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
The Library Book by Susan Orlean: In The Library Book, Orlean chronicles the LAPL fire and its aftermath to showcase the larger, crucial role that libraries play in our lives; delves into the evolution of libraries across the country and around the world, from their humble beginnings as a metropolitan charitable initiative to their current status … Continue reading What I’ve Been Listening To: Books, Bodies, and Bacteria
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
Inspired by Eva's post, I decided to finally give audio books a try. I started with non-fiction and have continued with it since I had very bad luck with the one fiction title I tried listening to. And it's a great way to fit more nonfiction into my reading. To my great delight, I have … Continue reading What I’ve Been Listening To: Women’s Stories, Living in the Woods, MS, Missing Youth, and a Self-Help Journey
Trickster Drift by Eden Robinson Trickster Drift is the second in the series about a young man named Jared who is trying to get through life with a hard-core mom and a trickster for a dad. I read the first, Son of A Trickster, a couple of years ago when it was shortlisted for the … Continue reading From the Library: Indigenous Youth, Race Relations, and Adoption
Consumed by Ink 