by Leslie Jamison
A thoughtful read on addiction, alcoholism, recovery, relationships, and literature. The author weaves their personal recovery story—messy relationships and all—into a broader exploration of how drinking and addiction have been portrayed in literature across time. By drawing from a range of works, from classics and masterpieces to popular fiction and non-fiction, Jamison crafts a compelling look at addiction and the many ways recovery can take shape.
I’ve rated it four starts on my five-point scale— meaning, it is worth a recommendation to others but I’m unlikely to re-read it again. I will say that the content doesn’t feel entirely unique in its approach, and I suspect similar insights could be found elsewhere.
I’m glad I picked it up and stuck with it. As someone who hasn’t read many literary masterpieces or even much of the pop-culture canon, I appreciated the exposure to titles I might explore in the future given the personal connection I feel to the topic.
By Mark Anderson
History. Sports. Civics. Politics. Weather. Terrorism.
Boom Town has it all.
At first glance, this strange mix of topics shouldn’t work together, but somehow, it does. Sam Anderson crafts a fast-paced and engaging narrative of Oklahoma City, weaving together seemingly unrelated threads of the city's history and development into a cohesive and compelling story.
From its attempt to become the test city for daily supersonic jet flights, to the destruction of its urban core in the name of urban renewal, and its collective response to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing , I was surprised by just how deep and rich OKC’s history is— especially considering the city itself was essentially built from nothing. What caught me off guard, not knowing much about the book or its author beforehand, was the emphasis on the founding, development, and cultural integration of the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA team. Anderson uses the Thunder’s story as a recurring thread, tying together the various aspects of the book. Normally, I don’t gravitate toward sports writing, but this worked for me.
This was a highly enjoyable read. In many ways, it reminded me of Smoketown (2018) by Mark Whitaker, which explores Pittsburgh’s history with a particular focus on Black culture.
The concept of place has always intrigued me, and I’m drawn to fresh perspectives on it. While I don’t actively seek out books that dive deep into the history of places I’ve never visited, I often feel compelled to pick them up when I come across them. I’m glad I picked up Boom Town.
by Sarah Polley
Run Towards the Danger: Confrontations with a Body of Memory is technically a memoir, though Sarah Polley herself doesn’t seem to see it that way. It’s unconventional compared to most memoirs I've read, focusing on a handful of key moments rather than a broad sweep of her life. Polley delves into periods where her body, mind, and spirit were deeply affected—through pregnancy, sexual assault, childhood trauma as a star, and a serious head injury. Her life appears filled with moments of agony that initially seem like defeat.
This is a book about memory and how we come to understand our own realities. It looks at the distorted realities we experience in the midst of trauma, and the clearer, more truthful versions we piece together later on, with the support of loved ones and trusted confidants. #Memory
I wasn’t too familiar with Polley’s work before this, nor her contributions to Canadian media and pop culture, but reading this made me realize I’ve enjoyed some of her most notable projects, like Take This Waltz (2011), Alias Grace (2017, miniseries), and Go (1999).
Run Towards the Danger (2022) is a deeply personal read that tackles tough topics, ones you need to approach with care. While it’s not a complete history, Run Towards the Danger offers insight into the development of a child star in the Canadian acting scene and the often harsh realities of life in the spotlight.
by Richard Rosenbaum
A quick, easily, enjoyable, and easily recommended read on a favourite piece of pop-culture from my childhood. Having grown up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (their 'kid friendly' and mass-marketed form), Rosenbaum's read brought me back to my childhood and brought to light both the history behind the Turtles, their wider social impact, and the critical underpinnings of the dynasty's initial creation and legacy on media across genres.
Aside from minor thoughts of nostalgia now and again, I have not engaged with the Turtles in anyway since my childhood. Now as an adult, and having read Raise Some Shell I am curious in revisiting TMNT with a fresh perspective to see if I might enjoy what the dynasty has to offer on a different, and perhaps deeper, level.
Learning about the darker roots of the series, the shifting personalities the Turtles take on with each new iteration, and the connection (or lack there of) of story lines across decades and mediums has offered a spark to a new entry point for me. Of particular interest is reading the collected Volumes (1, 2, and 4) which seem to have clear connections and stay closest to the original idea which the Turtles grew from. Never being one who has read comics, but as someone who loves reading, this may be a way to bridge a gap in my interests & knowledge.