Book Review: The Emotional Brain by Dean Burnett

By Carly Smith

The Emotional Brain is a nonfiction book by neuroscientist Dean Burnett that explores the world of human (and sometimes non-human) emotions. With an immense amount of information spanning over 300 pages, the book covers a variety of topics including memories, communication, relationships, and the brain itself.

The cover page says: “Lost and Found in the Science of Emotion” which, at first thought, may seem like an oxymoron. Emotion and science are rarely thought of as going hand in hand, but readers learn that science cannot exist without emotion and emotions are a well-studied (yet still mysterious) topic of scientists. Burnett discusses the ways in which emotions relate to, and are pillars of, our memories, dreams, perceptions of self and others, how we talk to and behave around other people, and new-age technology. While presenting readers with carefully sought out data related to the aforementioned topics, he makes personal connections to his experience of losing his father during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown.

The book itself is broken down beautifully with a table of contents, index, and references section. The chapters are long and information is sometimes repeated across chapters or in the same chapter, but this is not a downside. it’s evident that Burnett has synthesized information so thoroughly that no stone was left unturned in the creation of the book. Each chapter boasts dozens, if not hundreds, of references to academic studies and articles. The book also includes parts of discussions with credible sources. Inserted between all these cold, hard facts and connections to his personal story are doses of humour. These little bits of quirkiness and wit lighten the mood and are a nice balance to the heavier subjects he broaches.

The Emotional Brain is suitable for readers seeking insight into why emotions exist. It is a good choice if you’d like to learn more about the role emotions play in your everyday life, both consciously and subconsciously. It’s not a light read or a binge read. I recommend this book to anyone who may desire or require a deeper understanding of theirs and others’ actions and reactions, moods,  and personalities.

Thank you to HarperCollins Publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman

By Carly Smith

Content warning: murder, abuse, rape, violence, and neglect

Lady Augusta Colebrook is a force to be reckoned with. Repeatedly breaking sexist barriers, she and her sister, Lady Julia, live an adventurous life. With her strong will, wit, and a penchant for facing danger head-on, Lady Augusta, sometimes called Gus, leads a life that appears to be calm and uneventful to her acquaintances and social circle. But behind closed doors, the sisters carry out risky yet charitable missions to bring other women to safety — women who have been abused, mistreated, disrespected, and neglected. Together, with the help of an unconventional accomplice, Gus and Julia dismantle the common idea of what a lady is as they go into disguise, use weapons, and outwit men time after time to bring others out of harm’s way.

Set around 1800 in England, Goodman takes readers on whirlwind after whirlwind in The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies. Writing in language commonly used in the Regency era, the book offers a revival of long-forgotten social decorum. In a breath of fresh air, readers follow along as Gus, Julia, and their mysterious assistant devise careful plans — albeit sometimes requiring luck and spontaneity — without the help of new technology. Goodman sets the time and place beautifully, with descriptive language that allows the reader to feel fully immersed in the ladies’ adventures. Details of this time period’s clothing, means of travel, housing, social gatherings, and societal expectations are implemented accurately and abundantly.

Lady Augusta and Lady Julia complement each other beautifully. Gus is bold, blunt, and unwavering. Happily unmarried, she enjoys her life without a husband and does not allow others’ perceptions of her to wear her down. Throughout the book, readers follow Gus’s internal tug-of-war about God’s existence. Julia is more softly spoken, guarded, and tactful. She helps iron out the finer details of Gus’s plans and keeps a cooler head when Gus cannot. They make the perfect pair for their benevolent escapades.

This novel offers something for everyone: adventure, history, feminism, romance, and mystery. It does not fall short on descriptive language, and carefully introduces secondary characters in a way that ties together perfectly later on. It must be noted that Goodman covers topics related to murder, abuse, rape, violence, and neglect. Clever and well planned, The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies will have you laughing, gasping, frowning, and perhaps crying. It was an honour to follow the Colebrook sisters on their norm-defying adventures of selflessness.

Thank you to Penguin Random House for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The It Girl by Ruth Ware

By Carly Smith

Content warning: murder

Set in Oxford, UK, and alternating between the early 2010s and present day, The It Girl takes readers into the mind of Hannah Jones, a former college student who found her roommate April dead in their dorm room. Convicted of her murder was John Neville, who, in the present day timeline, recently died in prison. John, once a porter at the college, had rubbed Hannah the wrong way several times over the course of her freshman year at Oxford, and having watched him leave the stairwell of their dorm shortly before finding April lifeless, Hannah was certain he had committed the crime. After a nudge from a friend of a friend, Hannah starts to dig further into April’s death. With evidence missed during the trial, new clues come to her attention and she starts to second-guess herself. Did Neville really kill April, the smart, talented, beautiful, rich student whose life most people both revered and resented? After joining forces with someone equally as invested in April’s death, Hannah sets out to unveil the truth.

Ware does a spectacular job of building the characters in the novel and consistently supports their respective demeanors and quirks through dialogue and narrative. Hannah is surrounded by a group of friends at college, each with their own personality. Hannah herself is somewhat naive, quite well studied, and very basic. April is outspoken, brazen, carefree, and clever. They are friends with Ryan, the funny one, Will, the hard-to-read one, Emily, the quick-witted one, and Hugh, the meek one. Also in the mix is Dr. Myers, a tutor who fancies the attention of the female college students he works with, and John Neville, the awkward, creepy porter.

