Sunday, November 28, 2021

Ex (short story) by Leanne Dyck

People come into your life for a reason. Sometimes it takes a while to figure out what that reason is--but there's always one. And this short story was inspired by that theory.


photo by ldyck

 Ex

The elevator door slid closed and my boyfriend fell against a wall. I fell on top of him--lips first. Wet kisses. Ryan's lips are thick like an overstuffed leather loveseat. I could stay there forever, but he shoved me off. He...shoved...me? That wasn't like him. He knew how lucky he was to be with me. We'd only been together four weeks, but he knew. I mean, come on. I notice how guys look at me. I have a body other women would kill for. I'm not exaggerating. Kill. I'm a goddess. 

Holding me at arm's length, he looked across the car when he said, "Sorry, we didn't see you there."

Hidden in shadow, dressed in black, she was more like a wraith than a woman--and not our concern. 

I pushed my way to Ryan's lips, but he held me still. "Wait."

Her black stringy hair swayed as she reached for the elevator panel. "I'm sorry. I'll...I'll get off here and use the stairs." Her fat sausage index finger reached for the button.

Finally, we'll be alone, was what I thought, but Ryan said, "No, you have every right to use this elevator. We're the ones in the wrong."

Her face cracked into an awkward grin. "Thank you," she mumbled to the floor.

That's how I met her. She must have lived somewhere in the building but it was like she was the ghost of the elevator. She was always there.

A couple of days ago she was--as usual--lurking in the elevator when I got on. She was quiet for a while, but then she said, "He used to be my boyfriend. He used to call me sexy."

That's when I knew she was crazy. I mean it can't be true. It...it can't be... 


On this blog in December...

Wednesday, December 1
Podcast: Author Reading 
Leanne Dyck
"Oh, it's just too silly... Isn't it?"

Sunday, December 5
Book Review
Thursday Night Murder Club
Richard Osman
(mystery)
A group of senior citizens forms a club to solve mysteries.

Wednesday, December 8
Podcast: Author Reading
Leanne Dyck
A memory of one of my favourite gifts.

Sunday, December 12
Short Story
Walk with Me
by Leanne Dyck
A trip to BC ends with a near-death experience.

Wednesday, December 15
Podcast: Author Reading 
A nice story about my parents' naughty kid.

Sunday, December 19
Book Review
As You Wish:
Inconceivable Tales From The Making of The Princess Bride
Cary Elwes
(memoir)

Friday, December 24
Christmas Eve
Short Story
My CBC Radio Christmas Tradition
Leanne Dyck
A short story inspired by Alan Maitland's reading of The Shepherd by Frederick Forsyth.

Sunday, December 26
Bonus Content
The Other Side
Leanne Dyck
As The Other Side was hands down the most popular "anything" I shared this year, I thought you might be interested in reading this scene.

Wednesday, December 29
Podcast: Author Reading
Listener's choice. What would you like me to record?

Sunday, November 21, 2021

Book Review: Astra by Cedar Bowers, published by McClelland & Stewart

 A child is born in a commune, somewhere in British Columbia, to an unwed mother.

Who is this child?

Solving this mystery drives the plot forward. Details are portioned out sparingly as we gain a clearer understanding of Astra. Insight is provided by family and friends. Astra doesn't take ownership of her story until the Epilogue.

An unwed mother dies giving birth.

Astra Winter Sorrow Brine is left to be raised by her neglectful and self-absorbed father Raymond Brine.

Who should raise a child? How? How do you maintain or establish a relationship with your child--from infancy to adulthood? The relationship between parents and children is one of the central themes.




From an Independent Bookstore in

Canada

United States


Astra
Published by McClelland & Stewart
Published in 2021
286 pages
longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize 2021
(Of special significance to me as a Southern Gulf Island resident, 
Cedar Bowers lives on Galiano Island)

Astra is a unique book.

Each chapter in Astra is like a stand-alone short story. The re-occurrence of one character Astra unifies the book into a novel. Cedar Bowers is a methodical author. Astra is a must-read.

Anne Logan's review of Astra by Cedar Bowers

On This Blog in November


photo by ldyck



Wednesday, November 24
Podcast Author Reading

Sunday, November 28
Short Story
Ex
by Leanne Dyck

Sunday, November 14, 2021

Visiting the Neighbours (short stories) by Leanne Dyck

 This slightly embarrassing story was inspired by a childhood memory that popped into my head as I read Mary Lawson's A Town Called Solace.


Visiting the Neighbours

I was maybe four or five when my parents sold off part of their acreage and we got closer neighbours. As it turned out very nice neighbours. I'd cross the driveway to visit them almost every day. I especially enjoyed watching Mr. "Neighbour" putter. He built things with wood--a bird with wings that flapped when I pulled a string and a lumberjack that sawed wood when the wind blew the propeller. It was like being in Santa's workshop. 

One day, he greeted me with, "Well, hello, there, my little girlfriend." He was always saying funny things, but I didn't laugh.

When I got home, I wore worry on my baby face. 

Mom asked, "What's wrong?"

I told her that "Mr. Neighbour" had called me his little girlfriend. "I don't want to break up their marriage."

Possibly, I'd been watching too many "soap hopperas".



About the picture...

While playing at the "Neighbours", I fell asleep on the chesterfield--using their Boston Terrier Perky as my pillow, but Mrs. "Neighbour" thought I'd be more comfortable on one of their beds. The trouble was, each time she came close to try to move me, Perky growled. As if to say, don't disturb her. She's sleeping. So all Mrs. "Neighbour" could do--or was allowed to do--was snap the picture.

