Category: review

Review: The North Water by Ian McGuire

30 January 2016 / review / 2 Comments
Review: The North Water by Ian McGuire

Author: Ian McGuireTitle: The North Water Format/Source: eBook/NetGalley Published: 11 February (UK)/15 March (North America)Publisher: Henry Holt & CompanyLength: 272 pagesGenre: Literary thrillerWhy I Read: Dark whaling taleRead If You: Can stomach graphic, want to try Arctic ‘noir’Rating:  ★★★★ Links: GoodReads | IndieBound | Chapters | Amazon I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. Behold the man: stinking, drunk, and brutal. Henry Drax is a harpooner on […]

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Review: Uprooted by Naomi Novik

22 January 2016 / review / 4 Comments
Review: Uprooted by Naomi Novik

Author: Naomi NovikTitle: UprootedFormat/Source: Hardcover/library Published: May 2015Publisher: Del ReyLength: 435 pagesGenre: FantasyWhy I Read: Intriguing description, pretty cover, strong reviews Read If You: Enjoy magic fantasy set in older daysQuote: “His name tasted of fire and wings, of curling smoke, of subtlety and strength and the rasping whisper of scales. Rating:  ★★★★½ Links: GoodReads | IndieBound | Chapters | Amazon The back of this book features a number of accolades from distinguished […]

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Review: The Evolution of Alice by David A. Robertson

6 January 2016 / review / 3 Comments
Review: The Evolution of Alice by David A. Robertson

Author: David A. Robertson Title: The Evolution of Alice Format/Source: Paperback/library  Published: 2014 Publisher: Highwater Press Length: 203 pages Genre: Indigenous fiction Why I Read: Library browsing Read If You: Like sombre, character-driven stories  Quote: “Sometimes pain needed a quiet place to be, to spread out and get less sharp, I guess.” (25) Rating:★★★★ Links: GoodReads | Chapters | Amazon  This haunting, emotionally resonant story delivers us into the world […]

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Review: The Rights of the Reader by Daniel Pennac

2 December 2015 / review / 1 Comment
Review: The Rights of the Reader by Daniel Pennac

Translator: Sarah ArdizzoneAuthor: Daniel PennacTitle: The Rights of the ReaderFormat/Source: Paperback/library Published: 2006 (English trans.; original 1992)Publisher: Candlewick PressLength: 165 pagesGenre: Non-fictionWhy I Read: Library browsing, relevantRead If You’re: Feeling frustrated with your reading habits Quote: “What makes teaching it so difficult is that reading is ultimately a retreat into silence. (75)” Rating:  ★★★★½ [ratings guide] Links: GoodReads | IndieBound | Chapters | Amazon I discovered this book solely through library browsing. I […]

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Review: The 1918 Shikoku Pilgrimage of Takamure Itsue

30 November 2015 / review / 1 Comment
Review: The 1918 Shikoku Pilgrimage of Takamure Itsue

Translator: Susan TennantTitle: The 1918 Pilgrimage of Takamure Itsue: An English Translation of “Musume Junreiki”Format/Source: Paperback/library Published: 2010Publisher: Bowen PublishingLength: 268 pagesGenre: Non-fiction journal(ism)Why I Read: Personal experienceRead If You’re: Want to/have completed the Shikoku HenroQuote: “So I became elated and thought, ‘If you want to save people, be ambiguous. Ambiguity is obscurity. Obscurity is mystery; mystery excites divine inspiration; divine inspiration creates faith.’” (55).Rating:  ★★★★½ [ratings guide] Links: GoodReads | IndieBound […]

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