2023 Reading Challenge

The goal for 2023 is to read 30 books. To add a little challenge, I will try and read books that satisfy each one of the squares. I hope you'll join!

You can follow along on social media using #ReadWithMegan or join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/readingchallenges

Book 1/30: A Mystery or Crime
The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey
by: Serena Burdick | 4 Stars

I was really excited for January to begin so I could start the 2023 Reading Challenge. I had received a few books at Christmas and went shopping on Boxing Day for a couple of more. The cover of this book caught my attention. A stolen book, a potential murder, an unknown father, and I love the name Evelyn. This was my obvious first choice. I couldn't put this book down. I read it in two days.

These days it seems to me that a weak-minded man has more power than the strongest-minded woman. - Evelyn

Evelyn was a strong and fierce woman. I was thrilled to learn more of her story. Abby was a little less thrilling but she grew and changed throughout the course of the novel, something I really appreciate. I even enjoyed the cameos of a couple of distant cousins currently living in Abbington Hall. It was enjoyable hearing their tales of relatives throughout the years and learning about Abby's ancestors through them. I also enjoyed the hunts through the old mansion looking at artifacts and books. I would quite like to have helped them.

Book 2/30: A Classic
The Remains of The Day
by: Kazuo Ishiguro | 5 Stars

I chose a modern classic for the classic challenge. I was feeling like I had a few older books lined up on my TBR pile and wanted something a little more modern added to the mix. This book did not disappoint.

I wasn’t initially sure what I’d rate this book. There were often times when I wondered where this book was actually going. I began by asking myself the two questions I always ask when rating a book: what did I like and what didn’t I like? Was there anything I didn’t like about this book? There wasn’t. Then I began reflecting on what I loved. Everything.

The first few chapters felt as if the author was inside my own head. These are exactly how my own thoughts flow, which seemed quite funny when actually reading another’s thoughts. Throughout this book Mr. Steven’s is reflecting on what ‘remains of his day’ or days actually as he is getting close to retirement. What happens after retirement when one has devoted his entire life to a single employer? What happens if you find out that employer was a nazi sympathizer? And what about missed opportunities, such as a love lost? These are thoughts Mr. Stevens has throughout the course of the book. And really, aren’t these thoughts we all have from time to time? At the end of the book Mr. Steven’s realizes that although it’s nice to reflect and reminisce on the past it’s also equally important to plan, dream, and look forward. We shouldn’t always get caught up in the past but should also look forward to living what remains of our days.

This book was witty, funny, and wholesome. Mr. Steven’s becomes a friend to the reader throughout the course of the story and it truly feels like you’ve lost this friend when the story ends. I had to slow down a bit when reading due to the sentence structure, which mirrors the formal British in which Mr. Steven’s would typically speak. It doesn’t read as most novels today would read. It was easy enough to get used to.

Book 3/30: It Has a Number in the Title
Five Survive
by: Holly Jackson | 2 Stars

I was excited for this book. It has over a 4 star rating on goodreads and sounded quite interesting. I actually found it a little boring. Nothing really happens until halfway through once the secrets start to come out, even then it drags on. The dialogue between the characters was fast paced but also contained a lot of unnecessary details. The novel could and should have been much shorter. Oliver was also awful, I did not like his character at all. The large plot twist at the end was predictable and anticlimactic. I do not recommend this read.

Why did I give it two stars? I liked a couple of the character story lines. Reyna, who chose her head over her heart and tried to live happily with her decision. And Arthur, who regretfully made same bad decisions and then found a little compassion.

Book 4/30: 450+ Pages
The Weight of Ink
by: Rachel Kadish | 5 Stars

It took me a few days to process this book. Set in both the 1660’s and the 2010’s, there are multiple stories and points of view. I was invested in all of the main characters. Sometimes frantically reading to find out what would happen. At a whopping 560 pages, I did get a little bored around the middle of the book. However, something would happen to one of the characters to keep me intrigued and pressing on.

