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Category: Humour
28 New Rep Picks For Summer 2019
by Kayi
Animals & Nature + Art & Photography + Fiction + Mysteries and Thrillers + Science Fiction and Fantasy + Food & Drink + Graphica + Health & Wellness + History + Humour + Kids + Picture Books + Psychology & Self-Help + Spirituality + Travel + YA Fiction / July 03, 2019
It's summer, the season of sunscreen, sandals, and longer days—for reading! We have loads of fantastic new books here at Raincoast and our reps have selected their favourites that are coming out this season.
Books for Adults
(1) Honestly, We Meant Well
by Grant Ginder
“The dysfunctional Wright family is falling apart. Naturally, a month long trip together to Greece can’t possibly go wrong—right? This perfect summer read has everything you want: a Greek isle, a run-down hotel, and a cast of hilarious characters.”
—Evette Sinitichakis
(2) The Guest Book
by Sarah Blake
“Summer is the perfect time for falling in to a sweeping novel of one family’s history of love, mistakes, and betrayals. Sarah Blake takes this family story and looks at privilege, class and race in America. In her author note she references a quote from James Baldwin as an inspiration, 'People are trapped in history, and history is trapped in them.' The book is already being lauded by early readers as 'stunning,' 'remarkable' and 'a true gift to the reader.'”
—Judy Parker
(3) The Electric Hotel
by Dominic Smith
“A sweeping work of historical fiction that begins in the nascent days of cinema in Paris and ends a half- century later in Hollywood, The Electric Hotel tells the story of a French silent films pioneer and a film student who interviews him about a lost masterpiece. Moving between past and present, it documents the rise and fall of a prodigious film studio and one man’s doomed obsession. By the author of highly praised and bestselling novel, The Last Painting of Sara de Vos.”
—Lorna MacDonald
(4) Ruffage
by Abra Berens
“Who amongst us isn’t trying to eat more vegetables? This book has information on how to select, store, and cook with delicious vegetables. Each recipe has variations, and gorgeous photography, and I can’t wait to dig in!”
—Ali Hewitt
(5) The Flatshare
by Beth O’Leary
“What if your soulmate was your roommate? And what if you’ve never actually met? An adorable meet cute of a novel about two strangers-turned-roommates who live and work on opposite schedules, communicate solely through post-it notes, and fall in love.”
—Laura MacDonald
(6) Light From Other Stars
by Erika Swyler
“I loved Swyler’s first novel, The Book of Speculation, about the magic and hurt that are passed down through the generations of a family. Her newest book has that same magic and familial trauma, along with space exploration, time travel, and a young woman determined to find the limits of her own mind. It is too early to predict my favourite book of 2019?”
—Dani Farmer
(7) Healthy Habits Suck
by Dayna Lee-Baggley, PhD
“I like a book that calls it like it is: healthy habits do suck. Registered Clinical Psychologist from Nova Scotia, Dayna Lee-Baggley, PhD discusses the neuroscience behind our unhealthy cravings, and uses ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) to motivate more healthy habits and lifestyle.”
—Laurie Martella
(8) Literary Paris
by Nichole Robertson
“Paris and books... what’s better than that?!”
—Saffron Beckwith
(9) The Road to Grantchester
by James Runcie
“Here is the prequel to the fan-favourite mystery series and PBS TV drama. The story follows the life, loves and losses of young Sidney Chambers in postwar London.”
—Laureen Cusack
(10) Blood Relations
by Jonathan Moore
“This is noir fiction with the tone of Chandler, the cinematic style of Hitchcock, and definitely the feel of mid-20th-century noir books and films. Add the historic styling with the elegant and inventive futuristic storyline, and it equals an original suspense novel with an unsettling look at high society’s love affair with technology. Clever, moody, and unpredictable.”
—Karen Stacey
(11) Be, Awake, Create
by Rebekah Younger, MFA
“Combining mindfulness and creativity in a guided art journal that provides art therapy alongside mindfulness meditation techniques. It has been found that creativity can help develop resiliency, adaptability, compassion, and even leadership skills in life.”
—Morgen Young
(12) Ridgerunners
by Micky Neilson
“Ridgerunners is the beginning of a new science fiction space opera series written by the bestselling author Micky Neilson. In a solar system dominated by an oppressive regime, the Pack—a group of pirates, smugglers and outcasts—will stop at nothing to liberate their world. Neilson was one of the lead writers for Blizzard Entertainment, one of the most renowned video game studios.”
—Louis-Marc Simard
(13) Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel Quiz Book
by Lonely Planet
“With questions on everything from geography to culture to history to wildlife, this quiz book will provide hours of fun for the whole family.”
—Jessica Price
(14) An Illusion of Thieves
by Cate Glass
“Magic and thievery abound in this fantasy adventure that’s sure to be a hit with fans of hard-boiled fantasy and Leigh Bardugo!”
—Jenny Enriquez
Books for Kids
(15) Before They Were Authors: Famous Writers as Kids
by Elizabeth Haidle
“As a child, did you ever think about becoming an author? Many children interested in literature wonder who their favourite writers were as children. From C.S. Lewis to J.K. Rowling, Before They Were Authors is a beautiful graphic novel telling the stories of how our favourite authors were when they were children. This will be delightful for adults and children alike!”
— Louis-Marc Simard
(16) Extraordinary Birds
by Sandy Stark-Mcginnis
“December is an extraordinary character; I fell in love with her on the first page. This is an astonishing debut novel.”
—Saffron Beckwith
(17) Llama Destroys the World
by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Heather Fox
“This hilarious picture book involves a cake-loving, dancing llama who accidentally destroys the world. What’s not to love?”
—Jenny Enriquez
(18) The Worst Book Ever
by Elise Gravel
“Try, the BEST book ever! Gravel’s silly, interactive, comic-style graphic novel is full of expression, cute illustrations, and hilarious commentary along the way. What makes it the ‘best’ book ever is that it engages kids, in a fun way, to think about storytelling, and what really makes for a good book.”
—Laurie Martella
(19) Sun
by Alison Oliver
“If the artwork isn’t enough to make you swoon, then the story will be. Sun is the story of a young boy, a magical encounter with a fox, and the discovery that both sports and creativity can make him happy.”
—Laura MacDonald
(20) Lottie & Walter
by Anna Walker
“Lottie goes to swimming lessons every week but she doesn’t swim. In fact she doesn’t even dip her toes in the water—because only she knows there’s a shark in the pool. With the help of her imaginary friend Walter the Walrus, Lottie finally takes the plunge. For anyone who has ever hesitated to jump, this heartwarming story by the author-illustrator of Florette—a New York Times 'Top 10 Picture Book of 2018'— will inspire and delight.”
—Lorna MacDonald
(21) Hats are Not for Cats!
by Jacqueline K. Rayner
“What is more adorable than cats in hats? A fun read aloud with a Dr. Seuss- like appeal for parents and kids alike.”
—Morgen Young
(22) My Name is Wakawakaloch!
by Chana Stiefel, illustrated by Mary Sullivan
“A book about how everyone mispronounces/spells your name?! Oh, I relate (how I longed to be a Jennifer!)! This is an adorable picture book about realizing that embracing your differences can be powerful.”
—Ali Hewitt
(23) The Little Book of Big What-Ifs
by Renata Liwska
“We all get stuck in the trap of “what-if” thinking sometimes—and so do little folks! This poignant and often funny book helps us all conquer our anxieties and fears, accompanied by gorgeous illustrations from the artist who did The Loud Book and The Quiet Book. What if you love this book? You will!”
—Dani Farmer
(24) Daddy-Sitting
by Eve Coy
“A little girl plays parent to her affectionate daddy in this appealing look at a father-daughter relationship.”
—Laureen Cusack
(25) I’m a Baked Potato!
by Elise Primavera, illustrated by Juana Medina
“This quirky, funny book about a dog who is adopted by a baked potato-lover will appeal to kids and parents alike.”
—Jessica Price
(26) Bob
by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead, illustrated by Nicholas Gannon
“I absolutely adored this book! It has the timeless appeal of the best of classic children’s literature. Bob and Livy will touch your heart as they discover the meaning of friendship, identity, and belonging. It received starred reviews across the board in hardcover and is perfectly timed to be a terrific summer read in paperback. I recommend reading it with your favourite child!”
—Judy Parker
(27) This Book of Mine
by Sarah Stewart, illustrated by David SMall
“Award-winning husband and wife team, Sarah Stewart and illustrator David Small, create another quiet, lovely storybook for children of all ages! This is their homage to the book and how a book can be your best friend. Great for all the bibliophiles in the family.”
—Karen Stacey
(28) Flight Risk
by Jennifer Fenn
“This is an incredible story of adventure and heist—especially since it’s based on a true story! There are many words used to describe teenager Robert Jackson Kelly—delinquent, criminal, hero—all because he successfully stole and crashed three airplanes—and still he was determined to, one day, land one. He ends up evading capture for years and so when everyone writes him off, he resolves to ultimately find redemption. You will definitely root for antihero Robert!”
