Admittedly, because of my privilege of being of European descent I haven't had to put a lot of thought into how the Canadian indigenous people have been treated. I studied the War of 1812 in school, and the "Indians" helped in that so I never really thought about what the situation might have actually been like.
Recently, I've had the opportunity to see materials in an Aboriginal cultural safety training program and it's made me genuinely interested in the topic. Which is how I found this book.
Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand
I'm not quite sure what I expected from this book. I read about all of the events contained within it as they happened. Maybe I expected some hidden shocking secrets from within the palace or that there was something extremely horrible that happened to Meghan on the Palace's behalf.
None of that is illuminated here. It's still the story of a couple who fell in love, and had trouble with the media (extreme trouble) and didn't find a way to fit themselves into the Royal system. Nothing in the book makes me feel any more sympathetic to Harry and Meghan. Nor does it make me feel any less.
Emotional Detox: 7 Steps to Release Toxicity and Energize Joy by Sherianna Boyle
I picked this up on a whim, not because I thought I was carrying around some insane amount of emotional toxicity, or because I thought I needed to fix myself. Mainly, I just thought it was an interesting concept, and if I could pick up any tips to carry through life that would allow me to be more gentle in life, and to learn to let myself learn from a situation without it needing to reside in my brain constantly then it would be a win.
There's really nothing groundbreaking here - just ways to think differently about situations, react differently in situations, and teach yourself to breathe before reacting. Not everything needs to be monumental - in reading, or in life. This book is a perfect example of that.
#13-2021
George's Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl
I do enjoy a good Dahl story, but I'm certainly glad that I don't have children who might be influenced by this one. Most of the time the stories are so crazy, and far-fetched that no one would be able to follow along and replicate the story. This one, though it's impossible that the result would be replicated, could absolutely have a naive kid hatch an insane plan and end up poisoning someone.
It's still fun, but it's a little scarey to think some kids might not have enough background knowledge to know they should never attempt it. (I will give credit to the warning at the beginning that says not to create George's Marvelous Medicine, but still.) Overall a little cringey.
#12-2021
No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality by Michael J. Fox
If there was any doubt that Michael J. Fox should be considered a Canadian Icon (yes, that's Icon with a capital I) then this book should erase it. I know that he's not lived in Canada in well past more time than he lived here, but he still acknowledges and appreciates his Canadian identity, and I think that's important. The most important thing though, is that he's just good people - he acknowledges his faults, and he doesn't pretend to be perfect. He just lives, and then shares his experiences with us.
Canada by Mike Myers
A comedic biography wrapped up in a Canadian history textbook with a (non-) cultural manual sifted over top. I enjoyed reading Mike Myers perspective on Canada from the twenty years he spent here.
There were a lot of things I could relate to, but also a number that I couldn't agree with. Knowing how his experiences had shaped his comedy and his career was very interesting. How he reacted to history and incorporated it into his life gives a new edge to how I view his characters and the direction he's gone.
It's unfortunate that Canada loses many proud Canadians because there are bigger opportunities available to the South. But if everyone can keep their Canadian pride the way Mike Myers has, then maybe the Americans can start to better appreciate their neighbours to the North.
#10-2021
Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin
I don't really know what to say about this one. I've read Emily Giffin's Something Borrowed, and Something Blue and picked this one up when it was on sale somewhere because I knew I enjoyed her light style of writing, even when she was writing about heavy and realistic situations.
I enjoyed this book, but I'm also stuck on the thought that had one thing been different here - and I feel like it's a pretty logical thing - this entire book would have been a non-starter. I don't want to give away the plot in any way, so I won't share my thought but if this was a real-life situation, I definitely know what advice I would have given Tessa in the first few chapters. And it would probably have stopped the entire situation from becoming a situation.
William & Kate: A Royal Love Story
Another mainly photo book, but with some additional biographical information - or biographical as it occurs to The Sun who published this book. The photos are great, but the stories themselves are a bit biased to the sensational.
