The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow Blog Tour - The fun continues...

Welcome back! As part of The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow blog tour, the wonderful folks over at HarperCollinsCanada provided a choice of extra ways to participate in the tour, in addition to the traditional book reviews. Yesterday tour followers were treated to a wonderful Q & A with the author and if you haven't checked it out, be sure to do that soon by visiting The Savvy Reader blog and following the links which will be updated daily as each post is published.  Earlier today I shared my thoughts on this book that in my belief is sure to become a bestseller. 

With that taken care of, that leads me to my second post and the subject of my top 5 picks for literature set in the 1950s.  I'm sure I don't have to explain in detail how difficult it is for any bibliophile to recommend a limited number of books - in fact I'm fairly confident that even as you were reading the previous comment, you were doing a great impression of a bobblehead. Even without that limit, there is a second issue that comes to mind. The lists. You've seen them. No matter whether it's on a blog, a social network, or dedicated book sites, you will find the lists that often repeat the same tried and tested favourites. I have no issue with that, but I also don't want to be repetitive.

On that note, I decided not to do that. Instead, I opted to do a little research on books that are set in the 1950s that in most cases, have been released in the last year or so (in no particular order). 

• Driving the Birds (Jabonkah Sackey's Story) by Russell Traughber.
  
  An important book that I believe should be read by everyone. It's a book that opens the readers eyes to the often barbaric practices that are still occurring to this day. I'm always hesitant when speaking about this because I am well aware that in every culture we do things that don't always seem right to those from another country, or culture but in this case, I don't believe these practices have a place in the world today. It's my hope that authors such as Russell Traughber and the courageous Jabonkah Sackey continue spreading the word, and that we continue to support their goal. You can find my review of this book here.


• The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow by Rita Leganski.

If you haven't already, you can read my review to discover why this book is such a favourite of mine. It was actually fairly easy to forget that this novel was partly set in the 50s until certain scenes provided a stark reminder of the racial issues prevalent in that era. A fabulous novel published by Harper Collins Canada

• Stony River by Tricia Dower.

This book is set in Stony River, New Jersey, 1955. Stony River is a small town, you've seen many like it with children playing out in the open, without fear but in one summer, with one girl dead and another missing, all that is set to change. The back of the novel describes Stony River as 'An engrossing novel about growing up, finding your voice and forgiving your family'.You can read my review here. I'm grateful for the recommendation from the crew over at Penguin Canada for this one. 

• A Grain of Wheat by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o.

This book is set during the state of emergency in Kenya's struggle for independence (1952-1959). It's the first book I have read by this Kenyan author though he has quite the number of published works. I'm still working my through this gripping novel which is part of the Penguin Classics line of titles. I'll be posting a review of it in the near future.

• The Jeeptown Sock Hop by John Harrigan.

Often I get requests from independent publicists and authors themselves who are seeking reviewers for their newly released books. That is how The Jeeptown Sock Hop found it's way to me. As a survivor, I was interested from the start as I know the novel deals with the subject of sexual abuse towards children and I try to promote as many books on this, and other issues via my blog.The back of the book promises that 'it plays your heart strings until you can't take anymore and the characters are so well developed they become part of your soul'. It looks to be a powerful read. Once again, the review will be posted in a week or so.

This blog tour, in addition to providing me with an excellent book, a new favourite author, and the challenge regarding books set in the 50s, has really encouraged me to pay attention to the era represented in many of my current and past reads. I could be found at times checking out the titles in the study, seeking out firm favourites and then muttering very impolite words under my breath when I found those titles didn't fit in with this decade and thus prevented me from raving about them. I'm sure I'll find an excuse to do that sometime soon though.

If you'd like to take part in the giveaway and win your very own copy of The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow just drop me an e-mail with the the answer to the following question. The first correct answer gets the book. You must reside in Canada or the US to enter (You'll find the answer here)

Which colourful and evocative city is The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow set in?

Thank you for sharing your time with me today, and once again a huge thank you to Harper Collins Canada for inviting me to participate in this fun blog tour. I'll be following the remaining bloggers through to the conclusion of the tour on March 1, and I encourage each of you to do the same. Once again you can find the information over at The Savvy Reader blog.

The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow by Rita Leganski

Welcome! Today is the second day of The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow blog tour which I have been excited about from the first moment I was sent an invitation to participate. I have to give my thanks to the wonderful folks over at HarperCollinsCanada for introducing me to a book that was such a pleasure to read. The tour started off wonderfully yesterday with Jaclyn of Literary Treats. You can learn more about the stops on this tour by visiting The Savvy Reader blog which will be updated daily with quotes from every blogger and links to each post. I invite you to join me in following this tour through to its conclusion on Friday. I'm sure it's going to be a fun and entertaining experience. I am especially excited about the secondary posts that will be made, though I know that it will undoubtedly mean adding more books to my 'to read' list.  

I'm going to be making two posts today. The first is where I will share my thoughts about the book and the second, more challenging post, will be my top 5 picks of books set in the 1950s. I'm simply terrible when it comes to trying to select a few favourites but I'll try my best and you can see the results at around 1pm EST.

Now for the moment I've been both eagerly anticipating and dreading, my review.. 

Published by HarperCollinsCanada

The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow has lingered with me since I first read it a few weeks ago. Any mother will tell you that when her baby entered the world, the most beautiful sound in the world is their first cry as they announce their arrival to the human race. However, there is always an exception to every rule and Bonaventure Arrow is exactly that. All around him are bewildered by his lack of a voice and that isn't the only thing that they don't understand. Bonaventure has a secret, a few of them in fact.

He has an amazing gift in the form of superhuman hearing. In his world he can hear flowers growing, and even colours have a unique sound that only he can experience. It's the everyday objects such as written letters, pencils and more that really drive home just how special he is. A jar of sand holds the sounds of water, rocks and seaweed from where it used to live, a stub of chalk offered up the sounds of tiny creatures building seashells out of lime. These items and others were soon collected in a box along with many more of Bonaventure's favourite sounds. At least those he can keep. It's impossible to capture the clouds and the joyful noise of possibility that they provided. The only person who really understands his unique qualities is his deceased father, William Arrow, who was murdered before the birth of his son. Often it is only the relationship with his father that allows Bonaventure to remain so kind, gentle, and confident in a house where his mother and grandmother are not only grieving the loss of their beloved William, but are also fighting their personal demons, weighed down with guilt.

This is one of those books that you just know is going to be on numerous bestseller lists. The plot is brilliant and unique, truly unforgettable. The writing style is extraordinary and a joy to read. I know my regular followers are probably aware that sometimes a book will become a favourite for me, just because it has such eloquent and beautiful language that inspires the reader to read certain passages aloud. This book has that effect on me but on a far greater level than I've experienced before.

In addition, the characters are complex, and fascinating. I felt I had bonded with the characters from remarkably early in the novel and usually for me that happens towards the end of a novel when I've absorbed a great deal of detail. It speaks volumes about the writing skills of Rita Leganski that the detail was blended beautifully into this well-crafted tale.

I'd find it difficult to choose a favourite character in this novel. I find myself enthralled by Bonaventure and his inexplicable, almost magical gift as well as his inspirational nature that embodies all that is good in humanity. I also find myself fascinated by Trinidad Prefontaine and her experiences in an era that was still rife with racial inequality, as well as the superstition and fear that surrounds Hoodoo (African-American folk magic). I have to admit that I felt a great deal of emotion for each and every character in this book and not always in a good way. A prime example is the maternal grandmother who inspired only dark and negative feelings in me that mostly stemmed from her awful treatment of Bonaventure. It's certainly an emotionally charged read and though I've read it twice already, I know that I'll be revisiting this book often.

I said at the start of this review, that I had eagerly anticipated and dreaded this review and that still holds true. I always read my reviews a few times before finally publishing them. In some cases that is helpful and then in cases like this, it's really more of a hindrance.

I could write this review a dozen times over, and it would never come close to capturing the magic and beauty of this exceptionally flawless debut novel. It has created a yearning in me, for silence and solitude in the hope that even if just for a second we could experience the world through Bonaventure's eyes. Anyone who has ever met me will tell you that the idea of me, and silence, is a miracle in itself. In finishing, all I can say is you need this book.

Don't forget to pop back here later today and check out my top 5 post, as well as details of a book giveaway for one lucky reader!

The Poisoned Pawn by Peggy Blair

Published by Penguin Group Canada

Some of you will already be familiar with Cuban Inspector Ricardo Ramirez from his debut appearance in The Beggar's Opera. If you missed that title, don't worry as one lucky reader will win a copy of The Poisoned Pawn as well as a copy of The Beggar's Opera so you can read them both! 

