64. Blindness by José Saramago

I'm not sure whether to classify this novel as Science Fiction, Horror are a bit of both. An epidemic of sudden blindness, where the victim sees only a milky white fog, brings out the worst in humanity. It's interesting how none of the main characters are given names and are referred to as " the girl with the dark glasses" or " the boy with the squint". A disturbing  and yet compelling tale.

63. Who Could That be at This hour? by Lemony Snicket

A 13 year old Lemony Snicket  and his chaperone are commissioned to recover a statue of the Bombinating Beast and return it to its rightful owner. In true Snicket style, one is never sure who is who and who is the rightful owner. Quirky characters, weird setting and plot twists are reminiscent of the Series of Unfortunate Events. This book is the first of a four part prequel called " All the Wrong Questions" which will overlap the Baudelaire's story line.

62. The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather

First published in 1915, this novel follows the rise of a Swedish-American girl to international stardom as an opera singer. Not your typical rags to riches story, Cather paints a more realistic portrait of Thea Kronborg and the passion and sacrifices that shape her life. Beautiful descriptive passages of the people and places of the fictional town of Moonstone, Colorado create memorable vignettes.

61. Mastering Art: Drawing by Anthony Hodge

Good guide to drawing basics like materials, colour theory,  perspective, composition and the human figure. Suitable for children and beginners.

60. Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

Whimsical tale of a naive kitten who thinks the moon is a little bowl of milk and tries several ways to reach it.

59. Zathura by Chris Van Allsburg

Brothers Danny and Walter learn about getting along together after discovering a board game in the park which takes them on a ride through outer space to the planet Zathura. 

58. Night of the Gargoyes by Eve Bunting

Illustrated by David Wiesner. A poetic picture book about the adventures of museum gargoyles when the sun goes down.

57. Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice

Told in the third person by the young Jesus of Nazereth, between the ages of 8 and 12, this novel seeks to explore what every day life would have been like for the Holy Family. Rice, better known for her vampire novels, has researched and read the skeptics as well as the gospels to fill in the gap between Christmas and Jesus at age thirteen.

55. The Sea For Breakfast by Lillian Beckwith

In this second book of the series, "Miss Peckwitt" returns to the village of Bruach and sets up a croft of her own. It's a steep and humorous learning curve and we meet new members of the community and get reacquainted with old favourites.

56. Picture This! Activities and Adventures in Impressionism by Joyce Raimondo

Very kid-friendly biographies of Impressionist painters and descriptions of their works. Excellent art activities and ideas

54. The Sea of Sleep by Warren Hanson

Illustrations by Jim LaMarche.
In essence the text is a lullaby in poetic form. A young sea otter its mother, various sea creatures and landscapes are beautifully depicted in pastel and watercolour.

53. When Grandma Came by Jill Paton Walsh

Illustrated by Sophy Williams.

Madeleine's atypical Grandmother travels the world and periodically stops to visit. In each successive visit, we see that time has passed and Madeleine has grown up. Grandma compares her granddaughter to the things she has seen in the remote corners of the world.

52. Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather

A charming description of the lives of French missionary priests in the newly created state of New Mexico in the mid-Eighteenth Century. Beautifuly written descriptions of the land and its people.

51. After the Falls: Coming of Age in the Sixties by Catherine Gildiner

Gildiner, a Toronto clinical psychologist writes about her teen and college years in the 1960s. The adjustments she makes from living in Buffalo, NY to college life in Athens, Ohio are testimony to her resilience and depth of character. I really enjoyed her accounts of the donut factory fiasco and sorority life at college.

50. Framed by Gordon Korman

In this third book of the series, Griffin gets framed for stealing a super bowl ring that was given as a gift to his school. A stint in the "Jail for Kids" and an electronic monitoring anklet can't keep the "Man with the Plan" from trying to clear his name.

49. Thrones, Dominations by Dorothy L. Sayers & Jill Paton Walsh

Sayers passed away before completing this mystery novel which takes place in 1936. It was finished by Walsh and published in 1998.  Lord Peter Wimsey and his new bride, the writer Harriet Vane, are adjusting to domestic life together when an acquaintance is found murdered in her suburban home. The historical backdrop includes the death of George V and Hitler's rise to power.

48. Evelina: or the history of a young lady's entry into the world by Fanny Burney

Published anonymously in 1778, Evelina was the highly successful debut novel of Frances "Fanny" Burney. Originally released in three volumes it is written as a series of letters between Evelina Anville, her guardian and various relatives, friends an acquaintances. It is part romance, part mystery and a whole lot of social commentary on Georgian society.

