Book ~ "Playing the Changes: A Musician's Memoir" (2026) Colin James

From Goodreads ~ From the prairies of Saskatchewan to sharing the stage with arguably the most influential guitarists of all time, Colin James is one of Canada’s greatest musical talents. His career spans over 30 years, with a track record that includes 20 studio albums, eight Juno Awards, 30 Maple Blues Awards and multi-platinum record sales.

In "Playing the Changes", Colin James invites readers to look back at the formative years that would see him emerge as a full-formed musical talent at such a young age. We see the young Colin James Munn growing up in Saskatchewan, the son of social worker parents, always surrounded by music  from the records played at home, to the folk clubs in Regina and the Quaker gatherings his family attends throughout the province. At a very young age, he picks up his older brother's guitar and teaches himself to play along to some of the vintage blues records he adores so much. He ultimately masters the mandolin and penny whistle as well; before long he’s sitting in with folk bands before he’s even a teenager.

Next readers are introduced to young adult Colin, an endearing young man who is trying to navigate and understand the world around him. There is Colin the hypochondriac, who is convinced that any malady he has may be fatal; Colin the romantic; Colin the compulsive cleaner, whose efforts to keep a tidy house by vaccuming floors and polishing furniture is an attempt to prevent the impending separation and divorce of his parents.

Readers go on the road with teenage Colin as he plays with veteran musicians much older than him, in venues throughout Saskatchewan and Winnipeg where he’s under the legal age to enter, let alone perform. The years of road work lead to the pivotal moment of Colin's at the age of eighteen, with a day's notice, he’s asked to put together a band and open for legendary guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan in Saskatoon. That performance leads to a remarkable friendship between Colin and Vaughan, who goes on to become an incredible mentor and momentously christens Colin James (it sounds more rock'n'roll than Colin Munn).

Finally, Colin brings the reader to 1988, just before the release of his debut album, Colin James. By turns entertaining and open-hearted, Playing the Changes is a celebration of music and the joy of playing it, and of one of the most remarkable childhoods in Canadian music history.

I like reading bios/autobios and memoirs and am a fan of Canadian musician Colin James (though I haven't listened to his later albums but will now!) so was interested to read his story.

This is James’ story of growing up in Saskatchewan and discovering his passion for music at a young age. He talks about his family, his struggles with anxiety and insecurity, quitting school and how he taught himself to play the guitar and began playing with older, more experienced musicians. A major turning point comes when, at just 18, Colin gets the chance to open for blues legend Stevie Ray Vaughan. The two become friends, and Vaughan becomes an important influence on the young musician. The memoir follows James through his early years on the road and ends just before the release of his first album in 1988 (which I had on cassette).

I liked this memoir and the writing style. It would have been nice to have some pictures included throughout. It was interesting to read about the people, experiences and musical influences that helped shape him into the Canadian blues and rock musician he became. It's amazing all he'd done at such an early age to achieve his goals. As a head's up, there is some swearing and talk of drug use.

Book ~ "The Solo Honeymoon: A Brief Beautiful True Love Story" (2026) Laura Murphy and Bret Witter

From Goodreads ~ Laura and Devon were on the cusp of their wedding. Both young professionals, they lived a full life in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, where they were often found hiking the rugged and beautiful coastline with their two Bernedoodles.

When they sat down to plan their honeymoon, Chianti, Italy, was at the top of the list. Four months later, Laura found herself standing at the edge of an Italian village, watching the sunset. It would have been perfect, if Devon had been there with her. But Laura's fiancé, the love of her life, had died in her arms a month before their wedding.

The Solo Honeymoon follows Laura as she faces her fears and heartbreak by going alone on the honeymoon she had planned with Devon. From screaming from the mountaintops in Ireland to wandering the busy streets of London, to dining on the French Riviera and watching the Tuscan sunset, Laura travels across Europe to find solid ground. Along the way readers learn her unique love story with Devon and what made their relationship so special.

The result is a beautiful exploration of what it means to choose life in the face of unimaginable pain. The Solo Honeymoon shines a light on the joy of love, the depths of grief and all the beauty there is in the world.

This is a memoir about love, loss and the journey that follows an unexpected tragedy. The book tells the story of the author's relationship with her fiancé, Devon, from the day they met through their engagement and plans for their future together. Just weeks before their wedding, Devon dies suddenly, leaving Laura to face a future she never imagined. 

Rather than canceling the honeymoon they had planned, Laura decides to take the trip on her own. As she travels through England, Ireland, France and Italy, she reflects on the life she and Devon shared while experiencing the places they had hoped to visit together. Along the way, she reconnects with friends and family, meets new people and documents her travels on TikTok, where her story resonates with others. 

I like reading memoirs and bios/autobios and I thought this one was okay. Not surprising it's not a happy read. It moves between memories of their relationship and her solo travels, showing how she navigates grief while learning to carry forward the life and love they shared. I hadn't heard of her story before (I found this book on a top 10 list) but apparently it's been covered extensively in the media and on her TikTok account as she was traveling, which she talks about in the book.

Book ~ "Blood Typed" (2026) Jane Doucet

From Goodreads ~ Welcome to the NOVA Prize gala dinner, where one Nova Scotian author will go home with the $100,000 grand prize ... unless they don't go home at all.

Val Jenkins is stuck. A journalist for the Halifax Post, she's been writing a local books column for over a decade. But ever since she was a precocious Nancy Drew wannabe, she's longed to cover the crime beat.

When the gala ceremony approaches for the annual NOVA Prize, one of the most prestigious literary awards in Canada, Val anticipates more of the same old thing: authors in various interpretations of "formal" wear, hiding their simmering jealousies while dreaming of the life-changing prize money. But this year, something happens that no one could have expected.

Murder.

The off-beat cast of shortlisted authors each has their own secrets and grudges to hide: the well-published romance writer Sonya King; Victor Comeau, a narcissistic professor with delusions of grandeur; Sally MacPhee, a terminally ill writer who just wants to add "award-winning" to her bio; and Alexander Fitzgerald, a literary darling who has the Canada Revenue Agency on his back.

Rounding out the cast are an embittered editor with dreams of authorship, an octogenarian bookie with indigestion, a pair of homicide detectives hot on the case, and one nosy historical portrait. 

This story follows Val, a journalist for the Halifax Post who has spent years covering the local literary scene while hoping for the opportunity to report on crime. Val is assigned to cover the annual NOVA Prize gala, a prestigious Nova Scotia literary award with a $100,000 prize. The event brings together four shortlisted authors, judges, publishers, editors and other members of the province's literary community. Beneath the formal atmosphere, many of the attendees have personal rivalries, financial problems and professional grievances. 

During the gala, a murder interrupts the proceedings, turning the awards ceremony into a crime scene. As police investigate, Val begins gathering information on her own, hoping to prove she is capable of covering more than book news. Her inquiries reveal connections among the suspects and uncover hidden motives, past conflicts and long-held secrets within the literary community. 

I've read a few novels by this author and thought this one was okay. It's a quick read. I liked that it's set in Nova Scotia. It's written in third person perspective from a variety of characters. I thought the banter between Val and Kevin, her boss, was fun. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Book ~ "Fearless As Possible: Under the Circumstances" (2016) Denise Donlon

From Goodreads ~ In this memoir, Denise Donlon recounts her journey as a corporate leader at the forefront of the massive changes in the Canadian music and media industries. 

One of Canada’s most celebrated and dynamic corporate leaders and broadcasters, Denise Donlon has long been recognized as a trailblazer in the Canadian cultural industries. "In Fearless as Possible: Under the Circumstances", Donlon chronicles her impressive and storied career at MuchMusic, Sony Music Canada and CBC English Radio, which put her at the forefront of the massive changes in the music industry and media. 

Throughout her incredible journey, she shares colourful and entertaining stories of growing up tall, flat and bullied in east Scarborough; interviewing musical icons such as Keith Richards, Run-DMC, Ice-T, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Annie Lennox and Sting; and detailing her life-changing experiences with War Child Canada, Live8 and the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership. 

This memoir is about Donlon's life and career in Canada's music, television and broadcasting industries. She starts by sharing stories from her childhood in Scarborough and explains how those early experiences helped shape her confidence and career path. The book then follows her rise at MuchMusic, where she went from working behind the scenes to becoming General Manager. Along the way, she describes interviewing well-known musicians, helping create popular music programs and witnessing the growth of MuchMusic into a major part of Canadian pop culture. Donlon then tells about her time as President of Sony Music Canada, where she dealt with the music industry's shift to digital technology and changing consumer habits. She also discusses leading CBC English Radio during a period of budget cuts, organizational change and evolving audience expectations. 

