CODE supporters, staff and partners share a beautiful common interest: a love of reading and great books. In celebration of World Book Day, a number of CODE staff shared their favourite books and recommendations.
 |
Lynn O’Rourke, Publications Manager
Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese A beautifully written story from one of Canada’s finest novelists. Richard Wagamese was an award-winning author of twelve books, a respected storyteller and teacher. This novel is set in the BC interior and is about the journey of a father and son toward forgiveness, and the power of love and compassion. I read this book in one day, I was drawn into the story by the compelling writing and the depth of the characters; after the first few pages I was on the journey with them. "A masterpiece, a work of art that explores human interconnectedness with a level of artistry so superb that the personal becomes eternal." National Post
|
 |
Johanna Kuyvenhoven, Literacy & Education Specialist Stolen Focus, Why You Can't Pay Attention—And How to Think Deeply Again by Johann Hari This is a fully researched effort to answer the question about our diminishing abilities to sustain attention. It applies to reading, getting a good answer to a question, staying with a discussion and so on. Some of the findings are stunning. Did you know that 57% of Americans do not read even one book in a year? Or that the average person touches their phone 2,617 times in a 24 hour period? The author shows that most adults are working in systems that permit or demand constant interruption and attention switching. The price is creativity, comprehension, and quality of engagement.
|
 |
Deborah Simpson, Evaluative Learning Manager
Butter, Honey, Pig, Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi This book follows the lives of 3 generations of Nigerian women between Lagos, London, Halifax and Montreal and back to Lagos. It’s a beautifully written book that gives an amazing insight into historical and contemporary life and culture in Nigeria.
|
|
Marija Shaw, Individual Giving and Marketing Manager
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Fahrenheit 451 follows a “fireman” whose work involves setting fires rather than fighting them. For 10 years he had burned books that had been hidden away by people rebelling against a society that controls and limits the information people have access to. He never questioned his job or the destruction of books until he meets a 17-year-old girl and a professor who show him another option. Fahrenheit 451 was assigned reading in the first literature class I ever took and ultimately led me to get a bachelor’s degree in Literature. I find such a beautiful poetic justice to the path this story led me on – that a book about book burning launched me into a lifelong pursuit to absorb as many books and learn from as many different perspectives as I can. |