From chapter to chapter, the reader is presented with evidence that makes a number of characters seem culpable. Through Hannah’s recollections and new information from a journalist, Ware sprinkles clues that, at one time or another, point the blame to several different people, all of whom seem equally plausible. I was impressed by how subtly Ware includes hints relating to the true circumstances surrounding April’s death.  

Suspenseful, captivating, and ingenious, Ware will have readers unable to put down the book. Crafted with descriptive language that will make you feel as if you’re in Hannah’s friend group on campus, The It Girl takes readers on a thrilling ride with many heart-stopping moments. This book is appropriate for adults who enjoy thrillers.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Mothers' Instinct by Barbara Abel

By Carly Smith

Content warning: death

Barbara Abel’s Mother’s Instinct is a dark, twisted novel about two families intertwined both geographically and through friendships. Sylvain and Tiphaine are a successful couple—he an architect and she once a pharmacist—who have a fun-loving, energetic son named Maxime. Best friend to Maxime is Milo, the next door neighbour and son of Laetitia and David. Not only are the children friends, so too are the parents. One day tragedy strikes, and Maxime dies. This marks the beginning of the end of the neighbours’ friendship, as well as the beginning of more upsets. Are these unfortunate events all accidents? Laetitia believes not, and in the process of trying to convince others that there is a guilty party to these horrible events, she drives herself into a constant state of panic and anxiety, all while ruining trust and partnership with her husband.

 There are four main characters in the book: Laetitia, David, Tiphaine, and Sylvain. At first, Laetitia is a supportive wife, friend, and mother who is occasionally easily frustrated. As events unfold she grows fearful, hotheaded, and closed-minded. David, having had a rough youth, has cooled down and is often quite level headed. He is an excellent partner to Laetitia in that he is the calm to her storm. Tiphaine is hard to read; sometimes in her dialogue she is blunt and somewhat insensitive, while other times she is warm and approachable. Like David, Sylvain typically keeps situations balanced. With a dark secret from his past eating away at him, he is perhaps a bit on guard and slightly tense.

Mother’s Instinct is fairly predictable; a thriller with not too many twists and turns, but enough to keep readers on edge. After having read the book in its entirety, I thought of some hints that could have been more subtle or buried in other, more trivial details to make the ending less guessable. It should be noted that this book is translated from French and while overall the translation is excellent, here and there a word or sentence was not the most suitable choice. Sometimes the translation was too formal, other times too colloquial, and other times not in keeping with the tone of the paragraph or conversation. This is perhaps why I had a hard time building the characters’ personalities. The translation, however, did not take away from the enjoyment of the book and was mostly spot on.

Overall, Mother’s Instinct was an easy read that held my interest and had me wondering at points if I made the correct predictions about the ending. I recommend it to new readers in the thriller genre, adults looking for a quick weekend or beach read, or people looking to take a break from a light-hearted, happily-ever-after novel.

Book Review: Our Voice of Fire by Brandi Morin

By Carly Smith

Content warning: rape, child abuse, racism, suicide, pregnancy loss

Our Voice of Fire documents the life of Brandi Morin, Indigenous journalist and Indigenous rights advocate. This memoir takes readers through a roller coaster of a journey that is Morin’s childhood and adulthood. Morin recalls experiences both heroic and horrific, stories that move you deep in your soul, which make you feel like you’re right there next to her as these events happen. She shares stories of an unstable home life as a child and precarious living situations as an adolescent. She recalls experiences of physical and emotional agony from rape, substance use, psychosis, and attachment issues. She also recalls bouts of triumph with the birth of her children, her constant progress with her mental health, and her successful career in journalism. Beautifully braided into each of her memories is a necessary reminder that the trauma endured by Indigenous peoples as a result of Canada’s actions and inactions is not extinct but is still very much alive and patiently awaiting healing.

Throughout the hardships and traumatic circumstances that Morin chronicles, readers gain insight into her resilience and her profound strength that is endless, albeit at times difficult to locate. Continuously rebounding and reinventing herself after each and every heart-wrenching injustice or poor call of judgment is beautiful, hopeful, and a testament to her determination.

Morin’s writing is very satisfying. It’s as if she is answering questions in an interview and has prepared the ideas for her responses but not the responses themselves. She writes eloquently yet conversationally, creating a comfortable atmosphere between the pages. She juxtaposes heavy topics with easy reading and the combination is addicting. Chapters are not too long, so the book can easily be paused if the content becomes too loaded. It’s the type of read that is timeless; rereading it in ten years will still tug at heartstrings as much as the first time.

Cathartic and evocative, Our Voice of Fire is a beautiful memoir that needs to be accessible to all Canadian adults. This book is not just for the oppressed, it is for all adults, including, and maybe especially, those who think they’ve had their fill of or don’t need any more Indigenous content on their coffee tables. This book is not just a memoir, it’s a wake-up call to Canada’s settlers and the politically indifferent.

Thank you to House of Anansi for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: My Name is Seepeetza by Shirley Sterling

By Carly Smith

Content warning: residential schools, suicide, child abuse, alcohol abuse, racism

In the 30th anniversary edition of My Name is Seepeetza, Shirley Sterling brings to light the events and emotions that arose from attending residential school. The journal entries which comprise this book are preceded by a beautiful dedication to all residential school attendees, a poem entitled Coyote Laughs, and two maps which readers can reference as the setting changes.  

