Book Review: Lili Macaroni by Nicole Testa Illustrated by Annie Boulanger

By Christine McFaul

Lili Macaroni is a new award-winning Canadian picture book by author Nicole Testa and illustrator Annie Boulanger.

“My name is Lili Macaroni, and I am who I am.” 

Lili Macaroni is an exuberant young protagonist. She knows exactly who she is and loves it—until she starts kindergarten. At school, her classmates call her Lili Macaroni-and-Cheese. They say her hair is like a pumpkin, her eyes are squinty blueberries, and her laugh sounds like a parrot. Lili becomes more and more self-conscious, until finally, she stops doing all the things she loves. She wants to erase herself and draw a brand-new Lili to take her place. But does she really want to give up her hair like Mom’s, her eyes like Grandma’s, or her magical laugh like Grandpa’s? Lili realizes that no, she doesn’t. Instead, with some helpful advice from her parents, she makes a polka-dot butterfly to wear on her shoulder. This eases her heartache by helping her to envision her sorrows flying away. When Lili explains what the butterfly means to her class, she realizes how empowering it can be to give a voice to your emotions and that she is not the only one at school who might be in need of a polka-dot butterfly. 

In Lili, Testa has created an irresistibly engaging character to explore the topics of self-confidence and emotions. The book encourages readers to be themselves, suggests practical solutions for coping with difficult emotions (a great platform for caregivers/educators to open up further discussion on these topics), and even includes a series of ‘Inspired Activities’ to encourage a deeper understanding of the themes in the book (my daughters loved the easy-to-follow template for creating their own polka-dot butterfly!).  

Boulanger’s illustrations are totally charming and child friendly. The colours cleverly mirror Lili’s moods—bright, warm, and energetic when she is happy, but shadowed and darker when she is sad—a perfect personification of Lili’s emotional journey throughout the story. And I love how all the illustrations are set against a crisp white background, so they really pop. 

With its loveable main character and empowering message, Lili Macaroni is an excellent book. A great choice for anyone looking for resources to support children with managing feelings and emotions or just looking for a great read in general! (Recommended for readers aged 3-5.)

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

Book Review: The Prynne Viper by Bianca Marais

By Larissa Page

Trigger warning: suicidal ideation, involuntary termination of pregnancy

It’s no secret that I am a fan of Bianca Marais’s writing. Her novels Hum If You Don’t Know the Words and If You Want to Make God Laugh were two of my top reads of 2021. When she announced that she had written a short story that was produced into an Audible Original audio production, I knew I had to listen—both because I so enjoy her writing and because I love a good, well put together audiobook production.

“The Prynne Viper” is a step outside Marais’s typical genre of writing. Set in a future utopian society, free of religion and focused almost solely on data and algorithms to produce a happier and more productive society, this two-hour audiobook takes place in a courtroom. Each time a mother becomes pregnant, the DNA of the parents and the embryo are tested and run by an advanced computer analysis that not only gives full information on their physical and character traits, but also on the choices they’ll make and the people they’ll impact within their lifetime. If the impacts are seen to be more negative than positive (therefore taking away from the happiness and productiveness of society), the pregnancy will be terminated. This is decided by a jury of 13 people who will be positively and negatively impacted by the person should the pregnancy be allowed to come to term. 

We are given four points of view throughout this story: three jurors and the defendant (the pregnant mother). Somehow, within each point of view, Marais was able to give us a very whole look at the futuristic society she created with societal norms, technological advancements, hints at what has happened to our natural world, and things we would right now find normal—and she did it all within a short space of writing. Because each of the four points of view are unique, each have different opinions and views on the state of their world and society, we are able to form our own opinions on it.

The theme and plot of the story are also thought-provoking in another manner; the idea of nature versus nurture, how much of our lives can be mapped and how much is free will, and can we break out of the expectations and actions put on us by our very DNA? I truly didn’t know how the courtroom decision would play out until the very end, even though we are led to believe that the vote should be predictable.

I really enjoyed listening to this story, learning about this futuristic society so different (and yet not so different) from our own, considering how much of our lives is predetermined simply because of who we are and how much is fully free will. So much is packed into a short listening experience (complete with courtroom sound effects, which absolutely add it) that you can listen and enjoy without committing to a substantial amount of time. I absolutely recommend this short story.

Book Review: Homicide and Halo-Halo by Mia P. Manansala

By Meghan Mazzaferro

Content warnings (as provided by the author): PTSD, fatphobia, fertility/pregnancy issues, predatory behaviour, sexual harassment, unresolved grief, parental death (occurred in childhood), and dismissive attitudes towards mental health. Additional content warnings: murder, drowning 

Homicide and Halo-Halo is the second book in the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries series. A few months after being accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend, Lila Macapagal wants nothing more than to put that incident behind her. But it seems no one in Shady Palms is willing to let the past go, and Lila gets dragged into judging the Shady Palms beauty pageant, of which she is a former winner. When a fellow judge is killed, Lila's cousin Bernadette becomes the prime suspect. Now it’s up to Lila to protect her family and the beauty pageant contestants from a killer whose motives are just as elusive as Lila’s baking inspiration these days. 

It’s difficult to review a sequel without comparing it to the first, but the author herself does address this book’s slightly darker tone. I appreciate the author’s notes at the beginning of both books in this series, but Manansala’s statement at the beginning of this one really helped me set realistic expectations for this book. As she says, this book is darker than the first. While still firmly a cosy mystery, Lila is in a difficult place in this book; she struggles with unprocessed trauma, both from the events of the first book and from unhealthy relationships from her childhood. While there were times I found myself missing my favourite side characters from Arsenic and Adobo, the book takes the time to explore how Lila deals with trauma, including pushing people away, and I really respect that. Too often in genres like mystery, mental health can be glossed over for the sake of the next thrill. I valued this book’s commitment to exploring the impacts of trauma and providing Lila with support. I’m excited to see that journey continue as the series progresses. 

