150 Books of Influence Editor: Laura Emery Editor: Cynthia Lelliott Production Assistant: Dana Thomas Graphic Designer: Gwen North
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READING NOVA SCOTIA 150 Books of Influence Editor: Laura Emery Editor: Cynthia Lelliott Production Assistant: Dana Thomas Graphic Designer: Gwen North Cover photo and Halifax Central Library exterior: Len Wagg Below (left to right):Truro Library, formerly the Provincial Normal College for Training Teachers, 1878–1961: Norma Johnson-MacGregor Photos of Halifax Central Library interiors: Adam Mørk READING NOVA SCOTIA 150 Books of Influence A province-wide library project of the Nova Scotia Library Association and Nova Scotia’s nine Regional Public Library systems in honour of the 150th anniversary of Confederation. The 150 Books of Influence Project Committee recognizes the support of the Province of Nova Scotia. We are pleased to work in partnership with the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage to develop and promote our cultural resources for all Nova Scotians. Final publication date November 2017. Books are our finest calling card to the world. The stories they share travel far and wide, and contribute greatly to our global presence. Books have the power to profoundly express the complex and rich cultural life that makes Nova Scotia a place people want to visit, live, work and play. This year, the 150th Anniversary of Confederation provided Public Libraries across the province with a unique opportunity to involve Nova Scotians in a celebration of our literary heritage. The value of public engagement in the 150 Books of Influence project is demonstrated by the astonishing breadth and quality of titles listed within. The booklist showcases the diversity and creativity of authors, both past and present, who have called Nova Scotia home. The 150 Books of Influence is both a celebration of our historic creativity and a signal of the progress Nova Scotia has made in appreciating the stories of our diverse communities. Along with literary award winners included on the list are landmark publications promoting greater understanding of Mi’kmaw culture, award-winning Acadian literature, renowned works by and about African Nova Scotians, and must-reads for Gaelic speakers. The list also illustrates the excellent work of Public Libraries in cultural stewardship, ensuring public awareness and access to Nova Scotia’s literary heritage. Moving forward, actions in Nova Scotia’s Culture Action Plan: Creativity and Community, are committed to strengthening relationships between authors, publishers, Public Libraries and readers. This is key to creating a positive cultural environment where storytelling and writers can thrive, and our stories can reach beyond our shores. Congratulations to all those involved with the project. I am confident that Nova Scotians, and visitors from around the world, will enjoy these books for years to come. Honourable Leo Glavine, Minister Communities, Culture & Heritage INTRODUCTION he 150 Books of Influence project was borne out of a desire by In late August 2017, all nominated books were considered by a Nova Scotia’s Public Libraries to participate in Canada’s 150th committee of librarians. With the criteria that the author be Nova Tanniversary of Confederation by celebrating the Province’s Scotian or that the books have a strong focus on Nova Scotia, there literary and reading history. To be a worthy legacy, this project were far too many wonderful titles to include them all in the booklist. needed to draw upon the unique knowledge that Public Library staff Nevertheless, after much debate, the 150 Books of Influence were have garnered from years of serving their communities, and leverage determined. the special relationship between the Library and its users. Ultimately The 150 books listed on the following pages are organized it became clear that the goal of the project would be to create a alphabetically by title, and the intended audience is identified for booklist, which would capture the books that live in the hearts of each entry. The list includes works for all ages — children, teen and Nova Scotia’s readers. The books would be significant in that they adult. Finally, included are descriptions and comments submitted would help define the Nova Scotia experience for the reader. by readers or if those were not available, comments generated To realize the project’s goal, several unique partnerships were by Library staff. To protect privacy, individuals’ names are not formed. The Nova Scotia Library Association (NSLA) took a lead included. Instead, sources are identified as “Reader” or “Librarian.” role, working with Public Library Regions and the Library Boards When neither personalized description was available, excerpted Association of Nova Scotia (LBANS). To publicize the project and publishers’ information is included, and these entries are identified ensure its success, NSLA reached out to the Atlantic Provinces as such. Library Association (APLA) and One Book Nova Scotia, and formed The aim of this project was to create a true record of social key partnerships. The 150 Books of Influence Project Committee