John Tollefson, a Norwegian of course, is raised in Lake Wobegon in Minnesota, according to the following philosophy (page 1): “Chin up, make yourself useful, mind your manners and … don’t feel sorry for yourself. As an adult, he moves east to manage a college radio station in upstate New York. Witty asides abound, especially about the contrasting idiosyncrasies of Lake Wobegon inhabitants and New Yorkers. Stories about Norwegian ancestors and relatives provide both poignancy and comedy – very entertaining.
Author: AJ
The Memory Police – Yoko Ogawa
This is a strange and spooky book. On an unnamed island, objects like birds mysteriously disappear. The sinister Memory Police then remove all references to birds, like the writings of an ornithologist. And if memory persists, the people are removed to ensure that what has disappeared remains forgotten. Loss and fear become paramount. And the ending is depressing- can memories be preserved?
Thanks Amy, for this recommendation.
Bookshops and Bonedust – Travis Baldree
Readers of this blog will know that I read any book with the word “bookshops “ in the title. This is an entertaining fantasy novel about orcs, dwarfs, elves, wights an evil necromancer and even a homunculus (look it up). Viv, a battle-hungry orc, is recovering from a wound in a small sleepy town, when she is introduced to literature in a bookshop run by Fern, a foul-mouthed rattkin. Key relationships are centered about books, and the main characters are all female. Very entertaining.
Runaway- Alice Munro
The recent death of Ms. Munro prompted me to (re)read this amazing book, consisting of 8 single-word-titled stories. Her literary gift is to write about everyday people ( mostly women) in both common and extraordinary circumstances. There is an unparalleled purity of language – she a national treasure.
The Love of a Good Woman- Alice Munro
Simply put, the first story in this collection (same as book title) is outstanding, a must read story. Perhaps because this book was written well before Runaway, there is more emphasis on context, place but especially time (the Sixties) with so many constraints for women.
Prophet Song – Paul Lynch
Trigger warning: this is a tough read, bad things progress to worse things. Contemporary Ireland is becoming dystopian with national emergency legislation and suspension of constitutional rights. Eilish is an approximate 40 year old mother of 4. Her life is upended when her trade unionist husband is abducted by the state. How can she protect her children and her mildly-demented father from the political chaos that descends into civil war. Does she stay or attempt to flee? The writing is dense with run-on dialog that is consistent with the intensity of emotions (desperation, despair). What will a mother do to hold her family together in the face of societal collapse.
Thanks Mike, for giving me this important book.
The Relatives – Camilla Gibb
A relatively short but insightful book about family and motherhood. There are three separate storylines. Lila is contemplating motherhood. Tess is the mother of an 8-year-old whose relationship with Emily is ending. And Adam is the enigmatic sperm donor. What are our responsibilities to each other in order to create a family? This is a remarkable book – highly recommended.
A Meditation of Murder – Susan Jubey
Helen is an extremely efficient butler to a super-rich couple in Vancouver. Her calm demeanor is enhanced because she is a practising Buddhist. Helen is “loaned” to help a young woman, an internet influencer, get her life in order. Helen is reluctantly exposed to the toxic work of social media, and then there are murders. Helen’s ability to be a calm observer is tested by people without sound judgement. And finally, the setting is contemporaryy Vancouver and a ranch in BC’s interior. Often hilarious because of contrasting lifestyles, this is a pleasant read.
In The Upper Country – Kai Thomas
The context in this important story is key. It is 1859 in a Candian town, a terminus of the underground railway. A recently arrived Black woman shoots dead an American slave hunter, and surrenders to be imprisoned for murder. A young journalist want to collect the testimony of the old accused woman but what evolves is a remarkable barter, a story exchange. What is revealed is a tapestry of interwoven stories, including relationships between blacks and indigenous peoples. This is a seriously fine book.
What David Read 