Four incredible books from Atlantic Canada: one from Newfoundland and three from Nova Scotia. Gruesome murders, foster homes (for both two-legged and four-legged creatures), mothers and sons in critical conditions, a cast of furry (and feathered) characters, and #Snowmageddon. Beneath Her Skin by C.S. Porter (Nimbus Publishing) I don't usually read crime novels, but this … Continue reading From the Library: Lisa Moore, Nicola Davison, Chad Lucas, and C.S. Porter
This book surprised me with its complexity of familial relationships and marriage; the perspectives we have of ourselves versus the ones others have of us. The Winter-Blooming Tree focuses in on the Neiderhauser family in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. [The setting made me realize how few books I've read set in Saskatchewan. I learned that Humboldt--named for … Continue reading The Winter-Blooming Tree by Barbara Langhorst
These three books took me from rural Ontario to Trinidad to the moon! Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline Inspired by the traditional story of the Rogarou--"a werewolf-like creature that haunts the roads and woods of Metis communities"--Dimaline has written a book unlike any other I've read. At night, he roamed the roads that connected … Continue reading From the Library: Cherie Dimaline, Ingrid Persaud, and Emily St. John Mandel
Meadows Beach, Kejimkujik National Park (That's me in the middle.) Nova Scotia authors seem to be writing books just for me these days. Not long ago, I wrote about a book that was set near my favourite beach. A Canoer of Shorelines is set in or near by most favourite lake and Park (Kejimkujik National … Continue reading A Canoer of Shorelines by Anne M. Smith-Nochasak
Lauren B. Davis is one of my favourite authors; she consistently challenges and engages me with her books, and her latest is no exception. Even So explores the "challenge and necessity of loving difficult people," something we can all relate to. As Lauren says in the introduction to her novel, "it's relatively easy to love … Continue reading Even So by Lauren B. Davis
For fans of historical fiction and/or Canadian history, Trappings is a book based on real people and events in mid-nineteenth century British Columbia. What's more, it offers a woman's view of politics and life during this time. Winn's passion for her subject shows in the historical details. Trappings tells a personal story of a woman … Continue reading Trappings by Vanessa Winn
I absolutely loved this story about three Nigerian women who "must address the wounds of the past if they are to reconcile and move forward." The story is narrated by each of the women, alternately. Kambirinachi Kambirinachi believes she is an Ogbanje--"a spirit that plagues a family with grief by dying repeatedly in childhood and … Continue reading Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi
If you follow my blog regularly, Lauren Carter's name might sound familiar. I read and reviewed her first novel Swarm when my blog was just a baby, and more recently wrote about her poetry book, Following Sea. This Has Nothing To Do With You was just launched on the 22nd of October, and it would … Continue reading This Has Nothing To Do With You by Lauren Carter
With an interviewer at the Quill & Quire, Alix Ohlin talks about how most of her stories and writing come about organically - without a lot of outlining. However, when beginning this book she knew she wanted to write a love story between two sisters. And she knew she wanted to address “questions of identity connected … Continue reading Giller Shortlist: Dual Citizens by Alix Ohlin
Anyone who has read this book will understand when I say that I don't know where to start with this, and I don't know where it's going to go. Let's start with structure. Reproduction is a literary structural feat. I didn't even realize the extent of it until I did some homework. Part 1 of … Continue reading Giller Shortlist: Reproduction by Ian Williams
Consumed by Ink 