... Mom said that in Jasper there used to be two sure signs that winter was over. One was the glacier lily poking up through the snow, and the other was Doctor Byrne stepping off the train. Icefields takes us to Jasper Alberta, where in 1898 Doctor Edward Byrne falls into an ice crevasse. While … Continue reading Icefields by Thomas Wharton
Year 2 of Reading CanLit
A couple of days ago, I was reminded by WordPress that my blog is now 2 years old. This year just flew by! Last year, for my 'blirthday', I focused on the Canadian content of my blog, since challenging myself to read more CanLit was the reason I started blogging. I'm doing the same thing this … Continue reading Year 2 of Reading CanLit
Canadian Poet, John McCrae
100 years ago, John McCrae, Brigade Surgeon and Major of the 1st Brigade Canadian Field Artillary, wrote In Flanders Fields after the death of his friend Alexis Helmer. In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce … Continue reading Canadian Poet, John McCrae
The Voyage of the Narwhal by Andrea Barrett
So long ago now, way back in the summer, I read The Voyage of the Narwhal. It was recommended to me by both Valerie and TJ after my plea for follow-up books to The Signature of All Things. It has only taken me so long to write about it because it's not a library book with … Continue reading The Voyage of the Narwhal by Andrea Barrett
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
The Devil In the White City by Erik Larson
This is the second book I have read by Erik Larson, the first being his most recent Dead Wake, as well as the second book I have read for Doing Dewey's Nonfiction Book Club. The Devil in the White City tells us two stories: 1) the conception, construction, and aftermath of the Chicago Columbian Exposition … Continue reading The Devil In the White City by Erik Larson
Library Checkout: October 2015
Hosted by Shannon at River City Reads. Almost all my reading this month was from the library. Library books read: The Illegal by Lawrence Hill The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood Every Blade of Grass by Thomas Wharton The Girl With No Name by Marina Chapman (for book club) Captive by Claudine Dumont Confidence … Continue reading Library Checkout: October 2015
Captive by Claudine Dumont
I can finally say that I have a psychological thriller to recommend. I first saw this book when C.J. at ebookclassics reviewed it. The next time I heard of it was when the 2015 Governor General's Literary Award lists came out. Emma is miserable. She goes to work, comes home, drinks too much. Then, one … Continue reading Captive by Claudine Dumont
Every Blade of Grass by Thomas Wharton
When I saw Laura's description of this book on Good reads, "Quiet, beautiful, a heartbreaker.", I knew I wanted to read it. I really can't describe it any better than that. But, maybe I'll elaborate... Martha and James meet at a conference in Iceland in 1974, she as a journalist, he as an ecologist. Almost … Continue reading Every Blade of Grass by Thomas Wharton
The Illegal by Lawrence Hill
Imagine having no place to live, because the country you call home wants you dead? Imagine having to always be on the run, never knowing who you can trust? And, imagine that all this is happening even though you have done nothing wrong, beyond the desire to live and be with your family? It was … Continue reading The Illegal by Lawrence Hill
Consumed by Ink 