Georgia's Voice

IT HAS BEEN AWHILE...

2009-02-02T16:29:00.005-05:00

As you likely have noticed, I have not been around lately. Or maybe you haven’t noticed and that would simply be sad for me. Either way, take my word for it, I’ve been absent and will likely be absent in the weeks to come. Consider this my note to the principal for skipping class…

For the most part Georgia’s Voice was a means of discovering and sharing good books. It was my quiet effort to initiate a literary dialogue and bolster my library choices. However, it was also an exercise in employment for me; my personal attempt to discover and develop my writing skills with the intent of writing professionally in the near future. Unfortunately, what I discovered instead was that while I can write fine enough, I really don’t have anything interesting to say; no story to share, no deviant political plot to unfold, no deep intriguing ideas to expand upon and certainly no frenzied channel of communication to initiate. Essentially, other than an opinion on what I am currently reading, I have absolutely nothing say. I am, effectively, a literary mute and now officially very unemployed. What a buzz kill.

So, who cares right? If I am still interested in writing about the books I read then so be it. I’ll simply continue with that. And, if these are your thoughts, you are almost right. I will continue this blog, but I will also be looking for a new job and considering some serious professional redirection.

Now for any of you who know me well, you will also know that I am a woman of many interests and thankfully am already pursuing a new business venture as I write this. So fear not, I will be employed very soon, I am sure. However, with every new pursuit, time must be given to development and implementation. So, I am allowing myself just that, time. Which means, in the coming weeks, my blogs will be infrequent and short, however, I am hoping that once I have my new business up and running I will return with equal enthusiasm as before and way more books for you to check out. Wish me luck.

Alrighty then! Letter to principal complete. Now let us get on with today’s official entry…

I am a list gal; Groceries, To Do’s, To Reads, To Watch, Thoughts, Ideas, anything. If I think it, I write it. Without my lists I am much like a hamster running in its exercise wheel, going fast but going nowhere. When I was younger, my lists were simply a past time, born of lofty ideas and extensive wishes. Now, well, now it is more of a necessity. If it needs to be done, then it needs to be written, or I simply won’t remember it. Old age (although I hardly consider 36 old), lazy brain, stress, hormones, flightiness, whatever the reason I simply have an incredibly unreliable memory. So, I have my lists.

And for the most part my lists are drawn up daily as short term goals with quick and immediate gain. Do laundry, have clean clothes. Get groceries, have food in cupboards. Shave leg…Ah, ya, not going there. Let us just say, my lists are for a purpose and every once in awhile I draw up a more extensive list, centered around long term goals that require more elaborate game plans to achieve and thus more effort in achieving them; which brings me to my current list

1. Read.
2. Read a book that is not a part of a series. I keep unintentionally choosing books that are a part of a series, a trilogy or have a sequel pending. You think I jest? I do not. Out of the last four books I have read, three are awaiting a sequel. Now if this had been a mistake of my own, if I had simply missed the headline clarifying the book was a part of a series, then I would say nothing and move on. But that is not what has been happening. Publishers have gotten sneaky. The last book I read – which really was quite good, by the way – simply noted its title and author, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. No where did it advertise that it was a part of an on-going tale. That is until the last page where the words End of Book One mocked me into a not-so-quiet fit of frustration on a VIA train bound for home. Trust me it was not pretty.
3. Read and complete all the series I have begun. Ha, this is a big one. In the last month alone, I now have added three new authors to this particular goal. Honestly, I would be better off not to choose any new books until I have actually completed this particular goal or, with my recent luck, I’ll be at this one a long, long time.
4. Read all of Jane Austen’s books without becoming annoyed. I like Jane Austen. I just do not love her and I find her books to be repetitive in theme. However, I like to choose one author each year, and then proceed to read through their entire collection and this year, its Miss Austen. I will admit to having read much of her work in the past but now that so much is being borrowed upon from her books in both modern movies and new literature, I am keen to familiarize myself with her work once again. I just have pace myself so that I read a few books in between so a not to become too annoyed with what I sometimes find to be annoying aspects of her books…wish me luck.
5. Read more.

Short as it may be, this is not going to be all that easy. On the surface it looks like simple reading goals requiring no long term game plan. But here you would be wrong. I always require a game plan.

Contrary to popular belief, I have a life. And like all of you, that life is busy, and about to get busier. So, reading time will be short and hard to come by. If I want to accomplish any of the list, then I am going to have to make use of any and all reading opportunities. For example, last month, while tackling what turned out to be a six hour commute from point A to point B, I saw an opportunity and read through it. Despite over heated cars (yes, I know we are in a deep freeze but I like it cool), loud-mouthed cell phone wielding VIP wannabe’s, shaky tracks and connection transitions, I managed to read several chapters of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Really, now that I have written it down, it does not feel like quite an accomplishment but given my surroundings and the fact that I was suppose to be working on two business plans (yup starting a new one) and weeding through a market analysis of local competition, I’d say it was a smashing achievement. And that, I believe is how this year is going to go. List in hand, goals in mind, and a book always by my side.

Hopefully, with these in place, this will be another great year of reading.

THE SCREAM
Author: Rohinton Mistry
Published by: McClelland & Stewart, 2008

Rohinton Mistry’s The Scream is not a large book, only 35 pages from beginning to end. However, it is one of the best books I have read in some time. Drawn by the title and further encouraged by my friend, I read this pint size binding in only one half hour and found myself reading it twice since with the intent of purchasing my own copy. It is that good.

Telling the story, or rather sharing the thoughts of an old man whose name we never learn, this book makes, at once, both beautiful and painful the progression of a life moving slowly towards death. While observing life around him and sharing his thoughts in a very definitely reproachful monologue, we are offered hard earned wisdom from a man too angry to see what he is truly sharing. Every page becomes an opportunity to learn. We learn how our parents and grandparents might feel and how we might feel should old age have us in the end. We are persuaded through sadness and laughter, that death is simply a black comedy of events and for those who are its unfortunate punch lines an entirely tortuous play.

Original, lyrical and beautifully poetic, The Scream offers us an inspiring glimpse, through both Rohinton Mistry’s words and Tony Urquhart’s artistry, into the aging senile mind of one facing impending death. Mistry tells us this man has lived, and he reminds us that this fact is ultimately the most important. His character demands to heard with the respect and understanding he is due and in the end, we give it.

Favourite line from the book…
For a book so short, you would think my favourite line would be equally brief, but then you would also be wrong. I honestly enjoyed every word and every line of this book. However, that would make for one long entry today and definite copywrite infringement, so instead, I have simply chosen a few from the many for you to enjoy.

The sound pierced the darkness like a needle. Behind it, it pulled an invisible thread of pain. Pg. 1

Horripilating. Caliginous. Hypogean. Inspissated. It pleases me that these words are not lost on you…Though I readily admit that if gems like these sit unused inside me for too long, they make me costive. A periodic purge is essential fo ran old man’s well-being…So I repeat, I am no exhibitionist, this is not a manifestation of logorrhea or sesquipedalianism. At my age, there is no future in showing off. Pg 6

To know the word – the spelling, the very bowels of its meaning, the womb which gave it birth – this is one of the few things in life worth pursuing. Pg. 13

The air is still dry, we wait for rain. The beggars have gone on strike. The fields are sere, the fishnets are empty. The black marketers have begun to hoard. People are filling the temples. The flies are dropping like men. Pg. 35

THE HUNGER GAMES
Author: Suzanne Collins
Published by: Scholastic Inc, 2008

Using the platform of CBS’s Jericho, take the World Olympic games mix it with Survivior (yes, the reality show) and William Golding’s Lord of the Flies and you may just come out with Suzanne Collin’s The Hunger Games. Published by Scholastic Books in 2008, The Hunger Games tells the story of Katniss (not to be confused with catnip) Everdeen, a not-so-ordinary teenager growing up during a feral and vicious futuristic era, when the United States has collapsed and become The Capital and where the lives of its children are entirely expendable.

At first glance, you might assume this book is a simple suspense-adventure-romance hybrid novel and nothing more. Yet as you read you will find so much more is being offered. While Katniss’s adventures take place in the future, the facts are eerily similar to the newspaper headlines and television shows of today. Collin’s telling of life in the Capital is disconcerting and lends itself towards somewhat of a warning. Truthfully, it is not a deeply philosophical novel, but it is a story full of possibility and told with definite thought and consideration into what that possibility might mean.

Given I picked up this book and read it in one go, enjoying every minute of the adventure, it is no surprise I am recommending it as a good read. However, I feel I should warn you, that this is the first book of at least two, with the second one to be released in September of 2009. So, be prepared to finish wanting more.

Least favourite line from the book…

End of book one. Page 384

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

2008-12-23T12:02:00.006-05:00

The holiday season is finally here and I am now officially very tired of shopping and shoveling, and bustling in the festive spirit. Bring on the turkey I say! Find me a couch corner, a blazing fire and a damn good book. It is high time to relax.

And with that I bring you My Little List of Holiday Reads. Most, I fear, are unoriginal selections and have been suggested many times over by others with far more critical skill than I. A few have even found themselves adorning big screens across the country at one time or another. However, all are entirely worthy of your attention and will certainly lend a literary hand in bringing in the holiday spirit.

So take a peak. Whether for inspiration, laughter, deep thoughts or simply for a few quiet relaxing moments these books are guaranteed to give you pause and calm during this busy time of year.

Happy holidays!

MY LITTLE LIST OF HOLIDAY READS...
1. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
2. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
3. Something From Nothing by Phoebe Gilman
4. The Gift by Richard Paul Evans
5. Miracle on 34th Street by Valentine Davies
6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss
7. The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clark Moore
8. The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Anderson
9. The Delaney Christmas Caro by Kay Hooper, Iris Johansen & Fayrene Preston
10. Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Author: Charles Dickens
Published by: Dalmatian Press, 2007
(not the same publication as cover shown)

When I was 14 I read Charles Dickens for the first time. Reluctant at first, likely intimidated by the classroom vibe of what high school titled classic literature, I hesitantly cracked the spine of A Tale of Two Cities and was immediately rewarded for my actions. The language and incredible beauty of Dickens’ work glittered across the page like bright sun on a smooth watery surface. Every word was gorgeous, every sentence creative and every scene magnetic. I fell instantly in love.

