Red Fern Book Review by Amy Tyler

Send us Fan Mail Geoff is in the house to discuss one of his favourite authors, Mr. Difficult himself, Jonathan Franzen. Franzen's latest book, Crossroads , is discussed.  Set in the 1970s, this book is the story of a Midwestern family at a pivotal moment of moral crisis. Amy and Geoff also discuss Mayflies by Andrew O'Hagan. This poignant and at times fun book looks at a group of lifelo...

Send us Fan Mail Three magical realism novels, The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki, Parakeet by Marie-Helene Bertino and Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders, are reviewed. Books and Resources Discussed: Only Murders in the Building, Hulu and Disney+ Everything is Alive, podcast The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki Parakeet by Marie-Helene Bertino Lincoln in the Bardo by George...

Send us Fan Mail Fantasy Fiction aficionado and Instagram mixologist Jeanette Bruce joins Red Fern to discuss fantasy fiction and a classic thriller. The Starless Sea is a luminous fantasy novel heavy on imagery and lighter on world building. The Shadow of the Wind is a timeless, modern classic set in Barcelona about a young man who owns a copy of a rare book at his own peril. Jeanette and Amy dis...

Send us Fan Mail Historical novel The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict delves into the mysterious, real-life disappearance of Agatha Christie. I compare this novel to Christie’s first book The Mysterious Affair at Styles . It's been over 100 years since the mystery queen penned her first book but it is a page turner. Books and Resources discussed: The Red Fern Book Review Spring Boo...

Send us Fan Mail Women and Literature expert Reema Faris is back to look at contemporary romance fiction and adaptations. Reema and Amy discuss the continued proliferation of romance fiction and if there is such a thing as one true love. Books and Resources discussed: Bridgerton, Netlix The Bridgerton Series by Julia Quinn Dune (2021), movie The Wheel of Time, Amazon Prime The Bennett Women by Ede...

Send us Fan Mail Women and literature academic Reema Faris joins Red Fern to discuss the enduring popularity of romance fiction. In this first of a two-parts series, the history of romance novels is examined.  Amy makes an argument for Hallmark Christmas movies. Books and resources discussed: A Natural History of the Romance Novel by Pamela Regis Pamela by Samuel Richardson Pride and Prejudice by...

Send us Fan Mail Writer and academic Suzanne Scott drops by the podcast to discuss two books that inspire her as a writer. The Friend is an experimental book that Suzanne describes as a jazz piece riffing and improvising on the themes of suicide, writing and dogs. The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue is a gripping historical novel set during the Spanish Flu at a Dublin maternity hospital. Suzann...

Send us Fan Mail English teacher Liz Kelsey is back in the house to discuss David Copperfield. The most autobiographical of all of Dickens' works, David Copperfield is a blend of truth and fiction. The novel offers up an early example of the found or unconventional family as well as an array of eccentric characters who are very supportive and happy. There is also a clash in the representation...

Send us Fan Mail Friend and academic Liz Kelsey joins Amy in a two part episode on the classics. In the first episode Liz explores Jane Austen's lesser known work Lady Susan. The novella was was written when Jane was a teen and published after her death. It centres around the life of  beautiful, racy widow Lady Susan Vernon who is often described as the most accomplished coquette in England....

Send us Fan Mail Amy reviews two books focused on 20th-century women who broke barriers in their careers and personal lives. Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead is a historical novel centred around the lives of famed aviator Marian Graves. The Barbizon: The Hotel that Set Women Free by Paulina Bren is a social history of the world's most famous women's hotel. Located in Manhattan, the hotel...

Send us Fan Mail Happy New Year and welcome back to the Red Fern Book Review! Amy reviews two of the biggest books of 2021: Who is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews and Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty. Both are bestselling mysteries that are executed very differently. Who is Maud Dixon? is a clever thrill ride that combines an edgy whodunit reminiscent of Patricia Highsmith with the fun and acc...

Send us Fan Mail Amy looks at two short story collections by well-known essayists and humourists Anne Lamott and David Sedaris. In Dusk, Night, Dawn: On Revival and Courage, Anne Lamott examines how to get joy and hope back in this crazy world. Her answer is a dash of spirituality and a lot of humour. The Best of Me is a greatest hits by quirky, impulsive, awkward and loveable writer David Sedaris...

