With the Okotoks Public Library reopening its doors in time for summer readers, the question may be what to pick up.
The Western Wheel asked some Foothills characters which books they would recommend people check out.
These are their suggestions:
Lara Grunow
The director of the Okotoks Public Library recently finished reading From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way, a memoir by Saskatchewan’s Jesse Thistle recalling 10 years of being homeless before turning his life around, attending university, and eventually becoming a professor at a Canadian post-secondary institution.
“His book is an amazing read and quite an eye-opener,” said Grunow. “It was one of the Canada Reads books this year.”
Thistle's memoir is being defended by Foothills area country-music singer George Canyon for Canada Reads.
She also recommended Dead Mom Walking: A Memoir of Miracle Cures and Other Disasters by Canadian author Rachel Matlow, chronicling her mother’s journey with cancer and refusing surgery or traditional medical treatment.
“It’s her daughter’s account of how she watched her mother, and was frustrated with her mother denying either that she had a disease or that traditional medicine would help her,” said Grunow. “That was a great read as well.”
Bill Robertson
The mayor of Okotoks said he would highly recommend anything by his favourite fiction writer, British author Wilbur Smith, who specializes in historical fiction, or by Malcolm Gladwell, a Canadian who writes inspirational and philosophical books.
Right now, Robertson is reading an anthology of one of his favourite poets – The Best of Robert Service.
“You can’t forget poetry, it’s always a great read,” he said. “Robert Frost is phenomenal, and Robert Service who wrote The Cremation of Sam McGee.”
RJ Sigurdson
Highwood MLA RJ Sigurdson points readers in the direction of a local work, Sydney’s Vacation by Loree Cowling about her daughter, Sydney, who has Down Syndrome and is going on her first big family holiday, complete with images of what they will see and do on their trip. It was illustrated by High River artist Karon Argue.
The book serves a purpose in raising awareness of diversity and is part of a campaign Sydney co-founded called SEE Uniqueness, which promotes the message of acceptance, kindness, and seeing through the eyes of love.
“The story of this book profoundly affected me,” said Sigurdson. “It provides a great message about how our perspective can help us overcome challenges and sometimes our fears.
“I may be biased because they are local, but after meeting Sydney, Loree and Karon Argue and reading and sharing this book with my youngest boy. It really has become a favourite kids book for me.”
For adults, he suggests Do Something by Preston Manning, Canadian politician and founder of the Reform Party. In the book, Manning calls on Canadians to step up and build stronger democracy, offering 365 ways citizens can challenge themselves and learn how to make a difference in the community and country.
“It’s important that everyone is able to effect change,” said Sigurdson. “I think this book establishes a very good foundation of how to respectfully have our voice and opinion heard.”
Suzanne Oel
Foothills County’s reeve recommends Letters from a Lady Rancher, a book by Monica Hopkins that gives a first-hand account of the Canadian West with memorable events and incidents that show the challenges, encounters and excitement of rural life in pioneering days, based on a homestead near Coal Mine Road by Fish Creek in Foothills County, west of Highway 22.
One of Oel’s favourite stories involves the use of the family’s first bathtub in the ranch house, which was used to soak a load of laundry overnight in freezing temperatures and the results of that mishap.
“You’ll have to check this out to find out how the ingenuity of the early settlers solved this situation and more,” said Oel. “You’ll read about attending the Millarville Races, community events, traveling to Priddis by horseback to collect the mail, winter chinooks, building the little St. James Chapel in Priddis, traveling to the mountains, ranching, survival, who lived in the area, a day’s trip to Calgary on a special occasion and more.”
John Barlow
Foothills MP John Barlow is currently reading The Claws of the Panda, by John Manthorpe, and said he would recommend it to anyone interested in business, policy or politics. It tells the story of how the Chinese Communist Party has influenced Canadian politics, going through the history of Canada-China relations.
“I’m finding it quite eye-opening,” said Barlow, who said he leans toward non-fiction, particularly historical and political genres.
A second book on his suggestion list is Rogue Heroes, by Ben Macintyre, which showcases the history of the special forces unit Special Air Service (S.A.S.) and its involvement in the Second World War.
One of his favourite elements was the Canadian angle, including the story of Major Roy Farran, who moved to Alberta following the war and became famous in journalistic circles and politics.
“It’s kind of neat to have that Canadian and Albertan connection,” said Barlow. “And just the things they did in the S.A.S. and how innovative and creative they were at the same time, and the impact they had on the Second World War is really interesting.”
Read more about the library reopening here.
Krista Conrad, OkotoksToday.ca
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