books i have read lately (canada reads, books 1-2)
the complete essex county - jeff lemire
one of five finalists for 'canada reads' this year; the first time a graphic novel has been considered, and definitely worth reading even if you're not normally into graphic novels. it is the story of the fictional 'essex county' and its residents, an area between windor and toronto, and the important things that tie them together: a love of hockey (especially the toronto grizzlies/toronto maple leafs), a love of the land, farming and especially family. The art is black and white and absolutely stunning.
the birth house - ami mckay
the story of dora rare, midwife and first daughter in five generations of rares in 1929, and the town of scots bay, nova scotia. as a girl of seventeen she works with m. babineau, an old acadian midwife who is wise in the ways of 'catching babies' and all kinds of herbal and natural medicine. They come up against Dr. Thomas and his flashy new Canning Maternity Home, which promises to give painless births - but at what price?
To be honest - I wasn't sure about this book before I started it. I have a lot of issues around birth. But the story is so incredibly good it sucked me right in and i read it in an afternoon. Highly recommended, especially to eleri, who i know likes this sort of thing, and to anyone interested in historical novels. Or if you just want a good story. It's a really good story.
one of five finalists for 'canada reads' this year; the first time a graphic novel has been considered, and definitely worth reading even if you're not normally into graphic novels. it is the story of the fictional 'essex county' and its residents, an area between windor and toronto, and the important things that tie them together: a love of hockey (especially the toronto grizzlies/toronto maple leafs), a love of the land, farming and especially family. The art is black and white and absolutely stunning.
the birth house - ami mckay
the story of dora rare, midwife and first daughter in five generations of rares in 1929, and the town of scots bay, nova scotia. as a girl of seventeen she works with m. babineau, an old acadian midwife who is wise in the ways of 'catching babies' and all kinds of herbal and natural medicine. They come up against Dr. Thomas and his flashy new Canning Maternity Home, which promises to give painless births - but at what price?
To be honest - I wasn't sure about this book before I started it. I have a lot of issues around birth. But the story is so incredibly good it sucked me right in and i read it in an afternoon. Highly recommended, especially to eleri, who i know likes this sort of thing, and to anyone interested in historical novels. Or if you just want a good story. It's a really good story.
Only three more books to go, and then that's one resolution down! Of course, that's the relatively easy one, but still...