Winner!!!!
The winner of Something Wicked by Lesley Anne Cowan
is
Natasha
Congratulations! I will be emailing you soon so I can get your contact information for Penguin Canada as they will be sending you your prize,
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Review: They Called Themselves the KKK by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
They Called Themselves the KKK: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group
by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
2010 Houghton Mifflin Harcout Children's Book Group
Softcover Edition: 176 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-618-44033-7
Release Date: August 23, 2010
Genre: Non-Fiction / Young Adult
Source: ARC from Houghton Mifflin Canada
5 / 5 Stars
Summary
After culling primary sources from two thousand Slave Narratives and eight thousand testimonies given during the KKK Congressional Hearings, Bartoletti shoes with a raw immediacy how the Ku Klux Klan grew from a circle of six restless men who, in looking for entertainment, began cavorting on horseback through the streets of Pulaski, Tennessee, to a self-proclaimed "Invisible Empire" with dens spread across the South. Bartoletti illustrates this absorbing account with archival photographs and drawings to reveal just how this crushing evil was allowed to develop and thrive.
My Thoughts
I am a huge fan of Susan Campbell Bartoletti's work and this latest installment in her non-fiction series is equal, if not better, than her previous work. Considering that Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow is both a Newberry Honor Book and a Robert F. Sibert Honor Book and Black Potatoes: The Story of the Great Irish Famine was the Winner of the Robert F. Sibert Medal, this is certainly high praise indeed.
I have been aware of the KKK and interested in the KKK since I first discovered them when I was about twelve years old. I went through a phase in my life where I read everything I could about them, but I really wish there had been a book like Bartoletti's around that would have explained a lot more about the history behind the history. What I really like about Bartoletti's book is that she explains the end of the Civil War, the conditions that existed for both the black man and the white man, and the political raminifications of the after-effects of the Civil War. And it was done in, and I hesitate to say simplistic, but in such a way that makes it easier to understand all of the political and social implications of states that were destroyed during a terrible war, and the chaos that existed afterwards.
I will caution some parents of younger readers, that there are some things in here that are hard to take. Bartoletti discusses some very violent acts and does not hide the fact that the KKK was a very violent group, one of the first hate-groups in the United States, and she does describe very openly some of the things the KKK does to its victims. I found myself cringing on many an occasion, even knowing that these events happened. I felt a lot of sympathy towards the many victims of the KKK, and I will mention the victims were both black and white people; basically anyone with black sympathies was a target. I also felt angry and helpless, as did the victims, because they received little help for dealing with these atrocities. At the same time, my awe and amazement for the people who lived during these dangerous and difficult times just grew and grew as I read, for they displayed such courage in times of strife that I couldn't help but admire them. I don't know if I would have shown such strength of character as these people; I probably would have hid in the woods and cried.
I absolutely loved the archival pictures and quotes used in this book. I found myself poring over them and going back to look them over again. They added that extra element that is needed to explain things in a non-fiction book such as this one. I especially enjoyed the 'cartoons' that were originally published in Harper's Weekly or in newspapers paroding political events or political leaders, much as we do today.
One of the things that really astounded me, especially as we are so used to taking equal rights for granted, is the timeline for when many of these acts were passed. There is a Civil Rights Time Line included at the back of the book that I found very engrossing, but at the same time, shocked me back to reality as I looked at it. In the U.S., The Civil Rights Act was only passed in 1964 and a Federal Hate Crimes Law was passed in 1969, with ethnicity and gender included in 1994 and disability and sexual orientation in 2008. In Canada, we have the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, with many amendments in forthcoming years. As one former slave mentions in Bartoletti's fabulous book, Freedom takes a long time to come.
Verdict
They Called Themselves the KKK: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group is another fantastic book from an author who is known for her meticulous research and compelling reads. She has introduced us to absorbing real-life accounts of people who stood up for their beliefs, who despite their hardships and terror, demonstrated courage and passion for what they believed in, and helped to change a country's future course, standing defiant against a group of men who would terrorize and murder their friends and family members for years. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in history and/or is interested in reading about people who stood up for freedom.
