Alistair MacLeod Short Story: Winter Dog (1981)

As MacLeod has proven before in his stories, he does not shy away from the harsh realities of life. And, as Marcie has already pointed out, Winter Dog is not an easy story to read. But there are so many great reasons you should read it anyway. Like the tender telling of the excited children … Continue reading Alistair MacLeod Short Story: Winter Dog (1981)

From the Library: Emily Austen, Richard Levangie, and Julie Pellisier-Lush

Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin This book reminded me of an Ottessa Moshfegh book, except Gilda is more endearing than Moshfegh's characters. Described on the front cover as "the bumbling, anxious, helplessly kindhearted heroine we all need right now," Gilda suffers from anxiety and depression and is well known … Continue reading From the Library: Emily Austen, Richard Levangie, and Julie Pellisier-Lush

Senior Management by Martha Vowles

I imagine it would be hard to write an engaging and humorous memoir about dementia--an illness so devastating--but that's exactly what Martha Vowles managed to do. I enjoyed every sentence. I'm not completely surprised that I loved this book - she had both a brilliant publisher and editor. At the age of fifty-five, I became … Continue reading Senior Management by Martha Vowles

What I’ve Been Listening To: aging, food, fairy tales, monkeys, comedians, and poets

If I Knew Then by Jann Arden "Being the age I am--that so many women are--is just the best time of my life." Jann Arden talks about aging, but she also talks about growing up, life with her parents, and her struggle with alcohol. She makes aging sound appealing, which is never a bad thing. … Continue reading What I’ve Been Listening To: aging, food, fairy tales, monkeys, comedians, and poets

#LiteraryWives: I’m Fine and Neither Are You

Literary Wives is an on-line book group that examines the meaning and role of wife in different books. Four times a year, we post and discuss a book with this question in mind: What does this book say about wives or about the experience of being a wife? Don’t forget to check out the other members … Continue reading #LiteraryWives: I’m Fine and Neither Are You

From Breakwater Books: Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Italy, England, sisters, shipwrecks, and yoga

Breakwater Books is an amazing independent publisher located in St. John's, Newfoundland. They have sent me so many wonderful books over the years: Dirty Birds by Morgan MurrayMelt by Heidi WicksAlmost Feral by Gemma HickeyEven Weirder Than Before by Susie TaylorThe Luminous Sea by Melissa Barbeau Ledger of the Open Hand by Leslie VryenhoekSome People's … Continue reading From Breakwater Books: Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Italy, England, sisters, shipwrecks, and yoga