Mentioning Books (Again...Finally...)

It’s been so long since I’ve reviewed or even mentioned a book on this blog, I should be stripped of the “Books” in BooksEtc.

To remedy this, I’ve made a list of some of the books I’ve read in the past little while. How do I define past little while? Not quite sure but I read on average (at least) two books a week. Some people read more, some less. If you’re in the less category, don’t think I lounge on the sofa all day consuming bon-bons and racy novels. I read quickly, voraciously and watch very little television.

My list includes only those books I enjoyed. I’m excluding any stinkers for the following reasons:

a) if it stunk, I usually don’t finish it (life is too short)
b) I have too much respect for any author who managed to write a book to pan their work


Here goes:

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius (a memoir) - Dave Eggers
(late to the party on this one – loved it)

The Ice Queen – Alice Hoffman
(strange but wonderful – kind of like me...)

Ten Thousand Lovers – Edeet Ravel
(fascinating – and, no, it was not the title that inspired me to read it)

Libra – Don Delillo
(recommended by Cip – excellent and disturbing and it gave me a bad dream)

Shadow of Power – Steve Martini
(I have a weakness for legal thrillers – this one delivered)

Capturing Paris – Katherine Davis
(thank you, Bee, for recommending this one – it was all you said it was)

February Flowers – Fan Wu
(recommended by Seraphine – fascinating – loved it and learned from it)

Red Plaid Shirt - Diane Schoemperlen
(a wonderful book of short stories I carried with me for waiting times in offices, etc. - one should never be without a book…)

Handle With Care – Jodi Picoult
(loved it – enjoy all her novels)

The Road – Cormac McCarthy
(again, late to the party on this one – my recommendation for Book Club – I loved it – others found it depressing or disturbing – made for excellent conversation despite or because of the differing opinions. Mine, of course, was right…)

A Reliable Wife – Robert Goolrick
(gives new meaning to the word “reliable” – one of those “must get back to it asap books” – gave me a glimpse into an unfamiliar and intriguing world)

Mouthing The Words – Camilla Gibb
(described by The National Post as “…a powerful but darkly comic novel.” It was. Loved it.)


There are more but I’ve either given them away and can’t remember the titles at the moment (the perils of reading too much) or I’m too lazy to get up and find the others.

Perhaps these recommendations might assist you in preparing a summer reading list? I’m off to the used book store today with my current “Must Read” list. I get twitchy when there are only two books left in my “To Read” pile.