Author Archives: CaseytheCanadianLesbrarian

About CaseytheCanadianLesbrarian

Known in some internet circles as Casey the Canadian Lesbrarian, Casey Stepaniuk is a writer and librarian who holds an MA in English literature. She lives and works in the unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation (Nanaimo, BC). Topics and activities dear to her heart include cats, bisexuality, libraries, queer (Canadian) literature, running, and drinking tea. She runs the website Casey the Canadian Lesbrarian, where you can find reviews of LGBTQ2IA+ Canadian books, archives of the book advice column Ask Your Friendly Neighbourhood Lesbrarian, and some other queer, bookish stuff. She also writes for Autostraddle. Find her on Twitter: @canlesbrarian. Some of her old reviews, especially the non-Canadian variety, can be found at the Lesbrary.

Fluid Queer Identities and Food Justice in the Hi-Lo YA YOU’RE YOU by Mette Bach

Posted on July 9, 2020 by CaseytheCanadianLesbrarian

A while back Lorimer Children’s and Teens, a Canadian publisher focusing on books for reluctant readers, sent me a few books from their Real Love series. The Real Love series are hi-lo YA novels about LGBTQ+ teens, written by Canadian … Continue reading →

Posted in Bisexual, Canadian, Coming-of-age, Fiction, Queer, Romance, Vancouver, Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Witty Dissertation on Love, Relationships, and Academia Itself: THEORY by Dionne Brand

Posted on July 8, 2020 by CaseytheCanadianLesbrarian

Dionne Brand’s most recent book, Theory, is one of those novels that does what it sets out to do absolutely perfectly; but what it sets out to do isn’t going to be for everyone. It’s written in a self-referential discourse … Continue reading →

Posted in Black, Canadian, Dionne Brand, Fiction, Lesbian, Queer, Toronto | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

12 (Mostly) Canadian Books about Racism, Anti-Blackness, and Anti-Racism, Plus Places to Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Posted on June 1, 2020 by CaseytheCanadianLesbrarian

Happy Pride Month! In honour of the original riot against police brutality that inspired Pride month and in support of #BlackLivesMatter I want to share two lists, one of people and organizations to donate to, and another of books. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Black, Canadian, Dionne Brand, Non-Canadian, Non-Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

“Queer and Desperate Poetry,” “Never … An Uncomplicated Story”: A Review of Amber Dawn’s Exquisite New Book of Poetry, MY ART IS KILLING ME

Posted on May 26, 2020 by CaseytheCanadianLesbrarian

Amber Dawn’s latest and second collection of poetry, My Art is Killing Me and Other Poems, is an exquisite, hard-hitting book. At times devastating, My Art is Killing Me is not without its moments of humour and light. Amber Dawn … Continue reading →

Posted in Amber Dawn, Canadian, femme, Poetry, Queer, Sex Work, Vancouver | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Longterm Lesbian Relationships, Fraught Friendships, Interrogation of Mainstream White Discourse on Queer Identity, and More!: A Review of Shani Mootoo’s Novel POLAR VORTEX

Posted on May 13, 2020 by CaseytheCanadianLesbrarian

Polar Vortex is multi-talented writer and artist Shani Mootoo’s latest book, her first in six years. I didn’t think I had a fixed idea of what I was expecting in this novel, but this strange, dark, and thought provoking novel … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian, Fiction, Lesbian, Queer, Shani Mootoo, South Asian, Toronto | 3 Comments