Tag Archives: book

Perry Chafe

Perry Chafe - Photograph by Maureen Ennis
Perry Chafe – Photograph by Maureen Ennis

Introduction: Step into the intriguing world of Newfoundland-based writer and showrunner, Perry Chafe, as he takes us on an unforgettable journey through his masterful novel, “Closer by Sea.” This enthralling coming-of-age story presents a rich tapestry of emotions, friendships, and the enigmatic allure of a small island community. Comparable to renowned works like Mary Lawson’s “A Town Called Solace” and Stephen King’s “Stand by Me,” Chafe’s novel offers a riveting exploration of the fragility of childhood bonds and the haunting disappearance of a young girl. Set in the 90s, “Closer by Sea” unveils the delicate balance between innocence and the ever-changing landscape of life.

A Tale of Mysterious Disappearance: “Closer by Sea” revolves around the baffling vanishing of a young girl, setting the stage for an engrossing mystery that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. As we delve deeper into the heart of the novel, the layers of secrets, hidden emotions, and untold truths come to light, intertwining with the charm of a close-knit island community. Perry Chafe deftly weaves a web of intrigue, enticing readers to join the characters in their quest for answers and closure.

A Heartfelt Coming-of-Age Story: At its core, “Closer by Sea” is a poignant coming-of-age narrative that explores the intricate complexities of growing up amidst a backdrop of evolving landscapes and societal transformations. Chafe’s prose beautifully captures the essence of youth and the power of friendships that shape us during our formative years. As we accompany the characters on their journey through adolescence, we witness how they grapple with love, loss, and the challenges of facing a world in transition.

Book Club Delight: For book club enthusiasts, “Closer by Sea” is an ideal choice, promising rich discussions and emotional resonance that will resonate deeply with readers. The novel’s evocative themes and thought-provoking narrative make it the perfect canvas for exploration and interpretation. Within the pages of “Closer by Sea,” book club members will find a treasure trove of topics to contemplate, from the resilience of youth to the dynamics of close-knit communities and the intricacies of solving mysteries.

A Newfoundland Gem: As a Newfoundland-based writer and showrunner, Perry Chafe brings a unique perspective to his storytelling, infusing the essence of the region into the very fabric of “Closer by Sea.” With authentic depictions of the island’s landscape and its people, Chafe paints a vivid picture that transports readers to this captivating world. Newfoundland’s allure and enchanting charm blend seamlessly with the novel’s narrative, creating a truly immersive experience for readers.

Conclusion: “Closer by Sea” is a literary gem that showcases the immense talent of Perry Chafe, a distinguished Newfoundland-based writer and showrunner. This poignant coming-of-age tale intertwines mystery, friendship, and the enigmatic beauty of a small island community, delivering a compelling and emotionally resonant narrative. Perfect for book club discussions, “Closer by Sea” is a novel that lingers in the heart long after the last page is turned. Embrace the journey into the 90s and the mysteries that unfold in this remarkable tale by Perry Chafe.

This is Episode #282 of the Welcome! podcast.

John Shannon

This past weekend I had the opportunity to speak with John Shannon.  Who is John Shannon: John Shannon is a Canadian sportscaster and former television producer.

John Shannon joined me to chat about his career and new book, Evolve or Die (published by Simon and Shuster). Topics we discussed: –

  • his relationship with Don Cherry
  • working with Richard Peddie and Sherali Najak
  • why he decided to write his first book
  • working with Bob McCown
  • working at Wayne Gretzky’s last NHL game
  • and so much more!

In 2009, Shannon left the NHL Network to become an on-air panelist for Rogers Sportsnet and a co-host of sports talk radio show Prime Time Sports on Fan 590 in Toronto alongside Bob McCown. In 2020, Shannon became a co-host of the sports talk podcast, “The Bob McCown Show,” alongside Bob McCown, which discusses sports topics of the day and features guests from the sports industry.

This is Episode #278 of the Welcome! podcast.

Chris St. Clair: Weather Permitting

From the long time host of The Weather Network comes a behind-the-scenes look at Canada’s biggest weather events and climate phenomena.

Chris St. Clair was a weather presenter and journalist on The Weather Network for more than twenty-five years.  He is also a popular speaker on meteorology and climate change. He lives in Kingston, Ontario. Connect with him on Twitter @CStClair1.

For more than twenty-five years, Chris St. Clair was on the frontline of Canada’s biggest weather events as a popular presenter on The Weather NetworkFor the first time, he shares his never-before-told stories covering the country’s most astounding weather events.

From the flooding of the Red River in Winnipeg to the ice storm in Montreal, the hurricanes in Newfoundland, the devastating wildfires in Fort McMurray, the hailstorm in Calgary, and the heat dome and horrifying floods in British Columbia, St. Clair recalls these extreme weather events and relays their impact on communities across the country. He also follows Canadian snowbirds south to Florida and recounts their dramatic escape from record-breaking Hurricanes Matthew and Irma.

