In our last year at university, my friend and I joined the University Singers, an amateur choral group supporting the more advanced singers within the School of Music. I think we saw a poster advertising the group’s plan to perform Handel’s Messiah that fall, and so we signed up. Thus began a lifelong love of... Continue Reading →
Item #32: Fridge magnets
Most people use the face of their fridge* as a kind of bulletin board, photo album, directory, and home for miscellanea: kids artwork, school and vacation photos, take-out menus, business cards for plumbers and electricians, bills, brochures for events, timetables, mementos, oven mitts, note pads, recipes, utensils. While most of those items are ephemeral or... Continue Reading →
Liberation Day, by George Saunders. Pub 2022
This was part of the Christmas bounty from my sister in 2022. I recall starting this in early 2023, and then abandoning it for something a bit lighter. It felt like a book that needed vacation time to devote to it, and so now was the right time. This collection of nine stories is good,... Continue Reading →
Lawrence & Holloman, by Morris Panych. Pub 1998
We saw this play in 1998 at the Arts Club Granville Island stage, and It is one that has stuck with me ever since. Morris Panych is a favourite playwright, with several good plays seen over the years at local theatres. Briefly, things start out casually, with Lawrence chatting with Holloman over a beer at... Continue Reading →
Olga Dies Dreaming, by Xochitl Gonzalez. Book report #14 (2023)
Olga Dies Dreaming, by Xochitl Gonzalez. Pub 2021 Another from the Christmas bounty from my sister, I chose this book based on a recommendation from a friend. While the setting and story elements are different, the tone and style (and even the cover art) are reminiscent of Lessons in Chemistry, and like that book, this... Continue Reading →
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves, by Karen Joy Fowler. Book report #28 (2022)
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves, by Karen Joy Fowler. Pub 2013. This book was a re-gift from a friend (who herself received it as a re-gift). My friend reported being surprised at enjoying this one, as she did not enjoy the author’s more famous book. At the heart of this book is a surprising... Continue Reading →
Item #29: Salt Rock
Today brought a few reminders that I’m way behind on my 100 objects project. The second occurred when I looked back at my list so far and saw that it seemed that I’d missed a number in my inventory, resulting in a review of all items and several trips down memory lanes, cul-de-sacs, and back... Continue Reading →
Remembering Pop
It is a week of remembrances, in a month of loss, in a year of change and fear. Pop left us 10 years ago today, and like most of the recent past, it seems like both a lifetime ago and just yesterday. In a book I read recently, the main character and his friends have... Continue Reading →
Permanent Record, by Edward Snowden. Book report #28 (2020)
Permanent Record, by Edward Snowden. Pub 2019 This was the last of the vacation reads - a gift from my sister at Christmas last year, and long overdue to read. I've stayed up late a few nights this week with this one. Edward Snowden needs no introduction as the whistleblower of the US NSA mass... 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 →
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