Fall’s shorter days and cooler temperatures provide the perfect excuse to cosy up before the fire with a good book. So whether your go-to genre is fiction or non-fiction, literary or easy-reading, we checked in with several local booksellers for this season’s must-read picks.
Fiction
From Munro’s Books, Jessica Walker recommends Lee Henderson’s intriguing The Road Narrows As You Go. “All Wendy Ashbubble has ever wanted is to draw comics as well as Charles Schultz’s Peanuts – and to one day see her creations grace the pages of a major daily newspaper. Growing up in Victoria in the 1970s, Wendy dreams of getting out, getting away…and getting recognition for her talent. And there’s another, never-whispered motivation that prompts her to seek her fortune: a deeply buried memory and unshakeable belief that her unknown father is Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States.”
Also popular this fall is Julie Paul’s The Pull of the Moon, in which, with her poet’s eye, Paul “gives us 12 short stories that examine what happens in the lives of characters who discover shocking truths about the people they thought they knew best.”
From the experts at Russell Books comes a recommendation for Janet Rogers’ new poetry collection, Peace in Duress in addition to several new fiction titles from B.C. authors, including Between by Angie Abdou, and The Evolutionist by Avi Sirlin (watch for his book launch with Russell Books in November), says events and marketing co-ordinator Vanessa Herman.
Henderson’s work also makes the top 10 fall fiction list at Bolen Books. Other must-reads include The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy by Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. In this “unique and separate love story alongside that of Harold Fry about Queenie Hennessy, the remarkable friend who inspired Harold’s incredible journey,” discover “the shocking and beautiful truth of Queenie’s life.”
Non-fiction
On the non-fiction shelves, watch for Harbour Publishing’s Echoes of British Columbia by Robert Budd (who has also produced the well-received Cloudwalker with Roy Henry Vickers). Publishing in October, the follow-up to Voices of British Columbia brings to life more captivating tales of our pioneering past.
Non-fiction recommendations from Bolen Books include the My 10 Best cookbooks series, featuring famous chefs such as Alain Ducasse, Daniel Boulud, Eric Ripert and Pierre Herme, So Anyway by John Cleese and Canadian Spacewalkers by Bob McDonald. Stop by the store to check out the full list.
What’s coming up:
Sept. 24 – Russell Books welcomes Lloyd Kahn, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 – #ReadWomen2014 with Angie Abdou, Caroline Adderson and Eve Joseph, 7:30 p.m. at Russell Books
Sept. 28 – Munro’s Books hosts the launch of local author Julie Paul’s new short story collection, The Pull of the Moon. Free; 7:30 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.)
Oct. 4 – Munro’s hosts the book launch for Lee Henderson’s The Road Narrows as You Go. Free; 7:30 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.)
Oct. 7 – Fall Verse with Ariel Gordon & Alreen Pare, 7:30 p.m. at Russell Books
Oct. 8 – Munro’s hosts a book launch and talk by Bee Time author Mark L. Winston. Free; 7:30 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.)
Oct. 14 – Bolen Books welcomes Robert ‘Lucky’ Budd, author of Echoes of British Columbia in the store.
Oct. 16 – Language of the Land with Tim Lilburn, Janet Rogers and Robert Budd, 7:30 p.m. at Russell Books
Oct. 17 – Bolen Books welcomes Matt Rader, author of What I Want to Tell You Goes Like This, in the store.
Oct. 23 – Munro’s Books hosts An Evening with Ann-Marie MacDonald, author of Adult Onset, 7:30 p.m. at Alix Goolden Hall, 907
Pandora Ave. (doors at 7 p.m.) Tickets $10, available at Munro’s or at the door.
Oct. 23 – Boundless author Kathleen Winter comes to Bolen Books.
Oct. 25 – Book signing with Who We Are author Elizabeth May, (time to be confirmed) at Munro’s Books.
Oct. 27 – Thomas King, author of The Back of the Turtle comes to Bolen Books.