8 Upcoming Canadian novels we can’t wait to get our hands on

TBR needs an update? No problem.

By Hannah Mercanti

Colourful books on a dark, wooden bookshelf. (Lubos Houska/Pixabay)

Ah, springtime. The beginning of a new season: birds singing, buds on the trees, shining sun and… a whole new array of Canadian books being released! But don’t worry, there’s no need to be overwhelmed by choice. We’ve gone through the best of the best to put together an ultimate Canadian new releases spring and summer reading list bound to add some colour and flair to your 2024 TBR schedule.

NONFICTION

North of Nowhere, Marie Wilson

Founded in 2008, The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established to record the previously hidden history of violent and forced residential schooling for Indigenous children across Canada. One of the commissioners leading this work was Marie Wilson, a journalist and the wife of former Dene Nation Chief Stephen Kakfwi.

In North of Nowhere, Wilson takes readers through her years witnessing the stories of survivors across Canada, providing her own take on the enduring value of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. North of Nowhere will be available on June 11, 2024.

Crooked Teeth, Danny Ramadan

From Syrian-Canadian novelist Danny Ramadan comes Crooked Teeth: A Queer Syrian Refugee Novel. Ramadan starts us off with stories of his family in Damascus, and follows his trek across multiple borders as he reckons with “a life spent out of place.” Delving into his journey of life as a queer refugee, the novel beautifully speaks on all the intricacies and difficulties that come along with that.

A “powerful refutation of the oversimplified refugee narrative,” Crooked Teeth will be available on May 28, 2024.

Monsters, Martyrs, and Marionettes, Adrienne Gruber

From Saskatoon-based essayist and poet Adrienne Gruber comes an electric collection of personal essays about motherhood and the intricacies of family life. Through detailing the births and early lives of her three daughters, Gruber shares with readers what it truly means to bring another life into the world- and the lasting consequences this has on both parties.

It isn’t uncommon for parents to shield the bad and present only the good. Here, it seems Gruber does the exact opposite, intimately welcoming us into her life and her version of parenthood. Monsters, Martyrs, and Marionettes can be purchased starting May 1, 2024.

FICTION

Dayspring, Anthony Oliveira

In a debut novel mixing poetry and prose, Dayspring by Anthony Oliveira is a queer retelling of one of the most famous books in history- the Bible. From the perspective of “the disciple that Christ loved,” Dayspring is an intimate retelling of biblical narratives asbut also a tender and emotional coming-of-age tale.

Originally a short story, a full version of Dayspring was published on April 2, 2024.

A Witch’s Guide to Burning, Aminder Dhaliwal

What originally began as a webcomic periodically posted to Instagram, A Witch’s Guide to Burning is now a full-fledged graphic novel by Canadian storyboard artist Aminder Dhaliwal. When the burning at the stake of a local witch is interrupted by a rainstorm, she is left to die, half-burnt with only minimal magic left in her. Luckily, she is found by a witch doctor and her toad friend, who make it their goal to save her and nurse her back to health.

Both a charming tale about a displaced witch and her magical friends and commentary about the insidious presence of burnout in our society, A Witch’s Guide to Burning will be available on May 28, 2024.

The Head, Robyn Braun

One day, Professor Trish Russo wakes up to find that the disembodied, but still living, head of an infant has somehow materialized in her home. Trish is unsure of what to do—it cries like a baby and makes sounds like one, so she figures she must take it with her to work.

At the office, her colleagues are disgusted- not by the head, but because she brought it to work. Put on leave, Trish goes to visit her parents, who react in a similar way to her colleagues.

No matter where she turns, Trish is blamed for this thing that she has seemingly no control over. Robyn Braun’s The Head, a bizarre and darkly funny take on trauma, workplace culture and the unsavoury ways that can manifest in our lives, will be available for purchase on May 7, 2024.

I Met Death and Sex Through My Friend, Tom Meuley, Thom Vernon

In this dark comedy by Thom Vernon, a Toronto high school teacher enlists the help of one of his students in the actioning of his gruesome suicide. Over the course of a 24-hour blizzard, the student, his best friend, his mother and a “low-down” cop must now do everything they can to hide the body and save each other before the storm ends.

I Met Death and Sex Through My Friend, Tom Meuley, will be available for purchase on May 1, 2024.

Bird Suit, Sydney Hegele

In the sleepy, tourist town of Port Peter, summers are marked by the hot sun and ripening of peaches— and also by the presence of the mysterious bird women who live in the meadow by the lake. When the summer finally ends and the tourists clear out, the girls in Port Peter left hanging with an unwanted pregnancy know what has to be done. They must deliver the baby to the bird women. The birds accept all of these babies- except for Georgia Jackson.

20 years later, Georgia is back in Port Peter and finds herself in the middle of a complicated mess of grief and emotion with her mother’s ex, his wife and their son. A folk tale described as “gorgeously strange, [and] marvellously written,” by Laird Hunt, author of Zorrie and In the House in the Dark of the Woods, Bird Suit by Sydney Hegele promises to be a debut novel that is as wildly strange as it is special and deeply emotional.

Write On! Write Now: How this literary open mic night is making its mark

The host of a weekly creative exhibition has designed a safe space for writers to express themselves

By: Zoie Karagiannis

Bampot House of Tea and Board Games is located on Harbord Street in Toronto. It’s the home of Write On! Write Now, a literary open mic hosted by Jen Frankel. (Mia Johnson/CanCulture) 

As an accomplished author, screenwriter and musician, Jen Frankel has a lot on her resume. She has written several novels spanning across all genres, including horror, fantasy, science fiction and the supernatural. Beyond her creative career, Frankel consistently aims to help people become better at their craft. She says her philosophy is to never put her own stamp on someone’s work or make anyone feel as though they’re having their voice taken away, but rather make suggestions that will help them get to their next draft. Frankel has been writing for about four decades, beginning seriously in her teens.

Most recently, she has become the creator and host of Write On! Write Now: Literary Open Mic Night in Toronto. Through this platform, writers are able to express their artistry in a safe environment.

At every weekly open mic, typically 10 to 20 creatives gather at the Bampot House of Tea and Board Games, a cozy teahouse with a Bohemian-like atmosphere and shelves-upon-shelves of board games to enjoy. From a senior Canadian sci-fi writer with a decades-long publishing record to a 19-year-old reading poetry for the first time, Frankel has seen artists from all different backgrounds.

At around 10-years-old, their youngest speaker Joseph read an excerpt with his mother, Alisse Lee Goldenberg, from a book they had written together. Titled Lucky at Bat, their creation is set to come out in December of 2022, and follows the story of a boy named Jack and his two rescue rats — one of whom has a talent for baseball. Goldenberg is the mother of triplets and a writer living in Toronto.

“Apparently he had so much fun he wants to come back!” Frankel says, laughing.

Since she was around 20-years-old, Frankel has been hosting literary open mics in whichever city she found herself in. She wanted to provide an outlet for people to demonstrate their creativity.

“I try to be very encouraging and welcoming because I don’t want people to feel like they're going to be critiqued,” Frankel said.

