Monday Shelfie #18: February Round Up

Don't you just love leap years? Every four years, us book nerds get one extra day to get lost in a book. February. I'm quite happy with my February reads. I got a chance to dive into various genres and finally began my Canada Reads journey. Here's what I read:

These books also helped me cross off a few books from the reading challenges that I signed myself up for. For my #ReadMyOwnDamnBooks challenge, I crossed off a second book with Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon. 

As for my Penguin Random House Bingo card, I'm now only one book away from my goal of making a "T". The hardest part of this challenge will soon begin - the dreaded "A Book With The Author Who Shares Your Initials" square. Check out my card here.

March is gearing up to be a fun month! There are so many great books coming in the next few weeks. Look for my Waiting on Wednesday posts to see what I'm excited about reading. There's also a Top Ten Tuesday coming with my Spring TBR, so keep an eye out! 

Last but not least, CANADA READS!! Stay tuned for more reviews and (hopefully) my prediction for which book will win. 

I'm curious to know what you read this month. Feel free to let me know in the comments or drop a link to your February round up.

The Illegal by Lawrence Hill

Title: The Illegal

Author: Lawrence Hill

Publisher: Harper Collins Canada
Format: Kindle Edition

Source: Purchased

Publishing Date: September 8, 2015

Rating: ★★★★

Keita Ali only wanted to do one thing - run. He wanted to represent his country in the Olympics, he wanted to be a champion. He believed being an elite runner in Zantoroland would bring him and his family a better life.

"If you won Olympic gold for Zantoroland, every citizen would know your name. The president would give you a free house and a hundred thousand dollars. Later, you could have a coaching job for life. You would be world famous, like the Eritrean American marathoner Meb Keflezighi." p11

Keita's father, a well established journalist, had run into trouble. He was investigating the crimes of the Zantoroland government and was eventually killed. After this, Keita is left to fend for himself. Using his passion for running as his meal ticket, Keita flees or Freedom State. Freedom State is an abundantly wealthy state that once enslaved Zantorolanders.

Once he enters Freedom State, he goes underground, into hiding. He knows that if he is caught, he will be deported and killed. While Keita works to stay hidden, he comes across a variety of characters, all of whom are struggling with their own battles to fit in and be accepted.

This was the first book that I've read written by Lawrence Hill. His words were masterfully put together and resulted in a story that flowed and was engaging all through out. The Illegal is a story of survival, not only for the main character, Keita Ali, but for his supporting cast as well. Each character had their own story to tell. A few were born into wealth, while others struggled to live a happy and fulfilling life. Despite their role, each one was so well crafted that they were easy to relate to and understand.

"Be calm, and be strong, and be sure to take care of yourself. You have a full life ahead of you to live, so do everything you can to have that life and to live it lovingly." p47

Overall, I enjoyed The Illegal. It is more than deserving of the awards it has won. I think those who read the book will gain a deeper understanding for the struggles that immigrants and lower class citizens have to go through in order to make a living. I believe it will also inspire others as they read about the obstacles and injustices that Keita is forced to live with.

Image Source: CBC.ca

Canada Reads

The Illegal is being defended in this year's Canada Reads competition Canadian Olympic medallist and author, Clara Hughes. Does it address the topic of starting over? Most definitely. Having to flee your home and make a living in a foreign country definitely fits the bill. In my opinion, this is the most well known out of the five books and it has the most recognizable panellist behind it. The question is, will it all be enough to win Canada Reads?

Waiting on Wednesday #1: Still Mine by Amy Stuart

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is Still Mine by Amy Stuart.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Canada
Publication Date: March 1, 2016

Synopsis from the publisher's website:
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU VANISH FROM YOUR LIFE AND LEAVE NO STORY BEHIND?

SOMEONE WILL MAKE ONE UP FOR YOU.

Clare is on the run.

