ralphdyer
Edmonton Public Library
ralphdyer's Completed Shelf
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The Woman in the WoodsThe Woman in the Woods, eBookA Thriller
by Connolly, JohneBook - 2018eBook, 2018
Added Dec 13, 2021
Added Sep 19, 2019
Added Oct 30, 2018
Added May 19, 2014
Added May 13, 2014
Comment:
An alright book which brings back memories of Yellowknife. However, did not find it a compelling read
Added Feb 16, 2014
Comment:
A somewhat laid back type of mystery thriller as the writer is an Icelander. Entetaining enough; but, not a barnburner.
Added Dec 30, 2013
Comment:
Excellent book. Took me back to memories of Viet Nam both in terms of my travel experience and the history of the 1960' and 70's.
Added Dec 02, 2013
Comment:
The book was alright; but, not what it promised to be. The book started out OK with an interesting perspective on growing up in Zimbabwe. Not nice! From there, the story seemed to wander to America where it offered an interesting contrast between life as a African immigrant growing up in the US compared to her friends growing up in Zimbabwe. Both lifestyles seemed desolute with little prosepect of dreams and hopes to be realized.The book was alright; but, not what it promised to be. The book started out OK with an interesting perspective on growing up in Zimbabwe. Not nice! From there, the story seemed to wander to America where it offered an interesting contrast between…
Added Nov 21, 2013
Comment:
A very good book, if not a bit gruesome because of the "torture" scenes. A fictionalized account of the Huron/Iroquois conflict and the confilict between the old and new world. Interesting narrative thro the thoughts and voices of the three central characters, Bird, his adopted daughter, Snow Falls and the Jesuit missionary, Christophe. A good story and historical insight.A very good book, if not a bit gruesome because of the "torture" scenes. A fictionalized account of the Huron/Iroquois conflict and the confilict between the old and new world. Interesting narrative thro the thoughts and voices of the three central…
Lullabies for Little CriminalsLullabies for Little Criminals, BookA Novel
by O'Neill, HeatherBook - 2006Book, 2006
Added Nov 11, 2013
Comment:
Another "kid" book too close on the heels of On Sal Mal Road, so didn't get too far into it. Looks like an interesting read; but, perhaps too much a young girl's book.
Added Nov 11, 2013
Comment:
A very good book on the Tamil revolution in Sri Lanka and how it tore families and friends apart. While the author was very good at depicting the the characters and relationships, the story got too tedious for me and I skipped the middle part and picked up the end. Overall, an inciteful book very worth while reading.A very good book on the Tamil revolution in Sri Lanka and how it tore families and friends apart. While the author was very good at depicting the the characters and relationships, the story got too tedious for me and I skipped the middle part and…
Added Oct 14, 2013
Comment:
Not an easy read; but, an interesting and good book, nonetheless. full of vivid images of the local and life of living on the SW US Indian reservations in the early 1900's. I can understand how this novel won the Pultizer Prize and was considered to be the "break through" novel about the "native experience".Not an easy read; but, an interesting and good book, nonetheless. full of vivid images of the local and life of living on the SW US Indian reservations in the early 1900's. I can understand how this novel won the Pultizer Prize and was considered to…
Added Oct 08, 2013
Comment:
Another very good book about life in Afghanistan written from the perspective of individuals caught up in the internal, seemingly never ending conflict. Provides some sense of what it might be like to be a partisan to the conflict and having to deal with foreign soldiers in your country. The ending was somewhat ambiguous; but, I chose to believe that it ended well - because I needed to, after all the disapointments and hardships endured by the principal characters. Well written.Another very good book about life in Afghanistan written from the perspective of individuals caught up in the internal, seemingly never ending conflict. Provides some sense of what it might be like to be a partisan to the conflict and having to deal…
Added Sep 26, 2013
Comment:
Another good book by King; although somewhat different from his usual style. It take a while to get into the book; but the conclusion is good.
Added Sep 14, 2013
Comment:
A good fast read.
