Property Values - Charles Demers (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2018) Scott Clark can't afford to buy out the house he grew up in from his ex-father-in-law and so, in an attempt to drive the property value down and gain himself some time, he enlists his two best buddies to stage a drive-by shooting on his quiet… Continue reading Book Review: Property Values by Charles Demers
Son of Nobody - Yann Martel (Alfred A. Knopf, 2026) I recall reading an interview with Yann Martel several years ago (which I can't find online now) where he expressed that he didn't care if anybody read his books. At the time, I remember feeling annoyed. What privilege to have books published and not care… Continue reading Book Review: Son of Nobody by Yann Martel
The Art of Looking Back - Theresa Kishkan (Thornapple Press, 2026) It's hard to know how to classify a book like this. A retrospective, part memoir, something of poetry, a statement on what it is to be a woman and look back at your life. It's a work that could really only come from an… Continue reading Book Review: The Art of Looking Back by Theresa Kishkan
I feel toward Sarah Polley the way I imagine I might feel if someone from my high school had gone on to be famous. Like a friend's older sister, or if we had grown up around the same time in the same small town. We didn't; I've never met Polley and I haven't even followed… Continue reading Book Review: Run Towards the Danger by Sarah Polley
I received an Advance Listening Copy of this book thanks to the publisher and Libro.fm. All opinions are my own. David A. Robertson is a prolific Indigenous-Canadian author who has written picture books, middle-grade stories, graphic novels, and two memoirs. He'll be one of the featured writers at our local Writers Fest this August, in… Continue reading (Audio) Book Review: 52 Ways to Reconcile by David A. Robertson
Valentine in Montreal - Heather O'Neill (Harper Collins, 2025) I received an Advance Uncorrected Proof of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own. On Sale July 15, 2025 Why, I wondered when I heard about Heather O'Neill's newest book, is this coming out in July? Surely, a February release would have made… Continue reading Book Review: Valentine in Montreal by Heather O’Neill
Familial Hungers - Christine Wu (Brick Books, 2025) Reading this slim book of poems, I was reminded of a long ago conversation with a friend who firmly believed that there needed to be a sixth love language. "Food", she would say. "Food is a love language." Food, both the love of it and its preparation… Continue reading Book Review: Familial Hungers by Christine Wu
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This - Omar El Akkad (McClelland & Stewart, 2025) I received an Advance Reader's Copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Pub date: February 25, 2025 No, there is no terrible thing coming for you in some distant future, but know that a terrible thing… Continue reading Book Review: One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad
As For Me and My House - Sinclair Ross (New Canadian Library, 1971) This book is something of a Canadian classic, often showing up on lists of Canadian books through the years. It's a Depression-era book through and through, from the prairie setting to the drought to the bleakness of every aspect in it. It's… Continue reading Book Review: As For Me and My House by Sinclair Ross
The Capital of Dreams - Heather O'Neill (Harper Collins Publishers Ltd., 2024) I received an Advance Readers' Copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Publication Date: 9 October 2024 I've read all of Heather O'Neill's fiction (see some reviews here) over the years, starting with the debut novel that launched her into CanLit… Continue reading Book Review: The Capital of Dreams by Heather O’Neill (20 Books of Summer)
Karissa Reads Books 