Lesley Choyce has written a crazy number of books; over 80 for adults, teens, and children. I only own one that I deliberately bought a few years ago because I was anxious to read it. It is still unread. He also lives in Nova Scotia. All of this to say that I'm wondering what makes … Continue reading The Unlikely Redemption of John Alexander MacNeil by Lesley Choyce
Tag: Nova Scotia
Literature on the Black Loyalists of Nova Scotia
This spring and summer I got reading about Black Loyalists in Nova Scotia, inspired mostly by reading Lawrence Hill's Black Berry, Sweet Juice and by the subsequent discussion I had with my sister. Around the same time I also read Steal Away Home by Karolyn Smardz Frost. All of this made me want to know … Continue reading Literature on the Black Loyalists of Nova Scotia
A Bird on Every Tree: A Collection of Short Stories by Carol Bruneau
Carol Bruneau has been getting some standout reviews recently for her new story collection, A Bird on Every Tree. James at The Miramichi Reader says that Ms. Bruneau "writes with a graceful precision and has a deftness with words and their cadences". A reviewer at The Coast calls Ms. Bruneau "a master of imagery". A … Continue reading A Bird on Every Tree: A Collection of Short Stories by Carol Bruneau
Advocate by Darren Greer
Jacob has a fulfilling job in Toronto as a counsellor at a men's outreach centre; men living with HIV. When he is asked to come home to Advocate, the small town in Nova Scotia where he grew up, to say good-bye to his dying grandmother, he has severe misgivings. He remembers the events of 1984 … Continue reading Advocate by Darren Greer
At the Tide’s Turn by Thomas H. Raddall (1959)
Those of you who have been following me for a while, know that I have a thing for Thomas Raddall's books. I love that they tell a good story, while also teaching me something about the history of my home province, Nova Scotia. At the Tide's Turn is the first book of his short stories … Continue reading At the Tide’s Turn by Thomas H. Raddall (1959)
Promises to Keep by Genevieve Graham
Last year I read Genevieve Graham's Tides of Honour, a love story set in Halifax during the time of WWI and the Halifax Explosion. Her new book, Promises to Keep is a love story set in 1755 l'Acadie (in the Grand Pré area of Nova Scotia), during the time of the deportation of the Acadians … Continue reading Promises to Keep by Genevieve Graham
The Wind Seller by Rachael Preston
Rachael Preston got her inspiration for The Wind Seller when, one day, she found a box of Elinor Glyn's writing books in a Prince Edward Island antiques store. The box even had the mailing label still on it - addressed to a Noble Mattinson, Great Village, NS, Canada. Nobel Mattinson becomes Noble Matheson, and one … Continue reading The Wind Seller by Rachael Preston
‘Glass Voices’ by Carol Bruneau and ‘The Memento’ by Christy Ann Conlin
Glass Voices by Carol Bruneau (2007) I read this book as part of my little unofficial Halifax Explosion fiction project, which includes other books, such as Barometer Rising by Hugh MacLennan, Black Snow by Jon Tattrie, and The Blue Tattoo by Steven Laffoley. This book made a nice compliment to the others in that it's … Continue reading ‘Glass Voices’ by Carol Bruneau and ‘The Memento’ by Christy Ann Conlin
Playing Catch-Up: Kate Evans and Beatrice MacNeil
The Inward Journey by Kate Evans (2016) Sylvia is not yet 70, but she is going blind and in a nursing home, and fighting it every step of the way. She complains about the food, the care, and refuses to try new ideas to learn how to cope with her loss of vision. In the style … Continue reading Playing Catch-Up: Kate Evans and Beatrice MacNeil
Nova Scotia Rug Hooker, Laura Kenney
I have a good friend who likes to hook rugs. Years ago, when I first learned about her hobby, I thought it was pretty cool and enormously envied the rugs she had up all over her house (I still do). I suddenly wished to be a rug hooker, but realistically knew that I just wanted … Continue reading Nova Scotia Rug Hooker, Laura Kenney
Consumed by Ink 