#iona whishaw

[e-b-reads]

Books of the Month(s): Nov + Dec 2023

Books from the end of last year! Only one of these is from November, which is part of why I just waited to do one post for both months. Here are my books of the month(s):

Tam Lin (Pamela Dean): I liked this one a lot. It reminded me some of Diana Wynne Jones's Fire and Hemlock, which, duh, they're both based on the ballad Tam Lin - but also because with both books, I only realized afterwards how well some of the images and themes from the works inspiring the books were incorporated. Also I kind of wish I read this book while I was in college, because despite being set in the 1970s and in the Midwest, it somehow still is a spot-on depiction of my experience of what it is to go to a little liberal arts school with kooky traditions that everyone knows by osmosis.

The Dark is Rising (Susan Cooper): A classic and a reread. I have reread this one more often than the others in the series (it's technically #2, but it was the first one I ever read and I think it can stand alone). I guess the eternal struggle of Light vs. Dark isn't a particularly novel plot, but the specifics of this story, and especially the images and feelings of it, I think are strong. As I wrote elsewhere, I liked it when I was a kid in a simpler "fun adventure!" kind of way, but I still like it now.

A Killer in King's Cove (Iona Whishaw): This is first in a mystery series (I read 6 of them in December). Set in Canada post-WWII, main character is an ex-British spy woman who moved there to escape her post-war life. They aren't as ~fun~ as some cozy and/or historical mysteries, because they're a little darker and more thoughtful, but I have decided that I like that. I also decided that the reader is supposed to figure out the murderer before the characters do (via short chapters from varying POVs), so once I got used to that I didn't mind. And finally, the main character makes a habit of very competently saving herself from perilous situations shortly before her love interest detective shows up with the cavalry, so I like that part too.

[cricketmuse]

Reader Roundup: Hello New Year

Finishing strong in my 2023 Goodreads challenge with 171 books read—greatly surpassing my usual 101 books goal, which landed me in the Goodreads top 25% readers group. Couldn’t resist a little self back patting. On to the five 🌟 reads of January: image: Amazon To Track a Traitor (Lane Winslow #10) by Iona Whishaw The plot is especially complex as it involves a thirty year old murder, a missing…

[ecoamerica]

Watch the American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 now: https://youtu.be/bWiW4Rp8vF0?feature=shared

The American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 broadcast recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by active climate leaders. Watch to find out which finalist received the $50,000 grand prize! Hosted by Vanessa Hauc and featuring Bill McKibben and Katharine Hayhoe!

[madmonkeysandrum-blog]

Ooops

I really need to make a few notes right after I read something. I do feel it helps me but yeah... I don't. Let's see what I remember from the last few murder mystery books I read.

"Silence in the Library" by Katharine Schellman It's the second book in a series and it might have been better than the first.

“Murder at Wedgefield Manor” Erica Ruth Neubauer No clue. Looking it up at Goodreads and I think I was annoyed with this one, still blurry. Pretty sure there were some forced tension between MC and love interested due to a silly misunderstanding that could easily have been fixed.

“Murder on St. Mark’s Place” by Victoria Thompson There was this one moment that was supposed to blend in, a comment that we the reader should not pay that much attention too but after you've read a few murder mystery books it was so highlighted and we knew who the killer was.

“The Paddington Mystery” by John Rhode Um, something about crossing some water and a rug? Yeah no? I don't care.

“Santa Fe Mourning” by Amanda Allen It was a nice change in setting, there was something cozy about it but the "widow" trope is starting to get to me. Pretty sure I wasn't loving the reason for the MC to investigate, this one is often hard in books and feels forced. So important to give a good reason for them to get involved, at least for me.

“Death at Bishop’s Keep” Robin Paige Don't remember much at all. Looking at Goodreads and sure, I remember it now but nothing stands out that I liked.

“Murder in an English Village” Jessica Ellicott Kind of liked the American.

“Murder Flies the Coop” by Jessica Ellicott The previous was better.

“A Killer in King’s Cove” Iona Whishaw Spies are getting old. A little hard to follow with the POVs at times.

“Death in a Darkening Mist” by Iona Whishaw I liked the setting, I think.

“An Old, Cold Grave” by Iona Whishaw Time jumps...

“A Shot in the Dark” Neil Richards No clue... Oh kind of liked parts of it, got some Tommy and Tuppence vibes from the MC but "Tuppence" was a little over the top at times.

“A Little Night Murder” by Neil Richards I don't remember, I don't think it was better than the first.

“A Little Murder” by Suzette A. Hill Hm... it was just, yeah left me with nothing. Moments like this I'm like, "Is this my depression making me numb or what?" “Murder at Lowry House” by Leighann Dobbs It was okay, all the elements was there but damn I hated that cat. Me, hating a cat, how? “Murder at the Mansions” by Sara Rosett Liked the setting and when listening I felt this and that reminds me of this and then after the book there was a little info from the writer and it was just like I thought. “A Taste for Murder” Claudia Bishop Reminded me of some very young writing. I disliked the MC's. If you have an inn and dislike one of the guests you don't mess around with their food to make them sick, that is how you go out of business. “A Spoonful of Murder” J.M. Hall This one I remember for all the wrong reasons. At first I thought it was a BIG CLUE slapped in my face and the authored hoped her readers didn't know, and none of the three MC's new either... then when I finally finished the thing it seems like it was some sort of error by the author. Something just dropped in there and forgotten. “A Murder to Die For” Stevyn Colgan Kind of charming and British. Good setting and smart idea on getting a bunch of tropes together.

