Short & Sweet: The Alice Network (Adult)

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

A very solid read. Excellent writing that was both accessible and yet still evoked the historical time period, fully fleshed-out main characters who stirred reader sympathy without being unrealistically perfect, and dual storylines that both held my interest (although the Eve storyline was arguably more gripping). The one niggling complaint I have is that stereotypes of groups as either "good" or "evil" were employed in a rather black-and-white way (without discussion). It would have been more realistic to have some examples of exceptions to the stereotypes introduced -- not all Germans were "evil," just as not all British or Americans were "good" during the wars. Human behaviour is far more complicated than a simple label like that, in any case. 


4 stars. 

God Is In The Pancakes: A Rambling Review

God Is In The Pancakes by Robin Epstein

This book ended up being more intense than I was expecting. The quandary that Grace faces is one I can imagine being extremely gut-wrenching, with no easy answers. It brought home to me how important it is that in Canada physician-assisted dying is now legal (with strict criteria that must be met).

I really liked the main character Grace; she was a thoughtful, independent teen girl who strove to (usually) do the right thing – and yet she wasn't perfect. Her reflections on everything going on in her life felt very realistic and I could often relate to her mindset, even if I did not always agree with her choices.

Her relationship with Mr. Sands really stood out as unique in a YA novel; often we see peer friendships and romances being explored, but it's rare to see an inter-generational relationship. Having candystriped for a year in high school, this was a personal touch for me. There was one particular gentleman who was my favourite patient – just as Mr. Sands was for Grace – and who was such a lot of fun to spend time with. There is so much about a hospital setting that is depressing, but this story definitely highlighted that building a connection with a patient there can brighten it.

Sidenote, but: the speech-language pathologist in me was wondering why they didn't try some augmentative/alternative communication (AAC) methods with Mr. Sands as his ALS progressed to affecting his speech. There are technologies available nowadays that can operate voice output devices with eye movement only, for instance. Instead it seemed like he just wasn't given any means to communicate anymore!

4 shooting stars. 

 

All I Want For Christmas Is... (4)

I'm counting down the weeks to Christmas by sharing some of the books that made it onto my wishlist (and maybe helping some of you guys add to your lists...?)!

Mad Miss Mimic by Sarah Henstra

From Goodreads:

"London, 1872. Seventeen-year-old heiress Leonora Somerville is preparing to be presented to society -- again. She's strikingly beautiful and going to be very rich, but Leo has a problem money can't solve. A curious speech disorder causes her to stutter but also allows her to imitate other people's voices flawlessly. Servants and ladies alike call her "Mad Miss Mimic" behind her back...and watch as Leo unintentionally scares off one potential husband after another.

London in 1872 is also a city gripped by opium fever. Leo's brother-in-law Dr. Dewhurst and his new business partner Francis Thornfax are frontrunners in the race to patent an injectable formula of the drug. Friendly, forthright, and as a bonus devastatingly handsome, Thornfax seems immune to the gossip about Leo's "madness." But their courtship is endangered from the start. The mysterious Black Glove opium gang is setting off explosions across the city. The street urchins Dr. Dewhurst treats are dying of overdose. And then there is Tom Rampling, the working-class boy Leo can't seem to get off her mind.

As the violence closes in around her Leo must find the links between the Black Glove's attacks, Tom's criminal past, the doctor's dangerous cure, and Thornfax's political ambitions. But first she must find her voice."

I'm ordinarily interested in YA mysteries set in Victorian England, but add in a character with a speech disorder? Icing on the cake for me (since I'm a speech-language pathologist)! I'm interested to see how Leonora's stutter is portrayed, and the reactions to it given the time period.

Plus, bonus: Sarah Henstra is Canadian! :)

What books are you hoping to find under the tree this year? Feel free to let me know in the comments or leave a link to your own blog post!