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  • A Time for Evaluation, Reflection, and Celebration!

    By Beth | December 12, 2016

    Today, December 12th, is my birthday. As it happens, it is one of those special birthdays that only comes around once every ten years. Today I am sixty. (That boggles my mind somewhat. Where did those years go?) I’m writing this on the eve of my birthday. A friend emailed me this evening, asking if…

  • Dwayne Brenna’s New Novel, NEW ALBION — Book Recommendation

    By Beth | December 5, 2016

    Usually when I feature a novel by someone named Brenna, it is by one of my favorite writers (and my cousin), Beverley Brenna. Today, I’m delighted to introduce you to Bev’s husband, Dwayne, whose first novel is hot off the press. This isn’t Dwayne’s first foray into authorship, however. He has written nonfiction, delving into…

  • ‘Tis the Season for Sharing Books!

    By Beth | November 28, 2016

    Have you ever used a bookmobile? Hey, wait a second, Beth – bookmobile begins with B. You’ve already done B. Bear with me a moment, and you will C where I’m going with this. 😉 Bookmobiles are marvelous inventions that bring books to people who otherwise wouldn’t have access. Here in North America, there is…

  • Bookmarks

    By Beth | November 21, 2016

    I used to collect bookmarks. I had a whole little basket full of them. Most I had purchased, or someone had made for me. One, a friend brought back from England for me. It was a representation of a “jam butty” – a piece of bread with jam smeared on it. This and other bookmarks…

  • Blogging by the letter (and sharing a book)

    By Beth | November 14, 2016

    After the events of last week, it’s difficult to get back to blogging as usual, but I am going to try. In an effort to keep me on course with my blogging here this year, I’ve decided to take inspiration from the A-Z Challenge that happens every April. Don’t worry – I won’t post daily!…

  • Two Kids’ Books That Bring Home the Harsh Reality of Residential Schools in Canada

    By Beth | November 7, 2016

    Reading to learn, reading to seek justice — in the spirit of #WeNeedDiverseBooks, I’m exploring two books today about Residential Schools in Canada. First Nations children were still being taken from their homes and forced to attend residential schools when I was in school. I am grateful that these schools are no longer in existence.…

  • Happy Halloweensie!

    By Beth | October 31, 2016

    I can’t let this day go by without alerting you to the delightful treats (in the form of delectable morsels of stories) available at Susanna Leonard Hill’s stellar blog. Yes! It’s the annual HALLOWEENSIE story contest! (The SIXTH annual, no less.) There’s not much time left to get a story written and entered (you have…

  • Summer Reading — Time for Recommendations

    By Beth | May 30, 2016

    It’s time to wind down the blog for the summer here at By Word of Beth. How are you planning to spend your summer? While I’ll still be editing (if you’re looking for a freelance editor, check my services out at Flubs2Fixes), and I’ll still be writing, I’ll be taking things a bit easier than…

  • The Restoration of Otto Laird by Nigel Packer — Book Recommendation

    By Beth | May 23, 2016

    Title: The Restoration of Otto Laird Author: Nigel Packer Publisher: London: Sphere, 2014. Genre: Adult fiction Theme: self-renewal, aging Opening Sentences: It was not uncommon, these days, for Anika Laird to return from one of her morning trips to town to find her husband standing naked in the kitchen window. The first time it happened…

  • WHO can Read Aloud to Older Adults and Isolated People — the series finale

    By Beth | April 25, 2016

    In the almost ten years (!) since I wrote this series of blog posts under the umbrella heading of “reading aloud to the elderly,” there have been many changes in the world. Terminology has changed, so that I’ve found it important to change the word “elderly” to older people, despite the fact that it has…

  • Spring = Growth, Possibilities, Energy, Hope

    By Beth | April 18, 2016

    On the prairies where I live, April is a time when we’re usually emerging from a cold, snowy, difficult winter. This winter was an anomaly, but there’s still the feeling of emerging from a tunnel into the open air. The sunshine is warm again, the birds are singing, and the crocuses (okay, croci) are blooming…

  • April Fool Phyllis! — reprise over at Susanna Hill’s

    By Beth | April 1, 2016

    No foolin’! To celebrate the fact that Perfect Picture Book Friday is on April Fool’s Day, there’s a reprise of my post about Susanna Leonard Hill’s delightful APRIL FOOL, PHYLLIS! over on Susanna’s blog. (For those not in the know, Susanna is the originator and host of Perfect Picture Book Friday.) Thanks, Susanna! You are…