The Big Read / Novel Encounters / First Person / Facts & Non-Fiction / Writer’s Room / Read & Recommended / At Home Bookshelf>Inside the Bibliographic Mind and Book Collection of Patrick deWitt On the eve of 'The Librarianist' writer's appearance at the Toronto International Authors Festival, we share some of his opinionated and well-curated reading life>In ‘Asking for a Friend,’ the Bond of an Intense Female Friendship is Tested by Motherhood In a Q&A about her new novel, Toronto writer Kerry Clare talks about her bond with her oldest friends, reproductive rights and why she didn't love the baby phase >Cara Hunter’s ‘Murder in the Family’ Lets Readers Be Citizen Detectives In her latest book, the bestselling crime novelist creates an interactive experience both on and off the page>Anna Porter Takes Her Readers Into the Dark Side of Cottage Country In a Q&A about 'Gull Island,' Anna Porter talks about giving her psychological suspense novel a gothic edge>Jennifer Weiner Takes Aim at Our Fat-Phobic, Diet-Obsessed Culture The bestselling writer says 'The Breakaway' was inspired by a podcast on fat farms, her cycling obsession and a fondness for a good love triangle>‘Learned by Heart’ Is a Tragic Love Story About the Tangled Lives of Anne Lister and Eliza Raine In a Q&A about her new novel, Irish Canadian author Emma Donoghue talks about getting into the head of a mentally ill woman, writing sex scenes and using autobiographical details>‘Breaking and Entering’ Introduces a Lock-Picking Empty Nester Having a Midlife Crisis In a Q&A, Toronto author Don Gillmor talks about the invisibility of older women, pot-laced banana bread and how he'd make a terrible thief>‘The African Samurai’ Imagines the Life of Yasuke, Japan’s First Black Warrior Toronto author Craig Shreve’s new novel, already optioned for a Netflix series, celebrates an unsung hero and cements his place in history>In Lisa Jewell’s New Thriller, a Podcaster Becomes the Subject of a Twisted True-Crime Story In a Q&A about 'None of This is True, the London author talks about birthday twins, unreliable narrators and how she layers on the intrigue.>Catherine McKenzie Balances the Beautiful With the Dangerous In her latest psychological thriller, 'Have You Seen Her', the author harnesses the hidden terror of the great outdoors>Liz Nugent’s ‘Strange Sally Diamond’ Introduces a Character Whose Charm Lies in Her Differences In a Q&A, the Irish novelist talks about the connection she shares with her protagonist, why she shuns research and the joys of a 'husbanager'>‘Nothing Good Happens in Wazirabad on Wednesday’ Showcases a Little-Seen Side of Afghanistan Debut novelist Jamaluddin Aram shows how everyday life continues, even in a war zone, and routine is essential to survival>Brothers Will and Ian Ferguson Kill in the Comedic Mystery, ‘I Only Read Murder’ The award-winning Canadian writers kick off a series with a madcap caper starring an aging, down-on-her-luck Hollywood actress>The Plot Thickens When the Drama of Dementia Becomes Entangled in Fiction Authors like Tom Rachman and Iain Reid are bending reality in new and noteworthy novels about characters with memory loss >‘The Whispers’: Ashley Audrain’s Latest Book Goes Where Mothers Fear to Tread In Q&A, the book publicist-turned-author talks about what it took to write her second psychological novel about motherhood and , and how she found the publishing world intimidating>In ‘Most Hated’, Kara Alloway Dishes the Dirt on the Unreality of Reality Television The Former 'Housewife' talks with Zoomer about her famous buds in the business, how she really feels about her not-so-stellar portrayal and whether or not anyone snorted cocaine>‘Closer by Sea’: Perry Chafe’s Debut Novel Is a Coming-of-Age Tale With a Canadian Twist In a Q&A, the screenwriter-turned-novelist talks about Irish folklore, creating a fictional island and what it's like to work with Jason Momoa>Pip Drysdale Takes the Law into her Hands in her New Thriller, ‘The Next Girl’ In a Q&A, the Australian author talks about her "ethereal" writing process and how she has considered a side hustle as a private investigator>‘Camp Zero’ Invents a Dystopian Future for American Climate Refugees Who Flee to Canada Michelle Min Sterling's debut novel paints a