Funny thing, though, I never once read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. In fact, until this day, I actively avoided his most famous Christmas story. Like many children, I was introduced to it through television and films before I could even read and my experience as a viewer was always disappointing. Unfortunately, I learned only as an adult how poorly some books translate from page to screen and therefore missed out on the opportunity of discovering the true delight of the written classic at a young age. Now, with the encouragement of my book club’s Christmas pick, it was time to set right this mistake.

During these past few weeks, curled up with my daughter and my husband beside a fire in our living room – I am a big believer in atmosphere – we read this book aloud together. The experience was as captivating and enjoyable as my first with Mr. Dickens.

Written with definite care and full attention to each word on the page, A Christmas Carol was entirely animated, humorous, eerie and joyful all in the same moment. It had my family and I both laughing and squirming throughout its telling and made real to me, as a reader, just why it has captivated audiences for over a century and a half. Once we were finished, we all wished there was more to be heard.

So, while it may not be an original suggestion, and common enough across television screens throughout the country this month, I strongly recommend Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol to you during this Christmas season. Forget that remote. Set aside the DVD and pull out the real deal. You will certainly find yourself at once captivated by the adventure of such wonderfully written work and I promise you no disappointment will be found.

Favourite line from the book…

If I could work my will…every idiot who goes about with “Merry Christmas” on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. Page 8

Favourite scene from book…

“You will be haunted,” resumed the Ghost, “by Three Spirits.”
Scrooge’s countenance fell almost as low as the Ghost’s had done.
“Is that the chance and hope you mentioned, Jacob?” he demanded in a faltering voice.
“It is.”
“I – I think I’d rather not,” said Scrooge.
(Scene from page 22. )

SOMETHING FROM NOTHING
Author: Phoebe Gilman
Edition published by Scholastic Canada, 1994

Adopted from a Jewish folk tale, Something From Nothing, was written by the award winning author and artist, Phoebe Gilman. It is one of my favourite children’s books and, while not truly a Christmas story, the theme of the book most certainly falls under the spirit of what I feel Christmas is all about; love, family, friends and self-discovery.

Young Joseph’s most prized possession is a baby blanket his grandfather made him. As Joseph grows up he outgrows the blanket and his mother suggests it is time to retire the special gift. Joseph refuses, insisting his grandfather can fix it and each time, using what little he has, Joseph’s grandfather does. Finally, though, the remnants of what is Joseph’s prized possession is lost and as Joseph must accept that even his grandfather cannot make something from nothing he also discovers his own talent for re-invention.

In sharing the inspiring account of Joseph and his grandfather, Phoebe Gilman has captured not only a tender moment in a little boy’s world but has embellished her story with fabulous paintings of soft hues and revealing activity. In gentle cartoonish fashion, the pages of Something From Nothing, will captivate the young audiences with a story in and of itself. While the words on the page tell of Joseph, the pictures share with the reader all that surrounds this little boy; his home, his family, his neighbours, his community, even the family of mice who live beneath his home. All of this is captured in a smooth layering of well thought out illustrations.

Borrowing upon the old adage “If there is a will, there is a way” and centering her story on an entirely huggable child and his very busy Jewish community, Phoebe Gilman has created a wonderful children’s story that is sure to become a classic. Sometimes, even the most simplest of stories contain the most compelling truths. Pick up Something From Nothing and discover for yourself the truth about Joseph and his blanket.

Favourite line from the book…

Grandpa can fix it. Page 4

THE DELANEY CHRISTMAS CAROL
Author: Kay Hooper, Iris Johansen and Fayrene Preston
Published by Bantam Books, 2004

The Delaney Christmas Carol is a collaborative effort by three separate authors, Iris Johansen, Fayrene Preston and Kay Hooper. Following the past, present and future generations of the Delaney clan, we are presented with the possibilities and influence of a magical gypsy mirror that was given to the Delaney family in their homeland of Ireland. The mirror is considered both a gift and a curse as it has a nasty habit of prophesying events in the future and doing so with an alarming accuracy that tends to affect the love lives of the closest family members.

A great fire side read, The Delaney Christmas Carol takes us on a light and enjoyably romantic ride. Carefully avoiding complicated characters and demanding plot lines yet offering us a wonderfully woven and colourful family history, Johansen, Fayrene and Hooper have blended three tender short stories into the perfect holiday pick. During a time of year when quiet reading opportunities are rare and the chaos of family and travel far too easy to come by, The Delaney Christmas Carol offers you a fine escape and a delightful get away moment from it all. Easy to read, easy to set aside and even easier to return to, I recommend The Delaney Christmas Carol to all fans of the romance genre. May it offer you a quiet moment during a not-so-very-quiet time of year.

No favourite line this time.

Loud and Proud

2008-11-20T19:38:00.005-05:00

This week’s reading efforts have been entirely frustrated by the fact that my life suddenly got very busy. Who knew? It’s not like I am formally employed, bustling through each day with a gaggle of kiddies or a pile of paperwork. Nope. I am currently very unemployed and have but one child in tow, albeit a brilliantly spirited one. Yet, somehow, my world became demanding, my time short and as a result my reading time almost non-existent.

Now, I’m not complaining, because honestly I live in a relatively relaxed world, so a little busy is a good thing, but I am giving you is a heads up. A warning, if you will. Today’s entry will be short. Just one book read, and a short one at that. However, this one comes with a headline! So, sit back and enjoy.

Gay author no longer welcome to address N.B. students.

A couple of weeks back I came across this headline while surfing my online paper. Posted on CBC News, the article told of how a presentation by the award winning author Alex Sanchez was being cancelled due to parental pressure. Why, you ask? Well, aside from being a successful author with several well received young adult books to his credit, Alex Sanchez is also gay – openly and proudly gay. His presentation was on the topic of tolerance with a mission to bring together the community in a movement towards acceptance thus helping gay youth feel less isolated. Apparently, a few parents objected to such a racy topic being discussed with their children in school. A morally challenged area by some, the topic of gay youth was too overwhelming for these adults and sent them into a frenzy of opposition. It was unfortunate and pitiful. Thankfully, however, Mr. Sanchez was allowed to give his presentation in a local church (oh, the irony!) where many of the students and residents of the school district were allowed to finally hear his message.

I came away from these articles (‘cause there was a second article in the following week’s paper – did I mention that?) having made two discoveries. First, we are a tolerant people after all because, despite the small amount of opposition, there was an overwhelming amount of support for Alex Sanchez and his message, not only from the local student body but from people all across Canada. What pride I have in both – tolerance and acceptance is apparently very much alive in our country.

Then another discover, not quite as pleasant and certainly embarrassing. I had absolutely no clue who Alex Sanchez was! I had never heard of him, never read anything by him and was now biting at the book covers to read anything he had published. So, with a ‘hats off’ to the old adage, “all publicity is good publicity”, I quickly ran out to get his first book, Rainbow Boys and was fully rewarded for my efforts.

Rainbow Boys
Author: Alex Sanchez
Edition published by Simon Pulse, 2003

Alex Sanchez has clearly embraced the Judy Blume way!

Written with sincere honesty and absolute devotion to all that is awkward about being a teenager, Rainbow Boys is a wonderfully sensitive account of what that life is like for a gay teen. While respecting audience naïveté, Alex Sanchez never avoids the possible discomfort of revealing truthful facts and in doing so he introduces his readers to the realities of adolescent self-discovery.

Rainbow Boys focuses on three high school seniors, Jason, Kyle and Nelson. Each boy has reached an individual point of sexual awareness. Jason, the highschool jock, has just begun to realize his true sexual orientation and is trying to acclimate to all that this knowledge brings forth. Kyle knows he is gay but is struggling to reveal his secret to those closest to him while is best friend Nelson is flamboyantly gay, hiding from no one but forced to face daily the ignorance and intolerance his openness provokes. Albeit dipped in cliché stereotypes, these characters inspire their audience towards courage, self-worth and acceptance. In reading the book, we learn with them how affecting their self-realizations are and Alex Sanchez does not stop there. Taking it further than his main characters, he extends the story telling to include the emotional and social impact on their friends and family thus giving us a glimpse of what challenges society presents to all.

Much like Judy Blume, Alex Sanchez maintains a light atmosphere in his story-telling way. With intent I am sure, he balances the seriousness of the topic with the not-always-so-serious adventures of a teenager’s life thus allowing his readers to naturally absorb all that he was sharing. With recognition that adolescence is an incredibly awkward stage for any, Alex Sanchez’s Rainbow Boys is anything but self-conscious. Instead, he has written a beautifully revealing book that eases his readers through the life and challenges of gay teens, parting with the secrets and shedding the shadow of ignorance as he moved his pen across the page. Very simply put, he tells the story of Jason, Kyle and Nelson; three young men trying to find out who they are and where they belong, ultimately a quest we all share.

Favourite line from the book…

Jason took a deep breath, opened the door and stepped inside. Page 233

REMEMBRANCE AND PERSPECTIVE

2008-11-13T20:54:00.010-05:00

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month has passed. Remembrance Day is over. The tributes complete, the audience dispersed, the plastic poppy pins set upon the grave of the Unknown Soldier and the commemorative wreaths left to fight alone against the wind and rain. Now the real challenge begins. We must not forget.

Entirely by accident, and perhaps with a purpose I have not fully come to appreciate as yet, I have found myself reading many books, both fiction and non-fiction, which center around events that took place during times of war. This experience has increased my awareness of all that has been sacrificed and has opened my eyes to aspects of war I had never been privy to before.

In keeping with my education, I received history classes. I learned about what it means to be Canadian and what our country has done to honour our principles and beliefs. I learned who are allies were during times of war and have often become overwhelmed by the bravado and excitement of it all. However, I was never introduced to the concept that those I was to consider enemies, may also feel that same righteousness and fervor. I cannot recall a time when I was ever given the opportunity to understand or learn of an enemy’s perspective. In fact, I will suggest here that perspective was entirely absent from most of my history classes. It was unfortunate and it was a mistake.

Last year a friend of mine was visiting from Austria and was taking in the sites around town. Newly built was a war museum which his tour group was going to visit that very day. My friend did not go. The impression he left me with was that he was aware of how we viewed his country’s involvement in World War II and he could not reconcile our perception with his own. While he agreed that what took place during the war was horrific and tragic, he could not agree with the idea that his fellow countrymen were entirely evil and was not interested in seeing them displayed as such in a war museum. I believe he felt the museum was presenting an unfairly biased exhibit on events and made little effort to include, well, perspective. I have never gone to see the war museum so I cannot say one way or another about what it portrays. However, what I never forgot about that conversation with my friend was the idea that maybe, just maybe, there was more to learn than what I had been told in school.

Today I am posting reviews on three books which helped to lend me a great deal of perspective these past few weeks. Specifically focusing on the events surrounding World War II, these books taught me that not all Germans were Nazis and nor were they all silent. I learned that everyday women and men gave voice to their passions and rejected the evil that was growing within their county, at great risk to themselves and those they loved. I learned that war is an entity which steals away hope while extinguishing life, rejecting all that defines humanity but that it is not exclusive in its exacting consequences. I learned that ultimately there are no winners in war, only witnesses and that most of those have survived through their courage, their humanity and their love. Finally, and most importantly, I learned how to never forget. By reading these books, by opening my eyes, by remaining conscious to all that is around me; this is how I will remember.

It must be said that there is very little to celebrate in any given war. In and of itself, it is a horrific political disease that permeates every generation. However, in discovering books such as these, in embracing their spirits and sharing their accounts, we are presented with the opportunity to remember exactly what we should never forget.

The House on the Sunderstrasse
Author: Frank Spiller
Edition published by Tidal Books, 1998

The House on the Sunderstrasse by Frank Spiller is a fictional but powerful love story surrounded by the tragic realities of war. Peter Gray, an English naval officer, and Helga Jansen, a German student, met and fell in love in 1938 just before the outbreak of World War II. Despite their rivaling cultures and familial disapproval, they embrace their passion as promises are made before returning to their respective homes intent on remaining faithful to their love. However, on Sunday September 3, 1939, their dream of a life together is shattered by the realities of a world war and it is here where we, the reader, begin to understand all that was suffered and sacrificed during those tormented years.

In telling this story, Frank Spiller does not propagate war nor did he taint his narrative with the arrogance of bravado. In fact, Frank Spiller went to great lengths to avoid exploiting the tragedy of World War II. While never censuring the horror of what took place, he does not indulge in a swamping of gory details. Instead he lays focus on the human aspect of war, sharing the personal philosophies and sentiments of his characters in great detail. Moving past his main characters, Spiller takes us on an emotionally charged journey through the thoughts of Peter and Helga and those closest to them, including Helga’s brother Günther, a deeply loyal and proud member of the Kriegsmarine (German Navy). In doing so, we are gifted with perspective. We are shown that war is a battle waged by countries and their government at the expense of the souls of its people and regardless of which side you may be on, despite how deeply entrenched your loyalty may be, the reality of war is exacting and cruel without boundary.

Perhaps the true magic of Spiller’s writing lies in the way in which he remained faithful to the spirit of The House on the Sunderstrasse, which is, despite its setting, a deeply moving tale of love and commitment. Throughout the 15 years this story takes place, we learn that deep love is not confined by the passion of immediacy and that life is a journey which sometimes separates the pairing of hearts, however, if we are true to ourselves and what it is that makes us human, then love will ultimately triumph.

Favourite line from the book…

May we never again be called upon to put aside our common humanity and succumb to the brutality and horror of war. Page 368

The White Rose: Munich 1942-1943
Author: Inge Scholl
Edition published by Wesleyan University Press, 1983

Every once in awhile you come across a book where you could care less about how well the author has chosen his words or how carefully the editor has cleaned it up. In fact, the author could have been written solely in consonants and still you would walk away remembering only about the story itself. It is almost separate from its creator. Separate from the individual who dared to write it all down. The White Rose is, quite simply, one of those books. Whether it is because it is tragically truthful or based on one of histories most horrific generational stains or very simply because it still rings of possibility, I am not sure. But this tale is one that I care more about the telling of, and the sharing of, than I ever will about the writing of.

In 1942 Germany was at war. Its government ruled by Nazi regime and its people embracing their Fürher’s doctrine. This is what I learned in school. This is what I know.

What I did not know, what I never heard of until I came across Inge Scholl’s The White Rose: Munich 1942-1943 was that resistance movements were alive within Germany itself. While small in number and scattered throughout the National Socialist country, these cells of resistance were initiated by the average citizen and held in action at the expense of their own lives. Specifically, in her telling, was a short lived but deeply impacting student movement led by her brother Hans Scholl which included her sister Sophie Scholl and several close friends. Inge Scholl shares their story focusing greatly on the thoughts and philosophies of her siblings.

Written in 1947 for the purposes of being used in schools for adolescents who grew up in the Hitler Youth, Scholl’s account of what took place in Munich introduced the world to the reality of a German resistance movement and educated the masses on what it meant to participate in such dissent. It should be noted that Inge Scholl’s book was most definitely restrained in content as in 1947 there was still a need for protecting the living members and family relations of those who participated in the student resistant movement. Outside of chronicling the story of her siblings, full disclosure was not yet an option and particulars such as other individual circumstances and the extent of their involvement were certainly limited in Scholl’s careful detailing. However, despite this, her book was securely published with a large number of verifiable facts to support her telling which included many texts and court transcripts to bear witness to the truth.

Inge Scholl wrote as a living witness to The White Rose movement within Nazi Germany. She provides the details of their story ensuring that the sacrifices its members made, both living and dead, were not in vain. In her own words, “What the circle of the White Rose strove for was increasing public consciousness of the real nature and actual situation of National Socialism.” After reading The White Rose: Munich 1942-1943 by Inge Scholl, I can promise you that you will become aware. While I strongly recommend you read more than one source for details surrounding The White Rose movement, Inge Scholl’s telling of this tragedy and heroism is an excellent place to start.

Favourite line from the book…

It is rare that a man is prepared to pay with his life for such a minimal achievement as causing cracks in the edifice of the existing order. Page 103.

Shattering The German Night: The Story of the White Rose
Author: Annette E. Dumbach and Jud Newborn
Edition published by Little, Brown and Company, 1986

After having read The White Rose: Munich 1942-1943 by Inge Scholl, I felt I was pretty well versed in the events and details surrounding the student resistance movement in Germany. However, there was still so much more to learn despite her very detailed account and for this I turned to Annette Dumbach and Jud Newborn’s Shattering The German Night: The Story of the White Rose. Where Inge Scholl focused on her siblings’ involvement in the White Rose movement, Dumbach and Newborn determinedly shed greater light on the lives and contribution of all of its members. Published in 1986, more than forty years had passed since World War II ended and the Nazi regime was defeated. New details became available and the individuals so closely tied to the heroic movement were now considered safe. With these facts in place and with the help of the surviving family members of the White Rose movement, Annette Dumbach and Jud Newborn were free to disclose information and documents that were not readily available during the early years after the war. Their account adds a deep emotional aspect and human quality to the tale of White Rose movement allowing us, the reader, to “get to know” the characters who made such dramatic sacrifices in the name of freedom. Keeping alive their edict, “we will not be silent”, Annette Dumbach and Jud Newborn pay tribute to the individuals of The White Rose movement in Shattering The German Night: The Story of the White Rose, sharing this moment of strength and courage in Germany’s history that often is lost or overshadowed by the horror of what the Nazi regime brought to its people.

Favourite lines from the book…

You can live without owning anything. But you can’t live without having something ahead of you in the sense of something inside of you. You can’t live without hope. Page 242.

…if people like those who formed the White Rose can exist…maybe it means that this weary, corrupted, and extremely endangered species we belong to has the right to survive, and to keep on trying. Page 242.

EMBRACE THE POTENTIAL

2008-10-29T20:00:00.006-04:00

Being a member of a book club and an enthusiastic participant in all things literary, I often come across suggested reads by others. Two of which I decided to pick up this past week. They are as unrelated in topic, writing style, genre and plot as any two books could be. One is an allegorical commentary on personal callings and the other a constituent of the ever growing chick lit genre. Both were fantastic.

I think it is important to retain a balanced perspective in life and often this is challenged by one influence dominating over many others. No one is completely free of bias but many actively avoid prejudice and insularity by experiencing life outside the four walls of their norm. This same approach can be carried over to our reading choices.

You cannot experience life fully by sitting on the side lines and watching it go by. Same goes for reading. You cannot wholly embrace the potential of knowledge in books if you do not read a variety of subjects. This is not to say that one genre does not supply more fact than another, but both can be equally as enlightening. This was the case for me when I picked up Paolo Coelho’s The Alchemist and Janet Evanovich’s One For The Money. From one I learned about the significance of knowing one’s purpose in life and from the other I was reminded of the importance of a simple giggle. Both were very much outside of my reading comfort zone.

It is true, you will not always find a good read in every book you pick up and sometimes that is not the point. Often it is more important to have picked up that book to begin with simply because you rocked your library shelves and opened the door of potential for learning so much more than you already knew. So, next time you reach for a book, I dare you to pick outside of your norm. Set aside your comfort read and pick up a challenge. You never know, you just might find yourself reading with enjoyment and ease that which you found so unlikable before. And do not forget, I am always looking for a reading challenge so if you come across any you would like to share, please join in the comments below or send word to me at georgiasvoice@gmail.com. Enjoy.

The Alchemist: Tenth Anniversary Edition
Author: Paolo Coelho
Edition published by Harper Collins Canada, 2006

The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho is not the kind of book that I find easy to review as it strays into the ethereal world of faith and conviction where one must be open to the experience in order to appreciate it. Many literary pursuits are subjective in nature and Paolo Coelho’s The Alchemist, is certainly one of these books. Written in parable format with startling simplicity this is the story of a Santiago, a shepherd boy who is guided by his faith in a forward determination to pursue his life with honourable commitment to his Personal Legend. As he is guided by a host of encounters towards sometimes confusing results and in surprising directions, we are left to consider our own personal calling and, for those willing to, consider the importance of what that might mean to who we are now.

Suggested to me by several friends, I picked up Coelho’s book willingly but with a definite whisper of hesitance which certainly influenced my personal reception to the shepherd boy’s story. During my reading adventures, I have come across a grand selection of what I have termed Band Wagon Reads. Which is to say, books that are popular and societal embraced but are not necessarily any better than their counterparts, so much as better advertised. The books themselves are generally interesting but, for the most part, their reputation is a consequence of strategic and modern pop-style endorsements as opposed to profound worth. So when I opened The Alchemist I admittedly approached it with the same cynicism I did Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret or Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose. However, unlike The Secret, which I felt was an abuse of my time, I found The Alchemist to be deserving of the praise and certainly worthy of my attention. Much like my experience reading Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose, as I read The Alchemist I recognized a great deal of honest truth and genuine heart in what was being said. This was not a package of new age propaganda but rather a beautifully simple tale of faith and perseverance whereby the author skillfully challenges his readers to believe in them selves once more.

Paolo Coelho addresses his readers directly within the introduction of his book, sharing more of his personal belief and setting a definite foundation for the story he tells there after. At the back of the book is a short biography of the author that further places value on his ideas and worth in his story albeit not quite as elaborate as this reader would have liked. Having taken in all these details and completed the book, I can firmly say that The Alchemist is entirely deserving of the praise it has received and I will proudly hop onto the Coelho bandwagon. While not everyone is ready to journey with introspection and self awareness, even the most cynical of readers will identify with the messages behind The Alchemist and, if open to possibility, walk away with a better sense of which direction they should be taking.

Favourite lines from the book…

…at a certain point in our lives, we lose control over what’s happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That’s the world’s greatest lie.” Page 18

…when each day is the same as the next, it’s because people fail to recognize the good thing’s that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises. Page 27

One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving. Page 122

ONE FOR THE MONEY
(Book one of Three Plums In One which includes her first three books bound in one cover)
Author: Janet Evanovich
Published by Scribner, 2001

She had me at the spider! That is all I can say.

Well, truthfully, as always I can say so much more, but I promise to keep it brief so that you can soon run out and get yourself a copy of this hilarious book.

Janet Evanovich’s One For The Money was suggested to me by several of my fellow book club members and always with severe warnings concerning gut wrenching laughter and uncontrollably lustful thoughts for individuals named Morelli and Ranger. I experienced both. As I read this book I was reminded of television show’s like Scarecrow and Mrs. King or Hart to Hart, where balancing the perfect combination of comedy and adventure audiences were guaranteed absolute escapism. The first in a series of many, One For the Money begins the adventures of Stephanie Plum, a lipstick carrying bounty hunter who is incredibly adept at being very non-adept. Not to be taken seriously, this is the kind of book that borrows upon classic scenarios, quirky characters and traditional clichés where one might see some evidence of depth but no great rendezvous with veracity. I strongly recommend this book to anyone needing to step away from their world for even just a few minutes. While Janet Evanovich may not wrestle with profound social issues, she expertly provides her readers with a laugh-a-minute adventure ride and a serious break from the bona fide reality checks which infringe upon everyday life. Bottom line, while not my usual read, this one left me smiling and a definite fan of the Evanovich way.

Besides, she had me at the spider.

Favourite line from the book…

In my opinion, the only good spider is a dead spider, and women’s rights aren’t worth a dick if they mean I can’t ask a man to do my bug squashing. Pg. 59

WITH JUST A LITTLE EFFORT...

2008-10-16T17:14:00.007-04:00

Every now and then I find myself experiencing a really bad run of reading. Where once I found fantastic paperback options and plenty of time to enjoy, this past week has left me with dull volumes, no time, to much distraction and not enough literary options on hand.

It all began with me forgetting my most promising read of the week in an entirely different province. Followed by the blitz of a holiday weekend and the absence of a good fall back read, last week left me sorely in need of a reading junkie fix, which in turn left Georgia’s Voice a little short on reviews this week. While I will admit to never being without a book, my “Promising Read” replacement choice turned out to be less than review worthy in the end. However, as I am determined not to dedicate any blogging time to knocking an author’s attempt at his art, I cannot mention the name or author of the book I ultimately ended up putting aside after 140 pages. I will say though, that the author’s favourite word in the book was shite, which I felt a strong affection for using when describing the content and writing itself. However, recognizing that I was not entirely in the right frame of mind when I initially picked up the book (as I really was looking forward to my first pick), I have decided to try the book once again and see if perhaps the problem was not so much the book as it might have been the reader. See, I try.

Have you ever done that? Put a book aside swearing it is the worst piece of literary garble you have ever wasted precious reading time on, only to pick it up again six weeks later and find that it really is stellar work? It happens, and more often then you’d think.

If I had ever allowed my initial opinion to dictate my decision on all the books I have read, I would never have completed some of the most influential works in literary history. Salinger, Tolkien, Elliot, even The Bard himself, Mr. William Shakespeare; when I first began reading their work, I remember stuttering in confusion and throwing volumes aside determined never pick them up again. Yet, in the end, every single one of these authors has strongly influenced my love of reading today. And that is only because I picked their books up a second time and read through their work in its entirety. Sometimes that is exactly what it takes; resolute effort on our part.

Reading is not always about the immediate gratification we get out of a book. Like anything, it is also about what we give. When you give a little time, and sometimes a little more effort than say a Nora Roberts novel might require, you can discover literary gold. What a loss it would have been, if I had never been encouraged to suffer through England’s national poet or Salinger’s bitter cynicism. Granted, I may have avoided the disaster that was Romeo and Juliet or spared my parents a full reenactment of Salinger’s well charted version of teenage angst, but I also would have missed out on my first reading awareness of cultural discrimination and the possible influence to be found in a strong and reality driven character. Sometimes, even in the hardest to read text, we can find just that little bit more of what we are looking for from a book and walk away all the better for it.

So that is my advice this week. Never forget the book you are reading in another province, in fact, do not forget it anywhere! And always give your reading choices a solid try before deciding its worth as you never know what discovery you might find when making that little extra effort.

As for this weeks literary review, I give you my ten year old daughter’s first book report on Judy Blume’s Fudge-a-mania. My daughter enthusiastically tackled this assignment and I promised her that once she completed the report I would post it here for all to see. As of this past Monday, she had read the book, completed her report and handed it in for grading, so as any proud mother would, I am following through on my promise. Do enjoy.

Note: My daughter’s report was written in response to eight questions she was given in class and in accordance to the outline provided by her teacher, so it does not follow my standard format. However, it is well done. Way to go, little one!

Fugde-a-Mania
Author: Judy Blume
Published by Puffin Books, 2007 (reissue)

1. Title and Author.
The Book that I am reading is Fudge-a-mania by Judy Blume.

2. List the main characters in your book.
The main characters in this book are Fudge, Peter and Sheila.

3. List the secondary characters in your book.
The secondary characters are the grandma, Buzzy senior, Jimmy, Mom, Dad, the Tubmans and Mr. Fargo.

4. Describe one of the main characters in your book-record 5 details about this character.
Fudge is only 5 years old.
He has crazy ideas.
He is really hyper.
He is really a nuisance.
He never gives up.

5. Describe and explain the setting.
The setting in this book is at the cottage near the beach in the wilderness. There are lots of trees surrounding the cottage and it is very quiet.

6. Outline the plot in your book.
Peter is going to a cottage for the summer. The Tubmans were also going. Peter did not like the Tubman’s daughter Sheila. Peter’s friend Jimmy was coming and he also hated Sheila and it was a shared cottage. It turns out he didn’t mind.

7. Describe your favourite chapter and tell why.
My favourite chapter is the last chapter, because Peter’s father fell in the water while on the boat. Then out of nowhere Peter’s grandmother and Buzzy senior got married.

8. Give Two Reasons why you would recommend your book to a classmate.
I’d recommend this book to a friend because the characters in this book are funny and really interesting.

CYNICISM AND ANGST, MEET THY CONQUERER – STEPHANIE MEYER

2008-10-09T19:40:00.005-04:00

Vampires, Werewolves, teen interracial (or rather, interspecies) romances, clan wars, first love and painful loss, the innocence of new generations and the cynicism of the old; when you pick up a Stephanie Meyer book you get it all! While her target audience may have been teenagers and young adults, her books have managed to bypass age barriers and connect with all readers. Her writing is fresh with an insistent naiveté that strikes this reader as deeply honest. She is a writer who embraces optimism and deliberately avoids exploiting the dramas and traumas of our teenage years. Rather, she infuses all of her work with the sweetness of possibility. This is not to say she ignores all that can go wrong, but rather she refuses to give in to the ugly that evil does and shows us the possible future found in doing the right thing. Meyer provides her readers with an ideal, albeit somewhat utopian in nature, but none the less a standard to which we may all aspire. Through her Twilight series (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn) as well as her new release, The Host, Stephanie Meyer leaves us with a very strong sense of hope and possibility. And she does this all with vampires, werewolves, humans and aliens. It is truly fantastic and she is truly a fantastic writer.

