Prize watch: I’m so giddy with excitement, it’s Giller Day! Well, the first of several Giller Days. The 2014 Giller Prize long list was announced this morning. I’m definitely behind in my CanLit this year (thanks to Reading Bingo, I suspect). I’ve only read ONE of these (Moving Forward Sideways Like a Crab, by Shani Mootoo, which was very good). Continue reading
PEN/Saul Bellow 2014
Prize watch: Congrats to Louise Erdrich, winner of this year’s PEN/Saul Bellow Award for Achievement in American Fiction. I’ve only ever read The Round House – it was excellent, and I intend to read more of her work at some point. If you’ve read or will now read something by Erdrich, let me know what you think!
Reading Bingo: August
Another Reading Bingo month right down to the wire. And only one book to boot. Well, it was 900 pages, so that’s really like three books. Continue reading
Reading Bingo: July
I think I’m reading too many books these days. Really! It’s possible! So I a) have no life and b) seem to be getting harsher in my judgment of books. If a book doesn’t blow me away from the start, I feel disappointed and just want to get through it. Which isn’t really fair to all those very good books out there. So maybe I should take a break or slow down?! (Likelihood of me taking a break or slowing down: zero per cent.) Continue reading
Overcoming My Amazon Addiction… Sort Of
It seems the moratorium is over. I went shopping for books – no emergency, I just I felt like it.
And, I put the Amazon boycott into effect. Continue reading
Further Reading on Reading (on tree books vs. e-books, old-book smell vs. new-book smell, and Amazon vs. the world)
My collection of links was growing pretty long, so I figured it was time to post them. I hope you enjoy… Continue reading
Reading Bingo: June
Whew, I cut this one close! I only read one book for reading bingo this month – and, I just finished it five minutes ago. Cut me some slack, will ya… I moved this month! It’s a miracle I read anything. Continue reading
2014 PEN Pinter
Prize watch: Congrats to Salman Rushdie, winner of the 2014 PEN Pinter Prize for outstanding literary achievement. (To go along with the announcement, here’s a nice article from Antonia Fraser, Harold Pinter’s widow, about this honour.)
I must say, I think I like Salman Rushdie’s life story and essays and autobiographical writing more than his novels. I highly recommend his memoir, Joseph Anton. He’s an amazing speaker, so if you ever have the chance to hear him, jump at it!
BAILEYS Prize 2014
Prize watch: (Update June 8) Finally… a BAILEYS Prize for Women’s Fiction winner! Congrats to Eimar McBride, author of A Girl is A Half Formed Thing.
(Update April 7) Now it’s time for the BAILEYS Prize shortlist. I still haven’t read as many of these as I would like. Worse, I still haven’t had that beverage!
(March 7) The BAILEYS Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist is out. And so the wish list grows. (Now I am craving books and a delicious Irish whiskey-and-cream beverage!)
Reading Bingo: May
Quick poll: How would you rather spend your time these days, enjoying the nice weather outside, or reading?
Trick question! I recommend doing both at the same time. Lounge chair + sunshine + a little breeze + that smell of summer in the air + a book in my hands = my absolute favourite indulgence.
Two more squares off the bingo card this month: Continue reading