Author: Galloway, Steven

The author also wrote The Cellist of Sarajevo which was a wonderful book. This one – not so much.

I don’t know how much of it was based on fact but the only thing I found interesting were the few explanations of Houdini’s magic tricks. The story alternates between Houdini’s voice and the voice of Martin Strauss, the man in the book who was said to have caused Houdini’s death. The circumstances of Houdini’s death appear to be real but Martin was not the man accused of the death. Added to the confusion is Martin’s diagnosis of tinnitus, which according to Martin, caused him to imagine things that really didn’t happen.

Goodreads Rating: * *

Author: Buck, Pearl S.

When I clear off my bookshelves I really hate to donate a book I haven’t read. I’m sure this one originally came from Mum and Dad’s shelf. From the cover it looked dated but I enjoyed a previous book by Buck so I started this one.

Although the cover photo is dated the story is timeless. First published in 1951 it tells the story of two American boys, raised in China, where their fathers were missionaries. William was raised in a household with servants catering to his every need; he attended school along with some posh English boys who looked down on him. Clem, on the other hand, was raised in poverty and never attended school. What he as able to learn he taught himself from the few books he was able to find.

Fast forward to when both boys are back in America. William has been very successful in starting newspapers and he feels he can never be rich enough. Clem has struggled financially but through hard work he also became a millionaire. What each of these men do with their money is on opposite ends of the scale.

We need more Clem’s in the world today.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Byrne, Anna

I was honoured that, after complimenting Anna on her book, she asked me to write a review for Amazon and Goodreads. Here’s what I wrote:

When I was living through a health issue Anna hosted a workshop based on her first book – Seven Year Summer. It shifted my perspective on the end of life and specifically my own demise. 

In none of my imagining could I come up with a lovelier way to leave this world than that described in this book. Mary was unique in the way she lived her life so it shouldn’t be a surprise that her death was also very unique. The commitment of her “dying team” is a powerful testament to community. That Anna was talented and brave enough to tell Mary’s story is a gift to everyone who reads it.

Goodreads Rating: * * * * *

Author: Boyne, John

I downloaded this book for our recent Saskatchewan trip and completely forgot about it until I got a notice that it was due in a couple of days. I was able to renew it for three weeks but it only took a week to finish it.

As I started reading I thought it was more of a children’s story and I could see reading it aloud to someone about the same age as Noah. I had a bit of an insight into what the story was really about very close to the end when the second character in the story wishes he had never become a real boy. Yes, it is the story of Pinnocchio but long after Geppetto has died.

I’m not so sure it is a good kid’s story but I certainly enjoyed it.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *