My sister and brother-in-law gave me this book for Christmas 2013. It won the 2013 Leacock Medal for Humour. Should be entertaining.

Even though this book won the 2013 Leacock Medal for Humour there is a lot of serious issues in it. But there are also some very funny moments so I can see why it won.

Frieda Zweig is 27 years old and has just left a relationship with sex shop owner Norman to return to Winnipeg where she had attended art school. She has decided she is not an artist and she just wants an ordinary life. Her friend Ginny, a successful designer at a media company, thrusts the classified ads at her and suggests she look for a job. Instead of looking at the positions available Frieda finds the following ad:
Beautiful old phonograph for sale, 78 record player. Excellent condition. Gladys doesn't dance anymore. She needs the room to bake. Bring offer.
Who could resist checking out an ad like that? Not Frieda. She calls and goes to take a look. Mr. Hausselman, a widower who teaches photography classes at the Art Centre, shows her a room in his house which contains a phonograph. But the phonograph isn't for sale; he wants to rent out a room so the house won't be so quiet and he wants someone to help him with laughed-overs (leftovers). He doesn't know anything about Gladys but he offers the room to Frieda and she decides to move in. Then Gladys, who is a ghost, appears to Frieda and says she has to help her. This leads to Frieda meeting a host of interesting characters and confronting her own demons.

It is hard for me to pick a favourite character from this novel but the next-door neighbour, Miss Kesstle, would certainly be near the top. She spends her days crocheting and caring for her deaf cat Beethoven and making Sunday suppers for Mr. Hausselman. She was sceptical about Frieda's motives at first but they warm up to each other.

Very enjoyable and I can think of a few people I might lend this book to.

I've passed this on to my librarian friend.

This book has made it through my work book club and is now back in my hands. Seems like a perfect candidate for the 2016 Canada Days release challenge.

This book has been left in the LFL at 72 Cunnington Avenue. This release is for the 2016 Canada Days release challenge which seeks to distribute great Canadian literature into the world.

When you find a BookCrossing book it is yours to do with what you like. You can read it and keep it or pass it on or if you don't think it is your kind of book pass it on to someone who might like it or release it in a spot for someone else to find like you just did. Whatever you choose it would be great if you could write a short note letting us know what new adventures the book is on.

I read this book in Trenton , Ontario , Canada. What a great book !!!