Literary Giveaway Blog Hop


I am so excited to be participating in the Literary Giveaway Blog Hop, hosted by Judith at Leeswammes' Blog. There are over 50 participants hosting giveaways on their blog between October 15 and October 19. Be sure to hop around and check out all the awesome giveaways!

My Giveaway

Award season is underway in the Canadian literary world and to celebrate I would like to send someone some fabulous Canadian literature. One lucky winner will be able to choose which book they would like me to send them. Here are the choices (click on title to find out more about the book):


A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews (bought at library sale)
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
The Last River Child by Lori Ann Bloomfield
The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields
Through Black Spruce by Joseph Boyden (bought at library sale)

Two of the books were bought at a library sale as mentioned. They are still in good condition but are obviously well-loved and do still have the library stickers on them. The other three have been gently used.

The Rules

This giveaway is open worldwide. It is open until 11:59pm on Wednesday October 19. The winner will be announced and contacted the next day. To enter, leave a comment below with your email address. Then take a look around the blog and if you like what you see become a follower and join me on Twitter!

And be sure to check out the other blogs participating in this giveaway:


  1. Leeswammes

  2. Devouring Texts

  3. The Book Whisperer

  4. Seaside Book Nook

  5. The Scarlet Letter (US only)

  6. Rikki's Teleidoscope

  7. Bibliosue

  8. Curled Up With a Good Book and a Cup of Tea

  9. The Book Diva's Reads

  10. Gaskella

  11. Lucybird's Book Blog

  12. Kim's Bookish Place

  13. The Book Garden

  14. Under My Apple Tree

  15. Helen Smith

  16. Sam Still Reading

  17. Nishita's Rants and Raves

  18. Ephemeral Digest

  19. Bookworm with a View

  20. The Parrish Lantern

  21. Dolce Bellezza

  22. Lena Sledge Blog

  23. Book Clutter

  24. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer (US only)

  25. The Blue Bookcase

  26. Book Journey (US only)

  27. The House of the Seven Tails (US only)

  28. In One Eye, Out the Other (US only)

  29. Read, Write & Live

  30. Fresh Ink Books




  1. Living, Learning, and Loving Life (US only)

  2. Bibliophile By the Sea

  3. Laurie Here Reading & Writing Reviews

  4. Amy's Book World (US only)

  5. Teadevotee

  6. Joy's Book Blog

  7. Word Crushes (US only)

  8. Thinking About Loud!

  9. Kinna Reads

  10. Sweeping Me

  11. Minding Spot (US only)

  12. Babies, Books, and Signs (US only)

  13. Lisa Beth Darling

  14. Tony's Reading List

  15. SusieBookworm (US only)

  16. Tell Me A Story

  17. Close Encounters with the Night Kind

  18. Nerfreader

  19. Mevrouw Kinderboek (Netherlands, Belgium)

  20. Boekblogger (Netherlands)

  21. In Spring it is the Dawn

  22. No Page Left Behind

  23. Elle Lit

Comments

  1. buddytOctober 15, 2011 at 1:44 AM

    Thanks for the giveaway and for opening it to worldwide entries.

    I have been meaning to read Life of Pi by Yann Martel ever since it won that literary award in the UK but have just never got around to buying it.

    The road to hell ...., you know

    Surprisingly enough, I never realised that the author was Camnadian !

    Thanks.

    Carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousOctober 15, 2011 at 3:08 AM

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  3. BirgitOctober 15, 2011 at 3:41 AM

    Interesting choice of books you offer for the giveaway - thanks and yep, count me in!

    danaan at gmx dot at

    ReplyDelete
  4. DindaOctober 15, 2011 at 3:43 AM

    Thanks for the giveaway !!!
    I'm a GFC follower.

    dl(dot)love(dot)freedom(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousOctober 15, 2011 at 3:58 AM

    I haven't read any of those - the chicken on the cover of the Miriam Toews intrigues me though.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    samstillreading(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousOctober 15, 2011 at 4:01 AM

    I would love a copy of The Last River Child. It sounds like a good read.
    My email is readwriteandlive[at]hotmail[dot]com
    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousOctober 15, 2011 at 4:31 AM

    Lovely giveaway and awesome choice of books!

