The Boat People: A Novel | 
pickBC for #ReadCanada
This was a good book and good audiobook. The political rhetoric made me mad, as I think it was intended to. I appreciated the emphasis on the intergenerational nature of trauma and the way that trauma gets repeated through history. No easy answers here.
It's been a while since I posted an #audiostitching update. My puffins are coming along!
I'm almost finished the tagged book, which is excellent but is making me mad.
pickThis was really good. I was really frustrated with Grace for what I felt was relying too much on Fred‘s (the minister‘s) rhetoric. I guess I wanted to believe all of their stories. I wasn‘t as interested in Mahindan‘s background in Sri Lanka – well, some was interesting, but I did lose a bit of focus when talking about his courtship to his son‘s mother. I really had no idea how it would end, and yet I was still surprised.
pickWhen a boat carrying 500 refugees from Sri Lanka finally gets to British Columbia after a perilous few months at sea, Mahindan realizes his long journey through the Canadian courts to give his young son a better life is just beginning.
Read February 23-27
Rated 3.5/5 ⭐️
Book 13/60
(Bahamas beach pic because it‘s where I read this book)
pickReally enjoyed the book. There were times I felt it was a little slow, but definitely an engrossing read. 4 1/2 ⭐️ #2019 #bookreview #bookstagram #canadareads #canada #fiction
Am finding the book emotionally draining. I really liking it, but it just takes so much out of me when I read it. The novel is based on actual events that happened with Sri Lankan refugees the summer of 2009 that came to BC. Just so much relevance to what is happening at the southern border in the US. Wish this f—-ing nightmare would end. #bookclubread
pickA cargo ship bearing 500 Sri Lankan refugees is intercepted in Vancouver and those aboard taken into detention. The Boat People then follows the story of one refugee as well as those both trying to help him and those allowing their fear and/or xenophobia to fight against anyone gaining admission. Topical and very well done, plus the audio reader is phenomenal.
pickThis was a timely and relevant book. Highly recommend for anyone interested in issues facing refugees coming to the US and Canada. (One note: the lack of quotation marks was distracting, but I was able to get past it because the story was good.)
Catching up on reading while the kids try the waterside.
pickBased on when 492 Sri Lankan refugees arrived in Vancouver in 2010, at a time when Canada's right-wing party was in power. From the perspectives of a Tamil refugee, his lawyer, and the adjudicator tasked with approving or rejecting his refugee status, this story made me think hard about how bendable my morality could become if I needed to protect my family during wartime. P.S. This was a Canada Reads 2018 contender, so it's kind of a big deal.
I can't stop crying! I remember being disgusted about these detentions, but I also remember feeling helpless to do anything about it. I should have at least tried...
pickThis was such a powerful and well written book. A boat of Sri Lankan refugees appears near Vancouver and Sharon Bala takes us through the narratives of some of the refugees, the immigration lawyers representing them, and the adjudicator. She skillfully portrays the complexity of Sri Lanka and create nuanced, intersectional characters. This book provides such important humanity and insight into the plight of refugees. Highly recommend!
Ok, so I went through my books and picked these 4 to choose from. 3 of the four were featured on Canada Reads, so that bodes well I think. Let me know if you've read any of them already. 😊🇨🇦
@ShelleyBooksie @Tianarose @TheKidUpstairs
#LMPBC #GroupU #TeamCanada #ReadTheNorth #CanadianAuthors #OhCanada #CanadaReads
pickThis was excellent. Bala dives deep inside current events from a refugee's perspective, a lawyer's, and an adjudicator's. As the story unfolds along dual timelines, the reader's take on each character shifts, as do the characters' own attitudes towards their situation.
Everyone's well drawn, but I keep coming back to Grace, the new adjudicator who honestly believes she's doing the right thing even as the reader can see how oblivious she is ⬇️
I carved pumpkin #2--a haunted house--while I finished THE BOAT PEOPLE. It was the first Canada Reads selection eliminated this year. It's also my favourite so far, with only PRECIOUS CARGO to go. Dammit, panelists, are you always gonna ditch the best book first, or are the last two years a weird coincidence? #audiocarving
My first pumpkin's done! I've got a flameless Christmas candle in it right now, but it distorts the shape of the hand a bit so I'll switch to tea lights when the pumpkin makes its formal debut. #audiocarving
I baked my first gluten-free cakes today! My mum volunteered me to do my grandma's trifle for her family's Christmas party, and I want to make sure my cousins with Celiac disease can have some too. It was a bit more finicky than my usual bakes since I took extra care with all the utensils--I do NOT want anybody to get sick from a bit of wheat flour that drifted into a spoon or whatnot--but the sponges turned out well! Hurray! #audiobaking
pickThis book made my heart ache. It is a twist on immigration stories that I‘ve read so far. Rather than Mexican Immigration in The United States, it deals with Sri Lankan Immigration in Canada. I many ways it‘s the same story. It also addressed the history of Japanese Immigration in the 1930-40‘s. I have so many mixed emotions about this subject because I can understand both sides of the story.
