Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!

2017 was a challenging year on many fronts for me personally. The best medicine for me? A good book! According to Goodreads, I read and listened to 147 books last year. I always say I'm going to cut back.....but it never happens. And I doubt it will this year either. There are some great suspense novels releasing these first few weeks..... Happy Reading!

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #191

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true.

 But you can like one cover version better than another....

US cover

Australian cover

Graeme Simsion has a new book coming to North America in May 2018. I loved the Rosie Project, but couldn't get into his last book, The Best of Adam Sharp. But I am curious to see what this new book brings. Interestingly, Two Steps Forward has a co-author - Simsion's wife,  Anne Buist. The US cover is on the left and the Australian cover is on the right. The book released in Oct. 2017 in Australia. I must admit, I'm not a fan of either cover this week. The book is set on the Camino Trail. Both covers illustrate this. The US cover has the two figures close together and the heart on the path gives us a good idea of the story within. The Australian cover has the figures far apart on the path and the larger figure seems to be looking for something or someone.  I find the US cover to be somewhat bland and the Australian cover to be too over the top. It reminds me of a hippie van in the sixties. But, if pressed to choose, I will go with the US cover. The UK cover is being finalized, so we'll have to see if it is more attractive. Any plans to read Two Steps Forward? Which cover do you prefer?

 You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World.

Over the Counter #398

What book caught my eye this week as it passed over the library counter and under my scanner? A bit farther than a bird's eye view........Hello, Is This Planet Earth?: My View from the International Space Station  by Tim Peake.

From Little, Brown and Company:

"The #1 international bestseller: An astronaut’s tour of our planet from the heavens, featuring 150 mesmerizing photographs (with commentary) from the International Space Station

One of Space.com’s Best Space Photography Books!

During his six-month mission to the International Space Station, astronaut Tim Peake became the first British astronaut to complete a spacewalk–and, perhaps more astonishingly, the first to run an entire marathon in space. During his historic mission, he captured hundreds of dazzling photographs, the very best of which are collected here.

Tim captures the majesty of the cosmos and of the planet we call home: breath-taking aerial photos of the world’s cities illuminated at night, the natural beauty of the northern lights, and unforgettable views of oceans, mountains, and deserts.

Tim’s lively stories about life in space appear alongside these photographs, including the tale from which the title is taken: his famous wrong number dialed from space, when he accidentally called a stranger and asked: “Hello, is this planet Earth?”

With this truly unique perspective on the incredible sights of our planet, Tim demonstrates that while in space, hundreds of miles above his friends and family, he never felt closer to home."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come to the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But...I can mention them and maybe one of them will catchy your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

The Keeper of Lost Things - Ruth Hogan

I am a collector of 'things' - old things, interesting things and yes, things I find. I always wonder about the person who owned them, lost them or discarded them. I knew I was going to love Ruth Hogan's debut novel, The Keeper of Lost Things.

Anthony Peardew also collects things - ever since the day his fiancee died and he lost the one thing that he promised her he would always cherish. His goal is the find the owners of those lost articles. But, his time is drawing near and he decides to bequeath his house and the lost things project to his assistant Laura. A parallel story with its own lost and found had me wondering if the two tales would eventually meet - and how they might tie together.

"She had been dead for forty years, but she was still his life, and her death had given him his purpose. It had made Anthony Peardew the Keeper of Lost Things."

Oh there is so much to love about this book. The characters first and foremost. They're all eclectically (and wonderfully) a little left of center. Impossible not to like and not to root for.

The premise is intriguing as I've mentioned. I loved the back stories that Hogan created for some of the lost items. Hair bobbles, an umbrella, a glove and more. Some happy, some tragic. The plots of some disastrous books written by an aspiring author had me laughing out loud.

Hogan's writing flows so well and drew me into her story immediately. She weaves a delicious, heartwarming tale of love, loss, hope, redemption, romance and humour with a helping of magical realism that absolutely delighted me. I loved it! Read an excerpt of The Keeper of Lost Things.

Ruth Hogan describes herself as a “rapacious reader, writer, and incorrigible magpie” whose own love of small treasures and curiosities and the people around her inspired her first novel. She lives north of London.

Find out more about Ruth at her website, and connect with her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter, and Instagram.

See what others on the TLC book tour thought - full schedule can be found here.

I received this book for review from HarperCollins and TLC Book Tours.

Merry Christmas

Wishing you, your family

 and friends

 the best of the 

holiday season! 