From her past, from her husband, and from her own secrets. When she turns up alone in the remote mining town of Blackmore asking about Shayna Fowles, the local girl who disappeared, everyone wants to know who Clare really is and what she’s hiding. As it turns out, she’s hiding a lot, including what ties her to Shayna in the first place. But everyone in this place is hiding something—from Jared, Shayna’s secretive ex-husband, to Charlie, the charming small-town drug pusher, to Derek, Shayna’s overly involved family doctor, to Louise and Wilfred, her distraught parents.

Did Shayna flee? Was she killed? Is it possible she’s still alive?

As Clare uncovers the mysteries around Shayna’s disappearance, she must confront her own demons, moving us deeper and deeper into the labyrinth of lies and making us question what it is she’s really running from. Twisting and electrifying, this is a get-under-your-skin thriller that will make you question what it means to lose yourself and find yourself in the most unlikely places.

Thoughts: Over the past year, I've been really getting into suspense/thriller novels. This one sounds super intense!

What's your "waiting on" pick this week?

Want to participate in Waiting on Wednesday? Grab the logo, post your own WoW entry on your blog, and join the conversation!

Teaser Tuesday #20: Canada Reads Series, Part 2 - The Illegal by Lawrence Hill

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page (some times you need more than two for it to make sense).
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers

This week's teaser comes from The Illegal by Lawrence Hill

The Illegal is the second book I've picked up from the Canada Reads 2016 short list. I finished this book last night and it's definitely fitting this year's Canada Reads theme of "starting over".

"Not every run should cause pain. Some should just be to celebrate your working limbs, breathing lungs and beating heart." p16

"Parents could never be replaced. When they departed, they have left a hole that never went away." p209

You can also check out my Teaser Tuesday and book review posts for Bone & Bread by Saleema Nawaz.

What are you reading this week? Leave your teaser link below so I can check it out.

Top 10 Tuesday #4: Books outside my comfort zone

This week's Top 10 features books I read last year that were out of my comfort zone. Prior to being a blogger, I prefered non-fiction books that were primarily focused on the experiences of soliders of war and women in war torn countries - think Unbroken, Prisoner of Tehran, I am Malala. So, anything outside of this was uncharted territory. Almost every book I've read in the past year has brought me outside of my comfort zone. Here are just a few of them...

Canadian Literature

Young Adult

Mystery/Thriller

Memoirs

Top Ten Tuesday is an original bookish meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. For the list of future top ten topics or details on how to participate, click here.

Monday Shelfie #17: One month til Canada Reads

Canada Reads is coming up in just over a month! Reading progress all around has been slow, but I've had to get going on these books! Last week, I read and reviewed Bone & Bread by Saleema Nawaz. You can check out my review here.

This week, I'm tackling the Illegal by Lawrence Hill, for book two of Canada Reads and The High Mountains of Portugal by Yann Martel, just for fun.

What are you reading this week?

Bone & Bread by Saleema Nawaz

Title: Bone & Bread

Author: Saleema Nawaz

Publisher: House of Anansi Press
Format: Kindle Edition

Source: Purchased

Publishing Date: March 15, 2013

Rating: ★★★★★

The book begins with Beena and her son, Quinn, freshly grieving the loss of a family member. Beena's younger sister, Sadhana, was found dead in her apartment. The book flips back and forth between Been and Sadhana's childhood and the years leading up to Sadhana's passing. 

Beena and Sadhana's upbringing is filled with love, loss and abandonment. This forges a unique bond between them. The sisters are orphaned as teenagers after the sudden loss of their father from a heart attack and the accidental death of their mother years later. This leaves the girls in the care of their Sikh uncle. He was simply a guardian. He gave them food, a roof and and all the other basic necessities. In exchange, the girls had to cook and clean. 

"I pitied him, even as he banged the table and demanded we refill his water glass, denouncing us as the worst cooks and the worst girls anyone was ever unfortunate enough to have as nieces." Loc 1355

The three live a cramped apartment above their uncle's bagel shop located in a Hasidic community of Montreal's Mile End. 

