Those of you who have been following me for a while, know that I have a thing for Thomas Raddall's books. I love that they tell a good story, while also teaching me something about the history of my home province, Nova Scotia. At the Tide's Turn is the first book of his short stories … Continue reading At the Tide’s Turn by Thomas H. Raddall (1959)
Category: Short Stories
Four-Letter Words by Chad Pelley
I've had a hankering for more Chad Pelley since reading his two novels last year, Away From Everywhere and Every Little Thing. His short story collection, Four-Letter Words has been shortlisted for the Alistair MacLeod Prize for Short Fiction for the 2017 Atlantic Book Awards. It's up against two other collections I've read this year; Bad … Continue reading Four-Letter Words by Chad Pelley
Reading Ireland Month: Donal Ryan
I always have so much fun choosing books for Reading Ireland Month, but then never seem to have enough time to fit them all in. Two years ago (already!) I was the lucky winner of Cathy's giveaway for A Slanting of the Sun by Donal Ryan, and had planned to read it last year, but … Continue reading Reading Ireland Month: Donal Ryan
Sex and Death: Stories, edited by Sarah Hall and Peter Hobbs
What civil lives we lead. So mannered, so controlled. Everything tidy and safe, everything put in its place. How hard we try not to be frightened, not to let the mind and body misbehave, not to come undone. Look at us in our ties and our stockings, taking vitamins and buying prophylactics, arranging mortgages and … Continue reading Sex and Death: Stories, edited by Sarah Hall and Peter Hobbs
Library Finds: ‘Nine Bells for a Man’ and ‘Victory Meat’
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’
Bad Things Happen by Kris Bertin
After a moment, all he managed to say was bad things happen. It meant nothing to me, but he seemed to be satisfied with it, like that explained everything. Last month, I read two short story collections from the Giller Prize longlist. I enjoyed both of them, but also mentioned that story collections aren't usually … Continue reading Bad Things Happen by Kris Bertin
Willem de Kooning’s Paintbrush by Kerry Lee Powell
Willem de Kooning's Paintbrush was longlisted for the Giller Prize, is a finalist for the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize, and a finalist for the Governor General's Literary Awards. So, of course I had to read it. As I have mentioned before, I prefer novels to short stories. However, short stories have their place in … Continue reading Willem de Kooning’s Paintbrush by Kerry Lee Powell
Giller Longlist: The Two of Us by Kathy Page
This is one of the few books on the Giller Prize longlist that I hadn't heard of. It's also one of the only two short story collections on the list. The other being Willem De Kooning's Paintbrush by Kerry Lee Powell. Admittedly, short story collections aren't my usual fare, but this is a strong collection … Continue reading Giller Longlist: The Two of Us by Kathy Page
Confidence by Russell Smith
Russell Smith's stories are full of the kinds of people and events that I don't usually enjoy reading about, and almost none of his characters are likeable. Yet, I felt strangely compelled to read on. And, he nails the dialogue. From a review at Now: "You may loathe his characters - almost all of them … Continue reading Confidence by Russell Smith
Eating Habits of the Chronically Lonesome by Megan Gail Coles
The title of this book caught my eye the first time I saw it. Since then, it has gotten a rave review by Chad Pelley at The Overcast, and Megan Gail Coles has become the first fiction writer to win the Winterset Award with a debut book. I am not surprised. Eating Habits of the … Continue reading Eating Habits of the Chronically Lonesome by Megan Gail Coles
Consumed by Ink 