CanadianContent discussion

HI all - sorry... I was delinquent in adding a November thread as I was away most of the month.

Let's end 2025 with a bit more activity. what are you reading? What are you hoping to see under your tree (if you celebrate) or gifted?

I am slowly reading through Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sortsand just started Some Bright Nowhere. for our book club Christmas, we were challenged to read a book celebrating any December holiday and I read A Season for Spies

Welp, I picked an interesting week to be reading a book by Thomas King. I had started The Back of the Turtle on the weekend, and then the story hit that he is not Indigenous. I am still reading it, but it's a little distracting - I find when I read the book I'm not really engaging with the content, but thinking about the context.

I'm also reading Winter's Tale, which I'm barely into, but loving so far.

I'm 6 books behind on my reading goal for the reading, so should be an intense few weeks to see if I can make it.

@Joanna - I am behind on my reading goal too... but not sure that I can catch up in time!! I have read 4 Ken Follett books this year which were certainly large ones though!!

I just finished For the Love of a Son: A Memoir of Addiction, Loss, and Hope and wow, it was a powerful read. most Canadians would have had no idea what that broadcaster was going through with his son, when they watched sports!

I finished reading a trilogy by Canadian author, Corinne Jeffery. It was a family saga and I enjoyed all three books:

Arriving: 1909-1919
Thriving: 1920-1939
Choosing: 1940-1989

As the dates state, this trilogy follows the family for 80 years. There are Life's ups and downs, misunderstandings, good times, etc. I'm a sucker for family sagas and really enjoyed this one.

I'm currently reading, and enjoying, The Girl With No Name and Fayne.

Hi Everyone, I am also behind on my reading goals this year. Life happens!!
I gifted Mom A Guardian and a Thief.
And I treated myself to the latest Louise Penny book. Looks like a snow day soon, so hopefully I will be couch cozy with the book in hand.
Happy Holidays!

Just finished Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda which I had been putting off for a long time. Its one of those books you know you should read as it ha some very important information and messages, but parts of it are so gut-wrenching.

I'm ready for something light hearted and seasonal now.

I read Bunny & We Love You, Bunny by Mona Awad. Disappointing Giller Prize read, I really wanted to quit the first one but I was reading it just so I could read the second one, which I did quit.

@Petra - nice to "see" you, it has been a while!! I have not heard of any of those books!

@Tina - nice treat!!

@Heather(Gibby) - I have had that book on my shelf for a long time but haven't been brave enough to read it yet

@Dawn - I haven't read those two but did enjoy her first book. I am midway through Pick a Colour which won the Giller and enjoying it so far.

I had to quit Bunny ,by far one of the most annoying book I tried to read in a long while. I had read an earlier book by the same author and it also didn’t appeal to me.

Thanks, Susan! This year has been a bit of a ride. I haven't been around GR much this year. I'm looking forward to participating more next year (fingers crossed).

I've recently finished Beneath the Apple Leaves (which wasn't great), The Girl With No Name (an interesting story with a few loose ends....but there's a sequel) and Where Jasmine Blooms (an interesting look at cross-cultural relationships. I liked this story a lot).

Hi Alan - those books have not been tempting to me either.

Petra - hope all is well. I think this group has been quieter over the last few years but I have had less time to engage also... life is busy!

looking forward to fresh book chats in the new year!!

I am just about finished The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald which has been quite interesting... but so sad. we have camped along Superior and stayed at Neys which is near where it sank so it gives a new perspective.

I've been pretty much AWOL in the group due to the overwhelming and totally unexpected success of my own novel this year, but I hope to engage more often in 2026. In the meantime, thank you all so much for your commitment to Canadian authors. Have a very happy new year!

So excited for you!!! I LOVED your book and have gifted it a couple of times this year!! so nice to see your name on the Indigo events and I wish that you had more Ontario events as I could not attend the one in Toronto

❀ Susan wrote: "So excited for you!!! I LOVED your book and have gifted it a couple of times this year!! so nice to see your name on the Indigo events and I wish that you had more Ontario events as I could not att..."
Hopefully I will be back, Susan! Simon&Schuster Canada is releasing THREE of my books in the next 18 months, two older books and one brand new. I would love to meet you in person.

Elinor wrote: "❀ Susan wrote: "So excited for you!!! I LOVED your book and have gifted it a couple of times this year!! so nice to see your name on the Indigo events and I wish that you had more Ontario events as..."

So exciting, Elinor! I love your books and cannot wait to read your brand new book!!
Will you be coming to Nova Scotia or New Brunswick on a book tour?

That's amazing Elinor... if your publisher can make it happen, the Grimsby Author Series is one of the best book events. I will reach out to them and suggest your book!

Finding Flora was my gift for our Grinch exchange at book club. The recipient has reported that she is really enjoying it and one of our other members is doing a "book club" with her mom and they are reading it as well... reports are that her mom read it right through and could not put it down!! such a great read!