In case you haven't been challenged enough lately, here's another to add to your compulsive need to push yourself to your limit: The Canadian Book Challenge.The rules are simple: read 13 Canadian books (books by Canadians and/or about Canadians) before next Canada Day (That's July 1st for you non-Canadians in the audience). Make sure to blog about each one! Participants will have their name entered in for some kick-ass prizes. Well, not really. If you've ever seen a Canadian gameshow, you know we're not big on monetary rewards. Here are the five up for grabs:
David Bergen's The Time In-Between
Robert Service and Ted Harrison's The Shooting of Dan McGrew
Anosh Irani's Song of Kahunsha
1 Hockey Puck
1 Box of Kraft Dinner
You might be asking, why 13? No, it's not a superstitious thing, it's the number of provinces and territories. Which brings me to the next question: How do you choose your books? Any way you want! Pick them randomly if you wish. However, here are some other suggestions:
1. The White Stripes Way (From Sea To Sea To Sea) - Pick a book from each province and territory. (See below)
2. The Awards Show- Just read award winners. Consider picking from one or more of our prestigious awards. Maybe you could even find books of thirteen different awards (The Gillers, The Governor General's, etc)
3. The New Canadians- A lot of our best writers weren't born here. It might take some research but it could make for an interesting challenge.
4. The Lesser Knowns- Think you can enlighten us or yourself by reading thirteen more obscure books?
5. Other- Come up with your own approach, just be sure to let us know!
If you'd like to participate, just add a comment below saying that you're in! Keep posting as you read, and keep us informed. You might want to pick your approach now and your books later, or maybe you want to pick all your books ahead of time. Again, just be sure to keep me and your other readers in the loop. The more that participate, the more fun it'll be. Please advertise and steal the above logo for your own blog sidebar. This is not just limited to Canadians; Americans can learn a little something about their Northern neighbours, and hey it's a pretty multicultural place, so everyone else is welcome, too!
Here's a list of suggested choices (but feel free to use your own):
*Update: For those of you who will be participating, or for those who you who won't be but would like to help promote, you could use the list below for a Canadian book meme. Just copy and paste into your own blog, then highlight in red those you've read, highlight in blue authors you've read just not that particular book, and leave the rest black.
Newfoundland and Labrador-
Bernard Assiniwi- The Beothuk Saga
Ken Babstock- Airstream Land Yacht (Poetry)
Cassie Brown- Death On The Ice (Non-fiction)
Paul Butler- Easton
Joan Clark- An Audience of Chairs
Michael Crummey- River Thieves
Mary Dalton- Merrybegot (Poetry)
Bud Davidge and Ian Wallace (Illustrator)- The Mummer’s Song (Children’s Book)
Jim Defede- The Day The World Came To Town (Non-fiction)
Kenneth J. Harvey- The Town That Forgot How To Breathe
Harold Horwood- White Eskimo
Harold Horwood- Bartlett The Great Explorer (Non-fiction)
Percy Janes- House of Hate
Dale Jarvis- Haunted Shores: True Ghost Stories of Newfoundland and Labrador
Wayne Johnston- Colony of Unrequited Dreams
Kevin Major- Eh? To Zed (Children’s book)
Lisa Moore- Open (Short Stories)
Lisa Moore- Alligator
Bernice Morgan- Random Passage
Donna Morrissey- Kit’s Law
Claire Mowat- Outport People (Non-fiction)
Earl B. Pilgrim- The Ghost of Ellen Dower
Al Pittman- Down By Jim Long’s Stage (Children’s poems)
Al Pittman- West Moon (play)
E. J. Pratt- Complete Poems (Poetry)
E. Annie Proulx- The Shipping News
Edward Riche- Rare Birds
Ted Russell- The Holdin’ Ground (play)
Dillon Wallace- The Lure of The Labrador Wild
Michael Winter- The Big Why
Prince Edward Island-
Milton Acorn- I Shout Love and Other Poems (Poetry)
Anne Compton- Processional (Poetry)
Stompin’ Tom Connors and Brenda Jones (Illustrator)- The Hockey Song (Children’s Book)
David Helwig- Saltsea
Michael Hennessey- The Betrayer
Lucy Maud Montgomery- Anne of Green Gables
J. J. Steinfeld- Would You Hide Me? (Short Stories)
Nova Scotia-
Ernest Buckler- The Mountain and the Valley
George Elliott Clarke- Whylah Falls (Poetry)
Frank Parker Day- Rockbound
Brad Kessler- Birds In Fall
Thomas Chandler Haliburton- The Clockmaker
Ann-Marie MacDonald- Fall On Your Knees
Linden MacIntyre- Causeway (Non-fiction)
Hugh MacLennan- The Watch That Ends The Night
Alistair MacLeod- Island (Short Stories)
Alistair MacLeod- No Great Mischief
Ami McKay- The Birth House
Alden Nolan- The Best Of (Poetry)
Anne Simpson- Loop (Poetry)
New Brunswick-
Donna Allard- Minago Streets (Poetry)
Linda Hall- Black Ice
Elisabeth Harvor- Fortress Of Chairs
Antonine Maillet- Pelagie: The Return To Acadie
David Adams Richards- Mercy Among The Children
Charles G. D. Roberts- The Collected Poems (Poetry)
T. G. Roberts- The Red Feathers
Quebec-
Hubert Acquin- Next Episode
Peter Behrens- The Law of Dreams
Saul Bellow- Humboldt’s Gift
Frances Brooke- The History of Emily Montague
Nicole Brossard- Museum of Bone and Water
Willa Cather- Shadows On The Rock
Roch Carrier- The Hockey Sweater (Children’s Book)
Leonard Cohen- Beautiful Losers
Leonard Cohen- Let Us Compare Mythologies (Poetry)
Romeo Dallaire- Shake Hands With The Devil (Non-fiction)
Mavis Gallant- Home Truths (Short Stories)
Anne Hebert- Kamouraska
Naomi Klein- No Logo (Non-fiction)
Gordon Korman- Island: Shipwreck (Young Adult)
Irving Layton- Dance With Desire (Poems)
Markoosie- Harpoon of the Hunter
Yann Martel- Life of Pi