It's less sensationalist at this point, given the context that William & Kate have been married for a decent amount of time at this point. Every couple goes through ups and downs; I doubt anyone would want their past hanging over them the way this seems to.
It was a bargain bin book when I found it, and I totally understand why. Quickly published to take advantage of the tide of the time, this was published between Will & Kate's engagement and wedding. Still some very beautiful photos and a nugget or two of interesting information.
#8-2021
How to be Lovely: The Audrey Hepburn Way of Life by Melissa Hellstern
This is a cute little volume of Audrey Hepburn quotes, and life theories. It gives a little bit of biographical information to give context to her quotes. By title, you expect it to be an etiquette book of sorts, a guide for how to be someone like Audrey Hepburn.
In reality, even Audrey Hepburn herself wouldn't have been able to give those instructions, as she wasn't entirely sure who she was at any given moment. She did the things that seemed right to her in every moment, and really that's the best advice of all. Be yourself, and follow your heart and mind.
#7-2021
I picked this up as a "coffee table book" thinking that it would be full of great photos - which is absolutely is. However, it also has some interesting anecdotes about the photographer's relationship with the Kennedy family and the struggles that ensued through that relationship.
The Kennedy family has been a source of intrigue for decades at this point, and though I have little connection to the intrigue - I wasn't alive while JFK was, and only paid slight attention to his children and widow during my childhood - I've heard the stories about his presidency.
The pictures within this volume are beautiful, and carry stories that the public may not have been privy to before the book was published. They're well curated and give the reader/viewer a clearer picture of the Kennedys and Stanley Tretick.
#6-2021
Behind the Scenes by Judi Dench
This is a wonderful collection of photographs depicting the career to that point of Dame Judi Dench with her memories of the moments behind the scenes.
Her candid thoughts and reminiscences make me want to go find as much of her work as I can to see if I can find the moments she mentions, though she does seem to have a particular fondness for the theatre work.
There's not much more to say here except that if you have any fond feelings toward Dench, this is a great addition and will foster those feelings.
#5-2021
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future by Michael J. Fox
This book is literally just a collection of short memories and stories from which some lesson or other can be learned. It's filled with typical Michael J. Fox wisdom and wit, and of course, optimism.
As it's based on speeches he's given at graduation ceremonies, it's focused toward the mid-twenties finding their way into the world, but isn't exclusive to them. He mentions often how he doesn't know how they actually feel because he himself never actually graduated from high school - he did eventually get his GED though.
There's so little left to say about Michael J. Fox that I won't go further. I always recommend reading his books because they're just so relevant to everyone in one way or another. There's wisdom here, hidden in humour.
#4-2021
Another simple read with a lot of pictures, but also another strong iconic woman. Madonna may be controversial in a number of ways, but no one can dispute that she has been a powerful force in music, and has driven her own career beyond what people expected of her.
One of my first cassettes was "Like a Virgin" and I doubt I ever even questioned what that actually meant. I've known Madonna was making waves since I first figured out who she was, but I never really cared. Her music was good, and her image ever-changing.
Reinforcement for starting a new year strong and embracing change.
Michelle Obama: A Photographic Journey
A simple read as the second book of the new year. This one has some great photos of a great female role model/icon. The book also contains several of her speeches which reinforce her iconic stature. The best part about that is that she doesn't aim to be an icon. She just is.
I'll be keeping this one handy for the moments when I need some inspiration on how to lead a strong life.
#2-2002
Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
I decided to start the year off with a reminder of how to keep myself tidy and organized. I read Kondo's "the Life-changing magic..." several years ago and had intended to immediately follow it up with this one, but I'm glad I put it off.
As I read, I remembered things from the original book and ways that I could incorporate her suggestions into my life and my style. I'm not a KonMari convert by any means, but she does make a number of great points, and having the refresher with this "illustrated" guide was just what I needed to make a few changes.