Mental note: Must read a light and happy book next!
With this book I will complete the 2018 Modern Mrs. Darcy Summer Reading Guide
https://modernmrsdarcy.com/summer-reading-guide-2018/
"People who forget the wrongs that were done to them perpetuate those same wrongs on others." Sharon Bala will be at #emwf18 to read from her timely novel that provides a deeply compassionate lens through which to view the current refugee crisis. bit.ly/2ItLkU4 @PenguinRandomCa #canlit #canadareads
This book is very relevant to our current world. I‘m about 60% of the way through, and while I‘m not riveted by any means, I do think it is important.
We are thrilled to announce our 2018 Author Lineup! On September 8, Jann Arden will be at the University of Guelph to discuss her life and memoirs, while Sheila Heti and Craig Davidson will be hosting writing workshops at the Delta Hotel in Guelph. On September 9, join us in Eden Mills, ON to listen to and meet over 40 Canadian authors for adults, YA and children. Visit www.emwf.ca for more information! #canlit #emwf18
pickThis book was a slow burn, but so very worth it. This is fiction, but the events are true, which makes story so much more. It is sad to see not only the U.S. has immigration issues.
Starting Modern Mrs. Darcy‘s summer reading guide picks. This is the first one chronologically. Looks amazing
#Canadareads Second book voted off. The partcipants are fierce this year!
It's Canada Reads time! I, um, didn't read any of the books this year, but after yesterday I've got a much better idea of which ones I wanna check out when the library wait lists go down.
First book voted off #CanadaReads. I was surprised.
pickToday, The Boat People was the first book eliminated from #CanadaReads 2018. Despite getting off to a rough start with this title due to some stylistic choices, I ended up really liking this book thanks to the characters. Highly recommended provided you are okay with an open ended conclusion. Full review and recap on my blog: goo.gl/1pj1JK
so-soIn our divided political climate, books like this are important. Bala questions the immigration process and asks tough questions of both her readers and her characters. A valuable Canada Reads contender.
Full review: https://reneereadsbooks.wordpress.com/2018/03/26/book-review-the-boat-people-by-...
pickWow, what an emotional, impactful book. This is my new pick to win #CanadaReads this year. The story of Mahindan and the other refugees is so heart-wrenching, their lives in Sri Lanka and reception in Canada so miserable, it's not hard to say, "Wow, what if that was me?" and "That COULD be me." And not just in a "my family could have gone through that" sense, but in a "what wouldn't I do to protect my family?" sense.
???? (cont)
They took it for granted that they deserved to be here more than us. Entitlement closed their hearts.
Thought I‘d jump in on the last week of #MarchinBooks! Book of the day at my library is The Boat People, which has been on my radar quite recently. “The Boat People is an extraordinary novel about a group of refugees who survive a perilous ocean voyage only to face the threat of deportation amid accusations of terrorism...” Can‘t wait to get my hands on it! #BorrowedBooks #March24 @maich
Took a reading break after a long work meeting today to make some progress in this one for #CanadaReads. It's super relevant considering the state of immigration affairs in the US (and Canada also, apparently) right now.
I'm about 25% through and my heart is just breaking for these people. Am I supposed to feel so far on one side of the debate? The government so far is making me really angry, and I want to grab a few characters and shake them.
Churned through scores of romances when I got the flu this weekend thanks to my sick kids. Now that my body doesn‘t ache, I‘m switching gears. That said teen romances are ideal for when you are sick. I am sort of new to the genre. Will need to store up names for the next plague.
pickThe Boat People!! A #CanadaReads pick... I was a little hesitant when I opened this one up. I wasn‘t really feeling ready for the heavy content, but I REALLY ended up liking it and was thoroughly engrossed. Based on a true story where a large group of Sri Lankan refugees showed up via ships on the coast of BC in 2009/2010, this really put a face to how grueling the refugee experience can be. It was heartbreaking and eye-opening. So good!
Finished the last of the #Canadareads shortlist today. Depending on the arguments I predict American War or Precious Cargo go first, followed by Forgiveness. I think the real battle is between The Marrow Thieves and The Boat People. I found the former more inventive and hopeful, but as the child of a refugee the latter stole my heart (and several nights sleep)
Stop me if you're sending a theme #insomnia #againagain #sofreakingtired #Canadareadsafterdark
pickTHIS book is .... everything. And everyone must read it. It‘s so well written and it deals beautifully with serious issues of our time (and of our past). THIS book is why we read, to truly see new perspectives and to question ourselves and our worlds. I cannot say enough about this book. And the audiobook is unerring in its character portrayal and story telling. Read it. Please.
