Where the Cherries End Up: A Memoirby Sandra RamberranPublished by Wood Dragon BooksReview by Shelley A. Leedahl$19.99 ISBN 9781990863769 “You have not lived until you have shared a staff room with ten other women, sharing information about male genitals …” British-born Sandra Ramberran writes in Where the Cherries End Up: A Memoir. This quote exemplifies the brazen author’s honesty and matter-of-fact confessions in her tell-all, and clearly demonstrates that from the time she was nine and a fellow student “put his hands down [her] knickers,” her body’s been controlled by others. Soon an older man was also taking advantage of her and other “young, maturing school girls” by offering to “put money in their training bras.” The quick cash allowed them to “buy sweets or single cigarettes from the local shop.” Born the eldest of six with an alcoholic father, Ramberran’s rape at age fourteen and the ability to drink “more than most women,” seemed to set the stage for several challenging decades among “the world of massage parlours, drugs, and sex.” School was something to be endured, and as a teen, “done with childhood games,” her focus turned to “chasing boys and being chased”—and she had an eye for…

Nobody from Nowhere: A Story of Leadership, Resilience, and Legacyby Dale W. BottingPublished by Benchmark PressReview by Sally Meadows$24.95 ISBN 9781927352526 There are so many nuggets of wisdom about leadership–and indeed life itself–in Dale Botting’s mesmerizing book Nobody from Nowhere, it’s hard to know where to begin. Both a memoir and career guide, this book challenges outdated views of what many people think leadership is by realigning it to the fundamental heart of “stewardship” it should be. That conclusion, found in Dale’s epilogue chapter, comes from many years’ experience gained through his storied career in diverse sectors. Indeed, despite Dale’s insistence that he is a “nobody,” this book has the potential to impact the lives of many who are fortunate enough to have it come across their radar. I know, because I am one of them. Split into two parts representing the dual overarching realms of his career trajectory, this book delivers an incredible wealth of life and professional lessons learned, from the time Dale was a young boy exploring the meadows near his home to his current career as a globally recognized leadership coach. Part I of the book reads like a story as Dale shares his professional (and…

In the Light of Dawn: The History and Legacy of a Black Canadian Communityby Marie Carter, Foreword by Afua CooperPublished by University of Regina PressReview by Shelley A. Leedahl$36.95 ISBN 9781779400468 Canada’s multicultural history is diverse and complex, and at times its narratives have been erroneously rendered. Take Black Canadian history, for example. Take the Dawn Settlement, a historical abolitionist community at the end of the Underground Railway (UGRR) in the area in and around Dresden, Ontario. Intended to be a “utopia” for emancipated American slaves, the Dawn Settlement has often been portrayed as a failure and its numerous founders overshadowed by the spotlit fame of one individual, Reverend Josiah Henson. The role of the British American Institute (BAI) has also been conflated in Dawn’s 200-year historical record. Furthermore, not all of the Black asylum-seekers who arrived in Canada via the UGRR were part of “a destitute band of fugitives” … many were members of the “Black Elite:” educated Pennsylvanian activists who migrated north and contributed intellectual and financial wealth to the “vibrant multicultural community.” These idealists fought for both the eradication of slavery and for securing equality, ie: in the segregated education system. In her book In the Light…

Walking with God through Anxiety and Depression: A Personal Guideby Jerald WallPublished by Jerald WallReview by Sally Meadows$16.99 ISBN 9780994799562 If you’re seeking a quick and easy read with simple, straightforward strategies for overcoming anxiety attacks and depression, look no further than Jerald Wall’s new book Walking with God through Anxiety and Depression. As the title promises, scattered throughout the book–in fact, on every second or third page–are Scripture quotes that reinforce and support his strategic approach, along with bite-sized affirmations for readers to repeat to themselves daily or under triggering circumstances. Although anyone struggling with anxiety and comorbid conditions could benefit from this book, it is perhaps most suitable, in my opinion as someone who has experienced and observed these conditions in close quarters, for either people of faith with, or those who want to learn more about the role of faith as it pertains to, mild to moderate anxiety and depression. It is important to note, as the author does in several places in his book, that the strategies suggested do not take the place of professional medical advice. In fact, Wall encourages the reader to work in tandem with a medical professional from the outset to confirm…