A couple of years ago, I read my first book by this small, non-profit independent publisher across the Atlantic. It was called Unidentified Man at Left of Photo by Jeff Bursey and it was a unique reading experience. I can safely say the same about these two books. (Which is a good thing!) Apastoral: a … Continue reading Two from Corona\Samizdat: Lee D. Thompson and W.D. Clarke
Jane Doucet has become one of my favourite rom-com writers. Her books are light and funny with a spot of romance. Romance is not the focus of the novels, however - women are the focus. Women of all kinds, all ages, making their own lives, with or without men. Mothers, writers, small business owners, politicians, … Continue reading Lost & Found in Lunenburg by Jane Doucet
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
Confessions With Keith is a perfect palate cleanser to something heavy. Written as journal entries by a 40-something woman with a rocky marriage and four busy children, it reminded me of an older, more mature Bridget Jones. Vita is trying to create a writing career while raising four children, and working around a husband who … Continue reading Confessions With Keith by Pauline Holdstock
After a series of memoirs about illness--then my octopus palette cleanser--I went back to social justice. So You Want to Talk About Race Ilejeomo Oluo I loved this book. I was invested in, not only what she was saying about racism and micro-aggressions, but about how it has affected her own life as a black … Continue reading What I’ve Been Listening To: three that made me think and three that made me laugh
I just realized that I have a trio of books that represent present, past, and future. All three are new books from authors I have read and loved. A Boring Wife Settles the Score by Marie-Renee Lavoie (2021) Not long ago I read Lavoie's Autopsy of a Boring Wife in which Diane's husband leaves her … Continue reading From the Library: return of the boring wife, an apocalyptic love story, and some feminist historical fiction
When I learned that author Jane Doucet was from my neck of the woods, I made it my mission to read her books. Happily for me, her books are so much fun that it was a piece of cake! Jane Doucet "never planned to write fiction, but when she looked for a lighthearted novel about … Continue reading Jane Doucet: ‘The Pregnant Pause’ and ‘Fishnets & Fantasies’
If you ever feel you're in the mood for something completely absurd, out of this world (but in it), something that will make you laugh, wonder what the heck is going on, and reflect on the author's wild imagination, Dirty Birds is your book. All Milton Ontario wants is to spread his wings; leave his … Continue reading Dirty Birds by Morgan Murray
Every Little Piece of Me is the highly anticipated second novel by Amy Jones, author of We're All in This Together. Ava Ava's fathers move her and her two siblings from NYC to a Bed & Breakfast in Gin Harbour, Nova Scotia to be part of a reality TV show. ("It's Jon and Kate Plus … Continue reading Every Little Piece of Me by Amy Jones
Consumed by Ink 