In the spirit of Sarah Selecky's novel... Dear Reader, I am writing to you today about an exciting life-changing opportunity - Sarah Selecky's new novel Radiant Shimmering Light. This brilliant book has enhanced the way I see the world. It has inspired me to be my natural self every day, and I strongly believe it … Continue reading Sarah Selecky #1: Radiant Shimmering Light
We often hear about how we need to know our history before we can heal and move on; globally, nationally, and personally. But often that's easier said than done. In an interview with the Calgary Journal, Erna Buffie explains that she wanted to write a book about her "mother's generation of women". I think a lot … Continue reading Let Us Be True by Erna Buffie
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
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
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 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
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
