Ladies on Literature

Insecurity, even in Successful Women

Say what you will about Sandberg's Lean In, you can't fault her honesty. She doesn't pull any punches about her first failed marriage, her negative experiences at Harvard, and her own insecurities in pursuing her future work. She claims at the root of the barriers that...

Disputing some of Sheryl Sandberg’s Cultural Claims

While I've been inspired by Sandberg's message and appreciative of her honesty, here's a small rant refuting a few of her cultural claims. She talks about the differences between raising boys and girls, citing that parents talk to girls more than boys, overestimate the crawling ability...

My Generation; My Daughter’s Generation

Something that struck me continuing on in Sandberg's book (the chapter on the leadership gap) is when she mentions a favourite quote, "What would you do if you weren't afraid?"  It's a question we should all pose, no matter what our roles. She points out that...

Weighing in on Leaning In

I love that our book club mixes it up between fiction and nonfiction. But I have to say when Gail chose Lean In, the hugely popular bestseller by Facebook CEO, Sheryl Sandberg, I had my doubts. I have seen her Tedtalk. I understand her message....

Best Laid Plans: Winner of 2011 Canada Reads…Now a TV Show

I might find the novel, The Best Laid Plans, a little tedious at times, but apparently the powers that be at CBC find it fabulous. They've created a television series based upon the book. This from a CBC press release:   Based on author Terry Fallis' award-winning...

Beginning of Best Laid Plans

Photo Source: backofthebook.ca I love supporting Canadian authors and it doesn't get more Canuck than Terry Fallis. From the content of his first book, The Best Laid Plans, to the story of how he published it, this author is a down home, hard working, hilariously self-effacing...

22 Oct
Pear & Cambozola Pizza (Only with Apples & Figs)

LOL'er, Laurie, hosted our last meeting to discuss the Housemaid's Daughter. She served up this outstanding pizza, substituting apples for the pears & adding thinly sliced figs. It was SO delicious. Courtesy of the Best of Bridge, Best of the Best book, this is...

Housemaid’s Daughter Wrap-up

The days--no, the months--seem to fly by and blogging about books only confirms the feeling. I can scarcely keep up with our current book before we're onto the next. Here then, some thoughts on the lovely Laurie's selection, The Housemaid's Daughter, followed by a phenomenal...

Lady on Literature, Laura, on The Dinner

"The Dinner"…. a dark and disturbing read with a cast of increasingly nasty fictional characters, brings a whole new meaning to “Guess whose coming to dinner?’  This is a novel that sticks with you, unsettles you and compels discussion. In this regard, it was a...

Bill Gates in China

John Wood devotes an entire chapter to Bill Gates in China. The author explains how, after his return from the book delivering trip to Nepal, he is consumed with preparations for the Big Boss's visit to Beijing. It's interesting to learn the truth, that communist...