Emily Urquhart, a journalist with a doctorate in folklore, prefers the term "Wonder Tales" to "Fairy Tales". It suggests a sense of wonder while reading, rather than just the expectation of fairies or other fantastical creatures. I think we should call all stories "Wonder Tales". While reading these essays, I let Emily stoke a sense … Continue reading Ordinary Wonder Tales by Emily Urquhart
As soon as I saw this book I knew I wanted to read it (I do love judging a book by its cover!). But who knew I would love it so much? They thought about the game, which they were sure to lose, but also about jobs, divorces, if they were getting fat, why their … Continue reading Fearnoch by Jim McEwen
Both Translated by Donald Winkler I knew going into these books that they weren't going to involve the usual things, but I also didn't expect to be quite as shocked by them as I was. Kevin Lambert's work has won several awards in Quebec, and Querelle of Roberval has just recently become a finalist for … Continue reading Kevin Lambert: ‘Querelle of Roberval’ and ‘You Will Love What You Have Killed’
My Camino by Patrick Warner A few years ago I read Patrick Warner's One Hit Wonders and said: "One Hit Wonders is such a unique reading experience that I wanted more." I got what I asked for - another unique reading experience - one that is darkly humorous, bold, challenging, and visceral. This book is … Continue reading ‘My Camino’ by Patrick Warner and ‘Dream Sequence’ by Adam Foulds
Look at the cover of this book. It couldn't be more stunning. With stories to match. Peninsula Sinking is David Huebert's first short story collection. He has won the CBC Short Story Prize, the Sheldon Currie Fiction Prize, and the Walrus Poetry Prize, and is the author of one poetry collection We Are No Longer the … Continue reading Peninsula Sinking by David Huebert
In the Cage is pretty much the opposite of the last book I wrote about. Far from "heartwarming", it's rough, gritty (yes, "gritty"), and sad. This is not a criticism - many of you know I like dark, heavy books. However, I wouldn't normally be drawn to books about fighting or fighters, but I have … Continue reading In the Cage by Kevin Hardcastle
The first thing I noticed about The Party Wall, even before reading the first page, was the story/character sequence; ABACADABACADA. Intriguing, right? Then, after about four stories into it, I had no idea where any of it was going (a good thing). Even more enticing are the little clues giving us hints as to when … Continue reading Shadow Giller: The Party Wall by Catherine Leroux, translated by Lazer Lederhendler
Consumed by Ink 