So, now that I have established my very real admiration for her work, I’m going to slide into a momentary rant, if you will. One that I’d like to hear your opinion on.

In her Twilight series, Stephanie Meyer tells us of the incredible love story between human and vampire, Bella and Edward, as told from the perspective of Bella. From the moment I cracked the spine of the first book, Twilight, I was spellbound, always looking forward to the next book release. This included her much anticipated fifth installment, called Midnight Sun. Written from the perspective of Edward Cullen, Stephanie Meyer intended to rewrite Twilight so as to offer her readers the magic through another character’s eyes. Much like how Jack Whyte wrote Uther in conjunction with his Dream of Eagles series, Meyer was offering her readers the unique chance of seeing her work from a different perspective. It was brilliant and, as I said, much anticipated not just by myself but, by all her fans. However, on August 28th, 2008, Stephanie Meyer left a statement on her website ( http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/ ) telling of her decision to stop work on Midnight Sun. An excerpt of her statement is below:

As some of you may have heard, my partial draft of Midnight Sun was illegally posted on the Internet and has since been virally distributed without my knowledge or permission or the knowledge or permission of my publisher…I have no comment beyond that as I believe that there was no malicious intent with the initial distribution…I did not want my readers to experience Midnight Sun before it was completed, edited and published. I think it is important for everybody to understand that what happened was a huge violation of my rights as an author, not to mention me as a human being…So where does this leave Midnight Sun? My first feeling was that there was no way to continue. Writing isn't like math; in math, two plus two always equals four no matter what your mood is like. With writing, the way you feel changes everything. If I tried to write Midnight Sun now, in my current frame of mind, James would probably win and all the Cullens would die, which wouldn't dovetail too well with the original story. In any case, I feel too sad about what has happened to continue working on Midnight Sun, and so it is on hold indefinitely… I've decided to make the draft available here (at the end of this post). This way, my readers don't have to feel they have to make a sacrifice to stay honest. I hope this fragment gives you further insight into Edward's head and adds a new dimension to the Twilight story. That's what inspired me to write it in the first place…

I think the word disappointed only weakly describes how I feel about this decision. Sincerely and deeply annoyed disappointment is a much better description. Disappointment not only at the person who “accidently” posted the book online in the first place but also at Stephanie Meyer herself, for having decided to throw in the towel.

I will admit that the majority of my annoyance lies on the keyboard of the Jackass who, honest mistake or not, posted the illegal rough draft. He (or she) brings into focus all the legal debates currently surrounding the publishing and music industry with regards to online activities, downloading and file sharing. Now I really do not want to go into all the facets of this debate, mostly because I have mixed feelings about the topic and not enough real information to form a solid opinion on the matter. Suffice it to say, I am not an innocent when it comes to downloading and while I have paid for most, I do have some files that I downloaded for free. However, what has happened here to Stephanie Meyer is wrong. As ugly as reading your siblings diary without permission, there is no grey area here, folks. This person posted Meyer’s creative work without her permission. What they did was entirely criminal.

However, I am so disappointed in Stephanie Meyer’s response. Why throw in the towel? Why walk away from so many years of work and put down your pen simply because a few people skipped to the end of the book after reading the first page. I would wager a bet that for every person who read the pirated incomplete rough copy, there is an equal number ready to buy a completed published version. In fact, I would not be surprised to see the very people who read the illegal rough draft standing in line for a final version of Midnight Sun should Stephanie Meyer ever publish it. The story is that good. Her writing is that good.

I understand and appreciate that Meyer’s writing “mojo” has experienced a temporary stall. In fact, if I were in the same position, I would likely find my own story flow stunted for quite some time. But to give up entirely; to throw the whole project in the trash and walk away from all that work, well that is just plain silly and I sincerely hope that is not what Meyer has decided to do.

Instead, I hope that she will give herself some time to move forward from this invasion of her work, allow for the possibility of recovering her Twilight spirit, and dare I say it, take a page from Bella and Edward. Persevere despite obstacle and take a higher road towards an ideal.

So, for now, I will attempt to stay on said higher road and aspire to the type of person Stephanie Meyer portrays in her work. While I desperately would love to read the rough draft of Midnight Sun, I am going to stubbornly avoid the link and hope that eventually Meyer will reconnect with the Cullen clan and complete the project she started. It may be a long wait, but quite frankly, I think her work is worth it.

So, that’s it. My rant is over. Thank you for indulging me in my “moment”. And, so as to make your reading dedication worthwhile, here is a review of Stephanie Meyer’s latest book, The Host. I strongly recommend you pick this book up, along with her entire Twilight series, of course, and allow yourself to take a leap into the possibility of humanity.

The Host: A Novel
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Published by Little, Brown and Company, 2008

In The Host, Stephanie Meyer has written a novel about who we can be and put a spotlight on who we sometimes are. Humankind has been invaded and our bodies and minds have been taken over by aliens, Invasion-of-the-Body-Snatcher style. Operating as a collective community the alien forms create their version of a utopian state, absent of individual thought and action. Wanderer is one of the aliens; a soul, slowly adjusting to her new body. However, Melanie, the true owner of that body, refuses to relinquish herself to Wanderer and thus the story begins.

While Wanderer and Melanie struggle for ownership over both body and mind, Stephanie Meyer has offered us the potential for insight into the world we live in. In The Host, we read about what it means to ferociously fight for one’s own existence, while steadfastly refusing to lose any part of who we are. We read how Wanderer and Melanie soon appreciate and understand the qualities of who they are while doing their utmost to respect and find common ground between their opposing cultures. Essentially, while we read about struggle between Wanderer and Melanie, we also read about the modern day struggles which surround us today only naked of biased headlines and political agendas.

While sometimes irritatingly altruistic, and surprisingly rooted in modern conflict, Stephanie Meyer’s The Host is an inspiring and hopeful read where real world issues are swaddled in a fantastic gathering of science and fiction allowing for us, the reader, to see possibility where today we see only war.

Favourite line from the book…

Well, maybe there’s some hope for this planet, after all. (page 619)

WHAT THIS READER LOOKS FOR

2008-09-25T14:12:00.000-04:00

This week I have a very special houseguest and a major project on the go, so both my posting and my book review will be short and sweet. However, as nothing can keep me from a good read, I promise you that my suggestion will lead you towards an excellent reading experience.

Before I get to the review though, let me tell you about an article I found in the September 2008 issue of The Writer magazine called “What Do Readers Love In A Story? Let Us Count The Ways”. The article, found on page 13 and written by Laura Yeager, outlines some of the qualities a reader looks for in fiction. Her goal was to enlighten writers as to what they should be delivering to their audience when creating good fiction. However, her article also highlighted for me the distinct qualities I try to find when looking for a book and got me thinking about what you, my own readers, might be looking for. I figure, if you are seeking literary direction from this blog, it would be very important to know what kind of stories you like, especially in comparison to the stories I tend to read.

Truthfully, I do make every effort to step outside of my comfort reading zone but sometimes that is not as fun as simply going with my first choice. So, with that in mind, I am going to clearly outline, using Laura Yeager’s list, what qualities I look for in a book which should lend you some insight into the types of books I might review in the future.

Laura Yeager’s list for what readers look for in a story included the following;

Escape

Inspire positive social change

Laughs

Intellectual

Challenge

Predictability

Happy Endings

Surprise

Suspense

Creative

Analysis of the world (Philosophical)

‘Visible’ characters and settings (very descriptive writing)

Chance to learn something new

A Connection with the characters.

Story Resolution or a change in the character

Complete absorption in a story or meditative effect

After reading it through carefully, I realized that when I pick up a book, I tend to look for all of the qualities Yeager lists, albeit at different times. Sometimes I’m looking for the great awakening, searching out a book that specifically delves into philosophical and intellectual arenas. Other times, I am exhausted from the chaos of my own world and I relish laughter, predictability and happy endings. However, regardless of my mood, what I am always looking for in a book is the “big escape”, the opportunity to completely immerse myself in another realm undisturbed by the current one I occupy. For me a possible read offers one of these qualities and a great read offers them all. But the ultimate book choice guarantees me both the escape and absorption I always crave.

How about you? What do you look for?

Water for Elephants
Author: Sarah Gruen
Published by Harper Collins, 2007

I fought the reading of this book from the moment the ticket was pulled out of the book box at my book club gathering. Who the hell wanted to read about elephants! And I was never a circus person, anyway. Not just because I am aware of the huge animal rights issues, but more because I simply always found the circus to be somewhat off-kilter. While circuses don’t exactly scare me, they make me incredibly uncomfortable. So with this choice I was left keenly aware of the dragging of my bookish heels. Eventually, though, I had to pick the book up and when I finally did, I was hard pressed to put it down again.

Sara Gruen is a very good writer, who strongly reminds me of the eccentric tale-telling style of John Irving. Her book opened vividly and was held together, from beginning to end, with intelligent and witty detail. Her characters were especially human and perfectly imperfect all tied together in the subtlest of ways so typically found in a community. However, what was most indicative of Sara Gruen’s talents was her ability to take Ruby, the elephant, normally delegated to a sideshow presence, and bring about this deeply soulful character. Through Ruby, Gruen, communicated an unwritten story that was as deep and complex as any of her human characters and she did so with grace and nuance.