—Evette Sinitichakis
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
by Chris Kelly, Pat Kelly and Peter Oldring
"Sometimes this great country of ours seems a little too good to be true. You, being Canadian, already know the wonders of Flin Flon’s tropical beaches and how to portage the Rideau Canal (with or without a protective toque) but there may be people in your life that don’t. Thankfully, the This is That: Travel Guide to Canada is both hilarious and faux-informative. You’ve heard the show on CBC, now let it guide you through our magnificent nation!"
by Marc Martin
Ali Hewitt
Judy Parker
by Stephanie Garber
Lorna MacDonald
Saffron Beckwith
Ryan Muscat
"The Principality of Sealand was declared in 1967 on an unused air defence platform in the North Sea, about 12 kilometres off the coast of England. It has a population of 27, issues stamps, coins, licence plates, passports, has a national anthem, has been invaded, and fields a football team. It is not a real country. Find out about Sealand and dozens of other non-existent countries with no diplomatic recognition in An Atlas of Countries That Don’t Exist. The book is a beautifully illustrated and fascinating compendium of weird and wonderful places, and is a perfect gift for friends and family from Christiania to Moreset to Circassia."
"Have you ever wondered who’s making the noises you hear coming from the apartments above you? Mac Barnett, the king of the children’s picture book, has the answers in Noisy Night: sheep, opera singers, babies, and others. This fun book, beautifully illustrated in split-level spreads by Brian Biggs, is a fantastic read-along picture book for little kids."
Jenny Enriquez
by Lonely Planet
by Rin Chupeco
Laurie Martella
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
by Sarah Domet
"I am eagerly anticipating The Guineveres. The editors at Flatiron Books have not yet let me down as they have introduced me to new voices and new stories in the past. Debut author Domet’s story of the complicated nature of female friendship is already receiving early rave reviews, including a comparison to The Virgin Suicides. I can’t wait!"
by Marsha Diane Arnold, illustrated by Renata Liwska
Dani Farmer
Ryan Muscat
"Jeff Chang is one of America’s most astute cultural observers, and in We Gon’ Be Alright, he turns his attention to race in America in light of police killings of unarmed civilians, Ferguson, and Black Lives Matter. Chang is the acclaimed author of Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip Hop Generation, and Who We Be. Built around a central essay on Ferguson and the killing of Michael Brown, We Gon’ Be Alright is an impassioned and charged look at the most contentious issues in the current discussion of race in America."
"In what’s sure to be an instant classic in the vein of Ramona Quimby, Gertie’s Leap to Greatness is a sweet and heartwarming story about a precocious and sassy young girl trying to be the best fifth grader ever, in order to show her absent mother what she’ll be missing if she leaves town. This is a masterful debut novel for Kate Beasley, and the book is also filled with gorgeous illustrations by the fantastic Toronto cartoonist Jillian Tamaki, a Governor General’s Award and Caldecott-winning veteran."
Laurie Martella
Lorna MacDonald
Saffron Beckwith
Jenny Enriquez
by Tom Gauld
by Claudia Rueda
Karen Beattie
Ali Hewitt
26 Rep Picks to Read this Spring
by Brooke
Art & Photography + Fiction + Food & Drink + Graphica + Humour + Picture Books + YA Fiction / May 04, 2016
Looking for something to read this spring? In a reading slump? Let some of the pros help you out with some of their favourite books of the season.
Cheryl Fraser
by Sara Baume
"A man and a dog — a who-rescues-who tale told in a beautiful language over four seasons. An absolute must read."
by Meredith Russo
Dani Farmer
Laurie Martella
Judy Parker
by Cathleen Schine
by David Litchfield
Saffron Beckwith
Karen Beattie
"Toast is not just for breakfast anymore. Try it at lunch, dinner and snacktime too. Have it with savoury or sweet toppings. Move over cake pops and cupcakes, toast is the new, NEW THING! Pistachio Dukkah and Avocado on Rye anyone?"
"Mira is a little girl who lives in the heart of a gray city where she loves to draw in colour. She gives her colourful pictures to her neighbours until one day she meets a painter. The painter invites her to help him create a large picture on a city wall. Soon, everyone in the community joins in to create art on the walls and transform gray into beauty and joy. A truly inspiring picture book about how public art can transform the spirit."
Mark Penney
Ali Hewitt
Lorna MacDonald
"Another perfectly pitched novel from poet Kwame Alexander, winner of the Newbery Medal. Soccer is the game, divorce, bullying and first love are the themes, all written in verse. Booked packs the same powerful emotional punch as his previous novel, The Crossover!"
Last minute Father’s Day book ideas
by Danielle
Board Books + Food & Drink + Humour + Parenting / June 18, 2015
It's not too late!
Here's some great titles we think would be a great fit for your dad, or husband, or some great guy you know with children! All available at your local bookshop. List is a bit long but hey, what can we say? We have lots of books to offer!
New Releases: April 2015
by Dan
Fiction + Food & Drink + Graphica + Humour / April 06, 2015
Giants, witches and supermutants, a roadmap to get you on the right path, more F in Exams, baking with less sugar, and lots of other great reads in this month's highlights from Raincoast Books!
FICTION
LITERARY
Joel Fishbane
ISBN 9781250050847 | $29.99 cl
Mixing the eccentricity of the circus world and the heart of a love story, The Thunder of Giants is a warm and engaging debut about two exceptional women—both almost 8-feet tall.
Andorra Kelsey—7'11 and just over 320 pounds—is on her way to Hollywood to become a star. Hoping to escape both poverty and the ghost of her dead husband, she accepts an offer from the wily Rutherford Simone to star in a movie about the life of Anna Swan, the Nova Scotia giantess who toured the world in the 19th century.
Available April 14
MYSTERY
A Penny Brannigan Mystery
Elizabeth J. Duncan
ISBN 9781250055217 | $29.99 cl
The latest book in the award-winning Penny Brannigan series delivers another cunning mystery played out in a charming small Welsh tow.n
When the body of well-liked and respectable Glenda Roberts is discovered at the bottom of a former slate mine, now a busy tourist attraction, pandemonium erupts in the North Wales town of Llanelen. Penny Brannigan finds herself drawn into the investigation when jars of her house-brand hand cream are found among counterfeit inventory Glenda and her sister were selling.
Available April 14
SCIENCE FICTION
Robert Charles Wilson
ISBN 9780765332622 | $29.99 hardcover
From the author of the Hugo-winning Spin, a compelling science fiction novel about the next ways that social media will be changing everything.
In our rapidly-changing world of social media, ordinary people are more and more able to sort themselves into social groups based on finer and finer criteria. In the near future of Robert Charles Wilson's The Affinities, this process is supercharged by new analytic technologies—genetic, brain-mapping, behavioral. To join one of the twenty-two Affinities is to change one's life.
"An intriguing and seriously innovative attempt to grapple with some of the issues raised by the 21st century’s obsession with social media."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Wilson’s trademark well-developed characters and understated but compelling prose are very much in evidence in this quietly believable tale of the near future."—Publishers Weekly
Available April 21
HISTORICAL
Paula Brackston
ISBN 9781250028792 | $29.99 cl
From The New York Times bestselling author Paula Brackston comes an enchanting tale of love and magic that weaves a modern day heroine together with the ancient Celtic past.
A year after her husband's sudden death, ceramic artist Tilda Fordwells finally moves into the secluded Welsh cottage that was to be their new home. She hopes that the tranquil surroundings will help ease her grief, and lessen her disturbing visions of Mat's death. Instead, the lake in the valley below her cottage seems to spark something dormant in her—a sensitivity, and a power of some sort. Animals are drawn to her, electricity shorts out when she's near, and strangest of all, she sees a new vision; a boatful of ancient people approaching her across the water.
Available April 21
GRAPHIC NOVELS
Jillian Tamaki
ISBN 9781770461987 | $22.95 pb
The New York Times and New Yorker illustrator Jillian Tamaki is best known for co-creating the award-winning young adult graphic novels Skim and This One Summer—moody and atmospheric bestsellers. SuperMutant Magic Academy, which she has been serializing online for the past four years, paints a teenaged world filled with just as much ennui and uncertainty, but also with a sharp dose of humor and irreverence. Tamaki deftly plays superhero and high-school Hollywood tropes against what adolescence is really like: The SuperMutant Magic Academy is a prep school for mutants and witches, but their paranormal abilities take a backseat to everyday teen concerns.
"The humor is sometimes slapstick, but more often it offers ultra-dry observations on modern disengagement. Tamaki is playful and loose with her art, unafraid to be experimental as she draws us into a world where true feelings are the greatest danger."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Available April 28
NONFICTION
CAREERS
The Get-It-Together Guide for Figuring Out What to Do with Your Life
Roadtrip Nation
ISBN 9781452128450 | $27.95 pb
This welcome antidote to the fusty, no-longer-relevant career guide answers an old question—So, what are you going to do with your life?"—in a ground-breaking way. From the team behind the inspirational TV series and campus and online resource, it is presented in a motivational format that gets young people excited to think deeply about how they want to enter and thrive in the workforce by detailing how to take Roadtrip Nation's interest-based approach and apply it to one's life.
Available April 7
HUMOUR
All New Awesomely Wrong Test Answers
Richard Benson
ISBN 9781452144030 | $13.95 pb
Will some students ever learn from their mistakes? We hope not! This all-new collection of hilarious, totally wrong, real test answers serves a fresh batch of A+ wit misapplied to F- quiz scores. A little studying would reveal that the most powerful light source known to man isn't "lightsabers," nor do we salt the roads when it snows "to make them taste better." But where's the fun in that? From the same wellspring of failure as the million-selling F in Exams series, this special pop quiz collection will amuse and entertain anyone preparing to face down a test paper as well as those just glad to be far away from a classroom."
Available April 7
People of Walmart: State of Emergency
Scott Simon
ISBN 9781492604396 | $16.99 pb
Take Cover! People of Walmart has issued an official state of emergency! Fortunately for you, all the survival gear you need is conveniently located at your favourite local super-centre, where these crazy, cringe-worthy shoppers are letting their freak flags fly high than ever.
