Jennifer Manuel—The Heaviness of Things that Float

Jennifer Manuel—The Heaviness of Things that Float

Bernadette has been the First Nations’ nurse on the Tawakin Reserve for the last forty years. She’s hoping to retire without any fuss, but one disturbing, then tragic event after another occurs and an accusing finger is being pointed at her. She has been a diligent and hard-working nurse and the accusation cuts deeply. She thinks back to the events over the decades and her love for Frank’s child, Chase who has disappeared. Despite the Tawakin residents searching for him, he is nowhere to be found.

Continue reading “Jennifer Manuel—The Heaviness of Things that Float” →
Nasir-I Khusraw’s—Book of Travels

Nasir-I Khusraw’s—Book of Travels

A thousand years ago, Nasir-I Khasraw, a Persian poet and his brother set out from Kharasan which is now in Iran and headed west. Don’t be put off by the first ten or twelve pages, because once Khasraw gets further along on his seven-year epic journey through Middle Eastern countries, he becomes better at recording what he sees. 

Continue reading “Nasir-I Khusraw’s—Book of Travels” →
Jamie Chai Yun Liew’s—Dandelion

Jamie Chai Yun Liew’s—Dandelion

In a small mining town in eastern British Columbia, Lily and her sister Bea suffer racial slurs because of their Chinese heritage. At home, they listen to their mother’s constant moaning about how she hates Canada and nothing is as good as Brunei where she spent most of her earlier life. Just as the mine is closing down, their father discovers their mother’s clothes are gone and there’s no sign of her. The father is forced to bring up the children with the help of his sister and they move to Calgary.

Continue reading “Jamie Chai Yun Liew’s—Dandelion” →
Ming Louie Stein’s—Kintsugi

Ming Louie Stein’s—Kintsugi

In the 1960s when Annuii is two, she’s left with her grandmother in Hong Kong while her parents immigrate to Canada. She is loved and cherished by Grandmother Jong, but when she’s reunited with her parents in Vancouver two years later, her mother tells her she is worthless because she’s a girl. Her childhood is spent under a disgruntled and abusive mother and a weak father who’s addicted to gambling. Without receiving parental love as a child, Annuii begins a quest, searching for affection elsewhere. This leads to disillusionment, but can Annuii examine her bad choices and start again?

Continue reading “Ming Louie Stein’s—Kintsugi” →