Colin McDougall- Execution
Stuart McLean- Stories From The Vinyl Café (Short Stories)
Heather O’Neill- Lullabies For Little Criminals
Jacques Poulin- Volkswagen Blues
Monique Proulx- The Heart Is An Involuntary Muscle
Mordecai Richler- Barney’s Version
Gabrielle Roy- The Tin Flute
Mairuth Sarsfield- No Crystal Stair
Gaetan Soucy- The Little Girl Who Was Too Fond Of Matches
Yves Theriault- Agaguk
Michel Tremblay- The Fat Woman Next Door Is Pregnant
Michel Tremblay- Forever Yours Marie-Lou (Play)
Ontario-
Margaret Atwood- Handmaid’s Tale
Joan Barfoot- Luck
David Bezmozgis- Natasha and Other Stories (Short Stories)
Christian Bok- Eunoia (poetry)
Joseph Boyden- Three Day Road
Morley Callaghan- More Joy In Heaven
Austin Clarke- The Polished Hoe
Matt Cohen- Elizabeth and After
Robertson Davies- Fifth Business
Gordon Downie- Coke Machine Glow (Poetry)
Marian Engel- Bear
Timothy Findley- The Wars
Phoebe Gilman- Something From Nothing (Children’s Book)
David Gilmour- A Perfect Night To Go To China
Douglas Glover- Elle
Barbara Gowdy- White Bone
Helen Humphries- Afterimage
Frances Itani- Deafening
M. T. Kelly- A Dream Like Mine
Thomas King- Green Grass, Running Water
Vincent Lam- Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures (Short stories)
Mary Lawson- Crow Lake
Stephen Leacock- Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town (Short Stories)
Dennis Lee- Alligator Pie (Children’s Poems)
Charles de Lint- Moonlight and Vines
Jon McCrae- In Flanders Fields (Poem)
Anne Michaels- Fugitive Pieces
Rohinton Mistry- A Fine Balance
Farley Mowat- Never Cry Wolf
Alice Munro- Who Do You Think You Are? (Short Stories)
Robert Munsch- The Paperbag Princess (Children’s Book)
Michael Ondaatje- In The Skin Of A Lion
Al Purdy- Beyond Remembering (Poetry)
Paul Quarrington- Whale Music
Barbara Reid- Two By Two (Children’s Book)
Nino Richie- Lives of The Saints
Leon Rooke- Shakespeare's Dog
Diane Schoemperlen- Forms of Devotion
Jane Urquhart- The Stone Carvers
M. G. Vassanji- The In-Between World of Vikram Lall
Richard B. Wright- Clara Callan
Manitoba-
David Bergen- The Time In Between
David Godfrey- The New Ancestors
Tomson Highway- The Rez Sisters (Play)
Margaret Laurence- A Bird In The House (Short Stories)
Margaret Laurence- A Jest of God
Corey Redekop- Shelf Monkey
Bill Richardson- Bachelor Brothers’ Bed and Breakfast
Carol Shields- The Stone Diaries
Miriam Toews- A Complicated Kindness
Adele Wiseman- The Sacrifice
Saskatchewan-
Sharon Butala- Lilac Moon (Non-fiction)
Paul Hiebert- Sarah Binks
Guy Gavriel Kay- The Summer Tree
Tim Lilburn- Kill-Site (Poetry)
W. O. Mitchell- Who Has Seen The Wind
Sinclair Ross- As For Me and My House
Kate Sutherland- All In Together Girls
Guy Vanderhaeghe- The Last Crossing
Dianne Warren- Serpent In The Night Sky (play)
Rudy Wiebe- The Temptations of Big Bear
Alberta-
Anita Rau Badami- Can You Hear The Nightbird Call?
Earle Birney- One Muddy Hand (Poetry)
Will Ferguson- Why I Hate Canadians (Nonfiction)
Katherine Govier- Three Views of Crystal Water
Greg Holingshead- The Roaring Girl (Short stories)
W. P. Kinsella- Shoeless Joe
Robert Kroetsch- The Studhorse Man
Gloria Sawai- A Song For Nettie Johnson
Cheryl Kaye Tardif- Whale Song
Thomas Wharton- Salamander
Christopher Wiseman- In John Updike’s Room (Poetry)
British Columbia-
George Bowering- The Gangs of Kosmos
Kevin Chong- Baroque-a-Nova
Wayson Choy- The Jade Peony
Douglas Coupland- Generation X
Margaret Craven- I Heard The Owl Call My Name
John Gould- Kilter (Short stories)
Jack Hodgins- The Resurrection of Joseph Bourne
Anosh Irani- The Song of Kahunsha
Joy Kogawa- Obasan
Susan Musgrave- What The Small Day Cannot Hold (Poetry)
bp Nichol- The Martyrology (Poetry)
Kenneth Oppel- Silverwing (Young Adult)
P.K. Page- Planet Earth (Poetry)
Gayla Reid- To Be There With You (Short stories)
Eden Robinson- Monkey Beach
Timothy Taylor- Stanley Park
Audrey Thomas- Coming Down From Wa
Michael Turner- Hard Core Logo
Sheila Watson- The Double Hook
Yukon-
Pierre Berton- The National Dream (Non-fiction)
Ted Harrison- Children of the Yukon (Children’s Book)
Pj Johnson- Rhymes of the Raven Lady (Poetry)
Jack London- Call of the Wild
Dick North- The Mad Trapper of Rat River (Non-fiction)
Al Pope- Bad Latitudes
Robert Service- The Best Of (Poetry)
Northwest Territories-
Robert Alexie- Pale Indian
Richard Van Camp- Lesser Blessed
Rene Fumoleau- Here I Sit (Poetry)
Elizabeth Hay- Late Nights On Air
Mackay Jenkins- Bloody Falls of the Coppermine (nonfiction)
James Raffan- Emperor of The North (Non-fiction)
Steve Zipp- Yellowknife
Nunavut-
John Bennett and Susan Rowley (Editors and compilers) Uqalurait: An Oral History of Nunavut (Non-fiction)
Pierre Berton- The Arctic Grail (Nonfiction)
Jan Brett- Three Snow Bears (Children's Book)
Kenn Harper- Give Me My Father’s Body (Non-fiction)
James Houston- The White Dawn
Michael Kusugak- Curse of the Shaman (Young Adult)
Michael Kusugak and Vladyana Krykorka(Illustrator)- Hide and Sneak (Children’s book)
Tom Lowenstein (translator)/ Knud Rasmussen (compiled by)- Eskimo Poems (Poetry)
Kevin Patterson- Consumption
Robert Ruby- Unknown Shore (Non-fiction)
Zachariah Wells- Unsettled
Eric Wilson- The Inuk Mountie Adventure (Young Adult)
259 comments:
1 – 200 of 259 Newer› Newest»How exciting, I'm in! I was thinking of doing this exact thing myself anyhow - reading from each province & territory, I mean. You've done a ton of research here. Curious, though, are you basing it on author's birth? I'm just wondering if that's how Sarah Binks, the Sweet Songstress of Saskatchewan, migrated to Manitoba... :)
What a great idea, John! And that list alone is a great public service. Well done.
