A Man Called Ove is about the ultimate grumpy old man. He's had a hard life. He lost his mother and father at a young age. He's really worked hard to make it in the world. Once his wife dies though he loses his will to live and is determined to join her in heaven soon. But there are so many neighbours that need him to do things for them that he can hardly find the time.
A Man Called Ove also makes you think about the people around you. First, that you don't know what anyone is struggling with and a little kindness can go a long way. Second, how lonely some seniors can be. We should all take the time to spend some time with the elderly in our community. The days can be long and lonely for them. Give them a purpose and make them feel loved and needed.
Fredrik Backman lives in Sweden and this is his first novel.
The Remains of the Day is one of those books that I wanted to read but it just never got to the top of my list. Thank you to Random House Canada it worked its way to the top when they mailed me a copy of the latest edition. The Remains of the Day was originally published in 1989 and previously won the Man Booker Prize. Random House Canada is encouraging everyone to re-read the novel but for many it is a first time read.
The story takes place in 1956 as Stevens, the butler of Darlington Hall, sets out on a road trip. Stevens and is about a butler who takes great pride in his job. In fact, his commitment to hard work is so strong he won't allow friends, family or love to interfere with his performance on the job.
As I eagerly anticipate the release of The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion's I can't help but compare the two main characters; both are so awkward in social settings. Does anyone else see the resemblance?
Random House Canada is twitting about the re-read using #RemainsReRead if you wish to follow along. There will be online discussions as well as everyone works through this award winning classic. Enjoy!
Years ago my oldest son read The Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch. He loved them. At the time they were quite thick books for a little guy to be reading. I remember challenging him to read one of the books over Christmas break and if he did buying him the next in the series. He really enjoyed the series.
I never did get around to reading The Secret Series myself but in June I bought the first book in the series for my school library. So when I saw that there was a new series coming out I thought I would jump on it and read the first one. I am making the assumption here that Bad Magic is a new series and not just a one off. It ended in a manor that would imply there is more to come.
I enjoyed the book. In the middle I wasn't sure which direction the book was going to go in. The end was definitely a surprise. As you might expect the book is about magic. There's a good Shakespeare lesson buried in Bad Magic. I liked that it was just a fun book with a mystery to solve. I think kids that like Lemony Snicket would enjoy it although it didn't really have the humour that Snicket has.
Bad Magic is being published on September 16, 2014 by Little Brown Books for Young Readers.
I read Flora & Ulysses out loud to my son (starting grade 4) as our bedtime book. This book had both of us eager to make sure story time happened every night. We both equally enjoyed Flora & Ulysses.
The story is about a little girl named Flora. She unexpectedly becomes friends with a squirrel that has some unique capabilities. Great silliness and adventures begin. It was a great story that we both enjoyed. I think I might tackle it as a read aloud to a grade 4 class. My only hesitation is that there are many big words that the kids probably won't know the meaning of. But I think they are mostly used in a manner that the kids understand the meaning even if they aren't familiar with the word. My son didn't interrupt to ask what words meant and I know he doesn't know many of these words. I think he would have struggled to read the book on his own though.
The only other part I found slightly weird is that Flora's mother is a smoker. It seemed unnecessary to the story. Also, at one point it seemed that the smoking was almost romanticized when it is described how Flora's mother was blowing perfect O's. It just seemed an odd addition to the book.
When I asked my son what he thought we should read next he told me he wanted to read book two next. He was shocked when I told him there wasn't a next book. It's up to you to create the next parts in your dreams.
The Brilliant World of Tom Gates by L. Pichon is wildly popular at my school. I have the first four books in this series at my school library and they are always on hold. I can see why the kids enjoy it. The pages are short and funny with great little doodles all over the place that really add to the story.
Currently L. Pichon has 7 Tom Gates books as well as a handful of picture books available. I will definitely be adding the rest of the Tom Gates books to my library collection. These books are so popular with the grade 4 and 5 girls and boys. I love when they all get excited and chatting about the same books. This is a great series because it doesn't take them long to read it so it's normally changing hands every week which keeps the interest going.
The Geography of You and Me is a wonderful love story. It's the story of two teenagers living in the same New York City apartment building. Owen, the son of the building manager, lives in the basement apartment. Lucy lives on the 25th floor in a spacious, beautiful unit. Fate brings the two together in the elevator and luck gets them stuck in it. Within a few short minutes a bond is formed but neither is certain what those feelings mean and what they other is making of them. Both Lucy and Owen's lives are in an upheaval and they have to figure out their feelings from where ever they may be living at the time.
Recently I finished a book where I found I disliked just based on the fact that the title didn't reflect what the book was about. The title misled me and I went into with a misconception of what this book was going to be about. This is certainly not the case with The Geography of You and Me; it's a perfect title.
The story is a perfect love story for those grade 7 and 8 girls that want to read romance. There is no foul language and nothing leading or inappropriate. I loved it and will certainly be adding The Geography of You and Me to my library shopping list for the fall.
One of the most popular books in my school library is a book about poop. It's wildly popular with the grade 2's - girls and boys. I take small comfort in the fact that the book is non-fiction and I suppose they are learning something. I'm also known to say 'I don't care what you read, just read!' But there are still some days that I've been known to hide the poop book just before the grade 2 class comes in.
If grade 2's like poop. Kindergartens and grade 1's like butts and farts. Especially the little boys. I Need a New Butt by Dawn McMillan is a funny story about a little boy that thinks there is something wrong with his butt because it has a crack in it. It was that last fart he had that did it. Now he's on the hunt for a new butt. I like the arty-farty butt best!
Speaking of art, Ross Kinnaird has done a great job on the illustrations. They add to the humour of the book and each one just feels a perfect fit to the text.
I Need a New Butt by Dawn McMillan is being published by Dover Publications and will be released September 17th, 2014.