Author: Sarit Yishai-Levi

Pat and I watched the Netflix series based on the book and we really enjoyed it. When I looked up the book I saw it was based on the daughter of the main character in the show and I ordered the book from the library.

It is true that the story is told from the point of view of Gabriela who is Luna’s daughter (Luna was the main character in the Netflix series). There was very little in the novel that wasn’t covered in the series. The narrative in the novel is about Gabriela learning the history of her family through many generations. It was interesting to see the changes that were made in the series that weren’t in the book.

This is a case where I think having seen the series made the book even more interesting.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Ragnar Jónasson

I read the first book in this series (Snowblind) based on a recommendation from a Goodreads friend. I enjoyed the book but didn’t expect to read any others. When I was looking for a book at the library I recognized the author’s name and decided to read the second book in the series.

It was a good story and it wasn’t until near the end that I clued in to “who done it”. I think, in part, I have enjoyed the books because they are set within the Arctic Circle (Iceland) and his descriptions of the growing darkness and the returning light seem very familiar.

After I was finished the book I was certain I wouldn’t read any more of the series. When I was looking at my Kindle app (while sitting on the deck on Texada) I saw that I had already downloaded the third one so I guess I’m not done.

Goodreads Rating: * * *

Author: Rebecca Serle

This book came highly recommended by Kathryn with a warning that there might be a “trigger” for me in the story. I assured her that I could manage whatever came up.

As I read, and waited for the “trigger”, I was struck by this particular paragraph:

“Here is the thing no one tells you about cancer: they ease you into it. After the initial shock, after the diagnosis and the terror, they put you on the slow conveyor belt. They start you off nice and easy. You want some lemon water with that chemo? You got it. Radiation? No problem, everyone does it, it’s practically weed. We’ll serve you those chemicals with a smile. You’ll love them, you’ll see.”

Having come out on the other side of my diagnosis it seems a good way to describe the ordeal.

Author: Caradog Prichard

The suggestion for this book came from a Facebook group I’m part of. It is only the second suggestion I’ve followed up on but both have been excellent.

The narrator is telling us about his life as a young boy in Wales. It seems a fairly ordinary life but there are a few twists and turns. The story is mostly autobiographical but there is a small mystery at the end that moves the story into novel territory (at least I think it does).

If you are going to read it yourself you must read the Translator’s Note in order to make sense of some of the characters.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *