Book Review: Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom by Sangu Mandanna

By Meghan Mazzaferro

Content warnings: death, child death

Kiki Kallira used to be a bright, sunshine girl, but in the last year, her brain has turned against her. She’s anxious all the time, terrified of worst-case scenarios, and the only thing that seems to help is escaping into a fantasy world inspired by the Indian myths and legends her mother tells her. She pours countless hours into creating a fictional version of Mysore city in her sketchbook and crafts a team of kid rebels fighting to defeat Mahishasura, a demon that has taken over the kingdom—in more ways than one. When one of Kiki’s characters, and the monster she’s fighting, come flying out of her sketchbook, she learns that Mahishasura has brought her Mysore to life, and she’s the only one who can banish him before he escapes into the real world.

Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom is an absolute delight. It balances fantasy, emotion, magic, and real discussions about anxiety while having a fun and unique plot. Kiki is a fantastic main character, and right from the first page, I knew that I was going to love following her. She is a brave, creative, kind kid whose struggles with anxiety were almost painful to read, and it was beautiful to watch her come into her power and learn to face her monsters in both worlds. The fictional Mysore that Kiki created is also wonderful, and middle-grade and adult readers alike will love to see this world through Kiki’s eyes—described vividly and featuring just enough whimsy and magic to make Kiki’s Mysore feel like it’s straight out of a child’s mind, Mandanna did an excellent job of making this imaginary Mysore a place that readers will want to see saved.

Likewise, Kiki’s cast of rebel kids are unique, vivid, and so vibrant they almost leap off the page (get it? Because they’re drawings come to life?). Each kid had a unique voice, interesting motivations, and they all taught Kiki something she needed to know either about her fictional world or about herself. The kids all feel fleshed out and real, and their vibrancy makes the stakes of the book feel so much higher. The adult characters have a similar vividness, all except Mahishasura, who is the only character in this book who fell a little bit flat for me. He read very much as a middle-grade book villain, but I appreciated how the book was able to balance more serious subject matter with a villain who was age appropriate, while still maintaining high enough stakes that I, an adult, stayed super engaged with the story.

This book is perfect for both middle-grade readers and older readers who enjoy middle-grade fantasy. Kiki and all the kids feel like children, but the story doesn’t shy away from the heavier costs of living in a world like Kiki’s Mysore, and Kiki and the reader are asked to consider the cost of waging war with demons. Likewise, the book presents the realities of struggling with anxiety in a way that readers young and old can relate to, but though Mandanna explores these heavier themes, she never forgets her audience. This type of book shows the power of the middle-grade genre and how middle-grade stories, and the kids who read them, can handle tough topics.

This book is, of course, a fantasy story where kids can learn that there are many different ways to fight for the things you love. It is also a story about anxiety, fear, and the ways that you can be stronger and braver for facing your monsters. I was blown away by this book, and I can’t wait for readers of all ages to see Kiki as the hero she is.

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

Book Review: Possessed by Jowita Bydlowska

By Carmen Lebar

Content warning: suicidal ideation, mentions of rape, physical violence

Possessed by Jowita Bydlowska is a character-driven novel that centres around Josephine, a woman navigating her thirties, and all the issues she’s being consumed by. The novel is in four parts, divided into the different facets of Josephine’s life and the lessons she learns along the way. I found the novel a very interesting exploration into the “unhinged woman” trope that is popular in novels at the moment. But it’s more than just that. It takes this trope and expands on it by centralizing the novel’s theme on possession and the uncertainty of one’s life. Josephine is possessed in multiple ways that in turn ultimately guide her decision-making in her relationships and life.

In the first part of the novel, we meet Josephine, who works at a travel agency. She is taking care of her mentally ill and disabled mother, while also dating a man who is 10 years her junior. Possession is used metaphorically in Josephine’s daily routines, and also with the man she’s seeing, Sebastian. She can only make decisions based on her mother’s condition at home, or if Sebastian is available for a date or hookup. Josephine’s absolute enthrallment with Sebastian was groundbreaking to me. I haven’t read many novels that have a female protagonist so enraptured by a man that don’t focus on self-pitying behaviour—the focus here, instead, is on her spiraling mental health. Josephine is hungry, audacious, and completely out of sync with her love interests. She is not fragile, or weak, but rather going through her own mental health issues.

Along with this possessive mentality, she is also possessed in the literal form by a ghost. Early in the novel, Josephine’s mother mentions seeing people in their house, a statement Josephine usually brushes off—until she sees one herself. This creates a huge shift in her life, which becomes a catalyst for her future life decisions. Halfway through the novel, Josephine decides to write a travel story for work. Unbeknownst to her, travelling will produce more unexpected encounters and revelations. The second half of the novel felt quite different to me than the first. While the first was about being possessed in her relationships, the second half focuses on the supernatural and Josephine’s need for her life to change. It may appear as a stark contrast while reading, but it shows great character development for Josephine. She goes from being quite lost and unlikeable to someone who attempts to make a better life for herself. 

Possessed is a great novel for those who want to read a supernatural novel that contains elements of contemporary literary fiction. It’s a novel that questions the current dating culture, and what it means to be possessed by someone who does not feel the same way. It critiques how and why people date, but also how boundaries are important in all relationships. Josephine’s character is unapologetically going through a difficult mental health episode in her life. Her decision making and her inner life are thought provoking, and will produce a lot of great discussion. Possessed is a great novel to pick up this fall, and I would recommend it to anyone in a book club looking for a unique supernatural read.

Thank you to Dundurn Press 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: Why I'm Here by Jill Frayne

By Erica Wiggins

Content warnings: child abuse, depression, self-harm, suicide

Why I’m Here follows 15-year-old Gale who is desperate to get out of Whitehorse. Gale has been having panic attacks, one of which sent her to the hospital. Helen, a counsellor who has been assigned to work with Gale, discovers that her distress stems from being separated from her little sister, Buddie, who is back in Ontario. Why I’m Here is written by Jill Frayne, who herself was a family counsellor. She has previously written a travel memoir and many outdoor adventure articles. This is her first novel.

Let me start by saying that I was incredibly excited to read this novel. I am from Ontario but spent four summers in Whitehorse at a summer camp. It is a place to be experienced and so hard to describe the beauty of it. I wanted to see how the author brought this story and this place alive.

I was not disappointed! Frayne does an extraordinary job of describing this beautiful and remote place. The story flips between a northern town in Ontario and Whitehorse, and she truly makes these places come alive. It was incredibly easy to drop yourself into the story—to feel and see the snow, to experience the locations. I felt like I was riding on the snowmobile and shivering in the cold in the best possible way.

Frayne approaches the story of Gale with thoughtfulness and compassion. It’s easy to grow attached to this young woman who has not had the easiest time in life. She just wants to protect her younger sister from their abusive mother. By being in Whitehorse, away from Buddie, she is losing herself and unable to let go of her past.

Helen, the counsellor, is a transplant to Whitehorse from Ontario. She has a younger sister as well and it is easy to see the parallels between these two women—the want and need to love and keep your sister safe. We get to explore Whitehorse through Helen’s eyes. While Gale is struggling with wanting to be near her sister, Helen is working to try to keep her own relationship with her sister from affecting the way she interacts with Gale.  

I loved watching these two women grow and develop through the pages and the careful way the author draws attention to not only the importance of family but what people are willing to do for them. We are given a glimpse into the life of a counsellor—the challenges for both the counsellor and the person receiving support. We are reminded of the limited resources in remote areas. At times, it is heartbreaking to read about these experiences.

This is a slower read, however, I felt immediately immersed in the story. The descriptions are thoughtful and create beautiful images of landscapes and adventures. The main characters Gale and Helen are relatable, and I found myself rooting for both. I loved this story and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting a glimpse into counselling, the isolation of Whitehorse, or a story about the dynamics and importance of family.

 Thank you, NeWest Press, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Are you Sara? by S.C. Lalli

By Robyn Rossit

Content warning: drug use, physical abuse

When I read the synopsis of Are You Sara? by S.C. Lalli, I was immediately drawn in. Law student Sara Bhaduri is struggling to pay her way through law school, working multiple jobs. While she’s usually labelled as a “nice Indian girl,” she has had to do things that people wouldn’t expect to make ends meet. While working at a dive bar, her boss has her deal with a drunk girl who is passed out in the bathroom. As it turns out, they both have the same first name and end up bonding despite their differences. When it’s time to head home they each order a rideshare. Sara falls asleep in hers and when she wakes up, she is on the wrong side of town. Sara Bhaduri and Sarah Ellis accidentally took the wrong rides home. When Sara walks back to her apartment, which is on the rough side of town, she discovers police lights and a body on her doorstep: Sarah’s. But the question is, which Sara was the target and why?

The story is told through alternating points of view—Sara Bhadhuri, whose story is told in the present, and Sarah Ellis, whose story is told in the past—working its way to the night of Sarah’s death. I really enjoyed this, as Sarah is in high school for the bulk of her story which gave it a YA vibe, while Sara’s is more mature, given she is in her late twenties. It is an interesting hybrid that plays with mixing genres. Both characters kept me invested in the story, and I enjoyed them both equally. They are flawed and have their demons, but they feel realistic to where they both are in their lives.

There were so many layers to this twisty thriller, which made it an exciting journey to go on. The theme of making assumptions about someone based on their appearance and lifestyle is very much present throughout the story. The police make assumptions about Sara and Sarah that have impacts on their investigation. Both women, while living vastly different lives, were desperate to break away from the circumstances and expectations placed upon them. 

I really enjoyed the pacing of Are You Sara? and read it in a few sittings. It was fun trying to guess what happened to Sarah the night she was killed, and I am happy to say I was unable to completely guess the ending. I always enjoy it more when plot takes me by surprise.

Fans of the thriller genre, or anyone who is looking for a quick and gripping read should definitely give Are You Sara? A read. It was intriguing, twisty, and kept me on the edge of my seat. While this was S.C. Lalli’s first thriller, I do hope she continues to write more!

Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Rick the Rock of Room 214 by Julie Falatko Illustrated by Ruth Chan

By Christine McFaul

Rick the Rock of Room 214 is a humorous new picture book by author Julie Falatko and Canadian illustrator Ruth Chan.

For as long as he can remember, Rick the Rock has sat with acorn, moss, and bark on the Nature Finds shelf in Room 214. Room 214 is an exuberantly busy classroom, and Rick can’t help but feel a little jealous of all the exciting things the students get to do. Then the teacher starts a new unit all about rocks—rocks that explode, rocks that hold up the world, and rocks that sit majestically on top of mountains—and Rick gets really jealous.

