When one can’t be monogamous

 

From the rather ominous beginning where we read a mother left her story behind for her daughters, to the very last chapter with the revealing twist, Serial Monogamy captivated me.


Sharon’s story is a sad cliché- her middle aged professor husband has an affair with his student. To add to her devastation, she has cancer. Al comes across as a typical spoiled, inconsiderate, selfish cheater. He doesn’t deserve Sharon’s forgiveness or his family life. But it’s not about Al. It’s not a look into why someone is unfaithful. This novel delves into the mind of mistresses and a wife being cheated on.

I enjoyed the Nelly Ternan (Charles Dickens mistress) chapters as much as the modern day story of Sharon. Perhaps even a bit more. It was a good lesson to hear why Nelly gave up having a regular life and became a mistress instead. In the 21st century, we question why anyone would chose being a mistress, but it made sense in the Victorian era. Nelly’s story wasn’t a happy one, but I came away thinking wasn’t Shay’s equally as sad? Something to consider.

Kate Taylor’s pleasant, easy writing style made this a quick book to read. Serial Monogamy kept my interest throughout, and I would recommend it if you’re looking for not an ordinary read about relationships.

I happily received Serial Monogamy in a Goodreads giveaway.

Until next time,

Kara

Intensity & inspiration from this incredible young woman’s story

Maria Toorpakai’s life story is unique, and one that should be read by all, particularly in these racially charged times. Growing up in a progressive, non traditional family in a fundamentalist tribal area of Pakistan, it was constantly a wonder that she and her family weren’t killed. I held my breath many times when Maria described whenever she left her home as a young girl. Posing as a boy was the only way she could live in their oppressive world.


The most heartbreaking depiction to read was the stoning of a 16 year old, told from her mother’s point of view after she got married. The unjust treatment of women in Pakistan was a predominant theme for me throughout A Different Kind of Daughter, and I was always expecting the worst for Maria, and her educated sister and mother. Her discovery of squash was her savior. You don’t have to be a sports enthusiast in order to follow her journey with the game. It’s not about squash, it’s about how playing it makes her feel. She also devotes several chapters to her interesting family, whom she describes in lovingly details.

The writing style of Maria’s “scribe” Katherine Holstein was very pleasing. Dialogue and narrative alike were well done, and made this book not easy to put down. You can’t help but root for Maria and cheer when she got out of Pakistan. This will make a compelling intense movie, which I’m sure is in the works.
I was very pleased to receive A Different Kind of Daughter in a Goodreads giveaway.

Until next time,

Kara

Ooh, what have we here…?

My birthday ring revealed in my Charmed Aroma Sweet Pea Valley Candle! Happy birthday to me!
 Ring Reveal on YouTube!
I was very pleased with the style and fit, I wear it all the time. Check out my

What did you uncover from a Charmed Aroma candle, bath bomb, or hand cream? Share your experience in the comments.

Until next time,

Kara

Humour and Family Drama Dominate in ‘Before the Wind’

I was concerned at first, not being a sailing enthusiast, if I would be able to get into this book. The Johannssen family lives and breathes sailboats to what I thought was an extreme level. There’s the boat designer grandfather, builder father, scientific mother, competitive brother, wind whisperer sister, and the protagonist himself a fixer, both of boats and his family. They all play their own unique part in this unusual family dynamic.


It is when Lynch takes the family out of the water that I found this novel to be the most fascinating. I was interested in getting to know the characters, and found Joshua’s siblings (Ruby and Bernard) lives curious. Before the Wind contains some of the most compelling writing I’ve ever read. Fortunately this wasn’t a book that I had to “get through”. I looked forward to what would happen next. The Johannssen’s aren’t a close fairy tale family that gets along famously. Each character is imperfect in their relationships, and several exiled the family, forced or not. All of their crazy issues makes them real.


It’s also refreshing to read dialogue done well, not forced, but very natural. There are many humourous situations, including Josh’s retelling of his dates, which he refers to not by their names, but their number (He gets to 35). Before the Wind is a case of don’t judge a book by it’s cover. If you’re not the nautical type, not to worry, because Before the Wind isn’t really about sailing.

I received BEFORE THE WIND in a Goodreads giveaway.

Until next time,

Kara

‘Heart Of A Champion’ Captured My Heart

The story of what happened to a community of Japanese Canadians in Vancouver in 1941 is a story every Canadian should hear.

‘Heart of a Champion’ is told from the voice of 9 year old Kenny, whose family is all about baseball. When essential things like rights & freedom started to be taken away from them, I got a sick feeling, and eventually became appalled, because in my lifetime I can’t imagine that this occurred. The fact that many boys and men formed Asahi baseball teams in their camps shows their strength of character in such devastating circumstances.

This is a sensitive topic for sure, the way Japanese Canadians were treated in WWII, after Pearl Harbor, and is part of Canada’s shameful past. I was very glad to read ‘Heart of a Champion’, and I will be sharing this book with young readers and encourage they pass it around to friends. Although meant for young adult readers, ‘Heart of a Champion’ is for everyone.

I received this in a Goodreads giveaway, not realizing it was a YA reader, but was pleased to read it.

Until next time,

Kara