September Events at the Nest

Call 403-287-9557 or email owlsnestbooks@shaw.ca to RSVP or for more information. 

7 September @ 4:30pm, Senior Owlets book club meeting, discussing Gone by Michael Grant.

11 September @ 9am, Junior Owlets book club meeting, discussing Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins.

11 September @ 2pm, local author Agnes Bellegris with her lovely children’s book Days to Treasure.

15 September @ 7:30pm, Hootdunnit meeting, discussing Seaweed on the Street by Stanley Evans

21 September @ 4:30pm, Fledglings meeting, discussing Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

23 September @ 7:00pm, Dr. Ruth Simkin lauches her memoir The Jagged Years of Ruthie J.  (Note: This event takes place in the Crump Room at Christ Church Calgary, 3602 – 8th Street SW.)

Published in: on September 1, 2010 at 4:44 pm  Leave a Comment  

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld, Hardcover, $22.99

In the middle of the night, Aleksander Ferdinand is ripped from his bed, told that his parents, the Archduke Francis and Sophie have been assassinated and his life is in danger. 

This is the beginning of World War One, straight out of the history books…but this is not your teacher’s history book. 

This is a new genre, steampunk, that mixes elements of historical fiction and science fiction.  It gets its name from the Victorian era, when steam was the principal source of machine power. 

The author, Scott Westerfeld, pits the steam power of the Clankers; machines that look like something from Star Wars, against the Darwinists, who create their weapons by genetically engineering animals.  The Leviathan of the title is one of their whale-dirigibles; a living, breathing airship.     

Aboard the Leviathan is young seaman, Deryn Sharp.  Deryn carries a secret: she is a girl disguised as a boy.  The Leviathan is also carrying a mysterious cargo, bound for Constantinople. 

The Leviathan is shot down by German war planes, near where Alek and his guardians are hiding.  Alek goes to help them, despite the danger to himself…

Published in: on March 31, 2010 at 12:00 pm  Comments (1)  

Review from Cynthia: The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff

The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff, ppk. $12.95

The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff, ppk. $12.95

Marcus Flavius Aquila dreams of glorious military success. Both his father and uncle had served in Roman Britain, and Marcus follows them there as a Cohort Commander with the Roman Auxiliaries. His uncle has settled in Britain after his years of military service, but Marcus’ father disappeared with the Ninth Hispana, a legion sent north of Hadrian’s Wall to deal with the Caledonians. Severely wounded in a Celtic uprising, Marcus is discharged from the Roman Military. As he recovers, he hears rumors of the lost golden eagle standard of the Ninth Hispana. Marcus and his friend Esca, set off to find the lost eagle, and to regain his father’s honour. Originally published in 1954, The Eagle of the Ninth is the first book in Sutcliffe’s series on Roman Britain.

Published in: on February 7, 2009 at 4:34 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Review from Jessie: The Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George

The Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George, ppk. $18.95

The Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George, ppk. $18.95

 Though not Margaret George’s most recent novel, The Memoirs of Cleopatra may be her most ambitious and certainly one of her easiest to read. In George’s characteristically elegant prose, the enigmatic last queen of Egypt narrates her own life story, from her tumultuous childhood to her famous suicide by asp, as well as all the political betrayals and high-status love affairs (Cleopatra was involved with both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony) in between. You may already know much of Cleopatra’s story, but George offers a worthwhile new perspective to lose yourself in. Don’t be put off by the length; even after 950 pages, you’ll be sorry to leave Cleopatra behind. Be sure to explore her four other fictional biographies, including Helen of Troy and The Autobiography of Henry VII.

Published in: on January 26, 2009 at 2:46 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Review from Judith: The Sealed Letter, by Emma Donoghue

The Sealed Letter by Emma Donoghue, hc $29.95

The Sealed Letter by Emma Donoghue, hc $29.95

Based on the details of a scandalous court case in 1864, The Sealed Letter leads the reader through a web of manipulations both legal and emotional.  The events leading up to the trial, and the accusations that fly seem like something that could have been on yesterday’s Jerry Springer show.  We watch the story primarily through the eyes of Emily ‘Fido’ Faithful, an early advocate for women’s employment rights.  Various definitions of what makes an independent and strong woman battle it out in this wonderfully realistic historical novel, which was longlisted for the ScotiabankGiller Prize.

