We Meant Well: A Novel | 
pickRead this one for the Heliconian Lecture Series. Maya works for a NGO in an unnamed African country and is asked to rush in site when a young woman from the community accuses one of the staff of rape. It is an examination of what the meaning of charity is, the chasm between the community and the visitors to that community. It is also a story of bias and complicity. Parts of the book didn‘t work and there is some clunky language, so a low pick.
It's been a busy day, but I'm so excited to sit down and read all evening now. This amazing pairing of chocolate and book was sent by @TheKidUpstairs - I'm so glad to hear you loved it. I'm very excited to get going on it tonight! Happy Jolabokaflod ❤️
#jolabokaflodswap #jolabokaflodswap23 @MaleficentBookDragon
pickThis short novel punches well above its weight - how was it not Giller Prize shortlisted?
pickI'm surprised this one didn't make the #GillerPrize Shortlist. One of the best of the year for me. A deftly crafted blend of engaging storytelling, genuine characters, and so many intersectional issues and questions - this is one that will sit in my thoughts and my heart for some time.
TW: rape
Maya works in logistics and administration for a charity working with programs in an unnamed war-torn country... cont'd in comments
pickAn emotionally intense novel about a South Asian American woman working for a charity in an unnamed country in the midst of civil war. One of her colleagues has been accused of rape and she has been called in by head office for local damage control, to protect the charity‘s image. She knows both the victim and the accused. A heartfelt page turner that looks at layers of consequences precipitated by global history. #shadowgiller2023 #CanLit
The child soldiers here, they fight for food, for money, for guns that will protect their rogue group. They protect their own. Who knows who started the war, and surely no one will finish it, but these are children of war, born into it; they‘ve seen it hundreds of times and they remake it. That‘s the thing with war. You show it enough times and people become it.
The Friday Reads that took forever (AKA 12 hours) to upload
https://youtu.be/dWN3nBSId7g
#shakespeare #theatre #CanadianAuthor #classic
Giller Time! Giller longlist is out today. I first saw the list when I was out running errands. These two books coincidentally followed me home #gillerprize
Next up. This should ask some tough questions about charity, first world folks working in underserved countries, truth, and entitlement. I suspect it‘ll be a tough read.