I know I said I wouldn’t compare this to the first book, but I will say, while being a fun, quick read (I devoured it in less than twenty-four hours), Homicide and Halo-Halo had a slightly less gripping mystery than its predecessor. This book sets up a number of compelling characters who could all be suspects, and I didn’t feel entirely satisfied with how their stories wrapped up. The actual murder plot and final reveal were exciting, and I enjoyed searching for clues along with Lila and making my own theories, but I feel like there were some character interactions that were left unexplained. I have high hopes that we will see more of these characters in the future, but I did find myself wishing for a bit more information about a few people when I put the book down. 

That being said, I really enjoyed this book. The pacing is quick, the clues are well-spread out and kept me guessing, and I enjoyed Lila’s sleuthing, her meddling godmothers and all the personal dramas that got in the way. The characters in this story are all complex and interesting, and the new characters only add to the appeal of this world. And, as always, this book made me absolutely starving. Lila’s desserts and Tita Rosie’s meals had my stomach rumbling, and I, for one, am eager to try out all of the recipes provided in the back of the book, starting with Lila’s Halo-Halo ice candy. 

Overall, while I may have wanted a bit more from the story’s resolution, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Lila is a delight to follow, and I can’t wait to see what she and her family get up to next (local gossip claims that Lila’s meddling godmothers, the Calendar Crew, might find themselves in a bit of hot water in Blackmail and Bibingka, but we’ll have to wait until October to find out). 

Thank you to Penguin Randomhouse for a review copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Last Beekeeper by Siya Turabi

By Melissa Khan

Hassan, a young boy from Harikaya, Pakistan, loves nature, poetry, and his parents. His mother’s eyesight is getting worse, and Hassan knows the only thing that could keep her from losing her sight completely is the mythical black honey found in the forbidden forest in his village. But to find the bees and obtain their honey, he must first find the beekeeper. Before he can, Hassan is sent to Karachi on scholarship to stay with Mir Saab, a man he believes drove his father away. While there, he meets Mir Saab’s niece, Maryam, and becomes enamoured with life in the city. But the bees still call to him.

The Last Beekeeper is a story of a young boy’s choice between living a life he could never have dreamt for himself and the one he was always meant for. The language is atmospheric and entangles you in its magic realism. 

The historical context of the novel, set in 1974 amidst the political changes in Pakistan, provides an intense layer to this novel that without it wouldn’t be the same. Understanding the volatile shift happening between the private and publicly owned industries at the time allows readers to fully empathize with Mir Saab’s actions and how devastating the choice he made was when he was Hassan’s age. Also, recognizing the real-world existence of the species of bees Hassan is searching for allows readers to believe in the honey’s healing properties, instead of it being simply a magical solution. Before going into this novel, I wasn’t aware of these elements, and my perspective changed greatly upon learning them. The magic felt real and the stakes were higher.

Although beautifully written, there were moments throughout the story that felt like false starts, making it difficult to stay focused. An event would occur that could further the main plot, but the scene would end abruptly, or the characters would neglect to share information. Hassan’s lack of information was used to add a mystical sense of uncertainty, but it also made the story drag. Magical elements like Hassan’s ability to visit the beehive, communicate with them, or his connection with them went unexplained, leaving the reader confused. Around the midway point in the novel, I kept anticipating that something big was about to happen and was disappointed when nothing ever came from what I interpreted as foreshadowing. More conflict or substantial interactions between intertwined characters could have prevented their endings from feeling thin or underdeveloped.

I struggled at first to get into this story, which was due mainly to missing details and context. Upon completion of the novel, I’m glad I was able to finish. I think, overall, the story was decent and enjoyable. I encourage those interested in Hassan’s journey to stick through it and keep an open mind for this ambitious debut novel. 

Thank you, Harper Collins Canada, for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney

By Carmen Lebar

Beautiful World, Where Are You is the latest novel by Sally Rooney after the massive success of Normal People. It details the life of Eileen, Alice, Felix, and Simon as they try to understand their relationships to each other as well as themselves. In quintessential Sally Rooney form and structure, Rooney creates a vivid and colourful world where even the mundane is extraordinary. However, there are many parts of this novel that unfortunately didn’t work for me. I went into this novel hoping to connect with the characters and story, but a lot of it fell flat. My biggest critique of this novel is that it read like Rooney was trying to write two different books into one. 

The novel interchanges between first-person narration (written in email format) and third-person narration. The juxtaposition of these narratives is very harsh and does not flow well when reading. These chapters touch upon interesting topics such as fame, Marxism, writing, and much more. Yet, with these chapters, the writing becomes increasingly formal even though the narrators are writing personal emails to their best friend. It felt strange reading knowing that these characters are very close. While these emails reflect the interests and concerns of two of the main characters, Rooney unfortunately writes in a rather formal, almost academic, tone that begs the question: why wasn’t a collection of essays written instead?

I enjoyed learning about the characters in this novel, but it was hard to connect with them when reading these emails. If Rooney had focused more on the platonic and romantic relationships, I would have enjoyed this novel much more. There were many great moments where Rooney established very interesting character-driven prose, and there’s no doubt that Rooney is a talented writer, but I felt the emails unintentionally took away from the character development. For example, some characters identify as bisexual and there’s no exploration of this identity with these queer characters. What does it mean for them? How does it affect their livelihood? There’s also a pivotal moment for a character that Rooney glosses over that I felt was one of the most interesting moments in the novel. Adding extra details and expanding on moments would have made the novel more complex and engaging.

