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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

 

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

 

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

 

28 Rep Picks to Read this Fall

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

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

(1) Woman World 
by Aminder Dhaliwal

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

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

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

 

(2) The Dinner List
by Rebecca Serle

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

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

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

 

(3) The Piranhas
by Roberto Saviano

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

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

(4) BlacKkKlansman
by Ron Stallworth

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

(7) The Rain Watcher
by Tatiana de Rosnay

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

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


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

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

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

(9) The Best Bad Things
by Katrina Carrasco

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

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

 

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

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

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

(11) The Shadow World
by Shan Jiang

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

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

 

(12) Wellness Escapes
by Lonely Planet

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

(16) Up the Mountain Path 
by Marianne Dubuc

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

(18) Night Play
by Lizi Boyd

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

(20) Not Even Bones 
by Rebecca Schaeffer

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

(24) The Dreamer
by Il Sung Na

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

(27) Potato Pants!
by Laurie Keller

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

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

 

(28) The Darkdeep
by Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs

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

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

Interview with Sveta Dorosheva, author of The Land of Stone Flowers

by Melissa
Author Q & A / September 25, 2018

The Land of Stone Flowers

by Sveta Dorosheva
Chronicle Books
9781452163703
CDN $42.95 · cl

The Land of Stone Flowers was first published in Russia in 2014 and sold over 10,000 copies within the first 6 months. The book was nominated for the National Bestseller Award in 2016. Dorosheva's hand-drawn illustrations appeal to fans of Aubrey Bearsley or Harry Clarke but are unique to her style. The unusual content and beautiful art have landed the book on the Chronicle Books list. We caught up with Dorosheva to talk about her book, fairy tales, and illustrations.

L.S. The idea for The Land of Stone Flowers was born from your project “Everyday Fairy.” Can you please tell us more about this project?

S.D. Yes, there was this idea to make a kind of an activity book about fairy creatures—one per day, throughout the year. Each would be something related to everyday life or childhood pastimes, like ‘odd pair socks fairy’ or ‘puddle fairy’ or ‘bed crumbs fairy’—such type of thing. It was in the very beginning of my illustrator career, and of course such an ambitious project couldn’t have worked out—it should have been something simpler than 365 creatures to invent, draw and describe.

Then again, I was pregnant and the project completely froze after my second child was born. But one day, as I was thinking to return to drawing and was going through my notes and ideas in sketchbooks, I came across this phrase, which was written down as an idea about one of the everyday fairies: “Let her be a researcher of human world and write down things about humans.” I realized that moment that it was an idea for the whole book, and that way ‘a fairy guide to the mythical human being’ (as the subtitle of the book goes) was born.   

L.S. The book The Land of Stone Flowers is all about wondering. You observe humans not as an adult but rather as a child growing and exploring the world. How did you manage to bring this way of perception into adulthood?

S.D. I can’t analyze that, it’s just there. I guess I just can’t get used to life. I am over 40 now, and it still catches me by surprise quite frequently—both in a good and in a bad way. My childhood reaction to that hasn’t changed over the years, and that has always been ‘observe things while you are at a loss how to react to them.’ That was the basic approach for writing this book too.

L.S. The art scene in the 1980s in the USSR was rather plain and boring. What was the source of inspiration and nourishment of your creative self when you were a child?

S.D. I was born in Zaporozhye, which is an industrial city and very, very far from art. I guess it does make a difference if you are born in, say, Venice, attend a school in a former palazzo, walk past fascinating architecture full of art, etc.  But in a way, it doesn’t. You see, as a child you can’t know that there are ‘other worlds’—there’s nothing to compare with. I mean, whatever you are born into—you take that for granted.

We had only one book at home, which was loosely related to art—an album about Petergof garden with pictures of Greek statues. That sufficed to form my childhood taste in aesthetics. I mean, Vatican or Uffizi would have been better, but would they? Maybe I would hate art if it was served in monstrous quantities to me when a child. You never know what makes a child tick.

L.S. It is not uncommon that artists and writers use some other creatures to reflect on the lives of humans. There are plenty of movies, cartoons, books about animals, insects, aliens, gnomes watching human behavior. Some of these observations are whimsical and funny, others dark or even apocalyptic. What do you think people are trying to achieve with these reflections?

S.D. I guess people do have moments of clarity when they realize just how weird they are. They find it hard to demonstrate that to other people with just showing everyday life as it is. Because if that were a good option, we’d all be in constant shock at ourselves and how strange, contradictory and inexplicable our world, life, reactions, thoughts, actions and things are. Taking a side ‘alien’ look is just a trick to demonstrate this quite obvious revelation.  

L.S. You make your living working as a freelance illustrator and enjoy writing illustrated books for pleasure. How do you find a balance between commercial work and personal projects?

S.D. I don’t. But life finds a way to balance those things over the years. I mean, if I take a certain period of time, say the past couple of years—it’s been only commercial work in quite exhausting volumes. But then, there have been three years when I was writing and drawing this book, The Land of Stone Flowers, for instance, when my husband was practically the only budget maker in the family. Both options are bad—it’s either a money disaster, or a loss of sense to work because it turns into a conveyer. So far I am reaching the balance only through despair, like ‘I can’t do this anymore! I have to take a break and then do a passion project (personal stuff)’, or ‘I can’t do this anymore! The check for the apartment rent returned! This is the bottom pit… Time to grow up—from now on, I am focused on money!’—and so on, on end, no balance.

L.S. How do you spend your time when you are not drawing?

S.D. With kids mostly. Also, this year I started to travel, that’s a wonderful pastime. Very bad for the ‘money side of balance,’ which we have just discussed, but very inspiring.

L.S. All your projects are different, but the drawings are always incredibly realistic. Whether it is your childhood in USSR, or the Jazz Age in America, or Arabic tales—the subject is incredibly well researched so that every little detail falls in place. How do you achieve that?

S.D. By research. I spend a lot of time researching and thinking about each project before I actually draw a single line. That’s the most time-consuming and difficult stage. But interesting. It’s this stage that makes every project ‘the most interesting project’ while I am doing it. Later I fall out of love with the topic or era or manner, because the new project is ‘even more interesting.’

L.S. Are you planning more fairy books?

S.D. No. Well, maybe. Books are the worst in illustration industry, but they are so irresistible. Once you are into illustrating them, you cannot be cured.

L.S. Thank you for letting me interview you today.

S.D. Thank you, Larisa. It has been a pleasure.

The Land of Stone Flowers: A Fairy Guide to the Mythical Human Being by Sveta Dorosheva will be available in stores in September 2018.

10 Books to Read this Summer

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

The books you need in your beach bag this summer.

Visible Empire

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

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

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

 

The High Tide Club

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

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

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

 

The Sun Does Shine

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

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

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

 

Bring Me Back

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

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

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

 

Jar of Hearts 

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

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

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

 

The Neuroscientist Who Lost Her Mind

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

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

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

 

Shelter in Place

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

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

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

 

How Hard Can It Be?

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

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

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

 

Wicked River

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

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

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

 

How to Walk Away

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

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

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

28 Rep Picks to Read this Spring

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

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

 

Jessica Price

The Year of Less
by Cait Flanders

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

Yoga Storytime
by Miriam Raventos, illustrated by Maria Giron

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

 

Jenny Enriquez

Shit Is Real
by Aisha Franz

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

Children of Blood and Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi

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

 

Saffron Beckwith

The Merry Spinster
by Mallory Ortberg

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

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

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

 

Morgen Young

Carnegie’s Maid
by Marie Benedict

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

Ocean
by Ricardo Henriques, illustrated by Andre Letria

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

 

Lorna MacDonald

The Dry
by Jane Harper

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

The Big Bed
by Bunmi Laditan, illustrated by Tom Knight

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

 

Evette Sintichakis

Sometimes I Lie
by Alice Feeney

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

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

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

 

Karen Stacey

How to Swear
by Stephen Wildish

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

I Got It!
by David Wiesner

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

 

Ali Hewitt

How to Write an Autobiographical Novel
by Alexander Chee

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

I Love Kisses
by Sheryl McFarlane, illustrated by Brenna Vaughan

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

 

Dani Farmer

Even the Stiffest People Can Do the Splits
by Eiko

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

As You Wish
by Chelsea Sedoti

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

 

Judy Parker

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

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

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

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

 

Laurie Martella

The Radium Girls
by Kate Moore

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

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

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

 

Vanessa Di Gregorio

A Conjuring of Light
by V. E. Schwab

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

100 First Words for Little Geeks
Familius

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

 

Laureen Cusack

The Mitford Murders
by Jessica Fellowes

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

I Really Want to See You, Grandma
by Taro Gomi

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

 

Louis-Marc Simard

Child of a Mad God
by R. A. Salvatore

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

The Brilliant Deep
by Kate Messner, illustrated by Matthew Forsythe

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

Join us and #PlayTestShare!

by Melissa
Kids / March 02, 2018

Spring Break is just around the corner and you can count on the creative teams at Chronicle Books, Princeton Architectural Press and Laurence King to provide you and your children with fun games and activities especially for rainy days and road trips!

We sent nine of our new spring favourites to a team of bloggers across the country to play, test, and share their feedback with their avid readers. Visit their websites between March 5th and March 12th to enter to win an item of your choice from the list presented below. Participating bloggers include Quillable.ca, A Net in Time, Working Mommy Journal, My Little House of Treasures, British Columbia Mom, Discovering Parenthood, Yoyomama, MBA Mama Musings, Fab Book Reviews, Pausitive Living, Frugal Mom Eh! and Glimpse Reviews.  Don’t forget to join and tag your favourites with #PlayTestShare!

 

Llamanoes

A hilarious herd of llamas star in this laugh-out-loud twist on the game of dominoes. From Llama-nardo da Vinci to Super Llama (it's a bird, it's a plane, it's . . . a llama?), kids, families, and llama enthusiasts will have a blast matching heads to tails to complete the chain and win! It's a goofy gift, a boredom-busting game, and a great way to develop matching and fine motor skills, all in one appealing and colorful package.

Pass the Parcel: A Party Game

Everyone wins in this modern take on a classic British party game!  Players take turns unwrapping the parcel to uncover cheeky dares that will soon have the whole group beaming. Under the last layer, there's an envelope containing a special surprise!

Draw Like An Artist: Pop Art

A collection of eighteen fun and colorful activities for aspiring Warhols, Hockneys, and Lichtensteins ages ten and up, or anyone who enjoys working with color, pattern, and pop-culture imagery, and gaining a better understanding of the 20th century's most popular art movement. Sixteen perforated pages provide plenty of raw material for collage, drawing backgrounds, and inspiration.

The Mystery Mansion

Reviving the Victorian craze for 'myrioramas', the 20 picture cards can be placed in any order to create seamless scenes. Almost infinite combinations of cards provide endless storyscaping possibilities. Find sinister suits of armour and the aftermaths of strange accidents, butlers with a grudge and glamorous couples where revenge is never far from the surface. With many games to play and millions of stories to tell, each turn of the card is a new adventure. Where will the story take you?

Crocodile and Friends Animal Memory Game

Fossil, a good-natured crocodile who just wants some peace and quiet, quickly won the hearts of children everywhere in the delightful picture book The Quiet Crocodile. Now Fossil and his friends are back, ready to play, in this fun memory game. The fifty-two cards feature twenty-six charming illustrations of Fossil and his many friends, nested in a handsome keepsake box. An added bonus is a folded poster showing all of the animal friends together, from Fippo the Hippo and Ryan the Lion to Pat the Cat.

In the Ocean: My Nature Sticker Activity Book

The world's oceans are home to many different species and plants, from tiny organisms like plankton to the world's largest animal, the blue whale. Deep down in the seas' depth, you will even find some monstrous-looking creatures that seem to have come straight out of a fairy tale. Vivid digital illustrations help introduce a variety of aquatic creatures in this addition to the My Nature Sticker Activity Book series.

After Dinner Amusements: Which Would You Choose?

With 50 hilarious and thought-provoking questions asking players to choose between two equally good, unpleasant, or absurd scenarios, this revealing party game leads to interesting conversations and good fun for all ages!

Alpha Shapes

This modern twist on alphabet blocks offers a new way to see the beauty of letterforms. Adults and children alike can build letters and words out of the 39 colorful wooden pieces, spelling out names or creating personalized messages for display.

Bob the Artist: Dominoes

Bob the Artist, first introduced in the quirky Bob the Artist picture book, loves to paint with brightly colored splashes, but he has got into a bit of a mess. Help Bob clear up his paints by matching the colors and numbers in this fun game of dominoes. A wonderful concept game for toddlers!

Top 30 Book Covers of 2017

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

 

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

 

The Dark Dark
by Samantha Hunt
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
 

The Resurrection of Joan Ashby
by Cherise Wolas
Flatiron Books

 

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

 

Goodbye, Vitamin
by Rachel Khong
Henry Holt & Co

 

Isadora
by Amelia Gray
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

Catalina
by Liska Jacobs
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

Ali
by Jonathan Eig
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

 

Lotus
by Lijia Zhang
Henry Holt & Co

 

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

 

The Impossible Fairy Tale
by Han Yujoo
Graywolf Press

 

Weave a Circle Round
by Kari Maaren
Tor

 

Ultraluminous
by Katherine Faw
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

Oola
by Brittany Newell
Henry Holt & Co

 

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

 

Sourdough
by Robin Sloan
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

This Is How It Always Is
by Laurie Frankel
Flatiron Books

 

Abandon Me
by Melissa Febos
Bloomsbury

 

Grief Cottage
by Gail Godwin
Bloomsbury

 

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

 

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

 

Knots
by Gunnhild Oyehaug
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

Caraval
by Stephanie Garber
Flatiron Books

 

Shadowless
by Hasan Ali Toptas
Bloomsbury

 

The Answers
by Catherine Lacey
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

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

 

The Clairvoyants
by Karen Brown
Henry Holt & Co

 

Lure
by Ned Bell and Valerie Howes
Figure 1

 

The Bedlam Stacks
by Natasha Pulley
Bloomsbury

 

Marlena
by Julie Buntin
Henry Holt & Co

 

The Great Forgetting
by James Renner
Picador

 

26 Rep Picks to Read this Fall

by Melissa
October 12, 2017

It's the perfect time of year to curl up with a good book, and we have the best fall reading recommendations for you from our sales reps!
 

Judy Parker

The Resurrection of Joan Ashby
by Cherise Wolas
"Debut novelist Cherise Wolas has an interesting background as a film producer and lawyer and has used that to create her first novel. Joan Ashby deals with the conflict between the sacrifices demanded by a motherhood she didn’t want and her overriding passion as a writer. The novel has already been praised for its emotional insight, depth and storytelling. Canadian readers are lucky to have a paperback version to buy!"

Mighty Jack and the Goblin King
by Ben Hatke
"Ben Hatke’s first graphic novel, Zita the Space Girl, helped to convert me to a reader of graphic novels. It is really exciting to be able to follow the further adventures of Jack and his little sister Maddy as they battle monsters in other realms in Mighty Jack and the Goblin King. Hatke has a great ability to create compelling characters."
 

Saffron Beckwith

The Cities Book
by Lonely Planet
"An amazing book that makes you want to pack your bags and take off!"

Imagine
by John Lennon, illustrated by Jean Jullien
"One of my favourite songs of all time beautifully illustrated…’nuff said."
 

Dani Farmer

One Line a Day
by Yao Chang
"I keep meaning to start journaling but there never seems to be time! I’m pretty sure even I could manage to write one line a day though. This new version has the same great content of the original with a gorgeous new cover that will look fantastic on my bedside table."

Book or Bell?
by Chris Barton, illustrated by Ashley Spires
"Who amongst us hasn’t gotten caught up in a good book and forgotten about our other responsibilities and the world around us? This book perfectly captures the “Aww Phooey” moment when the real world interrupts our quality reading time. It’ll take more than a noisy bell to pull my nose out of this one!"

 

Karen Stacey

Three Daughters of Eve
by Elif Shafak
"Time — Now. Scene — One evening’s dinner party at a wealthy Turkish mansion. Content — One woman’s recollections of her past. Concerns the role of religion in secular life and what it means to be a woman in contemporary Turkey. This gripping novel from international bestselling novelist Elif Shafak is Bloomsbury’s lead fiction for Fall. A must read."

This Is Where It Ends
by Marieke Nijkamp
"#1 New York Times bestseller, Buzzfeed Best YA of 2016, #1 Young Adult Debut of 2016, Winter ‘15 Kids Indie Next List, Goodreads YA Best Books of the Month. Marieke Nijkamp is an executive member of “We Need Diverse Books” and the founder of DiversifYA. She knows her subject and she understands misfit kids. This is a hard hitting novel that describes 54 minutes of terror in a typical high school and how things can go very wrong with very little warning."
 

Jessica Price

The Solo Travel Handbook
by Lonely Planet
"As an avid traveler, who has never traveled alone, this essential guide gave me the confidence to plan a solo travel adventure. Packed with tips and tricks as well as sound travel advice from experienced travelers, this book is a great resource for novice and experienced travelers alike."

Accident!
by Andrea Tsurumi
"This laugh-out-loud and charming story is a great reminder for children (and adults!) that accidents happen, and provides an excellent teaching opportunity about remorse, empathy and forgiveness."
 

Vanessa Di Gregorio

The Tiger's Daughter
by K Arsenault Rivera
"A lush fantasy set in an Eastern feudal world, where two women from across borders will come together to fight against demons encroaching upon their world? Yes please! Perfect for fans of Naomi Novik and N.K. Jemisin."

Retribution Rails
by Erin Bowman
"I’ve been anxiously awaiting this companion to Vengeance Road, where a train-robber in possession of a mysterious coin and an aspiring journalist cross paths and try to manipulate each other to their advantage, in this violent and gritty YA Western."

 

Laurie Martella

Spiroglyphics
by Thomas Pavitte
"I was agog when, like magic through the tip of a sharpie, images come to life by shading within the lines of this graphic puzzle. THIS. IS. GENIUS!"

The Bad Decisions Playlist
by Michael Rubins
"You will be charmed and humoured by Austin, the slacker with half-written songs, in what is cleverly titled The Bad Decisions Playlist. This heartbreakingly funny story is what you would expect from author Michael Rubens, field producer and correspondent on ‘Full Frontal with Samantha Bee,’ and he’s worked with the likes of John Oliver, Stephen Colbert, and John Stewart - enough said!"
 

Lorna McDonald

The Un-Discovered Islands
by Malachy Tallack, illustrated by Katie Scott
"Be prepared to be captivated by the astounding tales of two dozen islands once believed to be real but no longer on the map. From the well-known myth of Atlantis to more obscure tales from around the globe, this fully-illustrated work is an atlas of legend and wonder."

Nobody's Duck
by Mary Sullivan
"A lost duck and grumpy alligator embark on a quest to find out where the duck belongs. From the library to skydiving, from exasperation to laughter, the two make an unexpected discovery about friendship. Told with minimal text and comic strip style illustration, this is a story for parents and kids to enjoy over and over."
 

Jenny Enriquez

Baking with Kafka
by Tom Gauld
"Baking With Kafka collects some of Tom Gauld’s funniest and most engaging strips about literature and pop culture from his weekly series in The Guardian. A book about books?! Sign me up!"

Nothing Rhymes with Orange
by Adam Rex
"A hilarious, charming story about feeling left out and having your best pals swoop in and make you feel included and special in the end. I finished reading it and re-read it immediately. Then I read it to everyone in my office (or whoever would listen)."
 

Morgen Young

Class Mom
by Laurie Gelman
"A less-than-conventional Mom finds herself in a very conventional Mom’s position — married and on the PTA! After raising 2 kids on her own, Jen now has a son entering kindergarten and a husband by her side… but is she ready to deal with the bunk that is rampant in the land of school Moms and PTA politics? A hilarious (and irreverent) read."

Florette
by Anna Walker
"Totally adorable with lovely watercolour illustrations. Friends and flowers, what’s better than that?"
 

Evette Sintichakis

The End of the World Running Club
by Adrian Walker
"This is a very real post-apocalyptic novel set in England. It has all the parts that make a good dystopian thriller – asteroids hit, the earth becomes mostly wasteland, and it’s quickly becoming every man for himself. Amidst these end of the world events, one man has to do the impossible if he wants a chance at reuniting with his family. He must run to them – literally – because he won’t make it in time if he walks. Together with other amateur runners, they begin to run every day, all day. Not all of them will make it. This is for readers who like stories of hope, love, and pushing yourself to your limit. I am very excited for this one!"

The Quiet Crocodile
by Natacha Andriamirado and Delphine Renon
"Sometimes friends can be a bother, especially when you’re Fossil the Crocodile and all you want is some quiet. The Quiet Crocodile will appeal to everyone. The beautiful illustrations will have readers seeing new details each time they read the book. It’s a great book for introverted kids. It’s clever, it’s silly, and kids will love it!"
 

Ali Hewitt

The Fortunes
by Peter Ho Davies
"A beautifully written novel that tells the story of Chinese immigration to America, told through the tales of four characters, living through four different eras. I can’t say enough about how absorbing and impressive I found this book."

Fowl Play
by Travis Nichols
"This book is full of non-stop laughs, as the team at Gumshoe Zoo Detective Agency solve a mystery and speak almost entirely in idioms. The panel illustrations make this perfect for beginning readers, and the jokes are ideal for kids aged 5-8."
 

Laureen Cusack

The Ninth Hour
by Alice McDermott
"The Ninth Hour is a portrait of the Irish-Catholic immigrant community living in Brooklyn, New York in the 1940s. At the heart of the story is a young man who suffers great emotional pain and sadly, ends his life. His tragic death casts a dark shadow over his family and the generations that follow."

Herbert's First Halloween
by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Steven Henry
"Halloween night can be a scary time for young trick-or-treaters. But in this charming story a father demonstrates how he helps his son prepare for his first Halloween night."

It’s Time to #PlayTestShare!

by Melissa
Kids / September 18, 2017

With fall right around the corner it’s the perfect time to gather your family around the kitchen table and enjoy one of the many games, activities and interactive books available from Chronicle Books and Laurence King. We sent some of our new fall favourites to a team of bloggers across the country to play, test, and share their findings with the rest of us while offering a chance to enter and win a game or book of your choice from the selection presented below.

The contest will run from September 19^th to the 28^th and participating reviewers include 3 Plus a Bunny, A Net in Time, Book Time, Discovering Parenthood, Fab Book Reviews, Frugal Mom Eh, Glimpse Reviews, MBA Mama Musings, My Little House of Treasures, Quillable, The Mommy Mix, and Working Mommy Journal.

Tag us @RaincoastBooks and use #PlayTestShare to share your favourites!

After Dinner Amusements: Family Time
This is a fun little twist on classic games and activities and offers easy amusement during family dinners, holiday gatherings and road trips! This miniature deck of cards features fifty thoughtful and playful questions about the past, present, and future – a great way for family members to connect and learn new things about one another.

Animal Friends on Parade Puzzle
From a gorilla in a party hat to a hedgehog rat-a-tat-tatting on his drum, these animal friends from different habitats—the jungle, farm, woodland, and Arctic—know that togetherness is something to celebrate. Featuring twelve double-sided uniquely die-cut pieces by artist Junzo Terada, this fun puzzle offers (nearly) endless combinations, providing hours of entertainment.

Say Zoop!
The newest book from Herve Tullet magically responds with bursts of color and moving shapes, empowering children by letting their imaginations liberate and direct each page's reaction. Tullet's books define the genre of participatory bookmaking, encouraging readers to explore and interact with the physical book in all its dimensions. The reward is tremendous: a journey of whimsy and sheer fun that extends well beyond the book's pages.

Donner Dinner Party
Who's safe when there are cannibals hiding among you? That's the question at the heart of this fast-paced game of social deduction in which cannibals and pioneers face off in a fight for survival. Set in the winter of 1846, players are members of the ill-fated Donner Party wagon train, stranded atop a mountain with no food. Rowdy, outrageous, and full of deception, this party game packs a delightfully wicked twist!

Ghost Story Box
Based on a unique and original format, this game contains 20 story-telling puzzle pieces printed on both sides. Each piece can be interchanged or flipped over to allow for all kinds of plot twists and turns, and there are even two alternative endings! When all the puzzle pieces are used, they stretch out to over 8-feet long to tell your own mega ghost story!

Make and Move Mega: Dinosaurs
Press out, slot together and play with your very own T-Rex, Triceratops, Apatosaurus, Stegosaurus, and Pteranodon. Created by talented paper artist and engineer Sato Hisao, each of these detailed 3D models comes with easy-to-follow assembly instructions. No scissors or glue required!

Star Wars Super Graphic
Graphic design guru Tim Leong presents STAR WARS trivia via playful pie charts, bar graphs, and other data-driven infographics. From a Venn diagram of Yoda's idiosyncrasies to an organizational chart of the Empire to a line graph of Grand Moff Tarkin's management decisions, STAR WARS SUPER GRAPHIC shines a new light on the much-adored universe. Equal parts playful and informative, this visual love letter to the vast STAR WARS universe will enchant fans of all ages.

Travel Matching Game
Mix and match with this classic matching game, which includes 36 robust, jumbo-size cards featuring charming illustrations by Greg Pizzoli that will have kids ready to pack up their bags and explore the world! Children will adore pairing colorful images of suitcases, taxis, stop signs, and other classic travel imagery as they develop memory, concentration, and identification skills.

Royal Bingo
This majestically illustrated bingo game features portraits of 64 royal icons from around the world. Spot famous faces like William and Kate, or meet some less familiar figures such as the playboy prince Wenzeslaus of Liechtenstein. Each royal is further brought to life in an accompanying booklet, which details their personalities, foibles, gaffes and romances. Who will reign supreme?

10 Books to Read this Summer

by Melissa
Fiction + Mysteries and Thrillers + YA Fiction / June 02, 2017

The books you need in your beach bag this summer.
 

Salt Houses

by Hala Alyan
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Available: May 2, 2017
$37.00 cdn · 320 pages
9780544192588 · cl

A stunning debut that spans several generations, Salt Houses is a gorgeous story that explores family, displacement, and identity.

“Moving and beautifully written, Alyan's debut chronicles three generations of a Palestinian family as they face two life-altering displacements—the first after 1967's Six-Day War, and the second following Saddam Hussein's 1990 invasion of Kuwait."–Entertainment Weekly

 

A Court of Wings and Ruin

by Sarah J. Maas
Bloomsbury
Available: May 2, 2017
$24.99 cdn · 720 pages
9781619634480 · cl

The highly-anticipated conclusion in the Court of Thorns and Roses trilogy, A Court of Wings and Ruin is the perfect summer read: featuring high political stakes, page-turning action, and a captivating romance, this novel will keep you glued to the edge of your beach chair!

“If you want juicy romance, badass women (and men too!), politics (not the boring kind), magic, and unforgettable characters, then pick up this series ASAP.” – PopSugar

 

Fake Plastic Love

by Kimberley Tait
Flatiron Books
Available: May 9, 2017
$36.99 cdn cl / $24.99 cdn pb · 352 pages
9781250093899 · cl / 9781250154965 · pb

Debut Canadian author Kimberley Tait tells a Gatsby-inspired coming-of-age tale about 4 millennials as they navigate life after college in Manhattan—an ideal read for when you’re laying poolside.

"With sweeping nods to Fitzgerald and other writers of the Gilded Age, Tait's debut novel sparkles with vitality and conscience … Fluid, graceful, and unfaltering prose highlights this remarkable novel; relatable characters and themes complete the package." – Publishers Weekly

 

God-Shaped Hole

by Tiffanie DeBartolo
Sourcebooks
Available: May 16, 2017
$23.99 cdn · 416 pages
9781492646945 · pb

Rediscover the novel that inspires readers to live, and love, as vividly as possible with this 15^th-anniversary reissue! This beautiful love story will sweep you away.