Throughout the memoir, Donlon mixes stories from her professional life with personal experiences, including her marriage to Murray McLauchan, raising a family and supporting charitable organizations such as War Child Canada. The book highlights the challenges, opportunities, and major changes she encountered over the course of her career in Canadian media and entertainment.

For the most part I found this book interesting. I like reading bios/autobios and memoirs, especially about Canadians. I watched MuchMusic when it launched in 1984 so learning more about Donlon and her MuchMusic era was interesting. She dropped a lot of familiar names from  MuchMusic's past and I'd often stop and Google to see where they are today. I was less interested when she talked about working at Sony and CBC Radio (which I've never listened to). There was a lot of detail (it's 754 pages!) so I skimmed through those chapters. I liked that there were pictures scattered throughout the book. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Book ~ "The Beatle Bandit" (2021) Nate Hendley

From Goodreads ~ On July 24, 1964, twenty-four-year-old Matthew Kerry Smith disguised himself with a mask and a Beatle wig, hoisted a semi-automatic rifle, then held up a bank in North York, Ontario.

The intelligent but troubled son of a businessman and mentally ill mother, Smith was a navy veteran with a young Indigenous wife and a hazy plan for violent revolution.

Outside the bank, Smith was confronted by Jack Blanc, a former member of the Canadian and Israeli armies, who brandished a revolver. During a wild shootout, Blanc was killed, and Smith escaped - only to become the object of the largest manhunt in the history of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force.

Dubbed “The Beatle Bandit,” Smith was eventually captured, tried and sentenced to hang. His murderous rampage had tragic consequences for multiple families and fuelled a national debate about the death penalty, gun control, and the insanity defense.

I like reading true stories, especially Canadian, and this one is about the life and crimes of Matthew Kerry Smith, a Canadian bank robber whose actions became the focus of national attention in the 1960s. 

The book centres on Smith's July 24, 1964, robbery of a bank in North York, Ontario, where he disguised himself with a mask and a Beatle-style wig. The robbery ended in a street gunfight with Jack Blanc, a military veteran who confronted Smith after obtaining a firearm from the bank. Blanc was killed and Smith escaped, prompting what became one of the largest manhunts in the history of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force. 

Hendley traces Smith's background, including his family life, military service, personal relationships and earlier criminal activity, drawing on court transcripts, police records, newspaper accounts, interviews and other historical documents. It follows Smith's capture, trial and conviction, with attention to the arguments surrounding his mental health and criminal responsibility. The book also explores the broader impact of the case, describing how it contributed to public and political discussions in Canada about gun control, the insanity defence, capital punishment and the use of firearms in banks. At the end of the book, the author tells what happened to everyone, including Smith's family. 

I thought this was an interesting story, especially since it happened here in Toronto.  It was obvious the author did a lot of research.  I liked the writing style ... there was just enough information provided without being too detailed. 

Book ~ "Getting Away With Murder" (2026) Shari Lapena

From Goodreads ~ Jill and Ted adore their New York brownstone the way others adore their children. They have carefully, expensively, made every inch of it their own. It reflects who they are, their status and tastes. With the grand mahogany staircase and state-of-the-art kitchen, it is the stuff of glossy magazines and real-estate dreams. It is their sanctuary.

So when Ted’s inheritance runs out and he makes a bad investment, they panic. How can they protect their beloved home and enviable lifestyle?

The answer is obvious. Or at least, it is obvious to Jill and Ted. The death of one wealthy family member - from whom they stand to inherit millions - could solve all their problems. Together, they will get away with murder.

As long as they trust each other.

As long as neither makes a mistake.

As long as there are no surprises.

Married couple, Jill and Ted, are suddenly faced with losing the wealthy lifestyle they've always enjoyed. Desperate to avoid financial disaster, they come up with a plan to kill a rich family member and collect the inheritance. What seems like the perfect crime quickly starts to fall apart. As the police investigate and people around them begin asking questions, Jill and Ted find themselves dealing with suspicion, secrets and unexpected complications. Keeping the truth hidden becomes harder and harder as the pressure builds and they must decide how far they're willing to go to protect themselves.

I’ve read a few books by this author and thought this one was okay. I liked the writing style. It’s told in third person and shifts focus among several characters. It was interesting knowing right away what Jill and Ted had done and to whom. We see how things don't go as planned and how they scramble. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Book ~ "Dreamer's Daughter: Surviving My Childhood and Raising My Father" (2026) Lori Thicke

From Goodreads ~ In a mining town where hope is as tapped out as the gold, a mother abandons her two children, leaving them in the custody of their free-spirited father. Colorful and larger-than-life, Dacker is a dreamer who fails spectacularly at everything except loving his kids. When they lose everything in a house fire, Dacker considers this the ultimate freedom and leads his children on a cross-country road trip that will force them to rely on his wits and dubious judgment. Amid the chaos, Lori must raise herself and her younger brother - and, on occasion, her father. When she strives for independence, she discovers that it’s hard to leave home when home has wheels and keeps following you around.

"Dreamer’s Daughter" is a life-affirming story about forgiving our parents - and ourselves. It’s a celebration of the love we find in even the most unconventional families, and how sometimes we need to leave home to find our way back.

I like reading memoirs and bios/autobios, especially when they happen here in Canada.

This is the author's memoir about growing up with a father who was loving and charismatic but rarely able to provide stability. After Lori and Brad, her younger brother, are abandoned by their mother, their father, Dacker, raises them on his own while chasing a series of big dreams and business ventures that rarely work out. As a result, the family moves frequently, struggles financially and lives an unpredictable lifestyle. The author often finds herself taking on adult responsibilities at a young age, helping care for her brother and, in many ways, looking after her father. Despite the challenges, she shares many adventures with him and has a deep bond with him. 

This memoir follows the author from childhood into adulthood as she tries to make sense of her unconventional upbringing, her relationship with her absent mother and the impact her father's choices had on her life.

I thought this book was okay. I found myself frustrated with the choices her father (whose brother was the late Alan Thicke's father) made and his belief that everything would work out (sometimes it did but usually it didn't). I was also frustrated with the actions the author made as a teenager, though they can be excused since she was dealing with the bad decisions her parents had made. The memoir ends in 1986 as she is heading off to Paris, Dacker had driven to Mexico and Brad was living on Vancouver Island. It would have been nice to have a summary chapter at the end to let us know what happened to her, Dacker and Brad in the last 40 years. As a head's up, there is swearing and drug use.

Book ~ "Brassy Bit of Aging Crumpet: A Memoir in Pieces" (2026) Mary Walsh

From Goodreads ~ In this sharply observed and wryly funny collection of essays on identity, family, and belonging, Mary Walsh takes readers on a rollicking—and sometimes difficult, but never boring—journey through her life. Her subjects range from the heartbreak of growing up next door to her family, to Newfoundland’s vibrant and not altogether happy entry into the Canadian confederation, to the behind-the-scenes of her wildly popular CBC shows, including This Hour Has 22 Minutes, to her complicated relationship with her complicated mother, and to her struggles with alcohol, self-doubt, and what it means to connect with those around her. 

The result is a collection of essays that are deftly comical, vividly rendered, heartachingly vulnerable and, above all, hopeful. In the end, Mary learns the trials and hurdles (some self-inflicted) that she endured in her younger years only make the process of aging all the sweeter. The message she now has is a powerful her older years are her best ones yet, because she’s finally learned to accept who she is.

This memoir is a series of personal essays. It explores key moments from Walsh’s life, including her childhood in Newfoundland, her family relationships, her experiences in Canadian entertainment and her personal struggles with alcohol and self-doubt. 

With the essays, Walsh reflects on themes of identity, belonging, family, aging and personal growth. She tells of memories of growing up, examines her relationship with her mother, and discusses Newfoundland’s history and place within Canada. The memoir also includes behind-the-scenes accounts of her work on CBC productions, including "This Hour Has 22 Minutes". 

The essays combine personal stories with reflections on the challenges and experiences that shaped her life. She traces her journey from childhood and early adulthood to later life, focusing on the events, relationships and experiences that influenced her understanding of herself and the world around her.

I like reading memoirs and bio/autobio and I like Mary Walsh, a Canadian actress, comedian and writer. I figured she would tell an interesting story and she did. I knew nothing about her childhood and most of the events that happened must have been traumatising. I'm glad she's been able to find peace and living life as she wants. Though it's written in essay format, not a style I usually enjoy, I liked the writing style and this book. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Book ~ "The High Road: Confessions of a Homicide Cop" (2026) Hank Idsinga

From Goodreads ~ From the age of ten, Hank Idsinga knew he wanted to become a homicide detective, when he learned that his grandfather had been murdered by the Nazis in the Second World War. He prepared to be a police officer his entire youth and soon found himself in ill-fitting suits training for the job. More than competent - smart, incisive, caring, respectful - Idsinga ingratiated himself to his fellow officers and to his superiors. He was as capable of tracking down a getaway man as he was informing a mother that her son, lost to crime, would never return home. Idsinga found himself at the center of some of the most notable crimes in recent Toronto history, from the Jane Creba shooting on Boxing Day to shootouts on Yonge Street to helping track down some of the most vicious serial criminals the city has ever seen.

But it was in homicide that Hank Idsinga would prove such a vital asset to the Toronto Police Services. Idsinga teamed up with his partners, including future chief of police Mark Saunders, on many murder calls - some one-offs, others more nefarious - taking in the scene with his excellent recall, finding the motive and the method faster and more insightfully than most. Idsinga and his team of seasoned detectives participated in taking down some of the worst Toronto has to offer, perhaps none more so than serial killer Bruce McArthur, who had terrorized the gay village for years. Idsinga became the public face for that investigation, and despite the criticism of the police force’s handling of the murders, Idsinga always appeared strong and compassionate in front of the media’s camera flashes.

I like reading memoirs and bios/autobios and also true crime. This memoir was especially interesting because it happened here in Toronto. 

Hank Idsing is a former Toronto homicide detective who spent three decades with the Toronto Police Service. This book traces his journey from a childhood decision to become a detective after learning that his grandfather was murdered during the Holocaust to eventually leading one of Canada's most prominent homicide units. Idsinga talks about his career investigating murders, gang violence, shootings and serial homicide cases in Toronto. He describes the realities of police work, the challenges of solving complex crimes and the emotional impact that violent deaths have on victims' families, investigators and communities.

This memoir also talks about several high-profile Toronto cases, including the investigations surrounding the murders committed by serial killer Bruce McArthur, for which Idsinga became a public spokesperson. I remember most of the cases he spoke about so it was interesting to get the inside scoop on them. He also mentions the racism and favouritism that exists within the police force. I liked the writing style. I found it to be honest and interesting. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Book ~ "Searching for Terry Punchout" (2018) Tyler Hellard

From Goodreads ~ Adam Macallister's sportswriting career is about to end before it begins but he's got one last a Sports Illustrated profile about hockey's most notorious goon, the reclusive Terry Punchout - who also happens to be Adam's estranged father. 

Adam returns to Pennington, Nova Scotia, where Terry now lives in the local rink and drives the Zamboni. Going home means drinking with old friends, revisiting neglected relationships, and dealing with lingering feelings about his father and dead mother - and discovering that his friends and family are kinder and more complicated than he ever gave them credit for. 

"Searching for Terry Punchout" is a charming and funny tale of hockey, small-town Maritime life and how, despite our best efforts, we just can't avoid turning into our parents.

Adam is a struggling sportswriter living in Calgary whose career is falling apart. Hoping to revive it, he returns to his hometown of Pennington, Nova Scotia, to write a magazine profile about his estranged father, Terry Punchout, a former hockey enforcer known for his time in the penalty box. Terry now lives a quiet life driving the Zamboni at the local rink. As Adam reconnects with people from his past, he’s forced to deal with old family tensions, memories of his mother and the complicated relationship he has with his dad.

This book came to my attention because of the recent Canada Reads. I like reading Canadian fiction plus I'm originally from Nova Scotia. I liked this story and some of the characters reminded me of people "back home". I liked the writing style and it's a quick read. It's written in first person perspective in Adam's voice. It could have been edited better as there are typos and there are two chapter fours, though the content for the second chapter four is actually for chapter five. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Book ~ "The Astonishing Lives of Older Women: How to Create Pleasure Over Peril in Peak Longevity" (2026) Moira Welsh

From Goodreads ~ There is a seismic shift underway in how we think about aging for women - and Moira Welsh is leading the conversation.

But beneath the glossy narrative of “aging well” lies a more complicated truth.

In "The Astonishing Lives of Older Women", Welsh combines immersive reporting with unforgettable real-life stories to reveal what growing older actually likes like for a massive - and rapidly expanding - demographic of women.

You’ll meet:

• A woman in her 70s forced to live in her car 
• A widow navigating love, rejection and financial insecurity 
• A lifelong professional quietly outliving her savings

These stories expose the hidden realities shaping women’s later years:

• The gender pension gap 
• Rising housing insecurity 
• Loneliness, ageism, and invisibility 
• The financial cost of caregiving, divorce, and survival 

But this isn’t just a diagnosis. It’s a guide to what comes next.