In Beautiful World, Where Are You, Rooney wrote some beautiful and dynamic prose. The characters all have intimate moments and characteristics only Rooney could write. I think this novel would have benefitted from staying as a third-person narration and had these email correspondences reworked or removed to create a collection of essays. I’m sure Rooney enthusiasts would love to read any nonfiction from her, especially concerning her writing process and struggles with fame. Unfortunately, the novel didn’t work for me. I think this novel would be great for anyone who loves Rooney’s work or if you enjoy contemporary fiction written by women. I still look forward to the next book Rooney releases. 

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. Please note that Carmen has recently acquired a new position with Penguin Random House Canada. Her thoughts and opinions are her own, but for transparency we'd like to share this detail.

Book Review: In the Footsteps of the Group of Seven by Jim and Sue Waddington

Caprice Hogg

This is not your average art history book as Jim and Sue Waddington take the reader on an artistic adventure. Their goal was not only to have a better understanding of the paintings and the artists of the Group of Seven, but they also felt that “Canadians should know some of the sites of their most renowned paintings.” 

            The Group of Seven travelled to remote locations across Canada to paint the rugged and remote lands. These trips resulted in an art movement showcasing a truly Canadian art. Yet, the artists left very few details as to where the paintings actually happened. It was the art that inspired the authors to track down the locations of these paintings that changed the way we see art in Canada. This turned into a 36-year odyssey that took the authors on journeys to lands many Canadians will never see. The trips were not easy as they traversed through rugged and remote locations to find the spot of the painter’s artistic vision.  

            More important than the actual travel was the lengthy process of researching and investigating the elusive painting spots. They tracked mere clues found in letters and other correspondence to narrow down their search. The authors also acknowledge that luck, more often than not, was their greatest ally in finding the scene of the paintings. The result of their efforts produced a beautiful book that not only showcases the artwork of Canada’s greatest painters but then puts those paintings next to a photograph of the actual scene. This parallel allows the viewer to literally stand in the exact locations where the painters stood decades earlier. It is fascinating to see how little the scenes themselves have changed even after so much time has passed. To an artistic eye, seeing the photos of the views next to the paintings gives us a deeper understanding of what the artists found to be important, the details they left out of the paintings, the parts they chose to focus on, and how they simplified the dramatic scene in front of them. All these details are important to better understand the paintings and what their artistic eyes deemed important in a work of art.

            This book transports us to a time when the artists themselves, who are now long dead, stood in these various spots with paintbrushes dripping with oil paint, paintboxes, and spectacular scenery spread out in front of them. These moments in time would live on and become famous because they captured them in paint for future generations. They created something that is revered in art museums across the country. It takes us back to the humble beginnings before the artists were famous and show how their talents and the remarkable Canadian scenery stands through the test of time. 

Book Review: The Perfect Family by Robyn Harding

By Carly Smith

Content warning: sexual assault/rape, harassment

From the outside looking in, the Adler home is perfect: an immaculate yard, a well-maintained house, and hardworking, successful parents. From the inside looking out, however, things are far from perfect. Meet Viv, Thomas, Eli, and Tarryn. On paper, the family is nearly flawless. Viv helps her well-to-do clients remodel rooms in their homes, while Thomas is a local real estate agent. Eli is home from university for the summer, taking some downtime from his impressive soccer talents, and Tarryn is a teenage girl who, much to any parent’s relief, does not appear to be overly consumed by the typical pressures of young adulthood. 

What most neighbours and acquaintances are not privy to though, are the Adler’s secrets. Theft, late night video chats in lingerie, sexual assault, and drunken indiscretions haunt the family members. So when their home is continuously targeted by vandals, arsonists, and intruders, and their safety is threatened, each family member has reason to wonder if his or her secrets were the cause. Harding creatively juxtaposes the untarnished façade of a meticulously cared for house with the dreadful metaphorical closet that houses the family’s many skeletons. 

The chapters of this page-turning thriller alternate between each family member. Readers are first introduced to the goings-on in the Adler house by Viv, a middle aged wife and decorator who seems to have it all but is feeling little control in her own life. Fearing the worst from her husband and disappointed by a recent choice made by her son, Viv takes on a secret habit to help her cope. Next, we hear from Thomas, a diligent, hardworking man whose attempts to connect with his children often miss the mark. A night of overindulgence paired with his lack of self-awareness lead to several predicaments which pose a threat to not only him, but to his family as well.  

Eli, the oldest of the two Adler children, is spending his summer between gaming and working at a pub, causing much despondency in his parents. He can’t think about soccer or school, though, not at the risk of having terrible, nightmarish memories haunt him. Finally, readers are acquainted with Tarryn, only daughter of Viv and Thomas, a cynical yet wise young woman whose escape from high school life starts to interfere with her sense of safety and cause her to second guess her risky decisions. 

Choosing to write from the perspective of all four family members was a brave and exciting choice; when authors do this, there is often too much overlap and readers are left disengaged, feeling as if they already know how the book will end. Harding, however, did not overshare and used a unique tone and language for each character. I found myself looking forward to uncovering another character’s take on events, knowing that a few extra details would be added to help me work out the unknowns. I recommend this book for all thriller lovers, and any readers interested in taking a chance with the thriller genre.

Book Review: I Love You, Call Me Back by Sabrina Benaim

By Meredith Grace Thompson

 In I Love You, Call Me Back, Sabrina Benaim’s words speak directly into my mouth with a pre-pandemic intimacy which makes my skin shudder. Her speaker lives in isolation, compelled by brief interludes of virtual contact, distinctly within the moment of a summer in lockdown. She breathes video chats and walking her dog, cups of coffee on the stoop, and bird song. Her days are filled with cleaning rituals and phone calls with her mother and cooking. Her mind seems to exist within her body—tied very much to her body and yet floating beyond it somehow. Her relationships have become distances without intention . She watches her new nephew grow through a computer screen and listens to her sick mother describe what will come after she is gone, over the telephone.  

i am watching my nephew laugh for the first time 

through a screen 

i am watching my mother watch my nephew laugh (p.24)

Encapsulating the strangeness of pandemic isolation, Benaim writes a temporary yet inexhaustible reflection and refraction of self. Self-love; self-indulgence masquerading as self-care; self-care morphing into unfettered self-hatred, clawing its way back up up up into a healing, a growing together. A scar tissue collective sprouting into a blossoming nuance of form. 