The girls stuck together as their learned to cope without their mother. However, as Beena and Sadhana enter high school, the unique differences in their personality and social circles become 

more evident. Beena, the elder sister, is content with being unnoticed. Sadhana on the other hand prefers being in the spotlight. She is the star of school plays, an elite athlete and hangs out with all the right people. Sadhana's popularity and obsession with her looks came with a price. The added pressure had a negative impact on her mental and physical health. Sadhana dealt with her anorexia from the time she was a teenager and all throughout adulthood.

"I remember Sadhana having a theory that, however it might torment and elude those who seek it, beauty, and love of beauty, is what makes us civilized." Loc 1480

It is difficult to find happy moments throughout this book as it is riddled with sadness. Readers feel the girls' anguish as they become young women without the love and guidance of parents who show them love and compassion. Many times throughout the book, you can't help but feel for Beena as she attempts to care for her ailing sister, her newborn and herself at the age of sixteen. The love she has for both of them pushes her to endure.

"And the work of getting closer, of loving harder, is the work of a whole life." Loc 5200

Bone & Bread is nothing like I have read before. Saleema Nawaz's writing is absolutely beautiful. She tells a story that is vivid and steadily paced with just a dash of suspense. Each one of her characters were believable and I couldn't help but care for them as I continued to flip through the pages. I would recommend this book to all readers. Be prepared for the feelings of sadness that it will bring. But, rest assured that the love Beena and Sadhana share will be enough to lighten the mood. 

Canada Reads

Image Source: CBC.ca

Bone & Bread was my first choice from the 2016 Canada Reads short list. This year's theme is "starting over". This book hits this year's theme right out of the park. Beena and Sadhana live through so much loss that they've had to "start over" more times than most. Bone & Bread is being defended by Farah Mohamed. Given her professional background and accomplishments, is the perfect panellist to do so. It's hard to say at the moment where I think this book will finish in the competition as I have four more to go. But, I think it's going to be a strong contender.

Teaser Tuesday #19: Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page (some times you need more than two for it to make sense).
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers

This week's teaser comes from Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

Glass Sword is one of my most anticipated books of 2016. I really enjoyed Red Queen, its predecessor. I can't wait to dive back into this world.

I'll be starting this book in a couple days so my teaser this week is from the from the first few sentences of page one.

"I flinch. The rage she gives me is clean, but it still smells like blood. I shouldn't care. I already have blood all over my clothes. The red is mine, of course. The silver belongs to many others. Evangeline, Ptolemus, the numph lord, all of those who tried to kill me in the arena."

If you haven't read Red Quueen, I highly recommend it. You can check out my review here. 

What are you reading this week? Leave your teaser link below so I can check it out!

Top 10 Tuesday #3: Songs I wish were books...

This week's Top 10 9 features songs we wish were made into books. I was about 5 songs in when I realized, this was a lot harder than I thought. So, I recruited some help. Here are my top 5, followed by a top 4 from my special guest a.k.a., my husband.

Image Source: Slate.com

Hello by Adele
A gut wrenching love story with an amazing tagline. "There's such a difference between them and a million miles."

See You Again by Wiz Khalifa (feat. Charlie Puth)
A coming of age story of two friends. When one suddenly passes away, the surviving friend must learn to move on while preserving the other's memory. "We've come a long way from where we began. Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again."

Rather Be by Clean Bandit (Feat. Jess Glynne)
We meet our lead character as she embarks on a journey around the world to find herself. No matter where she goes or what she experiences, she knows the only thing that will make her feel whole again is him... "As long as we're together, there's no place I'd rather be."

Count on Me by Bruno Mars
Another one about growing up and having each other's backs. "You'll always have my shoulder when you cry. I'll never let go, never say goodbye"

Spaceship by Kanye West (feat. GLC, Consequence)
Stuck in a dead end job, barely making ends meet. Our title character decides to make a career change. Only time will tell if his sacrifice will pay off. "Y'all don't know my struggle. Y'all can't match my hustle"

JG's song to book wish list...

Affirmative Action by Nas (feat. AZ, Foxy Brown, and Cormega (The Firm))
A young entrepreneur is pressured into hiring a person of colour in order to give his business a more inclusive image. Nasir, a young black male just out college gets wind of this and seizes the opportunity. Note: This one is a bit edgy to post lyrics. You can find them here at azlyrics.com if you're really interested. 

Heart of the City (Ain't No Love) by Jay Z
The story of Pablo Escobar - I don't get this one... but JG says it's what he's reminded of when he hears it. Check out the lyrics at azlyrics.com

Lost In The World by Kanye West (feat. Justin Vernon of Bon Iver)
Fresh out of college a young woman decides to risk it all and move to a new country. This is the story of that journey. "I'm lost in the world, I'm down on my mind. I'm new in the city"

24 Hours to Live by Ma$e (feat. Black Rob, The Lox, Diddy)
How one person decides to live the final hours of his life. "If you had twenty four hours to live just think. Where would you go? What would you do?"

Feel free to leave your Top 10 Tuesday in the comments below.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original bookish meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. For the list of future top ten topics or details on how to participate, click here.

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

Title: Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person

Author: Shonda Rhimes

Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Format: Kindle Edition

Source: Purchased

On Sale Date: November 10, 2015

Rating: ★★★★★

Year of Yes was written by none other than Shonda Rhimes. You know who she is - TGIT, HTGAWM, Scandal, Grey's Anatomy - THAT Shonda Rhimes.Like many people, I buckle down on Thursday nights and immerse myself in all that Shondaland has to offer. So, needless to say, when I found out she had a new book, I was already sold.

Six words, "You never say yes to anything". Those six words, uttered under her sister's breath kick started a year of change. Year of Yes her personal account of that year. Shonda Rhimes decided she would no longer shy away from the things that intimidated her. Instead, she would tackle her fears head on. In the pages that follow contain a hilarious and empowering story.

Shonda's style of writing is so captivating, I mean, it's what she does. She's responsible for three hours of television every week. What I enjoyed most about the book was the hints of sarcasm that she would throw in to drive her points home. This was her reaction shortly she was asked to appear live Jimmy Kimmel:

"You know what happens on live TV? Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl Boob happens on live TV. Adele Dazeem happens on live TV. President Al Gore happens on live TV." (Loc 594)

As Shonda continues to contemplate the decision to do a live television show, her imagination kicks in:

"You can die from the hiccups. For real. I'm a fake doctor who writes fake medicine for TV. So I know stuff. And I am telling you, we killed Meredith’s stepmother with hiccups and that could happen to me. I could laugh until I hiccup and hiccup and die. I could DIE on live TV. Literally die." (Loc 609)

Year of Yes also had some inspiring points. This quick lesson details how one can empower themselves to come out of their shell and build confidence:

"Power posing like Wonder Woman is when you stand up like a badass—legs in a wide stance, chin up, hands on your hips. Like you own the place. Like you have on magical silver bracelets and know how to use them. Like your superhero cape is flapping in the wind behind you. I’m not just some dork telling you to pretend to be Wonder Woman. It’s a real thing." (Loc 772)

"Standing around like Wonder Woman in the morning can make people think you are more amazing at lunchtime." (Loc 777)

Shonda's take on motherhood is another one that I took to heart. On top of owning the television universe, she is also a single mother of three. She is a firm believer that being a mother is NOT a job, and I completely and wholeheartedly agree with her.

"Being a mother isn’t a job. It’s who someone is. It’s who I am. You can quit a job. I can’t quit being a mother. I’m a mother forever. Mothers are never off the clock, mothers are never on vacation. Being a mother redefines us, reinvents us, destroys and rebuilds us. Being a mother brings us face-to-face with ourselves as children, with our mothers as human beings, with our darkest fears of who we really are. Being a mother requires us to get it together or risk messing up another person forever. Being a mother yanks our hearts out of our bodies and attaches them to our tiny humans and sends them out into the world, forever hostages. (Loc 1200)

In the chapter that speaks about her motherhood and her children. She notes that the single most important thing she has said "Yes" to is the question, "Do you want to play?". I reflected on all the times I have said no to this question because I was too tired, on my phone, or reading a book. My own children are craving my attention and say no. I've since taken Shonda's advice and now say, "Yes!". When I'm asked to play no matter what I'm doing, I stop, and I give my kids 15 minutes (they usually move on to something new before the time is up) of undivided play time.

"I have shifted my priorities. My job is still incredibly important. It’s just that playing with my kids is now more important than my job." (Loc 1360)

Shonda also openly discusses her battle with weight loss, relationships and just trying to balance her success and family life. All of it is quite intriguing and gives you a glimpse of what it's like to rule the world. I could go on and on about how much I enjoyed this book and continue quoting her for days. I will simply leave you with these inspiring words:

"Don’t apologize. Don’t explain. Don’t ever feel less than. When you feel the need to apologize or explain who you are, it means the voice in your head is telling you the wrong story. Wipe the slate clean. And rewrite it. No fairy tales. Be your own narrator. And go for a happy ending. One foot in front of the other. You will make it."  (Loc 2992)  

Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

Title: Everything Everything
Author: Nicola Yoon

Publisher: Doubleday Canada Canada
Format: Hardcover

Source: From the publisher

On Sale Date: September 1, 2015

Rating: ★★★★★

The lovely team at Penguin Random House sent their bloggers a few books of their choice over the holidays. Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon was one of my picks. There were a couple reasons why I just had to have it. First, I had heard so many great things about the book in the fall and I didn't want to pass up the chance to read it. Second, that cover! It was designed by the author's husband and the image above doesn't do it justice. I realized after I read the book that the cover has more meaning and becomes even more beautiful once it all clicks. Now... on to the details!

Synopsis:
As an infant, Madeline was diagnosed with SCID, severe combined immunodeficiency. Put simply, it means she is allergic to EVERYTHING. Madeline has lived in a sterile environment for as long as she can remember. She only has physical contact with two people. Her mother who is also her physician and her nurse Carla. Madeline's days are fairly structured - home schooling via Skype, occasional games/movie nights with her mom and frequent vital checks throughout the day. She is content with this life. Mostly because she doesn't know any different, that is, until the new neighbours move in.

Madeline watches Olly and his family from her window. After a few awkward interactions through their bedroom windows, the two eventually become friends. It is through this friendship that Madeline's eyes are open. Suddenly her life in a bubble are no longer enough and she wants nothing more than to break free.

Sometimes you do things for the right reasons and sometimes for the wrong ones and sometimes it's impossible to tell the difference. p174

Review: 
This book has Everything: characters you can relate to, IM conversations, one liner book reviews on classical literature and even little sketches to help elaborate on some of Madeline's thoughts. She is a wonderful and refreshing character. Her light-heartedness and fairly positive outlook is not something you would expect given her health condition and upbringing.

Her relationship with Olly, though predictable at times, is so heart warming and innocent that you can't help but cheer them on.The book flows so well that you don't even notice how much time has passed since you picked it up.

Everything Everything will play jump rope with your heart strings and leaving you hanging for more. A recommended read, especially with Valentine's Day just around the corner.

Life is a gift. Don't forget to live it. p141

Disclaimer: I received a finished copy of Everything Everything from Penguin Random House of Canada. All opinions are my own.

ARC Review: The Widow by Fiona Barton

Title: The Widow
Author: Fiona Barton

Publisher: Penguin Canada
Format: ARC / Trade Paperback

Source: From the publisher

On Sale Date: February 16, 2016

Rating: ★★★★★

I remember seeing the tweet below posted by Penguin Canada in my Twitter feed and it definitely peaked my interest.

