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Recommended Reading — From McLuhan & Davies CEO, Roger HB Davies
Dissolution; Dark Fire; Sovereign; Revelation, C.J. Sansom — A series of self-contained murder mysteries set in the reign of Henry VIII. They follow the challenges of Matthew Shardlake, lawyer and hunchback, who's recruited by powers close to the king to solve difficult situations largely that turn into murder and mayhem. Complete with the sounds and smells of Tudor England, especially London. (Also, Winter in Madrid, by the same author.)
Empire Falls, Richard Russo — The tale of old money and the lives of a fading blue-collar town, decimated by the closing of its mills. The intertwined lives of the parents, the grandparents, the children, their loves, lives, hopes, and inevitabilities when brought up in a small town.
The Colony of Unrequited Dreams, Wayne Johnston — Captivating take of early life in Newfoundland. Fact partially disguised as fiction about the life of one of Canada's larger-than-life politicians. You don't need to be Canadian to appreciate the story or the writing.
Half of a Yellow Sun, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie — The Nigeria-Biafra War (1967-1970) provides the backdrop to a harrowing tale of war, interracial love and life of the rich and poor — all equals under the blanket of civil strife. Not always pretty reading, but a convincing portrayal of Africa’s troubles.
Atonement, Ian McEwan — A beautifully crafted novel of love and war. Topics of childhood and class — as well as guilt and forgiveness — span the years from 1935 to the turn of the 21st century. Man Booker Prize finalist and winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award. Now a movie.
Bel Canto, Ann Patchett — A rag tail group of terrorists hold hostage an opera singer and a group of dignitaries in South America. By story’s end, you feel compassion for all.
Life of PI, Yann Martel — While 16-year-old PI is emigrating to North America, his ship goes down at sea, and he ends up in a lifeboat with a 450-pound Bengal tiger. A story of survival, introspection, and adventure, told with insight, humour, and imagination.
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