In My Mailbox
Hosted by The Story Siren, this weekly meme is a great way for me to keep track of books that come in the mail, either for review or because I bought them, ones I borrowed from the library, or ones I bought at a bookstore. This week was a little slow for review books which is okay by me as I am soon headed into exam week at work and really do not have time right now to devote to reading. My grade 12s have their ISUs next week so it will be a pretty busy and stressful week, both for me and for them.
This is what I bought:
The Book of Love (Book 2 of The Magdalene Line)
by Kathleen McGowan
I have been asked to review The Poet Prince (Book 3 of The Magdalene Line) so finding this at the bookstore for the price I found it at was pretty fortuitous.
This is the continuing tale of Maureen and her race across Italy and France, on the trail of another explosive discovery: the Book of Love, the Gospel written in Jesus' own hand.
Small Favor (Dresden Files, Book 10)by Jim Butcher
No one's tried to kill Harry Dresden for almost an entire year, and his life seems to be calming down. For once, the future looks fairly bright. But the past casts one hell of a long shadow.
An old bargain has placed Harry in debt to Mab, monarch of the Winter Court of the Sidhe, the Queen of Air and Darkness - and she's calling in her marker. It's a small favour he can't refuse...one that will trap Harry Dresden between a nightmarish foe and an equally deadly ally, and one that will strain his skills - and loyalties - to their very limits.
One of only two Jim Butcher novels I have not yet read, so I was thrilled to find this on sale at Chapters. (I bought two.)
Blood Noir (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 16)
by Laurell K. Hamilton
When Anita Blake takes a trip with Jason, a young werewolf who is her friend and sometimes lover, there are consequences both in Jason's small hometown and Anita's life with Jean-Claude.
Another great find. I bought two of these as well.
The Sugar Queen
by Sarah Addison Allen
A tale of a young woman whose family secrets - and secret passions - are about to change her life forever.
How was everyone else's week? Pretty good, I'm sure, as there are so many great books coming out this month and next.
Happy reading everyone!!!!!
This is what I bought:
by Kathleen McGowan
I have been asked to review The Poet Prince (Book 3 of The Magdalene Line) so finding this at the bookstore for the price I found it at was pretty fortuitous.
This is the continuing tale of Maureen and her race across Italy and France, on the trail of another explosive discovery: the Book of Love, the Gospel written in Jesus' own hand.
No one's tried to kill Harry Dresden for almost an entire year, and his life seems to be calming down. For once, the future looks fairly bright. But the past casts one hell of a long shadow.
An old bargain has placed Harry in debt to Mab, monarch of the Winter Court of the Sidhe, the Queen of Air and Darkness - and she's calling in her marker. It's a small favour he can't refuse...one that will trap Harry Dresden between a nightmarish foe and an equally deadly ally, and one that will strain his skills - and loyalties - to their very limits.
One of only two Jim Butcher novels I have not yet read, so I was thrilled to find this on sale at Chapters. (I bought two.)
by Laurell K. Hamilton
When Anita Blake takes a trip with Jason, a young werewolf who is her friend and sometimes lover, there are consequences both in Jason's small hometown and Anita's life with Jean-Claude.
Another great find. I bought two of these as well.
by Sarah Addison Allen
A tale of a young woman whose family secrets - and secret passions - are about to change her life forever.
How was everyone else's week? Pretty good, I'm sure, as there are so many great books coming out this month and next.
Happy reading everyone!!!!!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Review: Except the Dying by Maureen Jennings
2010 McClelland & Stewart
(originally published 1997 St. Martin's Press)
Softcover Edition; 351 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-7710-4331-4
Genre: Murder Mystery
Source: Local Library
This novel was a finalist for both the Anthony and the Arthur Ellis Awards for Best Novel.