She cascades through an inconsistently poignant use of capital letters— a lowercase i showing perhaps the deterioration self, perhaps the oneness of self. She captures through poetic form the layered depths of the rabbit hole which isolation opens up in the mind of the isolated. And while her body might be doing this or that, the mind of Benaim’s speaker is not limited to the same apartment, city, or time, but rather traverses freely through what came before and what is yet to come. Dreaming and daydreaming together at once. 

Benaim captures a moment of forced stillness, forced separation, relocation, and reflection where everything feels stalled, stagnant, reflective, spinning, and without a clear sense of time. Dates mark some of the poems to allow the reader a foothold within this swirling, mesmerising world, but being swept up into those swirling waters is the joy of Benaim’s writing. 

i have vivid dreams 

in all of them 

my mother is alive (p. 98)

A world which becomes comfortable to the speaker, at risk of perhaps not wanting to leave again.  

I hope the mail 

stays undelivered 

I do not wish 

to have my belongings back. (p. 57)

Benaim’s explorations of a self inside the extenuating circumstances of the pandemic are to be commended. Her poetry is fearless in its content, ranging from the deeply intimate nature of mental health and discussions of depression and body image, to the wild intimacy of the utterly mundane details of daily life (one poem is an excellent recipe for roasted cauliflower). For what could be more intimate than to be invited into the everyday of another human being, simply existing? The collection as a whole is a moment perfectly captured, leaving the reader with aftertastes of sunbeams and heavy summer air brimming with the strange daydreaming silence of mid-pandemic lockdown. 

...You bring yellow flowers

 every Monday when you arrive home. 

I keep them out on the wooden table 

no taller than a tulip standing 

on the shoulders of another tulip. (p. 23)

Book Review: Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

By Melissa Barbuzzi

Think you know who you’re married to? Think again. In Rock Paper Scissors, Adam and Amelia’s marriage has been struggling for a long time. Adam is a workaholic screenwriter who also struggles with face blindness. He can’t recognize friends, family, or even his own wife Amelia. When the couple wins a weekend getaway in Scotland, they’re hoping it’s exactly what they need to fix their marriage. But little do they know their weekend getaway is more than it seems. Will all their problems be solved, or will 10 years of secrets come back to haunt them?

Rock Paper Scissors was the first book I’ve read by Alice Feeney, and I am now a big fan. I listened to this as an audiobook and absolutely loved every minute of it. Sometimes a book is even better in audio, and I think this was definitely the case here! The narration felt spot on, and I truly was envisioning every piece of the plot.

I loved the uniqueness of this thriller. Adam’s face blindness added a completely different element to the book and allowed for so much to happen—which definitely did! The story was told with multiple character POVs, as well as multiple timelines. Normally, this can get a bit confusing, but the way it was done was perfect. The character building and worldbuilding was very realistic, which is always really important to me in a book.

This was a stellar thriller that held my interest the entire time. There were so many twists throughout the book and so many little details that ended up coming full circle. My jaw genuinely dropped multiple times, and there were many “OMG” moments. At first I was worried that the book was going to be a bit too scary for me, but it ended up being the perfect amount of spooky!

By the end of the book my mind was blown and every theory I had was completely wrong. There were a few loose ends and not all of my questions were answered, but for the most part the ending gave me everything I needed.

Overall, Rock Paper Scissors has become one of my all-time favourite thrillers and I highly recommend it. I am so impressed with how unique it felt from other thrillers that I’ve read, and I cannot wait to read more Alice Feeney! I’ve already purchased a few of her old books and they’re currently sitting on my shelf ready to be read.

Ingredients

By Evan J

Photo by Evan J

As the Cloud Lake Literary Fiction Editor, I can confidently claim that our submissions never lack creativity. The submission pile is full of stories with premises that shock and excite me. But a unique premise is only part of the recipe for a good story. A publishable story requires all of its literary elements to be well crafted.

It’s like cooking. To be a good chef, you must know every flavour and how they work together. Even if you have a beautiful cut of meat, you must still know what combination of flavours is appropriate for the meal. You must know how the flavours will interact. You must know how to cook these flavours in a balanced and proper manner. If you misjudge even one single flavour, or if you cook in an improper sequence, the meal will taste odd and unbalanced. More than likely the meal will be forgettable. Or worse, ruined.

If this cooking metaphor was too elongated to follow, here’s the code: The chef is the author. The flavours are writing elements. The meal is the story. Balance is, well, balance.  

What I’m saying is, to create a successful story the author must employ the appropriate writing elements. These elements are (in no particular order): syntax, sense, diction, sentence length, metaphor, meaning, sound, rhythm, speed, passion, tension, tone, discipline, weight, and pressure. Notice how I didn’t even list plot, characters, or setting? To continue our cooking analogy, those three fiction writing elements are simply fundamental, like a wok and tongs; without them we can’t even begin cooking. Furthermore, good quality cookware is vital to making great food. 

To accept a submission to our journal, I’m looking for a story that is well crafted. The author must be serious about their technique; they must know and care about these writing elements and employ them appropriately. There must be balance in the story.

Without doubt, learning how to employ these writing elements is challenging. If it was easy, my job as an editor would be very difficult. But if you want your work to stand out, you must make it stand out. You must work hard, write several drafts, assess your work from the perspective of every writing element in your repertoire, and then edit appropriately. And if eventually you get the balance right, the story will get published. Guaranteed.