Looks like one of the biggest books of next year might be showing up in some mailboxes soon... #THEWIDOW pic.twitter.com/DiS2eewBUY

— Penguin Books Canada (@PenguinCanada) November 25, 2015

A few days later, I ended up being one of the lucky of the recipients of the mysterious package. Inside was an advanced copy of The Widow and a pack of Skittles contained in an evidence bag.

As soon as I cracked the spine, I could not put it down.

The Widow is a fictional story told from three points of view: The Widow, The Reporter and The Detective. The story flips back and forth through a timeline that spans four years. The story contained within the pages is twisted and thrilling mystery. It leaves you to question what people are willing to do to maintain their image in the public eye.

Jean, the poor widow who is left in the wake of her husband's death, unravels before our eyes. At first, she appears to be a frail and emotionally battered housewife. But, after Glen, her husband, is gone, we watch as she slowly evolves into a new person - one that is a complete mirror image of her former self. The question one needs to ask is, "Has she been this person all long?".

"It looks like someone else. Some other woman who's lt herself be taken away by strangers. Strangers who, until today, were probably banging on my door and writing lies about me. I rub my face and so does the woman in the window. Because it is me." -p.86

I enjoyed The Widow and rate it very highly on the "unputdownable" scale. The story's twists and turns will take you on a thrilling ride.I would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoyed The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. I also believe those who binged watched Making a Murderer on Netflix will like it as well.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of The Widow from Penguin Random House of Canada. All opinions are my own.

Teaser Tuesday #18: Canada Reads Series, Part 1 - Bone and Bread by Saleema Nawaz

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page (some times you need more than two for it to make sense).
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers

This week's teaser comes from Bone and Bread by Saleema Nawaz

This is the first of five books that were shortlisted for the Canada Reads 2016 competition. My hope is to read them all before the debates which kick off on March 21.

I am only a couple chapters into Bone and Bread. Even after a few pages, the beauty that is Saleema Nawaz's writing is quite evident. Here is my teaser for this week:

"If you listen, you can almost hear the sound of my son's hear breaking. In the backyard, under the drone of the lawnmower, there's a dull clanking, a sick rasp of metal like iron on bone, the chafing of something serrated. If could be a fallen branch from the lilac bush or a stray rock caught against the blade, but from where I sit looking out the kitchen window, the muted noise of the mowing comes through like a throbbing ache."

I hope you found this one intriguing. Feel free to leave the link to your Teaser Tuesday post in the comments.

Monday Shelfie #16

How did the first week of February treat you? Busy week in our house with post road trip clean up, Kindergarten registrations for my #1 and of course prep and junk food indulgence for Superbowl 50. With that all behind us, we prepare for another crazy week gearing up for the NBA All Star game here in Toronto and of course, Valentines Day.

Even with all the hustle and bustle, I did manage to cross off another book from my #ReadMyOwnDamn books list and two squares from my Reading Bingo card.

As for this week, I've got a Canada Reads book and Glass Sword, the sequel to Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen on deck.

What are you reading this week?

The Reason You Walk by Wab Kinew

Title: The Reason You Walk
Author: Wab Kinew

Publisher: Viking
Format: Hardcover

Source: Purchased

On Sale Date: September 29, 2015

Rating: ★★★★★

I am embarrassed to say that before last year, I had no idea who Wab Kinew was (Sorry!). Before starting my blog, reading Canadian literature was a rare occurrence. Enter, Canada Reads 2015. From the moment I learned about the competition, I immersed myself in everything I could including reading all of the short listed books, participating in the Google Hangout, live tweeting the first four days and attending the final debate in person at the CBC. I also began researching (this is the same as Googling right?) the authors, panellists and of course the host of the show, Wab Kinew. I picked up The Reason You Walk a couple weeks after it was released and I only wish I had read it
sooner. I don't even think I can write a review that can properly express how I feel about this book. But, I will try...

