Review: The Grimoire of Kensington Market, by Lauren B. Davis

The Grimoire of Kensington Market, by Lauren B. Davis

Recorded Books - 2019

Audiobook - 11 Hours, 3 Minutes
Narrated by Linda Jones

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Davis has created a stunning modern day fairy tale based on the classic story The Snow Queen, updated and relevant to today's society. Delicately nuanced and moving, it is a must read for those who love fairy tale retellings.

The Grimoire holds the worlds stories - all the stories. New stories arrive in a twinkle of light, and when the last person to remember a story dies, the book fades away by flame.  Maggie is the proprietor of this magical bookshop and caretaker of the world's tales.

"People didn't wander into The Grimoire, it wasn't that sort of bookshop. People found it by some force even Maggie the proprietor didn't understand. If one was meant to find the shop one did, otherwise it was unnoticeable."

Toronto is in the grips of an drug epidemic. Elysium a drug created by the silver world's Queen Srebrenka is highly addictive, and Srebrenka uses it to lure people into her silver world. While Maggie managed to recover from her addiction and escape Srebrenka's grasp, her brother Kyle has not. Srebrenka tries to lure Maggie back, but Maggie always resists and prevails. But when she receives messages from her brother asking for her help, she is overwhelmed by love and a sense of duty to her brother, and so she sets off into the magical silver world to rescue him. 

I cannot say enough about this wonderful story. A fairy tale for adults - yes, but so much more than that too. It is filled with scenes and quotes to warm a bibliophile's heart 💓. It is fantastical, magical tale of love and survival that parallels the dark horrors of drug addiction in real life - a subject near and dear to the author's heart as she lost her brother to addiction/suicide.  I can't imagine a more beautiful tribute than this exquisite and moving story. 

Narration was provided by Linda Jones who did a wonderful job. She has a lovely warm speaking voice that  was well suited to this story. Good cadence and tone, with very good range of emotion and character.

Happy Reading,

Christine

Review: The Baggage Handler, by David Rawlings

The Baggage Handler, by David Rawlings

Thomas Nelson - Available March 5, 2019

Page count: 240

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for providing this digital review copy in exchange of an honest review. Opinions are my own.

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐1/2

Short and sweet.

This book was a quick read. At only 240 pages, it didn't take a lot of time to finish. Even though it was short, it successfully completes its mission of reminding the reader to take a personal inventory of any forgotten items packed in our personal "baggage". You know what I'm  talking about. We all have personal baggage we carry around.

I found this book to rest on the border between "spiritual" and "religious". I am not a religious person, but i do consider myself to be spiritual.  "When I do good I feel good, when I do bad, I feel bad. that is my religion" - a quote attributed Abraham Lincoln, which pretty much sums up my view in that respect. The way the book was written allows for the reader to decide whether to interpret it from a religious angle, or a more generic, spiritual one. 

I also found that the book hovers between magical realism and self help.  The themes and messages contained within were not at all disguised. There are no big surprises here. The book was predictable, but as the reader, I didn't mind.  It had a feel-good quality to it, and the themes were ones that I think we often become complacent towards, so the reminders wrapped up in this brief little book were still welcome. 

This book was a short but pleasant read.

Happy Reading,

Christine

Sunday Summary - January 20 - 26, 2019

Happy Family Literacy Day! 

Yesterday I took my son on our regular trip to the library.  While I was there, I remembered a time when you could not take out library books if you owed late fines.  Those days are gone now (at least here), and I am glad for that, for some families might have problems paying those fines, even though they are usually small. I never mind paying my fines, I always feel that it goes to a good cause, and it is never very much. The thing is, now that they don't deny privileges for people who owe fines, I honestly don't know half the time how much - if any I owe.  But yesterday, my library was donating any fines paid to literacy programs in honor of Family Literacy Day today.  I made a point of asking if I owed, and paying my fine in person instead of online (where I might forget).  It felt even better to pay my library fines than it normally does 😊

Welcome to my Sunday Summary.  A look back on my bookish adventures for the week.


