Book Blogger Appreciation Week Day 4: Book Recognition

Day 4 of Book Blogger Appreciation Week is all about showing love to and getting the word out about books we think deserve more recognition.  

In case you don't know, I'm a fiercely proud Canadian.  But up until a few years ago, I didn't read much Canadian literature (I was rebelling against high school English classes all those years.)  When I finally did start reading it, I discovered a wealth of amazing authors and stories.  And I decided then that I wanted my blog to do its part getting the word out about the awesome Canadian talent we have.

So to showcase our wonderful talent I've picked two amazing books that I think everyone the world over should read.  Below you'll find a link to the book and excerpts from my reviews.

The Beggar's Opera by Peggy Blair

The Beggar's Opera by Peggy Blair is a fantastic, fast-paced mystery set in the beautiful landscape of Castro's Cuba.  It is engaging, educational and well-researched, full of danger, intrigue and surprise.  This is a novel that will have you immediately wrapped up, wanting to rush to turn the page to find out what happens next yet wanting to slow down to savour every drop of its beauty and richness.  I personally cannot find fault with this book, it is everything I want my mysteries to be.

Touch by Alexi Zentner

Alexi Zentner's Touch is a beautiful story of a pioneering family, the three generations that carved their place in the wilderness and the ways in which the wilderness remains forever imprinted on their lives.  Monsters, witches and golden caribou roam the woods as the townspeople face love and death amidst the crippling cold of the logging town.  Evocative, stunning, haunting, page-turner - the perfect words to describe Zentner's debut novel.  His writing does what we ask of books, to transport us to new places and make those places a part of us.

And now to something a little different......

I've always been a little hesitant when it comes to reading self-published books, especially e-books.  I know it's silly, because there are a lot of great unsigned writers out there.  Recently, I read two brand spanking new self-published chick lit novels which I think were fantastic so I definitely want to give them shout-outs in this post.

 

Yours Truly by Kirsty Greenwood
Yours Truly by Kirsty Greenwood is an irresistible debut novel.  I immediately took to the character of Natalie.  I love the concept of a girl who has trouble speaking up being hypnotized into never telling a lie.  There is tons going on in this book - crazy family members, family secrets, wannabe pop stars, pubs in danger of closing down, snowstorms, controlling boyfriends, gangsters, tacky weddings - but it all fits together wonderfully to create one funny story.  There were many laugh out loud moments.

The Bad Boyfriends Bootcamp by Poppy Dolan
The Bad Boyfriends Bootcamp is the debut novel from Poppy Dolan and is a funny, enjoyable story.  The fact that I was laughing out loud from the very first page (and my husband laughed when I read it to him) was a very good sign.  It has a great combination of laughs and romance, a main character who is loveable, and all-around charm.  It is an incredible first novel, one that fans of chick-lit will enjoy and find unique, and I look forward to what else Ms. Dolan has to offer.

I hope that at least one of these books stands out to you and you'll give it a chance, they are all very worthwhile reads.