Book Review: The List of Last Chances by Christina Myers (women's fiction)

 The List of Last Chances is about the friendship that forms between thirty-eight-year-old Ruth "Ruthie" MacInnes and sixty-eight-year-old Kay March on a road trip from PEI to BC.

photo by ldyck

The List of Last Chances

Christina Myers

Caitlin Press

2021

Fred Kerner Award Shortlist 2022

(humour, road fiction)

For Valentine's Day, Ruth decides to surprise her boyfriend and...

"I had come home early [to find]...Jack...midway through sagging the clerk who worked in the flower shop under our apartment." (p. 11-12)

Life in tatters, Ruthie moves out of the apartment she shared with Jack and onto her friend Jules' sofa. For six months, Ruthie's life becomes a bottle--all she does is drink. Jules can't stand to watch her friend exist in that state. She wants Ruthie to do something. She is sure what that something is once she finds the perfect solution...

"Wanted: Experienced care attendant to accompany elderly client by car from New Annan, PEI, to Vancouver, BC." (p. 9)

Kay is content on her farm in rural PEI, but her son David worries about her. He tells Ruthie...

Mom "has been widowed for several years now, and she hasn't yet realized that her isolated living conditions are not the safest environment for her when considering her age." (p. 38)

But Ruthie thinks...

"At thirty years my senior, [Kay] was twice as capable as me in pretty much every way--mentally, emotionally and even physically." (p. 129)

David has painstakingly planned the trip from PEI to BC, but Kay tells Ruthie, " 'There are some things I'd like to do. Things that aren't on my son's list.'" (p. 56) Ruthie describes Kay's list as "equal parts sightseeing tour and sin-seeking, with a dash down memory lane." (p. 58) 

Story question: "But here we were, two boats bobbing together on a big empty ocean, pushed together by currents we couldn't control. Would we let the tide take us where it would? Or should we put up the sail and decide where we were heading ourselves?" (p. 58)

Ruthie is a sympathetic protagonist who grows through the course of the story. How much does she grow? That's a question that is left for the reader to ponder. And in this way, The List of Last Chances is a haunting read.

Though technically a minor character, Kay is a major character to me. She's the kind of senior citizen I aspire to be--wise, fun, dynamic and vital. 

I recommend The List of Last Chances, especially for those amid a major transition.

Poetry in the Japanese Gardens

I attended the poetry reading in Mayne Island's Japanese Gardens yesterday afternoon. The gardens made for the perfect backdrop. They are especially lovely at this time of the year. I was looking forward to listening to poets read their work. However, as I walked into the gardens, I was issued an invitation to read some of my poems. I usually invest days in preparation for a reading. I've never read "cold turkey" before. There are many reasons for this: I'm dyslexic, so reading is a challenge, and I'm shy, and... It's a long list. However, I surprised myself by accepting the offer. I had a few moments of panic—or was it excitement--before I stood up and faced the audience of about ten. They were warm and supportive. I read two poems and had such a fun time doing that that I read one more. I even ad-libbed the introduction to my work. I was so surprised and pleased with myself. I also enjoyed listening to other poets read their work and poetry enthusiasts read their favourite poems by famous poets. Half of those who attended this event read poems. There's talk of future poetry readings. Will I be there? You betcha. I would love for you to attend as well. 

 

 Next Sunday...

Book Review: In the Belly of the Sphinx by Grant Buday (fiction)

 Set in Victoria, BC during the Victorian era (1837-1901), In the Belly of the Sphinx is about Pearl (daughter) and Florence (mother) Greyland-Smith.

Story question: how is a murderer made?

photo by ldyck

In the Belly of the Sphinx

Grant Buday

Brindle and Glass

an imprint of TouchWood Editions

historical fiction

2023

273 page

I purchased my copy from Books on Mayne

Pearl is raised by her upperly mobile mother in an upper-middle-class household. Appearance, and status matter to Florence. She will do everything it takes to ensure her daughter's future but will Pearl?

