Winter 2023 Favorites Archive
📚 Favourite books 📚
Fiction
Station 11 by Emily St. John
When I first saw that HBO was coming out with a limited series based on this book, I had to quickly escalate it to the top of my ‘To Be Read’ pile for fear of spoilers. This excellent book is set in Toronto, with vivid scenes steps from where I used to live. It always amazes me when writers craft scenarios ripped from future headlines. In this case, a global pandemic decimates the world. While starkly different from the COVID-19 pandemic, St. John's imagination of a pandemic's fallout is eerie and chilling.
For fellow writers: "Read like a writer" craft notes: I found Emily St. John utilized some valuable devices I could learn from. I loved how she captured character mannerisms in simple yet evocative ways. One favourite line describes a voice heard over the phone:
"A man's voice, almost familiar and very British" (emphasis my own). With two words, I could instantly hear that voice in my mind.
Later, St. John's masterful use of foreshadowing impresses the reader with the high stakes of the situation without telling us (an example of the cardinal rule: show, not tell). I won't detail the example here as it contains spoilers, but it can be found on p. 30 of the trade paperback version.
NonFiction
Starry Messenger by Neil deGrasse Tyson
I loved this book. It tackles contemporary moral and political issues polarizing society today (such as race, gender, sexuality, religion, and culture) with a fresh, logical examination. It was humbling to pull back my point of view, literally imagining myself peering down at Earth from space as if I were an alien and observing the fears and conflicts that tear so many of us apart. Then, on top of that, layer Neil deGrasse Tyson's beautiful personal insights and lessons from science, highlighting the beauty of our world and how to heal the self-inflicted chasms between us. I first listened to the audiobook while commuting to the hospital, then quickly went out and bought several copies to give to family and friends. It is a short but essential read for anyone concerned about what is happening on our planet.
🎥 Favourite media 📺
🎥 MOVIE 🎥
Women Talking
Every year, I strive to watch all the feature movies nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award. It has become a challenge since the Academy expanded the list to 10 movies. Now, I end up watching the films throughout the year, and Women Talking, directed and co-written by fellow Canadian Sarah Polley, got its turn this summer. I had no idea what the movie was about because I deliberately avoided watching any nominated movie trailers, fearing it would taint my experience. This movie's acting performances, writing and story, captivated me and left me thinking about "the women" for days. I wanted more of Sarah Polley and bought her memoir Run Toward the Danger to listen to on my commutes (also recommend if you enjoy memoir).
📺 Television Series 📺
Happy Valley (seasons 1-3)
I love British police procedurals, and Happy Valley is exceptional. What sets it apart from series such as Line of Duty, Broadchurch, or Unforgotten is the immersion into the life of the lead character, Catherine. The story explores crimes yet threads the personal life of Catherine and her family across each season, and a central plot line started in Season 1 carries through to the third and final season. I binged all three seasons within a month.
Craving for more? See previous favourites here.