books

my favourite things of the week

For September 11 to 17, 2023

Some weeks it’s more challenging to find things to appreciate and this was one of them. I spent a lot of the week with terrible shoulder pain after an overenthusiastic morning of wrangling bins and boxes in the basement and the pain started to subside just in time for the arrival of Hurricane/Post-tropical storm Lee. Luckily for us, the track of the storm pushed further west than anticipated and we had wind, rain, flattened sunflowers and a five-hour power outage, but it was fine. We’ve had way, way worse.

*Before the storm, there was a beauty of a sunset

*Green peppers from the garden

I’d have left a few of them to grow a bit more, but was worried the storm would pound them into relish.

*This chirpy red tractor, outstanding in its field

*Corn, corn everywhere

I don’t know if there really are more fields of corn around here this year or if I’ve just noticed it more, but whatever. We’ve eaten A LOT of corn.

*Old books

I borrowed Cluny Brown (1944) by Margery Sharp and the original library card was still in the pocket at the back. Swoon. Almost exactly 78 years ago, Marguerite and Margaret were also reading Cluny Brown and I wonder if they liked it as much as I did.

*’Under the Greenwood Tree’ (1909) by George Henry

I know this is endlessly reproduced, but I still love it. The dappling of that light through the trees – wow.

my favourite reads of August 2023

The Art Thief by Michael Finkel

The gripping true story of a French man who compulsively stole art from museums all across Europe. A real gasp-out-loud kind of book.

Do Let’s Have Another Drink! by Gareth Russell

A biography told via entertaining anecdotes. I really liked it.

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

It seems wrong to call a book about multiple murders amusing, but there you go. Very well done.

Jane and Prudence by Barbara Pym

Two favourite quotations from the text:

Oh, but it was splendid the things women were doing for men all the time, thought Jane. Making them feel, perhaps sometimes by no more than a casual glance, that they were loved and admired and desired when they were worthy of none of these things…

and

“I suppose I’ll never get a man if I don’t take more trouble with myself,” Eleanor went on, but she spoke comfortably and without regret, thinking of her flat in Westminster, so convenient for the Ministry, her weekend golf, concerts and theatres with women friends, in the best seats and with a good supper afterwards.

Very enjoyable.

my favourite reads of July 2023

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden

A record of 1906 by an incredibly talented artist and naturalist. A masterpiece.

Joe Country by Mick Herron

Slough House series, book 6.

Exciting, suspenseful, funny. This is a great series.

Keep Moving by Maggie Smith

A small book of inspirational thoughts on how to keep moving forward after loss or difficulty. A bit repetitive, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing when it comes to learning new ways of coping.

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

audiobook read by Nadia May

A great story read by a great narrator. Classic for a reason.

Slough House by Mick Herron

Slough House series, book 7

Possibly my least favourite so far of the series, but still enjoyable.

Some Tame Gazelle by Barbara Pym

Two middle-aged spinster sisters live in a small English village and not-so-secretly pine for someone to love, without wanting the hassle of an actual husband. Funny, quiet, well-observed. I loved it.

what I read in August 2022

Baking Science by Dikla Levy Frances, 2022

Even if you aren’t all that interested in the science of baking – I know my attention tends to waver – this book contains formulas for all kinds of baked goods. I look forward to trying them out.

Design Your Own Knits in 5 Easy Steps by Debbie Abrahams, 2008

Intended for knitters just beginning to draft their own designs. I’d have loved it thirty years ago.

Devotions by Mary Oliver, 2017

A nice change of pace. Contains my favourite Mary Oliver poem: ‘Don’t Hesitate’.

Edible Plants by Jimmy W Fike, 2022

This one really annoyed me for two reasons:
(1) Despite the subtitle (A Photographic Survey of the Wild Edible Botanicals of North America), every plant is described only in terms of where it can be found in the U.S. THERE IS MORE TO NORTH AMERICA THAN THE UNITED STATES. Even plants with ‘Canadian’ in the name do not mention where they might be found in Canada.
(2) The inedible portions of each plant have been coloured silver, which is both distracting and not helpful for identification.

Five Red Herrings by Dorothy L. Sayers, 1931

Probably my least favourite Lord Wimsey book so far. Way way way too much neighbourhood-specific detail and Scottish dialect. It was like Sayers wanted to prove she’d actually gone to that area of Scotland to do her research.

