Canadian Book Challenge

Making a List, Etc.

August Leave a Comment

I had completely forgotten until just now that, as part of The Canadian Book Challenge (that is, to read 13 Canadian books between last October 4th and the Canada Day that is fast approaching) I’m to explain how the books were chosen. For some it’s a book from each province or territory; for others all winners of a particular prize. For me, it’s the availability of Canadian books I haven’t yet read. I have a pretty large selection of Canadian books here at home, but only a few that I haven’t read, and so I’m going to start by reading those, and should I run out, or simply not feel ready for/interested in a book currently in my library, I’ll go to the store and get a few more that I haven’t read yet. Simple as that. Here’s my tentative list, in no particular order: The Republic of Love, by… Continue Reading →

#51 – The Republic of Love, by Carol Shields

August Leave a Comment

My first experience with Canadian literature was with a Carol Shields novel. I was in the seventh or eighth grade, I can’t exactly remember which, and I had just gotten into the habit of listening to talk radio on the CBC before going to bed (don’t ask; I was a strange child), and the program that aired just as I was nodding off was one in which selections from a Canadian novel were read every night over the course of several days or weeks. That novel was The Stone Diaries. My parents bought me a copy on our next trip to “the city” (Winnipeg), and I was off. To this day it remains tied for the much coveted title of “Favourite Novel” (the other contender is A.S. Byatt’s The Biographer’s Tale). Despite becoming enamoured with her work at such an early age, The Republic of Love is only the third… Continue Reading →

The Canadian Book Challenge

August 1 Comment

I recently learned about The Canadian Book Challenge, which is essentially book-blogger John Mutford challenging his readers to get through thirteen Canadian books between now (well, starting October 4th) and Canada Day 2008 (that’s July 1st). All those who meet the challenge will have their name thrown into a draw for a very Canadian prize package. I don’t imagine I’ll have much trouble getting to thirteen, especially with nearly seven months between now and the deadline. Each entry will be labeled as part of the challenge.