Despite the weather being its coldest all winter, we are starting to see the promise of spring.  The sun is rising a little earlier in the morning, and staying a little later in the evening. My poor frozen heart is leaping for joy at these tiny signs of warmer days ahead. Until then, I will take joy whenever time allows me, to cozy up on the couch with a blanket, a hot cup of tea, and a good book!

Books Reviewed:

I posted reviews for three books this week. 

Dont' Wake Up, by Liz Lawler.- This is a psychological thriller with a sinister plot.  You can read my review HERE.

The Au Pair, by Emma Rous - My review of this Thriller with a base of family dram can be found in THIS POST. 

i deviated from my more usual genres (which happens once in a while)  and reviewed this non-fiction expose of for-profit prisons  HERE.

Ramblings and Miscellany:

Advance Reading Copy (ARC) Books Previously Reviewed and Released this Week:

Nothing this week, but there are many books coming up soon! 
 

Currently Reading and Notable Titles on Deck:

I have finished reading The Baggage Handler, by David Rawlings.  Review to be posted soon

I am currently reading House on Fire, by Bonnie Kistler, and I am currently listening to The Grimoire of Kensington Market, by Lauren Davis.

Next on deck....I am so excited.....

I can't even....

My most anticipated read (so far at least) of 2019...

The Binding by Bridget Collins!!!!  My husband and son may have to fend for themselves once I start that one!


I hope you have a book you are excited about.

Happy Reading,
Christine

American Prison, by Shane Bauer

American Prison, by Shane Bauer

Penguin Audio 2018

Audiobook - 10 Hours 25 minutes
Narrated by James Fouhey
Non-Fiction 

 




My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

An eye opening exposé into the workings if the for-profit prison system.

Shane Bauer is an investigative journalist for Mother Jones Magazine.  in 2014, he decided to go undercover in a privately run for-profit prison. He applied for and was awarded a job as a correctional officer for CCA's - or Corrections Corporation of America's facility in Winnfield Louisiana 

When applying for the job, he used his real name. The fact that that he was hired and they didn't realize he was a reporter, tells you what the company's policy on background checks really is. Bauer spent four months undercover - stealthily taking meticulous notes and recording his experiences. Using the first hand information he obtains through his role as a correctional officer working in a modern privately run prison, Bauer gives readers a glimpse into the workings of the prison and the corporation running it.  Bauer documents everything from prisoner neglect, abuse, poor maintenance, security breaches - you name it. 

Along with that, he provides a detailed and well researched history of prison's for profit in America and how it evolved out from slavery.

As a Canadian, much of the political and historical information provided in this book were "out of scope" for me when it comes to issues of government. I still found it very interesting as I have always had a fascination with criminal reform and corrections. I read this more out of interest about the sub-culture of the guards and prisoners. 

This is an enlightening and thought provoking book.  For those that would like to read the highlights, Bauer's magazine article based on this experience is on the Mother Jones website. 

Narration was clear and with good cadence and tone.  .

Additional Notes:

Canada does not currently have any privately run for-profit prisons.  Historically there have been two such detention centres run for-profit in Canada.  Both were run by big names in American prison-for-profit circles. 

One, a maximum security prison was run for-profit from 2001 to 2006 when the contract ended and it reverted to government control. It was compared to a nearly identical and nearby federally run facility, and it was found to be inefficient, as well as the publicly run facility had better outcomes. 

The other was a youth detention centre. The company that was running that facility was removed from day to day operations amid protests against them. Since they had financed and built the facility, when they left they were were able to keep a maintenance only contract on top of a hefty lease payment to them from the Canadian Government. 

Just to be clear, Canada has its own issues with prison reform, I am not saying otherwise - but the kind and level of  corporate corruption that comes from a for-profit system is not one of them.

Happy Reading,

Christine

Review; The Au Pair, by Emma Rous

Review; The Au Pair, by Emma Rous

Penguin Random House Audio - 2019

Audiobook - 11 hours, 31 minutes
Narrated by Elizabeth Sastre and Nicola Barber

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐

I liked this book well enough, but to say I loved it would be a stretch.The book has a strong storyline, but something about it feels like it didn't quite meet it's full potential.  

