Blog
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
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Spill Simmer Falter Wither
by Sara Baume
"A man and a dog — a who-rescues-who tale told in a beautiful language over four seasons. An absolute must read."
by Sara Baume
"A man and a dog — a who-rescues-who tale told in a beautiful language over four seasons. An absolute must read."
If I Was Your Girl
by Meredith Russo
by Meredith Russo
"A great teen intro to the topic that left me both afraid for, and proud of, the main
character Amanda. A very honest approach to a very topical subject. This should
be read by all teens and their parents."
Dani Farmer
Literary Starbucks
by Nora Anderson Katz, Wilson Isaac Josephson, and Jill Madeline Poskanzer
"What would your favourite author or character order to drink at their local Starbucks? Who would be the most frustrating person to stand behind in line? (Definitely Hamlet.) I am a huge fan of the blog that inspired the book and can’t wait to get my hands on a copy for myself!"
D Is For Dress Up
by Maria Carluccio
"Celebrate just how fun clothes and dressing up can be with a cast of culturally diverse boys and girls. This is a great, modern twist on the classic ABC book with pages like 'Y is for Yoga Pants' that both kids and adults can get behind. Plus the art is fantastic!"
Laurie Martella
The Book of Speculation (new in trade paper)
by Erika Swyler
"The Book of Speculation is magical. A book revolving around the circus, historical family sagas, and a mysterious antiquarian bookseller would be magical, of course. But this book had me bewitched with its quirky characters and their quirky house that is literally falling off of a cliff. Nothing to speculate — this is a fantastic read!"
Gena/Finn
by Hannah Moskowitz and Kat Helgeson
"Gena/Finn is a book for digitally-minded young adults. It is a story of friendship between two young girls, written with varied forms of electronic communication, such as instant messaging, emails, and blogs. Good for a reluctant reader, and for the lover of fan fiction. This book is a fun read, it’s relatable to teens, and it’s a unique format."
Judy Parker
They May Not Mean To, But They Do
by Cathleen Schine
by Cathleen Schine
"I am always excited about a new Cathleen Schine novel and her upcoming title promises to have the heart and insight of The Three Weissmanns of Westport. As in that wonderful novel, Schine is examining how three generations of a family make the journey through life and into old age. I know that she will handle this “coming of age” in her usual perspective, empathetic and often very funny fashion."
The Bear and the Piano
by David Litchfield
by David Litchfield
"The Bear and the Piano is a beautifully illustrated book about finding a passion and following your dreams but also about the value of friendship and community. The illustrator has created evocative light-filled images that bring to life the bear’s journey from his home in the forest to the big city and the accolades of performing, and back again to the love and support of his forest friends. This is a lovely debut picture book from a very talented U.K. author."
Saffron Beckwith
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The Pharos Gate
by Nick Bantock
"I am so thrilled that there is a new volume in this wonderful series; it is as charming and beautiful as the first three. Yay!"
The Square Root of Summer
by Harriet Reuter Hapgood
"Time travel, romance and physics... what more do you need!"
Karen Beattie
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Posh Toast
by Louise Hagger
"Toast is not just for breakfast anymore. Try it at lunch, dinner and snacktime too. Have it with savoury or sweet toppings. Move over cake pops and cupcakes, toast is the new, NEW THING! Pistachio Dukkah and Avocado on Rye anyone?"
"Toast is not just for breakfast anymore. Try it at lunch, dinner and snacktime too. Have it with savoury or sweet toppings. Move over cake pops and cupcakes, toast is the new, NEW THING! Pistachio Dukkah and Avocado on Rye anyone?"
Maybe Something Beautiful
by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell, illustrated by Rafael Lopez
"Mira is a little girl who lives in the heart of a gray city where she loves to draw in colour. She gives her colourful pictures to her neighbours until one day she meets a painter. The painter invites her to help him create a large picture on a city wall. Soon, everyone in the community joins in to create art on the walls and transform gray into beauty and joy. A truly inspiring picture book about how public art can transform the spirit."
"Mira is a little girl who lives in the heart of a gray city where she loves to draw in colour. She gives her colourful pictures to her neighbours until one day she meets a painter. The painter invites her to help him create a large picture on a city wall. Soon, everyone in the community joins in to create art on the walls and transform gray into beauty and joy. A truly inspiring picture book about how public art can transform the spirit."
Mark Penney
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The Intelligent Conversationalist
by Imogen Lloyd Webber
"I think everyone has trouble sometimes making small talk — especially if you are a sales rep! This one gives you cheat sheets on all of the most important things in the world you know nothing about. Very handy."
Nobody Likes a Goblin
by Ben Hatke
"Except you — after you read this delightful tale of goblin fun! It’s like The Hobbit in reverse."
