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Category: Biography & Memoir

26 New Rep Picks For Fall 2019

by Kayi
Animals & Nature + Art & Photography + Biography & Memoir + Board Books + Fiction + Mysteries and Thrillers + Science Fiction and Fantasy + Food & Drink + Graphica + Health & Wellness + Kids + Picture Books + Psychology & Self-Help + Sports + YA Fiction / October 22, 2019

 

Cozy up—because our fall titles are here to keep you in your reading nooks through this rainy season. If you’re overwhelmed by all the exciting releases hitting shelves over the next few months, take a look at our sales reps' favourites curated just for our booksellers and readers.

 

Books for Adults
 

(1) Rebel Writers
by Celia Brayfield

“Shelagh Delaney, and then Edna O’Brien, Lynne Reid Banks, Virginia Ironside, Charlotte Bingham, Margaret Forster and Nell Dunn. Writers who depicted the lives of women with openness and honesty, challenging traditional concepts of womanhood in the writing that came before them, and leaving their mark on all writing that came after them. This is their story told for the first time.”
—Morgen Young

(2) Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts
by Kate Racculia

“October always brings me a desire to read slightly spookier (but not scary!) books, but that’s only one of the reasons I’m so excited to read this one! I’m a massive fan of Racculia’s last book, Bellweather Rhapsody, and her new novel sounds like it’ll bring plenty of the same elements: a misanthropic protagonist, a group of misfits, spooky moments, and a delicious mystery. (Bonus: can you guess which rep is also a big Bellweather Rhapsody fan?)”
—Dani Farmer

(3) Ballerina Project
by Dane Shitagi

“I grew up doing ballet so I immediately fell in love with this beautiful book that profiles ballerinas from around the world. This gorgeous coffee table book is perfect for ballerinas and non-ballerinas alike.”
—Jessica Price

(4) Gather 
by David Robertson

“Gather ‘round! The follow-up to the bestselling Dirty Apron Cookbook is here! With a focus on family-oriented comfort food and inspired by a wide range of cuisines from all over the world, this cookbook is sure to have something for everyone.”
—Jenny Enriquez

(5) The Man That Got Away
by Lynne Truss

“A young man is found dead on Brighton Beach and Constable Twitten must find the murderer and convince his colleagues there’s an evil mastermind at hand. This is book #2 in the Constable Twitten Mystery series.”
—Laureen Cusack

(6) A Well-Behaved Woman
(new in trade paper)
by Therese Anne Fowler

“A Well-Behaved Woman is the story of Alva Vanderbilt, a fierce female power ahead of her time in the Gilded Age, New York. This was a ‘richly’ riveting read!”
—Laurie Martella

(7) Dog is Love 
by Clive D.L. Wynne, PhD

“Did you know your oxytocin levels spike when you and your dog look into each other’s eyes? (That’s the love hormone!) Using science and original research, canine behaviorist Clive Wynne explains ways we can better reciprocate their affection so they understand our love.”
—Evette Sintichakis

(8) The Girl Who Reads on the Metro
by Christine Feret-Fleury

“A delayed coming-of-age story after my own heart! Juliette dreams away her morning commute by making up stories about the strangers reading across from her on the metro. One day she stumbles into a used bookshop and finds herself taking on the job of bringing used books out into the world and using her imagination to match books with readers. And all this in a dreamy Parisian setting.”
—Laura MacDonald

(9) Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now
(new in trade paper)
by Jaron Lanier

“I have always been a sceptic and this book confirms my doubts. Bottom line—social media platforms are commercial endeavours so must make a profit and therefore how much truth are you seeing and how secure can they be? The author, Jaron Lanier, believes social media to be an excellent form of global communication but it was set up too fast with no rules and all the power lies in the hands of the owners, NOT the users. Lanier’s message: get off these old platforms NOW and let the new, secure ones being created have room to bloom!”
—Karen Stacey

(10) Lost Connections
(new in trade paper)
by Johann Hari

“This book is a fascinating look at depression, and how we treat it as a society. Full of examples of how real people are dealing with their mental health, Hari had me examining the fabric of my own life. Lost Connections is thoroughly empathetic and readable.”
—Ali Hewitt

(11) The Ruin of Kings
(new in trade paper)
by Jenn Lyons

“In Ruin of Kings, we follow the adventures in a dual-timeline of the protagonist, Kihrin, through multiple perspectives as he tries to uncover the truth behind his parentage, heritage, and the threat against the world. Kihrin will have to uncover ancient secrets, fight demons, and find out what his friends, family, and acquaintances are hiding from him. In this high fantasy story filled with world building, Jenn Lyons begins a harrowing story of loss and the resilience required to survive in a world filled with lies.”
—Louis-Marc Simard

(12) Am I Overthinking This?
by Michelle Rial

“A hilarious and visual book that pokes fun at the mundane and seemingly enormous worries we all have.”
—Saffron Beckwith

(13) Conversations with RBG
by Jeffrey Rosen

“An inspiring and insightful look at the trailblazing life and career of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, one of only 4 women to ever be appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States.”
—Pavan Ranu
 

Books for Kids

 

(14) Most of the Better Natural Things in the World
by Dave Eggers, illustrated by Angel Chang

“Embark on an epic journey across a multitude of the world’s landscapes and solve the mystery of why a tiger is carrying a chair on her back in this gorgeously illustrated picture book by Dave Eggers and Angel Chang.”
—Jenny Enriquez

(15) Ordinary Mary's Positively Extraordinary Day
by Emily Pearson, illustrated by Fumi Kosaka

“This is a follow-up to a lovely book about the cumulative effects of kindness (that sold 7,000 copies in Canada!). With a message of how kindness can make a positive difference in people’s lives and charmingly diverse illustrations, this is a must-read for everyone!.”
—Ali Hewitt

(16) Dinosaur Yoga
by Mariam Gates, illustrated by Matthew Rivera

“This adorable picture book reminds us that anyone can do yoga, even dinosaurs!”
—Jessica Price

(17) The Sleeping Beauty
by Jennifer Adams, illustrated by Corey Egbert

“As an armchair ballet fan, do you know what’s even better than following ballerinas like Misty Copeland and Isabella Boylston on Instagram? Having a board book to share with the little people in my life that is beautifully illustrated as well as diverse. This book will look beautiful in any nursery (or on my own bookshelf!).”
—Dani Farmer

(18) This book just stole my cat!
by Richard Byrne

“When Ben’s cat disappears into the binding of the book, a search-and-rescue mission is set into motion. Hilariously funny with cute characters and bright, bold illustrations.”
—Laureen Cusack

(19) Happy Right Now
by Julie Berry, illustrated by Holly Hatam

“Happy Right Now is a delightfully colourful book, exploring a range of emotions, with the message of how to ‘be’ with those emotions.”
—Laurie Martella

(20) A to Z Menagerie
illustrated by Suzy Ultman

“A beautiful alphabet board book with die-cut letters and pull tabs, from the creator of the MASHA books. Think TouchThinkLearn, with Suzy Ultman’s style. Perfect for little hands.”
—Morgen Young

(21) Reading Beauty
by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Meg Hunt

“I’m a total sucker for a fractured/retold/feminist fairy tale. Reading Beauty is about a young, black space heroine who creates her own happy ending through the power of reading. Also, there’s a puppy who fetches books, need I say more??”
—Laura MacDonald

