Getting Lit with Linda - The Canadian Literature Podcast

Linda begins by taking up The Hockey Jersey (1.48; 3.15; 3.22) by Jael Richardson (1.58; 4.45; 26.17; 28.38), whom she interviews in this episode.The Hockey Jersey is a kind of response to The Hockey Sweater by Quebecois writer, Roch Carrier (4.18; 10.15; 14.55). Written in collaboration with the Toronto-based hockey player, Eva Perron (31.37), and with illustrations by Chelsea Charles (6.18), this book was the source of discussion between Linda and Richardson for this episode and how this children’s book, commissioned and supported by Scotiabank (3.20; 4.07, 5.42, 7.22), is directed toward changing the face of hockey.Linda includes two other voices -- those of settler scholars, Jamie Dopp (9.51) and Sam McKegney (14.55), who also contribute to the vibrant discussion about the history of hockey in literature, both in settler and Indigenous communities.Some other highlights?:Illustrations by Chelsea Charles (6.18)The politics of representation (7.35; 26.17; 28.38)The Indigenous Hockey Research Network (14.30; 24.19)Decolonizing Sport and Indigenous communities (22.28)the Habs hockey player, Maurice Richard (4.22; 14.53; 17.17)the origins and history of hockey in literature, including Ralph Connor's Glengarry School Days (19.50; 21.18) and Hugh McLennan's Two Solitudes (19.58; 21.23) The episode didn’t quite make it to include a very interesting discussion with Dr. McKegney about Beardy’s Blackhawks, so check out this page for more about that. She includes other remarks by McKegney (36.15) and Dopp (33.09) about other literary books that invoke the sport of hockey, including Indian Horse by Anishnaabe novelist, Richard Wagamese (36.15).Written & Hosted by Linda MorraCo-produced by Linda Morra & Marco TimpanoMusic by Raphael Krux Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Linda interviews Jason Camlot about his new collection of poetry, Vlarf - and it includes references to all manner of Victorian writing/writers, such as the following:Oscar WildeSamuel Taylor ColeridgeJohn RuskinWhile there is much play and whimsy in this episode, it takes a deep dive into what went into making this collection of Victorianist flarf (and what "flarf" actually is). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Linda doesn't care if she has to take less sunscreen when she goes on vacation - if it means she gets to pack an extra couple of books. What five books would she recommend?:Timothy Taylor's Stanley Park (Vintage/Random House, 2.00)Rawi Hage's Stray Dogs (Knopf, 4.11)Neil Smith's Bang Crunch (Vintage, 7.54)Marilyn Dumont's A Really Good Brown Girl (Metis; Brick Books, 10.18)Ann-Marie MacDonald's Goodnight Desdemona (Goodmorning Juliet )(Penguin, Random House, 13)Linda also references Mordecai Richler (at 3.43 and 13.20) and Alice Munro (4.36), the production of MacDonald's Fall on Your Knees at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, and MacDonald's term as the inaugural Mordecai Richler writer in residence at Concordia University. Check out MacDonald's "Dispatches" from the latter period, which are downright funny, offering welcome critique of Richler's masculinist tendencies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 4 opens with Linda's announcement of the podcast's new website and then shifts to a discussion about her literary journey - how she came to focus first on Canadian literature and then Indigenous literatures, which all started with a vital conversation. Her first book in the latter field was Eden Robinson's Monkey Beach - and it was a game-changer, sending her off to read and understand a field about which she knew very little when she started her post-graduate studies. With brief nods to Robinson's extraordinary trajectory of writing (including Son of a Trickster), Linda explains why this novel remains a personal favourite. In the Takeaway, she addresses the fact that there is a corresponding movie for Monkey Beach, which has an ending that is arguably different than that of the novel - or is it? You'll have to read the novel and watch the film to know why .... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Linda informs listeners of a slight change in this year's scheduling of podcast episodes - but otherwise, welcome listeners to Season 4 of Getting Lit With Linda!Written by Linda MorraCo-produced by Linda Morra & Marco TimpanoMusic by Raphael Krux. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this last episode of the season, Linda considers how empathy is often considered a function of literature and may be ideally represented -- as it is in Catherine Hernandez's Scarborough published by Arsenal Pulp Press. In order to explore how this should work, she considers the Classical orator, Cicero (and Aristotle's Poetics and Horace's Ars Poetica) to show how there is a long tradition of arguing that rhetoric and "good literature" should be able to teach, to delight, and to move us. Other highlights include:references to Brené Brown (2.30)the difference between empathy and sympathy (2.45)literature and empathy (3.00)references to Cicero, Aristotle, Horace (4.05)discussion of Hernandez's Scarborough (5.40)In the Takeaway, she considers the novel - a thriller - Truth is a Flightless Bird by Akbar Hussain and published by Iskanchi Press. And then she offers her best wishes for the new year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Getting Lit With Linda, the guests over the course of the 2022 year offer their reading recommendations and their wishes to you for the holidays--including Stephen Collis, Ali Hassan, Terri Favro, Gillian Sze, Marco Timpano, Amanda Barker, Isabella Wang, Amy Spurway, Chantel Lavoie, and Kate Ready. This is our second-last episode of the season (one more before December 31) before we sign off for a break--we will be back at the end of February 2023 for Season Four!Warmest holiday wishes to all! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Linda considers the moment she came across the handwritten memoir of Jane Rule at the University of British Columbia Archives and Rare books. She considers the idea of "discovering" or "divining" in the archive and how that relates to meeting poet and instructor, Sheryda Warrener, who invited her to look at the work of her students during one of Linda's visits to the archive. Two poets from that exhibit--Graeme Kennedy and MacKenzie Sewell--are highlighted in this episode, along with Warrener and her collection, Test Piece (Coach House Books, 2022). The other students who took that class are Bayleigh Marelj, Sinead Tebbutt, Stephanie Okoli, Faria Malik, Ava Kucharski, and Charis Young.Episode highlights:the nature of "discovery" and "divining"the importance of process (over "creative product")a consideration of ekphrasis In the Takeaway, she recommends Montreal's Salon du Livre, taking place in Montreal at the moment of this episode's release - and tonight's event (as part of "Salon Dans La Ville"), Sean Michaels and David Mitchell (hosted by the Quebec Writers' Federation) at the Atwater Library. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

** Explicit language in this episodeLinda opens this episode on a celebratory note – the fact that Getting Lit with Linda won in the category of Outstanding Education Series in the Canadian Podcast Awards. We are grateful to our listeners, voters, and guests on the show! (And Linda recommends reaching out to her producer, Marco Timpano, if you want more information about podcasting in general!)In this episode, Linda begins with a reflection on the “weight of Atlas” in relation to Greek mythology (no, not the band “The Weight of Atlas” that did a cover of one of Taylor Swift’s songs) and how we use it in the present. She ties that reflection to the themes of Amy Spurway’s Crow (Goose Lane Books), winner of the "IPPY Award for Best First Book - Fiction and Margaret and John Savage First Book Award for Fiction" and  the subject of this episode. The narrator, also named Crow, has returned back to her home on the East Coast of Canada, where she must learn that adapting to her environment is no longer enough—real transformation is required, which happens when one puts down the weight--our past baggage--that one has been unnecessarily carrying. The episode also involves:Linda's promise to examine other East Coast writers, like Michael Crummey, Lisa Moore, Joel Thomas Hynes, Donna Morrissey, and Alistair MacLeod (5.35); Discussions about Spurway’s Crow (GooseLane Books), with selections from the audiobook, available on Kobo (6.07);references to authors Heather O'Neill and Kevin Lambert and their rendering of class (12.43).In the Takeaway (15.10), Linda discusses with actor and audiobook narrator, Amanda Barker, about what is involved in this kind of work—and especially in relation to Crow, for which she was the reader. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really mean to be haunted? Is being haunted always a sinister experience? For this Hallowe'en episode, Linda considersmemory and losstraumaand the nature of haunting and feeling hauntedShe considers, for example, Emily Bronte's nineteenth-century British novel Wuthering Heights (and Kate Bush's song, "Wuthering Heights" based on the novel) or Mary Shelley's Frankenstein as examples outside of literature in Canada. But then she counts down to her top five books that either haunt her or delineate haunting experiences.Which five works of literature in Canada make the cut? You'll have to listen to find out ...In the "Takeaway" section, she recommends Miram Toews' All My Puny Sorrows - an extraordinary novel that challenges us about what our responsibility to others is and means. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Linda reflects on a strike in which she was a participant and the real complexities of its participants and affiliated institutions as a way into Kevin Lambert's marvellous new book, Querelle of Roberval (Biblioasis). Invoking the proportions and form of Greek tragedy, Lambert locates the conflict of this book in a small town in Quebec and shows how its participants all have complex motivations for their actions--including hatred, lust, and revenge. In the Takeaway, Linda highly recommends a column by Casey Plett called "Balls Out: A Column on Being Transgendered" (which appeared in McSweeney's Internet Tendency.), a poignant and engaging series about the process of transitioning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is there Bacon in Heaven? Maybe – but there’s certainly bacon on earth, Ali Hassan reminds us, and he enjoys it—and he doesn’t mean it simply literally either. In his new book--a memoir titled Is There Bacon in Heaven? (Simon & Schuster) -- he looks at what is good here on earth and how to locate those moments of goodness—in addition to those of humour and comedy and joy. In this interview, Linda and he talk about the fundamentals of his memoir, the boundaries of comedy, and the power of humour—to restore relationships and connect us meaningfully to others.Some of the topics we broach?:9/11 and crossing the border;the purposes of comedy;the difference between writing for the page and for the stage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wonder what was the "first" book of Canadian literature? How do we even know how to define what that would be? In this episode, Linda chats with eighteenth-century British literature scholar, Dr. Kathryn Ready, about what is sometimes claimed as the first book of Canadian literature--Frances Brooke's The History of Emily Montague. Linda and Dr. Ready may -- or may not -- have tussled over whether this book is British or Canadian, but what they absolutely do is consider the finer aspects of the novel and its global investments.Linda opens with a consideration of "firsts" (referencing Abbott and Costello's comedy routine, "Who's on First?," 1.05) and then turns to Dr. Ready who speaks about the following:epistolary narratives, tradition of letter-writing (4.25; 5.15)Samuel Richardson's Pamela (4.35, 6.30)Frances Brooke (8.25)travel writing (11.25)aesthetic of the sublime and beautiful (11.40)the Seven Years War (12.05)And so much more .... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Linda reflects on why we say boundaries are "bad" and how "good relationships" stand in contrast. Using Thomas King (author of The Inconvenient Indian, Medicine River, Green Grass, Running Water) and Natasha Donovan's graphic novel, Borders (published by Little Brown, 6.55), Linda explores "bad boundaries" -- and bad borders -- in relation to the Blackfoot nation. She also refers to Daniel Rück’s The Laws and the Land (4.00) and Benjamin Hoy’s A Line of Blood and Dirt (5.55) to explain her thinking around boundaries and borders. Some of her musings encompass the following:What are bad boundaries? (2.43; 5.05; 10.40)The Canadian-American Border; Blackfoot territory (8.30; 9.00; 12.19; 14.18; 15.00)Mapping and cartography as expressions of power (8.40)National imagined identities (9.00)Blackfoot culture (9.58)Relationships (between the mother-daughter, mother-narrator in the story, 11.00; 15.25; 16.35)Stories and their importance (15.40)The Takeaway is about Joshua Whitehead's Full Metal Indigiqueer published by Talon Press (17.00), with reference to Making Love to the Land by Penguin Random House. She makes reference to the difference between Transgender and Two Spirit, the former referreing to someone whose gender identity differs from the sex assigned at birth, the latter to an Indigenous person who identifies as possessing both a masculine and a feminine spirit.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Linda opens on a celebratory note: Getting Lit With Linda has received two separate nominations for the Canadian Podcasting Awards, one in the category of Outstanding Educational Series and another in the category of Outstanding Arts Podcast. She also includes a tribute to the late Steven Heighton (2.39), whom she remembers fondly.Linda and Gillian Sze -- the guest for this episode -- chat about her new book, Quiet Night Think (ECW Press) and participate in “quiet thinking” and "looking," especially when there are competing demands on one's time and competing expectations. They discuss other writers, with an emphasis on Li Bai (701-7662 AD; 5.11, 16.27, 24.09) and Emily Dickinson or “Em” (12.28, 16.27, 24.11, 25.11). They also chat about the following:Caregiving, night vigils (19.32; 23.00)Origins, parenting, immigrant parents (25.35, 26.28)Structure and genre of the collection (20.27, 21.39)Learning Mandarin (7.22)Poetry and relationships (8.28 ; her father, 9.45, 27.03)the Chinese generation poem (8.39)Ekphrastic poetry (14.12)looking, and the nature of looking (cosmic, artistic; the flaneur;13.20, 17.30, 18.12)Cezanne (17.50)Fountain pens (18.38)Canlit and questions of gender (25.50)Sitting in the Moon, postpartum care (4.57, 16.45, 33.18)Insomnia (17.00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this loving and lovely interview that took place in Montreal during the lunar eclipse of May 15-16, 2022, Linda interviews Shannon Webb-Campbell (a member of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation) about her new book of poetry, Lunar Tides (Book*hug). The conversation ranges from Montreal as a city for "Leos & lovers" (3.30), to themes of maternal loss and longing (4.45 and 6.15), to the following:1.0 Book*hug, and its other authors, including Shani Mootoo (author of Cane Fire) (1.0)Following Webb Campbell on Instagram (1.50)Lunar Tides (4.30)Her poem, “You were never a visitor to this world" (9.00)Her poem, "Time: A Biography" (5.25, 8.50, 14.35)Birthing poetry (9.50)Webb-Campbell's new novel (12.04)the ACCUTE conference (13.21)Lee Maracle (13.30)Duo Concertante (19.30) and "Ecology of Being"the film based on "Ecology of Being) (21.00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, while I am away in Germany, I reflect upon the upcoming Indigenous Voices Awards, which is set to take place on June 21st (and this occasions an early release of the episode!).After a quick opening teaser with the most extraordinary Dene storyteller and writer -- and the MC of this year's IVAs -- Richard van Camp, I then hold a brief interview with Cree-Metis scholar/professor and co-organizer of the IVAS, Deanna Reder (2.50) who explains the history of the awards and talks about this year's event.I also had the opportunity to speak to two dynamite short-listed writers:Tenille Campbell (13.15), the Dene-Metis author of Nedi Nazu who elegantly discusses how women need to give themselves permission to love themselves.Lisa Boivin (18.14), a member of the Deninu Kue, who speaks about her children's book, We Dream Medicine Dreams, and her departure from scholarly work to write children’s literature. And last (and certainly not least!), I speak with the magnificent Haisla/Heltsuk writer, Eden Robinson (22.13), one of this year's jurors for the IVAs, about the responsibilities of being a juror (and yes, you will hear her contagious laugh!