March has been filled with travel, family, friends, and good food. I’ve been reading more news and travel guides (not included in this post), but I still managed to sneak in some excellent books. I’ve saved my two most recent reads to share next month to prevent this post from being too long—and your eyes from glazing over. The opening book, How to Survive a Bear Attack by Canadian author Claire Cameron, was truly 5-stars plus.
5 Stars
I recently had the opportunity to listen to an Advanced Listener’s Copy of How to Survive a Bear Attack by Claire Cameron, a memoir that seamlessly blends true crime, non-fiction, and speculative fiction. At its heart is the real-life 1991 Bates Island bear attack, in which a couple camping in Algonquin Park tragically lost their lives. Woven throughout is Cameron’s own battle with cancer, drawing a striking parallel between the wilderness within us and the wilderness surrounding us.
Told with meticulous research, insight, and compassion, Cameron presents multiple perspectives—including that of the bear, which was incredibly effective. This quintessentially Canadian story held me captive from start to finish. Not a professional narrator, the author’s voice enhances the listening experience, lending an intimate, chatting-across-the-kitchen-table feel. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Publication Date: March 25, 2025
4 Stars
Having repeatedly heard many literary critics call One Hundred Years of Solitude “the best book ever written,” I kept it on my TBR pile for quite some time. I finally took the plunge.
At 20%, I considered abandoning it (which is extremely rare for me).
At 40%, I became intrigued.
At 60%, I was in a hallucinogenic state.
At 80%, I kept a list of the 71+ characters close by. There were 23 Aurelianos (including Colonel Aureliano’s 17 illegitimate sons), 5 Arcadios, and 3 Remedioses and that’s just for starters. No wonder my head was constantly spinning.
By 100%, I thought the ending was brilliantly crafted, tying everything together cleverly. I was pleased to have finally read this classic.
That said, I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone (’cause I kinda wanna keep the friends I have). But if you appreciate masterfully crafted experimental fiction—one that weaves a rich tapestry of magical realism, family saga, and profoundly human themes—this could be a great choice for you. It’s a challenging but rewarding journey that promotes deep reflection on the nature of human existence, with characters that linger long after the final page has been turned.
4 Stars
Upon finishing My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin, I was left with numerous questions:
• How did the novel’s heroine, Sybylla, become so accomplished in the arts despite having so few opportunities?
• Why did Harold so calmly and continually tolerate Sybylla’s verbal (and physical) outbursts and inconsistencies?
• To what extent is this novel autobiographical?
- Was the author herself as much of a conundrum—and at times as frustrating—as her heroine?
And these were just a few of my many questions.
Some parts of the novel reminded me of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. Despite their different cultural contexts, Franklin and Alcott shared many commonalities. Both were fiercely independent, held strong feminist views, and drew heavily from their own lives in their writing. Interestingly, neither ever married, adding another layer of similarity between their personal experiences and the stories they told.
Finally, I hadn’t quite seen that conclusion coming. The digital copy I was reading included numerous pages of publication notes at the end, which I hadn’t realized. So when I thought I still had 4% of the novel left, I advanced my screen—only to find the book was finished. While the bittersweet ending made a lasting impression, highlighting the cost of personal integrity, it also felt abrupt. I was left wondering what became of Sybylla and whether she ever regretted her choices.
Westmount Public Library
The feature photo and the photos on the left are from the Westmount Public Library in Montreal (where Richard and I recently visited). This library is housed in a picturesque red-stone building with a gabled roof and a peaked tower.
Built in 1899, it is the oldest municipal library in Quebec. Its interior boasts coffered wooden ceilings, high walls divided into sections, marbleized columns, leaded-glass windows, and functioning fireplaces. The grounds contain a 12-foot totem pole from British Columbia, a charming dollhouse-like Children’s Library, and a peaceful atrium/greenhouse.
There is also an impressive collection of old and rare books in both French and English, 80 donated works of art—including a collection of Rembrandt etchings—and 40,000 historic postcards reflecting the history of Westmount, Montreal, and Quebec. I was green with library envy when I visited.
While there, I also picked up a discarded illustrated hardcover copy of Stephen Leacock’s Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town, in mint condition. This was my absolute favourite book when I was in 10th grade. I greatly look forward to the reread.
What’s been on your bookshelf lately? Please join us at InLinkz or share in the comments below. My cohosts and I would love to hear from you.
Donna
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Jo (currently on holidays)
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