Inspector Ramirez has quite the challenge in this novel. When a priest is found in possession of pornography featuring Cuban children, Ramirez is sent to Canada in order to bring the priest back home where he'll face the consequences of his actions. To further complicate issues while he is in Ottawa trying to navigate the legal and political minefield that will allow him to take custody of the priest, women back home in Havana have begun to drop dead from what is believed to be some form of toxin. When it's further revealed that two of the victims were tourists, Ramirez needs to act fast before a travel advisory is issued, and Cuban tourism grinds to a halt. 

It's not often that I find myself drawn to books of the murder mystery type but when I was asked if I would like to participate in The Poisoned Pawn blog tour, I knew I couldn't or shouldn't say no. I was highly curious to see if the second instalment of this series lived up to my expectations and I was definitely not disappointed. Once again Peggy Blair provides a strong cast of characters, along with a brilliantly executed plot that certainly lacked the transparency that can occur with some mystery and thriller novels. I can't comment on the detail and/or accuracy of the Cuban setting, having never been there, but Ottawa was captured perfectly. I always get a little more enjoyment out of a book when it speaks of places that are familiar to me. One of the strongest impressions this book has left with me, is that the writing has a wonderfully fluid style that makes it impossible to avoid being caught up in this fast-paced adventure. So much so that I picked up the novel this afternoon knowing I could get an hour or so of reading time and then found myself at the end of the book, realizing it had been close to 5 hours and the light is fading fast.  

It's all of these things combined that makes The Poisoned Pawn a novel that you should check out. Even if, like me, murder mysteries are not something that usually appeal, you might just be surprised. If you'd like to see more reviews of this title, you can check out the links below and find out what the other blog tour participants think of this title too.

• Feb 25 - The Literary Word (You are here!)
• Feb 26 - Curled Up with a Good Book and a Cup of Tea
• Feb 28 - Just a Lil Lost
• Mar 04 - A Bookworm's World
• Mar 05 - Serendipitous Readings
• Mar 06 - Literary Treats
• Mar 07 - Thrifty Momma's Brainfood

If you'd like to try and win a copy of each of the Inspector Ramirez titles, it's your lucky day thanks to the wonderful folks over at Penguin Canada.

All you have to do is check out Peggy's website (listed below) and then let me know via e-mail what is so special about the martini shaker that is featured there. This contest is open to Canadians only.

Author's website: http://www.peggyblair.com/.

There's Lead in Your Lipstick by Gillian Deacon

Published by Penguin Group Canada

Each morning we spritz, soak, and slather ourselves in 127 different chemicals, many of which are toxic. Each time we draw a bubble bath for a child, lather foaming cream for a shave, or deodorize our underarms, we expose our bodies to innumerable chemicals with limited research on their long-term health effects. The cosmetics industry is not required to prove an ingredient is safe for human health before it is used in a consumer product. Shocking, but true.

Gillian Deacon is a breast cancer survivor who decided to write this book when learning about the many toxins that are placed into so many of our beauty products and I am so glad she did. Gillian shares with the readers that she was reading Stacy Malkan's 'Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of Beauty' while waiting to have an ultrasound to help diagnose her possible breast cancer. That book inspired this brilliantly researched, informative and invaluable resource that literally shocked me to hell.

Never have I been so relieved that I am not a person who likes to wear make-up. More shocking though are the amount of products that seem to contain ingredients that are known, or suspected to cause breast cancer. In one chapter that really grabbed my attention, Gill Deacon shares the following facts:

• More American women have died of breast cancer in the last 20 years than the number of Americans killed in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War combined.
• Many of the big cosmetics corporations that position themselves as leaders in the struggle to eradicate breast cancer - holding annual fundraisers and pink-ribbon campaigns - are in fact, makers and marketers of products that contain many ingredients known or suspected to cause breast cancer.
  

More shocking still, in other chapters, was the sheer volume of baby products - products we believe we can trust to use with our precious young, that contain crazy amounts of toxins. Baby powder for example.

• Talc is still found in some baby powders and as a moistureabsorbing ingredient in products like eyeshadow, blush, and deodorant. Talc is similar to asbestos in its chemical composition. It is linked to ovarian cancer and is also a probable respiratory toxin. Watch for ingredients listed as talc, French talc, or cosmetic talc.

What also concerned me, was info about baby shampoos from a brand that I had long trusted when my children were babies. Shampoos that contained ingredients that cause developmental issues, among other things. I was horrified. The news isn't all bad though. In addition to sharing a great deal of information along with the encouragement to make your own well-informed choices, Gill Deacon provides countless sources for truly natural and safe products that we can use without concern. Or at least, with the knowledge we are harming ourselves less. I especially liked that recipes for making your own products were included. One of my favourites is:

Make It Yourself: Moisturizing Mask

Greek yogourt is also very moisturizing and can be used as a base for this mask.

1/2 medium to large avocado
1 to 2 tbsp honey 5 to 15 mL

Puree ingredients together in a blender or whip by hand.
For dry, sensitive skin, add one tablespoon of oatmeal and one tablespoon of water.
Mix together into a smooth paste and apply to the face and neck area, leaving on for about ten minutes.

From There’s Lead in Your Lipstick by Gillian Deacon (Penguin Canada). Copyright © Backbone Inc. FSO Gillian Deacon, 2011

One of the resources spoken of in the book, was EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetic Database. I rushed to check it and was astounded at how many of my usual products are in the higher hazard range. To be honest, this book troubled me a great deal. So much so that when reading about shampoo and body wash, I sprinted out of bed and checked the bottles in my bathroom for the dreaded ingredients and was dismayed to see so many of them present. This book is a definite wake-up call and I have decided because of it, that our home is going to be a more natural environment and not just with personal hygiene products, but with general household cleaners and more.

I can't recommend this book enough. Please read it. In order to help people to transition to healthier products, the author has also created a wallet-sized tip sheet with important things to remember. You can find it by clicking on the image below.

I'm also happy to announce that as part of this blog tour, a prize is being offered. The prize contains a copy of There’s Lead In Your Lipstick and an Eco Kiss kit from the folks at Saffron Rouge (combined value of approx. CDN $48.95.)

It's open to Canadian residents only. Simply drop me an e-mail at: theliteraryword [at] gmail [dot] com with the answer to the following question (answer can be found at Gillian Deacon's site):

What is the title of Gillian Deacon's other bestselling book that is a friendly how-to guide to making simple changes in your day-to-day life for a cleaner, healthier world?

The first person to e-mail me with the correct answer will win the goody pack!

To check out other reviews from fellow blog tour participants, visit the links below:

April 11 Rayment’s Readings, Rants and Ramblings

April 12 My Ever Expanding Library

April 13 Jacob’s Beloved

April 14 Bella’s Bookshelves
April 15 Cindy’s Love of Books
April 18 Rowangarth Farm
April 19 Lost for Words
April 20 Curled Up With a Good Book and a Cup of Tea
April 21 A Bookworm’s World

April 22 KimWerker.com
April 25 A Mom After God’ Own Heart

April 26 The Literary Word (You are already here!)
April 27 Just a Lil Lost
April 28 In the Next Room

Forrest Griffin Contest & Upcoming Review!

Published by HarperCollins Publishers and HarperCollins Publishers Canada

How happy am I? Not only do I learn that Forrest Griffin (UFC Fighter) has brought out a book titled Be Ready When the Sh*t Goes Down: A Survival Guide To The Apocalypse, but also the nice folks over at Harper Collins Canada have put together a contest so that lucky fans and readers have a chance to win a pair of Forrest Griffin's signed UFC gloves! *swoon*

I don't know about you guys, but for me personally this is Christmas come early. Look out for the review of Be Ready When the Sh*t Goes Down in the very near future, and in the meantime head on over to HarperCollins Canada for your chance to win, and to learn more about the book!

The Best of A Little Joy, A Little Oy/The 10 by Marnie Winston-Macauley

I love day-to-day calendars! Why? How many of us start off with a new calendar hanging proudly on the wall in January, only to turn around one day in August and see that we are apparently still in April? Oh, that's just me? Oh well. I love these little calendars sitting upon my desk, waiting for me to tear away a page at the beginning of each day and now, my days just got better.

A Little Joy, a Little Oy is a calendar that Marnie Winston-Macauley has been putting together for many years now. I have always found it insightful, educational and downright entertaining with it's humour and wisdom. I was thrilled to see that this year, Marnie has released a special 9th edition: The Best of A Little Joy, a Little Oy. On the front of each page, you will find a fact, joke, or even guidance on using yiddish language. On the back, you will find a daily extra which can be a puzzle, a random quote, seasonal sale ideas, cleaning tips and so much more. My favourites are probably the 'on this day in history' facts. I learn so much all the time from these calendars and this one is a definite winner.




The 10 is another calendar by Marnie Winston-Macauley and I have to admit, I love this one. The 10 is filled with sometimes different, sometimes weird, but always entertaining content. From nutty tax deductions to odd phobias, trendy death rituals to nursery rhymes with morbid origins (I only know of one), and even encouragement to create your own fun lists.. it's all here. Again, on the back of each page you will find the daily extras which always encourages me to relax a little each day.

