The Traitor’s Sonby Dave DuncanPublished by Shadowpaw PressReview by Toby A. Welch  $26.99 ISBN 9781989398913 The Traitor’s Son is the ultimate worst case scenario book and I couldn’t put it down! This science fiction read is about a colony in futuristic times. The colony has limped along for centuries but it is now at a crossroads; either they change almost everything in their world or they face extinction. I don’t want ...

Uncut: A Cultural Analysis of the Foreskinby Johnathan A. AllanPublished by University of Regina PressReview by Shelley A. Leedahl$32.95 ISBN 97817794003307 Uncut: A Cultural Analysis of the Foreskin is a well-researched interdisciplinary book by Manitoba professor Jonathan A. Allan, and though it’s structured like most academic books I’ve read—with an introduction, an appendix, an impressive bibliography and index, and conclusion...

A Snake and a Feathered Birdby Angie EllisPublished by Thistledown PressReview by Brandon Fick$24.95 ISBN 9781771872812 Angie Ellis’s ambitious debut novel, A Snake and a Feathered Bird, began in such a way that I wasn’t sure I’d like it: the characters seemed guarded, the relationships and context opaque. After a series of events in the second chapter, I wondered where the story would go. What was it about? Really, I just needed ...

“#BlackInSchool”by Habiba Cooper DialloPublished by University of Regina PressReview by Shelley A. Leedahl$20.95 ISBN 9780889778184 Young Halifax writer Habiba Cooper Diallo has much to say about being a Black student at a Halifax high school that prides itself on being the “most diverse school east of Montreal”. #BlackInSchool is her non-fiction account of the International Baccalaureate student’s frequent experience with rac...

Kohkum’s Royal Bannockby Wilfred Burton, Illustrated by Hawlii Pichette, Michif translation by Irma Klyne and Larry FayantReview by Michelle ShawPublished by Thistledown Press$14.95 ISBN 9781771872744 I wasn’t surprised to discover that Kohkum’s Royal Bannock, a beautifully illustrated full colour picture book, was written by a former elementary school teacher, because it’s full of details, concepts and questions that are cl...

The Discovery of Finnegan Wildeby Caroline Pignat, Illustrations by Alan CrannyPublished by Thistledown PressReview by Shelley A. Leedahl$16.95 ISBN 9781771872874 It’s daunting to receive a 406-page novel for review. If poorly-written, it’s a tremendous slog to read. On the flip side, if the story’s seeped in richly-described settings, features distinct and memorable characters, and showcases deft plotting (including a major twist...

“Tricky Grounds: Indigenous Women’s Experiences in Canadian University Administration”by Candace Brunette-DebassigePublished by University of Regina PressReview by Sally Meadows$34.95 ISBN 9780889779778 Tricky Grounds is a passionate reflection by author Candace Brunette-Debassige as she documents “the experiences and challenges that Indigenous women administrators face in enacting Indigenizing policies in Canadian universities�...

Fireboyby Edward WillettPublished by Shadowpaw PressReview by Shelley A. Leedahl$22.99 ISBN 9781998273423 There are several things I can count on each time I open a book for young readers by Regina author Edward Willett: the story will be technically well-written; the characters credible and clever; and whatever weird, fantastical situations the young cast finds themselves in, there’s bound to be laughs along the way. In short, I know...

Cupboard Loveby Mark MortonPublished by Shadowpaw Press RepriseReview by Michelle Shaw$29.99 ISBN 9781998273355 If you’ve ever wondered about the plural of asparagus (asparagi), or the origins of Camembert (invented during the French revolution) or why there are so many spellings of perogie…perogey…piroghi (it’s complicated),then wonder no more. Mark Morton’s extensively researched Cupboard Love: A Dictionary of Culinary Curio...

Prison Born: Incarceration and Motherhood in the Colonial Shadowby Robin F. HansenPublished by University of Regina PressReview by Toby A. Welch$32.95 ISBN 9781779400079 Did I ever learn a lot from Prison Born! I’m humbled to admit that so much goes on in our blessed country that I am clueless about. This book left me feeling like I’d been walloped upside the head with a battering ram of information. (Although none of t...