This story had a fairly large cast of characters - which was at times difficult to keep straight,  but was told through two characters in alternating points of view and time lines. Seraphine in present day and Laura in 1992.


The story begins as Seraphine is at Summerbourne - the family estate, mourning the recent loss of her father - her mother having thrown herself from the nearby cliffs mere hours after Seraphine and her twin brother Danny were born. 

They find a picture of her mother taken on the day Seraphine and her twin brother were born - but she is only holding one baby. Why did the picture appear to be celebrating just one child?  Where is the other baby when this picture is taken? Growing up, the local children used to taunt her with the legend of the summerbourne curse which said that Summerbourne could never keep its twins, and teased her by saying she was not a real Summberbourne, but a changeling.  Now seeing this picture, Seraphine sets off on a mission to uncover the secrets that summerbourne has kept since that fateful day.. 

All in all, I did enjoy the book, but I just couldn't connect with Seraphine. To me she came off at times as spoiled and selfish and lacking in emotional maturity. 

As for the conclusion (trying very hard to not use any spoilers here) I found it just shy of hitting the mark - almost, but not quite believable. Of course, when you enjoy fiction, you have to be able to suspend reality somewhat, but still it came off as "good but not great" for me. 

The book was narrated by Elizabeth Sastre and Nicola Barber who both did a wonderful job. Clear and with good cadence and very good range of emotion and character.  

This was an enjoyable listen, but not one that will be particularly memorable for me.  

Happy Reading,

Christine

Review: Don't Wake Up, by Liz Lawler

Don't Wake Up, by Liz Lawler

HarperCollins - Available February 5, 2019

Page count: 368

Thank you HarperCollins Canada for supplying a Digital Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐1/2

A devious and sinister plot is at the foundation of this psychological thriller.

Dr. Alex Taylor is abducted, assaulted, and tortured in the most bone chilling way.  As she surfaces from unexpected unconsciousness, she is awake, but heavily drugged and secured to an OR table. She initially thinks she has been in an accident and is in the trauma centre of the hospital she works at -but instead of a team of skilled coworkers, there is just one person in the room with her. This was no accident. Her captor, wearing a surgical mask which hides their face, tells her of all the horrific things he will do to her, then gives her more anesthetic. When she comes to again, she is in the trauma centre she works at, surrounded by her own co-workers. She tells them of her horrific experience, but her captor did not do the things he said he was going to do. In fact, there is no evidence that she was even abducted, and her coworkers see her as merely a victim of an unfortunate accident. 

In the days that follow, Alex is struggling to deal with the trauma of what she believes has happened to her. Her drinking and self-medicating is only making matters worse. As other coworkers die, her wild accusations are not enough to convince anyone that she is a victim - in fact, they are now sure that she is a danger to herself and others. Not even her boyfriend believes her story.

Lawler sets an opening scene that strikes terror into the heart of the reader. I love it when a book starts off with a bang! From there she expands the story, bit by bit. 

Maybe I have been reading too many thrillers lately, but I did manage to guess who the perpetrator was, so the ending felt a little soft to me.  But in all fairness, I was still eagerly turning pages, simply wanting to understand the method and the motive. 

My conclusion - A slightly soft ending, but a good thriller nonetheless.

Happy Reading,

Christine

Sunday Summary - January 13 - 19, 2019

Welcome to my Sunday Summary.  A look back on my bookish adventures for the week.

I don't know how things are where you are, but it is extremely cold in this neck of the woods! Perfect weather to stay indoors with a steaming hot beverage and a good book! Too bad that I still need to go to work, run errands, clean house...

Books Reviewed:

Only two books reviewed this week.  

First is the YA Fantasy The Antidote, by Shelley Sackier. You can read my review HERE.

Second is Nine Perfect Strangers, by Liane Moriarty. I found this book did not fit neatly into any category, but I enjoyed it just the same. You can read my thoughts about it in THIS POST. 

Ramblings and Miscellany:

 
January 18th was A. A. Milne's birthday - also known as Winnie the Pooh day. 5 facts about A. A. Milne can be found HERE.