(22) Trapeze
by Leigh Ansell

“This is a charming coming-of-age story about trapeze artist Corey who feels like a fish out of water when she is forced to stop traveling with the circus. She doesn’t know how to be a normal teenager because she grew up in the circus and never stayed in one place too long. Now she’s starting school and trying to fit in. Think Water for Elephants meets Rainbow Rowell.”
—Evette Sintichakis

(25) There Will Come a Darkness
by Katy Rose Pool

 “Full of epic world building and an amazing cast of characters, this book delivers! Pull back the curtain and find out if the world will be saved or led to the end of its days.”
—Pavan Ranu

(24) Santa’s Cookie Is Missing!
illustrated by Anne Passchier

“An adorable and delicious book... also please don’t eat this book ;)”
—Saffron Beckwith

(25) Ruby Finds a Worry
by Tom Percival

“Anxiety in children is rising at alarming rates! In this beautifully illustrated picture book, Tom Percival writes a powerful book about the place worries take in our lives. As worries stay inside our head, they grow and grow until it’s all we can think about! The only way to get the worry smaller is very accessible: we can talk about them with friends and family. Just as with his previous book Perfectly Norman, the author delivers an important book explaining mental health concepts to young children.”
—Louis-Marc Simard

(26) AstroNuts Mission One: The Plant Planet
by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Steven Weinberg

“Here he is again—Jon Scieszka, the dynamic and original author that brought you Stinky Cheese Man, Three Little Pigs, and more. In AstroNuts, he has created a groundbreaking, very cool new series for the 8-12 crowd with full colour, gatefolds, and how-to pages, illustrated by Steven Weinberg. Think Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy for kids! This will be the first of 3 titles by this dynamic duo in this new ‘out of the world’ series.”
—Karen Stacey

 

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28 New Rep Picks For Spring 2019

by Brooke
Animals & Nature + Biography & Memoir + Current Affairs + Fiction + Mysteries and Thrillers + Science Fiction and Fantasy + Food & Drink + Health & Wellness + History + Kids + Music + Parenting + Picture Books + Psychology & Self-Help + Travel + YA Fiction / February 21, 2019

Spring is coming right around the corner, and to celebrate the new season, here are some fantastic book recommendations from our sales reps! Happy reading!
 

Books for Adults
 

The Collected Schizophrenias
by Esmé Weijun Wang

"This book is a fascinating exploration of mental illness, from an author who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Wang’s essays are both touchingly personal and a journey through the history of mental illness and its diagnosis. Intimate, empathetic, and full of insight, this book is a must read!"
—Ali Hewitt
 

Women Rowing North
by Mary Pipher

"In Reviving Ophelia, Mary Pipher helped generations of girls and their parents navigate the choppy waters of adolescence. In Women Rowing North, she is examining the challenges and cultural issues women face as they age and offers a guide to wisdom, authenticity and bliss. There is a huge market of women looking for advice and support and Pipher is perfectly placed to offer it."
—Judy Parker


A Deadly Divide
by Ausma Zehanat Khan

"In this gripping new mystery, Detectives Khattak and Getty investigate a shooting at a mosque in Quebec City that looks like a hate crime."
—Laureen Cusack


The Little Island Bake Shop
by Jana Roerick

"I love Jana’s baking and am so happy to have her recipes!!!"
—Saffron Beckwith


Queen Bey
by Veronica Chambers

"In addition to being a record-breaking artist, Beyonce is a business woman, mother, daughter, sister, wife, black feminist and most importantly, one of the greatest stars of our time."
—Jessica Price


Rupture
by Ragnar Jonasson

"Fourth in Ragnar Jonasson’s Icelandic thriller series, starring detective Ari Thor. If you are fan of Nordic Noir, or not, read this dark atmospheric mystery, packed with fabulous scenery, quirky characters and a strong plot-driven story."
—Karen Stacey


Kid Gloves
by Lucy Knisley

"I really “relished” Lucy’s first book about her lifelong relationship with food and I can’t wait for her new graphic memoir about her difficulties conceiving and being pregnant. Lucy has been hyping this book’s “birth” with forty weeks of fun pregnancy facts on her Instagram, amidst (spoiler alert) photos of her super cute son!"
—Dani Farmer


She Explores
by Gale Straub

"In a time when people are choosing to spend money on travel and experiences over accumulating stuff, this book is perfect. Gorgeous travel photography with women’s personal stories of adventure and reflection—this book is the next best thing to actually spending time in the wild."
—Evette Sintichakis


Why You Like It
by Nolan Gasser

"This book explores the science and sociology behind why we fancy the sounds of our favourite musical artists. I love so many genres of music—what does that say about me?!"
—Laurie Martella


The Future Is Feminist
Edited by Mallory Farrugia

"Who run the world? FEMINISTS! A collection of brilliant essays by beloved feminist icons in one beautiful package. The perfect book for feminists of all ages."
—Laura MacDonald


Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions
Third Edition
by Gloria Steinem, foreword by Emma Watson

"Gloria Steinem’s timeless collection of feminist essays is back in a third edition with a new foreword by Emma Watson and new preface by Gloria Steinem herself! A worthy and essential addition to any feminist collection."
—Jenny Enriquez


Upon A Burning Throne
by Ashok K. Banker

"Ashok K. Banker, while not as well known in the West, is the founder of Indian fantasy fiction, similar to what Tolkien was for European literature. He has written more than 52 books, and has gained international following. Upon a Burning Throne is his latest title, featuring diverse characters, relentless action and an ongoing mystery sure to please all fantasy readers!"
—Louis-Marc Simard


Freedom from Anxious Thoughts and Feelings
by Scott Symington, PhD

"Anxiety is the most common mental health issue in Canada today, so any and all help is necessary! In Freedom from Anxious Thoughts and Feelings, Scott Symington introduces an incredibly simple concept to help us all redirect our thoughts back to what is happening in the present moment and move away from a life where we are ruled by our worries. Because everybody needs help sometimes."
—Morgen Young

 

Books for Kids
 

Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug
By Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Jay Fleck

"It’s tough to give your friends hugs when your arms are so small, but Tiny T. Rex must find a way! This adorable picture book is the start of a new series starring this lovable dinosaur. I dare you not to fall in love with the plucky and charming Tiny T. Rex. I DARE YOU."
—Jenny Enriquez


A Friend for Henry
by Jenn Bailey, illustrated by Mika Song

"A Friend for Henry is a beautifully illustrated picture book told from the point of view of a child on the autism spectrum. The author gives us insight into Henry’s perspective, modeled after one of her sons on the spectrum. The touching and positive story will touch everyone’s hearts, children and adults alike!"
—Louis-Marc Simard

Voices
by David Elliott

"An extraordinary retelling and exploration of how Joan of Arc changed the course of history! In this age of the Throne of Glass, Divergent and the Hunger Games series, what better time to reintroduce the original kick ass female heroine? A novel told in verse, Voices is also perfect for fans of The Song of Achilles and Circe. Sure to be a hit with readers of teen fiction as well as teachers and librarians."
— Morgen Young

Comics Will Break Your Heart
by Faith Erin Hicks

"A sweet, funny contemporary teen romance for the inner geek in all of us."
— Saffron Beckwith


Fox & Chick: The Quiet Boat Ride
by Sergio Ruzzier

"In the classic canon of buddy books, Fox and Chick set out on a boating adventure—one an enthusiastic sailor and the other a landlubber who hates to miss out on any adventure. Told in three parts this hybrid of an early reader and picture book, illustrated in a comic book style, will be a hit for emerging and reluctant readers alike."
—Lorna MacDonald

The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane
by Julia Nobel

"Emmy’s time at a prestigious boarding school uncovers a secret society that may have played a part in her father’s disappearance."
—Laureen Cusack


The Road Not Taken
by Robert Frost, illustrated by Vivian Mineker

"Robert Frost’s beloved poem is as thought-provoking and beautiful as ever in this picture book! The imaginative interpretation of the classic poem will speak to readers of all ages. This would make a great gift to anyone facing one of life’s many transitions."
—Evette Sintichakis


The Similars
by Rebecca Hanover

"Debut author Rebecca Hanover writes a real page-turner, sci-fi YA novel filled with tension and a thrilling story of six clones who enroll at a prestigious boarding school alongside their originals. Things can only get complicated."
—Laurie Martella

Games on the Go
by Lonely Planet

"Train, plane, boat, car, no matter how you are traveling, these games will keep boredom at bay. A must pack addition for any family trip, big or small!"
—Jessica Price


Fly Girls: Young Readers’ Edition
by Keith O’Brien

"20^th century aviation history from the female pilots’ perspective. This is the story of the women pilots who joined the “boys” in the very popular sport of plane racing in the 1920s and ‘30s. A fascinating story of young women determined not to be denied their place in history. Just as Beryl Markham should be read by all young girls, so too should this book. For all those who loved Hidden Figures, here is a story of courageous liberated women ahead of their time."
—Karen Stacey


You Are New
by Lucy Knisley

"Being a new human is hard work! There are so many things to learn and taste and see. Then, just when you think you’ve got a handle on this “being” thing, you grow and there are a bunch of new things to learn! Good thing rhyming text and adorable illustrations from Lucy Knisley are here to provide a guide. Check out the page with the cat-hug… it’s my favourite."
—Dani Farmer

My Brother Otto
by Meg Raby, illustrated by Elisa Pallmer

"A little something for the siblings of the neurodiverse! As the younger sister of someone with developmental delays and disabilities, I would have LOVED a book like this when I was a kid—and I think my parents would have appreciated it too. My sibling does things their own way, maybe I understand them, maybe I don’t, but that’s okay! I love it!!"
—Laura MacDonald


The Little Guys
by Vera Brosgol

"Graphic novelist Vera Brosgol has written another subversively funny picture book. As a graphic novelist, her storytelling ability is stellar and her illustrations are perfectly matched to this story of the rampaging little guys. The message of uniting the community is subtle and doesn’t take away from the fun of the read aloud."
—Judy Parker


Brave Molly
by Brooke Boynton-Hughes

"In this panelled, wordless picture book, our heroine has to defeat the monsters of anxiety that follow her around. After trying to run from the shadowy monsters, Molly bravely confronts her anxiety and makes a friend, with the help of a good book. Author/illustrator Brooke Boynton-Hughes’ drawings do a wonderful job of capturing the fear of rejection, and the joy of a new friend we all feel."
—Ali Hewitt

 

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28 Rep Picks to Read this Fall

by Brooke
Biography & Memoir + Essays + Fiction + Graphica + Kids + Picture Books + YA Fiction / October 24, 2018

It's fall, which means it's time to cuddle up with some of our favourite titles of the season. Check out these Fall 2018 picks from our sales reps!

(1) Woman World 
by Aminder Dhaliwal

When a birth defect wipes out the planet's entire population of men, Dhaliwal's infectiously funny collection of Instagram comics follows the rebuilding process of the world. Far from the distant past of segway-riding mall cops, Blockbuster movie rental shops, and "that's what she said" jokes, Woman World's residents focus on their struggles with unrequited love and anxiety, not to mention that whole "survival of humanity" thing.

This is an uproarious graphic novel from a very talented and funny new voice.

I have been following Aminder's Instagram for a long time now and I was SO EXCITED to see that her fantastic Woman World comics are being collected. With ample humor and pathos, it is a great balm for the soul in these times of #metoo and global strife.—Dani Farmer

 

(2) The Dinner List
by Rebecca Serle

At one point or another, we've all been asked to name five people, living or dead, with whom we'd like to have dinner. What if that dinner was to actually happen?

When Sabrina arrives at her thirtieth birthday dinner she finds at the table not just her best friend, but also three significant people from her past, and Audrey Hepburn. As the appetizers are served, wine poured, and dinner table conversation begins, it becomes clear that there's a reason these six people have been gathered together.

Who would be on your dinner list? Rebecca Serle has taken that question and woven the story of Sabrina's coming of age around her dinner list. As the reader we are drawn into the story and see Sabrina's life unfold in relationship to the five people attending her thirtieth birthday dinner. Love, fate and a bit of magic realism combine for a charming read that Canadians are lucky enough to be able to buy in paperback.—Judy Parker

 

(3) The Piranhas
by Roberto Saviano

Nicolas Fiorillo is a brilliant and ambitious fifteen-year-old from the slums of Naples, eager to make his mark. He and his gang roam the streets on their motor scooters, learning how to cheat, how to steal, and how to shoot AK-47s. Slowly they begin to wrest control of the neighbourhoods from enemy gangs. Roberto Saviano imagines the lurid glamour of Nicolas's story with vividness and insight in this novel about gang warfare and a young man's dark desire to rise to the top.

A novel about the children criminal gangs of Naples, run by teenage boys and one young man's effort to rise to the top of the criminal class. Roberto Saviano is the author of Gomorrah, a non-fiction exploration of the criminal organization the Camorra, which is centred in Naples. The Piranhas is a fictional account of the boy bosses who eclipse their elders in daring and violence. Already a bestseller in Italy with rights sold in many other countries, this book is bound to be an international hit.—Lorna MacDonald

(4) BlacKkKlansman
by Ron Stallworth

In 1978, detective Ron Stallworth, the first black detective in Colorado Springs, joined the Ku Klux Klan, pretending to be a white man, launching one of the most audacious and incredible undercover investigations in American history. A true story that reads like a crime thriller.

The incredible true story of Ron Stallworth, the first black detective in the history of the Colorado Springs Police Department, who went undercover to investigate the KKK. This book is sure to get some extra buzz as there's a feature film coming out this fall (directed by Spike Lee and produced by Jordan Peele!).—Jenny Enriquez

(5) Ai Weiwei: Yours Truly
edited by David Spalding;
contributions by Ai Weiwei, David Spalding, Cheryl Haines, Jasmine Heiss

How would you react if you received hundreds of postcards from strangers while you were in prison? During renowned artist Ai Weiwei's recent art installation @Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz, visitors sent 92,829 postcards to prisoners of conscience around the world. This book delves into those postcards' lasting impact on five prisoners and their loved ones. Photographs, essays, and a statement from Ai Weiwei also help to contextualize this extraordinary project.