Send us Fan Mail Fellow bibliophile Lorraine Weir joins the podcast to talk about Vancouver Writers Festival  event The Spectacular Complexity of Womanhood with authors Mona Awad, Zoe Whittall and Rachel Yoder . All three authors have written fresh, new novels borne out of their own life struggles. The books are also all anchored by strong female protagonists who also happen to be artists. Lorrain...

Send us Fan Mail Amy reviews two memoirs by childhood idols Billie Jean King and Andrew McCarthy. One person surpasses her expectations and the other does not. All In by Billie Jean King charts the iconic tennis player's rise from her working class roots to No. 1 tennis player and groundbreaking feminist. Brat: An '80s story outlines the meteoric rise and fall of teen idol Andrew McCarth...

Send us Fan Mail Writer and poet Jen Sookfong Lee joins the podcast to discuss her debut poetry collection The Shadow List . Messy, raw and passionate Jen looks closely at women and desire. She reveals how poetry enables her to incorporate more of her true self into her writing and discusses her love of pop culture. She is a regular on CBC Radio One, a moderator for the Vancouver Writers Festival...

Send us Fan Mail Fantasy Fiction enthusiast David Gates joins Amy in a discussion about Natasha Pulley's The Kingdoms. This is the story of Joe Tournier who arrives in the city of Londres in the French Colony of England in 1898 with no memory of who he is and how he got there. When Joe steps off a train he has a postcard in his pocket written in forbidden English, with a postmark dated 1805 t...

Send us Fan Mail Geoff is back living out his lifetime loves of surfing and music through fiction. The first book discussed is Paul Theroux's Under the Wave at Waimea.   Set in Hawaii, this epic novel follows the life of aging surfer Joe Sharkey as he grapples with a fatal accident that forces him to face down his past. The second book, The Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Walton, is a...

Send us Fan Mail Join Amy in her discussion with bestselling thriller writer Robyn Harding. Robyn's latest novel, The Perfect Family , is a twisty, addictively page-turning suspense novel about a perfect family's perfect facade. Robyn shares her favourites books, shows and podcasts and explains how miscommunication can make for a great story. Books and Resources discussed The Perfect Fam...

Send us Fan Mail Susan Matheson is in the house to discuss the best books of the season! This fall many big name authors, from Colson Whitehead to Amor Towles, have new books on offer. Susan goes a bit deeper and selects books that might not be on your radar.  Amy has also launched a monthly newsletter! Subscribe and ask questions, learn about extra titles, get a sneak peek at future episodes and...

Send us Fan Mail Amy explores two darker novels that are not exactly thrillers or are they? The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz is the story of a washed up academic who steals a student's story.  One of the most hyped books of this past summer, this novel takes plenty of twists and turns and explores the question of who owns a story. When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain follows troubled missing...

Send us Fan Mail Bestselling author Eileen Garvin drops by the podcast to discuss her debut novel The Music of Bees. The book explores how three lost people unexpectedly come together through their love of honey bees.  We discuss the natural world, character development and how Eileen's love of beekeeping  and the small town of Hood River, Oregon, served as an inspiration. Eileen also shares...

Send us Fan Mail The summer is over and The Red Fern Book Review is back! In the first episode of Season 2, Amy explores two memoirs, both by feisty, young, creative women. The first memoir, Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad , explores a woman's journey through illness, recovery and re-entry into everyday life. Finding Freedom: A Cook's Story; Remakin...

Send us Fan Mail For the season finale, I am joined by best selling author and ER physician Daniel Kalla to talk about his new release Lost Immunity. This edge-of-your-seat medical thriller looks at an outbreak of bacterial meningitis that is sweeping the city of Seattle. The city's Chief Public Health Officer Lisa Dyer is out to save the day with an experimental vaccine that could save the c...

Send us Fan Mail Book blogger Susan Matheson is back with a curated list of summer reads just for Red Fern listeners. The books are all transportive but also imbued with social commentary that is fitting for our time. Find out which of us is willing to abandon a book without finishing and find out about a docuseries perfect for family trips.  Be sure to check out Susan's companion blog for ev...

Send us Fan Mail Amy's old reporter buddy Myriam stops by the podcast to share her loves of languages and books. Amy and Myriam discuss part medical, part psychological novel Mend the Living by Maylis de Kerangal.  Translator Jessica Moore has received accolades for her translation of this taught, luminous novel and Myriam explains why.  Myriam also reviews the sci fi novel Machines Like Me b...