The 8 List: Leading Ladies

Eight books with females on the cover--and written by female writers!

#1 STUDIO SAINT-EX by Ania Szado

#2 LIVES OF GIRLS AND WOMEN by Alice Munro

#3 BONE & BREAD by Saleema Nawaz

#4 THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE by Rebecca Miller

#5 NIGHT FILM by Marisha Pessl

#6 BEFORE I FALL by Lauren Oliver

#7 FEBRUARY by Lisa Moore

#8 STONY RIVER by Tricia Dower

On the Shelf: The Bear

The Bear by Claire Cameron. Published by Doubleday Canada in February 2014.

Told from the point of view of a six-year-old child, The Bear is the story of Anna and her little brother, Stick--two young children forced to fend for themselves in Algonquin Park after a black bear attacks their parents. A gripping and mesmerizing exploration of the child psyche, this is a survival story unlike any other, one that asks what it takes to survive in the wilderness and what happens when predation comes from within.

Everyone has been talking about this book -- and for good reason. The premise is striking, and the writing even more so. Experiencing something from a child's point of view is both exciting and dangerous. After all, can an adult writer really remember what it's like to see a situation unfold as a young child? This task ensures a level of maturity that is somewhat impossible for a five-year-old, but Claire Cameron's idea of what loneliness and survival means to a child is exactly how I would expect a young girl to act.

I won't lie to you: I had a difficult time getting into this novel. I like the idea of books written from the point of view of young children, but I have a hard time wrapping my head around the narration. (I had the same issue with Room, to give you a comparison.) Anna's thoughts are all over the place and I was often frustrated with her wandering ideas. I wanted to know what was going on, not what she thought was going on. Admittedly, this is a personal issue I have with this particular point of view. If you don't often have a problem with a young narrator then you won't have a problem with The Bear.

The beginning of the novel is captivating even though at times I had to put the book down and catch my breath. The beginning -- when the family is attacked by a black bear -- is incredible storytelling. Nothing is too clear (it's from Anna's point of view after all), but it's knowing the truth as the adult reader that makes it heartbreaking. Anna doesn't really understand the severity of the attack, but we do as readers. It is terrifying to read and yet you can't stop until it's all over.

I expected more of the book to take place before and during the bear attack, but the focus is really on what happens after the event. Anna shows incredible strength and intelligence for a five-year-old girl. The Bear really does explore the psyche of a child and how it is human nature, no matter age or circumstances, to do whatever necessary to survive. Put into difficult situations, we instinctively know how to respond. The story of Anna and her younger brother is a journey you don't want to miss.

10 Popular Authors I've Never Read

This week's topic for Top 10 Tuesday is all about authors we have never read. There are obviously many writers I have yet to encounter, but I've put together a list of people that other readers are constantly talking about or recommending. If applicable, I've also included a book by the author that I'd eventually like to read, but please let me know in the comments if you have a different one to recommend!

#1. V.C. Andrews

My Mom used to talk about V.C. Andrews' books because she owned all of them as a young(er) girl. I'm certain I stayed away from them because my Mom used to like them (I was a bratty pre-teen), but my literary education doesn't feel complete without knowing exactly what happens between the siblings in Flowers In The Attic. And no, I haven't watched any of the movies either.

#2. Jodi Picoult

There are a few authors who take up a tremendous amount of space in every bookstore, and Picoult is one of them. The matching book covers have never been my cup of tea, but it seems as though everyone has a favourite Picoult book they like to talk about. I'm not sure which one I should finally read when I bite the bullet and see what Picoult's stories are all about. I've heard the most about My Sister's Keeper, but there are quite a few to choose from.

#3. John Grisham

Okay, so Grisham definitely takes up more bookstore space than Picoult does. And I can't lie to you, fellow readers--his books don't capture my attention at all. I don't generally like law-focused television shows, so I assume I won't like Grisham's stories. I admit this is terrible logic. But if I can't follow the plot, then I probably shouldn't be reading the book.

#4. Gillian Flynn

Everybody was talking about Gone Girl last year. But when a book receives a lot of attention, my expectations are high and I put off reading it (it took me forever to try John Green). Still, I do want to Flynn's novels because I'm quite certain that I'll like the stories. And there's no way I'll go see a film version of Gone Girl before reading the book (especially since Flynn is re-writing the ending for the movie).

#5. John Steinbeck

Steinbeck is a classic author that I somehow avoided. I think I skipped his work in high school because I'm from Canada, but I have no idea how I missed his novels during my undergraduate degree (I took quite a few American literature classes). I need to add Of Mice and Men to my to-read list ASAP.

#6. Robert Ludlum

The reason I feel guilty for not having read Ludlum is that my partner loves two of Ludlum's long-running series (even though Ludlum no longer writes the books). Some day I'll read The Bourne Identity. Some day.

#7. Rainbow Rowell

Another recent author that people won't stop talking about! I avoided Eleanor & Park because I'm quite possibly the most unromantic person you will ever meet, but Fangirl is sitting on my bookshelf. Waiting to be read. Ever so patiently. I follow Rowell on Twitter and she's fantastic, and I've been eager to read Fangirl since it was published. I'm making that my next read--it has been decided.

#8. C.S. Lewis

I may have things thrown at me now that I've admitted this. I know that I must read The Chronicles of Narnia and there is a nice set of the books sitting on my children's lit bookshelf. Now to find the time to read an entire series...

#9. Jane Austen

Another classic writer that I somehow avoided throughout my formal education. I've never read Austen and I'm not sure I'll ever want to, but it feels wrong having not. I think if I were ever to pick up an Austen novel, I'd choose Emma--solely because Clueless is based on that book. I'm terrible.

#10. Virginia Woolf

This is the worst confession I could possibly make on this list. I have never read a book by Woolf. I once tried to read Mrs. Dalloway, but quickly threw it across the room when I realized I'd have to sit through stream of consciousness (no thank you). I think a reading of A Room of One's Own is necessary this year.