    Lenna
    psyxx(at)centrum(dot)cz

    ReplyDelete
  8. mikiOctober 15, 2011 at 4:44 AM

    thanks for this international giveaway. I'm interested by the last River Child

    isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. UniflameOctober 15, 2011 at 5:29 AM

    Thanks for the chance!

    cynni_universe (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  10. LauraOctober 15, 2011 at 5:55 AM

    I'm really liking the cover of The Last River Child, and I own but haven't read Life of Pi yet- thanks for the giveaway, all these books look great!

    devouringtexts[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Virginie MenzildjianOctober 15, 2011 at 6:35 AM

    Great titles to chose from ! Thanks for this nice giveaway, you can count me in! I love your blog name, it reminds me of ...myself in my favorite activities, reading and drinking tea.
    Best wishes from France, Virginie
    vmenzildjian@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownOctober 15, 2011 at 6:43 AM

    I can't decide between the black spruce or the river child. So if I win I will leave that up to you.

    I am curious as how you like your affiliation with indigo?
    Cheers.
    layersofthought(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousOctober 15, 2011 at 8:13 AM

    All the books look very interesting,but I am intrigued by "The Last River Child"
    Thank you for the giveaway.
    jgoffice(at)cox(net)

    ReplyDelete
  14. CeriOctober 15, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    Hello, I would love to read The Last River Child by Lori Anne Broomfield. Thanks for entering me, my email is cerievans1[at]gmail[dot]com.

    ReplyDelete
  15. @parridhlanternOctober 15, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    You've a great selection of books, of which I've only read Pi, some if picked would love to give through black spruce a go thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  16. MysticaOctober 15, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    I would like to be counted in for A Complicated Kindness. My reading of Canadian authors has been rather limited though I do favor Ondaatjie (mainly because he is of Sri Lankan origin I think ) and we are all so proud of him!

    mystica123athotmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  17. Victoria ZumbrumOctober 15, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Reader Unfolded October 15, 2011 at 10:50 AM

    Lot's of Canadian authors! I have been wanting to read some of these for a while. It will be hard to choose from if I win. Thanks for the chance :)

    erikadlugo at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Amanda WellingOctober 15, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    I would love to win any of these books because I haven't read any of them! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

    Amanda
    hippiesbeautyandbooksohmy@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. ikkinlalaOctober 15, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    Thanks for the opportunity! I'd love a chance to read The Last River Child.

    ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  21. IdentitySeekerOctober 15, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    Thank you for this great giveaway:)

    I'm a GFC follower.

    Excellent choice of books! I haven't read any of them, although I did check out Life of Pi from the library once but had to return it unread. I haven't heard of the other titles before, but they sound very interesting.

    Thanks for this giveaway:)

    Sarah

    sarah.setar@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. WendyOctober 15, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    What a terrific selection of books to choose from! Thanks for the opportunity. You have a wonderful blog here :)

    caribousmom (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Laura H.October 15, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    Thanks for the great selection! "The Last River Child" sounds VERY intriguing.

    BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  24. AmyOctober 15, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    This is a difficult choice between The Last River Child and Through Black Spruce...how about whichever you grab first if I win your giveaway?!

    Thank you for this giveaway!
    Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousOctober 15, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    I would love to win 'Life of Pi'.
    Thank you for this great giveaway!
    angela1997(at)live(dot)nl

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousOctober 15, 2011 at 2:19 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway! I've been hearing so much good about The Stone Diaries so please enter me.

    ReplyDelete
  27. UnknownOctober 15, 2011 at 2:34 PM

    I'd love a chance into this giveaway thanks! :)

    unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Krystal LarsonOctober 15, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    Thank you for the cool giveaway! edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  29. UnknownOctober 15, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    Great books for the giveaway. I've heard a lot of people praise the Life of Pi, so it would be an honor to win it.

    leah49 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  30. CatOctober 15, 2011 at 4:00 PM

    Thanks for a great giveaway. Hard to choose but The Last River Child sounds very appealing.

    catsplace31(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)nz

    ReplyDelete
  31. ErinOctober 15, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    What a great selection! I just read my first book by Toews and would love to read another. Thanks!

    erinreadsblog (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Carol N WongOctober 15, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    Thank you for this giveaway. The Last River Child sounds so good, wonder why I never heard of it.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. ShelleyOctober 15, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    Those look like great choices! I'm from the US but I love Canada! The best music and books seem to come from there.
    Thanks for the chance to win!

    saz AT chainreader DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  34. JoanneOctober 15, 2011 at 4:54 PM

    Great giveaway!

    figuringoutthesmallstuff(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  35. LindseyOctober 15, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    I would love The Last River Child. Thanks so much!