I shall have to give this some thought to see if I can swing it. Although I am currently reading a Canadian book, I am committed to read 3 non-Canadian ones by the end of November. I'll have to see if I can swing this, but I am definitely tempted.
Cool challenge, John. I have to think about this one. I love some of the Canadian authors and my grandmother used to live in Nova Scotia...so I would like to figure out a way to do this one! At any rate, I posted your challenge on my Novel Challenges Blog here, so hopefully that will get you some traffic for your challenge!
This is a fabulous idea!
I will never be able to pull it off, but I look forward to reading about others ventures.
Whoa! Now that's a challenge. I love the sound of this one. I have to think this one over.
Melanie: Yes, in many cases I was going by birth origin. But you're right, Sarah Binks should be a Saskatchewan book. Likewise, I changed Ann-Marie MacDonald's Fall On Your Knees to Nova Scotia, though I believe she was born in Ontario. There are probably a lot of other debatable ones here, too, but as long as they serve as a rough guide. Thanks for the heads up!
Barbara: Remember those old "Participation Canada" commercials? "Don't just think about it, Do it! Do it! Do it!"
Wendy: Thanks for posting about the challenge! You could even just pick one province if you wanted, maybe get 13 Nova Scotia books or something.
Allison: You'd probably look pretty homesick if you took on so many Canadian books now!
Still, there are lots of short possibilities that might be easier to squeeze in if you change your mind.
Chris: A big country deserves a big challenge, right? It amounts to roughly 1 1/2 books per month. Depending on how fast a reader you are or how lengthy your choices, it may or may not be difficult at all.
Nifty idea. But seeing as the NWT list is so short, here are a couple new novels that folks might consider. Yellowknife by Steve Zipp, and Late Nights on Air by Elizabeth Hay. Both set in Yellowknife and both published this year. Good reads, both.
I don't know what province she's from, but Ann Michaels' novel "Fugitive Pieces" is another beautiful Canadian book.
I listened to my all-Vancouver iPod mix yesterday: The New Pornographers, The Be Good Tanyas, and Po' Girl. Canada is just crazy with talent.
John D: Thanks for those. I had heard of the Steve Zipp book, but just forgot about it. The Elizabeth Hay one is new to me though. I've added them both above.
Rob: Anne is from Ontario, and she's been added above, thanks! Yes, our music has been bursting with talent lately too. I think we're trying to make up for all the Bryan Adams and Celine Dion years.
I'm in! I was going to set a personal challenge to try and read at least 1 Canadian book a month so this challenge is just the thing for me!
This is a great challenge! I might have to give up another challenge I was planning on in order to participate! I must think this over!
I'm in but I don't see anything saying when this challenge STARTS.
Ha ha, what great prizes! I'm going to have to pass on this one, since I'm already desperately over-challenged, but I'll be watching the fun.
It's like being on Definition!
This looks like so much fun, I will definitely try, maybe not finish but I'll try. What a great list of books you've collected. I know what I am going to do tonight - pick books! I guess we can start immediately? I'm readign The Gum Thief right now - I love Douglas Copeland.
Nicola: Glad to have you on board!
Heather: Oooo, I might bump somebody!
Callista: From now to July 1st, 2008. Basically just start whenver you're ready.
Dewey: Glad you appreciate the prizes. I wasn't sure how the KD would go over ;)
Raidergirl: Sure start right away if you want. Douglas Coupland knocks off BC if that's the way you want to do it.
Note recent changes above concerning the Canadian Book Meme.
I think I'm in. I'll think about my list. I've posted the meme here:
http://booksmemesmusings.blogspot.com/2007/10/canadian-book-meme.html
Oooh, oooh, I want in. I already have some Canadian books on my list. And you're so good to make so many suggestions. I will send a link to my post as soon as I figure out which ones to choose. Great Idea!!
Here are my books so far
http://www.ric.edu/faculty/rpotter/unknown_shore_rev2.html
Unknown Shore: The Lost History of England's Arctic Colony By Robert Ruby.
New York: Henry Holt & Company.
As for my other 2 books -
Causeway: A Passage from Innocence
Linden MacIntyre
set in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
and
http://www.amazon.ca/Emperor-North-James-Raffan/dp/0002007835
Emperor of the North
By James Raffan
Cheers
Historia
Hello, John. I just posted my list of books for this challenge. All my choices are from books I already own. No new purchases - Exciting! I'm so glad you are doing this challenge to help me get these read. Thank-you!
I thought of a couple excellent books you may want to add to your helpful list.
Nova Scotia - Barometer Rising and
Quebec - Shadow on the Rock
Booklogged: Thanks for the other suggestions. I added the Willa Cather book to the list above, but not the Hugh MacLennan book as I already had him represented with The Watch That Ends The Night. I had also considered Two Solitudes. In most cases I tried to avoid two choices by the same author, with a few excpetions (for example, if it was in a different genre).
Bookgal: Thanks for posting the meme.
Framed: Looking forward to your list
Historia: Thanks for the suggestions, I've now added them above.
I love this idea and the maple leaf logo is very attractive. This is my first visit to your blog and I just know I'll be back.
You will just have to keep us posted about your heroic efforts. I don't normally do challenges because I find my eyes are much bigger than my brain when it comes to estimating how much I can read. Long live the Ikea bookshelf!