Drawing on insights from a CEO, a legal scholar and a feminist economist, Welsh offers essential, clear-eyed advice on careers, pensions, financial planning and relationships. It all underscores a critical truth: financial independence isn’t optional.

And yet, this is not a story of defeat.

As women live longer than ever before, many are redefining what those extra decades can mean: new love, deep friendships, sexual freedom, purpose and power on their own terms.

Part urgent social investigation, part cultural manifesto, The Astonishing Lives of Older Women captures a pivotal moment - for a massive demographic of women, and for anyone rethinking aging, longevity, and the future of women’s lives.

Before I retired, I worked in the group retirement industry, meeting with clients to help them save and invest for their future. Over the years, I spoke with women of all ages and in many cases, they weren’t on track to be financially ready for retirement. So that's why this book caught my eye.

This book looks at what life is actually like for women as we get older, especially now we are living longer than ever before. The book mixes real-life stories (with a focus on Susan, Pat and Elizabeth), reporting and expert input to show both the challenges and realities older women face. It covers things like ageism, gaps in healthcare, financial struggles, lack of relationships and intimacies and issues in affordable housing. Welsh talks to a wide range of women and professionals to show what aging can look like across different situations. 

For the most part, I liked the writing style ... I liked it more when the focus was on the personal stories. It's an eye opener for women and the choices we have made throughout our lives and careers that effects our retirement savings such as taking time out to have and raise children, being a single mother, leaving an abusive relationship, etc.

Book ~ "Strangers in the Villa" (2026) Robyn Harding

From Goodreads ~ Sydney Lowe’s life in New York is shattered when her husband, Curtis, admits to a meaningless affair with a client. Begging for forgiveness and vowing to prove his devotion, Curtis suggests the couple retreat to a remote hilltop house in Spain to repair their marriage. 

High above the Mediterranean, Sydney and Curtis are working on the isolated property and their relationship when a pair of Australian travelers turns up at their door in dire need of help. Lonely for companionship and desperate for free labor, Sydney and Curtis invite the attractive young couple to stay. But as the days pass, dark secrets come to light, the Lowes’ bond is tested and not everyone will leave the villa alive.

Curtis had confessed to an affair and now he and his wife, Sydney, are trying to rebuild their relationship with a fresh start in Spain. Sydney is still feeling hurt and betrayed and is trying to trust Curtis again and Curtis is committed to earning that trust back. They’ve bought a run-down villa with dreams of transforming it into a winery, though the property requires a lot of repairs. A few months into their new life, Damien and Bianca, a young Australian couple, unexpectedly arrive after their van breaks down nearby. With the replacement part delayed, Sydney offers them a place to stay in exchange for helping with the renovations.

I thought the story was interesting but was disappointed with the ending. After all the stress and tension that had been built up, it was a letdown. The story is written in third person perspective with a focus on Sydney, Curtis, Damien and Bianca, which lets us get to know them and what their motives are. The pacing could have been better as it took a long time to find out what had really happened in the past, which explained why things were happening today. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Book ~ "Liberty Street" (2026) Heather Marshall

From Goodreads ~ 1961: Emily Radcliffe works as an editorial assistant at Chatelaine magazine, surrounded by the best female reporters in the country, whose articles tackle the controversial topics no other women's publication dares to touch. When a bombshell letter from an inmate at the notorious Mercer Women's Prison lands on Emily's desk, she sees the scoop of a lifetime - one that could launch her career as a journalist. But after going undercover to investigate the inmate's shocking claims, Emily discovers that getting into the prison is the easy part; the real challenge will be getting back out.

1996: Unidentified female remains are discovered in an unmarked grave in a small-town Ontario cemetery and Detective Rachel Mackenzie is tasked with unraveling the mystery. But when the investigation leads her to the now-shuttered Mercer Women's Prison, the family trauma she's kept buried for years threatens to surface.

In 1961, Emily Radcliffe works as an editorial assistant at Chatelaine magazine in Toronto. After receiving a letter from an inmate at the Mercer Women’s Prison describing conditions inside, she arranges to go undercover in the institution to investigate. Her experience inside the prison is her story as she encounters the realities faced by the incarcerated women who were placed there because of criminal offences, "moral" offences, mental health issues or being "incorrible" (that's why she was admitted by her father).

In 1996, a separate storyline follows Rachel Mackenzie, a detective in rural Ontario assigned to investigate human remains discovered in an unmarked grave. Her investigation leads her to the now-closed Mercer Women’s Prison, possibly connecting her case to events from the earlier timeline. 

