One of the things I mentioned liking about The Story Girl in my introduction post is 'watching' the children play. Maybe because--between raising and working with children most of my life--I think a lot about how children play. Is it better now? Was it better then? Maybe somewhere in between? I feel sorry for children … Continue reading #ReadingStoryGirl: “There is such a place as fairyland – but only children can find the way to it…”
The List of Last Chances by Christina Myers (Caitlin Press) I requested this book after seeing it on a list at the 49th Shelf - one made by Ali Bryan, author of Coq and The Crow Valley Karaoke Championships. A list of "Summer books to read when your flight’s been cancelled, you dropped your phone … Continue reading From the Library: something light, something heavy, and something dark
I have read Ali Bryan's Roost and The Figgs and loved them both. This summer, she published two more books, and I decided to round it off by also reading her YA novel. Presented in the order in which I read them. Coq (Freehand Books) Several years ago, I wrote about Roost, a book by … Continue reading Ali Bryan: Coq, The Hill, and The Crow Valley Karaoke Championships
No One Knows About Us by Bridget Canning This is Canning's third book, and first collection of short stories. I loved her novels, The Greatest Hits of Wanda Jaynes and Some People's Children, so I had high expectations for her short stories. Happily, they measured up. I didn't really have any doubts that they would. … Continue reading Two from Breakwater Books: Bridget Canning and Willow Kean
Three new novels from three established Nova Scotian authors. This is Becca Babcock's second book - I wrote about her first book here. This is Lesley Crewe's trillionth book - I wrote about her last book here. Leo McKay's debut story collection was shortlisted for the 1995 Giller Prize. I wrote about his self-published novel … Continue reading Three from Nimbus Publishing: Lesley Crewe, Leo McKay Jr., and Becca Babcock
Because we all need more to read in the month of November, Sarah Emsley and I are hosting a Readalong of The Story Girl and The Golden Road next month. What are one or two more books in your stack? The Story Girl narrates the adventures of a group of cousins and their friends in … Continue reading The Story Girl Readalong: #ReadingStoryGirl
A few months ago, I wrote about two memoirs written by Nova Scotian authors. Today, I have three more Maritimes memoirs for you - one from Nova Scotia and two from New Brunswick. Chasing Paradise by Chris Benjamin (Pottersfield Press) In May, 2001--just as I was welcoming my first baby into the world--Chris Benjamin set … Continue reading Maritime Memoirs: Chris Benjamin, Janet Coulter Sanford and Cheryl Gillespie
Is it Fall already? How did that happen? Happily for you, I've been jotting down my thoughts on books all summer long, even though you haven't seen much of me. The following is an online journal of some of my summer reading. These books feature: a manatee, a ghost, a secret husband, a librarian, and … Continue reading A Fabulous Assortment of Summer Reading 2023
Literary Wives is an on-line book group that examines the meaning and role of wife in different books. Four times a year, we post and discuss a book with this question in mind: What does this book say about wives or about the experience of being a wife? Don’t forget to check out the other members … Continue reading #LiteraryWives: Sea Wife by Amity Gaige
This set of four fabulous books are all about women, written by women. Three are historical: sisters live hard in ancient Rome, a daughter goes missing in 1962 Maine, and mothers and daughter clash in 1930s Vancouver. Comedy and death are a perfect pairing in Catherine Newman's book featuring a woman who covers all the … Continue reading From the Library: sisters, friends, mothers, and daughters
Consumed by Ink 