    Lindsey.Stefan@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  36. Julie D.October 15, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    I'd like to enter. I've been wanting to read Life of Pi for a while now.
    luckyjd2k@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. FairyWhispersOctober 15, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    WOuld like this

    =)

    regards,

    maidenhealer@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Sarah MOctober 15, 2011 at 11:23 PM

    Great selection. The Life of Pi is such a great book. It really makes you think, while still being entertaining.
    helpersarah2009@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. mamabunny13October 15, 2011 at 11:45 PM

    Please include me in the giveaway. I would love to read The Last River Child.
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  40. MishaOctober 15, 2011 at 11:53 PM

    Thank you for the giveaway! I would love to read The Last River Child by Lori Ann Bloomfield. I am an old follower.

    mishamary@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Mia J.October 16, 2011 at 12:29 AM

    Thanks for the great giveaway.

    mia at jacobsracing dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. AndreaHOctober 16, 2011 at 2:01 AM

    Wonderful selection! I'd love to read A Complicated Kindness.

    AndreaH
    davandihamilton (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  43. JaclynsMusingsOctober 16, 2011 at 2:31 AM

    thank you for a great giveaway! i am following you via GFC as JaclynsMusings and on twitter as @jaclynsmusings
    ~Jaclyn~
    jaclynsmusings*at*gmail*dot*com
    www.jaclynsmusings.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. KinnaOctober 16, 2011 at 3:01 AM

    THanks for the giveaway. kinnareads at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  45. UnknownOctober 16, 2011 at 4:16 AM

    Thanks for the chance!=) I've never read Canadian literature before, but I do have a voracious appetite for books and I read anything that comes my way.

    Jolainne

    jdesouza1310@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. layenOctober 16, 2011 at 4:39 AM

    Thanks for hosting the giveaway. The Last River Child sounds like it will be an interesting read.

    lincalc at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  47. ilyOctober 16, 2011 at 5:55 AM

    Thanks for the giveaway
    I'm a new GFC and twitter follower.
    blogmicia@yahoo.it

    ReplyDelete
  48. AnonymousOctober 16, 2011 at 8:24 AM

    Thank you so much - I'd pick River Child!! :)

    lisagoneaussie (at) gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Mary PrestonOctober 16, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    A great selection thank you.


    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  50. DarleneOctober 16, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    Please enter me in the draw, and thanks for the giveaway! I'd love to win The Last River Child.

    darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com
    Following you on Twitter - @DarleneBookNook

    ReplyDelete
  51. Deb Nance at ReaderbuzzOctober 16, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    When I visit a new place, I always go to the local bookstore and ask a knowledgable person the same of a good book written by a native of the place about the place. When I visited Canada some years ago, the knowledgable person at the bookstore could think of nothing to suggest to me. Sadly.

    I need to read more good Canadian literature. I know Carol Shields and I've read Pi. I'd love to know more.

    I wish you'd visit my blog, too. There really should be a better way of visiting blogs than simply following them and hoping to run across good posts. I wish there was.

    ReplyDelete
  52. UnknownOctober 16, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway! I think The Last River Child looks most interesting - I enjoy both historical fiction and books about rather off-shoot religious sects/communities.

    Life of Pi is one of my all-time favorite books. :)

    New GFC follower.

    susanna DOT pyatt AT student DOT rcsnc DOT org

    ReplyDelete
  53. The Book WhispererOctober 16, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    Great giveaway! I would love to be entered for a copy of The Last River Child please; it sounds like a wonderful book.

    bexxxb [at] googlemail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  54. AnonymousOctober 16, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    Nice!

    boeklover@hotmail.be

    I think I should choose The life of pi or The stone diaries!

    ReplyDelete
  55. CassandraOctober 16, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    What a great way to introduce people to Canadian lit! I just read my first Margaret Atwood novel, and I loved Galore by Michael Crummey.

