I was always going to read this book; a memoir, in part, about Marjorie's move from Cape Breton to Truro, Nova Scotia. I wanted to read an account of a newcomer moving to the town I've lived in for the past 22 years. But, now that I've read it, I can recommend it to any … Continue reading Maritime Memoirs: In Search of Puffins by Marjorie Simmins
Run Towards the Danger by Sarah Polley Many Canadians around my age first knew Sarah Polley as the "Story Girl" in CBC's Road to Avonlea. More recently, she's known for her work directing Alias Grace and Women Talking, movies based on books by Margaret Atwood and Miriam Toews. Sarah Polley's memoir touches on major events … Continue reading What I’ve Been Listening To: child actors, brushes with death, food additives, reconciliation, family histories, and climate change
It's hard to say who I admire more: a person who spends chunks of their life underwater with oxygen tanks strapped to their back, or a person who spends chunks of their life on their feet with a backpack filled with necessities strapped to their back. In Search of the Great Canadian Shark by Chris … Continue reading Maritime Memoirs: Chris Harvey-Clark and Emily Taylor Smith
Two Halifax/Dartmouth based authors writing about Crohn's Disease, depression, trips to the medical clinic, and a trip across Canada. Gutsy: living my best life with Crohn's Disease & ulcerative colitis by Heather Fegan (Nimbus Publishing) Gutsy was a double-nominee at this year's Nova Scotia Book Awards. Until reading this book, I had no idea how … Continue reading Maritime Memoirs: Heather Fegan and Martin Bauman
As different as these stories seem, they have one thing in common: the people who populate them want to improve the world. One reno, one joke, and one chocolate at a time. The Blue Collar CEO by Mandy Rennehan (HarperCollins Canada) Before I knew about Mandy's book, my Dad told me about her show on … Continue reading Maritime Memoirs Audio Edition: hard work, comedy, and chocolate
Okay, folks. I am really behind on my audiobook write-ups, so I'm taking this opportunity to catch up. The following constitute almost a whole year's worth of listening. Son of Elsewhere by Elamin Abdelmahmoud A collection of essays about growing up in Canada after immigrating from Sudan at the age of 12 and exploring what … Continue reading What I’ve Been Listening To: a year of learning new things
A few months ago, I wrote about two memoirs written by Nova Scotian authors. Today, I have three more Maritimes memoirs for you - one from Nova Scotia and two from New Brunswick. Chasing Paradise by Chris Benjamin (Pottersfield Press) In May, 2001--just as I was welcoming my first baby into the world--Chris Benjamin set … Continue reading Maritime Memoirs: Chris Benjamin, Janet Coulter Sanford and Cheryl Gillespie
These two memoirs are written by Nova Scotian authors--one from Halifax and one from Truro--and both tell deeply personal stories. It was interesting to note that Gallant felt isolated in her experience with infertility while Parker-Brown felt supported in her journey with ALS. A Womb in the Shape of A Heart by Joanne Gallant (Nimbus … Continue reading Maritime Memoirs: Joanne Gallant and Angela Parker-Brown
My scattered thoughts on this fabulous bunch of books... science, memoir, history, essays, and adventure. The Invention of Nature This is a long audiobook, but I was riveted. There's history, science, politics, nature, travel, letters (so many letters!). I was amazed by how much Humboldt accomplished in his lifetime, and wonder why he's not as … Continue reading What I’ve Been Listening To: an enthusiasm for measuring, an enthusiasm for endorphins, our quest for a soul mate, how to breathe, amazing life stories, and the terrifying beauty of nature
Wonder World by K.R. Byggdin (Enfield & Wizenty) When I saw the cover of this book (a jar of pickles?), I knew I had to read it. (And--although Byggdin grew up in Manitoba--they are now living on the East Coast.) Isaac Funk has been living in Halifax for ten years; for ten years he has … Continue reading From the Library: Community, growing up, and pop tarts
Consumed by Ink 