"With wit and humor, the author brings these characters and their quirky, artsy friends alive. Bottom Line: You'll dig it" – People Magazine

#PlayTestShare: Spring Break!

by Melissa
Kids / March 07, 2017

It’s time for another #PlayTestShare! Chronicle, Twirl and Princeton have developed a reputation for quality books, games and colouring books that inspire creativity and imagination for kids of all ages.  And with Spring Break around the corner, we thought it would be the perfect time to send our favourites to enthusiastic bloggers and book reviewers to play, test and share with their readers!

Check out their reviews during the week ahead and enter to win one of ten offerings at any of these participating blogs: My Little House of Treasures, British Columbia Mom, Frugal Mom Eh, Book Time, Our Happy Place, 3 Plus a Bunny, Fab Book Reviews, The Mommy Mix, Quillable, Working Mommy Journal, Glimpse Reviews, Discovering Parenthood, MBA Mama Musings, and Kinderlit.

Tag us @RaincoastBooks and use #PlayTestShare to share your favourites!

Contest runs from March 9 to March 16.

#PlayTestShare Picks for Spring Break 2017:

Old MacDonald Had a Truck Bingo

A classic family-friendly game gets revved up with a winning combination of construction vehicles and farm animals, featuring artwork from the picture book Old MacDonald Had a Truck. With six illustrated, double-sided game boards plus a set of colorful bingo calling cards and chips, this easy-to-learn game is sure to be a hit at any playdate or family game night.

Mighty, Mighty Construction Site

All of our favorite trucks are back on the construction site--this time with a focus on team-building, friendship, and working together to make a big task seem small! Down in the big construction site, the crew faces their biggest job yet, and will need the help of new construction friends to get it done. Working as a team, there's nothing they can't do!

Quicktionary

Introducing a new, fast-paced casual card game for word lovers and anyone who loves to think on their feet. Simple to learn, with nearly endless possibilities, this free-for-all game is a fun addition to any game night.

642 Things About Me: Young Writer’s and Artist’s Edition

A new offering in the wildly popular 642 series, this unique journal encourages young creators to dive deep into the subject they know best-themselves! Packed with quirky, thought-provoking, and imaginative drawing and writing prompts, this journal a fun way for kids to document their lives, jump-start their creative talent, and produce a memorable keepsake-or the first draft of their bestselling memoir.

TouchThinkLearn Fly!

A deceptively simple and joyful celebration of the natural cycle of life, this book adds the bonus of removable-and movable-characters and scenery to the bestselling TouchThinkLearn format, featuring the hallmark production technique of glued-on pieces dovetailing with die-cut openings.

Space Playing Cards
Featuring Photos from Nasa Archives

Launch into your favorite card games while immersing yourself in deep space! Each playing card features extraordinary NASA photography and two Pantone colors on beautifully designed card backs. Includes a complete 52-card playing deck, plus 2 jokers.

Birds of the World

A beautifully illustrated guide that introduces aspiring ornithologists to fun facts through a range of coloring activities, removable stickers, and a short quiz. In the process, children learn about the rich variety of birds living in our world, including nightingales, swallows, hummingbirds, pelicans, penguins, parrots, toucans, and flamingos, and many more.

Crystal Menagerie Coloring Book

This fresh new coloring book renders foxes, birds, hedgehogs, and more with a prismatic look that makes them as cool to display as they are pleasing to color. With just the right level of detail, these unique designs can easily be completed in one sitting if so desired, but those who want a more involved coloring session can opt for a 3-dimensional look-and make these animals leap off the page.

Ultimate Book of Cities

Featuring 59 flaps, pop-ups, pull tabs and movable parts, this all-you-need-to-know guide provides detailed information about what makes a city tick: from the different ways of getting around and what goes on in all the big buildings, to what traffic signs mean and who are all the people who keep the city in tip-top shape!

Towering Tree Puzzle

Join adorable critters as they navigate the seasons and make new friends in their towering tree. Imaginative play and puzzle logic intersect as each interlocking branch of this innovative puzzle tells a new story, providing hours of entertainment. Adventure is just a branch away!

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

Top 30 Book Covers of 2016

by Brooke
Fiction + Food & Drink + Kids + Politics + YA Fiction / December 20, 2016

 

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

 

Virgin and Other Stories
by April Ayers Lawson
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
 

Hurt People
by Cote Smith
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

The Beautiful Bureaucrat
by Helen Phillps
Picador

 

Cannibals in Love
by Mike Roberts
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

Ramshackle Ode
by Keith Leonard
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

 

The Imperial Wife
by Irina Reyn
St. Martin's Press

 

The Good Lieutenant
by Whitney Terrell
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

All the Birds in the Sky
by Charlie Jane Anders
Tor

 

Vinegar Socks
by Karin Berndl and Nici Hofer
Hardie Grant

 

The Other Me
by Saskia Sarginson
Flatiron Books

 

The Guineveres
by Sarah Domet
Flatiron Books

 

Future Sex
by Emily Witt
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

American Philosophy
by John Kaag
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

We Gon' Be Alright
by Jeff Chang
Picador

 

If I Was Your Girl
by Meredith Russo
Flatiron Books

 

Change Your Mind
by Rod Judkins
Hardie Grant

 

Green Kitchen Smoothies
by David Frenkiel and Luise Vindahl
Hardie Grant

 

Spoon
by Annie Morris and Johnny Shimmin
Hardie Grant

 

Children of the New World
by Alexander Weinstein
Picador

 

The 100 Year Miracle
by Ashley Ream
Flatiron Books

 

The Lonely City
by Olivia Laing
Picador

 

Mr. Splitfoot
by Samantha Hunt
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

 

Magruder's Curiosity Cabinet
by H.P. Wood
Sourcebooks

 

Crooked Kingdom
by Leigh Bardugo
Henry Holt & Co

 

The Night Parade
by Kathryn Tanquary
Sourcebooks

 

The Moravian Night
by Peter Handke
Krishna Winston

 

Cabo de Gata
by Eugen Ruge
Graywolf

 

The Lost Time Accidents
by John Wray
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

With Malice
by Eileen Cook
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

 

A Wife of Noble Character
by Yvonne Georgina Puig
Henry Holt & Co

 

24 Rep Picks to Read this Fall

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

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

Judy Parker

 

Dani Farmer

Laurie Martella

Lorna MacDonald

#PlayTestShare: Family Game Night Will Never Be the Same!

by Melissa
Kids / September 07, 2016

The creative teams at Chronicle Books and Laurence King have delivered another great selection of entertaining games and colouring books bound to become favourites on Family Game Night. Your teens will set aside their smart phones for the thought-provoking Listography. To the Ocean Deep is filled with the most absorbing images, and bonus!—it’s 15 feet long so squabbling siblings can colour at opposite ends. And Cat Bingo? It’s meow-ve-lous! 

There are nine terrific offerings and we’re putting them through the toughest test of all: Satisfying the discerning eyes, hearts and minds of Canadian parent bloggers!

Check out their reviews and enter to win your choice of two items at any of these participating blogs: British Columbia Mom, Discovering Parenthood, Fab Book Reviews, Frugal Mom Eh!, Glimpse Reviews, The Koala Mom, Life on a Canadian Island, My Little House of Treasures, The Pampered Baby, and Quillable.ca.

The #PlayTestShare giveaway will run from September 12 to 20^th.  Use #PlayTestShare to share your favourites and let the games begin!

Alain Grée Animals Matching Game
It's an animal menagerie! Kids will delight in this classic matching game, featuring the timeless art of beloved French picture book illustrator Alain Grée. It's the perfect opportunity to identify favorite animals, and to discover new ones. Large, sturdy cards are ideal for small hands, and the game play of discovering 18 different animals builds memory, concentration, and matching skills.

Punch Out & Play Game Book
One book, so many ways to play! Acclaimed artist and designer Laura Ljungkvist invites children to punch out 10 different puzzles and 13 classic games, such as Memory, Go Fish, and Dominoes. Packed with fun, graphic artwork, a variety of games, and plenty of colorful envelopes for easy storage, this book provides hours of play for kids of all ages—all in an attractively priced package.

Cat Bingo
A beautifully illustrated bingo game featuring 64 breeds of cat from around the world. Spot all kinds of cats—from Tonkinese to Siamese, and from Bengals to Birmans—mark them off on your card and BINGO!

642 Big Things to Write About: Young Writer’s Edition
This new oversized journal is packed with peculiar and provocative prompts that encourage young writers to think BIG. Whether imagining big objects or pondering big ideas, budding writers will find this HUGELY entertaining book of prompts the perfect tool for kick-starting their ENORMOUS creative potential—and perhaps their next EPIC masterpiece.

Members of the Raincoast marketing team, disguised to elude capture, slipped away from their desks to play a round of Za Za Zoom!

 

Herve Tullet’s Za Za Zoom!: A Game of Imagination
One part matching game, one part dominoes, plus loads and loads of fun, this game is both a clever challenge to hone memory skills and a make-your-own visual adventure of colorful play pieces. With the tour-de-force inventiveness—which fuels his already-classics Press Here, Mix It Up!, and Let's Play!—Herve Tullet's open-ended game stimulates creative thinking and fosters imagination.

To the Ocean Deep
Climb down to the depths of the ocean in this amazing fold-out coloring book, the longest in the world! Color an amazing tower, all the way from a boat bobbing in the waves, past sea dragons, mermaids, aqua robots, and sharks, to reach the deep ocean floor. Hours of fun for coloring enthusiasts of all ages.

Missing Socks Go Fish Card Game
Experience the classic Go Fish card game in a sock-inspired way! The perennial post-laundry problem of the search for the missing sock becomes a playful quest to collect the most pairs of sock-shaped cards. Forty cards feature an array of bright colors and patterns that will encourage young players to learn new words and hone concentration skills while they play.

Fantastic Collections
In this newest coloring book by the author of the internationally bestselling Fantastic Cities, artist Steve McDonald uses his unique photo-based approach to create beautiful and intimately detailed line drawings of amazing collections of objects. Finding inspiration in the unusual (museum collections, antiques, and quirky toys) and the everyday (leaves, butterflies, vintage cameras), McDonald creates playful and immersive illustrations that are as lovely as they are fun to color.

Listography: The Game
A new twist on the bestselling Listography journal series (almost 900,000 titles sold), this game invites players to create and share lists based on fun and thought-provoking topics—from geography and pop culture to toothpaste and constellations! With the goal of being the first around the game board, players score points according to the number of similar or unique answers. Every round in the game results in creative thinking, surprise outcomes, and lots of laughs.

Meet the Scott Brothers from W Network’s Property Brothers!

by Alisha
Events + Home & Garden / August 08, 2016

The stars of W Network's Property Brothers are coming home! Maple Ridge twins Jonathan and Drew Scott are back in town for two events this August. Don't miss your chance to meet the twins as they greet fans and sign copies of their bestselling book Dream Home. 

Upcoming Events
Chapters Metrotown • Friday, August 19 at 6PM
Click here for details.

Black Bond Books • Sunday, August 21 at 2PM
Click here for details.

Dream Home
The Property Brothers' Ultimate Guide to Finding & Fixing Your Perfect House
Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
9780455715677 • $42.00 cl

"It's about time these guys published a book! In Dream Home, Drew and Jonathan Scott prove to be an authority on all things related to the home space. It's very informative, easy to navigate, and answers all the questions for those looking to fix or find their perfect home. Drew and Jonathan's personalities shine throughout, giving the guide a fun energy while also providing relatable advice and solutions for the homeowner."—Rachael Ray

Click here to read an excerpt!

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10 Books to Read this Summer

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

The books you need in your beach bag this summer.
 

Truly Madly Guilty

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

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

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

The Weekenders

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

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

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

 

Behind Closed Doors

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

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

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

 

With Malice 

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

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

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

Oprah’s New Cookbook

by Brooke
Food & Drink / June 16, 2016

Flatiron Books has announced that the first book to launch Oprah's new imprint will be a cookbook called Food, Health and Happiness: "On Point" Recipes for Great Meals and a Better Life, on sale January 3, 2017.

The book will "discuss her lifelong relationship with food and share recipes for the meals she loves." This will be the first title in her as yet-unnamed publishing imprint, which is expected to release several non-fiction titles a year, personally chosen by Oprah.

In her announcement of the book Winfrey said, “In the past several months on Weight Watchers, I have worked with wonderful chefs to make healthier versions of my favorite meals. When people come to my house for lunch or dinner, the number one thing they ask is, ‘How is this so delicious and still healthy?’ So I decided to answer that question with recipes everyone can enjoy.” 

Flatiron Books had previously announced that Winfrey's memoir, The Life You Want, would be the first title to launch the imprint, but the memoir is currently on hold and its release will be pushed back while Winfrey continues to work on the book.

Read the full press release here!

May Long Weekend Must-Haves

by Alisha
Food & Drink / May 20, 2016

Fire up the grill this May Long Weekend with these must-have BBQ books.

   

Weber's New American Barbecue

by Jamie Purviance
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Available: 05/03/16
8.68 x 10.92 · 304 pages
9780544715271
CDN $34.99 · pb

Through stories and essays, hundreds of photos, crystal-clear techniques, and 100 exceptional and fool-proof recipes, Weber's New American Barbecue™ celebrates what's happening at the grill today. From chefs creating new classics to everyday backyard heroes melding flavors to pitmasters setting new standards of excellence at competitions, this book explores the delicious evolution of our true American pastime-barbecue.

 

Meathead

by Meathed Goldwyn
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Available: 05/10/16
8.45 x 10.28 · 400 pages
9780544018464
CDN $50.00 · cl

For succulent results every time, nothing is more crucial than understanding the science behind the interaction of food, fire, heat, and smoke. This is the definitive guide to the concepts, methods, equipment, and accessories of barbecue and grilling. The founder and editor of the world's most popular BBQ and grilling website, AmazingRibs.com, Meathead" Goldwyn applies the latest research to backyard cooking and 118 thoroughly tested recipes.

 

Grilling with House of Q 

by BBQ Brian Misko
Figure 1 Publishing
Available: 02/23/15
8.1 x 9.54 · 192 pages
9781927958100
CDN $24.95 · pb

BBQ Brian has spent more than a decade smoking and grilling foods, competing against other pit masters and learning from some of the best in the business. And not only does he regularly win awards for his barbecue and House of Q BBQ sauces, but he’s now one of the most sought-after teachers around. Why? Because he tells a great story, makes learning fun and easy and freely shares his recipes and his love of good food. 

 

Flavorize 

by Ray "Dr BBQ" Lampe
Chronicle Books
Available: 04/21/15
7.38 x 8.3 · 192 pages
9781452125305
CDN $32.95 · 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, savory brines, flavorful rubs, delectable glazes, and full recipes for what to make with them. Whether folks want to test their talents at the grill or whip up a stove-top dinner, these flavor-enhancing recipes will take every meal to the next level.

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

 

Dani Farmer

 Laurie Martella

Saffron Beckwith

Karen Beattie

 

Mark Penney

#PlayTestShare

by Fernanda
Kids / March 10, 2016

 

Members of the Raincoast team, disguised by Eric Carle Animal Masks, were caught enjoying a quiet moment with To the Moon: The Tallest Coloring Book in the World. 

 

Join us and #PlayTestShare! It’s no secret that Chronicle Books and Laurence King have a wonderful selection of games, activity sets and creative books guaranteed to keep your children engaged and intellectually stimulated. And with spring break around the corner, we thought it would be the perfect time to send our favourites to bloggers and book reviewers across the country to play, test and share with their readers!

Read the reviews and enter to win the Spring Break Giveaway at any one of these participating testers: Kinderlit, Fab Book Reviews, This West Coast Mommy, Yoyomama, Glimpse Reviews, The Pampered Baby, My Little House of Treasures and Frugal Mom Eh! And don’t forget to share and tag your favourites with #PlayTestShare!

 

#PlayTestShare Picks for 2016

ABC Word Play

A hands-on alphabet extravaganza! The letters of the alphabet come to life in this bright, graphic, and delightfully interactive ABC novelty board book that pairs early learning with captivating play. Just punch out the oversize neon letters and assemble the simple words featured on each spread, or spell new words. It's the perfect way to play, spell, and learn, from A to Z!

 

Flora and Friends Matching Game

From the Caldecott Honor Book Flora and the Flamingo, and the two follow-up books, Flora and the Penguin and Flora and the Peacocks, this classic memory game stars Flora and her feathered friends! Delightful storytelling and artwork from Molly Idle celebrate the joy of friendship, all while building memory, concentration, and matching skills.

 

Make and Move Animals

12 amazing moving animals to press out, slot together and play! From flapping penguins to swimming turtles, and everything in between, create fantastic moving animal 'parionettes' to play with. Each parionette comes with easy-to-follow assembly instructions, and no scissors or glue required!

 

 

Paper Sumo

Japan's centuries-old national sport is the main attraction in this paper-based smackdown where creativity and competition collide. The result? Laughs guaranteed! There is an impressive assortment of 39 characters-from traditional sumo wrestlers to animals to monsters and other eye-catching creatures from Japanese lore.

 

642 Things to Draw: Young Artist's Edition

The perfect addition to the 642 series, this collection of hilarious, wacky, and imaginative drawing prompts provides endless quirky inspiration for young artists of all experience levels. Whether pondering how to sketch a zombie unicorn or filling the page with a magical field of cupcakes, budding artists will relish the chance to jump-start their artistic engines as they draw, sketch, imagine, and create!

 

Dog Domino

This game is for two to four players and contains 28 cute and colorful dog dominoes. Have fun matching seven delightful pooches: Chihuaha, Dachshund, Dalmation, Labrador, Poodle, Pug, and Alsation. Get your last domino down first to win the game and become top dog!

 

Story Box: Create Your Own Fairy Tales

This wonderful game will allow your family to create its own fairy tales. Highly original and with a contemporary twist, this box contains 20 cards, printed on both sides, which can be interchanged, allowing for all kinds of plots. With three alternative endings!

 

 

Let's Play

A brilliant new companion book from the creator of PRESS HERE and MIX IT UP!  It's only a yellow dot… but what a dot it is! Connecting not only to the mind but also to the heart, this dot expresses an extraordinary sense of humor, fear, joy, and more as it pushes, lurches, wiggles, and slides its way through-and even off!-the pages of this glorious companion to Press Here and Mix It Up!

 

Press Here Game

Hervé Tullet has reimagined his groundbreaking book in an entirely new dimension. With two levels of play to choose from-so that it's easy enough for a toddler to grasp, but also complex enough to challenge older siblings and adults-this engaging game delivers hours of entertainment for the whole family.

 

Recess

Recess is the ultimate illustrated guide to the best games of the playground, for inside and outside. This fun and interactive guide includes the rules to over 150 games and variations, including over two dozen international games from schoolyards around the world, plus various tips and strategies not just to play, but also to win!

 

To the Moon

Climb up to the moon with this amazing fold-out colouring book, the longest in the world! Colour an amazing tower, all the way from your house down on the ground, past dragons, witches, space ports, and flying elephants, to reach the moon at the very top!

OLA Super Conference 2016

by Melissa
Fiction + News + YA Fiction / January 22, 2016

Heading to the Ontario Library Association Super Conference in Toronto next week? Make sure you stop by the Raincoast booth (#417) and meet some of our fantastic Canadian authors! Take a look at the author signing schedule below:

---

Thursday, January 28:

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: A.M. Dellamonica

A. M. Dellamonica is the author of Indigo Springs, winner of the Sunburst Award for Canadian Literature of the Fantastic, and its concluding sequel Blue Magic. Her short stories have appeared in a number of fantasy and science fiction magazines, anthologies and on Tor.com.

 

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Marina Cohen

Marina Cohen is the author of several fantasy and horror novels for kids and teens. Her novel, Ghost Ride, was nominated for the 2011 Ontario Library Association Red Maple Award and won Honour Book. Cohen has been teaching in the York Region District School Board since 1995.

 

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Ausma Zehanat Khan

Ausma Zehanat Khan holds a Ph.D. in International Human Rights Law and is a former adjunct law professor. She was Editor-in-Chief of Muslim Girl magazine, the first magazine targeted to young Muslim women. A British-born Canadian, Khan now lives in Colorado with her husband. This is her second novel.

 

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Jess Keating

As an author and zoologist, Jess Keating has tickled a shark, lost a staring contest against an octopus, and been a victim to the dreaded paper cut. She lives in Ontario, Canada, where she spends most of her time writing books for adventurous and funny kids. Her first fiction novel, How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied, received a Starred Review from Kirkus and has been nominated for a Red Maple Award. Visit her online at jesskeating.com.

---

Friday, January 29:

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Catherine Lo and Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

Inspired by 12 years working with at-risk teenagers as a teacher in a behavior support program, Catherine Lo is the author of How It Ends. She lives in Mississauga, Ontario with her family.
 

A former journalist and model, Laurie Elizabeth Flynn has travelled the world and enjoys writing contemporary fiction. She lives in London, Ontario with her husband. Firsts is her debut novel.

 

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Courtney Summers

Courtney Summers is the author of seven young adult novels including Fall for Anything, Some Girls Are, and Cracked Up to Be. She lives and writes in southern Ontario, where she divides her time between a piano, a camera, and a word-processing program when she's not planning for the impending zombie apocalypse.

Chronicle Books to Distribute Hardie Grant Books in North America

by Melissa
News / January 15, 2016

January 15, 2016

San Francisco, CA - San Francisco-based publisher Chronicle Books LLC announced today that it has entered into an agreement to distribute Hardie Grant Books in North America.

Founded in 1997 in Melbourne, and now publishing from both London and Australia, Hardie Grant Books is a leading publisher of illustrated books in a number of categories including food and drink, design and interiors, humor and advice. They count amongst their internationally bestselling authors Greg and Lucy Malouf, Megan Hess, Domonique Bertolucci, Kit Kemp and the Green Kitchen blog authors David Frenkiel and Luise Vindahl.

Hardie Grant Books now joins Quadrille Publishing, also part of Hardie Grant Publishing Group, which has just enjoyed its first season with Chronicle Books.

Chronicle Books and its Canadian distributor Raincoast Books will be responsible for selling approximately 40 titles a season, starting with the Fall 2016 season.

Hardie Grant Publishing will hire a marketing and publicity executive to work on both Quadrille and Hardie Grant Books situated at the Chronicle Books office in San Francisco.

"Hardie Grant is a market leader in English language illustrated book publishing,” says Jack Jensen, President of Chronicle Books.  "After a longstanding partnership working with Hardie Grant to distribute our products in Australia, we are thrilled that we can now bring their future lists to the North American market."

“We are delighted that Chronicle Books will now extend its sales expertise to both our imprints Hardie Grant and Quadrille, and we look forward to working closely with them,” says Julie Pinkham, HGP’s Group Managing Director.

Congratulations to The Revenant

by Brooke
January 12, 2016

The Revenant swept Sunday's Golden Globes, taking home awards for Best Director (Alejandro G. Inarritu), Best Actor Drama (Leonardo DiCaprio), and Best Picture Drama.

Make sure you're not the last to read the novel that started it all. Michael Punke's The Revenant is available at bookstores now!

Raincoast to Distribute Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade Publishing Effective January 1, 2016

by Alisha
News / December 17, 2015

December 17, 2015

VANCOUVER - Raincoast Books will take over Canadian distribution of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade Publishing titles, effective January 1, 2016.Raincoast will handle sales, marketing and logistics for HMH trade titles to all Canadian customers.

ISBN prefixes include:

Raincoast will also distribute Larousse in Canada on behalf of HMH, with the exception of Larousse bilingual editions, which we cannot supply to Québec. ISBN prefix:  978-2-0357.

Raincoast will accept returns on all HMH Trade titles, including HMH distribution titles, effective January 1, 2016.

Please contact your local sales representative for more information or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Our Top 30 Book Covers of 2015

by Brooke
Fiction + Food & Drink + History + Kids / December 10, 2015

 

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

 

The Girl With the Nine Wigs
by Sophie van der Stap
St. Martin's Press
 

The Man Who Couldn't Stop
by David Adam
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

A Manual for Cleaning Women
by Lucia Berlin
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

All That Followed
by Gabriel Urza
Henry Holt & Co

 

The Sellout
by Paul Beatty
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

Withces of America
by Alex Mar
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

Gamelife
by Michael W. Clune
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

KL
by Nikolaus Wachsmann
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

Home Is Burning
by Dan Marshall
Flatiron Books

 

Jesus' Son
by Denis Johnson
Picador

 

Art and Fashion
by E.P. Cutler and Julien Tomasello
Chronicle Books

 

Wilberforce
by H. S. Cross
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

Cancer Ward
by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

The Way Things Were
by Aatish Taseer
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

Find Me
by Laura van den Berg
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

The Sasquatch Hunter's Almanac
by Sharma Shields
Henry Holt & Co

 

Radiance
by Catherynne M. Valente
Tor

 

A Poet of the Invisible World
by Michael Golding
Picador

 

Love Fortunes and Other Disasters
by Kimberly Karalius
Feiwel and Friends

 

A Darker Shade of Magic
by V. E. Schwab
Tor

 

Furiously Happy
by Jenny Lawson
Flatiron Books

 

The Big Green Tent
by Polly Gannon
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

The Unfortunates
by Sophie McManus
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

One Thing Stolen
by Beth Kephart
Chronicle Books

 

The Big Trip
Lonely Planet

 

The Wake
by Paul Kingsnorth
Graywolf Press

 

Six of Crows
by Leigh Bardugo
Henry Holt & Co

 

One Thousand Things Worth Knowing
by Paul Muldoon
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

 

Book
by David W. Miles, illustrated by Natalie Hoopes
Familius

 

Tesla: a Portrait with Masks
Vladimir Pistalo
Graywolf Press

 

#12DaysofBookmas!

by Melissa
Contests / December 08, 2015

We're celebrating the holidays with #12DaysofBookmas! Stop by our Twitter or Facebook and follow the #12DaysofBookmas hashtag for daily giveaways. Retweet your favourite posts on Twitter or share your favourite posts on Facebook for opportunities to win some fabulous books!

See below for giveaway rules and regulations.

1. No purchase is necessary to participate.
2. Entry is limited to persons aged 16 and above who are Canadian residents. Grand Prize entry is limited to Canadian residents aged 16 and above, excluding Quebec.
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4. Winner selection is based upon random draw, and each giveaway will close 24 hours after the original posting time. Any entries received after the 24 hour window will be excluded from the draw. There will only be one winner selected for each prize offered. Winners will be announced the day after each post, unless the giveaway is posted on a Friday, in which case the winner will be announced on a Monday. There will be no posts or winners announced on weekends.
5. The Grand Prize giveaway will end at 11:59 PM PST on December 26^th, 2015. Any entries received after this time will be excluded from the draw. The winner will be announced on December 28^th, 2015.
6. Odds for winning the prizes will depend on the number of entries received.
7. Prize value will range between $5 and $100 (Canadian dollars) depending upon the book(s) being given away, with the exception of the Grand Prize which is valued at over $400. Prizes have no cash value and must be accepted as awarded.
8. The prize will be shipped via standard post at no cost to the winner.
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10. Entry limited to one entry per sweepstakes offer per person. Void where prohibited by law.
11. Giveaway Sponsor: Raincoast Books Distribution Ltd. 2440 Viking Way, Richmond, BC, Canada V6V 1N2
12. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook or Twitter.

The Big Green Tent by Ludmila Ulitskaya

by Alisha
Fiction / November 02, 2015

 

The expression “May you live in interesting times” is believed to be an ancient Chinese curse.  Centuries ago it was adopted by Russians and altered to become “God spare us from living in era of changes”. Doomed to eternal punishment by the history of their own country, Russians hope for a life in peace.

