The Pickton File by Stevie Cameron

Stevie Cameron wrote this book in the years up to Pickton's trial. It chronicles her research into the case, the missing women and Pickton himself. It is very well written and provides a lot of insight into the trial proceedings and investigation of one of Canada's most infamous serial killers. It also gives an honest and real look into the lives of the women living in the downtown east side and the support groups, individuals and cops who did all they could for the victims and their families. I look forward to reading the next book by Stevie Cameron about this case. It will add an even more comprehensive look at what happened during the trial now that the publication ban has been lifted.

Rating: Slow Clap It.

Urban Tribes by Ethan Watters

This is a look at the culture of the 20 & 30 somethings of our generation; how friendship circles are built and what role they provide in a person's life, why are people marrying later and later and putting off having children: if marrying or having children at all, are we isolated from a sense of community?, have we become too independent and selfish? These are the questions that Ethan Watters is working through in this book. It started out interestingly enough but quickly slowed and by the time I was nearing the middle I had lost all interest. I started flipping pages and skimming for anything that caught my eye but ended up putting it down for good to start on something new without finishing it. It didn't capture my attention the same way that 'Crazy Like Us' had done.

Rating: Burn It.

Crazy Like Us: The Globalization of the American Psyche by Ethan Watters

This is an interesting look at culture and mental illness; how a culture reflects and shapes a mental illness experience. It looks into how one culture can dominate, define and shape an illness in another cultural society. Whether it's anorexia in Hong Kong, PTSD in Sri Lanka, schizophrenia in Zanzibar or depression in Japan, this book will make you think about the world we live in.

"...I have tried to avoid making the cliched argument that other, more traditional cultures necessarily have it right when it comes to treating mental illness. All cultures struggle with these intractable diseases with varying degrees of compassion and cruelty, equanimity and fear. My point is not that they necessarily have it right-only that they have it different." Ethan Watters

Rating: Slow Clap It.

1 Dead in Attic by Chris Rose

Chris Rose is a journalist living in New Orleans before and after Hurricane Katrina. This book comprises his articles written after the storm in The Times-Picayune. It was a horrible time and you can see the effect it had on him in his writing. This book becomes a bit redundant but is filled with little moments, sentences and stories that will touch you and give insight into what was going on there. I was inspired by the heart and strength of the people who lived and live through this reality still.

Rating: Donate It.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

This book turned out to be quite different than what I expected...it wasn't the sexual nature of the novel that surprised me but for some reason I thought it was going to be a fantasy/sci-fi. Instead it turned out to be a murder mystery taking place in Sweden in the now. The girl with the dragon tattoo is a PI and ends up working for a journalist who has been hired by a billionaire tycoon to solve a murder from 40 years ago. It was a good read. I finished it this morning and it has stuck with me all day. Although I thought the end was a little drawn out I find myself wanting more to go back to.

Rating: Donate It.

The Road Not Taken by Louis Untermeyer

Again, not so much into the poetry but I keep trying! I thought this book would be helpful in having the commentary to go along with the poems to tell me why it matters and what makes these poems a classic part of literary history. I found I only enjoyed a few and ended up skimming through the rest of the book.
Rating: Burn It.

5 days into my trip I ran out of books. Fortunately we were in Missoula Montana for a day and I stopped into a local independant bookstore and picked up a few more...


The Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich

This book was a good read with a lot of characters and stories that wind and come together for a satisfying ending. I liked it but did get a bit confused in the middle on who was who and what person belonged to what story. I did manage to get it together though... Make mental notes!
Rating: Donate It.


Shit My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

Very funny but also quite tender as well. The dad is bluntly honest and doesn't express himself in the most eloquent way at times but this book has a beautiful father son relationship that you can't help but enjoy.
Rating: Donate It.


Pretty-Shield by Frank B. Linderman

Memories told by a Crow woman who grew up in the States. It begins with her memories of living with her people and following the bison herds as a way of life. It's a interesting glimpse into different time and a different history.
Rating: Donate It.


Letters From Yellowstone byt Diane Smith

I thought this started out a bit slow but was surprised by how much I fell in love with this book by the end. A book about science, discovery and adventure.
Rating: Donate It.


Beautiful In The Mouth by Keetje Kuipers

I don't usually get poetry and this is one of those times. I didn't find anything new to learn from this author and bored quite quickly with her collection of poems. I will give her the benefit of the doubt that I might not be the best audience for judgement.
Rating: Burn It.