Chapter by chapter, I watch Pearl mature from a nine-year-old girl grieving her soldier father to a young woman with her own secrets. Chapter by chapter, I witness the evolution of the mother-daughter relationship.

"'It has always seemed to me that a woman's lot in the world is a precarious one.'"

Grant Buday is a skilled Mayne Island author who uses suspense and secrets to entice his readers and makes history live on the page. He also flavoured this tale with references to Victoria, BC events and landmarks. I was especially pleased that he used Craigdarroch Castle as a backdrop for one of the most significant scenes. Craigdarroch Castle is one of my favourite places on Vancouver Island. 

Tip: Read the Prologue.

More...

a pictorial tour of Craigdarroch Castle

book review: Delusionist by Grant Buday

Next Sunday...

And...

Book Review: We Spread by Iain Reid

What is it like to grow old? What struggles do senior citizens face? Why, how do they (we) keep on living? 

We do not all blend together. We are not ruined, helpless, a burden. We are not the elderly. We are not old people. Now, still, we're unique. Distinct. Regardless of what we've produced or what happens to our bodies. We each have our own memories and experiences, even if they've been lost and forgotten.' (p. 281-282)

 

We Spread

Iain Reid

Scribner

an imprint of Simon & Schuster UK

finalist for the Governor General's Literary award

2023

286 pages

(thriller, suspense, science fiction, psychological fiction)

Senior citizen Penny lives alone as age robs her of all she has ever known, all she has loved, all she has thrived to achieve. She tells us about losing her attention span, her cognitive decline, her fading memories, her lost days, and her uncertain present. When she was younger she enjoyed cooking for herself and others. Now she exists on meagre meals.  She worked as a bank teller in the same bank for over twenty-five years. Now she has difficulty focusing long enough to read a novel. She was in a long-term committed relationship with a famous artist until death robbed her of his companionship. She regrets not investing more time pursuing her passion--painting. Now it is too late. Now all she can do is live in fear of the end. 

The end comes, one day, when she climbs a chair to change a light bulb. She falls and that brings an end to her old life. She has no choice but to begin a new in Six Cedars--a long-term-care facility. In Six Cedars, Penny finds community and friendship; she develops a new appreciation for ageing; she learns that it is not too late to share her art with others. 

At times I found We Spread a difficult book to read. I'm 61 years old and some scenes made me apprehensive about my future. But I'm glad I did finish reading this book. The ending is truly heart-warming.

Did you know...

Dyslexic author

John Irving

Next Sunday...

Book Review: Girlfriend on Mars by Deborah Willis (sci fi, romance, literary fiction)

Thirty-one years old and newly transplanted from Thunder Bay, Ontario to Vancouver, BC, Amber Kivinen and Kevin Watkins are in a fourteen-year committed relationship--together forever. Until... Without Kevin's knowledge, Amber applies to enter a contest to travel to Mars. Amber is selected for the contest, and Kevin stays home to grieve her loss.

Girlfriend on Mars is about space, reality TV, climate change anxiety, infidelity, grow ops, travel...

Girlfriend on Mars

Deborah Willis

Hamish Hamilton

an imprint of Penguin Canada

a division of Penguin Random House Canada Limited

2023

356 pages

longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller

Science Fiction, Romance, Literary Fiction

Amber and Kevin are polar opposites. Amber is an aggressive go-getter who lives life to the fullest. Kevin is a deep-thinking, deep-feeling observer of life. Raised by an ailing single mother, Kevin was taught from a young age to fear life and cling to one person. At first, this person was his mom and then Amber. Who will he cling to now that she's gone? 

Girlfriend on Mars is told in altering chapters of first and second person. The first-person chapters are narrated by Kevin. In the second-person chapters, we observe Amber--much as Kevin would. At one point, Kevin tells us, "I realize that Amber is a planet, and I'm a moon to her orbit." I understand this to mean that he doesn't think that he's as important as Amber and I disagree. Girlfriend on Mars is a balanced examination of both sides of a relationship.

