Goodreads
Title: Canada
Author: Richard Ford
Published: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2012
BACK COVER
First, I’ll tell about the robbery our parents committed.
Then about the murders, which happened later.
It was more bad instincts and bad luck that lead to Dell Parsons’ parents robbing a bank. They weren’t reckless people, but in an instant, their actions alter fifteen-year-old Dell’s sense of normal life forever. In the days that follow, he is saved before the authorities think to arrive. Driving across Montana, his life hurtles towards the unknown; a hotel in a deserted town, the violent and enigmatic Arthur Remlinger, and towards Canada itself. But, as Dell discovers, in this new world of secrets and upheaval, he is not the only one whose past lies on the other side of the border.
MY THOUGHTS
I’ve just re-read over the blurb of this book, wondering if I got confused, trying to correlate this with the book I read. The more I read the blurb, the more I can pick out what parts of the book are being referred to, but I struggled with this one. I found the synopsis misleading – but maybe that’s just me, and I was reading into it what I wanted to. The story I was expecting would have been interesting I think. I found the story I got a bit boring. I felt like something would happen, and I’d be like ‘Oh good, this could be interesting, lets explore this’, and that story line would end. Plot re-direct. Then something else would happen. I’m like ‘Oh, OK, so this is what we’re going to focus on’ and then nope, plot change. Happened to me around 4 times. Happening to me now – struggling to focus on the book long enough to write a review!
The whole book was very descriptive. The first half is background – Dell, Berner (twin sister) and their parents, bits and pieces of religion, culture, history, family, Dad’s work, how weird Dad is, Dad’s research into the best plan for robbing a bank, Berner’s boyfriend. Was good background, except for the fact that once the background is over and Mum and Dad rob the bank, the story changes. We have no more need for most of the back ground. The second half of the book is solely Dell’s story. Most of the background was build up to… nothing.
I think basically I don’t like descriptive books if there’s little or no action. I need a bit more happening to keep me interested. I will say this, the writing was good, it was easy to read, I just didn’t really want to pick it up so it took me a while to read. It’s great if you like description, but I’d read great chunks and not remember what I’ve read, but have no real ambition to go back and re-read to find out. I was the only one at book club that had actually finished it. One was about halfway through and persisting, and another had given up halfway. Reasoning was – bored, nothing happening, wasn’t sure where it was going. There was questions about Berner’s life – my friend asked as there was some set up there with her and her boyfriend Rudy, but there was very little resolution of that. I thought there was some perfunctory answers, but I felt like they were a bit of an after thought, sort of like she’d been forgotten about but Ford remembered her at the last minute and thought ‘oh, cripes, should put something in there about what happens to Berner.’
So not a win for me – or the rest of the book club girls. Oh well.
Next up for June: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
This is a monthly post done at the beginning of each month to quickly recap what I’ve read through the previous month – and I’m running very late with this one!
April – So I didn’t do as well in numbers this month, I think due to what I was reading. Dragonfly in Amber was excellent, but long. The Scarlet Pimpernel took me FOREVER – I’ve been chipping away at it for months. And London Call Girl was… I didn’t like it. So I didn’t want to put the time in and read it. But oh well. My aim is to whip through a few quick reads for a bit now, I’ve hit my dense/long limit for a little while!
READ
- Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
- Raisins and Almonds by Kerry Greenwood
- Further Adventures of a London Call Girl by Belle de Jour
- The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy
- Canada by Richard Ford
Goodreads Challenge Update – 27/100
CURRENTLY READING
- So Much For That by Lionel Shriver
- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
BOOK CLUB READ
- April – Canada by Richard Ford
How was your April?
Goodreads
Title: We Need to Talk About Kevin
Author: Lionel Shriver
Published: The Perseus Books Group, Counterpoint,2003
The Text Publishing Company, 2006 (my copy)
BACK COVER
Two years ago, Eva Khatchadourian’s son, Kevin, murdered seven of his fellow high-school students, a cafeteria worker and a popular algebra teacher. Now, in a series of letters to her absent husband, Eva recounts the story of how Kevin came to be Kevin.
Fearing that her own shortcomings may have shaped what her son has become, she confesses to a deep, long-standing ambivalence about both motherhood in general and Kevin in particular. How much is her fault? When did it all start to go wrong?
Or was it, in fact, ever ‘right’ at all?
MY THOUGHTS – OF BOOK AND MOVIE
I am always hesitant to see any movie made from a book that I like – it usually ends badly with me disappointed about the movie, and looking differently at the book. It to taint my opinion – I feel like if I don’t enjoy the movie, I have to question whether I really liked the book. Irrational, yes, but still.
“We Need to Talk About Kevin” is a book that I’ve actually read a couple of times (not too many books make that list – there are so many exciting new stories out there!). Luckily, the most recent reading wasn’t that recent – maybe 12 months ago. This means that I can overlook (or more likely – not notice) small differences between the book and the movie.
The Book: Hit me like a ton of bricks. Well, the ending did, anyways. And that’s all the spoiler you’ll find here. We know from the start that Kevin shot up the school. That’s no secret. The book is written in Eva’s letters to Franklin, her husband, in the wake of the shooting. It’s a mix between current thoughts – Eva visiting Kevin in prison, and Eva flashing back and re-visiting Kevin’s entire life, from event to event. My opinion? Creepy kid. Something wrong with him right from the start. But what do you do, when it’s your child? How do you see the total sociopath in your own son? It’s interesting though, Eva always felt this. Franklin doesn’t see it. {side note – I don’t have children. I’m just imagining that it must be incredibly difficult and painful.}
The Movie: The big things were there. The plot wasn’t played with. Obviously to take a 450+ page book and turn it into a 2 hour movie there needs to be some concessions. My opinion is that one of these concessions was the depth of the relationship between Kevin and his sister Celia, and all that he did to her. On the whole, I really quite enjoyed the movie. I thought it was very well cast – Tilda Swinton was the perfect Eva, and that evil little toddler! So good it was almost creepy. I thought they could have developed Franklin’s character a little more, and played more on the wedge that Kevin drove through Eva and Franklin’s relationship. Because of these little intricacies, I would very much recommend you read the book before seeing the movie. You will get the themes out of the film, but you’ll definitely understand them much more fully having read the book.
I thought the book was very well written, and this translated into a very disturbing movie. My friend said it best – “I’ve never been so put off having children”. So there you have it people, this movie is great contraception.
This is a crazy good book club book – we got some great discussion especially with a mix of parents and non parents. My copy had a list of book club questions in the back also, which can be useful.
What is your opinion on books into movies? Any hits or misses that stand out in your memory?
Today I want to discuss difficult books, and what we all do when we come across them!
As I’m sure all of you can relate to, I have misjudged books in the past. Thinking I will love something based on reviews, or recommendations, or the blurb, but once I start reading, finding myself in Struggle Town. However, I’m usually determined to get through it. It takes a lot for me to put a book down without finishing it, which I must admit, can get painful at times. I can count on one hand the books I’ve started and not finished. And not for want of trying. There are also a small number of books that I’ve started and am YET to finish. Ones that I am determined to persist with. So I guess you could say that I’m currently reading about 5 books… some are just taking longer than others!!
Two books that I never plan to even think about again (after this post, of course 
) are the second Bridget Jones’ Diary – The Edge of Reason, and The Children’s Book by A. S. Byatt. I lost patience with Bridget Jones. I didn’t like the first book, so really have no idea why I even picked up the second. Actually didn’t get very far in before giving up. The Children’s Book, I tried, I swear. So hard. I finally conceded that I had to give up when I had chewed my way through almost 200 pages of the 700-odd pages (and this much took me a month), and realised that I had absolutely NO CLUE what I had read. Other than that there were children in it. Sigh.
Apparently that lyrical style of writing confuses my brain. I’m led to believe these types of books are easier to understand if read aloud, but that looks (and sounds) slightly odd on a crowded train, and takes for-freaking-ever. So I – grudgingly – gave up. I find it incredibly difficult to stop reading a book, even if once I get to the end my thoughts are solely “Well there’s 2 hours/days/decades of my life I’m never getting back.” I suppose I feel I have to give it every chance to prove itself. Not entirely sure why though, it’s not like I enjoy those particular books very much!
A couple that I’ve struggled but persisted through are 1984, and Cloudstreet. One that I’ve finished, and one that I’ve yet to – but am still planning on. 1984 took 5 tries, and about 3 years, but the sense of satisfaction I had once I closed that final page was amazing. Cloudstreet I powered through the first half, then something interrupted me, and I never got back to it. Note to self: must have another go…
Why do I continue to do it to myself? Oh yeah. I (mostly) enjoy it. Give me a good book and a decent coffee and I’m set. Tim Tams don’t go astray either. But I digress. Silence or the iPod on shuffle and you’ve got my perfect Saturday afternoon. I know I’m completely hooked when it takes physical violence to get my attention.
Anyway – back to the topic at hand. I tend to mostly find the books I struggle to finish through book club, we have an eclectic mix of girls and book preferences! One example is Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates by Tom Robbins. The first one ever that I hadn’t completed by meeting time. Oops. It took up over a month of my life, but I was DETERMINED to finish it, probably due to the fact that it is a friends absolute favourite book. And also, I enjoyed the story – it’s definitely different to what I usually read - but I was Mayor of Struggletown trying to cope with the writing. It is roundabout, lyrical, and difficult for me to follow.
What do you do with books that are difficult to read? Do you DNF? Or persist through the pain?
Goodreads
Title: A Song in the Daylight
Author: Paullina Simons
Harper Collins Publishers, 2009
BACK COVER
Nothing is what it seems…
Larissa Stark has a wonderful husband, beautiful children and a home she cherishes. Bus sometimes, having it all just isn’t enough. A chance encounter with a stranger changes her idyllic existence forever, leading her to question all the things she once believed were true. Irresistible passion drives her to contemplate the unthinkable. But if she dares to make the impossible leap, what will her life be then? Whatever choice she makes, someone will be betrayed…
A Song in the Daylight is an unforgettable story of the bonds that unite us and the desires that drive us apart.
