Book ~ "The Every-Other-Day Diet: The Diet That Lets You Eat All You Want (Half the Time) and Keep the Weight Off" (2013) Krista Varady and Bill Gottlieb

From Goodread ~ "The Every-Other-Day Diet is the perfect diet for me."

That's the satisfied declaration of a dieter who lost 41 pounds on the Every-Other-Day Diet (and kept it off!). You too can expect dramatic results with this revolutionary approach to weight loss that is incredibly simple, easy, and effective. Created by Dr. Krista Varady, an associate professor of nutrition at the University of Illinois, the Every-Other-Day Diet will change the way you think of dieting forever. Among its many benefits:

It's science-tested, science-proven. Dr. Varady has conducted many scientific studies on the Every-Other-Day Diet, involving hundreds of people, with consistently positive results published in top medical journals such as the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Obesity. Unlike most other diets, the Every-Other-Day Diet is proven to work.

It's remarkably simple-and effective. On Diet Day, you limit calories. On Feast Day, you eat anything you want and as much as you want. You alternate Diet Day and Feast Day. And you lose weight, steadily and reliably.

There's no constant deprivation. The Every-Other-Day Diet doesn't involve day after day of dietary deprivation because you can still indulge every-other day.

It's easy to keep the weight off. With other diets, you lose weight only to regain it, the frustrating fate of most dieters. But The Every-Other-Day Diet includes the Every-Other-Day Success Plan, an approach to weight maintenance proven to work in a study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.

This book offers all of the research, strategies, tips, and tools you need to believe in the Every-Other-Day Diet and easily implement it in your life. It also includes more than 80 quick and delicious recipes for Diet Day, as well as a list of tasty prepared foods that make meals as easy as 1-2-3.

The Every-Other-Day Diet is perfect for anyone who wants to shed pounds and feel great, without hunger and defeat.

We all know that the way to lose weight is to eat less and more healthily and exercise more.  Yet I'm always interested in reading the different diet books to see what their approach is.

This one is simple ... you eat 500 calories on "Diet Day" of anything you want and then as much as you want of anything you want the next day ("Feast Day") and keep alternating days (hence the name ... "every other day").  You can have booze but keep in mind that on Diet Day, depending on what you drink, you may not have many calories left for food.

In theory, it makes sense to me.  You are eating about 25% of your usual calories on Diet Day.  Say on  Feast Day you eat what you usually eat which equals 100% of your usual calories.  So between the two days you are eating 125% of your calories rather than 200%.  Then you do it again the next two days and so on.  Even if you overate on Feast Day to 125%, you are still only eating 150% of your calories rather than 200% between the two days.

On Diet Day, you can have whatever you want as long as you don't go over your 500 calories.  The author suggests you skip breakfast and have a 400 calorie lunch or supper and a 100 calorie snack (there are lots of recipes and suggestions included in the book).  Drink lots of water and tea/coffee, chew gum and exercise in the morning.



To back up this theory, she includes her scientific data and true stories of people it's worked for.  There is also a maintenance program along with advice on how/when to exercise and keep your motivation going.

I think Diet Days would be tough ... I don't do hunger well.  I've had to fast and it wasn't fun.  But as the author reminds us, basically you are sucking it up for a day and you can have whatever you want the next.  You aren't depriving yourself of anything because you know you can always have it "tomorrow".

What do you think about a diet where you alternate eating 500 calories one day ("Diet Day") and anything you want the next ("Feast Day")?

Book ~ "The 163 Best Paleo Slow Cooker Recipes: 100% Gluten-Free" (2013) Judith Finlayson

From Goodreads ~ "Delicious and satisfying Paleo diet friendly slow cooker recipes that everyone can enjoy."

Enjoy old standards and new classics with this very topical collection of slow cooker recipes. They've been refined to meet the needs of people who subscribe to the Paleo or Primal lifestyle. The Paleo diet is currently one of the most popular diets being followed today and has been embraced by nearly 1.5 million people in North America. The recipes don't contain any grains or legumes (therefore making all of them gluten-free), no refined sugars, no refined oils or processed ingredients -- the basic principles of the diet.

Slow cookers are hugely popular because they're so convenient and the results so delicious -- all the recipes in this book pay very close attention to Paleo guidelines while also recognizing that there's a wide variety of reasons that people choose to eat Paleo that go beyond weight loss. So there's room to be flexible depending on your personal requirements and expectations of the diet.

It's all here: from great family food to more sophisticated recipes for entertaining, not to mention luscious desserts:

• Starters and Snacks - Eggplant Caviar, Country Terrine, Swedish Meatballs, Braised Tomato Topping 
• Soups - Shrimp Bisque, Double Tomato Soup with Arugula-Walnut Pesto 
• Poultry - Chicken Provencal, Texas-Style Chicken Stew, Tomato-Braised Turkey Breast 
• Fish and Seafood - Braised Swordfish, Caribbean Pepper Pot, Florida Fish Chowder 
• Beef and Veal - Short Ribs in Rich Mushroom Gravy, Meatball Goulash, Mom's Sunday Pot Roast 
• Pork and Lamb - Ancho-Embraced Pork with Tomatillos, Pork Columbo, Irish Stew 
• Meatless Mains - Louisiana Ratatouille, Cumin Beets, Braised Red Cabbage, Onion-Braised Potatoes with Spinach 
• Desserts - The Ultimate Baked Apples, Peruvian Cream.

Now even people who follow the Paleo lifestyle can enjoy easy delectable meals that reflect an outstanding variety of fresh flavors, cuisines and textures.

I've heard of "Paleo" but I didn't know what it was.  We have a slow cooker that I use fairly often.  And with so many people suffering with gluten issues these days, I thought this would be an interesting cookbook to check out.

It starts out by explaining what Paleo is ... Paleo is a diet that is similar to that of our hunter-gatherer ancestors, eating food that is as close to its nature state as possible.  Some key points include:

• increasing your consumption of protein in the form of naturally raised meat and wild fish and seafood
• limiting carbs sources to include fruit and veggies that are low in starch, as well as certain nuts and seeds
• forgetting most of what you have been taught about fat ... as long as it is "natural", fat is fine
• no grains or legumes
• no refined sugars and oils or processed foods

People choose to eat Paleo for a number of reasons including: 

• to lose weight
• to regulate blood sugar levels
• to improve digestive health
• to heal intestinal permeability

The author discusses and justifies foods she has included in the recipes that wouldn't usually be in a Paleo diet like salt, tomatoes, fat, dairy products, etc.  If you are new to slow cooking, you'll find the next chapter helpful because you'll learn the basics of slow cooking.

