Sonja Boon
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storiedselves.bsky.social
Sonja Boon
@storiedselves.bsky.social
990 followers 1.4K following 430 posts
writer. researcher. flutist. teacher. stitcher of stories.

https://linktr.ee/sonjaboon
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storiedselves.bsky.social
book launching and what a time we had! We wanted a kitchen party vibe, and I think we managed it! Such. Great. Energy. Thanks to all contributors (both writers/researchers & folks behind the scenes), all who celebrated with us, and all who wrote to Joey in the first place!

@memorialup.bsky.social
a long table with copies of Dear Mr. Smallwood stacked across it. Behind the table is a glass display case. a photo of three smiling women wearing bow ties and glasses.
November 28, 2025 at 12:49 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
Today I breathed in the Outer Battery
red berries along a riddle fence a narrow paved road with colourful houses crowded along the edges. a set of rickety yellow fences and a path leading up to an equally rickety yellow building a sign that reads The Battery, and below it another sign that reads City of St. John's with an arrow pointing to the right.
November 26, 2025 at 7:13 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
What does a (polka dot) mask have to do with Smallwood? Well, you'll need it if you want to play "Pin the Bow Tie on Joey" at our book launch on Wednesday!

Come celebrate our new book: Dear Mr. Smallwood!

Wed. Nov. 26 | 7 pm
The Great Hall, Queen's College
210 Prince Philip Drive.
a handmade face mask created from black and white polka dot flannel. a poster that features a red book on the right hand side. The book has black reading glasses on it and a fish hook and is called Dear Mr. Smallwood. The text on the poster reads: Join Sonja Boon, Vicki Hallett, and contributors of Dear Mr. Smallwood for the Official Launch Nov 26 7:00 pm The Great Hall, Queen's College,. Memorial University, 210 Prince Philip Drive. Readings, Discussion. Merriment. Refreshements. Everyone Welcome.
November 24, 2025 at 5:35 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
We'll be live on CBCNL's The Signal with Adam Walsh on Monday, November 24 talking all things letters to Smallwood! With contributors Jasmine Paul (@jnp709.bsky.social), Kate Lahey, and Jennifer Morgan.

And? There's a free book in the offing for one lucky listener!

@memorialup.bsky.social
a picture of Dear Mr. Smallwood: Confederation in the words of those who lived it, edited by Sonja Boon and Vicki Hallett. The cover is red with white text and features two and a half pairs of black glasses running along the left hand side
November 21, 2025 at 6:44 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
Sharon Bala, Good Guys (Penguin RandomHouse 2026)

Ok, this one is a cheat because it’s not out until January. But it looks fabulous, and her previous novel, The Boat People was great, so if anyone is inclined to pre-order this one for me, I would not say no.
this image features the cover of Sharon Bala's forthcoming novel: an orange/red fire-like background with Good Guys superimposed over it. The main text for this image is the same as that found in the post.
November 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
Ainsley Hawthorn, ed. Land of Many Shores (Breakwater, 2023)

Who gets to belong in Newfoundland & Labrador? That’s the key question that underpins this collection of essays authored by folks whose perspectives have often been neglected, hidden, or outright ignored.

@breakwaterbooksltd.bsky.social
this image features the cover to Hawthorn's book: a styllized landscape with water, land and a big red/orange sky. The text is the same as the text for this post.
November 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
Lori Doody, The Island (Running the Goat, 2023)

A gentle children’s book about resettlement and what it means to carry home in your heart.

@runningthegoat.bsky.social
this image features the cover of Lori Doody's book, which is a painting of an island surrounded by water. The text on this image is the same as the text for this post.
November 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
Veselina Tomova, The Wall and the Wind (Running the Goat, 2020)

A children’s book that tackles big questions about borders, migration, and belonging with thoughtful questions and beautiful illustrations.

@runningthegoat.bsky.social
image features the cover of Tomova's book. One half of the cover is grey and monochrome and reads "The Wall"; the other half is colourful, and features a person on a hill painting the sky. The text on thiis image as a whole is the same as the text for this post.
November 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
Michelle Porter, Scratching River (WLU Press, 2023)

A memoir that braids the story of Porter’s brother with the story one of her Métis ancestors, and the more-than-human landscapes of rivers, burdock, and bison.

