Reading Notes

November 13, 2014: I haven't kept this page up, but here are notes on a few very recent reads. I'm sure I will have overlooked some great stories and novels that I`ll want to add later. Therefore, this list is not in the order in which I read.

2 AM at the Cat`s Pajamas

• 2 AM at the Cat's Pajamas by Marie-Helene Bertino (Crown, 2014) is a debut novel full of energy, dark humor and surprise. The story follows nine-year old Madeleine Altimari, aspiring jazz singer, and several other compelling characters through an eventful day that ends in the jazz club of the title, the second-best joint in Philadelphia. Bertino`s first book, the short fiction collection Safe as Houses, won the Iowa Short Fiction Award, and one of her stories, ``North Of``, won a Pushcart Prize. The prose is sly and smart-mouthed. Also, I enjoyed a little coincidence: two of her child characters are Madeleine and Clare, and one of my daughters is Madeleine Clare, same spellings. So. That seals it. If you are on my Christmas list, expect to receive this book from me.  

The Umbrella Mender

• The Umbrella Mender by Christine Fischer-Guy (Wolsak & Wynn, 2014): a first novel from a writer to watch. I read it slowly, immersed in Fischer-Guy`s scenes of northern Ontario in the early 1950s, where young nurse Hazel MacPherson works at a hospital dealing with a TB epidemic hitting the indigenous population. When I reached the end, I flipped back to page 1 immediately to start again.  This book offers so much--a gripping story told in the past and present following smart, independent Hazel; the history and conflicts of the region and cultures; the social constraints of medical protocol (not to mention men and women, and friendship generally) at that time; and the life-changing impact of an odd drifter who mends umbrellas. Loved.  

• Uncle Tom`s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe (1852): needs no link! This is me filling the gaps in my education. It took me forever to finish but was worth it in the end. Yes, the book is full of racism and zealous Christian sermonizing of a type that would not have seemed remarkable in the 19th century but proves hard to read now. Beecher Stowe was an ardent abolitionist, and she promoted the book internationally in the hope of furthering the cause. It is still being taught in at least one English course at Trent University, as I saw it in the bookstore shelved with other texts not long ago. Two things I took away: 1) some great quotes (no room here; perhaps I`ll call on them for a future project); and 2) it is strange how characters and ideas from canonical books filter into the culture even if they are unread by most people. Simon Legree, for example. I finally met Simon Legree. 

 The Colonial Hotel 

•  I read Jonathan Bennett`s third novel, The Colonial Hotel, when it came out last spring and liked it so much I wrote a review for an online literary journal that seems to be--shall we say inactive? On hiatus? I hate to pronounce death--at the moment. Regardless, my guest blog post is still up there, ready to be called to any screen. So call it, read it here, and then read the novel for yourself. 

*****
Laura's Reading Notes: like Cliff's Notes, but maybe not as helpful in passing your lit course.

Everything I read, I want to write about. This page will house occasional comments, recommendations and reviews of whatever I'm reading. I'm a terrible book club member (too opinionated, reluctant to force-read the club's selections, and unreliable about showing up). This is the better way.