top5s online

Being a short month, Book Club decided to read a short book - or rather a graphic novel. We tried to find a few kick-as girl stories, and voted on Snapshot of a Girl . I decided to read all three we voted on though, but as usual, found that graphic novels aren't really my medium. Snapshots of a Girl By Belden Sezen 2015 176 pages This autobiographical collection follows the author as she accepts and comes out as a lesbian. I got the simple, but not deeper message, and was a fan of only half the artwork (the cartoon styled ones, not the more realistic figures). So, just meh. Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy By Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Shannon Watters, Brooke A. Allen 2015 128 pages I've been meaning to read this for awhile: who wouldn't love strong female characters hanging out at camp?! Well me apparently. It was just a bit too weird. Probably I'm just getting old. Nimona By Noelle Stevenson 2015 272 pages Evil nemesis fighting noble knight and corrupt ...

Years ago, I read Indian Horse  by Richard Wagamese and it changed my life. I had another of his books on my list for years and finally had time to read it! Ragged Company By Richard Wagamese 2008 376 pages Four homeless friends decide to shelter from a particularly cold winter's day by going to the movie theatre. There, they happen upon a gentleman, who at first moves away from them, but who, over the course of the book and multiple random meetings at the movies, becomes a very good friend. This of course comes in handy when one of the ragged company finds a $13 million winning lottery ticket on the street, because you need ID and thus an address to claim such a fortune! The book tells the back stories of all the friends, as well as their present issues of dealing with such a lifestyle change, and their journeys to overcome their inner demons. This book has a simple premise, but is very sweet, and poignant, if a little rough around the edges. I enjoy Wagamese's writing style, ...

Every year, my university picks a book to study - everyone (this year around 800 students as part of classes, plus misc staff and faculty) reads it and the author visits in March to do readings and workshops. All very exciting. I've read the book every year I've worked there (well, skipped last year, oops) and this year was looking forward to it because people raved about the book! Then I heard it had Shakespeare in it. Not a huge Shakespeare fan (I'm just not that smart or cultured). Then I realized it was dystopian fiction. I HATE dystopian novels! Why? First of all, everyone dies. Which is sad. So then I think about losing the people I love and I get sad. So then I dream about death and I get depressed. Reading about everyone dying is soul destroying and the world is depressing enough - I don't need to get more depressed by reading for fun. Second, bad stuff happens when society breaks down and people are left in a lawless state. Like horrible terrifying gruesome stu...