TRICKSTER DRIFT, by Eden Robinson

TRICKSTER DRIFT, by Eden Robinson 

Penguin Random House Canada - Available October 2, 2018

My Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the second book in the TRICKSTER series. You can check out my review of the first book, SON OF A TRICKSTER in this post.

I enjoyed the first book - SON OF A TRICKSTER, but I enjoyed TRICKSTER DRIFT even more. 

Perhaps it was that having already been acquainted with the author's writing style and/or the characters. Perhaps I just felt more like cheering in Jared's corner as he is fighting so hard to maintain sobriety. Perhaps this book was just more magical to me.  Whatever the case may be, it is a stunning sequel. 

Jared is trying to move on with a "normal" life.  He has sworn off drugs and alcohol in an effort to keep the magical creatures that nearly undid him at bay. He tries to put distance between himself and the people who enabled his toxic lifestyle and has packed a bag and moved to Vancouver to attend school and start building a solid foundation for his future. 

But if he couldn't run and hide from his mother's psychotic ex David, he certainly couldn't run and hide from the magic creatures that tend to gravitate to him. Magic always finds him, and while he makes friends with and cares for some of these beings, some are still a real danger to him.  

Robinson's ability to weave traditional first nations mythology into a modern coming-of-age/fantasy/horror is a real gift.  I am looking forward to the final book in the series - RETURN OF THE TRICKSTER, as of this writing I was unable to find any information regarding the anticipated release date, but I know I will be keeping an eye out for it! 

According to the CBC, as reported in this article, a film deal is in the works for the trilogy!


Happy Reading,
Christine

On This Day, July 30th 1935 Penguin's first Parperback books

On July 30th, 1935, Penguin Books Published the first (as we know them) Paperbacks!

Ahhh paperbacks.  The preferred format for many a reader.  Hardcover books are large and heavy, but a paperback slides easily into a purse, tote, or pocket. Lighter and more affordable than its hardcover brethren, it is the also the affordable option for many. 

There was a time that good literature was not easily obtained by the average person.  Books were large, intricately bound, expensive, and sold mostly in upscale bookstores. Affordable options were poor quality in both writing and physical composition.

Ironically, we have a publishing executive's inability to find a good book in  a train station bookstall to thank for the quality, ease and affordability we enjoy today. 

Sir Allen Lane, the chairman of the British publishing house Bodley Head, was returning from a weekend visiting Agatha Christie's country estate, when he searched the bookstall in the train station for something to read on the long trip ahead.  Frustrated by the lack of quality options, he spent his time considering a way to make good literature affordable and more widely available.  

When Bodley Head allowed him to proceed but declined to finance the project, Allen Lane financed the project himself, and called the new line Penguin. He acquired the rights to reprint ten literary titles (You can view the complete list Here).  His plan was to sell the much cheaper format, at low margin, but high volume. To break even, 17, 000 copies of each book needed to be sold.  He set off in search of retail buyers. Woolworth's ordered 63, 500 copes, telling Lane his business plan was solid.  Penguin books was born. 3 million copies were sold the first year. Penguin separated from Bodley Head, becoming its own entity in 1936.

The color coded block design and familiar, friendly looking penguin are still instantly recognizable today.   

On July 1, 2013 Penguin and Random House merged to become the global publishing powerhouse Penguin Random House.  

Happy Reading, 

Christine

Review: LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE, by Celeste Ng

LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE, by Celeste Ng

Penguin Audio - 2017
Narrated by Jennifer Lim

My Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

“Sometimes you need to scorch everything to the ground, and start over. After the burning the soil is richer, and new things can grow. People are like that, too. They start over. They find a way.” - Celeste Ng, Little Fires Everywhere


Beautifully complex and bitter-sweet. This is one of those books that nudges its way into the nooks and crannies of your inner being, just to make sure that no emotion you have remains untouched by the words.  It is rich, and layered, and complex, and tragically beautiful. 

The book starts in the upscale neighborhood of Shaker heights. A neighborhood that prides itself on planning, orderliness, and (dare I say it) conformity. 

Elena Richardson suits this community well.  She should.  She spent her whole life here and is a product of it. Prim and proper and not one to flaunt the rules as she sees them.  She and her family live here in a beautiful home, and she has a rental property, where she tries to "do good" by renting only to those she sees as deserving of living in such a fine neighborhood at a reduced rate. 

