Full disclosure – this is a book about hockey. But in my defense, this extraordinary book is widely considered to be the greatest hockey book ever written. For context, Dryden was the goaltender for the Montréal Canadiens during their epic success in the 1970s. Specifically, he writes about 1979 and the performance of the team and himself. Importantly, Dryden is a thoughtful and articulate observer. Has the team been spoiled by success, and is the team in decline? Dryden has also decided to retire after his 9th season: why? He describes ball hockey as a child, and offers cogent observations on his teammates. This is a great book about people and performance, aspects of image and reputation, and even superstition.
Category: Genre
Blood Ties – Jo Nesbo
Nesbo is an expert Nordic Noir author but his crime thrillers are typically from the perspective of the police and the actions of the legendary Detective Harry Hole. This interesting book instead features insight into the psyche of two brothers who are criminals (and killers). Can the brothers continue to cover their tracks over past murders and current criminal actions like bribery and overt threats? What about the stress of sibling rivalry? Great fun to read.
A Brief History of Montmaray – Michelle Cooper
A fine example of historical fiction with an imaginative island of Montmaray in the Bay of Biscay, between France and Spain. The story is told by journal writing by 16-year-old (Princess) Sophie FitzOsborne in 1936. There is an eccentric and impoverished royal family clinging to relevance as Europe descends into chaos. Importantly, the story transitions from silly to serious, to become a heart-stopping tale of loyalty, love and loss. In short, this is a very entertaining book that gets better and better. Thanks Elliott, for this recommendation.
The Life Cycle Of The Common Octopus – Emma Knight
Pen(elope) and Alice are Canadian BFFs who attend university in Edinburgh, in part so Pen can learn about a mystery involving her father’s prior relationship(s) in Scotland. The story builds slowly but effectively with elements of female friendships, first feelings of love, and sacrifices of motherhood. And much withholding creates a compelling mystery. This is a very fine first novel that was Giller short-listed.
Book of Lives – A Memoir of Sorts – Margaret Atwood
Ms. Atwood is, of course, a Canadian literary treasure with books of poetry, fiction and non-fiction. Her memoir is, predictably, fascinating with her droll sense of humour. First, there is her somewhat unconventional childhood with summers spent in remote northern bush country with her entomologist father and resourceful mother. Second, key moments in her life are linked to books, like writing the Handmaids Tale in 1980s Berlin. And finally, the important people in her life are acknowledged, especially Graeme Gibson. Overall, an insightful and often very funny memoir from an imaginative and thoughtful author. Highly recommended.
Unless – Carole Shields
Sometimes when the CPL hold system fails to provide a new book, it is a great pleasure to revisit a classic book from my personal library, like this great novel from 2002 by Ms. Shields, a Canadian literary icon. Full disclosure: this is a book about and for women. Reta is a 44-year-old married mother with three daughters, and a writer/translator. Her female relationships are complex. Notably, her 19-year-old daughter Norah is living on the street; her motivation of choose a path of self-abnegation is a mystery. And Reta’s interactions with her female fiends and colleagues are also complex with profound feelings of powerlessness. As always, Ms. Shields’ writing is exquisite; for example, the description of a library trip is sublime.
Finding Flora – Elinor Florence
The setting: Alberta in 1905. A single woman and a widow with three children attempt to homestead land near Red Deer. Their efforts are complicated by weather (hail storms, brutal winter cold) and yes, sexism. There are dastardly villains but, spoiler alert – a happy ending. So, historical fiction featuring female resilience. Thanks Joyce, for this recommendation.
The Bookshop – Penelope Fitzgerald
Florence Green, a middle-aged widow, opens a bookshop in a small Suffolk coastal town. Her business is opposed by an influential and ambitious local woman who conspires to have Mrs. Green evicted. So, this is a satirical examination of stiffling small-town English cruelties and injustices. Overall, a very short read but very worthwhile.
What We Can Know – Ian McEwan
This is one of McEwan’s best books, one that should be read slowly to savour his exceptional writing. In 2014, an acclaimed poet reads a new poem dedicated to his wife on her birthday, at a dinner party in England. But the poem is never published and so is lost. Over the next 100 years, the world undergoes a collapse of civilization with cataclysmic climate change exacerbated by nuclear wars. So in 2119, an academic in a Humanities Department discovers an astonishing clue in surviving archives. Thus a literary thriller about life and love provides profound insight into human nature.
What David Read 