For generations, Russian writers have examined the lives drained by the love and hate relationship with their country. To name just a few:  Leo Tolstoy with his War and Peace, Boris Pasternak with Doctor Zhivago, Michail Bulgakov with The White Guard, Vasily Grossman with Life and Fate, Varlam Shalamov with The Kolyma Tales, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn with One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich and now Ludmila Ulitskaya with The Big Green Tent.

“The Big Green Tent” is a tremendous collection of human stories. Whereas each of these stories would be precious and stimulating food for thought by itself, Ulitskaya weaves a sophisticated lace of twisted relationships and random encounters, creating a refined saga, which affects the reader on a deeply emotional level.  The focus of the novel is on three school friends. Being very different in the way they were born and bred, they have a strange connection. A peculiarly broad-minded and devoted teacher challenges their perception of Russian history and literature by reading poetry, by discovering the city’s hidden past and by asking contentious questions. Reaching adulthood, they follow their own paths, struggling to stay away from the deception and denunciation in society. The reader meets a vivid cast of characters, discovers the dissident movement and explores the dangers of “samizdat” – illegal reproducing and distributing of banned publications. Again and again he is being asked those eternal moral questions, Russian literature is preeminent in. And yet again we have to balance between ego and soul, free will and fate, honor and betrayal. “The Big Green Tent” is a rich insightful research of human behaviour in yet another of the“interesting times” in Russian history – the KGB era.

The thoughtful reader will appreciate the powerful storyline, splendid language and clever observations of one of the most prominent contemporary Russian writers—Ludmila Ulitskaya. 

The Big Green Tent by Ludmila Ulitskaya is available November 10, 2015.

Fierce Reads Takes TO!

by Melissa
Events + YA Fiction / October 02, 2015

Get excited! The Fall Fierce Reads Tour is stopping in Toronto, and it’s sure to be a fun-filled afternoon with four fabulously fierce authors.

Josephine Angelini, Leigh Bardugo, Emma Mills and Leila Sales will be at Indigo Yonge & Eglinton on Saturday, October 17^th at 3:00 PM.  These four ladies will chat about their books, share stories and answer audience questions before signing their upcoming novels. And if you thought this event couldn’t get any better, I’m happy to tell you that Ariel Bissett—founder of BookTubeAThon and an overall fantastic YouTuber—will be hosting.

Unfortunately, I will be stuck here in Vancouver and will not be able to fangirl with the rest of you lucky Toronto dwellers, so if you are able to attend the event, we would love it if you could keep us in the loop by using the hashtag #FierceReadsTakesTO on social media. I will be living vicariously through you!

Just in case you are unfamiliar with these authors (FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF IMMEDIATELY), you can click the links below to learn more about these wonderful books and their writers.

Firewalker by Josephine Angelini (Worldwalker, #2)

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

First & Then by Emma Mills

Tonight the Streets are Ours by Leila Sales

If you can’t make it to Toronto for this event (I empathize completely…), make sure you stay tuned to our Twitter and Facebook pages next week as the #FierceReadsTakesTO Blog Tour commences! 10 of our lovely bloggers will be posting reviews, as well as Q&As with these authors, starting on Monday. You won’t want to miss this!

Pete MacDougall takes on VP Role at Raincoast

by Alisha
News / August 11, 2015

Raincoast Books announced today that Peter MacDougall is being promoted to Vice President of Sales while Chelsea Newcombe becomes National Accounts Manager. Newcombe will report to MacDougall, as will Sandy Cooper, Director of Field Sales.

MacDougall will lead the sales team in developing new sales opportunities while continuing to work directly with key buyers. He will also work with Paddy Laidley, EVP of Sales & Marketing, to play a more active role with Raincoast’s publishers, working with them to identify areas of potential growth. Newcombe’s new role as National Accounts Manager recognizes her fine work with key accounts. 

“In his ten years as National Accounts Manager, and then as Director of National Accounts, Pete has built excellent relationships both within Raincoast and outside the company and has consistently shown grace under fire during times of great change. These things will serve him well in his new position”, said Laidley. “These changes make a strong team that much stronger, positioning us to better take advantage of the growth opportunities that we continue to see in the industry, while serving our existing customers and clients well. We’re in it for the long haul.”

This Summer’s Best Beach Reads

by Alisha
Fiction + Mysteries and Thrillers + Gift & Stationery + Kids + Picture Books + YA Fiction / July 29, 2015

Those Girls  Chevy Stevens St. Martin's Press Available Now   Chevy Stevens is back with this year’s must-have summer thriller—a powerful, emotional story of survival and revenge (now a Globe and Mail bestseller!).   “This is Stevens’s best book to   date.”—The Globe and Mail

The Santangelos Jackie Collins St. Martin’s Press Available Now   No summer reading list is complete without Jackie Collins. In The Santangelos, she delivers an epic family saga, filled with love, lust, revenge and passion.   Read an excerpt here.

 

  

The Girl Who Wrote in Silk Kelli Estes Sourcebooks Available Now   Set in the Pacific Northwest and inspired by true events, Kelli Estes’s brilliant and atmospheric debut serves as a poignant tale of two women determined to do the right thing, and the power of our own stories.

Does This Beach Make Me Look Fat? Lisa Scottoline  and Francesca Serritella St. Martin’s Press Available Now   This breezy, laugh-out-loud beach read by mother-daughter team Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella “takes the…cake for best title of the summer.”—USA Today

 

  

Everybody Rise Stephanie Clifford St. Martin’s Press Coming Aug 18   Stephanie Clifford's "superb" debut is “a 21st century version of a grand 19th century novel—smart, moving tale of class, ambition, and identity" (Malcolm Gladwell).   Look for it on the People, TIME, Entertainment Weekly, and Good Housekeeping summer reading lists.

The Nature of the Beast  Louise Penny Minotaur Coming Aug 25   Celebrate 10 years of Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Gamache series with her newest installment, The Nature of the Beast.   “Splendid . . . Penny's books mix some   classic elements of the police         procedural with a deep-delving   psychology, as well as a sorrowful   sense of the precarious nature of   human goodness, and the   persistence of its opposite.”—The   New York Times on The Long Way   Home

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Steve McDonald guest blogs over at Chronicle Books

by Danielle
Architecture + Art & Photography + Guest Blogger + Travel / July 28, 2015

Original blog post can be found here

Fantastic Cities July 17, 2015 

Steve McDonald is an artist and lifelong traveler who has lived in cities and countries all over the world. His large-format, photo-based, detailed drawings of cities are collected in the new adult coloring book Fantastic Cities, coming this August.

I’ve always loved drawing buildings. When I was young, I even had aspirations of becoming an architect, but ended up as an illustrator instead. When creating a piece of art, the most appealing part for me has always been the line work. Even when I’m working on a painting, the part I enjoy most is always the initial drawing. I really love lines, and I think that shows in the finished work.

I have my daughters to thank for how Fantastic Cities came together as a coloring book. After creating artwork focusing on individual and small groups of buildings, I started to veer toward larger groups and then aerial views of cities. My daughters saw this work and told me that they thought it would be fun to color in the lines themselves (whereas I might normally keep going past the line-work stage to color it myself).

I realized that it might be a perfect vehicle to share my work more widely, with people who might not otherwise see my paintings, for instance. I also really like that people everywhere could become a part of the creative process. That’s very exciting and fun, and I’m looking forward to seeing how people might choose to color the images in.

In my city drawings I always try to accentuate the characteristics that make a city unique. For example, the organized chaos of a favela in Brazil, the towering majesty of a skyscraper in New York, or the historic façades of Parisian row houses. I try to capture something that illustrates something unique about that place.

I love to draw on-site with pencils or ink and I always try to take a lot of photographs. (For sites I haven’t visited, I’ve been fortunate to work from the material of many noted photographers.) I take these back with me to my studio, and it’s there that I really create the compositions using a range of analog and digital means, including ink on paper, stylus work on a tablet, and wall projection. The size of the original work really depends on the composition and detail of the image. Sometimes they are quite large. 24 inches square is the smallest I work while sometimes they are as big as 6 feet square ! Even if I’m drawing with the tablet I like to do the drawings bigger than I need to. This allows me to really get into some of the detail required on some of them.

I know that lots of people find coloring to be meditative and relaxing. What do I do when I want to unwind? I draw! I also love nature and travelling. By that, I mean living in nature and travelling to cities. I’ve been a lifelong traveler ever since my family moved to the Middle East in 1979. I’ve lived in Saudi Arabia, Italy, India and Indonesia, visited dozens of countries, and spent the better part of twenty years travelling and painting my native Canada coast to coast by bus, car, helicopter, canoe, by ship and on foot. My wife and kids and I just spent two years in Bali, where my daughter and I learned how to surf, and we really enjoy it.

Among my favorite illustrations for the book are the Rocinha Favela in Rio (there’s an organized craziness to it that is immensely appealing to me), the Amsterdam street corner, because I love drawing that city, and the super-dense San Francisco drawing from above, which was kind of nuts and definitely the biggest challenge in the book. I can’t wait to see how they get colored in.

Can’t wait until August to start coloring? Download and print a page from Fantastic Cities.

 

 

 

Steve McDonald

Steve McDonald is a Canadian artist who has lived and travelled in cities around the world and now lives in Ontario. This is his first book.

 

Canada Day Must-Haves

by Alisha
Fiction + Food & Drink + History + Kids / June 26, 2015

Canada Day Must-Haves

What better way to celebrate Canada's birthday than with some homegrown books? Check out this list of some of our faves, eh!

 

For the historian: War Plan Red

 

For the creative kid: Canada Doodles

 

For the trivia star: Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Weird Canada

 

For the BBQ-loving foodie: Grilling with House of Q

 

For the lit lover: Anne of Green Gables

 

For the softie: Winnie

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!

Book Scavenger: A Littlest Bookshelf Review

by Alisha
Kids / May 26, 2015

Brad Richardson of the Littlest Bookshelf reviews Book Scavenger and finds himself mentally racing through the streets of ‘Frisco, caught up in a wild mysterious adventure involving hidden books, treasure hunting and life-altering friendships.

Book Scavenger, written by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman, is a contemporary mystery reminiscent of the Boxcar Children and Encyclopedia Brown adventures. Much like those classic stories, Book Scavenger focuses on the adventures of an independent young protagonist as they race to uncover a dastardly plot. It’s up to the young sleuth to crack the case with the help of their friends. Filled with puzzles, the story engages the reader with clues that deepen the mystery and heighten the danger. Twelve-year-old Emily is tired of moving around the county to fulfill her parents’ nomadic lifestyle. Because of their goal to live in all fifty states she never makes any real friends. Instead, Emily spends her time hunting and hiding books as part of the Book Scavenger game, a community created by the enigmatic Garrison Griswold. Before long, Emily and her new friend James find themselves in a world of ciphers, clues and treasure hunting as they race to finish the latest game by Griswold.

Published by Henry Holt and Company, Book Scavenger is an amazing story for book lovers and cipher crackers of all ages. From Edgar Allan Poe to Robert Louis Stevenson, the number of literary references in the story is both staggering and wonderful. Bertman does an excellent job of blending well-known works of literature with codes and ciphers to bring the mystery in the novel to life. She creates a world that, while fantastical, mirrors our own. The majority of the landmarks that Emily visits in San Francisco (‘Frisco) are real, as is the animosity that existed between Rufus Griswold and Edgar Allan Poe. Bertman captures her readers’ imagination by keeping the story grounded.

The characters in Book Scavenger are well-developed and fully realized. They react according to their established personalities and grow throughout the adventure. This growth begins with Emily but also happens in her parents and brother. Even supporting characters like James’ grandmother feel real because of the small details that Bertman includes. Most importantly, the characters aren’t perfect. There are moments where Emily behaves like a twelve-year-old girl. She has moments of selfishness and ignorance because of her age. Her brother, parents, and teacher all have flaws and feel more real because of them. However, Emily and James’ determination and cleverness steals the story as they race from one clue to the next. Emily and James don’t always get along but their friendship feels real and earned. The antagonists are under-developed when compared to the protagonists but in a way that is reminiscent of the villains in classic children’s mystery stories such as Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys. The only real foil to the protagonist is their ability to solve the mystery.

Bertman explores a few different themes in her novel, such as; the importance of friendship and family, the impact of community, and the endless pursuit of an individual’s passion. Each of these themes play an important part in Emily’s adventure as she discovers the difference a friend can make in the pursuit of knowledge. I also love how Emily, unable to connect with a traditional community, finds happiness in an online community. It’s an important message, especially considering how small the world has become.

While I read this story I felt like I was in the streets of ‘Frisco. The city came to life as I raced down alleys and explored bookstores to reach the next clue. And that’s the best compliment I can give to an author establishing a story’s setting. For Bertman to so completely recreate the city without any visual aids is an impressive feat. I’ve never visited ‘Frisco but after reading Book Scavenger I think I could successfully navigate its steep hills expertly. The city feels like another character because of how it’s history influences the direction of Griswold’s game.

A well-written mystery should make me want to read it again. Now that I’ve followed the protagonist through their adventure and understand the whodunit and what the clues mean, I should want to start at the beginning with this special knowledge. Book Scavenger succeeds in this goal. I read this book twice, the first time in one sitting. This story reminds me of the classic children’s mysteries series I used to read when I was younger. Only with more inspired literary references.

I loved this book. The characters were well-realized and flawed. The setting immersed me in the adventure and instantly made me feel at home. The entire idea behind Book Scavenger as a game is wonderful (check out the book’s brilliant marketing website here). The illustrations have a hand-drawn charm to them that fits in with Bertman’s narrative style. This is a mystery that deserves to be explored by children of all ages. Don’t miss your chance to begin your adventure on June 2.

Grilling season has begun!

by Danielle
Food & Drink / May 21, 2015

Happy Spring! What a perfect time to start up the ol'bbq!

We have so many great grilling books this season! So here are a few to help get your creative juices flowing.

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, savory brines, flavorful rubs, delectable glazes, and full recipes for what to make with them.

 

 

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.

 

BBQ Brian Misko shares the secrets of successful grilling in this collection of his best recipes from the backyard and the competition BBQ circuit. Here's a recipe below for you to try out. Enjoy!!

 

We're also doing a BBQ giveaway! Please head on over to our Facebook page and let us know what you like to BBQ for a chance to not only win a set of all of these books (incl. a signed copy of Grilling With House of Q), but also some yummy sauces and a some house rub courtesy of House of Q as well! Happy grilling!! ~ Dani

Raincoast Signs Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade Publishing for 2016

by Dan
News / April 27, 2015

Raincoast Books announced today that it will take over Canadian distribution of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade Publishing titles, effective January 1, 2016. Raincoast will handle sales, marketing and logistics for HMH trade titles to all Canadian customers.

Paddy Laidley, Executive Vice-President of Sales and Marketing at Raincoast said:

“HMH's industry reputation is renowned and its titles and authors recognized for their quality and appeal. We've been impressed by their offerings for many years, but also by the caliber of their people and the alignment of our shared values. Raincoast is delighted that our teams will now be working together to grow the HMH business in Canada.”

Laurie Brown, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at HMH said: “We are excited by the potential to reach even more readers in partnering with Raincoast. We have been especially admiring of Raincoast's marketing outreach to the children's and young readers' markets and believe HMH and Raincoast will be a perfect fit.”

HMH’s Canadian customers will experience no immediate changes. Through to the end of 2015, customers can continue to order books from the current distributor — Thomas Allen. Instructions regarding transition details, including returns and ISBN prefixes, will be communicated to customers later this year, prior to the transition date of Jan 1, 2016.

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

The Thunder of Giants 

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

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MYSTERY

Slated for Death 

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

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SCIENCE FICTION

The Affinities 

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

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HISTORICAL

The Silver Witch

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

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GRAPHIC NOVELS

SuperMutant Magic Academy 

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

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NONFICTION

CAREERS

Roadmap

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

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HUMOUR

F in Exams: Pop Quiz

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

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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

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FOOD & DRINK

Baking with Less Sugar 

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

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Grill Eats & Drinks

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

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Flavorize

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

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DESIGN

Icons of Women's Style 

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: March 2015

by Dan
March 03, 2015

This month we have new novels from New York Times bestselling authors Olen Steinhauer and Steve Berry, as well nonfiction from Robin Givhan, the editors of O, The Oprah Magazine, and much, much more:  

FICTION

LITERARY

The Lost Child

Caryl Phillips
ISBN 9780374191375 | $29.99 hardcover

In the tradition of Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea and J. M. Coetzee's Foe, the award-winning novelist Caryl Phillips revisits Emily Brontë's masterpiece Wuthering Heights as a lyrical tale of orphans and outcasts, absence and hope. A sweeping novel spanning generations, The Lost Child tells the story of young Heathcliff's life before Mr. Earnshaw brought him home to his family; the Brontë sisters and their wayward brother, Branwell; Monica, whose father forces her to choose between her family and the foreigner she loves; and a boy's disappearance into the wildness of the moors and the brother he leaves behind. 

"Caryl Phillips is in a league with Toni Morrison and V. S. Naipaul"—Booklist (starred review)

"Gorgeously crafted and emotionally shattering."—Kirkus (starred review)

"The book reverberates with pain and dislocation more gothic than any howling ghost."—Publishers Weekly

Available March 10

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The Last Flight of Poxl West

Daniel Torday

ISBN 9781250051684 | $29.99 hardcover

Poxl West fled the Nazis' onslaught in Czechoslovakia. He escaped their clutches again in Holland. He pulled Londoners from the Blitz's rubble. He wooed intoxicating, unconventional beauties. He rained fire on Germany from his RAF bomber.

Poxl is something of an idol to his teenage nephew, Elijah Goldstein, who reveres him as a brave, singular, Jewish war hero. Poxl fills Eli's head with electric accounts of his adventures and romances, as he collects the best episodes from his storied life into a memoir. But as Eli delves deeper into Poxl's history, he begins to see that the life of the fearless superman he's adored has been much darker than he let on, and filled with unimaginable loss from which he may have not recovered.

"A richly layered, beautifully told and somehow lovable story about war, revenge and loss."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"I myself had the great pleasure of reading an advanced copy and I loved it. The final scene…what an ending! I still think about it."—The Millions

Available March 17

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THRILLERS

All the Old Knives

Olen Steinhauer

ISBN 9781250045423 | $27.99 hardcover

New York Times bestselling espionage master Olen Steinhauer delivers an intimate, taut thriller about two ex-coworkers—ex-spies and ex-lovers—reuniting one last time. 

Six years ago in Vienna, terrorists took over a hundred hostages, and the rescue attempt went terribly wrong. The CIA's Vienna station was witness to this tragedy, gathering intel from its sources during those tense hours, assimilating facts from the ground and from an agent on the inside. Then it all went wrong, and now the nagging question has to be asked: Had their agent been compromised, and how?

"A compelling spy story that takes place at a restaurant table… it delivers intrigue, suspense, and a heart-stopping finale."—Booklist (starred review)  

"It's an understatement to say that nothing is as it seems, but even readers well-versed in espionage fiction will be pleasantly surprised by Steinhauer's plot twists and double backs."—Kirkus  Reviews (starred review)

"This genre-bending spy novel takes Hitchcockian suspense to new heights."—Library Journal (starred review)

"Steinhauer is a very fine writer and an excellent observer of human nature, shrewd about the pleasures and perils of spying."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Available March 10

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The Patriot Threat

Steve Berry

ISBN 9781250056238 | $32.50 hardcover

Cotton Malone, once a member of an elite intelligence division within the Justice Department known as the Magellan Billet, is now retired and owns an old bookshop in Denmark. But when his former-boss, Stephanie Nelle, asks him to track a rogue North Korean who may have acquired some top secret Treasury Department files—the kind that could bring the United States to its knees—Malone is vaulted into a harrowing twenty-four hour chase that begins on the canals in Venice and ends in the remote highlands of Croatia. 

This riveting, non-stop adventure is trademark Steve Berry—90% historical fact, 10% exciting speculation-a provocative thriller posing a dangerous question: What if the Federal income tax is illegal? 

"Another page-turning thriller blending history, speculation and fast-paced action."—Kirkus Reviews

"Fans of political conspiracy fiction will find plenty to like."—Publishers Weekly

Available March 31

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HISTORICAL

The Cavendon Women

Barbara Taylor Bradford

ISBN 9781250032386 | $32.50 hardcover

The stunning sequel to Barbara Taylor Bradford's Cavendon Hall follows the Inghams' and the Swanns' journey from a family weekend in the summer of 1926 through to the devastation of the Wall Street crash of 1929. It all begins on a summer weekend in July of 1926 when, for the first time in years, the earl has planned a family weekend. As the family members come together, secrets, problems, joys, and sorrows are revealed.

 

 

"The power and emotion of Bradford’s novel comes through on every page. There is just enough historical detail to evoke the era and add the color readers savor, but it is the remarkable characters readers will carry in their hearts."—RT Book Reviews (Top Pick!)

Available March 24

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CONTEMPORARY

The Wednesday Group

Sylvia True

ISBN 9781250051882 | $18.50 paperback

An unputdownable debut novel about five women who meet in therapy to discuss the trials of being married to sex addicts.

Gail. Hannah. Bridget. Lizzy. Flavia. Each is about to find out that she is not alone… As these women share never-before-uttered secrets and bond over painful truths, they work on coming to terms with their husbands' addictions and developing healthy boundaries for themselves. Meanwhile, their outside lives become more and more intertwined, until, finally, a series of events forces each woman to face her own denial, betrayal and uncertain future head-on.

"A complex and captivating look at what it’s like to be married to a sex addict."—Kirkus Reviews

Available March 24

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NONFICTION

HISTORY

The Battle of Versailles

The Night American Fashion Stumbled into the Spotlight and Made History

Robin Givhan

ISBN 9781250052902 | $32.50 hardcover

From a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, a vivid account of one of the most important moments in fashion: the 1973 runway event at Versailles, where America emerged the dominant force in style.

Conceived as a fundraiser for the restoration of King Louis XIV's palace, the world's elite gathered in Versailles' grand theater to view a fashion extravaganza of the best that French and American designers had to offer, while being entertained by Liza Minnelli and Josephine Baker. What they saw would forever alter the history of fashion.

"Readers need not be fashion mavens to enjoy this entertaining episode of history, enhanced by Givhan’s effortless ability to illustrate the models and designers... who changed how we dress."—Kirkus Reviews 

"Givhan paints a captivating portrait of the ethos of the era, from race riots and the Kerner Report to a "cultural... fascination with black identity" and glamorous nights at the disco, with juicy tales about arrogant designers acting out."—Publishers Weekly

Available March 10

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ESSAYS

Shallow, Selfish, and Self-Absorbed

Sixteen Writers on the Decision Not to Have Kids

Edited by Meghan Daum

ISBN 9781250052933

Sixteen literary luminaries on the controversal subject of being childless by choice, collected in one fascinating anthology.

Curated by writer Meghan Daum, this collection makes a smart and passionate case for why parenthood is not the only path to a happy, productive life, and takes our parent-centric, kid-fixated, baby-bump-patrolling culture to task in the process. In this book, that shadowy faction known as the childless-by-choice comes out into the light.

 

"A courageous defense of childlessness and a necessary corrective to the Cult of Mommy"—Kirkus Reviews

"Contrary to the title, none of the 16 essays in this absorbing collection reflect particularly selfish or shallow motivations for childlessness."—Publishers Weekly

Available March 31

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MEMOIR

Unforgettable

A Son, a Mother, and the Lessons of a Lifetime

Scott Simon

ISBN 9781250061133 | $28.99 hardcover

A moving memoir about NPR host Scott Simon's connection to his mother, inspired by the popular tweets he shared during her death. 

When NPR Weekend Edition Saturday host Scott Simon began tweeting from his mother's hospital room in July 2013, he didn't know that his missives would soon spread well beyond his 1.2 million followers. Squeezing the magnitude of his final days with her into 140-character updates, Simon's evocative and moving meditations spread virally. 

Inspired by those famous tweets, Unforgettable is Simon's deeply affecting, heart-wrenching memoir. His mother was a glamorous woman of the Mad Men era who worked in nightclubs, modelled, dated mobsters and movie stars, and was a brave single parent. Simon's memories are laced with her humour and strength, giving voice to the experience we all have of confronting our parents' deaths. 

"A charming tribute to a remarkable woman and the bond between mother and son."—Kirkus Reviews

"[Simon] takes his quirky, devoted, gracious mother on her own terms, and his work shimmers as a touching tribute."—Publishers Weekly

Available March 31

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INSPIRATION

Friendship Is... 

500 Reasons to Appreciate Friends

Ralph Lazar and Lisa Swerling

ISBN 9781452136578 | $16.95 paperback

A big welcome at the airport, wearing the same outfit by accident, letting you show off, coming to the rescue, and so much more! From Lisa Swerling and Ralph Lazar, famed illustrators and the authors of Happiness Is…, this adorable gift book illustrates the very best things about friendship. 

Available Now

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O's Little Book of Happiness

The Editors of O, The Oprah Magazine

ISBN 9781250068569 | $19.95 hardcover

A collection of thoughtful and affecting writing on happiness—the first in a series of inspirational books from O, The Oprah Magazine.

A sprightly dose of practical and insightful inspiration, a sprinkling of feel-good science, and a bounty of joyful stories by great writers, O's Little Book of Happiness features some of the best writing to have appeared in O, the Oprah Magazine over its fifteen year history. 

 

Available March 31

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Humour

Are You Dissing Me?

What Animals Really Think

Simon Winheld

ISBN 9781452138442 | $15.95 hardcover

A hippo worries that her MFA is totally useless. A cardinal has roommate problems. A hummingbird is eager to join a social network. A bush baby teeters on the edge (You wanna throw down?!) Here for the first time are the innermost thoughts of our furry and feathered friends, who-it is finally revealed-humorously share the same anxieties, frustrations, and preoccupations as we do. 

Available March 10

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DESIGN

Lost 

Lost and Found Pet Posters from Around the World

Ian Phillips

ISBN 9781616893965 | $22.95 paperback

Despite all the visual distractions of the digital age, one low-tech form of mass communication remains as popular as ever: the lost pet poster. Stapled to telephone poles and bulletin boards in cities and suburbs worldwide, these often hastily made signs are quirky combinations of hand-drawn illustration, emotional longing, and surprisingly offbeat humour. For more than a decade, artist and animal lover Ian Phillips collected lost and found pet posters from around the world.

Available March 10

An Interview with Ella Leya Author of The Orphan Sky

by Alisha
Author Q & A + Fiction / February 10, 2015

My first literary discovery of the 2015 was the novel The Orphan Sky published by Sourcebooks. This beautiful novel filled with music and folk tales tells the story of a young piano prodigy stuck in the realities of Soviet country.

What does it mean to live in one of the Soviet Republics, being torn between official propaganda and traditional believes? How does that feel to be raised as a devoted young pioneer not having access to the world outside of regime? Where does the freedom live—inside or outside the human soul?

An exceptionally talented musician, singer and composer Ella Leya is trying to find the answers to these and many other difficult questions in her debut novel. This partially autobiographical book is about passion and love, truth and lies, about loss and pain.

Ella Leya kindly agreed to answer my questions about her book, music and her childhood in the remote Azerbaijan.

Dear Ella, congratulations on your first published book and fantastic literary debut. Thank you for agreeing to this interview.

You are a professional musician—singer, composer and performer. You have released more than ten highly successful CDs. How did you come to writing a book? What moved you, what inspired you to write a novel?

The pain of loss. At first, I escaped into music and poetry, completing, arranging, and recording the songs my son and I had written during those endless nights in the hospitals. But the music process is illusive and impulsive. I needed a stronger drug—something more cerebral—that would get me away from my reality and force me to relive my past, again and again, amending it, searching for answers.