Soon we meet the mysterious Mia Warren and her daughter Pearl, who rent the suite from Elena.   Mia, is quite unlike Elena. A mysterious free spirit with a secretive past, moving from place to place as her artistic muse takes her, and working odd jobs to pay the bills when her art is not selling enough to cover expenses.  Mia tells Pearl that they will settle down and stay this time. For the first time, Pearl feels like she can make friends. Soon the Warren's and the Richardsons are daily figures in each other's lives. Mia seems to have a unique and special relationship with the children, and becomes somewhat of a mentor of sorts.

When Elena's long time friend Linda McCullough and her husband try to adopt a baby of Asian descent, it soon becomes a highly publicized custody battle that divides the community. Even in the Richardson household, opinions are split. With Elena and Mia being on opposite sides of the issue, Elena questions Mia's motives and starts digging into Mia's past.  Elena's digging results in unforeseen and disastrous results.

The narrator Jennifer Lim was perfect in her role. Her voice was very pleasant, and when the more intense scenes came up, she was able to portray the raw emotion of the words.


I was not sure I wanted to explore this story.  So often, when a book does extremely well, the reality of it does not live up to the hype.  THIS BOOK DOES LIVE UP TO THE HYPE! So if you are teetering on the fence, trying to decide whether this book is worthy, just do it. You will not be disappointed.


Happy Reading,
Christine

Review: The Flight Attendant - by Chris Bohjalian

The Flight Attendant - by Chris Bohjalian 

Audio Book
Penguin Random House Audio, 2018
Narrated by: Erin Spencer, Grace Experience, Mark Deakins

My Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐

A gripping thriller, sprinkled with just a pinch of international intrigue, that you will not want to put down until it is finished.

Cassie is a wreck.  Sure, she has a glamorous career, travelling all over the world, but she quite simply tells too many lies, has too many one night stands and constantly drinks far too much - often to the point of passing out or blacking out.

One day, after a night of partying with a passenger from her flight, Cassie wakes up in a Dubai hotel room, hungover and lying next to the blood soaked body of last night's lover.  Scared, and with no clear memory of what happened that night - only that there was someone else there,  Cassie makes the decision to leave without reporting it. But if she didn't kill him, who did?  Can she convince law enforcement that she is not a murderer; and why did the man's killer let her live?

Narration of this audio book was very good, and made listening a pleasure.

Happy Reading,
Christine

Review: Whistle in the Dark - By Emma Healey

Whistle in the Dark - By Emma Healey
Penguin Random House
Expected for release July 2018

This advance reading digital copy provided by the publisher via Netgally in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐

A touching and raw story of a mother trying to connect with her teenage daughter battling depression.

Lana is a teenager struggling with depression and self harming tendencies.  When on a family art retreat vacation, she goes missing for four days.  Lana is unable or unwilling to disclose what happened during that time.  Jen, her mother, who booked the vacation in hopes of bonding with her depressed and distant daughter, is desperate to understand what happened.  But if communication with her daughter was difficult before, it seems near impossible now. The harder she tries to connect with Lana, the further away Lana seems to get.

I loved the raw reality of Jen's attempts to connect with Lana. As parents, we want to connect with our children, and to know them as individuals. Who among us (who are parents) have not felt like they were floundering at times?  How much harder is it when the young person is struggling with mental health issues?

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance reading copy for review. 

Review: Vinyl Café Unplugged – by Stuart McLean

Vinyl Café Unplugged – by Stuart McLean
2000 – Penguin-Viking 
Print edition

Winner of the 2001 the Stephen Leacock Award for Humour 

The Vinyl Café series of books is based on the Canadian radio show of the same name. This is the third book. 

Overall Rating (out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐


Vinyl Café is a charming collection of stories based on the radio show by the late Stuart McLean. 

The stories all focus on Dave and Morley, as well as family and neighbors, so there is a definite cohesiveness to the collection. 

I had never really listened to the radio shows, but I knew a lot of people who did. Much of the material from the radio broadcast is available to listen to on Spotify. In fact one of my favorite episodes appears in this book; titled “Odd Jobs". If you have ever loved a man who could turn an odd job into a major project, or if you are a man who has either done that, or helped a friend who has done that – listen to that episode! You won't regret it. 

The book opens with a story titled “Arthur" that literally had me chuckling out loud.  Arthur is the family dog, and like any dog, he is quite the character.  

Despite this book being categorized as Humour,  some of the stories Will tug at your heartstrings. I think for me that was part of the real charm of this book. In life, there is always joy and sorrow. Neither exists alone. 

Seriously though read or listen to “Odd Jobs" and “Arthur” if you haven't already, because everyone can benefit from a good laugh once in a while.

Happy Reading
  Teenie K