A vivid personal narrative with accessible scientific explanations and meteorological analysis, Weather Permitting tells the story of how the weather has shaped the character and psyche of our nation, and is an homage to the strength and resilience of Canadian communities from coast to coast.

This is Episode #277 of the Welcome! podcast.

Gabriela Casineanu

Gabriela Casineanu is an award-winning author who founded the Immigrant Writers Association in 2018.

The IWA is a non profit organization that assists new Canadian immigrants find support to express themselves through creative writing.

Each year the IWA releases a new anthology featuring short stories and poetry from their members. This past Tuesday the IWA released a new anthology called Finding The Way featuring 12 new Canadian writers. https://immigrantwriters.com/finding-the-way/

Finding The Way features writing from new Canadians that have come from Ghana, Ukraine, Romania, USA, India, Cuba, Senegal, United Arab Emirates, Trinidad and Tobago.

This is Episode #275 of the Welcome! podcast.

Ali Hassan: Is There Bacon in Heaven? A Memoir

karim kanji with ali hassan
karim kanji with ali hassan

Ali Hassan is a stand-up comedian, actor, and professional chef. He is the host of CBC’s Canada Reads as well as Laugh Out Loud. He is also a frequent guest host of q, CBC’s premier national arts and entertainment show. His comedy has been performed at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal and Toronto’s JFL42. He is a Canadian Comedy Awards nominee, and his solo show, Muslim, Interrupted, was performed at the world’s largest comedy festival, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He has appeared in three award-winning films, BreakawayFrench Immersion, and as the memorable Lebanese Uncle Stevie in the hockey hit Goon, in addition to other film and TV roles, most recently CBC’s Run the Burbs. He lives in Toronto, Ontario, with his family. Follow him on Twitter @StandUpAli and find him at StandUpAli.com.

This is Episode #273 of the Welcome! podcast.

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Scott Morrison: 1972 – The Series That Changed Hockey Forever

“Cournoyer has it on that wing. Here’s a shot. Henderson made a wild stab for it and fell. Here’s another shot. Right in front…they score! Henderson has scored for Canada!” These immortal words, spoken to hockey fans around the world by the legendary broadcaster Foster Hewitt, capture the historic final-seconds goal scored by Paul Henderson that won the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union. Hockey fans across Canada know the moment well, but the story of those amazing eight games has never been fully told—until now.
Here is my conversation with author Scott Morrison.

This is Episode #270 of the Welcome! podcast.

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Perdita Felicien | My Mother’s Daughter

Perdita Felicien is a third time guest. And third time’s a charm! Perdita is officially now an author. I’m so excited for her. In this episode we talk about her car, her book, Catherine – her mom, her daughter Nova, her relationship with her dad and some advice for a young first time book author to be, Morgan!

This is Episode #257 of the Welcome! podcast.

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Frederick Kaufman

Frederick Kaufman and Karim Kanji
Frederick Kaufman and Karim Kanji

Half fable, half manifesto, this brilliant new take on the ancient concept of cash lays bare its unparalleled capacity to empower and enthrall us.

The Money Plot: A HISTORY OF CURRENCY’S POWER TO ENCHANT, CONTROL, AND MANIPULATE

Frederick Kaufman tackles the complex history of money, beginning with the earliest myths and wrapping up with Wall Street’s byzantine present-day doings. Along the way, he exposes a set of allegorical plots, stock characters, and stereotypical metaphors that have long been linked with money and commercial culture, from Melanesian trading rituals to the dogma of Medieval churchmen faced with global commerce, the rationales of Mercantilism and colonial expansion, and the U.S. dollar’s 1971 unpinning from gold.

This is Episode #253 of the Welcome! podcast.

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Harnarayan Singh

Harnarayan Singh is the author of the brand new book, ONE GAME AT A TIME.

Bonino Bonino Bonino!

Video clips of the Hockey Night in Punjabi broadcast of Nick Bonino’s goal for the Pittsburgh Penguins immediately went viral, amplifying the profile of Harnarayan Singh, the voice behind the call.

In this conversation with Harnarayan we talk about his love of hockey and Canada while also challenging both to be better. We talked about his relationship with Ron MacLean and his sister Gurdeep. Of course we talked about his journey from calling games with a toy microphone as a kid to calling Hockey Night in Canada games across the country and everything in between.

We also discover the one thing most people don’t know about Harnarayan Singh. You will be surprised!

This is Episode #241 of the Welcome! podcast.

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Award-winning author Tanya Talaga

Tanya Talaga is an award wining Anishinaabe author and former investigative reporter for the Toronto Star. Her 2017 book Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death and Hard Truths in a Northern City, won the 2018 RBC Taylor Prize for non-fiction and the 2017 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing. Her latest book, All Our Relations served as the focus for her recent Massey Lectures across Canada.

This is Episode #221 of the Welcome! podcast.

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