Available April 15
FOOD & DRINK
Recipes for Desserts Using Natural Sweeteners and Little-to-No White Sugar
Joanne Chang
ISBN 9781452133003 | $35.95 cl
Trust Joanne Chang—beloved author of the bestselling Flour and a Harvard math major to boot—to come up with this winning formula: Minus the sugar equals plus the flavour. The 60-plus recipes here are an eye-opener for anyone who loves to bake and wants to cut back on the sugar.
Available Now
Recipes for Good Times
Chronicle Books
ISBN 9781452141176 | $19.95 cl
A taste of the good life! This bite-size collection showcases 20 special recipes, all with photographs, that will inspire food lovers to take the party outside. Selected from some of Chronicle Books' best-loved cookbooks, here are easy-peasy drinks (alcoholic and nonalcoholic), quick appetizers, simple salads and sides, and great-for-the-grill main dishes.
Available April 14
Great Marinades, Injections, Brines, Rubs, and Glazes
Ray "DR. BBQ" Lampe
ISBN 9781452125305 | $31.95 cl
In his latest lip-smackin' cookbook, Dr. BBQ shows how to dress up meat, vegetables, and fruits with 120 brand-new recipes for tantalizing marinades, mouthwatering injections, savoury brines, flavourful rubs, delectable glazes, and full recipes for what to make with them.
Available April 21
DESIGN
Josh Sims
ISBN 9781780672717 | $40.95 pb
Behind nearly every item in the feminine wardrobe there is a first of its kind that has spawned countless others. While the definitive example—often created by a single—has achieved icon status, its various reinterpretations, season after season, have become fashion staples.
Icons of Women's Style examines, item by item, the most influential and legendary garments and accessories—their provenance and history, the stories of their design, the celebrities who made them famous, and the various ways they have shaped how women dress today.
Available April 28
New Releases: August 2014 Highlights
by Dan
Business & Careers + Fiction + Mysteries and Thrillers + Science Fiction and Fantasy + Humour / July 28, 2014
Next month brings new books from Canadian authors Louise Penny and Guy Delisle, as well as international favourites Charles Cumming, Terry Goodkind, John Scalzi, and a certain Grumpy Cat. Here's our August preview of some of the big new books available from Raincoast:
FICTION
MYSTERY & THRILLERS
Charles Cumming
A brilliant novel of MI6 and modern espionage by the New York Times bestselling author of A Foreign Country and The Trinity Six.
A top-ranking Iranian military official is blown up while trying to defect to the West. An investigative journalist is arrested and imprisoned for writing an article critical of the Turkish government. An Iranian nuclear scientist is assassinated on the streets of Tehran. These three incidents, seemingly unrelated, have one crucial link. Each of the three had been recently recruited by Western intelligence. Then MI6’s most senior agent in Turkey, dies in a puzzling plane crash. Fearing the worst, MI6 bypasses the usual protocol and brings disgraced agent Tom Kell in from the cold to investigate.
Available August 5
"It’s hard not to root for a character like Kell—deeply cynical but still very much an idealist—and the bombshell plot twists toward the novel’s conclusion will have spy fiction aficionados eagerly awaiting the next installment."—Publishers Weekly
★ Indie Next List September 2014
Louise Penny
The new Chief Inspector Gamache novel from the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, How the Light Gets In.
Happily retired in the village of Three Pines, Armand Gamache, former Chief Inspector of Homicide, has found a peace he’d only imagined possible. But when his neighbour Clara Morrow tells him that Peter, her artist husband, has failed to come home, he gets up and joins her. Together with his former second-in-command, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, and Myrna Landers, they journey deeper and deeper into Québec. And deeper and deeper into the soul of Peter Morrow.
Available August 26
"The emotional depth accessed here is both a wonder and a joy to uncover"—Kirkus Reviews
Contemporary Fiction
Martha Woodroof
Readers will adore this inspiring debut of a small-town college professor, a remarkable new woman at the bookshop, and the ten-year old son he never knew he had.
A heartwarming story with a charmingly imperfect cast of characters to cheer for, Small Blessings' wonderfully optimistic heart that reminds us that sometimes, when it feels like life has veered irrevocably off track, the track shifts in ways we never can have imagined.
Available August 12
FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION
Terry Goodkind
From Terry Goodkind, author of the Sword of Truth series, comes a sweeping new novel of Richard Rahl, Kahlan Amnell, and their world.
From the far reaches of the D'Haran Empire, Bishop Hannis Arc and the ancient Emperor Sulachan lead a vast horde of Shun-Tuk and other depraved "half-people" into the Empire's heart, raising an army of the dead in order to threaten the world of the living. Meanwhile, far from home, Richard Rahl and Kahlan Amnell must defend themselves and their followers from a series of terrifying threats, despite a magical sickness that depletes their strength and which, if not cured, will take their lives… sooner rather than later.