This is a great idea! I confess that it's not a huge challenge for me since a lot of my reading skews Canadian as a matter of course. But I'm not missing out on an opportunity to promote Canadian books, so count me in! For those who fancy the option of reading their way through a list of 13 lesser-known Canadian books, I can suggest some fantastic small press titles that would fit the bill.
Okay, my list is up here:
http://framedandbooked.blogspot.com/2007/10/new-challenge.html
I read that on Booklogged's blog that you were born in Newfoundland. Me, too.
I'd love to join this challenge, but it will be difficult for me since Can Lit is hard to come by here in the UK. But I'll give it a try and see how many I can get through. And that list is really useful, thanks!
May I make two suggestions: Eden Robinson's Monkey Beach (BC); and I have 3 of Marian Engel's books on my TBR pile - didn't she win a GG Award for Bear?
I'd like to join. It took me a while to find the books to read but I did and I'll be posting the list on my blog in the next few days.
Cereal Girl: Hey, you're always welcome here. If you reconsider and wish to partcipate in the Canadian Book Challenge, just let me know.
Kate: Glad to have you join in! I would love, love, LOVE to hear those small press titles. I always want to read more of those, but never know hich to choose.
Framed: That's pretty exciting. What part? I'm from Twillingate.
GeraniumCat: Thanks for those suggestions, I've added them above. It's pretty cool to have someone from the UK participate. Do you have a Canadian connection?
Emily: Excellent! I'll be adding a standings counter in the sidebar in a little while.
It's great to be able to participate - I've posted a list with my first 6 books, which are all easy to get in the UK, then I'm going to be more taking the plunge with authors I don't know anything about.
Canadian connections? well, apart from the usual relatives, I have a lot of contact with Canada at work, and the best journey I ever took was crossing Canada from Quebec to Vancouver Island, mostly by train.
Hey John, I made a list on my blog:
http://chris-book-a-rama.blogspot.com/2007/10/canadian-book-challenge.html
I've decided to join in on this even though I said I wasn't going to join in on any more challenges until the others I'm in is finished. :P Haha.
My list (thus far) can be found here: http://books.moonsoar.com/archives/2007/10/09/the-canadian-book-challenge/
Geranium Cat: Sounds like a pretty awesome trip. I've always wanted to do the train, but still haven't gotten around to it. I did drive to Newfoundland from Winnipeg, which was a beautiful drive in itself. The only provinces/territories I'm still waiting to visit are Saskatchewan, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
Chris: Good to have you here. Great list btw.
Court: So glad you've managed to squeeze this one in. Great selections you've made as well. You've picked a few authors I wasn't familiar with.
Hi John,
I checked the link and it's fine. I got a list of my books up tonight. Sampson is a Doberman and I need to get new pictures up because he's getting to be huge. Thanks so much!!!
John -- I'll keep you updated on my progress. Just for all to know, I got a blog visit from Kenneth J. Harvey - one of the listed authors. How cool is that! I need to read his book now!
How about Indians! That way they too get to know about Canadian Authors!
I think I will take part. Even if I don't read all 13, I will still be reading something Canadian!
A fun idea! I'm in...I have to go through my bookshelves still, so will post my list later, but for now, it's given me a new list to create of books I want to read in the next year....(in this case, 10 months)....thanks!
Sorry, I left the last blog....still figuring this out (Susan) I have a blog but it's not under this email address. Someday I will get this sorted, in meantime I have added your link to my blog www.susanflynn.blogspot.com and will do my list up in the next few days.
Emily: Great name for the dog, btw.
Bookgal: That was very cool, indeed!
Gautami: Of course, the more the merrier.
Susan: Good to have you with us.
I've read my first book for the challenge! Are we supposed to post links here to our reviews?
Here's my first one:
http://back-to-books.blogspot.com/2007/10/92-tin-flute.html
Nicola: That's right! I've also updated your count in the sidebar. I think once a month I'll do a recap as well with a post with links to everyone's progess so far.
I would love to join this challenge!! (Is there still time to sign up??) Of course, I wouldn't even know where to start. It's a good thing you've listed lots of options!!
I really need to read more from my neighbors up North!
Stephanie: Of course you can still join! As long as you think you can still squeeze in 13 Canadian books (or give it a good go), you're all set. I've added your name to the sidebar.
Hi again - i finally have my booklist up for the Canadian Book Challenge! They are posted to my blog.....they are not in any order, and not chosen for provinces, and in fact I had problems choosing just thirteen! I've tried to make it varied, and most of these were on my shelves waiting for me....ones marked with an asterisk are part of other book challenges for 2008 I'm entering. If I didn't have my Hallowe'en reading challenge, I'd be started now, but with two young kids and a full- time job, I only have so many hours in the day (as you well know too!) Happy Canadian reading, eh?! :-)
Susan: Great picks there. Again, I love it when people pick books and/or authors that I don't know. Excellent that you're able to use some for multiple challenges.
Hi John. I stumbled across the Canadian Book Challenge the other day, and was delighted to see my novel on the list. However, the book is newly published and not yet widely available.
Then I had an interesting thought. The publisher has given me a box of books for promotional purposes. What if I offer to send a copy to every blogger who joins in the challenge? (Well, at least until my supply lasts.)
Since you originated the challenge, I figured I should float the idea by you first. Is it cool or not? What do you think?
Steve: That would be unbelievably cool. I'm sure I can speak on behalf of everyone when I say, yes, that's a great idea. You can email me at jmutford [at] hotmail [dot] com to work out the details.
Hey John, I have my second book read and this time I ventured up into the arctic. I've decided to read the books on the shortlist for the Governor General's Award for children's lit (English). Here's my review:
http://back-to-books.blogspot.com/2007/10/98-alchemists-dream.html
Hi John - couldn't wait, I started in Ontario. I'll have to work my way out from the middle!
I'm in. My link is here.
Nicola: Starting up in my neck of the woods, eh? Oh wait, I'm above the treeline.
Melanie: As good a place to start as anywhere.
3M: Glad to have you with us!
