What I Read – January 2015

Since weekly book reviews seem to be something I can't accomplish right now, I thought I'd post mini-reviews of everything I read this past month. January's been busy but I managed to squeeze in a fair amount of reading and finished 9 books. The Birth House - Ami McKay (Vintage Canada, 2006) I did write… Continue reading What I Read – January 2015

Book Review – The Birth House by Ami McKay

"Why would you read a book like that right now?" was Peter's reaction when I told him I'd just finished reading a novel about birth and midwives in the early 20th century. "I'm not sure," I had to admit. "But it wasn't scary." Partly, I think, I read The Birth House (Vintage Canada, 2007) now… Continue reading Book Review – The Birth House by Ami McKay

Blessed Are You Among Women

I thought that being big and pregnant this year would give me a new perspective on Mary. A new point of view, maybe, on that young girl, carrying the saviour of the world. And while I'm more sympathetic than ever for her ride to Bethlehem on a donkey and sleeping in a stable (I can't… Continue reading Blessed Are You Among Women

Christmas Comes to Halfmoon Bay

It's feeling festive around here. Last Saturday, this was my view while eating breakfast: That's right - the first snow of the season! (Hey, that's a West Coast winter for you.) It lingered briefly and is now not much more but a distant memory. Maybe we'll get some more one day. It was a slightly… Continue reading Christmas Comes to Halfmoon Bay

Book Review – Butterflies in November by Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir

Butterflies in November (Black Cat, 2014) is an Icelandic novel first published in 2004 but only recently translated into English. What is this book about? A woman's husband announces his desire to divorce him. She cooks a goose. She goes on a road trip with her friend's child (for some reason). She meets some men.… Continue reading Book Review – Butterflies in November by Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir