OFF THE BOOKS
Each week, members of our Reading Society share their best recent read. Join us at theafterword.ca
A journalistic masterpiece, No Good Men Among the Living by Anand Gopal provides heartbreaking insight about violence in Afghanistan. I devoured this book. Bibi Hashim, Ajax, Ont.
The King of Shanghai is Ian Hamilton’s latest page-turner with Ava Lee, a heroine who is feisty, kicks like Jackie Chan and has Donald Trump’s travel budget. Gina Barlow, Mississauga, Ont.
Just finished the compulsively readable The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. Now I know why everyone is talking about this book. Kim Haney, Oakville, Ont.
I couldn’t put The Paying Guest by Sarah Waters down. Set in London in the 1920s, there’s a love affair, a shocking murder and an ending with a twist. Eileen Bell, Victoria
In Station Eleven, Emily St. John Mandel handles her post-apocalyptic theme delicately, and the frequent references to Toronto were a nice touch. Len Dvorkin, Thornhill, Ont.
Another Way to Fall by Amanda Brooke could be called “how to live happily ever after even though you know you won’t.” I knew how it would end, but I cried anyway. Alison French, Penticton, B.C.
The prose in Jill McCorkle’s Going Away Shoes is rich and the stories are engaging. I will definitely be looking up more of this author. Walt Smith, Toronto
The Truth About The Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker features writer’s block, seagulls, desperate love and words left unspoken play a role. Joanne Paine, Burlington, Ont.
The Secret History of Las Vegas by Chris Abani is a very funny mystery with a cast of oddball characters in a world you won’t want to stop reading about. Eric Cohen, Toronto
I just finished reading The Beggar’s Opera by Canadian author Peggy Blair. A murder-mystery with a Canadian twist that takes place in Old Havana, Cuba. Karen Hewitt, Orillia, Ont.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins is a wellwritten thriller, but the main characters are so damaged by alcohol and abusive men. Rather depressing. Anita Belinsky, Montreal
The Financial Lives of Poets by Jess Walter is a funny, sad story about the impact the 2008 economic crisis had on middle-class Americans. It’s a great read. Lorraine Whellams, Calgary