Lisa Ray Instagram – The season of outdoor reading is finally here in BC 😂 one of my favourite spring activities. Before leaving for Asia, I’ve been immersing myself in some notable Canadian books. #PolarVortex moves at a clip, a feat considering most of the action takes place in a small, northern Canadian town, where Priya has moved with her lesbian partner Alex. But unresolved secrets from her past- in the form of a visit from old flame Prakash – begin to dissemble her compartmentalised present. I also like the acutely observed cultural differences between Priya and Alex. ‘One of the differences between us, Priya, is that your boundaries are far more fluid than mine…you come from a place where family’s need friends are in each other’s lives everyday.’ The Diamond Grill by Fred Wah is a landmark discovery for me, in that I was not familiar with Fred’s acclaimed work as a poet. This gem of a book, spilling over with beautiful prose, recipes, character sketches and anthropological musings as well as a portrait of his mixed heritage (Chinese- Scandinavian) centres around the Diamond Grill which was the most modern Chinese cafe in Nelson BC in 1951. Its thrilling to read decades old accounts of Baker Street where I stroll every day, but Fred is also unsparing in cataloging the taunts, prejudices and racism he and his family encountered. I was not aware that Chinese immigrants were subject to a head tax if they wished to work and live in Canada, while their wives and indeed all women from mainland China were banned. While it’s exhilarating to acknowledge how far we have evolved, progress is not without pain, indignities and untold stories of suffering. So important to reclaim and acknowledge Canada’s chequered human rights history. Thank you @anjmathias for introducing me to Fred’s work. #Canlit @shani_mootoo