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Category: Psychology & Self-Help

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 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

 

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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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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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New Releases: February 2015 Highlights

by Dan
Art & Photography + Fiction + History + News + Psychology & Self-Help / January 21, 2015

February brings new books from Kristin Hannah, X-Files star David Duchovny, Jeffrey Archer, Scott McCloud, Richard Price (writing Harry Brandt), and more... Here are some of the highlights available from Raincoast Books next month..

FICTION

HISTORICAL

★ ★ FEBRUARY 2015 INDIE NEXT #1 PICK! ★ ★

The Nightingale

Kristin Hannah

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author comes an epic novel of love and war, spanning from the 1940s to the present day, and the secret lives of those who live in a small French town.

With courage, grace and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah captures the epic panorama of WWII and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women's war. The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France.

"This moving, emotional tribute to the brave women who fought behind enemy lines during the war is bound to gain the already immensely popular Hannah an even wider audience."—Booklist (starred review)

Available February 3

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HUMOUROUS

Holy Cow

A Modern-Day Dairy Tale

David Duchovny

A rollicking, globe-trotting adventure with a twist: a four-legged heroine you won't soon forget.

Elsie Bovary is a cow, and a pretty happy one at that-her long, lazy days are spent eating, napping, and chatting with her best friend, Mallory. One night, Elsie and Mallory sneak out of their pasture; but while Mallory is interested in flirting with the neighbouring bulls, Elsie finds herself drawn to the farmhouse. Through the window, she sees the farmer's family gathered around a bright Box God-and what the Box God reveals about something called an "industrial meatfarm" shakes Elsie's understanding of her world to its core...

"Between the book’s sly humor, gently humanist (animalist?) message and wry illustrations by Natalya Balnova, this is a pseudo–children's book that smart adults should greatly enjoy."—Kirkus Reviews(starred review)

 

Available February 3

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THRILLERS

Last Days of the Condor

James Grady

The Condor returns in this sequel to James Grady's bestselling Six Days of the Condor and Shadow of the Condor

Last Days of the Condor is the bullet-paced, ticking clock saga of America on the edge of our most startling spy world revolution since 9/11. Set in the savage streets and Kafkaesque corridors of Washington, DC, shot through with sex and suspense, with secret agent tradecraft and full-speed action, with hunters and the hunted, Last Days of the Condor is a breakneck saga of America's secrets from muckraking investigative reporter and author James Grady.

"Grady's anti-heroic spy returns in fine form in an up-to-the-minute novel to which the author, a former Washington investigator, brings plenty of insider knowledge."—Kirkus  Reviews

Available February 17

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The Whites

Richard Price writing as Harry Brandt

The Whites is the electrifying debut of a new master of American crime fiction, Harry Brandt—the pen name of novelist Richard Price.

Richard Price, one of America’s most gifted novelists, has always written brilliantly about cops, criminals, and New York City. Now, writing as Harry Brandt, he is poised to win a huge following among all those who hunger for first-rate crime fiction.

 

  

"Price (Lush Life) is one whale of a storyteller by any name, as evinced by the debut of his new brand—okay, Brandt—a gripping, gritty, Greek tragedy of cops, killers, and the sometimes-blurry line between them."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"a strong contender for best crime novel of 2015."—Booklist (starred review)

“In the wake of rage and sorrow, ordinary people respond by going crazy and screwing up. In this far-from-ordinary novel, Price/Brandt explores the hows and whys. Fasten your seat belt."—Kirkus Reviews 

Available February 17

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SUSPENSE

Mightier Than the Sword

Jeffrey Archer

The next breathtaking installment in Jeffrey Archer's New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling Clifton Chronicles series carries the Clifton family into the late 1960s.

Jeffrey Archer's compelling Clifton Chronicles continue in this, his most accomplished novel to date. With all the trademark twists and turns that have made him one of the world's most popular authors, the spellbinding story of the Clifton and the Barrington families continues.

 

Available February 24

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FANTASY

A Darker Shade of Magic

V. E. Schwab

Prepare to be dazzled by a world of parallel Londons—where magic thrives, starves, or lies forgotten, and where power can destroy just as quickly as it can create.

Kell is one of the last Travelers—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel universes—as such, he can choose where he lands.

There’s Grey London, dirty and boring, without any magic, with one mad king—George III. Red London, where life and magic are revered—and where Kell was raised alongside Rhys Maresh, the rougish heir to the throne. White London—a place where people fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. And once upon a time, there was Black London...but no one speaks of that now....

