Breakwater Books is an amazing independent publisher located in St. John's, Newfoundland. They have sent me so many wonderful books over the years: Dirty Birds by Morgan MurrayMelt by Heidi WicksAlmost Feral by Gemma HickeyEven Weirder Than Before by Susie TaylorThe Luminous Sea by Melissa Barbeau Ledger of the Open Hand by Leslie VryenhoekSome People's … Continue reading From Breakwater Books: Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Italy, England, sisters, shipwrecks, and yoga
The first two of these books are Atlantic Canadian, written by women in the last couple of years, and reminded me of two of my favourite childhood characters. The third is American, written by a man over 60 years ago, and reminds me of nothing I've read before. New Girl in Little Cove by Damhnait … Continue reading From the Library: Anne Shirley, Mary Poppins, and a very smart mouse
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
Consumed by Ink 