Read: The Clanlands Almanac (#06-2022)

The Clanlands Almanac: Seasonal Stories from Scotland by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish

(companion to Clanlands and the Men In Kilts TV series)

This is an anthology of history, geography, stories, thoughts and conversations from Sam and Graham with tidbits of information about Outlander and their own histories and lives. Separated into months with a Dram of the Month and Clan of the month section in each, and a list of historically significant dates this is an interesting companion to the escapades we've seen previously from Sam and Graham. 

I Read: Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty by Anderson Cooper (and Katharine Howe)

In this book, we go on a historical journey of the Vanderbilt family. The Rise and the fall as the title suggests. There is a lot to unpack here because anyone who knows anything about the Vanderbilts generally knows that they're rich. But are they still? The book would tell you otherwise, because of their own mismanagement and behaviour. From the patriarch who built the empire to his children and their families, the Vanderbilt family is still interesting even while they may not remain powerful or influential. 

I Read: The Paris Library

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles

I don't really know what made me pick this up - I'm not generally particularly interested in historical, or war-based books. I'm also not usually into the current popular thing. This book is both. 

Having read it, I can now understand why it's a currently popular title. The book is good. I like the way it's written, to ground us into the not-quite modern-day Montana while also making us feel what it was like during the second world war in Paris - two time periods that don't seem to jibe at first glance, but Charles makes it work and work well. 

The parallels of the two time periods and the cross-over between them make this dramatic and poignant. There are lessons learned between both lead characters and they can only be taught through their interaction. There are touching and traumatic moments for both and while they may be on completely different levels, they match in the ways that count. 

I'm so glad I read this. 

#74-2021

I Read: The Anthropocene Reviewed

The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green

How do you "review" a book that's about reviewing the world we live in?  Super great question. The book's whole premise is what I'm doing here; it's entirely made up of John Green's perceptions, connections, and impressions of things in our current world.  Sometimes it's quirky, sometimes it's random. Sometimes you can't help but see where it's coming from and agree completely. 

I Read: Indigenous Relations

Indigenous Relations: Insights, Tips & Suggestions to Make Reconciliation a Reality by Bob Joseph with Cynthia F. Joseph

After the discovery of the bodies of 215 indigenous children at an old residential school site, I decided that I needed to delve back into the indigenous relations and reconciliation information. This one is written by the same author as 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act that I read earlier this year, and follows well in that conversation. 

In typical white privilege fashion, I have to stop myself from arguing with some of the points he makes because there really is no defence for what has been done to the indigenous people in Canada. I don't have to have answers on how to fix it, but I do need to acknowledge that and make sure that I don't perpetuate any of it. 

I'm not going to review this in any form. I'm really not qualified for that. But I do recommend anyone read this in order to gain some perspective on Indigenous Relations in Canada. We're getting better, but there's still a long way to go. 

#54-2021

I Read: The Color Purple

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

This one has been sitting on my shelf for a while waiting for me to read it. I'm not sure what took me so long because, despite the content, it's not a difficult book to read. The content is unpleasant in a lot of spots, but the story is great and written in a unique way that asks a lot of the questions the reader might have. 

I was coming into it completely blind - I haven't even seen the movie because *sigh* Oprah - so I didn't have any expectations except that I did expect it to be a long haul. And it definitely wasn't that. 

Written in a series of "letters", and in a vernacular of the time and culture, Walker took advantage of the reader's senses, and probably stereotypes in order to create a scene that told the story as well as the words on the page. I'm disappointed that I hadn't read this sooner, and I may have to go in search of the movie at this point.

#22-2021

I Read: Legacy

Legacy by Waubgeshig Rice

I picked this up because I was researching Canadian indigenous authors and found the review/synopsis intriguing. I couldn't find it available in any store for purchase (it was published in 2014 and somehow is completely out of print?) so I ventured to actually use the local library. (Not the first time, but pretty darn close.  Who borrows books when they have years' worth in their house that they haven't read?)

I'm not disappointed to have read this book. It wasn't what I was expecting from the synopsis I saw, but it kept my attention throughout. I wanted to know where it was going. And I wanted to find out more about these characters

I Read: 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality by Bob Joseph

Admittedly, because of my privilege of being of European descent I haven't had to put a lot of thought into how the Canadian indigenous people have been treated. I studied the War of 1812 in school, and the "Indians" helped in that so I never really thought about what the situation might have actually been like.

Recently, I've had the opportunity to see materials in an Aboriginal cultural safety training program and it's made me genuinely interested in the topic. Which is how I found this book.

I Read: William & Kate - A Royal Love Story

William & Kate: A Royal Love Story

Another mainly photo book, but with some additional biographical information - or biographical as it occurs to The Sun who published this book. The photos are great, but the stories themselves are a bit biased to the sensational. 

It's less sensationalist at this point, given the context that William & Kate have been married for a decent amount of time at this point. Every couple goes through ups and downs; I doubt anyone would want their past hanging over them the way this seems to. 

It was a bargain bin book when I found it, and I totally understand why. Quickly published to take advantage of the tide of the time, this was published between Will & Kate's engagement and wedding. Still some very beautiful photos and a nugget or two of interesting information. 

#8-2021

I Read: Capturing Camelot: Stanley Tretick's Iconic Images of the Kennedys

Capturing Camelot: Stanley Tretick's Iconic Images of the Kennedys by Kitty Kelley

I picked this up as a "coffee table book" thinking that it would be full of great photos - which is absolutely is. However, it also has some interesting anecdotes about the photographer's relationship with the Kennedy family and the struggles that ensued through that relationship. 

The Kennedy family has been a source of intrigue for decades at this point, and though I have little connection to the intrigue - I wasn't alive while JFK was, and only paid slight attention to his children and widow during my childhood - I've heard the stories about his presidency. 

The pictures within this volume are beautiful, and carry stories that the public may not have been privy to before the book was published. They're well curated and give the reader/viewer a clearer picture of the Kennedys and Stanley Tretick. 

#6-2021
 

I Read: The Smell of Other People's Houses

The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

I enjoyed this book - I wasn't sure it would be one that would go in that category. The title intrigued me, which is why I choose to read it in the first place. The story is definitely intriguing, following the lives of several teens in Alaska at the time of the territory becoming a state. The stories of those teens mingle together in interesting ways and teach a number of lessons while doing so. 

The subject matter isn't really pleasant, but it is real and wanting to know how the stories are completed is what keeps the reader interested. 

I Read: Clanlands

Clanlands: Whisky, Warfare, and a Scottish Adventure Like No Other by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish

When talk first started swirling about Sam & Graham having gone on a road trip and filmed it for a TV series a lot of people were pretty excited. When we found out the release of said TV series was going to be longer than we'd hoped we were disappointed - until we learned there was going to be a book!

There was no doubt that I was going to read this from the minute I found out about it. I was intrigued by the characters they'd played on Outlander, and have become even more interested in their other appearances and ventures. Both are very interesting people. And in this book, they're also talking about a country with a really interesting history - part of which is my history.