The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story by Lemony Snicket. Illustrated by Lisa Brown

Published by McSweeney's
Distributed by Publisher's Group Canada

A unique tale set in a small cottage, within a tiny village - the only cottage not adorned with the bright and cheery Christmas lights and decorations that could be easily seen on every other home. A piercing cry shatters the stillness of the night and so begins a wild adventure. A runaway latke has a number of encounters during which he explains not only his own existence but also the traditions and history of the holiday known as Hanukah.

Just a glance at this cover will show what a treasured book this is destined to be. With its hard cover in a rich, deep red which is foil-stamped, it seems almost too pretty to read. Maybe it's just the book-lover in me but I just adore some of the covers out there as much as I love the contents within. When you open this book the illustrations inside are just as delightful albeit more of a simplistic style. It was a fun - and strange - little book. I would even say whimsical, A great resource for teaching all children, from any background, the basics about Hanukah.

Author's website: http://www.lemonysnicket.com/

America's Report Card by John McNally

Published by Free Press - An Imprint of Simon & Schuster

Meet Janie. Janie was a pretty normal student with good grades and a great attitude. Now she finds herself sporting green and purple hair, skipping school and trying not to think about why her brother spends so much time hiding in the attic. She also has to deal with the suicide of one of her favourite teachers, a teacher who left her a mysterious letter.

Charlie and Petra are in love. Petra is Russian and simply oozes sex appeal. Charlie is average. Both decide to get a job with the National Testing Centre to tide them over the summer. They can’t help but wonder why their co-workers include homeless people and drunks. One day while marking essays, Charlie discovers an essay written by a young girl who claims that her teacher was killed and the people responsible are now in pursuit of her. Charlie doesn't know quite what to make of it but since Petra seems to have vanished and nothing else is holding him back, he transfers so that he can investigate.

What follows next is an unforgettable adventure containing the main characters plus many other colourful additions such as a female hypnotist who is a nymphomaniac and an ex soldier who believes he is the next Son of God.

This book was an amusing read for me. I was chuckling to myself early in the book and I loved that the author has a great talent for weaving tales. I found myself constantly trying to fill in the blanks while the author seemed to tease by sprinkling hints throughout.

The characters are well written, memorable and easy to connect with. I don’t honestly think there was even one that I didn’t care about in some way. The plot is equally well done, thought provoking and energetic. I would love to see more teens reading this one but given some of the controversial content it’s not likely to happen. If you haven’t read this one yet, please do. I wish I hadn’t left it unread on my shelf for so long.

Author's website: http://www.bookofralph.com/

The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories by Susanna Clarke. Illustrated by Charles Vess.

Published by Bloomsbury Publishing
Distributed by Raincoast Books

The author of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell offers an enchanting little volume of eight stories that will delight the reader, especially those with a fondness for fairy tales. The vibrant characters contained within the pages include none other than Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and an untold number of fresh yet familiar faces in the forms of Mary Queen of Scots, the Raven King, and the Duke of Wellington. Each is placed in an exquisitely detailed surrounding as the author uses her magic to weave unforgettable tales.

I fell in love with this book as soon as I picked it up. The cover is simple yet almost entrancing and I loved the way my fingers could linger over the cloth and the imprinted delicate pink flowers. The illustrations of Charles Vess are also a favourite with me, especially one in which we get a glimpse of the Raven King strolling through the woodland, with ravens soaring overhead and a large dog by each side. As gifted as the author is for defining her characters, these black and white illustrations are a stunning aid to the imagination.

As for the stories, where do I even begin? This is one of those books that make it impossible to explain exactly what you loved best about it. I gave some thought to the subject of my favourite tale and I have to say I couldn’t choose. I loved them all. A couple even stirred up childhood memories. I couldn’t read the story of Mrs Mabb without being reminded of the Alf Proysen character Mrs. Pepperpot and I hadn’t thought of those books in forever. I am not going to say much about the plots even though I usually do. I think it would take away from your own experience as you discover this fantastic book.

I have a fondness for books that stir the imagination and this is certainly one of those. It is one of those magical books that on reading will make you feel just a little younger and a little lighter in the heart. I loved fairy tales as a child and now thanks to Susanna Clarke and other authors like her, I get to love them again as an adult.

This one makes it into my favourites shelf and I will be hunting down a copy of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell also as the title story 'The Ladies of Grace Adieu' has piqued my interest in it.

Author's website: http://www.jonathanstrange.com/

The Custodian of Paradise by Wayne Johnston

Published by Vintage Canada - An Imprint of Random House Canada

In The Custodian of Paradise, Wayne Johnston builds on the tale that he began in The Colony of Unrequited Dreams – a book I have yet to read but will be looking for very soon. The main character of this novel is Sheilagh Fielding, an extremely tall woman who has led a challenging life. She is frequently looked upon with scorn and pity and thus it is hardly surprising that as she grows in years, her personality takes on a hardness that is unmatched.

The book begins with Sheilagh seeking out a new life on a deserted island. Her only contact being the lighthouse keeper from the next island who agrees to provide her with supplies, even then, such contact is fleeting and rare. She looks back upon her life as she shares her experiences with the reader.

I loved this book. The character of Sheilagh Fielding is unique, unforgettable and complex. From the very start it is clear that this is a woman who knows her own mind and lives life on her own terms. As I learned more about her, I found myself feeling all at once, so very close to her and yet totally unable to figure her out. She feels to me, to be a character that is in a constant state of change and I loved that I couldn’t shake her from my thoughts for days after completing the book. I was lucky in that I got to read this along with a book club and so afterwards a few of us were able to bounce around ideas and share our views. This is a great choice for any book club and a book club guide to this novel can be found at bookclubs.ca

The other characters in this novel are also interesting in their own ways. I found myself intrigued by Sheilagh’s father. A man who is very hung up on what the world thinks of him and who has an obsession with finding out the identity of Sheilagh’s real father. He is convinced that because of her height, it is impossibility for her to be his offspring. It made for a curious dynamic between them.

Little is seen of Sheilagh’s mother in the novel but for the brief glimpse I got, I am rather relieved about that fact. I didn’t much care for her at all, to be honest but as I reached the end of the book, I found myself sympathising with her a little more.

This is a novel that is hard to resist. It’s a joy to read and great to discuss with others. It’s definitely one of my favourite reads of this year. Not just for the memorable characters but also for the wonderful writing style. It’s a very fluid and addictive read.

Author's website: http://waynejohnston.ca/

Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin

Published by Running Press
Distributed by Publishers Group Canada

Skinny Bitch is "a no-nonsense, tough-love guide for savvy girls who want to stop eating crap and start looking fabulous." Authors Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin write in a bold and frank manner about the foods we eat on a daily basis. They make it easy to make informed choices by providing information on a variety of subjects.

Whether you are concerned about the disturbing trend of chemically altering foods (including the surprising use of arsenic), the devastating occurrences in slaughterhouses around the world, the addictive qualities of dairy products (yep, you read it right) or the countless other subjects that are explored, the authors present much food for thought and do it in a way that everyone can understand.

This is one of the most powerful books I have read. I couldn’t put it down and even found myself sitting in bed, 2am in the morning, crying as I read the segment on slaughterhouses. That part of the book alone had such an impact on me that I switched to a vegan/vegetarian lifestyle the next day. I shared pieces of that section with my husband the next day and saw from his face that he found it as disturbing as I did. Contained are quotes from actual slaughterhouse workers as they share the atrocities they have witnessed, or have been guilty of. The evident lack of humanity is simply heartbreaking.

The book also contains a lot of frightening content on the subject of the use of chemicals and antibiotics. While it was easy to understand, I also found it overwhelming. It has been bothering me for some time that food is being altered and treated so commonly and it makes it difficult to avoid many of the ingredients. They seem to be in everything.