To quote Wallace Stevens, “technique is the proof of your seriousness.” Now show me how serious you are.

In Conversation with Louise B. Halfe author of awâsis

With Carly Smith

Photo by Kim Regier

I was drawn to this book because of the main character in your poems who is gender fluid, playful, and ever-changing. The essence of awäsis crisply ties together the varying subjects of the poems while also affording each poem individuality. I seek to learn more about your inspiration and hopes for the book, your choice to include the Cree language, and how you selected the particular poems found in the book. I wish to thank you for the interview and I encourage everyone to open your book and take what they can from it; I am certain that each interpretation will be different yet significant. 

What was the inspiration for the creation of this book of poems?

For each book written I watch and listen to conversations happening around me. There are plenty of themes that surface, and I wait for the right inspiration to occur, and I follow it. When that happens the subject becomes possessive, and I become obsessed. Then I know I am on the right path. 

Why did you choose awâsis as the main character of your poetry and why was it significant to have a common character amongst your poems? 

We all have a child within. And that child loves to have fun, play tricks on others, and hilarious private things happen to us that we often won’t share with us. I was tapping into that child, inviting it to come out and play, laugh and to love.

How did you choose which poems to include in awâsis – kinky and dishevelled? Are there poems that you wish could have been included but didn’t work or feel right? How did you make decisions on which to keep and which to set aside?

I write intuitively and I completely trust the process. These poems came about from both the native and white public. The native folks had no end of laughter and story, while as the white public had to really struggle of what funny incident happened in their lives. I presume the concept of “the stiff upper lip” dominates their lives. There were some poems that didn’t make it in though funny in their respective way they couldn’t translate to paper. The poems must translate unto paper and deliver their humour. I asked permission to author the stories and promised to keep them anonymous. I gave each contributor a copy of the book in exchange. 

What feeling or message do you hope the book’s audience takes away from it?

Native people are not stoic like the stereotypes portrayed in media. Nor are we any more violent than any other nations, nor do we have monopoly over dysfunction and pain. We laugh, love and cry. As human beings we have a lot of common denominators although experiences differ. 

Humour plays an important role in awâsis – kinky and dishevelled. Do you think that using humor as a way of storytelling and poetry-sharing is a way to open doors for bigger conversations?

Yes, for sure. In Indian country if we tease a non-native person, it signals acceptance into the community. Sometimes humor is destructive, and one must be judicious on the content and delivery.

Some words in the poems are in Cree, whereas the rest of the poem is in English. How did you choose which words to write in Cree, and why did you choose to do this?

I want to emphasize that I write intuitively. I don’t spend a lot of time harassing the intuitive. I invite it in. Cree is my first language and I want to share it and attempt to preserve it by the inserting the words. And why not? Many non-native writers take full advantage of inserting other languages in their text without bothering to supply the interpretation. I figured if they could do this what was stopping me?

I’ve asked what you hope the book’s audience takes away from this compilation of poems. What have you taken away from this book, or how has it shaped you as an author?

I’ve always LOVED my community for its humor, in particularly during our dark times. We find humor in so many things and some folks are rich and blessed with it. They bring us along. How has it shaped me? I continue to listen, to enjoy and to silently take in all my surroundings.

Of all the poems in the book, do you have one you’d call a favourite, that you connect with the most, or is there a particular one you yourself find reciting often? 

I love awâsis. I randomly let the pages fall and read from them. I don’t wish to divulge which poem is my favorite as I just love the character. If I chose a favorite, it would be like playing a child against the other. Not nice.

Now that awâsis is published, will there be another book from you soon? 

I am working on several different manuscripts some of which are old. Something is in the works.

With the experience you have writing and publishing, what advice would you give to aspiring authors who are trying to navigate the publishing world?

Write often, daily if possible. This will enrich the craft. Be safe. Be honest. Go to a therapist if there is a need. Examine and figure out the fears. Don’t pay attention to spelling errors, punctuation, etc. work on that later. Get help. Accept feedback, ruminate on it, and decide does it fit. Be Free. I ask those that I respect who have a command of whatever language I am exploring and using for editorship. 

Read, read, read. Be a critical reader. Read a variety of subjects. And if one subject captivates you, read many authors coming from a different point of view and have that common theme. Research. Research. Research, books, people, etc. observe, listen, record. Learn to use she/he, they if “I” is too personal. Ask permission for the idea.

Be disciplined. Persevere. 

Incorporate daydreams and night dreams into the writing. Learn to read what the dreams are teaching you. Writing is ceremony. Life is a constant ceremony. It has its ups and its downs; one is never without the other. The difficulties encourage and push you to grown. Relish the feeling of work achieved and well-done. Learn to live without the accolades as there will be a few and far in between. Immediate gratification comes from within. Humility is your best companion.

Send the manuscript to a writers retreat, like Sage Hill Writing Experience, or Banff. Apply for funding/scholarships, grants. Seek successful writers, editors, and find mentors who will encourage you.

What is your “must-read” book recommendation and what book has had the most impact and influence on your writing?

I came across a book called “The Road Less Travelled” by a psychiatrist M. Scott-Peck years and years ago. Its an old classic. It led me to my spiritual journey, and I implemented what I learned. Dreams, Ceremony, Elders, therapists, friends, mentors, and books have all walked with me in all my endeavors as a writer, as a person. I don’t dismiss any teachings even if they are hurtful. There is a need to examine everything. We all have choices.

Book Review: awâsis by Louise B. Halfe (Sky Dancer)

By Carly Smith

In awâsis - kinky and dishevelled, Louise B. Halfe relays poems by way of awâsis, a being with a childlike, mischievous soul and a quick wit. awâsis is gender-fluid and embodies many different characters across Halfe’s compilation of poems. The concept of awâsis may be tricky to grasp, but their character is very fitting for the topics that Halfe covers, as well as for her desire to exude humour and a light-hearted tone. 

