A chance discovery at an October Word Fest event, Ms. Willis has written a superb relationship book. Amber and Kevin have enjoyed/endured a 14-year relationship even though they have very different personalities. Secretly, she decides to enter a billionaire-funded competition to travel to Mars, and amazingly becomes one of 24 contestants on a reality show to choose two “winners”. How does Kevin cope with Amber’s decision to leave him for a one-way trip to Mars? What is Amber’s motivation? The story is in part funny with a satirical treatment of fame, billionaire-funded space travel together with a quest for love. Highly recommended.
Category: Satire
Poles Apart – Terry Fallis
Fallis won the 2011 Canada Reads competition with The Best Laid Plans, a very funny book about Canadian politics. This new book is set in Orlando Florida. Everett Kane starts an anonymous feminist blog called Eve Of Equality which becomes wildly popular. Parts of the plot are unrealistic and sometimes predictable, but it is a guilty pleasure to read a feel good novel from time to time.
King John Of Canada – Scott Gardiner
What with the recent fuss over the royal visit, this book presents the case for a Canadian monarchy, chosen by lottery! There is some very funny satirical writing about Canadian politics: Quebec separation and the Rest Of Canada, Alberta and Toronto politics – these sections are written perfectly. There are also some interesting contrasts with American politics (gun control, etc). My only issue with the book is that I didn’t like the ending. Nevertheless, a fun read so thank you Amy.
What David Read 