CanadianContent discussion

Greetings readers! I am getting a jump on tomorrow and posting the thread tonight so it is ready for the morning. We are getting our first taste of snow in Southern Ontario so it seems like a good time to curl up with a book and a cup of tea in front of the fireplace!!

There have been many awards in progress and announced - congrats to Eden Robinson who many of us have read on the Writer's Trust Award! Our group read is Bellevue Square as we get ready to celebrate the Scotiabank Giller Prize which is being announced on November 20th!

What have you enjoyed this week? and what book is next on your agenda?

Good morning everyone! My husband's been out of town this week, and things have been more hectic than usual for me (i.e. single mom for a week!), so I haven't had much time for reading. I'm about halfway through Bellevue Square, but it I'm not loving it.

This week I finished listening to Manhattan Beach, which I liked, and now I'm listening to Between Shades of Gray.

I'm crossing my fingers that hubby gets home today. He's stuck in Goose Bay where all runways have been closed due to an issue with crack sealant used this past summer on the runway surfaces. They are opening the runways for a 4-hour window today and he's on a wait list to get out.

I haven't had much time for reading this week but I did listen to The Life We Bury which I found WAY too predictable. Now I'm halfway through The North Water which is a nice change because it is so well written.

In ebook format I am reading Writing My Wrongs which is a compelling memoir of a man who spent 19 years in prison for second degree murder (7 of those years spent in solitary confinement). Since his release in 2010 he has become a criminal justice activist, a lecturer, author and motivational speaker. Reading and writing in prison is what kept him sane, kept his mind open. It's a fascinating story.

Happy Friday!

This week I finished Bossypants, The Story of Dan Bright: Crime, Corruption, and Injustice in the Crescent City, and Bellevue Square. I'm still digesting Bellevue Square - it was such a strange novel.

I've read the first two stories in What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky, which won the Kirkus Prize recently.

I'm also reading Conversations with Friends. I'm a bit iffy on this one but I needed a lighter read. I'm not sure it will add up to much, and I'm a bit surprised that I've seen this book raved about in a few places. I also guffawed when a 21-year-old character referred to a 32-year-old character as "middle-aged," so it's possible that this book is not targeted at the truly middle-aged and that could explain my iffy reaction to it. :-)

@Allison, my hubby is also out of town this week! Was yours hunting?? That's where mine has gone... it's our one issue that we "agree to disagree" on. Well, that at the home thermostat.

Late last night I finished The Water Beetles, written by our group member Michael Kaan! It's an important book, very well written. And a truly horrifying story of war in China under Japanese occupation. The imagery is precise and has gnawed into my head -- awake and asleep. Michael has been active on our Buddy Reads thread, and even if you're not going to read the book, it's really interesting to see what he's been saying about his father (the book is his father's story -- he says 90% of information is true), and about his own writing experience. The book, as you may know, was nominated for the Governor General prize, and I can see why.

In audio, I'm about half way through the irresistible Dark Matter. Obviously very different from Water Beetles, and not something I would normally pick up. It's sci-fi with lots of hype, and I can see why! I'm completely sucked in and really finding it hard to stop thinking about. Based on theories of quantum physics (I love the sciencey stuff) it's not too heavy in that regard -- just enough to keep you curious. Really enjoying this one.

Morning, everyone! And br....

@Louise, I read Writing My Wrongs last year and found it fascinating and moving. What a remarkable journey Senghor has made. Coincidentally, on the way to work this morning, I was listening to a podcast interview Oprah did with him.

@Susan, ha ha re 32 as 'middle-aged'! I've definitely had a similar reaction to use of that term - I think my definition of middle-aged keeps moving foward...

This week I finished reading The Friday Gospels. It's not widely available in Canada but it looks like you can get it on Amazon, and I thought it was fantastic - a novel from a few years back about a Mormon family in England.

Since then I've been reading A Two-Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder - belatedly, since it was the October group read, but I'm so glad to now be reading it. Another remarkable person who has faced unimaginable challenges.

Emmkay wrote: "Coincidentally, on the way to work this morning, I was listening to a podcast interview Oprah did with him. ."

Oprah called her conversation with him one of the best she has ever had, I watched it yesterday. He has such an important message to give.

Hi everyone, I am still on the waitlist for Bellevue Square so I am starting to lose hope I will be able to join in for the Group read, but I will read it eventually.

I started reading Under This Unbroken Sky for one of my 2017 bingo squares, and I am absolutely loving this book!. I am about 2/3 through and unless something goes off the rails, I think it will be a five star read for me.

Happy Friday everyone! We have a bunch of snow out here in Alberta, it makes me want to stay inside and read books all day.

@Susan, 32 is middle aged? Haha! That ship has sailed.
@Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺, oh no, being a single mom for a week is no fun. I hope your husband makes it out today!

I finished reading Baseball Life Advice. I really enjoy sports, in particular CFL Football. It was nice to read a book about a woman who is as passionate about sports as I am. No pink sports memorabilia for me thank you!

I'm about a 1/3 of the way through Lost in September. I'm not sure what to make of this book. There are parts that are brilliant and parts that make me want to just give up and start a new book.

