I have been fully embracing this new cli-fi trend. For one thing, it gives me ideas as to what to do if the world goes down. After reading Blaze Island, I'm thinking a sparsely populated island somewhere up North sounds like a good idea. Miranda's father thought so, too. But his reasons for moving to … Continue reading Blaze Island by Catherine Bush
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
Ananias was one of the best books I read last year. Why I am only writing about it now is a whole other story, not nearly as interesting as the story of Ananias. This novel was inspired by the author's obsession with family genealogy. Ananias Case was a real person, the great-great-great grandfather of James … Continue reading Ananias by James Case
Crow Gulch by Douglas Walbourne-Gough This book was brought to my attention during a Zoom event hosted by the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia: a Writers' Panel on Indigenous Writers to Read Right Now. So many great books and writers were discussed, including long-loved writers like Rita Joe and Thomas King to up-and-comers like Billy-Ray … Continue reading From the Library: Crow Gulch, Electric Fences, and Blanket Toss Under Midnight Sun
Warning: Slightly spoilery! August wasn't that long ago, right? At least, it doesn't feel that long ago since I read Melt. I remember being smitten by the cover (isn't it beautiful?) and taken in by the thirty-year-long friendship between the two women. It can't be easy to write about a long friendship--friendships are complicated--but Wicks … Continue reading Melt by Heidi Wicks
My kids are all teens now, but I still love kids' books. Here are a few newly available from Atlantic Canada... all three are from Newfoundland! (Please excuse the shoddy cell phone photography.) The Little Red Shed, written by Adam and Jennifer Young, illustrated by Adam Young, published by Breakwater Books I am a … Continue reading Atlantic Canadian Books For Kids: A Ghost Story, A Folk Tale, and A Celebration of Differences
The Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award is one of the most lucrative in Canada. For more information about it and the writer it's named for, visit my Thomas Raddall page. Two of the nominated books for this award are set in contemporary Halifax, and one in an isolated nineteenth century Newfoundland cove. Crocuses Hatch From … Continue reading Atlantic Book Awards 2020: Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award
The nominees for the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award for Fiction have very few similarities, besides being great reads (and colour-coordinated). There's a short story collection and two novels. The settings take us from St. John's to Cape Breton to New York City. Dig by Terry Doyle, Breakwater Books You've seen this book … Continue reading Atlantic Book Awards 2020: Margaret and John Savage First Book Award for Fiction
We All Will Be Received by Leslie Vryenhoek After loving Vryenhoek's first novel, I was looking forward to this one - and, once again (as I suspected), I was wholly enthralled by the lives of her characters. Disappearing would be as simple as sliding off the edge, as stretching one leg forward and following it … Continue reading Women Who Disappear: We All Will Be Received by Leslie Vryenhoek and Proof I Was Here by Becky Blake
Little Fortress by Laisha Rosnau Little Fortress is based on the true story of the Caetanis, a family of Italian nobility that came to the west coast of Canada as a result of the rise of fascism. After the death of the Duke in 1934, his wife Ofelia went into seclusion and took their daughter … Continue reading Women’s Voices in Historical Fiction: Little Fortress by Laisha Rosnau and A Roll of the Bones by Trudy J. Morgan-Cole
