Best of the West
© Paula E. Kirman
Best of the West is a yearly publication that comes out at this time of the year, to inform book lovers of interesting and exciting titles from the publishers and writers of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
This season's roundup is as diverse as ever, featuring novels, nature and children's books. As a resident of Alberta a regular contributor to Prairie Books Now, I am familiar with quite a few of these titles. So, if you find yourself in a holiday book-buying mood, here are some recommendations:
Great Stories from the Prairies by Birk Sproxton (Red Deer Press) is an excellent overview of the past 100 years of Prairie short stories, including selections from W. O. Mitchell, Carol Shields, and F. P. Grove. Literary journalism is an intriguing genre that combines creative writing with a journalistic style. To Arrive Where You Are (Banff Centre Press) is a collection of twelve examples of literary journalism from the associated program at the Banff Centre for the Arts. Edited by authors Kim Echlin, Barbara Moon, and Don Obe, some of Canada's best essay writers are featured. Joy Kogawa's classic story of Japanese-Canadians during World War II, Obasan (Goose Lane Editions) is available on audio cassette. Same for W. O. Mitchell's Who Has Seen the Wind (Goose Lane editions), which is narrated by the late author himself. Dave Margoshes' I'm Frankie Sterne (NeWest Press) is a story of a man coming of age through three decades, from a childhood in Harlem to being a fugitive on the run. Tell Me Everything (Coteau Books) is the latest novel from prolific Winnipeg writer Shelley A. Leedahl. Natasha is in her 40s and struggling to make sense of her life, when she meets up with an old school friends who helps her put the pieces back together. One of the largest cases of political fraud occurred in, of all places, Saskatchewan. SaskScandal: The Death of Political Idealisn in Saskatchewan (Fifth House) by journalism Gerry Jones is a recounting of the cases of fraudulent expense claims surrounding the Grant Devine government. If you believe Canadian cowboys were a quiet, law-abiding bunch, think again. Cowboys, Gentlemen and Cattle Thieves: Ranching on the Western Frontier (McGill-Queen's University Press) by Warren M. Elofson destroys the image of Canadian cowboys many of us have in our minds through his portrayals of gunfights, cattle thieving, and prostitution. It may be winter but in a few months some of us will be gardening once again. The Best of Lois Hole (Hole's) is informative and inspirational, featuring Hole's Globe and mail gardening advice columns
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