4.5 / 5 Stars
Summary
Step back in time, to the particularly cold winter of 1895 and to the deserted Toronto laneway where the naked, frozen body of a young woman has been found by the police. Detective William Murdoch takes on the case and soon discovers that many of those connected to the simple servant girl's life have secrets to hide. The biggest suprise of all comes with the revelation that the girl is pregnant - and drugged with opium - when she died.
Murdoch's investigation takes him from the brothels to the drawing rooms of this intensely class-conscious society as he unravels the tangled clues to Therese's needless death.
My Thoughts
I am always one to promote Canadian literature, both in my own reading and to my students, and for me this was a real treat to find. And that the setting takes place in Toronto in 1895 was also a huge draw for me as I am ashamed to admit I know a lot more about the histories of places like London, New York, Paris, Praque, and so on, than I know of my own back door. As I read, I was constantly going, "That actually happened in Toronto?" which of course sent me running to my Internet to check up on some historical facts and what I learned really astounded me. I will never take Toronto and surrounding areas for granted again and I have developed a new historical interest, not really something I needed in an extremely busy life, but there it is.
The plot itself was anything but predictable. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out whodunit, and just as soon as I thought I had it all figured out, everything got turned around on me towards the end, and I was left trying to figure out how I missed the important clues. It's not too often that that happens to me so I was pleasantly surprised. Agatha Christie is one of those authors who could continuously do that to me too. There were definitely a lot of surprises, many twists and turns, and Ms. Jennings certainly has a gift of telling it like it was in 1895; there were some people who certainly had some difficult times here in Toronto during that time period and I felt a lot of sympathy for many people she described as well as the conditions in which they lived.
The characters and their development were a great strength of this novel. Ms. Jennings certainly has a knack for getting you to feel deeply about the characters she introduces in her novel and allowing you to see into the worlds in which they live. Even the characters whom I disliked, I still felt some pity for them and their circumstances. I think what surprised me the most is how little I know about the history of my own province and I consider myself a history buff. I am grateful for authors like Maureen Jennings who introduce us to the history of our own heritage and encourage us to learn more about our own country. But I digress, and going back to the wonderful characters in this novel, it truly amazes me how far we have comes in a century. What hardships people encountered just over one hundred years ago. Even the descriptions of the medical school and what students were expected to learn was absolutely fascinating. If you think about it, even fingerprinting was something that even the New York Police Department was just beginning to use as an indentification process and had not even been tried in Canada at this point, as Ms. Jennings points out in her novel.
Verdict
Except the Dying was a clever, wonderful whodunit with a cast of wonderful new characters. I am looking forward to reading the other six books that have been published in this series and learning more about Toronto's own unique heritage.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Book Blogger Hop
This is a great event hosted by Jennifer @ Crazy for Books. In order to participate, you need a blog that discusses some aspect of books, whether it's reviewing and discussing what we all love the most. It's such a fantastic way to meet new bloggers, find new friends, discover new books and authors, and most importantly, have fun checking out new sites. I found a lot of really interesting and intriguing blogs last week that I didn't know existed. It's also a great way to participate and learn about what's been happening around the reading bloggosphere and enter some great contests. So, what are you waiting for? Head on over to Jenn's blog, sign up, and have some fun.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who visits this week and to all of my loyal followers who have made these past few months so much fun. It's really been a blast!!!
Five Question Friday
I saw this on Simply Stacie's blog, hosted by My Little Life, and I thought this looked like fun so I decided to participate this week.
Here are my answers:
1) If you could go back to college/university would you change your major? Or , if you were to go to college/university right now...what major would you choose?
I would not change my major as I really enjoyed my program. I studied Kinesiology, with a minor in French Studies, and both of these programs were fantastic. I met a lot of people, learned a lot of great things, and really had a great time. You really get to know some unique and incredible people in a Kinesiology Program. I studied with some World Champions in various sports, which was pretty cool and learned a lot of new techniques. Unfortunately today, because French is in such dire need for teaching, I end up teaching French a lot more than Physical Education, but that's okay too. At least I get to travel a lot.