Artist and activist Weiwei engaged over 900,000 visitors through his art installation to correspond with 5 former prisoners on the subject of human rights. The result is this book, which looks at the impact of over 92,000 postcard responses and the impact this has had on the world human rights movement. Pre-addressed, tear-out postcards included, plus photos throughout. An important project and now an equally important archival history.—Karen Stacey

 

(6) Let Me Tell You My Story: Their Story Is Our Story
edited by Trisha Leimer

Spare, haunting, utterly magnificent, and profoundly human, this inspiring collection creates a portrait of the greatest humanitarian crisis of modern history. From the pregnant mother in the dusty Greek warehouse-turned-refugee-camp to the emaciated child in a mud-filled Bangladeshi tent to the lone Sudanese crouched under an overpass in Italy, this is a remarkable volume of exquisite photography and stories of resilience.

In the vein of Humans of New York, Let Me Tell You My Story captures the stories of refugees who fled from crisis in the Middle East. Some stories are tragic, some more light-hearted, and all accompanied with stunning visuals from award-winning photographers and visual artists. This beautiful collection was created by a German non-profit group of artists and volunteers, and royalties go to help refugees in Europe to find homes.—Laurie Martella

 

(7) The Rain Watcher
by Tatiana de Rosnay

The Malegarde family is gathering in Paris for their father's 70th birthday, each afraid that one wrong move will shatter their family's delicate harmony. Their hidden fears and secrets slowly unravel as a natural disaster visits the City of Light and the Seine bursting its banks and flooding the city. All members of the family will have to fight to keep their unity amid tragic circumstances in this profound and intense novel of love and redemption.

"In the tradition of The Nest, de Rosnay has written a moving and powerful family drama. Set in Paris against the backdrop of a natural disaster, the Malegarde family gather to celebrate the father's 70th birthday. A planned night of celebration turns into an evening of turmoil and fear."—Laureen Cusack


(8) Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea 
by Guy Delisle

Guy Delisle's Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea is the graphic novel that made his career, an international bestseller for more than ten years. While living in the nation's capital for two months on a work visa, Delisle observed everything he was allowed to see of the culture and lives of the North Koreans he encountered, bringing a sardonic and skeptical perspective on a place rife with propaganda. Pyongyang is an informative, personal, and accessible look at a dangerous and enigmatic country.

This book is even more relevant than when it originally came out. An amazing insight into what life is like inside 'The Hermit Kingdom.'"Rain Watcher—Saffron Beckwith

(9) The Best Bad Things
by Katrina Carrasco

It is 1887, and Alma Rosales is on the hunt for stolen opium in disguise as a man, the scrappy dockworker Jack Camp. It should be easy for her,
that is, if she can muscle her way into the trust of the magnetic local boss,
win back the trust of her mastermind ex-boyfriend, and keep them all from uncovering her secrets.

Alma, a badass female spy, is dismissed from her agency for bad behaviour and a penchant for going undercover as a man. Naturally, her next move is to go to work for her ex-lover, Delphine Beaumond, the mastermind behind a huge opium smuggling operation. A swashbuckling, queer,
historical crime novel... need I say more?? Best Bad Things—Laura MacDonald

 

(10) The Best Moment of Your Life
by Lonely Planet

In this book, read about 100 life-changing travel experiences—remarkable, poignant, and memorable moments that reshaped the perspective of the writers on the world, including an encounter with a Rwandan gorilla, riding horses with Patagonian gauchos, witnessing Nelson Mandela's first free speech, exploring reincarnation on the Ganges, watching a space shuttle launch, crossing the Gobi desert on foot, and a son journeying with his mother back to Alexandria.

Travel has the power to transform your life. Every place you visit impacts you and can change you in big or small ways. All you have to do is be open to it. Be inspired by these travel stories and gorgeous photos and learn to experience each moment yourself.—Evette Sintichakis

(11) The Shadow World
by Shan Jiang

London, 1900. A brilliant scientist leaves the world above to create his own world below, determined to prove his radical theory - that gravity is a geometric property of space-time. What happens when time is bent, space is collapsed, and dimensions overlap? With many games to play and millions of stories to tell, each turn of the card is a new adventure. Where will the story take you?

In The Shadow World, players are provided with 20 picture cards inspired by science-fiction art to craft and imagine their own story. Each game will be different, as millions of stories can be invented! All card decks from the Magical Myriorama series can be played individually, or with a group of co-creators. This wordless card game is a great way to stimulate the imagination!—Louis-Marc Simard

 

(12) Wellness Escapes
by Lonely Planet

From yoga, tai chi, and meditation to mindfulness, spa treatments, and creative writing, discover the world's most energizing, inspiring and relaxing well-being retreats, whether you're in the mood for a seaweed bath in Ireland, surfing in Morocco, meditation in Bali, or a sauna in Finland.

The must-have guide to the best retreats, spas and wellness resorts
from around the world that will have you returning from your next vacation feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and inspired (and who doesnn't want that?!).—Jessica Price

 

(13) How to Raise a Plant
by Morgan Doane and Erin Harding

This beautiful little book is ideal for the novice 'plant parent', providing tips on how to choose plants, where to place them, and above all how to care for them and keep them thriving. Indoor-plant experts and Instagrammers Erin Harding and Morgan Doane bring the subject to life alongside their beautiful photographs of happy plants in the home.

From the team behind the Instagram account @HousePlantClub, comes a book about how to keep all your pretty plant friends thriving. I can't wait for the chapter about citrus trees, because I'm on my third, and it's starting to look iffy...—Ali Hewitt

 

(14) Messages
by Matthew McKay, PhD; Martha Davis, PhD; and Patrick Fanning

Messages has already helped thousands of people build communication skills and cultivate better relationships with friends, family members, coworkers, and partners. This fully revised and updated fourth edition features a much-needed chapter on digital communication. You'll discover new skills to help you communicate your ideas more effectively and become a better listener.

We are all aware of the importance of effective communication skills, both in our personal and professional lives. This updated 4th edition teaches readers to become active listeners, read body language, identify communication styles, practice conflict resolution, improve public speaking skills and even has an entire chapter devoted to effective digital communication skills. Messages is not just for professionals; it is for all of us.—Morgen Young

 

(15) Crafty Llama 
by Mike Kerr, illustrated by Renata Liwska

One lovely day, Llama is having fun making special, lovely things, like gifts for her friends. But Beaver needs to think about what Llama is making. What useful thing can he do with it? With lots of craftiness and fun, this is a delightful story about how the best gifts are the ones that bring us together.

100% adorable! Crafty Llama is inspired to make crafty gifts like knitted scarves and quilted blankets for her woodland friends and learns that they can be useful gifts too.—Laureen Cusack

(16) Up the Mountain Path 
by Marianne Dubuc

One day, Mrs. Badger, an avid collector and naturalist, meets Lulu, a very small cat, on her weekly journey up to Sugarloaf Peak. Rich in wisdom and beautifully illustrated, Up the Mountain Path offers a profound story full of lessons about love, generosity, and following one's heart.

 I love Marianne Dubuc's work and Up the Mountain Path doesn't disappoint! Her trademark warmth and gentleness are on display in this lovely story of intergenerational friendship and the importance of listening to your heart.—Judy Parker

 

(17) Fourteen Animals (That Are Definitely Not An Octopus)
by Gabe Pyle

In this hilarious book of animals, artist Gabe Pyle presents 14 beloved animals who are definitely not a cleverly-disguised octopus - or are they? This is a fresh, witty romp through the animal kingdom that even adults will find hard to resist.

