The rainy season is here, so now is the time to curl up in front of the fire with a warm blanket and a good book. Spending a dreary day reading is one of my favorite things to do. I don't feel like I should be outside working in the garden or going for a walk; instead I allow myself to immerse myself in another world and forget that I have a bunch of marking to do - at least for a short time.
During the school year, I tend to read books that are easy and not too deep. I leave the more challenging reading for times when I can devote more of my brain to it. I also read more than one book at the same time. I pick them up at different times, depending on my mood.
The first book I am reading is called The Book Thief, by Markus Zuzak. It's a book about a young German girl living through the hardships of Nazi Germany, before and during World War II. The thing I noticed first about this book, is that the girl is not the narrator - death is! It is quite cleverly done, and, as you can imagine, it's also tragic at times - which is why it's taking me a longer time to read it. Sometimes I have to take a break and read something mindless. But it is a great book about the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. I would recommend it to any reader who likes a serious theme and beautifully written language.
Another book that I have been reading is called My Year of the Racehorse by Kevin Chong. This is a great non-fiction read. It is about a young man who buys into a racehorse so he can explore more about owning, and racing horses at Hastings Park in Vancouver. I like that this is a local story. Kevin Chong is a reporter and he has a way with words - he is both clever and funny. I am early on in the story, but I think it would be a good book for anyone who likes language, whether they are interested in horses or not.
The third book I am currently reading is called Murder in the North End by PB Ryan. This is my candy. Its a book series about an Iris governess in Boston named Nell Sweeney. I think this is the 4th book in the series I have read. I have this book on my I-pad and I read it when I am making dinner or watching tv (during commercials) or doing anything else that doesn't require my full attention. It's a highly enjoyable little series of mysteries - relatively intelligent, but not too taxing. I can read one of the stories in a day or two without even trying. If you like historical mysteries this may be the book series for you.