Available August 5
From The Files of Boba Fett
Daniel Wallace, Ryder Windham and Jason Fry
Legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett bound together two volumes of great personal significance: an edition of The Bounty Hunter's Guild Handbook, and a recruiting booklet issued by Death Watch, a secretive splinter group of Mandalorians. Together, these volumes make up The Bounty Hunter Code, detailing the skills needed to make a living beyond galactic law as well as the little-known history, philosophy, and gear of Death Watch. With notes from the books' former owners, this collection serves as a crucial guide to the bounty hunter's essential tools and techniques.
Available August 19
John Scalzi
A blazingly inventive near-future thriller from the best-selling, Hugo Award-winning John Scalzi.
In the near-future, a highly contagious virus makes its way across the globe. For its unlucky victims—nearly five million people in the US alone—the disease causes 'Lock In': a state of being fully awake and aware, but unable to move or respond to stimulus.
A quarter of a century later, in a world shaped by what's now known as 'Haden's syndrome,' two FBI agents are assigned what appears to be a Haden-related murder, with a suspect who is an 'integrator'—someone who can let the locked in borrow their bodies for a time. Naming the murderer has never been more complicated.
Available August 26
"Hugo-winner Scalzi (Redshirts) successfully shifts away from space opera with this smart, thoughtful near-future thriller resonant with the themes of freedom, ethics, and corporate greed."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"This SF thriller provides yet more evidence that Scalzi (The Human Division, 2013, etc.) is a master at creating appealing commercial fiction."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
NONFICTION
Humour
And Other Poems by Kittens
Francesco Marciuliano
Just when we all thought things couldn't get any cuter, from the author of the New York Times bestselling I Could Pee on This comes I Knead My Mommy, a book of confessional poems about the triumphs, trials, and daily discoveries of being a kitten. From climbing walls to claiming hearts, these little cats bare all in such instant classics as "And Then You Said 'No,'" "Ode to a Lizard I Didn't Know Is Also a Pet in This House," and "I Will Save You." With adorable photos of the poetic prodigies throughout, this volume gives readers a glimpse into their confused and curious feline minds as they encounter the world around them.
Available August 5
Observations from Grumpy Cat
Grumpy Cat
In a world filled with inspirational know-it-alls and quotable blowhards, only one figure is indifferent enough to tell the cranky truth: Grumpy Cat. Following the success of her New York Times bestselling debut, everyone's favorite disgruntled feline is back with this demotivational guide to everyday life, love, friendship, and more. Featuring many new photos of Grumpy Cat's famous frown and packed with uninspiring observations, The Grumpy Guide to Life will help anyone get in touch with their inner grouch.
Available August 5
Even More Bad Parenting Advice
Guy Delisle
Laugh-out-loud anecdotes from the front lines of parenting.
Ever wanted to know how to be awarded the Best Dad in the Whole World? Guy Delisle has all the answers for you in these lighthearted, entertaining tales of parental mishaps and practical jokes gone wrong. Whether he's helping remove a pesky, wobbly, but not quite loose tooth or trying to win at hide-and-seek, his antics will resonate with every parent who has wanted to give a sarcastic answer to a funny question from their kid.
Available August 26
PERSONAL FINANCE
A Winning Vision for Multigenerational Wealth
Emily Griffiths-Hamilton
A fresh and accessible guide to successful wealth transition—for many generations.
Why do 70% of wealth transition plans fail? This is the question that Emily Griffiths-Hamilton sets out to answer in Build Your Family Bank, a book that looks closely at the core causes of wealth erosion and failed transition plans and offers a set of strategies for building successful wealth transition plans that will benefit many generations.
Available August 15
SCIENCE
The Science of Why Jokes Make Us Laugh, Movies Make Us Cry, and Religion Makes Us Feel One with the Universe
Jim Davies
A sweeping look at the psychological and evolutionary reasons that everyone is drawn to religion, conspiracy theories, and the news.
Why do some things pass under the radar of our attention, but other things capture our interest? What makes a story, a movie, or a book riveting? The past 20 years have seen a remarkable flourishing of scientific research into exactly these kinds of questions. Professor Jim Davies' fascinating and highly accessible book, Riveted, reveals the evolutionary underpinnings of why we find things compelling, from art to religion and from sports to superstition.
Available August 5
Check out our August preview for kids, middle grade, and teens.
Grumpy Cat is coming to Toronto!
by Danielle
Events + Humour / July 14, 2014
We're so excited to announce Grumpy Cat is going to Toronto (and four US cities)!
