Mandy's 2007 Must Read List

People have been inquiring about a follow up to last year's "Prostituting My Literacy" post about the year's best reads as experienced by moi. Since I live to give, I figured I'd better come through with a 2007 edition of great reads. Well, that and the fact that I feel moderately guilty about taking such long leaves of absence from paying attention to my blog. I apologize to anyone who checks it with any regularity whatsoever. I hope that this EXTRA good list and my 2 following entries this month will offer me some redemption.

I had lunch with a friend and former coworker the other day which was lovely, but it forced me to acknowledge that I haven't been doing nearly enough reading as of late. I actually came across a couple books this year that I loved so much, I just kept rereading them instead of actually picking up anything new. That being said, upon further consideration I realize that my reading list may not be as pathetic as I feared at first glance. I'll commence with the ones that were so good, I was compelled to read them 4 times each...this year alone. Here we go. :o)

The Time Traveler's Wife
by Audrey Niffenegger

This novel is so good that it nearly renders me speechless (astounding, I know). All I find myself capable of saying over and over again is "You have to read it". The premise may sound a little hokey, but I assure you, it's done so brilliantly, I actually had to force myself to take a few months off reading it.

Essentially, it's a love story. The main character, Henry, is a librarian who involuntarily and virtually without warning is thrust through time periodically. This time travelling is incredibly distressing, as I'm sure you can imagine should the same thing happen to you. This is an unfortunate fate that he first suffers as a child and is doomed to suffer for the remainder of his life. Through his experiences, he discovers that he continually travels mostly back in time and mostly to significant events he's experienced. When he is well into adulthood, he surprisingly finds himself making brief visits to his wife's childhood. He befriends Claire when she is just 6 years old. Henry becomes a significant figure in young Claire's life, especially since she lives life in the normal chronological way. Henry comes and goes throughout her childhood, leaving Claire longing for a chance to meet him in real time to start a life together. When this, in fact, does happen though, Henry has no idea who she is since he has not yet met her. It is fascinating to watch them fall in love twice...once from the perspecitive of a young Claire with Henry knowing all the answers, and once from the perspective of a 20-something Henry with Claire knowing all the answers. It is an enchanting and spellbinding story of the bonds we make and the depths of which we are capable of experiencing love. I seriously can't say anything at all to do this book any justice. Please just read it.

As an interesting sidenote, filming commenced for the movie adaptation in Toronto this past August. It stars Eric Bana as Henry and Rachel McAdams as Claire. I'm more than a little bitter about this since I would have wanted to be Claire, but whatever. In any case, please read the book, don't wait for the film because it will surely pale in comparison.

Lamb: The Gospel According to Bif, Christ's Childhood Pal
by Christopher Moore

Sweet mother of god, this is the funniest book I have ever read and I've read it a million times this year. I have also given away and sold so many copies that Christopher Moore himself should send me a personal thank you....or better yet, a signed first edition hardcover of the book. ;o)
I think the title gives you a pretty good idea of what this is all about. It follows the fictional life of Christ, or Josh as Bif calls him, throughout the years the bible doesn't follow. It starts when he's about 6 and follows him for the rest of his life. Bif is Josh's trouble-attracting sidekick and best friend in the whole wide world. They embark on a number of journey's together, many of which are actual events referred to in the bible, but with a fictional spin. This novel was very well researched and still upholds an appropriate level of respect towards Jesus, should you be concerned about that. It illustrates Joshua's struggle to figure out how to be the Messiah and his attempts at understanding sin (Bif's favourite part since it means he has Christ's permission to get it on with some ladies so he can recount what sin is like...all in the name of friendship of course). Bif has a huge crush on the Mary formerly known as "virgin" which Josh doesn't respond all that well to. "Don't let anyone ever tell you that the Prince of Peace never struck anyone". Moore is a master of his craft and downright flaunts it in this hilarious account of what Christ might have been like. I laughed out loud through much of this novel and I love, love, LOVE it!! Please do yourself a favour and read it. You won't be sorry. :o)

The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak

Oh, The Book Thief. This book can actually be found in the teen fiction section of your favourite neighbourhood book store, but that doesn't mean it is only appropriate for teens. I received this book from this year's Random House conference and couldn't wait to get started (more about this year's Random House conference below)!