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the second part of Linda's interview with Terri Favro, who opens this part with her thoughts about gender and the genre of science fiction, making reference to Ursula LeGuin (1.05) Doris Lessing (2.45)Margaret Atwood (2.45)Linda and she then turn their attention to the challenges of writing a trilogy (3.45) and the effects of the pandemic on writing her last instalment, The Sisters Sputnik (ECW). The two consider the Spanish Flu (9.35, 10.45, 12.23) and Sacco and Vanzetti (12.07), early Italian immigrants who were accused of theft and murder -- and explain the kind of anti-Italian sentiment that had a bearing on Favro's family (and many Italian immigrants). She speaks about how, first, she learned how stories were important to la bella figura (16.34) -- an Italian expression that captures the idea of holding a respectable outward form to the world (even if one's private life was a mess!), and, second, how her father was a source of inspiration as a "robot keeper" (19.37). That robot, incidentally, she adds, made an appearance on Johnny Carson (the "unimate," 25 and 29.12). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this second part of this episode, Linda chats with Marissa Stapley, whose book Lucky (published by Simon & Schuster and available on Audible) was just picked up as the first Canadian book on Reese's Book Club picks. Linda has a personal response to this book, which she references as she speaks about Stapley's interview with Shelagh Rogers on The Next Chapter. She also asks Stapley about the kind of research she undertakes to write this kind of book, and the characters about whom she writes. If you'd like to hear Stapley live -- or learn from her -- she is speaking and giving a master class (insert: Linda wishes she could be in Toronto for this!) at MOTIVE, on June 3 to June 5, at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you love crime and mystery writing, you will love MOTIVE - the Crime & Mystery Festival slated to take place between June 3 and June 5, 2022 at the Harborfront Centre in Toronto. The line-up of authors either speaking or giving workshops is nothing short of impressive: it features writers from Canada, of the ilk of Thomas King (who will be interviewed by CBC's Shelagh Rogers), but also international writers like Gunnar Staalesen, Thomas Enger,and Ilaria Tuti. I had the opportunity to chat with Roland Gulliver, the Director of The International Festival of Authors, of which Motive is an offshoot. We spoke about the fact that this is the first time since 2020 (any clues why?) that the event will be held onsite -- although there will be some hybrid events as well. I asked him about some of the writers being featured -- and he had a hard time whittling the list down, but he did happen to mention the following writers:Kathy ReichsShari LapenaMark BillinghamFuminori NakamuraAnd many more.I've bought my tickets already (for online, hybrid events)! Don't miss out on MOTIVE! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Linda chats with Terri Favro, an Toronto-based, Italian-Canadian author who is poised to release her next novel, The Sisters Sputnik, a sequel to her acclaimed speculative fiction novel, Sputnik's Children. They have a leisurely conversation -- in this, the first part of their two-part interview -- discussing all manner of subjects, fromthe importance of storytellingto the appropriate terminology for robotsto growing up in an era of nuclear uncertainty (and not so unlike now either).There is also a lengthier discussion about Eli Mandel's Station Eleven (published by HarperCollins) and the wonderful audiobook version read by Kirsten Potter (around the 30-minute mark). Stay tuned for part 2 of this episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you want to know for? This is the question Linda considers as she writes her biography about Jane Rule - one that Nobel-Prize winning writer, Alice Munro, has considered many times as she weaves autobiography and fiction in her work, specifically in the book under discussion in this episode, The View from Castlerock. Linda discuses:Questions of biography (2.32, 19.00)Jane Rule (3.00)Alice Munro's autobiographical impulses (3.10, 6.33)Munro's Dear Life (4.30)Munro's The View from Castle Rock (5.08, 8.00, 9.32)Her story, "What Do You Want to Know For" (19.32)In the Takeaway, Linda looks at Zoe Whittall's book, The Spectacular (published by HarperCollins) -- which it really is. She does consider the polarized reviews, and then suggests why it may be that some were positive and others not as much. Ultimately, she sees Whitall's book as falling within the tradition of the short story cycle, the very genre in which Munro specializes.For more scholarship about celebrity autobiography and memoirs in Canada, check out Katja Lee's Limelight: Canadian Women and the Rise of Celebrity Autobiography (WLUP, shortlisted for the Gabrielle Roy Prize in 2020), or Lorraine York and Katia Lee's Celebrity Cultures in Canada (UTP 2016). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, the second part of her interview with Stephen Collis, Linda goes in greater depth about Collis's poetry, speaking to him about his most recent collection of poetry, A History of the Theories of Rain (Talon Books). In the Takeaway section, Linda refers to Canada Reads and considers the results of this year's competition, with reference to:Michelle Good's Five Little IndiansCatherine Hernandez's Scarborough Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Linda interviews Stephen Collis about his most recent collection of poetry, A History of the Theories of Rain (Talon Books). The next episode is the second part of that interview. For now, just a couple of points of clarification: SFU, the acronym that Collis and Linda use in this interview, stands for Simon Fraser University. Also, they refer to the SLAPP suit by which Collis was confronted. For those of you who may have never heard of this before, a SLAPP suit is a civil lawsuit or counterclaim that alleges defamation but is really initiated for the purposes