Laurie’s Book Reviews -- Global First News, 2010

For more than 10 years now, I have my early morning coffee with the News First crew at Global TV as we discuss books for young and old alike.  Here are some of my choices for great summer reading.  (and, if you want a more complete list of my Global Choices, click here.)

September 2 -- Gordon Lightfoot’s Canadian Railroad Trilogy, illustrated by

Ian Wallace  & Heads, by Matthew Van Fleet

August 26 -- The Rabbit Problem, by Emily Gravett & the Suzanne Collins’ Series:

The Hunger Games; Catching Fire and, just released, Mockingjay

August 19 -- Little Bee, by Colum McCann

Well, I’m back from my annual fishing trip in the Arctic and eager to talk about this

week’s book -- LITTLE BEE, by British author Chris Cleave.  A clever marketing ploy

promise I won't give away the pivotal piece of the plot, but

it is a fine read.  "Little Bee" is a refugee from Nigeria who

has spent the last two years in detention in England. At 16

she is set free and the only connection she has is a

journalist and his wife she met on the beach in Nigeria

previously.  Many allusions to the horrors that befell her are

made, as well as her tenuous relationship with the couple.  

When she locates them many turns of events both tragic

and laugh out loud funny occur but this is a book about

globalization, belonging in a world that no longer exists and

how people manage unspeakable acts they have no

control over.

August 5 -- It’s a Book, by Lane Smith  & Porcupine’s Problem: A True Story for

the Curious Learner, by Michelle and Denver Suttie

July 29 -- Let the Great World Spin, by Colum McCann

Irish writer who won the National Book Award for this

compelling novel.  It all begins with a highwire artist crossing between the World Trade Towers 110 floors up in 1974

(McCann based this part of the novel on fact).  Below,

spectators don't know what to make of it, is he a jumper or a daredevil?  This is a common thread that holds the multitude

of stories taking place below. Two Irish brothers living in the

Bronx, a group of mothers who lost their sons in Viet Nam,  

a "family" of prostitutes whose children will carry the story... unbelievably gripping storytelling and stories that both make

you laugh and cry. Even in the Big Apple, people's paths will

cross inextricably and McCann does a superb job of making

his characters come alive.

July 22 -- Roslyn Rutabaga and the Biggest Hole on Earth!, by Marie-Louise Gay

& The Cat’s Pajamas, by Wallace Edwards

       

laurie’s book company