Grumpy Cat to Embark on 5-City Book Tour
International Star and Cat Curmudgeon Brings Wit, Wisdom and Indifference to Her Fans
Grumpy Cat, the feline with the famous frown, will appear in five cities to promote her new book, The Grumpy Guide to Life: Observations by Grumpy Cat (August 5th, $15.95, Chronicle Books), the follow-up to New York Times bestseller Grumpy Cat: A Grumpy Book. Tour stops include Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York City, Chicago and Toronto where Grumpy Cat will glower and pose with her fans for photos. Grumpy Cat’s appearances regularly draw thousands of attendees who want to see the world’s grumpiest cat who has become a pop culture luminary.
The Grumpy Guide to Life: Observations by Grumpy Cat is the alternative to feel-good, positive thinking. Rather, Grumpy Cat brings the advice, maxims and observations that have made her the spirit animal for people everywhere. With sections on family, relationships, nature, and even happiness (admittedly, a very short section), success is just a frown away.
Grumpy Cat will appear at the following locations:
Monday, August 4th, 2014, 6pm
Kitson Santa Monica
395 Santa Monica Place, #120, Santa Monica, CA
(310) 260-9170
Tuesday, August 5th, 6pm
Kitson Las Vegas
3545 Las Vegas Blvd. South, #L28, Las Vegas, NV
(702) 836-0925
Thursday, August 7th, 2014, 5pm
Barnes & Noble Union Square
33 E. 17th Street, New York City
(212) 253-0810
Friday, August 8th, 2014 7pm
Barnes & Noble Old Orchard
55 Old Orchard Center, Skokie IL
(847) 676-2230
Saturday, August 9th, 2014 3pm
Indigo Eaton Centre
220 Yonge St., Toronto, Canada
(416) 591-3622
About the Author
Grumpy Cat is a small cat with a big frown that became an international sensation. Her first book, Grumpy Cat: A Grumpy Book spent 10 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. As a bestselling author and demotivational guru, she has 6 million Facebook fans, over 200,000 Twitter followers, and appeared on a variety of TV shows including American Idol, Good Morning America and the MTV Movie Awards. She lives grumpily in Arizona.
New Releases: July 2014 Highlights
by Dan
Biography & Memoir + Fiction + Humour + Parenting / June 24, 2014
Are you looking for the latest books to read? Here are some of the new releases coming from Raincoast in July:
FICTION
CONTEMPORARY FICTION
Emily Gould
A novel about two friends learning the difference between getting older and growing up.
Emily Gould’s debut novel, traces the evolution of a friendship with humour and wry sympathy. Friendship examines the relationship between two women who want to help each other but sometimes can’t help themselves; who want to make good decisions but sometimes fall prey to their own worst impulses; whose generous intentions are sometimes overwhelmed by petty concerns.
It's a novel about the way we speak and live today; about the ways we disappoint and betray one another.
Available July 1
"Gould nails the complex blend of love, loyalty, and resentment that binds female friends."—Publishers Weekly
"Perfect summer reading for people who’d rather stay in the city than go to the beach."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
How to Tell Toledo from the Night Sky
Lydia Netzer
From the award-winning author of Shine Shine Shine, a tale of two astronomers who meet and fall in love only to find out they were raised from birth to be each other's perfect match.
How to Tell Toledo from the Night Sky is a mind-bending, heart-shattering love story for dreamers and pragmatists alike, exploring the conflicts of fate and determinism, and asking how much of life is under our control and what is pre-ordained in the stars.
Available July 1
Rainbow Rowell
From the bestselling author of Eleanor & Park and Fangirl, comes a moving and hilarious tale of a marriage on the brink, and one woman's chance to either save it or make sure it never happens.
Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble. That it's been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply—but that almost seems beside the point now.
When Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past, she feels like she's been given an opportunity to fix everything. Is that what she's supposed to do? Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?
Available July 8
"While the topic might have changed, this is still Rowell—reading her work feels like listening to your hilariously insightful best friend tell her best stories."—Library Journal (starred review)
"Her characters are instantly lovable, and the story moves quickly…the ending manages to surprise and satisfy all at once. Fans will love Rowell’s return to a story close to their hearts."—Kirkus Reviews
HISTORICAL FICTION
Daisy Goodwin
A beautiful empress, a handsome horseman, and a bluestocking heiress form a passionate love triangle in this historical novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The American Heiress.
Captain Bay Middleton is a dashing young horseman. He is also impoverished, with no hope of buying the horse needed to win the Grand National—until he meets Charlotte Baird, a clever, plainspoken heiress. When Empress Elizabeth of Austria joins the legendary hunt organized by Earl Spencer, Bay is asked to guide her. Their shared passion for riding leads to an infatuation that jeopardizes the growing bond between Bay and Charlotte, and threatens all of their futures.
