Tag: #bookclub

For She is Wrath

~ Lisa Helm ~ Leave a comment

by Emily Varga

Full disclosure: I both read and listened to this novel. The audiobook’s narrator is AMAZING, making it worth downloading.
I really liked this book. But then again, I always like books with strong female protagonists, especially ones that can be viewed as resilient, courageous heroines. For She is Wrath is a wonderful retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo, but this time as a Pakistani romantic fantasy. Loving the classic, I couldn’t help but be enamoured of this tale.
As with the Count of Monte Cristo, our tale begins with a daring prison break. Fast-paced and immediately engaging, we follow Dania, a strong-willed and determined young woman, on her bloody and daring journey from prison to the man who betrayed her…the man she loved.
This plot-driven novel is what young adults most often gravitate to first. It reads like a movie and would be an excellent addition to a classroom library and an engaging read-aloud.

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the free copy.

My Darling Dreadful Thing

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by Johanna Van Veen

What a wonderfully gothic tragic love story! I may have found a new favourite author to add to my list. Johanna Van Veen is a master at creating atmosphere. Creepy, sad and at times ominous. Our protagonist, Roos, has had a tragic life. Roos has been made to participate in her abusive mother’s seances since she was a child and showed a connection to the spirit world. She would have likely continued this life if it hadn’t been for a beautiful young widow, Agnes, who participated in a seance one evening. Agnes and Roos quickly find a connection to each other because they share one extraordinary thing in common…they both possess spirit companions. Agnes invites Roos to come and live with her in the decrepit, haunting estate left to her by her husband. Shortly after her arrival,  Roos realized there is more to the estate than first meets the eye. Her spirit companion can feel it too, and soon, strange noises and smells make Roos curious to find what or who else lurks in the hallways of her new home. What she finds is more than disturbing to both her and us, the reader.

The Bookseller’s Wife

~ Lisa Helm ~ Leave a comment

Book 1 of Chiswell Street Series
by Jane Davis


Dorcus Turton comes from a family whose name historically holds power and respect. However, as the only surviving heir, her life has been challenging. Upon the death of her mother, her father started a downward struggle of alcoholism and gambling debt. Dorcus runs a girls’ school out of their home and takes up some seamstress tasks, but she can still not stave off the debt collectors, so she resorts to taking in renters. James Lackington and his wife turn out to be more than just renters; they are a wonderful addition to Dorcus’s life, with their kindness and generosity and their tremendous love of reading and books, something with which Dorcus strongly identifies. The Lackington’s dream is to become booksellers, and with the help of Dorcus and her father, their dream soon comes to fruition. Of course, tragedy strikes in the form of sickness, death and heartbreak, and Dorcus’s life drastically changes, but will it be for the better?
I really liked this book….up until the last third. The author went from a wonderful exploration of a resilient woman’s life during Georgian London to a focus on the politics of the time. The political atmosphere of the time is, of course, essential to character choice and the advancement of the plot. I just wished it was more woven into the plot instead of reading like a textbook. I was also a little disappointed in the book’s ending; it seemed rather abrupt, but then I realized that this book is the first in a series. So now I know that this isn’t the end of Dorcus’s story.

Thank you to Rossdale Print Productions and Netgalley for the free copy.

I Who Have Never Known Men

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by Jacqueline Harpman

I Who Have Never Known Men is an apocalyptic novel about the end of man and womankind.
The unnamed narrator only knows one world: a prison with 39 other women hidden in an underground cave. She is the only child in the group and has no recollection of what the world was like before their imprisonment. We never know why these women are in prison; we only know that a political event led to the imprisonment of all women with men as guards.   If you liked the series Wool by Hugh Howey or have an attachment to Plato’s Republic, you will appreciate this story.
Something happens (we never know what) where the women are suddenly and surprisingly released and are faced with freedom.
This novel made me feel overwhelmingly sad. I thought it was all about loneliness and isolation. But then I thought about it and talked about it, and I came to realize that it really is a story of survival and resilience. Our narrator lived a life of agency and made decisions truly on her own.
This novel would make a solid addition to a High School reading list as it lends itself to wonderful discussion on theme and author choice.