"Confident prose and marvelous touches—a chameleon coat, a scarlet river of magic, a piratical antiheroine—bring exuberant life to an exhilarating adventure among the worlds."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Fantasy fans will love this fast-paced adventure, with its complex magic system, thoughtful hero and bold heroine."—Kirkus Reviews

Available February 24

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GRAPHICA

The Sculptor

Scott McCloud

The long-awaited magnum opus from comics superstar Scott McCloud: a spellbinding adult urban fable about a wish, a deal with Death, the price of art, and the value of life.

David Smith is giving his life for his art—literally. Thanks to a deal with Death, the young sculptor gets his childhood wish: to sculpt anything he can imagine with his bare hands. But now that he only has 200 days to live, deciding what to create is harder than he thought, and discovering the love of his life at the eleventh hour isn't making it any easier! 

"Drawn in sharp, sure-handed lines that jump from intimate blocks of wry but poignant interactions with other characters to dramatically realized city scenery, McCloud's epic generates magic and makes an early play for graphic novel of the year."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"The fluidity of McCloud’s visual narrative carries us along with a sweep impossible to duplicate in prose, and, through to its climax, the story’s commitment to its harsh, inevitable, but ultimately sublime outcome qualifies this as a work of stunning, timeless graphic literature."—Booklist (starred review)

Available February 3

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NONFICTION

HISTORY

A Kim Jong-Il Production

The Extraordinary True Story of a Kidnapped Filmmaker, His Star Actress, and a Young Dictator's Rise to Power

Paul Fischer

The Orphan Master’s Son meets Argo in the extraordinary true story of Kim Jong-Il’s 1978 kidnapping of the golden couple of South Korean cinema, the movies they made, and their escape.

A nonfiction thriller packed with tension, passion, and politics, author Paul Fischer's A Kim Jong-Il Production offers a rare glimpse into a secretive world, illuminating a fascinating chapter of North Korea's history that helps explain how it became the hermetically sealed, intensely stage-managed country it remains today.

"A meticulously detailed feat of rare footage inside the DPRK’s propaganda machinery."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Fischer’s entertaining narrative paints an arresting portrait of a North Korean 'theater state,' forced to enact the demented script of a sociopathic tyrant."—Publishers Weekly

Available February 3

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RELIGION

Finding Jesus: Faith. Fact. Forgery

Six Holy Objects That Tell the Remarkable Story of the Gospels

David Gibson and Michael McKinley

A companion book to CNN’s six-night, six-hour primetime television series that takes viewers on a forensic and archaeological journey through the Bible.

Finding Jesus explores six major artefacts, including the Shroud of Turin, the True Cross, and John the Baptist, that give us the most direct evidence about the life and world of Jesus. The book and attendant CNN series provide a dramatic way to retell "the greatest story ever told" while introducing a broad audience to the history, the latest controversies, and newest forensic science involved in sorting out facts from the fiction of would-be forgers and deceivers.

Available February 24

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SELF-HELP

The Fear Cure 

Cultivating Courage as Medicine for the Body, Mind, and Soul

Lissa Rankin, M.D.

Not many people in the medical world are talking about how being afraid can make us sick—but the truth is that fear, left untreated, becomes a serious risk factor for conditions from heart disease to diabetes to cancer. Now Lissa Rankin, M.D., explains why we need to heal ourselves from the fear that puts our health at risk and robs our lives of joy—and shows us how fear can ultimately cure us by opening our eyes to all that needs healing in our lives.

Available February 24

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Soul Shifts

Transformative Wisdom for Creating a Life of Authentic Awakening, Emotional Freedom & Practical Spirituality

Barbara De Angelis

Soul Shifts is the ground-breaking new book from New York Times best-selling author and renowned transformational teacher Barbara De Angelis, Ph.D. Now, in her most powerful offering yet—and the culmination of her life's work—Dr. De Angelis offers a practical handbook for awakening, and a brilliant re-envisioning of the journey of personal and spiritual transformation that will inspire and enlighten long-time seekers as well as new arrivals to the path of growth.

Available February 24

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Goddesses Never Age 

The Secret Prescription for Radiance, Vitality, and Well-Being

Christiane Northrup, M.D.

Though we talk about wanting to "age gracefully," the truth is that when it comes to getting older, we're programmed to dread an inevitable decline: in our health, our looks, our sexual relationships, even the pleasure we take in living life. But as Christiane Northrup, M.D., shows us in this profoundly empowering book, we have it in us to make growing older an entirely different experience, for both our bodies and our souls. In chapters that blend personal stories and practical exercises with the latest research on health and ageing, Dr. Northrup lays out the principles of ageless living, from rejecting processed foods to releasing stuck emotions, from embracing our sensuality to connecting deeply with our Divine Source.

Available February 24

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ART & PHOTOGRAPHY

life.love.beauty

Keegan Allen

A rich visual and literary tour of the international star's personal experiences, observations, travels, passions and aspirations.

Keegan Allen is currently known to fans of the ABC Family hit television series, Pretty Little Liars. He has also appeared in numerous independent films and made his New York Stage debut in the acclaimed MCC production of Small Engine Repair. Keegan was given his first camera at age nine, and began a lifelong study and pursuit of photography. life.love.beauty is a selection of photographs taken since his childhood. 

Available February 3

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104 Things to Paint

In the spirit of the bestseller 642 Things to Draw, this guided painting book is filled with fun ideas that will have artists of all skill levels reaching for their paintbrushes. Covering everything from the straightforward (a color wheel) to the curiously quirky (a hot mess)—and with extra-thick textured pages that make it easy to paint directly inside the book—this is the perfect inspirational on-the-go art studio for beginning and seasoned painters alike.

 

Available February 17

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New Releases: January 2015 Highlights

by Dan
Fiction + Politics + Psychology & Self-Help / January 06, 2015

Happy New Year! Here are some of the best new books available from Raincoast in January 2015...

FICTION

HISTORICAL

★ ★ JANUARY 2015 INDIE NEXT PICK! ★ ★

The Magician's Lie

Greer Macallister

Will a magician ever reveal her secrets-even when her life is at stake? 

The Amazing Arden is the most notorious female illusionist of her day, renowned for sawing a man in half. One night, with policeman Virgil Holt in the audience, she swaps her saw for a fire ax. A new trick or an all-too-real murder? When a dead body is discovered, the answer seems clear. But under Holt's interrogation, what Arden's story reveals is both unbelievable and spellbinding. Even handcuffed and alone, she is far from powerless. During one eerie night, Holt must decide whether to turn Arden in or set her free...and it will take all he has to see through the smoke and mirrors.

"This well-paced, evocative, and adventurous historical novel from Macallister, a poet and short story writer, chronicles the career of America’s preeminent female stage illusionist at the turn of the 20th century, who, as the Amazing Arden, created the lurid, controversial stage act known as the Halved Man."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Available Now

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FANTASY

The Just City 

Jo Walton

From the acclaimed, award-winning author of Among Others and My Real Children, a tale of gods and humans, and the surprising things they have to learn from one another.

Created as an experiment by the time-travelling goddess Pallas Athene, the Just City is a planned community, populated by over ten thousand children and a few hundred adult teachers from all eras of history, along with some handy robots from the far human future—all set down together on a Mediterranean island in the distant past. Then, a few years in, Sokrates arrives—the same Sokrates recorded by Plato himself—asking all the troublesome questions you would expect. What happens next is a tale only the brilliant Jo Walton could tell.

"The award-winning Walton has written a remarkable novel of ideas that demands—and repays—careful reading. It is itself an exercise in philosophy that often, courtesy of Socrates, critically examines Plato’s ideas. If this sounds abstruse, it sometimes is, but the plot is always accessible and the world building and characterization are superb. In the end, the novel more than does justice to the idea of the Just City."—Booklist (starred review)

Available January 13

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★ ★ JANUARY 2015 INDIE NEXT PICK! ★ ★

The Unquiet Dead 

Ausma Zehanat Khan

Ausma Zehanat Khan's haunting debut follows detectives Esa Khattak and Rachel Getty as they investigate the death of a man who may have been a war criminal with ties to the Srebrenica massacre.

Despite their differences, Detective Rachel Getty trusts her boss, Esa Khattak, implicitly. But she's still uneasy at Khattak's tight-lipped secrecy when he asks her to look into Christopher Drayton's death. Drayton's apparently accidental fall from a cliff doesn't seem to warrant a police investigation, particularly not from Rachel and Khattak's team, which handles minority-sensitive cases. But when she learns that Drayton may have been living under an assumed name, Rachel begins to understand why Khattak is tip-toeing around this case—could Drayton be a war criminal with ties to the Srebrenica massacre of 1995?

"This whodunit is layered into events as recent as the Maher Arar affair or Toronto’s fears of “homegrown” urban terrorists. Khan, who holds a Ph.D. in international human-rights law, knows her subject, knows her hometown, and knows how to keep the suspense building. This is a writer to watch."—Margaret Cannon, Globe and Mail

"Khan’s stunning debut is a poignant, elegantly written mystery laced with complex characters who force readers to join them in dealing with ugly truths."—Kirkus Reviews

Available January 13

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LITERARY

Outline

Rachel Cusk

A luminous, powerful novel that establishes Rachel Cusk as one of the finest writers in the English language.

Rachel Cusk's Outline is a novel in ten conversations. Spare and stark, it follows a novelist teaching a course in creative writing during one oppressively hot summer in Athens. She leads her students in storytelling exercises. She meets other visiting writers for dinner. She goes swimming in the Ionian Sea with her neighbor from the plane. The people she encounters speak volubly about themselves: their fantasies, anxieties, pet theories, regrets, and longings. And through these disclosures, a portrait of the narrator is drawn by contrast, a portrait of a woman learning to face a great loss.
  

"To my mind Outline succeeds powerfully. Among other things, it gets a great variety of human beings down on to the page with both immediacy and depth; an elemental pleasure that makes the book as gripping to read as a thriller."—James Lasdun, The Guardian

“Outline is a poised and cerebral novel that has little in the way of straightforward plot yet is transfixing in its unruffled awareness of the ways we love and leave each other, and of what it means to listen to other people."—Dwight Garner, The New York Times 

"These 10 remarkable conversations, told with immense control, focus a sharp eye on how we discuss family and our lives."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Available January 13

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The Sasquatch Hunter's Almanac

Sharma Shields

A dark, fantastical, multi-generational tale about a family whose patriarch is consumed by the hunt for the mythical, elusive sasquatch he encountered in his youth.

Eli Roebuck was nine years old when his mother walked off into the woods with "Mr. Krantz," a large, strange, hairy man who may or may not be a sasquatch. What Eli knows for certain is that his mother went willingly, leaving her only son behind. For the rest of his life, Eli is obsessed with the hunt for the bizarre creature his mother chose over him. Boldy imaginative, The Sasquatch Hunter's Almanac proves to be a devastatingly real portrait of the demons that we as human beings all face.

"Imagine a mashup of Moby-Dick and Kakfa’s Metamorphosis (with a hearty dash of Twin Peaks thrown in), and you’ll begin to get an idea of what Shields' ambitious tale of disenchantment sets out to do."—Kirkus Reviews

"This debut novel chronicles the life of a man obsessed by a childhood encounter with the mythical creature, which may be related to the disappearance of his mother. Just shut up – you had me at 'sasquatch.'”—Mark Medley, The Globe and Mail

Available January 27

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CONTEMPORARY WOMEN

First Frost

Sarah Addison Allen

Featuring characters from her beloved novel, Garden Spells, Sarah Addison Allen's new novel picks up ten years after that eventful summer when Claire Waverly's wild half-sister Sydney returned to Bascom and Claire met her now-husband Tyler. Things have settled down and Claire finds she has slipped back into a place of tightly sequestered sameness. It's comfortable. She likes it. But when her father Russell shows up he brings with him information that Claire doesn't want to hear and that will challenge everything she thought she knew about herself. Filled with Sarah Addison Allen's characteristic magic and warmth, this novel will reveal how the people who come into your life may not be the ones you expect, but they're there for a reason. And they don't change your one true voice, they make it louder.

"Thomas Wolfe was wrong. You can go home again, and in returning to the Waverley household, the winsomely wise Allen demonstrates that sometimes it’s necessary to embrace the magic to find out what’s real in life and in one’s own heart."—Booklist (starred review)

"Allen has written a beautiful, lyrical story, complete with genuine characters whose depth reflects Allen’s skill as a writer. Allen’s fans will be eagerly awaiting her next."—Publishers Weekly 

"Richly drawn characters with dilemmas everyone can relate to make this book shine above everything similar."—RT Book Reviews 

Available January 20

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NONFICTION

 

POLITICAL SCIENCE

Rebalancing Society 

Radical Renewal Beyond Left, Right, and Center

Henry Mintzberg

Our world is out of balance, says Henry Mintzberg, and the consequences are proving fateful: the degradation of our environment, the demise of our democracies, and the denigration of ourselves, with greed having been raised to some sort of high calling. But we can set things right.

Mintzberg argues that a healthy society is built on three balanced pillars: a public sector of respected governments, a private sector of responsible enterprises, and what he calls a plural sector of robust voluntary associations (nonprofits, NGOs,etc.). Communism collapsed because the public sector was overbearing—balance triumphed in 1989, not capitalism. But that misunderstanding has led to the private sector becoming overbearing in many countries, especially the United States, and this imbalance is wreaking havoc.

Available Now

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HEALTH & FITNESS

7 Minutes to Fit

50 Anytime, Anywhere Interval Workouts

Brett Klika

There's a reason why searching Google for the New York Times article "The Scientific 7-Minute Workout" yields nearly 100 million results: we all want an exercise routine that's quick, efficient, and delivers powerful results. In 7 Minutes to Fit, the scientific study's co-author presents 50 all-new high-intensity interval circuits that only require a chair and a timer. 

Available January 14

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PSYCHOLOGY

The Man Who Couldn't Stop 

OCD and the True Story of a Life Lost in Thought

David Adam

David Adam, an editor at Nature and an accomplished science writer, has suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder for twenty years, and The Man Who Couldn’t Stop is his unflinchingly honest attempt to understand the condition and his experiences.

Drawing on the latest research on the brain, as well as historical accounts of patients and their treatments, this is a book that will challenge the way you think about what is normal and what is mental illness. Told with fierce clarity, humour, and urgent lyricism, this extraordinary book is both the haunting story of a personal nightmare and a fascinating doorway into the darkest corners of our minds.

"Well-researched, witty, honest and irreverent, Adam’s account proves as irresistible as his subject."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"In a wide-reaching discussion that spans the spectrum of obsession, Nature editor David Adam strikes an impressive balance between humor and poignancy, and between entertaining and informing."—Publishers Weekly

Available January 20

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BUSINESS

The Age of Cryptocurrency

How Bitcoin and Digital Money Are Challenging the Global Economic Order

Paul Vigna and Michael J. Casey

Bitcoin pops up in headlines and fuels endless media debate. You can apparently use it to buy anything from coffee to cars, yet few people seem to truly understand what it is. This raises the question: Why should anyone care about bitcoin?

In The Age of Cryptocurrency, Wall Street journalists Paul Vigna and Michael J. Casey deliver the definitive answer to this question. Cybermoney is poised to launch a revolution, one that could reinvent traditional financial and social structures. But bitcoin, the most famous of the cybermonies, carries a reputation for instability, wild fluctuation, and illicit business. Vigna and Casey demystify cryptocurrency-its origins, its function, and what you need to know to navigate a cyber-economy. 

"While many readers understandably have a hard time wrapping their heads around the concept of non-government-backed currency, journalists Casey (Che’s Afterlife) and Vigna, who blog about cryptocurrency at the Wall Street Journal’s MoneyBeat blog, here use their considerable expertise to make the Bitcoin phenomenon accessible."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Available January 27

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MIND, BODY & SPIRIT

Angels of Love

How to Find and Keep the Perfect Relationship

Doreen Virtue and Grant Virtue

Gain confidence, clarity, and courage with the help of the angels. In this practical reference guide, you'll learn how to heal your heart and open it to all forms of love: self-love, spiritual love, healing love, friendship love, and romantic love. You'll discover how to develop a healthy relationship with yourself and others, built upon mutual respect and support. For those looking to manifest a romantic relationship, Angels of Love gives practical tips for how and where to find the right partner.

Available January 14

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FOOD & DRINK

New German Cooking

Recipes for Classics Revisited

Jeremy Nolen and Jessica Nolen with Drew Lazor

Bright flavours. Fresh and healthful. These are not words we typically associate with German cuisine. But this beautifully packaged cookbook is not quite traditional. Featuring 100 recipes for familiar food re-envisioned to reflect the way we eat now, German Cooking Now celebrates fresh vegetables, grains, herbs, and spices as obsessively as it does pork, pretzels, and beer. Chefs Jeremy and Jessica Nolen share recipes from their family table, inspired by their travels in Germany. Slow-braised meats, home-made pickles and preserves, hand-cut noodles, and vegetables every which way-the recipes in German Cooking Now are entirely true to their roots, yet utterly unique. 

Available January 27

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My Favourite Books of 2014, Brooke Kosty

by Alisha
Fiction + Psychology & Self-Help / December 12, 2014

Snow in May

I was recommended this book by a fellow Raincoaster and a native Russian who heard I have a thing for Russian literature, and this did not disappoint. Melnik tells five interwoven stories that center around characters who share the same Russian hometown as the author herself. Melnik has an elegant writing style that lets you find moments both haunting and beautiful – without being told they are such – and by doing so, she plants them in your mind long after you’re done reading. One story about a mother’s painstaking journey to purchase a rare bundle of bananas for her children still tends to pop up in my mind every time I’m in what feels like a painfully long line at the grocery store.

What I Know For Sure

As many of my Raincoast coworkers know by now, I love anything and everything Oprah; this book is no exception. A curated selection of her ongoing magazine column, What I Know For Sure is the perfect amount of Oprah’s life lessons, wisdom, and anecdotes, all in small, beautifully-packaged doses.

Texts from Jane Eyre

As a literature major in school, I thought I’d worn myself out of anything and everything pertaining to classic literature. Apparently all it took was publishing a funny blog to knock me back off the wagon. Writer Mallory Ortberg captures famous novels and their characters so well that I often found myself (embarrassingly enough) thinking I was reading texts between old friends, ‘Oh man, that’s classic Jane…’ My favourite were the texts “by” Daisy Buchanan of Great Gatsby fame; the quintessential self-centered brattiness that made you forget she even had a child in the original novel is conveyed perfectly through Daisy’s manipulative texts pestering Nick for a ride home from the Valley of Ashes.

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New Releases: September 2014 Highlights

by Dan
Art & Photography + Fiction + Psychology & Self-Help / September 08, 2014

This month's releases include new books from Oprah Winfrey, New York Times bestselling authors Iris Johansen and Archer Mayor, as well as Toronto Cooks, Petcam, and more...

FICTION

MYSTERY & THRILLERS

The Perfect Witness

Iris Johansen

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author comes an explosive new thriller...

When Teresa Casali was young she discovered she had a strange gift: the ability to read people’s memories. But the gift seemed more like a curse as her mob boss father used her as a secret weapon to gain the upper hand in his world of corruption and violence. Exposed by her own family to the darkest impulses of mankind, Teresa is alone and unprotected. She realizes that if she is to survive, she has to run...

 

Available September 30

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Proof Positive

A Joe Gunther Novel

Archer Mayor

Ben Kendall was a troubled man. Coming back from Vietnam with PTSD and scars that no one else could see, he hid away from the world, filling his house with an ever-increasing amount of stuff, until finally, the piles collapsed and he was found dead, crushed beneath his own belongings. But what at first glance looks to be a tragic accidental death of a hoarder, may be something much more-and much deadlier. Ben's cousin, medical examiner Beverly Hillstrom, unsettled by the circumstances of his death, alerts Joe Gunther and his Vermont Bureau of Investigation team...

Available September 30

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ROMANCE

Son of No One 

Sherrilyn Kenyon

In Son of No One, next in the blockbuster The Dark-Hunters series by Sherrilyn Kenyon, it's not easy being life's own personal joke, but Josette Landry has made an unstable peace with the beast. Completely down on her luck, Josette takes a job with a local paranormal group as a photographer and camerawoman. Yeah, they're even crazier than she is. The only paranormal thing she believes in is the miracle that keeps her rusted-out hoopty running. But when something truly evil is released into the world, they are forced to call in reinforcements.

 

Available September 2

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SCIENCE FICTION

Good House

Peyton Marshall

A bighearted dystopian novel about the corrosive effects of fear and the redemptive power of love.

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 September 30

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NONFICTION

FOOD & DRINK

Huckleberry

Stories, Secrets, and Recipes From Our Kitchen

Zoe Nathan with Laurel Almerinda and Josh Loeb

"Everything in generosity" is the motto of Zoe Nathan, the big-hearted baker behind Santa Monica's favourite neighbourhood bakery and breakfast spot, Huckleberry Bakery & Café. This irresistible cookbook collects more than 115 recipes and more than 150 colour photographs, including how-to sequences for mastering basics such as flaky dough and lining a cake pan. Huckleberry's recipes span from sweet (rustic cakes, muffins, and scones) to savory (hot cereals, biscuits, and quiche). True to the spirit of Los Angeles, these recipes feature whole-grain flours, sesame and flax seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables, natural sugars, and gluten-free and vegan options—and they always lead with deliciousness. 

Available September 9

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Toronto Cooks 

100 Signature Recipes from the City's Best Restaurants

Edited by Amy Rosen

There has never been a more exciting time to eat in Toronto. While always known for its vibrant and varied food scene, over the past few years the city has been experiencing a culinary explosion. Innovative, globally minded, locally focused restaurants have been cropping up all over town as Toronto evolves into one of the world's greatest places to eat. Toronto Cooks: 100 Signature Recipes from the City's Best Restaurants captures this evolution specifically with the home cook in mind. 

Available September 30

 

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HEALTH

On Immunity

An Inoculation

Eula Biss

Why do we fear vaccines? A provocative examination by Eula Biss, the author of Notes from No Man's Land, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award.

In this bold, fascinating book, Biss investigates the metaphors and myths surrounding our conception of immunity and its implications for the individual and the social body. As she hears more and more fears about vaccines, Biss researches what they mean for her own child, her immediate community, and the world, both historically and in the present moment. She extends a conversation with other mothers to meditations on Voltaire's Candide, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, Susan Sontag's AIDS and Its Metaphors, and beyond. On Immunity is a moving account of how we are all interconnected-our bodies and our fates.

Available September 30

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SELF-HELP & INSPIRATION

What I Know of Sure

Oprah Winfrey

The inspirational wisdom Oprah Winfrey shares in her monthly O, The Oprah Magazine column updated, curated, and collected for the first time in a beautiful keepsake book.

After film critic Gene Siskel asked her, "What do you know for sure?" Oprah Winfrey began writing the "What I Know For Sure" column in O, The Oprah Magazine. Saying that the question offered her a way to take "stock of her life," Oprah has penned one column a month over the last fourteen years.

Now, for the first time, these thoughtful gems have been revised, updated, and collected in What I Know For Sure, a beautiful book packed with insight and revelation.

Available September 2

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Happiness Is...

500 Things To Be Happy About

Swerling Lisa and Lazar Ralph

From Ralph Lazar and Lisa Swerling, illustrators and the authors of Me Without You, this adorable gift book illustrates 500 things to be happy about. Happiness is... an unexpected bouquet, cheese, fixing something, a good high-five, and so much more! The charming, make-you-smile illustrations hit just the right note—not too sappy, not too sweet—and remind us that there are dozens of things to be happy about every day. 

Available September 2

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Daily Love

Growing into Grace

Mastin Kipp

In Daily Love, Mastin shares some of his personal stories of darkness and light, embracing them all as part of his journey to becoming who he really is. He also speaks of various spiritual leaders who have influenced his life, such as Joseph Campbell, Caroline Myss, Tony Robbins, George Lucas, Oprah, his parents and Jenna (his girlfriend). Through detailed accounts of various spiritual principles introduced by these teachers, Mastin shares how his inspirations and mentors have helped to guide him to success and self-discovery. With the signature voice of TheDailyLove.com and Mastin's youthful and engaging spirit, readers gain a new perspective on what it means to be spiritual for the next generation.

Available September 9

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Empower Yourself

Miranda Kerr

Following the overwhelming response to Treasure Yourself, Miranda Kerr continues to explore similar themes in her latest title, providing insight on what she believes it means for young, modern women to be empowered in all areas of life and how this can be achieved. For Miranda, one of the most powerful tools to facilitate change, both in her own life, and in the lives of others, is the use of positive affirmations. Here, she has written over 250 personal affirmations that can be used to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle, harmonious relationships, fulfilling career, and happiness.
 

Available September 9

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E-Cubed

Nine More Energy Experiments That Prove Manifesting Magic and Miracles Is Your Full-Time Gig

Pam Grout

E-Squared, the international hit sensation described by one reader as "The Secret on crack," provided the training wheels, the baby steps, to "really getting it" that thoughts create reality.

In E-Cubed, Pam Grout takes you higher and deeper into the quantum field, where you'll prove that blessings and miracles are natural and that joy is only a thought away.

 

Available September 9

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BIOGRAPHY

You Might Remember Me 

The Life and Times of Phil Hartman

Mike Thomas

The revealing and at times harrowing biography of beloved comedian and actor, Phil Hartman. 

Both joyous tribute and serious biography, Mike Thomas' You Might Remember Me is a celebration of Phil Hartman's multi-faceted career and an exhaustively reported, warts-and-all examination of his often intriguing and sometimes complicated life—a powerful, humour-filled and disquieting portrait of a man who was loved by many, admired by millions and taken from them far too early.

Available September 23

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ART & DESIGN

Collage 

Contemporary Artists Hunt and Gather, Cut and Paste, Mash Up and Transform

Danielle Krysa

Collage has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity during the twenty-first century, resulting in an explosion of creativity. This showcase of cutting-edge contemporary art from across the globe features galleries of collage by 30 practitioners, from the surreal landscapes of Beth Hoeckel to Fabien Souche's humourous appropriations of pop culture. This collection is visual inspiration for art lovers and an appreciation of the transformation of old into new.

Available September 16

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The Art of Box Trolls 

Phil Brotherton

LAIKA, the studio behind the hit films Coraline and ParaNorman, introduces audiences to a new breed of family: the Boxtrolls, a community of quirky, mischievous creatures who have lovingly raised an orphaned human boy named Eggs in the amazing cavernous home they've built beneath the streets of Cheesebridge. The Art of The Boxtrolls features the amazingly detailed artwork that went into this film's creation, including character sketches, puppets, textiles, set dressing, and 3-D printed facial models, alongside the story of the film's development.

Available September 23

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STYLE

Worn Stories 

Emily Spivack

Everyone has a memoir in miniature in at least one piece of clothing. In Worn Stories, Emily Spivack has collected over sixty of these clothing-inspired narratives from cultural figures and talented storytellers. First-person accounts range from the everyday to the extraordinary, such as artist Marina Abramovic on the boots she wore to walk the Great Wall of China; musician Rosanne Cash on the purple shirt that belonged to her father; and fashion designer Cynthia Rowley on the Girl Scout sash that informed her business acumen.

Available Now

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PHOTOGRAPHY

Petcam 

The World Through the Lens of Our Four-Legged Friends

Chris Keeney

How does the world look from the point of view of our dogs and cats—or our chickens and goats? Petcam, by photographer Chris Keeney, author of Pinhole Cameras, presents a collection of striking and amusing images created by an international roster of animal photographers. With small, lightweight cameras attached to their collars and cowbells, they document what they see as they go about their daily routines—lounging under parked cars, scaling rooftops, jumping fences, relaxing in a neighbor's tall grass. 

Available September 2

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Nocturne

Creatures of the Night

Traer Scott

In Nocturne: Creatures of the Night, celebrated animal photographer Traer Scott takes the viewer on a journey through nighttime in the animal kingdom, revealing some of nature's most elusive creatures. Bats, big cats, flying squirrels, tarantula, owls, kangaroo mice, giant moths, sloth, several species of snakes, and a Madagascar hissing cockroach are only a few of the animals illuminated in these lushly detailed portraits. 

Available September 2

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Christina Rasmussen, author of Second Firsts, in Vancouver February 11th!

by Melissa
Events + Health & Wellness + Psychology & Self-Help + Spirituality + Vancouver / January 31, 2014

Christina Rasmussen, author of Second Firsts will be in Vancouver speaking at Urban Campfire: Winter Edition on February 11, 2014.  A crisis-intervention specialist, Christina knows first hand how consuming grief can be, and how to overcome it.

After studying to become a therapist and crisis intervention counselor - even doing her master's thesis on the stages of bereavement - Christina Rasmussen thought she understood grief. But it wasn't until losing her husband to cancer in her early 30s that she truly grasped the depths of sorrow and pain that accompany loss. Using the knowledge she gained while wading through her own grief and reading hundreds of neuroscience books, Rasmussen began to look at experiences in a new way. She realized that grief plunges you into a gap between worlds - the world before loss and the world after loss. She also realized how easy it is to become lost in this gap.   

In Second Firsts, Rasmussen walks you through her Life Reentry process to help you break grief's spiral of pain, so you can stop simply surviving and begin to live again. She shows you that loss can actually be a powerful catalyst to creating a life that is in alignment with your true passions and values. The resilience, strength, and determination that have gotten you through this difficult time are the same characteristics that will help you craft your wonderful new life. Her method, which she has used successfully with thousands of clients, is based on the science of neuroplasticity and focuses on consciously releasing pain in ways that both honor suffering and rewire the brain to change your perception of the world and yourself. Using practical exercises and stories drawn from her own life and those of her clients, Rasmussen guides you through five stages of healing that help you open up to new possibilities. From acknowledging your fear, to recognizing where you stand now, to taking active steps toward a new life, Rasmussen helps you move past the pain and shows that it's never too late to step out of the gap and experience life again - as if for the first time.

Christina will be speaking about her experience and her book, Second Firsts. Tickets to the conference are available for purchase here: Urban Campfire

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My Favourite Books of 2013, Sandy Cooper

by Dan
Kids + Picture Books + Psychology & Self-Help / December 12, 2013

On a Beam of Light

This is simply a beautiful and gentle book. In its text and its lovely pen and ink illustrations it explains how Einstein was an imaginary thinker… always questioning how things worked and why things were the way they were. What an inspiring story to get kids thinking about science and wonder about big magical ideas. Every parent, Grandparent and teacher will love this book.

Scarlet
I am not a sci-fi fan at all… but from the first book with Cinder (I loved her spunk and street smart intelligence), I became a fan. I eagerly anticipated and then devoured this second book in the Lunar Chronicle series.  Fairy tales mixed with sci-fi. Who knew? Scarlet is so feisty and such a survivor. The way the author brings these two character’s lives together is brilliant. I can’t wait until the third one.

Flora and the Flamingo
This book is such a delight. An unlikely friendship between a little ballerina (in her bathing cap), and a pink Flamingo… the little girl trying to mirror the dance moves of the Flamingo. Their relationship grows with each leap and lunge. I love this wordless picture book with interactive flaps… silent, beautiful and oh so graceful.

E-Squared
A fun and inspiring read. We are energy… and you can use that energy. Rather than take it on faith, you are invited to conduct nine 48-hour experiments to prove there really is a positive, totally loving force in the universe. Pam Grout is a funny and intelligent person so the book was an enjoyable read. I took this information with a grain of salt and am keeping an open mind. But it has certainly changed the way I think.. and focus my energy!

E-Squared proves the following: 

1. There is an invisible energy force or field of infinite possibilities.
2. You impact the field and draw from it according to your beliefs and expectations. 
3. You, too, are a field of energy. 
4. Whatever you focus on expands. 
5. Your connection to the field provides accurate and unlimited guidance.
6. Your thoughts and consciousness impact matter.
7. Your thoughts and consciousness provide the scaffolding for your physical body.
8. You are connected to everything and everyone else in the universe.
9. The universe is limitless, abundant, and strangely accommodating.

Sandy Cooper, Director of Field Sales

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