Ali Hewitt
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I had an interesting French Artist to see me this summer
by Colin Browne
"A beautiful book that explores the relationship between the art of Austrian Wolfgang Paalen, Emily Carr and the monumental art of the Pacific Northwest."
Too Many Moose
by Lisa Bakos, illustrated by Mark Chambers
"My dealings with moose have been fairly limited, but this adorable picture book is making me reconsider. Perhaps a (single) moose, delivered by post, would make the perfect pet?"
Ryan Muscat
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Grief Is the Thing with Feathers
by Max Porter
"Reviving Ted Hughes’ crow protagonist created in the wake of Sylvia Plath’s suicide, Max Porter’s Grief Is the Thing with Feathers promises to be a profound meditation on grief and loss. A brief book looking at the aftermath of the sudden death of a wife and mother, Grief Is the Thing with Feathers is experimental in the best sense of the word — effortlessly moving between prose and poetry. The book has also drawn comparisons to Jenny Offill’s masterful Dept. of Speculation, Heidi Julavits, and Ali Smith."
Let’s Play
by Hervé Tullet
"Let’s Play is the latest imaginative book by Hervé Tullet, a veritable rock star for the little kid set. Young readers follow along with an adventurous dot through the book, in typical Tullet fashion — the book is suffused with lots of colour, motion, and shape. Unlike his previous books, Let’s Play also delves into a new theme: emotion. The dot expresses humour, joy, fear, and more in this amazing follow-up to Press Here and Mix It Up!"
Lorna MacDonald
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A History of the World in 500 Walks
by Sarah Baxter
"From prehistory to present day. A History of the World in 500 Walks relates the tales behind trekking routes that have shaped our society. Travel back in time as you read about convicts and conquistadores, silk traders and Buddhists. Whether you are inspired to lace up your boots and get walking or put up your feet and enjoy armchair travel — this book will give you a new perspective on the world. An intrepid walker, author Sarah Baxter writes for Wanderlust magazine and Lonely Planet publications."
Gator Dad
by Brian Lies
"A delightful romp about three little gators and their Dad who 'squeeze the day' — finding joy in the daily rhythm of meal times, shopping, household tasks, and of course the playful moments in between. The lyrical text is a perfect accompaniment to the lively illustrations. New York Times best-selling author Brian Lies (Bats at the Beach) captures the very special relationship between a father and his children."
Jenny Enriquez
Mary Wept Over the Feet of Jesus
by Chester Brown
"Best-selling cartoonist Chester Brown is back with a graphic novel that offers a sure-to-be controversial interpretation of the Bible. In Mary Wept Over the Feet of Jesus, Brown posits that the Virgin Mary was actually a prostitute by trade and that biblical stories about sex work were clues to her profession. Compelling, well-researched, and sure to ruffle some feathers!"
The Star-touched Queen
by Roshani Chokshi
"A beautifully written and vividly imagined young adult fantasy inspired by Indian mythology that’s sure to satisfy readers yearning for diverse books!"
Scott Fraser
The Dog Master (new in paperback)
by W. Bruce Cameron
"I read this book on the couch in the living room with my beloved dog at my side. I don’t know if it was dusty in there, or someone was chopping onions, but there were many moments in this pre-historic action/adventure about the first dog where I had to pause because I guess there was something in my eye. We all know that W. Bruce Cameron knows how to turn on the waterworks. What I didn’t know is that he could spin such a transporting epic adventure. Plus DOGS! What more do you need to know?"
Anna & Froga: Out and About
by Anouk Ricard
"The Anna and Froga comics are quite simply hilarious. The adorable cast of characters never learn any life lessons, aren’t particularly nice to one another, and show no sign of self-improvement during the course of the series. They’re all kind of nitwits actually, but somehow you feel like they’ll be okay as long as they have each other. As fun for adults as children."
Karen Stacey
Doing the Devil’s Work (new in paperback)
by Bill Loehfelm
"Bill Loehfelm is the real deal — a lauded thriller writer in the modern tradition of Dennis Lehane, Richard Price, and Michael Connelly. New Orleans is his town and his lead character, Maureen Coughlin, is a tough, smart cop, still in uniform. This is the third in the series and each one just gets better!"
Booked
by Kwame Alexander
"Another perfectly pitched novel from poet Kwame Alexander, winner of the Newbery Medal. Soccer is the game, divorce, bullying and first love are the themes, all written in verse. Booked packs the same powerful emotional punch as his previous novel, The Crossover!"
"Another perfectly pitched novel from poet Kwame Alexander, winner of the Newbery Medal. Soccer is the game, divorce, bullying and first love are the themes, all written in verse. Booked packs the same powerful emotional punch as his previous novel, The Crossover!"
