Journal

December 2002

I don't subscribe to any newspapers because I know most of them would just pile up in the corner unread, however, I do occasionally read newspapers that make themselves available to me. I recently started reading an article about writers, novelists specifically, young novelists to be even more precise and was quite annoyed with the journalist's assertion that young novelists don't read books. I was so annoyed that I closed the paper and moved on to something else. But this comment has been wedged in my back brain ever since. Why so defensive? Firstly, because I think it's irresponsible to make such sweeping generalizations in a public forum; secondly, because I don't think it's true; and thirdly, because as novelists go, I'm young and I read!

Numerous writers recommend favourite books on their websites. It provides fascinating insight into other people's heads and creates a satisfying simpatico to discover I like some of the same writers a writer I respect also likes. After some thought though, I decided not to put a regular reading feature on this site. Like most things I do, I have a tendency to binge. I go through periods when I read voraciously and others when I don't. So I would either feel obliged to read something to post, or the page would be static for some period of time and then change three times in a week. I would, however, like to respond to the assertion in this article (whose writer, title and newspaper are now a complete blank) with something that shows that I do read, and that other novelists not yet collecting pension cheques probably do to.

First and foremost, I enjoy reading the work of my peers. I like being supportive and comparing our understandings of the world. Some of my favourites are Stan Rogal, who's just added to his prolific assortment of poetry, short stories and novels a new book of connected short stories called Tell Him You're Married, a collection I highly recommend, especially for those interested in the nature of human relationships. While on tour, I read Marnie Woodrow's Spelling Mississippi, and although I've never been to New Orleans, I could smell the air; worth purchasing for that someone on your list who finds Canadian winters too much to deal with. I was thrilled when my longtime friend Kathy Mac release her first full poetry collection, Nail Builders Plan for Strength and Growth. I highly recommend this exceptionally strong, GG nominated work. (I hear she's got a novel in mind for her next project!)

Another favourite Canadian writer is Nick Bantock who's just released Alexandria, the second book in the second Gryphon & Sabine trilogy. For adults who like thoughtful fairytales, Bantock is magic! I think I have everything he's written, in hardcover, some of them even signed. When I want to read, but I'm not sure what to pick up, or on the rare occasion when I'm sick in bed, I usually end up with one of Mr. Bantock's fabulously illustrated creations.

I've just procured a copy of Umberto Eco's new novel, Baudolino and am very excited about starting it. I really enjoyed Name of the Rose and Foucault's Pendulum (although I found the latter had a challenging intensity). I was less impressed with The Island of the Day Before, but nevertheless, I'm looking forward to this latest effort. There's also a new novel from Milan Kundera, Ignorance. I like some of his earlier work, but since he's started writing in French, it's lost some of its former finesse. I'm sure I'll get around to it, but I might wait until it's out in paper. I understand Jeanette Winterson is working on a new novel, something I'm sure I'll pick up when it comes out. I'm also eagerly awaiting J.K. Rowling's next Harry Potter installment.

Last summer I went on a brief modern American binge and browsed some titles by Hemingway and Faulkner specifically. Recently I've found myself re-visiting British adventure writers of the late 1800s, people like P.C. Wren (Beau Geste) and H. Ryder Haggard (King Solomon's Mines), in part because I've been renting the videos as research for the next novel. These have put me in mind of childhood favourites like Alexandre Dumas, Robert Louis Stevenson, H.G. Wells and John Wyndham.

Because the focus of my university education was Philosophy and Cultural Studies rather then English, I acknowledge that I missed some important reading along the way. But I keep trying to fill the gap. My big reading accomplishment for the year was to finally read James Joyce's Finnegan's Wake. I didn't find it as daunting as I'd feared and quite enjoyed it, although I found it an easy book to put down. It was the perfect thing for the twelve-hour-plus train trips I endured while on book tour, as its meandering echoed that of the landscape. It's a challenging read made less so by a trick one of my professors let me in on: read it aloud. This enables the reader to hear the various word plays which aren't always easy to discern on the page. One of these days I'll tackle Ulysses. In a daring and precocious move, I started it when I was twelve and didn't make it through the first page. I think I'll do a little better next time.

With the holiday season upon us, you might consider some of these titles, preferably from an independent bookstore. At present, I don't have any readings booked until the spring. I'm looking forward to a bit of a break, a chance to hibernate, do some reading and continue working on the new novel, The Obsessions of Yoyo Zaza. Happy Chanukah, Bodhi Gaya, Eid ul-Fitr, Lux Mundi, Saturnalia, Mother Night, Winter Solstice, Yule, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or quiet day off in your jammies and fuzzy slippers to read a good book. Wishing you safe travel, much joy and peace.