"Music seemed to flow out of the painting. Piano arpeggios in scarlet layers. Violin pizzicatos in gold and silver brushstrokes. A dark D minor progression of chords sweeping by, trailed by a velvety soft harmony in white. Flutes spilling nostalgic blues and violets into the ever-changing palette of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto no 3."—this is a quote from the first chapter of your novel The Orphan Sky. When I started reading the book, this incredibly poetic language, these wonderful metaphors immediately caught my attention. It seemed to me you were able to see people, their feelings—all the world around you through music. Is this true?

I caught a bug of poetic metaphors from my beloved Russian poets from the beginning of the twentieth century—Anna Akhmatova, Nikolai Gumilev, Osip Mandelstam. Their poetry of passions and senses, expressed through the imagery of nature, has taught me to see and hear the world through Renoir’s palette of harmony and Caravaggio’s orderly dissonance, through Chopin’s nostalgia and Rachmaninoff’s fatalism, through a contagious pulse of Azerbaijani mugham and a bewitching spontaneity of Lady Day.

How long did it take you to write the novel? Did you have to rewrite the whole pages before moving on? Can you please describe the process of working on the novel?

Three and a half years. I had to write and rewrite down to every word before moving on, then go back and do it over and over again. I was writing the book on one breath. Knowing how capricious and fickle a muse can be, I was afraid to let her slip away. Hours reserved for work turned into days and months. For me, the creative process is like my favourite chocolate. I can’t stop eating it until it’s all finished.

How did you come up with the title?

The Orphan Sky title is a brainchild of my publisher. My own—original title— was 'Maiden Tower.'

The novel takes place in your home city Baku. There are fantastic descriptions of the city—the reader envisions the old narrow cobblestone streets, beautiful mosaic walls, feels the magic atmosphere of Isheri Sheher—Old Town and smells the odours of "hot and creamy" air. The central role in the book plays the real medieval tower called Maiden Tower and old legends about a princess and her love drown in the Caspian Sea. You also mention Gargoyle Castle, Villa Annelise, Gevharaga Mosque, Taza Bazaar. Are these all real historical places in Baku?

All these places are intimately linked with the history of Baku, but some of them are real only in my imagination. Villa Annelise is a symbol of Baku’s ‘golden age’—the oil boom at the beginning of the twentieth century—when nouveau riche oil barons turned provincial Baku into a Paris of the East. They built magnificent palaces throughout the city in many architectural styles—classical, baroque, Venetian Gothic, French Rococo, Italian Renaissance. I designed Villa Annelise out of the architectural, artistic, and historical motifs of those palaces. After the revolution, Villa Annelise turns into a Gargoyle Castle, symbolizing the period of communism and oppression. Gevharaga Mosque is the reimagined image of the Blue Mosque that stood next to my childhood home. Taza Bazaar is a replica of Nasimi Bazaar where my mom took me with her on Sundays.

I guess, the name of your leading character, Ella Badalbeili is not just a random name either? Does this name have a story behind?

As a child, my sister had a friend—Badalbeili. The sound of her name seemed so melodious and theatrical. Later on, I learned that the name Badalbeili belonged to the dynasty that had given Azerbaijan many wonderful musicians, among them Afrasiyab Badalbeili. He wrote the first Azerbaijani national ballet 'Maiden Tower.' So the choice of name for my leading character was natural.

The life of your heroine Leila is turned upside down at the moment when she enters the green door and hears the voice of Liza Minnelli, a “voice of dark velvet”. Was there a “green door” in your life, a person or event that had the greatest impact on your future?

My mother, Jane Golik, had the greatest impact on my life choices. A free-spirited artist—a quality she had been hiding all her life behind a strict, uncompromising exterior—she challenged me to strive for the skies and never give up. My mother took me to my first classical piano concert at the Baku Philharmonic Hall, making me fall in love with Chopin. That was my green door to the world of classical music. The “green door” event described in the book is autobiographical. There was a small music shop with the green door that opened across the street from my school. The rumour had it that the owner was a drug dealer, or a sorcerer, or an American spy. Despite the warnings, or maybe because of them, I went into the shop. The charismatic shop owner, a poster of glamorous Liza Minnelli, her voice dripping with my mother’s hidden nostalgia for places faraway and unknown… Well, I was hooked.

I am fascinated by the female characters in the novel. The stories of Leila, Leila’s mother, Aunt Zeinab, Almaz, Professor Sultan-Zade are incredibly powerful. You describe their world as "the kingdom of crooked mirrors". Why are none of these women happy?

How can these extraordinary women be happy in the male-dominated, communist-subjugated society of lies and censorship? They try. Leila’s mother and professor Sultan-zade realize their ambitions by breaking the stigma of the patriarchal culture and becoming successful career women; Aunty Zeinab is a craftswoman who continues a tradition of the ancient Azerbaijani theater; Leila’s best friend Almaz—and her replica Almaz-the-Doll—is a symbol of Azerbaijani female beauty; Leila is a national musical treasure. But they all have to pay for their successes, dreams, ambitions, originality with their broken hearts and tragic destinies.

Although the story is set in late 70s, the realistic main plot magically intertwines with fairy tales and legends of the old Azerbaijan. This makes the novel deep, sophisticated, multidimensional. The characters, their feeling and emotions become almost palpable. How did the traditional Azeri epos influence your soul? Do you think the new millennia kids need to learn these ancient tales?

Of course. And not only kids. The adults would benefit from visiting the world of the ancient tales as well. After all, the literary folklore possesses the same magical powers as music—to penetrate the barriers of cultures, times and accumulated cynicism, and to reach those remote corners of our souls we had lost the connection with. Every legend, myth, fairy tale, proverb is a small treasure chest with the numerous hidden messages of emotional wisdom and humanity. As a child, I always kept a book of fairy tales from around the world under my pillow. In some ways, I continue seeing the reality through the simple but multi-layered truths of the traditional folklore of the East. So I had woven my favorite legends, tales and sayings into the fabric of my book, letting them mirror the storylines of my characters and expand their emotional presence.

The realities of Soviet era—Pioneer and Komsomol organizations, red flags and Lenin monuments everywhere, the ban on religious practices—were deeply rooted in everyday activities and affected people’s life style. How did these two different images of Azerbaijan co-exist in the young mind of your heroine and in your mind?

Both images have become the integral halves of my personality. The exotic, fairy-like soul of ancient Baku turned me into an eternal romantic—musician and poet. The Soviet ideology (a form of the religious extremism) and a subsequent escape and liberation left me with a deep mark of cynicism. Both my heroine Leila and I are destined to live with this dual inheritance, having to choose between the voice of the heart and the need for survival.

Not too many people in the world have heard anything about Azerbaijan. Thank to your novel, from the little spot on the world map, in the middle of nowhere it stands up as a real country, where people live and die, love and suffer. Your novel finds a perfect place on a book shelf along with the best works of writers-immigrants, whose unique background and experience offer the American reader a valuable insightful glimpse into what life is like outside of America. What makes talented people like you, Alexandar Hemon, Khaled Hosseini, Jumpa Lahiri, Daniyal Mueenuddin, Kseniya Melnik to mentally go back in time and space and write about their native land?

Nostalgia for the long gone places, times and people has always been a powerful source of inspiration for the artists. And the gene of nostalgia is quite resilient in us, immigrants, until the second generation. As soon as I arrived in America, I, like a lizard, dropped my past in exchange for new language, culture, and lifestyle so I could adopt and adjust to my new home country as soon as possible. A few years later, I successfully merged into the mainstream, speaking and even thinking in English, being able to communicate my feeling and views. And then I realized how much my American friends and my artistic collaborators were captivated and inspired by my Russian/Azeri humor, music, and culture—something that had never ceased to exist inside me. The immigrants bring their unknown worlds to America. This is their contribution to the society. And we, the artists, are endowed and blessed with the task to introduce our native lands through out art.

You were born and raised in Azerbaijan and immigrated as an adult. How did you like it in US? Was it easy for you to adjust? How do you perceive yourself within American culture now? Is there anything you don’t like and will never be able to accept?

I had begun adjusting to American culture long before I came to the US, learning English language from jazz recording, playing and singing with the Western jazz musicians, entertaining American ambassador in Moscow. So the process of tuning up to America went quickly and smoothly. Less than two months upon our arrival in Virginia, I toured with my own jazz orchestra Selah and taught voice at the university. America is where I belong. America is where I can be myself. Is she perfect? Of course not, but it is still much better than the rest of the world. Well, except for Canada, maybe. One thing I could never get used to in America—deserted streets, no pedestrians, passing cars.

After all these years, are you more American or Azerbaijani ? Is there anything in your Azerbaijani character that you value the most?

I am American now, more so since I’ve been living in London for the last couple of years. But I continue to appreciate the emotional aesthetics of the East. As for my 'Azerbaijani' character, I value the closeness of my family and the sense of loyalty the most.

Do you ever feel nostalgic about your childhood in Soviet Azerbaijan? Did you ever go back there after the Soviet Union fell apart and the ancient country returned on its own historical path?

Working on this book, I had satisfied to some extend the nostalgia for the times and the places of my childhood. I would love to visit my homeland. But as it usually happens with a favorite treat, I’ve been travelling around the world, leaving a visit to Azerbaijan for dessert.

If I ask you to describe your native Azerbaijan in only one sentence, what would that be?

The land of sun and fire at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, East and West, surrounded by the austere Caucasus Mountains and washed by the warm Caspian Sea—an Azeri fairytale of my childhood.

There is some autobiographical detail in the novel, but it’s still a work of fiction. Did you ever think of writing a memoir?

I had finished my memoir before I started working on The Orphan Sky. Will I ever publish it? Time will tell.

I know that this novel was not your first writing experience and that you used to write short stories before. What are they about? Do you plan to publish your stories?

Some of my short stories had found their way into the narrative of The Orphan Sky; others have metamorphosed into the lyrics of my songs. The songs’ titles—‘Irresistible Lies,’ ‘I Don’t Know Why,’ ‘Femme Fatale,’ ‘Touch’n Go Game’—pretty much reveal the themes of those short stories.

Your novel is devoted to your son Sergey. Because of leukaemia, this little soul passed away in the age of nine. "Sergey - your dreams continue... ", says the epigraph. What did your son dream about? Which of his dreams do you still have to accomplish?

My son Sergey dreamed of being alive and being creative. The Orphan Sky, all our music, the future books—it is all Sergey; I only push the keys.

I wouldn't have had the pleasure to meet you if not your book. And still, first of all you are a musician. It wouldn't be right if I wouldn't ask you about music. What is music for you?

My profession and leisure. Language of communication with interesting creative people. Music is a divine gift that takes me beyond human understanding and allows me to be alone with myself without being lonely.

Your music is a magical blend, an intoxicating cocktail of melodies of your Azerbaijani soul, European classical music and American jazz. It's a very unique combination. Do you think your music is niche, elitist or you believe everyone is able to appreciate it? What is your audience?

Once upon a time in my youth I prided myself with the fact that my music was complicated, intellectual and appealed to an elite, niche audience. Now I think differently. Good, sincere music has the capability to bypass any intellect and strike into the heart of a listener. So my goal in creating music is to stay true to my own instincts rather than to tailor it to the taste of the audience.

What’s your favourite piece of music of all time? Which musical composition astounded you, shocked you, and had the greatest impact on you? What kind of music do you listen to when you are upset? When you are happy?

Sad or happy, I don’t listen to music. I play it. And sing. Billie Holiday’s 'Body and Soul,' Nina Simon’s 'Strange Fruit,' Ballade #1 by Chopin, Sonata Pathetique by Beethoven, Piano Concerto #20 by Mozart, Piano Concerto # 3 by Rachmaninoff. This is the soundtrack of my book. These are the pieces that continue to amaze, shock and inspire me.

How do you spend your time when you’re not writing books or composing music?

I walk the streets of London for hours; hang out at my favourite Wallace Collection surrounded by art; attend ballet performances; go to the movies; visit Paris on Wednesdays; cook for my family… do all those normal things that all normal people do.

Ella, I appreciate this opportunity to talk to you. Thank you for your time. I wish lots of success for you and for your book.

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

Ausma Zehanat Khan Toronto Book Signing

by Dan
Fiction + Mysteries and Thrillers + News / January 19, 2015

Join Canadian author Ausma Zehanat Khan for the launch of her critically acclaimed debut novel The Unquiet Dead, 6:00PM on January 28th at Ben McNally Books in Toronto.  

Ausma holds a Ph.D. in International Human Rights Law (with a specialization in military intervention and war crimes in the Balkans), and was Editor-in-Chief of Muslim Girl magazine, the first magazine targeted to young Muslim women. The Unquiet Dead, published by Minotaur last week, is a complex and provocative story of loss, redemption, and the cost of justice. Described by the Associated Press as "an outstanding debut that is not easily forgotten," it will linger with readers long after turning the final page.

The Unquiet Dead Book Launch
Ben McNally Books
366 Bay Street, Toronto

Wednesday, January 28 | 6:00 PM 

 

 

Praise for The Unquiet Dead:

"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 

"An intelligent plot and graceful writing make "The Unquiet Dead" an outstanding debut that is not easily forgotten."—The Associated Press

"Khan is a refreshing original, and The Unquiet Dead blazes what one hopes will be a new path guided by the author's keen understanding of the intersection of faith and core Muslim values, complex human nature and evil done by seemingly ordinary people."—Los Angeles Times

"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

Making Local Architecture: Brian MacKay-Lyons Book Launch Tonight

by Dan
Architecture + News / January 15, 2015

Join Canadian architect Brian MacKay-Lyons at the Dalhousie University School of Architecture at 7:00PM this evening for the launch of his new book Local Architecture: Building Place, Craft, and Community. Brian will be joined by architects Tom Fisher and Richard Kroeker for a panel discussion moderated by Christine Macy. A reception and book signing will follow. 

Making Local Architecture
Thursday, January 16
7:00PM (books for sale from 6:30PM)

Dalhousie University School of Architecture
5410 Spring Garden Road
Auditorium HA 19

Raincoast Authors at OLA Super Conference 2015

by Dan
Fiction + News / January 14, 2015

Raincoast Books will be at the Ontario Library Association Super Conference in Toronto again this year. Drawn & Quarterly cartoonist Seth is a keynote speaker on Wednesday January 28th, and you can meet a host of other Canadian authors at our booth (#417) — including Hilary Davidson, A.M. Dellamonica, Jess Keating, Ausma Zehanat Khan, Courtney Summers, Jillian Tamaki, and Peter Watts — on the Thursday and Friday. Stop by and say hello!

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28TH

Seth: Keynote Speaker

SETH has been producing comic art for twenty years. His books include It's a Good Life, If You Don't Weaken; Wimbledon Green; and George Sprott. Apart from comics, he is the illustrator for the Lemony Snicket 'All the Wrong Questions' series. He is also the designer behind the 'Complete Peanuts' series. From his home in Guelph, Ontario, he does illustrations for numerous magazines, including The New Yorker.

Palookaville 22
Seth
ISBN 9781770461635 | $22.95 cl
Drawn & Quarterly | April 21

This installment of Seth's critically acclaimed one-man anthology features an autobiographical comic about his childhood, part four of his long-running Clyde Fans serial, a photo essay about a barbershop he designed, and a comic strip about the art of barbering.

 

Palookaville 21  
Seth
ISBN 9781770460645 | $21.95 cl
Drawn & Quarterly

Continuing the new semi-annual hardcover format for Palookaville in volume 21, Seth presents two very different autobiographical pieces, and the continuation of Part Four of the ongoing Clyde Fans serial.

 

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 29TH

10:00AM Hilary Davidson (Booth #417)

HILARY DAVIDSON won the Anthony Award for Best First Novel for The Damage Done.That book also earned a Crimespree Award and was a finalist for the Arthur Ellis and Macavity awards. Davidson's short stories have been featured in publications from Ellery Queen to Thuglit and in many anthologies.

 

Blood Always Tells
Hilary Davidson
ISBN 9780765333544 | $29.99 cl
Forge Books

Dominique Monaghan just wanted to get even with her two-timing, married boyfriend, a washed-up boxer stuck in a toxic marriage to a dangerously spoiled socialite. However, an elaborate blackmail scheme soon lands her in the middle of an unexpected kidnapping... and attempted murder. But who is actually out to kill whom?

Available in paperback March 10, 2015

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1:00PM Courtney Summers (Booth #417)

COURTNEY SUMMERS is the author of young adult novels including Fall for Anything, Some Girls Are, and Cracked Up to Be. She lives and writes in Canada, where she divides her time between a piano, a camera, and a word-processing program when she's not planning for the impending zombie apocalypse.

 

 

All the Rage
Courtney Summers
ISBN 9781250021915 | $21.99 cl
St. Martin's Griffin
Ages 12+ | April 14

In her hardcover debut, from the author of Cracked Up To Be and This is Not a Test, comes a powerful new young adult novel that examines the shame and silence inflicted upon young women in a culture that refuses to protect them.

 

This Is Not a Test
Courtney Summers
ISBN 9780312656744 | $10.99 pb
St. Martin's Griffin
Ages 13-18

When six teens are trapped inside their high school during the zombie apocalypse, they quickly discover the line between the living and the dead isn’t as clear as they think in this chilling story of survival from the author of Cracked Up To Be and Fall For Anything.

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2:00PM Ausma Zehanat Khan (Booth #417)

AUSMA ZEHANAT KHAN holds a Ph.D. in International Human Rights Law with a specialization in military intervention and war crimes in the Balkans. She is a former adjunct law professor and was Editor-in-Chief of Muslim Girl magazine, the first magazine targeted to young Muslim women.

 

The Unquiet Dead
Ausma Zehanat Khan
ISBN 9781250055118 | $29.99 cl
Minotaur

IndieNext Pick January 2015

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.

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3:00PM A. M. Dellamonica & Peter Watts (Booth #417)

A. M. DELLAMONICA is the author of Indigo Springs, winner of the Sunburst Award for Canadian Literature of the Fantastic, and its concluding sequel, Blue Magic. Her short stories have appeared in a number of fantasy and science fiction magazines and anthologies, and on Tor.com.

 

PETER WATTS is the author of the Hugo Award-winning short story The Island. His novel Blindsight was also nominated for a Hugo, and he has been described as "a hard science fiction writer through and through and one of the very best alive" by The Globe and Mail.

 

 

 

 

Child of a Hidden Sea
A. M. Dellamonica
ISBN 9780765334497 | $29.99 cl
Tor Books

A rousing tale of adventure and adversity, politics and personal trials, in the fascinating world of Stormwrack Archipelago.

Available in paperback June 2, 2015

 

 

Echopraxia
Peter Watts
ISBN 9780765328021 | $28.99 cl
Tor Books

Prepare for different kind of singularity in Peter Watts' Echopraxia, the follow-up to the Hugo-nominated novel Blindsight.

Available in paperback June 16, 2015

 

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 30TH

10:00AM Jess Keating (Booth #417)

As an author and zoologist, JESS KEATING has been sprayed by skunks, bitten by crocodiles, and been a victim to the dreaded paper cut. She lives in Ontario, Canada, where she spends most of her time writing books for adventurous and funny kids.

 

 

How to Outswim a Shark Without a Snorkel
Jess Keating
ISBN 9781402297588 | $9.99 pb
Sourcebooks | Ages 9-12

Ana Wright's summer just got terrifying. She's finally getting used to living in a zoo (no, seriously-she lives with her family in an actual zoo), when she's assigned to work in the new shark tank. With her worst enemy.

 

 

How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes are Untied
Jess Keating
ISBN 9781402297557 | $9.99 pb
Sourcebooks | Ages 9-12

Ana Wright's social life is now officially on the endangered list: she lives in a zoo (umm, elephant droppings!?), her best friend lives on the other side of the world. All Ana wants is to fade into the background. Yeah, that's not going to happen.

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11:00AM Jillian Tamaki (Booth #417)

JILLIAN TAMAKI is the co-creator of the graphic novel Skim, which was listed as a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2008 and was nominated for four Eisner Awards and a Governor General's Literary Award. This One Summer, her second co-authored work with Mariko Tamaki, was published in 2014, and spent more than a month on the New York Times bestseller list.

 

SuperMutant Magic Academy
Jillian Tamaki
ISBN 9781770461987 | $22.95 pb
Drawn & Quarterly | April 28

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 humour and irreverence.

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

My Favourite Books of 2014, Megan Radford

by Megan
December 31, 2014

2014 was a year that couldn’t help but feel heavy… every time I turned on the news and let the world rush in, it felt as if a progressive heaviness sank into both limbs and mind, like someone had snuck chunks of concrete into my pockets when I wasn't looking.

When I sat down to have a look at my favourite YA and kids books of the year, I noticed a common pattern. All of these books had a lifting, a lightness to them, whether it be a character vaulting over the Berlin Wall, breaking physical and psychological bonds, or floating through the air in a balloon with animal pals. My favourite books of the year lifted and released.

Here’s to a lovely and lingering lightness in 2015. And may you charter your own balloon.

 

The Winner’s Curse

This one caught me completely by surprise – privileged girl buys slave, falls in love... we know the drill, right? But this story is so complex and layered, showing a power dynamic that fluctuates back and forth, life and love complicated by a social fabric that is in complete upheaval. While a lesser storyteller might have been satisfied to end with “love conquers all,” this book challenges the reader to dig deeper. Love here is an inconvenience and a curse, something that challenges the pleasantly constant currents of a stratified system and one’s role within that system. An utterly captivating, historical-feeling fantasy, where the time and place is richly evoked in every brocade thread and piece of buttercream lace. Pssst - even better, it’s the first book in a trilogy!

 

Going Over  

February 1983, Berlin. Ada lives in West Berlin, Stefan in East Berlin, separated by that infamous wall. If these two are to be together, as the title suggests, they will need to surmount that wall, leap over and into the air and be happy forever (well, it’s not quite that simple...). Here we get another heroine, like Kestrel in the Winner’s Curse, who is fierce, passionate, and smart. Ada is a punk, navigating the mix of immigrants, punks, and rebels in West Berlin. We see the world through her eyes and through the spout of her paint can as she sprays graffiti across the wall and yearns for Stefan. Will these two end up together? And what will they have to sacrifice to do so?

 

Sebastian and the Balloon

Tired of the run-of-the-mill goings on about his street, Sebastian crafts a balloon from his grandmother’s afghans and patchwork quilts and takes flight, meeting a whole host of new friends in the process. Philip C. Stead’s gorgeous illustrations and simple, lovely story will make you wonder what’s lying just over the horizon in wait for you.

 

And Away We Go!

Mr. Fox takes off in his hot air balloon on a trip to the moon. But… can Elephant come too? Giraffe? Can we bring pizza? What about Squirrel? Before long, the balloon is chock full. Will Mr. Fox make it to the moon? Or will his new group of pals find a more fun destination together? The colourful, classic illustration style and focus on new adventures is a perfect combination, and one that will again make you feel like taking off and learning what lies just beyond the glaring city lights. 

My Favourite Book of 2014, Alisha Whitley

by Alisha
Fiction / December 12, 2014

My favourite book of 2014 was Emily Gould’s debut novel, Friendship. It had been on my to-read pile for a couple of weeks when a friend forwarded me a July 18th New York Times piece about Gould along with three words: must-read-now. The next week was a flurry of texts and calls to one another (ex. “Have you read to the end of Chapter 5? What do you mean you’re eating? Book first, food second!”) as we read, laughed, and cried at (mostly) the same times. The story of Bev and Amy – two New Yorkers in their early thirties trying to navigate the not-so-perfect arenas of work, love, and friendship as they occur online and in real life – so perfectly captured the deep love shared by old friends and the complications of the heart that arise when two women begin to grow apart. Clever, heartwarming, and genuine, Friendship was the perfect book to share with my best friend (whose name also happens to be Emily).

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.

My Favourite Books of 2014, Sandy Cooper

by Dan
Fiction + Food & Drink + Kids / December 11, 2014

The Forgotten Seamstress

From the author of the well received The Last Telegram, fans were waiting for this next novel.

Caroline Meadows life is taking some unexpected turns, her Mother needs to move into care and so while she is clearing her mother’s attic, she discovers a beautifully crafted quilt and begins a search to find out the origins of this mysterious quilt and who might have stitched it.

1910 and Maria, an extraordinary seamstress, is employed to work for the Royal Family. Maria is young and beautiful, and soon catches the eye of the Prince of Wales. But this connection soon leads to trouble for Maria and her life takes a sudden unexpected turn.

Will Caroline be able to find out about the quilt and discover what happened to Maria?

A very interesting and moving story that keeps you involved the whole way through. I can see this book as a movie…much like Philomena… past and present, following clues and revealing secrets as you go…

The Dirty Apron Cookbook

This is a fantastic cookbook. Great recipes, beautiful photography, and the nicest chef and teacher you could wish for. The mushroom soup recipe is straight from heaven. It will ruin you for any other mushroom soup anywhere.

If you are ever in Vancouver treat yourself and go by the Dirty Apron deli, or even better, sign up for one of David Robertson’s incredible classes at the cooking school. But if you can’t… buy this book and work your way through it from start to finish. You’ll be a pro in no time.

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site Sound Book 

Everyone has heard of the New York Times-bestselling children’s picture book…It’s my three year old Grandsons’ favourite bedtime story. But this sound board book is for an even younger audience… a sturdy board book with the favorite characters and a bonus side panel of wonderful realistic machine and engine noises. Great fun!

Sandy Cooper, Sales Director

My Favourite Books of 2014, Laurie Martella

by Dan
Kids / December 11, 2014

Mix it Up!

A fun companion to the hugely popular Press Here.

Mix It Up! takes the interactivity element one step further by introducing children to the concept of colour mixing. It encourages kids to have fun by not just simply mixing…but by smudging, smearing, smooshing pages together, and why not use your whole hand?!

I had the pleasure to meet author Herve Tullet in person, and watch him in action. His voice really resonates  through the text of his books, in a cool, fun and down to earth tone. What a creative, fun and colourful book!  

The Who, the What, and the When: 65 Artists Illustrate the Secret Sidekicks of History

It is the format and the subject of this book that I love. That combined with the fantastic artwork! It all blends together so well to illustrate the unsung heroes and what we don’t know about these people that helped shape the legends we cherish today.

Love Letters to the Dead

What better way to spill your heart out, than to write letters to dead legends? This was my favourite YA book of the year. Since it was mostly written in formal letter sytle, it gives the character the chance to really digs deep into her story. A story which starts off as a school assignment, which she can’t turn in because she’s hooked on writing more and more. It’s as if she is really connecting with people like Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Amelia Earhart – all these people who’ve died can relate.  And she certainly has lots to say. Mostly about losing her big sister May.

There are heart-breaking moments, nostalgic moments, awkward moments, and exciting moments too – all had me hooked and deeply connected to the experiences.  

Laurie Martella, Hornblower

My Favourite Book of 2014, Jamie Broadhurst

by Jamie
History / December 11, 2014

Orlando Figes had me at the opening sentence of Revolutionary Russia 1891-1991: A History, “My aim is to provide a brief account of the Russian Revolution in the longue durée, to chart one hundred years of history as a single revolutionary cycle.”

This takes me right back to my happiest days at school reading French medieval social history and Soviet politics. The longue durée is a style of historiography that tries to show that history happens at a deeper social, material and environmental level than a purely political narrative can capture. A lot of these types of books are massive, this is not a big book in the traditional sense. Revolutionary Russia is a beautifully written work of historical concision; precise and clipped but never feeling rushed. It is a literary work that befits a recipient of the Wolfson History Prize. His writing stimulates all sorts of fresh questions and opens up vistas into the deeply tragic Soviet experience from which the reader can think about more deeply. I wish I had this excellent book in school.  It is the best single volume on Soviet history I have ever read.

Figes picks his details like novelist. Like for example, the night of the October insurrection when the Lenin is smuggled back in Petrograd but is stopped by a policeman—he is not recognized and is allowed to pass, and rushes off to bully the Central Committee into launching the October revolution. A great “What If? “ question of history. And the torture techniques of the Red Terror during the Civil War in places read likes pages out of 1984 and Room 101: what is with police states and torture by rabid rats eating flesh? Or the social mobility caused by Stalin’s purges where young apparatchiks took the job titles and prestige of their seniors who were dragged off to the Gulag. The fact that Brezhnev and Khrushchev were both promoted off the factory floor in 1928 in the wake of their immediate party superiors being arrested personalizes the argument about the social basis of Stalinism in a way I hadn’t thought about before.

Soviet foreign policy also comes into sharper relief. That Castro and Cuba voluntarily chose Communism led the Kremlin to remember too fondly the lost opportunity of the suppressed Soviet uprisings of 1918 across Europe and to over play their hand in the Caribbean. This rings true to me for all countries are haunted by the spectre of the past success and failures (to misquote Marx). And the immense fortitude of the Soviet people to endure the unbearable comes across in almost every page; the slave labor used to dig the White Canal by hand in which tens of thousands died (and was used as PR triumph by the regime) or the great Patriotic War where the daily loss of life was double the Allied losses on D-Day. That is two D-Days every day for four years.

Revolutionary Russia came out earlier this year, just as Russia was pushing back into its traditional spheres of influence in Crimea and the Ukraine, acting on imperatives that would have been well understood by the Soviet regime. In doing so, the contours and control of the security state run by the former KGB officer Vladimir Putin have become ever more apparent. The last question then is whether Figes has been too optimistic in dating the end of the Revolution at 1991, perhaps the longue durée of Soviet history is longer than we suspected. 

My Favourite Book of 2014, Mark Penney

by Dan
Graphica / December 10, 2014

If you’ve seen Terrence Malick’s The Thin Red Line you’ll be well-prepared for what you’re getting into with Showa 1944-1953. The anti-war tone and island imagery are very similar; both tales also revolve around a central character whose positive experiences with native islanders contrast sharply with what they’re forced to endure fighting a short distance away.

I think that, like me, you too will be surprised when Shigeru Mizuki makes it out of the war alive (forgetting for a moment that there is a fourth volume coming that deals with events into the 1980s). It’s surprising that he survives not only physically, but also emotionally. If you’ve read the first two volumes, you know that Shigeru Mizuki’s possesses a unique sense of humour that is often expressed through his ravenous appetite and staggering capacity for punishment. That he didn’t lose his sense of humour or his life despite the severe mental and physical trials he went through is deeply affecting.
Mizuki’s escape from the war isn’t an escape from suffering. Postwar Japan was a hard place, and although Mizkui seems finally to have escaped regular beatings, his prodigious hunger rarely gets a break amid regular food shortages and frequent unemployment. Fishmongery will not contain Mizuki’s energies; running a boarding house merely provides an insecure launch pad into the world of professional art. We leave volume three with Mizuki poised for great accomplishment.

Showa 1953-1989 will be coming soon, but I really feel that Showa 1944-1953 is the heart of the story.

Mark Penney, Ampersand Inc. 
 

My Favourite Book of 2014, Chelsea Newcombe

by Chelsea
Kids / December 09, 2014

It was easy to choose my favourite book of 2014. I looked back over all of the books I encountered and thought, “Which one stuck with me? Who made me care enough to lose sleep?” Without a doubt it's Ann M. Martin’s Rain Reign¸ inspired by her personal experience with the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

Growing up, I devoured a steady diet of The Babysitter’s Club, Martin’s blockbuster paperback series now synonymous with the ‘90s. But even though I read every single one in numbered order with an almost religious fanaticism, they might as well have been magazines for the lack of an impression that the stories or characters had on me. Fast-forward 20 years later and I’m reading Ann M. Martin’s writing again, but this time to a much different effect. Rain Reign made me laugh and cry, feel worried for and proud of our heroine Rose, and hug my dog a couple of times.

Rose is very unique; she’s obsessed with prime numbers and homonyms, a side effect of her high-functioning autism, which in turn makes school, friendships and her relationship with her father fraught with stress. Her uncle Weldon and adopted mutt Rain are the bright spots in her world. Rose’s dad found Rain behind the neighborhood bar, wandering lost without a collar with owners nowhere to be found (although he didn’t put much effort into the search); girl and dog are inseparable until a hurricane blows in, Rain becomes lost, and Rose has to challenge her core beliefs about right and wrong to get her dog back home. 

My Favourite Book of 2014, Dan Wagstaff

by Dan
Biography & Memoir / December 05, 2014

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

Olivia Laing, The Trip to Echo Spring

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Favourite Book of 2014, Larisa Sviridova

by Alisha
December 03, 2014

If you are invited to someone’s house for the first time do you ever catch yourself picking through your host’s bookshelves and subconsciously judging their taste based on the selection of books on those shelves? I’ve done it! Even though reading preferences cannot be the only criteria for understanding someone, they could certainly tell you a lot about a person.

I enjoy asking people about the books they’ve read, reread or never finished reading. So does Pamela Paul, the editor of The New York Times Book Review. This is why I didn’t hesitate to buy the collection of interviews conducted and compiled by Pamela Paul in the beautiful hardcover edition By the Book, published by Henry Holt & Co in 2014. This book includes interviews with sixty-five interesting personalities such as writers David Mitchell, Jhumpa Lahiri, J.K.Rowling, John Grisham, Khaled Hosseini, John Irving, actors such as Emma Thompson or Arnold Schwarzenegger, and singers like Sting. It is fascinating to learn their reading preferences, their likes and dislikes, and the books which have had the greatest impact on them as individuals and professionals.

I learned that Jane Eyre remains a favorite literary character for Amy Tan; that of all the people in the world, Malcolm Gladwell would prefer to meet Shakespeare’s wife; that Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland had the greatest impact on Joyce Carol Oates; that James McBride has never read “the great Russian writers”; that the first and last horror book Dan Brown has ever opened was The Exorcist and that Sting is absolutely ignorant of self-help books. Oh! And Nicholson Baker likes reading diaries.

Even a devoted reader might have a few titles which they consider as “guilty pleasures” or a book, which would be just so alien, that it feels like they don’t belong to one’s shelf. Imagine writers have those too!

You will feel better if you know that there are books everybody is supposed to like, but the writers didn’t; or books everyone had read in the childhood but famous people did not. And of course, some celebrities might also have secrets: “Nothing can be compared to the excitement of a forbidden book”, admits Isabel Allende, who “discovered the irresistible mixture of eroticism and fantasy reading One Thousand and One Nights inside a closet with a flashlight”.

I wasn’t familiar with all the writers in this collection, even less so with the books they talk about. Needless to say, I now have a long to-read list and I can’t wait until my next visit to the library.

New Releases: December 2014 Highlights

by Dan
Art & Photography + Fiction + Food & Drink + Reference / November 27, 2014

Thoughts may already be turning to Christmas, but here are a few of next month's new releases from Raincoast Books: 

FICTION

Another Night, Another Day

Sarah Rayner

Three people, each crying out for help.

There's Karen, about to lose her father; Abby, whose son has autism and needs constant care, and Michael, a family man on the verge of bankruptcy. As each sinks under the strain, they're brought together at Moreland's Clinic.

From the international bestselling author, Sarah Rayner, Another Night, Another Day is the emotional story of a group of strangers who come together to heal, creating lifelong friendships along the way.

 

 

Available December 23

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Saving Grace

Jane Green

From the New York Times bestselling author of Tempting Fate comes a powerful and riveting novel about a woman whose life begins to unravel in the face of infidelity and addiction.

Grace and Ted Chapman are widely regarded as the perfect literary power couple. Ted is a successful novelist and Grace, his wife of twenty years, is beautiful, stylish, carefree, and a wonderful homemaker. But what no one sees, what is churning under the surface, is Ted's rages. His mood swings. And the precarious house of cards that their lifestyle is built upon. 

Saving Grace will have you on the edge of your seat as you follow Grace on her harrowing journey to rock bottom and back.

 

Available December 30

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NONFICTION

TRAVEL

Paris in Love

Nichole Robertson

A pair of scarlet-rimmed coffee cups, two glasses of Bordeaux, light glowing rosily from a street lamp, a bouquet of bright red flowers-Nichole Robertson's follow-up to the beloved Paris in Color captures the hidden corners and secret moments that make Paris the most romantic city in the world. A love letter in rouge to the City of Light, Paris in Love is the perfect valentine for anyone who adores Paris!

 

Available December 2

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PHOTOGRAPHY

Melting Away 

Images of the Arctic and Antarctic

Camille Seaman

For ten years Camille Seaman has documented the rapidly changing landscapes of Earth's polar regions. As an expedition photographer aboard small ships in the Arctic and Antarctic, she has chronicled the accelerating effects of global warming on the jagged face of nearly fifty thousand icebergs. Through Seaman's lens, each towering chunk of ice takes on a distinct personality, giving her work the feel of majestic portraiture. 

Available December 2

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TECHNOLOGY

Pogue's Basics

Essential Tips and Shortcuts (That No One Bothers to Tell You) for Simplifying the Technology in Your Life

David Pogue

Did you know that can you scroll a Web page just by tapping the space bar? How do you recover photos you've deleted by accident? What can you do if your cell phone's battery is dead by dinnertime each day?

When it comes to technology, there's no driver's ed class or government-issued pamphlet covering the essentials. Somehow, you're just supposed to know how to use your phone, tablet, computer, camera, Web browser, e-mail, and social networks. Luckily, award-winning tech expert David Pogue comes to the rescue with Pogue's Basics, a book that will change your relationship with all of the technology in your life.

Available December 9

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FOOD & DRINK

New in Paperback

Crazy Sexy Kitchen

150 Plant-Empowered Recipes to Ignite a Mouthwatering Revolution

Kris Carr and Chad Sarno

In Crazy Sexy Kitchen, the woman who made prevention hot is now making it delicious! In her new book, New York Times best-selling author Kris Carr gives us a Veggie Manifesto for gourmands and novices alike, and it's filled with inspiration, education, and cooking tips-plus more than 150 nourishing, nosh-worthy recipes. 

 

Available December 9

New Releases: November 2014 Highlights

by Dan
Design & Typography + Fiction + Film + Health & Wellness + Travel / November 07, 2014

I refuse to discuss Christmas yet, so here are just some of the new (non-festive) books available this month from Raincoast Books! 

FICTION

The Three-Body Problem

Cixin Liu

With the scope of Dune and the commercial action of Independence Day, this near-future trilogy is the first chance for English-speaking readers to experience this multiple-award-winning phenomenon from China's most beloved science fiction author.

Set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, different camps start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over a world seen as corrupt, or to fight against the invasion. The result is a science fiction masterpiece of enormous scope and vision.

Available November 11

Hervé Tullet in Toronto October 8, 2014!

by Dan
Events + Kids / October 02, 2014

Join Small Print Toronto in conjunction with Chronicle Books, the Avenue Road Arts School and Mabel's Fables on October 8th for a live event for kids with artist Hervé Tullet, the New York Times bestselling author of Press Here and Mix It Up!

Mix It Up! A Live Art Event for Kids 3-7 with Hervé Tullet
October 8 4:00PM - 5:00PM
The Great Hall
1087 Queen Street West
> Toronto, ON M6J 1H3
Tel: 647-341-5526

For FREE tickets go to: www.smallprinttoronto.org

New Releases: October 2014 Highlights

by Dan
Fiction + Food & Drink + Spirituality + Travel / October 01, 2014

Here are just a few of the new books available from Raincoast Books in October! 

FICTION

An Irish Doctor in Peace and at War 

An Irish Country Novel

Patrick Taylor

Doctor O'Reilly heeds the call to serve his country the new novel in Patrick Taylor's beloved Irish Country series. Shifting deftly between two very different eras, An Irish Doctor in Peace and At War reveals more about O'Reilly's tumultuous past, even as Ballybucklebo faces the future in its own singular fashion. 

 

Available October 14

Conquer Creative Block with Canadian Artist Danielle Krysa!

by Danielle
Art & Photography + Craft + Design & Typography + Events + Vancouver / September 15, 2014

Danielle Krysa is a Vancouver-based artist, curator and writer. Her blog The Jealous Curator receives 250,000 page views a month.

Creative Block 

Get Unstuck, Discover New Ideas. Advice & Projects from 50 Successful Artists
Danielle Krysa
ISBN 9781452118888 | $36.95 pb
Chronicle Books

Creative block is a crippling—and unfortunately universal—challenge for artists. No longer! This chunky blockbuster of a book is chock-full of solutions for overcoming all manner of artistic impediment. The blogger behindThe Jealous Curator interviews 50 successful international artists and mines their insights on how to conquer self-doubt, stay motivated, and get new ideas to flow.

Collage 

Contemporary Artists Hunt and Gather, Cut and Paste, Mash Up and Transform
Danielle Krysa
ISBN 9781452124803 | $33.95 pb
Chronicle Books | 16 Sept 2014

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 humorous appropriations of pop culture.

 

Upcoming Events:

Vancouver September 22
Talk / Q&A / Collage Workshop
Granville Island Hotel, 1253 Johnston Street, Vancouver
Monday, September 22, 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM   Cost: $10. 

Space is limited and registration is required. To register, please visit Opus Granville Island or contact them at 604‑736‑7028.

Toronto September 24
Talk / Q&A / Book Signing
Swipe, 401 Richmond St. West, Toronto
Wednesday, September 24, 6:00pm-8:00pm

RSVP to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

 

 

 

 

 

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

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

★ Indie Next List August 2014

A Colder War

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

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★ Indie Next List September 2014

The Long Way Home 

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

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Contemporary Fiction

★ Indie Next List August 2014

Small Blessings

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

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FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION

Severed Souls

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

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The Bounty Hunter Code 

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

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Lock In

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)
 

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NONFICTION

Humour

I Knead My Mommy

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

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The Grumpy Guide to Life

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

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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

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PERSONAL FINANCE

Build Your Family Bank 

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

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SCIENCE

Riveted 

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

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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 4^th, 2014, 6pm
Kitson Santa Monica
395 Santa Monica Place, #120, Santa Monica, CA
(310) 260-9170

Tuesday, August 5^th, 6pm
Kitson Las Vegas
3545 Las Vegas Blvd. South, #L28, Las Vegas, NV
(702) 836-0925

Thursday, August 7^th, 2014, 5pm
Barnes & Noble Union Square
33 E. 17^th Street, New York City
(212) 253-0810

Friday, August 8^th, 2014 7pm
Barnes & Noble Old Orchard
55 Old Orchard Center, Skokie IL
(847) 676-2230

Saturday, August 9^th, 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

Friendship

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)

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★ Indie Next List July 2014

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

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★ Indie Next List July 2014

Landline

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

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HISTORICAL FICTION

The Fortune Hunter

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

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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

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Sight Unseen

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

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New in Paperback

How the Light Gets In 

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

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NONFICTION

ART

Susan Point 

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

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FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIPS

Have a Nice Guilt Trip

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

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BIOGRAPHY

Neil Armstrong

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

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Maeve Binchy

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

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HUMOUR

Goodnight Darth Vader

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

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Have you seen our preview of July's new releases for kids, middle grade, and teens yet?

Upcoming Events with Chevy Stevens

by Dan
Events + Fiction / June 13, 2014

Chevy Stevens Twitter Party

4:00 PM PST / 7:00 PM EST Monday, June 16th #ThatNight

Join Raincoast Books and St. Martin's Press for a special Twitter party with bestselling Canadian author Chevy Stevens to celebrate the release of her new novel That Night.

Follow #ThatNight on Monday, June 16th at 4:00 PM PST/7:00 PM EST to interact with Chevy and win prizes.

RSVP on Facebook

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Google+ Hangout with Chevy

5:00 PM PST / 8:00 PM EST Wednesday, June 18th                         

Join Raincoast Books on Google+ June 18th at 5:00 PM PST/ 8:00 PM EST for a live on air event with Chevy. Log in and use the Q&A box to ask Chevy questions.  

RSVP on Google+

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Meet Chevy in Person!

2:00 PM Saturday, June 21st Chapters Nanaimo                         

Join us at 2:00pm on Saturday, June 21st at Chapters Nanaimo to celebrate the release of Chevy's highly-anticipated new book, That Night. This special event will include an interview conducted by Susan Juby, author of The Woefield Poultry Collective, followed by a book signing.

RSVP on Facebook

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

New Releases: June 2014 Highlights

by Dan
Biography & Memoir + Fiction + Science Fiction and Fantasy + Food & Drink + Parenting / May 21, 2014

Next month, bestselling Canadian author Chevy Stevens returns with her new novel That Night, and by Toronto-based novelist A. M. Dellamonica kicks off a new fantasy series with Child of a Hidden Sea. We also have a new books from John Waters, Uncle John's, and the San Francisco Writers' Grotto. Take a look at just a few some the new titles available from Raincoast in June:  

FICTION

SCIENCE FICTION

Earth Awakens

Orson Scott Card & Aaron Johnston

The story of The First Formic War continues 

Nearly 100 years before the events of Orson Scott Card's bestselling novel Ender's Game, Earth has been invaded. Politics and pride have slowed the response on Earth, and on corporate settlement Luna, power struggles seem more urgent than distant deaths. But there are a few men and women who see that if Earth doesn't wake up and pull together, the planet could be lost. 

 

Available June 10

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THRILLERS

That Night 

Chevy Stevens

A stunning breakout novel from the bestselling Canadian author of Still Missing.

Toni Murphy was eighteen when she and her boyfriend, Ryan, were wrongly convicted of the murder of her younger sister. Now she is thirty-four and back in her hometown, working every day to forge and adjust to a new life on the outside...

Available June 17

 

 

"As finely calculated in its escalating suspense as Stevens’ grueling debut"—Kirkus Reviews 

"an exciting page-turner with an incisive twist."—Publishers Weekly

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FANTASY

Child of a Hidden Sea 

A. M. Dellamonica

A rousing tale of adventure and adversity, politics and personal trials, in the fascinating world of Stormwrack Archipelago.

One minute, twenty-four-year-old Sophie Hansa is in a San Francisco alley trying to save the life of the aunt she has never known. The next, she finds herself flung into the warm and salty waters of an unfamiliar world. Glowing moths fall to the waves around her, and the sleek bodies of unseen fish glide against her submerged ankles...

 

Available June 24

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NONFICTION

FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / PARENTING

Mindful Discipline

A Loving Approach to Setting Limits and Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child

Shauna Shapiro and Chris White
(foreword by Christine Carter)

Raising happy, compassionate, and responsible children requires both love and limits. In Mindful Discipline, internationally recognized mindfulness expert Shauna Shapiro and paediatrician Chris White weave together ancient wisdom and modern science to provide new perspectives on parenting and discipline.
 

 

Available June 1

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HUMOUR / TRIVIA

Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges into Canada (Illustrated Edition)

Bathroom Readers' Institute

Full of fascinating facts about the greatest country in the world, Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges into Canada (Illustrated Edition) is packed with photographs and illustrations. Put away the hockey gear, grab a plate of Kraft dinner, and join us.

Whether you're a true Canuck or just always wanted to be one, this book is for you!

Available June 1

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TRAVEL

Carsick

John Waters Hitchhikes Across America

John Waters

A cross-country hitchhiking journey with America's most beloved weirdo.

John Waters is putting his life on the line. Armed with wit, a pencil-thin moustache, and a cardboard sign that reads "I'm Not Psycho," he hitch-hikes across America from Baltimore to San Francisco, braving lonely roads and treacherous drivers. But who should we be more worried about, the delicate film director with genteel manners or the unsuspecting travellers transporting the Pope of Trash? 

Available June 3

"Presenting the best- and worst-case scenarios for modern hitchhiking as only Waters can, the narratives range from encounters with a pleasant group of marijuana smugglers and Edith Massey, to a harrowing imprisonment in Kansas and traumatic fan meeting. Waters devotees take note: this is required reading."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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ETIQUETTE

Good Manners for People Who Sometimes Say F*ck

Amy Alkon

A smart, funny, in-your-face modern manners book on day-to-day behavior for regular people.

Many of us who are nice (but who also sometimes say "f*ck") are frequently at a loss when it comes to dealing effectively with the onslaught of rudeness we all encounter. To lead us out of the miasma of modern mannerlessness, science-based and bitingly funny syndicated advice columnist Amy Alkon rips the doily off the manners genre and gives us a new set of rules for our twenty-first century lives.

Available June 3

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FOOD & DRINK

The Bar Book

Elements of Cocktail Technique

Jeffrey Morgenthaler with Martha Holmberg

Written by renowned bartender and cocktail blogger Jeffrey Morgenthaler, The Bar Book is the only technique-driven cocktail handbook out there. This indispensable guide breaks down bartending into essential techniques, and then applies them to building the best drinks.

Available June 3

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CREATIVE WRITING

712 More Things to Write About

San Francisco Writers' Grotto

Here are 712 more witty, outrageous, and thought-provoking writing prompts for fans of the super-popular 642 Things to Write About—all guaranteed to get the creative juices flowing: from listing childhood hiding places and describing the sensation of falling asleep to creating memorable characters, unusual fortune cookie messages, and mash-up movie plotlines.

 

Available June 6

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Take a look at a preview of next month's new releases for kids, middle grade, and teens.

Lainey Lui Interviewing Rainbow Rowell Live at Toronto Public Library Tomorrow Night

by Crystal
Events + YA Fiction / May 07, 2014

Have you heard the big news? Rainbow Rowell will be in Toronto tomorrow doing an event at the Toronto Public Library Northern District Branch! As if that isn't exciting enough news on it's own, Lainey Lui from Lainey Gossip and The Social fame will be interview Rainbow live on stage! 

Mabel's Fables will be selling Eleanor & Park, Fangirl and Lainey's new book Listen To The Squawking Chicken. 

Get there early, we're expecting a packed house. We can't wait to see these two reunited again!

An Interview with Kseniya Melnik, Author of Snow in May

by Alisha
May 05, 2014

It's with great pleasure that Raincoast Books is featuring an interview with a debut author Kseniya Melnik, where we discuss how Russian soul affects the work of an American writer.

Larisa: First of all, congratulations on your very first book Snow in May which very symbolically is being published in May 2014. By the way, is it just a coincidence or it’s been carefully planned?

Kseniya: Thank you! I sold my book in March of 2013, and it usually takes at least a year to get it published. So I’m sure that the publishers thought: if we’re aiming for spring of next year, why not try for May to make that additional little connection with the title. It’s a good timing.  

Larisa: Your family immigrated to America when you were in a tender age of 15. Basically, you grew up and developed your personality here. Do you feel more Russian or more American? Or, maybe it’s a mix of genes and environment that shaped your soul?

Kseniya: My upbringing was definitely a mix of cultures and ideas, and whether I feel more Russian or American can change depending on what country I am in. In America, I feel more Russian; when travelling, I usually feel more American. No matter how much they say that one person doesn’t represent his or her country, we still reveal a certain amount of cultural and historical baggage when we tell people where we are from. Since I still have my Russian accent (most of the time), even in America people often say things like: “Oh, you’re from Alaska, but where are you really from?”

So if I was pressed to choose, I’d say I’m more Russian. I have a very strong connection to the Russian culture: literature; classical, pop, and folk music; film and cartoons, children's fairy tales. I feel like that’s almost more important than where one lives at present. Culture, truly, is the language of the soul. 

Larisa: How does this affect your writing?

Kseniya: I’m probably too close to my own writing to say how my dual heritage affects it beyond pure subject matter.

Larisa: How did you like it in Alaska? I believe, the climate is not much different from Magadan, so it shouldn't have been a big change for you?

Kseniya: When I had just moved to Alaska from Russia, I didn’t like it very much. I was cut off from all my childhood friends, my favourite activities and neighbourhood haunts. Plus, I was pretty stressed out at school, catching up on the English language and the way the American education system worked. I couldn’t wait to graduate high school to leave Anchorage. 

When I returned to Alaska from New York in 2010 and lived there for two years, I completely fell in love with it. I learned about its history and saw a lot more outside of Anchorage: the glaciers, the national parks, the rivers, the mountains. I did a lot of hiking and skiing, too. To really love a place, I need to connect with its history and self-mythology: the Native-American legends, the Russian fur trappers, Captain Cook, the Gold Rush, the Battle of Attu and Kiska, the building of the Alyeska pipeline, etc.  As for the weather, it’s actually considerably warmer in Anchorage than in Magadan. Much less windy, and the summers are warmer.

Larisa: Many people in North America never heard about Magadan, which plays a significant role in your stories. If you were to describe your home city in five words, what those would be?

Kseniya: Cold, windy, isolated, beautiful, enchanting.   

Larisa: Most of your stories are set in Russia. Why is it important for you to write about Russia? Is it mostly nostalgia and the need to preserve your memories and feelings about your childhood or are you trying to tell American reader about Russia and Russian people?

Kseniya: I don’t think I write purely out of nostalgia or to preserve childhood memories. But there is probably a bit of feeling that, having grown up in Russia, I can identify some stories that haven’t been told yet, or told enough or told in a certain way, in North America. Also, I often feel a tug to write about the places I have left; I like writing from a distance of miles and years. Ultimately, it’s all about interest and inspiration. I read somewhere that the story finds its writer, not the other way around. Sometimes you don’t know why you become obsessed with a certain story, a certain set of characters, or just a voice. It will haunt and obsess you until you write it.

Larisa:  The stories are set in different eras—late 50th, mid-70th, 90th. How was it possible for you to take in such a big period of time when you weren’t even born, and all the complex details of reality such as living in communal apartments in Moscow or military dormitory in Vladivostok—things you haven’t experienced yourself? Where all the details come from?

Kseniya: I did a lot of research online, in books, films, and through interviews. I believe that those little details of daily life have a huge influence on how we see the world and what dreams we dare to dream.

Larisa: Some of your stories are written from the voice of children. How much of Kseniya Melnik herself is in those characters? Or, let me put it this way: is Sonechka’s character drawn from Kseniya?

Kseniya: There is probably a little bit of me in all of my characters, including Sonya. She’s not my psychological alter-ego but her story arc contains the most autobiographical details from my life. For example, I too used to have a somewhat morbid interest in medicine: I loved hospitals and medical tools; I worshipped my grandmother, who was a chief doctor, and I wanted to be a doctor myself; and I worked at her clinic for a summer when I was fourteen. I wrote a memoir piece about this on granta.com called “A Dose of Winter Medicine,” which is a companion piece of sorts to “Summer Medicine.”   

Larisa: Did you take piano classes? From reading your story "The Uncatchable Avengers" I believe it wasn't quite happy experience, was it?

Kseniya: Piano was a very big part of my life. My mother is a musician, and she sat me at the piano when I was four or five and taught me for a year before I began attending music school in Magadan. Growing up, I had a very love-hate relationship with piano as well as with my piano teacher, who was very strict. It wasn’t so much an unhappy experience, it’s just that when you’re a child, often times you’d rather be doing something other than practicing piano for two hours every day. So I spent a lot of time daydreaming at the piano, and I always yearned to play a different instrument, like violin or saxophone. I imagined it would be so much easier to learn. And I did pick up violin and viola when we moved to America so that I could be in the high school orchestra. Of course, those instruments are just as hard if you want to be good.

I think studying piano from such an early age made me a better writer. My mom and my teacher always encouraged me to come up with narratives for the pieces, to infuse musical phrases with emotion just like you would a line of dialogue. It’s a great training in focus as well as paying attention to tiny details: in a music piece, every note and pause matters. That’s how I approach writing, too: no word or comma is too insignificant to be swept up in a passage, to be written automatically.

When it came to writing “The Uncatchable Avengers,” I tried to tap into that familiar feeling of how hard it is to concentrate at the piano—your thoughts are way faster than your hands—and also how amazingly light and happy you feel after you’re done with a recital. It feels like the weight of the world just slid off your shoulders.

Larisa: In a story "Kruchina" you mention a song "Oj, da ne vecher".  It’s a magnificent, but very sad song which I like a lot. Is it being sung in your family?

Kseniya: Yes, we really love that song in my family. I always thought of it as a woman’s song, but the words in the later couplets—which I'd only recently discovered— suggest a groom whose bride had died and he doesn't want to live anymore without her. This just shows that we often appropriate the art in whatever way suits our mood.

Larisa: What is your favourite story in the Snow in May collection? Which one was the easiest and which was the toughest to write?

Kseniya: I honestly don’t have a favourite one. They are like my children, and I love them equally even if somewhat differently. I’ve given my entire heart and mind to each one. I do feel extra tenderness for “Kruchina,” which I started writing in late 2004 as a short screenplay. It’s been with me through a lot! 

Larisa: How long does it take for you to write a story?

Kseniya: The fastest one was “The Witch,” which took just a few months. Usually, each story takes a few years from the spark of an idea to the final draft. I rotate the stories in a big revision cycle with all the different things I’m writing. I am an insufferable perfectionist.

Larisa: Who is usually your first reader? Who offers the most severe critique? Is it easy for a writer to accept critique?

Kseniya: My first readers are several of my writer-friends from NYU, as well as my husband. Both my NYU friends and my agents and editors are very honest when it comes to feedback. My husband is usually left to pick up the pieces of my broken ego. I’m just kidding :) The ego doesn’t belong in the creative space.

It’s always a little uncomfortable to hear criticism—even smart, constructive criticism—but over time I’ve learned not to base my entire self-worth as a writer on one or even five opinions. I am endlessly grateful for a thorough critique from a reader who really gets what I’m trying to do; at the same time, I no longer feel that I have to take into account everyone’s suggestions and please all. I’ve become a little more confident in my own voice.  

Larisa: Are you planning to write more about Russia, or you told your reader everything you wanted to tell about your Russian soul and now it's time to move on to writing about your present in America?

Kseniya: Nope, I’m not done with Russia yet!

Larisa: Are you planning to write in Russian?  Would you consider translating the existing stories and publishing them in Russia?

Kseniya: I’ve never really felt the calling to write in Russian, though I translate a lot of words from Russian when I write. I’m afraid my Russian is not strong enough for professional Russian translation, and I feel like I’d be tempted to rewrite the stories completely. I’d be equally curious and anxious to see someone else do it, though. Would I recognize my stories afterwards? Translation is such a curious animal.

Larisa: How did MFA at New York University affect you as a writer? Did it help to develop your own style or to become more comfortable with your own voice?

Kseniya: It definitely made me more self-assured, in my voice and in the value of what I have to say. I’d like to think that it pushed me along the path I was meant to take but at a greater speed. I had amazing professors who taught me how to read as a writer, how to dissect and deconstruct a short story or a novel so that I could learn from it, how to think about stories differently. My classmates were a joy to have workshops with—I learned as much from them as from the professors—and to discuss books in class and afterwards. It’s so inspiring to hang out every day with a group of people who share your love of language and books as well as the crazy ambition of writing something great.

Larisa:  Kseniya, I know you are an avid reader. Can we speak about your reading preferences? Is there a book (or books) you would always have with you wherever you go and reread over and over again?

Kseniya: I mostly read literary fiction, but I try to read as widely as possible, everything from classics to books in translation to debuts hot off the press. Some of my favorite writers are Alice Munro, Edith Wharton, Jane Austen, Ian McEwan, Vladimir Nabokov, Jhumpa Lahiri, Aleksandar Hemon, W.G. Sebald, Ludmila Ulitskaya, and Andreï Makine. Makine immigrated from USSR to France in ’87 and writes in French, though his subject matter is mostly Russia. I read him in English. I love the Russian classics, too, all the biggies.

As far as rereading, I keep returning to Childhood. Adolescence. Youth by Leo Tolstoy; Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev; The Emigrants by W.G. Sebald; Novel with Cocaine by A. Ageyev; and certain stories of Chekhov, Munro, Hemon, and Lahiri. 

Larisa: Do you prefer reading in English or in Russian?

Kseniya: I like reading in both language equally. Reading in Russian is always more intense for me; the native language touches a live nerve.

Larisa: As a writer you want to be unique and certainly don't want to imitate anyone. But is there a writer whose talent is sort of leading light for you, the ideal you would like to follow?

Kseniya: Aleksandar Hemon is a bit of a role model for me. He came to America from Sarajevo in ’92 and writes magnificently in English. I love his work. 

Larisa: Now when your book had been published, are you taking some time off and enjoying life of an accomplished author spending your days reading and travelling or you are back to your desk working hard on new stories?

Kseniya: Maybe if the book is a bestseller, my publishers will send me on a world tour of reading and wine-drinking! For now, I feel very happy that this book is done, and it’s as good as I can make it at this time. I’m working on new material and travelling the world via books from the comfort of my couch, with a glass of wine.

Larisa: Kseniya, thank you very much for this opportunity. It's been a great pleasure to read your stories.

Kseniya: Thank you!

To learn more about Kseniya Melnik and her work visit www.kseniyamelnik.com. Snow is May is available May 13, 2014. 

New Releases: May 2014 Highlights

by Dan
Art & Photography + Current Affairs + Design & Typography + Fiction + Health & Wellness / April 14, 2014

May is a great month to be a reader—there are so many great books coming out! Here's a quick look at just a few some of our new titles releasing next month.  

FICTION

Historical Fiction 

The Forgotten Seamstress

Liz Trenow

Page-turning and heartbreaking, The Forgotten Seamstress weaves together past and present in an unforgettable journey.

Before World War I casts its shadow, Maria catches the eye of the Prince of Wales, a glamorous and intense gentleman. But her life takes a far darker turn, and soon all she has left is a fantastical story about her time at Buckingham Palace. 

Decades later, Caroline Meadows discovers a beautiful quilt in her mother's attic. When she embarks on a quest to reveal its mystery, the puzzle that only seems to grow.

Available May 13

"this is a page-turner with eye-opening details about the conditions of mental hospitals in the 20th century, as well as the provenance of royal fabrics, the art of quilting, and the vagaries of modern interior design."—Publishers Weekly

"Trenow meticulously stitches each piece of this engrossing story into a unified—and heartwarming—whole."—Kirkus Reviews

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Short Stories

Snow in May: Stories

Kseniya Melnik

A remote Siberian town with a darkly fascinating history teems with life in this luminous linked debut collection. 

Weaving in and out of the last half of the twentieth century, Snow in May is an inventive, gorgeously rendered, and touching portrait of lives lived on the periphery where, despite their isolation-and perhaps because of it-the most seemingly insignificant moments can be beautiful, haunting, and effervescent.

Available May 13

 

"Achingly beautiful, this collection signals a writer to watch."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Melnik tackles tragic subject matter while dramatizing daily struggles, giving equal weight to both. With dry humor and detailed description, Melnik creates a historically enlightening time capsule of an unfamiliar world."—Publishers Weekly

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Literary Fiction

Lost for Words 

Edward St. Aubyn

Edward St. Aubyn’s Patrick Melrose novels were some of the most celebrated works of fiction of the past decade. Ecstatic praise came from a wide range of admirers, from literary superstars such as Zadie Smith, Francine Prose, Jeffrey Eugenides, and Michael Chabon to pop-culture icons such as Anthony Bourdain and January Jones. Now St. Aubyn returns with a hilariously smart send-up of a certain major British literary award.

Available May 20

 

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Science Fiction

My Real Children 

Jo Walton

The new novel from the author of the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning Among Others is a powerful tale of one woman with two lives.

It's 2015, and Patricia Cowan is very old. "Confused today," read the notes clipped to the end of her bed. She forgets things she should know. But she remembers things that don't seem possible. 

Two lives, two worlds, two versions of modern history; each with their loves and losses, their sorrows and triumphs. Jo Walton's My Real Children is the tale of both of Patricia Cowan's lives… and of how every life means the entire world.​

Available May 20

"My Real Children is the rarest sort of novel – one that transcends genre. It is a book that, one surmises, will be eagerly reread as the years pass."—Quill & Quire (starred review)

"a deeply poignant, richly imagined book about women’s lives in 20th- and 21st-century England, and, in a broader sense, about the lives of all those who are pushed to the margins of history: the disabled, the disenfranchised, the queer, the lower middle class."—Publishers Weekly

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Literary Fiction

Dark Aemilia 

A Novel of Shakespeare's Dark Lady

Sally O'Reilly

A tale of sorcery and passion in seventeenth-century London—where witches haunt William Shakespeare and his Dark Lady, the playwrights’s muse and one true love. 

In rich, vivid detail, Sally O’Reilly breathes life into England’s first female poet, a mysterious woman nearly forgotten by history. Full of passion and devilish schemes, Dark Aemilia is a tale worthy of the Bard.

 

Available May 27

"First-rate historical fiction: marvelously atmospheric and emotionally engaging."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"a lush what-if about the Dark Lady of Shakespeare’s sonnets that mesmerizes with its descriptions of the Bard’s London from 1592 to 1616, the year of his death."—Publishers Weekly

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NONFICTION

Family & Relationships / Parenting

Is That Me Yelling?

A Parent's Guide to Getting Your Kids to Cooperate Without Losing Your Cool

Rona Renner (foreword by Christine Carter)

Being a parent is hard work! And when your child refuses to do even the little things—like picking up their toys, taking a bath, or getting in the car to go to school—it's easy to become frustrated. But what if there was a gentle, effective way for you to improve your kid's behaviour without losing your cool or raising your voice? In Is That Me Yelling? leading authority on parenting, Rona Renner outlines effective communication strategies that focus on your child's unique temperament.

Available May 1

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New Series from Laurence King

Art History

This is Warhol

Catherine Ingram & illustrated by Andrew Rae

This book penetrates the surface and explores Andy Warhol's art from his beginnings as a commercial artist to his apotheosis as a society portrait painter. Vivid illustrations reveal Andy's worlds: his childhood in Pittsburgh, his chaotic Manhattan mansion, and the Silver Factory, where New York's bright new things hung out and had fun.
 

 

This is Dali

Catherine Ingram & illustrated by Andrew Rae

This is Dali tells the story of the artist's life and explores the meaning of his Surrealist paintings. It goes beyond his fine art practice and discusses his venture into the commercial world. Surrealism is revealed as a way of life. Fun, provoking, and endlessly frustrating, Dalí is brought under the spotlight.

 

 

This is Pollock

Catherine Ingram & illustrated by Andrew Rae

Pollock's iconic paintings stretch out with the generosity and scale of America's Western landscape where the artist grew up. This book traces the artist's career and discusses how his loose, individual style was used as a political weapon in the Cold War, representing America as the free, democratic nation. Illustrations simplify the theory and reveal the hidden meaning behind the mesh of painted lines.

 

Available May 6

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Art History

The Supermodel and the Brillo Box 

Back Stories and Peculiar Economics from the World of Contemporary Art

Don Thompson

A look at the contemporary art market and the economics and psychology that first produced a market crash, and then two years later resulted in astronomical prices. The Supermodel and the Brillo Box looks at the increasing dominance of Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and a few über dealers; the hundreds of millions of new museums coming up in cities like Dubai, Abu Dabai, and Beijing; the growing importance of the digital art world; and the shrinking role of the mainstream gallery.

Available May 6

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NEW IN PAPERBACK

Body, Mind & Spirit

All is Well

Heal Your Body with Medicine, Affirmations, and Intuition

Louise Hay and Mona Lisa Schulz

Best-selling authors Louise L. Hay and Dr. Mona Lisa Schulz have teamed up for an exciting reexamination of the quintessential teachings from Heal Your Body.

All Is Well brings together Louise's proven affirmation system with Mona Lisa's knowledge of both medical science and the body's intuition to create an easy-to-follow guide for health and well-being. And, for the first time ever, they present scientific evidence showing the undeniable link between the mind and body that makes these healing methods work. 

Available May 6

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Comics & Graphic Novels / Nonfiction 

Andre the Giant

Life and Legend

Box Brown

Andre Roussimoff is known as both the lovable giant in The Princess Bride and a heroic pro-wrestling figure. 

Box Brown brings his great talents as a cartoonist and biographer to this phenomenal new graphic novel. Drawing from historical records about Andre's life as well as a wealth of anecdotes from his colleagues in the wrestling world, Brown has created in Andre the Giant, the first substantive biography of one of the twentieth century's most recognizable figures.

Available May 6

"A labor-of-love tribute, exquisitely rendered, to the larger-than-life wrestling giant."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"It’s the sort of book that I knocked out in one sitting, and it lived up to every hope I had for it. It’s not just one of my favorite graphic novels of the year, but it’s also one of my favorite comic biographies of all time."—Comics Alliance

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Art / History

Age of Ambition

Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China

Evan Osnos

A vibrant, colorful, and revelatory inner history of China during a moment of profound transformation.

Writing with great narrative verve and a keen sense of irony, Evan Osnos, Beijing correspondent for The New Yorker, follows the moving stories of everyday people and reveals life in the new China to be a battleground between aspiration and authoritarianism, in which only one can prevail. 

Available May 13

"Osnos combines scintillating reportage with an eye for telling ironies that illuminate broader trends; without downplaying the uniqueness of Chinese society, he makes its tensions feel achingly familiar for Western readers."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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Family & Relationships / Parenting

This is Ridiculous This is Amazing

Parenthood in 71 Lists

Jason Good

Blogging sensation and family man Jason Good delivers a laugh-out-loud reminder that everything is easier and more fun when approached with a sense of humour—especially parenting. Sweet, sincere, and oh-so-true, this is the ideal gift for parents who could use a laugh. And isn't that every single one of us?

Available May 13

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Design

Type on Screen

A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Developers, and Students

Ellen Lupton and Maryland Institute College of Art

The long awaited follow-up to Thinking with Type is here! Type on Screen is the definitive guide to using classic typographic concepts of form and structure to make dynamic compositions for screen-based applications. An essential design tool for anyone seeking clear and focused guidance about typography for the digital age.

Available May 13

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Take a look at a preview of next month's new releases for kids, middle grade, and teens.

Kids are Weird…

by Danielle
Contests + Kids + Parenting / March 28, 2014

...and cute, and innocent and kind, but ya, they're totally weird.

We're holding a contest over here. Post odd quirky things your kid has said for a chance to win a set of Jeffrey Brown's books Darth Vader and Son, Vader's Little Princess and his newest Kids are Weird.

Contest closes April 18th. We'll draw randomly.

Best of luck!!

Celebrate the Launch of The Chocolate Tasting Kit (And indulge in some chocolate tasting yourself!)

by Melissa
Events + Food & Drink + Vancouver / March 14, 2014

 

Do you live in Vancouver? Do you love chocolate? If you answered yes to these questions, we have the perfect event for you! Come celebrate the launch of Eagranie Yuh's The Chocolate Tasting Kit on March 20, 2014 at Xoxolat.  This will be a fun filled evening of chocolate tastings with the opportunity to meet the author extraordinaire herself. We would love it if you could join us for this event.

Eagranie Yuh is a local author and chocolate educator who has recently published The Chocolate Tasting Kit with Chronicle Books. Her work has appeared in publications such as Best Food Writing 2012, Edible Vancouver, Flavours and more. She is also a permanent grand jury member of the International Chocolate Awards. In other words, she knows her stuff!

Xoxolat is located at 1271 Homer Street in Yaletown, and the Open House will be from 5-8 PM. This event is free, but you can RSVP here. We'll be selling kits, sampling chocolate, and there will be a cash bar.

We hope to see you there!
 

Meet the Cast of Days of Our Lives!

by Dan
Events / March 14, 2014

Meet select members of the cast of Days of Our Lives for special book signings of Days of Our Lives Better Living in Toronto, Vancouver, and Edmonton next week. 

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Toronto

Tuesday, March 18th at 7:00 PM
Chapters Queensway 

Cast Members & Author:
Deidre Hall (Dr. Marlena Evans), Galen Gering (Rafe Hernandez), Kate Mansi (Abigail Deveraux), Bryan Dattilo (Lucas Horton), Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts), Drake Hogestyn (John Black) and Greg Meng (author and Co-Executive Producer of the show)

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Edmonton

Thursday, March 20th from 7-9 PM
Chapters West Edmonton Mall, HMV Stage

Cast Members:
Bryan Dattilo (Lucas Horton), Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) and Drake Hogestyn (John Black)

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Vancouver

Thursday, March 20th from 7-9 PM
Chapters Metrotown

Cast & Author:
Deidre Hall (Dr. Marlena Evans), Galen Gering (Rafe Hernandez) and Kate Mansi (Abigail Deveraux) and Greg Meng (author and Co-Executive Producer of the show)

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Event Guidelines:

• Space will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while quantities last.
• Individuals must have a copy of Days of our Lives Better Living to be in line.
• Will sign 1 copy of Days of our Lives Better Living per person (no other books). No personalization, autograph only.
• NO memorabilia or additional items will be permitted for the signing including posters, clothing, other books, DVDs, CDs or any other item. Signing books only.
• Candid photos only – there will be no posed photography.
• Proof of purchase required from any Indigo, Chapters, or Coles. 

Job Posting: Inventory Coordinator

by Dan
Job Posting + News / March 13, 2014

Raincoast is looking for a highly organized individual with a love of spreadsheets to join our inventory team. The position requires strong analytical skills, a good eye for detail and the ability to communicate clearly. Raincoast will provide training on its own systems, but the successful applicant will be very comfortable with Excel and Word.

This position requires communication with client publisher staff, customs brokers and carriers, as well as Raincoast staff in sales, marketing, systems, finance and warehouse.

Regular Duties

Inventory control:

• place initial seasonal orders with client publishers based on forecasts provided by the field sales director
• reorder based on sales data
• identify overstocks and communicate with client publishers regarding their disposal
• work with warehouse to implement downsize measures

Database maintenance:

• work with marketing department on new title uploads
• maintain accurate title level data, particularly as availability dates and prices are subject to change
• receive stock into the system
• process stock returns

Research and reporting:

• track shipments of key titles, including time-sensitive titles
• investigate missing shipments
• research discrepancies
• monitor and sign off on customs and freight chargebacks

Vacation backup for other members of the team

Requirements

• Proficiency in Excel (level 2) and Word, with a high level of accuracy
• Some experience with databases
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Related work experience: similar office work or book industry experience
• Ability to work well with others

Raincoast Book Distribution Ltd, based Metro Vancouver, is one of the largest distributors of books in Canada. We have been in business for more than 30 years, selling, marketing and distributing our clients’ book and gift product to retailers, wholesalers and institutions across the country.

We regret that we can only acknowledge applications from candidates selected for interviews. No phones calls or agencies, please.

To apply, please email your resume to Paddy Laidley by March 25, 2014

New Releases: April 2014 Highlights

by Dan
Art & Photography + Fashion & Textiles + Fiction + History + Humour / March 11, 2014

Here's a sneak-peek at some of the new releases coming to bookstores in April (and be sure to check out our new books for kids and teens as well!)... 

FICTION

Short Stories 

Can't and Won't

Lydia Davis

A new collection of short stories from the woman Rick Moody has called "the best prose stylist in America."
 

In her fifth collection of stories, Lydia Davis writes with bracing candor and sly humor about the quotidian, revealing the mysterious, the foreign, the alienating, and the pleasurable within the predictable patterns of daily life.

 

 

"Five years after a mammoth, comprehensive collection of stories secured her literary legacy, this unique author explores new directions and blurs boundaries in writing that is always fresh and often funny."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Davis’s bulletproof prose sends each story shooting off the page."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Available April 8

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Suspense

Keep Quiet

Lisa Scottoline

New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline delivers a gripping new novel about family and justice.

Keep Quiet is an emotionally complex story about one man's split-second decision to protect his son— and the devastating consequences that follow.

 

 

 

 

 

"Scottoline keeps the tension high while portraying a family in turmoil. A heck of a twist ending wraps everything up...a satisfying and suspenseful read."—Booklist

"Scottoline brings tension to a boil in her latest novel. Her characters are believable, and her protagonist is sympathetic. This is an intriguing exploration of human frailties, justice and family relationships."—RT Reviews  

Available April 8

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Fantasy

Dragon Age: The Masked Empire  

Patrick Weekes

Journey into the darkest and deadliest part of Orlais, where the weight of titles matters less than the strength of blades. In this thrilling tie-in to the award-winning Dragon Age™ games, alliances are forged and promises broken as Empress Celene and Grand Duke Gaspard battle for the throne. But in the end, the elves who hide in the forests or starve in the slums may decide the fate of the masked empire.

Available April 8

 

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Thrillers / Crime

Blood Always Tells 

Hilary Davidson

Hilary Davidson returns with Blood Always Tells, a twisted tale of love, crime, and family gone wrong.

The Canadian-born Davidson is the award-winning author of The Damage Done and Evil in All Its Disguises.

 

 

 

 

 

"Davidson has penned an outstanding novel that entertains with its carefully plotted tale of kidnapping, murder and duplicity. Impressive from the outset, the surprises continue throughout until the clincher at the end. Her talent for character development shines as each person blends flawlessly into the story."—RT Reviews

"This could be the Gone Girl of 2014"—MysteryPeople

Available April 15

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Literary

The Other Story 

Tatiana de Rosnay

From the author of Sarah's Key, an absorbing new novel about a young writer who, while digging into his family’s deeply buried secrets, finds the key to his future.

Page-turning, layered and beautifully written, The Other Story is a reflection on identity, the process of being a writer and the repercussions of generations-old decisions as they echo into the present and shape the future.

 

 

Available April 15

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Literary

In the Light of What We Know

Zia Haider Rahman

A bold, epic debut novel set during the war and financial crisis that defined the beginning of our century.

In the Light of What We Know takes us on a journey of exhilarating scope—from Kabul to London, New York, Islamabad, Oxford, and Princeton—and explores the great questions of love, belonging, science, and war. It is an age-old story: the friendship of two men and the betrayal of one by the other.  

 

 

"Beautifully written evidence that some of the most interesting writing in English is coming from the edges of old empires."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"This formidable novel unpacks friendship, betrayal, unknowability – and includes an astute take on Englishness, on class, on mathematical theory, human rights, and whether people can trust their own perception of the world."—The Observer (UK)

Available April 22

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Science Fiction

Afterparty

Daryl Gregory

A mind-bending and violent chase across Canada and the US, Daryl Gregory's Afterparty is a marvelous mix of William Gibson's Neuromancer, Philip K. Dick's Ubik, and perhaps a bit of Peter Watts's Starfish: a last chance to save civilization, or die trying.

 

 

 

 

"Gregory dashes off his near-future story like a ‘chemjet’ printing out sheets of smart drugs…The tragi-comical satire dispenses with sermons and easy morals, preferring to be entertaining and thought-provoking instead."—Publishers Weekly

Available April 22

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Suspense

Live to See Tomorrow 

Iris Johansen

Catherine Ling is one of the CIA’s most prized operatives. Raised on the streets of Hong Kong, she was pulled into the agency at the age of fourteen. If life has taught her anything, it is not to get attached, but there are two exceptions to that rule: her son Luke and her mentor Hu Chang. Luke was kidnapped at age two, and now, nine years later, he has astonishingly been returned to her. Catherine vows never to fail him again. But when her job pulls her away from home, she relies on the brilliant and deadly Hu Chang to safeguard Luke in her absence...

Available April 29

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NONFICTION

Literary Collections / Essays

The Empathy Exams

Essays

Leslie Jamison

From personal loss to phantom diseases, The Empathy Exams is a bold and brilliant collection of essays by Leslie Jamieson. The book is the winner of the Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize, and Publishers Weekly named it one of the best essay collections of Spring 2014

 

 

 

 

"Novelist Jamison’s... first collection of essays, winner of the Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize, is a heady and unsparing examination of pain and how it allows us to understand others, and ourselves."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Available April 1

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Travel

The World's Great Wonders

Jheni Osman

Go beyond the visual spectacle of the world's 50 greatest wonders, and discover what makes them such amazing places. With stunning images and expert illustrations, experience and appreciate the most famous sights on earth in an exciting new way.

 

 

Available April 1

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Art / Popular Culture / Fashion

The WORN Archive 

Fashion Journal about the Art, Ideas, & History of What We Wear

Edited by Serah-Marie McMahon

The WORN Archive is a manifesto for fashion and clothing, featuring the best content from Worn Fashion Journal's first 14 issues. The articles, penned by a host of unique contributors, touch on topics as wide-ranging as feminism, hijabs, how to tie a tie, the history of flight attendants, and textile conservation. With eclectic photo shoots featuring 'real' models, striking illustrations, and whimsical layouts, every page is a joyful, creative approach to clothing.

Available April 1

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Self-Help / Motivational & Inspirational

Miracles Now

108 Life-Changing Tools for Less Stress, More Flow, and Finding Your True Purpose

Gabrielle Bernstein

Most of us don't have time for an hour of yoga or 30 minutes of meditation every day. We're overwhelmed as it is. Our spiritual practice shouldn't add to that.

Gabrielle Bernstein has hand-picked 108 simple techniques to combat our most common problems-stress, burnout, frustration, jealousy, resentment. The stuff we have to deal with on a daily basis. This book is designed so that you can achieve peace and experience miracles now. 

 

Available April 8

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Art / History

The Book of Trees

Visualizing Branches of Knowledge

Manuel Lima

Michael Lima's critically acclaimed bestseller Visual Complexity was the first in-depth examination of the burgeoning field of information visualization. In this new companion volume, The Book of Trees, data viz expert Lima examines the history of the tree diagram, from its roots in the illuminated manuscripts of medieval monasteries to its current resurgence as an elegant means of visualization.

Available April 8

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Art / Canadian

Sister and I  in Alaska 

Emily Carr; edited by David A. Silcox

Full of humour and delight, with a playful text and whimsical full colour illustrations, Sister and I in Alaska documents Emily and Alice's trip to Skidegate, Juneau and places beyond, an adventure that proved seminal in the development of Carr as one of the foremost painters of the last century.

Available April 9

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History / Military

War! What Is It Good For?

Conflict and the Progress of Civilization from Primates to Robots

Ian Morris

In War! What Is It Good For? renowned historian and archaeologist Ian Morris tells the gruesome, gripping story of fifteen thousand years of war, going beyond the battles and brutality to reveal what war has really done to and for the world. As Morris explains war has created bigger, more complex societies, ruled by governments that have stamped out internal violence. Strangely enough, killing has made the world safer and richer.

 

"A profoundly uncomfortable but provocative argument that “productive war” promotes greater safety, a decrease in violence and economic growth... A disturbing, transformative text that veers toward essential reading."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Available April 15

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Humour

Sh*t Rough Drafts

Pop Culture's Favorite Books, Movies, and TV Shows as They Might Have Been

Paul Laudiero

Sh*t Rough Drafts collects imagined misguided early drafts of classic books, screenplays, and contemporary literature, creating visions of alternate works that would exist had the authors not come to their senses. 

 

 

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History / Europe

Hotel Florida

Truth, Love, and Death in the Spanish Civil War

Amanda Vaill

Madrid, 1936. In a city blasted by a civil war that many fear will cross borders and engulf Europe, six people meet and find their lives changed forever. Ernest Hemingway, his career stalled, his marriage sour, hopes that this war will give him fresh material and new romance; Martha Gellhorn, an ambitious novice journalist hungry for love and experience, thinks she will find both with Hemingway in Spain. Robert Capa and Gerda Taro, idealistic young photographers based in Paris, want to capture history in the making and are inventing modern photojournalism in the process. And Arturo Barea, chief of Madrid's loyalist foreign press office, and Ilsa Kulcsar, his Austrian deputy, are struggling to balance truth-telling with loyalty to their compromised cause—a struggle that places both of them in peril.

"War, sex, friendship, betrayal, celebrity, rivalry, jealousy, idealism, foolishness and foppery—all this and more gather in the lobby of Madrid’s Hotel Florida."—Kirkus Reviews

"Beautifully told, Vaill’s story captures the timeless immediacy of warfront reporting with the universal struggle to stay in love, just before the Nazis permanently changed the European landscape."—Publishers Weekly

Available April 22

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History / Europe

Kind Mama

A Simple Guide to Supercharged Fertility, a Radiant Pregnancy, a Sweeter Birth, and a Healthier, More Beautiful Beginning

Alicia Silverstone

In The Kind Mama, Alicia Silverstone has created a comprehensive and practical guide empowering women to take charge of their fertility, pregnancy, and first 6 months with baby. She helps readers navigate everything from prenatal testing and birth plans to successful breastfeeding and creating a supportive "baby nest." The result is an authoritative, one-stop guide that empowers women to trust their instincts during this vital milestone, while helping them embark on a healthy and more vibrant path to motherhood.

 

Available April 22

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Cooking / Health & Healing

The Family Cooks

100+ Recipes to Get Your Family Craving Food That's Simple, Tasty, and Incredibly Good for You

Laurie David; foreword by Katie Couric

In The Family Cooks, Laurie David inspires parents and kids to take control of what they eat by making it themselves. With her longtime collaborator, Kirstin Uhrenholdt, David offers more than 100 recipes that are simple, fast, "low in the bad stuff and high in the good stuff," and designed to bring kids into the cooking process.

Available April 22

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House & Home / Decorating

Bright Bazaar

Embracing Color for Make-You-Smile Style

Will Taylor

Dive into a refreshing take on color from one of the world's leading interiors bloggers, Will Taylor of Bright.Bazaar: West Elm's "go-to blogger for color inspiration." What began as a popular blog attracting over 400,000 readers a month is now a gorgeous, colour-popping book sure to delight and inspire all.

 

 

Available April 29

I Can Do It Conferences ~ Toronto and Vancouver

by Danielle
Events + Spirituality / March 06, 2014

I Can Do It! 201 - Toronto

Date: March 15, 2014 - March 16, 2014 Sponsored by: Hay House Location: Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto, Canada

 

I Can Do It! 2014 - Vancouver

Date: May 17, 2014 - May 18, 2014 Sponsored by: Hay House Location: Queen Elizabeth Theatre

 

Tour Description

Join us for a weekend retreat at I Can Do It!® created by Louise Hay to help you heal your life! Unveil the true you, unleash your divine greatness, release pain and fear, and learn how to make the best choices for your mind, body and spirit! Awaken to new possibilities and create a life you love!

In this interactive conference, you'll:

• Discover your true purpose
• Experience more intimate and fulfilling relationships
• Embrace challenges as opportunities
• Heal your past for a better today and brighter tomorrow
• Make a plan with lasting changes that stick—choosing food, thoughts and spiritual practices for a healthier, happier you!

All of Hay House's incredibly inspiring titles are available at your local bookshop.

Please check your local listings for Dr. Wayne W. Dyer's new PBS special, I Can See Clearly Now.

From Russia with Pride

by Alisha
Fiction / February 25, 2014

For the last couple of weeks, millions of people from all around the world have been glued to their TVs cheering for athletes, enjoying the performances and counting medals during one of this year’s most spectacular sporting events – the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Our attention was drawn to Russia where athletes were competing from countries all around the globe. I was happy to cheer for both my native Russia as well as my newly adopted homeland – Canada. I was equally moved when athletes from either country ascended the podium. And I was trying to swallow that lump in my throat when either a Russian or Canadian flag were raised or their anthem was played. But now, when Olympics excitement is behind, more than anything else I want my fellow Canadians to learn what a beautiful country Russia is and what outstanding people live there.

Russia has always been a subject of controversy. Forty-years of Cold War and somewhat ambiguous governing for the last two decades established rather a negative image of the country. But let’s put political and historical arguments aside and think about the ordinary Russian people, their lives and their struggles. What is Russia besides being a proud homeland of incredible ballet, magnificent music and great art? Who are these Russians known as ridiculously rich oligarchs, heavy drinkers, and homophobes? Is there another side of Russia and Russians yet to discover? My answer is yes! And there is no better way to do that than reading a good book. With a number of wonderful books coming out this year, we have a unique opportunity to learn more about the country and its people from the work of Russian writers. 

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, winner of the 1970 Nobel Prize in Literature, novelist and historian, is an iconic figure and doesn’t need any special introduction. Four of his books are coming from Farrar, Straus and Giroux in 2014. First two – August 1914 and November 1916 are parts of 'The Red Wheel', a cycle of novels presenting the epic history of Russian Revolution. Cancer Ward and One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich are considered Solzhenitsyn’s greatest achievements and examples of the most significant literary works of the century.

But I was also thrilled to discover the name of one my favorite contemporary writers Ludmila Ulitskaya on Farrar Straus & Giroux 2014 Fall list. Ulitskaya is one of Russia’s most prominent and popular literary figures, author of numerous novels, short stories, plays and tales for children. She has won many Russian as well as international awards including the Russian Booker Prize, Medici Prize of France, Penne Prize of Italy and many others. Her novel The Big Green Tent, which is being published by FSG in December, is about friendship and love, faith and betrayal; all the moral choices people make throughout their lives. It’s about bright personalities in dark times. Ulitskaya’s scientific background (she has a degree in biology and genetics) affects the way she scrutinizes people’s behavior and motivation. She believes there is no certain age or life period to become mature in terms of morality. In her opinion, one might never leave a chrysalis stage of their development, whereas another would push the boundaries and turn into a beautiful butterfly. This allows the person to see, hear and learn more than others, take more responsibility and be free of fear. Ulitskaya is wondering what could possibly cause this transformation – where we were born, how we were raised, who we met or what experiences we had? I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Russian soviet history, human morality or good literature.

In May 2014 Henry Holt & Co introduces the book Snow in May a literary debut by Kseniya Melnik, a young author of Russian origin. Melnik was born in Magadan, a remote city in the Far East region of Russia. Similar to Alaska, Magadan was founded as a port for exporting gold. Sadly, very soon it became infamous for being a major transit centre for the GULAG. Prisoners of all kinds had been settled in Magadan, many of them highly educated and strong in their political beliefs. Later, the Soviet government made several attempts to develop Siberia and the Far East region by welcoming young and offering them work, accommodation and higher wages. These events helped to build a vibrant community of professionals and intellectuals living harsh lives and striving to survive the near-perpetual winters. All these characters come alive in Melnik’s short stories, where she portrays the great drama of the country on a personal scale. Melnik’s characters don’t have to make difficult moral choices. The previous generation went through troubles of slippery moral decision-making for the sake of better future for their kids. Now their descendants are supposed to “reap the fruits of socialism”.  Is this future even close to what their parents were striving for?

This young author has an amazing ability to delineate her characters. She is equally adept at the voice of an excited eighteen-year-old bride or later a complacent old party worker. And Kseniya Melnik is able to weave skillfully between different historical periods of Soviet era and nowadays. She retells the stories of several generations by fictionalizing experiences of her parents, grandparents, friends and neighbours. Despite the fact Melnik’s family immigrated to Alaska when she was only fifteen, she is still able to draw from five decades of Russian history and paint an intimate portrait of people and their troubled lives. Kseniya Melnik is my new favourite author and I hope to see more of the carefully explored and brilliantly depicted characters from Russia in her new books.

Despite or perhaps because of all the sorrows and troubles, Russia continuously produces talents of highest calibre which are valued all around the world. Enjoy the 2014 Olympic Games and great books offered to you from Russia with pride.

New Releases: March 2014 Highlights

by Dan
Biography & Memoir + Current Affairs + Fiction + Mysteries and Thrillers + Science Fiction and Fantasy + Humour / February 25, 2014

Oh my! There are so many brilliant books coming in out in March! Here's what's hot in fiction, nonfiction, and humour. Make sure you also take a look at our list of new releases for kids and young adults on our Kids & Teen Blog. 

FICTION

The Black-Eyed Blonde

LA Philip Marlowe Novel

Benjamin Black

Only Benjamin Black, a modern master of the genre, could write a new Philip Marlowe novel that has all the panache and charm of Raymond Chandler's originals while delivering a story that is as sharp and fresh as today's best crime fiction.

Available March 4

 

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Be Careful What You Wish For 

The Clifton Chronicles #4

Jeffrey Archer

Be Careful What You Wish For showcases Jeffrey Archer's storytelling talents as never before—when the Clifton and Barrington families march forward into the sixties, in this epic tale of love, revenge, ambition and betrayal.

Available March 11

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Shotgun Lovesongs

Nickolas Butler

Welcome to Little Wing.

It's a place like hundreds of others, nothing special, really. But for four friends - all born and raised in this small Wisconsin town - it is home. And now they are men, coming into their own, or struggling to do so.

Shotgun Lovesongs is that rare work of fiction that evokes a specific time and place yet movingly describes the universal human condition. 

Available March 11

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The Cairo Affair

Olen Steinhauer

Espionage master and New York Times bestseller Olen Steinhauer returns with a brilliant international thriller about the aftermath of a diplomat's assassination and his wife's relentless investigation.

Available March 18

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Tempting Fate

Jane Green

From the New York Times bestselling author of such beloved novels as Another Piece of My Heart and Family Pictures comes an enthralling and emotional story about how much we really understand the temptations that can threaten even the most idyllic of relationships… 

Available March 25

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Lockstep 

Karl Schroeder

When seventeen-year-old Toby McGonigal finds himself lost in space, separated from his family, he expects his next drift into cold sleep to be his last. After all, the planet he’s orbiting is frozen and sunless, and the cities are dead. But when Toby wakes again, he’s surprised to discover a thriving planet, a strange and prosperous galaxy, and something stranger still—that he’s been asleep for 14,000 years. Welcome to the Lockstep Empire, where civilization is kept alive by careful hibernation.

Available March 25

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The Midnight Witch

Paula Brackston

From Paula Brackston, the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch's Daughter and The Winter Witch, comes a magical tale that is as dark as it is enchanting. Set in high society Edwardian England, a young witch faces the choice between love and loyalty to her coven…

 

Available March 25

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NONFICTION

New in Paperback! 

The Unwinding

An Inner History of the New America

George Packer

Available in paperback for the first time, The Unwinding is a critically acclaimed examination of a nation in crisis by one of the finest political journalists of our generation, George Packer.

 

Available March 4

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Falling in Honey 

How a Tiny Greek Island Stole My Heart

Jennifer Barclay

Finding happiness in spanakopita and the sea, set in a dreamy Mediterranean landscape.

Available March 4

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New York Jackie

Pictures from Her Life in the City

Edited by Bridget Watson Payne

As familiar as we are with images of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the charming former first lady, fewer know the dynamic woman who called New York City home. Shortly after JFK's assassination in 1964, Jackie moved to Manhattan and lived there for the next three decades. This intimate collection of photographs celebrates her life in the city as a mother, book editor, style icon, and most of all, a New Yorker.

Available March 11

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Everything I Ever Needed to Know About _____* I Learned from Monty Python

*History, Art, Poetry, Communism, Philosophy, the Media, Birth, Death, Religion, Literature, Latin, Transvestites, Botany, the French, Class Systems, Mythology, Fish Slapping, and Many More!

Brian Cogan and Jeff Massey

A comprehensive and hilarious guide to understanding the many Monty Python jokes and allusions.

Available March 18

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How About Never – Is Never Good For You?

My Life in Cartoons

Bob Mankoff

A memoir in cartoons by the long-time cartoon editor of The New Yorker Bob Mankoff.

Available March 25

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HUMOUR

Kids Are Weird

And Other Observations from Parenthood

Jeffrey Brown

The bestselling author of Darth Vader and Son and Vader's Little Princess brings his witty comic observations to terrestrial parenting in this perceptive book celebrating the more surreal moments of raising a child.

Available March 18

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F This Test

Even More of the Very Best Totally Wrong Test Answers

Richard Benson

From the same hilarious wellspring of failure as the bestselling F in Exams and F for Effort comes this all-new collection of inventively wrong-yet totally real-test responses by students who don't know the answer, but come up with something better instead.

Available March 18

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Hang Out with Marissa Meyer!

by Dan
Events + Vancouver + YA Fiction / February 21, 2014

Bestselling author Marissa Meyer is coming to Canada!

Marissa will be signing copies of Cress, the latest book in the Lunar Chronicles, and talking about her writing and the latest developments in the series in Vancouver on Saturday February 22nd (that's TOMORROW!), and Toronto on Monday February 24th.  

And if you can't come to the events in person (and even if you can!) Marissa will be online this weekend for a very special Google Hangout with fans. All the details are below....

Vancouver February 22:
2:00pm at Chapters Metrotown
4700 Kingsway, Burnaby
604-431-0463
Facebook

Toronto February 24:
2:00pm at North York Central Library
5120 Yonge Street, Toronto
416-395-5535
Facebook

7:00pm at Indigo Yorkdale
3401 Dufferin Street Unit #29, Toronto
416-781-6660
Facebook

Google Hangout February 22nd

Google+
10:00am PST/1:00pm EST

 

What the fans are saying about Cress:

"A wonderfully plotted series that not only has a gripping plot, but ridiculously endearing characters."—A Glass of Wine

"These books exceed all expectations and every one of them has been better and more complex then the last."—Conversations of a Reading Addict

"Oh. My. God. Marissa Meyer, you genius."—Holes in My Brain

"I LOVE THIS SERIES!!! ... Marissa Meyer really is a storytelling genius, and I am so much in love with these science fiction re-workings of some of my favourite fairy tales."—Melissa, Mables Fables

"Cress is entertaining and thrilling, a brilliant continuation to this series of fairy tale retellings set in a distant future."—Me on Books

"Cress is an intricately woven thrill ride that will make the reader want to flip right back to page one and start all over again once they're finished."—Omfg!Books

"Oh wow, I didn't think the book would be this good! I'm really used to series dying down slowly after the first one but this series just keeps getting better and better!"—Secrets of Lost Words

"This is the kind of series that you hope will never end"—Xpresso Reads

 

The Secret Garden and the Joy of Colouring Books

by Chelsea
Art & Photography + Craft / February 21, 2014

There's something magical about Johanna Basford's Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book. The intricate black and white illustrations are gorgeous on their own, but the real beauty is in how everyone who colours in the pages will create something uniquely theirs. When I found out that my very crafty friend Stefanie received a copy for Christmas, I couldn't wait to see her progress through the pages.

Did you use colouring books as a kid? What's it like to come back to it now?

Yes! I was kind of a fanatic. My mom used to come home with stacks of them, mainly Barbie themed. I used to have coloring competitions with my next door neighbour, and I was pretty competitive about it. 

There was a definite sense of nostalgia coming back to a coloring book as an adult, but it's a obviously a little bit different. The pages are so well illustrated that I feel like I'm a part of creating something so beautiful, way beyond my own artistic capabilities. 

What kinds of drawing materials have you used (pencils, pens)? Which do you like best?

So far I've just used pencil crayons. I have a mismatched collection from several years ago, but they do the trick! My husband also gave me a small set of erasable pencil crayons that have been fun to use. One thing I haven't tried yet is coloured pens or markers. I think ink would work really well for some of the illustrations. 

What's your favourite part about filling in the pages?

I feel as though I am making these garden scenes really come to life. They are already so incredibly beautiful as black and white illustrations, but with a bit of colour, they turn into these lively scenes. There's also this scavenger hunt surprise factor to the book - I always end up finding little creatures within the lines of the trees and leaves. 

Do you have a colouring method, or is it random?

I don't have a specific colouring pattern, but I do like to have a plan of action before I start each page. I'll plan out all the colours I want to use before I get going. The illustrations are so detailed, sometimes beginning a page can be overwhelming. There are some really detailed pages I'll probably never touch. Working from the top to the bottom, or the bottom to top is also really fun. 

What do you get out of the experience, other than a pretty picture?

It's a nice way to relax and an easy way to feel creative without getting into a big project.

New Year, New You

by Melissa
Health & Wellness / February 05, 2014

Well, the first month of the new year is officially over. If you’re like me, you had those great intentions to live a healthier lifestyle, but somehow they didn’t quite turn out. Maybe you hit the gym a couple of times—just nowhere near as often as you planned (or if you’re like me, you’re still trying to make yourself go to the gym for the first time this year).  So you’re a tad bit delayed on your new self. But never fear! If your goal was to eat healthier and lose weight, the solution is at your fingertips.  Dr. Ian K. Smith designed the diet book Super Shred for those of us looking to lose weight quickly, and more importantly, safely. 

 

In just four weeks, if you have 20 pounds to lose, you can lose them.  You can be bikini (or speedo!) ready for that Spring Break beach vacation you planned. Super Shred provides a concentrated diet plan that uses the principles of diet confusion, meal replacement, snacking and meal spacing to help you lose weight. 

“It’s just another diet book,” you say? That’s not quite true. The author, Dr. Ian Smith, actually spends time with real dieters while researching his books, and designs his books to help dieters overcome the obstacles they usually face when using a diet plan. 

If you aren’t looking to lose weight in such a short period of time, you can also try Dr. Ian’s 6-week cycle diet, Shred.

Dr. Ian will be in Toronto on February 13^th. Be sure to watch him on the Social! He is sure to convince even the laziest most cynical of us that we can change ourselves and our lifestyles.

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

New Releases: February 2014 Highlights

by Dan
Biography & Memoir + Fiction + Kids + YA Fiction / January 23, 2014

Cress

Lunar Chronicles Book #3

Marisa Meyer

In this third book in Marissa Meyer's bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they're plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and prevent her army from invading Earth. Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl trapped on a satellite since childhood.

Ages 12+

Available February 4

 

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The Wily O'Reilly 

Irish Country Stories

Patrick Taylor

Long before Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly made most readers' acquaintance in Patrick Taylor's bestselling novel An Irish Country Doctor, he appeared in a series of humorous columns originally published in Stitches: The Journal of Medical Humour. Now those seminal columns have been collected in one convenient volume.

Available February 4

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Confessions of a Wild Child

Jackie Collins

Lucky Santangelo. A fifteen-year-old wild child ready to discover life, love and independence. Daughter of the notorious Gino, Lucky discovers her mother's murdered body floating in the family swimming pool at the tender age of four. Since then Gino has kept her protected from life closeted in their Bel Air mansion. But in Jackie Collins' Confessions of a Wild Child, Lucky finally breaks free, and running away from boarding school the adventures begin. 

Available February 4

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Real Mermaids Don't Sell Seashells 

Hélène Boudreau

A tropical vacation sounds like the perfect way to spend fall break-even for an aqua-phobic mer-girl like Jade. She can't wait to enjoy the warm sunshine and all-you-can-eat buffet with her best friend Cori and boyfriend Luke. (That's right. Boyfriend. It's official.) But when a body splashes into the water as a cruise ship enters the harbour, Jade realizes there might be trouble in paradise. 

Ages 9-12

Available February 4

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The Sixth Extinction

An Unnatural History

Elizabeth Kolbert

Two-time winner of the National Magazine Award and New Yorker writer Elizabeth Kolbert draws on the work of scores of researchers in half a dozen disciplines, accompanying many of them into the field: geologists who study deep ocean cores, botanists who follow the tree line as it climbs up the Andes, marine biologists who dive off the Great Barrier Reef. She introduces us to a dozen species, some already gone, others facing extinction, including the Panamian golden frog, staghorn coral, the great auk, and the Sumatran rhino. Through these stories, Kolbert provides a moving account of the disappearances occurring all around us and traces the evolution of extinction as concept, from its first articulation by Georges Cuvier in revolutionary Paris up through the present day. 

Available February 11

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Shlepping the Exile 

Michael Wex

Confronted with dying people, an ailing culture, the perils of near-orphanhood and the allures of Sabina Mandelbroit, whose family doesn't keep the Sabbath, Yoine Levkes can no longer tell whether he's a human being or a loot-bag of conflicting traditions. He's too religious to be 'normal,' too 'normal' not to realize this, and too much of akid to be able to make any sense of it. Shlepping the Exile is Michael Wex's inside portrait of orthodox, post-Holocaust Judaism in a place that it never expected to be.

 

Available February 18

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I Can See Clearly Now 

Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

In this revealing and engaging memoir, Wayne shares dozens of events from his life, from the time he was a little boy in Detroit up to present day. In unflinching detail, he relates his vivid impressions of encountering many forks in the road, taking readers with him into these formative experiences. Yet then he views the events from his current perspective, noting what lessons he ultimately learned, as well as how he has made the resulting wisdom available to millions via his lifelong dedication to service.

 

Available February 25

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Tin Star 

Cecil Castellucci

Relying on your wits can only get you so far when you are light years away from Earth.

Beaten and left for dead, sixteen-year-old Tula Bane finds herself abandoned on a remote space station with aliens she must work to understand. When three humans crash-land onto the station, Tula’s desire for companionship becomes unavoidable and romantic sparks fly between her and one of the new arrivals. But just as Tula begins to concoct a plan to get off the space station and kill the man responsible for her situation, everything goes awry, and suddenly romance is the furthest thing for her mind.

Ages 12+

Available February 25

New Releases: January 2014 Highlights

by Dan
News / January 13, 2014

Moolala Guide to Rockin' Your RRSP 

Start Rockin' in Five Easy Steps 

Bruce Sellery

With the deadline for this year's RRSP contributions only a few weeks away, The Moolala Guide to Rockin' Your RRSP by bestselling author, television host, and popular speaker Bruce Sellery is an essential purchase this month. Bruce makes retirement relevant to your life today, even though it may be decades before you leave your career behind. He provides a simple plan to help you rock your RRSP immediately, and most importantly, he inspires you to get off your duff and take action.

 

Available Now

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The Trip to Echo Spring

On Writers and Drinking

Olivia Laing

In The Trip to Echo Spring, Olivia Laing examines the link between creativity and alcohol through the work and lives of six of America's finest writers: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, John Berryman, John Cheever, and Raymond Carver.

All six of these men were alcoholics, and the subject of drinking surfaces in some of their finest work, from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof to A Moveable Feast. Often, they did their drinking together.

Wanting to make sense of this ferocious, entangling disease, Olivia Laing took a journey across America that plunged her into the heart of these overlapping lives.

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Flappers

Six Women of a Dangerous Generation

Judith Mackrell

Glamorized, mythologized, and demonized, the women of the 1920s prefigured the 1960s in their determination to reinvent the way they lived. Judith Mackrell's Flappers: Six Women of a Dangerous Generation explores the ethos of that restless generation through the lives of Lady Diana Cooper, whose coterie included some of the most influential intellectuals and aristocrats of the time; Nancy Cunard, the steamship heiress; Tallulah Bankhead, the politically outspoken actress; Zelda Fitzgerald, whose tumultuous relationship with F. Scott was often tabloid fodder; Josephine Baker, the African American dancer, singer, and actress who relinquished her citizenship and moved to France; and Tamara de Lempicka, the Polish-born art deco painter.

Available January 14

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What Makes This Book So Great 

Re-Reading the Classics of Fantasy and SF

Jo Walton

In 2008, then-new science-fiction mega-site Tor.com asked Canadian author Jo Walton to blog about reading fantasy and SF. This volume presents a selection of the best of those posts, ranging from short essays to long reassessments of some of the field's most ambitious series.

With over 130 essays in all, What Makes This Book So Great is an immensely readable, engaging collection of provocative, opinionated thoughts about past and present-day fantasy and science fiction, from one of our best writers.

Available January 21

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Bad Wolf

Pia Kirchhoff & Oliver von Bodenstein # 2

Nele Neuhaus

Following Snow White Must Die, the second book of Nele Neuhaus's enormously popular crime series, tensions run high and a complex and unpredictable plot propels her characters forward at breakneck speed.

On a hot June day the body of a sixteen-year-old girl washes up on a river bank. She has been brutally murdered, but no one comes forward with any information as to her identity. Then, weeks later, a new case comes in: A popular TV reporter is attacked, raped, and locked in the trunk of her own car. As the two cases collide, Inspectors Pia Kirchhoff and Oliver von Bodenstein dig deep into the past and uncover a terrible secret that is about to impact their personal lives as well.

Available January 21

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Ant Colony 

Michael DeForge

In the few short years since he began his pamphlet-size comic book series Lose, Michael DeForge has announced himself as an important new voice in alternative comics. His brash, confident, undulating artwork sent a shock wave through the comics world for its unique, fully formed aesthetic. With his debut Drawn & Quarterly title, Ant Colony, DeForge confirms his place as a mover and shaker in the world of graphic novels.

Available January 21

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NEW IN PAPERBACK

The Book of My Lives

Aleksandar Hemon

At once a love song to two cities—Sarajevo and Chicago—and a paean to the bonds of family, The Book of My Lives is a singular work of passion, built on fierce intelligence, unspeakable tragedies, and sharp insight. Like the best narratives, it is a book that will leave you a different reader when you finish-and a different person, with a new way of looking at the world.

 

 

"Hemon’s verbal acuity would amaze no less even if English were his first language – but it isn’t. A collection of essays chronicles his life, immigrating to the U.S. from Yugoslavia, and ends with his daughter’s devastating story."

The Globe and Mail Best Books of 2013

Available January 28

My Favourite Books of 2013, Crystal Allen

by Crystal
Kids + Picture Books + YA Fiction / December 20, 2013

I can't believe that 2013 is about to wrap up. Where did time go? It's too hard to pick just one book as my favorite for 2013 so I'm going to pick two. One picture book and one YA.

My favorite picture book for 2013 has to be The Bear’s Song by French author and illustrator Benjamin Chaud. With it’s extra tall format and incredibly detailed illustrations, this is a book that you will find something new in every time you read it... and trust me, show this to your kids and you will be reading it again and again and again.

Father Bear thinks that he and baby bear are settling down to hibernate for the winter but when he awakes Baby Bear has set off for the city following a bumble bee. Father Bear sets off to find Baby Bear. Each spread has an almost "Where's Waldo" type feel to it with lots of characters, things happening and beautiful forest and city scape scenery. Kids (and adults) will have fun exploring each page searching for the Baby Bear and bumble bee hidden in each spread.

If you only pick up one picture book from 2013 this should be it. Keep an eye out for I Didn't Do My Homework Because... also illustrated by Benjamin Chaud coming March 2014.

My favorite YA novel for 2013 is hands down, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. While I was on maternity leave my boss sent me the manuscript and asked me to read it. When I was 3/4 of the way through the book I sent him this email:

"I'm reading Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell right now. It's so good. The type of good where I'm simultaneously wanting to put it down so that it lasts longer but keep saying "Just one more page" because I love the main character so much and want to keep on spending time with her. I'm very excited to work with Rainbow when I come back."

Fangirl is about Cath and her twin sister Wren who both have just left home for college. Wren devestates Cath by telling her that she doesn't want to room with her at university and that she no longer wants to write Simon Snow (think Harry Potter) fan fiction with Cath anymore. Cath continues to write Simon Snow fan fiction as she waits for the final Simon Snow book to be released, discovers first love and figures out what it means to be independent.

I think one of the reasons that I connected with this book so much was because I started working as a bookseller right when the buzz around Harry Potter began. Later, I was hired as a Children's Book Publicist here at Raincoast, who at the time published the Harry Potter novels. I worked on the Harry Potter marketing campaigns. I was (and still am) a huge fan of the books and feel so blessed to have been involved with them as part of my career.

Fangirl spoke to me as someone who loves books with all of their heart. It spoke to me as someone who fantasizes about visiting fictional worlds. It spoke to me as someone who has yearned for that character they love to come alive and to become my friend or even boyfriend. It also spoke to me as someone who once was awkward, clueless about boys, and a total booknerd (ok maybe I still am).

I loved Fangirl. I wish I could read it again and again and again and have it be the first time every time. This book felt like an old friend, and that is something that is rare to find. Also, now 9 months after reading Fangirl I feel blessed to call the book's author, Rainbow Rowell a friend... which is pretty awesome. You can read about my time with Rainbow on her Toronto book tour on my blog Sew Creative.

Look for Rainbow Rowell's new novel, Landline, coming July 2014.

Crystal Allen, Publicist

My Favourite Books of 2013, Lynne Fahnestalk

by Dan
Fiction + Science Fiction and Fantasy / December 19, 2013

Redshirts

I was afraid Redshirts was going to be generic FanFic writing when I started reading, but it quickly proved to be much more. A really fun, tongue-in cheek send-up of all things Star Trek—with a little Galaxy Quest thrown in— it's a nice departure for a genre that often takes itself way too seriously. You don't have to be a fan of Star Trek to enjoy Redshirts, but it helps to be a fan of science fiction in general. I hope there is a sequel!  

Doctor Sleep

I've been reading Stephen King for over 35 years and he still manages to pull a rabbit out of the hat. Doctor Sleep, sequel to The Shining, is no exception. If you have not read The Shining or seen the movie, King supplies just enough back story to convey the importance of the events happening now. The book takes place many years after the ghost infested Overlook Hotel was destroyed. But Dan Torrence, now a recovering alcoholic, is slowly drawn back to it by a young girl, Abra, who also posesses "the shining". She believes there is a sinister reason behind a number of missing children. Dan and Abra discover that even though the hotel is gone there remains an evil gathering of vampires who call themselves the True Knot and make their home base on the grounds where the Overlook Hotel used to stand. Disguised as vacationers roaming the highways in RVs they kidnap and prey on children who have "the shining". They call it "steam".

King's main strength is his character development and he doesn't disappoint in this story. The leader of the True Knot, Rose the Hat, is as creepy and as eccentric as any of his previous characters. He manages to bring Dan's struggle with alcohol into the mix without overshadowing Dan's quest. Nothing preachy here, Dan's just a guy doing the best he can. King's 13-year-old heroine, Abra, who is even stronger at "shining" than Dan (she predicted the 9/11 disaster from her crib) is a believable mix of edgy and nice. She bounces back and forth between psychic threat and just plain kid.

The book starts off slowly but manages to pick up speed as it rolls along. It's a nice creepy tale. It's Stephen King. 

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series 

I first became aware of these marvelous characters through the HBO series and ran to find the books. The various stories are as much about the adventures and everyday lives of the different people as they are about solving mysteries. And "mystery" is a loose definition in some cases. The three main characters are, the deceptively named Mma Precious Ramotswe who is the first female private investigator in Botswana, her eager and capable assistant Mma Grace Makutsi, and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni mechanic and eventual husband of Mma Precious Ramotswe. Charming, funny, heart breaking, insightful and sometimes alarming tales of rural life in modern day South Africa.
 

Lynne Fahnestalk, Inventory Coordinator

My Favourite Comics of 2013, Dan Wagstaff

by Dan
Graphica / December 19, 2013

2013 was a GREAT year for comics. If you like fantasy, adventure, and superhero comics, there was Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples excellent space opera Saga, Matt Fraction and David Aja's erstwhile Avenger Hawkeye, and Kelly Sue Deconnick's Captain Marvel.

The latest Batwoman by J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman delivered more exquisitely drawn gothic horror, and The Joker returned in Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's nightmare-inducing run on Batman. And—speaking of nightmares—H. P. Lovecraft met Jules Verne in Nemo: Heart of Ice by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill (I'm looking forward to next year's sequel, The Roses of Berlin, a lot).

Then there was the epic, Moebius-meets-Jack Kirby Battling Boy by Paul Pope, and the deliciously pulpy The Black Beetle by Francesco Francavilla.

The luscious historical fantasy adventure Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant by Vancouver's very own Tony Cliff was just a joy from beginning to end. Not only did it look beautiful (Tony is also an animator), but the dialogue was sharp and snappy.

Online, I have been quietly addicted to the post-Harry Potter fantasy adventure Nimona by Noelle Stevenson. But that won't be out as a book until 2015! (You can, however, find one of Noelle's illustrations on the cover of Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell).  

Affectionately making fun of tight pants and all that heroic stuff was The Adventures of Superhero Girl by Halifax-based cartoonist Faith Erin Hicks (which I loved, loved, loved), and the brilliant You're All Just Jealous of My Jetpack by Tom Gauld. While Superhero Girl dealt with the daily trials and tribulations of a novice superheroine, You're All Just Jealous of My Jetpack mashed up literary classics with robots, astronauts, dinosaurs, sea monsters, Victoriana, and masked men (where else would you see a Batman-inspired steampunk Dickens?!).

Also somewhat affectionately deconstructing pop culture (but in an oh-so different way) was the bonkers and acidic My Dirty Dumb Eyes by illustrator Lisa Hanawalt. I'm not sure I'd describe it as comics exactly, but it was sure as hell funny (where else would you see Anna Wintour riding an ostrich?!).

For kids, the pair of eccentrics in Odd Duck by Cecil Castellucci and Sara Varon were lots of fun (the book's been a popular birthday gift), and I really liked Hilda and the Bird Parade by Luke Pearson. Luke also contributed a really great story, 'The Boy Who Drew Cats', to the charming Fairy Tale Comics collection edited by Chris Duffy. (You can read my interview with Luke here).

My kids are still a bit young for them, but I fully expect My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and Adventure Time Fionna & Cake will soon be in required reading in our house...        

But comics continued to explore new territory beyond the typical genres associated with the medium. Lucy Knisley's Relish was a tender food memoir with recipes; Primates by Jim Ottaviani and Maris Wicks, a colourful look at the work of primatologists Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas. The Encyclopedia of Early Earth by Isabel Greenberg was a series of strange, funny, and magical stories. Gilbert Hernandez had two remarkable books out this year: Marble Season, a heartfelt, semi-autobiographical comic about childhood in 1960s southern California, and the haunting Julio's Day, a fictional account of man's life from his birth in 1900 to his death 2000. Peter Bagge returned with Woman Rebel, a surprising and fascinating biography of Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood.

(I actually had the pleasure of meeting both Beto and Peter this year. Peter was terrific at this year's IFOA—smart and disarmingly funny—but sight of Elvira Kurt sprinting from one side of a CBC studio to the other to meet Beto was something else entirely!)

Rutu Modan's The Property was an extraordinary follow-up to her debut graphic novel Exit Wounds. Lovingly observed, it told the story of an Israeli woman accompanying her elderly grandmother to Warsaw, ostensibly to reclaim property lost during World War II. It was funny, heartbreaking, beautiful and poignant. Literary in the best sense, it was still criminally overlooked by the critics.

And I didn't even get to Blue is the Warmest Color by Julie Maroh, The Great War by Joe Sacco... 

2013 was the 10th anniversary of Chester Brown's monumental Louis Riel—a book that changed how we thought about comics and, I think, profoundly expanded the possibilities of the medium. Would a book like Rebel Woman have been possible without it? I don't think so. Nor would my favourite comic of the year, Boxers and Saints by Gene Luen Yang, which shared some of its sensibility.

The result of 5 years work, Boxers and Saints is a remarkable achievement. The two volume graphic novel told the intertwined stories of two young people on opposites of the Boxer Rebellion in 19th century China. While Boxers was a brightly coloured adventure story inspired by Chinese opera and superhero comics, Saints delivered an introspective story of identity and faith, drawing more from the personal narratives found in independent comics. Both books were beautifully coloured by Lark Pien (a cartoonist in her own right) and they are visually stunning. But it was the complex storytelling—in turn funny and tragic—and Gene's unique magical realism that made the books truly extraordinary.

Shortly after the release of Boxers and Saints, Gene came to Toronto and delivered two brilliant presentations about becoming a cartoonist and his career from self-published indie comics to the present day. If you ever get chance to hear Gene talk about his work you should definitely take it. I was lucky enough to spend a couple of hours with him just talking comics and superheroes. It was one of the highlights of my year.

 

Dan, Online Marketing Manager

My Favourite Books of 2013, Megan Radford

by Megan
Current Affairs / December 18, 2013

Let me preface this by saying that I adore YA novels, dystopian in particular. Yes, YA dystopia—fiction for teens. Which I suppose makes my choice of The Unwinding as my favourite book of the year an odd one.

But the current spate of Young Adult dystopia is a reflection of some deep and troubling undercurrents that run through our social fabric and show little sign of abating. To truly understand fiction, you need on some level to understand its contemporary roots; right now that lies in a suffocating sense of anomie, and a need to examine catalysts of that fragmentation of social values and identity. It’s easy to forget that the roots of the seemingly far-fetched dystopias readers like me devour often lead right back to our own feet.

There are so many books this year that I loved, but none has so unsettled and challenged me as The Unwinding. It sits in the corner of my bedroom in a pile of its own, as if relegated to the corner for the bad behavior of hitting where it hurts, cast out from the teetering stacks of ARCs that have made my apartment a fire hazard. 

The Unwinding is an immensely personal and unflinching look at the unravelling of the so-called American Dream: the need for constant growth and improvement, development without reflection, and money without a soul. If you feel that the American flag on the cover of the book and its American overtones make it exclusionary, think again.

This is not a story about Democrats versus Republicans, but rather a story about the nostalgic myth of the small community, the small business, and the reality of more and more people living separate from wealth and purpose, the chasm yawning ever wider between reality and representation.

The son of a born-again, failed tobacco farmer; a young black woman, daughter to a heroin addict, growing up in the rust belt; an idealistic aide to then Senator Joe Biden, who discovers that the purpose and sense of belonging he’s always sought lies not in politics but in lobbying. The billionaire founder of PayPal, who by all means has snared a version of this elusive dream, but with it the sharp edges of a life with hidden shrapnel—nothing overt, but an uncomfortable whiplash and constant motion. I vividly recall dreams where I’m behind the wheel in a car without brakes, always going faster and faster, my insides calcifying into solid clumps of fear, then dissolving from the speed. These are the people Packer allows to tell their stories. Their successes and their failures, the loneliness that comes with individualism’s victories as well as its losses.

There is an unsettling loneliness inherent in the stories Packer tells—the feeling that each of his characters is fighting to emerge from a shadow into a startlingly bright dream that has been promised but remains out of reach, the way a recent dream flickers on the edge of consciousness, just beyond the edges of rational thought. 

This is a book whose stories will sneak beneath your skin and settle in; the most unsettling element that the fears and disquiet expressed by the characters are our own, which we seek to hold in check just beneath the surface, lest they unwind and coil around us. 

Megan Radford, Sales & Marketing Assistant

Olivia Laing on Writers and Drinking

by Dan
Biography & Memoir / December 17, 2013

In her forthcoming book The Trip to Echo Spring (published later this month by Picador), Olivia Laing examines the link between writing and drinking through the lives of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, John Berryman, John Cheever, and Raymond Carver. 

All six of these writers were alcoholics and not only did they drink together, the subject of drinking surfaces in some of their finest work. 

Having grown up in an alcoholic family herself, Laing travelled from Cheever's New York to Williams's New Orleans, and from Hemingway's Key West to Carver's Port Angeles, trying to make sense of this ferocious, entangling disease, and to unravel the high price of creativity:

My Favourite Books of 2013, Alisha Whitley

by Alisha
Art & Photography + Fashion & Textiles + Fiction / December 17, 2013

I have fallen prey to a fascination with the ‘20s, and if the number of Pinterest boards devoted to this era is any indication, I am definitely not alone. Here are a few of my favourite ‘20s-themed titles from 2013:

Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald

Z depicts all the glitz, glam, and debauchery of the Roaring Twenties, as well as the romance, scandal, and ultimate demise of the infamous Fitzgeralds. Told from the point of view of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s spunky wife and muse—the quintessential flapper, Zelda Fitzgerald—Z follows the literary couple’s romantic start to their notorious ruin. Inspired by letters exchanged between the two, as well as correspondence between Scott and his editor, agent, and friends (notably, Ernest Hemingway), Z offers a glimpse into the Jazz Age and features glamorous members of the Lost Generation, including Gertrude Stein, Gerald and Sara Murphy, and Ezra Pound (to name a few). From smoky speakeasies in New York to glitzy hotels in Paris and bootleg champagne in Hollywood, I was transported to an era in which everything was new and possible but success—particularly for the ambitious wife of a successful but doomed novelist—was ultimately fleeting.

Well-Read Women

If Z gets you in the mood for some Gatsby, look no further than Samantha Hahn’s Well-Read Women. This stunning book features portraits of literature’s most iconic heroines—including Daisy Buchanan—in pen and watercolour. Paired with hand-lettered quotations from the characters’ dialogue, each spread evokes the spirit and sensibility of its heroine as she was written. It’s unique, it’s gorgeous, and I can’t get enough of it.

Victoria & Albert Museum 1920s Fashion Notecard Set

If you’re feeling the flapper fashion, turn your attention to Victoria & Albert Museum 1920s Fashion Timeline Notecards from Chronicle Books. These retro-glam notecards capture the essence of 1920s fashion and make me want to chop my hair into a bob, don a headpiece, and rock a drop-waisted, beaded dress.

      

Alisha Whitley, Marketing Coordinator

Rose George: Inside the Secret Shipping Industry

by Dan
Current Affairs / December 16, 2013

Almost everything we own and use travels to us by container ship through a vast network of ocean routes and ports that most of us know almost nothing about. Speaking at a recent TED conference in Singapore, Journalist Rose George, author of Ninety Percent of Everything, tours us through the world of shipping, the underpinning of consumer civilization:

My Favourite Books of 2013, Chelsea Newcombe

by Chelsea
Art & Photography + Food & Drink / December 16, 2013

Well-Read Women

It's hard to pinpoint exactly why I love Well-Read Women so much, because it draws from the many reasons why certain books become important to me: liveliness, nostalgia, sadness, beauty, and memorable characters. Samantha Hahn's ethereal watercolour portraits of literature's leading ladies are juxtaposed against one of their signature quotes, and it makes for a gorgeous read. Anne Shirley is my absolute favourite ("Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?")

Burgoo

There is a special place in my heart for the Burgoo restaurant. I have memories of being there with friends, family, and even right after I graduated from college. Half-starved after the long ceremonial affair that is a UBC English Department graduation ceremony (there were many of us), my parents asked where I wanted to get lunch. Easy answer: "Burgoo!" No one does comfort food better, and thanks to their cookbook now everyone can bring it home. We're in Raincouver after all, and sometimes the only cure for the grey sky blues is cheesy biscuits and a hearty stew.

Chelsea Newcombe, Sales Associate

Nurturing Healing Love: An Interview with Scarlett Lewis

by Jamie
Author Q & A + Biography & Memoir / December 13, 2013

I want to provide perspective to kids and to the whole world that if I can choose to forgive Adam, then you can certainly look into your own life and choose to forgive.

On December 14, 2012, Scarlett Lewis lost her six year old son Jesse at the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. Following Jesse's death, Scarlett went on an unexpected journey, inspired by a simple three-word message her son had scrawled on their kitchen chalkboard shortly before he died: ‘Norurting Helin Love’ (Nurturing Healing Love).

Even in her unimaginable grief, Scarlett drew courage from Jesse’s words and came to understand the power of forgiveness, even for Adam Lanza, the man who killed her son. Scarlett founded the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation to develop programs to teach children about the power each of us has to change our thoughts and choose a life without fear and hate. She also now works with the Seeds of Empathy program, which is well known in Canadian schools.

On the day of the massacre, everyone had the same two questions: How could something like this happen? What can we do to keep it from happening again?

In an extended interview last week by telephone, Scarlett answered these essential questions and more. 

It's been incredibly difficult nearing the anniversary, but being able to talk to people because they actually care—I've seen and felt the compassion from day one—is an amazing gift.

 

Jamie: First of all, I just wanted to say all of our hearts and prayers go out to you and to the other families of Sandy Hook. The events of last year are still so vivid in our minds. I wanted to offer our condolences.

Scarlett: Thank you. I very much appreciate that.

Jamie: I was wondering if this attention around the anniversary causes you more pain, or do you actually find solace in the fact that the world will be focusing on it?

Scarlett: December 14th was the third worst mass shooting in America's history, but it was actually the greatest day of compassion that the world has ever seen, in my eyes. And that's true authentic compassion, which is when someone feels someone's pain, empathizes with someone. The world came together to support us, and I can say that because I was the recipient of that compassion. I started the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation to keep that momentum going.

It's been incredibly difficult nearing the anniversary, but being able to talk to people because they actually care—I've seen and felt the compassion from day one—is an amazing gift and I want to spread Jesse's message of nurturing, healing, love, so I appreciate any opportunity that I get.

Jamie: I think one of the most powerful moments in book is actually your description about survivors of the genocide in Rwanda reaching out to you.

Scarlett: It was a profoundly life changing experience to have someone from another country, another culture, reach out to express their condolences. Their message was so incredibly powerful because we weren't in touch personally with anyone who really understood what we were going through, except for the other families, and early on we weren't really in touch with them. For someone who had suffered something similar, actually even greater, to take the time and effort to reach out to us was a huge gift, and it was life changing. I mean, that really started our healing process.

Jamie: I was thinking about your own faith and something that Dr. Laura Asher writes in the book: "Grieving is a sacred act, you must respect it and treat it as such." Are there ways to deepen the sacred aspect of grieving as a culture? Are there things that you've learned that you could pass on to our readers?

Scarlett: Well first of all, we don't acknowledge death and dying in our culture. I mean it happens, but we don’t talk about it unless it happens. We don’t teach anything about it in school; we don't prepare ourselves in any way for death and dying. And of course everyone is going to die and it's a natural part of life. There's so much shrouded mystery around it, and it's really not a mysterious thing. I really think that it would be helpful if we talked about it. But it's difficult. Loss of any kind is difficult.

I do believe that grieving is sacred. It's a time when personally I felt very close to Jesse. Of course I wanted his physical body here with me, but I did feel very close spiritually to him. I had to work on my trauma before I could actually grieve. And even the fact that Dr. Laura framed it like that to me—you know, “grieving is a sacred act”—her just setting out that intention, and me being open minded, just being bewildered and not having any expectation of what it would be like, I accepted what she said and it became a sacred act for me. And of course when you don't think that there is an end to your spirit and you believe that your spirit goes on—that you will be reunited at one point with your loved one—that is definitely a comforting feeling.

I feel so connected with the world because I know that they are grieving with me. I know that because countless people have told me in the most beautiful ways. They're mourning with me.

Jamie: One of the things that touched me was how generous you were with family pictures in the book—the image of Jesse in the bathtub will speak to the heart of anyone who has a six-year-old boy. Like when you talk about his scent and keeping his clothes close to you, the photos allow us to enter a little bit into your grieving process.

Scarlett: Well you know, I feel so connected with the world because I know that they are grieving with me. I know that because countless people have told me in the most beautiful ways. They're mourning with me. They're supporting, they're sending their love and they've created these beautiful handmade gifts.

I wanted to give them insight into his life—to offer them a glimpse of this beautiful, precious young boy… to offer a glimpse into his life. I wanted them to know him, because they're grieving him but they never had the pleasure of knowing him. I wanted to give the reader that as well.

Jamie: You’ve said you ask yourself the same two questions that everyone asked that day: "How could something like this have happened?" And "what can I do to keep it from happening again?"

Scarlett: Some parents thought that it was guns. I personally saw the situation and thought that the whole tragedy started at some point with an angry thought in Adam Lanza's head. I pictured him as a young boy with an angry thought at some point, and I pictured him kind of stewing in this anger because he didn't have the tools nor the nurturing environment to be able to handle this emotion—which is totally normal when you have the tools to deal with it, but he didn't. And so at some point he tried to get relief from this horrible feeling of anger by blaming someone else. He blamed his parents, he blamed his classmates, he blamed his brother, he blamed someone. And when he did that, he became a victim. When he blamed somebody else for what he was feeling, he gave away all of his personal power—he's a victim and powerless to change his situation. Prolonged victimization leads to rage, and rage creates these acts of violence.

On December 14th the world came together in the greatest show of compassion in my mind that mankind has ever known.

I've gone in recently and talked to schools about forgiveness, and kids raise their hands and say, "What is forgiveness?" Well that's a great question. You know, we don't talk about all the aspects of forgiveness. "How long does forgiveness take?" What a great question, you know?

I think what I'm trying to do also is provide perspective—like the Rwandans provided perspective to me. If I can choose to forgive Adam, then you can look into your own life and choose to forgive—whatever's holding you back, whatever person or thing has caused you pain and is leaching your personal power from you.

We are all on planet Earth together, and our reason for being here and the way that we are going to survive is if we help each other. We're all in this together; we're all one. There is no separateness and we just need to realize that. On December 14^th the world came together in the greatest show of compassion in my mind that mankind has ever known. I want to keep that momentum moving forward with the foundation.

Jamie: You mentioned in the book how proud you are of Jesse. I just want to end here by saying he must be extremely proud of you.

Scarlett: I feel so blessed to carry on the torch that Jesse has passed to me and to be able to teach through his example of bravery. A lot of his actions in his final moments saved his friends’ lives—nine of them. I use that example because it takes bravery to make the right choices. Choosing gratitude, choosing forgiveness, choosing compassion—it takes bravery to do that. It's not always the easiest thing to do. Sometimes it takes bravery to be kind to someone. Sometimes it takes bravery to be truthful and honest. If a six-year-old can stand up to a mentally deranged shooter at the other end of a semi-automatic weapon and choose that moment to save his friends’ lives, then we can make the right choices in our lives. We can choose truth and honesty. We can choose gratitude, forgiveness, and compassion. And we can all have a role in making this a better world.

Jamie: Thank you.

Scarlett: Thank you very much Jamie. I appreciate the opportunity.

Jamie: It’s been a great honour.

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

My Favourite Book of 2013, Larisa Sviridova

by Dan
Biography & Memoir / December 12, 2013

You think you know who you are. You have a degree or two. You have a job and a family. Perhaps you even have an expensive car, a house and a dog. Imagine one day finding yourself not having any of the above. You are thousands of miles away from what you thought was your home and you have nothing. Who are you? An alien.

The ingenious German social psychologist and philosopher Erich Fromm said: "If I am what I have and if I lose what I have who then am I?”  A collection of essays written by Aleksandar Hemon, an American writer of Bosnian descent, The Book of my Lives is about who we are, how we become what we think we are and how we lose ourselves by losing what we had. This book caught me off-guard. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me suffer. I didn't read it—I lived through it.

Hemon writes about his childhood in socialist Yugoslavia, and I have a feeling that I played on the same playground. “… we were all Pioneers and we all loved socialism, our country, and it’s greatest son…”. He remembers his family's borscht and I can feel the taste of it in my mouth. “… the food needs to be prepared on the low but steady fire of love and consumed in a ritual of indelible togetherness.” He tells about his first months in America, “… my displacement was metaphysical to the precisely same extent to which it was physical.”—Still is for me. 

What if you lose someone you truly love? Suddenly all you have is solely pain.

My favorite book of the year, The Book of my Lives written by Alexandar Hemon.

Larisa Sviridova, Data Specialist

My Favourite Books of 2013, Pete MacDougall

by Pete
Kids + Picture Books / December 10, 2013

My favourite book of the year is The Snatchabook. My daughter was about a year and half old when this book came home for the first time making she and I the perfect test audience. It was a huge hit the first night, and fast became a family favourite. Snatchabook is at times a mischievous brat who a toddler can relate to (not mine...), he gets sad and just wants to have books read to him by someone (something they all can relate to), and its a book about books which we both love. The illustrations are warm and nostalgic, and the story reads aloud beautifully. A bed time classic.

And being the Dad of a daughter Vader's Little Princess is up there as well. Jeffrey Brown's illustrations, and captions are right on point, and a not so welcome but funny window in to my future.

Peter Macdougall, Director of National Accounts

Book Launch - PICTURING TRANSFORMATION: NEXW-ÁYANTSUT - December 17th

by Danielle
Art & Photography + Environment + Events / December 09, 2013

December 17, 2013 | 6-8pm | Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre | Free event! | Join the authors and others from the Utsám' Witness Community for a book signing and slide show. Light refreshments will be served. Please support our efforts to sell 1000 books by the New Year. Less than 300 books to go! Slideshow will feature images from the book and the project, including images of Aaron Nelson-Moody's work which began during the project and the photographs of Shel Neufeld. With musical guest Sylvi.

My Favourite Books of 2013, Jamie Broadhurst

by Jamie
Vancouver / December 09, 2013

My favourite books of 2013 are two books that I started 2012 but am still reading due to technical difficulties.

I started reading Far From the Tree: Parents, Children and the Search for Identity by Andrew Solomon last November. I was on an early morning Friday flight home from New York having been away for the week on business. I needed to do class prep for a class I was teaching that afternoon so naturally I went to the newspaper stand for some procrastinatory reading material for the six hour flight. Both the New Yorker and New York magazine had picked Far From the Tree for their lead extended reviews. I was in tears reading both articles (fortunately I had no seat mates) and when I landed in Vancouver I downloaded the book. When I saw my son that night I squeezed him especially tight.

Because it was digital I didn't know the book is a doorstopper. Yet Solomon is a rare thing; a double National Book Award winner and Pulitzer Prize shortlisted genius. It is the best book on ethics I have ever read.  Or almost finished reading.

Most parents have children with the expectation they will form what Solomon calls “vertical relationships.” That like the proverbial apple, your children will not fall far from the tree. What happens when they don't? Solomon maps the contours of "horizontal relationships” where children are different from their parents in ways that are sometime shattering and analyzes the communities that form around disabilities and differences that sometimes rival or replace parental bonds. Deaf children, blind children, Downs’s children, children of rape, autistic children, gifted children. It is debatable whether all these situations are as thematically similar as Solomon would have us believe, but his thesis about horizontal communities allows Solomon to catalogue some of the very best of human behaviour and the very worst of what can happen to the most vulnerable.

And you are surprised. One mother of severely disturbed boy states she copes with his violent fits because in their house with few amenities he has smashed all that there is to smash and all that they have left is each other.

The second book is War and Peace which I am also reading on my Kobo.  I had been given a copy as school prize years ago and never progressed too far but thanks to digital readers and public domain it was easy to start again. It is said that part of the success of Penguin Paperbacks is that they fit into the pocket of solder’s uniforms in the Second World War. It is the same for the Kobo reader. Very handy on buses and in coffee shops.

And it fits in the inside pocket of my jacket.

War and Peace seems far less intimidating on a digital reader, as you never really have any idea how much more text you have in front of you and soon you are caught up in the storylines and the  miracle of  immersive reading. I find it strangely comforting that the Tolstoy’s characters can’t get beyond the chaos of the incidental and the see the grand sweep of history. Who can?   And the scene where the  Russians are trying to fire a bridge to stem the French advance and where clearly the colonel in charge has no real control over events but has the supreme confidence to appear to have control over events seems to me a potent lesson on both the strength and futility of human leadership.

I broke my Kobo last summer alas, with a quarter of Far From the Tree  to go and on the eve of the battle of Borodino, when the haughty Austrians are convinced that victory is in their grasp. (Spoiler alert: it isn't). But I just bought a new reader this week and so Andrew Solomon and the Napoleonic Wars will continue for me over Christmas. They will be excellent company. 

Jamie Broadhurst, VP Marketing

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