Category Books
In celebration of Hallmark Day Valentine’s Day, 49th Shelf is crowd-sourcing a list of Books that Feel The Love. They write, “we are highlighting a list of books that celebrate love in whichever way you define it—hot, passionate, blinding love;… Continue Reading →
I finished Maidenhead in approximately three days, feeling the urge to pick up the book at every opportunity. Yet when I finished the novel, I was left feeling empty. Myra, naive and curious, is on a family vacation to the… Continue Reading →
As a student of communication/publishing/journalism/media as well as a freelance writer, editor, and designer, I like to keep myself informed about the Canadian publishing industry. However, sometimes I feel like I’m treading rapidly just to stay afloat in all the… Continue Reading →
Well-known author Ann Pachett has decided to open a bookstore, and offered to sign copies of her book purchased through the new website. Interesting case study or tidbit. Although I quit Twitter, this is an interesting concept: BookRx, an online… Continue Reading →
After having read Maggie Stiefvater’s ‘Wolves of Mercy Falls’ trilogy Shiver, Linger, & Forever (click for book review), when my friend Andrew offered me an advanced reader copy of The Raven Boys, I was happy. I enjoyed her previous writing… Continue Reading →
“They’re not chatty. These zombies are not very loquacious. They don’t speak much. They hardly speak at all, because they don’t have any brains. One zombie is not a threat because they are just kind of shambling. But they always… Continue Reading →
I read Stella Leventoyannis Harvey’s first novel, Nicolai’s Daughters, as part of the FictionKNITstas project. Even before I picked up the book, I was concerned about what would happen if I didn’t enjoy it—having to work with the author on… Continue Reading →
I received an ARC of this book, published earlier this year, and just rediscovered it in my shelf. I was easily absorbed into the world of Anna and Coleen, who have managed to become private investigators within Edmonton’s secret supernatural… Continue Reading →
This was an assignment for a student-led magazine at my university that was published out of the department’s student union. Unfortunately, this issue (Spring 2012) never saw publication. When I inquired as to the publication date, I was continually told… Continue Reading →
Far to Go by Alison Pick absorbed me fully—smoothly pulling me further and further into its midst. I didn’t want to stop reading and I absorbed the book in less than a week (quite the feat as it was during… Continue Reading →
Earlier this autumn I heard about the FICTIONista project which is a collaborative of independent Canadian publishers to bring together female authors for meaningful book events. With the recently launched CWILA (Canadian Women in Literary Arts) drawing more and more… Continue Reading →
Monoceros by Suzette Mayr is an emotional novel of incredible relevance, especially to families, schools, and adults trying to navigate the waters of today’s youth. A seventeen-year-old boy, bullied and heartbroken, hangs himself. And although he felt terribly alone, his… Continue Reading →
A Feast for Crows is the fourth title in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice & Fire series (aka The Game of Thrones). It seems too good to be true. After centuries of bitter strife and fatal treachery, the… Continue Reading →
Last week I had the honour of volunteering for a tribute dinner to Wayson Choy. The evening was lovely, many childhood friends of Wayson aka “Sonny” spoke, as did individuals from the literary community. The tribute was also a fundraiser… Continue Reading →
I’m not sure what initially drew me to this short novel (probably the tattoos), but I remember my friend/colleague (and author) Cathleen With was reading at the book launch last autumn at The FALL Tattoo & Piercing (side note: I’ve… Continue Reading →
The cover art of The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel caught my eye at the library and the back cover copy intrigued me: He holds the secret that can end the world. The truth: Nicholas Flamel was… Continue Reading →
Grant Lawrence recounts his childhood memories and family’s history at their Cabin in Desolation Sound. Mixed in are historical accounts from Captain George Vancouver, who gave the area its name, and tales of adventure and tragedy of the pioneers and… Continue Reading →
Just a quick Newsy Bits post for those interested in Canadian publishing. I love watching the awards unfold and seeing the difference even a longlist nomination can make for an author and the publisher. Rogers Writers’ Trust of Canada Fiction… Continue Reading →
Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW) occurs every September and the week spotlights and celebrates the work of active book bloggers through guest posts, awards, giveaways, and community activities. I really enjoy reading all the book blogger interviews and responses to… Continue Reading →
I received this book from work shortly after it was published in 2010, and I can’t believe I waited until this summer to read it. Christopher Meades weaves a unique and interesting tale with Henrik Nordmark and his quest to… Continue Reading →
Although Terry Goodkind said he wouldn’t be writing any more Sword of Truth books, he sort of slipped up with The Law of Nines. I’m guessing that book received a lukewarm review and thus The Omen Machine: A Richard and… Continue Reading →
As an editor and a student of Communications, I was intrigued by the hype around Nora Young’s new book. Unfortunately, I had to force myself to continue reading The Virtual Self: How Our Digital Lives Are Altering the World Around… Continue Reading →
I borrowed three books last semester from the Women’s Centre at SFU Burnaby: Body Drama, The Fat Girl’s Guide to Life, and Desire in Seven Voices. I don’t feel the need to do full review posts for them, so I’ll… Continue Reading →
Christopher Moore is one of my favourite humourists for his satirical wit, wry tone, and intelligent material. When I first read A Dirty Job about death and soul-collecting in San Francisco, I laughed myself to tears. Since then (2008) I… Continue Reading →
I don’t often read non-fiction, but every so often a gem of narrative non-fiction comes along that sparks my interest. The Discovery of Jeanne Baret: A Story of Science, the High Seas, and the First Woman to Circumnavigate the Globe… Continue Reading →
