I love seeing little free libraries in various neighbourhoods across the city. They provide a great, environmentally friendly opportunity to freecycle books you no longer want/need and maybe even discover some literary gems to take home. And when book shops and libraries were closed during lockdowns, they were an especially great resource—especially for those strugglingContinue reading “Little free libraries”
Category Archives: Books
Book blurb for fun: They Don’t Run Red Trains Anymore
Image: The cover of Heidi Von Palleske’s They Don’t Run Red Trains Anymore. A painting of a woman in an evening gown, who appears to be clawing her own eyes out, a trickle of blood streaming down her right cheek. Ancient architecture in the background, with light and shadow playing across the interior space. PaintingContinue reading “Book blurb for fun: They Don’t Run Red Trains Anymore”
Book blurb for fun: Hate Story
Image: Hate Story cover, designed by Brett Bakker. The grim reaper rises up between silhouettes of a man and a woman, speech bubbles floating like ghosts. Subtext reads: Online shaming is a myth … or is it? Above the title, a blurb from Giles Blunt, bestselling author of the John Cardinal mysteries: “From Twitterized mobthinkContinue reading “Book blurb for fun: Hate Story”
Guest post: Jeff Cottrill on the inspiration for Hate Story
Image: Hate Story cover, designed by Brett Bakker. The grim reaper rises up between silhouettes of a man and a woman, speech bubbles floating like ghosts. Subtext reads: Online shaming is a myth … or is it? Above the title, a blurb from Giles Blunt, bestselling author of the John Cardinal mysteries: “From Twitterized mobthinkContinue reading “Guest post: Jeff Cottrill on the inspiration for Hate Story”
Book blurbs for fun: Missed Connections
The cover of Missed Connections, by Brian Francis, featuring an illustrated pen drawing out the title, a pile of letters and the silhouette of a man walking away. Time for another book blurb: Brian Francis’ memoir Missed Connections, published by McClelland & Stewart/Penguin Random House Canada—I got my copy from Glad Day Bookshop (Toronto). IContinue reading “Book blurbs for fun: Missed Connections”
Book blurbs for fun: Why I Was Late
Why I Was Late book cover, design by Emmie Tsumura, in collaboration with author Charlie Petch. Illustrated images of wrestlers, everyday objects, clothing, a dog, an outstretched hand, a saw. I recently added a book blurbs page to the blog, as I realized it’s another creative pursuit that I really enjoy and wanted to share.Continue reading “Book blurbs for fun: Why I Was Late”
Virtual Toronto Lit Up: Inanna’s Spring Releases — Meet Me at the Soda Fountain
On Thursday, June 18th at 5pm, Toronto Lit Up and Inanna Publications will be hosting a virtual book launch to celebrate Inanna’s Spring 2020 releases! I am so excited to be launching with these fabulous authors! Here are the details: Join us for a virtual celebratory evening of readings and revelry featuring authors Heather Babcock […]Continue reading “Virtual Toronto Lit Up: Inanna’s Spring Releases — Meet Me at the Soda Fountain”
Interview: Lizzie Violet & her Stay the Fuck Home blog series
Lizzie Violet. Photo by Zoltan Hawryluk. Everyone has their own way of dealing with today’s new normal of staying home and following physical distancing guidelines—and we’re all finding the need to develop new routines and methods of navigating everyday tasks and errands in a pseudo war-time environment, with standard items like toilet paper, handContinue reading “Interview: Lizzie Violet & her Stay the Fuck Home blog series”
A sneak peek at Heather Babcock’s debut novel Filthy Sugar
Heather Babcock photo by Astrid Monge. Filthy Sugar cover design by Val Fullard. Two years ago, I had the honour and pleasure of getting a sneak peek at Heather Babcock’s debut novel Filthy Sugar after she approached me to give it a read and write a review blurb. Published by Inanna Publications, it’s setContinue reading “A sneak peek at Heather Babcock’s debut novel Filthy Sugar”
Literary family snapshots told with unflinching candor & wry humour in Pamela Williams’ Evelyn’s Stories
Cover photo of Evelyn by Pamela Williams. I had the pleasure of attending the launch of Pamela Williams’ new book Evelyn’s Stories at a reading to a packed room on Sunday at the Tranzac Club. Known mostly for her beautiful, haunting black and white photographs of cemetery sculpture, Williams has assembled a collection ofContinue reading “Literary family snapshots told with unflinching candor & wry humour in Pamela Williams’ Evelyn’s Stories”
life with more cowbell 