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
Watching You Without Me by Lynn Coady I have loved Lynn Coady's short stories, but had yet to read one of her novels. As is often the case, I am starting from most recent and will be working my way back. Watching You Without Me is narrated by Karen, who is telling her own story … Continue reading Three Recent Library Reads: Boundaries, Lung Transplants, and Dirty Dishes
In March 2015, Sandra Phinney was reading a blog post by Melanie Chambers that explained her summer plans to explore her city of Toronto as a tourist. Sandra contacted her to let her know she was inspired to do the same in her home town of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. And that's how The July Project … Continue reading Waking Up in My Own Backyard by Sandra Phinney
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
Consumed by Ink 