Fiction Reads 2018

So, surprise, for real, I didn’t drown after all in the sea of non-fiction that described the decay of a civilization.  I came up for air, from time to time, for longer and longer periods.  How did I choose the books?  Favorite authors,  Canada Reads selections, incidental recommendations, language, and, of course, pure chance.

English Language, in order of enjoyment, not necessarily literary merit:

Dear Girl,  by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Parish Rosenthal (2017)

Readers of this blog know my obsession with AKR’s books.  Her last book celebrates girls, and encourages them to be everything they can be, with practical suggestions for how to do that.  A must for every young girl.  "Dear girl, Keep that arm raised!  You have smart things to say!"

This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel (2017)

Best fiction of the year in my set.  Frankel tackles the subject of transgender children, with empathy, relatable characters, and language at once fresh and delicate.  Masterfully written.

Origin, by Dan Brown (2017)

I loved the book, and was surprised that some people I talked to thought it formulaic in the Dan Brown style.  Somehow, although I’ve read all the books in the Da Vinci Code series, the historic, geographical, and architectural detail about Spain swept me up as much as the plot.  " 'There is only one way Christianity will survive the coming age of science.  We must stop rejecting the discoveries of science.  We must stop denouncing provable facts.  We must become a spiritual partner of science, using our vast experience—millennia of philosophy, personal inquiry, meditation, soul-searching—to help humanity build a moral Framework and ensure that the coming technologies will unify, illuminate, and raise us up . . . rather than destroy us.' "

American War by Omar El Akkad (2017)

Very powerful novel, dark, and intricately connected to the non-fiction I read on a similar topic.  In Canada Reads, it finished second to Forgiveness (comments below).

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green (2017)

John Green’s quirky characters and authentic voice will always bring me back.  I’ve read all his books (e.g. The Fault In Our Stars, Looking for Alaska) and never tire.  " 'We are about to live the American Dream which is, of course, to benefit from someone else’s misfortune. ' " (p. 23)

A Death in Vienna by Daniel Silva audio book

The English Assassin by Daniel Silva (2002)

The Confessor by Daniel Silva (2003)

The Kill Artist by Daniel Silva (2000)

The Daniel Silva run began quite by accident with an audio book from the library that I thought might keep me awake and, optimally, intrigued, during a nine-hour drive home solo from Calgary.  Worked in spades.  The world of spies and assassins, and the people mixed up in it, made the kilometres fly.  I hunted down three other books by Daniel Silva, whom I had never read before, and they bridged some serious non-fiction.  I will go back.

The Stars are Fire by Anita Shreve (2017)

Anita Shreve died of cancer at age 71 while I was reading this book.  Based on a historic fire in Maine in 1947, this is the fictional story of Grace Holland’s self-discovery as she struggle to survive in that crisis.

A Darkness of the Heart by Gail Bowen (2018)

On her book tour, Gail Bowen dropped in to our local library for a chat.  She delighted and inspired.  This read reminded me of how subtly she contextualizes each new Joanne Kilbourn novel and establishes the threads for the next one.

Drums in Autumn by Diana Gabaldon

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

I love the Outlander series, especially the first three volumes.  Season four of the television series prompted me to refresh my memory of volumes four and five, that I had never reread.  Without six or seven years between tomes, I was able to make connections that had eluded me.

The Color of Rain by Micahel and Gina Spehn (2011)

Simply the book that inspired a TV movie that I enjoy overcoming tragedy and blending families.

Macbeth by Jo Nesbø (2018)

An author courageous enough to retell the Macbeth story in 1970’s America has my attention. Slow and dreary for the first forty pages or so, the novel did grapple with the essential questions Shakespeare asks in his play.  What catalysts  could trigger the "secret man of blood"  that lies dormant people?

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline (2017)

Forgiveness:  A Gift From My Grandparents by Mark Sakamoto (2017)

Two Canada Reads choices that, in my mind, didn’t meet the expectations the reviews and comments had set. Worthwhile reads, both.  The first explores indigenous issues with which Canadians continue to grapple, and the second honours the character of Japanese Canadians imprisoned in Canada during World War II and stripped of their possessions, and still able to forgive.

The Winners’ Circle by Gail Bowen (2017)

Another Joanne Kibourne novel.  Unfortunately, Bowen gets caught in the recapitulation trap, and her trademark invisible weaving of past threads gives way instead to a whole chapter of catch-up that detracts from this book.

French Language

Chanson douce de Leïla Slimani (2016)

Disponible en anglais sous le titre The Nanny (2018).  Une femme se rend indispensable à une famille professionnelle après la naissance de leur deuxième enfant, avec des conséquences tragiques.  « Son cœur s’est endurci.  Les années l’ont recouvert d’une écorce épaisse et froide et elle l’entend à peine battre.  Plus rien ne parvient à l’émouvoir.  Elle doit admettre qu’elle ne sait plus aimer. » (p 230)

La meilleure façon de marcher c’est celle du flamant rose de Diane Ducret (2018)

Un roman déprimant, et difficile à lire pour cette raison, à mon avis.  Simplement un surcroit de peine et de défis.  « Mais celui qui a inventé le bateau a aussi inventé le naufrage, il ne faut donc pas s’enorgueillir de ses succès passagers; il est nécessaire d’œuvrer toujours avec vertu, courage et humilité, se vaincre soi-même pour triompher de tout. » (p 154)

Madame Tout-le-monde de Juliette Thibault (2011)

Premier roman d’une série; le deuxième tome m’attend toujours.  Ce livre est une recommandation d’une amie, et je comprends pourquoi.  La langue presque archaïque me distrait, cependant.  Je me rends compte de nouveau que je préfère les romans français que j’ai lu dernièrement, pour leur langue beaucoup plus naturelle.