Val’s Book Reviews High Society by Daniel Kalla Toronto: Simon & Schuster, 2024 $24.99 / 9781668053904 Once again, Vancouver author Daniel Kalla (Fit to Die) uses his expertise in the world of medicine to write an exhilarating psychological thriller. In High Society he looks into the volatile and controversial world of prescribed psychedelic drugs. His […]
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Traditions of Victoria Day Every year the traditional “May 24th” holiday, the anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birthday, occurs on a different date. This year it is early – on Monday, 20th May. The holiday weekend consists of celebrations ranging from a parade, boating, festivals and even, on one memorable occasion in 1896, a tragedy. According
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“LUND – THE BEGINNING OR THE END OF THE ROAD?” As an inquisitive writer, I love discovering lesser-known places in British Columbia. I remember about fifteen years ago doing exactly that on a trip from Horseshoe Bay north to Powell River on the section of Highway 101 that is affectionately known as “the Sunshine Coast”.
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A Charming Appendage As the author of many historical books, both non-fiction and fiction set in British Columbia, plus hundreds of articles all of which have resulted in a great deal of research, it was obvious to me that it was the men folk who invariably made a name for themselves. Their wives, often only
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Val’s Book Reviews Wildlife Congregations: A Priest’s Year of Gaggles, Colonies and Murders by the Salish Sea by Laurel Dykstra Surrey: Hancock House Publishers, 2024$24.95 / 9780888397539 [Editor’s Note: Laurel Dykstra is non-binary and uses they/them/their pronouns. This is accounted for in the following review.] Over one particular year, author Laurel Dykstra, a naturalist priest,
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Rudyard Kipling’s World Travels Most of us are familiar with the many works of Rudyard Kipling such as The Jungle Book, Captain Courageous and Soldier Tales, but here are a few more things you might not know about him, including his world travels. Kipling was born in Bombay in 1865 where his father was a
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Val’s Book Reviews The Time of My Life: Dirty Dancing by Andrea Warner Toronto: ECW Press, April 2024 $19.95 / 9781770417410 This small book by author Andrea Warner covers many important topics that are still relevant in today’s world. The author has told her own story, comparing it alongside the story in the movie Dirty
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Val’s Book Reviews Love Naturally by Sophie Sullivan New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2024 $24.00 / 9781250875839 Love Naturally is a lighthearted, romantic romp between two people who are complete opposites. It is set at a wilderness resort in Michigan. Sophie Sullivan, the pen name of a Fraser Valley author (who’s written romantic comedies since
City girl + rough outdoors man = ♥︎♥︎♥︎ Read More »
EASTER – CHRISTIANITY, SPRING, FLOWERS & EGGS! Easter Sunday will be celebrated this coming weekend on March 31st. Although Easter is observed in Christian countries as the resurrection of Christ, many of its customs and legends are pagan in origin. Easter can occur as early as March 22nd, or as late as April 25th,
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Beware the Ides of March The Ides of March (March 15th) was the 74th day in the Roman calendar and was marked by several religious observances while also being a deadline for settling debts in ancient Rome. In 44BC this date also became notorious because it was when Julius Caesar was assassinated, an event which
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