melwyk's Completed Shelf
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melwyk's rating:
Added Sep 22, 2022
Summer KitchensSummer Kitchens, BookRecipes and Reminiscences From Every Corner of Ukraine
by Hercules, OliaBook - 2020Book, 2020
melwyk's rating:
Added Jun 27, 2022
melwyk's rating:
Added Dec 11, 2020
Comment:
Really inventive and melding two of my favourite things: the fight for women's rights and witchiness. The fairy tale structures and strong characters drew me in and I was really enjoying it but the ending took off a full star from my opinion of it.
melwyk's rating:
Added Sep 05, 2020
Comment:
Creative feminist fantasy, this takes an island abbey of women as its setting. We have young teens as the protagonists, and a sense of the dark/middle ages as a time period at the beginning, shading over into a sense of Cretan myth as the story progresses.
With strong women running this show, there are lots of characters to engage with, and many serious issues to think about. Part One in a trilogy, this starts strong and makes you want book 2 asap! A translation from Finnish, this is a great discovery.Creative feminist fantasy, this takes an island abbey of women as its setting. We have young teens as the protagonists, and a sense of the dark/middle ages as a time period at the beginning, shading over into a sense of Cretan myth as the story…
melwyk's rating:
Added Sep 05, 2020
Comment:
A beautifully told story of the Turtle Mountain reservation and their fight against an "emancipation bill" (ie: termination of Indigenous rights) in the 50s, in North Dakota. A timely story as another federal emancipation bill reared its head just a month or two ago; this is not a past issue.
Erdrich tells this story quietly, with a measured pace, with moments of dreaming and imagery and moments that are more active -- the characters draw you in with their vivid individuality, and the writing is as fluid as usual with Erdrich. If you're looking for a complex, thoughtful story with interlocking relationships, and a sense of place, along with a compelling storyline, give this one a try. Recommended!A beautifully told story of the Turtle Mountain reservation and their fight against an "emancipation bill" (ie: termination of Indigenous rights) in the 50s, in North Dakota. A timely story as another federal emancipation bill reared its head just a…
melwyk's rating:
Added Dec 10, 2018
melwyk's rating:
Added Aug 20, 2018
Comment:
Powerful read about what is valued by society and the way we treat those we deem 'dispensable'. Terrifying bland and realistic, this dystopia is scarily plausible.
melwyk's rating:
Added Aug 20, 2018
Comment:
I found this light, silly and fun -- great entertainment with cheery, cartoonish art that suits the laissez-faire feel of the storyline. Great when you're in the mood for something quick and funny, but with a literary flair.
melwyk's rating:
Added Aug 20, 2018
Comment:
Charming, unexpected, a little odd - this memoir of Swedish/Finnish author Tove Jansson's unusual childhood as the daughter of two artists is told in brief vignettes, with photographs included. It's told from a child's perspective all through; it's very authentic to the imagination of childhood play, darker than we might think it is from our adult perspective. If you like Jansson's work and want to uncover some of the roots for her Moomin stories, pick this one up.Charming, unexpected, a little odd - this memoir of Swedish/Finnish author Tove Jansson's unusual childhood as the daughter of two artists is told in brief vignettes, with photographs included. It's told from a child's perspective all through; it's…
The Home for Unwanted GirlsThe Home for Unwanted Girls, BookA Novel
by Goodman, JoannaBook - 2018Book, 2018
Added Aug 15, 2018
Comment:
Really great historical novel - full of drama, family secrets and strong characters. It highlights a terrible part of Quebec history that many people are unaware of. Great book club choice as there is a ton of discussable content here.
The Fashion CommitteeThe Fashion Committee, BookA Novel of Art, Crime, and Applied Design
by Juby, SusanBook - 2017Book, 2017
melwyk's rating:
Added Jun 28, 2017
MonocultureMonoculture, BookHow One Story Is Changing Everything
by Michaels, F. S.Book - 2011Book, 2011
melwyk's rating:
Added May 29, 2017
Comment:
An excellent piece of work that will make you think -- and make you look at the story you're telling yourself about your life and our wider world. Lots to think about, lots of investigate in this fairly brief and clearly laid out essay.
The Life and Times of Persimmon WilsonThe Life and Times of Persimmon Wilson, BookA Novel
by Peacock, NancyBook - 2017Book, 2017
melwyk's rating:
Added Mar 05, 2017
Do Not Say We Have NothingDo Not Say We Have Nothing, BookA Novel
by Thien, MadeleineBook - 2016Book, 2016
melwyk's rating:
Added Dec 12, 2016
Comment:
This is a powerful story. The content is striking -- with the stories twisted around one another so that they can't be separated. The contrast of love and beauty with the complete cultural destruction of China's past and history is unbelievably stark. It's terrifying, and it's brilliant. The writing is beautiful, the characters are unforgettable, the story is so important.