Merry Christmas, 

Luanne

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #190

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true.

 But you can like one cover version better than another....

US  cover

UK cover

It was the tagline of Jane Harper's forthcoming book - Force of Nature -  that first caught my attention. " Five women go on a hike. Only four return. Jane Harper, the New York Times bestselling author of The Dry, asks: How well do you really know the people you work with?" The US cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right. Both covers have dark, ominous, stormy covers. The landscape below is quite different on each cover. Fields of what looks like wheat on the UK cover, while the US cover has a dense forested area depicted. The mist also gives the scene a unknown, perhaps dangerous aura. I also prefer the font on the US cover. So, initial creation - I would pick up the US book first. Which cover do you prefer? Any plans to read Force of Nature? 

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World.

Three Strikes - Kate Kessler

Three Strikes by Kate Kessler is one of my rare DNF's. I tried numerous times to get into the book, but just couldn't. Why, you ask?

I was initially intrigued by the description of the book - "Three Strikes is the new novel in a thriller series where a criminal psychologist uses her own dark past to help law enforcement catch dangerous killers." Sounds like a great premise.

What I should have noted was that this was the third book in a series. Now, some authors make it easy to jump into their series. Some back story is provided, but often you can read them as a stand alone. Not in this case. So much has happened in the first two books and I felt overwhelmed and out of step for as far as I did get. Murder, rape, incest, serial killers, terminal illness, a messed up small town and some very dysfunctional relationships. A psychologist who has committed murder.  It started to feel like a dark daytime soap opera put to the printed page - aiming for titillation.

But, where I finally lost hope of continuing was in the character count. Oh yes, I started making my own player's list to keep track of who was who, as there are many (many) players introduced in the first few chapters. But, when my list hit 23 just past page 37, I threw in the towel. Too many, too much.

This may be the case of a book in the hands of the wrong reader, as there are many who have really enjoyed this book. I point you to the positive reviews on Goodreads.

Over the Counter #397

What book caught my eye this week as it passed over the library counter and under my scanner? Well, this was one I actually saw in a publisher's newsletter. I'd love to see more, because really, who doesn't want to play with Lego ™?

The Greatest Brick Builds: Amazing Creations in Lego by Nathan Sawaya.

From the publisher, Thunder Bay Press:

"LEGO bricks have been used for decades by children and adults to create dazzling and playful buildings, vehicles, and unique works of art. In The Greatest Brick Builds: Amazing Creations in LEGO, these jaw-dropping creations are presented in full color, with close-up photos, scale representations, historical commentary on the structures, and details on how each model was constructed using LEGO bricks. Included in this collection are the Golden Gate, the USS Missouri, and the Great Sphinx of Giza, as well as other iconic structures created by LEGO crafters from around the world."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come to the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But...I can mention them and maybe one of them will catchy your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

The Man in the Crooked Hat - Harry Dolan

The Man in the Crooked Hat is the latest book from Harry Dolan. This was a first read of this author for me, but it will certainly not be the last! Dolan's writing is clever, his plotting serpentine and his characters intriguing, making for an addictive read.

Jack Pellum is a former police detective. When his wife is murdered, Jack goes off the rails. The case remains unsolved after two years, but there is a clue that Jack is sure will lead him to the killer.  The man wears a crooked hat. A recent murder finally lends credence to Jack's belief. The man with the hat is also sighted at this latest scene.....

 Jack is a great character, well fleshed out in both personality and personally. I liked his voice. Dolan gives him snappy dialogue, but also an introspective internal look at grief, loss and love. Jack is juxtaposed with Michael Underhill. Yes, we know the name of the killer and he too has a voice. A frightening one, as he can justify everything he's doing and has done. "This is as much on you as it is on me. I'm not going to feel bad about this." We get to see inside Underhill's personal life as well.

The plotting of The Man in the Crooked Hat does not follow a straightforward path - instead it is, well, crooked. We know who the killer is - or do we? Dolan's plotting is delightfully complex, with minuscule clues that need to be connected. A clever cat and mouse game.

I really enjoyed this decidedly different mystery. Read an excerpt of The Man in the Crooked Hat.

You can connect with Harry Dolan on his website, follow him on Facebook and like him on Twitter.

How I Lost You - Jenny Blackhurst

I liked the premise of Jenny Blackhurst's novel How I Lost You.

Susan Webster spent three years in prison for the murder of her three month old son Dylan. She doesn't remember doing it, but she must have - right? Now, released, she wants to try and start over under a new name. But when she receives an envelope delivered under her previous name, she worries. And when she opens it and finds a picture of a toddler named Dylan, she is stunned. Could it possibly be her child - still alive? Who has sent her the picture? And why? Susan simply has to see if Dylan could possibly be alive.

So, be prepared to suspend disbelief a bit - there are some plot twists that require the reader to accept some far fetched turns. Susan's naivete, joining forces with and becoming so close to Nick seemed a little too quick and easy. There are scenes from the past cut into the current day hunt for Dylan. These scenes become increasingly disturbing and lurid and it was here that How I Lost You lost some stars for me.

The publisher's description - "reminiscent of works by bestselling authors S.J. Watson and Ruth Ware" is a bit ambitious at this stage of Blackhurst's career in my opinion. Blackhurst is talented and I would be curious to see what she writes next.

I chose to listen to How I Lost You. The reader was Jennifer Ness and she did a fantastic job. Her voice matched the mental image I had of Susan. She also provided different (and believable) voices for the other characters. Her interpretation of the antagonist Jack was particularly effective - and chilling. Her diction is clear, easy to understand and pleasant to listen to. She varies her inflection, tone and speed, interpreting the story well. Listen to an excerpt of How I Lost You.

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover # 189

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true.

But you can like one cover version better than another....

US cover

UK cover

Sophie Kinsella has a new stand alone novel called Surprise Me coming out in February on both sides of the pond. I do enjoy a good chick lit read, so it's been added to my TBR list. The US cover is on the left and the UK cover is on right. So we have roughly the same shade of blue on both covers. Author's name in white on top of both, but with  different sizing. I do find the white to be not bold enough somehow. As well as the yellow of the title on the UK cover. Both images depict a surprise. But overall, I prefer the US cover this week. It definitely grabs your eye, while the UK cover seems washed out. Any plans to read Surprise Me? Which cover do you prefer?

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World.

Over the Counter #396

What book caught my eye this week as it passed over the library counter and under my scanner? Another little house to go with last week's little house......

Fairy Houses: How to Create Whimsical Homes for Fairy Folk by Sally J. Smith.

From the publisher, Cool Springs Press:

"Add an exquisite flourish of design to your beloved green space or garden by adding tiny fairy homes inter-woven with nature. Fairy Houses gives you the instruction and inspiration you need to start!

Have you ever seen a real fairy house? Not the ceramic ones at cavernous home improvement stores, but a real fairy house made from natural elements? Well, now you can build your own miniature magical abode - the perfect addition to your garden.

Step-by-step instructions for constructing exquisite fairy houses are revealed in Fairy Houses, explained by master fairy house architect Sally Smith. Smith has been creating one-of-a-kind DIY fairy houses out of natural artifacts for years, now she passes her miniature construction knowledge to you.

Imagine, a fairy garden with homes that have butterfly wings as stained-glass windows, twigs for window frames, birch bark for walls, dried mushrooms for shingles; it's all possible with a little instruction and inspiration from Fairy Houses.

Begin by flipping through an inspiration gallery, find which elements appeal to you, and how they fit together. From there, you’ll learn about building materials (found and natural), on-site fairy house construction, and how to light a fairy house."

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come to the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But...I can mention them and maybe one of them will catchy your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Artemis - Andy Weir

I'm betting you've either read or watched Andy Weir's first novel, The Martian. (Or like me - both). I was excited to see that he has a newly released book - Artemis.

I was hooked by this line from the publisher..."- a heist story set on the moon." I love 'heist' novels. (And movies) But every heist tale needs to have the right protagonist. Weir has created an interesting one in Jasmine Bashara. She's bold, brilliant, irreverent, daring and is an 'ethical smuggler'. But things get bigger than just some low level smuggling for Jazz. All she has to do is the impossible - destroy four 'harvesters' - and a million slugs ($) are hers. A new space suit, an apartment with a bathroom and her debt paid off. But with every heist movie there are of course, snags. And there are some big ones in Artemis's plot. (Although on finishing the book,  I do think caper would be a better descriptor than heist.)

Weir's dialogue throughout the book is snappy.  But, I found some of the jokes to be borderline juvenile and the sexual references fell flat for me. There are letters to and from a 'penpal' on Earth that Jazz has had since she was in school. I enjoyed the discourse between the two. But even in this personal format, we never really get a look at the 'real' Jazz - the one behind the flippancy. She does seem written for the screen almost. I did enjoy the supporting cast, especially tech wizard Svoboda.

