Looking back on all the books I reviewed in 2018, there were plenty of good ones that came out of New Brunswick.
Before I get to highlighting just a few of them, I would like to mention how unhappy I was at the hearing of the passing of Raymond Fraser in 2018. He will leave a definite void in the East Coast writing scene, but he leaves behind a legacy of enjoyable reading and poetry as well. My tribute to Ray can be found here. Perhaps one of his best novels was published by Pottersfield Books in 2018, just a few months before his death. My review of Through Sunlight and Shadows can be found here.


Recently, the First World War or the “Great War” has seen a resurgence of interest since 2018 marked 100 years since hostilities ended. A notable book was published by New Brunswick’s own Goose Lane Editions entitled A Family of Brothers: Soldiers of the 26th New Brunswick Battalion in the Great War by J. Brent Wilson. With many historic black & white photographs, an Appendix and a Bibliography, A Family of Brothers will serve the purpose of informing future generations of the futility of war and at the same time, memorializing those that have made the greatest sacrifice. A book worthy of being on the 2019 longlist for a “The Very Best!” Book Award for Non-Fiction.
Another Miramichi native, Chuck Bowie, released installment number four in his “Donovan Thief for Hire” Series, entitled The Body on the Underwater Road. Previous installments of the series had Sean Donovan travelling the globe, and the Underwater Road is an exception in that 95% of the story is in Canada, with the remainder in New York state and Maine, so a certain exotic feel is missing here. Nevertheless, Mr. Bowie is a good ambassador for New Brunswick (particularly the St. Andrews area) and Ontario’s wine regions. And a good writer!
Speaking of beautifully produced books, the book on the life of Tappan Adney And the Heritage of the St.John River Valley is among the best,
Other notable New Brunswick-related posts from the past year:
- An interview with Rachel Bryant, author of 2017’s amazing book The Homing Place: Indigenous and Settler Literary Legacies of the Atlantic,
- An interview with Dana Horrocks, Director of the Newcastle Public Library,
- Allan Hudson’s Wall of War, a Drake Alexander Adventure that really entertains,
- Hope Restored by Robert A. Moran, a real find, and a true story.
- I was also interviewed by Allan Hudson for his South Branch Scribbler blog. You can read all about me hereabouts.
Twenty-eighteen certainly was a plentiful year for good books and New Brunswick was well represented by its many writers, whether they were first-time authors or more familiar ones, they all did the “picture province” proud in 2018.
Finally, for a solid, concise list of Atlantic Canada’s Best Reads of 2018 (with reviews), see this post over at the Consumed by Ink blog.
James M. Fisher is the owner and editor-in-chief of The Miramichi Reader. He began TMR in 2015, realizing that there was a genuine need for more book reviews of Canadian literature. It has since become Canada’s best-regarded source for the finest in new literary releases. James has been interviewed about TMR on CBC Radio and other media sites. James works as a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technologist and lives in Miramichi, New Brunswick with his wife Diane and their tabby cat Eddie.
Thank you James for the mention of my story. You are most kind. Great list and I’ve read Chucks story which is exceptional. Will be looking for the others.
You’re welcome, Allan. I also just added a link to the interview of me you posted at the Scribbler. It was a personal highlight for 2018!
Great list, James! I’d really like to get around to reading Wayne Curtis and Raymond Fraser soon!
Sounds good. I would be most interested to see your thoughts on them. 🙂