Book Review – Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

Secret Daughter (William Morrow, 2010) is a book about adoption, cross-cultural marriage, and familial rifts. The "daughter" of the title is Asha, a baby girl born into an India where high dowry prices mean daughters are undesirable. Her father wishes to get rid of the baby girl, as he did with the daughter born previously.… Continue reading Book Review – Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

A Message to B.C. Voters

Do you like to complain about politics? Do you like to talk about the lies and disappointments brought on by our politicians? Do you live in British Columbia? Then you need to vote today. (If you are allowed to do so, obviously.) If you vote, you can complain about how the winning party - who… Continue reading A Message to B.C. Voters

Why I Hate “Beach Reads”

A day off and a sunny afternoon. Sitting on my deck, plus 20 degree weather, a yummy berry smoothie. It occurred to me that Gabriel Garcia Marquez' News of a Kidnapping was kind of a dark read on such a beautiful day. Not that anyone should be surprised that a true story of kidnappings in… Continue reading Why I Hate “Beach Reads”

Book Review – The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton

Primarily, when I think of G. K. Chesterton, I think of Orthodoxy. Then I remember that he also wrote the Father Brown mystery stories. After reading The Man Who Was Thursday I find myself in the unusual position of agreeing with Chesterton in the non-fiction world far more than I do in the fictive. This… Continue reading Book Review – The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton

The Magic of Sunshine

If you live somewhere along the West Coast of North America right now, I'm willing to bet your favourite form of social media is full of happy statements. Mine is, at least, and it's due quite wholly to the amazing weather we had this weekend/are still having right this minute. Sunshine can make a pretty… Continue reading The Magic of Sunshine