She began hosting Write On! Write Now events in late-April, starting bi-weekly and moving to every Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Jen Frankel also runs an online drop-in for writers, where once a week she is able to work on prompts and exercises, checking-in with fellow writers and interacting with them. (Courtesy of Jen Frankel)

Frankel says a lot of those who attend are university students who stumble across the open mics by accident. While some simply stay to listen, many have found the courage to go up and share their pieces.

Along with the skilled writers reading excerpts from their works, the Write On! Write Now stage has welcomed stand-up longform comedic monologues, scripts of screenwriters’ original soap operas and poems recited by artificial intelligence. Frankel fondly recounts intriguing poetry readings following the stream of consciousness of Lilith, a demonic figure of Mesopotamian mythology.

At the end of every performance, the room erupted in applause, the sense of support and community filling the air

The night I attended, I had the privilege of listening to a reading from The Face in the Marsh, a 2019 psychological thriller by Canadian author Elizabeth Hirst. As her pacing and tone set the scene, and as I held onto her every word, the twists and turns throughout the story had me constantly at the edge of my seat, awaiting and anticipating what was coming next.

The same night, I also listened to a first-time reader who had announced she was there to try public speaking and a man who had been presenting different chapters of his story every week. At the end of every performance, the room erupted in applause, the sense of support and community filling the air.

“It’s always transformative when you put work in another medium,” Frankel shared. “You learn a lot about your work as a writer if you speak it out loud – it can change entirely.”

She said that while you should write for yourself and not for others, knowing how different people will be impacted by your writing is valuable. Her open mics provide an opportunity to see how one’s stories can resonate with others.

Frankel believes young poets can benefit from hearing from more experienced writers — those who understand how to compose poetry by digging into the rhythm of their own words and the swings of their own phrases.

Through her open mics, she has fostered a built-in acceptance for the underrepresented voices and stories that don’t often get heard. She emphasizes the importance of showcasing and hearing from different perspectives; without representation, other writers and listeners may not feel acknowledged or welcomed.

“We’ve had some young poets who have come from Syria and the Middle East, and they have these lived experiences and are very active as human rights activists,” Frankel noted. “When they share them, you see those who were born in Canada become eye-opened, and you see the places where they recognize their own human experiences. I love seeing their responses.”

Frankel also understands that for many writers, platforms for getting their work out are not accessible to everyone. As someone with experience in the publishing industry, Frankel tries her best to promote websites and databases of publishers and agents to those who want to pursue a career in writing or get a story published. She always wants to make sure people feel their voices are strengthened and embraced.

“No one as a writer is in competition with anyone else. We all have our own ideas and our own voice,” Frankel said.  

Frankel also hosts a Hamilton Literary Open Mic for Keeping Six, an established harm-reduction organization that advocates for the rights of people who use drugs. There, writers with lived experience or knowledge of substance abuse, or who simply know someone who's been affected, are able to present their work. She hopes to start a second Write On! Write Now in Hamilton, the place she calls home.

Community in vulnerability: Celebrating intergenerational stories in Generation Women Canada launch

Women from across generations share insightful stories about their ever-changing relationship with their bodies

By: Natalie Vilkoff

Speakers and organizers of Generation Women Canada on stage at The Lounge at Live Nation in Toronto. (Courtesy of @generation_women_ca via Instagram)

This article contains mentions of sexual assault.

Six women of six different generations shared their stories about their relationships with their bodies in an honest and touching night of performances — the first night of many to come.

‘Flesh and Bone: Stories About the Female Body,’ was the theme of the Oct. 18 launch of Generation Women Canada, a storytelling event that began in New York City, to create a space for women to feel “validated, respected, and seen,” according to the Generation Women Canada website.

“I really wanted to highlight intergenerational storytelling, especially women's voices,” said Jennifer Baxendale, the host and producer of the launch.

Baxendale and her producing partner Kirstin Turnbull saw a Generation Women show in 2020. They were so inspired by it that they signed up to bring it to Canada. She added that she wanted it to be a space where women can connect and learn from one another, despite differences in age and background.

Karen Cleveland, a Toronto-based marketing strategist and writer, was the speaker representing team 40s.

“When you get a group of women together, something special always happens,” said Cleveland. “And that was the appeal for me: being alongside such an interesting group of women that I probably would never otherwise be in the same room with.”

Cleveland added the most valuable thing for her was being able to hear from a collective of diverse women — from their identity to their race to their age, each woman had a story to share that was shaped by their lived experiences.

“That's the real magic of the event: bringing together different voices across different generations and celebrating their experience,” she added.

Mental health advocate and public speaker Ghanwa Shahnawaz, who represented the 20s, said that she felt so nervous she wanted to bolt from the stage — but once she started talking, she was glad to have the space to share her story.

On stage, Shahnawaz shared her experience of sexual assault as a young girl, and how it took her years to figure out what her body meant to her.

“What I hope people will take away from it is not just my relationship with my body, but also to know that you're not in it alone, that there are other survivors out there,” she said.

Shahnawaz added that it was different from sharing stories on her Instagram where she only goes as far as she’s comfortable. “This really required me to be out of my comfort zone. It’s very different when you have everyone sitting in front of you,” she explained.

While preparing her speech, Shahnawaz said that she was thinking of her younger self. She added that she had a picture of herself in elementary school next to her as she was writing.

“I think if Grade 3 Ghanwa was sitting in the audience hearing that, I would have felt a huge burden lifted off my shoulders, and I wouldn’t have blamed myself for years,” she said. “My whole story would be different.” 

Despite the uncertainty she felt about sharing a subject as personal as her body, Shahnawaz said that sharing her story in front of a supportive audience brought her a sense of calm.

“I felt empowered, I felt relieved, and I felt a bit more healed,” she said.

The next Generation Women theme is ‘Promises Made, Promises Broken’ and will take place on Jan. 24. After such a successful launch, Baxendale said she plans to keep the show running in Toronto and hopes to take it to other major Canadian cities.

TMU students’ most loved gothic and thriller books this Halloween season

Immerse yourself in worlds where superstitions come to life and the dark talks back to you

By: Melanie Nava Urribarri

A book of horrors is displayed by a large tree amidst autumn leaves on a dark, foggy October morning. (Melanie Nava Urribarri/CanCulture)

As the final days of October set in, with the air getting colder and the nights getting darker, the need to curl up and read a good goosebump-inducing novel under the eerie moonlight may just creep up on you. 

The thrill can be intoxicating and the need to satiate it is just as strong.

Luckily, if you’re low on ideas to dive into before the gloomy autumn charm ends, you won’t need witchcraft. Here are some Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) students’ favourite stories for you to explore this spooky season:

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

This Gothic romance came up more than once among students. For second-year journalism student Kyana Alvarez, it was the mystery aspect that sold her.

“I’ve always been scared of someone or something living in the walls, so this book played into my own fears,” said Alvarez.

Author Charlotte Brontë uses many gothic elements to enhance the obscurity of the story and raise our anxiety.

“Seeing and hearing things you can’t explain or see but knowing it’s there is super freaky because you never know what could happen,” Alvarez adds.

Political science student Malaury Bien-Aime agrees and also mentions that the mystery from a feminist perspective is refreshing.

“It's a novel that changes perspective for women because Jane is not the societal norm in the 18th century,” said Bien-Amie. “It’s easy to feel her fears throughout the mystery because the character is relatable.”

The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe

Poe’s electrifying prose is sure to make you shiver and send a chill up your spine. Published in 1843, this Gothic horror classic isn’t a novel, but a short story that follows the narrator’s descent into madness.

“It’s just the gore of it that is actually traumatizing. It’s just so detailed it makes me perfectly imagine it and it feels gross in exciting ways,” said third-year chemistry student Cristina Díaz. 

The Black Cat wonderfully illustrates Poe’s take on the capacity of the human mind to be aware of its own deterioration.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Another classic — this time with a sprinkle of sci-fi to give it life — comes recommended by second-year business management student Teresa Baricevic. Frankenstein is not only filled with hair-raising perspectives on human nature but a great connection to modern issues of control and sexuality. 

“It’s a story of finding peace within oneself and a search for identity,” said Baricevic. “The imagery from the beautiful scenery and nature in Switzerland reflects the peace both Victor Frankenstein and The Creature crave.”

Frankenstein holds so many entrancing layers. If you aren’t reading for the captivating thrill, it’s still well worth getting lost in Mary Shelley’s criticisms of the patriarchal society and examinations of the human condition.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

This book is an award-winning 2020 gothic horror novel by a Mexican-Canadian author Silvia Moreno-Garcia. The story centres around a young woman uncovering treacherous secrets and stories of violence within family. 

“When a character starts to question their grip on reality and the reader knows something isn’t right, it’s so thrilling and sometimes fear-inducing,” said Alvarez, providing insight into another favourite of hers. She added that because she’s “a huge scaredy cat,” the suspense in this book really got to her. 

This novel has influences and inspirations from Mexican folklore, which not only makes it a novel perfect for Halloween, but also for Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated in October in Ontario.

If these novels aren’t quite to your taste, you may find second-year journalism student Fatima Raza’s recommendation more helpful. The most horrifying book she’s read for this season is, and will always be, her textbook.

Top 7 LGBTQ+ book recommendations from Lavender Literature Book Club

If your reading list needs an update, we’ve got your back.

By: Hannah Mercanti

(Edson Rosas/Unsplash)

With the summer coming to a close, it's easy to get caught up in the motions of our busy day-to day-lives. From a fresh school year to the exciting prospect of a new job, our responsibilities  can force reading for fun to take a backseat in our lives.

Fortunately, Jade Falsetti, founder of Lavender Literature, has some of the best book recommendations in the game. Lavender Literature is a sapphic book club located in Toronto that focuses on LGBTQ+ literature, and together we’ve curated a list of books packed with queer characters and themes to make sure your reading list has never looked better.

@lavenderliterature Lavender literature is a sapphic book club! Connect with us virtually from anywhere in the world, or partipate in local activities in Toronto :) #wlw #gay #queer #booktok #lgbt #lesbiansoftiktok #nonbinary #toronto #queertiktok #queerbookclub #queerbooktok ♬ original sound - Lavender Literature aka Jade

She Who Became The Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

Featured as Lavender Literature’s January 2022 Book of the Month, She Who Became The Sun follows Zhu, a Chinese peasant desperate to escape her fated life of nothingness.

Following the death of her brother, Zhu decides to follow through with his fate of greatness. After taking on his identity, Zhu forges her own path to survival and eventual success.

This genderqueer retelling of a piece of Chinese history explores a uniquely nuanced perspective of the dynamics between gender and personal identity. For queer readers looking for historical fiction and fantasy novels, Falsetti recommends She Who Became The Sun. 

The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe

Nora O’Malley swears she has left crime—and her con-artist mother—behind in favour of a normal, 17-year-old life.  Even so, old habits die hard. When Nora, her girlfriend, and her ex-boyfriend find themselves in a hostage situation Nora has no choice but to break out her old skills to ensure they all get out alive.

For queer readers who aren’t exclusively looking for romance novels, Falsetti feels this title is perfect. This thriller is packed with queer characters and themes while also providing readers with twists and turns guaranteed to keep them on the edge of their seats until the very last page.

Her Name In The Sky by Kelly Quindlen

A classic best friends-to-lovers slowburn, Her Name In The Sky follows Hannah and Baker, best friends trying to navigate high school life in their religious, conservative community in Louisiana. 

When Hannah starts to realize she has romantic feelings towards Baker, the two must work together to unlearn everything they’ve ever known about what love can look like if their relationship can ever come to fruition.

Quindlen is a favourite over at Lavender Literature, and her titles are frequently featured as books-of-the-month, or books-of-the-week, for shorter novels. If you're a reader looking for romantic LGBTQ+ stories, Falsetti recommends looking no further than Her Name in the Sky, or any other novels by Quindlen.

@lavenderliterature Wlw our younger selves needed when we were thirteen #wlwbooks #sapphicreads #booktok #lgbtbooks ♬ original sound - Lavender Literature aka Jade

Annie On My Mind by Nancy Garden

On a rainy day in New York City, 17-year-olds Liza and Annie meet for the first time. Quickly developing from fast friends to romantic partners, the two girls must rely on each other to help realize their identities understand the intricacies of their first queer relationship.

Named during a phone interview by Falsetti as a book every queer reader should have on their list, Annie on My Mind is a classic love story seen through an LGBTQ+ lens — similar to Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper comics. Queer characters are not always afforded happy endings in mainstream media, so readers on the lookout for something sweet need to look no further than Annie On My Mind.

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

Teenager Nishat is beyond sick of living life in the closet both at home and at her Catholic school. In Jaigirdar’s debut novel, the enemies-to-lovers trope is turned on its head after a charismatic and beautiful childhood friend re-enters Nishat’s life and sets up a rival henna stand at the school's entrepreneurial contest.

Jaigirdar does a beautiful job of exploring the intersections of sexual identity and cultural identity for South Asian youth, a topic not frequently explored in media. For readers looking for a fun, romantic novel with in depth themes of how race and sexuality can intersect, Falsetti recommends The Henna Wars.

The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

A favourite of both TikTok's self-proclaimed 'booktok' community and the Lavender Literature team, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo follows the title character, an old Hollywood star who hires a young author to write her life story.

Dramatic and high-concept, this story follows Evelyn's whirlwind romance with co-star Celia St. James and her experiences with her aforementioned husbands.
For queer readers craving deep tales of romance and history, Falsetti suggests checking out The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo.

Last Night At The Telegraph Club by Melinda Lo

In 1950’s San Francisco, the Red Scare has the nation deep in anti-communist sentiments; civil liberties for Americans have never been stricter. This does not bode well for 17-year-old Chinese-American Lily Hu, who’s growing relationship with Kathleen, a girl she met at a lesbian bar, threatens to put both of them in immense danger.

Under the looming threat of deportation, Kathleen and Lily must risk everything they have if they ever want the chance to live out their authentic lives.

Back in May of 2021, Last Night At The Telegraph Club was the first ever featured Book of the Month at Lavender Literature. For readers on the lookout for historical fiction with a deep, emotional love story, Falsetti proposes Last Night At The Telegraph Club.

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A post shared by Jade Falsetti 🌈 (@jadefalsetti)

Lavender Literature can be found on Instagram, TikTok and on their website. They consistently post their Book of the Week and Book of the Month online, as well as a reading guide. Simply message the team on Instagram and you can join weekly or monthly sapphic book club meetings. It’s a perfect way to meet likeminded queer people in Toronto.

Toronto Metropolitan University students share what they love about their favourite books

A look at the reasons behind our favourite books

By: Sania Ali

(Unsplash)

Books have always been a means to learn, experience and be exposed to more outside knowledge. It can be easy to lose yourself in the world of fiction or non-fiction, characters and worlds to escape our own — after all, who knew books could be so impactful? 

According to the Canadian Leisure and Reading Study, Canadians read more broadly in 2020.  There are loads of reasons why books mean what they do to the people who love them. There’s no doubt about it, people have been reading and loving more books every day. So we decided to speak to students at TMU to ask them what they like about books, and what their favourite books may be. 

There are often unexpected reasons why some books are desired by certain people more than others. My favourite book is A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. Although the book is extremely graphic and a difficult read, I try to reread the book once a year. The uncomfortable experiences delivered from the perspective of the characters are so intriguing to me, and I find the approach to conveying those characters and feelings extremely encapsulating.

While I like A Thousand Splendid Suns because of its unrelatable plot and approach to writing, other students may have different reasons for their favourite read. 

Jed Kevin Perada, a second-year media production student, said that his favourite book, The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien, inspires bravery. “There's a part where Bilbo Baggins walks down this little quarter, and he carries a sword and he's shaking and he's about to approach the dragon,” said Perada. “That's just an inspiring scene for me. It motivated me to take more risks in my life.” 

Oftentimes, books can act like reflections that encourage readers to question their life while also allowing readers to see themselves through the books. Second-year TMU fashion student, Samantha Gietl, feels a connection to her favourite book for that exact reason. Gietl’s favourite book is #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso. The story follows author Sophia Amoruso’s journey from dumpster diving to founding the fast-growing clothing business Nasty Gal. As a fashion student, Gietl feels inspired by Amoruso’s rise in the fashion industry. “It’s really empowering for females, especially in the creative world, just to go out and do something that wouldn't stereotypically be seen as a career option. She defied the odds and made it possible.”  

Gietl isn’t the only one whose favourite book reflects her career aspirations. Audrey Persaud is a first-year photography student whose favourite book is actually a photo book that documents images around the world. Accidentally Wes Anderson by Wes Anderson is a #1 bestseller on Amazon, reflecting the filmmaker’s personal photography of real-life places that look like they belong in the director’s films. Persaud finds inspiration from Anderson’s works as a student of photography herself. “I draw a lot of inspiration from them, but I also really like travelling and it kind of combines the two,” she said.

At times, readers find that authors can put complicated feelings and situations into words and this draws them to indulge in books that cover difficult topics. Yousif Hassan’s favourite book is set in Egypt, a place where he’s also from. The second-year Media Production student finds the narrative of manifestation extremely insightful and finds the read an “underrated book.”

Although there are many reasons why a book may be your favourite, whether it may be connecting to a character, drawing career aspirations from the plot or falling in love with the storyline — we can all agree that books bring all sorts of people together in unexpected ways. The humanization of the characters we consume allows individuals to see themselves in novels while also sympathizing with emotions and unfamiliar characters. 

So, what’s your favourite book?

5 Ways to Give Life to Your Books After You’re Done with Them

Everyone loves that accomplished feeling of finishing a book, but now that you’re done with it, what should you do with the thing? Here are a few ideas!

By: Mariana Schuetze

Summer break is upon us, and you might be getting back into your time-consuming hobbies. For me, that’s going to be reading — though one thing does come up when I keep devouring one book after the other: what to do with the physical copies of the books after you finished reading them? 

One simple thing I’ve started doing in the last couple of years is reading on an e-reader, like the Kindle. But I know there is nothing quite like the feeling of holding a good copy of a book in your hands (and don’t get me started on the palpable smell of its fresh pages). So here are a few ideas for what you can do with your book after you’ve finished reading it!

1. Paint them

Let’s start this list with the most controversial idea I could come up with: decorate your books. If you’re an artsy person, or just want to try it out, you could gather the books you’ve read and paint or draw on them. You could write little poems that relate to the story, or maybe draw what you imagine a character looks like. This way, you can still preserve the story in the book, if that’s important to you, but now there are some unique details to it that make the text unique only to you and your idiosyncrasies. 

What I think I would do, since I’m not the most talented painter, is try some watercolour painting to create a nice first page for the book. One thing to keep in mind if you choose to go this route is that you’ll probably need to put in some sort of protective layer, like a piece of craft paper, in between the page you want to paint and the rest of the book. This way, the paint doesn’t bleed through. And don’t forget to let it properly dry! 

I decided to decorate one of my favourite books: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. I coloured the Hogwarts flag using each of the houses' colours. (Mariana Schuetze/CanCulture)

I also tried painting Pride flags on an old book. I used watercolour paint and I actually think it looks really cool! (Mariana Schuetze/CanCulture)

2. Use them for arts and crafts

Now, if you don’t mind cutting up and ripping out some pages of your book, you could use its pieces to do some arts and crafts. You can use some pages to do blackout poetry, or you can cut out some words and use them to create collages. You also can glue things onto the page and make a cute scrapbook out of the entire book. 

I actually created a Pinterest board with some fun ideas for a few art pieces you can create out of a book you don’t care too much for. 

My mom and I even tried doing some collages using old books and magazines (Mariana Schuetze/CanCultrue).

3. Create an exchange program with your friends 

Back to talking about those dear books that you might not want to risk ruining for art: what about lending them to some friends? You can create a book exchange program with your family and friends where you trade your favourite books and then talk about them. 

Another idea: you could all do some sort of White Elephant game where everyone brings a book they’ve read and you all get to go around choosing another book to read next. You can add to this by wrapping up the books and writing only a brief synopsis on top. This can be a fun game that can even turn into a monthly book club. Every month you can all bring a book you’ve read to lend to someone else; when the month is up, everyone does a short presentation on what they enjoyed (or even hated) about their chosen book. This can give some life to those books you love too much to get rid of. 

4. Use them as personalized gifts

This is my favourite idea! So, let’s say you read a book you really enjoyed and now think one of your friends might appreciate it too. You can personalize the book with sweet messages and insightful annotations and then wrap it up to make it look like a present. Now you have an amazing gift full of love that you can give to your friend on the next special occasion. I am sure your fellow book-lover will appreciate it very much! 

5. Sell or donate them

One more common way to give your book a new purpose after you’re done reading it is to sell it online or donate it. Selling it on websites like Amazon or even in an in-person yard sale can be a great way to make some extra money and share the book with other people in a more affordable way. On the other hand, places like public libraries, thrift stores and charitable organizations, like The Children’s Book Bank in Toronto, are always looking for new donations of books.

I hope this little list helps you make the most out of the books that have given us so much! If you do end up making some art with it and post it to your social media, we’d love it if you tagged us @canculturemag so we can see what you’ve created!

Rekindling an old flame: 6 tips for how to fall back in love with reading

Re-ignite the reader in you

By: Aishah Ashraf

(Thought Catalog/Unsplash)

Reading is a hobby that many young adults have seemed to abandon in their teenage years. Despite the booming sensation and rising popularity of BookTube and, most recently, BookTok, studies have shown that leisure reading is declining in students. 

Growing up, I was one of the biggest bookworms. Each week I looked forward to visiting the library to pick out a new book to escape into. My love of libraries was further bolstered when I became a library helper, finding any excuse to surround myself with walls of books. But it was Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series that really sparked my interest in the fourth grade. I became attached to the ability to travel to new worlds with fascinating stories as I read book after book in the series. Then came a plethora of other novels that kept me glued to the pages as I explored a dystopian world with tyrants or followed along a character's journey toward love.

Then I started high school, and everything changed. Even though I signed out a book during my first week of school, I never got a chance to read it. Life got in the way and I had too much on my plate for leisure reading. 

Despite all these years since then, my love for reading hasn't been completely re-ignited yet. As a result of wishful thinking, I purchase a lot of books that intrigue me, thinking I'll eventually get to them, but never do. And now that my room is literally filled with hundreds of books (no exaggeration) that I've bought in the past year, here are six tips to help us all overcome the dreaded reading slump!

1. Immerse yourself in the reading community

There is an ever-growing community of book readers both online and offline. If you're looking to get back into reading, there are countless resources available to you. Whether you decide to do it from the comfort of your own home via BookTok and BookTube, or by joining a local book club, these avenues offer a simple transition to get into the habit of reading. 

Meeting individuals who share similar interests will give you a sense of excitement about the possibilities of stories you can explore. You can delve into conversations about your top books, your preferred tropes and exciting theories, all while fangirling over who your favourite book-boyfriend is. Through social media, you can also see people raving about the most popular books, getting you excited about diving back into the community. The Internet has a niche for every possible interest and a place where everyone can feel at home.

2. Take advantage of progress-tracking platforms 

Platforms such as Goodreads or Storygraph are a great way to document your progress and attach a glimmer of productivity to your hobby. These applications allow you to create digital libraries and manage all the books you have read while publishing your ratings and reviews. Along with tracking your previous reads, you can arrange the books you intend to read by compiling a TBR (To Be Read) list, making sure you're always looking forward to the next read. 

For people who enjoy competitions, you can use these apps to set a reading challenge for yourself. Establish your goal for the number of pages or books you’d like to read during the year and try your best to stick to it. Even better, get your reading buddies involved and make it a fun group activity. Place some spirited bets and plan an end-of-the-year celebration where everyone can share their results and have a good time.

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3. Set a dedicated time to read

Although we love to complain about our hectic lifestyles that prevent us from reading, the truth is that we usually haven’t invested the effort. We spend countless hours during the day absentmindedly scrolling through our phones but why not replace that with some leisurely reading? 

Researchers have found that screen time should be limited before bedtime, so what better way to unwind from the day than reading that book you've been meaning to get around to. Once you set aside a specific amount of time to read, you'll soon find yourself bargaining for even more time to finish the book you’re engrossed in. There are 24 hours in the day, so let's choose to explore new hobbies instead of letting the hours aimlessly fly by.

4. Re-read an old favourite

The passion to read is often lost due to a lack of reminders of what brought us into it in the first place. It could mean rereading a book or series that takes you back to an important moment in your life. I grew up absolutely mesmerized by Kiera Cass’ Selection series and have reread the entire trilogy multiple times throughout my life. Every time I do so, I am reminded of the euphoric feeling you can only experience when you're so consumed by a book that you simply can't put it down. Vivid images play in your mind as you follow the story like a film that seems to take a new shape with every new page.

5. Read for quality, not quantity

Although many members of the reading space read at rapid paces, try not to let anyone's progress discourage you from getting back in the swing of things. Several people read upwards of five, ten or even twenty books a month, but everyone is welcome to go at their own pace. Healthy competition can be an encouraging tool for some, but it is important not to compare your progress with others. Reading should never feel like a burden or a chore. Read for the passion and the experience rather than the numbers or the competition. Soak in the feelings that these stories evoke and the effect that they have on you. Embrace the thrill of escaping into new realms and meeting new people who encompass the ability to blur the lines between fiction and reality.

6. Don’t be afraid to DNF

Perhaps the most important piece of advice for new readers is to not be afraid to DNF (Do/Did Not Finish). A term such as this can be found on platforms such as Goodreads and Storygraph, both of which convey the message that incomplete reading is perfectly fine. It may seem unproductive and difficult to abandon a book when we want to increase the number of books we have read. However, continuing to read something that does not even remotely interest you only encourages the aversion of reading. Some books just aren’t going to be to your liking and that’s completely fine. Don't let the nagging voice in your head stop you from discovering new interests and having fun while you’re reading. 

Getting into the habit of reading might be challenging at first but it is so worth it once you get into the groove of things. Just like anything else, it’s a muscle you have to train; the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Dust off those old book covers and rekindle your passion for reading, reclaiming that part of you that's been buried for far too long.

7 bookstores to help you explore Toronto

Grab a coffee and spend the day exploring bookstores all over the city

By: Arjot Sandhawalia

(Pauline Loroy/Unsplash)

Canadian Independent Bookstore Day is approaching on April 30! Celebrate by visiting a new bookstore — we’ve rounded up seven must-visit local spots around Toronto for you to check out.

1. BMV

BMV (also known as Book Movies Videos) is a secondhand bookstore with three different locations across Toronto. They carry a variety of vintage books, magazines, memorabilia, vinyls, CDs and so much more. The majority of their stock is older and you can find some really cool, eclectic items while browsing. The prices are extremely reasonable, so you can go and purchase everything your heart desires. 

BMW is not just a bookstore, it has something for everyone so long as you take the time to look. 

2. Arcadia Art and Rare Books

Established in 1931, Arcadia Art and Rare Books is one of Toronto's oldest bookstores. They are also a secondhand bookstore. The majority of their stock consists of antique books and they specialize in carrying work about architecture, photography and other art-related topics. 

The store itself is super cozy and gives you a very warm welcome as you enter. They even host events like poetry readings. Arcadia Books is located at 232 Queen St. E. 

Arcadia Books storefront and shelves. (Courtesy of Arcadia Books)

3. A Different Booklist

A Different Booklist is located at 799 Bathurst St. and has a diverse collection of books and authors. The store primarily sells works written by BIPOC authors and has all genres ranging from political studies to biographies to fiction. Their inventory has representation for just about anyone entering their doors. 

They host a variety of book launches throughout the year to promote BIPOC authors, especially lesser known ones. Check out their website for their vast collection.

A Different Booklist owner Itah Sadu (Courtesy of Nick Lachance)

4. Ben McNally Books

Located at 400 King St. E., Ben McNally Books has an inventory that is always changing to meet their clientele's needs. They take pride in their requests for recommendations and do their best to expand their shelves, which are filled top-to-bottom with novels. They've even installed some makeshift shelves to help with the load. 

The store itself has an old and simplistic feel which makes the entire experience even better. They have mentioned on their website that they are currently looking to move, so their location will change. However, they are hoping to create a very similar look to the new store.

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5. Glad Day Bookshop

Glad Day Bookshop, found at 499 Church St., is a bookstore created specifically for the LGBTQ+ community. They carry a wide range of books written by Canadian authors who identify as part of the queer community. Originally opened in 1970, the store has become a staple in its neighbourhood and fosters an open and welcoming environment. 

Glad Day also provides a monthly subscription for those looking to discover new authors and books. The boxes are selected by staff, which allows for the customers to receive the best and most current recommendations. 

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6. D&E Lake Books 

D&E Lake is an antique bookstore located at 239 King St. E. While they do sell a range of modern-day books, their main specialty is rare novels from the 15th to 19th centuries. They also specialize in a variety of antiques such as manuscripts, coins, prints, paintings, jewellery and more. 

Many of their works are created by Canadians, making D&E Lake the true definition of a Canadian antique and vintage store. 

They have two websites: one for when you want to simply browse their detailed catalogue, and one for when you want to purchase items. 

D&E Lake Books Storefront (Via D&E Lake Books)

7. Page & Panel: The TCAF Shop

Page and Panel: The Toronto Comics Art Festival is a bookstore that specializes in comic books, manga and other types of picture books. They carry a diverse range of works that represents both adults and children from the LGBTQ+ community, the Black community and more. 

They are also aiming to create works that can be exclusively found at their store. Located at 789 Yonge St., all of the profits go toward supporting The Toronto Comic Art Festival. 

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CanCulture’s top 5 Canadian BookTok recommendations

If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok in hopes of discovering your next book to splurge on, we have you covered.

By: Apurva Bhat

(Konstantin Dyadyun/Unsplash)

I think we can all agree that TikTok is an addicting app. With over one billion monthly users, the platform has it all: fashion recommendations, day-in-the-life vlogs, skits and, one of my favorites, book suggestions. 

The term “BookTok” is one that you may or may not have heard of, but its hashtag is extremely popular on the social media app and has over 47 billion views. Books such as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid and It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover have received immense popularity through TikTok. 

Given that there are so many recommendations to go through, we felt that it was only appropriate to create a list of Canadian authors receiving all the love on BookTok!

Citizen: Season One by Maggie Ray

Similar to Divergent and The Hunger Games, Citizen: Season One is a young-adult, dystopian novel. When a new cure for mental illnesses is introduced in the city of Reye, Sabine LeRoux is one of the first few to receive it. The enforceable cure is one that Sabine takes willingly. However, things don’t go as she had planned. 

When Sabine wakes up after weeks of being unconscious since taking the cure, she finds out that her best friend Rory has gone missing. What’s weird? No one cares about Rory’s whereabouts. What’s even weirder? The cure has not worked on her. 

Buy Citizen: Season One on Amazon!

@maggierays in a world where people are "cured" of mental illness... #dystopianbooks #booktokcanada #dystopianauthor #indieauthorsoftiktok #selfpublishedauthor ♬ original sound - THANK YOU FOR 14K❤️

Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily R. Austin

Twenty-something Gilda is obsessed with death and the idea of dying — it’s all she can think or talk about. She’s depressed, anxious, loves animals and is a lesbian atheist that stumbles across a free therapy poster at a local church. When she visits the therapist’s office, she is mistaken as a candidate for a job posting and is instantly hired to replace the recently deceased receptionist Grace. 

The book explores Gilda’s interactions and thoughts as she explores this new side of her life which requires her to hide her new girlfriend and the fact that she knows barely anything about the church or God. Oh and also, Gilda becomes a suspect in Grace’s murder.

Buy Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead on Amazon, Audible and Indigo.

@_edgar_allan_hoe i think we should start recommending different books for once lol #booktok #books #reader #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #28DaysOfEucerin #bettysmith #everyoneinthisroomwillsomedaybedead #atreegrowsinbrooklyn ♬ Choking on Flowers - Fox Academy

Woman World by Aminder Dhaliwal

What if men became extinct? 

This graphic novel explores a world with no men in it. When a birth defect wipes out half of the population, women in the world rise to the occasion. This comedic dystopia focuses on a group of women and how they tackle this new extinction alongside their traumas, fears and individual journeys. 

Dhaliwal’s entertaining comic strips seamlessly move the story forward and gracefully introduces feminist concerns such as self-expression and relationships.

Read a preview of Woman World here. Buy Woman World on Amazon, Google Play Books and Bookshop.

@gimmykibbler just wanted to share this book with you 😌 Woman World by Aminder Dhaliwal #foryou #fyp #wlw #lqbtq #lesbian #bi #women ♬ Nice Boys - TEMPOREX

The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

This slow-burn might leave you wanting more towards the end. Written by New York Times bestselling author Silvia Moreno-Garcia, The Beautiful Ones follows the protagonist Nina as she makes her debut in the city of Loisail, where she hopes to climb the social hierarchical ranks and find a husband (Bridgerton vibes). Her societal debut, however, turns out to be disastrous after members of the community find out about the uncontrollable outcomes of her telekinetic abilities. 

In the midst of all this, Hector Auvray walks into her life. He is also a telekinetic (but one that has made his place in society). 

But their story isn’t like the others. Despite how perfect they may seem for each other, Loisail’s scandalous society and Hector’s past might ruin their relationship before it even begins. 

Buy The Beautiful Ones on Amazon and Google Play Books. 

@kaliereads The Beautiful Ones — 5/5⭐️ such a beautiful, character driven story! #thebeautifulones #silviamorenogarcia #kaliereads #historicalromance ♬ original sound - kaliereads

You Will Remember Me by Hannah Mary McKinnon

Based on the many (MANY) reviews on Goodreads, this thriller-mystery has an ending that is unpredictable and “twisted.” 

The story starts with a man waking up on a beach in Maryland with very few memories of his past and a gash on his head. With some hazy memories and a limited understanding of who he is, he ends up in Maine where his sister Maya recognizes him despite not seeing him for years. To his sister, he’s Asher.

While this is happening, the book’s third protagonist Lily goes to the police because her boyfriend Jack is missing after he didn’t come back from a swim. The twist? Jack and Asher are the same person. 

Lily starts an investigation of her own and finds Jack in Maine only to realize that he lied about his name, among other things.

You Will Remember Me intrigued me in ways I can’t explain, and TikTok convinced me it’s one of those books that I need to read. All I’m wondering now is how he got the gash on his head and why he lied!?

BuyYou Will Remember Me on Amazon, Google Play Books and Indigo.

@hannahmarymckinnon My 5th novel YOU WILL REMEMBER ME is in the @globeandmail ! ❤️😁🥳 #booktok ♬ You Make Me Happy - My Sun and Stars

Please note that the stores linked are only some of the platforms you can purchase the books from — consider supporting your local independent bookshop too!

In the eyes of the beholder: Victoria West’s poetry debut 'Sunset in Toronto'

Victoria West published her debut poetry novel on Oct. 28, 2021

By: Ionna Hipolito

Canadian writer Victoria West. (Courtesy of Victoria West)

To find beauty where it may not often be present, and to discover hope where life may not always offer hope, is a gift only the truest of optimists possess. 

Canadian writer Victoria West’s latest poetry release, Sunset in Toronto, explores the themes of life, loss, love and family. West divides the book into three sections: Feelings, Experiences and Places.

For 10 years, West wrote about fashion in Toronto and was involved in different events in the fashion scene. “It was really enjoyable … and I enjoyed every minute of it,” she explained. But with this new release of poetry, West is excited to start a new chapter in her life. 

When COVID-19 came along, West felt as if her social life plummeted, like everyone else’s. With the lack of social activities, West began working from home, and there came an increase in her creative endeavours. “I had not attended any more fashion events during these past two years because of COVID,” noted West. Naturally, this is how her attention shifted from fashion to poetry. 

Sunset in Toronto came to be because West began reading poetry books and finally gained the inspiration to start writing her own. For many, poetry is typically subjective and enables them to absorb thoughts and feelings meaningfully. Others read poetry to find someone to relate to — to lose themselves in somebody else’s world and revel in the wonders of their words. 

The book highlights what it means to connect emotions with the mind; West ensured that her audience could recognize these emotions each time they go through the pages and ensured that her writing did not make readers feel pity. Instead, readers can understand her point of view, even as far as feeling understood themselves. Sunset in Toronto is an easy and engaging read, as the real-life narrative explored throughout the book magnifies what it means to look forward to every moment the reader experiences for the rest of their life.

Sunset in Toronto front cover, designed by Victoria West. (Courtesy of Victoria West)

Poetry can tell a small story alone or portray an existing situation. In the case of Sunset in Toronto, West’s life is conveyed in a storytelling format. Many compelling poems are only a few lines long but still have many layers that readers can unpack. 

This poetry book is a dedication to West’s late mother. It gives readers a glimpse into some of the happiest — and most vulnerable — moments of her life. 

Sunset in Toronto includes many familial-related poems that warm even the coldest hearts. The love West has for her mother and son was a constant throughout the book.

With this, West wishes her mother were here to read the book herself and expressed that maybe the poetry would have looked different if her mother had been there to read it.

“I would have wanted her to be a part of it, to witness it,” West expressed. “I simply wish we had more time, but the bottom line is … it's never enough when you lose a parent. You think it's never enough.”

Only a person who is sure of themselves can be such a positive example of love for those around her. Everyone has a different opinion about love and what it takes for them to communicate it. But for West, one way of expressing love was reading her son to sleep every night when he was a baby. “He grew to love books and is a big reader now … I loved tucking him in at night.” 

There is a clear description of all kinds of love in many stages throughout Sunset in Toronto. The intimacy and closeness West has with her family allowed her to explore a wide range of emotions, from extreme joy and compassion to grieving, which made her writing compelling and relatable. 

After a handful of hardships, it emphasizes her progress in achieving self-appreciation, independence and overall self-love. West suggests that anyone who has experienced a breakup or has indulged in romantic explorations to explore themselves. She said that “self-love is a good way to help you overcome the pain … and take care of yourself. Take care of your heart.”

West’s Sunset in Toronto paints a perfect picture of the most significant moments in the author’s life, even the most painful parts. Her words show what it means to live life to the fullest. Despite this being her first poetry book, West’s work is insightful and evocative of powerful personal sentiment. She fell in love with this city, “a city where everyone can find their place. [I] found my place, and I was happy for that.”

The recorded feelings, experiences and travels are available for anyone to read. Don’t miss out on this gem and pick up a copy for yourself. Maybe it will help you find your place too— or get on the path towards it.

Rudy’s Belly of Bees: The next chapter for children's books

X University alumna and former CanCulture editor published her debut children's novel discussing feelings of anxiety in young children.

By: Arjot Sandhawalia

While the pandemic has affected everyone, children, in particular, have faced many difficulties and have become more at risk for mental illness. COVID-19 has been stressful on youth for many reasons, such as school closures and other cancelled extracurricular activities. Kids are confined to their homes and have lost the normal structured support that socialization offers. As a result, they’ve turned to activities like reading in order to cope with the stress of the pandemic. 

X University alumna Shannon Schaefer’s children's book Rudy’s Belly of Bees is part of the next generation of children's books with a new tone. The main character Rudy is loosely based on Schaefer and her own experiences as a child, according to the author. The story follows the young girl trying to overcome a seemingly regular day, but for her, it is quite scary. 

Shannon Schaefer with a copy of her book. (courtesy of Shannon Schaefer)

The story starts with Rudy waking up feeling anxious about competing in her school race. All day Rudy feels alone, both physically and emotionally. Her stomach feels like it is full of bees, and the buzzing does not go away. She lashes out at her other classmates because she is not able to convey her feelings. Her classmate Wyatt grabs an adult, Coach Christine, who is able to help Rudy understand her nervousness and anxiety. The buzzing of the bees seems to disappear as Rudy starts to feel better. The resolution of the book teaches children that it is okay to receive help and it is possible to conquer those upsetting feelings. 

The illustrations along with the text allow the reader to truly understand what Rudy is feeling. The bees make multiple appearances throughout the pages to showcase how Rudy is feeling. No matter what she tries, they never leave. The grey and blue colours also help to guide and enhance the reading experience. Whenever Rudy is in her own thoughts, the reader sees the dull colours that reflect her negative emotions. Her world feels dark and scary, but when her coach comes and helps her, the colours shift. The colour yellow is added, which indicates her overcoming her fear. Wyatt also shares his own fears with Rudy which allows her to realize she is not alone. Her world feels brighter and lighter. 

Rudy’s Belly of Bees, illustrated by Becca Marshall. (courtesy of Shannon Schaefer)

Rudy’s Belly of Bees, illustrated by Becca Marshall. (courtesy of Shannon Schaefer)

Schaefer started the writing process at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, a time when many felt the weight and anxiety of the unknown. This uncertainty inspired her to write Rudy’s Belly of Bees to teach children about the overwhelming feelings that many of them might experience — feelings that Schaefer herself is familiar with. 

 “I wanted the belly of bees to bring a person's own understanding into play,” said Schaefer. “Sometimes kids can feel invalidated or talked down to, and using the belly of bees to describe something allows it to be real and validated.” 