Advance Reading Copy (ARC) Books Previously Reviewed and Released this Week:

None this week.

Currently Reading and Notable Titles on Deck:

I finished an ARC of Don't Wake Up, by Liz Lawler just this morning, but have not written my review yet.

I will be starting to read an ARC of The Baggage Handler, by David Rawlings later today.

I have also finished an audiobook of The Au Pair, by Emma Rous today. I have not yet decided which audiobook I will be listening to next.  Though I usually only have one title to read and one title to listen to at any one time, I have strayed from my usual M.O. and my more common genre choices to also listen to An American Prison, by Shane Bauer, which is a non-fiction title.

I hope you are all keeping warm during these cold winter days.

Happy Reading
Christine

Review: Nine Perfect Strangers, by Liane Moriaarty

Nine Perfect Strangers, by Liane Moriarty

MacMillan Audio - 2018

Audiobook - 16 hours, 18 minutes

Narrated by Caroline Lee

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I enjoyed this book very much, but find it difficult to categorize. 

Some have categorized it as a thriller, but that just doesn't work for me. To call a book a thriller implies a certain "edgy" quality, with a sense of fear and foreboding that grabs you early on and hangs on to you till the end. I personally found this book to be more of a General Fiction read for the most part, although about three-quarters of the way through the book I did understand how some have labelled it a thriller.  

I will say this - If you are looking for thriller to put you on the edge of your seat on the first page and leave you there to the last, this is not the book for you.  This story takes the "Slow and steady wins the race" approach.  If you have the patience for it though, you will be rewarded.

Whatever you want to classify it as, I did really enjoy it. 

The story brings nine people from differing walks of life together at a remote health resort. Their reasons for being there are as different as the people themselves. Their expectations may have all been different, but one thing is for sure, none of them expected their stay to go the way it did.

Moriarty's character development was wonderful. While having a large cast can be overwhelming, Moriatry took the time to really humanize each of the players, giving each of them a mix of good and bad traits, and a backstory to explain how they came to be the way they were. 

Narration was provided by Caroline Lee.  I was a little concerned as I was giving the audiobook the once over before clicking the purchase button. There were several people complaining about the narration/audio quality.  I can only assume that there was some technical issue that was remedied by the good people at Audible, because I had none of the issues that some listeners complained about. Caroline Lee provided expert narration with a pleasant voice with good tone and cadence, as well as a good range of character and emotion.  In short, I thought she was spot on.

Call it a Thriller if you like. Call it Women's Fiction or General Fiction if you like. For myslef, I will just call it a good book. 

Happy Reading, 

Christine

Friday 5 - 5 Facts About A. A. Milne on his Birthday.

5 Facts about A. A. Milne on his birthday.

Most people will know who A. A. Milne is. In case you don't - He is the author of the books featuring the beloved Winnie the Pooh and friends.

A. A. Milne was born on this date - January 18, 1882. He died January 31, 1956. In honour of his birthday, here are 5 Facts about A. A. Milne

1.  Milne's most famous character - Winnie the Pooh was given a Hollywood star in 2006.  

2.  Milne regretted writing Winnie the Pooh. He did not write only children's books and  prior to his children's books becoming so popular and overshadowing his other work, he wrote three novels and eighteen plays. He resented being seen only as a writer of children's books. His son Christopher Robin resented the fame that came from being made a character in the books, and their relationship was irreparably strained. 
 
3.  Milne played cricket with two other famous authors - Arthur Conan Doyle (the creator of Sherlock Holmes) and J. M. Barrie (the creator of Peter Pan). 
 
4.  One of Milne's childhood teachers was non-other than famous author H. G. Wells (creator of War of the Worlds).   

5. Milne earned a degree in Mathematics at University before started his career in writing.

Old Pooh and New Pooh - Which is your favourite?

There is no doubt that Milne's characters have become some of the most beloved children's literary characters for several generations, and likely will be for more.

