Fiona Reads
Fiona Ross is a teacher librarian and book club consultant for The Authors Book Club
What’s she reading now?
Fiona is an avid reader, a teacher librarian, a current member of two book clubs and past chair of the Secondary Fiction Review Committee at the Peel District School Board. She also serves on the planning committee at the Festival of Literary Diversity, (FOLD). Although her job demands lots of YA she occasionally tries to read a book aimed at adult readers.
The Birth Yard by Mallory Tater
The Birth Yard is a gripping story of a young woman’s rebellion against the rules that control her body.
This would be a recommended read for fans of The Handmaid’s Tale or other dystopias which deal with the rights of woman. Sable Ursu is an 18 year old member of “The Den,” a patriarchal cult which controls all aspects of women’s lives.
Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin
As life unravels, Hana must learn to use her voice, draw on the strength of her community and decide what her future should be.
Hana Khan is a bright young 20-something living in Toronto, Canada. Join her as she navigates family, community, faith, career, islamaphobia, and food in this original rom com. There is also a delightful cast of supporting characters. – Fiona
When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald
Sometimes life isn’t as simple as heroes and villains.
Zelda, the protagonist and narrator is perhaps one of the most original voices I’ve read in a very long time. Funny, quirky and at times difficult and obscene, Zelda’s personal quest for saving her tribe will stay with you for a long time to come. – Fiona
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
Blending action and allegory, Moon of the Crusted Snow upends our expectations. Out of catastrophe comes resilience. And as one society collapses, another is reborn.
Not exactly pandemic appropriate reading but highly recommended. This 224 page novel is a master class in suspense and concise, tight writing. Rice accomplishes much by saying little. Stay tuned for a youtube interview with the author about the upcoming sequel. – Fiona
“Set over the course of twenty-four exhilarating hours, Undercard is the story of four childhood friends, now in their early thirties, unexpectedly reunited by a high-profile prizefight in a Las Vegas casino… and an even higher-profile murder.”
This book is a classic case of don’t judge the book by it’s cover. Do it! The story is a fast paced, intriguing thriller. Along with plot and character, Albertyn also expertly weaves in pressing social issues. Matching the plot pacing I, too, read this book in just 24 hours. – Fiona
Accidentally Engaged
by Farah Heron
“A delightful romantic comedy featuring a Muslim woman who fakes an engagement to the boy next door in the hopes of winning a couples cooking contest.”
A Rom-Com, one of my favourite genres for pandemic reading. Reena and Nadim are so engaging and the chemistry between them, both in and out of the kitchen, is so intense that I wanted to live in the same apartment building. I mean, with the smell of baking bread in the hall, and the stunning eye candy, who wouldn’t? – Fiona
The Authors Book Club 