Knowledge Under Siege: Charting a Future for UniversitiesEdited by Marc Spooner and James McNinchPublished by University of Regina PressReview by Toby A. Welch  $36.95 ISBN 9781779401243 When I turned the last page of this powerhouse book, I felt so many emotions – enlightened, drained, and wiser. I would expect nothing less from a University of Regina Press publication; they always dig deep into the heart of the topics they cover, leaving readers more informed and eager to continue learning.  Knowledge Under Siege tackles so many questions about higher education, but one of the biggest ones, as the authors point out, is: “What kind of society do we want universities to serve and to aspire to become?” The chapters explore the role of universities (What are universities for? Who are universities for?), the effects of politics and governments on universities, the shortfalls of contemporary institutions, possibilities for the future, and so much more. It even explores whether universities contribute to inequality versus creating equitable societies. A side topic that I appreciated that this book touched on was the role of artificial intelligence. AI is such an all-encompassing topic in our daily lives so exploring how it is impacting universities was especially interesting….

Ashme’s Songby Brad C. AndersonPublished by Shadowpaw PressReview by Toby A. Welch  $26.99 ISBN 9781998273164 When a Brad C. Anderson book drops into my life, I know I am in for an entertaining ride! I loved his last book, Duatero, so my expectations for Ashme’s Song were high. And it absolutely delivered! Ashme is the main character in this dystopian science fiction novel. An “indigo child” with the ability to manipulate technology to her will, she lives in New Mesopotamia, a futuristic world shaped by control and conformity. She spends much of the story protecting her twin brother, who is quirky and neurodivergent—traits that are not prized in their society.  For me, this is ultimately a story of one’s calling versus one’s loyalty, a struggle that people have faced throughout history. Seeing this theme play out in the future kept me glued to the pages. Ashme is fiercely protective of her brother, yet equally drawn to join the resistance against the regime ruling her country. Those competing pulls wage a constant battle within her. It’s an age-old conflict, told through a fresh lens.  Even as AI and genetic modification become more common in our everyday world, I couldn’t quite imagine a…

Spare the Child: Ending Childhood Corporal Punishmentby Ailsa M. WatkinsonPublished by University of Regina PressReview by Toby A. Welch  $29.95 ISBN 9781779401045 When a University of Regina Press book lands on my radar, I know with 100% certainty that I’m about to dive into an entertaining and informative read. Enter Spare the Child – another U of R Press title that proves difficult to  summarize in just a few paragraphs.  The Criminal Code of Canada declares that it is a violation to apply force upon another without their consent, yet section 43 states that teachers, parents, and caregivers can use reasonable force to correct achild. Spare the Child focuses on section 43, the history of corporal punishment against children in Canada, examples of cases, and the right that children have to safety and protection. It is a powerful read that often took my breath away. Watkinson packs the chapters with fascinating research that deepen the discussion. For example, in the section on Indigenous children and their historical realities, we read that in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan, between 1941 and 1945 it is estimated that fifty percent of the children who passed through residential schools died. In the chapter on current research and…

HopeStreetby Bel TerrillPublished by Pete’s PressReview by Toby A. Welch  $24.99 ISBN 9781997713029 If you’re into dystopian stories with a tech twist, HopeStreet needs to be on your radar. HopeStreet centres around a city named Toivo – picture a futuristic, grim version of Toronto. It is a bleak city ruled by AI that has stripped its residents of autonomy and joy. Enter HopeStreet, a total-immersion virtual reality game where users plug into gamer pods and all their senses are replaced. Players design a world they want to live in and everything they see, touch, feel, and taste is real. The main character, Tycho, is a Basic, a term referring to people who aren’t Plugged. Plugged people wear a Piece behind their ear, a device that allows for seamless communication but also allows others to see what they are thinking and feeling. Those who wear a Piece are safe but also easily controlled by governing bodies. The Plugged/Basic divide is an interesting concept. Sadly, the the number of free-thinking Basic people in Toivo are dwindling by the day.  The intrigue keeps ramping up as Tycho and his group of rebel friends infiltrate HopeStreet in an attempt to keep AI from taking over…

Waiting for the Piano Tuner to Dieby Harriet RichardsPublished by Shadowpaw Press RepriseReview by Toby A. Welch  $24.99 ISBN 9781998273317 This compact collection of ten short stories delivers a nonstop emotional rollercoaster. Richards explores heavy themes – death and dying, family dynamics, sibling relationships, love, loss – but what stands out is how hope runs through it. It packs a punch by taking raw situations and humanizing them.  While I enjoyed all ten tales (not something I can usually say in a short story collection), my favorite was Andrea’s Kitchen. It comes in at just under seven pages but it leaves a lasting impact. It tells the story of a woman blessed and burdened by her beauty and how that has played out in her life, for better or worse. A close second was Marine and Jonathan, Plus Carmalita’s Journal, the longest story at thirty pages. The layout of the tale was cool as parts of it were journal entries, hence the title. It follows the story of the three people in the title from adolescence into adulthood and the complications that arise. Most of the stories quietly linger, resurfacing hours or even days later.  I know a book is special when I’m…

