Book recommendations

 

Calling all bookworms!

If reading is one of your favourite pastimes like it is for me, then this page is for you!

I have dedicated this section to the books I am currently reading and am particularly overly

fond of!

If you have any questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to comment!

Fairy Tale by Stephen King

The narrative revolves around Charlie Reade, the central character, who stumbles into an unexpected role as the caretaker for the reclusive Howard Bowditch. Following Mr. Bowditch's death, Charlie stumbles upon a cassette tape containing cryptic instructions, urging him to venture into the shed nestled in Mr. Bowditch's backyard. What he discovers within this seemingly ordinary shed is nothing short of extraordinary – a portal to an alternate realm plagued by an insidious curse. Thus commences Charlie's extraordinary odyssey to rescue this peculiar world, forging profound and enigmatic connections with a host of newfound companions along the way.

From the moment I learned that my favourite author, Stephen King, had penned a tale with a fairy tale twist, I felt an irresistible urge to purchase and delve into this book. I am sincerely grateful that I followed this impulse. While some might argue that the story starts off slow, I found immense pleasure in immersing myself in the intricacies of the burgeoning bond between Charlie and his reclusive neighbour. The novel also pays homage to the rich traditions of fairy tales and draws inspiration from the works of H.P. Lovecraft, elements that seamlessly enhance my overall enjoyment of the narrative.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Is a romantic novel set in the early 19th century in rural England and revolves around the life and social interactions of Elizabeth Bennet, the witty and independent-minded protagonist. The story primarily explores themes of love, marriage, social class, and personal growth.

The title "Pride and Prejudice" alludes to the two central characters, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, who initially form negative opinions of each other based on pride and prejudice but eventually come to understand and appreciate each other's true character. The novel follows Elizabeth's journey as she navigates the challenges of societal expectations and the complexities of her relationships with various suitors, including Mr. Darcy.

At first, I must confess, it took a few chapters to truly immerse myself in this novel. Initially, I anticipated some difficulty in finishing it. However, as the story unfolded, I found myself growing emotionally attached to the characters. Mr. Collins provoked a sense of annoyance, while Jane elicited my sympathy. I held out hope for a romantic connection between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Now having completed it, I can wholeheartedly say that I thoroughly appreciate this novel. I'm delighted I persisted, as it turned out to be an utterly captivating read!

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

"To Kill A Mockingbird" is set during the Great Depression in the racially charged atmosphere of Alabama.  I re-read this novel for the second time recently after discovering it in High School English class. I found myself once again navigating the world through the eyes of Scout, the young protagonist, as she grew up in a turbulent time period marked by racial prejudice and social inequality. Scout's innocent perspective allows me to witness the harsh realities of the time while also experiencing her childhood adventures alongside her brother, Jem, and their friend, Dill.

I am now able to fully appreciate the depth and significance of the themes explored in the book, including the injustice faced by Tom Robinson, a black man wrongly accused of a crime, and the extraordinary moral compass of Scout's father, Atticus Finch, as he courageously stands up against prejudice and discrimination.

The novel's exploration of the enigmatic Boo Radley also captivates me anew. I am transported back to Scout, Jem, and Dill's curiosity as they embark on a mission to uncover the truth about Boo, who has become an iconic figure of mystery and fear. This renewed reading experience allows me to fully comprehend the subtle references to Boo Radley that have been sprinkled throughout my favourite TV show, ''Gilmore Girls,'' which I never quite grasped before.

As I delve deeper into the narrative, I can't help but draw parallels between the struggles faced by the characters in "To Kill A Mockingbird" and the societal issues that persist today. The novel's poignant portrayal of racism and prejudice serves as a reminder that, despite the passage of time, some challenges still persist in our world.

The Turn Of The Screw by Henry James

This exceptional gothic horror novella unfolds within the mysterious confines of an English country estate. Entrusted with the care of two children, Miles and Flora, a young governess becomes the protagonist of a tale that weaves suspense, uncertainty, and a beautifully dark atmosphere from the very first page.

