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I'm interested in getting more people involved in discussions and more people interested in the group. I've been thinking that one way to do this is to have a group-selected book up for discussion every month alongside whatever official CanLit Challenge book I myself am reading.

Members would be free to nominate a book either from the CanLit books already read (i.e. any book that already has a discussion thread) or one that isn't on the List* at all (obviously a Canadian book though, fiction or non-fiction). I'll put up a poll where the book can be voted on and the winning title would get a thread in the General Fic or Non-fic folder if it doesn't already have a thread.

Any thoughts?

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*If a nominated book is not on the list, but ought to be, I'll just add it to the list instead of to the poll.

I think this is a good idea. It might be a worthwhile to have the selected book be one of a different genre than whatever CanLit book coincides with the month (i.e., if we are reading Vimy in Oct., it would be nice to have a piece of fiction on the side). It may also be worthwhile to give it two months so people have a chance to track a copy down and read it before the discussion is over.

I agree with both of your comments!

Seems likely that this would boost discussion. The books you're reading for your personal challenge are of interest to me, too, of course (I think we're working from the same NCL list?), but sometimes the timing just don't coincide for me...and I can go months without a NCL title...especially in awards season, which we're heading into now. Having more contemporary choices alongside would add a new flavour, I think.

Buried In Print wrote: "Seems likely that this would boost discussion. The books you're reading for your personal challenge are of interest to me, too, of course (I think we're working from the same NCL list?), but someti..."

Yes, pretty much. I do have some additions (e.g. Robertson Davies) and some more planned (e.g. Timothy Findley), as well as a hope to add some Francophone lit in translation that NCL doesn't do (?).

I can't promise that I will be able to participate. I've signed up for a challenge with the group Around the World in 52 Books. It's going to be a challenge indeed to read a book a week. I might have to quit playing my computer game. LOL!

Seriously though, I may join in now and again if I find the book to be on my wishlist or intriguing enough. It could conceivably replace the book I've chosen for Canada, which is Any Known Blood.

Jackson

First and foremost, I want to say that this in one of the most emotional, if not the most emotional book that I have read in an extremely long time.

Ms. McLaughlin, thank you so much for writing this book and for bringing this subject to the forefront. We need to break the stigma of this dreaded disorder.

This book deals with a subject very near and dear to my heart, Mental Health.

The story deals with the mental health challenges faced by Jackson, the son of parents who love their son very much but find it difficult struggling to navigate the way to show their love for their son while trying to support him and yet maintain their own mental health.

While this book is fictional, the situations that are dealt with are very real. I know through first hand experience of having dealt with my own mental health challenges and how people treated me, with misunderstanding, with curiosity, with insensitivity but with a single parent mother who loved me, stood by each and every moment. I also am a volunteer with the Canadian Mental Health Association.

If you or a loved one one struggle with mental health issues, or are one who is interested in finding about mental health challenges, I recommend that you read this book. It is highly educational and emotional. It will certainly help you to understand what it is like to deal with this issue each and every day on a very personal level. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

Every person has either dealt with these issues themselves or are aware of someone who has or is dealing with these issues.

Let's end the stigma now. Not all disabilities are visible.
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