Halfe’s poems are loosely structured. They contain different sized stanzas and do not rhyme. The choice to make free-flowing, flexible poems parallels awâsis’s personality beautifully. Like awâsis, the forms in her poems keep readers on their toes; just as readers may have trouble predicting what awâsis will do or say next, they may also have trouble knowing when to move their eyes or stop their voices. The structures of Halfe’s poems are unique and whimsical, just like awâsis.

Halfe presents a variety of topics in her poems, including everyday experiences and mishaps, relationships, and sexuality. No matter the subject, Halfe’s words and awâsis’s adventures will leave readers chuckling and perhaps shaking their heads in agreement with a sly smile. Halfe does an amazing job of intertwining humour, wonder, and relatability. Furthermore, she uses word choice cleverly, sometimes choosing a Cree word instead of an English one, and at other times deliberately misspelling an English word. Her choice in language and spelling connects readers to the subject on a deeper level, and I appreciate that this technique is not overused. 

Overall, awâsis - kinky and dishevelled is a great book that leaves readers feeling both connected to Halfe’s work and intrigued by the parts they are unable to relate to.

Book Review: The Apollo Murders by Chris Hadfield

By Hayley Platt

The Apollo Murders (published in October 2021) is a novel following the Apollo 18 mission set in 1973. It is written by Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield, and it is clear from the beginning that the technical details of the writing are accurate. Overall, this book fits into many genres, including science fiction, mystery and thriller, and historical fiction.

The story follows the crew and support and ground staff, beginning from their preparations to go to the moon through to the return of the crew to earth. The thriller aspects of the book come from the race to space during the cold war era, and as the title eludes, a murder or two.

Though this book is heavy in technical details, the writing flowed smoothly. Details are described using language that can be understood by readers with various backgrounds, and no prior knowledge of the themes presented is required to enjoy the story. Reading The Apollo Murders will give you enough information to begin to understand and appreciate the complexities of space travel. About one hundred pages in, the story shifts from background and story building and dives into the mystery and thriller storyline-- from there, it’s difficult to put down.

Instead of being split into traditional chapters, The Apollo Murders is split into larger sections based on where in the mission the crew is. Within these sections there are shorter segments told from different perspectives, which keeps readers quickly flipping pages.

There are a few instances throughout the novel where there are mechanical failures onboard the spacecraft. During these times, Hadfield takes us into a flashback of sorts to the point in time where there was an error in construction or design of the particular piece, who was working on it, and some of their history. This was a really interesting way to get a glimpse at how long and detailed the construction of a piece of machinery like this can be.

In real life, the Apollo program ended after Apollo 17, so it is clear that this book is fiction, but also falls within the realm of possibility. A note at the beginning of the book indicates that many of the characters are real, many of the events actually happened, and the novel is bookended with a comprehensive list of each of the real people and things with some explanation. Sections like this, explaining exactly what is historical and what is fiction, are always appreciated in historical fiction books.

The Apollo Murders is a complex and detailed novel that seamlessly merges sci-fi with the historical challenges of its era. It is recommended to both thriller and space lovers—and of course, fellow fans of Chris Hadfield.

Book Review: Mouth to Mouth by Antoine Wilson

By Fayth Simmons

Mouth to Mouth could be described as a story within a story as the main narrative occurs via ruminative storytelling. At the onset of the novel, the main character is assumed to be the man first introduced, who has just gotten off a red-eye flight from Los Angeles and is waiting for his connecting flight to Berlin. The reader is given a slight history on this character, for the sake of context, but his role becomes less dominating and much more observatory as the plot progresses, and he is not given a name. The real protagonist is introduced as Jeff, an old college acquaintance of the nameless man, and someone he remembers having admiration for. Meeting at JFK airport, the two men recognize each other, and Jeff invites his old peer to join him in the first-class lounge to reconnect as they both wait for their shared flight to arrive, which has been delayed. Once settled and after a brief catch-up, Jeff begins to tell a somewhat surreal story: an explanation of the timeline of his young adult life, which hinges and centralizes around one major event.

Shortly after finishing college, Jeff finds himself housesitting at a residence near the water. When jogging along the beach one morning, he notices a swimmer, obviously struggling to stay afloat. He is confronted equally with the glaring reality of the situation and his aloneness on the beach. Weighing his options, he decides to jump in after this person and pull them to shore, where he resuscitates them (hence the title, Mouth to Mouth). This person turns out to be a man named Francis Arsenault, a notary figure in the art world, and after saving his life, Jeff cannot seem to help but feel some connection to him. Chasing this feeling, even years after the event, Jeff tracks Francis down to the location of his art gallery in Beverly Hills, seemingly seeking validation for his actions—or closure. The rest of the story follows Jeff as his life becomes ever more entwined with Francis’ up until the notable ending. 

Antoine’s novel follows a conversational pattern—the reader is always aware, however intriguing Jeff’s narration is, that he is speaking to another person, and that they are still set within the airport. The plot of what is realized to essentially be Jeff’s life story is compelling and significant in its consideration of a person’s relationship to fate. It initiates a debate over whether an individual’s role in steering such a thing as fate might be active or passive, and how this possible choice may result in differing outcomes. The novel is well-written and direct in its delivery style, though not especially emotional, and successfully keeps the reader engaged. That being said, though it poses some deeper, more philosophical lines of questioning, the language is not overly lyrical. Instead, the author has delivered a solid, clear, and uninterrupted narrative that aids in objectively illustrating the nature of the characters and the conflict within. 