This autobiographical book begins with Sterling as a young girl at Kalamak Indian Residential School. We learn of her hardships, both minor and significant, as well as periodic moments of joy. Sterling discusses the dispositions of her teachers, their lack of compassion, and their inclination to use shame as a means of rectifying undesired actions and behaviour. Throughout the entries, she weaves in other, less immediate yet still significant outcomes of residential school, like substance abuse, loss of language, and suicide. Sterling breaks up the accounts of attending Kalamak with more positive memories of returning home to the family’s ranch to be reunited with her parents and siblings over holidays. An afterword by Tomson Highway recapitulates Sterling’s life at residential school, the brief visits home during Christmas and summer, and all of the feelings that surround these two very different living situations.

Sterling’s writing is simple yet powerful. She doesn’t rely on an abundance of descriptors or strong words to evoke emotion and reflection. Written in the voice of a young adult, she chronicles her memories and thoughts plainly, but this is not to say her writing is underwhelming. In fact, it’s often quite the opposite. Her crisp, unembellished details of her childhood bring up feelings of disappointment, shame, sadness, and worry, and at times contentment and joy, too. Even more, her words act as a catalyst for deep reflection and necessary conversation about Canada’s dark past regarding the residential school system. In less than 150 pages, Sterling offers a more concise and frank account of the cultural and human rights atrocities caused by residential schools than any textbook I have come across.

This moving book is a must read for any Canadian. Certainly appropriate for adults, this book may also be suitable for young adults at the discretion of their guardians. Heavy and triggering topics are present in My Name is Seepeetza, and this should be considered prior to reading. I strongly recommend this book for those whose understanding of residential schools in Canada is limited.

Thank you to House of Anansi for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

In Conversation with Nancy Vo author and illustrator of Boobies

With Carly Smith

Photo by Nancy Vo

Can you share with us what sparked your idea for Boobies? It is such a unique and special story and it must have come from a special place.
My previous picture book stories came from one of two places – inspiration or coping.

The Outlaw and The Ranger were inspired by other stories. The Outlaw was inspired after reading Patrick DeWitt’s Sisters Brothers; The Ranger was inspired after watching and reading the Coen Brothers’ adaptation of Charles Portis’ True Grit.

Boobies falls under coping, as did my first “trunk book” about my colicky toddler.
Boobies also began as a dare. And I’m not one to turn down a good dare – thank you, Silver. Your turn now.

This book has the perfect combination of humour, science lessons, and trivia. How did you choose which facts to include and which ones to omit? Is there anything you had to omit that you wish you could have included in the final version?
Thank you. I’m glad that you found Boobies both funny and factual.

Yes, I started with a pile of “facts”, and I knew that I wanted a sort of loosely linked narrative, even if this was never going to be a book with a proper plot and storyline. And yes, there were quite a few facts that never made it into the book – supernumerary nipples, male Dayak fruit bats, placentas and belly buttons, the animal kingdom chart, a bad pun involving ghosts and bees…

The facts that remain are the ones that work the best for this book. I have my publisher, and editor to thank for their guidance. The addition of breastfeeding was genius, Groundwood Books. Thank you!

Can you shed some light on your writing process for this book? Did you write from beginning to end? Or perhaps, did you collect pieces of information bit by bit and move them around to find a particular flow?
It is true that this book developed so differently from the previous two picture books. Those books at least had a sense of story from the onset, whereas Boobies was a collection of facts that I could rearrange until it felt like there was sort of a cohesive link from one page turn to the next.

The book’s humour also relies on visual gags that do not even come through in the text. The sun-toasted humans on the nudist beach, for example.

Illustration by Nancy Vo, The sun-toasted humans on the nudist beach.

Will this book have a sequel, of sorts, about a different body part?
Even though most boobies come in pairs, I am not working on a sequel.

When do you have the most creative flow for writing and illustrating? Under what circumstances or conditions are you most prepared and excited to do your work?
Two of my picture book ideas came to me when I was out running. But that isn’t the whole story. The latest picture book that I’m working on can be traced back to when someone said that I should watch a certain film. That film turned out to be a horror movie involving a Swedish cult. I couldn’t finish the movie but did start wondering if there were actual cults during the mid-1800s in North America. One idea led to another and now the story has nothing to do with cults. However, the first lines are still in the story.
“Once there was a runaway.”

So I guess the answer is that influences come from many places. The circumstances or conditions are not as I would necessarily expect them. Being open to possibility is part of the key, I suppose.

Is there a particular excerpt or illustration in Boobies that you are most proud of?
I’m happy with the cover.

I had another cover idea initially, but the publisher said that the concept of twin peaks was difficult to convey the way I had illustrated them. She sent covers of other humorous picture books, and I went away to think. All the covers that she sent had a forward-facing character. There was a certain assertion that caught my attention.

More thinking…

Of course! The blue-footed booby! Boobies the book should lead with our cos-playing seabird. And now I could really have fun with the title! A strategic arrangement of the oo’s, and we had a winner. The artistic director added his own special cover reveal. I’m so glad that Groundwood pushed me to rethink.

What is your “must-read” book recommendation and what book has had the most impact and influence on your writing?
It might not be fair to give a “must-read” book recommendation because the path is different for everyone. When I started books, I do remember that moment when I realized the possibilities of picture books. I picked up Jon Klassen’s newly published, I Want My Hat Back and felt something click. That was probably the emotional connection

I also just read a lot so that I could figure out what I liked and how picture books work. Children’s Picturebooks – The Art of Visual Storytelling, by Martin Salisbury was a great resource too.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are trying to navigate the publishing world?
Read a lot. That is probably the best thing you can do throughout your career.

Other things that help me are:
-being open to revisions and rethinking;
-accepting rejections gracefully.

Separate from a potential sequel to Boobies (which we’re hoping for!), do you have another book in the works or a new project you’re working on? What can you share about it and when can readers anticipate it?
I’m working to deliver book three in the Crow Stories trilogy with Groundwood Books. The Runaway will be published in 2024.

Book Review: Boobies by Nancy Vo

By Carly Smith

Boobies is a nonfiction children’s book full of facts about breasts. Playful and silly, Boobies honours these beautiful body parts by highlighting their function and explaining some lesser known, yet interesting, scientific and historical tidbits. The beginning of the book helps readers understand who does, and does not, have breasts; Vo explains what mammals are and gives examples and non-examples of mammals to clarify. Next, Vo dives into the world of breastfeeding. She touches on how mammary glands make it possible to breastfeed, and how breastfeeding can change the size and shape of breasts. As the book continues, Vo goes on to provide some trivia about where else breasts can be found in the world, connecting them to mountains and ancient art.

The content of this book is well organized in that it feels like a “facts sandwich.” Vo begins and ends the book in a humorous, lighthearted way, and in the middle she buckles down and presents the true content—the information meant to teach. Easing in and out of this topic, which unfortunately still may be considered taboo by some, is effective in that it’s not so “in your face.” Furthermore, Vo works to keep the subject of breasts engaging and cheerful by sprinkling puns, one-liners, and fun facts throughout.

The visual appeal of Boobies is excellent. The text almost always stands out in a black-on-white fashion and when it does not, it is still easy to find and read, so as not to detract from the intent to inform. The font is child friendly, with letters appearing in the style and shape in which they are typically taught, and the size is not too small or too overbearing. The illustrations, also done by Vo, pair well with the text; they are easy to look at, pique curiosity, and offer opportunities for additional conversation, but do not take away from the written content.   

This delightful read is appropriate for primary students, young ones with a good sense of humour, and families on a breastfeeding or chestfeeding journey. I can see this book being borrowed frequently from a school library by both students and teachers, in a regular rotation on a bookshelf at home, or brought out occasionally for reference. Boobies can be used as the bulk of a lesson, for the purpose of entertainment, or as an introduction to a larger topic in a science class. However you choose to enjoy it, Boobies will stick with you.

Thank you to Groundwood Books for a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: When Spider Met Shrew by Deborah Kerbel and Geneviève Côté

By Carly Smith

When Spider Met Shrew tells the story of an unexpected group of animals who help each other when, for one reason or another, they are down on their luck. What do a spider, a shrew, a bat, a possum, a dog, and a pony have in common? They all have hardships, and they are all keen to help one another overcome their troubles through acts of kindness. This uplifting story takes readers on an adventure where each turn of a page introduces a new animal and a new situation to navigate through teamwork. Hunger, homelessness, bad weather, fear, and loneliness won’t stop these creatures from having fun and making friends.

Heartwarming and amusing, When Spider Met Shrew offers a lot for young readers; it has a great moral, can help children build inferring skills, and is full of dialogue. It is an excellent choice for a read-aloud at the beginning of the school year, or if grownups are looking to help their young ones make inferences. Kerbel helps readers feel empathy without being too heavy-hearted. Similarly, Côté illustrates in such a way that readers are able to understand the emotions of the animals while still keeping the tone fairly jovial.

The text in the book changes; sometimes, dialogue is between traditional quotation marks, and at other times it is in a bold font, different than of the rest of the page’s text, and near the speaker’s mouth, somewhat comparable to a speech bubble. This was a bit confusing, and I was unable to find a rhyme or reason for this. Although I would have preferred that the dialogue stuck to one style, I appreciated that the sentences were short and there was not too much text per page. These are important features for the target audience’s age and experience level.

The illustrations are sweet and remind me of picture books that were popular when I was a child. They are scratchy and do not have perfect colouring inside the lines. It adds to the charm of the book. The scenery is not too detailed, helping readers focus on the animals and their conversations, which consequently emphasizes the moral of the story.

Overall, the storyline and the illustrations come together neatly to create a wonderful message for all readers. While grownups will read When Spider Met Shrew with a nostalgic, cozy feeling, younger readers will find a beautiful lesson that they can bring with them and use in their own little communities.

Thank you, Groundwood Books, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Butt Sandwich & Tree by Wesley King

By Carly Smith

A tense and upsetting basketball tryout precedes an event that takes brothers Cedar and Green on a whodunnit adventure they never anticipated . After Cedar, a middle school basketball aficionado, convinces his younger and less athletic brother Green to try out for the school team, the coach’s necklace disappears and Coach is certain Green snatched it. The brothers, steadfast in their claim that Green is innocent, work together to prove Green’s innocence With the evidence they collect and the help of some unexpected co-detectives, the boys use their clues and interview skills to stop the accusations and gossip pinning Green to the crime. As the investigation plays out, the brothers learn a lot about themselves and each other, which consequently changes the dynamics of friendships and family relationships, eventually for the better.

King develops the main characters very well. Cedar is an athletic, social media-loving, outgoing teen, and Green is a reserved young man who likes to stick to what he is familiar with. King spends quite a bit of time at the beginning of the novel introducing Cedar and Green, their personalities, interests, and quirks. Although this prolongs the beginning of the investigation and the bulk of the plot, it adds an element of authenticity and really helps readers feel as if they have travelled inside the book, know the boys personally, and are standing beside them as they do their detective work. King also works hard to tie in great life lessons for youth regarding technology use, genuine connections, and staying true to oneself. It’s as if Butt Sandwich & Tree has snippets of a mystery novel, coming-of-age tale, comedy, and sports story all in one, without being overwhelming.

This book is appropriate as a class read-along and as an independent read at school or at home for students aged 8 to 13. It’s also suitable for readers who enjoy suspense and mysteries, feel like they don’t necessarily fit in (like sports and/or social media), or enjoy relating to middle school life. Truly, Butt Sandwich & Tree offers something for all readers. Adults interested in YA or who are reading this story alongside a young adult will not be underwhelmed or disappointed. With a heartfelt author’s note at the end to tie everything together, Butt Sandwich & Tree will leave every reader with a more optimistic and open-minded outlook on life.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Dream States by John Lorinc

By Carly Smith

In Dream States, John Lorinc chips away at the opportunities and obstacles that future urban settings will bear, whether deliberately or inadvertently. With an abundance of useful examples and sound quotes from expert sources, the book exposes readers to the benefits and detriments of the use of smart technology in current and future cities. Dream States starts with an introduction to a “smart community” that was, at one time, a possibility in a neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario. Lorinc then moves into a brief history of technology’s role in urban development around the globe, and finally settles into the bulk of the book, which examines how technology’s evolution affects the evolution of urban areas. The book covers topics like data collection, data usage, surveillance, technological advancements related to automated systems, and the politics surrounding smart technology in urban planning. Finally, Lorinc comes full circle to connect much of the information presented in the book to the initial example of Toronto’s once-possible smart community.

It is obvious that, from start to finish, Lorinc worked meticulously to gather applicable, credible information to support the content. Dream States includes a table of contents, index, and bibliography, all of which are helpful, considering the breadth of information presented to the readers. Lorinc’s writing is detailed and academic; if readers are unfamiliar with certain topics, it would be valuable to jot notes and flag specific pages to revisit. I appreciate that Lorinc offers both the pros and cons to the potential outcomes that may arise as a result of incorporating more and more smart tech into urban development. There were parts, however, that felt convoluted, and at times, over-described yet lacking connection to the topic at hand. This may not be the case for all readers, though, especially those with a stronger grasp of technology and its place in urbanism.

Dream States delivers a takeaway for all readers, whether they absorb the book in its entirety or pick and choose different segments. Whatever readers desire to learn from this book, it is important to know that it is not a light read and can almost be treated as a textbook. In fact, I found myself thinking repeatedly while reading, “This would be the most interesting textbook a teacher could add to a syllabus”. It will help skeptics of smart technology understand why it is beneficial while offering a perspective of caution to those who feel like new age technology should be automatically included in all new urban developments. Finishing the book does not mean you will finish thinking about a future utopia in the age of smart technology.

Thank you to Coach House Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Ghosts That Haunt Me by Steve Ryan

By Carly Smith

Content warning: sexual assault, murder, suicide, domestic abuse, child abuse, blood

In The Ghosts that Haunt Me, Steve Ryan, a former homicide detective in Toronto, Ontario, recounts the cases he worked on that have had the most profound effect on both his career and personal life. Ryan takes readers through a series of investigations that happened as a result of brutal, merciless murders. His stories include sordid details surrounding spousal abuse, child neglect, relationship troubles, and remarkable loneliness. Neither the murderers nor the victims fit one particular demographic or description, but although the accounts of these crimes differ greatly, there is nonetheless a sense of connection between each story.

The book begins with a forward by Joe Warmington, a reporter and columnist for the Toronto Sun. After this, and before Ryan delves into his homicide stories, he briefly explains his youth and family life, the reasons he entered the police force, and the beginning of his career. His writing is very readable; it is not overflowing with jargon and is personal yet professional. He offers his perspective on each case as a father, partner, community member, and also as a detective. This creates an element of back-and-forth that will have readers analyzing the stories both subjectively and objectively. Readers need not be seasoned true crime enthusiasts or detectives to follow along. The stories are just the right length, capturing the circumstances of each murder from beginning to end concisely and with great suspense.

This book is a great read for new and experienced true crime readers alike. I caution that the stories can be very gruesome and heart-wrenching, and suggest that the trigger warnings not be considered flippantly. I particularly enjoyed this book as an Ontarian living only several hours from the crime scenes; it was exciting to recall these events as news stories back when they happened, check out the crime scene locations on a map to learn that I had once been so close by, and converse with others who remember these stories as I read on. The Ghosts that Haunt Me can be a story-a-day type of read, a binge book, or for picking up whenever you have a few moments. However you choose to read this book, the ghosts that haunt Steve Ryan will quickly become ghosts that haunt you, too.

Thank you to Dundurn Press for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Freezing Order by Bill Browder

By Carly Smith

Freezing Order details the many events—some incredibly surprising and others unfortunately not—in author Bill Browder’s life in relation to tax fraud and money laundering rooted in Russia. The book begins with a recap of Browder’s previous book, Red Notice. Browder’s lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, was beaten to death in a Russian prison. Magnitsky had been investigating tax fraud and money laundering committed by Russian officials, and Putin did not like this at all. As Freezing Order continues, Browder chronicles the ups and downs of working hard to pass the Magnitsky Act, which bans government officials who take part in human rights offences from entering the United States and freezes their assets. Not thinking this is enough, Browder turns to the European Union in hopes of grasping their interest and having the Act passed in EU nations as well. What follows is chaos, including, but not limited to, working with a judge who doesn’t seem to have all his capacities, an attempt of a honey trap on Browder in Monaco, poisonings of his acquaintances, and unexplained passport hiccups.