47. Black and White by David Macaulay

I'm not sure which is more clever and creative - the illustrations or the text. It's actually four intertwined stories. Great book for teaching about monochromatic colour schemes and points of view.

46. Lemons are Not Red by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Objects seem to "magically" change colour as you turn the pages with cutout shapes. Another fun book to create colour awareness.

45. Why is an Orange Called an Orange? by Cobi Ladner

Beautifully illustrated in watercolour by Lisa Smith, a fun look at colour, fruit and word play.

44. Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni

A fun way of introducing colour theory concepts, particularly primary and secondary colours, to young children. 

43. Zoobreak by Gordon Korman

This second book in the Griffin Bing series is as wacky as the first. This time Griffin and the gang plan a "zoobreak" to rescue Savannah's pet monkey who has been kidnapped by the unscrupulous owner of a floating zoo. Mayhem ensues.

42. Time Remembered by Miss Read

Reading this autobiography, which retells Dora Saints early years and school experiences, I found myself nodding and smiling when I realized how she had used those experiences and characters in her fiction writing. Both the Fairacre and Thrush Green series are set in English villages similar to Chelsfield, Kent where Saint's family moved from London when she was four years old.

41. The White Feather by P.G. Wodehouse

 In this novel, we return to Wrykyn a year and a half after The Gold Bat. It centres around the sport of boxing rather than cricket or rugby. In today's terms, we'd say the theme was bullying. The morals of the story are "believe in yourself" and "hard work pays off."

40. A Fortunate Grandchild by Miss Read

Charmingly illustrated reminiscences of visiting maternal and paternal grandparents in Edwardian England by Dora Saint who writes under the pen name Miss Read. (Read was her mother's maiden name).

39. The Head of Kay's by P.G. Wodehouse

I'm learning a lot more about life in a turn of the 20th Century English "public school" as well as rugby and cricket while reading these Wodehouse novels. The moral of this story is if you plan to fail you'll most likely be successful.

38. The Gold Bat by P.G. Wodehouse

Two things occurred to me while reading this: I wonder how much of this is autobiographical and I know very little about the game of Rugby which features so much in the story. First published in 1904, this is typical Wodehouse with off the wall characters getting in and out of scrapes. It is set at the fictional boys school Wrykyn where a group of students seeks to uncover the identities of members of a secret society calling them selves "the League" who are wreaking havoc.

37. Something Beautiful by Sharon Dennis Wyeth

Richly illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet, this powerful story follows a little girl, saddened by her urban environment, on a quest to find beauty in her community. Upon finding it, she takes action to do what she can to clean up her quarter of the world.

36. Psmith Journalist by P. G. Wodehouse

While holidaying in New York, Psmith meets Billy Windsor the sub-editor of "Cosy Moments" magazine the contents of which are as sappy as its title. While the editor is away, Psmith and Windsor publish stories about a notoriously bad tenement which prompts its owner to hire gangs to stop them. First published in 1915, it has interesting connections to the book "New York" that I read a few weeks ago.

35. Heart of a Peacock by Emily Carr

\This collection of short stories by Emily Carr focuses on her love of animals and her experiences travelling to remote aboriginal villages. One can learn a lot about Carr's formative years and family relationships but very little directly about her art. You do, however, get a sense of what made her tick and inspired her.

34. Klee Wyck by Emily Carr

Carr's first book, published in 1941, is a collection of vignettes she wrote about her experiences in native villages of Vancouver Island. It won the Governor General's Award and has been in print ever since.

33. Code Name Habbakuk: A Secret Ship Made of Ice by L.D. Cross

When we visited Jasper, AB I read about Project Habbakuk at the Jasper Yellowhead Museum. A prototype was constructed at nearby Lake Patricia. Eccentric inventor Geoffrey Pyke proposed that the allies construct aircraft carriers made of ice to shield convoys from German U-boats crossing the Atlantic during World War II. As one can imagine, the plan was fraught with technical difficulties.

32. New York by Edward Rutherfurd

Without a doubt, at 1026 pages, New York is the longest novel I've ever read. Many times I had to resist the temptation to "fact check" this epic story of one of the world's great cities. From the early Dutch settlers contact with the indigenous peoples to the aftermath of the Twin Towers attacks, Rutherford weaves the sagas of the Van Dyk, Masters, O'Donnell and Caruso families through American history with a New York lens. Makes me want to visit New York and see it with fresh eyes.