Happy Friday!
I finished The Water Beetles last weekend and am so happy to have Michael participate and provide insight about the book at Buddy Reads.
I also finished The Heart of a Woman, part of the autobiography of Maya Angelou. Very raw and heartwarming and through the words I felt the author's passion.

In audio I finished Amsterdam. It's a fascinating book, especially the part about the settlement of New Amsterdam in what is present day New York. It also dissects the Dutch way of life with the American way of life.
I am finishing up The Girl In The Ice and will likely start Bellevue Square, which I ended up purchasing. @Heather, I know how you feel, I was forever on the waitlist for the book and ended up buying the book since i was going to the Between the Pages event on Monday with @Susan and @Kim. Now I have a signed copy :)
Have a great weekend everyone!

Good morning everyone! Hubby and I have today off of work, so an extra long weekend. Lots to do today, including having snow tires put on the car.

@Louise, Writing My Wrongs sounds interesting.

@Megan, I wasn't sure what to make of Lost in September either while reading it. Perhaps if I knew more about the people of Quebec and the issues with the English it would have meant more to me? I'm not sure. Despite that, I enjoyed the writing, the general story and, by the end, enjoyed the book.
I'd like to hear Kathleen Winter talk about this story and get her input on it. I'm sure I missed the point she was making.

I've made more progress on Proust. I'm in the final volume, Time Regained, so my goal of finishing this year is still in reach.
I finished a GR Giveaway, House of Names and really enjoyed it.
I then started another GR Giveaway, The Girl Who Slept with God. I won this one so long ago & am very late with my review. It is a family saga and has started out very intriguingly.
In audio, I'm listening to The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit. The story is interesting but I'm not really keen on the narration.

You've all made me interested in Bellevue Square. I haven't had a good look at the Giller nominations yet. This story seems to be different, with various reactions.

Writing my wrongs does sound very interesting, and unusual in that the writer does not claim innocence. Even more unusual, he did the work to be able to comprehend the nature of his guilt, and was empowered by it. Unfortunately, the title that comes up in a library search is My happy days in hollywood by Gary Marshal. The connection is sobering.

@Megan, KW does demand quite a bit from her readers, patience and intelligence being prerequisite. I too floundered a bit getting into Lost in September, but in the end I'm with Petra in thoroughly enjoying this unique take on identity and connections.
Petra, I consider the reading of this book taught me more about the early French/English conflict in Quebec than Id ever managed to grasp from history lessons.

Last week I finished Brother by David Chariandy which I did not find as satisfying as others on this site. Also had some issues with Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley At least that one was laughable and a bit of a diversion.
Surprisingly, the book I enjoyed the most I came to with far less enthusiasm, my interest in great white males being minimal. This was Alberto Manguel s A Reading Diary: A Year Of Favourite Books . I have actually written reviews on all 3.
Seeing as I have far more empathy with David C as a young black man and with SR for being so gay, I am puzzled by the preference I had at the end of the day. Something about compatible sensibilities cannot be simplistically assumed.

Its not usuual that I find myself reading men only across the board, but my poet of the week is also male, it so happens. John Ashbery s Wave These poems are quite ponderous shot through with unexpected bits of lovely imagery

There are lots of spirited womens voices in the excellent compendium of the Idle No More .movement, The Winter We Danced: Voices from the Past, the Future, and the Idle No More Movement by The Kino-Nda-Niimi Collective Ive been reading these essays instead of short stories over the last week or so.
Also began On Trails: An Exploration by Robert Moor and its just as fascinating to me as he was in his reading last summer.
And some sci fi by an African woman! Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor

next week I will attend to Truck and Bellevue Square. I was able to renew Wool so that goes back in the queue.

Cheers all. Take advantage of your freedom!
Stay warm and dry!

@Louise and @Emmakay Writing My Wrongs does sound fascinating. I have added it to my TBR list. I will have to look for that podcast!

This week I started with Ru by Kim Thúy which I really enjoyed and is a Bingo square. Next up I started Cocksure by Mordecai Richler for another Bingo square. It won the Governor General's award in 1968 - the year I was born. I am finding it a bit repulsive. I have left it for now as I had a bunch of library holds come in. Has anyone else read it? Does it get better as it goes on? I might find another book for that square.

I am listening to The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt on the Libby app. I am about half way through and absolutely loving it! The narration is great and the story is captivating. This is the first time I tried listening to an audiobook on the Libby app while I was working out of town - two hour road trip each way. I didn't know to turn off the cellular data on the app. I received a text that I had gone over my data. Now I know - and I learned that I do love listening to a book while driving.

May wrote: "I've made more progress on Proust. I'm in the final volume, Time Regained, so my goal of finishing this year is still in reach. .."

Keep going Petra! You can do it.

@ Lisa

Here is the link to watch Oprah's interview with Shaka Senghor. It is certainly worth watching even if you don't read the book.

http://www.oprah.com/own-super-soul-s...

I have read Cocksure and your assessment is correct, it is repulsive and it doesn't get better. It is Richler's worsse book IMO.