Weir has a background as a software engineer and ''devoted hobbyist of subjects such as relativistic physics, orbital mechanics and the history of manned spaceflight." Without a doubt, his work benefits from this detailed knowledge. I don't read a lot of sci-fi and found I got a little bogged down with some of  the details of air locks, chemicals, welding etc. Of course these details are integral to the plot, but I enjoyed the descriptions of the city and daily life on this imagined city on the moon much more.

Not as good as The Martian for me, but still an entertaining read. Read an excerpt of Artemis.

The Music Shop - Rachel Joyce

I'm often asked - who is your favourite author? Well, I just can't narrow it down to one, but Rachel Joyce is on the top ten list. Her books are so affecting - they resonate with me long after the last page has been turned.

And that is true again with her latest book, The Music Shop.

"There was once a music shop. From the outside it looked like any shop, in any backstreet. It had no name above the door" ...... "As long as it was on vinyl, there were no taboos. And if you told Frank the kind of thing you wanted, or simply  how you felt that day, he had the right track in minutes. It was a knack he had. A gift. He knew what people needed even when they didn't know it themselves."

Joyce's characters are always a little left of center, eccentric in their own ways. Inherently good and kind, but a little lost. Frank is missing something in his life, but he doesn't know it until the mysterious woman in the green coat enters his shop. Her arrival is the catalyst for a change in Franks' life. And not just Frank, but the other inhabitants of Unity Street. Although Frank is the lead character, I found myself just as drawn to the supporting cast - especially Kit - the 'assistant manager' of the music shop.' His innocence, bouncing around, love of posters and unfailing good nature endeared him to me. Maud, the surly tattoo artist was another favourite. They're all a little out of step, but I would love to be a resident of this wee little back street and walk with them.

Joyce has such a way with words - her prose are thoughtful and worth savouring. "They spoke in the flat monotone they used these days in order to remain on open road where nothing would jump out and surprise them. One wrong word and it was like trees coming down."

Now, as I first started to read, I began writing down the musical references and referrals that Frank makes. I was fascinated by the explanations of the music, the background of the pieces and what to listen for. The list soon grew too long and I was too caught up in reading to stop and add to the list. But, I do want to go back and listen to some pieces recommended by Frank and catch his interpretation of the piece. The explanation of silence within music intrigued me, as did many more of the musical references. Joyce neatly ties those references to what is happening with the characters.

It'd be lovely if there was a Frank - who doesn't want to have the right music 'prescribed' for them. On reading the author's notes, I learned that the premise for The Music Shop sprang from events in Joyce's own life.

I loved The Music Shop - absolutely recommended! Here's an excerpt of The Music Shop.

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #188

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true.

But you can like one cover version better than another....

US cover

UK cover

Robert Crais has a pair of characters that I really enjoy - Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. The latest novel to feature both of them is The Wanted - releasing at the end of the month in North America and in June in the UK. The US cover is on the left and the UK cover is on the right. Palm trees are part of each cover - which makes sense as the book is set in LA. Both are at dusk, but depicted with two different tones. The author's name is larger and first up on the US cover and flipped on the UK cover. I do like the tag line on the UK cover - it gives you an idea of what the book might be about. The UK picture looks somewhat familiar, like I've seen another cover with a similar shot. Still, for me this week it's the UK cover. Any plans to read The Wanted? Which cover do you prefer?

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World

Over the Counter #395

What book caught my eye this week as it passed over the library counter and under my scanner? A wee space to call my own....

She Sheds: A Room of Your Own by Erika Kotite.

From the publisher, Cool Springs Press:

"Create your very own hideaway right at home with She Sheds.

They've got their man caves, and it's time for you to have a space of your own. She Sheds shows you how to create cozy getaways with inspiration from across the country. Start by defining the goal and purpose of your space. Will you use it for entertaining, crafting, or alone time? Then, use the gallery of over 100 photos as inspiration for your decor, paint colors, and landscaping. You'll even find fun upcycling ideas to personalize your space. Get inspired, and get started on your very own tricked-out retreat!"

(Over the Counter is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World. I've sadly come the realization that I cannot physically read every book that catches my interest as it crosses over my counter at the library. But... I can mention them and maybe one of them will catch your eye as well. See if your local library has them on their shelves!)

Brother - David Chariandy

David Chariandy's first novel Soucouyant, 'was nominated for nearly every major literary prize in Canada and published internationally.' His second novel, Brother is recently released and it too is racking up accolades.