The short chapters help to make this book enjoyable--especially for those of us with reading challenges.

If you enjoy reading Girlfriend on Mars (which (I hope) I'm sure you will), you may also enjoy reading An Ocean of Minutes by Thea Lim.

"Fog" by ldyck

It all starts next Sunday...

Book Review: Room by Emma Donoghue

In Room, a five-year-old boy and his mother are held captive in an 11 x 11 foot room. 

A few years ago, I walked into my local bookstore. 

The proprietor greeted me--book in hand. "Leanne, you have to read Room."

"What's it about?"

"A mother and her son are held captive in an eleven-by-eleven foot space." Was all I heard her say.

And all I could think was:  How depressing. Do I really need to feed my brain something so heavy?

But I value her opinion. So brought Room home. 

For two years the book haunted me until I finally gave in. I took the book off the shelf, flipped it open and read the first page. 

And what I thought was:  The story is told by a five-year-old boy? What an original narrator. Maybe I should just read the book simply to discover how/if Emma Donoghue pulls it off. 

I tried to keep reading but...

All I could think was:  What if something happens to the little boy? I don't want to read about the victimization of a child. 

Then, one day, curiosity won. I dived back in. I learnt that Jack isn't a victim. And even though hero and survivor are adjectives I would use to describe him I learnt that he wouldn't claim them. Room to me symbolizes fear and confinement--Room to him symbolizes a cozy home, thanks to his courageous mother.  

As I write this I have ten pages left to read--and I don't want to leave Jack. I feel a deep connection to him. He has made me laugh out loud; he has brought me to tears. 

Yes, it is a story about a mother and son confined in a small space. But, oh, it's so much more than that.

Questions I asked myself as I read:  What's my Room? What's my Outside? Why? How can I break free and overcome?

Published by HarperCollins Canada

Published in 2010

Buy this book

Related articles...

Author Emma Donoghue talks about the book and the movie

The cast of Room talk about the movie

I'm still here.

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"found art"

found this when out on a walk--love it when people hide their art 

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A short story...

The Difference Between BC and Manitoba Mosquitoes

Leanne Dyck

Book Review: Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton (tragic romance)

Ethan Frome

by Edith Wharton 

(nee Edith Newbold Jones)

Ethan Frome is a tragic love story--boy wants girl; boy can't have girl because boy has another girl.

Ethan Frome is a mystery--why does a man choose social isolation?

Ethan Frome is about being trapped in  a living hell because you're too worried about doing right by everyone except yourself.

Narrator:  Ethan '"looks as if he was dead and in hell now!"' (p. 6)

Ethan is engaged in studies at Worcester technological college when he is called back home to Starkfield, New England--a remote farming community. His father is dead and Ethan must take responsibility for running the farm and the lumber mill. Due to the remoteness of the farm (and possibly grief), Ethan's mother's health begins to suffer. The weight of the farm, the lumber mill and his mother are too heavy for Ethan to carry alone so he asks his cousin Zenobia "Zeena" Pierce to move to the farm to nurse his mother.

After his mother dies, Ethan marries Zeena.

Ethan is told:  '"I don't know anybody round here's had more sickness than Zeena...I don't know what she'd 'a' done if she hadn't 'a' had you to look after her; and I used to say the same thing 'bout your mother. You've had an awful mean time, Ethan Frome."' (p. 142)

Zeena's poverty-stricken cousin Mattie Silver comes to Frome farm to serves as Zeena's unpaid aid. And Ethan 'had taken to the girl from the first day.' (p. 32) For him, Mattie's presence is like 'the lighting of a fire on a cold hearth.' (p. 33) and she looks 'like a window that has caught the sunset.' (p. 35) He is smitten.

Buy this book

Published in 1911, 1939, 1970

Published by Charles Scribner's Sons

Ethan Frome is a classic

Introducing Ethan...

