One of the biggest events for bookworms like me is Canada Reads. This year Canada Reads celebrates it's 10th birthday! Where has the decade gone? I suppose we've all been busy reading, watching our collection of Canadian books grow, and sharing our favourite book titles which is the whole point to Canada Reads in the first place, right?
Back in October Canada Reads clamoured for Canadians to celebrate the 10th anniversary by suggesting titiles and voting for the Top 40 Essential Canadian Novels of the Decade. The 40 titles on the long list were then whittled down to make The Top10 short list and now it all comes down to a debate with The Top 5 finalists.
Since the five nominees were announced in November I've had time to read Carol Shield's Unless on my Kobo. I found Shield's book so hard to put down! Note to self: put something in the slowcooker before starting a new book. I also have grand plans to read The Bone Cage and interview the author Angie Abdou. I was already familiar with one of the titles and very pleased that The Birth House by Ami McKay made it as a finalist. I read, reviewed and recommended The Birth House a while back for a print publication and it still remains one of my all-time favorite books. You can read my review here:
In The Birth House author Ami McKay takes us back to the basics to visit the closely knit community of Scots Bay, Nova Scotia. Set in a WWI backdrop the people of "The Bay" are raised on brown bread, shad and tea. With no electricity, telephone or automobiles in the town, the community relies on the healing powers and advice of a midwife for a variety of ailments and childbirth assistance.
The story is told through the eyes of teenaged Dora Marie Rare who finds a kindred spirit in the towns old midwife, Miss Marie Babineau. A victim of gossip and somewhat of an outcast in social settings Miss B. is known as a witch, or an angel "as long as she’s got the gift whenever they need it." Free-spirited Dora considers herself to be a black sheep of sorts being the only girl born after five generations of the Rare family name. Dora was also born with a caul over her eyes. Miss B. sees this as a sign that she "sees more than us all." The old midwife decides to take Dora under her wing and teaches her the art of "catching babies.’ Dora learns tricks like blowing cayenne pepper off a feather to encourage a tired mother to push!
Contentions arise when Dr. Gilbert Thomas opens up a maternity home in a nearby town. The womens social groups topics soon turn from knitting and idle gossip to concerns about issues of women’s rights and control over their bodies. There ensues debates between the doctor encouraging the latest scientific medical procedures, metal tools and drugs and the traditional midwife who uses common sense intuition, prayers and natural herbal remedies.
The novel is wonderfully written with an interesting mix of characters, scenes and period references to a time of prohibition, rum running, book banning and burning. The author takes us along with Dora to visit Halifax at the time of the explosion and Boston during the suffragist movement for the women’s right to vote. The reader gets to follow Dora on her coming of age journey and witness her devotion to her craft despite modern time influences.
McKay draws you in to the story as if you are reading from an old scrapbook with the addition of newspaper clippings, advertisements, letters, herbal concoctions and even a recipe for Groaning Cake. I might try to bake this one myself but I won’t be mixing the batter in between contractions as traditionally recommended!
The author writes with a down to earth style and treats her story with a good dose of Acadian folklore and maritime traditions. Being from the East Coast myself I really enjoyed the local dialogue and colloquialisms. Like the midwives depicted in the novel McKay also displays a great deal of insight with her writing. One thing for certain is we all owe some gratitude to midwives who act as spiritual guardians for mothers and help bring us into the world. In the words of Miss B. to Dora "No matter what you do, someone always knew you would." - food for thought
It's not too late to pick up a book and get in on Canada Reads debate. Jian Ghomeshi will host the hour-long debates, airing on CBC Radio One on February 7, 8 and 9 at 11 a.m. and again at 8 p.m., except in Newfoundland, where the debates will air at 2:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. NT.
The five finalists and their celebrity book debate defenders are as follows:
The Best Laid Plans by Terry Falls
Defended by Canada Reads host Ali Velshi
The Birth House by Ami McKay
Defended by Debbie Travis
The Bone Cage by Angie Abdou
Defended by Georges Laraque
Essex County by Jeff Lemire
Defended by Sara Quin
Unless by Carol Shields
Defended by Lorne Cardinal
Be sure to visit cbc.ca/canadareads to follow the interview action, get Canada Reads updates, and enter the contests for great prizes. The debates can be followed on CBC Radio One. Check the listings for the broadcasts in your area. The debates will be recorded in front of a live studio audience. For ticket information, e-mail [email protected]. Find Canada Reads on Facebook and Follow Canada Reads on Twitter.
BOOKALICIOUS BOOK GRAB GIVEAWAY
Chapters Indigo has copies of The Birth House by Ami McKay and Unless by Carol Shields to give to one lucky Bookalicious reader. To enter the contest answer one of the questions:
"What Canada Reads book would you like to win and why?" or "What Canada Reads book would you like to read?"
Yummy Rules and Regulations
You must be a Yummy Mummy Club member to win. Click to sign up! It's free and filled with perks. One comment per member. Entries accepted until January 28, 2011. Contest open to Canadian residents only. Winners will be picked using www.random.org.
Good luck!
Relish reading,
Wanda Lynne Young
Bookalicious: Newsletter
Website: Bookalicious.ca
Twitter: @YMCbookalicious
Facebook: Bookalicious
Facebook: wanda.lynne.young
Photo Credits:
Designer Debbie Travis defends The Birth House by Ami McKay
Ryan Couldrey/CBC Canada Reads
Actor Lorne Cardinal defends Unless by Carol Shields
Ryan Couldrey/CBC Canada Reads
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