I love that this board book has ostriches and rhinos and squids and all kinds of creatures! Good thing none of the animals are actually just an octopus playing a trick on us... right?—Dani Farmer

 

(18) Night Play
by Lizi Boyd

Arlo and his stuffed animal friends like to put on pretend-plays. But after Arlo falls asleep, his friends don't want to stop. Lizi Boyd has once again tapped into the imaginary world of children. Her hallmark use of die-cut pages, along with a show-stopping gatefold, will have readers of all ages shouting Bravo!""

My favourite author/illustrator, Lizi Boyd, is back! This time Arlo is ready for bed, but his animal friends are wide awake and ready to put on a play. Will Arlo be able to sleep through the noise? Will the play be a success? Full of charming illustrations, and a fun, teamwork message, this book is Boyd at her best.—Ali Hewitt

 

(19) I Hate My Cats (A Love Story)
by Davide Cali, illustrated by Anna Pirolli

Ginger is the weird one. Then there's Fred. His greatest talent? Sleeping. Oh, and conspiring with Ginger to destroy the house! Such is life with cats... can't live with them, can't live without them. From internationally bestselling author Davide Cali, this humourous picture book about a cat owner and his beguiling felines celebrates quirky cat companions, im-purr-fections and all.

Spectacular! For all of us who love (and hate) to live with cats, this is for you. And for those who don't (why wouldn't you?), it's a wonderful funny story of how animals often have the upper hand in the household!—Karen Stacey

 

(20) Not Even Bones 
by Rebecca Schaeffer

Nita doesn't murder supernatural beings and sell their body parts on the Internet-er mother does that. Nita just helps. But when her mom brings home a scared and very much alive teenage boy, Nita decides this is a step too far and puts her own life on the line to save him.

The first book in a dark, twisty, YA fantasy trilogy set in a present day, alternate version of Peru! Not Even Bones is the story of a girl who sells magical body parts on the market until she's betrayed and has to fear for her own life. Perfect for anyone who loves the darker side of fantasy!—Jenny Enriquez

 

(21) Star in the Jar
by Sam Hay, illustrated by Sarah Massini

What would you do if you found a fallen star? When a little boy stumbles across a lost star, he decides to take care of it, putting it in a jar and carrying it with him everywhere. But when the sky calls out for its missing star, the little boy and his sister try to figure out a way to return the star to its friends in the sky.

When a young boy finds a star fallen from the sky, what else is there to do but put it in a jar for safekeeping? But when the little star's family sends a message looking for their lost one, the young brother and sister duo have to make a very hard decision and help the star they found return to their family. Star in the Jar is a very cute story helping us understand that we can be friends, even from far away.—Louis-Marc Simard

 

(22) A Cat's Guide to the Night Sky
by Stuart Atkinson, illustrated by Brendan Kearney

If you look up at the sky on a dark night, what do you see? This beautiful, fun book will introduce you to the beauty of the night sky and show you the stars like you've never seen them before.

Follow Felicity—a streetwise cat who spends her nights on rooftops, gazing at the night sky—as she learns about the planets, the phases of the moons, constellations, the Northern Lights and the Milky Way. Fully illustrated and with an awesome glossary, the book will be sure to get any reader stargazing.—Morgen Young

 

(23) The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
by Karina Yan Glaser

The Vanderbeekers have always lived in the brownstone on 141st Street. It's nearly another member of their family. So when their reclusive, curmudgeonly landlord decides not to renew their lease, the five siblings have 11 days to do whatever it takes to stay in their beloved home and convince
the dreaded landlord just how wonderful they are.

Funny, sweet and genuinely heartwarming. Sure to be a classic!—Saffron Beckwith

(24) The Dreamer
by Il Sung Na

Once, there was a pig who admired birds, but who knew he could never join them. Or could he? Thus begins the journey of a pig with big dreams. He develops flight plans, builds experimental contraptions, and has far-flung adventures. Il Sung Na creates a world at once whimsical and aspirational, where anything is possible and, yes, even pigs can learn to fly.

Pigs can't fly... or can they?! The heartwarming, beautifully illustrated story about a pig with big dreams.—Jessica Price

 

(25) Winter Dance
by Marion Dane Bauer, illustrated by Richard Jones

Snow is coming, and every animal seems to know how to prepare—except the fox! Each animal advises the fox that its own plan is best, but it's not until he meets a golden-eyed friend that the fox finds the perfect way to celebrate the snowfall. This gorgeous book by celebrated author Marion Dane Bauer and exciting new illustrator Richard Jones reveals that each animal has a unique way of welcoming a new season.

Who doesn't love foxes?! New in board book format, a young fox learns how other animals prepare for winter. When he meets another fox, they plan their winter adventures, including dancing on their hind legs—an authentic behaviour of red foxes. Filled with facts about animals winter habits and beautiful illustrations, this is a book to please both babies and parents."—Lorna MacDonald

 

(26) Girls Thinks of Everything:
Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women
by Catherine Thimmesh, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

In kitchens and living rooms, in garages and labs and basements, even in converted chicken coops, women and girls have invented ingenious innovations that have made our lives simpler and better. This updated edition of the best-selling Girls Think of Everything features seven new chapters and offers stories about inventions that are full of hope and vitality - empowering readers to think big, especially in the face of adversity.

I love hearing stories of how things came to be, and the influences behind creations. This collection of things that save lives or make quality-of-living better is a fun read, and something to inspire everyone!—Laurie Martella

 

(27) Potato Pants!
by Laurie Keller

Potato is excited because today - for one day only - Lance Vance's Fancy Pants Store is selling... POTATO PANTS! Potato rushes over early, but just as he's about to walk in, someone makes him stop. Who could it be? Find out in this one-of-a-kind story about misunderstandings and forgiveness, and
-of course- Potato Pants!

What's a potato to do when, on the ONE day that Lance Vance's Fancy Pants Store is selling potato pants he has a run in with his nemesis Eggplant (what's he doing at Lance Vance's Fancy Pants store anyway—eggplants don't even wear pants?!). Aside from being adorable, Potato Pants is a picture book that touches on childhood anxiety, confrontation, and forgiveness.—Laura MacDonald

 

(28) The Darkdeep
by Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs

Everyone in Timbers knows Still Cove is off-limits. But when a bullying incident sends twelve-year-old Nico Holland into Still Cove's icy waters, friends Tyle, Emma, and Oppal rush to his rescue . . . and discover in the murky, swirling mists an abandoned houseboat filled with all sorts of curiosities. In its lowest depths churns a dark, deep secret. Something ancient has awakened . . . and it can detect not only their wishes and dreams, but also their darkest, most terrible imaginings.

This middle-grade book is Stranger Things meets The Goonies! The world is eerie and the story is action-packed. This is sure to be one thrilling series by two powerhouse authors.—Evette Sintichakis

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10 Books to Read this Summer

by Melissa
Biography & Memoir + Fiction + Mysteries and Thrillers / June 22, 2018

The books you need in your beach bag this summer.