Browder writes the book like he speaks, which is not to say that the book is filled with colloquial language and casual syntax or grammar. Browder is a smart, well-educated man, and his vocabulary supports this. While he works hard to ensure that readers understand his anecdotes, he does not avoid legal, business, and financial jargon. Photos are periodically included, as well as footnotes, but the story nevertheless can be convoluted at times. This isn’t attributable to poor writing; the story itself is tricky to follow and confusing no matter how it’s presented.

I found myself rereading paragraphs, dog-earring important pages for reference, and making side notes, but this did not take away from my enjoyment of the book. I would have appreciated a glossary and an index and often wished that I could turn to the back of the book and find a page of the names, faces, and most important details of the people Browder writes about. Fortunately, the hard copy offers several blank pages at the back, perfect for jotting down the most important bits.

Unbelievable, jarring, and at times spooky, Freezing Order unveils the power that Putin’s Russia has on the rest of the world. The book’s stories left me with conflicting feelings—cynicism and hope, relief and angst, and frustration, and satisfaction. I felt pulled in many different directions and looked forward to the glimmers of humour that Browder included. Freezing Order is the right book to pick up and delve into when you have  sufficient time and mental energy. You won’t regret having read it.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Mouse Seasons by Leo Lionni

By Carly Smith

Author-illustrator Leo Lionni’s Mouse Seasons is a delightful children’s book with a simple rhyme scheme and charming illustrations. In this short read, Lionni uses questions, rhyme, and playful sentences to introduce children to daily and seasonal changes they may see around them. Lionni explores how precipitation, temperature changes, and plants are all a part of different seasons. Instead of taking the “Mother Nature” approach, Leonni attributes the changes in days and seasons to four mice in the sky: Springmouse, Summermouse, Fallmouse, and Wintermouse. He explains their roles in a way that encourages imagination while educating little ones about the differences between the seasons.

Everything about this book is lovely. Each of the spreads has one to two sentences. The font is quite traditional, and at first, the text seems rather small compared to the size of the pages. After making my way through the book and rereading it several times, I found these text choices to be quite appropriate, as they urge readers and listeners to really absorb the illustrations.

The illustrations are bright and cheerful without being overstimulating. They offer lots of opportunities to reflect on the text, ask and answer open-ended questions, and reflect on the characteristics of the various times of the year. Lionni uses texture and colour beautifully. The images are quite captivating, so much so that I found myself flipping through the book to revisit them without necessarily rereading.

Mouse Seasons is suitable for young children, especially around the 4-6 year age range. It’s appropriate for teachers to use at the beginning of a new science unit or as a journal prompt, or for childcare providers to read before or after a trip outside to do some nature exploration. It’s also a good choice for children who live in climates where there are not four distinct seasons. Little ones will surely be attracted to the rhyming words and sweet illustrations, and grownups will take joy in seeing their loved ones enjoying reading time so much.

Book Review: A Gift for Nana by Lane Smith

By Carly Smith

A Gift for Nana is a sweet, heartwarming tale about a rabbit on the hunt for the perfect gift for his nana. In the book, a young rabbit decides to go on an adventure after a discussion with a crow to find a gift for his nana that’s just right. On his journey, the rabbit comes across a moon, a stickler, a fish, a volcano, and a cave. Each encounter prompts a thought or memory of his nana and helps the rabbit reminisce about his relationship with her. It’s clear that they have a very special connection. Finally, after a long search and much contemplation, the rabbit finds what he thinks is the perfect gift and proudly returns to bring it to his nana.

This beautifully illustrated picture book is a sweet story to read when a little one misses their grandparent, if they have an extra special connection with a grandparent or elderly person, or as a bedtime book when a grandparent is the grownup in charge. Smith, who both authors and illustrates this book, uses a unique style of art to complement the storyline; the pictures are somewhat scratchy, and lines aren’t always clear. This is a refreshing change from children’s book illustrations that are often very clear-cut or cartoony. This captivating and uncommon technique really adds to the adventure element of the plot.

Although the message of the story and the illustrations are attractive, there are components of A Gift for Nana that I revisited several times with the intention of better understanding. Firstly, I found the writing to be choppy at times. When reading it both in my head and aloud to my child, I frequently fumbled at the syntax—it often seemed that words were missing or arranged oddly. Secondly, I think there could have been a more appropriate choice for font, text layout, size, and colour. The text choices seemed somewhat haphazard, and the effort it took to track sentences and read the words detracted from the actual experience of enjoying a picture book.

A Gift for Nana will bring smiles to the faces of those experiencing the book, whether reading or listening. In an academic setting, this book is excellent for helping young students infer and use their imagination. It is a great choice for little ones who have a special connection with someone who may be older than a traditional parent or guardian, such as a grandparent or great grandparent, great aunt or uncle, or elderly neighbour. A touching tale, A Gift for Nana will leave readers’ hearts full and their imaginations fuller.

