CanadianContent discussion

It is a rather late posting today... my apologies but I think that I am so enjoying the summer that I was not thinking about it being Friday today!! It is hard to believe that August is here (and funny that I happen to be reading Juliet in August, by coincidence, for the Cross Country challenge.

I hope everyone is enjoying some relaxing time reading and spending time in the sunshine! How are the Cross Canada challenges coming along? Did you enjoy the group read Kit's Law and who is in for Holding Still For As Long As Possible?

In case you missed it, I posted a great article about Margaret Atwood in the The Handmaid's Tale thread of the group read section. It is about this spunky, 77 year old being a "badass" and is worth a read!

Enjoy the day and sorry for the tardiness.... Thanks to @Allison for checking in. :)

I finished Persuasion this week and liked it as much as ever. I plan to read all the Jane Austen novels between now and the end of the year. However, I had to give up on Crimes Against My Brother by David Adams Richards. It was so relentlessly full of resentment, anger and hopelessness. Life's too short!

Continuing on with Lost in September by Kathleen Winter and I've opened up First Snow Last Light by Wayne Johnston, The Conjoined by Jen Sookfong Lee and Fall On Your Knees by Anne-Marie MacDonald, a long overdue reread. I think our theme for August is LGBTQ and that's one of my choices and will also fill a Bingo Square with it as one of my favourite novels. I suppose Kathleen Winter's book can work with the theme as well. If I can fit it in, and can get it from the eLibrary I'll read our monthly book club selection by Zoe Whittall but if I can't get hold of it in time, I also have The Wonder by Emma Donoghue on the bedside table.

Edit to add: Ooh I just got notification that my hold for Holding Still For As Long As Possible by Zoe Whittall was just sent to my library account so i've loaded it on my Kobo and am ready to go! I guess I know what I'll be starting after the Kathleen Winter book is done (it's the one closest to the end at the moment)

Although I didn't finish a single book AGAIN this week, I can't go on without my Friday Spine Crackers so that I can live vicariously through all of you!

I've had a tumultuous work week that ended in the (scary) decision to go part time. Seems great until the pending bills arrive. We'll see. But I'm tired of being burnt out! And more importantly, of reporting to you guys that I got no reading done! (Ha!)

In the week of professional chaos, I did focus my limited reading time on Embers: One Ojibway's Meditations, which I've had on the go for months, slowly. There are times when this is the kind of read I really need, and I did appreciate it this week. I'm not done it yet, but I think I've decided to not rate it at all. It is truly one of those books that will only "work" with the right headspace, I think, and that fluctuates for me. Sometimes I'm more open than others... (And probably should work on it being more often, I get that).

Looking forward to hearing about your reads!

Happy Friday to all- @Susan, so glad to hear that you are able to make the best of summer days!

I focused on one book this week, an ARC of The Only Café- Prior to reading I knew very little of the Lebanese civil war, it is timely with the continued tragedies in the Middle East. As per the writing, the book is chalked full of insightful passages.

Happy Friday Book Friends!

This week I finished Lost in September. @Diane - I'd love to know what you think of it.
I found it a little hard to follow...perhaps I was making more out of the "I think I'm General Wolfe" thing than there was. See review if interested. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... I found I couldn't get into it that much.... maybe because I don't know much about Wolfe or the Plains of Abraham. Usually I find not knowing a good thing when I read historical fiction but something here was a bit of a miss for me. It was excellent writing though...

I just started The Diplomat's Daughter last night. Very very early on. It should be a good read as I really enjoyed Tanabe's The Gilded Years.

My TBR pile has grown a lot lately - really looking forward to getting to The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women, The Alice Network, and The Address. Hopefully my vacation (mid-August) arrives quickly so I can delve into those books!

Ladies, my reading has become nil and will probably be for awhile.

I am heartbroken, sad, lost and at a loss of what to do with my self. My husband of 27 years (together 32) died suddenly on Wednesday.

I am just so so sooo you know.

As always it is great to see all the books read and get more suggestions for our TBR piles!!

I finished the ARC of Manhattan Beach which I won from GR. I enjoyed this book which took place during WW2 with women working in the shipyards of NY and a flavour of gangsters to add to the drama! I also finished I Found You for my in person book club. it was a very quick read which would be perfect for a beach day. The group enjoyed the book and we had some interesting discussion.

I am in the midst of finishing the short stories of Uncommon Type: Some Stories, an ARC that I also won through GR which has been written by Tom Hanks. All the stories have some type of a link to a type writer. The stories are ok and I am reading one each day. I am also reading The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance – What Women Should Know, a leadership book for women and Juliet in August for Saskatchewan for the cross Canada Challenge.

From the library, I have waiting: Holding Still For As Long As Possible, The Spawning Grounds, Stone Mattress: Nine Tales and Sylvanus Now. so much to read!!

Oh Rainey... I am so sad to read this. I took a while to write my post so just saw yours now. I am sending hugs to you in Bermuda and sincere condolences.

Oh my goodness, Rainey. I am so, so sorry. I cannot imagine what you must be feeling right now. If there is anything this online community of friends can offer to help you get through this difficult time, please don't hesitate to reach out.

@Rainey - very sorry to hear about your husband. Know that we are all thinking of you during this difficult time.

I wish that I could write something eloquent, something to give you a moment of peace or reprieve but sometimes words fail us.

Ah, Rainey.... Oh my... I'm hurting for you. I'm sure we all are. Your words are so minimal, but say so much. I'm so, so sorry.

Oh, Rainey, I'm so sorry. What terrible news. I wish there were something we could all do to help. If there is, let us know.

@Rainey, I'm soooo sorry to hear about your loss!! My thoughts and prayers are with you!

@ Rainey, my deepest sympathies, thank you for taking the time to reach out and telling us what has happened.

@Rainey, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Words are failing me...

Rainey, so sorry to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with you!

Thank you all so much. It means so much to me.

He will be cremated and will have a memorial service here and at a later date another sevice in Toronto and he will be buried with my dad.

Rainey: My thoughts are with you. A sudden death means no preparation, and no gathering of energy to cope. Don't forget to take care of yourself in the midst of sorrow and sadness.

Mary Anne wrote: "Rainey: My thoughts are with you. A sudden death means no preparation, and no gathering of energy to cope. Don't forget to take care of yourself in the midst of sorrow and sadness."

Thanks yes i am making my son (he is 25 and lives at home) and i get up get dressed - eating and doing stuff - otherwise we would just be wallowing at home. Its also a holiday here (cup match - 2 day celebration of Cricket) so I have had a couple of days just to breathe.

I'm very sorry to hear this, Rainey! keep your memories close. x

OMG Rainey, I am so sorry. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Rainey, my most heartfelt sympathy. My prayers go out to you and your family.
If there is anything we can do, please let us know.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Rainey, my heart goes out to you. I can't even begin to imagine how heartbroken you must be. Whenever you wrote about your Bermudian hubby, it was evident that he was the love of your life. My sincere condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Thank you all so much. Taking it day by day.

Oh Rainey, I'm late checking in this week and so very sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you....

Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺ wrote: "Oh Rainey, I'm late checking in this week and so very sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you...."

Thank you.

@Rainey After being away, I am seeing your message now. I am so terribly saddened to hear this. My deepest condolences and heartfelt thoughts of kindness are offered to you and to your son. Sometimes, there just doesn't seem to be any "right words". I hope the hearts of those here help soothe you.

Thank you so much. Its been difficult - more at night than during the day. More quiet time at night to reflect I suppose.

We both are taking it one day at a time.

Best