Out on daily errands, an unnamed narrator is brought 'up sharp' (p. 3) by a local man--Ethan Frome--who had 'something bleak and unapproachable in his face'. (p. 3-4) Another local tells the narrator that Ethan has looked '"that way ever since he had his smash-up; that's twenty-four years ago come next February."' (p. 4) And that Ethan has '"been in Starkfield too many winters. Most of the smart ones get away."' (p. 6) The narrator wonders, 'how could any combination of obstacles have hindered the flight of a man like Ethan Frome?' (p. 9) And we must read on to solve the mystery.

Then and Now...

Ethan Frome was assigned reading in my junior high (middle school) Language Arts class.

When I first learned about Ethan Frome the solution to his problem was so clear to me. He should have been straight with his wife. He should have simply told her that he no longer loved her. Then he would have been free to have a happy life. Back then things were so clear to me. Things were either black or white. I'd yet to learn of life's many shades of gray. I'd yet to learn that the path to happiness isn't always straight or level. Sometimes you have to deal with bumps and curves.

What initially attracted me to Ethan Frome was his moral dilemma.

What lingers after this reading are questions for three women--Edith, Zeena and Mattie.

To Edith Wharton...

Edith, you've written that you were drawn to write Ethan Frome because 'the New England of fiction bore little--except a vague botanical and dialectical--resemblance to the harsh and beautiful land as I had seen it.' Yet after reading these articles Edith Wharton, A Writing Life by Robert Armitage, Edith Wharton:  A Biography, and Edith Wharton: American Writer about your life, I was struck by the similarities between you and Ethan. Both of your spouses suffered from ill health and were several years your senior--Ethan's seven and yours twelve. Yet, whereas Ethan elected to devote his life to caring for his wife, you divorced your husband. Your life, Edith, was full. You 'established workrooms for unemployed seamstresses, convalescent homes for tuberculosis sufferers, hostiles for refugees, and schools for children fleeing war-torn Belgium' (Edith Wharton:  A Biography). You 'published more than 50 books.' (Edith Wharton:  American Writer) You wrote short story collections, short novels, novels and non-fiction books. You received an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Yale University, a full membership in the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and, in 1921, you were the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize. Contrarily, Ethan's life was a living hell. I wonder, Edith, if--in writing Ethan Frome--you were justifying your decision to leave your husband--if only in your own mind? Did you wish to make a case against a life of duty, against conforming to societal expectations?

'Because of their shorter length, novellas have less time to explore subplots and tend to focus on the main plot. Novellas generally have one main character and a handful of secondary characters. Because of length constraints, most of the characters development will be found on the protagonist.' -How to Write a Novella:  Step-by-Step Guide

I long to learn more about Zeena (Ethan's wife) and Mattie (his love interest).

To Zeena...

Zeena, what is it like for you to live out your days in a house, with a man, without love? Why do you stay on the Frome farm? Is it out of a sense of duty? Are you conforming to societal expectations? Do you still love Ethan? Did you ever love him? What hopes and dreams did you have for your life?

To Mattie...

Mattie, why did you allow yourself to fall in love with your cousin's husband? Did it just happen or did you see Ethan as a solution to your problems? Did you see him as someone who would take care of you? Did you see him as a way to escape poverty?

Zeena to Mattie:  '"--and now you've took from me the one I cared for most of all--"' (p. 127)

June on this blog... 

On June 7th, we'll kick the month off with a bang by reviewing the 2019 Scotiabank Giller Reproduction by Ian Williams. You think you've read novels. Well you haven't seen anything yet, Charlie.

I've been working on this list for a while. All I know about blogging wrapped up in a nice neat little bundle delivered to you on June 14th. Hopefully, you'll find it helpful.

I loved reading Crow Winter by Karen McBride and on June 21st I'll review it--I feel the pressure.

On June 28th, we'll end the month with a short story--Independence--to honour Canada Day (July 1st) and Independence Day (July 4th).

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I Value Canadian Stories--The Podcast
a collection of interviews with authors of books for children

I wrote this short story for you...

A Dream Within A Dream

In my dream, I stumbled down the hall heading for the...