The recipes are quite detailed with tips, if you can make things ahead, etc.  Here's an example.

For me, the only thing that was missing with the recipes was the nutritional information (calories, amount of protein, etc.).

I'm a fairly fussy eater and was pleasantly surprised that most of the recipes sound really really good and I look forward to trying them.

Here's what we've made from this book:

• Classic Beef Stew
• Down Home Smothered Steak
• Ranch House Chicken Fried Steak

I received a copy of this book at no charge in exchange for my honest review. 

Book ~ "125 Best Indoor Grill Recipes" (2004) Ilana Simon

From Goodreads ~ "Enjoy the ease of grilling year round."

Indoor grills are very popular (especially the George Foreman grill). Millions of consumers rely on this kitchen appliance to create low-fat grilled food without the fuss of an outdoor grill or leaving the kitchen.

125 Best Indoor Grill Recipes includes tantalizing recipes that work anytime - from quick weekday suppers to weekend entertaining:

• Blackened Red Fish - the sizzling southern flavor of New Orleans 
• Greek-inspired Beef Souvlaki with Tzaziki Sauce 
• Cilantro Lime Chicken Caesar Burger - Caesar Salad crossed with a hamburger 
• Portobello Mushroom Burger - the ultimate in vegetarian cuisine 
• Three Meat Panini with Provolone - a simple sandwich taken to new heights 
• Shrimp Satay 
• Southern Fried Chicken 
• Honey Dill Salmon with Dijon 
• Fajitas 
• Teriyaki Chicken

More than 2.5 million indoor grills are sold each year. Indoor grill-chefs will love these great recipes and practical indoor grilling tips and techniques.

When I got this book, I didn't realize it was for indoor grills (like the George Forman grill).  I thought it was for recipes you can grill indoors.  But looking at the recipes, I'm sure they could be adapted ... or perhaps I should go buy an indoor grill!  

If you are considering buy an indoor grill, the author discusses the differences between the different types.  And if you have one and are new to indoor grilling, there are some tips.

The chapters are:

• Appetizers
• Salads and side dishes
• Sandwiches
• Burgers
• Main entrees - beef
• Main entrees - chicken and turkey
• Main entrees - fish and seafood
• Main entrees - pork, lamb and veal
• Desserts

The recipes list tips, if you can make things ahead, variations, etc.  Here's an example of a dessert ... sounds yummy!

The only thing that was missing with the recipes for me was the nutritional information (calories, amount of protein, etc.).

I received a copy of this book at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Book ~ "The Author's Guide to Working with Book Bloggers" (2013) Barb Drozdowich

From Goodreads ~ Do you feel out of your comfort zone when dealing with book bloggers? They are the New Gatekeepers to book publishing success – but how can you tap into that source of free promotions by putting your best foot forward? 

The Author’s Guide to Working with Book Bloggers combines the advice of 215 blogging professionals collected in a survey covering all aspects of communication between authors and Review Blogs. Whether you are a new author or have many titles under your belt, let us demystify the promotion of your book on a book blog. 

You’ll learn about whom and where book bloggers are, and the following:

• The Query
• The Review
• The Giveaway
• The Author Interview
• The Guest Post
• The Book Blurb Excerpt and Cover Reveals 
• and more!

I love to read!  And I post my book reviews on my blog.

That has led me to participating in virtual blog tours for the last couple years ... I've discovered some great authors through these tours.  So I was curious to read this book to see what's recommended from the author's point of view who wants to work with book bloggers like me.

So who are book bloggers?

The only thing that we all have in common is that we love books; we love books so much that we have created blogs to express our thoughts about the books that we read. Book bloggers also have access to a computer. Other than that, they can be male or female (although in my survey there were many more females than males), they can vary in age, quite computer literate, or just barely holding their own as far as technology is concerned. They may be teenagers, sharing their love of Young Adult (YA) as they conquer their high school classes; they may be a stay-at-home mom spending her free time, sharing her thoughts on her favorite books as an escape from the kids. They may be budding authors using a book blog as a way to experiment with their writing. A book blogger may be a parent/child duo, with the parent encouraging the child to read more. They may be newly retired looking for a mental challenge and a way to share their lifelong love of books.

Book blogging is usually a hobby; it is something that is done in a blogger’s spare time. If book bloggers make money from ads on their blogs, it generally isn’t much—it might keep them in lattes. There are a few exceptions, of course, but book blogging and reviewing books is something that book bloggers do for no pay.

Many book bloggers started blogging to simply share their thoughts with other book lovers. Have a look at this selection of the answers that I received when I asked the question “Why did you start book blogging?”

• “Because I wanted to be able to share great books with other readers.”
• “I started reading book blogs after joining GoodReads. I already had other blogs, and felt like book blogging was something fun I could also do. I have an eclectic taste in books, and I wanted to share that beyond GoodReads.”
• “I am very supportive of many changes taking place in the book industry. I am particularly supportive of ebooks and talented Indie and small press authors and LOVE helping spread the word about their books. I also personally enjoy discovering new to me authors who can help support my book addiction.” 
• “I love to read. This was a way to share what I like and to find new books and authors to read.” 
• “To talk with other book lovers, and to have a creative outlet online.” 
• “I wanted someone to discuss books with and there aren't any book clubs in my area.”
• “To have a place to talk about books, to be a part of a community.”
• “I love reading and none of my friends understand, so I decided to join a community that not only understands, but embraces my nerdiness.”
• “To encourage my students, to share my love of books.”
• “I started my blog as a place to put my writing, but when I discovered book blogs I thought ‘I have to be a part of this.’”
• “As a hobby/just for fun.”
• “Nothing is better than finding “that” book. The one that rings your bell. I like helping people find it!”
• “I wanted an outlet to discuss YA literature—not many people in my real life read the same genre/category as I do or even as voraciously. Online seemed the logical place to go to find other readers like me.”
• “To have a place to put my thoughts about the books I read, to meet other people who love reading as much as I do, and to be able to create something to be proud of.”
• “I read a lot. I started writing reviews because I know authors like them. I started posting them to help other readers find great books.”
• “I wanted to share my opinions on books for others to see. Plus, there aren't many people I know in my school who read the same books I do, so it makes it hard to gush.”
• “To share my love of books with the world.”
• “I wanted a way to keep myself writing at least something down. That way I might not get writer's block as often for my writing projects. It is also a way for me to discus my love for books and find new books that are out there.”
• “Because I wanted to find new readers like me who are big romance fans to discuss books with and share this big passion of mine!”
• “To create a space where my kids and I give our opinions about children's books— we don’t always agree!”

