Author: Andrew Taylor

I picked this book up from a free shelf in the waiting room at BC Ferries in Comox as we were returning from Asher’s grad. I had started an electronic book but I wasn’t enjoying it so thought I’d switch to this one.

Two young boys have started a club where they imagine a world set in ancient Rome. They reluctantly add two more players to the core team but the power starts to shift and, eventually, a tragic accident kills one of them. But was it an accident? Many years later the past creeps into the present and one of the boys is searching for answers.

I was able to figure out the mystery shortly before the ending. I found the characters and their relationships to one another confusing; there were siblings, step-siblings, parents, husbands and ex-husbands.

Goodreads Rating: * *

Author: Winston Graham

This is the second book of the Poldark series and covers the time between the birth and death of Demelza and Ross’s daughter, as well as the beginning and end of Ross’s copper smelting endeavour.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: David Grann

I saw the previews for the movie that was inspired by this book but I thought it might be violent and upsetting. I borrowed the book from the library and was surprised that the story was very different from what I had imagined. I think I might be ready to see the movie now.

This book tells the true story of a series of murders of First Nations people in order to take control of their oil rights.It confirms how ill-treated and disrespected the Osage tribe were. Solving these murders was the first case of the very newly-formed FBI under the direction of J. Edgar Hoover.

Goodreads Rating: * * *

Author: Anthony Doerr

This is a story (starting in ancient Greece) within a story (during the 1400’s) within a story (Korean War years) within a story (the 2020’s) within a story (the 2100’s). Sound confusing? I thought so too at first but I was so engaged in the various stories that I had no trouble keeping the characters straight.

A man in ancient Greece has written a story for his niece who is dying. Anna has learned to read a little and finds bits of the text. Omeir has been conscripted into the army who is about to seize control of Constantinople. Zeno is taken prisoner during the Korean war; when he returns home he begins to translate the story from scraps of the text. Seymour is an autistic boy who is increasingly upset over the environmental issues of the day. Konstance was born on a ship that is heading for an unknown planet.

The way the lives of the characters unfold and the way they are woven together is very entertaining.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *