Adult Book Gift List 2023
As Seen on CTV Your Morning
It’s not just kids’ books around here! Here are my 8 suggestions for the grown-up reader in your life, as seen on my December 20th CTV Your Morning segment.
In the Upper Country was shortlisted for almost every major Canadian literary award this fall and with good reason. This novel tells the story of two Black women who follow the Underground Railroad to an all-Black settlement in Canada— one is accused of murder, and the other is an assistant to a journalist tasked with getting her story. I love how historical fiction imbues history with heart and puts a face on the facts, and this was a gorgeous read featuring memorable characters. Sunshine Nails is the name of a nail salon owned by the Trans, a Vietnamese-Canadian family. When a big US salon chain threatens their business, all four family members grapple with family, legacy, and second chances in this warm, funny contemporary novel told from multiple points of view. The Whispers is a complex story about the secret lives of women that unfolds one shocking revelation after the other, right up until the last page, a great pick for lovers of domestic or psychological thrillers. What Wild Women Do is about a struggling screenwriter who stumbles upon the mystery of an heiress who ran a women’s retreat in the 70s who disappeared without a trace. Alternating between the two time periods and the perspectives of the screenwriter and the missing heiress, this novel is one part mystery, one part a story about self-discovery.
People You Know, Places You’ve Been is an intimate and introspective collection of observational poetry and art. I love how poetry invites the reader to slow down and consider the world in a different way. Author/illustrator Hana Shafi looks at ordinary things and people through a mythical lens- an antique shop becomes a palace, the girl in the laundromat becomes a main character. Whether you love poetry or are new to it, this is a delightful collection. The Lost Supper is a fascinating read that explores the archaeology of taste and how the key to sustainable food production may be found in the past. Full of fascinating tidbits and rich detail (puns intended!), there is something here for everyone- history buffs, foodies and chefs, people who love travelogues, and people interested in sustainable solutions.
For biography lovers, Life in Two Worlds tells the story of Indigenous hockey player and coach Ted Nolan. Nolan grew up in Garden River First Nation Reserve, played for the NHL, and then became a respected coach for the Buffalo Sabres. But despite incredible success, he was dropped by the Sabres. This book goes deep on what happened during those years in Buffalo and how it affected Ted, exposing prejudice, racism, and toxic power dynamics, and how eventually he found his way back to the game he loves. It’s no surprise that beloved Canadian musician Geddy Lee is a fantastic storyteller, and his autobiography My Effin’ Life covers a lot of ground. There are lots of behind-the-scenes stories about the rise of his band Rush, but he also delves into his childhood and personal history, including his parents horrific experiences as Jews in the Second World War.