Reading Wednesday

[yuuago]

Just Finished: The Melting Queen by Bruce Cinnamon.

Low-key fantasy/somewhat magical realism set in a slightly alternate-universe version of Edmonton. Here's the summary:

Every year since 1904, when the ice breaks up on the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton has crowned a Melting Queen--a woman who presides over the Melting Day spring carnival and who must keep the city's spirits up over the following winter. But this year, something has changed: a genderfluid ex-frat brother called River Runson is named as Melting Queen. As River's reign upends the city's century-old traditions, Edmonton tears itself in two, with progressive and reactionary factions fighting a war for Edmonton's soul. Ultimately, River must uncover the hidden history of Melting Day, forcing Edmonton to confront the dark underbelly of its traditions and leading the city into a new chapter in its history.

I found it very hard to put down. Read it in one day, which is unusual for me. It's dreamy and weird and painfully Edmontonian. And of course, this is a very good time of year to read this particular book.

Reading Next: Ragged Company by Richard Wagamese.

Don't know what this one is about, but Wagamese's work is always worth the time it takes to read it.