I love any book that teachings me something I hadn’t known previously. This book focuses on Jewish history in the 1660’s, an era I don’t know much about. I would put the book down to find more information about an individual or event. With the exception of Aaron, the main characters are also strong, smart, respected women. This is another reason why I love this book. The characters were also learning and evolving throughout the novel, about themselves and each other. I celebrated with them and grieved with them. Once I read the last page, it honestly felt as if I had witnessed an entire lifetime.

A lot of the sentences that were describing the 1660’s was weirdly structed. I would sometimes have to read a sentence twice to understand what was happening. This is the only criticism I have. It wouldn’t stop me from recommending this book to anyone.

Book 5/30: A Memoir
The Measure of my Powers
by: Jackie Kai Ellis | 2 Stars

This memoir had so many great reviews and was a Heather’s Pick, I had high expectations. To start, this book is beautiful. The cover art and coloured pages are really quite lovely. There are recipes at the end of the chapters, a nice touch. I didn’t try any of them so don’t know how delicious they are. 

I understand some of ebbs and flows of life that Kai Ellis has worked through, things happen and we must adapt and adjust. It’s how the story goes. However, the overall memoir didn’t do it for me. The timeline was completely out of sorts flipping between childhood and adulthood, divorce and together. It was hard to keep track of which period of her life she was in. She seemed to have childhood trauma that she hasn’t completely worked through, or at least it wasn’t written in the memoir. Also, her ex-husband sounds like a complete ass. I’d imagine anyone living with him would become depressed. He sucked all the life out of everything around him. Kai Ellis didn’t mention, or perhaps didn’t learn, that circumstances were the root of some of her issues as opposed to her herself. There were some pretty big life events that got glossed over. She did go into quite a lot of detail about her food experiences. I didn’t care much to read through pages detailing how to make the perfect croissant. I was expecting to read more about what she learned from her life and marriage, how she actually managed those things day to day. 

Book 6/30: Set in My Local Province
Wildwood
by: Elinor Florence | 3 Stars

This was one of the books I had received for Christmas in 2022. I don’t recall reading any book set in Alberta and was excited to read this one. It turned out to be the February pick for a book club I’m in as well, so bonus! 

The story was fast paced and stimulating the entire time. I read this book in two days because I couldn’t put it down. It was really interesting to read a novel that described the landscape that I live in. I also enjoyed reading about the farming and the weather. The harsh, frigid winters do take some getting used to. I enjoyed both Molly and Bridget’s storylines and their character development. It’s hard being here in the winter with electricity and heat. Having to endure the winter with Molly and learn how to survive without electricity and heat was eye-opening; people had to do that very thing not too many decades ago. 

Learning about the past of the home and Molly’s ancestors was a welcome surprise. I love hearing stories of people finding bits of another world stored in trunks in the attic. I also thoroughly enjoyed the aunt’s diary entries and how her experience differed or was similar to Molly’s. So why did this book get 3 stars?

The book opened with a few stereotypes that I thought was unnecessary. Florence did redeem one of the characters by the end of the novel but it was a little too late for me. Also, who moves to another country for a year and doesn’t open a bank account? And doesn’t ask why the lawyer wants to pay cash? It also seemed uncharacteristic of Molly to have not asked for all of the documents pertaining to the property, including the current land rental agreement. She was so prepared in every other way. The novel would have been great even without this storyline. 

Book 7/30: A Canadian Author
Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead
by: Emily Austin | 1 Star

I took a lot of time to find a Canadian author who grew up and still lived in Canada and also had good reviews on their book. I ultimately landed on this novel because the internet told me it was a page-turner and it was funny. And also, because the main character was named Gilda. The only other Gilda I have ever heard of is my aunt! To be fair, I did smile once or twice throughout the novel. I didn’t laugh out loud however. 

This novel was written as a stream of consciousness. It felt very disjointed and left several thoughts hanging without any proper follow-up or point really. It was quite painful to get through. I did not care about any of the characters in the story and will easily forget them. The plot didn’t make a lot of sense. What grounds did the police have to suspect Gilda? Being awkward is not a crime. Also, everything wrapped up so nicely at the end without any true reason as to why. It felt very insincere given the rest of the story.

My motivation was just to finish so I could check this square on my challenge. I could easily have thrown it down and never picked it up again. I wanted to love this book but ultimately ended up hating it. I would not recommend it.