[loanstars]

Recommendations to get a hold on

The Loan Stars April 2020 adult top 10

The Subtweet by Vivek Shraya from ECW Press 🍁

Redhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler from Doubleday Canada

Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier from Minotaur Books 🍁

The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd from Viking

Forest Green by Kate Pullinger from Doubleday Canada 🍁

Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

How to Pronounce Knife by Souvankham Thammavongsa from McClelland & Stewart 🍁

A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones from St. Martin's Press

A Match Made for Murder (Lane Winslow #7) by Iona Whishaw from Touchwood Editions 🍁

A Thousand Moons by Sebastian Barry from Viking

And don’t forget! More library-approved recommendations are available on our website loanstars.ca.

[ecoamerica]

Watch the 2024 American Climate Leadership Awards for High School Students now: https://youtu.be/5C-bb9PoRLc

The recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by student climate leaders! Join Aishah-Nyeta Brown & Jerome Foster II and be inspired by student climate leaders as we recognize the High School Student finalists. Watch now to find out which student received the $25,000 grand prize and top recognition!

[dollycas]

Maple Leaf Mystery Conference May 24 - 28, 2022

Maple Leaf Mystery Conference May 24 – 28, 2022

What is the Maple Leaf Mystery Conference? Maple Leaf Mystery Conference is a virtual thrill for mystery lovers, with daily Author Spotlight sessions and panel discussions with renowned authors. Tickets for the entire 5-day event can be purchased for just $25! Daily Author Spotlights include sessions with Ian Rankin, Maureen Jennings, Vicki Delany, Rick Mofina, and Iona Whishaw. Enjoy Panel…

[annarellix]

(via A Sorrowful Sanctuary (Lane Winslow #5) by Iona Whishaw | Goodreads)

My review: (5*) What a great mystery! Once you start it you're hooked and you cannot put it down until it's over. I loved the setting and the memories of both WWI and and WWII. It's well written, with a great plot and a wonderful cast of characters. I loved both Lane and the inspector. I'll surely buy the other instalments in this series and cannot wait to read the next one. Highly recommended! Many thanks to Touchwood Editions and Edelweiss for this ARC

The plot: Lane Winslow is enjoying a perfect, sunny day at the lake when she spots a gravely injured young man drifting in a sinking rowboat. Hypothermic, bleeding, and soaked in icy, bloody water, he is unable to speak, leaving Lane at a loss. What series of events brought him to this grisly fate? Darling and Ames are quick to pick up the case, but leads are few until Angela's young son finds an unsettling clue on the beach--a bright red swastika lapel pin--that points to the National Unity Party of Canada. When the anonymous man succumbs to his injuries, Darling and Lane are thrown headlong into a murder investigation with ties to the old country.

[blade-knows-led-blog]

Iona Whishaw: The University is not the only way out

Canada Outstanding principal message to the Chinese: The University is not the only way out

Committed to promoting full public education non-profit organization The Learning Partnership, recently announced Canada's most outstanding principals of 2012 winners list. Honor of the 40 principals, a total of four people from British Columbia, including Vancouver East Secondary School Principals Hui Xiao.The course of development of the U.S. Energy Star, from the light source types can be divided into the LED high bay light source and light source, LED light source lighting products including LED bulbs and LED lamps, and traditional light sources of lighting products including the use of incandescent lamps, HID lamps, fluorescent lamps and compactfluorescent light bulbs.

ENERGY STAR ® lighting product standards ongoing integration work. 4: lamps, integrated LED light bulbs, and compact energy saving lamps and decorative lighting string specification of the existing lighting products. These specifications were developed by the U.S. EPA and DOE, but the requirements are not uniform, covering less product shortcomings, for a long time can not fully meet the needs of the industry.

Successful education is to develop

Hui Xiao has over 10 years engaged in educational work, was pleased to get this honor, but this award for his outstanding work and achievements of the Vancouver public schools as a whole certainly. Hui Xiao, who have more than one job title of the writers, poets, singers, dancers and fought in the education sector because they love teaching. Instructors from community service to youth counselors, and then to secondary school teachers, principals, years of education experience coupled with a wealth of life experience, Hui Xiao "successful education" has a set of unique ideas and views, that is, comprehensive development of the theory. UL established in Nansha, Guangzhou, China's leading lighting laboratories, UL become the first UL safety certified and recognized by the U.S. government's ENERGY STAR ® program provides simultaneous testing agency. UL Nansha testing service center has a world-class advanced test equipment, including the latest distributed photometer, integrating sphere and LM-80 test system. UL lighting and most electrical and electronic products, photoelectric performance testing and energy efficiency testing and other services. In addition, UL testing services center lighting LED lamp testing laboratory is one of the largest LED lamps and light performance testing laboratory for the global scale. UL testing services center lamps ENERGY STAR ® accredited laboratories and few have been approved by the U.S. Department of Energy. By UL profound lighting detection capabilities and energy, the global LED lighting manufacturers can get better services.

