Golden Boy: Toronto Event

If you are in the Toronto area, Abigail Tarttelin will be at the Glad Day Bookshop on May 26th. I can't wait to read this one, wish I was able to attend the event.

Mailbox Monday

Hi Everyone!

I've been having a hard time reading and blogging lately. I'm not in the mood and have no energy. I'm trying to just take it easy, and go with the flow. In April, I've read 1 book... 1! This has never happened before. I'm hoping to change this soon. I have so many reviews that I need to write.

 

Here are some review books I received:

 

The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian

Duchess by Susan May Warren

The Lighthouse Bay by Kimberley Freeman

The Best of Us by Sarah Pekkanen

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

Royal Mistress by Anne Easter Smith

The Dark Heroine by Abigail Gibbs

From Ashes by Molly McAdams

Taking Chances by Molly McAdams

 

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Q&A: Perdita by Hilary Scharper

Today, I am welcoming Hilary Scharper to my blog. Perdita releases April 16th, and I can't wait to read it.

1. What is the inspiration behind Perdita? How did the story reveal itself to you?

The inspiration for Perdita is really Georgian Bay. The story came to me at the Cabot Head light-station up at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula. My husband and I were assistant lighthouse keepers one August, and we fell immediately in love with the area. The story came at first in fragments, but one evening as we were on the shore watching the sun setting, I suddenly visualized three figures—a little girl sitting between an adult woman and man, all of them arriving at the lighthouse in a horse-drawn wagon. That was my first encounter with Marged Brice, and from that point on, her life began to unfold before me.

2. Did anything surprise you when you completed the book? Did the characters/story change from your initial thoughts?

When I finished writing a complete draft of the book, rather than feeling elated I found myself feeling a little sad. This greatly surprised me! I knew there was still a lot of work to be done, but that wasn’t it.  I eventually realized that I simply wasn’t finished with the characters. (Or they weren’t finished with me!) I found myself sketching out a trilogy and immediately felt better. Marged Brice’s life continues to unfold as I write the next two volumes, and so there are several “threads” in Perdita that are picked up and teased out in subsequent the volumes.

(I wrote about this experience recently for The National Post:

http://arts.nationalpost.com/2013/04/02/hilary-scharper-on-the-beginning-of-endings/)

3. What elements do you believe a good story consists of?

There are many elements to a good book, but clearly engaging writing is key. I have found that one of the most challenging aspects of being a novelist has involved both trusting and embracing the reader’s imagination, and perhaps more importantly, avoiding over-explaining the story. I so admire authors who seem to do this effortlessly—writers such as W. Somerset Maugham, Graham Greene and Carol Shields.

4. What books are currently on your reading pile?

I am currently reading John Fowles’s The Tree, Cathy Marie Buchanan’s first novel, The Day the Falls Stood Still, and Kate Caley’s new book of poems, When This World Comes to an End. I am also continuing with my reading of “the gothic.” In Northanger Abbey (1818) Jane Austen has Isabella Thorpe list seven “horrid” novels that her friend Catherine Morland must read. For many years, it was thought that Austen invented the titles—but it turns out that they were all published novels. I’m planning to read all seven and next on my list is The Mysterious Warning by Eliza Parsons (1796).

5. If you could recommend one book, what book would it be?

The Toronto Public Library recently asked me this question, except the scenario was: the library is burning down and you can only save one book.

I actually agonized about this for days!

I answered the question (or avoided answering it!) in a one minute video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEQMEkfRGVo

Book Synopsis:

Will love let her go?

After a love affair that ends in tragedy, Garth Hellyer throws himself into his work for the Longevity Project, interviewing the oldest living people on the planet. But nothing has prepared him for Marged Brice, who claims to be a stunningly youthful 134. Marged says she wants to die, but can’t, held back by the presence of someone she calls Perdita.

Garth, despite his skepticism, is intrigued by Marged’s story, and agrees to read “her” journals of life in the late 1890s. Soon he’s enthralled by Marged’s story of love, loss, and myth in the tempestuous wilderness of the Bruce Peninsula. He enlists the help of his childhood friend Clare to help him make sense of the mystery.

As Garth and Clare unravel the truth of Marged and Perdita, they discover together just what love can mean when it never dies

Review: Gossip by Beth Gutcheon

Publisher: William Morrow

Released: 2013

Pages: 384

Source: Blog Tour

Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis:

Loviah French didn’t come from a wealthy family but she was able to receive a scholarship to attend an elite prep school which would help set the course of her life. Loviah was able to build friendships with many peers and build life-long relationships. She was able to use her determination and their example to make herself successful. Loviah is always on the edge of New York’s grand social status, close but not close enough. Loviah has two best friends, Dinah and Avis who both attended school with her. The two relationships are kept separated, because Dinah and Avis don’t really enjoy each other’s company. Gossip is about rumors, and the unlikely consequences.

