You can’t beat a local story by a local author and this novel excels in all departments. I literally could not put this book down as it drew me into the story of the lighthouse keeper on Porphyry Island and his two daughters Elizabeth and Emily. It is not possible to say much about the... Continue Reading →
Tales From Big Spirit (Series) by David Alexander Robertson
I have been a fan of David Alexander Robertson since I read his 7 Generations graphic novel series a few years ago. Recently I stumbled upon his graphic novel series for a younger audience called “Tales from Big Spirit”. Each book is about a prominent First Nations person from history and teaches the reader about... Continue Reading →
Review: The Wealthy Barber vs. The Wealthy Barber Returns by David Chilton
About a year and a half ago, I realized how ignorant I was with regards to money and started to educate myself in matters of personal finance in order to resolve my ignorance. Since then, I have read a number of books and articles, significantly improved my spending, started living below my means, and started... Continue Reading →
Wenjack by Joseph Boyden
This is the tragic story of an Ojibwe boy who runs away from a North Ontario Indian School, not realising just how far away from home he is. Along the way he’s followed by Manitous, spirits of the forest who comment on his plight, cajoling, taunting and ultimately offering him a type of comfort... Continue Reading →
Interview with Emma Hooper
Raised in Alberta, Emma Hooper brought her love of music and literature to the U.K., where she received a doctorate in musico-literary studies at the University of East Anglia and currently lectures at Bath Spa University. She comes home to Canada to cross-country ski whenever she can. You can find her online at emmahooper.ca. Shauna... Continue Reading →
We’re All in This Together by Amy Jones
Most of us have watched a viral video online. But what happens if that video involves someone from your family? And you first hear about it on the news? That’s what happens to Finn Parker in Amy Jones’ debut novel We’re All In This Together. Finn sees a video of a woman go over Kakabeka... Continue Reading →
Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper
This quirky book focusses on Etta, a retired prairie school teacher who decides to fulfill a lifelong dream to see the Atlantic Ocean. And, she decides to walk there. She leaves a note for her husband Otto asking him not to follow her, and sets off one morning. As with many literary journeys, hers is... Continue Reading →
If I Fall, If I Die by Michael Christie
If I Fall, If I Die is the first novel by Michael Christie. Set in his hometown of Thunder Bay, If I Fall, If I Die follows the adventures of Will, the son of an agoraphobic mother. Will’s mom is terrified of leaving the house and Will considers himself her guardian, keeping her safe... Continue Reading →
Dance of the Banished by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Part action novel, part history, part love story – Dance of the Banished is a book which will linger in the reader’s mind. Zeynep and Ali are young Alevi Kurds in Anatolia, Turkey who are dreaming of a future together. Ali leaves his fiancée when he gets passage to Canada and Zeynep’s world is thrown... Continue Reading →
Medicine River by Thomas King ” A Snapshot in Time”
The set up for Thomas King’s “Medicine River” is deceptively simple: our protagonist, Will, initially returns home to the small Albertan reserve, Medicine River, to attend his mother’s funeral. At Will’s surprise, an old acquaintance from his past persuades him to permanently stay in Medicine River. What follows is Will’s return to his hometown, and... Continue Reading →
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