What I clung to, page after page was the buildup of tension. You knew something was coming, you could feel it, and it was palpable. I was swept up and heading straight into an emotional rollercoaster.

The North has always held a special place in my heart. Northern Ontario is where I grew up. It is where I caught my first fish, where I first fell in love, camped out under the stars, saw the northern lights and skipped rocks on the lake, and suffice it to say, reading Beyond the Wild River was like going home.

It took me a while to get into the book. I couldn’t figure out where these first chapters where taking me.  Trust the author I told myself — there is a story here!   I continued on.  I continued on to learn more about this family, I continued on just like they did.

If someone could have warned me that starting this book would put my weekend projects at risk…. Well, who am I kidding: I still would have started the book!  One of the Boys broke my heart, it frustrated me, it’s one of those books that you want to reach into and rescue someone from it. Here is the publisher’s blurb then I’ll continue with my thoughts.

There are some important lessons to be learned within the pages of Spurt, for young and old.  I think Miles captures with wonderful hilarity and delightful honesty, the many aspects of that short window called pubescence. 

When I was growing up in Ontario, I’d often hear so much strange stories about the province next door, most of it wasn’t the least bit flattering.   Upon moving here some 20 years ago, it was a culture shock.  It took me a good two years to really feel like I belonged.  Eventually, with much practice, I was able to order ice cream, pizza or poutine and use the correct lingo.  
Cracking The Quebec Code is not necessarily a book to devour as you would a mystery or romance novel.  You’ll probably pick it up, read a chapter or flip to something of interest within its pages.  Nevertheless, inside the pages you’ll find great insight based on 30 years of data collected from the Leger survey firm.

It is a story that has been retold many times, we all know King Henry, the Boleyn sisters.  But this telling is unique as it articulates the story from Margaret’s perspective. Realized from her eyes, the story takes us on a beautiful journey, albeit one that we know the inevitability of certain events.

The Conjoined paints a telling portrait of the lies we tell ourselves, the truths that need telling and the welcoming weightlessness of letting go.