Hello readers,

Many of you may have been dismayed when a small snowstorm hit Winnipeg yesterday afternoon. I know I was longing for sunshine and green grass and was sad to see the snowpocalypse hitting downtown. Here in Winterpeg, we often have unrealistic hopes for springtime – but this year, it looked like we were going to experience a true spring and we were excited! Well, worry not friends. Even though there is a little bit of snow back on the ground, the fact that ‘Winter is coming’ doesn’t have to be a bad thing….if that winter refers to Game of Thrones.

We’re a little over a week away from the premier of Game of Thrones season 5 on HBO and I am super excited. My dad watched the first season when it premiered in 2011 before either of us had heard of George R.R. Martin’s series Song of Ice and Fire and really enjoyed it. I watched the recap of Season 1 and then decided to purchase the books so that we could get the full experience (because aren’t the books always better?). We have both now read all five books and are eagerly awaiting book six, Winds of Winter. According to an Entertainment Weekly interview with Martin, he hopes to release Winds of Winter by 2016 – my fingers are crossed!

Zero spoiler alerts here – but I do want go over which character plot lines I’m most excited to read about in the next GOT instalment. My favourite characters to follow are Jon Snow, Tyrion, and Daenerys. I love Samwell Tarly. I used to like Arya and then I really didn’t but now I might again. I wish there was more about Bran up north and I am super curious about the White Walkers. My money is on Benjen Stark being the guy on the elk (nicknamed ‘Coldhands’). I love Daenerys (who doesn’t?) but I also have an appreciation for Jamie Lannister (even though he has questionable morals). I am not a fan of Sansa and I tend to skim anything to do with the Greyjoys. I think Bronn is hilarious and in terms of the show, I find Jon Snow and Daario Naharis extremely attractive. Guys, there’s so much to look forward to this season and in the next book!

While I wait for winter to get here, I’ll be reading Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, which is a post-apocalypse novel being endorsed by none other than our friend George R.R. Martin. Check it out!

Season 5 of Game of Thrones will be premiering on Sunday, April 12 at 9pm on HBO.

Happy reading and Happy Easter!
Katrina