Added Apr 22, 2013
Comment:
Well writen; but, rather "drap" and somewhat bizarre short stories. Somewhat interesting;l but, not enough to read all the stories
Before the PoisonBefore the Poison, Audiobook CD
by Robinson, PeterAudiobook CD - 2012Audiobook CD, 2012
Added Apr 04, 2013
Comment:
An excellent book, well writen and good story line. One of the better books that I have read in the last few years
A Woman Among WarlordsA Woman Among Warlords, BookThe Extraordinary Story of An Afghan Who Dared to Raise Her Voice
by Joya, MalalaiBook - 2009Book, 2009
Added Mar 31, 2013
Comment:
Not a particuliar easy read; both, from a readibility perspective and subject matter. Leaves one wondering about the true reality of Afghan politics and cultural attitudes towards women. Both Malalai Joya and Fawzia Koffi share somewhat similiar views on the these two issues; but, differ in their approach and are critical of each other, Malalai Joya much more so than Koofi. Difficult to know who is more "on track". Joya is much harsher in her judgement of others and the US in particuliar than Koofi. However, both individuals paint a depressing picture of the political and cultural reality of today's Afghanistan.Not a particuliar easy read; both, from a readibility perspective and subject matter. Leaves one wondering about the true reality of Afghan politics and cultural attitudes towards women. Both Malalai Joya and Fawzia Koffi share somewhat similiar…
Added Mar 29, 2013
Comment:
In my mind there is no question that Shepard write well - it's just that I'm not sure what he is all about! Almost dropped the book after reading the first 2 stories; but, then I persevered and read most of the rest. Quite enjoyed them, even if I didn't really get the point.In my mind there is no question that Shepard write well - it's just that I'm not sure what he is all about! Almost dropped the book after reading the first 2 stories; but, then I persevered and read most of the rest. Quite enjoyed them, even if I…
Added Mar 27, 2013
Staring at the SunStaring at the Sun, BookOvercoming the Terror of Death
by Yalom, Irvin D.Book - 2008Book, 2008
Added Mar 27, 2013
Comment:
- "Death is everything
And it is nothing
The worms crawl in and the worms crawl out"
What a way to start a book!
And what an excellent book it was! - and on a topic that most people would not readily want to read about - death. But, as I discovered, the book was certainly more that just about death - it is also about living, friends and about influencing others.
I was particularly intrigued with chapter 4 and Epicuris's arguments:
1. The mortality of the soul (the soul is mortal and perishes with the body)
2. The ultimate nothingness of death ("why fear death when we can never perceive it" - because we are dead and have no consciousness)
3. The argument of symmetry ("our state of non-being after death is the same state we were in before our birth),
Other interesting notes:
- the "remembered"dead and the "truly"dead- country cemeteries (pg. 179)
I like Yalom's discussion about religion, meaning and morality which he explains that religion does not hold an exclusive right to the concepts of meaning and morality.- "Death is everything
And it is nothing
The worms crawl in and the worms crawl out"
What a way to start a book!
And what an excellent book it was! - and on a topic that most people would not readily want to read about…
Added Mar 27, 2013
Comment:
Basically, it is her views on what makes Man., Sk and AB uniquely "Western" as opposed to the rest of Canada. Can't say for sure whether I agree entirely with her perspectives, especially when it applies to Natives; but, she does provide some interesting thoughts. Her book is divided into chapters assigned to the question "What makes a Westerner?" Her answer, by chapter is:
Our relationship to the land
Our uneasy relationship with the Aboriginal population
Our stubborn refusal to recognize the "French fact"
Our excessive reverence for our pioneers and our pioneering past
Our profoundly patriarchal world and our gritty, resolute women
Our constant dissatisfaction
Our mythic view of the West
An easy and short book to read.Basically, it is her views on what makes Man., Sk and AB uniquely "Western" as opposed to the rest of Canada. Can't say for sure whether I agree entirely with her perspectives, especially when it applies to Natives; but, she does provide some…
Added Mar 24, 2013
ralphdyer's rating:
Added Mar 18, 2013
Comment:
A good book documenting the author's challenges growing up as a female in Afghanistan. Also provides a good overview of political history and conflict in Afghanistan since the 1970's. It helps to put some context to many of the items that come across the news media about that country. It is difficult to believe and understand the challenges that women and people in general face in countries such as Afghanistan and it is somewhat disheartening in some ways to consider that this occurs in this day and age and elsewhere in the world. However, the book also emphasizes many of the positives of the culture and history of Afghanistan.A good book documenting the author's challenges growing up as a female in Afghanistan. Also provides a good overview of political history and conflict in Afghanistan since the 1970's. It helps to put some context to many of the items that come…
Added Mar 11, 2013
Comment:
Not sure what to think about this novel. Yes, at times, it seems to be brilliantly writen; but, it goes on and on and on into every tawdry detail. I just could not bother to read it in its entirety and ended up skimming it to the end.
Comment: