About Inside Out Girl: An overprotective mother meets a widowed father and his unusual daughter.

A heartwarming story that made me laugh often. Keep the tissues handy though, just in case. Full review: Inside Out Girl by Tish Cohen

2nd Canadian Book Challenge status: 4 books read, 4 books reviewed, 9 reviews to go.

I met Tish last weekend at a reading (after I had read the book and had written, but not posted, my review). During the Q&A, she talked about her inspiration for writing the book (a young girl named Gillian, to whom the book is dedicated) and a bit about the movie plans for Town House. She had some interesting news on that front but swore us all to secrecy. And I should probably apologize for distracting her while she was signing my book.

Earlier in August, I went to a reading by Emma Donoghue (again, after I had read the book and mostly written my review). It was clear from her enthusiasm that she loves what she does and she shared some interesting information about life in the late 1800s. I especially enjoyed her comments on the prevalence of drugs in history. Also, when she was signing my book, she told me she really liked my hair.

The Killing Circle by Andrew Pyper

About The Killing Circle: Patrick's son has been kidnapped and he's pretty sure he knows who is responsible.

Lots of energy and suspense with all of the elements that make thrillers so much fun to read. More depth than a typical thriller, too. Full review: The Killing Circle by Andrew Pyper

The Line Painter by Claire Cameron

About The Line Painter: A woman's car breaks down in the middle of the night in northern Ontario and she is offered a ride by a man who is painting lines on the road.

Not what I expected but I liked it and thought it was an impressive debut. Full review: The Line Painter by Claire Cameron

Indigenous Beasts by Nathan Sellyn

About Indigenous Beasts: Collection of fourteen short stories.

Dark, often violent, sometimes disturbing. Full review: Indigenous Beasts by Nathan Sellyn.

2nd Canadian Book Challenge status: 3 books read, 3 books reviewed, 10 reviews to go.

I didn't warn the kids in advance about the wildlife so they were a little freaked out after reading this warning on the bulletin board inside the cottage.

We went swimming almost every day, Ice took the kids canoeing a few times, we played games at night, and had a couple of campfires and made s'mores. The weather was mostly beautiful.

We went to bed early and got up early every day. That seems backwards to me.

We went to Lion's Head a few times (for groceries mostly) and it was smaller than I remembered. We went to Tobermory a few times and it was busy and also smaller than I remembered.

I read three and a half books.

We went to the Visitor Centre for Bruce Peninsula National Park because I really wanted to climb the tower. The "see through" stairs were a bit of challenge for me (stupid vertigo) but the view was definitely worth it.

We went on a glass bottom boat tour of Fathom Five National Marine Park and saw a couple of shipwrecks, some lighthouses, and a bunch of islands covered in trees and rocks. They (the islands) looked just like the ones we saw on the boat tour we took last year, just not as many.

We brought Abby along with us and she was really well behaved. She spent most of the first night wandering around the cottage, checking on everyone constantly, but after that, she slept nicely beside our bed. We had to keep her tied up or leashed the entire time, which she isn't used to, but she didn't complain.

We all agreed that it was a great vacation.

More photos. (To see the photos that include my children, email me.)

Since my reading habits haven't changed and since I enjoyed the first one so much, I signed on for the next round of the Canadian Book Challenge. Same straightforward rules but a full year in which to complete it this time.

Starting July 1st, 2008 and running to July 1st, 2009, I challenge you to read (and write about) 13 Canadian books (by Canadians and/or about Canadians). [From The Book Mine Set]

Last time, I chose my books based on where they were set, one for each province and territory. This time, I'm choosing thirteen new-to-me authors from these MySpace friends. I have a preliminary list of seven women and six men but since the list is subject to change, I'm not going to post it in advance.

I will be keeping track of my progress on this post. Linked titles point to my review. Unlinked titles mean I've read the book but haven't reviewed it yet.

Finished

1. The Killing Circle – Andrew Pyper (my library)
2. Indigenous Beasts – Nathan Sellyn (my library)
3. The Line Painter – Claire Cameron (public library)
4. Inside Out Girl – Tish Cohen (my library)

The 2nd challenge starts tomorrow! Join us!

A Bird in the House by Margaret Laurence

About: Eight connected short stories, featuring Vanessa MacLeod and set in Manawaka, Manitoba.

Vanessa was interesting, each of the stories was moving, and the book as a whole was remarkable. Full review: A Bird in the House by Margaret Laurence.

This book was my choice for Manitoba.

The Devil is Loose! by Antonine Maillet

About: A young Acadian woman takes on a powerful rum-runner.

I can't recommend this book, or at least this translation of it, because I didn't like it at all. Hopefully it's much better in the original French. Full review: The Devil Is Loose! by Antonine Maillet.

This book was my choice for New Brunswick.

The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery, Volume I: 1889-1910

About: Personal journal entries, covering Montgomery's life from age 14 to 36.

Absolutely fascinating reading, whether or not you're a fan of Montgomery and/or Anne, and I recommend it. Full review: The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery, Volume I: 1889-1910.

This book was my choice for Prince Edward Island.

Ice is actually taking the entire week off. The kids aren't sure what to make of that.

Friends of ours had a baby this morning. The new grandmother was very excited when she called me.

The best thing about the local fair (held earlier this month)? Fresh-cut fries.

Went grad dress shopping for K. My mom came along to keep me sane. Ice also came along for the same reason. As a result, things went reasonably well. Dress, shoes, jewelry bought.

There is an outdoor shower at the cottage. I had to reassure L that there was also an indoor shower.

My younger two were in a play put on by their drama club at their school earlier in the month. Entertaining but there seemed to be a higher than normal number of fussy little kids with inconsiderate parents in the audience.

K went to JUMP last week. She was very tired when she came home but she had a good time.

I have a lot to do between now and when we leave for vacation.

Next week is K's graduation and the last day of school. Can't wait.

About Spider's Song: AJ, stuck in Yellowknife with her grandmother, meets a man from her mother's past.

An intense story with a prickly yet sensitive main character and the added feature of a lesson for parents. I enjoyed it. Full review: Spider's Song by Anita Daher

This book was my choice for the Northwest Territories for the Canadian Book Challenge. Status: 11 books read, 10 reviewed (ohhh yeah)

May has been a busy month.

All three kids participated in a murder mystery dinner at their church (or dinner drama, if you prefer) at the beginning of the month. As it turned out, K was the murderer and J, as a cop, led her off to jail. Obviously, I'm doing a fine job of parenting.

L and I went to an opening at an art gallery. We felt very sophisticated.

K turned 14. The same weekend, she was confirmed at her church. Because that Sunday was also Mother's Day, and I obviously wasn't going to relax with a houseful of in-laws milling about, the kids and Ice gave me Saturday off in exchange. Which meant I didn't have to do any of the cleaning! I liked that part very much. The visiting-with-the-relatives part wasn't so bad either.

The following weekend we went to a chicken barbecue. Well, we went and picked up the food and brought it home to eat because it was bloody freezing that day.

This coming weekend is J's piano recital. I'm not overly thrilled that it's on a Saturday morning but the kids were really disappointed when they realized that meant we wouldn't be able to go to the community-wide yard sale in our former town.

And one note from last month: J tied for second at the Kiwanis festival. The adjudicator had some really flattering things to say about his playing and his mark was higher than last year. When we got in the car after, I said to J, "I bet that girl practices EVERY day." And he replied, "That's what you said last year, Mom." Just tryin' to make a point.

About The Curse of the Shaman: Instead of agreeing to an arranged marriage for his daughter, a short-tempered shaman cursed young Wolverine, much to the delight of the shaman's grumpy animal spirit.

This was a fascinating book that I really enjoyed. And I learned how to count to three in Inuktitut! Full review: The Curse of the Shaman by Michael Kusugak.