It seems like outside of the classroom, rocks are spending their days doing all manner of exciting things. While all Rick gets to do is sit in a very boring and decidedly non-majestic manner on the Nature Finds shelf. So, when an opportunity presents itself for Rick to escape, he takes it. He tips off the shelf and into an open backpack and makes up for lost time by doing all the things that rocks in the real world get to do. Except it turns out, in the great outdoors, most of what rocks do is just sit! The other rocks aren’t very friendly, it rains, and Rick soon finds himself in danger—of becoming really, really lonely that is. Suddenly, Rick would give anything to get back to his old shelf. But how can a stationary rock make its way back to Room 214?

Falatko’s writing is simple and humorous. It finds a unique way to explore the universal experience of thinking “the grass is greener on the other side” while also being informative and including fun facts about rocks that are perfectly digestible for the picture book age range.

Chan’s illustrations are colourful and child friendly. Packed with tons of clever details that help to propel the story and amp up the humour. In one spread (my favourite one), Chan even manages to make a field of rocks hilarious.

Rick the Rock of Room 214 is fantastic. The illustrations are smart and expressive. The writing is funny and heartwarming (which, if you follow my reviews, you’ll know is a combination I am completely powerless to resist!). So, of course, I loved this book. Special shout-out for a great cover—bright, uncrowded, and fun, with a mix of textures and a small but charming gold star detail.

This book would make an especially great choice for picture book readers who are experiencing a class environment (so pre-school or J/K+). This way, they can best appreciate the school elements presented in the story. 

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

Book Review: What the Dog Knows by Sylvia McNicoll

By Lauren Bell

Growing up, Sylvia McNicoll was one of my favourite young adult authors. Her newest book, What the Dog Knows, is also written for young adults—especially dog lovers, as the novel is written in tribute to the many dogs she’s loved in her life.

In the summer before high school, Naomi is having the worst summer of her life. This is mostly due to her beloved dog, Diesel, being run over by a car, which she blames herself for. The fact that her parents are splitting up, and that money is tight (leaving her babysitting instead of taking the swimming lessons she signed up for) is not helping the situation. On July 1, at precisely 4:30 p.m., she drowns.

This incident launches her into a Groundhog Day-esque scenario, where instead of reliving the same day over and over again, she’s brought back to June 25, the day Diesel died. However, this time Diesel can talk to her, and her watch is permanently stuck at July 1, 4:30 p.m. With her renewed time, she vows to do better, mostly by ensuring Diesel’s safety, but also doing what she can to save her parent’s marriage.

What the Dog Knows includes the necessary aspects of middle school—the crush, the frenemy, wanting to fit in, and the awkwardness of puberty. Despite these tropes, Naomi’s cynicism makes her seem much older and more mature than the average fourteen-year-old. Fleeting moments where she lets herself experience imagination show how young she is and wants to act. With this in mind, her insistence on learning how to swim means something more than just the lessons: it is her chance to indulge and to put her needs first, rather than those of her family. Hence, the theme of family is very evident in the novel, and Naomi’s “pack” become the underdogs (no pun intended) that you’re rooting for. The development of Naomi’s frenemy, Morgan, to friend, is also worth noting, as it adds to the theme of trust.

As someone older reading What the Dog Knows, I recognize that my experience with it will be different than the intended audience of the novel. For instance, I sympathized with Naomi and felt sorry that someone that young must worry about rent and making ends meet, rather than spending that time being a child. I think if I had read it when I was Naomi’s age, I still would have enjoyed it. I found McNicoll’s description of having separated parents relatable and realistic, and I think I would have appreciated learning from the insight of a family living in a different financial situation than my own. She addresses topics like job insecurity and divorce without getting too heavy. I should also mention that the book does not need the typical dog movie/book warning (meaning there is no sad ending!), so it is absolutely suitable for animal lovers. Because of the perspective one can gain from the lived experiences of Naomi, What the Dog Knows is definitely a novel I would recommend to younger readers, as well as to parents and teachers.

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

Book Review: Binge by Douglas Coupland

By Dahl Botterill

Binge is a collection of 60 very short stories, each about three to four pages long and focusing on a different primary character. Many of the characters pop up again in other stories, but each is the main focus only once. Sometimes this multitude of perspectives provides an opportunity to see an event from a different angle, and other times it only provides a different look at a particular character as they live through some totally separate moment in time. There’s plenty of opportunity for the curious reader to map out these events and interactions into a larger whole, but such effort isn’t really necessary; even with the most casual read, these interlocking parts provide each story with a little more depth and breadth than it contains solely within itself.

This isn’t to say that the stories require the overlap to thrive. Each story stands successfully alone, and while some are obviously going to be stronger than others, nothing feels like a lost cause, especially when you’re on to the next story within a couple of minutes. Many of these characters are not good people, or even likeable, but they all feel real—if a little absurd—and none of them seems so far gone that one can’t relate to them a little. Relatable characters that feel intriguingly real is an aspect of storytelling that Douglas Coupland has always excelled at, and so Binge winds up being perhaps the perfect way for him to return to fiction after almost a decade of focusing on other projects. There are some larger plot arcs to be found here, but they aren’t the essence of the collection. Binge is all about the characters. It’s much more about people and what they’re capable of than it is about what they are all doing.

For somebody that’s never enjoyed Coupland, this short story collection is unlikely to change their mind. Reading Binge, with its focus on characters that run the gamut of moral and charismatic possibilities, is like steeping oneself in the most polarizing aspect of books like All Families are Psychotic and Worst. Person. Ever. On the other hand, for somebody that enjoys Coupland’s character work in all its forms, the book feels brilliant for the exact same reasons. Dynamic characters of the wild and weird variety are a trademark of Douglas Coupland’s, and Binge is a collection that really works to show that off.

