January 18, 2010
Canada Reads 2010: Independently UPDATE 2
I’m going to be reading Carrie Snyder’s Hair Hat in just a book or two, which I’m looking forward to, particularly to seeing how another collection of linked stories compares to Century. Perhaps the most frustrating thing about this kind of exercise is having to compare books that are worlds apart, and yet it is looking for commonalities that opens up all kinds of avenues that might not otherwise be explored. It is definitely, I think, a worthwhile exercise.
Though it’s going to be tough– last year, when I read the Canada Reads books, at least I had the benefit of hating one book, and not being terribly impressed by two others, which made deciding my favourite not altogether difficult. Probably my feelings towards this year’s picks are going to be a little more passionate, and rankings will be infinitely more brutal to decide.
My other updates are fairly close to home– my husband is currently reading and loving Moody Food. This week, my mom has read How Happy to Be and Wild Geese, and was pretty crazy about the latter. Steven W. Beattie dares to offer a bit of support to Ray Smith’s Century with a wonderful comment on my review. Century champion Dan Wells’ responds to my Century reaction. And I know some other marvelous readers with the Canada Reads Independently stack just ready to be delved into; are you one of them?
If you’re reading along, do email me your reactions to the books and I’ll include them in the weekly updates, or leave a comment on the blog. And stay tuned for details of how to vote for your favourite Canada Reads Independently pick to decide who comes out on top.
Moody Food a novel from Ray Robertson is on my list long time and it's good to hear that your husband likes it. Friend of mine has suggested it to me quite long time ago and according to his words Ray Robertson is his most favorite Canadian novelist so I hope it will be worth the time.
Good luck,
Julie
I read Hair Hat this weekend – pretty much in one sitting – and will be posting something on my blog in the next day or two about it. My short take: beautiful – seemingly effortless – prose, and both whimsical and sad (often in the same story). I was worried in the first couple of stories about the man with the hair hat being overly gimmicky, but it eventually played itself out and made sense. It's quite a wonderful work.
I'm about 70 pages into Moody Food. It's fun, although I don't find the writing as "sharp" as the Snyder book. But I'll withhold anything more critical until I reach the end.
Hats off to Hair Hat!
Kerry, you are a brave soul, taking on this task. I would find it very difficult, making preferences from a list of all very good books.
And if you don't make Hair Hat your #1 choice, I promise I will still love you, and will only cry a little.
I've just posted my two cents worth on Wild Geese! I hope I can keep up!
I'm looking for people to comment on my first blog question about The Jade Peony, if you would like to weigh in!