A Canadian’s American Thanksgiving

Quick Link to Literary Book Gifts

I’m lucky that I get to celebrate Thanksgiving twice every year. In October in Canada with our sons, and November in the U.S. with friends. The mix changes each year and it is always a lovely time.

For many of us, Thanksgiving is a time for reflection on the many gifts in our lives, and gratitude for the relationships that sustain us. In the spirit of sharing, I would like to introduce you to Melissa Chan.

Melissa is a young entrepreneur who just a few months ago, started her website: Literary Book Gifts. Melissa approached me at Murder in Common to see if my readers would be interested in gift ideas for the upcoming holiday season.

Of course we know crime fiction is considered genre more than literature. But authors like Chris Bohjalian, Nora Roberts and Tana French among others, are changing that perception.

However, before we could go any further with the idea, I needed to know Melissa’s favourite crime fiction author:

June asked me to say a few words about the crime fiction I’ve read. Of course I immediately thought of one of my all time favorite contemporary authors, Donna Tartt and her bestseller, The Goldfinch.

When I read her 1992 book The Secret History, I was absolutely blown away. Her writing reminded me of Vladimir Nabokov, Charles Dickens, and E.M. Forster. I thoroughly enjoyed following the edge-of-your-seat plot and every minute of the intricate story line of murder, mystery, and deceit. I even learned things about the classics and ancient history along the way.

Donna Tartt’s novels were some of my first glimpses into crime fiction literature. Some might think crime fiction is best suited for the screen. There are a lot of suspense, thriller, and mystery pieces in the movies and TV. After reading Tartt’s novels I am excited to read more in the genre. For the mindset, clues, and depth of the plots are something that is seldom captured on the screen.

– Melissa Chan

Founder and Designer, Literary Book Gifts

Long time reader

After that what could I say? So click here to view Melissa’s great selection and enter MurderInCommon20 in the Discount box to receive 20% off the regular price of merchandise. I purchased The Velveteen Rabbit using the code and I’m pleased with the quality and fit. Kindly note that Melissa ships only to Canada and the United States at this time.

Happy Thanksgiving to you wherever you are!

~ June Lorraine