Book Review: Wrath Goddess Sing by Maya Deane

By Shantell Powell

Content warning: homophobic slurs, misogyny, slavery, racism

Wrath Goddess Sing is the debut novel of Maya Deane, a graduate of the Rutgers-Camden MFA program in creative writing and has been a fan of The Iliad since she was six years old. Wrath Goddess Sing is a retelling of the story of the Trojan War from the perspective of Achilles as a trans woman.

I was looking forward to reading this novel. As a Classics graduate, I have long been fascinated by Greek mythology. When I learned this novel depicts Achilles as trans, I was sold. This interpretation has bones. I can easily see how the story can be viewed in this way, and I was excited to read the tale of Achilles as written by a trans woman. That being said, I unjustifiably presumed this rendition would be retold in a similar vein to Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles, which takes a more capital-L literary approach to the story. Instead, Wrath Goddess Sing reads more like an adventure story with a plucky, female protagonist who is overflowing with sass. Okay. I can dig it.

However, the story threw me a few stumbling blocks. The biggest problem I have with it is the rampant homophobia in the setting. This is orthogonal to my understanding of ancient Greek culture. Ancient Greece is notable for being queer as all get-out, with queer relationships considered par for the course. Same-sex relationships were not at all unusual and were frequently encouraged within the military based on improving morale. The Olympian gods and heroes had same-sex relationships, too, with such examples as Zeus/Ganymede, Herakles/Hylas, and Achilles/Patroclus.

In the alternate history of Wrath Goddess Sing, homophobia and gay bashing are rampant. I have a much easier time seeing Achilles looked down upon for presenting as female than I do for presenting as a gay or bisexual man. It seems strange to me that the character of Achilles is derided more for being gay than for being a woman. Generally speaking, women had a much rougher go of it in ancient Greece than homosexual/bisexual citizens.

A lot of liberties are also taken with other relationships of Achilles. His parentage is changed, and so is his relationship with Agamemnon. I found the sexual relationship between Achilles and Agamemnon to be bizarre. In The Iliad, Agamemnon is jealous of Achilles and treats Achilles abhorrently. In Wrath Goddess Sing, Achilles swims through a storm to seduce Agamemnon on his ship. Perhaps this was done in the book to show Achilles’ dominance over the king. But then Achilles swims back to her own ship to take care of her chariot horses.

The clincher that made me unhappy with this book was when Achilles’ horses were seasick and had vomited everywhere. Horses cannot vomit. I dearly wish an editor had caught this. This was the final straw for me, and I found myself unable to finish reading the book.

If alternate history/zoology/mythology appeals to you, and if you like sassy, girl-boss protagonists in a swords-and-sandals setting, this may be the book for you. It was not the book for me.

Thank you, HarperCollins, for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: 17 Carnations by Andrew Morton

By Sara Hailstone

Famed celebrity biographer, Andrew Morton, meticulously takes on the wartime life events of Edward VIII and broaches the politically concealed controversies of the royal’s interactions with Hitler and the subsequent cover-up of this uncomfortable chapter of British Royal history with Churchill, the monarchy, and Eisenhower afterwards. Laden with psychoanalytic and historiographical methodology of deconstruction, Morton digs through the topographical workings of a man born into royalty not fully embracing the bloodline and a figure associated with a dangerous political web of power dynamics, anti-Semitism, and defiance. Morton laid the foundation for groundbreaking biographies by revealing the secret world of Princess Diana, expectations of liberating narrative with 17 Carnations, in my opinion, does not illuminate a layer of storyline as ‘the biggest cover-up in history’ or seem fully shocking, or surprising in all facets of a leader and their association with Nazism.

Morton lays the groundwork in understanding how a member of the royal family could conceivably have been roped in by Hitler’s schemes, but the slow-winded unravelling of discussion around ‘The Windsor File,’ and subsequent cover-up, seems folded carefully back into a narrative of control by the crown in keeping one of its members ‘in-check.’ European leaders viewed the Nazi State as modern, and Morton places Edward with his peers: “As for the so-called Jewish question, the prince was, like many of his class; instinctively anti-Semitic—Buckingham Palace did not employ Jews or Catholics in positions of any prominence in the Royal Household until well into Queen Elizabeth Il's reign.” Edward VIII was essentially ‘excommunicated’ to the Bahamas and stripped of his title. The duke’s polemic, as identified by Morton, was to reinstate himself and his scorned American wife, Mrs. Simpson, on the throne. In doing so, the negotiations with Hitler could be a power move.

The title of the text, 17 Carnations, is a reference to a rumour of the number of times Mrs. Simpson and a Nazi diplomat, Joachim von Ribbentrop, were thought to have been intimate. The story is merely gossip, which signifies to me the overall tone of the text as tabloid enmeshed with heavy chronology and historical detail. However, I would have liked to come away from the novel feeling confident about the contents of the cryptic Windsor File that was central in a top-down cover-up by Churchill and Eisenhower.

“The Windsor file exposed that man, his faults, his frailties, and his petty indulgences. He may have been blackballed from the club, but he was once a member of a very exclusive guild of kings and sovereigns without a throne.” Aligning stances like this with citations from the primary document would help transform the text from being a celebrity narrative. Despite the release of the Windsor File in 1957, the duke denied its contents. His story is neatly fitted into a narrative of control and the risk of an almost slip in history when a monarch collaborated with ‘the enemy.’ I do not think Edward VIII’s engagement with Hitler was the biggest cover-up in history. There are far more dangerous and orchestrated cover-ups left undetected, far higher-up organizations, political and economic bodies that likely worked with the Nazi State yet to be fully realized in current imagination. The Vatican, for one, would be a subject that would be ‘the biggest cover-up in history’ by working with Hitler and National Socialism.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Andrew Morton for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review!  