bleak picture, but the Canadian author wants readers to think about their responsibility to protect the planet>A Sexy Aging Actress Takes Refuge in ‘Snow Road Station’ and Reconnects With a Childhood Friend In a Q&A, Canadian author Elizabeth Hay talks about Samuel Beckett's play 'Happy Days,' female friendships and the sensual nature of trees>In ‘Maybe Next Time,’ a Stressed-Out Working Mom Relives a Catastrophic Marriage Fail British author Cesca Major's novel is a warning to those who take relationships for granted in a world where digital connectivity demands our attention>‘Hang the Moon’ Is a Rollicking Novel About Prohibition-Era Virginia and the Bootlegging Business Jeannette Walls leans into stories from her rum runner father and mines the life of a real female outlaw to question stereotypes about women >‘The Berry Pickers’ Examines Hope’s Joy and Pain After a Little Girl’s Disappearance Nova Scotia author Amanda Peters drew on her Mi’kmaq father’s stories about working in Maine’s blueberry fields to ground her debut novel>Jaroslav Kalfar’s Futuristic Novel ‘A Brief History of Living Forever’ Imagines a Hellish Afterlife In a Q&A, the New York author talks about immortality, what he fears most about the year 2023 and why happiness is overrated>‘The Fake’: Zoe Whittall’s Latest Novel Was Inspired by a Real-Life Fraudster The story of Cammie, who fakes a cancer diagnosis to reel in her marks, is timely, given a plethora of TV series and films about con artists >‘A Death at the Party’: Amy Stuart’s New Stand-alone Thriller Is a Whydunit In a Q&A, the bestselling Canadian author talks about Agatha Christie, 'Mrs. Dalloway' and dramatic irony>‘Old Babes in the Wood’: Margaret Atwood’s New Book of Short Stories is an Eclectic Collection In a Q&A, the celebrated Can-lit queen talks about evil mothers, reincarnated snails, being an old crone and Twitter>VenCo: How Métis Author Cherie Dimaline Conjured a Deeply Feminist Novel About Witches In a Q&A about her latest novel, "The Marrow Thieves" author talks about ageism, Madonna, menopause and witchcraft>Jessica George Tackles Familial Duty, Racism and Adulting in her Debut Novel “Maame” In a Q&A about the book, inspired by her life as the daughter of Ghanian immigrants in London, the author talks about inner monologues and the value of therapy>Winnipeg author David A. Robertson’s first adult novel was inspired by his deepest fears as a father In “The Theory of Crows,” an estranged dad and his teenage daughter go on a wilderness journey that tests them, and their bond. >Jessica Johns’ Debut Novel “Bad Cree” Imagines a Dream World Full of Nightmares The Indigenous author’s horror mystery follows a Cree woman’s journey of self-discovery in a spellbinding tale about grief, family and strong women >Molly Fader Illuminates Hollywood Fame and a Nursing-school Friendship in “The Sunshine Girls” In a Q&A, the author explains why she ditched her pen name, how her mother's story inspired her novel and the true story behind an ugly-button gag>Ann-Marie MacDonald’s Novel “Fayne” is a Sweeping Tale About a Family Dynasty, Dark Secrets and Identity In a Q&A, the bestselling Canadian author talks about her fascination with the 19th century, why her main character is intersex and how her writing has changed.>Jeffrey Archer Draws Inspiration From His Friendship With Lady Diana for His Latest Thriller In a Q&A about "Next in Line," the British author talks about working on charity auctions with Di and which Royal Family member approved of the book.>How “The Marriage Portrait” Was Inspired by a Poem About a Renaissance Painting of a Noblewoman In a Q&A with "Hamnet" author Maggie O'Farrell, she talks about reading Robert Browning, underpainting and how little is known about the life and death of Lucrezia de' Medici>A Women’s Networking Group Veers into Cult Territory in “Please Join Us” The 14th novel from Montreal-based author Catherine McKenzie imagines nefarious working women who take on "the boys club" with terrifying consequences.