Good reads at Leddy Library

For this month's installment of shared reading lists we have Leddy Library's own Yvonne Arnowitz who was kind enough to share some of her favourite good reads with us!

Fiction

It’s always great to go back to the classics and revisit a forgotten time or place:

• Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte
  "A favourite of mine since high school."
   
• Pride & Prejudice – Jane Austen
• Sense & Sensibility – Jane Austen
  "What can you say about Jane Austen novels? They are always wonderful (and make great film adaptations too!)"
   
• Frankenstein – Mary Shelley
  "I studied this book back as a university student, so it brings back memories of interesting discussions about what the creation of a ‘monster’ really means. Plus, it’s a good reminder (come Halloween time) that Frankenstein is not the name of the monster, but rather its creator."

•  The Picture of Dorian Gray – Oscar Wilde
  "I have been a fan of Oscar Wilde for a long time. This is one of my favourite books of all time."
   
• Anne of Green Gables – L.M. Montgomery
  "A Canadian classic, of course. Such a wonderful story set in beautiful P.E.I."

 

Some ‘newer’ good reads

• The Fault in Our Stars – John Green
  "I liked reading John Green’s novels for two reasons – 1. Even if they are geared towards a younger demographic, people of all ages will relate to his stories and 2. He doesn’t dumb down the teenage experience and gives teens a wonderful narrative voice."
   
• Outlander – Diana Gabaldon
  "This is a brilliant series, so you have to start with how it all began for Claire and Jamie. This was my favourite book of the series as well."
   
• The Book of Negroes – Lawrence Hill
• The Illegal – Lawrence Hill
  "Lawrence Hill has become one of my favourite Canadian authors. “The Book of Negroes” is a powerful story that will stick with you long after you’ve finished the novel. Although it’s fiction, “The Illegal” is a poignant book for our modern times, by providing the reader with a look into one refugee’s struggle to make the best life that he can for himself."

 

Non-Fiction

Once in a while, it’s great to read some true stories or unique points of view. Some of the non-fiction books that have left an impression on me:

• Detroit: An American Autopsy – Charlie LeDuff
  "It’s hard to read about the difficult times that our border-city neighbour have gone through. Yet, it’s a fascinating read of what has happened to the City of Detroit and how it’s trying to bounce back, told often through the eyes of those who are working hard to make it happen."
   
• The Day the World Came to Town : 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland - Jim DeFede
  "We all know the terrible tragic events of September 11, 2001. However, a lesser mentioned true story were the events in Gander, Newfoundland.  This book provides you with a moving account of how a Canadian city mobilized when many international airplanes had to leave U.S. airspace on that day and find somewhere safe to land. The stories of strangers coming together will move you."
   
• The 100 Mile Diet : A Year of Local Eating - Alisa Dawn Smith & J. B MacKinnon
  "A good message for us all to support our local growers and farmers while having delicious meals in the process."
   
• Laughing all the Way to the Mosque - Zarqa Nawaz
  "A wonderful book by a Canadian author, who gives an often funny and warm hearted account about being a Muslim in Canada. This same author went on to create the CBC television show “Little Mosque on the Prairie”.
   
• I am Malala : The Girl who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban - Malala Yousafzai
  "In my opinion, there are too many celebrities that teenage girls look up who really aren’t role models for women. Malala Yousafzai is a reminder of what a true hero for teenage girls and women looks like. She tells her inspiring true story of a personal tragedy and how she refused to give up hope despite her situation."
   
• The Elephant Whisperer: My Life with the Herd in the African Wild - Lawrence Anthony & Graham Spence [from the Windsor Public Library]
  "I love elephants, so this was a wonderful true story about those who love them too."
   
• Canadian Pie – Will Ferguson
  "One of my favourite Canadian authors who never disappoints. You will love Canada even more after reading his book."
   
• A Nation Worth Ranting About : Rick Mercer Report from Across Canada – Rick Mercer
  "Another reminder just about how great Canada is, seen through the eyes of one of my favourite Canadians."
   
• Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking – Susan Cain
  "I’m quiet, so this book spoke to me on many levels. :)"
   
• Bossypants – Tina Fey
  "When you need a laugh, this would be one of the books that you should grab. A great read."

 

(If you would like to share your reading list of reads that are good, please let us know)