Available July 29
"Goodwin manages to take the reader deep inside the characters’ longings and flaws in a way that makes the reader root for them. An enchanting, beautifully written page-turner."—Publishers Weekly
"Goodwin has hit on a winning formula—a sophisticated blend of money, class, history, misunderstandings among lovers, spirited women, and unpredictable but irresistible men"—Kirkus Reviews
CRIME AND THRILLERS
Now and in the Hour of Our Death
Patrick Taylor
A convicted IRA bombmaker escapes from prison, throwing his former fiancee’s life into chaos.
Nine years ago, the bloody conflict in Northern Ireland tore apart two young lovers, consuming their hopes and dreams and changing their lives forever. Now, in 1983, Davy McCutcheon and Fiona Kavanagh find themselves worlds apart.
Patrick Taylor's Now and in the Hour of Our Death is a moving and compelling portrait of ordinary men and women caught up in a conflict not of their making, and of the way the past holds onto us even as we try to move on into an uncertain future.
Available July 15
"Taylor writes in rich physical and cultural detail, holding the reader’s attention right to the end. An engrossing tale nicely balancing war and peace.—Kirkus Reviews
Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen
She was safe in a world of darkness. Now danger threatens in the cold light of day…
Before the experimental surgery that gave her sight, Kendra Michaels developed her other senses to an amazing capacity. Law enforcement agencies clamour for her powers of perception and observation, often disrupting the life she has built for herself. But in this case, it's Kendra who realizes that the apparent traffic accident is in fact a murder, and she rushes to alert the police. Someone is killing people in ways that mirror Kendra's most notorious cases...
Available July 15
New in Paperback
A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel
Louise Penny
Chief Inspector Gamache returns to Three Pines in the stunning #1 New York Times bestseller from Louise Penny.
Christmas is approaching, and in Québec it’s a time of dazzling snowfalls, bright lights, and gatherings with friends in front of blazing hearths. But shadows are falling on the usually festive season for Chief Inspector Armand Gamache...
Available July 15
NONFICTION
ART
Works On Paper
Dale Croes, Susan Point and Gary Wyatt
A gorgeous collection of prints by one of the Northwest's leading artists.
Over the past thirty years Susan Point has become the pre-eminent Coast Salish artist of her generation. This beautifully designed volume—the first book devoted exclusively to her works on paper—collects 160 of her prints together for the first time and is sure to inspire and amaze those who see it.
Available July 7
FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIPS
Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella
Everyone's favorite mother-daughter writing duo is back with a new collection of warm and witty stories that will strike a chord with every woman. With twenty-something Francesca navigating New York City, Lisa holding down the fort in the suburbs, and Mother Mary making frequent and always entertaining appearances, there are plenty of opportunities for family-induced guilt, fighting, laughter, and love.
Available July 8
BIOGRAPHY
A Life of Flight
Jay Barbree
The definitive biography of Neil Armstrong by Jay Barbree, an Emmy-winning journalist who was his close friend.
Working from 50 years of conversations he had with Neil, from notes, interviews, NASA spaceflight transcripts, and remembrances of those Armstrong trusted, Barbree writes about Neil’s three passions—flight, family, and friends.
Timed to coincide with the 45th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, the book is packed with never-before-seen photos and personal details written down for the first time—like what that giant step for mankind really felt like.
Available July 8
The Biography
Piers Dudgeon
The first biography of Maeve Binchy since her death, chronicling her path to becoming a writer.
In this extraordinary biography, Piers Dudgeon reveals that the inspiration for many of her stories came from Maeve’s own hard-won experience growing up in Ireland.
Drawing on extensive research and humorous personal anecdotes, Maeve Binchy: The Biography celebrates the life of a compassionate, down-to-earth and charming woman who touched hearts around the world and left behind an incredible legacy.
Available July 22
HUMOUR
Jeffrey Brown
It's bedtime in the Star Wars galaxy, and Darth Vader's parenting skills are tested anew in this delightful follow-up to the breakout New York Times bestsellers Darth Vader™ and Son and Vader's™ Little Princess.
In this Episode, the Sith Lord must soothe his rambunctious twins, Luke and Leia, who are not ready to sleep and who insist on a story. As Vader reads, the book looks in on favourite creatures, droids, and characters, such as Yoda, R2-D2, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Darth Maul, Admiral Ackbar, Boba Fett, and many others.
Available July 22
Have you seen our preview of July's new releases for kids, middle grade, and teens yet?
Jeffrey Brown in Toronto June 5th 2014!
by Dan
Events + Humour + Parenting / May 30, 2014
Meet Jeffrey Brown, the awesome, bestselling author of Darth Vader and Son and Vader’s Little Princess, as he signs copies of his new book, Kids Are Weird: And Other Observations from Parenthood, at Indigo Bay & Bloor on Thursday, June 5th 2014 at 7pm!
In Person: Jeffrey Brown
Thursday, June 5th at 7:00 PM
INDIGO Manulife @ Bay & Bloor
55 Bloor Street West
Toronto, ON, M4W 1A5
(416) 925-3536