Book Review: Noopiming by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

By Tiffany Miller

I didn’t know what a trade nonfiction piece of work by Leanne Betasamosake would be like, having been introduced to her in academic literature, but it blew my expectations out of the water and has become a treasured, transformative piece of art that will remain on my shelf. I’m not really a person who likes to read anything more than once and likewise, I also don’t collect books—I like to read them and then give them away. However, there is always an exception to every rule and Noopiming is a book that will eternally have a place on my bookshelf, and I plan to read it this fall for the 3rd time. 

This story is circular, which means it can be started at any point in the book, not just read traditionally from page one to the end. This book is about seven characters/spirits/entities navigating life in seven various colonized spaces. Noopiming challenges settler society in every way, especially in the way we tell and interpret stories; the ones we tell ourselves and about others. As a philosopher, lifelong learner, anti-racist, Indigenous woman this book warms my heart in so many ways. I love the way this book humorously pokes fun and the ridiculousness of colonialism and settler society. I love the way it shows kindness, humility, and community in the characters. But most of all, I like that every time I read this book I see a new perspective, learn something about the world I’m living in, and learn something about myself.

I think it’s also important to note that Leanne has a spoken word album called Theory of Ice that accompanies the book and one-stop motion video titled “How to Steal a Canoe” and animation born and bred out of parts of this story. I recommend this book to anyone with an inquiring mind and open heart. Furthermore, I would encourage any readers to listen to this Noopiming lecture on YouTube by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson talking about the book, because I guarantee after you listen to her speak, you will want to read it again and again and again. 

Book Review: Banksy by Alessandra Mattanza

By Caprice Hogg

“His dream is a city full of graffiti where graffiti is not illegal, a city where everyone can paint whatever they want, with walls of fresh paint with millions of colors, short sentences, verses of interesting words, messages to read, often political, but at the same time ironic, of love, peace and hope for a better world.”

With these ideals, Banksy has become an iconic figure all over the world. This fascinating book not only gives an in-depth look at Banksy’s paintings but also at his philosophy on art and life. Banksy’s work is very political but shines a light on the elitism of the art world. His medium is the stencil, which results in stunning lines, shapes, and compositions. Yet, graffiti art painted in public spaces is illegal art—unless you are Banksy in which case that graffiti becomes incredibly valuable, and institutions have made money off of his work.

“Street art guarantees each individual the opportunity to reassert himself in the face of privileged art which has long been considered the only “true art” which for generations has been accessible only to a small elite.”

Banksy believes art is for all and that everyone should be able to see and appreciate all art, which is why his work is in public view. 

Banksy likes to “keep it real”. His paintings often portray rats and homeless people; those who are not normally seen. His work takes a political stance on many important issues and truly makes one stop and think. Isn’t that the purpose of art? One of his most controversial paintings was sold at Sotheby’s and the instant the auction hammer struck, the painting began to shred itself. Once again, this is Banksy’s comment on the fickle art industry. 

This book gives readers a look at the Banksy phenomenon—despite his fame, no one actually knows what he looks like. He has a small group of friends that help him maintain his anonymity. His paintings pop up across the world and no one knows where the next one will appear. Part of his allure is the mystery that surrounds him. He is thrilled when a painting pops up and no one is really sure if it is an authentic Banksy painting. The paintings create a stir and get people talking. If the paintings are from other graffiti artists, they are just as important to him as his own work. 

One of the main themes in this book is that art cannot be stopped, as ideas cannot be stopped. Banksy’s paintings show his ideals for pacifism, peace, justice, and freedom. He tries to give a voice to those who are often overlooked.

For any art lovers who want to enjoy looking at good paintings that are thought-provoking, this book is for you. I love how Banksy’s paintings push the boundaries on what is considered “good art” by the fine art establishment. 

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

Book Review: The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté, MD with Daniel Maté

By Erica Wiggins

Content warning: Inherently this book is about trauma. Various topics are discussed with real-life examples included. Ensure you use caution when reading.

The Myth of Normal is the first book from Dr. Gabor Maté in over ten years. It explores causes of illness, the myths around what makes us sick, how dangerous our understanding of “normal” is, and how we can move towards health and healing. Maté is a bestselling author, renowned speaker, and sought-after expert. His books have changed how addiction, stress, trauma, parenting, and ADHD are thought about and helped to shift the conversation around these topics.

“In the most health-obsessed society ever, all is not well.”

Maté gets right into it, drawing you in with surprising statistics from around the globe and right here at home in Canada. It is fascinating. Through each chapter, we are given not only the facts but also real-life stories that help us to connect to these facts. Maté writes in an eye-opening, relatable, and accessible way. One of the topics covered is pregnancy, labour and delivery, and c-sections. I have never had children, but this opened my eyes to all the questions and concerns that surround this event. I found it incredibly informative.

“Trauma, until we work it through, keeps us stuck in the past, robbing us of the present moment’s riches, limiting who we can be.”

Maté discusses how women traditionally are taught to stifle their feelings, to hide how they are really feeling, to be quiet and well-behaved. While I know I have personally felt like this at times in my life, it felt like my feelings were validated. This is a societal norm that needs to be changed. I found myself nodding and reading out facts to those around me, compelled to share what I was learning.

“What joys have you denied yourself out of a belief that you don’t deserve them, or out of a conditioned fear that they’ll be snatched away.”

There are so many quotes that I want to pull from this book. This one made me stop, set the book down and really think about what this means. How true this is in my daily life and how my own thinking needs to be changed. Maté includes a self-inquiry exercise which gives you questions to ask yourself weekly. These chapters resonated with me and almost felt like the questions were directed to me personally. I loved that he spoke about what is happening, moved through the stages, and provided solutions.

This book is informative, highly researched, and thought-provoking. Maté leads us through nature, human development, culture, and how we can become whole. It is an intensive read, and I would recommend a pen and paper handy to make notes. While not everything was for me, I believe there can be something valuable for everyone in this book and it is one that I will return to. There are great exercises that helped me change and reframe my thinking. The standout for me—the vulnerability of the author. Throughout the book, he discusses his own trauma and reactions. It is helpful to know that this expert is still working to become whole and can fall into the same traps as anyone else. It helps to normalize trauma and its effects. 

I would highly recommend that you read this book—taking care of yourself in doing so.

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

Book Review: People Person by Candice Carty-Williams

By Melissa Khan

After an awkward and, in her opinion, unnecessary car ride with her four half-siblings, Dimple Pennington swore she would never call on her eldest sister Nikisha for help. So, when a confrontation with her ex-boyfriend turns violent, Dimple surprises herself by turning to Nikisha. Suddenly, all four of her estranged siblings are brought back together for a bonding experience none of them wanted. With their shared father, Cyril Pennington, showing up more often than he had in the past 30 years and her struggling YouTube channel’s overnight success, Dimple finds that having family around might not be the worst.

The beginning of this novel was hard to get into,  the pace was slow and the writing difficult. The dialogue seemed forced and uncomfortable in some parts, and the characters were immediately unlikeable. I couldn’t figure out what the title of the book could mean with characters who so clearly did not enjoy each other’s company. But as the story progressed, I found myself turning pages evermore faster.

The heart of the story, needless to say, is the beauty and importance of family. I so loved the complexity Nikisha’s character brought to the sentiment of family loyalty. Her attitude towards Dimple, and subsequently the situation all of the siblings are involved in, was prickly, at best and felt almost unnecessarily rude at times, yet, she was unwavering in her willingness to put herself into it out of a sense of duty towards a virtual stranger. It forces the audience to contemplate where the line, if any, should be drawn. Is it fair for strangers to put themselves in a dangerous situation simply because of blood? Or is it ridiculous to think you owe anyone your loyalty, regardless of your relationship with them? I found myself against Nikisha in a lot of instances, feeling like she inserted herself further into Dimple’s business than she needed to, and with a cutting remark, at that. But I softened, realizing that the trauma from her father’s absence is one she knows these strangers share.  

The most uncomfortable part of the beginning of the book, which made it difficult to keep reading, was when Dimple is told by Nikisha to switch car seats with her because she is the biggest of the group and takes up too much space. I felt tremendous empathy for this 14-year-old girl confronted with her greatest insecurity, spoken aloud to a car full of strangers. The embarrassment that carried with her into adulthood was something I felt informed so much of Dimple’s character and why she could be almost insufferable at times.

I loved how much time was spent with certain characters, but I feel the pacing of the story could have allowed there to be more exploration for the other siblings. Like Prynce’s womanizing, Danny’s troubled past, and Lizzie’s feelings of inadequacy. And although the ending also felt unsatisfying, and almost too easy, I did feel the character studies along the way made the journey worthwhile.

Thank you, Simon & Schuster Canada, for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

By Shantell Powell

Content warning: blasphemy

Good Omens is a satire about the biblical end of days as told by legendary authors Neil Gaiman and the late Terry Pratchett. It has been a cult classic since 1990, and now that it has been released as a live-action fantasy comedy series on Amazon Prime, it has gained even more popularity. Neil Gaiman is the award-winning author of The Sandman, American Gods, and Neverwhere. Terry Pratchett is best known for his Discworld series of fantasy novels. I cannot tell who wrote what in Good Omens. The transitions are seamless.

I have owned many different editions of Good Omens over the years, yet, I only have one copy left. This isn’t because I chose to offload some, but because the books were lent to people and were never returned. I think it says something about the quality of the book that it gets perma-borrowed so frequently. I know that I am not the only fan of the book who has this problem. People just can’t stop stealing Good Omens, and Terry Pratchett’s books were considered the most shoplifted in Great Britain.

I hadn’t read the book in a couple of years, so this time around, I decided to go with the full-cast audiobook produced by HarperAudio. This was my first time experiencing it as an audiobook. I wasn’t sure how this would translate since the text version of the book contains a multitude of footnotes, but I needn’t have worried because it works beautifully. There are fifteen different actors for this audiobook, and the cast includes the same actors as the film adaptation. The actors do a phenomenal job bringing the characters to life. With such a large, talented cast, this feels more like a radio play than it does an audiobook and is a master class in voice acting. I found myself just as engaged listening to it as I was reading the text version or watching the show. Good Omens is one of those rare gems where the film adaptation is just as good as the text version.

Good Omens contains biting social commentary about pressing issues such as climate change, pollution, war, capitalism, mutually assured destruction, and grid-locked traffic jams. It also delves into religious history, witch burnings, and misogyny, miraculously transforming these heavy topics into a literary confection as sweet and light as meringue. The book makes use of a wide cast of characters including angels, demons, witch hunters, a sex worker, children, insurance brokers, and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Their interactions with one another make me laugh aloud.

If you are a fan of Monty Python, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and stories about the antichrist, this is the book for you. If you are appalled by blasphemous takes on Christianity, stay far, far away.

Book Review: A Leaf Upon a Book by Anam Tariq

By Sara Hailstone

A Leaf Upon a Book is Anam Tariq’s debut poetry collection that gracefully shows a Bildungsroman contemplation of life crafted with a compelling command of language and skill. Influenced by William Wordsworth, John Keats, Robert Browning, Matthew Arnold, and T.S. Eliot, Tariq reveals the potential of contributing her voice to the Romantic literary style.

Tariq completed her M.A. in English at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh, India. She has also had poetry appear in various publications and anthologies.

The lasting impression for me with this book of poetry is the observation and appreciation of the growth of the writer in navigating the English language throughout the body of work. Tariq has ordered the set of poems chronologically, reflecting her evolution as an ESL speaker, which results in an eloquent and surprising encounter with English and literature in a creative way for me as a fellow writer. The diction, word choice, and ordering of words within the poems is refreshing and prompted me to see my mother tongue in new ways. This confrontation with life learning and the English language not typically used in colloquial or mainstream speaking captures the essence and potential of Tariq in her growth as a writer.

I am intrigued to come across future works by the author that pull through an overarching narrative and story throughout the body of poems, like Dionne Brand’s Thirsty.

Thank you to Tariq for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review!

Book Review: The Corpse Flower by Anne Mette Hancock

By Rebekah Dolmat

Content warning: child sexual abuse, child trafficking, murder

The Corpse Flower, written by Swedish author Anne Mette Hancock, is the first in the Danish crime series titled Kaldan og Scäfer (otherwise known as the Kaldan and Scháfer mysteries). Hancock’s books can currently be found in their original language, with The Corpse Flower being the first one translated into English. The second book in the series, The Collector, will be translated into English and published by Crooked Lane Books later this year, with the rest of the series likely to follow.

The Corpse Flower follows journalist Heloise Kaldan and homicide detective Erik Scháfer as they try to locate a missing woman named Anna Kiel. Anna is wanted in connection with the death of a young lawyer three years prior and has not been seen by anyone since fleeing from the crime scene covered in blood. When Heloise—who is in the midst of trying to keep her job after a once-trusted source was caught lying—receives the first in a series of cryptic letters from Anna, she realizes that this may be the story she needs to salvage her career. Detective Scháfer enters the scene when the lead reporter who wrote about Anna Kiel in connection to the dead lawyer is found murdered in their apartment. As the letters keep coming and the mystery of Anna continues to evolve, Heloise and Scháfer work to uncover the truth. However, in order for Heloise to tell Anna’s story, she must first revisit the darkest places of her own past. What ensues is a very dark and disturbing revenge story that will have readers holding on to the edge of their seats.

It’s safe to say that I LOVED this book. It’s a slow-burn mystery that features all of the elements that I tend to love in a good crime novel—a unique, compelling, and unpredictable plot that is told through multiple alternating points of view, with dark and disturbing undertones, and made up of complex characters that you can’t seem to get out of your head. Each point of view—Heloise who is trying to save her reputation, Detective Scháfer who is now in charge of the unsolved murder, and Anna Kiel who is running from her scarred and bloody past—offers a much-needed lens and perspective into the overall story.

What helps make this book unique, when compared to other (Nordic) noir crime novels, is that while there is a detective in the story, the real investigating is being done by a journalist, rather than by the detective or criminal investigator. It’s a different angle that I’ve not seen very often in my own personal reading, but something that I really appreciated because it forces the reader to ask different types of questions while reading and uncovering the mystery at hand.

In essence, The Corpse Flower is a dark and complex book that packs a punch with its completely unpredictable plot. Readers will be kept wondering how the story will unfold. I highly recommend to fans of the Nordic noir genre, as well as to those who like their crime books on the darker side.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for the complimentary review copy.

Book Review: Cul-de-Sac by Joy Fielding

By Robyn Rossit

Content warning: domestic abuse, gun violence, substance abuse, rape, suicidal ideation

When I read the description of Joy Fielding’s Cul-de-Sac I was instantly intrigued. On a normally quiet and unassuming cul-de-sac in Florida, someone is shot dead during the night. With a vast cast of characters occupying the street, the reader is left guessing as the story goes back before the shooting: who was shot and who was the shooter? There’s Maggie, a perfectionist who has recently moved to Florida with her children and now ex-husband, Craig. There is the power couple, Nick the oncologist and his wife, Dani, a dentist. There is Julia, who is an elderly widow whose troubled grandson has recently come to stay with her. There are Olivia and her husband Sean, who has recently lost his job and struggles with alcohol abuse and intrusive violent thoughts. Finally, there are Aiden and Heidi, a newlywed couple whose relationship has always been rocky because of Aiden’s controlling mother. Each family has their own secrets and struggles, and all seem to have access to guns.

What I loved the most about Cul-de-Sac is how Joy Fielding truly kept the reader guessing. There were so many times I thought I could figure out who was killed and who did the shooting. I kind of felt like I was playing my own mental game of Clue. There were so many ways it could have plausibly panned out which made this a very exciting read. The reader gets a lot of time with each family leading up to the night of the shooting which was a fantastic way to lay out the story.

I also really enjoyed how well-developed the characters were. Each family was dysfunctional in its own unique way but felt realistic at the same time. I felt such a range of emotions while reading as a result. Some of them were truly awful and rage-inducing on the page, while some made me feel so sympathetic to the horrors they were facing. It was truly impressive how distinct and developed such a large cast of characters was. With multiple points of view, I can’t even really say that I had a favourite; they all had me invested and kept the pages turning.

