Author Tom Barbash on his novel The Dakota Winters

The book in some ways is definitely about celebrity. It’s about our longing to be famous and the fact that a lot of people who desperately want to become famous simply want to be anonymous once that happens.

ED KAISER Cancer patient Nora Bazin, 7, shows off her impressive collection of beads with her mother, Emily. Canadian Blood Services is partnering with the Stollery for the January beaded journey campaign to encourage Edmontonians to give blood.

DAVID BLOOM A snowman watches over pedestrians in Hawrelak Park on Jan. 2.

LARRY WONG Jaxon Kalmbach, 7, plays a game at the Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour, held outside the Sherwood Park Arena and Sports Centre Jan. 5 and 6. The free hockey celebration featured live entertainment and appearances by NHL alumni including Glenn Anderson and Grant Fuhr.

DAVID BLOOM Helmets line the Eskimos locker room at Commonwealth Stadium Jan. 3 as team general manager and VP of football operations Brock Sunderland spoke to the media about changes in coaching and football operations during a news conference.

LARRY WONG Lethbridge Hurricanes goalie Liam Hughes makes a save on the Oil Kings’ David Kope on Sunday. Hughes helped his team win 5-2.