Thank you to Random House Kids for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Grab Your Pillow Armadillo by Kevin and Haily Meyers Illustrated by Haily Meyers

By Carly Smith

Grab Your Pillow, Armadillo is the pre-bedtime book your family needs to read! This simple, silly, cheerful book will leave your little one in a great mood, ready for a night of comfort and sweet dreams. In the book, the authors use rhyme to say goodnight to a variety of animals. Unlike most children’s and baby books that stick to a particular animal theme (e.g., farm animals, jungle animals, animals that fly), Grab Your Pillow, Armadillo brings readers face-to-face with a mélange of critters including trout, bumblebees, sharks, and seals. Page by page, each animal can be found under a flap, and each animal has its own bedtime routine. It won’t be long before little ones are excited to look behind the flap and finish the sentence. 

There is a lot about this book that draws me in as a primary school teacher and parent to a toddler and a baby. First, the pages are thick and colourful without being overstimulating; this means that text and illustrations grasp attention evenly, so readers and listeners are neither lost in a sea of imagery nor solely concentrating on the words. Second, the ways of saying goodnight differ from animal to animal. Typically, I value repetition in children’s books, but in this case the variation keeps story time lighthearted and lively.

The illustrations are beautiful. Haily Meyers combines texture with simplicity to create beautiful pictures of animals and landscapes with the perfect amount of detail. I imagine the illustrations will inspire little ones who like drawing to take new risks with their interests, and I can also see how Haily’s work could be the base for a great art lesson in a primary classroom. Finally, the text font is just right; it is large and bold and imitates neat and tidy adult printing. It complements the illustrations and tone of the book very well.

Although the book is short and humorous, it nevertheless creates space for follow-up conversations with your little one. It affords the opportunity to learn about animals and their habitats and to practice less common adjectives and verbs. It may trigger an interest in the arts, animals, or outdoor exploration. It may also be a great book to grasp the attention of little ones who have difficulty focusing on an entire book, given its interactive features, rhythm, and illustrations.

Thank you to Gibbs Smith for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Ghosts by Dolly Alderton

By Carly Smith

Lighthearted yet contemplative, Ghosts should most certainly be bumped higher in your To Be Read stack. Dolly Alderton has created the perfect book to add to your overnight bag for a weekend at the cottage, or pack in your carry-on tote for some downtime during a work trip. In Ghosts, Nina George Dean chronicles a year in her life—from age 32 to 33—touching on family, friends, and romance. There is a lot happening in Nina’s life, but no single event stands out or exhausts her energy more than another. She is settling into her career writing books about food, living in a house-turned-apartment building where she is constantly bothered by her downstairs neighbour, and navigating a stressful and ongoing family situation. Among the ins and outs of these daily circumstances, she also is trying to find romantic love and maintain old and new friendships.

Ghosts takes place in present day London, England. Alderton frequently drops names of neighbourhoods and landmarks to keep local readers feeling a sense of familiarity and not-so-local readers fantasizing about the foreign metropolis. Nina enjoys her London life and cannot see herself elsewhere. She is a loyal friend, introspective and at times petty, and values relationships and quality time with her loved ones. Alderton carefully creates a main character who is not perfect, and it’s a breath of fresh air. Aside from Nina, several other noteworthy characters weave in and out of the smoothly paced chapters including her friend Lola, love interest Max, and Nina’s mom. Lola is a loveable, bright, spirited woman. A good friend and charming acquaintance, Lola complements Nina’s social awkwardness and nonchalance. Max is Nina’s first go at online dating. He is intense and mysterious. Sometimes he seems like exactly what Nina needs in a partner, and other times he comes across as someone she should have immediately swiped left on. Nina’s mom, Mandy—or Nancy—is too preoccupied with her own hobbies to dedicate sufficient attention to her ailing husband. She brings out the pragmatism in Nina, adding a depth to the protagonist that makes her even more relatable.

The themes in Ghosts, including love, friendship, and family, intertwine gracefully to create a narrative which at times ignites nostalgia in readers, and at other times provokes a desire to consider the future. Alderton makes her readers feel a breadth of emotions without delving too deeply into a particular one. This book is suitable for anyone seeking a casual read. It is a fantastic option if you’re between heavier books, or if you are looking for something not too serious or time consuming. Although quite carefree, Ghosts will manage to haunt you in ways you may have forgotten you could be moved.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Wonderful Babies by Emily Winfield Martin

By Carly Smith

Wonderful Babies describes the delightful and marvellous attributes of the little bundles of joy we call babies. Through simple illustration and text, Martin showcases different characteristics of babies, creating a relatable and empowering book for young readers. This sweet and charming book is the perfect way to start or end baby’s day and is a great excuse to stretch out cuddle time with your loved one.

In Wonderful Babies, little ones will undoubtedly resonate with the babies they see and read about; Martin exposes her audience to babies with a variety of emotions and interests. She writes with commonly used vocabulary to capture the ears of little ones and includes illustrations that have just the right amount of detail to complement the text while also offering opportunities for further discussion.

The text is formatted strategically—each page has two words; the second word is always “baby” and the first word is always the descriptor. The descriptor, perhaps surprisingly, is not always an adjective. Martin uses high-frequency words like “grumpy,” “sleepy,” and “wild” to precede “baby,” but sometimes she chooses nouns to describe the baby, like “bunny” and “balloon.” Typically, I am turned off by oversimplified wording and grammar; I am a firm believer that babies can and should be exposed to complete sentences and proper syntax. However, in this case, terms like “bunny baby” and “two baby” add to the charm and playfulness of the book, and also set the ground for questions that will elicit critical thinking.