The author is a book blogger at Sugarbeat's Books and wrote this book to help authors with her experience.  She'd posted a survey focused at book bloggers on her blog and advertised it on Facebook and Twitter (alas, I never came across it).  Expecting about 50 responses, she heard from 215 book bloggers.  The details and responses from the survey are posted in the appendix.

I enjoyed this book and agreed with the findings of the author.  Yes, I do feel appreciated when an author drops by to comment on a book I've read and reviewed.

I would recommend this book if you are an author who would like to learn how to promote your book using bloggers.

Book ~ "The Complete Migraine Health, Diet Guide and Cookbook: Practical Solutions for Managing Migraine and Headache Pain Plus 150 Recipes" (2013) Lawrence Leung, Susan Hannah and Elizabeth Dares-Dobbie

From Goodreads ~ Despite the prevalence of migraine, tension and cluster headaches in the Western world, headaches still challenge the medical community. While there is no one cause or a specific cure, recent evidence-based research has shown that these headaches are associated with high levels of histamines in the body, and these can be managed effectively through diet and nutrition. "The Complete Migraine Health, Diet Guide and Cookbook" presents this histamine hypothesis as a way for you to understand your headaches and leads you through steps intended to help prevent your headaches, avoid headaches altogether, or rescue you from your headaches when they occur. 

The Migraine Free Program will help you to:

• Identify the signs and symptoms for migraines, cluster, and tension headaches 
• Discover the triggers that cause headaches 
• Understand the medical tests for diagnosing headaches 
• See the various treatments traditionally used by physicians and other healthcare providers, including the use of prescription medications, physiotherapy, and surgery 
• Weigh the benefits and risks of alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, body-mind medicine, and medicinal herbs 
• Understand the role of nutrition and diet in the management of headaches 
• Adopt a healthy meal plan that focuses on enjoying antihistamine headache foods and eliminating foods that increase the risk of headache 
• Select from among 150 recipes as you develop 30-day meal plans. 

The authors bring a unique collection of education, experience, and skills together to guide and support people who suffer from migraine, cluster, and tension headaches.

I've suffered from headaches since I was a kid.  Some people get headaches and they are just a minor annoyance.  For me, it's all or nothing ... I get wicked headaches and unless I do something about it right away when I feel one coming (I've discovered that a generic over-the-counter combo of acetaminophen, caffeine and codeine phosphate gets rid of it), my head feels like it's going to explode and it's hard to function.  So that's why I was interested in reading this book.

It's a great resource for headache and migraine sufferers.  It's made up for four parts:

Part 1:  Understanding Migraine, Cluster and Tension Headaches

• Who gets Migraine, Cluster, and Tension Headaches?
• Possible Causes and Triggers
• How are Migraine, Clubster and Tension Headaches Diagnosed
• Other Associate Conditions

Part 2:  Managing Primary Headaches

• Lifestyle Changes
• The PARR Lifestyle Program
• Medications for Primary Headaches
• Physiotherapy for Primary Headaches
• Surgery for Headaches
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Nutritional and Botanical Supplements
• Dietary Therapy

Part 3:  Low-Histamine Diet Program

• Low-Histamine Diet Principles and Practices
• Low-Histamine Diet Program Cooking Tips
• Low-Histamine Diet Menu Plans

Part 4:   Recipes for Primary Headache Relief

Histamines are simple chemical substances your immune system cells produce when reacting to an antigen, produced in response to foreign invaders like germs and bacteria. They are only produced in localized places and cause inflammation and other reactions. This has some interesting effects. For instance, everyone's had a stuffy nose from time to time. Your nasal congestion is caused by an inflammatory reaction to high blood histamines. Antihistamines, like Benadryl, can deactivate the histamines in your blood.  But histamines do much more than just make you miserable when you have a cold. They also regulate gastric activity and your sleep schedule, and perform numerous functions in your body.

I get headaches when I don't get enough sleep.  But it was interesting to read in detail how food may also trigger them.  In the new year, I'll start tracking my food and see if one or more of the trigger foods bring them on. 

I liked the summary of the food groups in the "Dietary Therapy" section.  At a glance, for example, I read that strawberries, tomatoes and bananas may be trigger foods for me.  In Part 3, there is a detailed listing of foods to avoid, foods to limit, foods to eliminate and foods to enjoy because of the levels of histamine.

Not surprising, anything that is bad for you for many reasons should be avoided or eliminate.  Surprisingly, though, the recipes look good.  Like Lemon-Thyme Roast Chicken, One-Hour Roast Chicken with Sage and Garlic, Honey Lemon Chicken, Oven-Baked Beef Stew, Lemon Yogurt Pops, Blueberry Lemon Cornmeal Muffins, etc.  Along with the recipes is a breakdown of the calorie count, protein, carb and fat count.  I'm looking forward to trying some of the recipes!

I received a copy of this book at no charge in exchange for my honest review. 

Book ~ "Married to Crazy: A Man's Story of Abuse, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Recovery" (2013) Clarkson Graham

From Goodreads ~ Clarkson Graham met and fell in love with Olga, the woman of his dreams. Their courtship, engagement, and eventual marriage followed. As their relationship progressed, Olga’s behavior became progressively more volatile and abusive. All along, Clarkson lived in the hope that he could “fix” her problems and live up to her perplexing expectations, until one appalling event drove him to his breaking point. 

Following therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, Clarkson finally put his life back together again and was then determined to share his experience, and especially what he had learned, with other people—and particularly with other men—who might find themselves in a similar situation.

Clarkson met Olga just before he moved out west for a job.  He was attracted to her but she was engaged to someone else.  When he discovers that she is single again, they start corresponding and he eventually gets a job back in Ontario. Olga is sweet and funny and Clarkson soon falls in love with her.  Because they want to start a family and are getting older, they get engaged and make plans to get married.  Olga begins to change and goes into a rage, freaking out for no reason quite often.  Clarkson loves her and continues on with their plans to get married.  It gets worse and he starts to wonder what he's doing wrong.  He does all he can as she rants that he isn't "validating her emotions" ... until it comes to a point where he loses himself and can't take anymore.

This is Clarkson's story to recovery.  It's interesting to read a story about a man getting emotionally and physically abused (usually it's the woman).  The author had way more patience I would have had.  In his situation, I would have left a lot sooner ... Olga sounds like a nut!  Every time Olga freaked out, I kept hoping that this would be the time that Clarkson finally reaches his breaking point.  I was happy that he finally did.  I hope he is able to recover from this experience and carry on with his life.

From the author ...