Book 8/30: Translated to English
The Door
by: Magda Szabo | 3 Stars

This novel was written in 1987 and translated to English in 1995. It is a fictionalized autobiography of the author's relationship with her octogenarian housekeeper named Emerence Szerebas.

The first part of this book was quite captivating. I was immediately hooked. Unfortunately, the excitement didn’t hold as the story of Magda and Emerence unfolded. Their relationship was very much a love-hate feeling. They seemed to care deeply for each other but also didn’t respect the other boundaries or emotions. There were points when their relationship seemed very unhealthy and I couldn’t help but reflect on my life. There is no way I would allow this type of relationship in my life, especially not in such a dominant way. 

The story also became a bit repetitive. Neither Magda nor Emerence showed any character growth. They were the same people at the end of the novel as they were at the beginning. Perhaps that is the true stroke of genius in this story though. Not every person grows and learns in real life either. Their lives were positively average. 

Book 9/30: Features a Country I’d Like to Visit
Sofie & Cecilia
by: Katherine Ashenburg | 4 Stars

Ashenburg was inspired to write this book after a visit to Sweden where she learned that despite the fact they had the same artistic training, Swedish artist Carl Larsson refused to allow his wife Karin to paint after they were married. This story follows Sofie and Cecilia, both wives of artists who become friends and navigate marriage in a patriarchal society. 

This is not a fast paced read and there is no climatic ending; however, it is filled with emotion and thought-provoking scenes. Set in the late 19th century/early 20th century, Sofie and Cecilia both push the boundaries forced upon them by society and their husbands. They discover ways in which they can be creative while staying true to the expectations others had of them. I really enjoyed how they used books to reflect on their lives and began to open up to each other about their struggles and their dreams. Sofie learned to live her best life once she lived alone. Cecilia, on the other hand, learned many new things about herself but was still restricted by societal norms and could not truly be herself in public.

As women, when we get married and have children, the other parts of us are sometimes forgotten or ignored. Although we are wives and mothers, we are still ambitious, creative, driven, and goal-oriented. This novel helped me reflect on how society sees women still, even after 100 years. We have made progress towards a more equal society but we still have a long way to go. 

Book 10/30: Self-help or Wellness
A Quiet Mind: Buddhist Ways to Calm the Noise in Your Head
by: Shoukei Matsumoto | 4 Stars

I’ve been doing meditation for the past year and finding it extremely helpful to clear my mind and focus. And although I am not religious, the Buddhist beliefs and principles most closely align to my own values. Thus, this book seemed the perfect choice. 

It is simple, short, and beautiful. It does not go into a great detail about Buddhism but rather the high-level principles and practices that anyone can commit to if looking for a calmer mindset. If you’re looking to do a deep-dive into Buddhism, this is not the book. If you’re looking for ways to rethink situations, refocus, and be at peace then this book would be a good place to start. I’ll likely revisit this book many times.

Book 11/30: Author Shares my Initials
The Lipstick Bureau
by: Michelle Gable| 2 Stars

Although fiction, this novel is based on the true story of a female operative in WWII who worked for the Office of Strategic Services, a branch that would later become the CIA. This novel had all the markings of a story I’d love but sadly, it was just alright. 

This book seemed unnecessarily long; it was also predictable. About two thirds of the way through, I realized I could have put it down and never finished it. I did finish and it ended exactly as I expected it would. I think the true story would be phenomenal to read and disappointed this version feel a little flat. I would recommend other historical fiction novels over this one.

Book 12/30: Bottom of My TBR Pile
Sophie’s World
by: Jostein Gaarder | 4 Stars

Wowzers! This book had been at the bottom of the TBR pile since 2016. I tried to read it once but was not ready for the heavy content. I didn’t get past 80 pages before putting the book back at the bottom of my pile. When I created the reading challenge this year and added this category, I knew I’d finally be reading Sophie’s World. Now I’m upset I hadn’t read it earlier. 