Gardening for Everyone by Julia Watkins, 2022

Nicely designed and photographed, but definitely meant for beginners.

How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis, 2022

Lots of really good advice – delivered in a kind, non-judgemental voice – for anyone struggling for any reason to keep up with housework and establish productive schedules. This is not an issue for me these days, but postpartum me could really have used a copy.

The Illustrated Histories of Everyday Behaviour by Laura Hetherington, 2021

Not quite what I expected. These are lightly researched blurbs about behaviours like shaking hands, driving on the right side, baby showers, etc., accompanied by jokey cartoon sketches. Took about 15 minutes to read.

The Instant Mood Fix by Dr Olivia Remes, 2021

Short, no-nonsense chapters about how to handle anxiety, stress, rejection, loneliness, and so on. I liked the format of one or two pieces of advice to use if you’re in crisis, followed by lengthier discussions of the issue, and concluding with five more helpful strategies to consider. A useful book.

Knitting Block by Block by Nicky Epstein, 2010

Like all of Epstein’s books, this contains very few patterns I would ever consider using, but it was nice to flip through.

The Low-Carbon Cookbook by Alejandra Schrader, 2021

Examines the effect our diets have on climate change and offers recipes which might be better suited to the southern U.S. because there’s no way I could find half of those ingredients here.

Molly on the Range by Molly Yeh, 2016

I can see how she’d seem fun and hip to younger readers, but I was kind of bored by all the autobiographical rambling and her recipes didn’t appeal to me.

More Plants on Your Plate by Bailey Rhatigan, 2022

Yet another white, stick-thin, long-haired, madly grinning woman on the cover and in too many of the interior photos – these plant-based authors are starting to all blend together. The recipes were fine. Nothing earth-shattering.

The One-Bowl Baker by Stephanie Simmons, 2022

Unfussy recipes are right up my alley.

The Palace Papers by Tina Brown, 2022

I was expecting some fresh stories, but this seemed to be mostly old news. Maybe it’s hard to break fresh ground in an age of social media where anyone can share any bit of gossip at any time. Anyway, I wouldn’t want any of their lives.

Plant Power by Annie Bell, 2020

I found her writing voice cranky and unpleasant. On the old belief in the necessity of combining beans and rice to create complete proteins: “It is hard to think of a less palatable combination, in fact, the two together on a plate is a personal bête noire.”

Really? Beans and rice an unpalatable combination? I’m pretty sure that’s exactly how much of the world eats.

The Regenerative Garden by Stephanie Rose, 2022

Lots of good ideas for improving the health and manageability of a garden.

Sashiko for Making and Mending by Saki Iduka,
2021

I need to find a good source for sashiko thread so I can try this. Any suggestions?

The Shuttle by Frances Hodgson Burnett, 1907

I had to use a photo of the first edition graciously loaned by Dalhousie U. It was a pleasure to hold.

A novel about, and written during the time of, the Million Dollar Babies (aka ‘cash for class’) – rich, young American women who married titled, but poor British gentlemen. Very occasionally, the transaction worked well, but more often, it did not. This novel is an example of the union being a disaster from the beginning.

I enjoyed the book, but honestly can’t think of many people to whom I would recommend it. It’s way too long, repetitive, melodramatic and has stereotyped characters, but there are some genuinely funny and/or horrifying passages, and it was fascinating to read something written at the time this ‘money for titles’ phenomenon was actually happening.

Things to Look Forward To by Sophie Blackall
2022

I usually hate these kinds of ‘put on a happy face’ books, but this one had more charm than usual. It’s a quick read of small pleasures the author compiled to combat feeling down and they could inspire readers to create their own lists.

what I read in July 2022

Art Matters by Neil Gaiman
2018

A very short book of Gaiman’s thoughts on ideas, the importance of reading and libraries, and making art no matter what. It’s like reading a commencement address – good advice, but nothing all that meaty or detailed.

Do I Feel Better Yet? by Madeleine Trebenski
2022

A collection of essays around the theme of things people suggest when you’re feeling down, like ‘have you tried exercise?’ or ‘have you tried Paleo?’ It was okay. I wanted to like it more than I did.

Good Girl by Anna Fitzpatrick
2022

A young woman does reckless things and gradually learns a few lessons about life. I liked the author’s writing style, but the story would definitely be more relatable and meaningful to someone 30 years younger.

Sexual content warning: In my library days, one incensed patron after another would have freaked out that such a “dirty book” was available for loan. If sex acts in novels bother you, choose something else.

Heal Your Living by Youheum Son
2022

Discusses four ways to heal: mindfulness, sustainability, minimalism and wellness. I’m interested in all those things, but the author’s writing style is so dry and boring I skimmed. A lot.

Into the Light: Lionel LeMoine FitzGerald edited by Sarah Milroy
2019

I knew nothing about FitzGerald before ordering this book and discovered his art doesn’t totally do it for me, but it’s a lovely book with several interesting essays.

The Little Book of Cottagecore by Emily Kent
2021

Very basic information on gardening, baking, needlework and other domestic skills, which are apparently called ‘cottagecore’ now. Might be a good introduction for people with little experience, but be warned there are only a few tiny illustrations and no photographs. There are many other, better resources.

A Midwife’s Tale by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
1990

Spectacular. Short excerpts from a diary kept by Maine midwife Martha Ballard from the years 1785 – 1812 are followed by chapters that put Martha’s entries into context for her time and place. I loved every detail – how she spent her time, what they ate, petty town politics, the realities of childbirth before modern medicine, what she planted in her garden, grievances with her husband, how/what/if she was paid for her services, petty town politics, and so on.

Amazingly well-researched. A+ work.

The Pumpkin Eater by Penelope Mortimer
1962

An unnamed narrator on her third marriage with a large but unspecified number of children struggles with her purpose in life. Her solution is always to have another baby, which infuriates everyone around her. The story is told in short, disconnected vignettes that capture the disturbance of her mind.

It was mostly depressing and unsettling, but there were some comic passages that were a delight.

Six Steps to Managing Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia by Andrew E. Budson and Maureen K. O’Connor
2021

Good information, well-presented, but good grief, their running “stories” about fictional people with dementia and their fictional caregivers were terrible.

what I read in June 2022

Bare Minimum Dinners by Jenna Helwig
2021

I wholeheartedly support the philosophy of just doing enough cooking to get by – god, I am so sick of preparing meals every single day for 30 years – but most of the recipes were very meaty.

The Best Cast Iron Baking Book by Roxanne Wyss and Kathy Moore
2021

At least one of those godforsaken meals I prepare every single godforsaken day is cooked in one of my grandmother’s cast iron pans so this was right up my street.

Body Harmony by Nicole Berrie
2022

If you, like the author, are heavily into juicing, food combining rules, and sitting on the table with your bare feet beside the bowl of salad you’re tossing, then this book is for you.

Charles Dowding’s Skills for Growing
2022

A really enjoyable, informative book on vegetable growing. I love his spirit of experimentation.

Cookies: The New Classics by Jesse Szewczyk
2021

Some interesting ideas, but I think I prefer the old classics.

Down to Earth by Lauren Liess
2019

Decorating for rich people with homes that are already extraordinary.

Dusty Answer by Rosamond Lehmann
1927

Young Judith Earle grows up next to a country house occupied by five cousins slightly older than her and longs to fit in with them. The complicated relationships among them all continue into their twenties, with immature, naïve Judith learning hard life lessons along the way.

I wasn’t sure about this one at first, but it grew on me. It’s surprisingly modern for a book written almost a hundred years ago.

Flea Market Garden Style by Caroline McKenzie
2022

Books like this always confuse me. Are there really people who decorate their yards with mirrors and rugs and pillows and such? Do they carry them in and out of the house every day or they do they leave everything outside to be ruined within a week?

From Burnout to Balance by Patricia Bannan
2022

Filled with such groundbreaking advice as: eat lots of vegetables, get enough sleep, find a kind of movement you enjoy and do it, etc.

Get Messy Art by Caylee Grey
2021

I expected this to be about lightening up on expectations for artmaking in general, but it’s about creating art journals, which is fine, but not a particular interest of mine.

Knit Like a Latvian…Accessories by Ieva Ozoliņa
2021

Not many patterns I’d make, but I love the colourwork charts. Really lovely work.

