The Comeback

 By Lily Chu

Adult Fiction

Reviewed by Susan from the Manitou Branch

    Canadian writer Lily Chu captures the spirit of driven Toronto Lawyer Ariadne Hui (rhymes with Sway).  Ari is a third generation Asian Canadian determined to make partner at the law firm where she's currently an associate. "The only person who wants me to make partner more than my dad is me."    

    When Ari is passed over yet again for partner, she is faced with evaluating her life goals.  Are they her goals, or, as the "good" daughter, is she trying to fulfill her father's thwarted ambition?

    Ari lives in an apartment with her good friend and roommate, Hana, who travels for work.  When Ari returns home from a long difficult day, she just wants to kick off her shoes and relax.  She arrives home to find a strange man asleep on her couch.  She creeps to the kitchen and scrambles for a knife.  Her phone bleeps a text message from Hana: "My cuz Jihoon coming over to stay for a bit. Left my key for him. Sorry, forgot to mention it."

    Wry wit and flowing dialogue make for an un-put-downable read.  Best Canadian author in my opinion.  A real treat.

    More from Lily Chu please!

To place this book on hold, click here.

The Future

 The Manitou Book Club discusses The Future

By Catherine Leroux

2024 Canada Reads Winner

Adult Fiction

    No short paragraph would describe this novel.  We are transported to a time and place, dystopian in nature and hardly imaginable outside of a graphic-type feature.

    The adult population are living in an impoverished and broken community.  The children, mostly preteen, are surviving in a nearby secluded, heavily forested area where they developed a surreal society, surreal skills for survival, and guard their space and lifestyle ingeniously.  There is mostly ignorance, poverty and mistrust, particularly of adults and so-called law enforcement.

    I put this book down many times thinking I wouldn't go on.  I pushed myself to finish the story, wondering if I had wasted my time.

    It is a 'can you imagine' story, fantasy-like in some respects, seeming almost animated.  It offers a truly frightening insight into what a future world might look like given the present political and climate issues of today, and the long-term effect of global warming.

    It might have been useful to get some background on the setting of the book (Detroit) before reading it.

    What did others who have read this book think?  It would be interesting to hear their take on it.

To place this book on hold, click here.

The Race

 By Clive Cussler and Justin Scott

Adult Fiction

Thriller, Mystery, Adventure, Suspense

    Isaac Bell is back and this time he's facing a dangerous foe from his past.  

    The age of flight is on the horizon and curious eyes are scanning the skies for the intrepid pilots.  A race is being held across America to see which aviator can be the first to cross the country.  However, one pilot is in danger.

    Josephine Frost is being relentlessly pursued by her jealous husband Harry Frost.  Isaac Bell, Van Dorn Detective Agency's finest man, is sent to protect Josephine.  While trying to shield her from Harry's formidable attacks, Isaac unravels a deeper conspiracy which will have far more casualties than the life of just one pilot.

    Filled with historical elements, deductive sleuthing and heart-stopping action, this is an epic book for fans of history, detectives and thrillers.  Cussler captures life in the age of flight with superb detail.  Read other Isaac Bell novels to experience the exploits of the greatest Van Dorn Detective in the agency.

    Join in the adventure, suspense and danger in Clive Cussler's historical thriller, The Race.

To place this book on hold, click here.  Or here.

To place the audiobook on hold, click here.

Project 333: The Minimalist Fashion Challenge That Proves Less Really Is So Much More

By Courtney Carver

Adult Non-Fiction

Reviewed by Jill from the Winkler Branch 

"Project 333 is an invitation to create space in your closet, time in your life, and love in your heart."   You may be thinking, yes that sounds fantastic but where exactly are you going with this?

Let me give you some more information. 

First created by Carver in 2010, Project 333 is the fashion challenge where you mindfully choose 33 articles of clothing in which to dress for 3 months.  This includes clothing, jewelry, accessories, and shoes.  Only these 33 items can be in your fashion rotation for the full 3 months.  Also, the idea is that you are content with your 33 items and therefore you don't feel the need or pressure to go out and buy something new in that time frame.  Who doesn't want to save a bit of money these days?

    When I first started into this book I was a little skeptical of how this could actually work, especially with living in Canada where our seasons can change within a matter of hours.  There are a few exceptions to the rule, but the book describes all the positive benefits of this simple wardrobe lifestyle.  Carver thoughtfully guides you through each step to show you how this challenge can be achieved and with success.  There are also examples of real-life women from around the world who have completed and embraced this challenge and some who keep up with this on a regular basis.

