Medecine River - Thomas King

Brilliant book.  A novel set out west in a town beside a reserve.  The plot is loosely ties together, more a suite of events tied together by a set of recurring characters.  Classic Thomas King - very human, very humble, with a subtle biting sense of humour.  I especially like how he explores both the characters' humanity as people and at the same time hints subtly at the differences in world view, in "ground" that may be part of being native in Canada.  He both avoids stereotypes and pokes fun at them.  He has a compassionate understanding of human weakness and a fine ear for all forms of bullshit.