of intimidating, burdening, punishing, or harassing – and usually it is filed against people or organizations who speak out about issues of public interest. Linda and Stephen cover several topics, including10.40 his activism13.13 Kinder Morgan14.00 Collis’s poetry as used in a legal setting16.12 A History of the Theories of Rain16.23 grief19. Greta Thunberg and recent political shortcomingsIn the Takeaway portion of the podcast, Linda introduces her listeners to the young poet, Isabella Wang, whose collection, Pebble Swing (Nightwood Editions), and the poetry that appeared in The Capilano Review, showcase a burgeoning talent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode - for International Women's Day - Linda chats with Shani Mootoo about her forthcoming book of poetry, Cane Fire (Book *Hug) and the collaborative nature of its production. We also discuss the following:her archival materials at Simon Fraser University (20.58)erotic poetry (22.45)working in different genres (26.26)her forthcoming memoir (34.27)Oeno Gallery (34.27)the Ukrainian invasion and poetry (47.53)And so much more! Please stay tuned for the forthcoming onsite exhibit at Simon Fraser University in which one of the archival materials from Shani Mootoo's archive will be featured. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Linda has the great pleasure of chatting with Wayde Compton, the writer, scholar, publisher, and current Chair of Creative Writing at Douglas College (in New Westminster, BC). He is the author of several books, including 49th Parallel Psalm (finalist for the Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize); Performance Bond; After Canaan: Essays on Race, Writing, and Region (finalist for the City of Vancouver Book Award); the graphic novel, The Blue Road; and The Outer Harbour (winner of the City of Vancouver Book Award). He has also edited two anthologies: Bluesprint: Black British Columbian Literature and Orature and The Revolving City: 51 Poems and the Stories Behind Them (finalist for the City of Vancouver Book Award).During this interview, we also speak aboutthe Black population in Vancouver compared to that of Nova Scotia (17.15)May Ayin (22)the Black Cultural Archive (4.30 and 8)What to read (and his own reading patterns, 30)Compton is a co-founder of the Hogan’s Alley Memorial Project (8), an organization formed to raise awareness about the history of Vancouver’s black community, and was one of the co-founders of Commodore Books (11.40), with Karina Vernon and David Chariandy. For February, he has been an active social media presence, for Black History Month. If you follow him on Twitter—and if you don’t, we highly recommend that you do at @WaydeCompton – you’ll know that he’s been tweeting stories about people of African descent in Vancouver.So, just in time for Black History Month, we hope you enjoy this interview with Wayde Compton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Linda is delighted to be back for her third season of Getting Lit With Linda!In this first episode of the season, she considers the movie, Don't Look Up (dir. by Adam McKay, 1.13, 2.49), the nature of satire (with reference to Mordecai Richler, 2.00, and Jonathan Swift, 2.11), and the looming environmental crisis. It's a topic that poet, Rita Wong (4.32) has addressed unflinchingly in her work, especially forage (published by Nightwood Editions, winner of the Dorothy Livesay Prize, 6.09). Linda recalls getting in touch with Wong when her former student, Morgan Cohen (5.25), used her work in an independent study (which has since gone on to be published). In so doing, Linda is shocked to discover Wong's legal entanglement (7.44), but, in the process, she realizes and is inspired by Wong, who has made a clear decision to be a land protector.Appropriately, Clayton Thomas-Muller's book, Life in the City of Dirty Water (16.30) came to her attention while working on this episode--his work as an activist emerges from the realization that self-healing is essential to the process. This fascinating book has since been shortlisted for the Canada Reads competition, which includes the following writers this year:Michelle Good's Five Little IndiansCatherine Hernandez's ScarboroughEsi Edugyan's Washington Black andOmar El Akkad's What Strange Paradise Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Linda and several of this season's contributors--Chantel Lavoie, Marco Timpano, Amanda Barker, and Michael Nest--render their book recommendations for the holidays:Ivan Coyote's Care OfMargaret Atwood's The Door,David Chariandy's I've Been Meaning to Tell YouZoe Whittall's The Best Kind of PeopleAnne-Marie MacDonald's Fall on your Knees),Linda offers her listeners a gift for the holidays - from the archives, her previously-unpublished interview with Ali Hassan, the host of Canada Reads. The interview, from 2020 (and Canada Reads 2020-2021), alludes to the background of the pandemic, which (alas!) remains relevant. Drawing back the curtain to allow us see the inner workings of Canada Reads, Ali Hassan offers interesting insights about this national literary competition and about his role in it.Happy holidays everyone - The third season of Getting Lit with Linda will return in early February 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Linda considers Richard Van Camp, a Dene author who wrangles with what masculinity is, what it looks for those who identify as men, and how and why that may (or should) change. Published by Great Plains Publications, The Moon of Letting Go is the book of focus in this episode, particularly the story, "Show me Yours" (7.27) - and yes, it means exactly what you think it does, but maybe not showing exactly what you think it might. Linda refers to one of the preeminent scholars of Van Camp's work, Dr. Sam McKegney (6.01), and cites from his work, The Burden of Peace (University of Regina Press, 2021), to explore what Van Camp is trying to accomplish in this work.In the Takeaway portion, she links the concept of masculinity that in part informs her understanding of Brian Fawcett's Cambodia: A Book for People Who Find Television to Slow (Talon Books) (13.10), published in 1986. Clearly, it's not a recent book - but it was so prescient in terms of what it anticipated about the effects of corporatization and the media, and it does so in a voice that is savvy, smart, and satirical. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As #winterstormwarnings arrive, perhaps you may want to curl up with some of the writers' books that were shortlisted for the Quebec Writers' Federation awards - Linda speaks to some of the writers shortlisted for the Janet Savage Blachford Prize for Children's and Young Adult Literature, in addition to one of the poets shortlisted for the A.M. Klein Prize for Poetry. She also spoke about the QWF Gala and the times she slipped on floor-length ballgowns over her jeans for the Governor General's Awards before entering Rideau Hall in Ottawa. So she asked the writers interviewed for this episode how they felt about being shortlisted. Here are the writers who are featured in this episode:Monique Polak (Room for One More, Kar-Ben Books)Su J Sukol (Zee by Nimbus Publishing)Nadine Neema (Journal of a Traveling Girl by Wandering Fox, Heritage House Press)Sarah Venart (I am the Big Heart by Brick Books) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Linda opens this episode with a dedication to her nephew -- and then "shares the light" of Diwali with children's literature author, Mitali Ruths, with whom she chats about her book Archie Celebrates Diwali. Published this year by Charlesbridge Archie Celebrates Diwali is based on an epic, Ramayana, and focuses on the South-Asian festival of lights (3.45, 8.45, and 10.30). Mitali addresses Diwali's origins (3.45 and 4.37), how it is celebrated (15.11), and the reasons for writing this story (7.30, 8.45, 10.30 and 18.30). She makes reference to Sanjay Patel's Ramayana: Divine Loophole (8.27); the significance of Archie's name (a reference to archana and to the Emmy-winning British actress, Archie Panjabi, 20); her fabulous illustrator, Parwinder Singh (4 and 4.15); and, more generally, the plot and meaning of the book (20.30). Mitali also locates this book as one among several in a renaissance of South-Asian stories (9.35). Special shout-outs (among others) to:HG Literary Group (11.28)Victoria Wells (11.28)her publisher, Charlesbridge (12.28 and 16.09)the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (10.33)At 26.10, Mitali makes a special offer to listeners of the podcast -- and I want "in" on that too! Join me on the next episode when I chat with some of the finalists for the Quebec Literary prizes (hosted by the Quebec Writers' Federation). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Hallowe-en! This episode tackles a book that deals with ghosts, gruesome accidents, and murder -- Kevin Lambert's You Will Love What You Have Killed, translated by Donald Winkler (published by Biblioasis 2020) from the French (Tu Aimeras Ce Que Tu As Tué, 5.40). Linda begins this episode with a personal anecdote about a dead body that was found in a dog house (on the property of her parents' neighbours): she uses this narrative to explore the idea of the "repressed," that is, those emotions or moments or stories we would prefer to forget. Lambert, she argues, not only does not allow us to forget the repressed, he insists we grapple with its elements--it makes for a disorienting and yet bewitching read, as even Le Devoir in its review of the book noted (11.43)! Like reigning horror writer from Quebec, Patrick Senecal (5.16), Lambert is skilfully eliciting a sense of our horror, highlighting its effects by locating the events of the book in Chicoutimi, Quebec (6.26) and toppling stereotypical notions of romance, or picturesque rural areas as featured in books like Maria Chapdelaine (7.00).If you want to read other reviews about Lambert's book, you can visit CBC book reviews here or Xtra here).In the Takeaway section, Linda praises other translations from the French, those of Virginia Pesamapeo Bordeleau 's Blue Bear Woman (published by Inanna) and The Lover, The Lake (Freehand Books) (13.30). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, multiple award-winning Nisga'a author Jordan Abel and host Linda Morra discuss his most recent book, Nishga (published by McClelland & Stewart in 2020), the intergenerational legacies of trauma for residential school survivors, and the importance of not only listening to, but also "witnessing" their stories. He speaks about his relationship with his father's art and the kinds of "activism" that writing might perform. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Linda focuses on Indigenous writers in this podcast in view of Orange Shirt Day (every child matters!) and the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. She recommends several writers (some of them featured on 49th shelf), including Cherie Dimaline and Joshua Whitehead.Postcards may offer glossy images of success or experiences that aren't real - instead, sometimes those images may obscure the turbulent underside of our lives. Beginning with her experience with depression (trigger warning), Linda addresses how misunderstandings arise from expectations about what one should feel and what one actually feels; she thus considers the Apple TV character, Ted Lasso, and his sage advice, "Be curious, not judgemental." She then looks at Eden Robinson's magnificent (and painful) story, "Traplines" (from the book of the same