War and the Works of J.R.R. Tolkien by Janet Brennan Croft Having participated in the First World War, and having seen two of his sons serve in the Second, Tolkien was concerned with many of the same themes that interested other writers in the post-war period. The rhythm of war flows through his writings, but his own interpretation of the themes, symbols, and motifs of war, however, were influenced by his […]
![The Last One by Alexandra Oliva [Family Reads]](https://i0.wp.com/fallingletters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Family2Breads2Bsmall.png?resize=245%2C150&ssl=1)
Born out of a desire to get a family of book lovers to connect more over what they’re reading, Family Reads is an occasional feature where my mom, dad or sister and I read and discuss a book. Why we chose Alexandra Oliva’s The Last One We had both independently seen it at Chapters and found the mash up of a reality TV survival show with an actual dystopia happening beyond […]
Here are two books I would have loved as a kid. They would have been an appreciated change from the unicorn fantasy books I devoured. Wednesdays in the Tower (Castle Glower #2) by Jessica Day George Strange things are afoot in Castle Glower: new rooms, corridors, and even stables keep arriving, even when they aren’t needed. Celie’s brother Bran, the new Royal Wizard, has his hands full cataloguing an entire […]
![Books I Didn’t Get to in 2017 [Top 10 Tuesday]](https://i0.wp.com/fallingletters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/top-10-tuesday.jpg?resize=245%2C150&ssl=1)
I did this TTT last year so I thought I’d give it a go again this year (especially as this is the last TTT hosted by The Broke and Bookish!). I ended up reading 6/10 of the books on last year’s list. I’ll aim to read at least 7/9 of these books in the upcoming year. A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee – I had this one […]
![A Delightful Early Chapter Book: Yours Sincerely, Giraffe [Review]](https://i0.wp.com/fallingletters.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/yours-sincerely-giraffe-216x300.jpg?resize=245%2C150&ssl=1)
Yours Sincerely, Giraffe written by Megumi Iwasa and illustrated by Jun Takabatake Format/Source: Hardcover/library Published: March 2017 (Originally published 2011 in Japan) Publisher: Gecko Press Length: 104 pages Genre: Speculative fiction – early chapter book ★★★★½ I came across this wonderful little book while browsing new children’s books at the library. The discovery made me fondly recall those days when library browsing was my primary way of finding hidden […]