The only fault I could find in Water for Elephants was the pacing of the book itself. At first, I found that Gruen began her story at a steady pace toggling between past and present, yet managing to keep me in the loop at all times. I even appreciated her subtle trickery with her opening scene which you find later, plays out slightly different than you assumed initially. However, the speed at which her ending suddenly arrived, passed, and then, suddenly again, kept on going, threw me completely off course. It felt like Gruen attempted to gather up all the loose ends in one quick swipe but then changed her mind at the last minute and attempted to keep the story going. Much like hearing the word fire screeched loudly on an otherwise slow and dreamy Sunday afternoon, I was left somewhat wheezy and confused, and annoyed at being either. However, after recovering from this sudden switch, I did very much enjoy the peace Gruen restored to her story and I put down her book with a smile after her final dedication to Topsy and Old Mom in the author’s notes.

Overall, this was a great and easy read. Smoothly created, with attention to the true beauty of all that lives on this planet, Sara Gruen’s Water For Elephants shared with me the potential power of humanity and the devastating possibilities when it is absent.

Favourite line from the book…

I am ninety. Or ninety-three One or the other. (Page 5)

PRICE POINT – The response

2008-09-24T20:23:00.000-04:00

As promised, I am posting below the responses I received today from Chapters.Indigo.ca and Costco.ca regarding the large price difference between their books. However, before I do, let me recap: I had asked Chapters.Indigo.ca to explain to me why their prices were so high in comparison to Costco’s. Then, not to leave our investigation lopsided, I also sent an email off to Costco.ca asking them to explain how they keep their prices so low and even directly asked them if they take a loss on their book sales in order to increase their customer loyalties.

Here are their responses:

FROM CHAPTERS.INDIGO.CA

Thank you for your email to Chapters Indigo about why Costco prices are sometimes lower than ours.Costco offers popular books at discounted prices as loss leaders hoping that you will purchases some other items while picking up the discounted book prices. Their inventory is limited in its variety and they do not carry less popular books that may be low volume sellers. At Chapters Indigo Online, while we strive to offer our customers great value, we do not have an official “price-match” policy in place.If you wish to order from Chapters Indigo Online, we would relish the opportunity to demonstrate our superior customer service and support, and serve you in the near future.If you require additional assistance, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for choosing Chapters Indigo Online. Books, Music, Movies and More

FROM COSTCO.CA

Thank you for your recent inquiry through costco.ca.

Unfortunately Costco does not disclose internal information, what we can tell you is that Costco's maximum mark up on any item is 14%, much lower than any of our competitors' and this is the main reason why our prices are much lower than anywhere else.

If you have any further inquiries, please do not hesitate to write us at servicecanada@costco.com, or you can call our customer service agents at
1-800-463-3783 Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST and they will be happy to assist you.

Furthermore, we currently offer our members the opportunity to register to receive special offers exclusive to costco.ca. If you wish to receive these offers, please reply "YES" to this e-mail. Costco will not sell or rent your e-mail address to any
other party.

Both responses are somewhat generic and vague and, while I expected as much, I am still wondering if they have a cut and paste email approach to these kinds of questions. Regardless, I will admit to being somewhat amused when Chapters.Indigo.ca did, in fact, make the same accusation my former manager did with regards to Costco’s supposed “Loss Leader” policy and I was surprised to find Coscto.ca did very little to defend itself, even deliberately evading my very direct question.

What did I expect, right?

Truthfully, I know I will find myself amongst the book aisles of both retailers in the future as they are convenient, readily accessible and, in the case of Chapters and Indigo, have excellent selection. However, my loyalty has weakened a great deal after this experience. Not to mention, after the research I did this week, my eyes and fingertips have awakened to the rather large community of local independent and used book stores as well as the readily available online market. I think, from here on out, I’ll be broadening my purchasing horizon, folks.

As for how you feel, let me know. At the bottom of each posting you will notice a COMMENTS option within the footer. Choose it. Share with me your thoughts and join in the discussion. Or simply take the poll above. I am more than a little curious as to where your book purchasing loyalties lie. Surprise me.

PRICE POINT

2008-09-23T20:57:00.000-04:00

I had today’s entry planned well in advance. I was going to introduce you to the joys of trilogies, cycles and book series. However, yesterday I went to buy the third book in Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle, Brisingr, and in that moment this entire entry changed.

Let me explain.

I have a Costco membership and as of 10 a.m. Saturday September 20th, Brisingr was available for purchase. I also have a Chapter’s iRewards card and Brisingr was available at their stores on the same day, if a half an hour earlier depending on the location in my area. So where do you think I went?

Oh, wait, before you answer that, let me share with you another piece of the fact puzzle. Costco was selling Christopher Paolini’s Brisingr for $18.49 and Chapters was selling it for $33.60 ($30.24 if you had an iRewards card). Now where do you think I went?

Ya, ‘nuf said!

Still, I am sitting here somewhat confused, and yes, a little annoyed, because honestly I just want to understand. Why the huge price difference? If all the retailers were applying the same charge, I might be willing to accept it as the “going rate” and move one. However, in this case, as in a few others, there is a dramatic difference between two retail outlets with no immediate explanation and this has left me wanting answers. Answers that I think we are entitled to but that I will admit I am not qualified to offer...without at least a little research.

So, I did a little research; with the emphasis on little. You know, the kind of research that does not involve stealth camera work or hidden microphones but rather a quick Google search and a few emails. Ya, that kind.

First I sent an email off to the customer service department of Chapters.Indigo.ca which read:

Dear Customer Service,

I am trying to find answers to the severe pricing difference between books sold in your stores and those sold through Coscto. I have been a loyal Chapters customer with an i-rewards membership for many years, but now find myself straying to other book retailers more often due to the price points available.

Recently, I went to my local Chapters store to purchase Christopher Paolini's Brisingr and was shocked at the price tag attached; $33.60 or $30.24 for i-reward members. I am aware that had I ordered the book in advance I would have paid only $21.12 or $20.06 with my i-rewards, however, none of these prices could compete with the $18.49 price tag I found at Costco which asked nothing more from me than to buy when available. If this were a one time deal, I could easily overlook the situation, but I shop at both Costco and Chapter’s regularly, although for different reasons, and have seen this discrepancy between prices almost every time. Coscto, consistently sells their books a much lower price than Chapters.

Now, I realize that there are likely different cost’s for suppliers regarding shipment size and delivery, as I am sure there are other parts of the price-tag equation that I am not aware of. However, what I need from you now is a clear and honest explanation as to why my favourite book store, one I have loyally purchased from since forever, has attempted to sell me a book for so much more than I can get at another establishment that is not even a book store.

Please take a moment to explain this to me so that I can better understand the situation.

I actually sent that email twice, afraid that maybe I didn’t do it right the first time. Chapters.Indigo.ca, in return, replied twice. Both times stating that they will answer my email within the next 24 hours. So, I wait and promise to post their response as soon as I receive it.

In the meantime, here is where I admit to having worked for a book retailer in the past and I remember clearly the explanations we were given by management with regards to these same pricing differences. First, we were told the publishers set the price point thus suggesting it was not the retailers’ fault that their book prices are what they are. To find evidence of this claim, I quickly Googled this question and came across Christopher Dreher’s 2002 article entitled Why Do Books Cost So Much?.

In his article, Dreher attempts to fairly explain the equation that makes up a books asking price. He outlines what he calls the “trinity that determines the physical cost” of a book; that being the paper, printing and binding of written work. Factors such as “the size of the book, the quality of paper, the quantity of books printed, whether it contains illustrations, what sort of deal the publisher can make with the printer and the cost of warehouse space” are all considered and account for about 20% of the book cost. The remaining percentage is spread across a “publisher's overhead (the cost of maintaining a staff of editors, proofreaders, book designers, publicists, sales representatives and so on), and for the cuts taken by distributors (who run warehouses that supply books to retailers) and booksellers” not to mention shipping fees, the storage costs for copies not sold and the “returns policy” which allows retailers to return unsold copies of books for credit. An interesting point, at least to this writer, Dreher points out that an author’s cut on book sales is quite low, ranging from only “10 to 15 percent”.

While I read Dreher’s article I was impressed by the number of publication costs’ I was not aware of and slowly I began to appreciate the bigger picture; which is to say, that it takes a good amount of money to publish a book. Further article reads (also found on the net) pointed out that recent industry movements towards e-books and self-publishing and printing on demand might slowly ease the increase in costs and we might soon see consumer friendly numbers. However, none of this really answered my initial question as to why one retailer was selling so much higher than another.

Let us return, for a moment, to my previous employer’s explanations. Their second suggestion, which was offered during a discussion specific to Costco pricing, was that Costco actually took a loss on their book sales in order to keep their prices low and customer loyalty high. Sounds possible doesn’t it? Once again, I wasn’t sure on the validity of this claim, and curious, I sent off another email, only this time to Costco.ca’s customer service. It read;

Dear Costco Customer Service,

I am a coscto member who has purchased several books from your warehouse locations over the past year. In doing so, I have noticed that your prices are significantly lower than your competitors and am curious as to why this might be the case. I have heard you actually take a loss on your book sales in order to keep your price point low, is this true? Could you please take a moment and explain to me how you manage to keep your book prices so low? I am currently working on an article for my blog and would like to be able to explain this situation to my readers.

Before I could officially submit my question for review, however, Costco.ca offered me a brief statement on this particular query. It read:

As a general rule, Costco Wholesale does not price-match other retailer prices. Costco Wholesale always offers you the highest quality merchandise at the best value. We constantly keep our profit margin as low as possible so that you can get the most out of your dollar. However, we cannot afford to sell our products below vendor cost. Costco Wholesale does not apply a loss leader strategy like other businesses, but instead offers you the lowest possible price on every item. Furthermore, Costco Wholesale tries to stay informed about other retailers’ prices to ensure we are always as competitive as possible, and we do not hesitate to adjust our prices if necessary.

I still submitted my own question (and still await an official response) but, I believe that Coscto has made itself quite clear in terms of whether they will take a loss on their book sales in order to keep their prices low. According to them, they do not. However, to be fair to my previous employer, Costco does imply they do not make a large profit on their books and this might be where their (previous employer) suggestion of a loss comes in. Now, once again, whether Coscto or my former employer is being entirely truthful would require a great deal more research than my blog will provide today *grin*.

