Book Reviews
I typically post between two and three book reviews a week. Please refer to my review policy if you’d like to submit a book for consideration. I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter to get a summary of my reviews every three weeks.
Video Review: Bellevue Square by Michael Redhill
My Canadian readers won't be at all surprised to see I'm reviewing Bellevue Square by Michael Redhill because it won the richest literary prize in Canada back in November: the Giller Prize. I'll be honest though, I had no intention of reading it until my book club...
Radio Segment: Books that Take Us Away
It doesn't take much to please me these days, as you'll hear on my latest radio segment with the CBC Homestretch. I admit to wanting to take a vacation on my couch, but don't we all? An uninterrupted stretch of reading time is all I need for my 'paradise', although I...
Book Review: Fly Me by Daniel Riley
This is the perfect book to read in the dead of a Canadian winter. Fly Me by Daniel Riley is a novel that's set mostly in the beach community of Sela del Mar, California in the year 1972. Think bell bottoms, big sunglasses, surf culture and young kids unconcerned...
Book Review: The Child by Fiona Barton
I was hesitant to pick up this book knowing it begins with the grisly discovery of a newborn's bones, simply because I'm a) pregnant right now, therefore very emotional and b) already a mother of one child, which means I'm much more sensitive to stories that include...
Book Review: The Shoe on the Roof by Will Ferguson
I think Will Ferguson is hilarious, in person and in writing. Full disclosure; he's a Calgarian, so I get to see him around quite a bit, which is why I know he's funny on and off and page. We're not buds or anything, but I would comfortably call us literary...
Book Review: The Boat People by Sharon Bala
I adored this book. I found it difficult to read, and when I finished each chapter I had to put it down and sigh out my emotions, but I already know this will be one of the best books I read this year, if not THE best. And yes, I'm aware this year just started. The...
Book Review: The Missing Guests of the Magic Grove Hotel by David Casarett
I'm a fan of the occasional cozy mystery, although I only read them every once in awhile because they can be a bit slow. The Missing Guests of the Magic Grove Hotel by David Casarett is a perfect example of the cozy mystery; it's slow, very slow, in fact the...
A House Dedicated to Books is the Best Kind of House
Now that I'm an 'urban mom', I'm constantly on the look-out for child-friendly spaces in downtown Calgary. Recently, I discovered a wonderful place called The Children's Reading Place, which is a beautiful little home found in the neighborhood of Inglewood, full of...
Book Review: The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83 1/4 Years Old by Hendrik Groen
So I think this is the first book I've ever read where the author is actually anonymous. Yes, the name of 'Hendrik Groen' has been assigned as the author of this title, but that may or may not be the actual author's name. When The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen was...
Radio Segment: Two Very Different Coming of Age Stories (and sort of love stories too)
So I recently did an interesting mash-up of a radio segment for the CBC Homestretch where I spoke about two books that are very different; one focuses on young love while the other focuses on old love. The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, Age 83 1/4 was my...
I Went to a Cat Cafe and it was Glorious
The title of this latest post won't surprise anyone. In fact, the only surprising thing about this whole experience was that it took me so dang long to go to this cafe, even though it's only a ten minute drive from my house (the joys of urban living!). The Regal Cat...
Video Review: Selection Day by Aravind Adiga
Everyone seemed very disappointed by the fact that my last video book review didn't have a cat in it, so I forced Pearl into this one: you're welcome! Unfortunately I wasn't a huge fan of the novel I review in this video, although I can see why this book would appeal...