Brother is the first reading of this author for me - and I was blown away....

1991 Scarborough, Ontario. Michael and Francis are the children of Trinidadian immigrants, living with their mother in a housing complex in this urban center. Their mother dreams of more and better for her sons and works tirelessly to ensure this happens. The boys also imagine their futures. Francis in the music industry and Michael dreams of a life with Aisha, far from the concrete walls of 'The Park'.

But in 1991 Scarborough, racial tensions are running high, violence is becoming part of everyday life, police presence is heavy and prejudices are rampant. Those hopes and dreams of the three members of this family are changed forever by the violence of that year.

Brother is told in a back and forth timeline spanning ten years. In the present we learn about the past as the book progresses.

Brother is a slim novel, but it took me a while to read it. I had to put the book down numerous times - to absorb and avoid the inevitability of what was coming next - even though I knew what that was. The story is real - and raw. Chariandy's prose are absolutely beautiful, drawing you in and wrapping themselves around you. I cried more than once as I read.

As a mother, that is where I felt that punch the hardest - her hopes, dreams and desires for her children. And the undercurrent of the loss of her own wants and desires. Her perseverance, fortitude and strength resonated with me - even as it eroded and collided with ugly reality. I'm sickened by the indignities, attitudes and prejudices depicted. Even more so as I know they are not fiction. But those moments are juxtaposed and tempered by the acts of love, joy and happiness that also part of the life of this family.

Cr:Joy Van Tiedemann

Brother speaks to the immigrant experience, to family, love, loss, hope, duty and desires. And the fact that the past is still the present. Absolutely, positively recommended reading. Here's an excerpt.

"David Chariandy grew up in (Scarborough) Toronto and lives and teaches in Vancouver. His debut novel, Soucouyant, received stunning reviews and nominations from eleven literary awards juries, including a Governor General's Literary Award shortlisting, a Gold Independent Publisher Award for Best Novel, and the Scotiabank Giller Prize longlist. Brother is his second novel."

The Deal of a Lifetime - Fredrik Backman

Next up on the holiday reading/listening list is The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman.

I really enjoy Backman's writing - his 'left of centre' characters and the situations he places them in.

In this novella, the lead character is a man who was driven all his life to succeed and excel at business. Where he failed was as a father. He narrates this tale, finally acknowledging his absence and shortcomings to his son. A chance meeting with a dying little girl gives him a chance at redemption. I'm not going to spoil things by telling you how that comes about. It's not quite what you would imagine at all.

"Hi. It's your dad. You'll be waking up soon, it's Christmas Eve morning in Helsingborg, and I've killed a person. That's not how fairy tales usually begin, I know. But I took a life. Does it make a difference if you know whose it was?"

Backman's writing always moves me. And he's able to do the same thing that he's done in his books as in this 'small' piece of work. I chose to listen to The Deal of a Lifetime. The reader was Santino Fontana. His voice is clear and he enunciates well. His voice suited the mental image I had of this businessman and his regrets. He provides believable voices for the other two characters in the book. He interprets the emotion of the story well. The Deal of a Lifetime was a short, sweet listen, perfect for this ruminative time of the year. The reader can't help but reflect upon their own life - what and who is important in your life? And what would you do to 'fix' things?

The title is clever - as you'll find out. Backman's introduction is just as poignant as the tale he tells. Listen to an excerpt of The Deal of a Lifetime. 

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover #187

- You can't judge a book by its cover - which is very true.

But you can like one cover version better than another....

US cover

UK cover

Italian author Luca D'Andrea's latest book - a thriller - has been sold in thirty countries Beneath the Mountain releases in North America in January and is newly released in the UK as The Mountain. So, US cover on the left and UK cover on the right. The first think I noticed was the juxtaposition of looking at teh mountains from 'outside' versus looking out from seemingly inside the mountain (perhaps a cave?) on the UK cover. I do find the black and white shot on the US cover more effective in terms of starkness. It seems more remote - which is part of the plot. The blue of the UK cover says 'underwater' too much to me. But we know it can't be underwater as there is a helicopter in the centre of the picture. Which just seems kind of random to me. The colour of the title is red on both covers, but the font used on the US cover is more effective in my opinion. Both covers use the same tag line. Cold case and killers? Count me in. A pretty easy choice for me this week - US. What about you? Any plans to read this book? Which cover do you prefer?
You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover is a regular feature at A Bookworm's World.