Jonny Appleseed and Joshua Whitehead made Canadian history this year - by winning the 2021 Canada Reads debates, they became the first Indigenous and Indigiqueer book and author to win Canada Reads. “This means the world to me,” Whitehead said. “I’m holding this as a legacy and a fire to keep burning for all Indigenous … Continue reading Joshua Whitehead: ‘Jonny Appleseed’ and ‘Love After the End’
The theme: One book to bring Canada into focus. The five contenders for Canada Reads 2020, in order in which I read them: Son of A Trickster by Eden Robinson I read this book when it was shortlisted for the 2017 Giller prize. I loved how funny it was, and had every intention of reading … Continue reading Canada Reads 2020
The five contenders for Canada Reads 2019, in order in which I read them (or didn't). The theme: One Book to Move You. Brother by David Chariandy -- defended by Lisa Ray, model and actress I'm happy that Brother is a part of Canada Reads this year. I read this book when it was longlisted … Continue reading Canada Reads 2019 Mini Reviews
I usually opt for fiction to gain understanding and empathy for topics that are far from my own experience, but sometimes I come across works of nonfiction that are just as moving. I found Homes to be especially powerful, perhaps because the story is told from the perspective of the boy who lived it. In 2010, … Continue reading Refugees: ‘The Boat People’ by Sharon Bala and ‘Homes’ by Abu Bakr al Rabeeah with Winnie Yeung
Canada Reads 2018 starts Monday, March 26, and continues to the 29th. This year's theme: One book to open your eyes. The longlist seemed particularly strong to me this year, and I would like to have read them all. Unfortunately, because of time and availability, I'm struggling to get the 5 from the shortlist read. … Continue reading Canada Reads 2018: Mini Reviews
The theme for Canada Reads 2017 is "the one book Canadians should read now", and the debates will air on March 27 to 30. Here are the five books being debated this year, in the order of when I read them. Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis, defended by Humble the Poet, a rapper, poet and … Continue reading Canada Reads 2017 Mini Reviews
[Goodreads synopsis] When Stella, a young Métis mother, looks out her window one evening and spots someone in trouble on the Break — a barren field on an isolated strip of land outside her house — she calls the police to alert them to a possible crime. In a series of shifting narratives, people who … Continue reading The Break by Katherena Vermette
The theme for Canada Reads this year is 'Starting Over'. The debates air March 21-24. You can get the quick low-down of the books and panellists here. Here are the 5 books in the order of when I read them: 1) The Illegal by Lawrence Hill, defended by Clara Hughes, six-time Olympic medallist I read … Continue reading Canada Reads 2016 Mini(ish) Reviews
Canada Reads is coming soon, and Birdie was one of the five books chosen by the panellists, the other four being The Illegal by Lawrence Hill (my review), Bone & Bread by Saleema Nawaz, Minister Without Portfolio by Michael Winter, and The Hero's Walk by Anita Rau Badami. (And, if you're interested, here's the longlist.) … Continue reading Birdie by Tracey Lindberg
... Mom said that in Jasper there used to be two sure signs that winter was over. One was the glacier lily poking up through the snow, and the other was Doctor Byrne stepping off the train. Icefields takes us to Jasper Alberta, where in 1898 Doctor Edward Byrne falls into an ice crevasse. While … Continue reading Icefields by Thomas Wharton
Consumed by Ink 