Old City Hall - Robert Rotenberg

This book was exactly what I needed, having come off the reading of two fairly literary novels.  I need a rousing page turner and this book delivered.  The book is set in Toronto and is about a sensationalized murder trial.  The host of a CBC radio program has confessed and been charged with the murder of his partner.  The interesting part of this book is that nothing is quite what it seems, and you tag along as the officers attempt to construct what actually happened.  The characters in this book are all very likable, which adds to the story--you enjoy going on a journey with Detective Green, Officer Kennicott, Nancy Parish, and Albert Fernandez.  I also enjoyed the setting, bringing back recollections of times that I've spent in Toronto.  Perfect for someone wanting an intelligent, readable book.

5/5 Stars

No Place Strange - Diana Bryden Fitzgerald

Like Annabel, I did not have overly high expectations for this book but, I also really enjoyed it  It takes place in both Lebanon and Canada during the 1970's and focuses on both a mystery and a love story.

While there was a plot, it was really the characters who made this book for me.  The three mains (Lydia, Moana, and Miriam) were interesting and complex women, who I enjoyed getting to know.  The author did a fabulous job of her main character development.  Interestingly, she didn't bring this same depth to her supporting characters.  In particular, it was difficult to relate to Moana's younger sister, whom the audience should have great sympathy for due to the PTSD she suffered from living in war-torn Lebanon.  I had a similar reaction to Lydia's love interest, Farid.  I just didn't know him well enough to feel one way or another about his situation.

Despite these limitations, this really was a good book and it was interesting to read about Lebanon as I have only a cursory knowledge of the country during this era.

4 out of 5 stars.

Idiot America

Idiot America

Idiot America: How Stupidity Became a Virtue in the Land of the Free

Title: Idiot America: How Stupidity Became a Virtue in the Land of the Free
Author: Charles P Pierce
Publisher: Doubleday

ISBN-10: 0767926145
ISBN-13: 978-0767926140

Review: Quite a few years back, my brother and I changed out a carburetor in my wife's old Toyota Tercel.  Having completed this single bit of mechanictry (not a real word), I don't believe that I could get a job as a Master Mechanic with Toyota.  I also don't believe that I should advise others on their own car maintenance, I think that should be left to the experts; the people who have studied for years and have lots of experience behind them.  That is what the author is saying in this book; people should trust the experts.

His complaint however, is that people aren't trusting the experts.  They are trusting talk radio hosts, they are trusting "yes" men, they are trusting their own gut, in short, they are trusting the wrong people.

It is fair to say that through out most of this book, Charles P Pierce is pissed off.  He touches on quite a few topics throughout the book such as The Creation Museum in Kentucky, Intelligent Design sneaking into the the curriculum in Colorado, the death of Terri Schiavo in Florida, Talk Radio throughout America, and virtually all of the last decade of what goes on in Washington, DC.  Charles P Pierce is pissed off because the people who actually do know what they are talking about in such matters are at best, being ignored, and at worst are being ridiculed for the fact that they actually DO know what they are talking about.  I believe he calls it an anti-intellectual backlash.

Charles P Pierce is a wonderful writer and he weaves an elaborate narrative on some of the sore spots of American culture.  As I alluded to, his writing can come off as caustic at times, but he can also be quite shrewd and very funny.  Think of him as Jon Stewart, but without so many jokes.

I highly recommend picking up this book.  Heck you may even want to read it. 4 out of 5.

Annabel - Kathleen Winter

Unlike the Book Thief (see review below), I went into Annabel not knowing what to expect.  It had been shortlisted for the Giller, so I took that as a good sign.  However, the topic was a new one for me in that the main character Wayne/Annabel was a hermaphrodite.  As it turned out, this book amazed me.  I just loved it.  It tells the story of a hermaphrodite born to a family in Labrador.  I felt that the strength of this book related to the idea of decisions that are made for someone and the resulting consequences.  There were only three people who knew that Wayne/Annabel had been born a hermaphrodite; and each had a vision of what they thought would be best for Wayne/Annabel.  This book tells the story of the consequences resulting from these decisions, and how they ultimately affected Wayne/Annabel.  I highly recommend this book.

5 out of 5 stars.

Book Thief - Markus Zusak

This book had a lot to live up to, given the number of people who told me that I had to read it.  As a result, I went into it with a somewhat wary attitude.  How good could it be?  It turns out that I really liked it.

