Why am I finding this so frustrating? I'm 640+ pages into it so am not going to abandon now, but really want to be done to get to a novel I got for my birthday.

Read this last night once the kids went to bed and it was storming outside. It had a beautiful tension between death and fear and life and joy. I've read that some of the cultural stuff is problematic, but I know so little of it to comment on that other than I'm assuming there are liberties/unwanted appropriations/erasing in the book. But it was a sweet story about the complex relationship between sisters.

"If religion, she liked to say, is the opiate of the masses, fundamentalism is the amphetamine."

About to reread this amazing book. I teach it to my second years along side with Rankine's Citizen and Lilburn's Assiniboia when I talk about poetry as theatre and voice. Love it so much.

Brilliant, difficult, vital. A must read for all Canadians.

A fascinating, moving read unlike anything I've come across before. The style at times is jarring but once I found the rhythm then it was like music. An exploration of what it means to live "between" in identity and as a writer.

Was meh on the first one but really enjoyed this one. Lots of adventure but a complexity to Delilah that wasn't there before. Looking forward to more from this series.

Hiding out in my bedroom at my FIL's reading this. Devastating and gorgeous so far.

Reading this to kids now. Eldest isn't interested as he's read it dozens of times on his own already, but I think this is the first chapter book my youngest is listening to. Loving it.

"Just what is the difference between camouflage and an imposter?"

At the playground, hoping to start this. Don't know much about it but sounds intriguing.

Feels looser, more accessible than previous collections. Her poems about grief were my favourite. (Read an uncorrected proof, so no pretty pic, alas!)

When I read books aloud to my kids, I find it hard to properly judge a book as its so tied to the experience of reading with them. I know Heidi is a problematic book: class issues, ableism, and incredibly preachy BUT I'm so glad I read this to the boys.

There was a stellar palindrome poem that was alone worth owning the book. Solid collection, some fantastic imagery. Sensual and visceral.

When the book you're reading has a BFF.

Started this beauty last night.

Read this for research and it was really interesting. Mostly an oral history which I'm always a sucker for. If you're into natural disasters, search this out.

I wanted to like this more than I did. The shifting POVs and no clear protagonist with wants or needs made this sluggish. Sometimes the writing was gorgeous, other times over explained. Disappointing overall.

Don't you hate it when GR doesn't have the exact edition you're reading? I'm reading Heidi to my kids now. First time for any of us that we've read the novel, but we've read the Golden Book version countless times. (Mine when I was a kid: an antique!)

Fantastic concept and a fun, quick read. That said, I imagine that the final act is more successful on the stage rather than the page thanks to its rich theatricality. Hope I have the chance to see it live one day.

Brilliant. Truly an exquisite book. I savoured this one, knowing I only had one chance to read it for the first time. This is literature about art and life and the beautiful and awful things we are capable of doing. Inspiring and heart rending. I can't recommend it enough.

Stunning. Hard to believe this is a first book. Accomplished, difficult, gorgeous. If you read poetry, you need to read this.

My awesome friend has a tumblr called Dress Like a Book, so my daughter wanted to get in on it. You should, too! http://dresslikeabook.tumblr.com/post/145660240094/model-miss-h-book-canoodlers-... @DelBauchery

Meh. Finished reading this to boys last night. Found the plot forced and predictable and the writing flat and repetitive. They want me to keep reading the series, but I've read them so many great books this one feels not worthy.

I'm loving this book so much. It's a difficult, profound read. Savouring, reading this one slowly.

When you dress like your best friend's book.

Sunday soccer and I remembered to bring a book this time. Recent winner of the prestigious Griffin Award. Have only heard great things about this one.

Interview with Thien in today's Globe and Mail. "I think a great work is a genuinely living thing." http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/madeleine-thien-i-think-a-gr...

When you go to the bookstore to pick up your special order book but leave with five.

I'm lucky have many writers as friends, but I reached for this one first. Lee often draws in his inscriptions and I love this one so very much. Hooray for dancing naked men! @Liberty

Husband brought a few plays home yesterday and I snatched this from him. Have only heard great things about this play. Can't wait to read it!

At the local conservatory for my boys' piano lessons. This is a fitting book to have brought along.

Was reminded that Thien also created a tumblr for this gorgeous and haunting book. http://dogsattheperimeter.tumblr.com/ I love when authors do stuff like this. What are your favourites?

At middle son's soccer and the other mins aren't here. Worst, I didn't bring my book! But just discovered Thien created a Tumblr with music from her book, so at least I have that to explore.

If there was ever a novel that needed an accompanying CD* this is it. (*am I showing my age? Yes, I still listen to CDs!)

Gearing up to start the next draft of my novel but need to do some research first. This came in the mail yesterday--perfect timing. Will be ignoring housework.

This was such a fun book of poetry. If you love pop culture, particularly Rom Coms (which I don't, but seem to know a lot more than I thought I did) then I highly recommend you pick this up. Also French flaps turn into paper dolls, so you can't beat that.

I admire a strong opening line and this one just sucked me right in.

It felt impossible to choose a book to read to my 10yo & 8yo boys after finishing the Harry Potter series, but going with something completely different worked well. A charming book about an Aussie family in NZ during the gold rushes of 1860s.

Have been looking forward to this book for ages. Picked up my copy this morning. Can't wait to start tonight!

Enjoying this collection so much. If you dislike Ashton Kutcher as much as I, and clearly the authors, do then this poetry book is for you.

It kinda feels like cheating to review this one. I mean, it's Calvin & Hobbes. How could it not be great?

Dreary Saturday afternoon so I'm reading a book from my middle child's library haul. An oldie but a goodie.

Conflicted on this. Sometimes I loved the writing, sometimes it was just too much. The story was a slow burn, but then I got into it, but then it lost me, and then grabbed me again. But it's definitely unique, otherworldly. Maybe Narnia meets The Blue Fox meets Among Others?

I've got two child-free hours to do some editing, but I've only got 20 pages left in the The Life of Elves. So tempting...

This is one of my favourite books of all time. I read it in my mid-20s and it helped influence my life. In a weird way, it taught me how to be a woman. Read it again a few years ago and it held up, perhaps even better. Will reread again soon. Criminally, it's out of print. 😭

Clearly, I am an elf.

Finished reading the boys the Harry Potter series the other day and wasn't sure what to read to them next. Nothing seemed like it could follow it. Decided on this, a NZ classic. Something completely different. So far, mostly good (though racist, which means lots of extra conversations).