Have you ever thought about your first love? Or maybe you've never gotten over him/her, despite the fact that you appear to have moved on? Or maybe, like Tessa, you know without a doubt you'd go back to him if you got the chance? ("Do we ever stop wanting what we desired so ardently at … Continue reading Hunting Houses by Fanny Britt
Mile End by Lise Tremblay, translated by Gail Scott
When I saw this book at the library and read that it was about a "grotesque fat woman getting larger every day", I immediately thought of Melanie's quest for fat-positive books which prompted me to bring this one home and read it. I have to admit that, from the blurb on the back of the … Continue reading Mile End by Lise Tremblay, translated by Gail Scott
Two Novellas: ‘The Pigeon’ by Patrick Süskind and ‘The End We Start From’ By Megan Hunter
The Pigeon by Patrick Süskind (1987) I read about this book at Madame Bibi Lophile Recommends, and loved the sound of it. Just a man over the course of one day of his life, albeit an unusual day for him compared to all the others, brought about by the presence of a pigeon. I was … Continue reading Two Novellas: ‘The Pigeon’ by Patrick Süskind and ‘The End We Start From’ By Megan Hunter
Atlantic Book Awards 2018
The Atlantic Book Awards took place last night, May 10th, at the Halifax Central Library. Here's the list of all the categories and nominated books and authors. The books I've read have links to my reviews. As well, there are several links that will take you to books read and reviewed at The Miramichi Reader. … Continue reading Atlantic Book Awards 2018
Blood Fable by Oisín Curran
Just in time, I have read the third of the three nominated books for the Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award, which will be awarded at the Atlantic Book Awards on the evening of May 10 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. And what an unusual and intriguing book it is. Blood Fable tells a story within a … Continue reading Blood Fable by Oisín Curran
Atlantic Canadian Short Stories: Brennan, Skibsrud, and Crocker
A Certain Grace by Binnie Brennan A couple of years ago I read Binnie Brennan's novella Harbour View and loved it so much I was destined to go on to read her collection of short stories. It's hard to compete with Harbour View, but A Certain Grace is also a joy to read. A nice mix … Continue reading Atlantic Canadian Short Stories: Brennan, Skibsrud, and Crocker
I Spy: Canadian Edition
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
The Figgs by Ali Bryan
I don't know what it is about this book that I loved so much. Maybe the fact that I am coming up to the stage of life that June and Randy are at and can imagine how it might be. Maybe because of the perfect imperfections of the characters. Maybe the bang-on dynamics between the … Continue reading The Figgs by Ali Bryan
Refugees: ‘The Boat People’ by Sharon Bala and ‘Homes’ by Abu Bakr al Rabeeah with Winnie Yeung
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
Poetry Month: The Bookmarked Poetry on the CanLit Trail
Several of the Bookmarks on the CanLit Trail are from poems, and since it's April I thought it was a good time to read them. I will also be able to check all of these off the list in one go! "Mexican Sunsets" by Bronwen Wallace, from her collection Common Magic Bookmarked at the corner … Continue reading Poetry Month: The Bookmarked Poetry on the CanLit Trail
Consumed by Ink 