“I am not a victim, nor will I be. I am a survivor. As a survivor, I was able to subjugate my feelings of weakness and powerlessness and eventually discover the desire, courage, and fortitude I needed to access the support and resources that were necessary to begin the recovery process. I can say that my continuing growth and development has been defined, in part, by my ability to triumph over a complicated life situation, and now, with this book, I am sharing my knowledge and insight as I continue on my healing journey.“

I'd recommend this book.

Book ~ "Voices: A Coaching Story to Inspire Your Future" (2013) Aileen Gibb

From Goodreads ~ VOICES is a coaching book on how the right questions illuminate choices, possibilities and pathways that you may not otherwise pay attention to in your life and work. 

Written as a series of connected stories, interwoven with perspectives on the future of business and leadership, one of the stories may mirror a crossroads or decision point on your own path, or one of the questions may call to be explored and answered in your own life. 

Simply and elegantly written, VOICES reflects the author's twenty years as an exceptional master-level coach and invites you to hear the unspoken questions which will open up your future.

I like reading books that make me think about how to make my life better.

This book starts with Tashia being approached by Ghoy on behalf of the council of the Future Guides.  The Future Guides are building a new community since how they once ruled no longer fits the need.  Tashia has been chosen to discover what people need.

The book alternates between conversations between Tashia and Ghoy and the Future Guides and the various people Tashia helps out.  Each has a lesson to learn including awareness, acceptance, etc. that we could all use in our lives.  It encourages you ask questions and reflect.

The style is different in that it has the element of fantasy with the Future Guides which took me a while to get used to ... the stories bring it back down to earth again.

Funds from the book sales will be going to support people going through cancer to access complementary therapies such as acupuncture, which are proven to mitigate the extreme fatigue and other side-effects of cancer treatments.

Book ~ "The Massey Murder: A Maid, Her Master and the Trial that Shocked a Country"(2013) Charlotte Gray

From Goodreads ~ A scandalous crime, a sensational trial, a surprise verdict - the true story of Carrie Davies, the maid who shot a Massey.

In February 1915, a member of one of Canada’s wealthiest families was shot and killed on the front porch of his home in Toronto as he was returning from work. Carrie Davies, an 18-year-old domestic servant, quickly confessed. 

But who was the victim here? Charles “Bert” Massey, a scion of a famous family, or the frightened, perhaps mentally unstable Carrie, a penniless British immigrant? 

When the brilliant lawyer Hartley Dewart, QC, took on her case, his grudge against the powerful Masseys would fuel a dramatic trial that pitted the old order against the new, wealth and privilege against virtue and honest hard work. Set against a backdrop of the Great War in Europe and the changing face of a nation, this sensational crime is brought to vivid life for the first time.

This is the true story of Carrie Davies, a poor 18-year-old British girl who was working as a domestic in Toronto for Bert Massey and his family.  Though part of the wealthy Massey family, Bert's side of the family was forgotten/neglected when his father, Charles, died when Bert was a child.  Bert made a living selling cars.

Bert came home one evening and was shot and killed on his porch.  Carrie was found with the gun and admitted to shooting him.  She said she did it because he had tried to "ruin" her ... he had kissed her the day before and had put the moves on her when she was making his bed.  She said she was defending her virtue.

The book details the nine days from the time Carrie was arrested to when she goes to trial for his murder ... the three choices the jury had were murder (which would bring the death penalty), manslaughter or justifiable homicide (no punishment).

Toronto Evening Telegram, Tuesday, February 8, 1915

A picture I took of Bert's house (169 Walmer Road) today, now split into
three apartments.  I wonder if the tenants know they are living in a house
where there'd been a murder.

It was an interesting story ... Torontoist has a great summary if you want to know more of the details (I don't want to give away what happened).

Not only did I learn about murder but it was interesting to read more about what Toronto was like back then ... so different from today.  There is also a lot of information about what was going on at the time ... World War I was happening, women were fighting for their rights including the right to vote, Toronto was growing as a city and Canada was becoming an independent nation.   I live near where the old Massey plants used to be.

I'd recommend this book if you like reading true murder stories and/or you want to learn more about Toronto and Canada at the beginning of the 20th century.

Book ~ "Kicking the Sky" (2013) Anthony De Sa

From Indigo ~ On a steamy summer day in 1977, Emanuel Jaques was shining shoes in downtown Toronto. Surrounded by the strip clubs, bars and body rub parlors of Yonge Street, Emanuel was lured away from his friends by a man who promised some easy money. Four days later the boy's body was discovered. He had been brutally raped and murdered, and Toronto the Good would never be the same. 

The murder of the Shoeshine Boy had particularly tragic resonance for the city''s Portuguese community. The loss of one of their own symbolized for many how far they were from realizing their immigrant dreams.

Kicking the Sky is told from the perspective of one of these children, Antonio Rebelo. Twelve-year-old Antonio prizes his life of freedom and adventure. He and his best friends, Manny and Ricky, spend their days on their bikes exploring the labyrinth of laneways that link their Portuguese neighborhood to the rest of the city. But as the details of Emanuel''s death expose Toronto''s seedier underbelly, the boys are pulled into an adult world of danger and cruelty, secrets and lies much closer to home. 

Kicking the Sky is a novel driven by dramatic events, taking hold of readers from its opening pages, intensifying its force towards an ending of huge emotional impact.

This story takes places in 1977 and revolves around the true story of Emanuel Jaques.  Emanuel was a 12-year-old Portuguese shoeshine boy working on Yonge Street who was lured to an apartment above a rub-and-tug to help move some camera equipment for some quick cash.  Over the span of twelve hours he was tortured and raped and eventually murdered.  I didn't move to Toronto until 1987 so didn't know about this tragedy until I started reading this book.  Gord was born and raised in Toronto and said it was a huge story at the time.

The fictional story revolves around childhood friends Antonio, Ricky and Manny.  They are first-generation Portuguese and live in the Palmerston/Queen Street W area  ... just east of my 'hood so I knew a lot of the landmarks mentioned in the book.  After the death of Emanuel, the Portuguese community becomes very protective.  Twenty-something James moves to a garage in the 'hood the boy starts hanging out with him though there is something about him that makes Antonio uneasy.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I liked it ... it was an interesting story plus it's set in Toronto.  It's written in first person from 11-year-old  Antonio's perspective.  I really got a sense of what it was like to live in Toronto in the late 1970s.  Given the nature of the story, I wasn't expecting it to be a happy one but I was surprised at how dark it was.  The language at times is for a mature reader.

I liked the boys ... each had something wacky to deal with at home.  Antonio's parents have the turmoil of dealing with trying to make it in a new country.  Given that it was a close-knit Portuguese community, we got to know the various family members and neighbours along with their superstitions and beliefs.

I would recommend this book.