John, I have another review up:
http://back-to-books.blogspot.com/2007/10/101-elijah-of-buxton.html
This time I stayed close to home in Ontario but I went back in time to the 1850s.
I'm having lots of fun, thanks for helping me 'read Canadian'!
I would like to join too! My preliminary list.
My first Challenge review is up; I really enjoyed my first read!
John - I've finished my first book for this challenge. The link is here.
I hope this link works!
John, I finally have my first review up: http://geraniumcatsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2007/10/latitudes-of-melt-by-joan-clark.html
Wonderful book! On to the next one now.
Oh, I am *SO* in. I live in Vermont, but I'm Canadian, have loved Canadian Literature since Robert Munsch, and am (hee hee) infecting my American neighbours.
I've just finished a collection of short stories set in Saskatchewan. A good choice; I really liked it.
Thanks for all the excellent wonderful reviews. Please check to make sure your count is accurate in the sidebar.
Also, a hearty welcome to Ripley, Steve and Dorothy! Hope you enjoy all the Canadiana. In the meantime, could you make sure I have good links to your blogs in the sidebar?
I'd also like to remind you all that coming up near the beginning of November I will be adding an update post with all of the collected reviews and links so far- as well as some neat surprises! Tune in...
I had forgotten to link this review here.
I had finished reading The Handmaid's Tale By Margaret Atwood way back. Do check it out.
I have read another Canadian Fiction too but yet to write a review.
I had read this book last week . But wrote the review today. Here is the link:
Crow Lake by Mary Lawson
My fourth book for the challenge has been read. This one is by a Canadian author but set in the US.
http://back-to-books.blogspot.com/2007/10/104-gemini-summer.html
Ok, I am always talking trash about Canadian authors, so I will give this a shot. Maybe I will read only Canadian women, since I usually trash them most.
Just finished my first book, Mad Shadows.
Gautami: Two great Canadian books for sure.
Nicola: Your fourth already?!
Raych: That's great- we need some dissenting voices around here.
3M: Excellent! I've updated the numbers on the sidebar, and will add it to the next update.
I'm on a roll here. My next book has been read and reviewed.
http://back-to-books.blogspot.com/2007/11/107-eye-of-crow.html
That's ONE! http://vermontquilter.blogspot.com/2007/11/book-review.html Divisadero by Michael Ondaatje. I started it this summer, but put it down wehn life intervened. this is NOT a book to put down and pick up - read it all the way through at once if you can.
Another book for the challenge has been read and reviewed:
http://back-to-books.blogspot.com/2007/11/108-kanada.html
I'm late but I'm in! I saw this challenge over on the Library Ladder and couldn't resist. My sign-up post and book choices are here - thanks for hosting the challenge!
Another book review up:
http://geraniumcatsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2007/11/deathful-ridge-by-ja-wainwright.html
It's by a Canadian author but set in Britain. And I think I've decided on all 13 books now, they are listed inh the sidebar on my blog. I'm reading an easy one next...
Hello,
Just wanted to let you know that I have read and reviewed my first book for the Canadian book challenge - Crow Lake. Thanks!
Emily
Here's my review of "The Story Girl" by L M Montgomery.
http://framedandbooked.blogspot.com/2007/10/real-last-book-of-decades-challenge.html
Not what I originally chose for PEI, but you can't go wrong with Montgomery.
I just found your challenge via A Curious Singularity. I am quite interested, but have a question. I am trying to read the books I own, and I wonder if it is alright to read two books by the same author for this challenge? I have two by Stuart McLean, and two by Stephen Leacock, and two someone has loaned me by Louise Penny. What do you say, eh?
Nan: That's totally fine. I'm trying to have it as comfortable for people as possible. So by all means, read more than than one by the same author- heck all 13 could be by the same person if you were so inclined! It could be interesting to hear comparisons. Does this mean I can count you in?
I'm in! The list is up on the sidebar of my blog:
http://lettersfromahillfarm.blogspot.com/
And if by any chance my name is drawn, no book award for me. I want the hockey puck!
Better late than never, I'm in! I've posted about it on my blog and the books are in my sidebar.
Your list is fantastic and will be a great reference tool. Thanks so much for doing this!
Sharon
I've finished another one - feel I'm getting into my stride now! It's here: http://geraniumcatsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2007/11/perils-of-minn.html
Just posted my review of Steve's book Yellowknife which he was kind enough to send on. Have 2 more Can. reads underway... this is a lot of fun.
OK ... let me try that again. Thank you John for the recommendation. My third review is here
Ok, I'm definitely in. I already have a number of reviews up on my blog that pretty-much fit your timeline:
Michael Winter, The Architects are Here
Stephen Marche, Shining at the Bottom of the Sea
David Davidar, The Solitude of Emperors
Howard Engel, The Man Who Forgote How to Read
I'll be putting up a link to this blog posthaste, i.e. after work.
I just posted a review of my first Canadian Book Challenge book here:
http://lettersfromahillfarm.blogspot.com/
2007/11/book-reporta-fatal-grace-2006.html
Corey: Love to have you on board. I did start the challenge on Oct 4 and your reviews were from September- so technically they don't fit into the challenge time frame. That said, I'm not anal about the thing. If you still want them included, you can. Just let me know. My goal was to promote and celebrate Canadian lit, not to get all hung up on arbitrary rules. Still, if you think you can read (and review) 13 new ones between now and next July, you're more than welcome.
I know that I am behind by a few months, but I love your challenge and I am a fast reader. I have decided to read novels written by recipients of the Marian Engel Award. This prize is awarded each year to a female Canadian writer in mid-career for her body of work. As a citizen of the United States, my familiarity with female Canadian authors is limited to Montgomery and Atwood. This challenge will help me diversify my bookshelf.
Erica: Glad to have you with us. I love the way you're approaching the challenge, too. It's like a challenge within a challenge. Good idea.
Books number 7 & 8 have been read and reviewed for the challenge.
Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel
http://back-to-books.blogspot.com/2007/12/125-silverwing.html
Dust by Arthur Slade
http://back-to-books.blogspot.com/2007/12/126-dust.html
My second book review is posted:
http://lettersfromahillfarm.blogspot.com/2007/12/book-reportbachelor-brothers-bed.html
I'll try that again:
http://lettersfromahillfarm.
blogspot.com/2007/12/book-reportbachelor-brothers-bed.html
Count us in! My friend and I are going to race to 13, starting January 1st. Should be fun, thanks for the great idea!! Feel free to add us to the competitor list: http://www.rant-a-book.blogspot.com
I just posted the review of my third book here:
http://lettersfromahillfarm.blogspot.com/
2007/12/book-reportthem-times-1992.html
I'm in! Since Canadian children's literature is my passion and I'm working on getting a directed reading course in this subject approved for my final year at university that will be my pool of selection. Check out my posts about the books here: http://mrspeachtree.wordpress.com/
This sounds like fun. I'm definitely going to participate! (my blog can be found at www.vestige.org).
Book #2 done!
The Culprits (2007) by Robert Hough
Review pending.
Here's my review on "Latitude of Melt."
http://framedandbooked.blogspot.com/2007/12/latitude-of-melt-by-joan-clark.html
Very interesting book about Newfoundland where I was born.
I wish I would have found this a couple of months ago as I've been reading a bunch of Canadian books lately. Well, I guess I will just have to read 13 more. Count me in.
Nicola: Whoa! You're leaving most of us in the dust here!
Nan: It's been a while since I read BB. Thanks for the review. And a non-Montgomery PEI selection? Interesting!
Lisa: Game on!
Rebecca: Glad to have someone representing Children's lit in the challenge.
August: Welcome!
Corey: Leaving us in suspense, I see.
Framed: As was I- Twillingate. Where abouts were you born?
Remi: I'm sure you can do it. Thanks for joining!
It's late, but I happen to have a library copy of The Blind Assassin at hand. I'd like to join. This sounds like a good way to find authors I've not read before.
I'm going to give it a try, very cool idea! I'm pretty late in joining but I think I can do it...
Just started "The Book of Negroes" by Lawrence Hill, it was longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize for 2007. Really, really good book so far, read 120 pages last night.
Dahlia and Balu: The Blind Assassin is a great place to start.
Kimiko: Great. I've been wanting to read that one too. Looking forward to your post about it.
I'm in -- even if Corey Redekop was not entirely enthused with my second novel, Houdini's Shadow!
My second second review on my blog. Kanada, by Eva Wiseman.
I'm in!
(I linked here from Monique at So Misguided.)
I'll have to come up with the list as I go!
You can find me at http://juliafaye.wordpress.com.
I've just posted a partial book list here: http://dahlia-and-balu.livejournal.com/10559.html; and, I've just finished reading Anil's Ghost by Michael Ondaatje. It was a fantastic book--I read it in two days!
Here's review number 2, of As Good As Dead: backwaterreview.blogspot.com/2007/12/as-good-as-dead.html
Here's my review of #2, The Shipping News.
Okay, I'm done book #1, The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill. Fantastic book, you check check out my review by clicking on my name. Highly recommend this book!
Book 1 is done. http://gunnersmiscellany.blogspot.com/2007/12/canadian-book-challenge-eh-take-one.html
I am overwhelmed by choices. Everytime I think I have a lineup nailed down, I remember something else I've wanted to read or find another book altogether to add. Argh. . .
For the record, hmbuezs is not a word. I verified that with my Canadian Oxford. Darned newfangled technology.
Review number 3: http://backwaterreview.blogspot.com/2007/12/coureurs-de-bois.html
My first review is up.
here.
We've got another friend joining us for our January to July race, Jayson. We're all very excited to start...
Review number 4, The Reckoning of Boston Jim by Claire Mulligan: http://backwaterreview.blogspot.com/2007/12/the-reckoning-of-boston-jim.html
Here's my review of "The White Dawn." Totally interesting book.
http://framedandbooked.blogspot.com/2007/12/white-dawn-eskimo-saga-by-james-houston.html
John, I was born on the US Air Force base in St. John's.
Book #3 (by accident!) _Water for Elephants_, by Sara Gruen. I read it (and enjoyed it) for my book group - and was delighted to learn Ms Gruen was born in Northern Ontario!
2 more!
Brown Girl in the Ring - Nalo Hopkinson
Big Man Coming Down the Road - Brad Smith
Reviews coming soon
Reviews five and six are up for Bottle Rocket Hearts ( http://backwaterreview.blogspot.com/2007/12/bottle-rocket-hearts.html )/, and The Outlander ( http://backwaterreview.blogspot.com/2007/12/the-outlander.html
I found out about this awesome challenge way too late, but I hope you do it again! I would love to join!
Teddy
Teddy Rose: If you're a fast reader, there's still time to catch up. Some particpants only plan on beginning in January!
Numero sept, The End of the Alphabet by CS Richardson -- http://backwaterreview.blogspot.com/2007/12/the-end-of-the-alphabet.html
I don't think I'll have enough time to read two books a month. However,I could read at least one. Can I join with just six or seven books, for the six months we have left?
I understand that I won't be eligable for prizes.
I finished my first book for the challenge! Starting off on the East Coast with The Long Run by Leo Furey.
Teddy Rose: Sure, by all means! Love to have you with us, regardless.
Okay, I came up with a list of 13, of which I will read at least 6. My theme is Canadian Authors I have never read.
I tryed to click on the maple leaf to join however, it just bounce me back to the main site. How do I join?
Teddy Rose: You've joined. Clicking the leaf only takes people back to this post, and to join you simply leave a comment saying you wish to do so- as you've done!
I'd like to join too, if it is not too late? Your list has some authors I've been meaning to read for a long time--this challenge seems like such a fun way to go about it!
Brown Paper: No, it's not too late if you think you still do it. In fact, a few of the participants only plan on starting in the new year. Really glad to have you join! Have fun!
John,
I want to start the year off right. Here are my choices for The Canadian Book Challenge:
1.A Complicated Kindness - Miriam Toews
2. All Families Are Psychotic- Douglas Coupland
3. Fifth Business - Robertson Davies
4. Dressing Up For The Carnival - Carol Shields
5. Fall On Your Knees - Anne-Marie MacDonald
I'm limiting myself to 5 because I really want to succeed at this challenge!
