Tag: books
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Thoughts on the 2026 Giller Prize Longlist
Unlike a lot of big literary prizes, the Giller Prize, which rewards the best in Canadian (broadly defined) fiction, has a pretty short runway between the longlist and shortlist announcements. But, the release-scheduling and library gods were kind to me this year, and I was able to read all fourteen titles. Here are my thoughts…
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Monthly Reading Roundup: September 2026
Here are some of the highlights, and one notable low-light, from the past month of my reading life. Nine Raves The Disappearers, by Marlon James (2026) Premise: An act of unspeakable anti-queer violence in 1988 Jamaica has lasting repercussions for its survivors and perpetrators. Review: There are two things you need to know about this:…
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Thoughts on the 2026 Booker Prize Longlist
After a couple near attempts, this was the first year I’ve managed to read the whole Booker Prize longlist. I didn’t really set out to do that, but it just sort of worked out through a combination of interest and accessibility, and the fact that the book I was least interested in reading got perhaps…
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Monthly Music Roundup: August 2026
I’ve been enjoying my monthly reading roundups here, so I thought it would be fun to do the same for new music releases. Here are some of the highlights, and one notable low-light, from the past month of new music releases. Five Raves, Albums Good Grief (Sara Bareilles) While there’s good reason Taylor Swift is known…
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Monthly Reading Roundup: August 2026
Here are some of the highlights, and one notable low-light, from the past month of my reading life. Nine Raves The Fire-Dwellers, by Margaret Laurence (1969 🇨🇦) Premise: A housewife struggles to break the culture of silence and keeping up appearances in her suburban Vancouver neighborhood. Review: This is in all respects a typical second-wave…
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Monthly Reading Roundup: July 2026
Here are some of the highlights, and one notable low-light, from the past month of my reading life. Nine Raves Whistler, by Ann Patchett (2026) Premise: After over forty years, a woman is reunited with an ex-stepfather with whom she shared both a natural affinity and a life-changing trauma-bond. Review: Ann Patchett has this way…
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Monthly Reading Roundup: June 2026
Here are some of the highlights, and one notable low-light, from the past month of my reading life. Nine Raves Father Material (London Calling 3), by Alexis Hall (2026) Premise: Happily tucked into their committed unmarried life, Luc and Oliver consider big next steps Review: I was uncertain whether we needed another book in this…
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Monthly Reading Roundup: May 2026
Between some unexpected duds and a vacation on which I didn’t get a lot of reading done, May was probably my weakest reading month in the past few years. But there were still some notable reads along the way. Here are some of the highlights, and one notable low-light. Nine Eight Raves Son of Nobody,…
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Monthly Reading Roundup: April 2026
April ended up being a pretty good reading month for me, even with a few misses along the way. Here are some of the highlights, and one notable low-light. Nine Raves The Gospel according to Lazarus (aka The Lost Gospel of Lazarus), by Richard Zimler (2019) [RE-READ] Premise: After his being raised from the dead…
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Monthly Reading Roundup: March 2026
March was a decent reading month, but I struggled to find books that really captivated me. I finished a lot of great books, but also didn’t make it past page 15 of a lot too. Nine Raves Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont, by Elizabeth Taylor (1971) Premise: An aging woman moves into a London hotel…
