Not how I expected. Soft graceful story of one man‘s simple life, with historical markers of the 20 century.

Stronger at the start than the end. Interesting mash up of different genres. Wasn‘t expecting the supernatural ghost elements, but it worked. The historical fiction was better than the now. Enjoyed it overall

This was fun for a book club. Lots to discuss. Almost like a rom com. Everything was very neat and perfect in the end, making much of the story pretty unbelievable, but it was engaging to read.

Wow! So so good. Beautiful and haunting and sad and romantic. The love amongst people prevails.

Fantastic! Such a cool voice for an interesting time in history. The story felt alive (for being centuries old). Probably cool as an audiobook

This was interesting. Lots of emphasis on shame and sadness and grief. Not enough about anger imo. But useful tool

This was challenging. Beautiful and frustrating characters but seemed real. Parts of it were pretty triggering.

This was challenging. Necessary story about all types of love, but so used to this narrative with an older male pursuer. The anxiety and naïveté of the main character was heartbreaking and difficult to encounter. Likely because it felt relatable. The abusive scenes likewise were deeply uncomfortable

Exciting voice. Capturing real emotion and feeling alongside very everyday life. Did not feel like it was written 70 years ago

A varied, interesting, at times intriguing and thought provoking short story collection. Unfortunately, the Atwood story was the worst. Doesn‘t take away from the rest however

This was lovely. So much introspection about writers and writing. A pandemic book, but not preachy or too catastrophic. She spends too much time on bodies and diets, but this is likely her age. Didn‘t take too much away. Written like a memoir, but is a novel. She likes to intersperse musings with action - does not take away from the overall narrative.

This was great. Complex characters who were well meaning and well intentioned - but did not communicate! So much sympathy for Ailesh - and for sure over Tony. Good sequel!

This was tricky. I didn‘t always get what was happening. There was much jumping around of the storyline. The writing was very beautiful

I struggled to understand what was happening often. Some elements were lovely, but it didn‘t make much sense cohesively.

Liked it! His first is better, but these two characters were really and finely drawn without being caricatures. Edmonton seemed like a character as well. The local culture was captured in a very honest way

This book was beautifully written. Haunting. The intergenerational and intercultural dynamics were welcome. Not entirely happy ending. But hopeful

Some interesting and funny parts, but largely a pan. Too many plots or characters that weren‘t explored deeply enough

Totally amazing! Loved it! Funny and sad and poignant. All books should be this good!

This was a quick dystopian story. The Edmonton landmarks were cool. Lots to discuss for a bookclub. Will read more

This was amazing! She captured his voice so well! This was political, insightful, powerful. I learned a lot.

Very good! This writer is amazing, and again this book doesn‘t disappoint

This was great! First time reading this author. His stories are engaging, and left me to speculate about the ending. Often dealing with moral struggles. Recommend

Very well researched and laid out. Thoughtful challenging arguments. Makes me want to demand more of systems - because their failure is failing some very badly, where people believe they have no alternative but to follow power hungry people into the “mirror world”.

Super good. I like both perspectives. Seemed like a very real and nuanced account of living with a family member with SUD. Beautifully written, want to explore more Susie Boyd

Very good. Interconnected stories. Such a good exploration of family and place and love

She‘s so great! I love the NB 19 century solider and their (kar) friends. I hope there is more!

Fascinating story about a time and place not previously known to me. About the devastating and wide reaches of colonialism. Empathy with all characters, regardless of class

Fantastic! What an exciting voice! Really enjoyed his immigrant perspective and the unforeseen plot twist. Appreciated the happy ending :)

I liked this. Worried that the power dynamic between the couple would end problematically, but it didn‘t. The matron maintained control and left on their terms. What an interesting perspective on upper class boarding schools

Lovely! Interesting, varied stories around the themes of immigration and island culture. Learned about that part of the world. Real people with real problems.

So so beautiful! The combo of the interiority and emotions of the astronauts along with technical ISS elements. Such an interesting perspective on earth/the planet. I also really liked the camaraderie between the astronauts

This book was beautiful and horrific. The love between the two characters - first forbidden then tragically foiled in other ways, is heartbreaking but also hopeful. The descriptions of WW1 are absolutely devastating. I really liked this book

Fantastic! Great bookclub read. So many interesting themes from hope and love and sex and humanity. Highly recommend

Beautifully written, insightful and honest reflection

Oh goddess! I love this series. Great cliffhanger. The strong women are magical :)

Woah. Heavy for sure. The casual, cold narrative of the first half - never personal - about the horrific actions of the soldiers, contrasted to the deeply personal and interior first person narrative of the second half. Both women met the same terrible tragic end, for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. So little has changed in 70 years. This is honest and unsentimental. Very good!!

This was beautiful. Lovely prose. Close reading required to pick up the threads of interconnected families. Loss/death is happening in the background- the narrative involves people coming to terms with that loss. As well as loving each other

She‘s great. And this book was too. I liked the women - each creating their own path and identity. Family problems aren‘t sugar coated. But the importance of family is very clear

This was strange, and took several twists. The story with Greta was unsettling but ultimately she reached some closure - less so with the title character. Sometimes the characters seemed too much. But very engaging

Again, she does such a beautiful job of telling stories about ordinary people in places familiar to her and her readers. Deftly told multigenerational community stories - not all is revealed, but the ending is satisfying.

Beautifully, tenderly written. The love of the author for these characters is evident. Here for the queer historical love stories

This was good, if challenging. The characters were tragic and real, and the stories were at times difficult. She doesn‘t sugarcoat realities, especially for women

Loved this! Great historical fiction - the characters came alive - I loved and disliked them in turn. Such good storytelling

Very sad, very necessary reading. Glad to see a former conservative respond with such compassion and courage to facts and reality. There is something for everyone to learn here

So good! Would not have picked up but read for a book club. So beautiful and thoughtful and nuanced. Interesting commentary on what it is to be part of a collective and part of humanity

He‘s a masterful writer. I liked the honest female perspective (surprising, but also not, from this male author). I liked that Jesus‘s name is never said.

First book 2024. He writes this story in such an exciting way. Not for skim reading as often great sentences are buried in each paragraph.

Great! Complicated people dealing with grief and joy and anger and love. They seem very real. It‘s neat how the author celebrates his city so much

Really good! The stories are connected, sometimes loosely. Surprising endings, some fantastical elements

I‘m not sure how to rate this. Parts were very funny and true. Other parts made me uncomfortable - maybe because I don‘t think those things should be said in “polite society”. He is a good writer