Writing humour is difficult. Wordplay can trigger a laugh but the same pun may cause one listener to laugh, the other to groan. The reasons two people might not laugh at the same joke are poorly understood. We know that humour plays with language, touches on truth and finds ways of expressing things we can’t […]
Christopher Moore — A Dirty Job Read More »
In an era where visual-literacy and computer-literacy are de rigour but appreciation for novels feels old-fashioned, it’s nice to meet people online who share my obsession. Today I updated my link to A Reader’s Journal. This blogger, AKA Booklogged, recently ran a book giveaway contest which my new book blog buddy Lotus Reads won. What
A Reader’s Journal Read More »
I first discovered Gaiman’s work through the excellent British TV series Neverwhere. It’s a compelling fantasy about an ordinary fellow, drawn into a magical world under London’s streets. This nightmarish world is populated by, among others, a minotaur, an angel, energy-draining Goths, street people and a damsel in distress. Half of the intrigue for viewers
Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders by Neil Gaiman Read More »
The Teen Reads newsletter at Teenreads.com, is a good place to look for upcoming YA fiction. Novels, Manga, contests, author interviews and recommendations. If you want to buy books for a teen, this would be a good place to start. If you prefer adult literature, the Giller prize finalists will be announced at a gala
Teen Reads Newsletter & Giller Short List Read More »
Do you have trouble reading on the bus? Want to take your books everywhere yet still keep your hands free? I recently discovered PodioBooks via the “I should be writing,” podcast: http://shouldwrite.blogspot.com/ Podiobooks offers free podcasts of books, split into weekly installments. If you are impressed with their services and choose to donate, Podiobooks splits
SSL4You & Escape Pod Read More »
In honour of the upcoming International Festival of Authors readings, I am posting a Thomas King review I wrote for the First Look program. (I’m spending the day out of town so no time to write today.) Warning: This review did not pop out of the Blurb-O-Matic however, because I am a big Tom King
The Red Power Murders — Thomas King Read More »
I have received notice from First Look (HarperCollins Publishers) that they will be sending me an “Advanced Readers Edition” of Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman. So far I have read and reviewed two books featured by the First Look program: The Red Power Murders by Thomas King and Oh Pure and Radiant Heart by Lydia
Upcoming: Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman Read More »
Disclaimer: I do not claim to be impartial about this magazine. I know and admire Rene Garcia and Kelly delaflor, the founders of http://www.torontohispano.com/. That said, their site ably fills its niche in the Toronto publishing scene. It’s the best-known and longest running site of its kind in Toronto, complete with radio station, entertainment listings…
Toronto Hispano Magazine Read More »
Today my son skated the season’s first 8:15 – 9:15 hockey practice. I knew it went well when he came off the ice smiling and asked if it had only lasted twenty minutes. What a change from last year, when I found just putting on his equipment challenging. “Are your skates too tight? Too loose?
Le Chandail — The Hockey Sweater Read More »
One of my favorite short story collections is Tom King’s A Short History of Indians in Canada: Stories. I have admired King since listening to his Dead Dog Cafe Comedy Hour on CBC radio. He explores the truth of our shared experiences to make us laugh, and ache. The first story in the collection, in
A Short History of Indians in Canada Read More »