This was my first book by Joy Fielding and I can say it will not be my last. I really enjoyed Cul-de-Sac—it was the domestic thriller I didn’t even realize I was looking for. You never truly know what is going on behind the closed doors of your neighbourhood, and Cul-de-Sac is truly a testament to that! Engaging from page one, this might be the domestic thriller you’ve been looking for!

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

Book Review: One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

By Christa Sampson

Rebecca Serle is an author of novels for both adults and young adults. One Italian Summer is her seventh book. This adult novel explores a close relationship between mother and daughter and a bond that lasts even after death. Main character Katy is devastated by the passing of her mother Carol. Attempting to deal with her grief, Katy takes a trip to Positano, Italy, on the Amalfi Coast, a trip that she and her mother were supposed to take together. On one hand, she can’t bear to even think about going, but Positano is a place that her mother remembered so fondly and wanted to share with Katy, and ultimately, she feels that she has no choice but to go. 

The novel begins with a grief-stricken Katy trying to reconcile how to live her life without her mother. She is overcome with emotion yet numb at the same time. Everything feels wrong, including her marriage to her college sweetheart. She is staying at her childhood home, surrounded by everything that was her mother. Katy watches her father fumbling through his own emotions, while she can’t even begin to scratch the surface on hers. Instead of addressing the pain that she’s feeling, Katy puts an emotional wall up between herself and her husband, but he remains supportive and encourages her to go on the trip to Italy. 

This novel is unique from the perspective that it is a love story, but not in the romantic sense. It is a story of the love between parent and child and how one learns to go on after the other is no longer there. I appreciate the exploration of this type of love story; however, the way in which it was presented in this novel wasn’t compatible with my expectations. Being a daughter and a mother myself, I can relate to the strong love and bond that exists between parent and child, yet I found that the relationship between main character Katy and her recently deceased mother was an extremely dependent one. As the story unfolded, I found myself feeling sorry for twenty-something Katy’s debilitating dependency on her mother, rather than heartbroken for her loss.  She seemed to come into her own a little bit during her trip to Positano and even had a casual fling with a fellow traveler despite being married. The reader isn’t provided with much prompting to root for the reconciliation of Katy and her husband, and while there is a fair bit of tension between her and the new love interest, when they finally give into their lust it made me cringe instead of swoon.

Furthermore, I felt that the book read a little differently after this point. The “f” word shows up twice towards the end of the book and while I’m always supportive of a well-placed curse word, it didn’t seem to land right. I felt that because the characters didn’t previously express themselves in that way, laying down an f-bomb just felt out of place. Without giving away any spoilers, I can say that the story ended without much consequence or real resolution. 

While this book didn’t work for me, I think that readers who enjoy escaping or travelling vicariously through a book will enjoy the descriptive prose about the rugged beauty of the Amalfi Coast and all of its sights, sounds, smells, and tastes. Reading this book did reignite my desire to go back to Italy. 

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the complimentary NetGalley copy in exchange for an honest review!

Book Review: If We Were Villains by M L. Rio

By Carmen Lebar

Content warning: murder, homophobia, mentions of sexual assault, suicide, physical abuse, drug abuse

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio is a novel that centres around a group of fourth-year theatre students at a prestigious university program in Illinois. All is well until their typical casting gets flipped on its head, forever changing the power dynamics of the group. At the beginning of the novel, the reader is introduced to Oliver Marks, one of the students, who is being released from prison for a crime that we aren’t clear whether he committed or not. A dark, twisted, and mysterious novel, If We Were Villains explores many themes such as friendship, academia, accountability, and trauma. What the novel excels at is plot and form.

The novel’s plot is wonderfully crafted. With an academic setting taking place in the fall, it sets the story up for something dark and mysterious. During the fall semester, a tragedy unexpectedly hits the group of students, leaving each student with an equal combination of grief and guilt. Fast forward to the winter semester, and the unexplained circumstances of this tragic event reveal itself in an epic twist and unexpected ending. I found the plot flowed seamlessly throughout the two semesters of school, while also circling back to present day Oliver. Since there were many loose ends in this story unanswered, the mystery of what happened felt unpredictable in the best way. Even when I thought I knew something was about to happen, Rio flipped the script and left me shocked. In combination with the novel’s form, this soon became a book I will never forget.

Just like many Shakespeare plays, If We Were Villains follows a common theatrical structure. The novel is separated into three acts, all divided into scenes and prologues. Even the dialogue follows a play’s structure when characters are speaking consecutively—listing character names instead of separate paragraphs. Since the novel centres around theatre students exclusively performing Shakespeare plays, it added a metatheatrical lens to the entire story. I viewed the novel in a vastly different way when counting this element; I saw it as if the form was directing the novel’s plot. It felt deeply researched, and it enriched the idea of how actors follow many of the character tropes in the plays they’re rehearsing. I enjoyed Rio’s Shakespearean allusions, and the way some of the plot points and character development resembled a lot of the playwright's work.

If you are someone who loves Shakespeare, or loves a bit of theatre, this novel will send you on a three-act roller coaster of suspense and romance. The ending of If We Were Villains left me speechless and had me thinking about the entirety of the novel for a few days after reading. Even if you aren’t someone who likes the above, the novel’s fantastic character development, mystery, and dark academia will draw you in. I suggest picking this novel up with your favourite hot beverage, an oversized sweater, and waiting for the air to chill to feel the full effect of this thrilling novel.