The Fourth Canadian Book Challenge (2010), hosted by John Mulford at The Book Mine Set
The challenge begins on the 1st of July (Canada Day) and consists of reading 13 books written by Canadian authors or about Canada before next Canada Day. I could have chosen to do my challenge around an author, Margaret Atwood, but I am hoping my Canadian readings won’t be only related to her. However, I might try to do a double challenge: 13 books on or by Atwood and more including other authors.
- Larry’s Party by Carol Shields (1/13)
- Moral Disorder by Margaret Atwood (2/13) (Atwood 1/13)
- Good Bones by Margaret Atwood (3/13) (Atwood 2/13)
- The Tent by Margaret Atwood (4/13) (Atwood 3/13)
- Strange Things: The Malevolent North in Canadian Literature by Margaret Atwood (5/13) (Atwood 4/13)
- The Cousin, by John Calabro (6/13)
- Second Words, by Margaret Atwood (7/13) (Atwood 5/13)
- Payback, by Margaret Atwood (8/13) (Atwood 6/13)
- Harbour View, by Binnie Brennan (9/13)
- Negotiating with the Dead, by Margaret Atwood (10/13) (Atwood 7/13)
- Escaping from the Prison-House of Language and Digging for Meanings in Texts among Texts: Metafiction and Intertextuality in Margaret Atwood’s Novels Lady Oracle and The Blind Assassin, by Andrea Strolz (11/13) (Atwood 8/13)
- The Birth House, by Amy McKay (12/13)
- Unhomely States, edited by Cynthia Sugars (13/13)
- The Best Laid Plans, by Terry Fallis (14/13)
- The Red Shoes: Margaret Atwood Starting Out, by Rosemary Sullivan (15/13) (Atwood 9/13)
- The Disappeared, by Kim Echlin (16/13)
- Engendering Genre: The Works of Margaret Atwood, by Reingard M. Nischik: I have decided not to review this book on my blog since I wrote a review on it for the British Journal of Canadian Studies (Spring 2011 issue).
- High Spirits, by Robertson Davies (currently reading)
- Curious Pursuits, by Margaret Atwood (currently reading)
- Margaret Atwood Revisited, by Karen F. Stein (currently reading)
I have decided to add my own little twist to this Canadian challenge. John explains that the reason why he chose a number of 13 books is because there are 13 provinces in Canada and it thus leaves the opportunity to review a book from each. I am quite aware I won’t manage to do the challenge that way. However, I find the idea great and I have decided to follow this principle by reviewing short stories instead. I won’t count them towards the challenge, but I will record them here.
Now, I need ideas! I already have some, but not for every province (I am giving myself a bit of flexibility by allowing the stories to be either set there or written by an author born or having lived there).
- Newfoundland and Labrador: “Humanesque”, by Jessica Grant
- Nova Scotia: “The Closing Down of Summer”, by Alistair MacLeod; “My Grandfather’s House”, by Charles Ritchie; “The Halifax Explosion, 1917”, by Hugh MacLennan
- Prince Edward Island: “Emily’s Husband” by LM Montgomery
- New Brunswick: “Foreigners” by Elisabeth Harvor
- Quebec: “Scarves, Beads, Sandals” by Mavis Gallant & “North” by Clark Blaise (one of the Montreal Stories)
- Ontario: “Walker Brothers Cowboy” by Alice Munro, “Transfigurations” by Janice Kulyk Keefer, three stories from Storm Glass by Jane Urquhart.
- Manitoba: ” The Mask of the Bear” by Margaret Laurence & “Flowers for Weddings and Funerals” by Sandra Birdsell
- Nunavut: Inuit Legends and Tales
- Northwest Territories: “Show Me Yours” by Richard Van Camp
- Saskatchewan: “Where Is the Voice Coming from?” by Rudy Wiebe & “The Lamp at Noon” Sinclair Ross
- Alberta: “One Good Story, That One” by Thomas King and “The Chmarnyk” by Caroline Addison
- British Columbia: “Bear Country” by Audrey Thomas
- Yukon Territory: “Vegas Wedding” by Ivan Coyote
2 comments
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January 20, 2011 at 12:49 am
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…
January 20, 2011 at 12:58 am
Em
Sorry about the comment layout, I’ve had to move them from another page…
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?
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?
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.
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…
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?