Visible Empire

By Hannah Pittard
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Available: June 5, 2018
$36.00 cdn cl / $22.99 cdn pb · 288 pages
9780544748064 ·  cl / 9781328551306 · pb

Selected as the June Book of the Month by Belletrist Book Club, Visible Empire is an epic novel based on a real plane crash that was carrying over 100 of Atlanta’s elite, and the aftermath on the city.

"On June 3, 1962, a flight carrying more than 100 of Atlanta's wealthiest residents crashed on takeoff from Paris. Pittard's kaleidoscopic novel, a fictionalized account of that disaster and its aftermath, illuminates the personal and communal grief (and, in some cases, wicked delight) of those left behind."- O, the Oprah Magazine, "Top Books of Summer"

 

The High Tide Club

Mary Kay Andrews
St. Martin’s Press
Available: May 8, 2018
$36.50 cdn cl / $24.99 cdn pb · 480 pages
9781250126061 ·  cl / 9781250199621 · pb

New York Times bestselling author and “queen of the beach” Mary Kay Andrews is back with the perfect poolside companion that has it all: mystery, romance, and friendship.

“Andrews creates a story that is at turns suspenseful, sad, and hopeful, with plenty of surprising twists. Her dialogue is natural and funny, and even her minor characters are fully drawn with unique voices. Another satisfying summer read from the queen of the beach." – Kirkus

 

The Sun Does Shine

Anthony Ray Hinton and Lara Love Hardin
St. Martin’s Press
Available: June 5, 2018
$34.99 cdn · 272 pages
9781250205797 · cl

Oprah’s Book Club Summer 2018 selection, The Sun Does Shine tells Anthony Ray Hinton’s story of the thirty years he spent on death row for a crime he didn’t commit, and his amazing endurance throughout.

"An urgent, emotional memoir from one of the longest-serving condemned death row inmates to be found innocent in America. A heart-wrenching yet ultimately hopeful story about truth, justice, and the need for criminal justice reform." - Kirkus, starred review

 

Bring Me Back

B.A. Paris
St. Martin’s Press
Available: June 19, 2018
$34.99 cdn cl / $24.99 cdn pb · 304 pages
9781250151339 · cl / 9781250193506 · pb

Looking for a suspense novel while you’re soaking up the sun? Look no further than New York Times bestselling author B.A. Paris’ latest psychological thriller that you won’t be able to put down!

"Outstanding Hitchcockian thriller… Paris plays fair with the reader as she builds to a satisfying resolution. Fans of intelligent psychological suspense will be richly rewarded." - Publishers Weekly, starred review

 

Jar of Hearts 

Jennifer Hillier
Minotaur
Available: June 12, 2018
$34.99 cdn cl / $24.99 cdn pb · 320 pages
9781250154194 ·  cl / 9781250193490 · pb

Canadian author Jennifer Hillier’s latest mystery will keep you guessing until the end in this page-turning read about three best friends—one who was murdered, one who went to prison, and one who’s searching for the truth.

“Jar of Hearts grabs you by the throat! The perfect blend of riveting characters, chilling details, and gasping twists in this standout thriller will keep you frantically reading until the explosive end." - Lisa Gardner, New York Times bestselling author of Right Behind You

 

The Neuroscientist Who Lost Her Mind

Barbara K. Lipska
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Available: April 3, 2018
$34.00 cdn · 208 pages
9781250193490 · cl

Barbara Lipska, a leading expert on the neuroscience of mental illness, was diagnosed with a deadly cancer that was spreading inside her brain and plunged her into madness. Until the treatment she was prescribed began to work and eight weeks later, she returned to normal—but with all her memories intact. Remarkable and insightful, this memoir is perfect summer reading.

“A remarkable story about strength, endurance, and human's capacity for recovery, The Neuroscientist Who Lost Her Mind truly captures what it is like to struggle with mental illness.” – Bustle

 

Shelter in Place

Nora Roberts
St. Martin’s Press
Available: May 29, 2018
$36.50 cdn · 448 pages
9781250161598 · cl

Just in time for summer, there’s a new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts! With suspense, heart, and romance, Nora Roberts’ latest will keep you enthralled as you soak up the sun.

“Roberts' newest is part thriller, part romance, part survivors' psychological study with a touch of New Age magic—and a lively, captivating read.” – Kirkus

 

How Hard Can It Be?

Allison Pearson
St. Martin’s Press
Available: June 5, 2018
$36.50 cdn cl / $24.99 cdn pb · 384 pages
9781250086082 · cl / 9781250201300 · pb

The hilarious follow-up to the New York Times bestseller I Don’t Know How She Does It, How Hard Can It Be? follows Kate in her new adventures and has already been named one of People Magazine’s Best Summer Books!

"Brilliant, funny, and tender. Tackling sexism, growing older, and understanding one's needs when catering to those of so many others, Pearson writes realism with all the fun of escapism." – Booklist, starred review

 

Wicked River

Jenny Milchman
Sourcebooks
Available: May 1, 2018
$37.99 cdn cl / $21.99 cdn pb · 464 pages
9781492664413 · cl / 9781492658993 · pb

A suspenseful and gripping new thriller set in the Adirondack forest, Wicked River makes perfect beach reading for fans of psychological suspense.

“Wicked River is partly a who-is-my-husband-really story, partly a horror-in-the-wilderness story, and partly a Manhattan-family drama, all rolled up in elegantly propulsive prose, and shot through with sinister suspense."- Lee Child, New York Times bestselling author

 

How to Walk Away

Katherine Center
St. Martin’s Press
Available: May 15, 2018
$34.99 cdn cl / $23.99 cdn pb · 320 pages
9781250149060 · pb / 9781250199614 · pb

Nina George, author of The Little Paris Bookshop, says “if you read just one book this year, read How to Walk Away.” A stunning novel that explores tragedy, love, and hope, How to Walk Away is a summer must-read.

"A story about survival that is heartbreakingly honest and wryly funny, perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes and Elizabeth Berg." —Kirkus

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28 Rep Picks to Read this Spring

by Melissa
Biography & Memoir + Essays + Fiction + Graphica + Kids + Picture Books + YA Fiction / March 16, 2018

Spring is finally here, and with the new season comes a whole new batch of favourite books! Check out our sales reps' picks for the season and get those TBR lists ready!

 

Jessica Price

The Year of Less
by Cait Flanders

“The remarkable true story of a young woman who got herself out of debt by radically simplifying and redefining what it means to have, and be ‘enough.’”

Yoga Storytime
by Miriam Raventos, illustrated by Maria Giron

“Simple text paired with beautiful illustrations make this the perfect book to introduce children to the practice of yoga.”

 

Jenny Enriquez

Shit Is Real
by Aisha Franz

“A graphic novel chock-full of existential millennial themes? Sign me up!”

Children of Blood and Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi

“So excited about this new fantasy series! A high stakes adventure about a teenage girl named Zelie who has a chance to restore magic back to her home on Orisha, with the help of her brother and the fugitive Crown Princess. The striking cover art has been all over social media, so I am clearly not alone in my excitement!”

 

Saffron Beckwith

The Merry Spinster
by Mallory Ortberg

“Ortberg’s Texts from Jane Eyre was a hoot; this takes it up a notch with feminist fairy tales that are dark and playful.”

