What do you think of the 2012 books?

I'm about to start reading the books in anticipation of the debates. I'm starting with On a Cold Road. I've started this thread so that we can discuss what we think of the books before the debates start.

I finished On a Cold Road yesterday and enjoyed the description of the life of a Canadian rock band. I didn't know many of the groups or artists quoted in the book as I'm not a rock & roll fan. But I got a glimpse into a world unfamiliar to me, which I almost always like to get when I read.

The book is partly an autobiography and partly a history of the Canadian rock scene.

I don't want to make any comments about how it should do in the debates until I read at least one more of the books. I'm on Chapter 2 of Something Fierce now.

At the risk of talking to myself:

I loved Something Fierce because of the way it told the story of a young girl growing up and a revolution -- both with an insider's perspective that added to my understanding of South America.

I also enjoyed The Game by Ken Dryden although it took me a while to get into it. It is about so much more than hockey: it's about growing up in Canada, living in Quebec when the PQ was first elected, balancing work and family. Hockey is all of these things: part of our culture, our history and our economy. So, a very fine choice for Canada Reads.

I'm about 10% into The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival by John Vallant.

I haven't read any of the books for the CBC's 2012 Canada Reads but didn't want to leave you thinking you were talking to yourself!

;-)

Thanx, lkernagh!

I guess my answer is "not much," because I have no plans to read any of them. I am enjoying your comments though! My husband read the Dryden book the year it was published and he really liked it.

I probably won't get to my choices until after the show is over! The Bidini and Dryden books are the most interesting to me and I have access to both through relatives.

I started the Bidini book but it just didn't interest me enough to finish it, even though I do like Canadian music. Fairly well written, but I have so many other books to read that I know I'll like so much better.

I liked The Tiger, but not as much as I did John Vaillant's first book, The Golden Spruce. In fact, I had nominated that one for this Canada Reads long list.

The Tiger, like The Golden Spruce, shows Mr. Vaillant's talent at getting into the head-space of unique characters, and his ability to tell an exciting story.

Just started Something Fierce and am absolutely loving it so far. Can't wait to get back at it.

Finished Something Fierce and could hardly put it down till it was finished (2 a.m. last night!) It' s not a book I would ever have picked up if it weren't for Canada Reads, but I'm glad I read it. Strong story-telling by the author, and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Have completed the five books with Prisoner of Tehran by Marina Nemat. Definitely my favourite of the five...I think! I actually liked them all.

It should be an interesting debate. Ken Dryden's book and On a Cold Road actually take place in Canada while the other three don't. I wonder to what extent this will feature in the debates.

Overall, I think there are five good books here...I'm ready for the debate!

Wow Lynn.... I am impressed! January has been such a crazy busy time my reading is not up where it usually is so I won't be reading any of the five books chosen for the CBC Canada Reads. Curious to see what the outcome will be.

I have to fly between Ottawa and Vancouver (return) twice a month. Lots of reading time!

I heard Tom Allen interviewing someone about The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival (it was either the author or the celebrity who will champion it next week). It sounds fascinating and I'm now adding it to my wishlist.

I started reading The Tiger but hubby thought it looked interesting and now he is reading it (stinker). I will, however, steal it back as soon as he is finished because it is quite good. I haven't read any of the others though.

I found The Tiger to be a fascinating read, but felt the author needed a better editor - it didn't really need over 500 pages to tell the story - 350 pages would have done it better.

it didn't really need over 500 pages to tell the story - 350 pages would have done it better.

I find that with a lot of books I read! Probably 50% of books I read are overly long.

I read The Tiger too. I thought it was well-written and I didn't really think there was much in the way of extraneous detail. I especially liked how he wove the political realities of perestroika into the story. It really fleshed it out for me.

Hunh, I also have Something Fierce out of the library so I guess I saw it on this list and reserved it! I tend to do that and then when they come in, I have no idea why I reserved it in the first place.

I liked the detail of The Tiger but again, I am also only 3-4 chapters in. Hubby, on the other hand, commented that it was really detailed and that he was tempted to skip over some it because he felt it droned on. Now I really want the silly thing back so I can read it again!

The Tiger does have a lot of detail, including how to harvest pine nuts (as was pointed out on Canada Reads).

Guess by now everyone knows who won: Something Fierce, which was (I think) a good choice. But, I dont' think there was a bad choice to be made.

The only book I wasn't too fond of was On a Cold Road but when came down to the finals, I really couldn't choose - I really liked them them all.