Kevin Roose’s The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner’s Semester at America’s Holiest University is amazing, nuanced and fascinating and sophisticated and not the least bit exploitative. It’s about a Brown student (the author) who decides to spend a semester at Liberty University in Virginia (the college Jerry Falwell built), and I was sort of expecting some evangelical-bashing, but the author (who must be about 21) has a really smart and compassionate perspective, without losing sight of the genuinely distressing, surreal and downright ridiculous aspects of American evangelical Christianity. It’s very engrossing, compelling non-fiction.

I just started Shaun Tan’s Tales from Outer Suburbia today and it’s incredible. The stories are disarming and heart-warming and strange, which is an excellent combination, and as I read it in the bus station this afternoon I felt a powerful compulsion to write a book, which is quite an endorsement if you ask me. Tales From Outer Suburbia is the kind of book that makes me want to write a book, except I would be afraid to write a book in case it might not be as good as Tales From Outer Suburbia. There you go. You should read it. Get it from the library if you must, although I should confirm that, having borrowed the copy I’m currently reading, I’m going to buy my own as soon as I can. It’s the kind of book you probably want to have your own copy of.

Saint-Germain is my vampire boyfriend.

I picked up this book because I really liked Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. I found this one disappointing in comparison-not terrible, but not great. The main characters are not nearly as likable as those in Nick and Norah, and I also found the narrative style not as compelling-the book is told in chapters with different narrators, including some pretty tangential characters. This works in some places but in others it really doesn’t.

Of the various wedding books I’ve consumed in my own wedding-planning state (for of course, the reading of appropriate books must accompany every real-life stage and activity) this is my favourite. A nice combination of manifesto and tip sheet, and I like how many of the sentences start with “if you’re having a… [bridal party/bouquet/receiving line/etc].” Thus acknowledging what many other bridal books and websites fear to: that SOME PEOPLE ARE NOT HAVING A… [whatever].

So moving and wonderful. Some of the submissions made me tear up. The book is a condensed version of the whole project which is housed here: http://www.learningtoloveyoumore.com/

I really highly recommend this book. It’s one of the best I’ve found to explain copyright, in a Canadian context, in a thorough and yet approachable way—no confusing legal jargon. One of the authors also has a website, http://www.faircopyright.ca, which I follow.

I have definitively decided not to become a heroin addict.

This film has been at the centre of a debate over Canadian government funding for the arts. Bill C-10 would give the federal government the ability to pick and choose which film projects would be eligible for funding, and to deny tax credits to Canadian film/TV productions it deems “contrary to public policy.” The Conservatives are holding this film up as an example of a production that would be contrary to public policy.

For more information, see http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2008/05/27/young-people.html

I found this film quite funny, awkward in places, and quite good-hearted. I enjoyed it. Like most would-be censors, I doubt the politicians who are making an example of it have even seen it.

I really enjoyed this collection of short stories. I would highly recommend it. It reminded me of The Girl’s Guide to Hunting and Fishing—stories about love, identity, aging, etc. but with quite a bit of wit.