I Am Wind: An Autobiography

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written by Rachel Poliquin illustrated by Rachel Wada

This book is BEAUTIFUL. Poetry, science, culture, folklore, history artwork. This book is a perfect example of how to use a multitude of genres to teach a concept.  A quintessential hybrid text. 

First of all, Wind is personified. It is the main character of the text. Wind tells us their story through poetry:” I Am Wind/I whistle. I howl/I’ll steal your hat, your house, your kitten, your kite/ I whisper whisper whisper secrets in the leaves…I am the Great Rushing in All Directions” (Poliquin). Wind is portrayed as a beautiful, gentle friend and destructive enemy. 

Wind also tells us their story through history with little “Wind Chronicles,” which describe types of winds in various cultures and record historical events of destruction and peril caused by tornados and storms.

Wind also charmingly tells of its characteristics directly (as if in an extended character sketch): how it is created, the types of wind forces, how man has harnessed Wind for its own uses (sailing, wind farms), how it is perceived in mythology, and its multitude of names in various cultures.

Throughout all of this wonderful poetry, prose, and information are the most beautiful paintings in the most vibrant colours. A multitude of lessons could be created from the artwork alone.

For educators and families with young children, I am Wind: An Autobiography is a delightful addition to your library. It’s not just informative; it’s engaging and absolutely beautiful. This book will captivate your little ones, making learning a fun and interactive experience.

…oh and the book creators live in British Columbia so we’ve got some Canadian content AND indigenous content (this always makes me happy).
I will be recommending this book to every teacher I know!

I will definitely be recommending this book to every teacher I know!!

You will be able to own this book November 5, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the free copy.

Pretty Ugly

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David Sederis and Ian Falconer

This picture book is fantastic in so many ways. First, it’s funny and a wee bit gross. Second, it has a multitude of universal themes, so it doesn’t matter how old you are when you read it; you GET it. This book would be an amazing text to use when introducing Socratic discussion of the subjectivity of “beauty.” Fourthly (yes, FOURTHLY!!!), it makes THE most effective text to teach writing in any grade.

In his picture book “Pretty Ugly”, David Sedaris shows us that looks are irrelevant to the depth of familial love. When Anna made ugly faces so often that one permanently stuck, she tried everything, including visiting a doctor to change her appearance to what it was before, but to no avail. Her family tries to assure her that “beauty is on the inside” and that they love her very much. Pondering her family’s words, she reaches inside and turns herself inside out, ultimately making herself more beautiful than before.

This book is concise and perfect for teaching how to summarize. It also lends itself nicely to personal and persuasive writing.  For example, an introductory paragraph for a persuasive essay for junior high could be:

“Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder” is a phrase we have heard so often it has become trite. How can we internalize the authenticity of this statement? Why picture books, of course. In the picture book “Pretty Ugly”, David Sedaris shows us that familial love renders looks irrelevant.

So, if you’re looking for an exemplar to teach summarizing, paragraph writing, or persuasive writing, this book is perfect.

Or, if you want to read a picture book that will make you think while you giggle, “Pretty Ugly” is perfect.

….oh, I just realized you could also use the title to teach oxymorons.

Thank you Netgalley and Astra Books for the free digital copy.