Book Review: The Wife by Meg Wolitzer

A novel about being an award-winning author and the family's price told from the spouse's point of view.

In 1956, twenty-something Joe teaches English 202 - Elements of Creative Writing at Smith College and dreams of becoming a successful author, but he has no natural talent.

Of his own writing, Joe says, '"I'm certainly not one of the naturals... I'm the type that sits there slaving away all day and thinking someone will give me credit for effort."' (p. 48)

Nineteen-year-old Joan--Joe's best student--is a natural writer in a male-dominated world. 

Elain Mozell, a novelist who had just released a new book, told Joan, '"Don't think you can get their attention... The men who write the reviews, who run the publishing houses, who edit the papers, the magazines, who decide who gets to be taken seriously, who gets put on a pedestal for the rest of their lives... [Y]ou could call it a conspiracy to keep the women's voices hushed and tiny and men's voices loud."' (p. 53)

Can these two dreamers...? Can these two wannabe authors...? Can Joe and Joan help each other achieve their goals.

Buy this book

Published by Scribner

an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Published in 2003

Joan narrates the tale that explores her 45-year relationship with Joe. I found her a difficult narrator to like. She's coarse, demanding, and critical. I wondered why she was so deeply unhappy. Despite these character traits, Joan captivated me until the surprising, satisfying end.

What kept me glued to the page?

Perhaps it was the intriguing questions The Wife explored, such as...

-What does it take to be a successful author?

-What is it like to be the spouse or child of a successful author?

-What obstacles did and do women authors face?

Or maybe it was simply that The Wife was about an author and the writing life.

'I made myself begin to write something. Without censoring it or condemning it for being trivial or narrow or simply poorly constructed.' (p. 46)

Some readers aren't intimidated by the number of pages in a book or chapter length. (And if this is you, read Henry Eliot's How to navigate your way through the longest classic books.) I am. I'm most comfortable reading books with around 250 pages and chapters of about 10 pages.

The chapters in this book averaged about 30 pages. If The Wife hadn't been such an engaging read I would have abandoned this book for another. But I needed to learn more about Joe's life. I needed a strategy.

Meg Wolitzer wouldn't give me short chapters. So I made them myself. When I needed a break I looked for a transition in the story and marked the spot with a small arrow. I normally don't like to deface books but made an exception in this case.

Are you guilty of any of these 'crimes against books'? 
Matt Blake

Next Sunday evening...

Book Review

I celebrate Canada Reads by reviewing the book I chose.




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Book Review: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (horror)

The Picture of Dorian Gray explores what can happen to a man's life when he is manipulated by the wrong influence.

' "Each of us has Heaven and Hell in him." ' -Dorian (p. 115)

photo by ldyck

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Oscar Wilde

Published by Dover Publications 

Published in 1993

first book edition published by Ward, Lock & Co. Ltd.
 London, in 1891

As The Picture of Dorian Gray has long been one of my favourite movies (shot in 1945--who knew there was another shot in 2009?) I thought it was high time to read the book. As a movie-goer, I was rattled by what happened to the portrait. As a reader, I'm far more interested in the interplay between Basil Hallward (portrait painter), Lord Henry Wotton, and Dorian Gray.

I see Basil as the angel figuratively sitting on Dorian's right shoulder.

' "I want you to lead such a life as will make the world respect you. I want you to have a clean name and a fair record." ' -Basil to Dorian (p. 111)

Lord Henry is the devil sitting on Dorian's left shoulder.

On page 12, Basil attempts  to warn Dorian:  Lord Henry ' "has a very bad influence over all his friends." '

On page 67, Dorian makes plans to 'resist temptation. He would not see Lord Henry any more.'

And yet... And yet Basil observes of Dorian on page 79:  ' "You talk as if you had no heart, no pity in you. It is all Harry's influence." '

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a short novel (165 pages) cleverly written. The book opens with a scene between Basil Hallward and Lord Henry Wotton. This exchange introduces Dorian Gray. The book ends with a haunting mystery ensuring that the tale will live on in the mind of the reader. Oscar Wilde fills each page with wit, wisdom and social commentary. The only fault I can find is that there is a lot of dialogue but very little action--heads floating in the ether.

