I really like the infographic that Goodreads made for "My Year in Books" this year and it tells the story of how much time I've had to fill:
So here are my top reads of the year:
Top Five Books Released in 2015
When a couple of customers at Chapters asked me what my favourite book of the year was, I replied Martin John hands down, but I also needed to caution that it's for a particular reader: one who could revel in the language and the imagination of its author without being turned off by the main character; a sex offender with OCD. This book is a marvel and I'd have given it the Giller Prize.
There's something really important in this book -- some clue about the missing and murdered Native women of Canada -- and I found the message to be as vital as the writing.
This book was all about the writing and it ticked all of my boxes.
I was totally satisfied when this book won the Man Booker Prize: the variety of voices and the scope of the story (why has no one ever heard about the assassination attempt against Bob Marley?) blew me away.
I love Guy Vanderhaeghe's voice and this collection of short stories is likely as close as I'll ever get to knowing what it is to be a modern man. Happy to have seen it win the GG!
Top Ten Other Reads
These are two sciencey nonfictions that I really enjoyed reading, and especially in a year where I read so many baloney sciencey things on the internet. And, yes, they could have been included in the above category of top reads from 2015 releases, but I chose to keep them separate...for some reason that makes sense in my brain.
Another important nonfiction book that I think every Canadian ought to read, in combination with:
In addition to being a very interesting read in its own right, the combination of Monkey Beach, Up Ghost River, and Birdie truly seemed to show the way forward for the Native communities of Canada; a path that must put them at the center of their own healing.
I loved this book: everything about the writing is the point of writing.
A fresh slant on history told in poetic language: this is totally my taste.
This book broke my heart: for the experience of those who suffered through the Chechen War and for the fact that I was ignorant of those experiences.
This book also broke my heart: there is just so much truth and power at the core of these stories.
It seems I can't have a top reads list without at least one Newfie tale, and this one is a total epic.
I just love Patrick deWitt, and his quirky sense of humour had me smiling all the way through this book.
A look back at 2015:
One of the first things I did this year was to bring the kids to Medieval Times. It was a lot of fun for everyone, and for the first time in his life, Conor decided to try roast chicken...and he loved it:
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| Although a pic of Conor, I think I really captured Zach here... |
And Ella was obviously crushing on our assigned knight -- all chestnut locks flowing out behind his noble head as he'd ride by to our frantic cheering -- and when he was throwing carnations to the crowd, Ella looked about to burst with desire for his attention. As I turned to say something to Ella beside me, a flower did, indeed, bounce off the side of my head and into her lap. Full points, oh knight, for making me look silly and pleasing a little girl!
As I noted at the time, we then went on a lovely trip to the Dominican Republic:
And in February, Dave and I attended the Gift Gala again, this time staying right downtown in a funky hotel:
And getting up-close and personal with Kelly Clarkson:
This birthday cake that Kennedy made for Aunt Rudy was a definite highlight:
As was getting to see Mallory on stage again (she was really the best part of the whole play):
We went to Niagara Falls (for no real reason) and the Maple Syrup Festival:
I took Ella (and Kennedy and Zach) to Stratford to see The Sound of Music in the spring --
And just us Thompsons went to see Hamlet in the fall (it was just all right...) For Mother's Day, Dave took me to Casino Rama to see Rob Thomas. It was so cool to see him in such a small venue, but it was also bizarre because I still think of him as a major star.
We went to a Blue Jays game (long before we'd know it would become a winning year):
We drove to a 70s-themed birthday party with us all (including Granny and Grandpa) squeezed into the Dart with Dave at the wheel, dressed as Elvis, to the smiles. honks, and raised cell phone cameras of passing drivers:
And my biggest little girl turned 20, causing me to spend way too long making a little card to post on her facebook wall:
Of course, this was the year we lost our doggy:
I said enough at the time about our trip down east to see my parents and our renting of the cottage that's now on the site of Dave's family's former cottage. And Mallory passed her driver's exam.
Dave turned 50 a couple of weeks ago and we threw a party for him at The Gator's Tail, where we and 40 or 50 of his closest friends and family enjoyed endless food and drinks and karaoke:
It's not Christmas until Daddy reads The Night Before Christmas:
Or until he models his favourite gifts:
And speaking of modelling, we found Mallory's prom dress yesterday!
So, overall, that's a year with more changes than usual. Losing Libby was devastating to all of us, but it doesn't make me want another dog right now. Working at Chapters has been a gratifying experience -- even if the insane hours over the holidays meant I didn't read anything for weeks -- and if they asked me to stay on permanently, I'd be delighted (and most especially because the hours would be much more casual than I've seen so far). It's a happy life and I'm grateful for it.