Another book read:
Sunwing by Kenneth Oppel
http://back-to-books.blogspot.com/2008/01/1-sunwing.html
I've just put up two reviews (The Garneau Block, Timbit Nation). http://rant-a-book.blogspot.com
I've read two books so far: Anil's Ghost by Michael Ondaatje, and The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. I've posted a short review of them here: http://dahlia-and-balu.livejournal.com/10967.html
Hooray! I finished my first book, Scoundrels and Scallywags (Alberta) for the challenge! There's a review of it over at my blog.
I'm coming on this one late, but I think it's still doable!
Mandy: Wow, just checked your blog- you're in a LOT of challenges. Glad you added this one. Good luck!
I just finished reading my first book for this challenge.
Barnacle Love by Anthony De Sa
I rated it 4/5 stars and you can read my review on either Amazon.ca or my blog. Here are the links.
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/2el4py
My Blog: http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/
I've finally moved up to beaverdom. Book 2 is done. http://gunnersmiscellany.blogspot.com/2008/01/canadian-book-challenge-round-two.html
Finally, my second review is done! Mercy Among The Children by David Adams Richards. Check out my review on my blog! (Click on my name).
I've been doing a lot of reading over the last week, but I didn't get a chance to post until today. There are three more reviews up for Helpless, by Barabara Gowdy; The Bone Sharps, by Tim Bowling; and Stormy Weather, by Paulette Jiles.
I'm a Maple Leaf! My first book of the challenge is No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod. My review is at:
http://niranjana.wordpress.com/2008/01/07/no-great-mischief-by-alistair-macleod/
Am beavering away at my second read.
I'm late joining too, but this is my first reading challenge and I love the idea of having a structure to read from (three cheers for "The White Stripes Way" approach!) I'll post reviews of my first 2 of 13 soon: Consumption by Kevin Patterson, and The Extraordinary Garden by Francois Gravel.
Thanks!
Sam: Late or not, glad to have you with us. I read Consumption last year- looking forward to your review.
I've just put up 3 more reviews for myself (leaving my poor racing friends in the dust!). I had a productive holiday, but now it's back to college, and no time to read anything but a textbook!
Just finished "Airborn".
http://framedandbooked.blogspot.com/2008/01/airborn-by-kenneth-oppel.html
That's seven down and six to go. And loving this challenge.
Lisa: I found it hard to read for fun while I was still in school, too. Fortunately, you've got a good head start!
Framed: Glad you're enjoying it!
Hey, this is probably the most popular post I've written (if number of comments are indication.) Would anyone care to nominate it for a Nunie?
Just posted a review for October by Richard B. Wright.
First review up for The Extraordinary Garden posted here.
(I hope I figured out the html here, I deleted my first attempt!)
Very nice review SamLamb! I also liked the scarf. I am a knitted as well.
Another book read and reviewed:
The Serpent's Egg by J. Fitzgerald McCurdy is a YA fantasy.
http://back-to-books.blogspot.com/2008/01/4-serpents-egg.html
I finished Book 1 and boy was it a good one!
"Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
Please see my review at
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/
If you have read this yourself, please go to my blog to vote on your rating of it.
Just finished review #3 for Brown Girl in the Ring by Nalo Hopkinson, one of the picks for 2008 CBC Canada Reads. Quite enjoyed it, would recommend it.
http://lethbridgebookclub.blogspot.com
3 down, 10 to go. Another review here - http://gunnersmiscellany.blogspot.com/2008/01/canadian-book-challenge-part-three.html
#5 is done (review pending).
At a Loss for Words - Diane Schoemperlen
Every feel like you missed the boat on an author? She's won the GG, and all I wanted to do was throw the book into the garborator.
Great to see lots of people getting their first books in.
Looking forward to that negative review, Corey!
I don't suppose you might want to consider extending the closing date of July 1, would you, since there are so many who have just joined, and others of us who joined late?? Mightn't there be another Canadian special day, say Thanksgiving?? :<)
Nan: I was going to keep it under wraps, but since you asked, I'm considering doing a 2nd Canadain Book Challenge that runs from Canada Day to Canada Day, which gives a full year to read 13 books. But for more details you'll have to stay tuned...
John,
I would definetly be in, if you do this challenge again!
I'd be up for another Canadian Challenge, as well. I am just reading the ones on my shelves now, and would happily buy some other authors for the next one. There are so, so many I would like to read.
Corey - I read At A Loss for Words this summer, and although I enjoyed it (I had to get past all the exclamation points) I wouldn't say it's her best, especially for leaving an impression. I much preferred Forms of Devotion and In the Language of Love.
My second review, of Kevin Patterson's Consumption is here.
Very nice review Sam! This one is on my TBR.
Well, here it is -- lucky number 13. The review is up for Garcia's Heart by Liam Durcan. I'm just going to keep on posting through Canada Day.
Sorry John,
When I posted my review for Water for Elephants, I forgot to mention that it was my 2nd Canadian Challenge book completed. Could you please mark me down for 2 read so far?
Thanks!
I've read and reviewed my second book--Obasan by Joy Kogawa. This was a tough one...
On to the third.
"Mercy Among the Children" is my eighth book. It was a sad book, but so well-written.
http://framedandbooked.blogspot.com/2008/01/mercy-among-children-by-david-adams.html
I left a comment on your blog, Framed.
I also added your blog link to mine. I think some of my readers wound also be interested in your blog.
Teddy
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/
Four. . . Four fabulous fictions.
http://gunnersmiscellany.blogspot.com/2008/01/canuck-book-four.html
cM.G.Vassanji's The Assassin's Song: Superb
I reviewed it for a publication I write for, but am counting it in as my third book of the challenge too (if that's okay, John?)
I finished reading my 3rd challenge book, Green Grass, Running Water by Thomas King.
You can read my review on both Amazon.ca and my blog. If your read
this book yourself, please be sure to visit my blog and vote your
rating of it. Here are the links, below:
Amazon.ca:
http://tinyurl.com/2ozn5b
My Blog: So Many Precious Books, So Little Time
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/
Teddy
Moving right along! I read All Families Are Psychotic, which takes care of B.C., and also Guy Delisle's excellent graphic novel Pyongyang, which satisfies the requirement for Quebec.
