A few things I'm reading...
Dead Centre: Hope, Possibility, and Unity for Canadian Progressives
Jamey Heath
Interesting, especially for one who doesn't (yet) understand a lot of the details of Canadian politics.
American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America
Chris Hedges
Recommended by another soon-to-be expat. Compelling. Reminds me of the Huey Long quote, "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the American flag.''
Differences That Matter: Social Policy And the Working Poor in the United States And Canada
Dan Zuberi
Nice piece of scholarship, but readable for the non-academic interested in the issues.
Mercy Among the Children
David Adams Richards
Recommended by a guy in New Brunswick - Richards, now living in Toronto, has set many, if not all of his fiction in New Brunswick - this is truly the most depressing book I've ever read. I don't know if I'll finish it.
The Birth House
Ami McKay
I don't read much fiction, but I couldn't put this one down. One of my favorite books ever, and that's saying a lot. As an aside, I was fascinated by the choice of covers, Canadian vs. US. Check the links. The Canadian hardcover had the woman holding her belly. The US hardcover was a bench in front of a house. Found that curious. Again, I loved this book!
Aside from the kids' flicks (e.g., Flushed Away, Charlotte's Web...) that I see, I don't often get to see movies. Over break I made a point, encouraged by l-girl's post, to see The US vs. John Lennon. I highly recommend it. I also saw All the King's Men (Sean Penn) which was okay. Yesterday I tried to watch The Battle of Algiers, but turned it off after about 45 minutes. It was fascinating. The parallels to today, as many of you no doubt have thought about, are more than striking. But, I just couldn't watch any more of it. Which reminds me, I had the same reaction to last week's issue of Newsweek, "Voices of the Fallen." I am just so sickened by the course of events it leaves me both outraged and hopeless.
In a word: r-e-v-o-l-u-t-i-o-n
10 months ago
3 comments:
Just added "American Fascists" to my library "wish list" . . . The Vancouver library, that is. Imagine: It's not available at our local library here in jesus-land.
I find the different covers from different publishers really fascinating. Though there are probably interesting reasons behind the choices.
I just checked my library and there are already 190 holds on The Birth House. I think I'll ask around my book group. Someone is likely to have that book on hand. Thanks for the heads up on an interesting-looking read.
Speaking of covers, did you hear that Jane Austen's picture had a makeover? Check out the BBC News article "Austen Too Ugly for Book Cover". http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6484281.stm
(Sorry, but I'm not good at html links.)
I find this ridiculous.
web - surprise, surprise! not.
sister.susie - thanks for the tip on the austen story. my partner is a huge austen fan.
happy reading!
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