Alison Recommends

Never Too Late by Gail Vaz-Oxlade

Gail Vaz-Oxlade has done it again. The powerhouse host of Till Debt Do Us Part has written a fantastic addition to her finance pantheon just in time to boost those New Year's resolutions. Never Too Late guides us through the maze of retirement planning, from how to pinch nickels from your budget (in the absence of pennies), to RRSPs, TFSAs and NGUAs (Never Give Up Attitudes). Vaz-Oxlade's honest, tough love - some would say blunt - approach reinforces the idea that you can prepare for retirement at any age. She spares no sympathy for excuses, but with heart and warm humour reminds us that it's okay to make mistakes, as long as we are willing to buckle down and correct them starting NOW. The book includes sections for every age group, and information detailing government programs like CPP, tax-deferral and OAS; how to spot a worthy financial planner; and how to build an investment portfolio without having a panic attack or losing your shirt. If you are in your twenties and just starting out, buy this book. If you are in your fifties and retirement looms, buy this book. If you are at all serious about having a secure, comfortable retirement, no matter your age, buy this book. Gail will not steer you wrong.

Judy Recommends

I recently devoured two books neither of which I meant to read but ended up being swept into their worlds.

Luminaries by Eleanor Catton

This received numerous award nominations and ultimately, awards. Having been in the book world for a number of years, I've become cynical of award winners. Often, they seem meant for the elite, somewhat dense in content, making me feel dense while reading them. As well, I tend to snub books with many pages, justifying this by saying that for my job, I need to read many books rather than getting bogged down in one. However, once I started The Luminaries, I couldn’t stop. Yes, it was involved, perhaps even dense, yet the characters and plot were so engaging that I kept being easily pulled along. As well, Catton had a subtle way of reviewing the complex goings on without talking down to the reader. This is a good yarn with nuggets of insightful comments on what it is to be human as portrayed by her well developed and varied characters.

Nelia Recommends

Peruvian-American writer (Lost City Radio, 2007) Daniel Alarcón's new novel takes place in, what one can only assume, is his native country of Peru. The story is told from the view of a narrator investigating the journey of a young actor, Nelson, who has joined a small theatre company in the revival of an absurdist play from the time of "the Terrorist" two decades earlier. Taking the play out of the city and into the Andes, to "the people", this group of three performs daily in barns and schools to small groups of Andean peasants.

Until...

In one small village the group encounters the family of one of the actor's cell mates from "Collectors" (the prison where he had been sent during the time of the unrest). The group, and particularly Nelson, become hopelessly entwined with this family whose oldest and only surviving son is now a drug lord.

This is a story of many twists and turns, of moving from the city and back to the mountains, of looking back to the past and then returning to the present. The book's ending came unexpectedly. I had to reread the last few pages several times as the tone of the book and the character of Nelson changed quickly.

Alarcón's writing definitely has the feel of other South American literature I have read, moving from magic realism to political discourse. I always like a book that takes me out of my North American view of the world. Alarcón is the recipient of many awards and his name appears on various Best Writers Under 40 lists. He will not disappoint.