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  • Home
  • Raising Outdoor Kids
    • Cooking & Crafting

      How to Make Birdseed Ornaments for Wild…

      November 27, 2020

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      Beautiful Spring Picture Books for Children

      March 28, 2020

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      Playing in Nature Protects Our Children During…

      March 17, 2020

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      50+ Spring Nature Activities for Kids of…

      March 3, 2020

      Crafting

      How to Make a Willow Nature Crown…

      July 2, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      9 Special Ways to Celebrate Summer Solstice…

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      A Beginner’s Guide to Pond Dipping with…

      May 20, 2019

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      How Pokémon Can Get Kids Bird Watching

      April 30, 2019

      Nevada, USA

      Rock Climbing and Hiking Around Las Vegas…

      April 24, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      Signs of Spring Nature Walk for Kids…

      April 5, 2019

  • Spring Outside 2020
  • My Nature Adventure Journal
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  • Canadian Adventures
    • All Alberta British Columbia Lower Mainland Northern Interior Okanagan
      British Columbia

      Hiking and Camping with Kids at Kokanee…

      July 30, 2018

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Family-Friendly Adventures on BC’s Sunshine Coast

      November 8, 2017

      British Columbia

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

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      Hiking Spion Kop with Kids in Lake…

      October 10, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      September 28, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 30, 2017

      Alberta

      Rock Climbing with Kids in Jasper National…

      August 8, 2017

      Alberta

      Family Adventures in Jasper National Park: 10…

      July 26, 2017

      Alberta

      Shaw’s Point Resort

      August 6, 2015

      Alberta

      Apiaries in Northern Alberta

      August 5, 2015

      Alberta

      St. Isidore, Alberta

      August 4, 2015

      Alberta

      The Hoodoos

      July 29, 2015

      Alberta

      Royal Tyrrell Museum

      July 28, 2015

      Alberta

      Bow Valley Campground

      July 27, 2015

      British Columbia

      Hiking and Camping with Kids at Kokanee…

      July 30, 2018

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Family-Friendly Adventures on BC’s Sunshine Coast

      November 8, 2017

      British Columbia

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      November 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Hiking Spion Kop with Kids in Lake…

      October 10, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      September 28, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 30, 2017

      Lower Mainland

      Visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in…

      March 7, 2017

      Lower Mainland

      Outdoor Family Adventures in Metro Vancouver

      August 2, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Biking the Stanley Park Seawall

      July 27, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Exploring Deep Cove and Quarry Rock Trail

      July 25, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Visiting Queen Elizabeth Park

      July 22, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Biking Through Pacific Spirit Regional Park

      July 20, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Exploring Lynn Canyon Park

      July 18, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      1001 Steps to the Beach

      April 19, 2014

      Northern Interior

      Life at Ness Lake

      September 1, 2016

      Northern Interior

      McMillan Creek Regional Park

      October 8, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Ferguson Lake Nature Reserve

      October 6, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Eskers Provincial Park

      October 5, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Autumn in Northern British Columbia

      September 28, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Wildflowers in Northern British Columbia

      June 6, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Visiting Barkerville Historic Town

      June 2, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Travelling North

      June 19, 2013

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

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Backwoods Mama

Book Reviews

What I’m Reading in February

February 22, 2016


Books I Recently Finished

After You by Jojo Moyes
It has been two year since Will, her fiance, died and the pain of loss continues to cast dark shadows in Louisa’s world. Trying to eke a living out of a dead-end job while suffering through the oppression of loss, Lou’s world suddenly comes to a halt, somewhat accidentally. The characters in the story are quirky yet authentic and all seem to be progressing through various stages of loss and grief. I did not realize that After You is a sequel to Me Before You, which I have not read. Some people insist that you should read Me Before You first, but I still enjoyed After You without knowing the full story. (4/5)

Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
Circling the Sun is a historical fiction based on the life of Beryl Marham, born in England but raised in Kenya, and best known for being an accomplished horse trainer, aviator and non-conformist. Towards the end of the book Beryl posed a question that for me summarized many of the events of the book “a shadow smothering a shadow, emptiness and more emptiness, and what could be done?”. Throughout the story Beryl is constantly searching for freedom and independence and yet often encounters loss and brokenness. Despite her struggles she displayed great tenacity and resilience but as the reader the story felt like a long list of calamities and lovers overshadowed by dark brooding moods. While I enjoyed the setting of the book, the characters left me wanting. (2/5)

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
On a ranch in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution, Tita, the youngest of three sisters, is bound by her fate of caring for her cruel mother until the day she dies. But despite her curse she fall deeply in love with Pedro; it is a forbidden love. Tita tells her story in twelve chapters, one for each month of the year, and each chapter begins with a recipe. Tita’s cooking is the thread that binds love, loss and magic that weave the story of her life and that of her sisters. (4.5/5)

Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf
Driven by loneliness, seventy-year-old Addie Moore decides to invite her widowed neighbour Louis Waters to stay with her at night. Despite town gossip, their arrangement is not what might be expected. This gentle heartwarming story unfolds through simple conversations, and yet the simple narrative is heartwarming and profound. (4/5)

The Cruellest Month by Louise Penny
It is April and Easter is fast approaching. For the small town of Three Pines this means painted Easter eggs, baby geese and murder. Three Pines is in upheaval once again and with its third high profile murder cases in a matter of months. I am starting to see this town as rather ill-fated. Nevertheless, Gamache is on the case once again. The story is told through the view points of the various characters and there are many similarities to the first two books: Still Life and Fatal Grace. What interested me most in this book was the progress and climax related to Inspector Gamache’s professional decisions relating to a past case. For me this was the heart of the story, so much so that I had to re-read the end to remember who the murdered was. (3/5)

The Gilded Life of Matilda Duplaine by Alex Brunkhorst
Thomas Cleary, a young journalist for the LA Times, is living in rundown apartment and writing insignificant stories, but his life and career are about to experience a seismic shift. It all begins with an assignment to get quotes for an obituary from the daughter of legendary film producer. Suddenly without much warning he finds himself launched into the world of the rich and famous. Yet, with all its glamour and glitz there are many secrets, but it is one in particular that surprises and wholly captivates him and that is the life of Matilda Duplain. An addicting story about secrets and their power to captivate both literally and figuratively. (4/5)

The Name of the Wind: The Kingkiller Chronicle: Day One by Patrick Rothfuss
Kvothe is an innkeeper, at least that is what he wants everyone to believe, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. When The Chronicler discovers this legend of a man tucked away in a quiet inn he does all he can to convince Kvothe to tell his story, to set records straight. And so begins the story of Kvothe, thief, magician, man of many names and many adventures. Not a typical fantasy book but probably my so far. (5/5!)

Books I am currently reading

I am currently digesting all the stories I had the pleasure of reading in the last few weeks while relaxing down south. I am sure that it won’t be long before I begin reading a new book.

Books I am planning to read

Morning Star: Book III of The Red Rising Trilogy by Pierce Brown 
After the exhilaration of Red Rising and the disappointment of Golden Son I am curious to see how the third book of the Red Rising Trilogy will unfold.

The Wise Man’s Fear: The Kingkiller Chronicle: Day Two by Patrick Rothfuss
The sequel to The Name of the Wind.

This post is linked to Modern Mrs. Darcy’s Quick Lit.

What I’m Reading in February was last modified: May 31st, 2016 by Josée
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