May 2022: You can reply to this email!
Plus some emotionally destroying fiction... Cheers!
Hello Book Buddies,
Since you’re most likely reading this newsletter as an email, I wanted to remind you all that you can simply reply to this email to chat with me. “But Carissa, what should we chat with you about?” is something you may be asking yourself. Well, I would love to hear from you about feedback on the newsletter (what’s working, what’s not working here), which books you’re loving, which book’s you’re not loving — anything of that sort! So go ahead, read the newsletter and hit that reply button. :)
Here’s what I read this month:
A book to read when you want to consume more “literary” works:
On Fragile Waves by E. Lily Yu
- This is a work of art. Following a family fleeing Afghanistan, then becoming refugees in Australia, Yu creates a sophisticated and moving story. It’s labelled as “sci-fi/fantasy” but I certainly would not classify it as such. It’s purely literary fiction, and excellent literary fiction it is! Also, this one was pretty heartbreaking so do with that what you will.
A book to read when you want to work on your journey toward reconciliation:
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality by Bob Joseph
- This was recommended to me by a dear friend and subscriber. Joseph breaks down what the Indian Act is and how it’s affected Indigenous Peoples since it was put into place in 1876.
- I found this short book to be very insightful. In order to learn about the issues Indigenous Peoples face today, it’s super important we learn about the massive role the Canadian government and European settlers had in creating these issues.
- Here’s a quote that stuck with me. Joseph is describing the government’s previous ban on the Indigenous celebrations known as potlatches and how settlers completely failed to understand why this was so important to Indigenous Peoples,
“Recognizing the potlatch as integral to the culture of coastal Indians, the government targeted it with particular force. But the government and missionaries viewed potlatch ceremonies as excessive, wasteful, and barriers to assimilation. The concept of establishing rank by one’s ability to share wealth rather than establish rank by holding on to wealth was alien to Europeans. If the potlatch, the cornerstone of the culture of many coastal Indians, could be eradicated, the government believed the missionaries would be free to fill the cultural void with Christianity. Children in residential schools were taught that potlatches were outdated superstitions that led to poverty, and they were encouraged to not attend when home visiting. In reality, all the potlatch ban did was drive the potlatch underground. The government severely underestimated Indian’s resistance to losing the freedom to continue with traditions.” pg. 48
A book to read if you like multiple points of view:
The Strangers by Katherena Vermette
- Vermette tells the story of four generations of a Métis family told through rotating points of view like in her first novel, The Break. Once again Vermette has crafted a book that’s heart-wrenching. I feel like I personally know and care for each character. Note: This was the follow-up to Vermette’s other novel, The Break, but you can certainly just read The Strangers on its own, though reading The Break first is never a bad idea. (I wrote about it in my November 2021 Blurbs if you wanted to check it out.)
Two mystery/humour-ish books that were good but not great:
Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano
- This is the sequel to Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, where a struggling writer and mother is mistaken for a hitman and offered a massive amount of cash to kill a person. This second installment follows a very similar formula as the first, so it didn’t feel as fresh or intriguing. But it made me chuckle at times which I won’t complain about. I would recommend this book for comedy/chick-lit fans rather than mystery fans.
The Windsor Knot by S. J. Bennett
- I really like the premise of the book more than the book itself: the Queen (yes, Queen Elizabeth II) solves the mysteries of odd occurrences that take place under her watch. It’s sort of cute and not as lighthearted as I would have expected it though. It was my general interest in the royals that drew me to the book, so I was disappointed in the minimal focus on the Queen’s royal life and duties (even if it was fiction!). But hey, if you want a decent mystery, this one should fit.
A graphic novel that is oh so wonderful:
Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman
- This is now a series on Netflix, which I have yet to watch. This story of two teen boys falling for each other in high school is insanely heartwarming. It was easy to adore and root for them the whole way through.
A book you should read:
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
- That’s all I’m going to say about this one. Just read it.
A book for the one who loves YA:
The Field Guide to the North American Teenager by Ben Philippe
- Overall, I feel like this book was a very regular young adult book including all the very regular things like high school romance, fitting in, and unlikely friendships. This book doesn’t provide any major plot twists or surprises, just a nice ol’ fiction for the youth in you.
A novel to read if you’re craving some dramatic romance:
The Paper Place by Miranda Cowley Heller
- There are childhood friends to lovers, summer vacation homes, difficult mothers, and seemingly happy marriages — what more does one need? Pull this out when you go to the beach. It’s captivating and summery and a really well constructed story.
A historical fiction book that you won’t even know that it’s historical fiction:
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
- Patchett has been on my to-read list for quite some time now and I’m glad I finally picked up a book of hers because I am so ready to read more. This is a story of an uncommon-looking house (the Dutch House) and the family that purchases it after the original owners. Set soon after WWII and narrated by the new owner’s son, Danny, he recounts his first memories in the Dutch House as a child all the way through his adulthood. It’s woven together with tales of his best friend and older sister, Maeve. This was a touching (and a bit sad) story that kept me interested the whole way through.
WOW, we’ve made it to the end. There were also two other books I read this month which I won’t bother recommending to you because they weren’t all that great. But if you want to know why, feel free to shoot me an email and I’ll give you the deets. ;)
Thank you so much for subscribing and reading, it means the world to me.
Carissa (she/her)
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