The minute I woke, Perky jumped down, ran outside, and peed. I'm not sure how long he had been holding it.  

On This Blog in November

photo by ldyck





Wednesday, November 17
Podcast Author Reading

Sunday, November 21
Book Review
Astra
Cedar Bowers
long-listed for the Scotiabank Giller Prize
and my winner
Because...

Wednesday, November 24
Podcast Author Reading

Sunday, November 28
Short Story
Ex
by Leanne Dyck

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Leaving Her (short story) by Leanne Dyck

What would you do if you were forced to leave behind all that you cherished?

photo by ldyck

Leaving Her

He looked across the bed to where his strawberry blonde beauty slept. Her chest rose and fell with each breath. He lay there wanting to stay, knowing he had to go.

Fighting his desires, he eased back the quilt. He dressed quickly, but quietly ensuring not to wake her, and as if on cat paws he hurried into the kitchen. Ladling water into the basin, he washed his face. The cold water enlivened him. He looked up, through the kitchen window. 

Two solid beams of light cut through the darkness. 

Returning to the bedroom, he retrieved his suitcase from under the bed, lay it on the chair, and unfastened the leather straps. He grabbed underwear, shirts, pants and slipped them inside.

Being unable to resist her magnetic pull, he walked over to her side of the bed. His heart longed for her. He bent down and kissed her cheek. "I will always love you," he whispered. 

Boot heels struck the porch floorboards. That was his signal. Suitcase in hand, he rushed out of the bedroom, through the kitchen to the door. He pulled it open before they knocked. Wordlessly, he followed them. 

Entrance to the gardens
photo by ldyck

In 1942, bowing to public pressure, the Canadian government began interning Japanese nationals and Japanese-Canadians citizens. Nationals and citizens were stripped of their rights, homes, possessions, and way of life. In 1944, Japanese Canadians were ordered to leave BC or face deportation to Japan. It was not until 1988 that Japanese-Canadians received compensation for the wrongs done to them during the Second World War. 

On Mayne Island, a Japanese garden grows as a living tribute to the Japanese-Canadian islanders who were forced to leave.

photo by ldyck

photo by ldyck

photo by ldyck

Further reading...

Book Review:  All We Left Behind by Danielle R Graham

On This Blog in November

photo by ldyck




Sunday, November 14
Short Story
Visiting the Neighbours
Leanne Dyck

Wednesday, November 17
Podcast Author Reading

Sunday, November 21
Book Review
Astra
Cedar Bowers
long-listed for the Scotiabank Giller Prize
and my winner
Because...

Wednesday, November 24
Podcast Author Reading

Sunday, November 28
Short Story
Ex
by Leanne Dyck


Sunday, November 7, 2021

Book Review: A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson published by Knopf


Set in the fictitious northern Ontario town of Solace in September 1972, A Town Called Solace centres on three town residents--seven-year-old Clara Jordan, seventy-two-year-old Elizabeth Orchard, and thirty-four-year-old Liam Kean. With elements of mystery and romance and light touches of humour, the story explores how circumstances marry this cast of diverse characters. 

Clara

After fighting with her mother, Clara's sixteen-year-old sister Rose runs away. Clara maintains a silent vigil--willing her sister to return home. Very little drags Clara away from the living room window--just school and caring for the next-door neighbour's cat Moses.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a retired kindergarten teacher. Three years and eight months ago, Elizabeth's husband Charles died. After his death, Elizabeth moved from Guelph to live with her sister in Solace. Elizabeth's sister has since passed away. Solace is where Elizabeth befriends Clara--thanks to Moses. 

Unfortunately, due to heart problems, Elizabeth has to go to the hospital--leaving Moses behind to be taken care of by Clara.

Liam

Liam has recently ended his career in accounting and is newly separated from his wife Fiona. He has moved from Toronto to live in Mrs. Orchard's house. Why? What is he doing in that house? That's what Clara wants to know. 


Buy this Book 

From an Independent Bookstore in

Canada

United States

A Town Called Solace

Mary Lawson

Published by Alfred A. Knopf

Published in 2021

288 pages

long-listed for the 2021 Booker


Thrown headlong into the fascinating and familiar town of Solace, I read this book in big gulps. I loved every minute of my stay--up to and including the last page. I especially enjoyed the key role Moses plays in the story.

I'd highly recommend Mary Lawson's other books--Crow Lake and The Other Side of the Bridge--as well. I've yet to read Road Ends. Perhaps, I should be quick to correct this omission--especially in light of how I've enjoyed her other books. There are just so many books and so little time. 

Mary Lawson interviewed by Penguin Random House

The Promise by Damon Galgut won the Booker

How to watch The Scotiabank Giller Prize 

Monday, November 8. Tonight! 



On This Blog in November

photo by ldyck




Thursday, November 11
Remembrance Day
Short Story
Leaving Her
Leanne Dyck

Sunday, November 14
Short Story
Visiting the Neighbours
Leanne Dyck

Wednesday, November 17
Podcast Author Reading

Sunday, November 21
Book Review
Astra
Cedar Bowers
long-listed for the Scotiabank Giller Prize
and my winner
Because...

Wednesday, November 24
Podcast Author Reading

Sunday, November 28
Short Story
Ex
by Leanne Dyck


I finally took a nice selfie and I just had to share it with you.

Sharing My Author Journey...

Regardless of what anyone says, no one person, thing, or event is going to