John Watson

🌳Nature lover 📚Book worm ♻️Recycler 🥌Curler 🏃🏻‍♂️Runner 🏋🏻‍♂️Gym-goer 💪CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1) ⚾️Fan of Toronto Blue Jays 🙋🏻‍♂️He/Him

[John Watson @johnwatsoncan]

Randomly, in a Canadian arts high school, we studied “A Taste of Honey” in grade 11 drama class (I would have been 16 or 17) @BacklistedPod

[John Watson @johnwatsoncan]

I thoroughly enjoyed the wonder of “The Book of Doors” by @GarethJohnBrown. Inspired imagination and plotting and world building. Just great! 📚🚪

[John Watson @johnwatsoncan]

I have no idea how “Between Two Fires” got on my TBR list. When it arrived, I was put off that it was printed by Amazon (what is this, self published?) But I was thoroughly engrossed by this historical light horror tale. Great read

[John Watson @johnwatsoncan]

I thoroughly enjoyed “Piranesi” by @susannaclarke_ This strange little tale of a parallel universe was unsettling yet fun, baffling yet easy to read. I really liked it!

[John Watson @johnwatsoncan]

There’s a lot in “The Last Battle” that is straight-up xenophobic. So it’s hard to like a book that veers into “yikes.” I’m still kind of surprised an “end-of-the-world” story is for kids. I did like all the call-backs to fav characters. But Susan was done dirty.

[John Watson @johnwatsoncan]

“The Silver Chair” has always been one of my favourite Narnia books: a quest, an underground world, the introduction of Jill. I’ve always loved this cover (although Jill looks odd, and Eustace is too young in my opinion).

[John Watson @johnwatsoncan]

“The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” - love the ship (I want to go to there), Reepicheep, and the introduction of Eustace. But the ending has never been my fave - just so on the nose. 🐉🐭🦁

[John Watson @johnwatsoncan]

How much does “Prince Caspian” mean to me? When I was a kid “Caspian” was my family’s safe word to avoid being kidnapped. Now that you know, please don’t try to kidnap me.

[John Watson @johnwatsoncan]

I was never a huge fan of “The Horse and His Boy” and I recognize a lot of it is problematic (or full-on xenophobic). But parts of it are a decent adventure story - even if the title horse is barely a lead character. 🐴

[John Watson @johnwatsoncan]

It felt appropriately cozy to read “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” during an ice storm with no power. This re-read, I was struck by how fast it moves along, and how Aslan has a crown and sceptre.

[John Watson @johnwatsoncan]

I’ve been in need of a gentle read, so back to my childhood faves to soothe the soul. “The Magician��s Nephew” is a quick prequel introducing Narnian themes of faith and service. 🪄

[John Watson @johnwatsoncan]

A trip to city always ends with a splurge: @boosterjuice

[John Watson @johnwatsoncan]

“Le Fay” by @SophKWrites was a great continuation of her Morgan/Arthurian story. Passion and magic and heartache. I can’t wait to read how the final act of these legends are imagined!

[John Watson @johnwatsoncan]

My 2024 #reading list.

[John Watson @johnwatsoncan]

I massively enjoyed ��Voyage of the Damned” by @Frances_Writes. A murder mystery on a boat of magical beings, with political intrigue, questionable alliances, and complex (but accessible) world-building.

[John Watson @johnwatsoncan]

Well “Kidnapped” by Robert Louis Stevenson started out okay, but turned into a chore-read of endless wanderings, illnesses, random nuisances of the Jacobite rebellions, and sketchy clan relations.

[John Watson @johnwatsoncan]

I really liked “Queen Macbeth” by @valmcdermid a tight tale about the maligned queen. Wish it was a bit longer - I wanted more! Borrowed @HaliburtonCPL

[John Watson @johnwatsoncan]

We all loved reading “The Midnight Library” by @matthaig1 in our book club. Thanks to @HaliburtonCPL and the Friends for making these book sets available. Lots of great discussions!

[John Watson @johnwatsoncan]

“The Life Impossible” by @matthaig1 - another of his novels that gets you in the feels. A celebration of life and connection.

[John Watson @johnwatsoncan]

At first I wasn’t sure about the change in POV character, but I ended up really liking where “Ravensong” by @TjKlune went. A great continuation and expansion of this (sometimes sexy) werewolf and witch saga. 🐺🧙🏻‍♂️