Bueller ...  Bueller?

What is Stephen Harper Reading?
Yann Martel
Random House

Dear Mr. Harper,

So what is it with that Yann Martel guy, anyway?  I mean, where does he get off sending you a book every couple of weeks and telling you what you should, as the prime minister of our great nation, be reading?  Not that you probably have the cycles anyway ...   I hear that you're a pretty busy guy these days, what with proroguing parliament and all.  Oh, yeah, running away from the Afghan detainee controversy must also take up a great deal of your time.  When would you find the hours to sit and read something that could expand your mind?

That said, you have to admit that he writes you some pretty amazing letters.  His observations on great literary works and how you could directly apply some of the ideas to your day-to-day job is both thought-provoking and thoughtful.  I especially like his idea of stillness.  That, in itself, is worth thinking about.

Well, it's a shame that you haven't been able to respond more fully to any of his notes.  Your aides seem to do a hit-and-miss job of monitoring your mail.  I think at last count he had sent you seventy or so books, but only a few thank you notes had made it his way.  What I'd like to know is what you're going to do with your library when you eventually have to give up office.  Will you take it with you?  I hope so.  I wouldn't want all of those words to go to waste.

Yours very sincerely,

The Dog-Eared Soul