Fiction Pick of the Week: A Lion Among Men

A Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire 2008

A Lion Among Men is the third novel in Gregory Maguire's Wicked Years series, an inventive re-imagining of the OZ story as a much darker and more sinister land. This volume concerns Brrr, Dorthy's friend, the Cowardly Lion. He is portrayed as a feckless dandy, with an endless ability to muck things up. Civil war has erupted. The forces of the Emperor and those of Free State of Munchkinland are about to clash. At their centre, in a cloister, Brrr and Mother Yackle engage in a battle of wits. Each is looking for revelations. The Cowardly Lion has been assigned to find the magic book of spells used by Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. Yackle, an ancient crone, has seen her mission as being to protect the life of Elphaba. She is tired of life and is looking for both death and some explanations. An evening of questions & answers, reminiscences and discussion on the nature of Fate and Courage ends with the inevitable battle and optimism for the Lion's future.

Non-Fiction Pick of the Week: The Omnivore's Dilemma

The Omnivore's Dilemma:a natural history of four meals by Michael Pollan 2006

Buying food is becoming more and more complicated. We are bombarded with terms such as monoculture, range-fed, organic, genetically modified. In his book The Omnivore’s Dilemma: a natural history of four meals, Michael Pollan examines the different paths our food takes to our plate. He traces the ecological footprint that it leaves, its chemical content and effects on our bodies, and the quality of life of the animals that end up on our dinner plate. In his research, he spends time at a factory farm, a monoculture corn farm, a large organic producer and a self-sustaining farm. He takes part as much as possible, or as much as he is allowed in the process of producing the food. He even goes out on a boar hunt and forages for edible mushrooms. It is very interesting reading that helps us make choices about what we put in our mouths.


Incidentally, there is also a young people's edition of this book which was published in 2009: The Ominvore's Dilemma: secrets behind what you eat

(Did you catch Michael Pollan on Oprah last week? He has some fabulous "rules" for what to eat, including my favourite: Eat food that your great-grandmother would recognize as food. Sound advice! I have to wonder what my great-grandmother would make of a cheezie? )

Fiction Pick of the Week: Prospect Park West

Prospect Park West
by Amy Sohn 2009
In a recent article I read, Prospect Park West was given as an example as chick-lit “grown up”. Indeed, that seems to be the case! As chick lit often does, this novel tackles the lives of women in New York who battle their own obsessions, insecurities and loneliness as they adapt to their new roles as mothers. Prospect Park West differs from typical chick lit in that it is far more graphic than standard fare… as one reviewer commented, “I started blushing on the first page and didn’t ever stop”. I can’t help but think this book was heavily influenced by the Sex and the City series – no topic seems to be off limits and in fact, Amy Sohn also wrote a behind the scenes account of the series called Sex in the City: Kiss and Tell. The book would appeal to those who like strong characters and a plot that moves along quickly as the women get themselves into humourous and often embarrassing situations. If you prefer more left to the imagination, this may not be the book for you!

Fiction Pick of the Week: Family Planning

Family Planning
by Karan Mahajan 2008

I could feel the experiential quality of Mahajan’s depiction of the sweltering, chaotic, frenetic capital city of India. The same energy whips through his characters. Contradiction thrives, chaos rules, and the modern blends with the ancient with a logic and singular Indian-ness all of its own. The quirks and comedy of globalization shape the story of the Urban Affairs Minister, Rakesh Ahuja, his American stint with his first wife, his “switched,” perpetually pregnant wife and their thirteen children. His sexual appetite finds a parallel in his teen son’s own raging hormones. Arjun’s main focus is form a rock band to impress a girl and to distance himself from his family. Mahajan’s indulgent debut novel and satire jabs at Indian-style democracy, random politics, corrupt officials, hybrid English, pop-culture, the nation’s obsession with its TV soaps, and the sometimes simplistic American attempts to understand a nation that can neither be neatly boxed nor labeled. This giggle-quick read is astute, authentic and absurd!

Non-Fiction Pick of the Week: The Walkable City

The Walkable City: from Haussmann’s boulevards to Jane Jacobs’ streets and beyond
by Mary Soderstrom 2008

Does it matter if you can walk to work or go for a leisurely walk in your city? According to Canadian writer Mary Soderstrom, it should. In her latest book, The Walkable City, Soderstrom examines how city planning, architecture, the industrial revolution and politics have influenced the lives of urban dwellers. What is interesting about this book is the use of examples such as Napoleon’s decree to Haussmann to remake Paris and how Mont Royal in Montreal came into being – politics and economics. These historic examples demonstrate how cities have been created and developed. What will the future hold for large cities dependent on cars? Soderstrom uses cities like New York, Singapore and Toronto to illustrate how urban areas can be reorganized to become walkable cities.

