From the very first page, I was immersed in the world author Bonnie Garmus created. The tale is funny, sad, maddening, and inspiring, and when I reached the last page I returned to the beginning and re-read the novel a second time.

Newsgathering – the business of journalism – costs money. I do not envy the job of news managers, in public or private news organisations, trying to find a sustainable economic model. That is not, and never will be, an easy task. Sadly however, in my 25 years in journalism, I’ve seen many misguided and harmful attempts to attract more eyeballs, in the hopes of increasing revenues. I made my main character, Marcie Blanchard, a journalist. It’s always good to write about what you know. But mainly, I wanted to make some points – truth via fiction if you will - about how important it is to manage the business of journalism properly, so that journalists can be independent, tenacious, and unafraid in their reporting.

There are signs gender equality gains are evaporating (or never existed in the first place). About two weeks before Olivia Chow, the new Mayor of Toronto, was elected, an alarming global study was released, showing 90% of people are biased against women.

Flying planes long distances across the North Atlantic had not been done before outside of the summer season, with its lighter skies and kinder winds. Ferry Command pilots like Walter needed to be resourceful, skilled, and very brave. What memories Walter shared for my documentary series! Flying with one hand attempting to scrape ice off the outside (yes!) of the cockpit windows. Taking off from Gander, seeing the dark cliffs of Newfoundland fade into the background and wondering what perils lay ahead on his long journey…hostile aircraft, ferocious weather, equipment failure. He risked his life for people he would never meet because it was what was needed, because it was the right thing to do.