Book 38 (2012) Removing the Hutterite Kerchief by Rebecca Hofer

Can't remember much.

Book 31 (2012) A boy, a farm, a dream ** by Cynthia Faryon

The story of the Marchand pioneers through the eyes of Lloyd Lehman.  I met this amazing man (age 90 +) this summer.   He is now married to Shirley Hastings Toews, related by blood to my Aunt Martha Doerksen Toews Griffiths.   Dad was a friend since they were kids.   We visited one afternoon, what a great day.  

He wrote his memoirs, Faryon interviewed him, and created the book.   Shirley says it's full of errors.   Her writing is not great, but the story is outstanding.  He stayed on the farm but his dream was machinery and trains.

The back story is the story of Watson Pogue Davidson and The Manitoba Dairy Farms.  We also took many drives through the Marchand area identifying where all the dairy barns, schools, etc. used to stand.  Many great afternoons.

Book 17 (2012) Removing the Hutterite Kerchief ** by Rebecca Hofer

One of those true stories of just how corrupt a closed community can be.  Well written and an education.

Book 8 (2012) The Concubine's Children **** by Denise Chong

A master accomplishment by this writer.   Anyone who lives or has lived in Vancouver or Nanaimo must read it.   No, everybody must read it.

Chong tells the story of her mother and grandmother's lives.   The grandmother was the second wife, the Canada wife, or concubine.   She made her living as a tea house lady.   I had never heard about these tea houses in the early China towns.   Chong's mother told her the story of growing up in this environment, with a heartless gambling, drinking mother.   Included are several trips back to China by various member's of the family to build a mansion, visit the first wife and children, and find the ruins and descendants.  

An overwhelming story and not a hard read. 

Book 9 127 Hours * by Aron Ralston

This is an intriguing adventure, very poorly written.   Mainly about the writer's various adventures getting into dangerous places, interspersed with the details of his 127 trapped in a canyon.   He did everything wrong to get into trouble but then saved himself by being smart and tough.  

Book 93 The Mistress of Nothing ** by Kate Pullinger

This is the true story of an English woman who moved to Egypt in circa 1850, on the premise of  her health, and her maid.  The two women became involved with the local community, in particular the men.   It is written with very little reference to time and place---you'd hardly know you were in 19th C. Egypt.   I found myself longing for greater insight and description.  

However, because it is a true and unique story, you must read it.

Book 62 The Zookeeper's Wife *** by Diane Ackerman

This is a most interesting book, a true story about a woman who saved many Jews during WW II, by hiding them in the Warsaw zoo.   The stories of the animals, her husband and children, the many guests they had over the entire war well told, intense and lovely. Ackerman is a master of detail.   The history of the appalling Jewish ghetto and the astounding Polish resistance is unfolded in equally grim detail.   There are numerous anecdotes of encounters with the German army and officials and many narrow escapes.   An essential book for readers interested in history and WW II.

I found the writing style a bit annoying at times but can't remember why at the moment.