If I could go back to school today, which I would do in a flash as I love to study, I would focus on my second love, archaeology. I have always wanted to go back and finish my Ph.D in history or archaeology, but I don't really have the time. Doing my M.Ed. was hard enough (I did it part-time while working full-time) and I think the stress would kill me. If I won a million dollars however...oh, the possibilities.
2) What do you love most about your home?
My king-size bed. I don't get enough sleep, but I love my bed as it's really comfortable and I look forward to going to sleep.
I also love my backyard as it's quiet and peaceful. I enjoy sitting out there, reading a book, and just relaxing.
3) What types of books do you like to read (if you like to read at all)?
A loaded question!! And where do I start? I like to read pretty much anything, except for some westerns. Those don't really interest me at all. Anything else goes. I haunt the bookstores and libraries in my area and tonight I am looking forward to visiting a new used bookstore that just opened up this week in my neighbourhood. I will probably be one of his best customers.
Lately, I've been on a historical fiction phase and am devouring and purchasing historical fiction, especially royal fiction. I don't know why, but I tend to go with the flow. I am currently reading a book about Catherine de Medici and have decided to post another of My Obssession With Castles posts soon about Chenonceaux, a chateau in France I have visited which features in the novel.
4) What is the grossest thing you have ever eaten?
Extra-strength Tylenol with no water. I had to chew them as I was desperate and had a migraine coming on. I needed the three Tylenol now and couldn't find water anywhere in my car so I chewed them. It was the grossest thing I have ever done and the taste stayed in my mouth for hours. No amount of water, tea, anything afterwards could get rid of the taste.
5) If you HAD to be a character on a TV show, whom would you be?
Sookie Stackhouse. Why not? She has all the supernatural characters after her, leads an exciting life, but hasn't changed over. And who wouldn't want to hang around Erik all of the time????????????
Here are my answers:
1) If you could go back to college/university would you change your major? Or , if you were to go to college/university right now...what major would you choose?
I would not change my major as I really enjoyed my program. I studied Kinesiology, with a minor in French Studies, and both of these programs were fantastic. I met a lot of people, learned a lot of great things, and really had a great time. You really get to know some unique and incredible people in a Kinesiology Program. I studied with some World Champions in various sports, which was pretty cool and learned a lot of new techniques. Unfortunately today, because French is in such dire need for teaching, I end up teaching French a lot more than Physical Education, but that's okay too. At least I get to travel a lot.
If I could go back to school today, which I would do in a flash as I love to study, I would focus on my second love, archaeology. I have always wanted to go back and finish my Ph.D in history or archaeology, but I don't really have the time. Doing my M.Ed. was hard enough (I did it part-time while working full-time) and I think the stress would kill me. If I won a million dollars however...oh, the possibilities.
2) What do you love most about your home?
My king-size bed. I don't get enough sleep, but I love my bed as it's really comfortable and I look forward to going to sleep.
I also love my backyard as it's quiet and peaceful. I enjoy sitting out there, reading a book, and just relaxing.
3) What types of books do you like to read (if you like to read at all)?
A loaded question!! And where do I start? I like to read pretty much anything, except for some westerns. Those don't really interest me at all. Anything else goes. I haunt the bookstores and libraries in my area and tonight I am looking forward to visiting a new used bookstore that just opened up this week in my neighbourhood. I will probably be one of his best customers.
Lately, I've been on a historical fiction phase and am devouring and purchasing historical fiction, especially royal fiction. I don't know why, but I tend to go with the flow. I am currently reading a book about Catherine de Medici and have decided to post another of My Obssession With Castles posts soon about Chenonceaux, a chateau in France I have visited which features in the novel.
4) What is the grossest thing you have ever eaten?
