The Dangerous River, by RM Patterson. Pub 1966This is one of my all-time favourite books about the outdoors (yes, I have read it before). A rollicking story of adventures in the Canadian North, Patterson details his summer and then full year in the South Nahanni region of the North West Territories in 1927-29. His explorations... Continue Reading →
Nocturne, by Helen Humphreys. Book report #19 (2020)
Nocturne, by Helen Humphreys. Pub 2013 I have loved (or at least really liked) every book I've read by Helen Humphreys. I've had this one on my shelf for a few years now, and stayed away from it I think because it was likely to be very sad. I can now confirm that it was... Continue Reading →
The Innocents, by Michael Crummey. Book report #2 (2020)
The Innocents, by Michael Crummey. Pub 2019. Also, Most of What Follows is True, by Michael Crummey. Pub 2019 Acquired during my New Year splurge purchase, I had added this book to my list back in September when I read about its publication as part of reviewing the Giller Prize nominations list. When I at... Continue Reading →
By Gaslight, by Steven Price. Book report #25 (2019)
By Gaslight, by Steven Price. Pub 2016 I have Steven Price’s most recent book (Lampedusa) on my “to read” list for 2020 (since I’m not allowed to buy it in 2019). I almost picked up By Gaslight during my trip to Munro’s in Victoria in September but was scared off by its size – at... Continue Reading →
Twitch Force, by Michael Redhill. Book report #23 (2019)
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 →
rclr 