The Picture of Dorian Gray was Oscar (Fingal O'Flahertie Wills) Wilde's first novel and sadly his last, due to extremely harsh criticism. The British press condemned it as "vulgar", "unclean", and "poisonous". After the novel's publication, Wilde employed his talent to craft plays--society comedies, such as Lady Windermere's Fan (first performed on February 20, 1892, at the St. James's Theatre in London) and The Importance of Being Earnest (first performed on February 14, 1895, at the St. James's Theatre in London).

More...

Oscar Wilde quotes


On this blog in November...

photo by ldyck

November 3 
list
Writing about Writing

To my delight, you clicked the link to read the list of quotes I shared with you this month. And so next month I'll share a list compiled from the books I've reviewed. The theme of this collection is... You guessed it. Writing about Writing.

November 10
book review
Akin
Emma Donoghue

What's this book about?
Well, I'll sum it up like this...
"What did you do during the war, Mom?"
"What did you do to end poverty, Son?"

November 17
short story
The Island Storyteller on Stage

I wrote this (silly story of thanks) short story to be read during an evening of storytelling and music on November 30th in the Agricultural Society Hall on Mayne Island. It would be wonderful to see you in the audience, but if not... I hope you enjoy reading this story.

November 24
book review
The End of the Affair 
Graham Greene

Years ago, someone recommended that I read Graham Greene. Years later, I finally found him. And I can't wait to tell you about him. (Also, if you've recommended a book to me... Please don't lose patience. I am listening.)

Book Review: Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini

A father and a son prepare to leave their homeland and cross the ocean to--what they hope will be--a safe new home.

Buy this book

I purchased my copy from Bolen Books

Illustrated by Dan Williams

Published by Viking

an imprint of Penguin Canada

a division of Penguin Random House Canada

Published in 2018

This narrative poem gives a voice to refugees. Hosseini writes of the love they have for their country, of the memories of better times. He writes of the love they have for their family and the desire for a better life. I'm overwhelmed by the sacrifice, by the courage, by the hope and I wonder what I would do. Could I be that brave? 

Because many of us are fortunate enough not to be in this situation, we may see refugees as other. Hosseini helps us to see their humanity. Look back in your family tree, you may be fortunate enough to be a descendant...

In the 1800s, my maternal Icelandic ancestors were squeezed onto a ship like cattle. Due to inclimate weather conditions, half of the populations had no choice but to leave. They could only take a few belongings. They had no idea what awaited when they docked. They hoped a new life, a new home. 

After reading this book... After researching your family genealogy... You may ask, how can I help?

4 Ways You Can Support Refugees

8 practical ways to help refugees

UNHCR Canada

The note on the dust jacket reads...

'Khaled Hosseini will donate author proceeds from this book to UNCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and to The Khaled Hosseini Foundation to help fund life-saving relief efforts to help refugees around the globe.'

Other recommended illustrated books   

photo by ldyck

August on this blog...

August 4:  guest post:  
Interview with author Ellen Schwartz

Ellen discusses establishing her career, what inspires her, and the importance of belonging to a writing group--like CWILL-BC.

August 11:  book review:  
Quintland Sisters by Shelley Wood

Shelley Wood uses the power of fiction to reveal the truth behind the seemingly fairy tale childhood of the Dionne quintuplets.

'the only book published in 2019 by a Canadian to hit the [best-seller] list' reports Publishers Weekly

August 18:  short story:  
The Invisible Woman 

Was this short story inspired by The Invisible Man (a novel by H.G. Wells)? Maybe...

August 25:  book review:  
The Princess Dolls by Ellen Schwartz

Set in 1942, two girls--one Jewish-Canadian and the other Japanese-Canadian--bond over their mutual admiration of Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.

Book review: The Break by Katherena Vermette

Some are told 'you are your brother's keeper', but in this day and age we are warned 'don't get involved'. So the question is if you saw someone in need what would you do?