This book was my choice for Nunavut for the Canadian Book Challenge. Status: 11 books read, 9 reviewed (the gap is smaller!)

About A Killing Spring: The head of the School of Journalism at Joanne Kilbourn's university is found dead in a scandalous position. Meanwhile, one of Joanne's students is missing and her friend Jill is not acting like herself. The fifth book in the series.

The mystery was good, the non-recurring characters were interesting, and the writing was down-to-earth. Many things happened in Joanne's personal life too, of course. Some of which made me sad. Full review: A Killing Spring by Gail Bowen

This book was my choice for Saskatchewan for the Canadian Book Challenge. Status: 11 books read, 8 reviewed

Also, K contributed reviews of Last Chance by Norah McClintock and Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

A non-review post is coming soon. No, really.

About After River: Hiring an American draft dodger to help out on the farm has long-lasting effects for a close-knit British Columbia family.

Fans of Crow Lake, especially those who liked the feel of the story, will most likely enjoy this book, too. I certainly did. Full review: After River by Donna Milner

About Sointula: A woman sets out in a stolen kayak to find her estranged son with an incompetent travel writer as her companion.

I don't know that I would want to spend time with any of the characters but I was cheering for each of them to find some kind of peace. Full review: Sointula by Bill Gaston

This book was my choice for British Columbia for the Canadian Book Challenge. Status: 10 books read, 7 reviewed

About Sign of the Cross: A young woman has been murdered and all of the evidence points to Father Brennan Burke.

An entertaining fast-paced mystery with a good cast of characters. I will definitely be reading everything in this series. Full review: Sign of the Cross by Anne Emery

This book was my pick for Nova Scotia for the Canadian Book Challenge.

Canadian Book Challenge update: 9 books read, 6 reviews done. That gap isn't getting any smaller, unfortunately.

So I have been doing more than just reading, although, judging by this blog, it doesn't seem like it.

Again to keep him happy, here's J's latest news:

He didn't win the spelling bee. Some of the words that were marked wrong were, in fact, right, just not clearly printed.

He went to a birthday party last Saturday for a friend who lives in a different town. This involved me GETTING UP EARLY ON A SATURDAY to drive him there. I think he appreciated that but I'm not sure.

Like last year, he will be competing at the Kiwanis Festival of the Performing Arts at the end of the month.

Enough about the kid already.

An old friend dropped by unexpectedly a couple of weeks ago. We haven't seen him in years (since he got married, pretty much) and I'm still not sure how he knew we lived here. Ice wasn't home but I had an entertaining visit with him anyway. Although it's killing me that I can't figure out the name of the guy he brought along. This guy knew me and asked about all of Ice's siblings and I'm pretty sure I'm going to feel like a complete idiot when I finally figure out his identity.

My parents are coming home from Florida at the end of the month. I haven't seen them since early November so I'm looking forward to that.

The girls are doing another murder mystery dinner at their church at the beginning of May.

We're trying to make plans for Ice's vacation this summer. We'd like to rent a cottage if we can find one that won't break the bank (ha!). If that doesn't work out, we'll probably do day trips to various places. That won't be quite the same though.

About The Other Side of the Bridge: Arthur Dunn and Ian Christopherson live in a small community in Northern Ontario and their lives intertwine when Ian asks for a job on Arthur's farm.

Even better than Crow Lake and I wasn't sure that was possible. Full review: The Other Side of the Bridge by Mary Lawson

About Icefields: On a climbing expedition in 1898, Dr. Ned Byrne slipped into a crevasse in the Arcturus Glacier. What he saw while he waited for rescue would haunt him for the next 25 years.

Quiet, understated, well-written, and different. I'm glad I read it. Full review: Icefields by Thomas Wharton.

This book was my pick for Alberta for the Canadian book challenge.

Canadian book challenge update: 8 books read, 5 reviews done

On an unrelated and annoying note: Songs were being scrobbled to my Last.fm account that I did not listen to. So now I've got a skinhead band in my weekly top artists. :-(