The first thing I have to say about these books is that each one deserves it's own post. So very good in their own unique ways. Three from Atlantic Canada, one from Quebec. Are You Kidding Me?! by Lesley Crewe, Nimbus Publishing Lesley Crewe is wildly popular here in Nova Scotia. Her books at the … Continue reading From the Library: some laughs, some crime, a coma, and a narrative meditation
During my visit to Mabel Murple's Book Shoppe and Dreamery last summer, Sheree Fitch spoke about her upcoming poetry book. She hasn't written one for adults since In This House Are Many Women (1994). People have asked her why, and she's said that it's because she didn't feel like she had anything more to say. … Continue reading You Won’t Always Be This Sad by Sheree Fitch
These three books couldn't be more different. There is one thing they have in common, though - they are all written by Nova Scotians. Portia White: A Portrait in Words by George Elliott Clarke I have written about George Elliott Clarke before - sometimes I love his words, sometimes I don't understand them, and … Continue reading An Opera Singer, A Coffee Franchise Contest, and OCD
Five years ago, when my blog was still a baby, I read (and loved) Swarm, Lauren Carter's debut novel, and interviewed her about it. (Lauren's answers were fantastic and I'd love to bring this interview to fresh eyes, so please have a look.) In my last question, I asked her about other projects she was … Continue reading Poetry: Following Sea by Lauren Carter
Coincidentally, I had been reading one of Margaret Atwood's poetry books when we decided to go ahead with #MARM. I'm not a big poetry reader, but I was really taken with the poems in Morning in the Burned House (1995). Particularly the ones about a woman's ageing father, and memories of their time together. From … Continue reading Margaret Atwood Reading Month: Poetry and Food #MARM
Let me start off by saying that I'm not generally a poetry person. But I have been learning to appreciate it more, as well as figuring out what kind of poetry works best for me (which I'm beginning to think is the secret). Last year, I read poetry by Rita Joe and George Elliott Clarke, and what … Continue reading Poetry Month 2017: Budge Wilson, Michael Crummey, and Book Spine Poetry #3
Lately, I have been working my way through Rita Joe's poems. If you want to know about who she is and what she has contributed to her people, to Nova Scotia, and to Canada you can find out here and here. I have personally learned a lot about her and what was close to her heart just by … Continue reading Poetry Month: Rita Joe, Cat Poems, and Book Spine Poetry #2
I was inspired to try some book spine poetry when I saw the lovely poem Valerie created at Books Can Save A Life. And, once I got going, I didn't want to stop. It was so much fun. I did have to stop, though, as I was getting ready to host a book club meeting … Continue reading Poetry Month: Book Spine Poetry
100 years ago, John McCrae, Brigade Surgeon and Major of the 1st Brigade Canadian Field Artillary, wrote In Flanders Fields after the death of his friend Alexis Helmer. In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce … Continue reading Canadian Poet, John McCrae
I had no one to help me, but the T.S. Eliot helped me. So when people say that poetry is a luxury, or an option, or for the educated middle classes, or that it shouldn't be read at school because it is irrelevant, or any of the strange stupid things that are said about poetry … Continue reading How Poetry Saved My Life; A Hustler’s Memoir by Amber Dawn