Book ~ "Talking with My Mouth Full: My Life as a Professional Eater" (2012) Gail Simmons

From Goodreads ~ When Top Chef judge Gail Simmons first graduated from college, she felt hopelessly lost. All her friends were going to graduate school, business school, law school ... but what was she going to do? Fortunately, a family friend gave her some invaluable advice - make a list of what you love to do, and let that be your guide. Gail wrote down four words:

Eat. Write. Travel. Cook.

Little did she know, those four words would become the basis for a career as a professional eater, cook, food critic, magazine editor, and television star. Today, she's the host of Top Chef: Just Desserts, permanent judge on Top Chef, and Special Projects Director at Food & Wine magazine. She travels all over the world, eats extraordinary food, and meets fascinating people. She's living the dream that so many of us who love to cook and eat can only imagine. But how did she get there?

Talking with My Mouth Full follows her unusual and inspiring path to success, step-by-step and bite-by-bite. It takes the reader from her early years, growing up in a household where her mother ran a small cooking school, her father made his own wine, and family vacation destinations included Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East; through her adventures at culinary school in New York City and training as an apprentice in two of New York's most acclaimed kitchens; and on to her time spent assisting Vogue's legendary food critic Jeffrey Steingarten, working for renowned chef Daniel Boulud, and ultimately landing her current jobs at Food & Wine and on Top Chef. The book is a tribute to the incredible meals and mentors she's had along the way, examining the somewhat unconventional but always satisfying journey she has taken in order to create a career that didn't even exist when she first started working toward it.

With memorable stories about the greatest (and worst) dishes she's eaten, childhood and behind-the-scenes photos, and recipes from Gail's family and her own kitchen, Talking with My Mouth Full is a true treat.

I'm a fan of Top Chef.  Gord had recently read this book and said I'd like it so I thought I'd check it out.

It's Gail's story of being raised in Toronto and her love of food.  After university and writing for magazines for a while, she went to culinary school in New York to follow her dream of working with food.  This book describes the jobs she's had and her career progression to where she is today.

I'm not a fan of cooking ... I cook because I have to eat.  But it was interesting to read Gail's story ... her passion for food comes through.  And it was fun to read the behind-the-scenes of Top Chef.

I liked the writing style.  It got a bit detailed sometimes when she talked about food ... but like I said, I'm not a big fan of cooking.  There were pictures scattered throughout the book along with her food memories at the beginning of each chapter and lots of recipes at the end.

Book ~ "Take Your Photography to the Next Level: From Inspiration to Image" (2007) George Barr

From Goodreads ~ This book is for the photographer who strives to achieve a higher level of results in their work. Take Your Photography to the Next Level is based on a series of essays originally featured on the popular Luminous Landscape website. Barr tackles some of the rarely discussed, yet essential aspects of successful photography. Here is where photographers will learn what is required in order to grow in their creativity and to gain a deeper understanding of their craft. With a foreward by Michael Reichmann. 

Topics include: 

• Creativity Dealing with disappointment 
• Developing an "eye" 
• Making stronger images 
• What photographs well 
• Where to go looking for the best photographic subjects 
• How to approach subject material 
• A great image is just around the corner 
• Dealing with failure 
• Mind games 
• Becoming a self-aware photographer 
• Framing, cropping, & manipulating prints to create mood and transmit your message

I have three cameras ... a Canon point-and-shoot that is usually in my purse, a Nikon D5100 DSLR along with some lenses, and a Nikon CoolPix (that's in between the two) that I use often.  Needless to say, I take a lot of pictures.  Gord and I took some classes last year to learn how to (1) use our cameras in other than auto mode and (2) take photographs, not just pictures.

I'm still an amateur and like reading photography books to see what professionals take pictures of and how they do it.

On a positive note, I thought most of the pictures in this book were really cool.

But to me it seemed like a book the author has written for himself about himself.  Yes, there is some information but I found it was was at a really high level.  He states upfront that this is not a book about "technical matters" but instead "tackles the more difficult questions in photography" ... alas it fell flat for me.  I wasn't crazy about the writing style and found it boring.

Book ~ "Nowhere But Up" (2012) Pattie Mallette

From Goodreads ~ For the first time ever, get the complete story of Justin Bieber's mother's amazing spiritual journey from brokenness and despair to wholeness and hope.

I don't mind Justin Bieber's music but I wouldn't say I'm a fan.  But I enjoy reading bios/autobios and I was curious to see his story along with his mom's.

Pattie is the youngest of three kids (though one died just before she was born).  Her dad left the family when she was two and died less than ten years later just after reconnecting with them.  Her mother eventually remarried but Pattie remained distant to her stepdad.  She was sexually abused during her childhood and felt unlovable.  She fell in with the wrong crowd and drank and did drugs.  She ended up pregnant at 17 and though Justin's father was/is in his life, they didn't stay together.

Pattie raised Justin as a single mom.  Times were tough but she indulged and encouraged Justin's love of music and sports.  He was a hyper kid so these kept him occupied and out of the trouble she had gotten into.  She was definitely a protective mom and I found her likable.

It was an interesting story of a woman who turned her life around.  It was a lot more detailed in the beginning and then sped up after Justin was born.  The writing style was easy to read.

Pattie found God when she was 17.  Her faith is strong, she quotes a lot of scriptures from the Bible and it seems like she depends on God a lot to make her decisions (I'm not religious at all).

I'd recommend this book if you like autobios/bios or are a Bieber fan.

Gord and I go to Stratford a couple times a year for the Stratford Festival.  Here's the Avon Theatre where Justin used to busk (these were taken when we were there in June 2012).

He has a star in front of the theatre now.

Here's Gord standing next to it.

Book ~ "The Way I See It" (2010) Melissa Anderson

From Goodreads ~ Few television celebrities of the 1970s were as widely known and loved as Melissa Anderson. Her big break came at the age of eleven, when she landed an audition for “a pioneer western.  From among more than two hundred young actresses, she was selected to play Mary Ingalls on Michael Landon’s Little House on the Prairie. 

In The Way I See It, Melissa Anderson— remembered by many as “the blind sister, —tells her side of the story for the first time. From life on the set to her relationships on screen and off with other stars, this is a thoroughly absorbing, season-by-season journey into a series that has touched the lives of hundreds of millions of viewers across America and the world. 

I was never a fan of Little House on the Prairie but I like reading bios. I'd read Alison Arngrim's Confessions of a Prairie Bitch last year and enjoyed it.

The author starts the book around the time she got the call to do the audition for Little House on the Prairie.  The book focuses on the show with lots and lots of details of specific shows ... as I said, I wasn't a fan of the show so found it a bit much at times.  She doesn't really talk about her coworkers except to rat Michael Landon out about being short, mean at times, a cheater and smoking drugs.