The benefits Xiaotan words, many parents, especially when excessive attention to academic performance, the Asian parents, ignoring the children in the cultivation of art and EQ. "They want their children to spend more time in the AP mathematics, calculus, physics and chemistry and other subjects, do not want children in the class of pottery, jewelry design and other 'waste too much time'." This child, Hui Xiao view is the lack of creative, hands-on and practical ability. "More and more large companies in the recruitment of talent, are beginning to pay attention to the new ability and comprehensive development of performance at school no matter how good, how strong expertise, creative rigid personality, are not really play in the social work.

Hui Xiao, David Thompson Secondary School, with special emphasis on the students' artistic culture. The creation of dance, vocal music, band, painting, wood, clothing design, gardening classes, so students have the opportunity to tap the individual's fun-loving and expertise, but also to hone their ability to get a comprehensive academic and character development. "Learning is not just from books passively absorb knowledge, more importantly, is a brain, hands the process of combining." In addition, Hui Xiao, Canada's public education system, students all-round development is also very beneficial. Unlike some Asian countries spoon-fed education system, Canadian students have enough spare time to self-interest arrangement, the ability to seize opportunities, depends entirely on the wishes of the parents and children.

Cooperation with the community, develop good citizenship

In addition to focusing on the holistic development of students, Hui Xiao also attaches great importance to the cooperation of the school and the community and the community. Her concerns and is committed to "Embedding. Social Responsibility issues into School, Culture, has been studying how social responsibility linked to schools and education and culture. Currently, David Thompson Secondary School in collaboration with UBC, SFU University for outstanding Year 12 students to provide pre-university course of study; distinguished persons inviting the community to come to the school speech, inspiring students; together to build a green greenhouse garden centers and local community centers; cooperation with local restaurants to improve the quality of schools culinary courses ... these outstanding work and achievements, but also another important reason for the Hui Xiao commended.

In students' moral development and behavior guidance, Hui Xiao, also created one of their own "the CARES system: connections (connections), accountability (accountability), respect (respect), encouraged (encouragement), security (safety), become school's educational objectives. She said teachers and students must always abide by. "If there are students in trouble made a mistake, I will not be severely criticized. But it will want him / her take the initiative to admit only willing to admit, will have to turn over the heart. The courage to take responsibility for our students to become good citizens important point to education is not only to impart knowledge, pass is also a truth in life. "Hui Xiao said.

Look Asian parents change their ideas, the University is not the only way out

Vancouver East School of Asian immigrant students and the number of international students, Hui Xiao said most of them work hard, and versatile, Chinese students are the traditional prejudices of the "nerd" is no longer based on Hui Xiao would like to see the parents gradually began to cultivate the child's interests and specialties, such as piano, sports, there are still some prejudices, but in the post-secondary education after graduating from high school. "Perhaps due to the different culture shock, including China, some Asian parents want their children to go to college after graduating from high school (University). The Academy of Comprehensive College (College) or such as BCIT, in their view seems to have reached less than the minds of the diploma requirements, so we will meet regularly to parents and symposia, and introduced the Canada Employment and education system to parents so that they change their ideas to understand the particular environment in Canada under the student's way out more than only University, the skills of professionals is also a subject of popular.

Commenting on the new immigrant students how to improve their language skills as soon as possible into the new learning environment, Hui Xiao, has repeatedly stressed the importance of "reading", because in addition to the accumulation of vocabulary, familiar with the English expression, reading is also faster to enhance the students of Western cultural awareness and perception. Hui Xiao also suggested that the new immigrant students than local students to interact, not just speak the same language "small circle" of friends to stay with.

[loanstars]

Our June Contest is a Bit of a Mystery...

What we know

We were sent a photo of four books (from Touchwood Editions) conveniently arranged so you can see their titles.

A Killer in King's Cove by Iona Whishaw

Death in a Darkening Mist by Iona Whishaw

An Old, Cold Grave by Iona Whishaw

It Begins in Betrayal by Iona Whishaw

Based on their snazzy cover design (and the fact that they star the same protagonist), we believe they’re part of a series.

What we don’t know

Why was this photo sent to us? 

Who should own these particular titles? 

Does anyone else want to listen to “Abbey Road” for some reason?

What we plan to do about it

Clearly, the only fair way to solve this ownership mystery is to give the entire series (so far) away to a lucky Loan Stars participant! 

If you vote before 11:59 PM ET on June 30, 2018 you could win this series of whodunits. All you have to do is vote for upcoming titles you think should make a top 10 Loan Stars list. As usual, you can vote for as many upcoming titles as you like, but only your first 10 votes will be counted as ballots in this month’s contest.

Cast a vote, solve a mystery, bask in our eternal gratitude (because otherwise we’d have to decide who gets them internally and THAT is an impossible choice): http://bit.ly/2EmzIEz