This was the plot twist of all plot twists. I had absolutely no clue how Sophie and Hilde’s worlds would collide. Although it is a philosophy book so maybe shame on me for not realizing the plot twist sooner 

I enjoy learning about history and thus really enjoyed this novel. However, it was quite dense and I sometimes felt as if I were reading a text book. It took me four weeks to get through the 507 pages which is quite abnormal for me. Although I was ready to reach the ending, there wasn’t a time when I wanted to throw this book down. The content was quite thought-provoking. It was interesting to learn how humans formed the concepts of religion and gender roles based on philosophic ideologies. 

Random tidbit: I first heard of Spinoza when I read ‘The Weight of Ink’ earlier this year. I was surprised to see him mentioned in this novel as well. Perhaps philosophy is inadvertently my theme this year?

If you aren’t into history or philosophy then I would not recommend this book. If you are, then this will be a great read. Know what you’re getting yourself into before you pick it up so you aren’t disappointed. 

Book 13/30: Historical Fiction
Pandora
by: Susan Stokes-Chapman | 3 Stars

Historical Fiction is my genre. I read historical fictions novels more than any other. However, most of them are from the 20th century. And typically include a war heroine. I wanted to go back even further in history and explore a novel from an earlier century. I landed on Pandora, a novel set in 1799. It features a female character, an ancient Greek artifact, and no wars. 

This was a long novel clocking in at 408 pages. By page 80, I had a fairly good idea of how the rest of the story would play out. I wish there was a plot twist that had proven me wrong but unfortunately that was not the case. This was an easy read and I did enjoy Dora coming into her own, and it was interesting to learn of the Pandora’s Box myth. But it was also a little too long and predictable. Overall, this book was okay.

Book 14/30: Governor General Literary Award Winner
Pure Colour
by: Sheila Heti | 1 Star

What did I just read? 

This novel won the Governor General Literary Award in 2022 and has many great reviews. So, I gave it a shot. It is very abstract and weird, too much so. I kept thinking there would be a moment of reckoning, something to make me think deeply of my life and direction. Nothing ever came. 

This is a short read and it took me a long time to get through it. Largely because I had no interest in picking it up again after I put it down. To get through this book, I set page reading goals: read 25 today and 25 tomorrow, then hopefully finish it. I do not recommend it at all.

Book 15/30: Highly Anticipated
Pineapple Street
by: Jenny Jackson | 3 Stars

Halfway through the 2023 Reading Challenge! 

This was a novel about an old-money family and how they navigated the world and their relationships. Many of the reviews described it to be funny, hilarious, and delicious. Because of these reviews, I chose this book for a vacation weekend. I didn’t think it was any of those things. In fact, I did not laugh even once. 

There was no major plot and the characters were not interesting. The entire Stockton family were spoiled and out of touch. The only person I cared for was Sasha as she was successful on her own and married into the family. The one great thing, this was an easy read and decent for a ‘lounging in the sunshine with a book and cocktail’ vibe. 

Book 16/30: In a Celebrity Book Club
Women Who Run With the Wolves
by: Clarissa Pinkola Estes | 4 Stars

This book has been sitting on my shelf for a while. Then, while I was looking for a celebrity book club pick I can across this title in Emma Watson’s book club, Our Shared Shelf. It was a no brainer to choose a book that was already sitting in my collection. 

Read it slowly or read it quickly, but read it. 

I tried to read this book last year, getting to page 85 before putting it down. I was hesitant to pick it up again for this reason. I was definitely more excited about it this time around and got nearly to page 150 before feeling like I was done. But wait, I gave this book 4 stars. It’s true, this book was feeling a little clunky at times. It also isn’t a continuous story so doesn’t read like one. It took me 6 weeks to finish! However, I found myself wanting to absorb every word so I wouldn’t forget a thing. The content was very interesting, I related to a lot of the situations described by Pinkola Estes. It was actually quite comforting to understand the psyche and intuition of women and to realize I am not alone in my experiences. The Mistaken Zygote anyone? I recommend this book for every woman. 

“We know that we will have to burn to the ground in one way or another, and then sit right in the ashes of who we once thought we were and go on from there.”