@wlupress.bsky.social
this image features the cover of Porter's book, a stylized almost geographical map rendering of a river. The text is the same as the text for this post.
November 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
Douglas Walbourne-Gough, Crow Gulch (Goose Lane, 2019)

This award-winning poetry collection brings to life the marginalized, largely Indigenous (and mixed Indigenous), and later forcibly abandoned community of Crow Gulch. Intimate, visceral, and provocative.
this image feature the cover of Walbourne-Gough's collection, as well as the same text as this post.
November 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
Margot Duley, Extraordinary Passages: The Life and Times of Margaret Iris Duley, Newfoundland’s Pathbreaking Novelist (Memorial UP, 2025). Written by noted historian Margot Duley, this is a detailed look at Duley, gender, and class in the first half of the 20th cent.

@memorialup.bsky.social
an image featuring the cover of Duley's book. The cover includes a photograph of Margaret Iris Duley super imposed on a wavy blue-grey background, with the title presented in white text. the rest of the text is the same as that on this post.
November 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
@howrhearolls.bsky.social , A Queer History of Newfoundland (Engen Books, 2023)

Based on archival research and extensive interviews, this book is a love letter to queer pasts, community, resistance, and belonging. Good luck finding this one, as it’s reportedly regularly sold out!
this image features the cover for Rollmann's book, which is a collage of several photographs, some of which are rendered in rainbow colours. The text on this image is the same as that in the post
November 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
@acantle.bsky.social , The Saltbox Olive (Breakwater, 2025)

Angela Antle’s debut novel opens a window into an otherwise little known aspect of World War II: the experiences of Newfoundland soldiers in Italy.

@breakwaterbooksltd.bsky.social
an image of the bookcover for Antle's book, which is a collage of a face and house. the text is the text of this post.
November 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
@leahdawn.bsky.social , Stolen Sisters (Breakwater, 2025)
A play that imagines the lost stories of three Beothuk women. I was fortunate enough to see this in person, and have also heard the author read an excerpt. Powerful and thought provoking.

@breakwaterbooksltd.bsky.social
the cover of Leahdawn Helena's book, which features a landscape in rich colours. Also included is the text for this post.
November 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
What's on your book gifting list this year? Here is a (small) selection of books by Newfoundland and Labrador authors, some of which I've gifted and others I *hope* I'm gifted!

caveat: this list is in no particular order and it's *very* partial. I could easily have many, many more.
A list of books titled "Reading Newfoundland and Labrador: a bunch of books I have gifted (or will gift) to others, and a few that i'm gifting myself. The list that follows includes all the titles in the coming linked posts. At the end of the list, I note a caveat that the list is in no particular order and I could have included many more.
November 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
And here are another two of our contextual essays!
book page that reads: Family REunification and Citizenship: The Meaning of Confederation for Chinese Immigrants in Newfoundland by Miriam Wright and Robert Hong book page that reads: "Democracy before they are ready for it." the Hopedale protest of 1949 and Inuit Political Autonomy by Andrea Procter.
November 20, 2025 at 1:59 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
Dear Mr. Smallwood has letters, reflections.... and short essays that give insight into life in mid-20th cent NL. Thanks to these scholars (and others not shown) for sharing their expertise!

Dear Mr Smallwood Book Launch
Wed. Nov. 26 at 7 pm
The Great Hall, Queen's College

@memorialup.bsky.social
book page that reads: Medicine and Health Care in Pre- and Post-Confederation Newfoundland: Results of a Preliminary Medico-historical Checkup by J.T.H. Connor book page that reads: 'isn't much work to get beside the bucksaw': Grand Falls Workers and Their Hopes for Confederation by Terry Bishop Stirling. Book page that reads: "There is a serious shortage of food on this coast": Food security, agriculture and advocacy in Northern Newfoundland and Labrador, by Heidi Coombs book page that reads: "Excerpt from 'Newfoundland Mi'kmaw Resistance and Vibrancy in a History of Erasure," by Mi'sel Joe, Sheila O'Neill, Jessica Bound, and Jocelyn Thorpe.
November 20, 2025 at 1:59 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
Four more fabulous Dear Mr. Smallwood contributors, all inspired, moved, and affected by the letters they read: @hcoombs.bsky.social @curioushermit.bsky.social Andreae Callanan & Gemma Hickey!