I didn't really get to know Anderson ... she keeps her own life pretty high level.  For example, there is a mention that she dated Frank Sinatra Jr. when she was about 18 but she doesn't mention when exactly, for how long and why they broke up.  There's no discussion of how her being in the show affected her home life.  I found the writing unemotional.

I'd recommend this book if you are a fan of Little House on the Prairie and want to relive it.

Book ~ "The Vigilante" (2013) Jacqui Morrison

From Goodreads ~ It isn’t safe for men who work in the porn business in the city of Toronto.

When porn producer Sal Turbit is found dead in his apartment, no one seems to care. No one, that is, except Detective Lynette Wilton. Lynette has been a homicide detective for only three months, and has yet to earn her stripes.

Murder is murder no matter who the victim is - and Lynette is out to catch a killer.

Could the killer be Wanda Chambers, a mentally ill woman who hates the “scumbags” who prey on the vulnerable? Wanda’s beloved sister, Cathy, was one such woman. Cathy became a porn actress and then took her own life when her sleazy manager/boyfriend, Gil Lee, wouldn’t let her go.

Lynette’s sergeant doesn’t think it’s possible. Wanda has a debilitating illness. But Lynette believes that Wanda’s hatred and harsh childhood make her a prime suspect, and she proves it by catching Wanda in the act of attempting to shoot Lee.

Renowned defense lawyer Maxine Swayman takes on Wanda’s case; Maxine has a different view of the accused. She wants to help Wanda get the help that she needs and it’s not going to happen in a prison cell.

As the trial proceeds, will Maxine prevail and save Wanda or will Lynette be able to tie Wanda to Turbit’s murder as well? 

When sleazy porn producer Sal Turbit is found murdered in his apartment, police officer Lynette Wilton quickly assumes that Wanda Chambers is the killer. 

Chapter 1

“Hey,” Sal said, “come on in. You’re right on time. Good to meet ya.” He left the visitor in the living room of his shabby apartment in a grungy, low-rent building, and slipped into the kitchen. The metallic pop of a beer bottle opening echoed in the other room. Then another.

Six empty beer bottles, a heaping ashtray, and assorted marijuana paraphernalia were already strewn across his table. The grandfather clock struck four times. Sal stumbled back into the room. “I got you a beer.”

Glassy-eyed, Sal said, “I’ve got lots of great products for you to move today.” He showed the visitor the cover of a DVD. “This one is new. It’ll sell out. She’s a real sweet thing. Told me she was eighteen ’n had the ID to prove it. Likely just some little tramp from nowhere-ville. Came to the big, bad city for excitement––”

The metal felt cool as the visitor pulled out a gun.

“What the hell?” Sal screamed, just before the bullet penetrated his skull.

He fell onto the sofa, blood oozing out the back of his head. His face was contorted, almost angry looking. Certainly surprised.

The spent cartridge from the handgun ricocheted against a metal garbage can––reminiscent of the pop of a beer cap––and then landed on the carpet.

The murderer studied the victim’s splayed body, feeling a sense of elation and satisfaction. Out came a Swiss Army knife, and the killer wordlessly hacked off a section of Sal’s hair, stuffed it into a small plastic bag, and then threw it into a knapsack. The killer then picked up the half-spilled beer that Sal had been handing over when the shot was fired. Perfect. Grinning, the murderer chugged the beer, retrieved the spent cartridge, and smugly looked at Sal Turbit’s still body, now surrounded by pooling blood.

Still wearing leather gloves, the murderer put the beer bottle and hot metal bullet charge into a knapsack and fled, smiling, into the dense night.

Wanda's sister, Cathy, was a porn actress and Sal's girlfriend and client and had committed suicide.  As Lynette trails Cathy, she catches her trying to kill Sal's friend, Gil, and arrests her.  Wanda hires Maxime Swayman as her lawyer and they go to court on charges of attempted murder.

This is the first book I've read by this author and it was okay.  It was a quick read and very high level ... it could have been fleshed out more.  I liked that it was set in Toronto.

The characters all had their own dramas going on.  Wanda is tortured by the death of her beautiful sister and still has regular conversations with her.  She hates men and has had a rough life.  Maxine is dating an older divorced surgeon who seems perfect.  Lynette lives on a farm north of Toronto with her mother.  She is tormented by nightmares every night where she wakes up screaming.  She wants to know more about her father, who took off to Alberta (never to be heard from again) before she was born but her mother won't talk about it.  I found her mother's reluctance to talk about her father odd since Lynette did have a right to know about him.

Book ~ "A Tap on the Window" (2013) Linwood Barclay

From Goodreads ~ It’s been two months since private investigator Cal Weaver’s teenage son, Scott, died in a tragic accident. Ever since, he and his wife have drifted apart, fracturing a once normal life. Cal is mired in grief, a grief he can’t move past. And maybe his grief has clouded his judgment. Because driving home one night, he makes his first big mistake.

A girl drenched in rain taps on his car window and asks for a ride as he sits at a stoplight. Even though he knows a fortysomething man picking up a teenage hitchhiker is a fool, he lets her in. She’s the same age as Scott and maybe she can help Cal find the dealer who sold his son the drugs that killed him. After a brief stop at a roadside diner, Cal senses that something’s not right with the girl or the situation. But it’s too late. He’s already involved.

Now Cal is drawn into a nightmare of pain and suspicion. Something is horribly wrong in the small town of Griffon in upstate New York. There are too many secrets there, too many lies and cover-ups. And Cal has decided to expose those secrets one by one.

That’s his second big mistake.

Cal and Donna's son, Scott, had recently died ... he was high on Ecstasy and jumped off a roof.  Cal and Donna are grieving and it's affecting their marriage ... they feel guilty that they hadn't done enough as parents.  Cal's mission is to find out who gave Scott the drugs and make them pay.

Cal is driving home one night and when he stops at a light, Claire taps on his window, asking for a drive home.  He initially says "no" because he's in his forties and she's a teenager.  But when she says that she knew Scott he figures it's okay.  She wants to make a stop on the way and that's when things go wrong.  Cal, a private detective, won't let it go until he figures out what's going on.

I've read many of this author's books and I liked this one.  It had an interesting storyline.  It's a long book, though ... the writing could have been tighter but it got more exciting and the pace picked up toward the end when things were coming together.

It's written in first person, in Cal's voice, so we know what it going on in his head.  There are some chapters that are written in third person in italics but you don't know who the focus is.  I figured it out about halfway through and it was fun to see the author do the reveal.