Book 17/30: Trending on BookTok
Circe
by: Madeline Miller | 3 Stars

This book seemed really exciting to me. It’s about Circe, the Greek goddess of sorcery. It was trending on BookTok and kept catching my eye. However, it was just alright. The online stories of Circe portray her as a strong and powerful sorceress who was a threat to many of the other gods and goddesses. This novel portrayed her as timid and passive. The online versions are much better in my opinion. 

I didn’t find myself being all that interested in Circe’s life. There were others in this novel that I would have preferred to have read about. There were a lot of characters in this book! So many characters that Miller even included a guide to who they all are. It was confusing to track them at times and I couldn’t always follow if the character was a god or mortal. 

It was an easy read but I’d recommend others above this one. 

Book 18/30: On a Banned Books List
Brave New World
by: Aldous Huxley | 5 Stars

Brave New World has been on and off banned books lists since it was published in 1932. Banned largely because of the attitudes toward sex and drugs. It is also a science fiction novel which I didn’t realize when I had picked it to read. My version of this novel also included Brave New World Revisited. Huxley had considered rewriting the original novel based on world events but rather penned his thoughts and opinions on the world as it was 1958. I would highly recommend reading both. 

The novel is quite extraordinary but I found Huxley’s thoughts in Revisited to be much more interesting. Many of the topics he discusses are just as relevant today as they were in the 1950’s. He talks about having big government or big companies, which we definitely see today. He also talked about ‘The Pill’ before it was even invented (although research was taking place.) He was concerned about the world being over populated and not having enough food to feed everyone. The population has grown by over 6 billion people since he voiced his opinion. I don’t think he would have believed the world could hold so many people, although his concerns around feeding everyone are still very much valid. His biggest concern was government having control of new technologies and wrote Brave New World to warn people of these dangers. Edward Snowden let us know this concern was valid.

I don’t think I would have enjoyed this novel as much if I read it in 1932 but it was quite interesting to compare Huxley’s thoughts from the 1930’s and 1950’s to today. 

Book 19/30: An Adventure
Journeys North, The Pacific Crest Trail
by: Barney ‘Scout’ Mann| 4 Stars

This book is listed as a memoir/outdoor adventure. It is more adventure than memoir, and more stories of other hikers than of the author himself. Nonetheless, I devoured this book. The first half of the book had me feeling a little disappointed. As mentioned, there were many stories and background on other hikers rather than the author. The first half of the book also didn’t describe the trail very much. This is the sole reason for 4 stars and not 5. I want to hike the PCT so bad and I was hoping this book would take me there. During the second half of the book, it did! After learning the life stories of everyone else, Mann got down to business describing the trail, perils, pain, and joys. I learned of many sections of the trail that I hadn't heard of before. He even brought tears to my eyes twice.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it was quite an adventure. To fully sooth my soul, I think I’ll have to read guide books and keep dreaming of the day when I can start my own thru-hike. 

Book 20/30: A Colour in the Title
Girl in the Blue Coat
by: Monica Hesse | 3 Stars

This novel is a WWII historical fiction set in Denmark. I love stories I can learn from and I’ve not read any stories of the impact WWII had on Denmark so I really liked this book for that reason, for bringing to light an area of the past that I had little knowledge of. I didn’t know Denmark was neutral in WWI and therefore did not have the experience setting up resistance networks that other countries had. However, this did not stop the Danes from saving over 90% of their Jewish population. I read a lot of these facts online after I finished this novel, the novel being the catalyst for this searching. 

The novel itself was okay. I found the main character to be quite selfish and not all that likeable. She was working in the black market to support her family, not to help others. I was really hoping she would use her connections to help more people after she had learned of the resistance network but sadly, she did not. She used them only to help herself and her ‘customers.’ There were moments of the novel that were really great. Hesse was able to portray how a seemingly innocent remark or conversation could have devasting implications. However, those moments weren’t enough to bump this novel to a 4- or 5-star rating.

Book 21/30: Read it for the Cover
Never Lie
by: Freida McFadden | 4 Stars

I was jet lagged while reading this novel and that was my excuse for staying up too late reading it. By page 85 I thought I had figured out the plot and I just had to read the rest of the book to confirm my assessment. I had gotten it so wrong! The plot twist at the end was completely unexpected and I loved that I was wrong about the entire thing. 