 

Published in: on January 14, 2009 at 12:19 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Review from Susan: Burning Bright, by Tracy Chevalier

Burning Bright by Tracy Chevalier, ppk $14.00

Burning Bright by Tracy Chevalier, ppk $14.00

Lovers of historical fiction will enjoy Chevalier’s look at poet and radical William Blake. She brings to life the social picture of the time, as well as the political scene. Fear of the French Revolution spreading to England made Blake and his wife suspicious characters. Chevalier tells us the story of Blake’s England through the lives of Jeremy and Meg, one a rural immigrant and one a life-long Londoner (the source of Songs of Innocence and Experience?) Intertwined through the book is another main character – Astley’s Circus.  We are taken behind the scenes of this famous institution to see more of the day to day lives of London’s working class.

Published in: on January 8, 2009 at 12:33 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Review from Judith: Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell

Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell, ppk. $16.50

Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell, ppk. $16.50

Set in the years following the Great War and the flu pandemic of 1918, Dreamers of the Day follows Agnes Shaklin as she leaves her quiet life as a Cleveland schoolteacher and takes her dream trip to Cairo, Egypt.  She arrives just as the Peace Conference is convening and stumbles into the acquaintance of history makers like T. E. Lawrence (more excitingly billed as Lawrence of Arabia), Winston Churchill and Lady Gertrude Bell.  Agnes wonderfully unassuming and charmingly diffident voice carries us through the “little story” of the creation of the Middle Eastern countries, of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Jordan. 

Published in: on January 6, 2009 at 4:19 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Review from Judith: Mistress of the Sun, by Sandra Gulland

Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland, hc $29.95

Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland, hc $29.95

After the success of her Josephine B. Trilogy, it’s not surprising that Gulland’s love of French history continues to be evident in her newest release, Mistress of the Sun.  Following the story of Louise de la Valliere (known as “Petite”) and her relationship with Louis XIV (the Sun King) this novel explores the duplicity in the closed world of the French court in the 17th century, and how the simple application of a title could affect the lives of women and men in such a stratified society.  The lines between black magic, religion and superstition all blur as Petite’s fortunes change and her enemies will seek any means to change them back.

Published in: on November 12, 2008 at 5:26 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Review from Jeanie: The Book of Negroes by Laurence Hill

The Book of Negroes by Laurence Hill, ppk. $24.95

The Book of Negroes by Laurence Hill, ppk. $24.95

One of the best historical fictions I have read this year. This book will probably be compared to Alex Hailey’s, Roots but this novel offers so much more both in terms of historical detail and vivid storytelling. Aminata, the resourceful, intelligent heroine shows us Africa, America, Canada and England in the late 1700′s. Yes, we were all involved in this crime against humanity.  Yes, there actually is a Book of Negroes where a woman might be described as “a stout wench.” America is fighting for independence, and if a black person can prove he is loyal to the British and not owned by an American, his name will be written in the book and he can gain passage to Nova Scotia, a supposedly more tolerant, peaceful colony. Unfortunately upon arrival, conditions are only slightly better than what was left. As a reader, you will witness the first racial riot that took place on Canadian soil and you will learn why some British citizens began to use honey in their tea. Lawrence Hill is a Canadian; his family came to Canada from the U.S. to escape racial prejudice. His grandparents were storytellers and he has crafted this novel with those stories in mind. This is perfect historical fiction: memorable characters, emotional storytelling and accurate historical details that you need to know.

Published in: on November 5, 2008 at 4:20 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Review from Kelsey: Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt

Keturah & Lord Death by Martine Leavitt, ppk. $12.95

Keturah & Lord Death by Martine Leavitt, ppk. $12.95

Keturah is a very accomplished story teller in a small town during the 14th century when the Black Plague is rampant.  She has woven tales around a certain buck that is constantly eating the farmers’ crops and the stores for the winter.  So when the real buck appears in her back yard she follows him into the woods to gain more stories and is lost.  There she meets Lord Death and weaves him a story of love so great that death could not hinder it.  He is intrigued but she withholds the ending telling him that if he lets her live another day she will return to him and finish the story.  Lord Death agrees on one term, that she find and show him this love to prove that it is possible.  She agrees and with this starts a dark and enthralling read that seems to pass so quickly you can’t help but read it more than once.  This is certainly a great pick for someone around the age of thirteen and over.

Published in: on November 5, 2008 at 4:15 pm  Leave a Comment  
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