In addition though, this book provides many practical ideas for changing your lifestyle and eating habits as well as providing countless resources for alternative food sources. I found it an immense help the next day as I set off on my quest for vegetarian information.

It’s an addictive read which packs one heck of a punch. It will probably cause your TBR (to be read) pile to grow at an astonishing rate also as it includes references from scores of fascinating titles.

I only had one issue with this book and before I share it with you, I ask that you keep in mind that this book was worth the read, and that despite my irritation that will soon become obvious, I still believe this is a book that should be read by all.

My issue was the disproportionate use of bad language. While I can swear better than any sailor and don’t usually care about the use of expletives in books I read. I found that the language was irritating, excessively used, and distracting. I believe the authors run the risk of losing readers because of this. It was a great read but I would have liked it better if the expletives had been less overbearing.

Website: http://www.skinnybitch.net/

Christmas is Coming by Lisa Marsoli. Illustrated by Lucy Barnard

Published by Robin Corey Books - An Imprint of Random House Canada

Join Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves, as they get ready for the Christmas season in this entertaining board book. Each page has 2 holes cut from it and built into the book is a 'touch and feel' wheel of various colours and textures which the reader has to align with the holes in each image. It brings a whole new level of fun that will encourage younger children to realize the joy of books.

This book was fun to play with. The story is simple and pleasing. The touch and feel wheel adds a nice touch which brings the book to life. The fur of Santa's hat and the glittering coarseness of the icing on the roof of a gingerbread house are just two of the different textures which younger children are going to be fond of exploring. As simple as this book is, it encourages the reader to think and problem solve as they complete each page. Who knew learning could be so enjoyable?

Love Sick: One Woman's Journey Through Sexual Addiction by Sue Willam Silverman

Published by W.W. Norton & Company

Love Sick is a deeply moving memoir in which Sue William Silverman shares her experiences in dealing with sexual addiction. She writes candidly about her childhood during which she was sexually abused by her father, and the way those events led to her skewed belief that sex is love. She also talks about her experiences with other men which, naturally, are always of a sexual nature.

We share the journey as she goes to rehabilitation and faces up to the person she was, the person she is, and the person she can be. Often moving and intense, always personal, this memoir is a rare look into one of the least talked about addictions.

Like so many books I have read this year, I couldn't put this one down. The author holds nothing back in this memoir. She speaks from the heart and the reader can't help but hope but silently cheer her on as they read. In rehabilitation she learns so much even though it seems a constant struggle. I hadn't ever given it much thought but her experience in the rehabilitation centre was tough but nurturing as she learned how to relax, how to play games, new coping skills, how to ask for help, how to have platonic relationships with men, and friendships with women.

Mostly though she learns about how to love and respect herself. I was in awe that she was able to share not just her fears, failures, and successes but also her shame, insecurity and vulnerability. The reader can’t help but feel close to the author when reading this story and even now, days after reading it, I still find myself wanting to pick it back up to see if magically, some extra chapters have appeared inside the cover so that I can check in on her. It gave me a whole new respect for anyone who deals with addictions and a whole new insight into aspects of myself that I hadn’t really paid attention to.

A great read!

Author's website: http://www.suewilliamsilverman.com/

Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips

Published by Random House Canada

Artemis, Apollo, Aphrodite, Ares. These are names we all know to as belonging to Greek deities. When brought to mind, these names invoke images of toga wearing beings, relaxing in a stunning temple, grapes and wine all around them as they use their powers to guide the world. Marie Phillips takes these characters and brings them kicking and screaming into the twenty-first century.

Imagine if you will, a house in London. The exterior of the house in serious disrepair and in danger of falling down within a decade or less while the interior is such that it would make even the most filthy hovel seem like a show home. The occupants of this house are none other than the various Greek Gods and Goddesses who have been residing here since the seventeenth century, seemingly forgotten by the world.