Sylvia Long’s Big Book for Small Children
by Sylvia Long

“I have been a huge fan of Sylvia Long’s for decades; she has brought together a number of our favourite classics in a wonderful treasury.”

 

Morgen Young

Carnegie’s Maid
by Marie Benedict

“Set in mid-nineteenth century Pittsburgh, this impeccably researched novel tells the tale of Clara Kelly, maid to Andrew Carnegie’s mother, in the time when Pittsburgh was earning its name as a steel town; before Carnegie was the philanthropist he would become. At heart a tale of the immigrant experience and the power of ambition, we see the undeniably important role Clara played in Carnegie’s life, and the risks she took along the way.”

Ocean
by Ricardo Henriques, illustrated by Andre Letria

“Amazing fun facts about ocean life and exploration throughout history for 8-12 year olds! These super cool illustrations will catch the eye of both parent and child alike and will be a perfect summer title for 2018.”

 

Lorna MacDonald

The Dry
by Jane Harper

“In the process of investigating his friend’s death, Melbourne Federal Agent Aaron Falk finds that small towns can harbour big secrets. Published in hardcover in January 2017, The Dry received stellar reviews both at home and abroad—The New York Times called it ‘a breathless page turner.’ This is an atmospheric mystery with surprising revelations and plot twists.”

The Big Bed
by Bunmi Laditan, illustrated by Tom Knight

“Two’s company. Three’s a crowd. A determined toddler explains why she needs to sleep in the big bed with Mommy and not in her own little bed. Only problem is Daddy taking up a lot of space. There’s no way three of them can fit in the bed comfortably. So Daddy has got to go—but not too far. Author Bunmi Laditan, creator of the blog The Honest Toddler, puts a new twist on a perennial parental struggle! This is a bedtime story to make both parents and toddlers laugh out loud.”

 

Evette Sintichakis

Sometimes I Lie
by Alice Feeney

“Why is Amber in a coma? Why doesn’t her husband love her anymore? What does she know? WHAT IS SHE LYING ABOUT!? Sometimes I Lie is so twisty and Amber so unreliable—you truly won’t see the twist coming!”
 

Unicorn (and Horse)
by David W. Miles and Hollie Mengert

"'Unicorn dances. Tra la la! Horse sits grumpy. Blah blah blah.' This is not your typical glitter and rainbows unicorn book! Kids and adults will both love this hilarious story that ultimately reminds us about the power of friendship even though we may be different."

 

Karen Stacey

How to Swear
by Stephen Wildish

“Chats, text, tweets. Some say we’re losing proper English usage. Art of conversation? Here’s your chance to refine your language skills, Chronicle style!! A new addition to our nasty words publishing program.”

I Got It!
by David Wiesner

“Each of David Wiesner’s amazing (almost) wordless picture books reveal the magic in simple everyday settings. A great journey of imagination.”

 

Ali Hewitt

How to Write an Autobiographical Novel
by Alexander Chee

“Alexander Chee’s Queen of the Night was such a gorgeous and special book, and now he’s written a collection of essays that weaves together his coming of age as a man, writer, and activist, exploring the craft of writing, and the many facets of his identity.”

I Love Kisses
by Sheryl McFarlane, illustrated by Brenna Vaughan

“A charming picture book about the many kinds of love a toddler can experience. Inspired by my niece and written by her extremely fond grandmother (my very own mum!).”

 

Dani Farmer

Even the Stiffest People Can Do the Splits
by Eiko

“I have NEVER been able to do the splits, even as a little kid. It’s perpetually on my New Years resolution list and I’m hoping, with the help of the Marie Kondo of stretching, that I’ll finally achieve my goal. Hopefully the rest of my colleagues will join me in doing some fun stretching too!”

As You Wish
by Chelsea Sedoti

“Being a teen in a small town is tough. High school, popularity, family issues, big decisions... But what if one of the big decisions you had to make was a single, magical wish? Suddenly, turning eighteen just got a whole lot more complicated!”

 

Judy Parker

What to Do When I’m Gone
by Suzy Hopkins, illustrated by Hallie Bateman

“I am a mother to daughters, and a daughter who lost her mother, and this graphic novel spoke to both of those sides of me. I could hear the advice my mother might have given me and could see myself giving advice to my daughters but the messages in the book reach beyond those roles. It is really about love and grief and life and the format is so accessible and immediate. Highly recommended.”

Polly Diamond and the Magic Book
by Alice Kuipers, illustrated by Diana Toledano

“Alice Kuipers is a well known Canadian author who has published in the teen and picture book market. Her new character, Polly Diamond, is an absolute charmer and she will be an inspiration to young writers everywhere. An engaging main character, a realistic family and a book that writes back to Polly combine in this great new series for emerging chapter book readers.”

 

Laurie Martella

The Radium Girls
by Kate Moore

“The true story of the young women who worked in deadly radium factories during WWI. The book reveals how their daily exposure and ingestion of the poisonous substance caused serious illness and death—all the while they were assured that this new, glowing substance was completely safe. In fact, their jobs as the shining girls was coveted. I encourage you to learn more about these extraordinary women, and read this carefully researched sad, sad story.”

Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years
by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by David Litchfield

“Fun and whimsical, written by beloved children’s author Stacy McAnulty, and illustrated by the award winning and amazing illustrator David Litchfield, but told from the POV of Earth itself.”

 

Vanessa Di Gregorio

A Conjuring of Light
by V. E. Schwab

“The final book in the Shades of Magic trilogy has EVERYTHING. If this epically perfect series hasn’t been on your radar, it should be! Especially since it was just announced that there will be another four books set in the Shades of Magic universe—another trilogy and a standalone set in the future.”

100 First Words for Little Geeks
Familius

“This IS the book you’ve been looking for. As a geek mom with a geek baby (sorry Link!), this is exactly the kind of book I would love to get as a gift. Simply perfect!”

 

Laureen Cusack

The Mitford Murders
by Jessica Fellowes

“Based on a real unsolved murder! Set in London in 1920, a young impoverished woman is hired as a chaperone to Nancy Mitford and gets caught up in a murder that will haunt her and Nancy for decades to follow.”

I Really Want to See You, Grandma
by Taro Gomi

“With sparse text and bold illustrations, Taro Gomi captures the essence of that special grandparent-child bond.”

 

Louis-Marc Simard

Child of a Mad God
by R. A. Salvatore

“Few people in fantasy are as well established as R. A. Salvatore. In Child of a Mad God, Salvatore brings his storytelling talents to a whole new world: one where a young woman, a witch’s daughter, struggles to find her place in a barbaric world, as well as understand her origins. Fans of action and adventure will devour this new series debut, and hunger for more!”

The Brilliant Deep
by Kate Messner, illustrated by Matthew Forsythe

“In 2014, more than twenty species of coral were classified as endangered in the United States. In this nonfiction picture book, award-winning author Kate Messner tells the story of Ken Nedimyer, who, along with his daughter, founded the Coral Restoration Foundation. Matthew Forsythe’s gorgeous illustrations bring Ken’s quest to save the world’s coral reefs to life with its vibrant colours and bold art style.”

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Top 30 Book Covers of 2017

by Brooke
Biography & Memoir + Fiction + Food & Drink + YA Fiction / December 14, 2017

 

Take a look at some of our favourite cover designs from the last year!

