My Top 15 Reads of 2021
I won’t list everything, but in no particular order here are my favourite fiction and non-fiction reads from this year.
Tag: Indigenous
MY 2019 READING LIST
Joke’s on me… it is April 1st and I realized I have never shared my 2019 reading list. Better to throw it together late than never! 2019 was a year of reading as a way to distract myself from a double election year; often by tackling some of the many unread books sitting on my shelf.
Looking back on my reading list, I managed to complete over 60 new-to-me books this year. I again completed all of the Canada Reads books and continued to keep a nerdy spreadsheet to ensure I stayed focused on reading authors with a wider diversity of backgrounds and identities, including local, Indigenous and LGBTQ2S authors.
It was also the 100th Anniversary since the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike so I took time to devour many of the books looking back on that milestone event in labour history.
CANADA READS: 9 FINALISTS THAT DIDN’T WIN BUT ARE WELL WORTH THE READ
The recent announcement of the 2020 Canada Reads finalists had me reflecting on some of the fantastic Canada Reads books I have enjoyed over the years, many of which I ended up reading because they made it on the short list of finalists for the show.
So with all that in mind, I decided it could be fun to make a list to draw attention to what I think are the great Canada Reads finalists worth reading – even though they didn’t ultimately win the contest. Here they are:
12 LGBTQ2S Book Suggestions in Time for the Holidays
The holiday season is officially here. So whether you are looking for a good book to gift, or looking for a captivating novel to help you avoid talking to your family, this list is for you.
READ LOCAL: FIRST-TIME EDMONTON AUTHORS WORTH CHECKING OUT
The heated debate over our downtown library branch renovation has got me thinking about Edmonton books. Now seemed as good of time as any to make a list of first-time Edmonton authors worth giving a chance. Here are a few I’ve discovered recently by picking up a copy at Audrey’s Books or at my local Edmonton Public Library branch. With the nice weather finally here, you could even consider them summer reads!
Starting with Truth: 6 Residential School Memoirs to Read for Those Seeking Truth and Reconciliation
I’ve often been asked for book recommendations with the question “Where should I start?”. Each of the books listed below helped me better understand Canada’s truth from the words of those who directly experienced the residential school system. They use the power of a residential school survivor’s unique personal stories to share important first-hand truths about Canada’s colonial residential school system and their legacy which we are still experiencing today. Obviously, our colonial truth doesn’t end in the past with residential schools but, if you’re a settler like myself, these memoirs are a good place to start.
My 2018 Reading List
Another year, another reading list! Looking back on 2018, I managed to complete 73 books, including a lot more novels and poetry books, and all of the Canada Reads shortlist. Here is this year’s complete reading list: with my made-up categories and highly inconsistent 5 star reviewing system.
My 2017 Reading List
Looking back on my reading list from 2017: I managed to complete 39 books this year, a drop from previous years, with a higher ratio of non-fiction. Here is this year’s complete reading list, with my made up categories and inconsistent 5 star reviewing system.
My 2016 Reading List
Looking back over the books I read this year, they ended up being about half fiction and half non-fiction, and I completed my goal of reading every Canada Reads winner since the show began! Here is my complete reading list for 2016.
My 2015 Reading List
2015 was a year of two major elections, multiple trips, and a change of jobs, but I tried hard to keep my commitment to myself to watch less Netflix and instead read for fun more – meaning I read a shwack load of books, some big and some short. Here’s the complete list.
Gallaway Reads 