating writing and detailed research brought this historical fiction to life. Despite some predictable moments, he never wanted to put the book down.
Annie Proulx
shipping news
My classification: 4
Goodread rating: 3.87
Rating on Amazon:4.3
Pages: 368 (13 hours on Audible).
Proulx’s prose is wonderfully poetic, strikingly fragmented, and brilliantly intertwined with similes and metaphors. His vivid descriptions of the rugged Newfoundland landscape and his quirky characters kept me hooked throughout.
This darkly comic story with supernatural elements was both heartbreaking and moving. Themes of family, community, and redemption were expertly woven together. The sudden but satisfying ending left a strong and lasting impression.
I read The Shipping News as part of my Reel Bookclub (where we read the book and watch the film adaptation). The film version featured an outstanding cast, each of whom was convincing in their roles. I loved the visual impact of the stunning Newfoundland landscape. I was relieved that he stayed true to the book.
During one of my stumbles down the rabbit hole, I read that the author, Annie Proulx, was convinced that the film would be “wicked garbage” and was relieved to discover that it was “an extraordinary piece of cinematography”… “with the character and direction of the book intact.”
The Moosewood Collective
Moosewood restaurant cooks at home
My classification: 4
Goodread rating:4.05
Rating on Amazon:4.6
Pages: 416
This is a delightful book to read from cover to cover. So far, I’ve tried several recipes from this book, including Greek Fish in a Package, Muffin Madness (apple version), and Fudge Brownies.
Each recipe used minimal and simple ingredients, was easy to prepare, and could be prepared in less than 40 minutes. The muffins were pretty basic, but I loved the other dishes I made (and I’ve already made the fish for the second time). I am desperately trying to reduce the number of cookbooks I have (among other things)! Therefore, I predominantly borrow cookbooks from our local library or read recipes online. I borrowed my current copy of this cookbook from a friend. Despite all of the above, I plan to purchase my own copy of one of Moosewood’s cookbooks. That alone says a lot!
joanne tracey
Christmas at Manus Ridge
I had the honor of serving as a beta reader for Joanne Tracey’s ‘Christmas at Manus Ridge’.
Ainsley, who readers previously met in ‘Careful What You Wish For’, is now in the spotlight. She’s made a few mistakes, hits a low point, and has a chance to grow up and redeem herself.
Ainsley is surrounded by a cast of diverse characters, not all of them with the best intentions at heart. This is exactly the kind of book I love to snuggle up to on vacation: beautiful writing, engaging twists and turns, meaningful conclusions, and characters that stick with you long after you’ve finished reading.
Pay attention to this coming Christmas. You won’t be disappointed.
What has been on your shelf?
That: What’s on your bookshelf #whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge
When: Third Thursday PM (Northern Hemisphere)/ Third Friday AM (Southern Hemisphere).
Because: Share the love of reading.
Where: Blog, blog comments, Instagram or other social networks.
WHO: This link is open to everyone.
As: You can share in the comments, with a blog post, or on other social networks of your choice. Include the hashtag #Whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge so we can find you and include your link in our posts.
How has your weather been lately? Infiltrate some good book?
We would love to hear from you.
deb in deb’s world
If that And anyway
Sue in Women Living Well After 50
Donna
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Before retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing, China for fourteen years (high school principal/Deputy Principal of Beijing Western Academy). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope you enjoy reading these reflections and that you are willing to share your own.
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