    The author suggests that this challenge will overflow into other areas of your personal life.  It will allow more room mentally and physically into your space.  It will give you confidence to live with less and reevaluate other areas of your life where you feel there is excess.  I liked her perspective when she shared, "When you take on the challenge to dress with less, you'll challenge your relationship with stuff, your definition of enough, and what really makes you happy."

    For myself, this challenge definitely sounds appealing and it is something I may consider.  I'm sure I am not the only one who has wasted way too much time standing in front of her closet declaring that " I have nothing to wear!"  Carver notes it provides our days with less stress in the mornings, saves money, and allows for the simple joy of reducing items and decluttering your mind with just having less to deal with.  Consider this book if you are wishing to add simplicity, space, and clarity to your life.  

To place this book on hold, click here. 

Canadian Children's Book Week 2024

Canadian Children’s Book Week connects Canadian creators with children and teens across Canada. Our touring authors, illustrators, and storytellers speak to audiences about the delights of reading Canadian children’s books, and offer an inside look into their own work. These workshops and presentations can be a turning point in a child’s life, inspiring a lifelong love of reading. This year's Canadian Children's Book Week will be happening from April 28-May 7, 2024.

Joanna Cacao

This year the Winkler and Morden branches of South Central Regional Library are excited to host author/illustrator Joanna Cacao.  

Joanna Cacao is a Canadian Filipino author-illustrator who lives in snowy Winnipeg with her grumpy Pomeranian, Danny. Her first published collaboration, The Tryout, became an instant #1 Indie Bestseller and has gained starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Shelf Awareness and School Library Journal. Joanna’s author-illustrator debut, The Secret of the Ravens, was published in 2023 by Clarion Books.

Ever wondered how artists go from an idea to a full fledged main character? Together with Joanna, brainstorm a brand new character from start to finish; from designing their hairstyle and clothes, to choosing their hopes and dreams. Discover the fundamentals of character creation, and what makes a character unique. Imagine and draw a character on your own or follow along as Joanna demonstrates live with the help of the audience/group. 

    Joanna will be in here on Tuesday April 20th at 11 am in Morden and 2 pm in Winkler.  Registration is required. Contact Morden or Winkler branches for more information.

Joanna's Book

Twin siblings Elliot and Liza only have each other. Their parents are gone. Their home was taken, and to survive on their own, they’re forced to scrounge up plastic and metal to trade for coin within an abandoned garbage heap. Desperate to escape the vagabond cycle that they’re trapped in, the answer to their plight seemingly appears when they stumble upon a Raven Quest—magical tasks offered by mysterious message-carrying ravens that when successfully completed, promise the victors coin and untold riches. In a gamble to change their fates, Elliot and Liza follow the trail of Raven Quests to the kingdom’s capital, where the greedy rulers of the Kawumiti Kingdom reign and young people are enlisted to train as royal mages for the kingdom's army. But the Ravens Quests aren’t as they seem, and the King is on a mission to hunt down vagrant participants like the twins. When a quest goes terribly wrong, Liza is poisoned, and Elliot finds himself racing against the clock to find the cure. Now the only way to save his sister is to join forces with a royal apprentice and a dark mage with mysterious motives of her own—even if it means sacrificing everything.

To check out Joanna's book The Secret of the Ravens, click here.

For more information on Canadian Children's Book Week, visit their website at https://bookcentre.ca/book-week

Witchcraft: A History In Thirteen Trials

 By Marion Gibson

Adult Non-Fiction

Reviewed by Britany from the Winkler Branch

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I loved reading this one. If you're into the history of the witchcraft trials across Europe, Africa and present day North America, I highly recommend this read, however, it is a vivid one, so trigger warning. You will learn about how political, and religious leaders stigmatized this craft negatively, and how they still do to this day, through racism, sexism and religionism and just HOW DEEP those beliefs still run. You'll learn how disproportionally these accusations were thrown at certain groups of people and what they did to those "convicted" of witchcraft. It's interesting how much culture was stolen from many spiritual groups, like the Indigenous or the Pagans. Did you know that wishing on a candle on your birthday cake came from the Pagans? 

To place this book on hold, click here.

I Love to Read Month Patron Book Reviews

During I Love to Read month in February, the Winkler Branch invited patrons to leave a book review in exchange for a ticket to our draw.  We thought we would share a couple of the reviews we received. Hope  you enjoy reading them!

To place Uni's Wish for Wings on hold, click here.  Or here.

To place Biscuit Loves the Park on hold, click here.   Or here.