I was interested to read The Rooftop Garden by Menaka Raman-Wilms because I love indie CanLit and I’m glad I finally read this one even though I didn�I was interested to read The Rooftop Garden by Menaka Raman-Wilms because I love indie CanLit and I’m glad I finally read this one even though I didn’t love it. It’s about Nabila, who travels from Canada to Berlin to find her lost childhood friend Matthew. I enjoyed the Berlin setting especially in contrast to Canada and I liked this novel’s focus on friendship. We learn more about Matthew and Nabila in childhood flashbacks and the stark differences in their lives. I liked how each of the characters were so distinct including Tierney. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator Alison Deon did a fine job. I didn’t care for the ending but I’d be interested to read this author’s next book.
If We’re Being Honest by Cat Shook is a family drama about the Williams family who are dealing with the grief of losing the patriarch of the family, GIf We’re Being Honest by Cat Shook is a family drama about the Williams family who are dealing with the grief of losing the patriarch of the family, Gerry. The family returns to their home in Eulalia, Georgia and secrets are revealed and relationships ebb and flow. I appreciated the family tree at the beginning but there were too many characters to keep track of with all the kids, grandchildren, cousins, family friends, partners and exes. I really enjoyed the humourous moments especially the funeral director joke and the fun references like The Bachelorette. None of the characters were particularly interesting and this book was like a Hallmark movie or a cozy read which didn’t have any high drama or big secrets or emotional scenes.
Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for my ALC!...more
I absolutely love reading CanLit and I really enjoyed reading this Can Lit novel. KEEP by Jenny Haysom is about two home stagers who have to clean up I absolutely love reading CanLit and I really enjoyed reading this Can Lit novel. KEEP by Jenny Haysom is about two home stagers who have to clean up the cluttered home of an elderly poet. I really enjoyed the contrast of characters in different generations each going through their own life struggles. The commentary on the housing market and accumulation of belongings was timely. This novel touched on some heavier themes of loss, aging and heartbreak but overall the ease and flow of the writing leant an uplifting quality. It was great to buddy read this with Kate and start off our 2025 buddy reads with a good one. I’m so excited to read a lot more CanLit this year! .
Thank you to House of Anansi for my review copy!...more
Axes and O’s by Kayla Grosse is spicy!! The three audiobook narrators Grayson Owens, Stella Hunter and Stephen Dexter were all really good for each ofAxes and O’s by Kayla Grosse is spicy!! The three audiobook narrators Grayson Owens, Stella Hunter and Stephen Dexter were all really good for each of the 3 POVs. This book opens with Nathan crashing his car in a snowstorm and getting rescued by a sexy married couple, Fox and Morgan. The snowed in winter setting was perfect to read in January. The three of them get right into it quickly and a lot. There were some more heartfelt moments but I felt like we didn’t really get to know each character fully. Maybe this book was just a little bit too long but I did enjoy the ending.
Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for my ALC!...more
I absolutely loved Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid! This truly is a love story and it made me cry! Joan’s romance is so heartfelt and her journey toI absolutely loved Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid! This truly is a love story and it made me cry! Joan’s romance is so heartfelt and her journey to becoming an astronaut in the 1980s is such an interesting backdrop. Her relationship with her sister and niece were so compelling as well. Joan was such a fascinating character and her love story was so emotional. I loved the drama and all my tears at the end!!
Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for my ARC!...more
The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman is a great short story! The audiobook narrator Stacy Gonzalez did an excellent job. This story is about Lucas and The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman is a great short story! The audiobook narrator Stacy Gonzalez did an excellent job. This story is about Lucas and his apartment neighbours. I loved the humour and heart in this story. And it made me crave some pad Thai! There were lots of funny lines and such a good ending. I’d love to read a short story collection by Backman!
Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for my ALC!...more
I really enjoyed Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney! I listened to the audiobook and I just couldn’t stop listening! Both narrators for the dual POVs wereI really enjoyed Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney! I listened to the audiobook and I just couldn’t stop listening! Both narrators for the dual POVs were great! The audio production was especially entertaining since it included sound effects like the walkie talkies and musical elements. I loved the dog’s name - Columbo! And I really enjoyed how the main character was so unreliable. He was dealing with the trauma of his missing wife, struggling in his writing career, and insomnia. The setting of the secluded Scottish island was great too that added another dimension to the mystery. It was a thrill ride to discover that ending!
Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for my ALC!...more
This was my first read by Madeleine Thien and The Book of Records is quite an inventive and multi-layered story! I really enjoyed the creativity in thThis was my first read by Madeleine Thien and The Book of Records is quite an inventive and multi-layered story! I really enjoyed the creativity in this writing as it blurs the boundaries of time and characters. The three historical figures are interwoven with care and rich thought. I especially liked the part about the Chinese poet Du Fu. The story within a story aspect was so interesting and I’m very curious to read this author’s other book Do Not Say We Have Nothing.
Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for my ARC!...more
I loved reading The Tiger and the Cosmonaut by Eddy Boudel Tan! I was so excited to read this novel since I loved both of his previous books. I loved I loved reading The Tiger and the Cosmonaut by Eddy Boudel Tan! I was so excited to read this novel since I loved both of his previous books. I loved the Vancouver setting in this book and the nuance of the Chinese Canadian family. The mystery element really propelled me to keep reading and the ending was so emotional that it made me cry. The writing really excelled at bringing forth those strong emotions and tension with tenderness and hope.
My last poetry book THE LOOM by Andy Weaver was my last poetry read of 2024 and I really enjoyed this indie CanLit collection! These lyric poems focusMy last poetry book THE LOOM by Andy Weaver was my last poetry read of 2024 and I really enjoyed this indie CanLit collection! These lyric poems focus on parenthood and love. They made me go aww and laugh. The poem referencing the song You Spin Me Round was fun. I really enjoyed the lines “to love is to start the elegy� and the final paragraph in poem V.iv which both talk about love. The love is very evident in these poems!
Thank you to University of Calgary Press and ZG Reads for my copy!...more
I was so intrigued to read this translated sci fi/horror novel and the first half was great. The story opening right away with the frightening black oI was so intrigued to read this translated sci fi/horror novel and the first half was great. The story opening right away with the frightening black orbs that absorb people and were multiplying delved into the fear of the unknown and the demise of society. The main character, Jeong-su, is on that classic post-apocalyptic man on the run journey to find his parents and simply survive. This book took a turn in the second half where Jeong-su made some decisions and revealed his personality that was very disturbing and I really didn’t care for his character at all especially how he treated another man and the violence was intense. I’m still curious to read more translated horror in the future!
Thank you to Harper Collins Canada for my ARC!...more
I was initially interested to read Big Chief by Jon Hickey because it’s described as There There meets The Night Watchman and I loved There There. ThiI was initially interested to read Big Chief by Jon Hickey because it’s described as There There meets The Night Watchman and I loved There There. This debut novel follows Mitch Caddo who works with Tribal President, Mack, on the Passage Rouge Nation and hoping for reelection. A tragic accident brings some secrets to light and Mitch has to deal with politics, the community and his family and friends. I feel like I just wanted a bit more from this story. It has all the elements but maybe lacking in execution. I’d still be interested to read his next book!
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