>Gill Paul takes on Dorothy Parker’s Bridge Club in Prohibition-era New York In "The Manhattan Girls," the London-based writer imagines the lives of four brilliant women who bonded over cards, whiskey and fraught romances>Damien Lewis Searched Second World War Archives to Uncover Josephine Baker’s Secret Past as an Allied Spy In "Agent Josephine," he details how the American burlesque star, who found fame in Paris, snuck French intelligence reports written in invisible ink past Nazi checkpoints>In “Reputation,” Sarah Vaughan Explores How Far a Mother Will Go to Protect Her Children In a Q&A with the London author, she talks about turning 40, leaving her journalism job and taking inspiration from the news headlines >Tilar J. Mazzeo tells the story of three women who preserved a crucial part of Nazi history in “Sisters in Resistance” In an excerpt, she explains how those who risked their lives to rescue the infamous Ciano Diaries also saved themselves>Tsering Yangzom Lama’s Debut Novel Gives an Eloquent Voice to the Tibetan Diaspora “We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies” traces the intergenerational effects of displacement and trauma on refugees who fled the Chinese occupation of their land>A Grandmother’s Job Inspires a Story About Asylums That Denied Motherhood to Fertile Women In "The Foundling," Ann Leary explores the moral conundrum behind eugenics practised by psychiatrists in the 1920s at an American "home for the feeble-minded">Newfoundland Writer Lisa Moore’s Latest Novel Explores the Antidote to Violence "This is How We Love" explores blood relations, chosen families and how trauma reverberates through the generations>YA Author Kirsten Miller Leaves Puberty Behind in a Novel About Menopausal Witches In a Q&A about "The Change," the U.S. writer talks about the Long Island killer who inspired her story, seeing ghosts and dispelling myths about women in midlife>Eric Reguly Gets to Know His Late Father by Writing a Book About the Famed Canadian War Correspondent In "Ghosts of War," the Globe and Mail journalist travels to Vietnam in an effort to reconcile Robert Reguly's globe-trotting career with his family life >Crime Writer Don Winslow Tackles the Mob, with a Classic Twist "City on Fire" starts a new trilogy from the author, who was inspired by Homer's "Iliad" to create a modern-day gangster story set in 80s Rhode Island>“Shuggie Bain” Author Douglas Stuart Returns to Glasgow with “Young Mungo,” a Story About First Love, Toxic Masculinity and Motherless Sons The story about a working-class boy struggling with his sexuality was inspired by Stuart’s coming-of-age as a young gay man in the 80s >Jennifer Egan, Who Loathes Genre Labels, On How ‘A Visit from the Goon Squad’ Led to ‘The Candy House’ In a Q&A with the Pulitzer Prize winner, the New York author equates an imaginary memory platform called "Own Your Unconscious" to Facebook>Margaret Atwood Talks About Her New Essay Collection “Burning Questions,” the Climate Crisis and Aging Susan Swan talks to Margaret Atwood about 'Burning Questions,' a new collection that surfaces past and present convictions.>Chris Jones Explains Why Creativity Can’t Be Measured in “The Eye Test” Data never tell the whole story, despite our dependence on numbers to explain everything from sports to weather>Why Jessamine Chan’s “Intense Anxiety” About Motherhood Makes Her Debut Novel So Chilling In "The School for Good Mothers," the Chicago author imagines an alternative present where mom shaming is government business>Will Aitken Recounts the Champagne-fuelled Lunch That Launched a Luxury Cruise Ship Satire The Montreal author's farcical novel about high-end travel, "The Swells," takes a hilariously dark turn when class war breaks out on the opulent Emerald Tranquility >ABC News foreign correspondent Hilary Brown writes about war zones, ‘Reporter’s Atonement’ and life in a flak jacket In her memoir 'War Tourist,' the Canadian-born TV journalist Hilary Brown covers her ground-breaking career as a female war correspondent, meeting her late husband and finding love again in her seventies>Corey Mintz Explains Why Restaurants Are So Expensive and Diners Should Pay More In 'The Next Supper,' the Winnipeg food journalist shows how the pandemic disrupted the restaurant industry, why you should care and what you can do about it >Myriam Chancy channels Haitian stories and spirits into her novel about the 2010 earthquake In her eighth book, 'What Storm, What Thunder,' the Haitian-born, Canadian-raised academic