The Gum Thief, Douglas Coupland
Another hilarious yet typically sentimental entry into Coupland's body of work. Set in a Staples store, Coupland explores yet again what happens when his characters consider the roads not taken.
I highly recommend this, but that's no surprise since everyone knows I'm a Coupland fanatic!!
Mouthing the Words, Camilla Gibb
This is the first novel of Canadian writer Camilla Gibb, author of the outstanding and acclaimedThe Petty Details of So and So's Life and Sweetness in the Belly. It's a compelling, heartbreaking story of what happens to a life unbidden, and worse, neglected by strong parental, especially paternal, support, direction and love.
Divisadero, Michael Ondaatje
He's done it again! Michael Ondaatje has given us a gift of a book, impossible to put down, while at the same time wanting to savour every perfectly placed word and image, and the desire to start fresh once the last page is closed is strong.
The story spans centuries and countrysides and is chock full of the exquisite, poetic language we've come to expect from Ondaatje, but without once sacrificing a really good story.
There's no doubt about it, after you've read Ondaatje you crave to live inside the moments of life that we all experience but don't pay enough notice.
This book is simply beautiful.
Anderson Cooper, Dispatches From the Edge: A Memoir of War, Disasters and Survival.
In my review for the Globe & Mail (His Pain, Our Gain) I commented: "Though his reporter's notebooks were referred to extensively for the writing of this book, it's really his emotional journey and insights that linger. The book should be shelved under father-loss or father-absence, for which there are so few guide maps."
I highly recommend this book. Though he has recently reached celebrity status, he can think, he can write, and with compassion. One has the distinct impression when reading, and watching his nightly show, that he is using these gifts for the good and not only for his own personal gain.
Douglas Coupland, JPod
Touted as Microserfs updated for the Google generation. Pub date is May 15th. I'm reviewing it for The Ottawa Citizen, so I'll let you know.
Read an interview with Coupland here.
Leonard Cohen, Book of Longing
This is Cohen's first book of poetry in over twenty years. Fittingly, I read it in one sitting one night when I couldn't sleep. Strangely I related to alot of it on the topic of longing and loss. It's written mostly from the point of view of the period of time when he was seeking enlightenment on Mt. Baldy, California. He is poignant, regretful, lusty, sad, celebratory, sacred, profane -- all the things Cohen has been and is. Read these reviews:
Leonard Cohen's higher calling, Fraser Sullivan, Globe & Mail
The Tao of Leonard, Barbara Carey, Toronto Star
Joan Didion, The Year of Magical ThinkingAn extraordinary book which leaves a mark.
Frank McCourt, Teacher Man
Same reliably entertaining writing we've come to expect from this smart, funny and poignant voice.
Ian Brown, editor, What I Meant To Say: The Private Lives of Men
Toronto-based journalist Ian Brown edits a collection of essays by various male writers. Essential reading for anyone who believes that men's voices have been too long silenced. Some are better than others, but all are an interesting glimse into the private male psyche.