Hey Nostradamus! - Douglas Coupland

Not exactly a feel good subject written in the obvious wake of columbine Coupland exhibits his prowess yet again in putting relatable characters into odd situations and pulling it off. A touch of otherworldly and religion covered some interesting ground while the entire story stayed grounded. Mind you the mid novel twist certainly was and set up an odd second last section with desperation meeting voodoo and greed. Maybe not the favourite Coupland it was still a strong piece and a worthwhile, quick read.

6.5

August 2013

Ghost Rider - Neil Peart

Neil Peart's way with words extends beyond the lyric booklet of Rush albums and well into the literary world, as proven with the Ghost Rider. Although at times a difficult read for anyone who has lost anyone (essentially anyone), it is a very candid reveal of a man going through often excruciating grieving and yet persevering. As the miles and motels run together he continues to push the stages of what he is feeling in a respectable tell-all way. Perhaps not the most gripping tale it comes across as entirely authentic, with things to be realized and learned from the experiences of another. The epilogue is a short dose of damn near cheer following the hundreds of pages of gloom but remains respectful and grounded - I suppose as a ray of hope for anyone who has related throughout.

May-July 2013
6

In Cold Blood - Truman Capote

As a genre inventing, or at least defining, work In Cold Blood is a triumph. The level of detail gone into researching, allowing for the story to be presented as a consistently fresh mix of background story, first hand accounts, and real evidence. The structure must have taken some real massaging to come off in the logical and entertaining sequence that flows from beginning to end. The case on its own is somewhat interesting but the details could easily be glossed over; it is the storyteller that really wove a tale. It was interesting, even odd, that he attempted to build pathos for one of the admittedly guilty cold blooded killers but alas he did and nearly succeeded.[Spoiler Alert] The death row section is a little drawn out but considering how drawn out that was in real life I suppose it was actually compact. Altogether it was a very impressive, highly enjoyable read, if not for the dour subject matter but the writing itself.

June 2013
9

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - Jonathan Safran Foer

"Often I get annoyed with books like this (Vonnegut etc.). Granted they raise a few interesting, if impractical ideas and provide a good number of quotes but they seem more of an author's indulgence than a legitimate story deserving of a book."

I wrote that early on through the book and was pleased that the story did settle in and become more of a story than an assortment of sporadic ideas and thoughts. That being said much of what happened in the story irked me for one reason or another. It didn't help that I'd started the movie and found it annoying for many of the same reasons, but even worse because you had to actually watch a kid actor acting grown up as written by an adult. 

The lack of wrapping up in the end could probably have been predicted but was still disappointing after having to persist in finishing the book despite reservations. It's not that it didn't have its moments and endearing qualities, just had many bothersome aspects to offset these. Hey - the creative font and photo inserts were neat.

Apr/May 2013

4

No Logo - Naomi Klein

No Logo takes on branding from a variety of angles and speaks of the (mostly ill) effects that it has on us individually and as societies. It comes across as an attack on the corporation and builds a strong case. Over a decade since publication many of the movements talked about have faded or changed but the basis for them has not likey improved drastically. Often during the book I wished for a current reader to tell me what has come of things, or what the modern equivalent is. Unfortunately the problems are massive and the solutions aren't clear cut so there is little in the way of concrete steps to take, but more some flimsy (and optimistic) hopes for the future. The most lasting information is definitely regarding the exploitation of workers in developing nations to produce cheap merchandise. Utterly appalling. 

Feb/Mar 2013
6.5

How To Be Good - Nick Hornby

There were some truly clever remarks to be found; cutting and incisive reflections on the meaning of life for the middle class. These buoyed the otherwise stretch of a story that included an element of witchcraft requiring the suspension of belief that took away from the validity of the work as a whole. Nick writes from a female's perspective which is believable (at least being read by a man) but the idea as a whole seems somewhat half-baked, especially with the lack of a conclusion in the end. This book seems to be a used book store favourite and that is understandable, meaning the consensus is unanimous that although there are redeeming qualities it is not his best work.

February 2013
5

Work Hard. Be Nice - Jay Matthews

An inspiring read about the sacrifice of two young teachers very devoted to the education of their classrooms of children and doing all that they can to improve their situations. The two founders of the KIPP school are presented as tireless advocates fighting in every way possible for the students. Not a book I would necessarily have been attracted to but one with a great deal to offer, read on recommendation. Interesting that the author is not directly linked to the story but seems to have done his homework and presents many of the interactions through imagined dialogue which lends to the immediacy of the book. Nearing the end a few chapters seemed crammed in to give a balanced view but took away from the flow. Regardless a pleasant surprise of a true story that I would surely pass on to any teacher, or even anyone who needs to increase their determination.

January 2013
7.5