#Reading Hotline and loving the characters, their courage, humanity, resilience, and sheer determination while heartsick by the backstory of the #Palestinian journey in this case to #Lebanon then to #Canada, of war, loneliness, grief, and loss. The main character Muna is truly admirable.
Another nice review of the new book! I loved that she enjoyed The Height of Artifice, my most recent story in the collection: "...a man addresses his younger life in theatrical circles, and ponders why why the woman he loved never loved him back. Delightfully sad. And kind of funny at the end."
Find the whole thing here on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7467313788
A new favourite author/book: Danish writer Solvej Balle and her On The Calculation of Volume, a literary fiction novel in 7 parts about a woman stuck in the same day, the 18th of November. I just finished the 2nd part and now have to wait for the next two to be released in English...on November 18. 
Highly recommend, especially if you're currently having an existential crisis, lol.
#Reading The Colony and loving the style and language, and the forthright biting and humorous comments of the Irish speaking islanders. This review hits the nail squarely IMHO. https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/books/book-review-the-colony-by-audrey-magee-3554128
Another lovely review of The Gates of Polished Horn! This book felt risky to me, because many of these stories are quite serious in tone, so it's nice to see long-time readers of my work appreciate it!
For all my Canadian Tootsies: if you've been waiting to buy the paperback version of my new book on Indigo, it's now available there:
https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/gates-of-polished-horn-a-collection-of-stories/9781999431174.html
After finishing a great read, it is interesting to see what the book reviewers say. This review captures Louise Erdrich's The Mighty Red perfectly. "This book will be loved." Yep!
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2024/10/15/the-mighty-red-review-great-gatsby-recession/
#Reading Erdrich's latest tale from northern Dakota. It's an immersive read with interesting characters coping with loves and losses and day to day struggles. It is a commentary on the ties that bind including our histories, the land and even the denialism of its exploiters. Her short often one page chapters, punchy colourful prose, and deeply human perspective make it a lovely read. But everything Erdrich writes is a good read IMHO.
A great list of #Canadian #books and I've only read 1 of them so far. https://www.cbc.ca/books/30-canadian-books-to-read-in-winter-2025-1.7457548
is it unhealthy to think about things and roll them over in your head/contemplate about things/question things/reflect on things??? even if they may be older things, or fictional things.
I just don't get how you're meant to learn anything if its unhealthy to do that. how do you grow as a person without reflection and contemplation??
So true! I DO have a book coming out.
Find it here: https://geni.us/Gates
#AmReading Sally Rooney's Intermezzo. I don't like the #writingstyle no matter what she is trying to do with it. Nor did I like the characters. But I was drawn into this too long novel by the relationships. Rooney manoeuvres the reader through the complexities of relationships of all kinds - sibling, parental, intimate, immigrant, neurodiverse, intergenerational, friend, and adversary. This is what makes it a good read IMHO.
@mike_vlasman Two-thirds through May Our Joy Endure and haven't found one character of substance to like. Of course, there's nothing to like about the privilege, greed, obsessions and delusions of the ultra-rich; they're killing us all along with our planetary home. Still, it is a mesmerizing read for these same reasons.
#LiteraryFiction #books #bookstodon #writers #reading #architecture #Montreal #NoMoreBillionaires #housing
@LordWoolamaloo What a beautiful book! Indeed, the characters are marvellous; the earliest of stories and poems continue to connect humanity throughout the centuries; the cycles and sources of violence and exploitation continue; settler colonialism never stops; and a single drop of water is a life source - #waterisLife. A terrific book and love song to rivers. #books #bookstodon #reading #LiteraryFiction
Kaliane Bradley #author of The Ministry of Time will find this interesting. It may even inspire a sequel. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/scientists-identify-frankine-expedition-sailor-1.7332217
99th: Heaven and Earth Grocery Store is easily one of the best novels of 2023 and perhaps the decade so far. It is a moving story of love, community, and so much more. A must read that rewards knowing as little as possible. Enjoy the experience. #books #literaryfiction
@scholar_farmer An interesting book for sure. The #Nigerian war on #women is harsh and difficult to navigate but the main character is a powerhouse. I have to admit to being distracted by the structure and expression of this form of #English. Have to have a baff to let my brain know it. #books #bookstodon #literaryFiction
@obrien_kat Thank you for recommending this book. I agree it is very good. It is a heartbreaking love story and shattering of dreams on so many levels, for #Iranian individuals, families and #democracy. Love that Rumi's poetry is referenced throughout the book. #Tehran #literaryFiction #books #bookstodon
Just finished #reading this lovely little book. The interior and exterior dialogue and relationships are heartfelt, insightful and funny. And the support that the narrator gives to her friend is a lesson in humanity. #books #bookstodon #LiteraryFiction