Using Death to narrate the story, Zusak creates a story that takes place in wartime Germany.  It highlights the stories of people who were not Jewish, but who did what they could to help the Jews in Nazi Germany.  The main character is named Liesel and she has come to live with foster parents after her younger brother dies and her mother gives her up.  Her step-father in particular stands out as an exemplary character, who provides unwavering support for Liesel, who is understandably troubled after witnessing the death of her younger brother.  Other key characters include Rudy and Max.  Rudy is Liesel's best friend, while Max is a Jewish man who is being hidden in Liesel's basement.  The relationship between Max and Liesel is quite poignant as they both share what they have lost with one another, finding a soul mate of sorts.  On the whole, this book provides interesting insight into wartime Germany from the perspective of people living their everyday lives, while also trying to maintain their moral integrity.

4 out of 5 Stars.

Turn of the Screw - Henry James

I heard a little bit more about this book last year and so was keen to get my hands on it.  I was curious about a classic that was also classified in the thriller or horror genre.  I tend to be quite grounded, so wasn't sure that this book would completely freak me out.  It didn't, but was still a very well written and interesting story.  It tells the tale of a governess who goes to care for two children in a fairly remote locale.  Eerie events begin to happen soon after her arrival and the reader is left to determine what is actually going on.  James definitely leaves room for interpretation.  I won't go into too much more detail as to the plot as I don't want to give too much away.  I'll close by saying that while I wasn't blown away by this book, it was an interesting read that I don't regret trying.

I should also point out that this was the first book I read on a Kindle, so do wonder if that coloured the experience.  I'm keen to try another e-book, so I can sort out whether or not I like reading that format.  Not convinced yet!

3/5 Stars

Freedom - Jonathan Franzen

For me, this book falls into the "oddly compelling" category.  I pushed through 500+ pages, despite the fact that 90% of it was filled with and dominated by unlikeable characters.  Nonetheless, the story was interesting and Franzen is an evocative writer.  I am perplexed, however, by the number of annual top-ten lists on which this book has appeared.  While interesting, I didn't find it amazing and I certainly preferred Franzen's earlier work, "The Corrections".  "Freedom" essentially follows one family over 30+ years, with frequent reflections on the meaning and limits of liberty, particularly in contemporary America.  Given that others have ascribed greatness to this book, it is perhaps worth picking up--maybe I just missed something.

3/5 Stars.

59 Seconds: Think a Little, Change a Lot

Title: 59 Seconds: Think a Little, Change a Lot
Author: Richard Wiseman
Publisher: Macmillan

ISBN-10: 023074429X
ISBN-13: 978-0230744295

Review:
I first heard about this book while listening to the Skeptic's Guide to the Universe podcast well over a year ago, but being such a horribly slow reader, I finally just got to it on my reading list recently.

59 Seconds is a self-help book for the Skeptical Mindset.  While it doesn't actually state that if you do A-B-C, it will bring you long life, happiness and prosperity, it does provide a lot of advice that is actually built on science, rather than Oprah-ism.

Much of the information may already be known to those who would identify themselves as skeptics, but the book helps solidify many of the things you may have only a periphery knowledge of.  That is where I find myself.  I have heard bits of pieces of these studies over the years, but other than knowing the headline, I haven't learned anything of the who's, what's, where's, why's and hows...it just didn't feel right to put an apostrophy after how.

I found this a fairly quick read, even for me.  Despite the fact that I got through the book quickly, I found it very enjoyable.

Random Acts of Heroic Love - Danny Scheinmann

I wanted to like this more, even expected to like it  more.  While it falls outside my usual taste (it's primarily a romance), the reviews had been outstanding.  This book follows two seemingly unrelated storylines (although you know that they will come together in the end).  The crux of the two stories relates to two men's complete and utter commitment to their significant others.  In one story, a young man loses his girlfriend in a horrific bus crash in South America and Scheinmann explores the extreme grief that he feels.  In another story, set in and around World War One, a soldier hikes from Siberia to Poland to find his "beloved".  I actually preferred the second story as it was more hopeful, while the other was a descent into darkness.  As mentioned, these two stories do come together; in my opinion, rather predictably.

This review sounds quite critical, but I should point out that  Scheinmann is a beautiful writer, and his use of language does pull you into these two men's stories.  It just wasn't my kind of story (glad it was a library book and not a purchase).  Interestingly, peppered throughout the text were various quotes about love (often related to love in the animal kingdom) and it is these that I found most interesting.  If you like romance, pick it up, otherwise...

3/5 Stars.