In The Break, author Katherena Vermette addresses this question head-on. 

Young mother Stella sees what she thinks is an attack. She does something. She phones the cops. But she's Aboriginal; she's female. When the male cops come she feels like she's the one being investigated. 

Should she have kept out of it? Did she do enough? These questions haunt her throughout the book--and they've stayed with me after I finished reading The Break. 

Abuser. Victim. Vermette explores these loaded words.

Published by House of Anansi (2016)

If you're in a library or bookstore, find The Break on the shelf. I'll wait. Got the book. Great. Now flip it open to the title page. There you'll find...

Trigger Warning:  This book is about recovering and healing from violence. Contains scenes of sexual and physical violence, and depictions of vicarious trauma.

Read this warning but don't put the book back. 

The Break left me with a warm feeling. Vermette knows her craft. Her characters are developed with care and understanding. The story handled with sensitivity.

More...

If you enjoy reading this book, you may also enjoy A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Red Tent. I did.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
published by Penguin Canada (2008)

Hosseini explores the treatment of women in Afghanistan. The brutality that is depicted is off-set by the fine string of hope that connects woman to woman--a fragile (yet unbreakable) bond of friendship.

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
published by Picador USA (1997)

Dinah, the Bible barely mentions her, but in the pages of this book she speaks, sings, dances, breathes. We follow her from virgin to mother to crone--and even to her final breath. 

Favourite Quote...

'Innana is the centre of pleasure, the one who makes women and men turn to one another in the night. The great mother whom we call Innana is the queen of the ocean and the patron of the rain... The great mother...gave a gift to woman that is not known among men, and this the secret of blood... In the red tent...the gift of Innana courses through us cleansing the body of last month's death, preparing the body to receive new month's life, women give thanks--for repose and restoration, for the knowledge that life somes from between our legs, and that life costs blood... You will become a woman surrounded by loving hands to carry you and to catch your first blood and to make sure it goes back to the dust that formed the fist man and the woman. The dust that was mixed with her moon blood.' (p. 158)

Book review: Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan (MG novel)

I've written short stories and novels. I've written picture books and a novel for young adults and books for adults. But I've never written a middle grade (children from 9 to 12 years of age) novel. Writing in this genre intrigues me and an idea is slowly taking shape. To encourage this idea to grow into a story, I'm seeking out new middle grade books.

Buy this Book

Published by 

Dial Books for Young Readers:  Penguin Young Readers Group

Published in 2017

I was off-island in a mall when Short jumped off the shelf and into my hands. Standing there, I read the first page. The narrator's voice was unique and captivating. I thought maybe... I might...
"Ready to go, Leanne?"
My husband and I had planned to go to a movie.
I left the book on the shelf confident I'd be able to find it in my island library--it's especially well-stocked with new titles.
Well I searched and I searched but Short just wasn't there. Thankfully I have a source that never fails me. : )

In brief:  Short is about a short girl in the big adult world of theater.

Story question:  How will Julia Mark resolve her negative feelings toward her short stature?

In Short, author Holly Goldberg Sloan explores
-what it personally feels like to be short
-achondroplasia "dwarfism"
-how involvement in the arts can restore confidence in children who are struggling with self-esteem
and celebrates L. Frank Baum work (especially the Munchkin)

As the story begins Julia Mark is annoyed by her short stature. However, Olive--an adult little person--is confident to be herself in a tall world. Befriending Olive allows Julia to grow in understanding as to who she is and who she values and why.

The last chapter sings. There are tears in my eyes as I finish reading the last page and close this heart-warming book.

What made me sit up and take note?

Although Julia Mark is 12 years old, this novel is mainly peopled with adult characters.

Favourite quote...