MY THOUGHTS
I read this epic, almost 800 page book by Paullina Simons after reading a few reviews for this book, not many of them particularly good. After finishing it and contemplating things, I realised that I liked the fact that I didn’t love Larissa. Too many books have that ‘perfect’ central character, while all those around her are flawed.
Larissa Stark had the perfect life. 3 children, loving husband, money. Through what you might call a twist of fate (or, you know, the plot) she meets a young man. And she then proceeds to make conscious choices that will change the course of her life and the lives of her family.
As she begins spending more and more time with her young lover, her life falls by the wayside. She loses touch with her lifelong best friend, and her current friendships lose their shine. After a couple of close calls and over a year of hiding what she has become from her family, she leaves.
I liked the ending. I am glad that things ended the way they did. Life isn’t perfect, people aren’t perfect, and tying it all up neatly would have felt fake. I did find this book had some similarities to “Tully”.
As with her previous books, Simons delivers. Her writing is clean, her language is simple, and the story easy to read. She pushes your buttons, ensuring that – love the book or hate it – you have to finish it, and you’ll definitely have an opinion!
Have you read this? Have you read any other books by Paullina Simons? Which are your favourites?
Goodreads
Title: Me Before You
Author: Jojo Moyes
Penguin Books, 2012
Back Cover
Lou Clark knows lots of things
She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.
What Lou doesn’t know is she’s about to lose her job or that knowing what’s coming is what keeps her sane.
Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now, and he knows exactly how he’s going to put a stop to that.
What Will doesn’t know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they’re going to change the other for all time.
MY THOUGHTS
When Lou loses her job at the Buttered Bun, she needs to find another one, and quickly. Her family depends on her. And totally take advantage of her, all the time. But anyways. So she ends up working for Will Traynor, formerly very active driver in life’s fast lane. The fast lane, however, was not kind, and an accident on his motorcycle robbed Will of not only the use of all 4 of his limbs, but also of the desire to live. So, employed by Will’s mother, Lou starts working with Will, trying to lift his spirits and get him to see that life is worth living. He has a nurse, so *all* Lou has to do is cheer him up. Harder than you might think.
Over the course of their friendship developing, they both learn a lot about themselves. And to be honest, they taught me a few things along the way as well. I don’t want to say too much about the details, but there are some big issues discussed in this book. It will make you think long and hard, and presents things from different perspectives. I really enjoy Jojo Moyes writing – this was the first of hers I’ve read but I may have purchased a few (read: all) of her others and am loving them.
This book is amazing. Everyone I know who has read it has loved it, and I’ve read stacks of glowing reviews. Do yourself a favour and read this one! It’s going into my top ten favourites, possibly of all time. I just LOVED it, and I’m willing to bet you will too. Do yourself a favour and read this one.
Goodreads
Title: Past the Shallows
Author: Favel Parrett
Hachette Australia, 2011
KOBO EBOOKS OVERVIEW
Everyone loves Harry. Everyone except his father. Three brothers, Joe, Miles and Harry, are growing up with their father on the remote south coast of Tasmania. The brothers’ lives are shaped by their father’s moods – like the ocean he fishes, he is wild and unpredictable. He is a bitter man, warped by a devastating secret. Miles tries his best to watch out for Harry, the youngest, but he can’t be there all the time. Often alone, Harry finds joy in the small treasures he discovers, in shark eggs and cuttlefish bones. In a kelpie pup, a big mug of Milo, and a secret friendship with a mysterious neighbour. But sometimes small treasures, or a brother’s love, are not enough.
MY THOUGHTS
Gosh, I read this twice – partly because I was gobsmacked, and partly because sometimes I struggle with ebooks, and I think I will absolutely be reading it again. It was definitely a quick and easy read, but there’s just… so much there. It’s such a simple story, about Harry, his family, his friends and his life, but there’s such… struggle… there.
It’s a sad life, and there is a lot below the surface that isn’t spoken about – with Harry’s dad, with Joe. The town knows, and many people try to look out for Harry. He befriends his neighbour, his brother Miles tries to look out for him, his friend and his friends mum look after him, but is it enough? I don’t want to say too much about this book – it’s really quite a simple plot with many facets and depths explored.
This is Parrett’s first novel, and it’s a kicker. The writing is simple and beautiful, though the subject matter ends up being quite deep and heavy.
Conversation about this one was minimal – only myself and another read it. This has been kind of the theme lately. Might need to advertise for new members!! However it’s always good to catch up with friends and have a gossip session, and I always read the book. It’s good as it means I read stuff I wouldn’t pick up normally, although it was me that nominated this one. Regarding Past the Shallows, we both really enjoyed it though, and found it somewhat deceptively easy to read. It will stay with me for quite a while though.
How about you? Have you read Past the Shallows? Do you like debut novels?
