A couple of years ago, I read my first book by this small, non-profit independent publisher across the Atlantic. It was called Unidentified Man at Left of Photo by Jeff Bursey and it was a unique reading experience. I can safely say the same about these two books. (Which is a good thing!) Apastoral: a … Continue reading Two from Corona\Samizdat: Lee D. Thompson and W.D. Clarke
Nine Bells for a Man by Peter Unwin (2000) All along I thought I would read one of my Jane Urqhart books for the letter 'U' in my A-Z CanLit Project. But no, I couldn't be sensible - I had to ignore the five Urquhart novels I have on my shelf and search the library for … Continue reading Library Finds: ‘Nine Bells for a Man’ and ‘Victory Meat’
By a happy coincidence I read two books this summer by Giller Prize shortlisted authors, Madeleine Thien and Zoe Whittall. I chose Dogs at the Perimeter to fill the letter 'T' position for my A-Z CanLit project. And the urge to read Zoe Whittall came out of reading Buried In Print's review of The Best Kind of … Continue reading Madeleine Thien and Zoe Whittall
I haven't read one of Carol Shields' novels in such a long time that it was an obvious choice for the letter 'S' in my A-Z CanLit Project. But, which one? There are so many good ones to pick from. In the end, I went with Unless because of the premise: Reta Winters, 44-year-old successful author … Continue reading Unless by Carol Shields
A little while ago I wrote about my re-read of The Nymph and the Lamp. I went on and on about how much I loved it and what a great story-teller Thomas Raddall is, but I only had one of his books under my belt; I felt like I needed more evidence to back me … Continue reading Hangman’s Beach by Thomas H. Raddall
To keep a boy out of hot water, put him on ice. Not all Canadians are big hockey fans, and I am in the camp that is not. So, a book about hockey and a bunch of ancient hockey players? It doesn't sound very appealing to me, but I put my qulams aside and trusted … Continue reading King Leary by Paul Quarrington
The first sentence of every novel should be: "Trust me, this will take time but there is order here, very faint, very human." In the Skin of A Lion was my last read of 2015 and the 'O' book for my A-Z CanLit project. So, it's about time I write about it. I think I've … Continue reading In the Skin of A Lion by Michael Ondaatje
For my A-Z CanLit Project's letter 'N', I went with Nancy Lee. I thought about reading her story collection, Dead Girls, but decided to go with her novel, The Age. Has anyone read Dead Girls? In The Age, it is 1984, and there is a lot on the news about the threat of nuclear disaster. Gerry … Continue reading The Age by Nancy Lee
Away From Everywhere is the cause of my second A-Z CanLit Challenge cheat. So far, I have been going in order, but for this book I am making an exception and skipping ahead two letters. All because I want Chad Pelley to be on my official A-Z list. He deserves it. A while ago I … Continue reading Away From Everywhere by Chad Pelley
Is it possible to redeem a family name that has been a curse word for generations? When I first came across this book, and saw that it was from an Atlantic Canadian author, I took note of it. Then, I saw this glowing review of it at The Star, and I knew I wanted to read … Continue reading When the Saints by Sarah Mian
Consumed by Ink 