Extra-strength Tylenol with no water. I had to chew them as I was desperate and had a migraine coming on. I needed the three Tylenol now and couldn't find water anywhere in my car so I chewed them. It was the grossest thing I have ever done and the taste stayed in my mouth for hours. No amount of water, tea, anything afterwards could get rid of the taste.
5) If you HAD to be a character on a TV show, whom would you be?
Sookie Stackhouse. Why not? She has all the supernatural characters after her, leads an exciting life, but hasn't changed over. And who wouldn't want to hang around Erik all of the time????????????
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Waiting on Wednesday
Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, is a wonderful weekly meme where we can highlight books we are are looking forward to seeing published. It's also a great way to discover books we didn't know about, and a great way to visit other blogs and see what other people are writing about. As I don't have a lot of time to really blog and post a lot of other things on my blog at the moment, it is great to be able to have a moment to see what great things other people are doing and creating.
My water heater blew on me the other day, so we are without hot water and after two days of taking icy cold showers, I think I could kiss the Direct Energy guy when he finally shows up tonight to fix whatever is wrong with the tank. I, of course, know absolute nothing about these things, and am afraid to touch it in case I blow up my house. That would not be good, you know? But I am so desperate for a hot shower..... And naturally, my kind and loving hubby thought it was funny to watch me scream in the shower this morning every time I had to rinse off...anyone know of anyone who does quickie divorces (LOL)? HE got to take a hot shower at work after his workout while I had to suffer.
Because of all this drama, my mood for books is tending more towards the dark and mystical this week. Books about war and drama seem to fit my mood perfectly; I guess if I am suffering, I want everyone else to suffer as well. And it's raining finally as well (I love the rain, so that's okay.) So here is my pick for this week:
The Black Prism (Black Prism Series, Book 1)
by Brent Weeks
Release Date: August 25, 2010
The world attempts to heal in the aftermath of a savage war, which took place sixteen years ago. Now all is ordered and controlled by the world's only magic school, the Chromeria, which keeps a tight political reign on all nations through its acolytes' highly-sought abilities. By manipulating the colour spectrum, these gifted individuals gain access to great power, and the head of the Chromeria is the most powerful of his generation. Supposedly. Yet Gavin is living a lie, and those closest to him are near to discovering his secret, while another long-dormant issue is about to become critical. Gavin defeated his malevolent twin Jarven at the height of the last war but Jarven's prison won't hold him for much longer. Balance is vital in a world where magic controls all from the weather, to the harvest, to war. Now that balance is about to change.
I am thrilled to see a new series being released by this author. I had already started his Night Angel Trilogy, but reluctantly had to put it aside in favour of some review books I needed to read, but believe me, along with Richelle Mead's books, these are on the top of my TBR pile.
What did you find this week?
My water heater blew on me the other day, so we are without hot water and after two days of taking icy cold showers, I think I could kiss the Direct Energy guy when he finally shows up tonight to fix whatever is wrong with the tank. I, of course, know absolute nothing about these things, and am afraid to touch it in case I blow up my house. That would not be good, you know? But I am so desperate for a hot shower..... And naturally, my kind and loving hubby thought it was funny to watch me scream in the shower this morning every time I had to rinse off...anyone know of anyone who does quickie divorces (LOL)? HE got to take a hot shower at work after his workout while I had to suffer.
Because of all this drama, my mood for books is tending more towards the dark and mystical this week. Books about war and drama seem to fit my mood perfectly; I guess if I am suffering, I want everyone else to suffer as well. And it's raining finally as well (I love the rain, so that's okay.) So here is my pick for this week:
The Black Prism (Black Prism Series, Book 1)
by Brent Weeks
Release Date: August 25, 2010
The world attempts to heal in the aftermath of a savage war, which took place sixteen years ago. Now all is ordered and controlled by the world's only magic school, the Chromeria, which keeps a tight political reign on all nations through its acolytes' highly-sought abilities. By manipulating the colour spectrum, these gifted individuals gain access to great power, and the head of the Chromeria is the most powerful of his generation. Supposedly. Yet Gavin is living a lie, and those closest to him are near to discovering his secret, while another long-dormant issue is about to become critical. Gavin defeated his malevolent twin Jarven at the height of the last war but Jarven's prison won't hold him for much longer. Balance is vital in a world where magic controls all from the weather, to the harvest, to war. Now that balance is about to change.