When I was sent these little gems, the generous people over at Andrews McMeel informed me that they had TEN sets for me to give away here on the blog. I am so thrilled about that! So, here is the deal. Please send an email to me with your name, and full mailing address. The first ten people will win a copy of each calendar by Marnie. I look forward to hearing from you. Get sending!

Free Books Update!

I am thrilled that a couple of authors made it possible for me to give away copies of their books.

Here are the offers and details:

Offer 1 (2 sets remaining!)

Diana S. Zimmerman and Noesis Publishing provided FIVE extra copies of the book 'Kandide and the Secret of the Mists', each of which comes with a bookmark and also a hard copy of the magic trick that can be found online here. Five lucky readers will get one of these bundles of goodies. All you have to do is e-mail me at theliteraryword@gmail.com with the answer to the following questions which can be found on Diana’s site http://www.kandide.com/

1. Diana S Zimmerman has many roles in life including that of the World’s Foremost Lady Magician and star of her own HBO TV show. What is the name of the show? (Answer located in About the Author)
2. What is Lady Aron’s favourite book? (Answer located in Friends and Foes)
3. In the Garglan Magic Trick there are 10 Garglans at first, how many are there after you click on the screen? (Answer located in the Magic Trick)
   

Again, the email is theliteraryword@gmail.com. The first five people to send me the correct info will be contacted so I can get their mailing info and send their free bundle!

Offer 2 (Down to a Sunless Sea is still up for grabs!)

Mathias B Freese has graciously provided me with signed copies of 2 books. Down to a Sunless Sea (which I recently reviewed and loved), and i Tetralogy (which I will be reviewing soon).

The first person to e-mail me at theliteraryword@gmail.com (please put the title of the book you want in the subject line) will win the signed copy. I will then contact the winner and request mailing info so that I can send the book.

Enjoy, and good luck!

Kandide and the Secret of the Mists by Diana S. Zimmerman. Illustrated by Maxine Gadd

Published by Noesis Publishing

The kingdom of Calabiyau is in turmoil. King Toeyad, ruler of the Fée kingdom, is dead. Next in line is his eldest daughter Kandide who has been prepared for her special role as Queen – and Keeper of the Gift - since birth. Unfortunately, being constantly reminded of how important she is has led to Kandide being spoiled, willful, and incredibly vain. To be fair, her vanity is valid as no finer, more perfect creature can be found anywhere.

While preparing for her upcoming crowning ceremony, Kandide suffers a tragic accident and suddenly her worst fears become a reality. Mercilessly cast aside by her mother, she is banished to a dark and dangerous land where all Imperfects are left to survive – or die, as they will. Kandide has always detested and feared Imperfects. Now she must face and co-exist with them, and harder still, she must accept her own future as one of them.

Back in Calabiyau, Kandide’s family has problems of their own. The high council is demanding to know the location of Kandide – and the Gift, on which life itself depends. Now Kandide’s siblings must go seek their banished sister and return within three days. The very life of their mother is dependant upon their success. With their mother’s enemy, the fiery Lady Aron, working against them, can the family survive?

Okay, I can’t even begin to tell you how much I loved this book. I was hooked and literally couldn’t put it down from start to finish and on reaching the last page, I was eager for the story to continue. Now I can’t wait for the second and third installments of this series. I have read many fantasy novels and of those, many have contained faeries and magic but none have ever moved me in the way this did. This is not simply a faery tale or a tale of magic. This is not even just a tale of good against evil. This is a story which is inspirational, teaches patience, tolerance, acceptance and perhaps most important of all, it teaches the important lesson of beauty being much more than skin deep. This is a tale that all children should read but I think for the adults it is a superb choice too. It certainly spoke to the inner child in me. The simply stunning artwork by Maxine Gadd made me love this book even more. My favourite illustrations in this book are Tara, and Lady Aron (both viewable here)

Fantastic read. I saw on the website that someone had said that after reading Harry Potter they had wondered if a series of books ever knock them off their feet again. The same person said they found that the Calabiyau Chronicles did just that and I find myself agreeing. I love Kandide’s world and I don’t think I could ever get tired of reading about it. I think what I loved too, was that after reading the book, I went to check out the site and it’s an online playground and wealth of information regarding the series and characters so you can learn even more. I loved the character biographies (which are also in the back of the book).

Author's website: http://www.kandide.com/
Illustrator's website: http://www.fataraworld.com/