Twitch Force, by Michael Redhill. Pub 2019 I was attracted to this book because of the author - last year, I read and enjoyed a novel by Michael Redhill, and so was interested to read his poetry. Unfortunately, the poetry was not as enjoyable as the novel, nor as interesting as the cover art. The... Continue Reading →
I Heard the Owl Call My Name, by Margaret Craven. Book report #22 (2019)
I Heard the Owl Call My Name, by Margaret Craven. Pub 1967 I had resolved not to purchase any new books in 2019 – a kind of book-buying fast. As my home is seemingly overflowing with books, many unread, I wanted to try to get through the year reading what I had. Alas, on a... Continue Reading →
The Testaments, by Margaret Atwood. Book report #21 (2019)
The Testaments, by Margaret Atwood. Pub 2019 At long last for everyone, the sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale. I’m glad I chose to read this while away, and I had not spoiled it at all by reading up on social media (although I might now). I wanted to love this. Perhaps after time and attention,... Continue Reading →
Fierce, by Hannah Holborn. Book report #15 (2019)
Fierce, by Hannah Holborn. Pub 2008 Rereading this book for the first time since 2008 when it came out. I have this book because I know the author: we met in 2007 in Pender Harbour, and she recommended a few other books (Wild Dogs, Raw Shark Texts) as well as her own forthcoming story collection.... Continue Reading →
Little Dogs, by Michael Crummey. Book report #14 (2019)
Little Dogs, by Michael Crummey. Pub 2016 New and selected poems from a favourite writer, this was a great way to get introduced to Crummey’s excellent poetry. The book includes selections from his previous four collections along with a set of new poems. The landscapes, the people, the history and the personal details are intertwined... Continue Reading →
Machine Without Horses, by Helen Humphreys. Book report #10 (2019)
Machine without Horses, by Helen Humphreys. Pub 2018 I bought this one last year on the strength of the author – Helen Humphreys is a long-time favourite – but ended up reading Wild Dogs instead. I came back to this one on vacation, on my e-reader after my pile of books held nothing more entrancing.... Continue Reading →
Hag-Seed, by Margaret Atwood. Book report #9 (2019)
Hag-Seed, by Margaret Atwood. Pub 2017 This novel is part of the Hogarth Shakespeare series, and while the previous novel from the series that I read was exceptional (Macbeth), I had heard that the rest of the series was just so-so. But this one was available (as in, I already owned it), and fit into... Continue Reading →
The Handmaid’s Tale – Graphic Novel, by Margaret Atwood and Renee Nault. Book report #8 (2019)
The Handmaid’s Tale – Graphic Novel, by Margaret Atwood and Renee Nault. Pub 2019 This dystopic story has been on my reading list for the last few years, in a world that sometimes increasing resembles these fictional horror worlds, familiar and other-worldly at the same time. Also, there are the recent mini-serieses dramatizing the world... Continue Reading →
Wild Dogs, by Helen Humphreys. Book report #20 (2018)
Wild Dogs, by Helen Humphreys. Pub 2004 I’ve read almost all of Helen Humphreys’ novels, but strangely not this one. Strange because this one was specifically recommended to me. It was in the early fall of 2008 (I think). I was visiting my friends Joan and Pete on the Sunshine Coast for the Pender Harbour... Continue Reading →
The Uncollected David Rakoff. Book report #15 (2018)
The Uncollected David Rakoff, ed. by Timothy G. Young. Pub 2015 I have read all of David Rakoff’s books, and enjoyed them all, so was delighted to find this collection of previously unpublished (or at least uncollected) works. David Rakoff’s essays are brilliant – wry, introspective, prescient, sad, and funny. Most are highly personal, sometimes... Continue Reading →