Our next Summer Reading List is courtesy of Sandra Bell-Lundy, creator of the comic strip, “Between Friends” which is syndicated by King Features Syndicate. Please send us your list.


Sandra Bell-Lundy’s Summer Reading Survey

I haven’t done much reading this summer as I’ve had an unprecedented 4 weeks off for vacation. I know that sounds like I should have had MORE time for reading but such is my life.

As part of a research project, I spent two weeks in Newfoundland in July and picked up The Coast of Newfoundland and Beneath the Waves, both by Clarence Vautier who happens to be a cousin of mine. These books feature a collection of short stories of challenges of the sea faced by Newfoundlanders on the southwest coast. ( The chapter, Harbour le Cou Incident in The Coast of Newfoundland details my grandfather’s near-drowning after spending over an hour in the freezing January ocean in 1917.) Published by Flanker Press.

I was reading The Shipping News by Annie Proulx but I’ve misplaced it with all the packing and unpacking. I only had a few chapters to go too. Don’t tell me how it ends. I know the book will turn up somewhere. ( And yes, I know it’s a movie. I’ve seen it. )

As I’ve been kind of immersed in all things Newfoundland this summer, I’m planning to get the book Silk Sails: Women of Newfoundland and their Ships by Calvin Evans. Published by Breakwater Books. A snip from the publisher: …existing records show that women of the Atlantic region were owners of boats, ships and waterfront properties from as early as 1650. Women’s involvement in early fishing adventures as sole owners and “co-partners in trade” was real and substantial. This sample of approximately 500 Newfoundland women depicts a hardy, durable and tenacious woman who was more than equal to the challenges and opportunities of her time.

I’ve been reading (here and there) Silk Road to Ruin, Is Central Asia the New Middle East? by Ted Rall. Published by NBM. Very interesting graphic travelogue. A combination of prose, photos and cartoons.

Writing this reminds me of books I’ve been meaning to order: Pithy Seedy Pulpy Juicy (ECW Press), a collection of Rhymes with Orange comic strips by Hilary Price. She’s written commentary along with the comic strips and I always love to read personal thoughts of cartoon creators. Also, Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow? (Harry N. Abrams) which is the follow-up graphic novel by Mom’s Cancer author, Brian Fies. I also want to get Lio’s Astonishing Tales: From the Haunted Crypt of Unknown Horrors which also includes comments from creator, Mark Tatulli (Andrews McMeel) and The Collected Doug Wright. (Drawn & Quaterly)

And last but certainly not least, I am waiting for my copy of The Pirate and Penguin to arrive which is a children’s book written and illustrated by my friend, Toronto illustrator, Patricia Storms. (Owl)