Happy New Year!
It's been a long time since I posted anything.
Summer: garden, music camp, a visit from sister Mary and mother Ruth. Fall: new job as teacher/librarian and the Bella Coola Flood nightmare. December: many concerts and a well deserved break.
Last year, 2010, I decided to keep a book journal. I read a lot of fiction, and some non-fiction, and I thought it would be interesting to see how many books I can actually read in a year. Well, this year I read 80 fiction books, and I didn't keep track of the non-fiction. So here it is, for all you avid readers: my top ten list. Warning: there will be some chick lit on this list.
Beth's Top Ten Reads from 2010 (Not in any particular order)
(1) After River by Donna Milner
The author lives in Williams Lake, B.C., the nearest town to Bella Coola. Set in small town B.C. near the U.S. border. About a family living on a dairy farm who take in a Vietnam draft dodger one summer, and the family's realationship with that young man. A shocking ending.
(2) The Undomestic Godess by Sophie Kinsella
A good, fun, silly read. I laughed out loud several times. A British lawyer loses her job after she is set up to make a mistake. She ends up working as a maid, learns to cook, and falls for the sexy gardener. Eventually she must chose between her old life and her new life. Chick lit.
(3) One Native Life by Richard Wagamese
Written by an Cree from Ontario. This is a memoir about his life growing up in various foster homes. A gentle introduction to the suffering of native people in Canada. It's not too in your face, but more about surviving, healing, renewal and acceptance. Written in short chapters so it's easy to read.
(4) In the Presence of Horses by Barbara Dimmick
A woman arrives at a horse farm and is hired as the manager. Lots of interesting facts about horses, and particularly interesting is her relaationship with the horses. An interesting narrative structure, with flashbacks from the past to illuminate her present life.
(5) Waiting for Rain by Donna Milner
About a girl growing up in Vancouver shortly after WWII. Her mother dies, and her father has never recovered from his experiences as a prisoner of war in Hong Kong. A young Chinese girl arrives one day, looking for her father. The shocking truth is finally revealed.
(6) Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
This one was great. Loved it. Twin boys are born in Ethiopia, sons of a white surgeon and an Indian nun. The babies are abandoned at birth, and they are brought up by an Indian doctor couple. The boys grow up, and eventually find their father and solve the mystery of their birth.
(7) Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier
By the author of "Girl With a Pearl Earring" and others. Set in 19th century England. The story of two women who hut fossils on the coast around Lyme Regis. Based on the life story of Mary Anning, the first woman to become famous for her knowledge of fossils. Includes interesting facts about fossils and the emerging theory of extinction, as well as looks at women's place in society at the time, and the fashionable hobby of "collecting.
(8) I Am the Clay by Chain Potok
Takes place in Korea during the Korean war. An elderly couple are evacuated because of fighting in their village. They find a wounded 10-year old boy abandoned in a ditch and rescue him. They travel through Korea, live in a refugee camp, and are finally able to go back to their village. Their lives are now centered around the boyg.
(9) The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
A young girl is abandoned on ship going to Australia. The girl is adopted by a local couple and raised as their daughter. Years later, her granddaughter tries to solve the mystery of her mother's real family. Goes back and forth between generations, and between Australia and England. Chick lit.
(10) Dream Wheels by Richard Wagamese
OK, so I just started this one yesterday, but already I love it. It's about a young rodeo cowboy who is badly injured on a championship bull ride. A parallel story tells of a young half-black boy who ends up in jail for being part of a robbery. The two lives eventually collide, and they heal each other. Beautiful writing and I can't wait to finish it!
So, I hope at least some of you will get some of these books and enjoy some good reads. The only "old" book is the Chaim Potok book; all the others are relatively recent. If anyone out there has some recommendations, please drop me a line! Happy reading in 2011!
It's been a long time since I posted anything.
Summer: garden, music camp, a visit from sister Mary and mother Ruth. Fall: new job as teacher/librarian and the Bella Coola Flood nightmare. December: many concerts and a well deserved break.
Last year, 2010, I decided to keep a book journal. I read a lot of fiction, and some non-fiction, and I thought it would be interesting to see how many books I can actually read in a year. Well, this year I read 80 fiction books, and I didn't keep track of the non-fiction. So here it is, for all you avid readers: my top ten list. Warning: there will be some chick lit on this list.
Beth's Top Ten Reads from 2010 (Not in any particular order)
(1) After River by Donna Milner
The author lives in Williams Lake, B.C., the nearest town to Bella Coola. Set in small town B.C. near the U.S. border. About a family living on a dairy farm who take in a Vietnam draft dodger one summer, and the family's realationship with that young man. A shocking ending.
(2) The Undomestic Godess by Sophie Kinsella
A good, fun, silly read. I laughed out loud several times. A British lawyer loses her job after she is set up to make a mistake. She ends up working as a maid, learns to cook, and falls for the sexy gardener. Eventually she must chose between her old life and her new life. Chick lit.
(3) One Native Life by Richard Wagamese
Written by an Cree from Ontario. This is a memoir about his life growing up in various foster homes. A gentle introduction to the suffering of native people in Canada. It's not too in your face, but more about surviving, healing, renewal and acceptance. Written in short chapters so it's easy to read.
(4) In the Presence of Horses by Barbara Dimmick
A woman arrives at a horse farm and is hired as the manager. Lots of interesting facts about horses, and particularly interesting is her relaationship with the horses. An interesting narrative structure, with flashbacks from the past to illuminate her present life.
(5) Waiting for Rain by Donna Milner
About a girl growing up in Vancouver shortly after WWII. Her mother dies, and her father has never recovered from his experiences as a prisoner of war in Hong Kong. A young Chinese girl arrives one day, looking for her father. The shocking truth is finally revealed.
(6) Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
This one was great. Loved it. Twin boys are born in Ethiopia, sons of a white surgeon and an Indian nun. The babies are abandoned at birth, and they are brought up by an Indian doctor couple. The boys grow up, and eventually find their father and solve the mystery of their birth.
(7) Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier
By the author of "Girl With a Pearl Earring" and others. Set in 19th century England. The story of two women who hut fossils on the coast around Lyme Regis. Based on the life story of Mary Anning, the first woman to become famous for her knowledge of fossils. Includes interesting facts about fossils and the emerging theory of extinction, as well as looks at women's place in society at the time, and the fashionable hobby of "collecting.
(8) I Am the Clay by Chain Potok
Takes place in Korea during the Korean war. An elderly couple are evacuated because of fighting in their village. They find a wounded 10-year old boy abandoned in a ditch and rescue him. They travel through Korea, live in a refugee camp, and are finally able to go back to their village. Their lives are now centered around the boyg.
(9) The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
A young girl is abandoned on ship going to Australia. The girl is adopted by a local couple and raised as their daughter. Years later, her granddaughter tries to solve the mystery of her mother's real family. Goes back and forth between generations, and between Australia and England. Chick lit.
(10) Dream Wheels by Richard Wagamese
OK, so I just started this one yesterday, but already I love it. It's about a young rodeo cowboy who is badly injured on a championship bull ride. A parallel story tells of a young half-black boy who ends up in jail for being part of a robbery. The two lives eventually collide, and they heal each other. Beautiful writing and I can't wait to finish it!
So, I hope at least some of you will get some of these books and enjoy some good reads. The only "old" book is the Chaim Potok book; all the others are relatively recent. If anyone out there has some recommendations, please drop me a line! Happy reading in 2011!
posted by Beth Jay at 9:47 AM
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