Fiction Pick of the Week: The Signal

The Signal by Ron Carlson 2009

When asked to read a book “outside my comfort zone”, The Signal caught my eye, admittedly because at first glance it was a relatively short novel. Who knew so much could be packed into 192 pages? Well worth the stretch!

Mack descends from a long line of proud Wyoming ranchers. And in an effort to keep the family’s magnificent farm from bankruptcy and foreclosure he’s been led into a life of crime. Eventually, his choices catch up with him, landing him in jail and distancing him even further from his wife, Vonnie. Out of pity (or perhaps some remnant of love), Vonnie agrees to one last trip with Mack: upon his release, they’ll embark together on their annual ritual of backpacking through the Wyoming wilderness to fish, camp and rediscover each other.

But nothing is as it seems, and through simple dialogue and exquisitely eerie description Mack’s true motive is eventually revealed: hired by a friend, he is attempting to receive a signal and to retrieve something fallen from the sky; a signal that will lead the couple into something far darker than the woods they inhabit.

A great adventure with an intriguing twist. And at under 200 pages, highly recommended for the “literary commitment-phobe”!

Non-Fiction Pick of the Week: A Place Within

A Place Within: Rediscovering India by M.G. Vassanji 2008

You can expect that when an author is a two time winner of the Giller Prize for fiction, you would have a reasonable expectation that the non-fiction work is of equal quality. A Place Within: Rediscovering India, is a personal journey into the history and culture of India, and it does not disappoint. In his previous works of fiction, Vassanji explored what it was like to be grow up in one country and yet be woven into the fabric of another. In this book, he uncovers a complex history of family narratives, history and stories such as the relationship between Muslims, Jews and Hindus. In November, 2009 Vassanji was presented with the Governor General’s Award in the non-fiction category.

Fiction Pick of the Week: Paths of Glory

Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer 2009

This historical novel is a fascinating fictionalized version of the life of George Mallory, who in 1924 was last seen 600 feet from the top of Mount Everest. Even after his body was discovered in 1999, it’s still unknown whether he, rather than Sir Edmund Hillary, was actually the first to climb Everest (although Jeffrey Archer offers his own solution to mountaineering’s most enduring mystery). Paths of Glory brings to life a man who was a legend in his time, tells the story of his devoted marriage with his wife Ruth, and left me intrigued and wanting to read more about this schoolmaster who, in tweeds and homeknit gloves, took on a challenge equivalent to what the moon landing would be 45 years later.

Non-Fiction Pick of the Week: 8 Men and a Duck

8 Men and a Duck by Nick Thorpe 2002

Could a reed boat built using ancient technology and sailed by 8 amateurs really make the 2,500 mile journey from Chile to Easter Island? That is the premise of journalist Nick Thorpe’s real-life story detailing his unbelievable luck in joining the crew on this “improbable voyage” and the amusing adventures they experience. Captain Phil Buck is entranced with the idea of completing this excursion and confirming Thor Heyerdahl’s theories that Easter Island could have been settled by South Americans. Thorpe shows himself to be the relatively paranoid and danger conscious but peace-making crewmember. He relates numerous anecdotes about the expedition including both exciting and terrifying storms, and engrossing tales relating the minor grumblings and major antics that can ensue from a mundane life of sailing on a small vessel carrying 8 adult men for 44 days.

Fiction Pick of the Week: Plum Spooky

Plum Spooky: A Stephanie Plum between the numbers series by Janet Evanovich 2009

This series, intended to satisfy those waiting for the next numbered mystery to come out, is sure to also delight those that like a bit of romance and enjoyed the author’s earlier romantic titles. The author introduces us to a new character Diesel, an attractive man with extraordinary powers that Stephanie has a hard time resisting. This is one of four titles in the series published. Each of the titles have the same great characters that are in the original numbered mystery series, contain humourous storylines and the romantic tension between Stephanie and Diesel is exhilarating. Another title in this series is slated to be released in January and if you like the character Diesel, the author is planning to launch a new series centered just on him. For a real treat, check out the audio version of this title which is read brilliantly by Lorelei King.