Mrs Robinson’s Disgrace by Kate Summerscale
2012

True story: In the mid-19th century, Isabella Robinson was trapped in a marriage to a philandering, money-grubbing, uncaring arsehole and made the mistake of confessing to her journal her lust for the other men in her life. Mr Robinson snooped through the journal while she was ill, became outraged, and took her to divorce court with the journal as a very public Exhibit A.

Depressing and infuriating, but it’s my pick for most fascinating of the month, for sure.

what I read in May 2022

Baking with Dorie by Dorie Greenspan
2021

Dorie’s bakes are more complicated and less healthy than I care for, but it was nice to flip through.

Big Book of Baby Knits by Marie Claire
2021

I prefer my knitting patterns to be for circular needles and these are not. Cute babies, though.

Earth to Table Bakes by Bettina Schormann and Erin Schiestel
2021

Another book of fairly involved recipes geared toward people who like spending time in the kitchen, so, not me then.

Floating in the Deep End by Patti Davis
2021

More personal and focused on the emotional side of caregiving compared to many other books about dementia. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for insight into the caregiving experience.

Knitted Gifts for All Seasons by Wendy Bernard
2021

Ah, Wendy Bernard always produces such good work. Lots of really nice patterns here.

Learning to Speak Alzheimer’s by Joanne Koenig Coste
2003

A few parts are a bit dated, but overall it had a lot of good, practical information and ideas.

Lord Peter Views the Body by Dorothy L Sayers
1928

An entertaining selection of Lord Peter Wimsey short stories. Good for reading before bed.

The Tortoise and the Hare by Elizabeth Jenkins
1954

My favourite read of the month, by far. Imogen Gresham is initially unconcerned about her husband Evelyn’s growing relationship with their neighbour, Blanche, since Blanche is (gasp) 50 years old and not particularly physically attractive. Imogen’s denial persists until it’s too late and while part of me kept wanting to shake her to wake up and smell the coffee, another part of me thought Evelyn a pompous ass and no great loss, frankly. Really enjoyable.

what I read in April 2022

305 Lost Buildings of Canada by Alex Bozikovic and Raymond Biesinger

I love the idea of preserving these lost buildings in print, but it would have been much better with photographs of the buildings, where possible, and more detailed illustrations, where no photos are available.

The Art of Circular Yokes by Kerry Bogert

My favourite method of sweater construction. Some very nice patterns.

Best East Coast Jams, Pickles, Preserves and Breads by Alice Burdick

I don’t make a whole lot of any of these things, but maybe I should. A nice collection.

Helen McNicoll: A Canadian Impressionist by Natalie Luckyj

A great introduction to an incredible artist. Now I need to learn more about her.

Hello, Habits by Fumio Sasaki

A boring, self-indulgent rehash of other people’s research on habits. I’ve probably read a dozen other books on habits that are more useful than this one.

High Vibe Home by Kirsten Yadouga

Declutter. That’s pretty much it.

Lazy Baking by Jessica Elliott Dennison

I am lazy and I like baking so I thought I’d love this book, but I didn’t. Just didn’t suit my tastes.

Nature Crafts by Yukinobu Fujino

Bizarre and impractical “leaf designs” from six Japanese floral designers. I actually laughed out loud at how weird some of these designs are.

The Obesity Code by Jason Fung

He asserts that high insulin levels are the cause of obesity and the way to lower them is a low carb diet and intermittent fasting. I skimmed a fair bit because I just don’t buy that more meat is the answer.

One Tin Bakes Easy by Edd Kimber

Now this baking book I liked a lot. One worth buying.

Pattern Motifs by Graham Leslie McCallum

A great resource.

Rag Rug Techniques for Beginners by Elspeth Jackson

An interesting variety of techniques for using fabric, but nothing that interests me, other than rug hooking.

The Rug Hooker’s Bible by Gene Shepherd

Some good information, but a strangely amateur production.

Strong Poison by Dorothy L Sayers

Another Lord Peter Wimsey book. I enjoy these well-plotted mysteries, but wish Sayers had realised her use of slang and unconventional punctuation would make certain passages hard to decipher for future readers.

When Someone You Know Has Dementia by June Andrews

A lot of really good, practical information and advice.