Canadian Book Challenge – Wrap-up and Launch
A year ago today I joined the 5th annual Canadian Book Challenge hosted by John of The Book Mine Set. The goal was to read 13 books throughout the year – one from each province and territory. While I didn’t read a book set in each province and territory, I did exceed the goal, reading a total of 17 books. I read and reviewed:
Long Drums and Cannons: Nigerian Dramatists and Novelists 1952 – 1966 by Margaret Laurence- Holding Still for as Long as Possible by Zoe Whittal
- Who is Ana Mendieta? by Christine Redfern and Caro Caron
- At First, Lonely by Tanya Davis
- No Ordinary Day by Deborah Ellis
- The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay
- Dirty Feet by Edem Awumey
- A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley
- Under My Skin by Judith Graves
- Swing Low by Miriam Toews
- I am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley
- Cereus Blooms at Night by Shani Mootoo
- Ship of Souls by Zetta Elliott
- Places Far from Ellesmere by Aritha van Herk
- Unruly Women: The Politics of Confinement and Resistance by Karlene Faith
- Back Alleys and Urban Landscapes by Michael Cho
- Full Frontal T.O.: Exploring Toronto’s Architectural Vernacular by Patrick Cummins and Shawn Micallef
One thing you may note about my list is that the authors don’t all currently reside in Canada, or may not have been born in Canada. I took some liberties in including authors who either have moved away, or have moved here. Anyone with a direct tie was counted.
I had a lot of fun with the challenge. I always mean to read more literature from my own country, but can often get distracted from it by review copies or by non-fiction titles, which seem to more often be by US authors. I look forward to doing the challenge again this year, and finding some more gems. For more details on the challenge, check out The Book Mine Set.
I hope you do as well with the challenge this time around.
Thanks Kathy.
Did you read any PEI authors in that list?
I didn’t Mom! Sad I know
You always do so well on your challenges, and I hope that this year is no exception. I am glad that you are joining in again, and wish you the best with it! Go, Amy!
Thanks Zibilee. I think the secret to my doing well is that I join so few, and only those that I really know I can do anyway
hehe
You brought to me throuh this project some fantastic reviews and some new athours i had not heard of. Thanks.
You are most welcome Geosi.
That’s awesome. I’m amazed by how many books you read in a year, let alone Canadian novels!
Cheers,
Lydia
Thank you Lydia!
I’m looking forward to reviewing later in the summer a book by Toronto author and doctor, Vincent Lam, who recently published The Headmaster’s Wager, a novel about Vietnam.
Oh very awesome harvee! I’ve not read anything by him yet.
You did so well with the challenge, Amy. I hope July gets better.
Thanks readinpleasure, so far it’s been wonderful, if busy!
it is totally awesome that you exceeded expectation and beat the challenge! Shame on me for not knowing more than a handful of Canadian authors but I hope there will be a year that I will explore in earnest. I read Vincent Lam’s and also have Amy McKay’s The Birth House with me. it does seem like a possible Canadian challenge year to me this year, but alas just too many books and work to be able to read. Congrats again!
Thanks JoV. I don’t know as many as I should either
The Birth House is one of my favourite books, I think you’d like it!
I’ve signed up for #6, which is my sixth.
I enjoyed “Holding Still for as Long as Possible”.
That’s amazing Teena! I wish I knew about all the fantastic online book fun in time for the first years