Prize watch: Congrats to all the winners of the National Book Critics Circle Awards, including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for Americanah and Sheri Fink for Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital. (Both were on my list of top reads for 2013. Finally, for once, the critics and I think alike!)

Thoughts on Canada Reads 2014:

  • Disappointed that The Year of the Flood was eliminated on Day 1, and Half-Blood Blues on Day 2. But so it goes.
  • I might have to give Cockroach another try, or maybe something else by Rawi Hage. Sam Bee makes a compelling case.
  • Wab Kinew is awesome!
  • The Orenda is outstanding – it and Joseph Boyden deserve this win.
  • Yay CanLit!

Just as I was about to embark on this challenge, I read a great post over at Book Riot the other day about throwing reading plans and challenges and lists out the window, Continue reading

Title page of my copy of "Milosz," where Cordelia Strube inscribed "It is so cool that you like a lot of different things. Hope you dig this book!"
Cordelia Strube inscribed my copy of Milosz at the 2012 International Festival of Authors. I realize she’s poking fun at me, but she’s hilarious and I love it anyway.

I stated emphatically for days that I wasn’t going to do this, but I’ve had a few requests, so, what the hell, I’m doing it.  Continue reading