Region of Waterloo Library discussion

This year's OBOC author, Charlotte Gray, will be at the Elmira District Secondary School for a special author reading and book signing.

In honour of this visit, tell us about a Canadian author you would really like to meet and why.

Charles de Lint, his writing is magical and always managed to transport me to his made up worlds.

I'm not one for meeting famous people. I'd like to have my copy of Painted Girls signed by Cathy Buchanan but to think of who I'd like to meet to talk with, the 1st person that came to mind was Khaled Hosseini, who for some reason I thought lived in Canada. Turns out, he lives in California. The other person who came to mind is Michael Ondaatje. Possibly Margaret Atwood, though I haven't read much of her work. I would be very interested in hearing them speak about their lives.

Stuart McLean! Has anyone ever been to one of his Vinyl Cafe shows? Definitely on my bucket list. I love listening to him read his funny stories on his podcast.

I met Cathy Buchanan last summer and she was kind enough to sign two copies of her The Day the Falls Stood Still

That's awesome, Heather! Have you read it? It's on my to read list. I saw that she will also skype into book clubs to discuss her books, if it works in her schedule.

I really enjoyed the book. it took me right back to Niagara Falls, I grew up in St. Catharines and have been to Niagara Falls hundreds of times. It also matched up of what I knew of the history of the area. I also bought a copy for a friend who lives in Peru, but fondly remembers his school term in Niagara.That was the second copy that Cathy signed.

Heather wrote: "Charles de Lint, his writing is magical and always managed to transport me to his made up worlds."

What is your favorite book from him?

Christine wrote: "I'm not one for meeting famous people. I'd like to have my copy of Painted Girls signed by Cathy Buchanan but to think of who I'd like to meet to talk with, the 1st person that came to mind was Kha..."

Do you have any books by Michael Ondaatje or Margaret Atwood that you would recommend?

Christine wrote: "That's awesome, Heather! Have you read it? It's on my to read list. I saw that she will also skype into book clubs to discuss her books, if it works in her schedule."

That is really neat that she will talk to actual book clubs. The library actually as The Day the Falls Stood Still as a Book Club in a Bag set.

Heather wrote: "I really enjoyed the book. it took me right back to Niagara Falls, I grew up in St. Catharines and have been to Niagara Falls hundreds of times. It also matched up of what I knew of the history o..."

Do you think your knowledge of the area affected how you experienced the book? How do you think it would change for people who didn't grow up in that area?

I felt that knowing the area made me enjoy the book even more. i was able to identify with locations and well as some of the events. I also remember visiting the Falls the last time that the Falls were 'turned off' and no water was flowing over the brink. I could even see the scientists etc down among the rocks doing their research. my dad had also told me stories he had heard of the fairs that used to held when the ice bridge formed.
All this together, made for a most rewarding read.

RWL wrote: "Heather wrote: "I really enjoyed the book. it took me right back to Niagara Falls, I grew up in St. Catharines and have been to Niagara Falls hundreds of times. It also matched up of what I knew ..."

Thank you for sharing your experiences with the Falls. I can see how it would give you a special connection to the book.