Olive:  ' "Discrimination is about bias... It happens when opinions have been formed in advance, and action is based on these prior ideas." ' (p. 178)

Shawn Barr (director):  ' "The world is filled with bias, and it's consumed with judgment and opinions that are hardened and even institutionalized. That's why we do theater. That's what it's about. We are asking people to take another look at themselves and at each other." ' (p. 179-180)

Next Post:  Interview with author Pam Withers
Published Sunday, July 30 at approximately 5 PM PT

Book review: 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl by Mona Awad

13 chapters tell the hidden truths of women's lives. I'll guarantee that at least two of these chapters will hit so close to home that you'll wince. I started reading 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl in a bus shelter and one scene hit so hard that I turned red in the face and wanted to hide. "No, don't tell them that. Not that." I was so convinced that the person sitting beside me would read the words and know everything. This book isn't for the fate of heart.

Photo by LDyck

Publisher:  Penguin Random House Canada

Published in 2016

Buy this book

I admire novelists who take a different path when writing their books. Awad is another example. She uses a variety of POVs--best friend, lover, etc. But it's more than that, some of the opening chapters made me wonder if I was reading a linked short story collection or a novel. Later chapters confirmed it was a novel.

First-time authors are warned:  Don't play loose and easy with the rules. Later when you're an established author have-at-her. But. Not. Now.

13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl is Mona Awad's first novel.

Huh?

More...

The Vancouver Sun discusses 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl

Next post:  Shakespeare and Snorri

Sunday, July 16 

Published at approximately 5 PM PT

In Support of Canadian Publishing (list) by Leanne Dyck

How readers and writers can keep Canada in books.

What can you do to keep that maple leaf waving?

Writers...

-set your stories in Canadian places
sea to sea to sea
We have 10 beautiful provinces and 3 amazing territories. The world wants to hear about them. Let's tell our stories.
Your Canada:  Geography


-use Canadian words like "skookum" and "toque"
-use Canadian terms like "keep your stick on the ice"
Canadianisms

-use Canadian spelling "tire" and "neighbourhood"
Canadian, British and American spelling

-what's it like to be disabled in Canada--a visual minority, an ethnic minority, a person of faith, gay, straight, an angry old white guy? Tell your story. Your fellow Canadians want to hear it.
Government of Canada
Country Guides:  Canada

-give your characters Canadian names
Canadian baby names that show off your national pride
Top 100 baby names in Canada for 2016

Readers...

-buy books written/published in Canada


-support Canadian authors by attending author readings and visiting author websites
The Writers' Union of Canada:  Member Directory

-review Canadian books

To read all my reviews, please click this link. It will take you to my book reviews page.

Book Review: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

My mother-in-law recommended I read this book. She's an avid reader and knows a good book when she finds it.

Buy The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon 

Originally published in hardcover in Great Britain by Jonathan Cape, Ltd, London, in 2005, and subsequently in hardcover in the United States by Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc., New York, in 2005.

Mark Haddon's website 

A quick read that brings the reader inside the mind of a person with autism--fifteen-year-old Christopher Boone.

It is also a...

Mystery

A dog is found dead. Who killed him and why? Christopher Boone sets out to answer these questions and
unearths even more mysteries.

Funny Book

This is a funny book even though Christopher explains that he can't tell jokes.

Craft Book

Christopher Boone is attempting to write a mystery inspired by the dog he finds dead. His teacher, Siobban, helps him by giving him helpful tips.

'Siobban said that when you are writing a book you have to include some descriptions of things.. She also said that I should describe people in the story mentioning one or two details about them so that people could make a picture of them in their head.' (p. 67)

Big Idea Book

For example...
Christopher doesn't believe in Heaven. He believes that our bodies are broken down and become one with all of earth. 

A book that explores commonly held misconceptions...

For example, if a person has a mental disability we think they are intellectually challenged. But Christopher is alive with boundless curiosity and seemingly endless knowledge.

 'Chillaxing on a Summer day' photo by LDyck

Next post:  Writing Workshop review published  on Sunday, June 18 (at approximately 5 PM PT)

'One cute mug' photo by LDyck

More about this dog mystery on July 2nd. Look for the post titled 'Shakespeare and Snorri'.