The writing itself was not great and there were a lot of inconsistencies within the story but it was still a fast-paced, page turner that I think a lot of people will enjoy. 

Book 22/30: Turned into a Movie
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
by: Patrick Süskind | 4 Stars

I can’t decide if I love this book or hate it, so it gets 4 stars as it clearly creates a strong emotion. This is also the first book I’ve read that is based on scent and the importance of scent; it was very interesting from that perspective. We all know how much it sucks when we have a cold and can’t smell our food and therefore don’t enjoy it as much. Smell is a key sense and it was fun to have it be the star of the show. 

The beginning was great and the ending was great but the middle was a bit long and weird. The middle of the book is where my uncertainty lies and why it has 4 stars and not 5. There were also times when I read a sentence and just stopped… why did Süskind use those words, was that really necessary? If it was to get a reaction, then he did just that. I won’t be watching the movie anytime soon as there were some graphic bits that I don’t want to see on screen but I’d recommend the book.

Book 23/30: Seen Someone Else Reading It
1984
by: George Orwell | 2 Stars

Sitting in a waiting room, waiting for my son, I saw a woman reading 1984. This book was on my TBR, shamefully since 2015, so what better time to read it? I did try to read it once before, getting to page 85 before throwing it down. This time I committed to finishing. The beginning was still painfully slow but the middle picked up steam quickly. I really wanted to know more about Winston and Julia and what they would do. Sadly, the book took another turn and the ending was even slower than the beginning. Winston and Julia’s storyline didn’t even get a chance. 

Winston’s character was quite interesting which is why I gave the novel two stars. The story would have been much better if Winston and Julia found a way to overthrow Big Brother and set up a democracy. 1984 was written by Orwell post WWII as a warning to his readers that totalitarianism could easily take over democratic states. His novel is really just an example of a totalitarianism state and cites Russia specifically. Russia remains a totalitarianism state today. 1984 should have been a political piece, not a novel.

Book 24/30: Fantasy
The Last Tale of the Flower Bride
by: Roshani Chokshi | 2 Stars

Fantasy is not a genre I tend to reach for of think of but I was very intrigued with the synopsis of this novel. A man who believes in fairies and a wife who’s only request was for him not to pry. He requested a meeting with her to see a page from a grimoire and from there they were married. The story alternates between their own histories leading up to current day but unfortunately the novel ends up being 200 pages of foreshadowing leading up to an event that is well known throughout the story. The twist at the end was not really a twist at all given all the hints and suggestions that were given throughout. 

I did like all the mystical stories that were referenced throughout the novel and attempts to enter the Faerie world. However, no fairies were present in the story and no other world was unlocked. Additionally, the grimoire doesn’t resurface anymore. It was very disappointing. I’ve realized that I would like to read more fantasy novels but I would not recommend this one to anyone who was interested in the genre. 

Book 25/30: About Social or Cultural Issues
Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men
by: Caroline Criado Perez | 5 Stars

I have long said that we live in a world made by men for men. This book did not tell me anything I didn’t already know but it did provide the data to back up my statement, which is both cool and sad. Everything from healthcare, technology applications, iPhone sizes, car safety, personal protective equipment (PPE), city design, politics, and human rights issues are all designed to benefit men because there has never been data collected to ensure the solutions are also appropriate for women. Women are routinely left out the research and left out of the leadership positions where key conversations occur, leaving women in a male biased world. 

There is a lot of data in this book. So much so, the end notes and index are nearly 100 pages long. Perez did a great job of incorporating the data and statistics within her sentences to create a cohesive narrative. She also seemed to cherry pick data sets to drive home her points, taking data from specific countries to ensure they fit within the theme. It would have been great to have seen data sets from multiple countries for the same stats so it wouldn’t feel like cheery picking. Perhaps countries don’t produce the same data and this could be the reason for calling out specific data sets. 

I would recommend both men and women read this book. 

