Anne’s Comments (group member since Jan 04, 2016)

Anne’s comments from the Homer Public Library 15 in '16 group.

I am actually number 1 on the reserve list for The Sympathizer. I may actually get it read before 2016 is over. I have read 3 new books recently that might be considered for next year's list. Lily and the Octopus and The Portable Veblen both could fit in your animal category. Both are quirky, interesting, and fun. Currently I am reading LaRose. I tend to think Louise Erdritch is brilliant and this book is starting out as great as her others.

I also just finished a book, Etta and Otto and Russel and James. What a completely unique experience reading this was. The story of 83 year old Etta, who one morning leaves her husband Otto a note that she is walking to see "the waters" as she has never seen them. So she begins her walk from Saskatchewan to the Atlantic. The story is told in multiple voices and multiple time periods, and is often so lyrical it is almost free verse. It covers youth, aging, love, war, friendship, betrayal, and has a dollop of fairy tale and mythology thrown in for good measure. I loved it. And I have never seen another book even remotely like it.

I have a hold request at my library for The Sympathizer. Just waiting for it to become available. I think I am number 4 on the waiting list.

Thanks, Teresa. However I was not part of last year's program. Maybe I looked at an ol book list, who knows. But it was fun to read so definitely not time wasted. If anyone needs more reading recommendations, because there is no such thing as too many books on your list, I am newly involved in a book discussion group in Boise, ID. Last month's entry Brown Girl Dreaming was great. A free verse memoir about growing up in both the north and the south during the 60s and 70s. We found lots of tie ins to our current immigration issues.

I read The Soul of an Octopus and absolutely loved it. I learned so much, not only about octopuses, for instance the word for more than one octopus is never octopi but octopuses. Why you might ask? Because that would make part of the word Greek and part of it Latin. Who knew? The characters were enchanting, especially the ones who live in sea water. The humans were pretty entertaining, too. I also read If You Lived Here, I Would Know Your Name. I thought I got the title from the reading list, but sure can not find it. Was it mentioned in a previous discussion? However I found it, I also enjoyed it. The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of ConsciousnessIf you Lived here I would know your name

Just finished Winterdance The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod, by Gary Paulsen. Loved it. So much fun, but with a darkness. Now, for a complete change of pace I am reading Seraphina, the YA fantasy novel by Rachel Hartman. Really enjoying it also.

I have been somewhat remiss on reading books from the list, had 2 new mysteries, one by C. J. Box, Off the Grid, and one by Jeffery Deaver, Steel Kiss that I could not wait to read. But I have shared Beyond the Bear with my husband, and copied your list and sent it to a friend in N Idaho. I have 3 books checked out and ready to read, Winterdance, Seraphina, and If You Lived Here, I Would Know Your Name. Looking forward to them. If you are interested both the Box and Deaver series are really good, if you don't know them. Box takes place in Wyoming, a game warden is the main character, and Deaver takes place in New York with a parapalegic crime scene investigator who is an authority in his field. Both fun.

Maybe I should mention, I am not from Homer, not even from Alaska. I live in Idaho, saw a posting on Dana Stabenow's Facebook page and just thought the whole idea was so great I joined. I love libraries and love reading so I sure hope it is ok that I am part of the group.

From the book list I read Beyond the Bear and loved it. Also just finished another book not on the list that takes place in Alaska. It is The Quality of Silence, by Rosamund Lupton. It was good but somewhat unbelievable.

I read Last Bus to Wisdom, by Ivan Doig which I loved. I have loved all of his books and it was so bittersweet knowing this was the last ever. Also read Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart. It was cute, not great, but fun. Also wanted to mention two other books I read not on the list which made me think. Only Love Can Break Your Heart, by Ed Tarkington, and The Man With No Shadow, by Joyce Carol Oates. If you are looking for more books to add to your to be read stack, they are also good.

Louise Penny is one of the authors that I read everything she writes and anxiously await each new book. And although they have some of the characteristics of cozy mysteries, they are anything but if you read the whole series. Characters change and surprise me every time. Someone you were sure was one of the "good" guys turns out to have some dark corners that affect the entire village or the homicide department. And even if Ms. Penny has created characters she likes and would like to have around her, she is not above killing them off on occasion for the sake of the story. I think it really helps to read the series in order because so many changes happen to the people, just like in real life. I highly recommend them and if you had some troubles with Still Life it might be worth reading another.