Ninth House and Hell Bent

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by Leigh Bardugo

I’m not usually a rereader, but I bought Hell Bent a year ago, the second in the Alex Stern trilogy (I believe there is a third book coming) by Leigh Bardugo. When I read it, I soon realized I needed to remember details from the first book, Ninth House, to appreciate it properly. I remember absolutely LOVING Ninth House. One of my favourite genres is dark academia. Who doesn’t love old libraries, secret societies, symbols, rites, and history?
Our main character is Galaxy (Alex) Stern, a young woman who experiences a horrific event that places her in the hospital. There, she meets Dean Sandow, head of Lethe House, a secret society at Yale. Dean Sandow offers her a full scholarship in exchange for one thing: she uses her “gift” to help Lethe House or the Ninth House that helps regulate the other Eight. Alex’s gift, you see, is that she can see ghosts or “greys”, and sometimes greys can interfere with certain rituals.
In her new environment, Alex encounters a diverse group of individuals; some are ‘interesting’ members of the various Houses, possessing knowledge in the mystical arts, while others are ‘normal’ people like her roommates. Balancing these two drastically different lives proves to be a challenge, but Alex begins to form a family of sorts and grows incredibly close to a handsome man named Daniel Arlington or ‘Darlington’ The plot, filled with suspense and mystery, is fast-paced, a little gory, and incredibly imaginative, with sprinkles of humour. Ninth House concludes with a thrilling twist, as Alex and her companions embark on a perilous journey to hell to rescue one of their own.
Now, I’ll tread carefully with my opinion of Hell Bent, as I don’t want to spoil anything. I found Hell Bent just as captivating as Ninth House. In this second novel, we delve deeper into our characters’ lives and the origins of the various Houses at Yale. We witness Alex’s journey of self-discovery and see her grow more confident in her own history and identity. She becomes brave enough to forge authentic relationships with those who share the realities of her life, a development that is both heartwarming and relatable.
I can only dream of having an imagination like Leigh Bardugo. I haven’t read anything else of hers…she has a new novel out this month called The Familiar that seems to be calling my name. I LOVED BOTH of these books.

None of This is True

~ Lisa Helm ~ Leave a comment

by Lisa Jewell

This book ruined my plans for the day. Once I started it, I could not do anything else until I was finished. It was creeeeeeeeepy!!! A perfectly paced plot that created a crazy sense of suspense. In fact, he plot immediately sucks you in, and you can’t escape until you reach the “wtf” conclusion.

The story is about Alix Summers and Josie Fair. Two women, strangers to each other, who just happen to be “birthday twins”. But having the same day of birth is the only thing these two women have in common. They meet by chance at a restaurant whilst celebrating their birthdays! Alix is a beautiful, vibrant woman with a podcast celebrating the accomplishments of women who have overcome adversity. Josie is an unassuming part-time seamstress who is in want of a life different from her own. When Josie discovers who Alix is, she approaches her with a proposition; to tell the story of her life, a life she is determined to change.

However, Josie’s life has been anything but normal. Soon Alix uncovers uncomfortable truths about this birthday twin of hers (little objects are beginning to disappear from her house, and Josie is spotted on her home’s security camera rifling through recycling). Is Josie a victim? Or is she a psychopath?

Loved this novel. Perfect if you are looking for a quick-absorbing read.
Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the free copy.

The Spider

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by Lars Kepler

Lars Kepler scared the crap out of me over ten years ago when I first read The Hypnotist. Since then, Kepler has published several Nordic murder mystery novels with detective Joona Linna as the central investigator. In The Spider, however, our focus is on another investigator Saga Bauer who has been on leave from the department with PTSD. Saga has been receiving little figurines of people, people who have a resemblance to people she knows. The killer has sent her a note saying that she will receive 9 figures, meaning 9 deaths, and it is up to Saga to find the murderer before the subsequent killing. Upon receiving a figurine, the person it represents is murdered in an incredibly gruesome manner. Kepler writes from various viewpoints, Joona, Saga, and the victims. It is by putting us in the shoes of the victims that creates an incredible sense of dread in the reader. A fast-paced, incredibly creepy crime novel that will keep you awake at night. A perfect summer or weekend read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin House Canada for the free copy.

Morgan is My Name

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by Sophie Keetch

In High School, I loved Mary Stewart’s Arthurian Legend series. My favourite character was Morgan, sister to Arthur, apprentice to Merlin, sorcerous in her own right, but a minor character with the likes of Arthur and Merlin being the story’s focus. On the other hand, Sophie Keetch has written an entire book telling Morgan’s story. Yay!
The novel starts when Morgan is a young girl and her father, the king, is killed. King Uther comes to court and forces the Queen (her mother) to marry him and then pretty much dictates the lives of everyone in the land as most kings were wont to do in the middle ages. Ever the rebel, Morgan is sent to a convent where she is delighted to have the opportunity to study (her passion, anatomy and healing). But her stepfather king eventually interrupts her happiness and orders her back to court, where she has to stifle the powerful woman she is if she is to survive the politics of the land. But just how long will she be able to live a life dictated?
I loved and loved LOVED this book. I loved the characterization of Morgan. I loved the strong female characters presented. I loved the love story, the political intricacies and the elements of “Arthurian legend” woven throughout. What a great addition to my summer reading.
Keetch writes in prose that is accessible to every reader.
Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for the free copy.