Review:

Loviah is an enjoyable character, a successful dressmaker and well respected in the fashion industry. When her family couldn’t afford to continue her education, they encouraged her to pursue an internship with a dressmaker. Loviah learned to love fashion and looked for opportunities to further her career. Dinah is a walking advertisement for Loviah’s clothing, a gossip journalist and well known within the elite social circles. Avis is hard working, and puts her career before her daughter. All three women have their ups and down and their friendships are continually tested.

Gossip was an interesting read, at times I wasn’t sure where the book was headed and wondered what would happen. The ending was nothing like I expected. A rumor can spread like wildfire and consequences can be expected. Dinah and Avis have had children, and their life choices reflect on their children. Loviah’s love for a married man, leaves her feeling disjointed.

The story spans from the 1960’s to post 9/11 New York. Gutcheon tells the story in a non-linear style but keeps readers intrigued. I really enjoyed this one and recommend it to readers.

Mailbox Monday

I received some great review books this week. I'm really excited to read these:

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

The Smart One by Jennifer Close

The World's Strongest Librarian by Josh Hanagarne

Flee, Fly, Flown by Janet Hepburn

The Best of Us by Sarah Pekkan

Lighthouse Bay by Kimberly Freeman

 

 

 

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Kobo Arc Android Update (Review)

The Kobo Arc recently upgraded it's software to Jelly Bean. I'm really happy Kobo has kept their word and released the update. I'm usually skeptical of what Kobo promises. I'm really enjoying the update, I find the keyboard more responsive and I like the new notification center. One thing I don't like is that the time was moved to the upper corner, and no longer appears when you are reading in the Kobo app. I have to exit Kobo to look at the time. Also, the menu keys were off to the left, and are now centered. This took a few days to remember.

Previously I disabled the Discovery Bar because I hate Kobo's recommendations. The books that appear are ones I would never read, and don't understand why they would be selected for me. I'm not a romance reader... Also many of the books I own, and bought through Kobo appear. Once I updated the software, and disabled the Discovery option, apps suddenly wouldn't open. I tried to delete the shortcut to add a new one, but my screen went blank and started flashing over and over. Restarting it wouldn't work, I had to factory reset it. I didn't realize what the problem was until I did it a second time and the same thing happened. Eventually, I turned back on Discovery, and installed a launcher. I'm using the Apex Launcher Pro, and really liking it. I no longer have tapestries, but it doesn't really bother me. I have much more options now. Installing a launcher is very simple.

When I called Kobo about this flashing problem, they told me they know what it is and they would send me an email in 24 hours on how to fix it. I asked him why they couldn't just tell me how to fix it if it was known problem. He said that was their procedure. Not wanting to wait 24 hours, I factory restored it.

Before the update, original launcher, and Discovery was disabled. Even with it disabled, that black bar cannot be deleted.

This is the new launcher...not a good photo. I'll try to replace it later.I find it much cleaner and enjoyable to use.

Now, I'm waiting for the snapbacks to finally be available. It's been coming soon since the Kobo launched. I wonder if I will ever see them in stores.

Review: A Million Suns by Beth Revis

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 400

Released: 2011

Source: Personal Copy

Rating: 4/5

**Book 2**

Synopsis:

A Million Suns picks up immediate after Across the Universe. It’s clear that the ship has been told lies over and over again. A lot has happened and the ship’s citizens are on the verge of rioting and chaos. People have decided to stop working, withhold food for those they don’t believe deserve it, and violence ensues. Elder has become Eldest, and he needs to figure out the best way to deal with his people. Elder wonders if taking them of phydus was a good choice. Every choice he makes has consequences. Meanwhile, Amy discovers that Orion has provided her with clues to secrets on the ship. The ship is in a state of decline physically, and the people are mentally suffering.

Review:

A Million Suns was every bit as action packed as Across the Universe. Readers dive back into Revis’ world and immediately become consumed with life on the ship. Amy was always in danger, and now more so. She’s the only different looking person on the ship, and as soon as her cryo chamber became unfrozen, life on the ship has changed. She’s now an even bigger target.

Elder decides that he doesn’t want anyone to refer to him as “eldest” but when he loses control of the ship, he struggles with figuring out how to be a leader. Elder and Amy are attracted to each other, but are very standoffish due to their current living conditions. Amy feels like Elder only has her as an option and she wants to believe that even with options, he would still choose her.

This year I planned to read more young adult, and this series has really helped me get back into the genre. The complicated world is complex and clearly laid out for readers. Revis does an amazing job with world building. I highly recommend this series.