Desperately Seeking Susans edited by Sarah Yi-Mei Tsiang
Available at Polar Peek Books and Treasures in downtown Fernie
– Reviewed by Angie Abdou for The Fernie Fix’s December 2012 Issue

My favourite thing about Christmas is books. I get to buy loads and loads of books. Books for everyone! If you think this is a great idea (and why wouldn’t you?), I have some recommendations that will make your shopping easy. You’ll be in and out of Polar Peek Books in a flash, which will give you far more holiday time to curl up by the fire and …read books! (or, you know, ski or whatever)

First, I have the ideal gift if you’re shopping for anyone named Susan (or Sue, Suzanne, Susie, Suzette, Sioux). That might seem narrowly defined, but you could also give this book to anyone who wishes to be named Susan or anyone married to (or otherwise amorously inclined toward) a Susan. It would also work for someone whose middle name is Susan. Or someone who has a dog named Sue. You get the idea.

Enter the wonderfully whimsical and delightful poetry collection Desperately Seeking Susans, edited by Sarah Yi-Mei Tsiang and published by Fernie’s very own Oolichan Press. This is a book born from Tsiang’s tendency to read poetry aloud to her husband (whether he be getting the mail, making dinner, or trying to go to the bathroom in peace). Eventually they both realized just how many wonderful Canadian poets come with that very name: Susan. Inspired by the coincidence, this book features thirty-nine Susans and over seventy beautiful, funny, tragic and brilliant poems. Much to my delight, Desperately Seeking Susans opens with the always fabulous Lorna Crozier. In this first poem, named (guess it?) "Susan," Crozier writes: "She loved the name so much,/ that’s what she called her/ male bull dog, her rubber boots,/ her yellow bike. She even/ named her toothbrush/so every day Susan/ would be the first thing/and the last/ her mouth would know."

Calgary’s Suzette Mayr writes a poem about a dying dog that will make you cry, and then reflect deeply on the meaning of life, death, love, grief, and hope. "Conception," a poem by Cranbrook’s Sioux Browning, finds a moment of romance (or at least warmth and togetherness) in the least likely of places. Desperately Seeking Susans is a collection too good to go back in the bookshelf. It has a permanent place on my coffee table.

Some other gift-giving suggestions (since those you love most deserve more than just one book for Christmas):

For the hockey lover –A Wild Stab For It: This is Game Eight from Russia by Dave Bidini. It’s smart, funny, and filled with heart-warming nostalgia. Plus, there are pictures.

For the mystery lover –Confined Space, a crime novel by Kootenay writer Deryn Collier with a story that takes place in a fictional version of Creston. Who doesn’t love a murder mystery set in a brewery? Wrap this one up with a six pack from Fernie Brewing Company. Voila! You’ve shopped locally AND made someone’s Christmas.

For the mom – Sleeping Funny by Miranda Hill, a beautiful, poignant collection of short stories that captures contemporary relationships and parenthood. Each story is as funny, delightful, original, energetic & wise as Miranda Hill herself.

For the mountain lover –Above All Things by Tanis Rideout. This widely acclaimed novel chronicles George Mallory’s 1924 attempt to become the first man to summit Mount Everest – intertwined with the captivating and heart-rending account of a day in the life of Ruth Mallory, his wife, as she sits at home and waits for news of his return.

For the music lover – Cadillac Couches by Sophie B. Watson, a rollicking fun road-trip novel, all in pursuit of Hawksley Workman. If that’s not enough, Cadillac Couches comes with its own playlist.

If you’d like more holiday season recommendations, check out my full list of LitPick columns here. Of course, my own books make fantastic gifts too. They are always in stock at Polar Peek Books. If you call me, I’ll even come sign them. Happy holidays, Fernie!