Welcome to Be Curious, a newsletter where I talk about…well, anything that springs to mind really, including books, TV shows, travel, life…anything goes really. I am grateful that you’re here.
I am now 17 days from heading back to Australia, having been on Prince Edward Island since early September. The weather here is cooling, I have spent time with many dear friends and I have enjoyed a range of experiences.
Cavendish Literary Festival
I was very excited to attend the inaugural Cavendish Literary Festival at the end of September. I listened to a range of authors talk about their work, most of whom were new to me. The festival was well attended and I especially enjoyed asking Keir Lowther if he thought Rafael Nadal should purchase underwear that fits him, raising many laughs while talking about Keir’s new book Greatness.
I also really enjoyed the sessions with Sarah Emsley about her new book The Austens, and drawing the parallels with the Island’s own L.M. Montgomery.
Miriam Toews
Miriam Toews was awarded the Symons Medal earlier this month at the Confederation Centre of the Arts and it was lovely to listen to her speak when accepting the medal, and have her sign my copy of her new memoir, A Truce That Is Not Peace. It’s not often you happen to be in town when a major Canadian cultural award is being handed out, so that wasvery exciting
Lesley Crewe
Just tonight I attended an author talk/reading with Canadian author Lesley Crewe, about her new book The Spirit of Scatarie. I recently read Crewe’s novel The Spoon Stealer which I absolutely loved, so meeting her tonight and having her sign my copy of that novel was a real treat.
If you haven’t already, my review of The Spoon Stealer is here.
THE SPOON STEALER by Lesley Crewe
Nova Scotian native Lesley Crewe’s books are well known in Canada, but they are new to me. When I read the back cover description, I thought this seemed like a sweet read that took in part of the Mar…
I’ve also purchased her novel Nosy Parker to read when I get home to Australia.
What I have been reading
Apart from The Spoon Stealer, since I last wrote I have also read another fantastic novel about witchcraft called The Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec. I absolutely loved it. You can read the review below.
THE WEAVER AND THE WITCH QUEEN by Genevieve Gornichec
This is the second book by author Genevieve Gornichec, and it is rather good! The story centres around three young girls - Gunnhild, and sisters Oddny and Signy. After a seeress refuses to tell them …
In fact I loved it so much, I bought Gornichec’s first novel to read as well, The Witch’s Heart.
Which brings me to a confession…..
Hi, I am Kass and I buy books. A LOT of books. This is what I have bought so far since arriving here in Canada.
*I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
A Truce That is Not Peace by Miriam Toews (non-fiction)
The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
*The Weaver and The Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
The Stone Witch of Florence by Anna Rasche (which I am currently reading)
The Essential Tles and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe
A Tangled Web by L.M. Montgomery
The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
How To Kill A Witch by Zoe Venditozzi and Claire Mitchell (non-fiction)
Procession by katherena vermette (a poetry collection)
*The Spoon Stealer by Lesley Crewe
Nosy Parker by Lesley Crewe
The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad (non-fiction)
Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman
The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
The Witches by Stacy Schiff (non-fiction)
Greatness by Keir Lowther
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix
*indicates I have read it since purchasing
Yes, I am seriously into books about witches right now. But also, I am just seriously into BOOKS. Fair to say, this is where most of my money goes, which is better than hard drugs (I’m told)…but gosh…I need to get a wriggle on!
What I’ve watched
I’ve had the opportunity to binge watch some shows since being here too. I enjoyed My Life With the Walter Boys but I absolutely LOVED The Summer I Turned Pretty! I am 100% team Conrad!!
I watched the second season of Love Life but it didn’t do a lot for me. I am looking forward to watching the new season of The Diplomat next week hopefully (with my faves Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford from the West Wing joining as the President and First Gentleman this season!)
I also went to the cinema last week to the official The Life of a Showgirl listening party for the new Taylor Swift album. My friend Tracy and I went along and listened to Taylor explain each new song, sing along to it and see the new video on the big screen, as well as BTS footage of filming of the video. It was a really fun way to welcome the latest TS Era!
What’s Next?
Tomorrow I am flying to Montreal to see Mumford and Sons play at the Centre Bell! I am really excited - I’ve loved this band since their first album and I cannot wait to sing along to their long list of banger tracks! I am also looking forward to exploring some of downtown Montreal, as I have not been there before and I understand it’s quite beautiful.
I have also been dabbling back into a sketchbook/art journal. Whether I share pages or not, I am unsure as yet…the journey back to artistic endeavour is a challenge for me, but I am trying and so far I have made four pages, which is pretty good!
Until next time, stay kind and remember to look up!