Blurring the lines between thriller and mystery, Mouth to Mouth serves as an entertaining and thoughtfully written work of fiction, interspersed with themes of morality. It requires fairly little of the reader—the reader holding a similar role to that of the unnamed man as he sits and listens to Jeff tell his story, every so often adding in a question. Ultimately, this novel is representative of a series of events which have culminated to form a single character—as Jeff relates his past experiences to another person, it is as if he is finally able to see and understand them for himself. This notion could also allow for the reader to connect more fully with the narrative, meditating upon the main themes of humanism, identity, and the manipulation (or lack thereof) of fate.

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

Book Review: Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

By Dahl Botterill

Keiko Furukura has always found people confusing. As a child, she was disciplined for reacting strangely to social situations, and while she would eventually understand that her actions were considered socially unacceptable—dead budgies on the playground weren't potential dinner, and a shovel wasn't the ideal way to end a fight between fellow schoolchildren—she could never understand why. She was loved and cared for, but she didn't feel those emotions herself. She withdrew, toed the line, and avoided drawing negative attention until she stumbled upon a part-time job at a convenience store.

To say Keiko thrives in the convenience store would be an overstatement, but it does provide a place where she can fit into contemporary society. The job comes with detailed instructions pertaining to every aspect of employment, from customer interactions to personal health and hygiene. The biggest problem for Keiko when we meet her in Convenience Store Woman is that she's been at the convenience store for 20 years, and thus, once again finds herself at odds with the societal expectations of those around her. She's reached an age where she's expected to have either a husband or a career and having no interest in either is once again causing friction in her life.

Convenience Store Woman reminded me of Camus' Outsider in a lot of ways. Keiko doesn't just find herself incapable of fitting in, but the people around her can't fathom why this is the case. In many ways, this inability of those around her to understand how Keiko relates to the world reflects her inability to understand how she's supposed to—the difference is that she doesn't expect them to. She devotes a tremendous amount of effort trying to fit others' expectations and lessen the discomfort of those around her, often at great detriment to herself, but very few other people expend the same energy into accepting her the way she is.

This book is a quick read and quite unlike anything else I've read recently. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, Convenience Store Woman introduces a protagonist that merely wants to exist. Keiko isn't seeking romance or adventure or success; her greatest drive is to fit into society, not necessarily well, but just well enough that her existence isn't troublesome to those around her. Convenience Store Woman is a great read about a fascinating character, and I enjoyed it very much.

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata has been translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori.

Book Review: My Amy by Tyler James

By Cassandra Navratil

I was just hitting my early twenties when Amy Winehouse exploded onto the music scene, and I will never forget the first time I heard her on the radio. I will also never forget the day that she died—another brilliant musical talent gone at the young age of 27, just like Janis Joplin and Kurt Cobain before her. Tyler James’ emotional memoir of his time with Amy, aptly titled My Amy, provides a peek into who she was prior to fame, and her eventual downfall into the reckless world of drug addiction. 

Through his eyes, Tyler (we’re on a first name basis as he writes so informally that you really feel like you know him by the close of the story) depicts Amy as a moody, wildly talented yet depressed pre-teen; someone he could finally relate to in the world of peppy theatre kids attending the Sylvia Young Theatre School in London. Their connection is immediate and a lifelong bond is formed. Tyler becomes Amy’s confidant, best friend, surrogate brother, biggest cheerleader, roommate, and ultimately, her protector. 

As she navigates her quick rise to fame, Tyler is with her each step of the way, and leads us along a tale that we all know does not end happily. For Tyler, though, having known her clearly left an enormous impact on his own self, career, and future. Amy’s eventual tragic demise is depicted as a testament to the immense and extreme pressures placed on young adults in the music industry as they top the charts. 

My Amy is one of those books written in such a smooth and informal style, I really felt like I could have been a fly on the wall. It put me on an absolute rollercoaster of emotions, especially due to its beginning and reflection on Amy’s childhood and formative teenage years. As a huge music and Amy Winehouse fan, this book was a four out of five stars for me in terms of the writing style, story, and overall look at her life from the perspective of one of her closest, longtime friends. 

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

Book Review: Umbilical Cord by Hasan Namir

By Carly Smith

Content warning: homophobia 

Umbilical Cord is a compilation of poems by Hasan Namir centring on deeply personal topics, including his homosexuality and fatherhood. Through his words, Namir delves into the profound emotions driven by surrogacy, parenthood, homophobia, and heteronormativity. He writes about his romantic relationship with his husband and his experiences of being an expectant parent (but not the gestational carrier) during pregnancy. He includes memories that tugged on his heartstrings in the early stages of raising a child, and the wishes and words of love he has for his new son. Umbilical Cord leaves readers emotionally charged and passionate about Namir’s hardships and triumphs. 

Umbilical Cord is perfectly named. Namir documents the connections he shares with various individuals, be it long term or brief, including his son, his husband, their surrogate, strangers, and his father. As he writes about these connections, he recalls situations of heartbreak and upset, as his father and others oppose his homosexuality. He also writes about times of joy while connecting with his husband and his son. 

The poems are not ordered chronologically, nor are they grouped by format, theme, or emotion. Rather, Namir orders his poetry in the same way life hits him—erratically, with waves of varied emotion. Just as relationships, both tumultuous and steady, are spread out over time, so too are the themes we encounter in this collection. His choice in ordering the poems in this particular way helps maintain interest, suspense, and empathy, especially for those who have not experienced what he has. 

He has a knack for evoking excitement. The catharsis created by his word choice is undeniable. This book is suitable for anyone wanting to gain perspective on same-sex parenthood, surrogacy, the spontaneity of children, and present-day prejudice against homosexuality. Even though Umbilical Cord offers insight into a set of unique experiences, it is still exceptionally engaging and approachable. 

