More Books

I’ve been rereading books I loved when I was a child, after discussing old favorites in Banff.

The Owl Service, by Alan Garner, was strange, and a little oddly written. I would have recommended some editing at the beginning, but by the time I’d finished the story I changed my mind. I’d forgotten what I’d loved about it – that experience of being immersed in strangeness.

Swallows and Amazons, by Arthur Ransome, is a great story about kids who turn their daily lives into a pirate adventure. Again, I’d forgotten what it was that I adored about this story. I think it’s that leap into fantasy in their play.

My favorite new book is Witchlanders, by Lena Coakley. I loved this. I’m also deeply impressed by the quality of the story, as this is her first novel. I’d strongly recommend it as a Christmas gift for middle grade and teen lovers of fantasy.

http://lenacoakley.com/witchlanders/

Maureen

Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park

We drove out to the new Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park this morning, just west of Calgary. It used to be Harvie family ranchland, and stretches from Calgary to Cochrane along the Bow river. It’s gorgeous, with stunning foothills and river views, with the Rockies in the distance.

Access was tricky, with one tiny sign (that we missed) amidst the chaos of road construction along Highway 1A west of Calgary. But it was worth the effort.

At one viewpoint we could see west to the edge of Cochrane, and east to the towers of downtown Calgary. It feels odd to realize how close they are, and that makes this park even more valuable, with so much land along the Bow protected from development.

Josh and Maddy travel up the Bow River through this area in The Veil Weavers, so I’m delighted to have another photo to document their journey.

Maureen

The Veil Weavers

The editing of The Veil Weavers is complete. It’s always a little scary, letting go of a story. I comfort myself by remembering I get one more crack at it when I get the page proofs.

And we have a cover! It’s starting to feel like a real book, although I won’t be able to actually hold it until next April.

Maureen