explains why it was time to write about the catastrophic natural disaster>Comedian Rick Mercer On His New Memoir “Talking to Canadians” and the Moment That Changed His Life The Newfoundland actor and comedian, famous for his 90-second rants, is an introvert and very private person who won't even say what kind of car he drives>How Ancient Greek Texts Inspired Anthony Doerr’s Latest Opus, “Cloud Cuckoo Land” The U.S. author explains why he uses stories-within-stories in his novels, and how he channeled all his preoccupations and anxieties into his latest book>Comedian Ron James Explores a Life on the Road and his Maritime Upbringing in “All Over the Map” In this Q&A about his memoir, James talks about his interest in Nova Scotia history and live-streaming shows from his living room>Kathleen Winter on Her New Novel “Undersong,” and Finding – and Losing – Paradise The Quebec author compares the paradises of the first Industrial Revolution, particularly that of her novel's characters, William and Mary Wordsworth, with our search for peace during the pandemic>Katherine Ashenburg’s New Novel Confronts the Consequences, and Truth, of Second Acts In "Her Turn," the Toronto writer spectacularly blows up the life of her protagonist – a divorced, 48-year-old newspaper editor – to get to the heart of forgiveness>Nadia Hashimi’s Novels Illuminate Afghanistan’s Dark Chapters With Courageous Women The Afghan American author, who connects past and present in 'Sparks Like Stars,' writes about trauma as the U.S. withdraws troops from her homeland>Maria Mutch, Interrupted: How the Pandemic Changed the Solitary Life of a Writer The Canadian author of 'Molly Falls to Earth' reflects on impermanence and the mystery, and sometimes terror, of everyday existence>Janet Skelsien Charles on the Canadian Connection Behind her Historical Novel ‘The Paris Library’ In this essay, the writer, who splits her time between Paris and Montana, recounts the real-life events that inspired the book>Anna Porter Layers on the Intrigue in Her Second Art-World Thriller ‘Deceptions’ Art expert Helena Marsh and her wannabe lover, ex-Budapest policeman Attila Feher, are back and chasing more bad guys in a mystery set in motion by a painting>Why the Canadian Shield is the Bedrock of Mary Lawson’s Books All of the acclaimed author’s novels – including her latest, A Town Called Solace – are set in northern Ontario, because nostalgia for ‘back home’ makes her writing come alive>Jane Boon Gives Capitalism and the Patriarchy a Spanking in Her Debut Novel ‘Edge Play’ The industrial engineer's book draws on her '90s friendship with a professional dominatrix and creates a world where sex workers have more ethics and business acumen than the architects of the financial crisis>Robert Rotenberg on His New Thriller ‘Downfall’ and Homelessness The Toronto criminal lawyer draws on 30 years experience defending everyone from the super rich to the super poor to write about the deep roots of economic disparity>Jack Wang on publishing his first book, We Two Alone, at 48 The Canadian author thought he would set the literary world on fire in his twenties. Here's what it took to get his first book published.>Alexander McCall Smith on Elephants, Writing and Civility The Scottish author found real-life inspiration for the 21st instalment in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series through a sanctuary for orphaned pachyderms in his beloved Botswana>Margaret Atwood Discusses Her New Poetry Collection, Dearly Atwood sits down with Zoomer to talk poetry, the moment she knew she wanted to be a writer and her advice to those who find poetry intimidating.>B.C. Author Annabel Lyon on Her New Novel Consent The genesis of her thriller comes from Dostoevsky, McQueen and Bauby>Margaret Atwood, Linwood Barclay and Other Authors on Writing Your First Novel >Leanne Betasamosake Simpson Explores the Impact of Colonialism in ‘Noopiming: The Cure for White Ladies’ >Colson Whitehead on The Nickel Boys, Zombies and Star Wars The author talks about his writing process, how being Black shaped his life and being a “weirdo”>Barbara Amiel’s Tell-All Memoir Friends and Enemies is heavy on the latter, with a list of those who have slighted Amiel and BlackTAKE ME TOEVERYTHINGZOOMER.COM