    I think that I'd be most interested to read A Complicated Kindness or Life of Pi.

    indiereaderhouston [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  56. Debbie RodgersOctober 16, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    I've read all of these (GREAT choices!) except The Last River Child.

    The superstition element will probably frustrate me to no end, but the setting in small-town Ontario and the time period will likely overcome that. ;-)

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    debbie at exurbanis )dot( com

    ReplyDelete
  57. Mary EllenOctober 16, 2011 at 3:08 PM

    These are wonderful choices, it would be hard to pick!

    Thank you for the chance to win!
    methom@earthlink.net

    ReplyDelete
  58. AnonymousOctober 16, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    The Last River Child sound very good.

    Thanks for the giveaway

    lucybirdbooks@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. MaryOctober 16, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    I'd love The Last River Child. Sounds like a good one!

    mryward(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  60. Reading Mind / The Loyal Book October 16, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    It's always good to get to know new authors! I only read Life of Pi and The last river child sounds great to me

    aliasgirl at libero dot it

    ReplyDelete
  61. missreneerOctober 16, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    These are all great choices. Thanks for the incredible giveaway :)

    Renee
    fattybumpkins at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  62. elaineOctober 16, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews should be a good read.

    Elaine R
    emrosser@shaw.ca

    ReplyDelete
  63. AnonymousOctober 16, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    Thanks for the contest!
    I would choose A Complicated Kindness

    Shelleyrae @ Book'd out
    bookd.out at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  64. AnonymousOctober 16, 2011 at 10:56 PM

    Thank you very much for this!
    The life of Pi would probably be my choice :)

    tirabaralla{at}yahoo{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  65. neerOctober 17, 2011 at 4:01 AM

    Thanks for making it international. Through Black Spruce seems very interesting.

    neerrr(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  66. AikOctober 17, 2011 at 5:18 AM

    I'd love to read The Last River Child by Lori Ann Bloomfield! Thanks!

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  67. SabrinaOctober 17, 2011 at 5:39 AM

    Great giveaway. Please count me in. I'm interested in the Carol Shields book.

    thinkingaboutloud at googlemail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  68. allegra youngOctober 17, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    I would love to win the Boyden - I almost bought it yesterday as it's on my reading list for the 10th anniversary of the Canada Reads Top 40. Lovely blog!

    ReplyDelete
  69. Leslie (Under My Apple Tree)October 17, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    The Last River Child would be my choice. And I learned something new... I didn't know a few of those were Canadian authors!

    undermyappletree at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  70. AnonymousOctober 17, 2011 at 1:56 PM

    I've only heard of The Life of Pi on your list - I'd be happy to win anything!

    ReplyDelete
  71. MašaOctober 17, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    thanks for the chance! :)

    ReplyDelete
  72. AllieOctober 17, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    Great giveaway! I'd love to win Life of Pi, I've been meaning to read it for a while now.

    Thanks!

    icecreamavalanche at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  73. BrittanyGaleOctober 17, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    Please count me in :) Thanks

    quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  74. Lenasledgeblog.comOctober 17, 2011 at 5:44 PM

    I've been wanting to read Life of Pi for a long time. WOuld be nice to finally get the chance.

    lenasledge(at)gmail(dot)com

    Thanks for the giveaway. New follower.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Lenasledgeblog.comOctober 17, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    I meant to say old follower on GFC and TWitter.
    :-/

    ReplyDelete
  76. UnknownOctober 17, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway ~ I would like to read The Last River Child by Lori Ann Bloomfield

    kayswederski@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  77. DanahOctober 17, 2011 at 6:21 PM

    Hi! I'd like to be entered to win The Last River Child by Lori Ann Bloomfield or The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields. Thank you for the giveaway!


    icrave13@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  78. AnonymousOctober 17, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    I absolutely hated A Complicated Kindness (not sure how it got such high praise!), but The Last River Child looks fantastic!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  79. lauriehere.comOctober 17, 2011 at 7:38 PM

    If I had to pick one, it would be: The Last River Child by Lori Ann Bloomfield! It sounds SUPER great!!
    Thanks for the giveaway!!!
    Laurie
    laurieisreading@gmail.com
    http://www.lauriehere.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  80. lauriehere.comOctober 17, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    PS. I signed up via email to keep up with your great blog!! GFC follower: lauriehere
    Laurie

    ReplyDelete
  81. TinOctober 17, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    Interesting books you have there. Thank you for this giveaway!

    tin_pooh06[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  82. JudyOctober 17, 2011 at 11:26 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway. I would like a chance to win one of these books.