Shadows of their former selves, these deities have very little power left and no idea how to fix the problem. In order to survive, they have taken on jobs usually reserved for mere mortals. Apollo for example is an overly dramatic TV psychic in addition to his usual duties as the God of the Sun. Artemis, in addition to taking care of Hunting and the Moon, spends her mornings walking dogs, and Aphrodite - Goddess of Beauty - is a phone sex operator. Ares seems to be one of the few exceptions but let's face it when you are the God of War you don't have time for a second career in this era.

This situation is bizarre enough but when Aphrodite gets irritated by Apollo one day and plots her revenge, Neil and Alice (two mortals) get dragged into it and all hell breaks loose. What follows is a non-stop tale filled with love triangles, plots, twists, hilarity and adventure.

I loved, loved, loved, loved this book. It's an absolute pleasure to read and I was laughing so much when reading it. It's brilliantly original. There are so many Gods and Goddesses squeezed into the run-down house in London that it makes for a lively setting. My favourite dynamic was definitely Artemis and Apollo who, like most twins, are very close and constantly in conflict with one another. Artemis is very level headed and practical where as Apollo spends most of his time thinking about sex and dealing with those who reject his attentions in imaginative ways.

After Artemis has an incident with a talking tree (formerly Kate who worked in mergers and acquisitions), Apollo is forced to swear on Styx that he will never harm another human. Reluctantly he complies but spends the rest of the book finding loopholes. In addition to the well-written deities, there are also 2 main mortal characters. Neil and Alice. Both seem unsure of themselves, reserved, shy even and when they find themselves drawn into the world of the deities, the results are comical. Their dynamic is most often a 'will they, won't they' situation, which is made even more complex when Apollo falls for Alice in a big way. Neil thought he was lacking confidence before; now he has to compete with a God, get his could-be-girlfriend back, and save the world!

The author paints a great picture. Her words fire the imagination and I often found myself forming great visuals in my mind as I read the book. My favourite setting in the book had to be the underworld though. I loved the obvious amount of thought put into it. Not only the aesthetics but also the way it works. As someone who lived in London for a few years and had to deal with the Tube on a daily basis, I found it fitting that it was the setting for the entrance to the Underworld.

A perfect book for those moments when you just want to unwind with a light read. Please note this book does contain some adult language and sexual content (usually surrounding Apollo and Aphrodite). Easily one of my most favourite reads ever! It reminded me at times of Terry Pratchett's writing which isn't surprising when you read the author's blog and discover that he was one of her earlier influences! As a hardcore Pratchett fan, I know I will be watching Marie Phillips for future releases.

Author's website: http://www.mariephillips.co.uk/
Author's blog: http://www.womanwhotalkedtoomuch.blogspot.com/

If You're Afraid of the Dark: Add One More Star to the Night/Remember the Night Rainbow (2-in-1) by Cooper Edens

Published by Chronicle Books
Distributed by Raincoast Books

In this 2-in-1 book, the reader is treated to a magical and whimsical look at the world. Whether dealing with emotions, or the every day trials that face us, there is a little pearl of wisdom on each page and an illustration which is sure to bring a smile. Some of you may recognise the title from when the original was published in 1979, for others it may be an unknown. One thing is for certain, this book is a one which will be treasured by the young and old alike.

I loved this book. Both titles are presented in a unique flip-book format. The covers are simple yet eye-catching and sprinkled with shiny silver stars.

The illustrations within the pages are bright and cheery. A perfect match for the positive messages alongside. I love the idea of children reading this when they are young and being inspired to hold on to their imagination and positivity. I love that the lines inspire the reader to think about them, and take away whatever message the reader desires. I can imagine sitting reading and discussing this with a child. A great choice for personal development. My own personal favourite wisdoms (and boy was it hard to choose!) were:

Remember the Night Rainbow:
If you lose a memory... embroider one to take it's place.
If the sun never shines again.. hold fireflies in your hands to keep warm.

and

Add One More Star to the Night:
If you're at the end of your rope... untie the knot in your heart.
If the sky fills with clouds.. let the rain do your crying for a while.

