The Lesser Blessed by Richard Van Camp

For being short, this novel has a lot to say. Larry is a high school kid from Fort Simmer and this story chronicles his journey into self discovery and healing. It is filled with stories he uses to grow and understand the world around him. In the process Richard Van Camp is doing the same for us as readers. Astounding.

Rating: Slow Clap It.

Missing Sarah by Maggie de Vries

Maggie de Vries reflects on and tries to understand the story of her sister Sarah and her path to living in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. This story chronicles how a woman from a safe and loving home, albeit a broken one, transitions into a life of prostitution and drug abuse. It is a very good look into the lives these people struggle with and how so many factors come into play when deciding many of these people's fate. From government laws and restrictions to the evolution of the drug trade, it is an insightful look at how complicated and fragile this system is. It shows how the move of prostitution from inside brothels and hotel rooms to cars and streets, from residential and business areas to the isolation of industrial areas, and the economics of the drug trade forcing competitive prices in prostitution plays a role in the safety and control these women have over their own lives. A very informative and humane look into a misunderstood world that most people would prefer to turn a blind eye to.

Rating: Slow Clap It.

Monkey Beach by Eden Robinson

This is a story filled with mystery, magic and heartbreak. It tells of a family living on Vancouver Island in the small Haisla community of Kitamaat and takes place just as the family's son goes missing. It is told by his sister, Lisa, and is filled with memories of her youth and her route towards self discovery and maturity. It reflects on the dynamic of a family and the influences they have on each other. A wonderfully written, moving, funny and thought provoking novel.

Rating: Slow Clap It.

Porcupines and China Dolls by Robert Arthur Alexie

This is the story of an aboriginal community suffering from the effects of abuse from the residential school system. It is a good look at how suffering from this type of abuse affects not only yourself, but how the people in your life and your community suffer too. It is about how abuse is dealt with on a personal level and manifests itself in many different ways. This novel is a good look at how people flounder with the shame, hate and fear that comes from abuse. As a reader, you feel for these characters and want to see them succeed in overcoming these tremendous obstacles and find the strength, bravery and pride that will lead them to healing.

Rating: Slow Clap It.

The Pickton File by Stevie Cameron

Stevie Cameron wrote this book in the years up to Pickton's trial. It chronicles her research into the case, the missing women and Pickton himself. It is very well written and provides a lot of insight into the trial proceedings and investigation of one of Canada's most infamous serial killers. It also gives an honest and real look into the lives of the women living in the downtown east side and the support groups, individuals and cops who did all they could for the victims and their families. I look forward to reading the next book by Stevie Cameron about this case. It will add an even more comprehensive look at what happened during the trial now that the publication ban has been lifted.

Rating: Slow Clap It.

Urban Tribes by Ethan Watters

This is a look at the culture of the 20 & 30 somethings of our generation; how friendship circles are built and what role they provide in a person's life, why are people marrying later and later and putting off having children: if marrying or having children at all, are we isolated from a sense of community?, have we become too independent and selfish? These are the questions that Ethan Watters is working through in this book. It started out interestingly enough but quickly slowed and by the time I was nearing the middle I had lost all interest. I started flipping pages and skimming for anything that caught my eye but ended up putting it down for good to start on something new without finishing it. It didn't capture my attention the same way that 'Crazy Like Us' had done.

Rating: Burn It.

Crazy Like Us: The Globalization of the American Psyche by Ethan Watters

This is an interesting look at culture and mental illness; how a culture reflects and shapes a mental illness experience. It looks into how one culture can dominate, define and shape an illness in another cultural society. Whether it's anorexia in Hong Kong, PTSD in Sri Lanka, schizophrenia in Zanzibar or depression in Japan, this book will make you think about the world we live in.

"...I have tried to avoid making the cliched argument that other, more traditional cultures necessarily have it right when it comes to treating mental illness. All cultures struggle with these intractable diseases with varying degrees of compassion and cruelty, equanimity and fear. My point is not that they necessarily have it right-only that they have it different." Ethan Watters

Rating: Slow Clap It.