    Judy
    magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  83. Kara D.October 17, 2011 at 11:34 PM

    The Last River Child looks really interesting but all of them look fantastic! Thank you so much for the opportunity to enter into the giveaway.

    Kara
    supersonic182@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  84. blackplumeOctober 18, 2011 at 1:18 AM

    nice list of books to choose from. I'd love to read Life of Pi by Yann Martel.
    blackplum3(at)gmail(dot)com
    Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  85. JanhviOctober 18, 2011 at 7:44 AM

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Life of Pi by Yann Martel sounds good:)

    Janhvi
    justjanhvi at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  86. AnonymousOctober 18, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    thank you for the chance! fingers crossed
    junegirl26 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  87. Mary @SweepingMeOctober 18, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    It would be hard to pick one of those! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Mary
    GFC-Mary
    mary_reiss @ hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  88. rosewendyOctober 18, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    I like the sound of Through Black Spruce.
    wendyhatton(at)yahoo.com.au

    ReplyDelete
  89. anmeOctober 18, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    The Last River Child sounded interesting.

    Thank you for the giveaway!

    melorabrock {at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  90. SidneOctober 18, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    Its bout time for me to start entering a few book giveaways. so, here I am.
    rdg.rendezvous @ gmail . com

    ReplyDelete
  91. KrysykatOctober 18, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    great giveaway!

    Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  92. ewhatleyOctober 18, 2011 at 9:53 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    mybeachylife at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  93. KatieOctober 18, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    thanks for the giveaway
    katie_tp(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  94. UnknownOctober 19, 2011 at 5:10 AM

    I'd love to read The Last River Child by Lori Ann Bloomfield, thanks!

    infinitedreams50 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  95. Tonya DeanOctober 19, 2011 at 7:08 AM

    Thanks for the amazing giveaway!!!

    tdlsfm(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  96. UnknownOctober 19, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    good luck to all!!

    terri_dion@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  97. jen7watersOctober 19, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    Enter me please! Such great book choices :)

    jen7waters at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  98. Debbie KennedyOctober 19, 2011 at 11:28 PM

    I'd love to read The Life of Pi
    cleaningrhouse at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  99. nicolesenderOctober 19, 2011 at 11:45 PM

    The Life of Pi or A Complicated Kindness sound like really good reads.
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"The Guestbook" by Holly Martin

Image
Welcome to Willow Cottage - throw open the shutters, let in the sea breeze and make yourself completely at home.  Oh, and please do leave a comment in the Guestbook! Annie Butterworth is the landlady of Willow Cottage, a beautiful cottage in the English countryside with a colourful array of guests.  Every guest is encouraged to write their thoughts in the guestbook and do they ever!  Love, loss, happiness, sadness, guilt, affairs, births, and surprises, it’s all in there.  Even Annie’s life gets caught up in the book. As a young widow, Annie herself is going through some changes.  And the appearance of her brother-in-law, celebrity crime writer Oliver Black isn’t helping.  As the guests of Willow Cottage go about their seaside vacations, Annie and Oliver must figure out how to move on in their lives, and most importantly, if they will do so together. The Guestbook by Holly Martin is a lovely, sweet, and unique book.  Written in the form...
Read more

"Dreaming of Elsewhere: Observations on Home" by Esi Edugyan

Image
“But where are you from, really?” This is a question that Canadians of all walks of life are often asked.  Part of our identity as Canadians is that we all come from somewhere else, and no matter how long ago, it is a defining part of who we are.   But for many people, this question is about more than where their family came to Canada from.  For many, it brings about a question of home and belonging.  These are the ideas that Esi Edugyan explored in her 2013 Henry Kreisel Memorial Lecture, Dreaming of Elsewhere: Observations on Home .  Born in Canada to parents from Ghana, Esi Edugyan has travelled to and lived in various countries, all the while searching for her identity and coming to understand the meaning of home. As an author, Edugyan also reflects on Canadian literature and the notion of the “Canadian story.”  Her wildly successful novel, Half-Blood Blues , was set outside of Canada, and something she often heard was that it was not a t...
Read more