This book is simply a joy to read and I consider it timeless. I find it hard to imagine a child ever growing too old to enjoy it. It says a lot that at 33, almost 34 years old, I love it and will enjoy it for many years to come.

Great idea for a gift!

Comes the Darkness, Comes the Light: A Memoir of Cutting, Healing, and Hope by Vanessa Vega

Published by AMACOM - a division of American Management Association.
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Comes the Darkness, Comes the Light is a memoir of cutting, healing and hope. The author Vanessa Vega shares her heart-wrenching story in which she would often find herself overcome by a darkness. She would try anything to fight it. Watching TV, reading a book, talking with friends but the outcome would always be the same. She would go in search of an appropriate tool… and cut.

In this intense account, Vanessa Vega shares her life, thoughts, emotions, and deeply personal experiences. While the content could be defined as sometimes shocking and disturbing, it is simultaneously beautiful and stunning as we witness the healing of a soul.

As someone who was a cutter, I am probably a tad biased in this review since I know it would have reached me on deeper levels than someone who had not lived through such destructive habits. That said, I find it hard to believe that anyone could read this memoir and not be incredibly moved by the content found within.

I am in awe of the strength and courage that it must have taken to share such a secret. Cutting is something that is becoming more widespread and is often seen as shameful or worse, the act of someone mentally ill. I am so relieved that it is finally being brought into the open more. Books of this kind make it easier for people to learn about the subject and hopefully understand it a little more. It certainly gave me some insight and I wish that such a book had been available during those dark periods of my life. At a time when I thought I was the only person in the world who had these urges, when I thought that I was going crazy and hated myself with a passion, I might have learned a lot sooner that I was simply trying to deal with things in the only way I knew how.

I loved the writing style. It matches the title perfectly as the author has indeed managed to balance the darkness and light in her words. This is one of those books I will no doubt rave about. It is a 'must read' for anyone who cuts or self-injures in other ways, and the people who love them. It is a 'should read' for everyone.

A deeply inspirational and uplifting book.

I will be reviewing another two books on the subject in the very near future.

Author's website: http://vanessa-vega.com/

Fat, Forty, and Fired: One Man's Frank, Funny, and Inspiring Account of Losing His Job and Finding His Life by Nigel Marsh

Published by Andrews McMeel Publishing

Nigel Marsh is about to have his world turned upside down. While recovering from an embarrassing surgery, this stressed husband and father of four was fired from his job. He decides to take some time to rediscover himself and share more quality time with his family. What follows is a frank and honest insight into one man’s experiences with hands-on parenting, training for an ocean swimming race, the battling of alcoholism and the many other issues he must learn to juggle.

This book was a laugh a minute. Even at the most saddest of moments the humour of Nigel Marsh shines through. There were many laugh-out-loud moments as I ventured through the pages but my favourite parts of the book were by far those involving his relationships with the children. In the early days when he rushes to take them to school I found myself both howling with laughter and wanting to give the author an enormous hug. I also found it enlightening as I witnessed the various reactions to his new role in life. It’s amazing how in a world where woman can do anything they choose to, a guy reversing the roles can still seem so abnormal.

Throughout the book, the author shows himself to be full of wit, grace, compassion and many other great qualities. He rises to the multitude of challenges and conquers each, though not always in the way he expects. I am in awe of his fearlessness and determination.

It is a great book. I found it funny, inspiring, honest, brilliant, and a joy to read. It’s a great choice for those seeking a book with a feel-good factor as I was positively glowing by the last page. I love that the author took what could have been a bad situation and rather than let it get him down, turned his life around and took back control. The world could use more books like this one.

Author's website http://www.fatfortyandfired.com/