communication about reading. There are numerous worthy books gratefully acknowledges and thanks all of the project partners. missing from the list, but the hope is that it can serve as the departure During the Summer of 2017, hundreds of books were nominated by point for lively debates about Nova Scotian books and authors. the public. In addition, Library staff put forward titles to ensure that the Although reading is a quiet activity, the voices of the readers and list would be inclusive and representative of the Nova Scotian books Library staff in the following pages are passionate. It is clear that that have been continually requested for many years. Project committee Nova Scotia’s books matter. members also reached out to community and cultural groups to gather their input, and contacted many Nova Scotia publishers for their assistance. Special thanks to Nimbus Publishing for their support of the Thank you. project, and for providing several book cover images. The 150 Books of Influence Project Committee: Lesley Brann, Colchester-East Hants Public Library Erin Phillips, Cape Breton Regional Library Denise Corey, Cumberland Public Libraries Christina Pottie, South Shore Public Libraries Laura Emery, Eastern Counties Regional Library Angela Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library Kristel Fleuren-Hunter, Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library Trecia Schell, Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library Cynthia Gatto, Halifax Public Libraries Suzanne van den Hoogen, Atlantic Provinces Library Association (Past President) Joanne Head, Western Counties Regional Library Catherine Kelly, Nova Scotia Provincial Library Cynthia Lelliott, Nova Scotia Library Association (President) 6 READING NOVA SCOTIA Les Acadiens de la Nouvelle-Écosse Alphonse Deveau and Sally Ross Premier ouvrage portant exclusivement sur le sujet, Les Acadiens de la Nouvelle- Ècosse, hier et aujourd’hui trace un portrait à la fois historique et actuel de la culture acadienne de la Nouvelle-Ècosse. Si l’on connaît bien le premier siècle et demi d’existence de l’Acadie néo- écossaise, on en savait beaucoup moins sur le retour des déportés dans leur terre natale et leur difficile réadaptation aux nouvelles conditions de vie. Cette étude vient combler ce vide. Ainsi, elle retrace Abigail’s Wish les grandes lignes du développement After Swissair Gloria Ann Wesley and des sept régions acadiennes d’après la Budge Wilson Richard Rudnicki (Illustrator) Déportation et expose les particularités A moving and beautiful book of poetry qui les unissent. Elle met aussi en lumière This children’s book is the first picture from one of Nova Scotia’s finest authors. les choix et les défis qui se sont posés book to be set in historic Birchtown, Nova For all those still affected by the tragedy aux Acadiens de la Nouvelle-Écosse au Scotia. It gives young readers valuable of Swissair Flight 111, and for all people cours du 20e siècle, particulièrement insights into Black Loyalist life in 1783, and who may not know the harrowing and yet depuis les années 1960. L’édition originale teaches them that poverty should not keep life-affirming details of the event, and for all anglaise de cette étude a mérité le City children from dreaming. Moving towards people who enjoy a heart-thumping and of Dartmouth Book Award et le Evelyn inclusiveness and diversity in Nova Scotia heart-opening read, I highly recommend Richardson Memorial Literary Award. will mean greater recognition, acceptance After Swissair by Order of Canada of and celebration of books outside the Publisher recipient, Budge Wilson. ADULT NONFICTION prevailing stream of consciousness. Reader ADULT POETRY Reader Children’s FiCTION The Age of Sail: Master Shipbuilders of the Maritimes Stanley T. Spicer This book focuses on the story of the launching of 26,000 ships in an 80-year span — a time of wealth and adventures, dangers and daring. This time greatly affected the coastal regions of the Maritimes. Librarian ADULT NONFICTION DID YOU 400 ebooks published by Atlantic publishers are available KNOW? from Nova Scotia Public Libraries. 150 BOOKS OF INFLUENCE 7 Alma Georgette LeBlanc Les effets de la Crise économique de 1929 et de la Seconde Guerre mondiale sur une petite communauté rurale sont décrits à travers les gestes quotidiens de cette femme qui se transforme en poème. Écrit en langue acadienne de la Baie Sainte-Marie, en Nouvelle-Écosse, ce premier recueil exceptionnel démontre un savoir-faire d’une très grande finesse, une profonde analyse des sentiments humains et un respect absolu pour les mots. Publisher ADULT POETRY And I Alone Escaped to Tell You As a’ Bhràighe / Beyond the Sylvia D. Hamilton Braes: The Gaelic Songs of Allan The settlement of African peoples in the Ridge MacDonald, 1794–1868 Nova Scotia is a richly layered story Effie Rankin encompassing many waves of settlement Allan the Ridge was a very important early and diverse circumstances, from captives bard in Cape Breton from the Mabou area, to freedom runners who sailed north and Effie’s own history in Nova Scotia is from the United States with hopes of quite fascinating—she was recruited to establishing a new life.