Book 26/30: Features Your Heritage or Culture
Baltimore’s Mansion
by: Wayne Johnston | 3 Stars

This is a memoir of 3 generations of Johnstons who lived in Ferryland, Newfoundland and spans roughly 100 years. This book was just okay for me. The timeline of the story jumped around quite a bit, from past to present to further past and not so far past. The years weren’t always called out so I’d get partway through a chapter before realizing the timeline had shifted again. It also wasn’t clear who’s story was being told as the grandfather, father, and Wayne were all referred to as ‘he’ or ‘him.’ Only when there were other characters was it clear who a particular chapter was about. 

Outside of the timeline and confusing characters, I did enjoy reading about the history in that area of Newfoundland and some of the major historical events that happened throughout the province. I learned some new information about the referendum for confederation, the train being decommissioned, and the imminent cod moratorium. I will seek out other books on these topics because I find them so interesting. The talking points on confederation, fishing, and horse shoes did get a bit repetitive.

Book 27/30: Features Music
Station Eleven
by: Emily St. John Mandel | 2 Stars

Featuring a travelling symphony, I picked this novel for the ‘music book.’ The beginning started off so strong. Although, I did roll my eyes when a flu like pandemic entered the picture. I’ve read enough about pandemics in the past three years. This story ended up being different though, the world collapsed after this particular pandemic. Governments, authorities, boundaries, electricity were all wiped out. People were left to survive on their own. I was really invested.

The rest of the novel fell flat for me. There were characters introduced in the beginning that didn’t show up again until near the end and I still haven’t figured out what their purpose was. Also, I know this is a fictional story, but with all the infrastructure of a modern world it seemed too farfetched to imagine a civilization going decades without someone utilizing this infrastructure to make their lives easier again. 

I’ve had The Glass Hotel on my TBR for some time as well, also my Mandel. I will read it because I like Mandel’s writing and it has great reviews. Although, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend Station Eleven.

Book 28/30: Recommended by a Friend
The Underground Railroad
by: Colson Whitehead | 5 Stars

I have had The Underground Railroad on my TBR for years. I’m honestly not sure why I’ve not read it sooner, my friends kept telling me to. It’s about Cora, a slave in the Southern US during the 19th century who makes an attempt for freedom. This novel is not based on a true story but rather on historical events and the very real underground movement which helped free slaves. It was sometimes difficult to read but I highly recommend everyone do. I really enjoyed Whitehead’s writing and will be sure to read more of this stories.

Book 29/30: By My Favourite Author
Troubled Blood
by: Robert Galbraith | 4 Stars

I don’t really have a favourite author but I have more books on my shelf by J. K. Rowling than any other person. (Yes, Harry Potter fan here.) As it turns out, Rowling and Galbraith are the same person. I began reading the Cormoran Strike detective novels a few years back and really enjoyed them, before I knew Rowling was the author. Although Troubled Blood is the 5th in the series, they can be read as stand-alone novels. 

I enjoy learning the clues throughout the story and trying to determine whodunit. No, I’ve not once gotten it correct. And at 927 pages, I now need physio for my wrists. Seriously, why was this novel so long? The length of this book really put a damper on the overall experience. If shorter, Troubled Blood could easily have been a page turner. I did stay up late a couple of nights reading it. Partly because I couldn’t wait to know what happened, partly because I wanted it to be over quicker. I’d recommend this book if you enjoy crime fiction and don’t mind the length.

 Book 30/30: Story Older Than Me
Of Mice and Men
by: John Steinbeck | 4 Stars

Published in 1937, this book is indeed older than I am. It’s November and I want to jump into Christmas books so I chose this story as the last in the challenge because it’s only 107 pages long. This is the first Steinbeck novel I’ve read and I’ve heard lots about it. A few others also read it as part of the challenge this year. 

Although I did know how the story ended, I didn’t know anything else. Since I’ve read it, I’ve really struggled to understand how I feel about it. It was a hopeful story but also really sad. Being set in the great depression, the mood of the book is not surprising. The ending was shocking but also not the worse outcome; the alternative would have been much crueler. Additionally, we have Curly’s wife being portrayed as a ‘tart’ when in reality she was lonely and looking for conversation. All these points contributed to my conflicting feelings.

At the surface, this novel seems to be another depressing day in the 1930’s. Below the surface, we have a short story filled with complex and dynamic characters who dare to dream. This is why I’ve given it 4 stars.