Friday Reads is a new weekly feature here on
Cityline.ca, where we give you a behind-the-scenes look at what
Cityline guest experts and staff members are reading. Each week we’ll
put the spotlight on the “Friday Reads” of two of our crew. This week,
we’re taking a peek at the bookshelves of Sarah Gunn and Winston Sih.
Sarah Gunn, guest expert:
If you are like me, then you not only read Twilight and The Hunger Games series, you read them all in a matter of days. If you need a new addiction, then Divergent (HarperCollins), by Veronica Roth, is a must read.
The novel, based in a futuristic Chicago, follows Beatrice Prior, a 16 year-old girl who must choose one of five factions to define her identity for the rest of her life. She must also choose between her family and being true to herself. The choice is made more difficult when she discovers that she does not fit into any one group. I read it in two days; the plot kept me guessing and the love story kept me hooked! This is a first in a series and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book.
Although it was originally published in 1965, this novel has an incredibly timeless quality to it – some of the references may be dated, but Camilla’s story could just as easily be transposed into the current day. Camilla’s NYC adventures stem from her need to spend as much time away from her home as possible as she attempts to avoid witnessing her parents’ marital problems. While her parents are busy focusing on their own affairs, they’ve begun to neglect their roles as parents, and Camilla is shocked to realize that they are more than just her mother and father. Until now, Camilla has lived the sheltered life of a wealthy only child, but her parents’ crumbling marriage forces her to grow up fast and question so much more about the world around her than she ever has before. I’m loving how this book is exploring so many important questions about life, all through the ever-curious mind of a teenaged girl.
Winston Sih, tech expert:
Going through post-secondary education myself, The Canadian Campus Companion (Thomas Allen Publishers) by Erin Millar and Ben Coli proves to be a helpful and comprehensive guide for students and parents alike going through everything from picking your future alma mater, to getting the stunning grades, deciding on a place to live, budgeting, all the way to pulling through common struggles like drugs, drinking, and sex. It offers anecdotes that students can relate to, giving parents a glimpse into what can be an extremely stressful few years in the life of a university or college student.
For all prospective students, The Canadian Campus Companion offers essential information from the point of view of Erin Millar, a veteran education journalist, contributing to dozens of publications like Chatelaine magazine. Co-author Ben Coli contributes weekly to a blog advising university life on Macleans.ca. Together, they bring a wealth of information; and I thoroughly enjoyed the book’s ability to touch upon a wide range of real topics and scenarios that affect the vast population of post-secondary students – a definite must-read if you are pursuing or entering school seeking a little guidance.
What are you reading this Friday? Tell us in the comments what books are currently residing on your bedside table!