Vienna Nocturne by Vivian Shotwell **

Historical fiction, this novel tells the story of a young woman named Anna who was Mozart's favourite soprano and perhaps someone he loved very much. it was mildly interesting. I skimmed most of the last 100 pages, but at least I can say I finished it!

Memory Palace by Mira Bartok ***

This book is the memoir of the author's childhood and adulthood living with a mother who was a psychotic schizophrenic. Her father, who disappeared very early in Myra's life, was an alcoholic, the the mother, an aspiring concert pianist whose life spiralled downwards until her two daughters had to change their names and addresses, move away to an unknown location, and only communicate with their mother by letters delivered to a postal box for 17 years. 

Mira's story of her growing- up years is sad and chaotic, living with grand-parents who hated one another, their mother in and out of psychiatric hospitals after particularly violent episodes, the two girls never knowing which mother they 'd encounter at any given moment- the warm, loving one or the Medusa -like monster who attacked with knives and fire.

The author herself later suffers a brain injury which deeply affects her own artistic life, but the two girls and their mother finally re-unite just before their mother dies, after living in one homeless shelter after another.

Very well- written, no holds barred. 

Crazy Town: The Rob Ford Story

I guess the most striking thing about my reading this book is the fact that my friend Shirley scoffs derisively whenever I mention that I'm not only reading it, but enjoying it. In most books we read, there's always someone we dislike, but does that keep us from reading on, or even picking up the book in the first place?

In spite of the many failings, lies and deception of Rob Ford, his story is a fascinating glimpse into several worlds I wouldn't otherwise experience- the world of entitlement by belonging to a wealthy, tightly-knit family ( I have a little experience with this, actually, from David's disastrous marriage to Brooke AND her family), the murky world of excessive drinking and drug- dealing, the world of journalism and the life of a busy newspaper, and of course, the world of municipal politics.

This is an excellent piece of investigative journalism written by a young woman only 12 years out of school, and read like an extended well-written article- clearly written, getting right to the point, and not dwelling too much on the long story leading to this fascinating period in Toronto's history. Right from the beginning, she clarifies how such a person could ever have won the 2010 election- it was our old foe Mike Harris, who by creating a mega-city with the amalgamation of all the boroughs placed the people from the suburbs directly in opposition to the downtowners , and this is also why, near the conclusion of the book, she states the reasons why Ford could win again in October.

Here are some other reasons, which I want to remember: 

1. While 70% of Torontonians want him to step down and get help, over 40% still have a favourable view of his performance as mayor.

2. He'll be running as an underdog, and that means more competition. Someone could win with less than 40% of the vote.

3.He has delivered on some of his goals- he contracted out garbage collection, made the TTC an essential service and rescinded two unpopular taxes for home buyers and car owners.

4. he hasn't saved the city a billion dollars, but he did save 400 million dollars.

5. He promised to build more subways, and has federal aid in place to get it done.

6. He took on contract negotiations with the unions and won, saving over 2million dollars.

So come November, we'll see- just this week there's a story out about a woman arrested for DUI and she was driving Ford's truck near the rehab he's in near Bracebridge.

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd *****

This is a wonderful book depicting the lives of two women in Charleston in the early 19th century. Sarah Grimke's mother gives her a slave, named Handful, for her 11 th birthday. Sarah, despite her young age, is an abolitionist, and tries to set Handful free, but is thwarted by her family.  The chapters alternative between Sarah's story and Handful's so right from the beginning we get a clear picture of the slavery each endures- Handful by discrimination, outright abuse, and Sarah's by the conventions of the time, plus her mother's utter control over everyone. Sarah and Handful share a special bond of friendship through all the years this novels covers.

Sarah and her younger sister, Angelina, later leave Charleston to become well-known both as abolitionists and feminists, not without obstacles, though, as they travel throughout the US preaching their platform of justice and equality. 

This was a quick read for me, because I enjoyed it so much, and the author's short essay at the end is also illuminating. five stars for this one!

Longbourn by Jo Baker *****

Subtitled "Pride and Prejudice: The Servants' Story", this is the story of the servants and their lives downstairs. there is the housekeeper, Mrs. Hill, the maid, Sarah, who spends her days washing out linen, polishing floors and emptying chamber pots, another maid, Polly, and a footman, James, who arrives mysteriously and is central to their story.

I loved this book- the story, the writing, the wonderful love story that develops, as well as the artificiality of the "upstairs" people.  I didn't want it to end, but I even enjoyed the ending itself.

This will likely be on my top ten list come next December!

The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon by Alexander McCall Smith. ****

Number 14, and still such a pleasure to read. Mma Makutsi has a baby and takes a leave from her post. Mma Ramwotse solves two mysteries: who has posted defamatory posters in front of the new beauty salon, and who is the boy on the farm out in the country who is due to inherit the farm?

JLB Matekone goes to a course to learn how to be a modern husband, and Phuti, Mma Makutsi's husband, finds snakes in their home.

Such warmth and wisdom, expressed in such beautiful phrases with gentle insights into human nature.  These  books are pure gold!

Paris by Edward Rutherfurd ****

The first "long" book that I've read in a while, this came in at over  800 pages, but it held my interest for all that time. I liked this male author because he doesn't get carried away with background information that goes on for pages. He did go back and forth in time, from the 13 th century right through to post WWII, but he made everything work so smoothly that I didn't have to struggle too much to keep the various families straight, and telling this from the point of view of the people of Paris, rather than the big names like Louis XVI, Napoleon, Marie Antoinette. 

There was lots of interesting stuff, from building the Eiffel Tower to the artistic communities of the 20s, the confinement of the Jews in Paris, plus the fact that the men who signed up for WWII went to the lines in taxis- the only way to get them there quickly!

A good read, and even- dare I say it- a good ending!.