This book was interesting, not just the story but also the history, especially since I live just north of where Mercer Women's Prison used to be (it was closed and demolished in 1969 and there is a stadium there now). I knew some of its history and it was interesting to learn more (the author obviously did a lot of research). At the end of the book, the author includes historical info related to the treatment of women in institutional settings, including mental health and incarceration practices in mid-20th-century Canada. Some of the characters are real or based on real people.

It is written in third person perspective in Emily and Rachel's voices in their time periods (the chapters are labeled) and how the past and present are connect. The treatment of women in Mercer Women's Prison is heavy and not light reading. Though I did find it interesting, I found the book long and draggy at times. Emily and Rachel's stories were interesting but I could have done without Rachel's detailed backstory. I didn't think it impacted Emily's story, which to me was the point of the book, and could stand alone as its own book. As a head’s up, there is swearing and disturbing situations.

Book ~ "Finding Flora" (2025) Elinor Florence

From Goodreads ~ In 1905, Scottish newcomer Flora Craigie jumps from a moving train to escape her abusive husband. Desperate to disappear, she claims a homestead near Alix, Alberta, determined to start a new life for herself. She finds that her nearest neighbours are also a Welsh widow with three children; two American women raising chickens; and a Métis woman who makes a living by breaking in wild horses. 

While battling the harsh environment (and draconian local attitudes toward female farmers), the five women grapple with the differences of their backgrounds and the secrets each struggles to keep. When their homes are threatened with expropriation by the hostile federal Minister of the Interior, the women join forces to “fire the heather,” a Scottish term meaning raising a ruckus. And as the competition for land along the new Canadian Pacific railway line heats up, Flora’s violent husband closes in, and an unscrupulous land agent threatens the lives and livelihoods of the women just as they’re coming into their own.

It's 1905 and Flora has just left her home in Scotland to move to Canada. Her new husband had made many promises about the grand lifestyle they will have there. It turns out he is abusive and it was all lies. Rather than live a life with him, she jumps off the moving train as they are going through Alberta on their way to British Columbia. With nothing but her valise and a few valuables, she sets out to make a life for herself (while hiding from her husband). She claims a homestead and it will be hers after three years if she meets the requirements. Conditions are challenging, though, including harsh weather (especially the winters), isolation, financial hardship and the physical labour required to build a home and cultivate the land along with the prejudice of women having the land in the first place.

I thought this story was okay. It made me appreciate living in the times I do! Such hard work to eek out a small living! It was interesting from a historical perspective since it told how Alberta came to be and what it was like being a single women in the early 20th century. Some actual people were included in the story like Alexia Westhead (the first white woman settler of the community), Irene Marlby (one of "the famous five" who had women legally declared persons in 1929) and CPR Chairman William Van Horne. It's written in third person perspective with a focus on Flora.

Book ~ "Ship of Dreams" (2025) Donna Jones Alward

From Goodreads ~ Aboard the Titanic, where opulence knows no bounds and the horizon seems limitless, two women fight for the futures they dream of, fraught with secrets that could change everything.

Hannah Martin is clinging to the hope that six days on this grand ship will heal the wounds in her marriage to Charles. Beneath her poised exterior lies a desperation to mend what was shattered and conceal a secret that could upend their lives forever.

Louisa Phillips, spirited and uncompromising, is escaping her family’s insistence on a passionless marriage. But this daring step could also sever the deepest bond in her life.

As the "unsinkable" ship strikes the iceberg, amidst the chaos and icy waters, lives are changed forever. In the face of impending doom, what dreams will Hannah and Lou decide are worth saving, and at what cost?

This is a historical novel set on the maiden voyage of the Titanic in 1912. The story follows two women traveling together. Hannah is hoping the trip will help fix her strained marriage to her husband, Charles, while she keeps a secret that could affect their future. Her friend, Louisa, joins the voyage to escape pressure from her family to marry someone she doesn’t love. Their friendship is tested as secrets and personal struggles come to the surface while they experience life aboard the ship. Near the end of the voyage, the Titanic hits an iceberg and begins to sink. The disaster forces the friends to face the reality of the situation and make decisions about survival and the people they care about.