31. Growing Pains by Emily Carr

A series of autobiographical vignettes spanning from Emily Carr's baptism at the age of four to her declining years in the 1940s. Many humerous and poignant moments from her early life, art training and years as a land lady told from her perspective.

30. Hurry on Down by John Wain

Published in 1953, this novel is a satirical look at post WWII Britain and is somewhat in the "angry young man" vein. Has some good laugh out loud and some "nod your head and smile" moments

29. Maigret and the Enigmatic Lett by Georges Simenon

First published in 1931, this novel is the first of seventy-five novels to feature Inspector Jules Maigret. The story line, with its organized crime, forged passports, drug and alcohol abuse, and the rift between the haves and have nots stands the test of time. It could have been written today.

28. The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis

Lewis' final Narnia book  introduces an ape called Shift and a donkey named Puzzle who together, through greed and folly , bring about the final battle. All of the main characters from the first six volumes get at least a mention in this conclusion of the series.

27. Annette and the Mystery at Smuggler's Cove by Doris Schroeder

Published in 1963, it is one of five titles written by Schroder as companion books to the Disney TV program and teen movies featuring Annette Funicello . Annette and her friends solve a mystery while planning a luau at her aunt and uncle's beach house. Not politically correct; it is a product of its time.

26. The Life of Emily Carr by Paula Blanchard

A thoroughly researched, balanced biography of Canadian  painter and author Emily Carr (1871 -1945). Makes you realize how isolated Victoria and Vancouver were during her life time. Details her early years,  family life, love of animals, education and development as an artist. Doesn't dwell on her supposed eccentricities and volatile temper.

25. The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis

In book six of the chronicles, Eustace and his friend Jill find their way to Narnia when fleeing school bullies. With the help of Aslan and assorted other characters, they travel north to find Prince Rilian to reunite him with his father the ailing King Caspian the Tenth.

24. Emily Carr by Rosemary Neering

 Insightful biography that explores Emily Carr's personal and artistic struggles. Details of her studies and time spent in San Francisco and London help the reader understand her quest for a way to capture the essence of the Canadian wilderness on canvas. Her eccentricities and perseverence are endearing and inspiring.

23. Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis

 Lucy and Edmund return to the world Narnia with their obnoxious cousin Eustace in tow. Their voyage on the "Dawn Treader" with Prince Caspian and crew is life changing, especially for Eustace.

22. Emily Carr by Bryan Pezzi

A basic biography of Canadian painter Emily Carr written for a young audience.

21.Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

In this fourth book in the Chronicles of Narnia, the Pevensies are transported back to Narnia and discover that hundreds of years have passed since their last visit. With the guidance of Aslan, they help Prince Caspian claim his rightful throne.

20. The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis

Engaging tale with enjoyable characters and exciting chases and battles. Another side of Aslan is revealed. Lewis' wry humour adds to the mix.

19. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

 

Explains how the four children discover Narnia by travelling through the back of the wardrobe in Professor Kirke's house and how they become Narnia's royal family.

18. The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis

Although it was originally published sixth, this book is the prequel to the Chronicles of Narnia and introduces characters, setting and events helpful to the reader in understanding the series. It is set in 1900 London and there are autobiographical elements particularly connecting Lewis and Digory Kirke who grows up to become the professor who takes in  evacuated children, during World War II,  in the successive books.

17. She by H. Rider Haggard

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First published in 1887, She defies categorization. It's part Gothic romance and part fantasy of the "Lost World" sub-genre. Set in England and the fictional ancient north African kingdom of Kor this novel explores themes of female authority, evolution and race. Haggard uses name "She-who-must-be-obeyed" to refer to the supernatural Ayesha, a term which is later co-opted by John Mortimer in his Rumpole of the Bailey novels

16. The Eagle has Landed by Jack Higgins

 A German plot to kidnap British Prime Minister Winston Churchill gets foiled by the most unlikely turn of events. Set in Germany, the Channel Islands and England in 1943.

15. Cat Tales by Gordon Hutson

A entertaining children's picture book that would make a good basis for a writing and art classroom project.

14. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

An insiders look at the class structure of 1870s New York. Wharton builds intrigue through the relationship between Newland Archer and Countess Ellen Olenska, his wife's cousin.