I've been wanting to join a book challenge for a while now and I've finally decided to do it. And this will be my first. I love Canadian literature and have a few books at home that are my TBR pile that are Canadian (3 provinces down) I just need to chose the others. my blog is thatsthebook.blog.com and the name is Aaron and looking forward to reading some good CanLit
My third book: The Bird Artist - loved it!
My next book is finished. High Spirits by Robertson Davies is my 11th book.
http://back-to-books.blogspot.com/2008/01/17-high-spirits.html
Just remembered another novel to add to your list of Canadian books. Robert Sedlack's The Horn Of A Lamb. It's a wonderful novel about hockey, old anarchists and brain injuries. One of those great books that gets passed from friend to friend to friend.
Just finished "Salamander" by Thomas Wharton. Here's the link:
http://framedandbooked.blogspot.com/2008/02/salamander-by-thomas-wharton.html
Whew, it's taken me a while but I'm semi-organized now when it comes to the Challenge. I've got my list posted here:
http://tragicrighthip.blogspot.com/2008/01/canadian-book-challenge.html
And am keeping the master links to the reviews of the books I've read so far. Right now I'm at 4, but I'm still figuring out books for a couple provinces...
It's such a fabulous idea. Exactly the kind of challenge I'm looking for!
hip_ragdoll,
Your list looks wonderful! I think you and I share some very simular reading tastes.
I'm nearing the finish line!
Just finished book #11 - Empress of Asia by Adam Lewis Schroeder
http://back-to-books.blogspot.com/2008/02/22-empress-of-asia.html
Corey: I read "At a Loss for Words" too and actually quite enjoyed it (well before the challenge, I'm afraid):
http://tragicrighthip.blogspot.com/2007/09/63-at-loss-for-words.html
So I can't count it as Ontario, but I'm sorry that you had such a violent reaction to it!
I'm up to five now. Richard B. Wright's Adultery.
http://gunnersmiscellany.blogspot.com/2008/02/canuck-book-5.html
Hi all,
I just finished my 4th book for the challenge. The Time In Between, it's awesome.
You can read my review on my blog. If you read this book yourself, please besure to vote on your rating of it on the poll I created.
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2008/02/time-in-between-by-david-bergen.html
Joan Clark's An Audience of Chairs, (my third and so far my favourite), is finished and reviewed here.
I'm sad and sorry to say that something had to give, and I'm afraid it is the Canadian Book Challenge. I'm happy I read five books. I enjoyed them all. Perhaps I'll be back for the next one.
I just finished "I Married the Klondike" by Laura Beatrice Berton. Review here:
http://framedandbooked.blogspot.com/2008/02/i-married-klondike-by-laura-beatrice.html
How interesting that you just reviewed her son's book. It sounds like Laura's book was more fun to read.
Another one read: The Birth House
My last book for the challenge! Keturah & Lord Death
http://back-to-books.blogspot.com/2008/02/26-keturah-lord-death.html
Done #5! Finally!
http://shelf-monkey.blogspot.com/2008/02/at-loss-for-words-by-diane-schoemperlen.html
6th one is read, and review as soon as possible on Douglas Coupland's The Gum Thief.
Finished number 6. Quarrington's King Leary.
http://gunnersmiscellany.blogspot.com/2008/02/canuck-book-6-king-leary-by-paul.html
I finished my 5th Canadian Challenge book:
The End of the Alphabet by CS Richardson
Heres the link for my review:
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2008/02/end-of-alphabet-by-cs-richardson.html
John, I finished Random Passage today. Click on the title to read my review. I really liked it. Loving reading these Canadian books. Thanks.
Hey, 2 more reviews are up!
Douglas Coupland's The Gum Thief, and Joey Slinger's Punch Line
both at: http://shelf-monkey.blogspot.com/2008/02/quickie-reviews-gum-thief-punch-line.html
We've finally updated a few reviews, feel free to check them out at http://rant-a-book.blogspot.com
I finished my 5th book, Jacques Ferron's Selected Tales, here:
http://geraniumcatsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2008/02/ouhanderfoule-jacques-ferron-selected.html
(also part of my reading for the Short Story Challenge). I still owe a review for the 4th, though.
I've finished my Nova Scotia book, Fall On Your Knees, and am working on my review.
My fourth book is "The Solitude of Emperors" by David Davidar, and the review is up on my blog.
I've also finished a collection of short stories by Katherine Govier titled "The Immaculate Conception Photo Gallery". I'm hoping to post the review before the next update.
I love this challenge! It's my first ever book challenge, but now I'm so inpired I'm also looking for other reading challenges to do. I know there's a lot out there. Does anyone know a site that lists some of them?
Lisa,
Wendy hosts a blog that lists all if not all challenges out there.
Heres the link:
http://novelchallenges.blogspot.com/
Bybee,
I read 'Fall on Your Knees' years ago. I really liked it. I gave it 4/5.
I look forward to your review.
Fourth review, The Tree Tatoo by Karen Rivers, is here.
That's BC taken care of.
(And thanks again John - the challenge has really sped up my reading pace!)
My third book review is up here.
I should be finished with my 4th, Cat's Eye in the next day or two. I better get crackin'!
Book number 7 is done - The Architects Are Here by Michael Winter.
http://gunnersmiscellany.blogspot.com/2008/03/canuck-book-7-architects-are-here-by.html
I would be very honored if you would add me to the Alberta authors list. I am a 3-time bestselling suspense author. I was born in BC but live in Edmonton, AB.
My three bestselling novels are:
Whale Song (2007) - a bestseller in Canada and the US
The River (2005) - a bestseller in the US
Divine Intervention (2004) - a bestseller in the US
Also, because of where you live, I'd like to recommend you read my novel The River. It takes place in the Nahanni River area of the Northwest Territories, an area that is nicknamed the Bermuda Triangle of Canada.
I think this is a great challenge and I'd like to help advertise it. I will blog about it over the next week or so. I have about 15 blogs so I'll post on the ones that are best suited.
Again, please add me to the Alberta list as Cheryl Kaye Tardif, bestselling author of Whale Song.
All the best in success!
Cheryl Kaye Tardif
http://www.cherylktardif.com
http://www.whalesongbook.com
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