So, what have we learned here? Books cost money to make and even more money to promote and distribute. That cost is applied to our purchase price as is everyone’s portion of the profit pie.

Truthfully, while I think the average cost of a hardcover or paperback book is high, I willingly spend that money when I feel the book in question is good enough. And I would be the last person to begrudge a writer, publisher, book maker or any member of the price equation their fair earnings on their work. I just wish I could be sure we, the consumer, were being as fairly considered in that same equation.

For now, and always, the library is our friend. Truly no one can compete with free, right? Next to that you have the league of many used book retailers both in store and online which often have the most amazing book selections available. Try them out and make your experience just as enjoyable as any other, only much kinder to your pocket book.

As for me, my copy of Brisingr is safely in my keeping (at the lowest cost to me, of course) and I intend to crack the spine of this book just as soon as I complete this post. Maybe next time I’ll tell you about that experience. In the meantime, here is a review of France’s Mayes’ Swan.

Swan
Author: Frances Mayes
Published by Random House, 2002

I have never read a book by Frances Mayes before and when I started this one I was not aware of her previous work. Other than that she was the name behind, Under The Tuscan Sun, a movie I thoroughly enjoyed and a book I unfortunately did not read, I was a newbie to the writing world of Frances Mayes. I hope to revisit her world again very soon.

Frances Mayes tells the story of the Mason family with deep respect and appreciation for her characters cultural and personal colouring. She is very careful to gently remind her readers that both these factors bleed into each other when her characters act, love, live and learn.

After reading Swan, I decided to visit Mayes’ website and found that she is both a poet and a prolific food and travel writer. I wish I had known this before I read her book, as it would have helped me to understand some of her approaches to telling this story. However, despite not having this knowledge, and now because I do, I appreciated Mayes’ beautifully written voice where she tenderly enfolds her characters into their surroundings and smoothly teaches her reader to pay attention not only to who her characters are but also to where they are and why they are there. Through her book, Mayes taught me to look more closely at what I eat and where I live, as both may say a lot about who I am.

Overall, Swan was a very nice read. Perfect for a quiet afternoon, with peaceful music and a nice cool drink by your side; perhaps some good old Southern Iced Tea.

Favourite lines from the book…

What strikes my brain stem is all we don’t know about what we know. (page 184)

We run on what’s not said, he thought, at lease in Swan we do. For all the talk, talk, talk we do, the crucial subjects are swallowed without a sound. (page 206)

READING, SHELF CLEANSING AND RECONNECTIONS

2008-09-16T13:26:00.000-04:00

Let me first apologize for my extended summer absence. The only excuse to be found is that I was lost in amongst life and literature, ping-ponging from fantastic dramatic tales of adventure and woe to overwhelmingly pretentious plots that left my senses dulled and annoyed. While life kept me busy, my book shelves kept me even busier. I spent my entire summer reading, eating, sleeping, living and reading some more. It was truly a fantastic season!

While I never did actually make it to the beach with a book, I certainly discovered more than a few authors who deserved that honoured placement in my life. Now, however fortunate or unfortunate you might find it, the warm days of sunshine, shorts and staple reads are beginning to fade and the comforting breezy hang-out-on-the-front-porch-with-a-good-book days of fall are upon us.

It is time to get back to work.

First though, and in the spirit of Mr. Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth: Awakening To Your Life’s Purpose (yes, I am still reading it...so very s-l-o-w-l-y), I have decided to call out my ego-based focus on collecting all I have read as a means of quantifying my passion and move towards that place where I can simply enjoy words on a page without feeling the drive to hoard my find.

See, I can transcend.

Now, I certainly do not mean to mock. While I joke some, and am admittedly not a genuinely philosophical soul, I honestly do see and appreciate Mr. Tolle’s message. And with that in mind, I have begun my personal awakening by cleaning out the dusty shelves and ridding myself of all my literary excess. Gone are my old text books, donated are the many of the books I have read but have never picked up twice, and finally I managed to recycle my big box of 1977 edition encyclopedias. My shelves are now clean and carrying simply the best I have read and wish to share with my daughter, as well as one single shelf of what I intend to read in the near future.

Furthermore, I have rediscovered the budget-worthy convenience of my local library and, despite the long waiting lists attached to some of the more recent releases, I am enthusiastically borrowing a great many books from its shelves. This is actually a deeply soul southing reconnection for me as when I was younger and just beginning my relationship with books I found a great deal of comfort and calm between the stacks at my local library. While currently my local library is nothing more than an oversized room with a few sadly supplied shelves, I still feel my old calm and comfort return as I place my requests in the queue and sweep my hands across the collection they do have on hand. It is a beautiful moment for me.

And on that note, I move to share with you some of what I have found during my summer reading campaign, my shelf cleansing experience and my reconnection with an old friend. Please, read and enjoy, hopefully you too will find a book worthy of your time and attention.

A Drink Before The War
Written by Dennis Lehane
Published: 2000, HarperTorch

Recently a close friends’ husband leant me a copy of Dennis Lehane’s A Drink Before The War. It was the most exciting read of my summer.

Truthfully, when I picked the book up, I expected toothpick characters stapled into generic action in order to snag my attention. Instead, I pulled back the cover and was immediately sucked into Dennis Lehane’s Kenzie-Gennaro world turning each page excitedly anxious to see what would happen next. A writer of great success, Lehane, who has seen two novels make it to the big screen (Gone Baby Gone and Mystic River), has created a compelling duo in his main characters, Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro. A rare combination of what on the surface appears to be generic Dick Tracy stereotypes; they cunningly connect with the reader in an absorbing fashion revealing complex personalities not generally found in your average mystery read. One moment I would be heart pumping mad, only to to hear myself giggling or feel the damp slide of a tear down my cheek the next.

A Drink Before The War is the first in a series of Kenzie-Gennaro books rich in personality rippled with a constant thrilling spirit. While not necessarily a socially inspiring tale, Dennis Lehane has created a fantastic mystery-suspense novel that unravels itself steadily with surprisingly poignant moments, driven by a constant pace of suspense and action, unrelenting in its twists and turns. If you pick it up, I strongly suggest you assume nothing and be prepared for anything.

For mystery and suspense readers, a must read. For all others, a strong recommendation.

Favourite line from the book…

L.A. burns, and so many other cities smolder waiting for the hose that will flood gasoline over the coals, and we listen to politicians who fuel our hate and our narrow views and tell us it’s simply a matter of getting back to the basics while they sit in their beachfront properties and listen to the surf so they don’t have to hear the screams of the drowning. (page 266)

Speak
Written by Laurie Halse Anderson
Published: 2006, Penguin Group

I will start by saying I picked up Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak and did not put it down again until I hit the very last word of the very last page. This book was fantastic. It is a must read for everyone with no reader limitations.

Anderson held an astounding chord of truth throughout her novel, never leaving me to doubt the age, thoughts or intentions of her character, Melinda. In her unique dialogue presentation she managed to effectively draw me in as a reader and forced me to be the fly on the wall, completely hung on every word. Her short paragraphs and direct descriptive nature only locked my interest further.

What happened to Melinda is sadly not uncommon. Too many women have suffered and likely will suffer the same experience either as a young girl or as an adult. So I caution any reader who might be disturbed by facts that may shadow a truth too close to home. However, regardless of whether you share an experience similar or not, how this character speaks for hers will leave you clinging to each page of this book; cheering, laughing, screaming and crying. She is an everyday girl with an inspiring voice and I truly enjoyed reading everything she had to say.

Favourite line from the book…

IT happened. There is no avoiding it, no forgetting. No running away, or flying, or burying, or hiding…It wasn’t my fault. And I’m not going to let it kill me. I can grow. [page 198]

Dirty
Written by: Megan Hart
Published: 2007, Spice Books

Once again, Megan Hart, takes what is often assumed to be missing in Erotica and proves definitively that one does not have to sacrifice a good story in order to create a solid erotic adventure. Through her character, Elle Kavanagh, Hart draws upon the mystery of ones' childhood and surrounds her reader with the possible consequences, misadventures and emotional conflicts unresolved pasts can birth. Elle, an incredibly sexy, emotionally driven personality, is fractured by her past and deeply stunted in her present. As she resists the need to face her demons and applies the only healing method she knows, we are gifted 426 pages of rousing emotional and sexual seduction. While I did not find Dirty quite as edgy as Megan Hart’s third book, Tempted, I am still incredibly impressed with her extraordinarily insightful glimpse into the deeply cavernous psyche of human drive. No ordinary erotica tale teller, Megan Hart has told the beautiful story of ones' journey to overcome her brutally damaged childhood and move towards a hope for love and happiness in the future.

Favourite line from the book…

We aren’t the only family with a white elephant in the living room, but who ever cares about anyone else’s family when their own is the one they have to live with?

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
Author: Gregory Maguire
Reviewed by: Jennifer Fryer

As I began to read Gregory Maguire’s Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, I found myself slipping into a firm state of awe and reverence. This man can write, folks. No doubt about it, he is a master with the pen (or keyboard as it may be). Before I even began to absorb the incredible tale he would weave, I recognized the incredible skill he had with the words he used. It has been quite some time since I have read such a beautiful linguistic display. Maguire is a master of words, and I am but his student; hence the constant accompaniment of my word reference sources. As much as I had my nose in this book, I had it equally looking through my own dictionary. Now, in all honesty, after awhile this became somewhat distracting and altogether annoying. Whether it was because I was being reminded of the pathetic state of my own language skills or that I had to constantly set aside the story in order to look up a new word, I couldn’t say. What I can say is that I was most definitely humbled by the experience.

