The Bookshelf Cafe News

The case of the mysteriously disappearing woman… on Vancouver Island photo by ldyckThe Invisible Woman The first time it happened … More The Invisible Woman (short story) by Leanne Dyck →

In 1934, during the Great Depression, the birth of the Dionne quintuplets charmed Canadians and the world. The sisters were … More Book Review: The Quintland Sisters by Shelley Wood (historical fiction) →

This summer I had an opportunity to meet and share my writing with Ellen Schwartz. She helped me to greatly … More Guest Post: Author Ellen Schwartz →

A father and a son prepare to leave their homeland and cross the ocean to–what they hope will be–a safe … More Book Review: Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini →

What have you discarded? Why? Do you miss it?It was just another Tuesday afternoon in May. I sat at my … More The Toy (short story) by Leanne Dyck →

‘No matter what happens, the past has a permanence. The past is safe.’ (p. 235)  An Ocean of Minutes is … More Book Review: An Ocean of Minutes by Thea Lim →

When I started to write I wanted to share my stories with everyone but… photo by ldyck Jim West cut … More Sharing Your Writing (short story) by Leanne Dyck →

Set in the year 1979, That Time I Loved You:  Life is Never as Perfect as it Seems is a … More Book Review: That Time I Loved You by Carrianne Leung →

You, the writer, continue to listen and I, the muse, tell you a story about an elderly woman who…Linked to … More Playing With Your Muse (short story) (2 of 2) by Leanne Dyck →

Do writers sleep soundly? What makes them toss and turn? Who do they wake up for–too early in the morning? … More How a writer sleeps (short story)(1 of 2) by Leanne Dyck →

This 49-page illustrated short novel packs a powerful punch. Buy this book I purchased my copy from Bolen Books Illustrated … More Book Review: Fox 8 (illustrated short novel) by George Saunders →

photo by ldyck When you think about someone who is disabled you may envision someone who is weak. You may … More Emphasizing the ‘ability’ in disability (list) by Leanne Dyck →

Milkman by Anna Burns is set in Ireland during the 1970s, during the time of the troubles. “Everyone” is afraid and … More Book Review: Milkman by Anna Burns →

What would you do to make a dream reality? This short story was inspired by The Perfect Nanny by Leila … More Annie (short story) by Leanne Dyck →

Unlike many of the books I review, I’ve found it impossible to review Bellevue Square without spoilers. Sorry… Published in Canada by … More Book Review: Bellevue Square by Michael Redhill →

Do you judge a person before you get to know them? Haven’t we all–at one time or another? Do you … More Baby Rescuer (short story) by Leanne Dyck →

Birth stories–some of us are given them; others of us have to find them. This short story celebrates the discovers. Huldufolk  … More Huldufolk (short story) by Leanne Dyck →

Something for Everyone by Lisa Moore is tailor-made for a creative writing course. The collection could be used for exploring form, … More Book Review: Something for Everyone by Lisa Moore (short story collection) →

photo by ldyckBuy this Book Bluebeard’s Egg is an ideal book club read. There’s plenty of flue for literary discussion, … More Book Review: Bluebeard’s Egg by Margaret Atwood (short story collection) →

photo by ldyck From 2010 to 2019, I’ve shared short fiction on this blog. Recently I hunted down the stories … More Your Favourites: a short story collection by Leanne Dyck →

It’s been a long, hard winter. Let’s court spring with a poem. ‘February 2019 on Mayne Island’ phtoto by ldyck Let … More Let the Sunshine in (narrative poem) by Leanne Dyck →

Set in Alberta, Canada–and England and Italy–before, during and after the Second World War, A Wake for the Dreamland is … More Book Review: A Wake for the Dreamland by Laurel Deedrick-Mayne (historical fiction) and interview with the author →

Set in the 1800s, a time of great scientific and humanitarian advancements, this sweeping tale takes us from the British … More Book Review: Washington Black by Esi Edugyan (historical fiction) →