Lisa's Review: A Newfoundlander in Canada

A Newfoundlander in Canada: Always Going Somewhere, Always Coming Home by Alan Doyle

My Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Back in 2014, I read & reviewed Alan Doyle's first book, Where I Belong, which chronicled Alan's life growing up in Newfoundland right up to the point where he joined Great Big Sea. At that time I stated my hope was that he would write another book continuing the journey with stories of life on the road with the band. So I was thrilled when I heard that Alan had written a second book & it was exactly that.

As with his first book, A Newfoundlander in Canada was completely entertaining. Having been a fan of Great Big Sea & Alan Doyle, seeing them/him many times, his style of writing is such that I could hear him saying every word as I read. His stories of Great Big Sea making their way from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia, and eventually to British Columbia are entertaining and humbling. Never would I have imagined there would be a story that involves Great Big Sea and Barney (the purple dinosaur), but there is!

I'll state it again - I hope Alan Doyle keeps writing!

This is my 3rd book read for the 13th Annual Canadian Reading Challenge.

Lisa's Review: Run, Hide, Repeat

Run, Hide, Repeat: A Memoir of a Fugitive Childhood by Pauline Dakin

My Rating: 3 of 5 stars (probably more a 3.5)

I first heard about this book when listening to an interview with the author on NPR. Listening to her tell her story about her family on the run from Vancouver to Winnepeg to Saint John, New Brunswick and the reason for doing so had me captivated, so I was interested in reading this book.

Her mother left an abusive relationship when Pauline and her brother were very young, and followed their minister (Stan) & family as they moved. When Pauline was in her early 20's it was revealed to her by her mother & Stan that it was because they were trying to avoid the mob.

I will say that having listened to the NPR interview, I pretty much knew where the book was going. But that was not a disappointment as there were many more details. Having known the basic story, I knew what was coming, but not entirely, there was still a whole lot of 'wow' factor. I've read many negative reviews of this book, but I don't understand why (I'm not sure if those folks realized this is real life, and they shouldn't so easily to judge someone). The writing was interesting & captivating...it kept me turning the pages. I especially thought how Pauline comes to terms with everything is a testament to being human. 

This is my second book read for the 13th Annual Canadian Reading Challenge.

Lisa's Review: 206 Bones

206 Bones by Kathy Reichs

My Rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the eighth book I've read in the Temperance Brennan series from Kathy Reichs - and when I say 'read', I've listened to them all as audio books, which I have enjoyed with this series. 206 Bones is no exception. It was exactly what I expected - mystery, suspense, entertaining, and a good dose of Detective Ryan.

I will say, that it was a little confusing to me at the beginning portion because there were a lot of different names to keep track of - something I think would not have been a problem if I was reading instead of listening. The names were much easier to keep straight by half way through.

This is my 1st book read for the 13th Annual Canadian Reading Challenge, which runs from July 1st (Canada Day) through July 1st next year. I didn't successfully complete the 12th Annual Challenge, but did make it to 9/13 books read. Had I not missed renewing this audio book on time, I would have finished a few days earlier and made double digits - but I'm also happy to be completing a book on day #1 of this year's challenge!