The library book sale was extended into August! I couldn't help but take a look to see if any gems were still to be had.

I found this one. It contains three novellas including "The Lady Who Sold Furniture", which was also a available as a separate book. I was going to buy that one simply because the title intrigued me, then I found this one. Bonus!

A future Canada Day release.

This book contains three novellas: The Lady Who Sold Furniture, Girl In Gingham, and Private Parts: A Memoir. As I said, I was attracted to the title of the first novella. But, I did recognize the author's name - not for his own work but as an editor to some of the many anthologies of Canadian short stories I've read. He and Douglas Glover are the names I can usually recall, if asked, as editing all of those wonderful anthologies.

I read a book by Douglas Glover last year for John Mutford's 2nd Canadian Book Challenge, so I find it amusing that I've somehow come up with one by Metcalf for the 3rd Canadian Book Challenge. There certainly was no plan to do so.

Now having read the both of them, I think that if I were to submit a story to either of them, I'd choose Glover because I suspect that Metcalf would be so critical of anything I'd written that I'd be totally crushed. Of course, I don't know either of them personally - maybe Metcalf is a very nice man and wouldn't be as harsh as I imagine. Nevertheless, his own writing came across as being utter perfection - so precise and disciplined. It was if I was back in school studying the art of writing, paying attention to how the author was manipulating my mind - and I was enjoying every minute of it.

Now I should say that I was tipped off that this would happen by Michael Darling's foreword. I almost never read forewords. I'm always afraid they'll contain too many "spoilers". But, for some reason I read this one. I am glad I did. I realize I've become a lazy reader. I seldom pay attention to how the author has managed to keep me engaged. I only notice when she or he hasn't.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the craft of writing. And, if you've become lazy like me, don't skip the foreword.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

If no takers at tonight's meeting, I'll release this book to the BC shelf in the loft.

I caught this book @ the monthly meeting @ the Park Theatre ,Mar.9/10. It was a more literary choice for me ,but the 'price' was right. Free! I usually read mysteries ,some sci-fi, pop fiction stuff. the book was ok , just not a familiar style, content,or structure.
I left it in the auto service lounge @ Canadian Tire McGillvary& Kenaston, on Mar.18/10.

Each story was fun to read and different from the one before it,