Lois Lowry

Lois Lowry- what a fascinating woman!

   She was born in Hawaii 81 years ago and has written 45 children's books.  Among the many awards that she has won are two Newbery Medals.  One for "Number the Stars" in 1990 and one for "The Giver" in 1994.

   
  "The Giver" caught my attention in 2006, when I was enjoying a book retreat with "Bookwomen" in Arizona.  I have not been able to forget this book and decided to include it in our library book club choices this year. That resulted in a marvellous discussion this past Friday.  Youth fiction can be fascinating for adults and should be used by book clubs.

   "The Giver" has been very controversial.  It has brought both praise and criticism.  Some schools have included it in their curriculum, while other schools have banned the book.  It was made into a movie in 2014 with Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep, among other actors.  I chose not to watch the movie because the book is seared into my memory.

  "The Giver" appears to be utopian fiction in the beginning because the community has no disease, crime, poverty, starvation, not even bad weather!  But when you realize that 'choice' is not a part of this community, and 'love' is unknown, you realize that the story is really dystopian.  Without choice, there are not bad choices.  But would you want to live without choice?  And without love and other strong emotions, life has no meaning.  This is a fascinating book that has minimal description and leaves many questions.  Great for discussion!

   Actually, "The Giver" is the first of "The Giver Quartet"- a series of four novels.  After being so fascinated with the first book, I quickly read the second "Gathering Blue", and then the third "Messenger".  But I saw no connection to "The Giver", although they were interesting enough.

  BUT, I just finished reading the final book "Son" that was published 19 years after "The Giver".  Wow!  It is amazing!  It does follow characters from "The Giver".  And it is a roller coaster ride!  I loved it!  And was delighted with the breath-taking ending for the series.

Reading in 2019

Twelve Books of Christmas

   In February of 2016, I posted "The Twelve Books of Christmas", gifted to fellow reader, Chaz, by her husband.  You can read about it here.
  I was reminded of this wonderful Christmas tradition recently, and asked Chaz to send me the titles of the books that she received for Christmas 2018. I love to know what other readers enjoy.
  Chaz enjoys award winners and her husband takes great care in selecting them.  He includes information on each book.

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1. The Pulitzer Prize, "Less" by Andrew Sean Greer
2. Governor General's Literary Award, Fiction, "The Red Word" by Sarah Henstra
3. Scotiabank Giller Prize, "Washington Black" by Esi Edugyan
4. The Man Booker Prize, "Milkman" by Anna Burns
5. Governor General's Literary Award, non-fiction "Mamaskatch: A Cree Coming of Age" by Darrel J. McLeod
6. RBC Taylor Prize, "Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death and Hard Truths in a Northern City" by Tanya Talaga
7. National Book Award, "The Friend" by Sigrid Nunez
8. Canada Reads, "Forgiveness" by Mark Sakamoto
9. Canadian Organization for Development through Education (CODE) Burt Award for Indigenous young adult literature, "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline
10. National Book Critics Circle Award, "Improvement" by Joan Silber
11. Women's Prize for Fiction. "Home Fire" by Kamila Shamsie
12. The Man Booker International Prize, "Flights" by Olga Tokarczuk

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   Chaz told me that the write-up is included in the gift- wrapped box with the books.
   And here is her wonderful reaction:
"I had a visceral reaction when I opened the box and looked at each of the covers.  I felt my heart rate increase as I took out each book and read the title.  So much excitement and anticipation.  I wanted to run away with my pile of books and start reading."
   Chaz has a Facebook page where her friends enjoy reading her musings on each book as she reads it.  Unfortunately, I do not have Facebook, but would enjoy hearing her thoughts on these books.
  I have only read two of this list: "The Marrow Thieves" and "Forgiveness".  I have no doubt that Chaz will love them both!  Happy reading to Chaz!  Thanks for sharing!

"Becoming" by Michelle Obama

 What a fascinating book!
 What fascinating people!
 So unlike anyone that I have ever known, but the writing is so great, I feel that I got right into the heads of 'the Obamas'.
  There are so many fabulous quotes.  I will include a few of my favourites.


