Winterland - Rae Meadows

I thoroughly enjoyed this book set in 1970s Soviet Russia. I l loved the use of Russian words here and there, it brought back my time studying Russian in college. The setting is bleak and in today's day and age, the uncompromising attitude of the gymnastics coaches and trainers seems harsh, but when the entire system is viewed at a distance it makes a certain kind of grim sense. The human will to survive is really something. A good choice for this time of year. 

Burma Sahib - Paul Theroux

Not sure what to think of this fictionalized account of Eric Blair's time as a policeman in Burma, which allegedly changed him greatly, leading him to become the famed writer George Orwell. The book is easily twice the length it should be, and extremely repetitive, banging us over the head with how much Blair hated the job, kept to himself, etc etc. He's not particularly sympathetic, he's a snob, he's abusive to the Burmese and the Indians who work alongside him, and there is no real change that takes place - so how much did he actually "learn" through this experience? I don't know, maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this one, but it was a slog. 

VenCo - Cherie Dimaline

An appropriately witchy book for the season. I found this to be a well written story and I really liked the main character. I loved the concept and would like to know more details. This would make a seriously amazing series (I think a movie might not be long enough to do the story justice, but it could be done). Overall a very enjoyable book.