I have shied away from the Libby app so far because I'm use to the Overdrive app but I do need to try it one day. Are you finding it user friendly?

@Louise Thank you for that link! And for your opinion of that book.

I do find Libby very user friendly. I don't necessarily find it better than Overdrive, other than the fact I ended up saving several books to Overdrive so it is easier to find my library books that I need to read quickly on the Libby app. I mostly read e-books on my tablet and that works well. I am using the app on my iphone for the audiobook. I haven't tested yet how well it syncs with the tablet.

Lisa wrote: "I am listening to The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt on the Libby app. I am about half way through and absolutely loving it! The narration is great and the story is captivating. [..."

Lisa, I loved the audio of The Goldfinch as well. I listened to it while jogging. It make me run longer in order to hear more of the story.

Magdelanye wrote: "Petra, I consider the reading of this book taught me more about the early French/English conflict in Quebec than Id ever managed to grasp from history lessons. ..."

This is true. I don't remember much from my French/English Canadian history lessons. I wish the schools focussed a bit deeper on Canadian history.

As we head into Remembrance Day, I think it would be an appropriate time to revisit Ted Barris and his wonderful accounts of Canada at War with Juno: Canadians at D-Day, June 6, 1944 and Victory at Vimy: Canada Comes of Age, April 9-12, 1917. Well written and throughly researched.

Ok, I'm half way through Lost in September and I think I've finally found the rhythm of the book. I'm glad I stuck with it.

It's been a busy week at work. I'm so glad it's a long weekend now.

Just finished Whylah Falls by George Elliott Clarke today. I wanted to like it more but found a narrative collection of poetry is a bunch of different styles really hard to get through, keep my attention and retain information.

Hi everyone, I am late to join this week... swim meet weekend which keeps me busy!

I have not finished anything. The week started with the Between the Giller event which left me a bit tired after a trip to Toronto and a very late evening. I am working through Transit but find that if i put it down for a couple of evenings, I need to do some rereading to catch up. I am also listening to Fast Food Genocide: How Processed Food is Killing Us and What We Can Do About It which is a very interesting book that makes me want to rethink some of our food choices and eat more veggies, beans, seeds and nuts!

@Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺ Did your hubby make it home? I have lost mine to swim officiating this weekend!

@Louise - Writing my Wrongs sounds like a great story!
@Magdelanye - I started listening to Lily and the Octopus and could not get into it either!

He did! Yay!

Last week I was busy, busy and didn’t get a chance to read as much as I would have liked.

I finished Bellevue Square and was very engaged from the get go. Although the book was different from what I usually read and I found it initially confusing, I wanted to know more and couldn’t stop reading. I credit this to Redhill’s writing skills. Despite my wondering what was going on……Redhill’s phrasing, choice of words and judicious meting out of information kept me hooked. I have posted a comment on The Monthly Group Read thread and look forward to November 15th when spoilers aren’t required.

My hold for I Am a Truck has finally arrived. I can’t wait!! Hope to join in the Buddy Reads Thread. Brother also arrived, something I put on hold when it made the |Scotiabank Giller longlist.

@ Magdelanye - based on the 3 books above, you’d think we were reading in tandem!! 

@ Louise, Emmkay & Heather (Gibby) Great suggestions!! Have been able to located Writing My Wrongs and The Friday Gospels through Inter Library Loans and hope to read at a future date. Under This Unbroken Sky has been moved up on my TBR list based on the possible 5 star rating recommendation.

Unfortunately, I have to delay a bit. What the Psychic Told the Pilgrim: A Midlife Misadventure on Spain's Camino de Santiago is an upcoming In Person Book Club Choice next week. It isn’t calling out to me but sometimes lower expectations lead to pleasant surprises.

Happy Reading Everyone!!

@Mj, I will be interested to see what you think of What the Psychic Told the Pilgrim: A Midlife Misadventure on Spain's Camino de Santiago - I am often interested in books on religion and on walking, so it could be a great combo. I read her book about nuns a couple of years ago, thought it was a great subject but wasn't sure about the authorial voice.

@Mj....reading in tandem is fine and I'm liking forward to comparing opinions.
And quite interested of course in the Camino book which I've been able to put on order at the library.

The comment above about Richler's book Cocksure (a novel I haven't read yet but I hope to get to one day) reminded me of my reading of Leonard Cohen's Beautiful Things (?). There is a scene where someone's penis escapes from someone's body and jumps out the window. I found that to be such an unpleasant image that I can't touch Cohen anymore. I know, I know..he's turned into our national hero, but I've never understood the love tor him-he always gave me the creeps.

Ha! I read that in university, Alan. It was Beautiful Losers. Hard to forget!

Wow, that scene deserves a WTH.... I really wanted to put an F there but I refrained.... well, sort of. :)

I'm reading Manhattan Beach... I wanted to love it but so far, it is ok for me. I'm kind of expecting a big finish and that could be disappointing. I'm about halfway through....

That is quite an image. i have not read that but think it is on the 100 books that make you proud.

@Shannon - i got Manhattan Beach as an arc and enjoyed it.