The way Thien has approached this family's story creates a narrative that makes perfect sense whether past or present. Each is told slightly differently, but cohesively. The structure of the book made it very satisfying to read, and the conclusion fit the long build up to get there. The musical content is reflected in the text, with themes recurring and overlapping, with variations to the stories from different angles; it's like a composition in itself.
(full review: http://indextrious.blogspot.ca/2016/07/madeleine-thiens-masterful-do-not-say.html )This is a powerful story. The content is striking -- with the stories twisted around one another so that they can't be separated. The contrast of love and beauty with the complete cultural destruction of China's past and history is unbelievably…
melwyk's rating:
Added Aug 29, 2016
melwyk's rating:
Added Jul 04, 2016
melwyk's rating:
Added Jul 04, 2016
Comment:
NOT recommended. An overblown, jargony and silly story that classifies people into three states of being -- and of course the main character/author is most evolved, and of course the reader must be too, and thus the other "types" of people are of less value. This is a book that will quickly date itself with its political and pop culture rhetoric.NOT recommended. An overblown, jargony and silly story that classifies people into three states of being -- and of course the main character/author is most evolved, and of course the reader must be too, and thus the other "types" of people are of…
melwyk's rating:
Added Jan 14, 2015
Comment:
Great, balanced look at natural gas development & family dynamics in Alberta, circa 1960 and today. Lots of wonderfully drawn characters & a strong setting.
melwyk's rating:
Added Jan 05, 2015
Comment:
This is a dreamy, introspective book; a story that is being told to us by main character Naiko. She's an employee at the Undeliverable Mail Office of Canada Post -- her job is to try to match up all the missing letters and items that end up in their office with claims that come in to the facility. It's a perfect set-up for musings on identity, how physical objects represent emotions and memories, and on connection.
There are some beautiful phrases, some great characters, a unique and intriguing setting, and lots to think about. There were a few flaws: sometimes the story felt like it was moving a little too slowly or distancing the reader a bit too much. Overall, though, I did find this a good read.This is a dreamy, introspective book; a story that is being told to us by main character Naiko. She's an employee at the Undeliverable Mail Office of Canada Post -- her job is to try to match up all the missing letters and items that end up in their…
melwyk's rating:
Added Dec 28, 2014
melwyk's rating:
Added Dec 28, 2014
Comment:
This is a slower-moving book that depends on characters being exposed bit by bit, through indirect means -- it's perfect for those who enjoy stories based on character, told in language that is also full of images, reflecting the fragmented nature of main character Agnes' past life.
I really enjoyed this book, as it slowed me down to follow the twists of the sentences and the story. But it also held lots of human behaviour that made this deceptively quiet; there are many incidents despite the slower pace. It's worth getting to know Agnes, and especially Chartres.This is a slower-moving book that depends on characters being exposed bit by bit, through indirect means -- it's perfect for those who enjoy stories based on character, told in language that is also full of images, reflecting the fragmented nature…
The Measure of A ManThe Measure of A Man, BookThe Story of A Father, A Son, and A Suit
by Lee, J. J.Book - 2011Book, 2011
melwyk's rating:
Added Dec 28, 2014
Comment:
This is a memoir of sorts, a story that is nominally about Lee's attempts to tailor one of his father's old suits to fit him, and in the process, mend his damaged memories of his mercurial father.
It's a fascinating melange of personal and professional, and I really enjoyed it. It's elegaic, sad, often funny, and full of much more information than you'd guess from its size. Well worth reading!This is a memoir of sorts, a story that is nominally about Lee's attempts to tailor one of his father's old suits to fit him, and in the process, mend his damaged memories of his mercurial father.
It's a fascinating melange of personal and…
melwyk's rating:
Added Dec 28, 2014
Comment:
With unexpected turns in the story, and plenty of odd characters (some who perhaps were trying a little too hard to be the quirky sidekick of any quest tale), Emberton was an unusual, darker 'bookish book' than many I've read.
No twee charms here; it's all daily tedium until Lance's curiosity gets him into the deep centre of the whole mess. Funny, cringe-inducing, a wee bit ponderous at times, this is still an original tale.With unexpected turns in the story, and plenty of odd characters (some who perhaps were trying a little too hard to be the quirky sidekick of any quest tale), Emberton was an unusual, darker 'bookish book' than many I've read.
No twee charms…
melwyk's rating:
Added Dec 28, 2014
Comment:
If you'd like a spooky read that has shades of Henry James or Edgar Allen Poe, and features the strange character of HP Lovecraft himself, you will find it in this novel.
The whole story is a puzzling, mysterious and atmospheric read. I really enjoyed reading this. It was creepy, and wonderfully period.If you'd like a spooky read that has shades of Henry James or Edgar Allen Poe, and features the strange character of HP Lovecraft himself, you will find it in this novel.
The whole story is a puzzling, mysterious and atmospheric read. I really…
melwyk's rating:
Added Dec 28, 2014
Comment:
I love the idea of this book...but I also agree with jsradford's comment...the photographic quality really should be better for a book with this concept. While it was enjoyable it wasn't fabulous :(
Comment: