It’s been ages since I reluctantly agreed to accept a copy of The Sow’s Ear Café by Holly Quan. My review policy states I no longer accept unsolicited books, and I typically hold true to that rule, but I received such a persuasive email from Alberta author Quan I couldn’t say no! Note to authors;…
I don’t watch a lot of television, and I only have Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+ for streaming services (of which I don’t watch very often), so I tend to miss out on the dearth of holiday hallmark movies that come out this time of year. Luckily, books are always the answer to any dilemma…
I rarely do this, but when my new boss handed me a book and said ‘you have to read this’ I quickly slotted Harry’s Trees by Jon Cohen into my reading queue. Why did I make an exception this time? Number one: she’s my new boss and I want to keep her happy because I’m…
Lately I’ve felt a desperate, renewed desire to get outside and enjoy the warmer months as best as possible. Perhaps it’s because of the pandemic restrictions, but even though it’s only mid-July I’m worried that summer is slipping away without my fully enjoying it, so I’m doing all I can to soak up the sun…
This is a deliciously naughty novel. Whisper Network by Chandler Baker is about a large sports agency with a robust legal team, and the office politics that go on inside its glass tower of prestige. I’d be lying if I said this book didn’t make me miss going into an office every day-the camaraderie, the…
Do I love to read a book that’s stirred up controversy? Of course I do! Who doesn’t? I always want to see what all the fuss is about, even though I know I’m willingly jumping on a bandwagon that doesn’t need another rider. My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell has the been source of…
There is no shortage of books on parenting; people who have children and (annoyingly) people who don’t have children all feel compelled to give advice on this subject. But what many of these books fail to acknowledge is the power of circumstance, and how the environment one grows up in can influence the parent, their…
The last thing anyone wants to hear right now is a warning. Haven’t we had enough of those? Even our traffic signs are being switched over to reminders about good hand hygiene. Although I agree this is all necessary, I’ve reached my limit of cautionary tales right now. Or, at least I THOUGHT I did,…
I had wanted to read this book for awhile now, and when I saw the author speak at a Wordfest event earlier this year I was struck by how eloquent and honest she was, which finally convinced me to pick it up. Joanne Ramos immigrated to America from the Philippines when she was 6. She…
I don’t read (or watch!) a lot of romantic comedies, but whenever I do, I always remember why I love them and why they’re so popular; they make you feel good! Don’t You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane is adorable, the protagonist Georgina has a biting sense of humour and her love interest is…
Did you watch the Giller awards on Monday night? I was glued to the television screen, strangely nervous to see who the winner of Canada’s biggest book prize would be. As you no doubt realized already, Dual Citizens by Alix Ohlin did not win, but I really enjoyed it, despite my negative comments at the…
Bafflingly, Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams has been called “A black Bridget Jones” by Kirkus Reviews, which in my mind, does a huge disservice to this taut, intelligent and dark read. Although the protagonist is searching for Mr. Right, men are clearly not the solution to any of her problems, in fact, the author uses her…
