Nostalgia by M.G. Vassanji

Nostalgia is not your typical Vassanji fare. Quite often his novels move back in time, not so with Nostalgia. It’s a futuristic, dystopian tale – something I never thought Vassanji would do – and it’s pretty great. In spite of it’s setting and time period, it is, in many ways, a classic Vassanji novel. He’s dealing with the same themes – immigration, identity, belonging, but in Nostalgia they are speculatively based instead of factually based. 

The Spawning Grounds by Gail Anderson-Dargatz

I should probably start by saying that The Cure For Death By Lightning, one of Anderson-Dargatz’s earlier novels, was a real winner for me. I read it a thousand years ago, when it first came out, but i remember reading it in almost one sitting. Then I gave it to my mom and received late night phone calls saying she couldn’t put it down.

The Spawning Grounds is not that novel. Times have changed. I have changed and undoubtedly Anderson-Dargatz has changed. 

The Parcel by Anosh Irani

I’ve long had a mixed relationship with Anosh Irani and his new book, The Parcel continues to make me feel the same way. Irani is a beautiful writer tackling the harsh realities of the poor and marginalized in Mumbai, and he does so again with The Parcel. That is to say, it, like his other works, is a heartbreaking tale that is beautifully written.

For the Love of Mary by Christopher Meades

ECW Press is a small, Canadian press that I have really come to trust for quality work. You can’t always say that about indies who publish works by unknown authors. Their latest offering is For The Love of Mary by Christopher Meades, a satire and coming of age novel that plays with small town religious rivalries.

We’re All In This Together by Amy Jones

I do not know who Amy Jones is, but I can tell you that she just might be my new favorite Canadian novelist. We’re All In This Together is a brilliant, laugh out loud funny, getting the family back together adventure with heart. Yep, I’ve used every cliche in the book and they are all true. This is the #1 book you should read this summer.

The Magic of Saida by M.G. Vassanji

M.G. Vassanji has long been a favorite writer of mine. I’ve had The Magic of Saida sitting on my shelf for years now – it moved from Canada to Scotland with us – but it just hasn’t been calling to me. In fact, many of his more recent books haven’t hit me the way his earlier works did. So what did i think of The Magic of Saida?

Girl Runner by Carrie Snyder

I picked up Girl Runner by Carrie Snyder because I was looking for some running inspiration. I’m not sure if it did the trick – I spent most of the afternoon on the couch reading! I assumed Girl Runner was going to be an inspirational running story. I was wrong. It is so much more than that.

The Mystics of Mile End by Sigal Samuel

If there was ever a book that sat right in my wheelhouse, it’s The Mystics of Mile End by Sigal Samuel. It’s by a Canadian, it’s set among Montreal’s Hasidic Jews, it’s subsumed in the mystical and at it’s heart is a philandering professor. Oh, i did i mention that there are secrets? Yep, you can hear my bells ringing from where you are sitting.

The Mountain Story by Lori Lansens

I’ll be the first to admit that i was drawn to The Mountain Story because of the cover. Then, the fact that it was by Lori Lansens solidified my decision. I’ve not read many of her other books, but her reputation is solid. And, oh boy, The Mountain Story was a stunning read. Part adventure story, part a meditation on family.

My October by Claire Holden Rothman

My October by Claire Holden Rothman is what CanLit should be. It is a gripping story that is utterly Canadian. But more importantly, it made me think about Canada’s recent political history and the on-going legacy of Quebec Nationalism.