I am thrilled to see a new series being released by this author. I had already started his Night Angel Trilogy, but reluctantly had to put it aside in favour of some review books I needed to read, but believe me, along with Richelle Mead's books, these are on the top of my TBR pile.
What did you find this week?
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
This Week's Upcoming Releases - May 31 - June 6
There are so many amazing books being released in June it almost makes me look at my ever-growing TBR pile with complete despair as I wonder how am I ever going to get through it with all of these wonderful books that now need to be read. But that's what summer holidays are all about and I will soon be on mine and then it's time to read, read, and read some more. I can't wait!!!! But until that time, here are a few of the books I am anxiously awaiting, being released this week.
Street Game (Ghostwalker Series, Book 8)
by Christine Feehan
Release Date: May 31, 2010
For Mac McKinley and his team of Ghost Walking killing machines, urban warfare is an art. But despite a hard-won knowledge of the San Francisco streets, Mack knows from experience that too many things can still go wrong. Danger was just part of the game - and now he's come face-t0-face with a woman who can play just as tough. Will coming together again get them both killed, or bring them back together?
by Arliss Ryan
Release Date: June 1st, 2010
An inventive and vibrant historical novel about a woman who dared to be the equal of the Bard of Avon.
Dreamveil (Kyndred Series, Book 2)
by Lynn Viehl
Release Date: June 1st, 2010
Rowan Dietrich grew up on the streets. Now she's out to start anew, find a job - and keep her identity as a Kyndred secret, as well as her ability to 'dreamveil' herself into the object of others' desires.
Lightborn (Darkborn Trilogy, Book 2)
by Alison Sinclair
Release Date: June 1st, 2010
The Darkborn aristocracy has rejected magic, viewing the pursuit of science as the only goal. But Lady Telmaine Hearne does not have that luxury. She has kept her own powers secret, fearful of being ruined in society...until her husband Balthasar draws her into a conspiracy to protect the archduke and his brother against a magical enemy. But who will protect them from her?
Hostage Queen
by Freda Lightfoot
Release Date: June 1st, 2010
Marguerite de Valois, the most beautiful woman in the French court, is the subject of great intrigue. She loves Henri of Guise, but is married off to Henry of Navarre, which - her mother hopes - will bring peace to the realm. But, within days, the streets of Paris are awash with blood, and Marguerite and her new husband are held hostage by her own family. Can they ever hope to escape alive?
From Hell With Love (Secret Histories, Book 4)
by Simon R. Green
Release Date: June 1st, 2010
It's no walk in the park for a Drood, a member of the family that has protected humanity from the things that go bump in the night for centuries.
Bones of Contention (Dinah Pelerin Mystery, Book 1)
by Jeanne Matthew
Release Date: June 1st, 2010
A wannabe anthropologist with a passion for mythology, Dinah tries to sort out the complicated song lines of her own ancestors while struggling to understand Dreamtime and solve not one, but two bizarre murders. The Aboriginal concept of payback law takes on a terrible new meaning.
The Faculty Club
by Danny Tobey
Release Date: June 1st, 2010
At the world's most exclusive law school, there's a secret society rumoured to catapult its members to fame and fortune. Everybody is dying to get in...
The Ghosts of Ashbury High
by Jaclyn Moriarity
Release Date: June 1st, 2010
In the tradition of the gothic novel, this is a story about ghosts, secrets, madness, passion, locked doors, femme fatales, and that terrifying moment in the final year of high school when you realize the future's come to get you.
These are the books I am looking forward to this week. What do you think?
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