Canada Reads

A shot from our local book-club, a wonderful group of smart and funny women ranging from late 40s to 80. We don't all read the same book, we just bring whatever we happen to be reading at the time. This is a great way to learn about books one otherwise would not pick up.

We meet once a month from 10-12 in the local library, which FINALLY got its much needed expansion. It has become a spacious place with a huge children's section, videos and audiobooks, and quiet corners for reading magazines or going online. For such a small town the selection is outstanding.

The book bunch goes for lunch afterwards, which is the highlight of my social life. Yes, I lead a sheltered life. A little bit of going out goes a long way.

"Canada Reads" is an annual sort-of contest on CBC radio. Five sort-of celebrities each pick a book that they think everyone in the country should read. They each get a moment on radio to talk about their pick, and all get together in vigorous debate to whittle the final selection down.

I looked at the selection this year and did not feel that attracted to any of them. Slavery, who wants to go there? But Marg, the club member in the blue shirt, insisted that The Book of Negroes was an uplifting, rather than a depressing read, and she was right.

"Fruit", another Canada Reads pick, was indeed a quick fun read, so with 2 down, 3 more to go I decided to read the other 3. Just for the H of it, I will write reviews of each.

Remember: Libraries get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries!