Welcome to Litsy!

Informative but a little dry reading about the life of a young Indigenous man in Winnipeg.

It‘s finally Canada Reads week! Hurray!

I forgot to set it to record yesterday and couldn‘t persuade CBC Gem to work, so this morning I caught up on Day 1 via the podcast. As per usual, my favourite book (tagged) got voted off first. Sigh.

I‘m now rooting for SCARBOROUGH by Catherine Hernandez. Watching Day 2 as we speak.

Book 1 of Canada Reads Short List 2022!

Good first day of #marvellousmarch. I finished the tag book which I wanted to enjoy much more than I did and I‘m 200 pages into Sorrow and Bliss which I‘m enjoying so much more than I expected! #bookspin

Going into February, I decided I‘d try to finish only one book per day. That fell apart pretty quick, since I‘ve often got a few things on the go at once, and I abandoned it completely when I remembered February is I Love To Read Month. 🤷‍♀️

I didn‘t find any new-to-me 5-star reads , but the tagged book was a strong 4.5er and my favourite for the month. I also very much enjoyed my yearly break from American creators.

"Stories change the world; they inspire people to greatness and they facilitate the healing of our body, spirit, and mind." Thomas-Muller's story of trauma, healing, failing, and fighting is one worth reading. It is at times painful, but carries so much hope, love and inspiration. Exposing the cycles of trauma imposed on Indigenous Peoples and on the Earth, and the interconnected nature of pain and healing. Cont'd ?

#MarchTBR
How is it March already?!?! I'm finishing up Life in the City of Dirty Water today, then I just need to read Washington Black to complete my #CanadaReads reading before the debates begin. Unbury Our Dead, Big Numbers, and Migration of Clouds are all for #Booked2022. The Scapegoat is for #FoodandLit. And The Family Chao is too read with my favourite buddy reader @Blerdgal_Fenix

The cyclical, repetitive nature of hard memories and regrets gives way to a more positive energy and focused activism in this memoir of a Cree man trying to rediscover his connection to his heritage. It is s Canada Reads contender. So many trigger warnings.

I almost bailed on this book, but was glad I didn‘t. The beginning isn‘t very focused and seemed all over the place, but it got better in the middle. I think I would have loved it more if it was organize differently by his editor. Clayton Thomas-Muller had great stories and it was both informative as well as inspiring. He tells an honest authentic story. This book won‘t be my vote for Canada reads, but because of the way his memoir was compiled.

I‘ve got my Canada Reads pick. Clayton Thomas-Muller digs deep into the multilayered effects of generational trauma and the path to personal and environmental healing. He explores the ways abuse and love lived side by side in his youth, and how many of his greatest community triumphs happened at the same time as personal setbacks. It‘s powerful stuff that offers a nuanced look at the past and a hopeful vision for the future. 4.5 stars

Currently reading my 4th of the 5 #CanadaReads2022 contenders. They are all great reads so far.

Yesterday I made a football-shaped rum cake for my family members who‘re into the Super Bowl. I also started the tagged book, which is the Canada Reads title I‘ve been waiting for. I really liked my first three (WASHINGTON BLACK, WHAT STRANGE PARADISE, and FIVE LITTLE INDIANS) and I think they‘ll give the panelists some good stuff to discuss, but I wasn‘t EXCITED about any of them. I‘m excited about this. #audiobaking

"The first time my father saw an airplane, he thought it must be an angel."

#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

I love this cover. Canada reads book 3. So much generational trauma. But somehow Thomas- Muller, is turning it all around. From residential schools, poverty, drugs, abuse and gang life, to bettering the next generation and healing the planet. A lot of people don‘t like his writing style, but it made his story feel more real to me. It‘s very Canadian and very relevant to life in our country right now. 4 ⭐️s

I‘ve got this one on deck right now, especially looking forward to reading about environmental activism.