As for the story itself, it was certainly an impressive one. Folded in deep metaphorical “ozisms”, Wicked, at its core is merely an altered state of our own world expertly cloaked in the pre-established foundation of L. Frank Baum’s classic tale about witches, animated scarecrows, tin men and pretty shoes. I would be lying if I said I understood every aspect of Maguire’s take on Baum’s fantasy world. In fact, I will go so far as to admit I’d have to read it a few more times to catch even half of the socio, economic and political undertones presented. However, setting aside that point, the world Gregory Maguire describes and his careful tendering to details within it are impressively imaginative; my favourite moment being when he introduced the idea, although admittedly in vague suggestion, that the legendary character of Merlin once stepped foot in the equally legendary land of oz. No rock was left unturned in Maguire’s account of Elphaba’s life.

More critically, I will have to say that annoyance often accompanied my read through Wicked. Annoyed at my own lack of understanding of all Maguire spoke of, annoyance at the pretentious approach to these same themes, even more annoyance at his sometimes hesitant and vague suggestion of details (almost as if he were suddenly too shy to suggest this current take on events), and most definitely annoyed at the constant fact that absolutely nothing was what it seemed in this story. So, after setting aside my admiration for Maguire’s literary skills and getting over my appreciation for his creative ones, I have to say that, while I would certainly read another of his books, I would not do so with the innocent enthusiasm with which I picked this one up. Rather, dictionary in hand, I would settle myself in for a deeply thought provoking tale sure to annoy me and most certainly capable of entertaining me.

Favourite line from the book…

Maybe the definition of home is the place where you are never forgiven, so you may always belong there, bound by guilt. And maybe the cost of belonging is worth it. (page 178)

AND THE CHALLENGE GOES ON

2008-06-26T00:37:00.000-04:00

Two weeks! That is how long it has taken me to complete the challenge…well, not complete exactly but make it through at least half of it. Honestly, folks, I am simply not a “textbook” kinda gal. As I said before, give me fiction and I thrive in the adventure of a new world or experience, pass me non-fiction and I most often can be found snoring by chapter two. Perhaps I just haven’t read the right books, I will allow for that possibility, but if I may be blunt, I simply prefer fantasty to reality in any of my given days.

Eitherway, I have completed one of my book challenges, Tamar E. Chansky’s Freeing Your Child From Anxiety, and have included my review below. It was not too hard of a read and I discovered a neat trick. If I read it during the early morning or in the outdoors, I was able to stay awake for more than two chapters at a time. So yeah for me!

However, Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth, is another matter entirely. While it too is not a hard read, with its small words and easy explanations of a generally well thought out philosophy, it is proving not to be the sort of book you pick up and speed through. It requires digestion, analysis and application. So, for now that one is still, as they say, “on the table”..

In the meantime, enjoy my take on Tamar E. Chansky’s Freeing Your Child From Anxiety …

Freeing Your Child From Anxiety
Written by Tamar E. Chansky, Ph.d.
Published: 2004, Broadway Books

This is quite a pocket full of detail. Offering incredibly insightful scenarios and thoughtful discussions on Anxiety, Chansky has written an exceptionally informative book which at no time confused this (oh, so easily confused) reader. As I made my way through her book, I was constantly struck by how clearly this author understands the topic and how easily she was able to guide me through its many intricate characteristics and nuances without losing me in the chaos of statistics and psycho-babble, or appearing to lecture from a podium. Her chapters lead you carefully through the subject with deep concern for clarification and comprehension. From the start Chansky’s intent is clear; she wants you to understand and appreciate all that it means to be an anxious child as well as the parent of an anxious child while still providing an effective plan of action to better manage the situation.

I strongly recommend this book to any parent who is trying to guide their child(ren) through the sometimes overwhelming fog of fear. Freeing Your Child From Anxiety offers guidance on identifying anxiety and when and where to turn for help once you have. Then, not to leave you fluttering in the wind, the book also takes you through detailed chapters on common childhood fears and worries such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Separation Anxiety, Social Anxieties or Ritual to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Rounding out the full package, this book takes you beyond the diagnosis and works with you so that you can develop and act upon strategies to help you and your family manage these same anxieties. While Tamar E. Chansky stresses the need for professional diagnosis in all possible cases of anxiety she also offers her readers tools so that they can help themselves and their loved ones make it through this sometimes paralyzing and silent mental stalker. This was a grade ‘A’ book.

Favourite line from the book…

Remember the goal: it’s not to talk your children out of their fears, its to teach them how to talk themselves through their fears. (page 9)

IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE

2008-06-08T23:53:00.000-04:00

For the most part, I am a happy and enthusiastic reader. However, occasionally, I am met with a challenge from my book shelf and this week has brought with it such a moment.

Pass me a page of fiction and I suck it back like tequila. A tall tale entertains me more than any front page news release ever could, despite whatever shortcomings it brings in the edification department. If it is an escape from the daily grind of my reality, I am so there.

Side bar I feel I should interject here with this: I like my life and do not truly find my daily routine a “grind”. I just simply enjoy stepping into fictional shoes every now and then. K, I feel better now.

This week I have imposed two “must read now” books upon myself. One for personal education, as suggested by someone far more “edumacated” then myself and the other is a choice from a book club I am embarrassed to admit I occasionally dabble in, although, I will not identify at this time in order to maintain my readership dignity. cough, cough Oprah cough, cough.

The books I am about to read are Freeing Your Child From Anxiety by Tamar E. Chansky Ph. D. and A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. Both will ask me to “be real” while I read and that, my friends, is so not fun for me sigh. Now I admit up front, that I have already begun both and am finding them surprisingly digestible so there is a good chance this experience will finding me smiling at its conclusion. However, this entry is about my book shelf challenge this week and not the results; that’s next week. Until then, wish me luck, as my reading fortitude might need it and feel free to share with me your book shelf challenges this week.

2008-06-08T22:37:00.000-04:00

Places I Never Meant To Be
Edited by Judy Blume
Published: 2001, Simon & Schuster

With this book, I was not sure what to expect at first. Well, that is not entirely true as I have come to learn that anything with Judy Blume’s name attached will most certainly be enjoyable. However, I do not, generally, enjoy short stories. I like big books. You know, the kind of book that throws you completely into a world of someone else’s making for more than 10 minutes at a time. But here I was; faced with one book and twelve short stories. What is a girl to do but read? So, read I did, almost in one entire sitting and…it was fantastic! Each story was so very different from the other, in time, in content, in style. In (almost) one sitting I was introduced to twelve different worlds and twelve different authors I may have previously heard of but never explored, and I liked it. It was like being in the proverbial candy store; only with no cavities and a healthy mental awakening. What tied all of these authors together for this collection was that each one had been challenged by the CensorKooks (as Paul Zindel calls them). At some point during their careers these authors were faced with an individual or group of individuals wanting to restrict or even prohibit their work. After each of their stories, the authors contributed their own perspectives on censorship and in doing so, awoke a consciousness in me I had not previously had. In fact, till this moment censorship was almost a fictional concept for me. I had heard of it, I had read of it happening to other people but I did not think I had ever been in its immediate presence. I was wrong, especially after reading Jacqueline Woodson’s take on knowing when it is happening (page 83). I was truly surprised to find that it could in fact be happening without my acute awareness and that, in itself, is an incredibly terrifying possibility. So I want to thank these authors for their work, for their perspectives, for reminding me of my responsibility to them as a reader and my responsibility to myself as a writer. And, of course, thank you Judy for, once again, opening my eyes to the world around me and reminding me of who I am and what I need to do. If you write, this is a must read. If you read, this is a great opportunity to explore new fictional destinations. Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend my (almost in one) afternoon.

Favourite lines from the book...

Censorship is crippling, negating, stifling…Readers deserve to pick their own books. Writers need the freedom of their minds. That’s all we writer’s have, anyway; our minds and imagination. To allow the censors even the tiniest space in there with us can only lead to dullness, imitation and mediocrity. (Norma Fox Mazer, page 35)

The thing about censorship is – one doesn’t always know when it’s happening. You walk into your library looking for a certain book and it isn’t there. Is that censorship or the fact that the library couldn’t afford to buy it this time around? You walk into your classroom and notice only certain kinds of books on the shelf. Is that censorship or a teacher’s aesthetic? (Jacqueline Woodson, Page 83)

Books give us a glimmer of complexity and wonder of life. All this, the censor would deny us. (Harry Mazer, Page 98)

I’m not a rebel, trying to stir things up just to be provocative. I’m doing it because I feel like writing about real life. I still can’t believe there’s anything objectionable about telling it like it is. (Norma Klein, Page 195)

THE GIRLS, by LORI LANSENS

2008-06-03T15:19:00.000-04:00

Published: 2005, Knopf Canada

Lori Lansens has written an incredibly beautiful story about conjoined twins Rose and Ruby Darlen, two very separate women who have spent their entire conjoined lives establishing their individual selves while respecting the rights of the twin they carry. Lansen tells this story with authoritative compassion and in doing so allows the reader to often forget that what they are reading is in fact, a solid work of fiction. Whether by accident or intent, the individual literary voices of Rose and Ruby Darlen is established very early on in The Girls, as they, with the driven encouragement of one and the co-operative indulgence of the other, begin to write their autobiography (or autobiographies as Ruby often points out). Poignant and honest the story reads like an “anyone’s” diary while captivating you with its surprisingly poetic dual perspectives. For every story Rose tells or thought she shares, Ruby will follow with an equally candid and slightly different point of view. By the end of the book you are entirely aware of the fact that, whether conjoined or fully separated, we all play very real roles in each other’s stories and as an individual you are never truly living alone.

Favourite lines from the book…

What is it about sadness that can be fulfilling? (Page 38)

The villainous sun stole into September and drained the world of its colour, the way it bleached the orange shag carpet in a square on the floor in the den. (pg 437)

“People don’t finish, Rose. People stop. To finish is to say okay, now its right, never I’m going to change it. To stop is to say okay, it’s not perfect, but I have to go to something else.” (page 455)