name, Traplines, published by Penguin/Random House) in which the narrator, Will, must navigate an abusive context (more trigger warnings) and try to discern how to act and what is options really are. All of this is rendered more complex by his deep sense of hunger (real and otherwise).Then, in the Takeaway, Linda recommends Naomi Fontaine's Manikanetish (translated by Luise von Flotow, published by House of Anansi), which was shortlisted for the Governor General's Award. You can find a longer review of this book in the Montreal Review of Books.She also thanks some of her listeners, including Arpita Ghosal at SesayArts Magazine.If you are suffering from depression, please reach out and get support. You are not alone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Remember Shirley Temple, that Hollywood cinema's icon of idealized (white) girlhood? Linda looks up a short clip, "On the Good Ship Lollipop," and feels uncomfortable (trigger warning here) and explains why she and some of her students shared that experience. She considers the importance of contextualizing or historicizing our responses to cultural artefacts -- but, even so, there is good reason to feel uncomfortable about Temple's childhood performances. That's not necessarily the case for our interpretation of the heroine of the first part of Wayson Choy's The Jade Peony.Topics include:Shirley Temple's "On the Good Ship Lollipop"Wayson Choy's The Jade Peony Chinatown, VancouverPatriarchy and the male gazeRepatriation of Chinese bonesIn the Takeaway section, she looks at Madelaine Caritas Longman's marvellous debut collection, The Danger Model (McGill Queen's Press), which unsurprisingly won the Concordia First Book Prize by the Quebec Writers' Federation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, addressing Jane Rule's Taking My Life (Talon Books), Linda discusses why bodies "complain" and what it means when they do. In the Takeaway section, she reviews Sara Ahmed's new book, Complaint (Duke University Press). In Complaint!, Ahmed examines institutional harassment and bullying, and how to read complaints that are lodged against such institutions. In the entirety of the episode, Linda is discussing how we respond to different forms of "grooming" (Ahmed) or bodily coercion - and why indeed the body complains.If you want to know more generally about Jane Rule, please visit the Queer Legends podcast, in which Shawn Dearn interviews Linda Morra about her life and work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, and as part of the Sealey challenge, Linda interviews poet and scholar, Chantel Lavoie, about her love for the poetry of Margaret Atwood - in particular, the collections Morning in the Burned House (Penguin Random House), The Door (Penguin Random House), and Dearly (HarperCollins).Lavoie is herself a poet, as Linda notes at the outset of the episode: she published Where The Terror Lies with Quattro Books in 2012 and This is About Angels, Women, and Men with Manfield Press in 2019. Linda reflects on her first meeting with Lavoie, several years ago, when she had won the Books in Canada Prize, and cites from Lavoie's poems that won that year.Lavoie and Linda also invent a new cocktail - called the "Atwood martini." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We develop relationships with people and communities as we share stories with them--in fact, that is a sign of our role or place within the community--but we don't get to demand to hear them, especially when we are not a part of that community. In this episode, Linda examines Thomas King's collection, One Good Story, That One (published by HarperCollins), and particularly the story of the same title, with this idea in mind. She considers his literary technique in relation to Van Gogh's Starry Night (you can check out the painting in this Van Gogh immersive exhibition) and then his other story and graphic novel, Borders. The latter is relevant in relation to the Takeway portion of the podcast, in which she interviews her former student Darrin Prine about the genre. Darrin introduced her to Spice & Wolf (by Isuna Hasekura, with illustrations by Jū Ayakura), and in this section, he also makes reference to Goblin Slayer (by Kumo Kagyu), Watchmen (by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon), Middlewest (by Skottie Young and Jorge Corona), and Full Metal Alchemist (by Hiromu Arakawa). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In reflecting about her father and her visit with him to his small Italian village some years ago, Linda draws comparisons with Nino Ricci's Lives of the Saints (Penguin/Random House), in which the young male protagonist, Vittorio, must work out how he feels about his mother who flies in the face of the strict moral codes of the Italian town. With reference to other Italian-Canadian writers -- Terri Favro, Connie Guzzo-McParland, Pier Giorgio Di Cicco -- and also the audio book read by Marco Timpano (with great thanks to Penguin/Random House for permissions), the television version of Ricci's novel and Frances Mayes, Under the Tuscan Sun, and Madelena, the episode addresses the patriarchal conditions for women in Italy, but also what it means to see our parents as more than just parents, but as people with their own lives, dreams, and regrets. In the Takeaway section -- and perhaps a counterpoint to the episode's discussion -- Linda looks at and recommends Dior's Petit Dictionnaire de La Mode, which she picked up at the recent Dior Exhibit at the McCord Museum in Montreal, Quebec. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Heather O'Neill's short story, "Messages in Bottles" (from Daydreams of Angels, published by HarperCollins in 2014) becomes the focal point of a discussion about why distance does not necessarily impede intimacy--sometimes, in fact, it helps us to be or feel more closely connected--and in that process, literature may play an important part. In her takeaway, Linda chats about her newest "discovery," Souvankham Thammavongsa's Found (Pedlar Press 2007). Check out this video with Thammavongsa speaking about and reading from Found. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Linda sits in the backyard of Lori Schubert, the Executive Director of the Quebec Writers' Federation, to chat with her about the organization's history, her role in it, and the programs it offers to its members across the province of Quebec, including its database of Quebec writers and its awards. And the two just enjoy a beautiful day outside, at the end of a long period of pandemic restrictions.... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Linda remembers how she met actor and writer Lorena Gale in Vancouver, British Columbia - and how acts of remembering define who you are, as Gale's play, Je Me Souviens (Talon Press), renders clear; she connects the history and significance of license plates in Quebec to Gale's journey of self-discovery to show how Gale navigates carefully the challenges of identity in the province -- both when Gale lived there and then in retrospect. In the take-away section, Linda considers the collection, Chronicling the Days: Dispatches from a Pandemic, a project conceived by the Quebec Writers' Federation and produced in conjunction with Guernica Press, as an early provincial-based response to the pandemic. (With apologies for the recording's lack of clarity this episode!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Linda chats with her co-producer (yes, that's right - her co-producer) and long-standing friend, Marco Timpano, about his career as a podcaster, and his recent publication, 25 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started My Podcast. He reads from the book and, drawing upon his own experiences as a podcaster, explains some of the things he really wished he did know. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Linda begins with the sound of her father's old espresso machine, to explain how she sees -- or hears -- sound working in Magnetic Equator (published by McClelland & Stewart) by international poet, novelist, and sound performer Kaie Kellough. You can hear a sample of his sound poetry here. This episode includes a small excerpt read by Kellough himself (with permission by Kellough).In the "take-away" section, Linda talks about a biography she recently read by Sherrill Grace, about Canadian author Timothy Findley (published by Wilfrid Laurier University Press).If you'd like to know more about sound poetry, and about Kaie Kellough as a sound poet, check out Adam Sol's blog post about Kellough on "How a Poem Moves." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Linda chats with author, Michael Nest, about Cold Case North, a finalist for the Crime Writers of Canada for its 2021 Best True Crime Award. We chat about the challenges involved in researching the disappearance of Jim Brady (Metis) and Absolom Halkett (Cree), the fundamental nature of collaboration in this kind of endeavour, and what it might look like this in this kind of moment and context. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus Episode: Linda chats with Dr. Deanna Reder about the history related to James Brady (Métis) and Abby Halkett, the community that experienced this traumatic loss, and the making of this book. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Linda discusses the narrative of Cold Case North (published by the University of Regina Press) -- an investigation that was poorly conducted and re-opened by ... a Cree-Métis scholar, Dr. Deanna Reder, Eric Bell, and Michael Nest. Shortlisted by the Crime Writers of Canada for the 2021 Best True Crime Award, Cold Case North is a powerful, moving account of how and why the Métis leader James Brady and Cree Band Councillor Absolom Halkett disappeared and their case remains unresolved. Dr. Deanna Reder reads from sections of the book as part of the episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Linda considers the two central meanings of apocalypse in view of recent global events, environmental crises, and political upheavals. She uses these two meanings to approach Saleema Nawaz's Songs for the End of the World (published by McClelland & Stewart). In the "Takeaway" section of the podcast, she continues to pursue the idea of revelation in relation to Klara DuPlessis's Hell Light Flesh (published by Palimpsest Press). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are so grateful for the really enthusiastic response we have had to the podcast! We're coming right back - but, in response to some of our listeners's requests, we have provided you with a list of some of the writers (and a little time to read their books!) that Linda will be discussing in future episodes. Have some other suggestions for us? Drop us a line at [email protected] or follow us on Twitter (@LLitWith) and Instagram! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our bodies hold memory: they contain narratives that exceed the present moment and extend back generations. This episode calls upon writer and host Linda's personal experience to understand and explore Madeleine Thien's remarkable novel, Do Not Say We Have Nothing, published by Knopf (a division of Penguin Random House). The Take-Away for this episode involves two collections by the Italian-Canadian poet, Gianna Patriarca -- Italian Women and Other Tragedies and Daughters for Sale, both published by Guernica Press.Episode Credits:Writer and host: Linda MorraAssociate Producers: Linda Morra and Marco TimpanoMusic: Rafael Krux Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.