Message in a Bottle is a book that combines some of my favourite things: the ocean, seabirds and other marine animals, biology, snow and ice, and Atlantic Canadian stories. Holly Hogan is now one of my heroes, literary and otherwise. (And she's married to one of my other literary heroes - Michael Crummey. The two … Continue reading Message in a Bottle by Holly Hogan
Two Halifax/Dartmouth based authors writing about Crohn's Disease, depression, trips to the medical clinic, and a trip across Canada. Gutsy: living my best life with Crohn's Disease & ulcerative colitis by Heather Fegan (Nimbus Publishing) Gutsy was a double-nominee at this year's Nova Scotia Book Awards. Until reading this book, I had no idea how … Continue reading Maritime Memoirs: Heather Fegan and Martin Bauman
The Atlantic Book Awards took place at the beginning of June, as did the Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island Book Awards. The Newfoundland and Labrador Book Awards are in progress. For me, the highlight of the Atlantic Book Awards is the Thomas Raddall Prize for Atlantic Fiction. Here are the five shortlisted … Continue reading Michelle Porter, William Ping, and the Atlantic Book Awards 2024
With the exception of Claudia Dey and Logan Steiner, all of these authors are either living in the Maritimes or are from the Maritimes. The settings range from Yarmouth, Barrington Passage, and Dartmouth to Ontario, Norway, and medieval England. The topics and characters include: a clandestine affair, a family scandal, a missing man, the daughter … Continue reading Catch-Up: Ian Colford, Jill MacLean, Bruce W. Bishop, Elaine McCluskey, Kate McLaughlin, Claudia Dey, Odette Barr, Colleen Landry, Beth Weatherbee, and Logan Steiner
Kilmeny of the Orchard is a novel that arose from the short story "Una of the Garden," which was published in 1908. In Magic Island, Elizabeth Waterston writes about the changes that were made by LMM as she re-worked the story. For example, the setting change from "garden" to "orchard" suggests "a development in Montgomery's … Continue reading #ReadingKilmeny: “She was, after all, nothing but a child…”
As different as these stories seem, they have one thing in common: the people who populate them want to improve the world. One reno, one joke, and one chocolate at a time. The Blue Collar CEO by Mandy Rennehan (HarperCollins Canada) Before I knew about Mandy's book, my Dad told me about her show on … Continue reading Maritime Memoirs Audio Edition: hard work, comedy, and chocolate
Sarah and I have been re-reading some of L.M. Montgomery's novels. We have re-read The Blue Castle, the Emily books, Jane of Lantern Hill, The Story Girl, and The Golden Road. This May we are going to be reading Kilmeny of the Orchard and we'd love for you to join us! Kilmeny of the Orchard … Continue reading #ReadingKilmeny: A “Kilmeny of the Orchard” Readalong
Since Florrie's leave-taking, there is no one with whom I may share my real feelings, no place in my life for candour and misery, save between the covers of this black book. My truth shall remain trapped on its pages, while my happy little lies travel the world. I don't know where to begin with … Continue reading Grey Dog by Elliott Gish (ECW Press)
The Way I Feel by Susan White (Acorn Press) The Way I Feel is Susan White's thirteenth book (8 YA and 5 adult), and this is the first one I've read. The premise of The Way I Feel is what made me pick up this book. It's about a middle-aged woman who suddenly packs up … Continue reading From the Library: a runaway mother, a returned daughter, and secret short stories
The Island Gospel According to Samson Grief by Steven Mayoff Samson Grief is an artist who has been living a quiet, solitary life in Prince Edward Island for almost twenty years when he is visited by three red-headed figments of his imagination. Judas, Fagin, and Shylock have come to convince Samson that he has been … Continue reading Two from Radiant Press: Steven Mayoff and Meghan Greeley write about love, loneliness, and the new Promised Land
Consumed by Ink 