This novel is narrated from the point of view of the angel of death during world war two. It is largely historical fiction, set in Germany and this loveable grim reaper takes a particular interest in a girl he comes across when he shows up to take her brother. He tells you of her life fleeing to safety, being raised by strangers, and how she becomes a book thief. It is an easy read, but a great one. It isn't every day that you get to hear about a girl that the angel of death is enamoured with. A great story about love, friendship, hope and making your own family when the ones you were dealt can't be with you. It was great.

The Year of Living Biblically
by A. J. Jacobs

Ok, this was also an advanced reading copy of mine that I'm so glad I came across! I knew of this author from his first work "The Know-It-All", which he wrote about reading the entire encyclopedia brittanica from A to Z, but I had not actually read anything by him. I'm not gonna lie to you, I mostly just wanted to read it because I was optimistic that it might help me control my urge to read Lamb a fifth time.

This is a non-fiction read, in case you didn't know that, and can actually be found in the biography section. A. J. was raised in a Jewish home and identified as a jew, but realized that he knew very little about the torah and what the bible really wants you to be doing. To this end, he decides to pick up the bible and actually read through all of it, marking down the rules he is to follow, as literally as possible. He decides to devote most of the year to the old testament, since it takes for-freaking-ever to get the rules down on that, and the latter portion adding the new testament learnings. What he finds is that there are an AWFUL lot of rules that are incredibly difficult (if not impossible) to follow, his wife doesn't appreciate being declared "unclean" for a week a month and forbidden from not only contact with him, but contact with any of the same inanimate objects, and most importantly, he gains an entirely new appreciation for any and all religions and the commmitment it takes to truly be a part of one. It was a really interesting read in which I learned a thing or two and I found that, between bouts of overt laughter that attracted attention from strangers around me, it made me think. It was a good read that I'd recommend to anyone.

The Other Side of the Bridge
by Mary Lawson

This author is better known for her first book, Crow Lake. I have read and enjoyed both, and would recommend Crow Lake as well, but there was just something about her second kick at the can that I found absolutely incredible.

For those of you that haven't read any Mary Lawson, she is an Ontario born and bred author who has set both her stories in fictional towns in nothern Ontario. Both books focus on something significant and tragic happening within the family that sets in motion an unchangeable series of events in the lives of the characters.

In The Other Side of the Bridge, she manages to create a very powerful story told from two different perspectives, in two different times focused on one person. One of these narrators is Arthur, the son of a farmer and the focus of the story. Told from his point of view as he's growing up in the 30's, we see his intense sibling rivalry with his brother, jealousy, and the paths both he and his brother must go on to survive their experiences first hand. The other is a teenage son of the small town's doctor who lives in the same community as Arthur, allowing us a glimpse at the man Arthur has become.

It is powerfully written, emotionally gripping and will not let go until you witness the last series of actions to drastically alter life for all of our characters.

Fifteen Days: Stories of Bravery, Friendship, Life and Death From Inside the New Canadian Army
by Christie Blachford

I am almost incapable of speaking about this book. In fact, I have found it so powerful that I have not yet even finished reading it, but still I will recommend with reckless abandon. I think that everyone in this country should pick up this book, if for no other reason than to truly understand what these brave men and women do for our country every single day.

Christie Blachford has written a breath taking account of life in Afganistan for our soldiers. Through countless interviews with our troops overseas, she was able to piece together 15 days of particular importance to our countrymen and it is told solely through their eyes. She is but a vessel used to tell the stories of these soldiers and their families. You watch the events through their eyes, seeing it so clearly it's as if you're sitting right there by their side. It is an incredible testament to the sheer will power, courage and humanity of our troops. The least we can all do is read it and muster up some newfound appreciation for what they do for us. I assure you, you will never look at or think about any soldier, past, present or future, the same way again.


More on this year's Random House conference:

Hitman

by Bret "The Hitman" Hart

For you wrestling fans out there, a club of which I cannot claim to be a part, The Hitman has a new book out about his life AND I got to chat with him! And I have proof! Woo!
--->

He has led a very interesting life and overcome some seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Bret is a fascinating, strong and articulate man...and I hope to be his next wife. Thank you Random house!! :o)




Ok everyone, I hope this offers you some direction in which to seek out your next reads. Should you desire any additional assistance, please do not hesitate to ask. Happy reading! :o)