I don’t tend to read a lot of nonfiction works, but when I do, they’re almost always a memoir. I find memoirs compelling and interesting, as they are the best way to learn about the life of anyone, no matter how similar or different from you they may be. Jesse Thistle tells the story of... Continue Reading →
Ryan J. Dowd has spent most of his career as Executive Director of a large homeless shelter near Chicago. In addition, he trains organizations around the globe (including libraries, homeless shelters, and hospitals) on how to use empathy-driven enforcement with homeless individuals. He is the author of The Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness and A Homeless... Continue Reading →
This year, like no other, has tested our collective will, generosity and conscience. We know that there are many suffering in our community for many reasons that have now been highlighted or manifested due to COVID-19. One of the ways we see this at the library is in our decreased ability to support the less... Continue Reading →
The Public is my kind of movie. The hero is a flawed character with a shady past who has been given a second chance. He uses this opportunity to help those who are in the same bad place that he used to occupy. The plot pitches the underdogs of society against the forces of bureaucracy, political... Continue Reading →
The Thunder Bay Public Library (TBPL) Strategic Plan 2014-18 is drawing to a close and we can look back with some satisfaction at what we have achieved over the last five years in terms of encouraging lifelong learning, supporting our local economy, embracing change and innovation, promoting diversity and social inclusion, and fostering community well-being... Continue Reading →
This book was hugely popular when it first came out in 2005 and continues to be seven years later. I’d put off reading it until now and am left wondering why. Walls’ life was a veritable train wreck – the kind of thing you just can’t turn your eyes away from. I spent a lot... Continue Reading →
“My guilt is all I have left. If I lose it, I have stood for nothing, done nothing.” I had an English teacher once who told me quite emphatically that you can’t open an essay or review with a quote. Well, he was obviously wrong, and I choose to ignore him. Kennedy’s novel is a... Continue Reading →
Are you a fan of Billie Letts? I am. I've enjoyed all of her books, but my favourite is "Where the heart is". Meet Novalee Nation, she's 17, seven months pregnant and has $7.77 in her pocket. She and her boyfriend were on their way from Tennessee to California, when he abandons her at the... Continue Reading →
Thunder Bay Public Library's Book Blog 