Review: The War on Science by Chris Turner

22 May 2014 / review / 1 Comment
Review: The War on Science by Chris Turner

Author: Chris Turner  Title: The War on Science: Muzzled Scientists and Willful Blindness in Stephen Harper’s CanadaFormat/Source: Paperback/LibraryPublished: March 2014Publisher: Greystone BooksLength: 176 pagesGenre: Popular non-fictionWhy I Read: To learn more about scientific research in Canada + Harper’s treatment of Canadian scientistsRead If You’re: Canadian, invested in science, or interested in science+politicsQuote: See below Rating:  ★★★½ [ratings guide] Links: GoodReads | Chapters | Amazon  In The War on Science, Chris […]

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Response: Literary Pilgrimages

18 May 2014 / literary pilgrimage, response, thoughts / 10 Comments
Response: Literary Pilgrimages

A few weeks ago, James of James Reads Books posted a Sunday Salon about literary pilgrimages. James defines literary pilgrimage as a “trip taken specifically for book related reasons” that “involves staying away from home at least one night”. I left a comment about my own journeys, but I’d like to share more here. New York City In May 2012 I took a short trip with my aunt and uncle […]

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Review: Hikikomori and the Rental Sister by Jeff Backhaus

11 May 2014 / review / 0 Comments
Review: Hikikomori and the Rental Sister by Jeff Backhaus

Author: Jeff Backhaus Title: Hikikomori and the Rental Sister Format/Source: Hardcover/LibraryPublished: January 2013 Publisher: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill Length: 246 pages Genre: Contemporary fiction Why I Read: Library browsingRead If You’re: Looking for a character-driven, melancholic story; interested in hikikomori   Quote: “Kindred spirits groping in the dark for each other, blind, pure, nameless feelings intertwined” (239)Rating: ★★★½ [ratings guide]  Links: GoodReads | IndieBound | Chapters | Amazon Hikikomori: Japanese, literally “pulling inward, being […]

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Review: The Man in the Picture by Susan Hill

5 May 2014 / review / 0 Comments
Review: The Man in the Picture by Susan Hill

Author: Susan Hill Title: The Man in the PictureFormat/Source: Hardcover/libraryPublished: October 2007Publisher: Profile BooksLength: 145 pagesGenre: Gothic ghost storyWhy I Read: Enjoyed The Woman in Black ; in the mood for a similar story Read If You’re: Looking for a quick and easy, chilling (if not frightening) read Quote: “I disliked the picture – it repelled me, made me shudder. But it was just a picture. We could hang it […]

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Quick Review: eBook Novellas

30 April 2014 / brief reviews / 2 Comments
Quick Review: eBook Novellas

I purchased an iPad back in October. I did not have reading eBooks in mind, as I prefer physical books wherever possible and I can borrow plenty of those from the public library. Then I discovered there are a number of eBook novellas by some of my favourite authors, telling prequels, filling in gaps, or sharing alternate perspectives. I bought three of them back around Christmas and finally decided to […]

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