I thought this book was okay. I found the story interesting. The sinking of the Titanic is a sad tale and this is told from a personal perspective. It's amazing how times have changed. The expectations for women were so different then. Hannah's goal was to marry well, which she did, and have a family. Louisa didn't want marriage and was more interested in pushing for women's rights. Her father had found a man he wanted her to marry and if she didn't, he would cut her off financially. She didn't want to marry him, hence the trip across the Atlantic with Hannah and Charles. Hannah and Louisa were in first class and everyone was so mannerly and proper ... so different from today. It's written in first person perspective alternating between Hannah and Louisa (the chapters/sections are marked). I found the writing a bit long and draggy at times and could have been tighter.

Book ~ "The First Survivor: Life With Canada's Deadliest Mass Shooter" by Lisa Banfield, Sherri Aikenhead and Maureen Banfield

From Goodreads ~ On April 18, 2020, Lisa Banfield's life shattered.

After nineteen years in a controlling and often abusive relationship, she escaped a violent assault by her partner, Gabriel Wortman - unaware he was about to carry out the deadliest mass shooting in Canadian history. In "The First Survivor", Banfield tells her story for the first of being groomed and surviving years of intimate partner violence, and of the horrific night she fled barefoot into the freezing woods as Wortman began a murderous rampage that left twenty-two people and an unborn child dead.

Told with raw honesty and courage, Banfield's memoir is more than a personal account of life with a man she tried to heal - it's a call to action. With intimate reflections and her own transformation, she exposes the failures in how society sees, supports, and judges survivors of domestic abuse.

This is a powerful story of trauma, survival, and one woman's journey reclaiming her voice and redefining her life.

This memoir is Lisa Banfield’s account of the events surrounding the April 18 and 19, 2020, attacks in Portapique, Nova Scotia. After nearly 20 years in a relationship marked by control and abuse, Banfield escaped a violent assault by her partner, who then carried out the deadliest mass shooting in Canadian history, killing 22 people and an unborn child. In the book, Banfield details her experiences leading up to that night, the hours she spent hiding in the woods and the aftermath that followed. She also addresses the public scrutiny she faced and the realities of intimate partner violence.

This was a shocking story out of Nova Scotia at the beginning of COVID and I was interested to read more about what and why it happened and those involved. It was a tough story to read. 

I've never experienced domestic violence but even after witnessing it when I was growing up, I don't understand why people stay in these relationships (regardless of the crappy childhoods they may have had). After the first beating Banfield received from her partner, she left him ... but he quickly talked her into getting back together and she stayed with him for 19 years (they were supposed to celebrate their anniversary that night). If someone I was involved with ever laid a hand on me, I'd be gone and there would be no going back. 

After the way he abused her and the killings of innocent people, I found it amazing that it wasn't until 5 years later that she FINALLY deleted the pictures of their life together from her phone and threw away his cremated ashes (why did she even take some of the ashes of this monster??!!).

While I don't blame her for his actions and no one deserves the abuse she put with, I had a hard time feeling a lot of sympathy for her when she talked about the benefits of being with him like a new career and business, a house and a cottage, being able to shop and buy whatever she wanted, the vacations, etc.

Book ~ "I'm Movin' On: The Life and Legacy of Hank Snow" (2014) Vernon Oickle

From Goodreads ~ Born in tiny Brooklyn, Nova Scotia, Hank Snow enjoyed a musical career that spanned five decades and sales of more than 80 million albums. 

In "I’m Movin’ On", journalist Vernon Oickle chronicles Snow’s hardscrabble life, from his destitute childhood in Queens County to international fame. Leaving no stone unturned in his richly detailed profile of The Singing Ranger, Oickle exposes the highs and lows of Snow’s career, and his journey (“Everywhere, man,”) from small East Coast radio stations to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. 

Includes a foreword from Hank’s son, Jimmie Rodgers Snow, a timeline, discography, and 75 photographs.

Born in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia, in 1914, Hank Snow rose from a tough childhood to become one of the most influential figures in country music history. By the 1940s and ’50s, his smooth voice, sharp guitar playing and storytelling lyrics had made him an international star, something few Canadian artists had achieved at the time. Known as “The Singing Ranger,” Hank racked up massive hits like “I’m Moving On,” “The Golden Rocket,” and “I’ve Been Everywhere,” songs that helped define the sound of classic country. He became a fixture at the Grand Ole Opry, performing there for nearly 50 years and earning deep respect on both sides of the border.

I didn't know a lot about Hank Snow. My sister was reading this book and I like reading memoirs/bios/autobios, so I thought I'd check it out. It's written on a high level with just enough detail. It was interesting to read how he started off in poverty and being abused to where he ended up. There are quotes from people who knew and respected him such as his only child and former band members and lots of pictures.