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Pastoral (Quincunx Cycle 1), by André Alexis (2014 ??)
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Premise: A priest arrives in his first parish in a small Ontario town and is immediately put to the test by its residents and his own doubts.

Review: This is an old-fashioned kind of story, but effectively so. I was charmed by the townspeople and appreciated the light, yet serious, touch with which the more spiritual themes were handled.⬇️

Oh, wow, that last entry really got me. 🥺
The majority of the book is full of sly, wry observations about slightly-larger-than-life characters making up a small, rural town, that, by the author's admission in the preface, is reminiscent of seventy or eighty real towns, and the characters are likewise somewhat of a pastiche of real people encountered. 1/?

More #offmyshelf ! @wanderinglynn

Pub'd 10+ yrs ago: Crow Lake - really enjoyed
Award winner: The Forgotten Beasts of Eld - so good! Can't believe I hadn't read it years ago.

Halfway through this bingo board!

Apparently we're halfway through #14books14weeks already? How did that happen? Somewhat to my surprise, I'm halfway through my stack too, I've read 7 total (well, one bail).
Out of my 7 physical books I've finished 3 and started 2. The ones left to go are pictured.
Out of my 7 ebooks I've finished 4 and started 1.
Ebooks left to go:
Cecelia and Kate series books 2&3
Walkaway

@liz_m

Another journey story, this time for a new home, a safe place when the world you knew has ended and doubt is everywhere. I particularly enjoyed Rice‘s descriptions of the Ontario landscape and the way nature had crept back into previously man-made spaces. At risk from roving bands of mercenaries as well as Nature herself, this journey takes a weaving path to safety, and to home. Beautifully written and starkly lovely.

'Banned it?' Andrew said with a grin. 'How do you ban being patronizing?'

'Well, there were certain phrases he used that made me mad because they didn't sound rude but you knew they were. You know, things like "If you think about it," which means you're not thinking about it, and "With respect," which basically means without respect. "I think you'll find" is another one. I fined him twenty-five cents every time he said something like that.'

I see,' he said again. You've been planning this for some time, then.'

He made it sound like a bank raid, Megan thought, or maybe premeditated murder. But she would not allow him to make her feel guilty; she had done far more than her share. 'Yes,' she said briskly. I'm twenty-one and I think it's time I started my own life.'

1. Got all my flowers into pots.
2. So many great books waiting for me.
3. Cutest bunny ever!
4. Korean fried chicken with grandson, which he‘d never tasted.
5. 3 Queen Bees.

#5JoysFriday. @DebinHawaii

5⭐️ I loved this gem of a novel. Three stories woven together and I can‘t decide which I liked more. Part mystery, part character development and part coming of age(s). I could feel the cold air on my skin and smell the lake. 🇨🇦

#CoverStories #Lake @Eggs
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks