My Book List, 2018

Following is a list of books I've read in 2018 using the Toronto Public Library's reading app -- Libby.  There a handful of other "actual" books which I read this year, unfortunately, I didn't keep track of these.

This list is in chronological order with the last read at the top and first read at the bottom of the list.  Looking over the list, I realized that I read a damn lot of science fiction and wartime memoirs.  Note to self: must diversify in 2019.

My ratings "system" should be suspect as I only choose to read books which I'm likely to enjoy in the first place and I usually drop books that don't entertain or interest me after the first few pages...and these are not listed here.

	Author	Title	Rating	Type
1	Kress, Nancy	Probability Space	4/5	Science Fiction
2	Kress, Nancy	Probability Sun	3.5/5	Science Fiction
3	Kress, Nancy	Probability Moon	4/5	Science Fiction
4	Kress, Nancy	After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall	4/5	Science Fiction
5	Chivers, C.J.	The Fighters	3/5	History, Military, Biography
6	Blehm, Eric	Legend	4/5	History, Military, Vietnam
7	Moore, Billy	A Prayer Before Dawn	3/5	Memoir, Thailand
8	Woodward, Bob	Fear: Trump in the White House	3.5/5	Politics, Non-Fiction
9	VanderMeer, Jeff	Annihilation	4/5	Science Fiction
10	Wood, Levinson	Walking the Nile	3/5	Travel, Memoir
11	Strand, Mark	Collected Poems	5/5	Poetry
12	Adiga, Aravind	The White Tiger	3/5	Fiction
13	Crace, Jim	The Pesthouse	4/5	Fiction
14	Marlantes, Karl	Matterhorn	5/5	Fiction, Vietnam War
15	Dozois, Gardner	The Year's Best Science Fiction, 34th	3/5	Science Fiction
16	Lindhout, Amanda	A House in the Sky	5/5	Memoir
17	Le Carre, John	A Legacy of Spies	4/5	Fiction, Spy
18	Sheehan, Neil	A Bright Shining Lie	4/5	Biography, Vietnam War
19	Junger, Sebastian	War	3.5/5	History, Military, Afghanistan
20	Schmidt, B.T.	Infinite Stars	3/5	Science Fiction
21	Roam, Dan	The Back of the Napkin	3.5/5	Business
22	Lane, Andrew	Netherspace	3/5	Science Fiction
23	Herbert, Frank	Heretics of Dune	5/5	Science Fiction

Buying a Ticket as a VIP

I decide to treat myself to the latest Clint Eastwood movie, The Mule, by going to a VIP theatre.  Basically, the seats recline, are a little wider and the popcorn (the same damn popcorn you would get at the peasant seating theatre) is delivered to your seat as if at a fine restaurant.

So i'm standing in line to buy my ticket behind a past-his-prime man (so just like me); except he is wearing under his Hilfiger V-neck sweater a collared shirt.  And the aforementioned collars on the aforementioned shirt are up, pointing skywards.  A religious man, perhaps.  And, he is in deep negotiations with the one attendant selling tickets today.

I wait.  I look at my phone and find no help there.  I hear things: "G7, but can I get H7 too?"

The attendant says, "No. H7 is taken."

"But I looked online and it was free?"

The attendant's will collapses and he calls a higher power by whispering into his neck.  Something is confirmed.  Decisions are made.  Information is transacted.  The attendant says, "L7 is open and so is L6, do you want those seats?"

"L7 is too high up.  Let me check." After which the collared man gets on his phone to call (I don't know) maybe his manager.

A few Letter-Number combos get thrown around.  I look out the window and murmur, "You sunk my battleship."  I am amused.

Finally, the deal is closed with the proper combination of seats, I think, being bought.

My turn: I look at the attendant and he looks not in the least bothered by his previous customer.  I say, "What did that guy think he was doing, buying an airline ticket?"

Attendant: "Pardon?"

"That guy.  Did he think he was buying a plane ticket or something?"

Now we're talking the same language.  Attendant says, "That happens all the time."

Me: "Okay, sooo, I want a ticket on the aisle, can you do that?"

The attendant starts looking at his terminal and points out a seat.  I say, "Okay, as long as it's right behind the pilot."  Small chuckle from the attendant.  Maybe he's heard all this before; but this is all new to me and at the end of the day, my amusement needs matter more than his.  Apparently.

"Do you have a Scene Card, sir?"

I say, "I'm Indian...of course I have a Scene Card."  Badum-bum. He smiles.  My kids would have taken flight before this last comment.  I am amused.  Again.

I take my ticket, thank my travel agent and leave to grab a coffee before the in-flight entertainment begins.

Algonquin Park 2018

I went canoeing/interior camping to Algonquin Park this year using Voyageur Quest outfitter's 3 day guided trip.

Voyageur Quest is located at access point 1 on Kawawaymog Lake.  To get to the access point one has to drive from South River, the closest town, about 15 kms to Kawawaymog.  Voyageur staff then drove our group to our first two portages to Nahma Lake.

After canoeing through Craig Lake from west to east, we took a 155 metre portage to Pischneka Lake and canoed further to the far east end of the lake at a beautiful campsite with a small beach with a view of the western edge of the lake.

The following day, the guides took us through another couple of portages to Charr Lake to explore a dog-sledding shelter at the north end of Charr Lake and some other, more intrepid campers went for a hike in the rain.


South River to Kawawaymog Lake (in red) and Craig Lake (in blue).

Our route beginning with 2 portages at lower-left corner of photo starting with a 200 metre and 345 metre portage to Nahma Lake, followed by a 90 metre portage heading to Craig Lake.



Voyageur Quest Outfitters, Access Point 1

 

Charr Lake

 

Although crossing lakes is fun, I truly enjoy navigating creeks slowly.

 

 





 









 

 

Anthophila

My niece, Janelle, is an environmental educator and and certified teacher based out of Toronto, Ontario and Anthophila is her new social enterprise project.  To help her get started she has started a gofundme page where she writes, "By supporting Anthophila, you will help fund...

- Starting 3 beehives in a local community garden to support pollination
- Production of hyper-local bee products (honey and wax)
- Distribution of plastic-free, all natural and nourishing beauty products for everyone
- Education opportunities to local community groups and school groups on the plight of the bee and bee diversity in the city
- Development of equity-based educational materials about bee conservation

By supporting Anthophila, you're not only supporting our new business but you are also supporting bee conservation, habitat restoration, local economy, and amazing opportunities for community connections and education!"

If you're feeling socially conscious or otherwise generous, please use the above gofundme widget to donate to this worthy cause.

Koi dost hai na raqeeb hai

Koi dost hai
na raqeeb hai,
tera sehar kitna ajeeb hai

Woh jo ishq tha
woh junoon tha,
yeh jo hijre hai
yeh naseeb hai

Yahan kiska chehra
padha karoon,
yahan kaun itna kareeb hai

Main kise kahoon
mere saath chal,
yahan sab ke
sar pe saleeb hai

Tujhe dekh kar
main hun sochta,
Tu habib hai
ya raqeeb hai


Poet : Rana Sahri