Happy Reading

Christine

Review: THE ANTIDOTE, by Shelley Sackier

THE ANTIDOTE, by Shelley Sackier

HarperCollins - 2019 
YA Fantasy

Page count: 368

Thank you HarperCollins for supplying this Digital Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I feel like I cannot begin until we discuss the cover of this book! Isn't it STUNNING?! 
If an attractive cover was the most important aspect of a book, we could stop right here.

Thankfully what lies beneath the gorgeous cover was pretty good.

In a land where magic is forbidden, a horrible plague visits Fireli - one of four kingdoms.  

Many people died in the first days of the plague before an antidote could be created, including Fee's parents, as well as the King and Queen. Of the people who survive the first days of the plague, some are evacuated to surrounding kingdoms, and some remain to maintain the kingdom during a decade of quarantine. Those who remain must take the antidote daily to ensure that the plague is eradicated. 

Among those that remain in Fireli are our three main characters; Ophelia, Savva, and Xavi. Ophelia - or Fee as she is known to most, is apprenticing under the kingdom's healer Savva. Fee has special power over plants, but must keep this power hidden as magic has been outlawed. Fee's best friend happens to be the crown prince, Xavi, who is set to marry and take his throne at the end of the quarantine. Fee, Xavi, and Xavi's brother Rye have been best of friends since before the plague, and Fee is herself betrothed to Rye, who was one of those evacuated.

Just as the quarantine is coming to an end and those evacuated are set to return, Xavi falls deathly ill. Savva, the wise old healer is unable to cure him, Fee is determined to do what it takes to save him, regardless of the costs.

I enjoyed this story, and I really like the way the characters were developed. Wise old Savva was a force to be reckoned with, and Fee was no wilting flower. Despite her young age, and slightly rebellious nature, she was mighty and heroic and brave. I always enjoy stories that show the heroines as being strong, without doing it at the expense of their male counterparts. An especially good trait in a YA novel. The story was complex enough to be interesting, but not so complicated that it was difficult to follow.  

All around, a good book.

Happy Reading,

Christine

Sunday Summary - January 6 - 12, 2019

Welcome to my Sunday Summary.  A look back on my bookish adventures for the week.

The New Year is starting to feel like old news at this point.  I am finally writing 2019 more often than 2018! 

Me: 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
Also Me: 2018 ...DARN IT!!!!!! #HappyNewYear2019 #NewYearOldMe

— The Last Page Turned (@Page_Turned) January 9, 2019

My reading challenges have been set on both GoodReads and the 50 Book Pledge websites, and my first completed reads are starting to be reflected.

I just earned the First Book Read badge for the #50BookPledge https://t.co/y5hrdAB0kZ via @savvyreader

— The Last Page Turned (@Page_Turned) January 10, 2019

Displays in retail shops and stores are filled with Valentines themes, and even a few Easter items!  No wonder I feel like time is flying! 

But for now, the reality is cold, harsh weather has made staying in with a good book and a cup of hot tea my go-to plan!  Still, there never seems to be enough reading time.

Books Reviewed:

TEAR ME APART, by J. T Ellison. My review of this thriller can be found HERE.

THE MARS ROOM, by Rachel Kusher. My review of this award winning fiction title can be found in THIS POST.

Ramblings and Miscellany:

The three books that I felt deserved more hype in 2018 were discussed in my post HERE.

Advance Reading Copy (ARC) Books Previously Reviewed and Released this Week:

My last 5-star review of 2018 was for AN ANONYMOUS GIRL, by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Petkannen. This title was published on January 8th.  You can read my review in THIS POST..

Currently Reading and Notable Titles on Deck:

I have finished THE ANTIDOTE, a YA Fantasy title, and my review will be posted soon.

I am currently reading an ARC of DON'T WAKE UP, by Liz Lawler, and I have an ARC of HOUSE ON FIRE, by Bonnie Kistler queued for my next read. I am currently listening to the Audiobook of NINE PERFECT STRANGERS, by Liane Moriarty.

2019 is gearing up to be a stellar year for books! I can't wait to explore and share the many great titles that are being published this year!

So that is it for this week. I hope everyone is staying ward and enoying some good reads!

Happy Reading,
Christine