I liked the characters.  Cal and Donna are surviving the best they can.  The majority of the characters were interesting and not so innocent in their daily lives ... police corruption, infidelity, etc.

Though I've enjoyed some of his other books more, I'd recommend this book.

Book ~ "Stranglehold" (2013) Robert Rotenberg

From Goodreads ~ Bestselling author Robert Rotenberg is back with his most shocking book yet, featuring Detective Ari Greene in the fight of his life.

It’s just after Labour Day and the city is kicking back into gear. All eyes are on the hotly contested election for Toronto’s next mayor and crime is the big issue. Greene is no stranger to the worst of what the city has to offer but even he is unprepared for what happens next when he stumbles upon a horrific homicide.

In one nightmare moment his world is flipped upside down. Soon he is pitted against his young protégé, Daniel Kennicott, who arrests him for first-degree murder.

Tied down on house arrest as he awaits his trial, Greene has to find a way to not only clear his name but to face some very hard truths: that he didn’t really know the people he believed in most; that there are unseen forces at work prepared to see him take the fall; and most of all, that he should never underestimate the price people will pay for love. 

Stranglehold is Rotenberg’s fourth gripping mystery set on the streets and in the courtrooms of Toronto, capturing audiences with his masterful knowledge of the intricacies of the criminal justice system and understanding of the emotions that make people tick.

Ari Greene is a cop and having an affair with Jennifer Raglan, a Crown prosecutor, who is married.  For the last six Monday mornings they have been meeting in a seedy motel. This would be the last time because Jennifer was going to leave her husband and they will be together.  When Ari arrives at the seedy motel, he discovers her dead.  He thinks he sees the killer running away and without thinking, he takes off after him/her.

Daniel Kennicott is the officer in charge of the investigation and, though they are friends and colleagues, he eventually arrests Ari for the murder.  What follows is the trial where Ari will either be proven innocent or sentenced to 25 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. 

This the fourth book by Rotenberg I've read and I enjoyed it.  It's the fourth in a series ... I like reading series because we get to know the characters, who I liked.  In this book, Ari is fighting for his life while grieving for his lover.  Not only has he lost his love but he could also lose his freedom.  And during all this, he is still sensitive to not hurting Jennifer's husband and three kids.  Though Daniel has arrested Ari, he is torn between being a cop and a friend when he starts to doubt that Air actually did it.  Though we don't find out who killed Jennifer until the end, it starts to become obvious whodunnit and it's interesting to find out why.

I like that it's set in Toronto.  The author is quite specific in the locations so I know exactly where the action is taking place and have been to a lot of these places.  In fact, I had attended a reading by the author in one of the locations mentioned in this book, the Deer Park Library, in September 2011.  I've been to the McDonald's at Church/Queen E where Ari seeks out Dent.  I've hung out in Daniel's College Street 'hood.  I've been to Ireland Park and have seen the sculptures commemorating the tens of thousands who fled Ireland during the Great Famine.

Book ~ "Too Close" (2013) Elizabeth Krall

From Goodreads ~ What rules would you break for the one you love? What lies would you tell?

Three weeks before their wedding day, Nicola and Greg discover that they may have the same mother.

They met when Greg joined the San Francisco newspaper where Nicola is the travel editor. After six months, eager to start a life together and raise a family, they decide to marry.

When Nicola finally meets his family in Seattle and mentions the circumstances of her adoption, Greg’s horrified mother is forced to reveal the shameful secret she has kept for 36 years.

As they struggle to deal with her revelation, their relationship is challenged and strained. If his mother’s suspicions are true, they will be forced into a devastating choice: break all of society’s rules and fight for their love, or break their hearts and give each other up. It will be the greatest test their newfound love has faced – and their love may not survive.

Nicola and Greg have both had their hearts broken.  Nicola breaks her "no dating anyone at the office" rule when Greg joins the newspaper as an accountant.  Very quickly they fall in love and make plans to get married.  Those plans all come crashing down when Nicola meets Greg's mother, Mona, for the first time a couple weeks before the wedding.  Mona reveals that when she was a teenager, she was messed up on drugs, ran away with a band, got pregnant by one of the band members (she doesn't know which one) and gave the baby away to a stranger in a park ... and Nicola might be that baby (she was adopted).

Very quickly Mona and Nicola do DNA tests and mail them away.  As they wait for the results, things understandably get tense between Nicola and Greg and their families.

Scene: Nicola and Greg have returned to San Francisco after the weekend in Seattle with Greg’s family. Their fight is unresolved, and he dropped Nicola at her apartment and then drove off. Nicola has been to Sausalito to tell her parents what Greg’s mother said, and now she has arrived at the marina where Greg’s boat is moored.

The marina’s parking lot was still and quiet when she arrived shortly after 11pm. A faint mist hung over the dark, calm waters, and she shivered in the cold. It crossed her mind that he might not be here. He could have gone to see Sam and Debbie, needing reassurance and comfort as strongly as she had. He’d certainly had none of that from her today. Would he even want to see her?

Please be here! Nicola thought, as she ran towards the pontoon. Please be happy I’m here. I’m sorry I was such an idiot!

The security gate across the pontoon brought her to an abrupt halt. Locked, and at this hour there was no one conveniently coming or going. She fumbled out her phone.

“Oh, my darling!” he said. The tears welled again as she heard the joy and relief in his voice. “I should never have let you go off like that. Where are you? At your parents’ house, or your place?”

“Actually, I’m in front of your security gate.” There was no reply. “Greg?”

Then she heard the sound of feet slapping against the wooden walkway and saw his dark form running towards her along the pontoon, from bright to shadow to bright as he ran under the overhead lights. He wrenched open the gate and they were in each other’s arms, laughing and apologizing and not quite crying, and kissing as if it was their only hope of salvation.

Nicola and Greg try to carry on as if things were normal ... Greg believes the results will be negative so it's a non-issue.  Nicola, though, is thinking about the various options:

1. If the results are negative, they carry on and get married as planned.
2. If the results are positive, they break up and never see each other again, which would break their hearts.
3. If the results are positive, they stay together (but don't get married) and don't have kids.  This is incest, thus illegal, and both could be sent to prison for a couple years.  This also goes against Greg's religious beliefs as it would be a sin.

Interesting premise, right?

I liked this story and was curious to see how the author would end it (I'm not going to spoil it so you'll have to read it for yourself!).  I liked the writing style and kept wanting to read more so I could see if Nicola and Greg were indeed half-siblings and how they'd deal with it.

For the most part, I liked Nicola and Greg.  I got turned off from Greg at times and thought he was an A-hole, though, when he went into his "holier than thou" rants and stormed off.  I would have liked to learned more about Mona and why she had run away as a teenager and did the things she did.  Plus once her big reveal happened and they did the DNA tests, she pretty much disappeared.  Nicola and Greg went Fifty Shades a couple times which I thought wasn't necessary because it took away from the main story ... it didn't fit in the story for me.

