Steve Patterson’s The Book of Letters I Didn’t Know Where to Send is a clever, sharp, and refreshingly unconventional collection of humorous open letters. As the title suggests, the book compiles a range of fictional correspondences addressed to everything from public figures to abstract concepts—even to individual letters of the alphabet.

With a distinctly satirical tone and a healthy dose of wit, Patterson uses humour to reflect on modern life, social issues, and personal frustrations.
Patterson, a Canadian comedian known for his work on CBC’s The Debaters, demonstrates a remarkable ability to balance biting commentary with light-hearted absurdity. His letters range from heartfelt to hilariously petty, tackling topics as diverse as politics, pop culture, grammar, and grocery store etiquette. His targets include high-profile names like Barack Obama as well as anonymous offenders he labels simply as “arseholes”—a term he deploys with as much humour as exasperation.

One of the book’s strengths lies in Patterson’s unapologetically candid voice. He doesn’t tiptoe around topics or sugar-coat opinions. Instead, he embraces honesty and sarcasm in equal measure, writing with a tone that’s equal parts rant and stand-up routine. His advice to difficult people, for example, is often as blunt as “stop being you,” which somehow manages to feel both ridiculous and strangely therapeutic. Readers who enjoy comedians like John Oliver or Trevor Noah will likely find Patterson’s approach appealing—thought-provoking, yet never self-serious.

While much of the book is highly entertaining, it’s not without its drawbacks. The earlier chapters in particular veer heavily into political commentary, focused on Canadian and American figures from around 2015. For readers seeking pure comedy without a civics lesson, this section may feel slightly dated or overly focused on the specifics of past political climates. Although Patterson’s points are valid and well-written, they occasionally slow the momentum for those hoping for more timeless or universal humour. In fairness, this is more a matter of reader expectation than authorial failure—the book’s content aligns with the era of its publication, and some letters likely would shine more in performance than on the page.

That said, the book’s structure—short, punchy letters—is well-suited to being read aloud, and doing so can enhance the comedic rhythm. Patterson’s background in stand-up shines through his writing; many of the letters feel like rehearsed monologues, just waiting to be spoken onstage. This quality adds a performative layer that rewards engaged reading and, perhaps more effectively, enthusiastic recitation.

In terms of literary merit, the book is a unique blend of satire and social critique, with moments of genuine insight woven into the jokes. Patterson has a knack for pointing out the absurdities of everyday life and transforming them into laugh-out-loud observations that still carry a kernel of truth.

Final Verdict: ★★★½ (3.5/5)
The Book of Letters I Didn’t Know Where to Send delivers well-crafted humour and smart observations with a distinct voice. While its more dated political references may not land for every reader, Patterson’s wit, honesty, and originality make this collection an enjoyable and memorable read.

It’s the kind of book you’ll want to quote aloud to friends—and perhaps secretly write a response letter or two of your own!

Book: Kira’s Secret
Author: Orysia Dawydiak
Publisher: Acorn Press

Kira’s Secret is a adventure book that appeals to everyone and encourages reads to imagine the what-ifs of imagination. It follows our main character, Kira, as she goes on an adventure to find out a big secret. She will never be the same ever again.

I loved this book so much and I think it would be the perfect summer read for everyone! My favourite part of this book was when Kira went to visit her real family under the sea.

I loved how I saw myself in Kira and how I could imagine everything that happened!
I rate it 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 stars

Book: The secret Of The Silver Mines
Author: Shane Peacock
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing

I want to say a huge thank you to Digitally Lit and Nimbus Publishing for the awesome free book and for allowing me to rep Atlantic Canada!

This book follows our main character Dylan Maples as his family moves to Cobalt, Ontario, to assist with the adventure of a lifetime helping an older gentleman who is wanting the money stolen from him but when they come across a lot of bone chilling experiences they must band together to live.

I liked the whole premise of the book and thought it was extremely well written. My favourite part was when Dylan meets his new friend Wynona Dixon and their friendship blossom.

I liked this book so much that I stayed up late to finish reading it. I liked how it always left off with a cliff hanger at the end of each chapter. I liked how I was able to picture everything in the book.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great adventure book to keep you hooked till the end!
I rate it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars

The Dark Galaxy
By: Hannah D. State
It’s been a year since Samantha Sanderson found out she was Queen of Kryg and saved earth with her friends Kato, Kobe and Simon. Together they have been enjoying the summer and are now getting ready for the new school year. One day Sam finds a letter addressed to her from the Great Alliance for Interplanetary Affairs (GAIA). The letter states she is needed at GAIA headquarters as it is a matter of international security which just happens to be in Labrador. Sam realizes that this could be a really big deal as her friends have also been recruited to go. Upon arrival to GAIA Sam has a strange feeling that she is not welcomed by the locals even though her friends are having a great time. Even Admiral Green has been keeping her in dark as to why they were recruited to GAIA. As the days go on and the coldness of the community continues towards her lots of strange things begin to happen including an attack. Admiral Green assigns Kwan who is a body guard to protect Sam and her friends. Sam’s suspicions continue to grow as she and her friends try to piece together the real reason as to why they were brought there!
I really enjoyed this book. The twists were amazing and I never knew what would happen next. The characters were also really fleshed out and had such unique personalities that suited them all. This was honestly such a good read and it is definitely one of my favorites. I rate this book a 5/5.

"SWAN" by Sidura Ludwig is a moving, heartfelt, and beautifully crafted novel that left a lasting impression on me. The story of Anna, a girl growing up with extraordinary height, is told with such honesty and sensitivity that I found her incredibly easy to relate to. Her emotional journey made me feel seen and understood, allowing me to connect deeply with the story and reflect on my own experiences of feeling different.

The novel follows twelve-year-old Anna Swan as she grapples with the challenges brought on by her unusual height. After moving with her family to her grandmother’s farm, she faces the difficulties of starting at a new school, fitting into desks not built for her frame, and enduring the cruel taunts of classmates who label her the “Giant Girl.” Despite her size, Anna longs to blend in, craving small comforts like shoes that fit and pews that don’t groan beneath her weight. When the idea of exhibiting herself in Halifax arises as a means of helping her family, Anna is forced to question her worth and confront the fine line between empowerment and exploitation.

Told in lyrical verse, Ludwig’s storytelling captures the emotional nuances of Anna’s journey with elegance and clarity. The book explores powerful themes of identity, self-acceptance, and the pain of being different in a world that demands conformity.

What I appreciated most was Anna’s growth. Not physically her height’s growth, but her character development. At first, she sees her height as a curse—proof, perhaps, of a divine mistake. But as she grows, Anna begins to understand that being extraordinary is not something to hide, but something to embrace. This novel beautifully affirms that our differences, though difficult, can become our greatest strength.

I highly recommend "SWAN" to anyone learning to accept and celebrate who they are.