Another aspect of the book I am particularly drawn to is its honesty. The word “wonderful” often provokes a feeling of positivity, and Martin describes babies in ways that may not always be interpreted as positive (e.g., shy, messy, grumpy). I appreciate Martin’s decision to include these terms because it creates authenticity by reminding readers that babies are wonderful all the time, and not just when they are joyful. Furthermore, it reinforces to little ones that emotions and characteristics that so often have a negative connotation are acceptable and embraceable. Ultimately, Martin does a great job at avoiding toxic positivity.

Finally, I enjoyed the illustrations. Plain, yet adequately detailed, they highlight diversity—the babies we see are different races and have varying physical attributes. The illustrations are softly coloured, unlike many other baby books which overuse bright colours and perhaps, as a result, are somewhat overstimulating.

Wonderful Babies is a lovely book to keep in your household library. From eye-catching illustrations to captivating text, this perfectly sized board book is sure to grab your little one’s attention.

Thank you to Random House Children’s Books for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Good for Your Gut by Desiree Nielsen

By Carly Smith

Good for Your Gut is a book that tackles gut health from every angle. In the first part of this comprehensive read, Desiree Nielsen shares her knowledge and expertise on the digestive system and discusses the ways in which the entire body reaps the benefits of a healthy gut. Nielsen narrows in on the different components of the digestive system, explaining how each part—from chewing food to having a bowel movement—is connected to our overall health and well-being. She covers topics that commonly arise with gut health, like the use of probiotics and the low FODMAP diet, and offers her well-researched opinions on them. She touches on individual ingredients, supplements, and body movements to create a well-rounded, holistic approach to understanding our digestive systems.

The second part of Good for Your Gut is a cookbook. Nielsen’s recipes are divided into six categories including, but not limited to, heartier meals, snacks and sides, and baking and sweets. Each recipe is labeled as heal, protect, or soothe to further assist readers in identifying how the recipe will help their gut. There is also a small section with meal plans, and the book includes a thorough index for quick referencing.

The formatting of Good for Your Gut makes it very readable. Even with an abundance of information, the book is neither intimidating nor hard to digest. Topics are categorized appropriately, and chapters transition smoothly from one to the next. In the cookbook portion of this read, each recipe comes with a list of ingredients, a set of instructions, a description of the food, and a rundown of how the food fits into certain diets (e.g., gluten-free, nut-free, low FODMAP). All of the recipes are plant-based. Some recipes also include tips and notes to help readers maximize their enjoyment and understanding of their creation. It should be noted that the recipes do not include a traditional nutritional breakdown listing calories, fat content, sugar content, protein content, etc. I appreciated that these were omitted from the recipes because nutritional information is so much more than a label with grams and percentages; the choice not to include them reinforces Nielsen’s idea that gut health requires a lifestyle change rather than a specific diet that can be forgotten about after a short period of time.

Not only does Good for Your Gut provide an extensive look at our guts and their role in the body, but it also offers easy-to-follow recipes. With information backed up by reputable sources, this book broadened my understanding of my food/body/mind relationship and what I need to stop and continue doing in order to build better gut health. This book isn’t just suitable for folks with digestive problems or conditions like SIBO and IBD. It’s suitable for anyone looking to learn more about health and more specifically, food’s role in our health.

Thanks to Penguin Canada for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Look After Us by Rod Campbell

By Carly Smith

Rod Campbell, creator of Dear Zoo and Oh Dear! brings readers Look After Us, an interactive children’s book focusing on endangered animals. In this book, Campbell introduces his younger audience to animals whose populations are depleting. He presents a beautiful and necessary message—that humans are responsible for taking care of all animals, including wild ones.

The format of this book is consistent and predictable, making it suitable for emergent readers reading with an experienced reader, or for children who are drawn to patterns. On the left side of each spread, with the exception of the beginning and end of the book, is a small paragraph that introduces a new animal. On the right side of the spread is a flap with the animal’s habitat on the outer part, and the animal in focus behind the flap. Below each flap is a bit more text which encourages the reader to help endangered animals. The consistency Campbell creates by formatting the images and text this way supports new readers to infer, a great skill to develop early on and one which also helps maintain interest in the reading material. Another aspect of this book I was drawn to was the repetition of words and syntax; this is beneficial for readers encountering unfamiliar words, or for those who can remember what is being read and wish to join in with the person reading it to them. Moreover, the font is clear and representative of the way letters are taught and learned in school, making the pages even more accessible to a younger audience.

The illustrations in Look After Us offer additional opportunities for enjoyment, learning, and discussion. Firstly, the animals are drawn in their natural landscape. This can spark follow-up questions and comments, and may help with reading comprehension. There is also an option to take the discussion one step further and encourage numeracy skills. For example, the experienced reader could ask questions to the child about how many of each animal there are, what body parts some animals have more or less of compared to the other endangered animals in the book, or by posing questions about the landscapes to prompt estimation. Overall, Look After Us provides numerous occasions for readers to enhance not only decoding skills, but also comprehension, oral communication, and math skills.

There are some additional features that I enjoyed about the physical copy of this book, including its size and the durability of the pages and the flaps. It’s large enough that it will not get lost in a large collection of children’s books, but not too large that it cannot easily fit in a diaper bag or stroller pouch. Look After Us is a charming book, sure to be a hit with any toddler or child, especially those interested in animals or who are developing their fine motor skills.