The hunt for the great literary thriller of my summer 2017 continues. This one was gifted to me by K. (thanks, K.) and held great promise: well reviewed by all the right people, and delivered. I had more substantive things to say about it when I was reading it, but I read it at the cottage and now things are a bit of a blur of campfires, wine and games of hearts. (It’s a sign of my changing life that I read this one at the cottage and 419 and that was it. Such is the life of an auntie with four nephews under three. I don’t suppose any of you will hold it against me. Continue reading
Category Archives: Uncategorized
419: A gripping exploration of economic inequality (without it feeling like a book about economic inequality)
I continued my summer of reading literary thrillers with Will Fergusen’s 419. I was late to the party on this one, with folks suggesting I read it for years. Something about it made me resistant to reading, and it wasn’t until it was the *only* book to have come in to the library from my list of requests that I gave in and picked it up. That 419 is terrific only (once again) proves that I am ridiculous for following my arbitrary whims when it comes to book covers and gut feelings. Continue reading
Filed under Bestseller, Canadian Literature, Giller prize, Prize Winner, Uncategorized
The Association of Small Bombs: The Book You Won’t See On the Display Table, But Should Definitely Seek Out.
Karan Mahajan’s The Association of Small Bombs was on the New York Times list for the best books of 2016. I went through the list and requested books at the library, most of the list had a wait list dozens, or hundreds, deep. Not so for The Association of Small Bombs. It was on the shelf at my preferred location. Maybe because I was requesting books the same day the list came out? Or maybe because readers are silly and thought they wouldn’t like a book about terrorism in India? Whatever the case: be me and get yourself to the front of the line to read this one. It’s terrific. Continue reading
Filed under Fiction, New York Times Notable, Uncategorized
Not a Book Review; A New Blog Announcement – Pregnant Pause
I’ve only ever posted book reviews or book talk here, so I recognize I’m breaking with expectations. But I’m using this as a shameless platform to plug the new blog project I’ve started (not to fear, Literary Vice continues without interruptions – I’m neck deep in A Brief History of Seven Killings which is (no spoiler) not at all brief).
The new blog is Pregnant Pause for stories about being not-pregnant. You can read more about the project (and some of our first stories) (and find out how to contribute) on the site, but here’s a teaser: Continue reading
Filed under Popular Posts, Uncategorized
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