The Radcliffe Ladies Reading Club

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by Julia Bryan Thomas

This is an easy quick read perfect for summer.
It’s 1954 and Alice Campbell has decided to make a big change in her life, giving up everything for independence. So she buys a small bookshop in Boston and makes it her own. One day, Alice decides to create a book club where individuals will meet once a month to discuss books of her choosing…and they just so happen to be books about and/or written by women who are, themselves searching for a life to call their own. Alice’s little book club is made of four young women (Tess, Caroline, Evie, and Merritt) who just happen to be attending nearby Radcliffe College, all are young and edited with their own newfound independence.
I liked this book well enough. It was a very quick read that was suitable after a workday where I had to tax my brain. I found the description of Alice’s bookshop and the details of the simple life she has created for herself is simply charming. I also enjoyed the simplicity of characterization, it was easy to understand the choices and motivations of each. My favourite part of the novel was how the author attempted to weave the various themes of the books studied in the book club with the lives of the characters who read them. (Jane Eyre, Age of Innocence, Essays of Virginia Wolfe).

Trigger warning for sexual assault and miscarriage.

You will be able to purchase this book June 18th!

Thank you to Source Books and Netgalley for the free copy.

Lessons in Chemistry

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by Bonnie Gamus

Ok, so I’ve really, REALLY wanted to settle into a book lately; I mean, I need to be entertained, consumed by a story enough to be distracted from politics, book banning, and wildfires that seem to be closing in around me. But, much to my dismay, I haven’t been able to find the right book. I needed something not too deep and complex that required careful reading and nothing too sugary- simple that was predictable with nothing of substance to hold my attention for longer than a minute. Well, I found the perfect book, and that book was “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus.


A story about Elizabeth Zott, a woman in the 1950s who wanted nothing more than to be a chemist in a world where women were anything but. I was immediately fascinated by Elizabeth’s passion, honesty and intellect. Elizabeth is by no means perfect, her social skills are interesting at best, and her focus sometimes borders on naivety. Still, I love her; she has become one of my favourite heroines of the year.


The plot is wonderful, the characters interesting (especially Six-Thirty), and the themes timely even though the story is set in the 1950s-1960s.


This book is perfect for those times when you find it challenging to settle into a book. Definitely make it part of your summer reading list, or better yet, read it now!

Looking Glass Sound

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by Catriona Ward

Looking Glass Sound is the second book of Catriona Ward that I’ve read this year, and with it, Ward  has proven to be one of my new favourite authors. 

Our protagonist Wilder Harlow seems to be a troubled youth who, having no real friends at school, is happy to meet two young people at the family’s summer home in Maine. However, what at first seems to be a summer of fun and sun and new friends soon turns into a nightmare when Wilder begins to believe that someone he loves may be a serial killer.

Flash forward and we find Wilder, a university student where he has begun to deal with  PTSD of that notorious summer by writing a memoir about his experience. Unfortunately Wilder’s trauma is exploited by someone he is close to who takes his memoir and uses it to write a best selling novel. To deal with this betrayal, Wilder returns to the summer home to face the memories and heartache life has dealt. 

I was expecting this novel to be an easy mystery with tinges of horror (like Little Eve) but I soon realized that it is also an assortment of complex character studies woven into a layered plot that leaves the reader wonderfully perplexed at times. I’ve read some reviews from people who found it a confusing read, but if you take your time to enjoy the story, all will be revealed with patience. 

I would recommend this novel to my high school students (and use portions of it) for examples of suspense, character building, and author craft.

I loved this book. I will be buying it in hard copy for a re-read. 

Looking Glass Sound will be available to purchase in August!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group for the free copy.