Twice Cursed: An Ever After Tales Collectionby Robyn TockerPublished by Pete’s PressReview by Toby A. Welch  $24.99 ISBN 9781069345998 Twice Cursed, the fifth installment of Robyn Tocker’s Ever After Tales series, takes a beloved fairy tale and gives it a fresh twist. Tocker began developing this series when she was just twelve-years-old and what a great idea for a book collection it is! She takes classic fairy tales and reworks them, putting a creative and entertaining spin on them. Tocker plans for the series to eventually span sixteen books. Each tale is set in a different country and in a different time period, adding to the literary punch. Twice Cursed is a spin-off from the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. It takes place in the 1700s, a hundred years after Brier Rose woke from her century-long sleep. Now married to Tsar Leo and living on the outskirts of the haunted forest, she falls into a second cursed sleep. Her twenty-three-year-old daughter, Eliza, must uncover the cause and break the spell, aided by a cast of ragtag characters. (I did struggle to keep all the characters straight at first, but once I made a quick list to tuck inside the book it was much easier to follow.)   As…

Thatcher versus Douglas: The CCF, the Liberals, and the Mossbank Debate of 1957by M. G. BucholtzPublished by Wood Dragon BooksReview by Toby A. Welch$21.99 ISBN 9781990863349 Saskatchewan never fails to amaze me! Its political history is richer and deeper than many of us realize,and Thatcher versus Douglas captures one of its defining moments. Ross Thatcher and Tommy Douglas both played integral roles in shaping modern Saskatchewan and this book explores how their ideas – and their rivalries – helped define our political identity. Before reading Thatcher versus Douglas, I had never heard of the Great Debate that happened in 1957, apparently a pivotal point in Saskatchewan politics. At a time when politicians relied on speeches, door knocking, and newspaper coverage, Thatcher and Douglas debated face-to-face with a moderator between them, with reporters covering it for newspapers and the discussion broadcast over radio. What feels commonplace now was groundbreaking then, foreshadowing the future of media-driven politics. As the chapters unfolded, I found myself wondering which of the men I would’ve aligned with had I been alive seventy-five years ago. Both men are fascinating and Bucholtz dives deep into their lives so we can see what shaped their political views and careers. Even readers who…

A Line Runs Through It: A Story of Sexual Abuse, Addiction, and Redemptionby Niall SchofieldPublished by Wood Dragon BooksReview by Toby A. Welch  $22.99 ISBN 9781990863868 One of my goals for 2026 is to be a more empathetic person. Everyone is carrying something and learning to give people grace feels more necessary than ever. So when A Line Runs Through It landed on my bookshelf, I couldn’t wait to dive in. It’s a powerful reminder that everyone has a story, everyone struggles, and kindness costs us very little. But enough about me – this moment belongs to Niall Schofield. His memoir is gripping, tender, and emotionally disarming. I found myself laughing in some moments, crying in others, and picking my heart up off the floor and putting it back together in other parts. This is the kind of story that stays with you. What makes A Line Runs Through It work so well is Schofield’s vulnerability. He is unflinchingly honest about his past, his mistakes, and the choices that shaped his life. Rather than diminishing him, that honesty deepens the reader’s admiration. He has endured more in his first five decades than most experience in a lifetime, and he tells it without self-pity or pretense. …

Broken Scarecrows: Deceit and Cheatby D.R. CameronPublished by Cameron NarrativesReview by Toby A. Welch$25.00 ISBN 9781738687763 Broken Scarecrows is the third book in D. R. Cameron’s satirical fiction series exploring regulatory bodies and whistleblowers.  The series begins with Dysfunctional Regulatory Bodies: Scarecrows and Stupidity, where readers are introduced to BruceG, a man locked in battle with regulatory bodies. The conflict escalates in book two, Dysfunctional Regulatory Bodies: Cowpies and Lies, as BruceG takes on the environment ministry (Ministry of GoodforAll.) By the time you dive into Broken Scarecrows, the regulatory system is almost entirely broken – and it’s time to start fixing things.  In this third book, BruceG clashes with the LOG (League of Growers) and the LOP (League of Prosecutors) after whistleblowing on questionable bylaws passed by council. While the story builds on earlier events, new readers to the author’s work don’t need to worry about jumping in here. Cameron includes a detailed preface summarizing the first two books, along with appendices at the back that provide even more background. Even though I read the first two installments, I found these sections helpful as a refresher. Given the large cast of characters in Broken Scarecrows, Cameron thoughtfully provides a list of main characters near the front of…

Honeydewby Ben ZalkindPublished by Radiant PressReview by Toby A. Welch  $25.00 ISBN 9781998926350 Scholars love to argue that all stories fall into a handful of universal plots: love, good versus evil, coming of age, survival, identity, family, power, justice, loss, and redemption. But within each of those themes is a great deal of variety. Books that stay with me are the ones that resist easy categorization. Honeydew is one of those rare reads. It gave me Ayn Rand vibes – think Atlas Shrugged – but through a satirical and Canadian lens. I had the title Honeydew wrong – I assumed melon, not man. But it’s actually the surname of a main character, celebrity CEO Moses Honeydew. He is described as a “sneaky snake,” a “smarmy dick,” and a “nerd emperor,” among others. Honeydew is an interesting character to watch unfold, but I would expect nothing less from a guy who owns a private space station.   Trying to sum up what Honeydew is about without giving too much away is a challenging task. The main character is a spunky gal named Rose Gold who befriends a group of young rebels that are on an uphill battle against a corporate megalomaniac. Their struggle plays out like a high-tech David versus Goliath…