Book Review: The Fishy Squishy Goonies of Wabigoon Lake by Mardi-Lee Plomp

By Jamie Maletta

My son received The Fishy Squishy Goonies of Wabigoon Lake as a Christmas gift, adorably accompanied by a stuffed goon-y goon “Goonie” monster, and a concretion directly from Northwestern Ontario’s Wabigoon Lake itself. It was such a sweet and fun gift with little treasures to hold as you read the book.  

The story talks about the lake, the swimming, the fishing, and of course the creatures of the goon-y goon! Adorably described as disgusting yet somehow cute and lovable, the “Goonies” live at the bottom of the waters where they are growing very concerned about the trash, plastic, and rising pollution building up in their lake. Trying their best to keep the lake clean, the Goonies reluctantly tidy, whisk away pop cans, collecting lures and old tires throughout their day. The Goonies are very proud of their lake and tell stories about the lake in the winter and about the shallow waters’ concretions, and of course, they invite the reader to clean up some of the garbage the next time they visit! 

This was such a sweet story, and I loved the added lesson surrounding pollution that was written on a level that children can understand. Each page has adorable illustrations, with the story displayed in large font, making reading a little easier for the new book lover in your life. 

I’ve passed by this lake numerous times while visiting my parents, and I love the local and close-to-home aspect! My son is only two, but once he’s old enough to understand that the book is about that lake, we will definitely make a trip out there (and, of course, make sure to pick up some trash during our visit)! I always love a local book, and this is one I feel the little reader in your life will truly enjoy! 

Book Review: Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong

By Megan Amato

Content warning: blood, torture, violence

  These violence delights have violent ends. 
  And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, 
  Which as they kiss consume. — Shakespeare

After that maddening and hair-pulling cliffhanger Chloe Gong left us with in These Violent Delights, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the conclusion to the 1920s Shanghai duology, Our Violent Ends. Both books are named aptly after Romeo and Juliet, the work that inspired them, and the titles hint at the arrogant decadence and bloodshed that coat the pages and trap the tragically in-love protagonists in the blood feud between their rival gangs. The finale is intense, full of hostility and betrayal, but most of all love, in all its forms. 

To protect everyone she cares about and hold her place at the top of the Scarlet Gang, Juliette killed one of Roma’s best friends—or so everyone thinks. Marshall hides during the day in an apartment outside of the city and sneaks out at night to protect those he cares about in the White Flowers Gang while Juliette smuggles him food. Although Roma and his cousin Benedikt are out for her blood, she keeps up the ruse as bloodshed between the rival gangs escalates.

But it’s not only the gangs who are amping up the violence. As the communists and nationalists make moves to take over Shanghai, so too does a blackmailer who will let the city fall to contagious monsters unless both Scarlet Gang and White Flowers come to heel. Juliette and Roma will have to work together again to save their city and risk both their hearts and lives in the process.

This thrilling conclusion brought the characters we were just getting to know in the first book to life—especially the side characters. We get much more of fun-loving Marshall and his relationship—or lack thereof—with his military father. Juliette and Marshall’s blossoming friendship provides some of my favourite moments in the novel, as does his devil-may-care attitude as he vigilantes to save his love, Benedikt, from his own destructive behaviour. Roma’s younger sister Alisa is also far more fleshed out. Her motivations and actions shift from younger sister to a girl just as willing to protect her family without the bitterness Roma carries. 

However, Kathleen’s character arc stands out from everyone’s—including the main characters. She transforms from a supporting character into her own as her position as Scarlet infiltrator into the communist party blurs until she no longer pretends to sympathize. Though she loves her cousin, she moves out from under Juliette’s shadow, sheds the disguise of the dead sister she’s worn for too long, and emerges as Celia, a woman who wants more for herself and her city than the corruption and violence of gang life. 

Roma and Juliette’s love is just as all-consuming and destructive as it has been all along, each willing to sacrifice everything to protect and love the other. But this doesn’t mean that it isn’t beautiful to behold. Despite the many consequences of their actions, their love for each other is just as intense as their love for Shanghai. When both are threatened, their combined efforts to save everything that matters has them shed their gang roles and egos, which ups the stakes and moves the plot to its volcanic crescendo. 

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

Book Review: Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

By Larissa Page

If you’ve been looking for a fun, steamy, 2SLGBTQIA+ romance, I have one for you. As someone who tends to be pickier about romance (I have been known not to finish contemporary romances for lots of reasons), I really enjoyed this one. 

Darcy has recently moved to Seattle to escape heartbreak and focus on advancing her career as an actuary. Her brother, a true romantic, is continuously meddling and trying to help her move on and get back “out there,” something she has no interest in doing. So, when he sets her up with Elle, a business partner who specializes in astrology, the practical and skeptical Darcy sees an opportunity to get her brother off her back. Even though the blind date goes terribly wrong, Darcy manages to rope Elle into a fake relationship. As they put on their charade, the lines between what is real and what is fake begin to blur.

The characters in this book were so well written. The hesitancies and minor miscommunications were real and relatable. It wasn’t hard to see where everyone was coming from in their actions and decisions, which is important when reading a romance because you want to be emotionally invested as the story moves—that’s why we read romances like these. The fake dating trope was also well done, and I think that this trope in general can be less triggering than some other romance tropes.. 

The “steamy” or “spicy” level of this romance is fairly high. This is not a “fade to black” type of romance. It builds up the chemistry between the two characters, then absolutely delivers the goods. It may not be a book you want to read in public and it is “not safe for work,” so if you’re listening to it on audio, make sure your headphones aren’t leaking sound! 

I found Darcy and Elle lovable and I was rooting for them the whole time, both individually and as a couple. It was a story that made me feel good, hopeful for love, and connected to the characters. It is not very often I pick up a sequel immediately after finishing a novel, but I have already started Hang the Moon (a sequel focusing on some of the supporting characters from this one) and I saw today that there is a third one coming next month, which I am also very excited to read.