Fall 2023

 The leaves are turning colour, the nights are cooler, and we have packed our car for our fall migration to Newfoundland. We’ll spend four weeks away, visiting friends, before taking the overnight ferry to Argentia. Then home in our home away from home overlooking Trinity Bay.

 I think of the fall as such a time of change. The children back in school – for us it is now grandchildren back in school. The cottage closed until next year. Living in town and going out with friends, having others to us for dinners. Change of wardrobe and footwear. Settling in.

 In the publishing industry and in bookstores it may be a quieter time than summer in this tourist town, but it is still busy with new arrivals and the beginning of the fall literary festivals and award nominations. For so many years we hosted author events at this time of year, until interrupted by Covid. This fall we are presenting Waubgeshig Rice at the Charles W Stockey Centre in November and will be part of an earlier event that is being organizing at Wasauksing in October.

 The books we are reading changes in the fall as well. I spent the summer of 2023 with Detective Alan Banks, in Yorkshire, thanks to the, late, very talented Peter Robinson. I re-read about half of the series this summer – with occasional forays into literary novels – but always back to Alan Banks. Somehow reading mystery novels in the summer is such a part of cottage life.

 The time has come to put Alan Banks aside for now. I have a pile of books to read in Newfoundland. By writers from Newfoundland, Rage the Night by Donna Morrissey, and The Adversary by Michael Crummey. Along the way I will read Emma Donoghue’s Learned By Heart.

Packed in boxes are Sue Hubbard’s Girl in White, just re-issued, having loved her Flatlands and Rainsongs. Also, Zadie Smith’s new book, The Fraud. A copy of Jane Urquhart’s Away to re-read. I might just have to sneak in a Peter Robinson or two…..

 As the season transitions, Sara practices being the new owner of Parry Sound Books while I practice retirement – with most of my days spent berry picking and reading – while Sara does the work that keeps Parry Sound Books doing what we have always done - providing a great selection of books and great service. Perfect!

 Thanks to all - Enjoy this beautiful fall. Charlotte