The Reason You Walk is Wab Kinew's ode to his father, Tobasonakwut. Tobasonakwut was a survivor of the Residential School program in Northern Ontario and Manitoba whose mission was to "kill the Indian in the child". Tobasonakwut grew up in hardship, away from his parents and forced to forget his culture and beliefs. He grew up in a country that did not recognize him as a citizen, a visible minority with few rights and freedoms. But, despite all of this negativity, he managed to turn it all around and rise above it.  Tobasonakwut became an inspiration to his children, his community, those striving to preserve Anishinaabe culture and everyone who is pushing for Indigenous equality across Canada.

"More than any inheritance, more than any sacred item, more than any title, the legacy he left behind is this: as on that day in the sundance circle when he lifted me from the depths, he taught us that during our time on earth we ought to love one another, and we out to work hard to make them whole again.

This is at the centre of sacred ceremonies practised by Indigenous people. This is what so many of us see, no matter where we begin life.

This is the reason you walk."

The Reason You Walk is more than just a memoir. It is a moving piece of literature that educates you on Canadian history and the real struggles that Indigenous people faced through out the years and still face today. Wab Kinew focuses on a once broken relationship between father and son that was mended through spiritual connections and pure love. Reading this book opened up a flood gate of emotions leading me to often stop and think about my own relationship with my parents. I have been lucky enough that our relationship has not suffered the turmoil and disconnect that Wab has experienced.This book reminded me that I need to be more respectful and caring towards them - not taking anything they do for me, for my family, for granted. I need to set a better example for my kids.

"If a son helps his father when he is sick, then his son will help him when he is old."

To say I enjoyed this book is an understatement. The amount of raw emotions it elicited and the soul searching that it prompted will stay with me for a lifetime. Thank you Wab Kinew for masterfully telling your story and helping make the world a better place for our children.

"We have a choice in life-we can choose how we are going to behave. We can determine whether we reflect the good around us or lose ourselves in the darkness."

Teaser Tuesday #17: Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page (some times you need more than two for it to make sense).
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers

This week's teaser comes from Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

I'm about 20% into this ebook right now and I think it may just end up being one of my favourites. Shonda Rhimes is hilarious and inspiring as she describes major events that happen in the year she decides to start saying, "Yes" to everything that used to intimidate her.

Here's my teaser:
"Power posing like Wonder Woman is when you stand up like a badass—legs in a wide stance, chin up, hands on your hips. Like you own the place. Like you have on magical silver bracelets and know how to use them. Like your superhero cape is flapping in the wind behind you. I’m not just some dork telling you to pretend to be Wonder Woman. It’s a real thing." (Loc 772)

Feel free to leave the link to your Teaser Tuesday post in the comments.

Monday Shelfie #15: January Round Up

And just like that January is done! Going into 2016, I was a nervous. I fell into a huge reading and blogging slump over the holidays. But, I'm happy to report that I seem to have recovered.

Books I read:

2016 Reading Challenges I've joined/plan to participate in:
Last year was my first year as a blogger. What I wasn't expecting was the abundance of additional books I'd have on top of the mounds of books I've already collected from years prior. So, with that said, I decided to participate in the #ReadMyOwnDamnBooks challenge. I've lined up a ton of books that have been on my TBR list. Some classics and some newer YA titles that I've hoarded over the past few months. So far, I've managed to cross one book off my list.

I'm also doing the 50 Book Pledge. I read a total of 79 books last year, so I've upped my goal for 2016 to 75.

Finally, because I know I won't be able to just read the books I have at home, I also decided to partake in the Penguin Random House Canada's #ReadingBingo.  January is off to a running start and I've given myself two different goals with this one. See my previous post for details.

I would love to hear about which challenges my readers have decided on. Feel free to drop me a note and let me know!