Although it sounds cliché, I can’t think of better way to describe this book other than ’emotional rollercoaster’. Perfect for book clubs, or a reader who’s ready for some family drama, What Could be Saved by Liese O’Halloran Schwarz is a fairly length story all about the secrets we keep from one another. It’s literary…
After finishing the last page of this book, I released a great big sigh. Not because I was relieved it was over, in fact, I had hoped Swimming Back to Trout River by Linda Rui Feng would go on longer past its 260 pages. Instead I let out a sigh of contentment because this is…
Although it sat on my shelf for a few months, Astra by Cedar Bowers wasn’t pushed to the top of my stack until it appeared on the Scotiabank Giller Prize Longlist. I wish my reading wasn’t a slave to the prize lists, but I must admit it helps me narrow down my selection when faced…
September 30 is now officially Truth and Reconciliation Day here in Canada. Among other things, it’s intended to help bridge the gap between settlers and Indigenous people, recognizing the harm that has been done in the past, and working towards reconciliation in the future. Like many people across the country I was given that day…
Poison for Breakfast by Lemony Snicket I’ve technically read one Lemony Snicket book before; his picture book The Bad Mood and the Stick is a favourite in our house because it’s so delightfully odd and the rainbow ‘bad mood’ is a gorgeous little illustration. I had of course heard of the famous Lemony Snicket from…
With so much anger, division, and suspicion flying around these days, a book about cults seems extremely timely. How do people become so entrenched in their individual views, that they begin to isolate themselves from their loved ones? When someone struggles to maintain a sense of normalcy, to fulfill their daily obligations to their job…
Very rarely will I have the foresight and planning to read a book well before its release date, and post the review to coincide with its hype and subsequent launch. Luckily I’ve managed to do just that today! Some sources have claimed that Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr is one of the most anticipated…
It was a mistake on my part to not give the first book in this series, Autopsy of a Boring Wife by Marie-Renee Lavoie its very own full review on my blog because it’s a stand-out novel for me. I’m finally righting that wrong and giving the second in the series, A Boring Wife Settles…
Do you see what I did there? For anyone who has read a Sally Rooney novel, you’ll know how sex plays a role in her writing, which is a fact I’ve most recently become aware of since I read all three of her books. Her publisher contacted me and asked if I’d like to see…
I love reading about a fed-up lady. There is nothing more entertaining than reading the inner (and sometimes outer) thoughts of a middle-aged woman who is just sick of it all. One of my favourite books in past years was this little gem, which is why I was so eager to read Her Turn by…
I remember when Marjorie Celona‘s first book was released, Y. It came with huge buzz, her publishers were relentlessly pushing it to all the Canadian book festivals, and international rights were sold widely. It was awhile ago now, so I don’t honestly remember my reaction after reading it, but I do recall this buzz, which…
Over a year ago, I chose this book from a publisher catalogue because the premise appealed to me; it’s about a stagnant romantic relationship between two people who are living together, with no kids, and conflicting job schedules and work ethics. Many people would label them as narcissists, which is why I wanted to read…
