This is the page where I will record my book challenges (hoping I will participate to more than one).
Fifth Canadian Book Challenge 2011-12
Haruki Murakami Reading Challenge 2011
Ireland Reading Challenge 2011
Fourth Canadian Book Challenge (2010-11)
C'est la vie! 
6 comments
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December 1, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Binnie
I see you’re short by two books for the challenge. May I recommend No Great Mischief, by Alistair MacLeod? No, not recommend: urge. If you’ve already read it, then his short story collection, Island. That brings you to twelve. It would be nothing short of self-promoting of me to suggest Harbour View by Binnie Brennan (another Quattro Books release), wouldn’t it? But it would round our your book count to 13…
December 1, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Em
It’s not that I’m short of inspiration, but rather short of time. I already have a huge TBR pile of Canadian books. As Birds Bring Forth the Sun by Alistair MacLeod is actually one of them, but I’ll keep my eyes open for No Great Mischief. I also made a mental note of getting your book when I went to visit your site the other day and I will get it eventually. I’ll be glad to support Quattro as well; it’s always a plus when you can support people you know, isn’t it?
December 3, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Binnie
As Birds Bring Forth the Sun contains one of my all-time favourite short stories, “The Winter Dog.” I cannot read it without going through a stack of tissues; it’s one of the most deeply-felt short stories I’ve read. Another of MacLeod’s short stories, “Road to Rankin’s Point,” I consider to be the finest of his (or anyone’s) short stories, a real masterpiece. I think it’s in his other collection, The Lost Salt Gift of Blood.
I’m a big fan of John Calabro and Quattro Books, for obvious reasons, but also because I admire their mandate to put the novella in the mainstream. Their list is fantastically varied. It’d be my pleasure to send you a copy of Harbour View, Em. Can you email me your co-ordinates?
December 4, 2010 at 1:46 am
Em
Oh! That would be lovely, so much appreciated, thanks!
Yes, it’s great that they have dedicated Quattro to the novella. I met John last June at a conference and that’s how I became aware of his work and of Quattro. I had a great laugh with him!
I must read “The Winter Dog” as part of my new mini challenge if it’s one of your favourites.
December 6, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Binnie
It’s in the mail, Em!
As for Newfoundland/Labrador, how about Galore by Michael Crummey? Or Annabel by Kathleen Winter? There are some dynamite writers: Lisa Moore, Kenneth J. Harvey, Kevin Major…
December 6, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Em
Thanks, Binnie!
I’m actually looking for short stories for that parallel mini challenge of my own, although Kathleen Winter and Lisa Moore are already on my to be bought/read list… However, you made me think of Michael Winter, who I know writes short stories, and I must check your other suggestions too; thanks. Who knows, I might even find some stories online?