I compiled this list for my library's blog, and thought I'd share it here as well. Mother's Day is coming up... which got me thinking about mothers in recent books I've read (plus a couple of classics). Here's what I came up with... Mothers who advocate for their children: Love Lives Here by Amanda … Continue reading Mothers in Literature: A List
It's been almost a month since my last post. I've missed you. In light of the times we're living in right now - #Covid19 #Pandemic2020 - and because it's poetry month, I was motivated to play with my books. Here's what I came up with... Little Fortress Another day, inside. The hours... an ocean of … Continue reading Book Spine Poetry: April 2020
This is the second book by Catherine Leroux I've read. The first was The Party Wall, which the Shadow Giller jury (of which I am one) chose as their 2016 winner. In both cases I have found that Leroux's books are not just well-written stories (although they are that, too)... they are also cleverly imagined … Continue reading Madame Victoria by Catherine Leroux, translated by Lazer Lederhendler
This year my family and I are going on a little road trip. To see some relatives, to see some new places, to explore some big cities, check out a few museums and parks. And beaches. (We know it's going to be hot!) I'm also hoping to track down a couple of literary Bookmarks. Perhaps … Continue reading Vacation Time
I spotted this recently on Bookish Beck, who spotted it on Ex Urbanis, who spotted it on Cleopatra Loves Books. The instructions: Find a book on your bookshelves that contains (either on the cover or in the title) an example for each category. You must have a separate book for all 20, get as creative … Continue reading I Spy: Canadian Edition
I've had a few new projects swirling around in my head and this seemed like a good time to pin them down. I am just about finished my A-Z CanLit project, and declare it a success. Not so much for the books I read, but for the all the other books they inspired me to … Continue reading Reading Plans 2018
This idea started at Pickle Me This, then I saw it on Reading in Bed and Bookish Beck. If I'm missing someone, let me know in the comments! Reading in Winter (who has read an impressive number of books this year!) has also participated. I'd love to hear where your books come from, too. Join in! You … Continue reading Where Do My Books Come From?
This year there are 16 Canadian books on the International Dublin Literary Award longlist. 8 Canadian books on the list that I've read and reviewed (Click on the book titles to see my reviews.) Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien - winner of the 2016 Scotiabank Giller Prize and 2016 Governor General's … Continue reading Canadian Books On the International Dublin Literary Award Longlist 2018
The Giller Prize shortlist is out! The Shadow Jury will be reading and reviewing these books over the course of the next 6 weeks, and will be choosing a shadow winner a few days before the official Giller Prize announcement on November 20th. Rachel Cusk for her novel Transit, published by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd My thoughts: Unfortunately I wasn't a … Continue reading 2017 Scotiabank Giller Prize Shortlist
This is the 24th anniversary of the Scotiabank Giller Prize, a prize that was founded in 1994 by (the late) Jack Rabinovitch in honour of his wife, the late literary journalist Doris Giller. The prize awards $100,000 annually to the author of the best Canadian novel or short story collection published in English, and $10,000 to each … Continue reading The 2017 Scotiabank Giller Prize Longlist
Consumed by Ink 