A God in Ruins

A God in Ruins

by Kate Atkinson

I have loved every book that I have read by Kate Atkinson and A God in Ruins is no exception. Her latest work is the companion novel to Life After Life - which features Ursula Todd as she lives her life over and over again, trying to get things right.

A God in Ruins turns its attention to the much-loved Teddy, Ursula's younger brother. Teddy is recruited as an RAF bomber pilot in the second world war and as such has accepted he will die during the war. However, when the war is over, and Teddy is still alive, he must adjust to a life he never thought he would live.

And Then There Were None

By Agatha Christie

And Then There Were None is one of our Book Club Favourites. As some of you already know I am a fan of a good mystery and this is a classic. I remember watching the movie when I was little and listening to the BBC radio version as a teen; so now I have decided to re-read this time-honoured classic and share my thoughts with you. I enjoyed stepping back in time to a place where there are no cell phones. Agatha Christie's award winning mysteries are time honoured for a reason. This tale is filled with twists and turns and is sure to keep you interested until the end.
Ten strangers have been invited, for the weekend, to be guests at a private estate on a private island by a mysterious host. This sounds like a lovely and exciting getaway but these ten strangers are in for a terrible surprise. As the guests arrive they are led to their rooms but the host is nowhere to be found. On the wall of each room is a nursery rhyme, "Ten Little Soldier Boys." On the dinning table are ten strange figurines of soldiers. The guests settle in for the first evening when a voice, seemingly coming from nowhere, begins to tell of the secret pasts of the guests. It turns out that these guests all have a terrible, murderous secret in their pasts. As the story unfolds our guests begin to die, the soldier figures begin to disappear and our murderer remains a mystery. Is there anyone else on the island? Does the nursery rhyme hold a clue? Who is the host of this morbid party, U.N. Owen?
"Ten little soldier boys went out to dine, one went and choked himself and then there were nine ..."

Richmond, Child of the Fraser: 1979-1989

By Leslie J. Ross

I enjoy looking into the past, reading about times gone by, looking at pictures of historical events, I have spent time volunteering at both the City of Vancouver and the City of Richmond Archives, flipping through historical documents and scanning images. I especially love learning about places that I have lived. I have lived in Richmond for most of my life and Child of the Fraser is a treasure that all Richmond-ites should check out.
First published to mark Richmond's Centennial, it is filled with a collection of photographs, letters, and primary documents. For those who have ever done or ever need to do a project about Richmond or want to research Richmond, this is a wonderful resource. This book is a fun blast from the past and lets readers see how much Richmond has changed in such a short time. My favourite image is on page 12; an aerial of Steveston Harbour, my my my how things have changed. After you take the time you enjoy this short read you may also want to venture over to the City of Richmond Archives, make an appointment today!

The Good Girl

The good girl

by Mary Kubica

Mia Dennett is kidnapped and held at a remote location in Minnesota. Her captor, Colin Thatcher, did not want to kidnap her, and now doesn't know what to do with her. The longer Colin waits though, the tougher it becomes to let Mia go. As Colin and Mia get to know each other their relationship slowly starts to change, but things aren't quite what they seem.

The story is written in three points of view - each view is written either during the kidnapping, or after. Having the story told this way makes for an interesting read. You know what happened, but you don’t know everything. Each viewpoint slowly fills in the blanks until the shocking ending reveals all.

The Museum at Purgatory

By Nick Bantock

Want to try something a little different? Want to try something that is part narrative story and part wonderful collection of art? Then may I reccomend picking up one of Nick Bantock’s books. Nick Bantock is probably best known for the Griffin & Sabine series. His books are filled with his collage style artwork; he combines art mediums to produce beautiful pieces that help to tell the tale. In The Museum at Purgatory Bantock takes the reader into a curious museum currated by the mysterious Non. Non will take us through various rooms of the museum filled with art, curriousities, objects and stories. While readers learn about the curriosities housed within this museum Non learns many things about his own forgotten past. So if you want to try something different please pick up one of Nick Bantock’s books today.

Small Plates

By Katherine Hall Page

Here is another collection of short stories for you, Small Plates. All mysteries and a little on the creepy side. I have read a few of Katherine Hall Pages novels but I had not tried her short stories. I am really glad that I picked this one up. I love a creepy little short story and Katherine Hall Page did not disapoint. There is one story in particular that I just loved; a husband is tired of his wife and wants to get rid of her. He is plotting to murder her. He plots and plots and all along readers are feeling like his innocent wife is oblivious and in love, well lets just say I laughed so hard at the surprise ending of this short tale.
I really like Katherine's style and humour. I also like her plot twists and surprise endings. She is also not afraid of a cliff hanger. She has won many awards including the Agatha award for her mysteries.

A Fire Upon the Deep

The Hugo Awards shortlist were recently announced so I thought I'd go back and read a previous winner.  A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge was the co-winner in 1993.

The Galaxy is inhabited with thousands of civilizations.  The farther from the core, the more advanced the technology and the intelligence of each species.  This isn't coincidence: the physical laws of the universe cause this.  So out on the edge of one of the zones in the galaxy a group of humans try to transcend to the next level and become a Power.  Instead, they awaken an ancient evil that destroy all but a few refugees.  These remaining few land on a medieval-level planet that is dominated by wolf-like aliens embroiled in their own intrigue.  And they aren't very friendly.

Meanwhile, others in the galaxy realize that the refugees may hold the key from preventing the evil from spreading.  The race is on to catch them before the evil does.