I’ve been meaning to read this book for ages, ever since it started making waves in the Canadian literary scene. I heard Joshua Whitehead talk a couple of times in online presentations, and loved his candor, humour and intelligence. But it wasn’t until this book was selected as September’s book for the Storykeepers podcast READ MORE
Year: 2021
QUARTERLY WRAP-UP | JULY-SEPTEMBER 2021
This summer was stellar for me reading-wise. I managed to have two of the best reading months I’ve had, and the best reading week. I managed to read at least ten books that are now favourites, and more that are excellent. September wasn’t as good, mostly because my kid started school during the fourth READ MORE
WEDNESDAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE | WORST ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED
This is a hard one. I can’t really think of any terrible advice I’ve been given, much less any I’ve been given and then followed. I’ve made plenty of mistakes, like not fighting for things that were really important to me and subsequently losing them, or not going to university sooner, or not learning READ MORE
TOP TEN TUESDAY | MEMORABLE QUOTES FROM BOOKS
I have trouble with posts that call for quotes. I don’t note them down as I’m reading, and I have a terrible memory. So only a few of these come directly from my own reading, the rest I vaguely remembered and had to look up. I’ve included a couple of quotes that stood out READ MORE
THE SUNDAY REVIEW | THE WINDOW SEAT – AMINATTA FORNA
I loved this book. I’ll say that right up front, in case you only see the tiny excerpt of this post. I adored it, I enjoyed every minute I spent reading it, and though I just finished it, I already want to read it again. I hadn’t ever read anything by Aminatta Forna before READ MORE
WEDNESDAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE | WORDS TO LIVE BY
I don’t really have a mantra or anything like that. But there are a few things I’ve either read or been told that have stuck with me. The first I don’t remember word for word, but is something along the lines of “perfect is the enemy of good enough.” I’m a perfectionist with anxiety, READ MORE
TOP TEN TUESDAY | BOOKS I’D GIVE SOMEONE WHO DOESN’T READ
Hmmm this is a great prompt! I’ve never tried to convert a non-reader to a reader, as being at least somewhat okay with books is kind of a prerequisite to being part of my life. But there are some books I’ve recommended to people who don’t read all that often or ones I would READ MORE
THE SUNDAY REVIEW | CONSENT – ANNABEL LYON
The main reason I picked this book up was that it was nominated for the Women’s Prize for Fiction this year, and it was one of the few books on the list available in audiobook format from my local library. I didn’t really know anything about it going in, and there were a few READ MORE
WEDNESDAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE | FAVE HALLOWEEN TREATS
I’ve never been that much of a Halloween participant, but since moving to an area with more families, we do try to provide treats for the neighbourhood. Usually most of the candy goes, but there’s sometimes a bit of leftover. And I do have my favourites. I’m okay with the sweet tart candies, but READ MORE
TOP TEN TUESDAY | BOOKS WITH CATS IN THEM
I’m not big on Halloween, particularly when it comes to books. I don’t like scary books. I hate horror. I’m not good with creepy. I don’t like ghost stories, hauntings, things living in walls, blood dripping down them, strange noises in the night, foggy nights, things that move in an unnatural fashion or twins READ MORE
THE SUNDAY REVIEW | SPINNING SILVER – NAOMI NOVIK
Anyone who’s been here for a while will know: I’m not really into science fiction or fantasy. It’s not a hard and fast rule, but it’s just not usually what I gravitate towards. I have a hard time with complex world-building, I have a hard enough time understanding humans so anything that involves other READ MORE
WEDNESDAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE | SCARIEST BOOK I’VE EVER READ
Oh man, I am SO not the right blogger for this prompt! Scariest book I’ve ever read? Does The Fantastic Mr. Fox count? Things got pretty rough for that fox for a while there. I think, real answer, probably one of the (very few) Stephen King books I attempted to read in high school. READ MORE
TOP TEN TUESDAY | ONLINE BOOKISH STUFF
Being a book lover isn’t usually as simple as picking up a book from time to time. I’ve noticed a tendency amongst the most dedicated bookish folk to take it several steps farther. We collect book-related stuff. There are bookmarks (often from The Book Depository) scattered throughout our houses and tucked seemingly at random READ MORE
THE SUNDAY REVIEW | CONCRETE ROSE – ANGIE THOMAS
I’m a huge fan of Angie Thomas’ writing. I read The Hate U Give and it became one of my all-time favourite YA books. I read On the Come Up and I found it challenging, unflinching and real. I was just a little bit excited to read her newest book and prequel to The READ MORE
WEDNESDAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE | AN ODD OR USELESS TALENT
This is an odd prompt, as it’s not something I’ve ever had to consider before. I’m not even sure I have one. What qualifies as a talent, anyway? The only thing I can think of is that I have a gap between my front teeth, and if I want to I can shoot water READ MORE
TOP TEN TUESDAY | FAVOURITE BOOK SETTINGS
I’m getting old. I mention this, because my memory is not what it used to be. I can’t remember the names of songs I just listened to, I find myself forgetting not only what films were about, but whether or not I’ve even watched them until I’m halfway through. I’ve had a feeling a READ MORE
THE SUNDAY REVIEW | CALL THE MIDWIFE SERIES – JENNIFER WORTH
I’m a huge fan of the TV series Call the Midwife based on this trilogy of books. For those who don’t know, these books are the experiences of a young midwife working in Poplar, a poor neighbourhood in East London following WWII. She is one of a team of midwives who READ MORE
WEDNESDAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE | REQUIRED READING IN SCHOOLS
This is a good prompt. I also like that it’s not a specific question. It could be interpreted in several ways. Should there be required reading in schools? What did I read for required reading when I was in school? Which books do I think should be required reading in schools? First question, I READ MORE