The novella's narrative structure is one of its greatest strengths, as it cleverly presents the story as a tale recounted by a group of friends gathered around a fireplace. This approach skillfully tugs at the strings of doubt, forcing readers to question the reliability and sanity of the governess, while continuously wondering about the truth behind the unfolding events.

Beyond being a mere ghost story, "The Turn of the Screw" transforms into a psychological suspense masterpiece. Throughout the narrative, the governess's grip on reality is a constant subject of inquiry, blurring the line between sanity and madness and leaving readers mesmerized by the intricacies of her mind.

The Turn Of The Screw a novella by Henry James, available on Amazon

Moon On Encrusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice

What happens when the ordinary comforts and necessities of everyday life are taken away? This novel follows the main character, Evan Whitesky who lives on a Canadian First Nations (Anishinaabe) reservation (Rez) in Northern Ontario. The novel is about survival during a winter apocalypse and the community is cut off from civilization. It is cleverly written and while it is a slow read, the suspense and getting attached to Evan's family is what made me not want to put this novel down! In fact, I felt the same emotions with the characters as I was reading along. In addition, I learned a lot about the Anishinaabe people and there is a Nanabush story in this novel that will make me never look at moss or lichen the same way again! I also appreciated how the author included real-life elements that the First Nations people had to face (for example historical summaries of their loss of language and culture/traditions due to the residential school systems, problems with drugs and alcohol due to trauma, etc) I had to read this as part of my First Nations/North American Native Literature class and I highly recommend it. I am looking forward to the author's next novel (which is a continuation of Moon on Encrusted Snow) which should be released sometime this year (2023) 

Caedmon's Hymn

I had to read this for my Medieval English Literature class. I won't go into an in-depth analysis of this piece because we covered it in class. I just find it impressive that I got to read what is believed to be the first English poem. I had to read both the Old English version as well as the translation into Modern English. The Middle Ages have always been a fascination for me. I have always loved history and to be able to read a text in Old English, see the translation, and have a short discussion on early texts was truly an amazing experience for me. 

Caedmon's Hymn (British Library)

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll

Who doesn't like a good classic tale? Growing up, I was enchanted with the Disney animated film and when I discovered that the movie was actually a book, I went to my local library to borrow a copy. I was just starting high school and had some difficulty reading the text. After all, growing up in Montreal, I did my elementary studies in French and pretty much self-taught myself (with lots of help from my amazing big sister, Nancey) in English. Reading my first Victorian novel at the age of 12 was challenging but I muddled through. I always knew that books are always better than the movie! Over the years, my love for Alice In Wonderland never faded. When the Disney live-action remakes came out, I was thrilled. During the pandemic in 2020 when everything was shut down, like many people, I played the videogame, Animal Crossing. I made my whole island in the game Alice In Wonderland themed! Now that I am an adult and read extensively, I decided to re-read this classic. This time, I have more experience with reading literature from the 1800s and it won't be as challenging as it was when I was a kid. I am sorry I didn't give a brief description of the novel. I thought it would be redundant since most of us are familiar with this beautiful story! The novel I purchased has both stories: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland as well as Through the Looking-Glass. Now excuse me while I go smoke with the Caterpillar! 

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Set in a dystopian future, the story follows a fireman by the name of Guy Montag whose main duty is to set all books on fire as well as the houses they are stored in. Guy never questions his career or why he has to burn these books until he meets his eccentric neighbour, Clarisse. Although this book was written almost 70 years ago, unfortunately, the message behind this story still holds true today, especially in present times when technology and social media seem to be the "go-to" source for entertainment. This novel is one of my favourites and I highly recommend it as it is very thought-provoking.

Image courtesy of amazon.ca since my copy is pretty well worn out! 

The Dragonlance Chronicles by Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman

These are the first three books that started them all. I have read this series several times and have several other Dragonlance novels in my collection. I love this series. I recently purchased the collector's edition, the first three books combined into one huge novel. While it is annoying to carry around, I enjoy reading this story. It really feels like I am being reunited with some old friends. You cannot help but feel attached to the characters in this book. 

This series was based on a Dungeons and Dragons campaign and even though I never really got into D&D, I do enjoy a good fantasy novel. If you like D&D and the fantasy genre, I highly recommend this series!