 

The Dark Dark
by Samantha Hunt
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
 

The Resurrection of Joan Ashby
by Cherise Wolas
Flatiron Books

 

A Selfie as Big as the Ritz
by Lara Williams
Flatiron Books

 

Goodbye, Vitamin
by Rachel Khong
Henry Holt & Co

 

Isadora
by Amelia Gray
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

Catalina
by Liska Jacobs
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

Ali
by Jonathan Eig
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

 

Lotus
by Lijia Zhang
Henry Holt & Co

 

The Seventh Function of Language
by Laurent Binet
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

The Impossible Fairy Tale
by Han Yujoo
Graywolf Press

 

Weave a Circle Round
by Kari Maaren
Tor

 

Ultraluminous
by Katherine Faw
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

Oola
by Brittany Newell
Henry Holt & Co

 

Smith & Daugters: A Cookbook (That Happens To Be Vegan)
by Shannon Martinez and Mo Wyse
Hardie Grant

 

Sourdough
by Robin Sloan
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

This Is How It Always Is
by Laurie Frankel
Flatiron Books

 

Abandon Me
by Melissa Febos
Bloomsbury

 

Grief Cottage
by Gail Godwin
Bloomsbury

 

Swimmer Among the Stars
by Kanishk Tharoor
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

Eat Only When You're Hungry
by Lindsay Hunter
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

Knots
by Gunnhild Oyehaug
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

Caraval
by Stephanie Garber
Flatiron Books

 

Shadowless
by Hasan Ali Toptas
Bloomsbury

 

The Answers
by Catherine Lacey
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

The Grip of It
by Jac Jemc
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

The Clairvoyants
by Karen Brown
Henry Holt & Co

 

Lure
by Ned Bell and Valerie Howes
Figure 1

 

The Bedlam Stacks
by Natasha Pulley
Bloomsbury

 

Marlena
by Julie Buntin
Henry Holt & Co

 

The Great Forgetting
by James Renner
Picador

 

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22 Rep Picks to Read this Spring

by Brooke
Animals & Nature + Biography & Memoir + Fiction + Food & Drink + Graphica + Home & Garden + Humour + Kids + Picture Books + Psychology & Self-Help + Travel + YA Fiction / February 20, 2017

A new year means new books and we've got all of the recommendations you could possibly need! Kick the year off right with these hand-picked selections for the early spring season!
 

Dani Farmer

Judy Parker

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24 Rep Picks to Read this Fall

by Brooke
Art & Photography + Biography & Memoir + Essays + Fiction + Food & Drink + Graphica + Humour + Kids + Picture Books + YA Fiction / October 03, 2016

Fall is here! And fall = not feeling guilty about staying in all weekend with your books. So if you're ready to curl up with a blanket and a good read, but not sure which book to pair with your pumpkin spice beverage, let some of the pros help you out with some of their favourite books of the fall season.
 

Judy Parker

 

Dani Farmer

Laurie Martella

Lorna MacDonald

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10 Books to Read this Summer

by Brooke
Biography & Memoir + Fiction + Mysteries and Thrillers + YA Fiction / July 07, 2016

The books you need in your beach bag this summer.
 

Truly Madly Guilty

by Liane Moriarty
Flatiron Books
Available: July 26, 2016
$34.99 cdn · 432 pages
9781250069795 · cl

Selected as Entertainment Weekly's "Best Beach Bet," this is the new novel from Liane Moriarty, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Husband's Secret, Big Little Lies, and What Alice Forgot and recent Reese Witherspoon productions recruit. It explores the aftermath of a summer barbeque gone wrong, and how sometimes we don't appreciate how extraordinary our ordinary lives are until it's too late. 

"The author of Big Little Lies doing what she does best: unraveling people's public selves with an urgency that keeps you reading." - Glamour Magazine
 

The Weekenders

by Mary Kay Andrews
St. Martin's Press
Available: May 17, 2016
$38.99 cdn cl / $20.99 cdn pb · 464 pages
9781250065940 · cl / 9781250109729 · pb

Told with Mary Kay Andrews's trademark blend of humour and warmth, and with characters and a setting that you can't help but fall for, The Weekenders is the perfect summer escape.

"This book has all the makings of a beach read… The perfect blend of drama, humor, intrigue, and just a touch of murder." - Bustle

 

Behind Closed Doors

by B. A. Paris
St. Martin's Press
Available: August 9, 2016
$36.99 cdn cl / $24.99 cdn pb · 304 pages
9781250121004 · cl / 9781250122162 · pb

Already a blockbuster bestseller in the UK and now an Indie Next Pick for August, this story of a seemingly perfect marriage is being coined as the psychological thriller you can't miss!

"A hair-raising debut, both unsettling and addictive.… A chilling thriller that will keep you reading long into the night." - Mary Kubica, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Good Girl

 

With Malice 

by Eileen Cook
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Available: June 7, 2016
$25.99 cdn · 320 pages
9780544805095 · cl

For fans of We Were Liars and The Girl on the Train comes a chilling, addictive, psychological YA thriller about a teenage girl who cannot remember the last six weeks of her life, including the fatal and mysterious accident during her study abroad in Italy.

"Cinematic scene breaks and propulsive reveals will keep the pages furiously turning in this slow-burning but explosive thriller." - Booklist starred review

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My Favourite Book of 2014, Dan Wagstaff

by Dan
Biography & Memoir / December 05, 2014

"There have been many books and articles that revel in describing exactly how grotesque and shameful the behaviour of alcoholic writers can be. That wasn't my intention. What I wanted was to discover how each of these men — and, along the way, some of the many others who'd suffered from the disease — experienced and thought about their addiction. If anything, it was an expression of my faith in literature and its power to map the more difficult regions of human experience and knowledge." 

Olivia Laing, The Trip to Echo Spring

 

As I spend almost every day with books and authors, I think I’m probably predisposed to find stories about writers and alcohol fascinating—it rather comes with the territory. But you don’t have to work in publishing to be hooked by The Trip to Echo Spring by Olivia Laing, you just have to love great writing. 

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, John Berryman, John Cheever, and Raymond Carver were some of the greatest writers of the twentieth century. They were friends, allies, students, mentors and inspirations. They were also alcoholics. Booze defined their work and their everyday lives.

In The Trip to Echo Spring, Laing—who grew up in an alcoholic family herself—tries to get to grips with these men and their troubled relationship with alcohol by visiting the places they were closely associated with. As she criss-crosses the United States, slowly connecting the dots between them, it becomes a quest of sorts:

“I thought it might be possible to build a kind of topographical map of alcoholism, tracing its developing contours from the pleasures of intoxication through the gruelling realities of the drying-out process. As I worked across the country, passing back and forth between books and lives, I hoped I might come closer to understanding what alcohol addiction means, or at least to finding out what those who struggled with and were sometimes destroyed by it thought alcohol had meant to them.”

The result is a lyrical and introspective attempt to better understand these writers, and an poignant examination of addiction's parasitic connection to creativity—how is that alcohol can inspire writers even as it gnaws away at them? There are no easy answers here. But reading Laing's book is like floating slowly down a meandering river. It's best if you just let yourself be carried along.

(PS: if you’re curious about the title, it comes from a line in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. ‘Echo Spring’ is a nickname for a liquor cabinet.)
 

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