I purchased this book because it is written by a friend-of-a-friend, and because I thought it was something my mom might enjoy. This is the story of Canada's first official executioner, one John Radclive (or Ratley or Ratcliffe or Radcliff as he variously called himself). Drawing heavily on Radclive's own diaries and other historical documents... Continue Reading →
The Gargoyle, by Andrew Davidson. Pub 2008
I read this book when it first came out in 2008, and was blown away by it then. While it's been one I often think of as being an old favourite, I had never reread it, and actually had little memory of what it was about other than some specific details - tattoos, sculpting, fire,... Continue Reading →
Dave Cooks the Turkey, by Stuart MacLean. Pub 2005
A gift from Christmas 2021 (thanks, Mom!), this seemed like a good holiday read for this year. Although very brief, it was a delight. For more than 20 years, Stuart McLean was the creator, writer, and host of a Canadian treasure called The Vinyl Café. Part story-telling, part variety show, the radio program and accompanying... Continue Reading →
The Cellist of Sarajevo, by Steven Galloway. Pub 2008
I had read this only once before, not long after it first came out, but the story has stuck with me and it felt worthy of being read again (that, and "book with a place name in the title"). Using as inspiration the story of a cellist who played at various sites in 1992-3 during... Continue Reading →
The Missing of the Somme, by Geoff Dyer. Book report #31 (2022)
The Missing of the Somme, by Geoff Dyer. Pub 1994, updated 2016 Last year, one of my favourite reads was But Beautiful by Geoff Dyer. At the time, I looked at his bibliography, but nothing leapt out at me. Then I heard him on a book-chat podcast a few months ago, and enjoyed his discussion, including a... Continue Reading →
Larry’s Party, by Carol Shields. Book report #30 (2022)
Larry’s Party, by Carol Shields. Pub 1997 I first read this book in 1997; I splurged on a hard-cover (first Canadian edition, even), and read and enjoyed it immediately. A few years later, I listened to an audiobook version (on cassette tape, of all things) which is no longer available anywhere. It's a book I... Continue Reading →
River Thieves, by Michael Crummey. Pub 2001
Michael Crummey is a Newfoundland writer (funny how that seems more correct than to say Canadian writer) whose work is consistently terrific - creative, surprising, with exceptionally clear characters and evocative language. All of his stories have a historical basis, but he is consistent and clear in his acknowledgement and warning to readers that the... Continue Reading →
The Growing Season, by Nelson Boschman. Book report #25 (2022)
The Growing Season, by Nelson Boschman. Pub 2022 I find myself in contemplative mood a lot these days, and in recent months feeling drawn to consider some spiritual additions to my daily life. Perhaps for the ritual, but more I think for answers to "why" and "what else" questions. Reading The Madness of Grief was perhaps a... Continue Reading →
And a Dog Called Fig, by Helen Humphreys. Book report #24 (2022)
And a Dog Called Fig, by Helen Humpreys. Pub 2022 I have read (almost) everything fiction and non-fiction that Humphreys has written, and each book has been wonderful. Back in 2019, I read her Machine Without Horses, an interesting combination of novel and writer's memoir, and I enjoyed the memoir part and noted that it... Continue Reading →
Framed in Fire, by Iona Whishaw. Book report extra #5* (2022)
Framed in Fire, by Iona Whishaw. Pub 2022 Book 9, the most recent in the series, picks up almost where the previous one left off. It is spring 1948, and (once again) Lane meets a stranger, discovers a body, and gets embroiled in mysteries. SPOILER ALERT: if you haven't yet read this or previous books... Continue Reading →
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