I'd recommend this story if you are looking for a different kind of love story.  As a head's up, the language and activity are for a mature reader.

Book ~ "The Big Book of Dumb White Husband" (2013) Benjamin Wallace

From Amazon ~ If you're not him, you know him.

He's challenged the grocery store. He's confronted the HOA. He's even taken on Santa himself. He doesn't usually win. These are the tales of the Dumb White Husband and they are all available here in this collected edition.

1. Dumb White Husband vs. the Grocery Store - John would rather sit and watch the game but his wife needs some things at the store. Can he complete the list and get back in time to see the end of the game? 
2. Dumb White Husband vs. Halloween - Every Halloween, Chris has the scariest house on the block and gives out the best candy. But this year someone is showing him up and he'll stop at nothing to find out who. 
3. Dumb White Husband vs. Santa - Erik has planned the perfect Christmas for his family. The plan is foolproof, bulletproof and flame retardant. Nothing can undo the hours of planning and preparation. Nothing except maybe odd-shaped packages, ill-timed fruitcakes or an errant neighborhood Santa Claus. 
4. Dumb White Husband vs. the Tooth Fairy - Erik always has a plan and he's sure he would have figured out the whole Tooth Fairy thing eventually. But when his three-year-old son takes a frisbee to the mouth, he's forced to speed things up. Between neighborhood kids with big mouths and unhelpful dentists he's going to need to improvise. Will he bend to the pressure of inflation? Will he get caught in the act? And, what do you do with those teeth anyway? 
5. Dumb White Husband for President (A novella) - There comes a time in every man's life when he must stand for the things he believes in. John doesn't believe in bagging his grass. So when a new allergy-prone neighbor gets the HOA to require it, there's only one thing he can do - run for President of The Creeks of Sage Valley Phase II. John, Chris and Erik put aside most of their differences to run a campaign that they hope will see John elected as President and end the meddling of the rule-loving new kid on the block. Will they succeed? It's doubtful.

There are five stories in this book and they feature neighbours Erick, John and Chris ... who don't like each.  The stories are cute and funny.  My favourite was Dumb White Husband vs. Santa ... all the husband wants to do is wrap gifts and he keeps getting interrupted by his neighbours giving him gifts.

It's a fun book if you are looking for something light.

Book ~ "Hidden" (2013) Catherine McKenzie

From Goodreads ~ When a married man suffers a sudden fatal accident, two women are shattered - his wife and someone else's - and past secrets, desires and regrets are brought to light. 

While walking home from work one evening, Jeff Manning is struck by a car and killed. Not one but two women fall to pieces at the news: his wife, Claire, and his co-worker, Tish. Reeling from her loss, Claire must comfort her grieving son and contend with funeral arrangements, well-meaning family members and the arrival of Jeff’s estranged brother - her ex-boyfriend - Tim. 

With Tish’s co-workers in the dark about her connection to Jeff outside the workplace, she volunteers to attend the funeral on the company’s behalf but only she knows the true risk of inserting herself into the wreckage of Jeff’s life. Told through the three voices of Jeff, Tish and Claire, Hidden explores the complexity of relationships, our personal choices and the responsibilities we have to the ones we love.

On a Friday right after firing the man who had hired him, Jeff decides to walk home, gets hit by a car and is instantly killed.  When his wife, Claire, is told the news a couple hours later, she is understandably devastated.  Her friends and family (including Jeff's family) gather around her to help her and her son, Seth, get through it.

Tish and Jeff worked for the same company but in different cities.  They met at a conference, kept in touch and have gotten close through texting, emails and meeting again at other conferences.  Tish wondered why Jeff hadn't responded to her emails and texts all weekend.  She is also devastated when she learns on Monday of his death but, unlike Claire, she has to keep it to herself so her co-workers, her husband and her daughter don't realize the true extent of her grief.

This story tackles an interesting dynamic ... a man with a wife and a close female friend ... and the interactions between the two when he suddenly dies.

This story is written in the first person, with the point of view shifting around between Jeff to Claire to Tish.  This way we get to know each of these characters, what they were thinking and why they've done what they've done.  Each speaks of the past so though the story starts with Jeff's death, we get filled in on their histories.  It was an interesting style when it was Jeff's point of view considering we know he's already dead.  Of the three main characters, I liked Jeff the best and felt sorry that he was dead ... he seemed like a nice guy.  Though I should have been sympathetic, I couldn't warm up to Claire or Tish.

Book ~ "I Have My Mother's Eyes: A Holocaust Memoir Across Generations" (2009) Barbara Ruth Bluman

From Goodreads ~ In "I Have My Mother's Eyes: A Holocaust Story Across Generations", author Barbara Ruth Bluman chronicles her mother's dramatic journey from Nazi-occupied Poland to western British Columbia, where her legacy lives on. 

Bluman sets an urgent and intimate tone as she follows Zosia Hoffenberg from her genteel upbringing in Warsaw through the shock of the Blitzkrieg and on to her escape from Europe through the Soviet Union and Japan. That escape required the help of Chiune Sugihara, the Japanese consul in Lithuania, who defied his superiors and helped several thousand Jews to flee. Bluman also reveals how, even as she was recording her mother's tale of survival, cancer was ravaging her own body. 

In this interwoven narrative, Bluman explains how she garnered strength from her mother's account as a refugee, as she "stared death in the face." These twin narratives blossom out of salvaged journal entries and letters, and from the photographs of family members who have reunited after years of displacement. A celebration of the universal struggle for survival, "I Have My Mother's Eyes" offers a hopeful response to one of history's darkest times.

Gord had won this book from the Book Mine Set a couple years ago and I finally picked it up and read it.

This book has two stories.  One is that of Zosia, the youngest daughter of Symcha, a fairly well-to-do Jewish businessman living in Poland during WWII.  It tells of Zosia's harrowing escape to Canada via Lithuania, Russia and Japan after she meets and marries Nathan.

The second story is that of the author, Barbara, who is the daughter of Zosia.  She tells of meeting and marrying and then the heartbreak when her husband left her for another woman.  She discovered she had cancer while writing this book (and eventually died) ... Barbara's daughter, Danielle, finished the book in honour of her grandmother and mother.

It's an interesting story ... I can't imagine what it was like going through what they did to survive and not knowing if your family was still alive.  The writing style was well-paced and I enjoyed this book.

There are lots of pictures so you can put a face to the people in the book along with a family tree (which I found helpful).