Chasing Freedom  by Gloria Ann Wesley

This was an aspect of Canadian history that I wasn’t aware of. In the case of this novel, I didn’t know that freed slaves were transplanted from their homes in the United States to Nova Scotia, Canada. Imagine the upheaval of leaving the only home you’ve ever known (in this case, a plantation on South Carolina), and being moved to Nova Scotia where you will make your new home. Not to mention, attaining your freedom before making this journey.

“The American Revolutionary War is being waged, and the fate of slaves in the colonies is on the line. Sarah Redmond, a slave on a South Carolina plantation, watches with a heavy heart as her father steals away in the dead of the night to join the British army, enticed by promises of freedom, land and provisions for his whole family. But before her father can return, the war draws to a close and the Loyalist slaves are all freed — including Sarah and her grandmother, Lydia. Uncertain of their future, Sarah and Lydia join the thousands who are rounded up and sent to New York to prepare for their journey to a new home somewhere in the British colonies.
After months of waiting, the Redmonds are assigned to a ship bound for the first all-black community in North America: Birchtown, Nova Scotia. With their Certificates of Freedom in hand, Lydia and Sarah wait anxiously, hoping beyond hope that their new life will bring acceptance and happiness. But once they reach Birchtown they find that their new home is barren, cold and isolated — and in a world slow to forget old fears and hate, their Certificates offer them freedom in name only.
Chasing Freedom is the story of a young woman struggling to discover who she is and what she can become in a world that offers her few opportunities. Can Sarah and her family find the strength and determination to persevere against all odds?” (Goodreads)

I enjoyed this novel, and was both pleased and saddened throughout. Pleased because of the dreams and opportunities Sarah Redmond had for herself and her life. And saddened because of the treatment she suffered just because of her skin colour…even though she was a free woman!!

*My progress for the Canadian Book Challenge is 12/13!!

The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away my Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store by Cait Flanders

I always enjoy reading books about people decluttering and getting rid of their stuff. Then books like this usually inspire to take a look at areas in my home and life where I could declutter. I get a bit of a high when it’s time to declutter! This book has been on my TBR list for only a few months, and I saw it on display at my library and decided to read it now. And, bonus, I was surprised to find out that the author is Canadian so I can use it for the Canadian Book Challenge for this year! Yay!

“In her late twenties, Cait Flanders found herself stuck in the consumerism cycle that grips so many of us: earn more, buy more, want more, rinse, repeat. Even after she worked her way out of nearly $30,000 of consumer debt, her old habits took hold again. When she realized that nothing she was doing or buying was making her happy—only keeping her from meeting her goals—she decided to set herself a challenge: she would not shop for an entire year.
The Year of Less documents Cait’s life for twelve months during which she bought only consumables: groceries, toiletries, gas for her car. Along the way, she challenged herself to consume less of many other things besides shopping. She decluttered her apartment and got rid of 70 percent of her belongings; learned how to fix things rather than throw them away; researched the zero waste movement; and completed a television ban. At every stage, she learned that the less she consumed, the more fulfilled she felt.
The challenge became a lifeline when, in the course of the year, Cait found herself in situations that turned her life upside down. In the face of hardship, she realized why she had always turned to shopping, alcohol, and food—and what it had cost her. Unable to reach for any of her usual vices, she changed habits she’d spent years perfecting and discovered what truly mattered to her.” (Goodreads)

I was impressed with the author keeping track of everything that she got rid of in her house, and at how little she ended up keeping, including her wardrobe. But, as the book shows us, it takes us through her entire year and her thought processes behind why she keeps certain items and why she lets go of others.

The book isn’t just about decluttering though (although that’s my favourite part about it). It’s really about her changing her spending habits to actually saving money…which seems rare in this consumerism world that we live in. It makes me stop and think about my spending habits and where I could improve on those…and why I purchase what I do. Very thought-provoking!

*My progress for the Canadian Book Challenge is 11/13!!