   Michelle grew up in Chicago with her parents and brother, Craig. 
In elementary school, Craig paved the way.
Quote:
"Craig, in his ambling and smiley way, had conveniently broken every trail for me...He'd created sunshine that I could then just step into".
   But she went to a different secondary school and had to find her own way.
Quote:
"At school I was quietly collecting bits of data, trying to sort out my place inside the teenage intelligentsia".
 And then she went to Princeton.
Quote: 
"It was jarring and uncomfortable, at least at first, like being dropped into a strange new terrarium, a habitat that hadn't been built for me".

   Well, you know how it goes- she became a lawyer, and met Barack.
  And what was her reaction?
Quote:
"He was white and black, African and American.  He was modest and lived modestly, yet knew the richness of his own mind and the world of privilege that would open up to him as a result....He could be light-hearted and jokey, but he never strayed far from a larger sense of obligation.  He was on some sort of quest, though he didn't yet know where it would lead."
   His theme was: "Do we settle for the world as it is, or do we work for the world as it should be?"  
  Quote:
"He read late into the night...plowing through history and biographies and Toni Morrison, too.  He read several newspapers daily, cover to cover.  He kept tabs on the latest book reviews, the American League standings, and what the south side aldermen were up to.  He could speak with equal passion about the Polish elections and which movies Roger Ebert had panned and why."
    Who wouldn't fall in love with this fascinating man?  
   Well, we know where his life did lead, but not without many heart-rending discussions between Michelle and Barack.  Michelle did not like the political scene and knew the toll it would take on the family.  But, she eventually realized that Barack never solely belonged to her and the girls.  Oh, my!

   What a great opportunity to understand this amazing couple-  many struggles: marital counselling, miscarriage, differing perspectives on life, different life paths.  But, wow, did they ever work it out!  Good for them!

End of the year 2018

 
   We always enjoy looking over the last year and I like to think of the books that I have read during the last year.  Unfortunately, I had some challenges with my vision, so haven't read as many books this year (only 52).
   After cataract surgery, I had fabulous vision and could read very easily without glasses - great for bed or any occasion!  However, one of the new lenses from the surgery clouded over and the attempt to clear it by laser was not successful.  So, glasses were needed and I tried for the first time to use reading glasses.  That really doesn't work for me.  I like to look up from the book when someone comes into the room, or...often I just gaze out the window, pondering what I am reading.  And so, the glasses are on and off, because the glasses only work with close objects and the rest of the room is blurry.  Do I use the bifocals...or the reading glasses and keep my eyes on the page?  I'm working that out with one of my new Christmas books.
    Actually, I got two copies of this book and that is not a problem because I know several people who are waiting to get this book from the library but the waiting list is over 100 now and the book has not arrived there yet.  I took a picture with my reading glasses on the book as I'm trying to get used to them.
  Reading this book, I realize why I admire Michelle so much.  She is a compassionate, authentic human being and I shouldn't be surprised that she writes so well because she gave excellent speeches.  She writes beautifully and the strength of her character is very evident.
   The book is divided into three parts:
Becoming Me
Becoming Us
Becoming More
   The final paragraph of the book is stunning.  Here are some excerpts:
I'm just an ordinary person who found herself on an extraordinary journey.....For every door that's been opened to me, I've tried to open my door to others. And here is what I have to say finally: Let's invite one another in. Maybe then we can begin to fear less, to make fewer wrong assumptions, to let go of the biases and stereotypes that unnecessarily divide us.  Maybe we can embrace the ways we are the same...This, for me, is how we become.
   A great book for the new year.  I have heard predictions that Michelle will run for president of the U.S.A. but she says in the book that she has no inclination to be back in politics.  
  I am hoping that she begins a talk show.  She has a lot to say and I would love to be able to listen to her on a regular basis.

Oh, yes, and here I am in my new 'book socks' (Book Nerd).