One week out from our book launch!
Wed. 26 November at 7 pm
The Great Hall, Queen's College
free parking
a book page that reads: Fortune Bay & Hermitage. Yours truly, yours very truly. Andreae Callanan. A book page that reads: FOGO. The Barrelman, Gemma Hickey A book page that reads: ST, BARBE: "Destitute Received No Money Since March Please Advise" Gina Snooks book page that reads: WHITE BAY. "my dear baby was dead": A Family Tragedy in white Bay, 1951. Heidi Coombs
November 19, 2025 at 4:45 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
Dear Mr. Smallwood: Book Launch
November 26 at 7 pm
The Great Hall, Queen's College (210 Prince Philip Dr)
free parking

Books. Readings. Games. Refreshments. Merriment.

Join us!

@memorialup.bsky.social
a book page featuring a transcribed letter outlining some of the debates about joining confederation with Canada.
November 18, 2025 at 1:47 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
Dear Mr Smallwood: Confederation in the words of those who lived it, features letters, poems, visual art, reflections, and essays. It is out now and available in stores and online or via Memorial University Press. We can’t wait to celebrate at next week’s launch!
A book page featuring a transcribed letter about the price of cod.
November 18, 2025 at 1:47 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
They are incredible. Passionate. Committed. Engaged. They are the heart of NL in the mid-20th century & reading them is like sitting in on a kitchen table convo To all those who wrote to Joey, thank you for sharing these windows into your lives so those of us today can better understand them.
A page from a book featuring a transcribed telegram congratulation Joey Smallwood on his economic analysis.
November 18, 2025 at 1:47 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
Joey Smallwood received over 10,000 letters during his time in office. We read through about 1000-1200 written between 1948 and 1952, and chose a selection of 250 to share in our book.

@memorialup.bsky.social
A book page with a letter from 1949 detailing a man's economic situation, which is dire.
November 18, 2025 at 1:47 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
Woot! It's release day for Dear Mr. Smallwood! As we head towards our launch next week, I'll share hints of the book. First up: titles/authors of 4 of our 25 reflection pieces!

Dear Mr. Smallwood Launch
Wed, Nov 26 at 7 pm
The Great Hall, Queen's College (210 Prince Philip Drive)
free parking.
a page from a book titled Dear Mr. Smallwood. This page is the opening page of a chapter. It reads: Bonavista South: Confederation Promises, Confederation Prayers" and the author is Julia Laite This is part of a book page, with a chapter title that reads: Burgeo-LaPoile: If Only I Could Casually Brain Dump on Joey Smallwood via Messenger at 2 a.m. and it's by Joanne Harris. This is part of a book page, and the title reads: St. John's West: No More Hooey: A Widow Writes the Premier Part of a book page that reads: Carbonear-Bay de Verde: On Archives as Time Travel: How Letters to Smallwood Transported Me Back in Time" written by Jasmine Paul.
November 17, 2025 at 6:11 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
if you're coming to our launch, you'll get the full force of "game shows are fun and Sonja clearly hasn't organized a birthday party or been in an undergrad classroom for a long time."

There are only ten questions (well, 4 more if we need a playoff round). And there will be a prize, too!
a poster with a red strip along right hand side, with black glasses inside it. The text of the poster reads: Dear Mr. Smallwood: The Game Show, with your hosts Sonja Boon and Vicki Hallett.
November 14, 2025 at 9:50 PM
storiedselves.bsky.social
when your silvery soprano sells ..... face powder? Marie Toulinguet, Newfoundland's Nightingale of the the North, in The American Druggists' Circular and Chemical Gazette, 1899
a late nineteenth-century advertisement for Freeman's Face Powder featuring quotes from famous women users, Scalchi and Marie Toulinguet, both of whose photos are in the ad. Marie Toulinguet's blurb reads: "I am delighted with Freeman's Veloutine Face Powder. It is the most satisfactory Complexion Powder I have yet found."
November 14, 2025 at 6:21 PM