“I hope in the future more serious topics will be covered in serious ways to allow kids to feel validated, but also written with the understanding of not scaring children,” Schaefer elaborated.

Reading this story as an adult resonates because we all have our inner child and we all can still have a belly of bees. However, as adults, we are able to access resources such as therapy or support groups to overcome and understand our anxieties in a healthy way.  

This is why books like Schaefer’s are great ways of teaching children how to deal with their own emotions in a healthy way, as well as how it is okay to ask for and receive help. 

“I just want to get the writing into children's hands … to make youth mental health an easier and less taboo topic to talk about,” said Schaefer.

Her plans for the future include writing more children's books based on other issues children face and supporting young children in whatever way possible. Her book has been read in many classrooms and has received many positive reactions from students.  

You can purchase Rudy’s Belly of Bees here. 

5 notable Canadians and their autobiographies

This selection of autobiographies allows readers to learn more about their favourite Canadian celebrities.

By: Arjot Sandhawalia

These Canadian autobiographies serve as inspiration and motivation for everyone (Ahmad Ardity/Pixabay)

Canadians have been making their mark all over the world. These five autobiographies get up close and personal with some very successful Canadian stars. 

As a student trying to figure out their journey in the world, it is refreshing to learn about the mistakes and the milestones of such successful people. It puts them in a different light and humanizes them in a way we as readers would never view them. In this social climate where everyone’s life is public, it is important to remind ourselves that not everything works out. Each person has a journey so unique to them. The stories written in these autobiographies remind us of that. 

Check these autobiographies out for inspiration, for some laughs, or even just to learn about the careers of these notable Canadians.

1. Willie: The Game-Changing Story of the NHL’s First Black Player by Willie O’Ree and Michael McKinley

Born in Fredericton, O’Ree is a former professional hockey player and the first Black player to play in the league. His career spanned 19 years as a right-winger for the Boston Bruins. In 2018, O’Ree was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Currently, he works as the NHL’s diversity ambassador, where he travels to schools across North America to promote diversity and inclusion.

O’Ree’s memoir follows his journey as the first Black professional hockey player in the NHL. It reveals the harsh racism O’Ree faced throughout his career on and off the ice. There are many compelling anecdotes shared by the former hockey player about his career, his accomplishments and his aspirations as a young player. The book also reveals O’Ree’s view of himself as a hockey player and a Black man, and how those two identities always intersected. His book speaks to the harsh realities that many people of colour have faced and still face today. Buy it here.

“All I ever imagined as a kid was the game itself. The question of colour was never part of it. It’s interesting to think that the tradition of Hockey Night in Canada on the family radio, which was so much a part of Canadians’ lives back then, allowed me to imagine a version of the game that had a place for a player like me.”

— Excerpt from "Willie"

2. Yearbook by Seth Rogen

Born and raised in Vancouver, Seth Rogen moved to Los Angeles to pursue his career in comedy, where he ultimately landed his breakout role in Freaks and Geeks. Since then he has written, produced and starred in many films and TV shows like The Interview and Superbad. 

Yearbook is an informal, lighthearted memoir that explores Rogen’s struggles with pursuing standup and building relationships with his parents and grandparents. Rogan writes many hilarious stories about his encounters with other celebrities like Tom Cruise, George Michael, Kanye West and many more. Rogen is known for his wit and sense of humour and he often provides insight into his persona and celebrity life in this memoir. “It speaks to Rogen’s storytelling prowess and eventful adolescence that by the time he gets to his Hollywood experience, one almost forgets that this is, in fact, a celebrity story,” writes The Washington Post. Rogen's anecdotal style of writing makes the reader comfortable, as if they are having a conversation with Rogen himself. Buy it here.

3. Talking to Canadians by Rick Mercer

Rick Mercer is a comedian, television personality and political satirist. He is most famously known for his show The Rick Mercer Report, where he interviewed Canadian politicians, performed news parodies, and travelled to various cities to interview people about local news or events. 

Talking to Canadians is the first time the popular but private comedian tells his story. After his 15-season show ended, many people began to question what the comedian had planned for himself. As one final comedy act, Mercer wrote his memoir to make his supporters laugh one more time. He shares many stories from his childhood and teens that pushed him to pursue comedy. We learn about his big break in his one-man show Show Me The Button, I’ll Push It ( or, Charles Lynch Must Die) where he became an overnight sensation. Buy it here.

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4. “Indian” in the Cabinet: Speaking Truth to Power by Jody Wilson-Raybould

Starting her journey in the We Wai Kai community in British Columbia, Wilson-Raybould became the first Indigenous federal justice minister in Canada from 2015 to 2019. It all began with her roles in the community as the daughter of a hereditary chief and Indigenous leader, which kickstarted her leadership responsibilities and skills.

“Indian” in the Cabinet touches on many aspects of Wilson-Raybould’s personal and professional life. Her story is compelling, inspiring, and truthful. She discusses many challenges she faced personally as an Indigenous woman and how she overcame them. From her experiences sitting in Parliament and in the Canadian cabinet to the SNC Lavalin scandal to her eventual resignation as the justice minister, this book offers a behind-the-scenes look at Wilson-Raybould’s career in Parliament, and is a must-read for anyone interested in Canadian politics. Buy it here.

5. An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth by Chris Hadfield

Chris Hadfield is an astronaut, engineer and former fighter pilot who is known for being the first Canadian to complete a spacewalk. He has been on two space missions, the second one lasting approximately five months. Since then, he has retired from being an astronaut and currently has a very active social media presence. He is also a huge David Bowie fan — watch his rendition of “Space Oddity” by Bowie here.

An Astronaut’s Guide to Life documents Hadfield’s experience with the difficulties and the successes of being an astronaut as well as some rare insight into his thoughts during his space missions. Readers learn about mistakes made during his own missions and ones he helped supervise. His stories about the mysteries of space travel keep the reader engaged throughout the entire book. Buy it here.

“I felt some trepidation. Once you close the hatch to the airlock, you’re saying goodbye to redoing anything. I knew I’d been careful, but if I’d messed something up or they were missing a piece of gear, we might not find out until halfway through the EVA … it never left my mind that my crewmates were outside, doing something crucial; I was also very aware of their vulnerability. Relief wouldn’t really come until they were back inside.”

— Excerpt from "An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth"

Everybody has a different start and a different story. These stories allow for a personal insight into some well-known Canadians and can inspire all of us. Whether it is breaking barriers in hockey or becoming an overnight comedic sensation, these autobiographies have something for everyone.

Ten must-read books by Indigenous authors

Novels, poetry collections and more work by Indigenous writers to add to your reading list

By: Didhiti Kandel

(Emily/Pexels)

Over the past couple of years of quarantine, many people have picked up reading again. There's nothing quite like sinking your teeth into a good book! If you’re one of those people, here’s not one but ten more books by Indigenous authors for you to add to your reading list.

1. Five Little Indians by Michelle Good

Published in 2020, Five Little Indians is a story about five residential school survivors from British Columbia coming to terms with their history and eventually finding a way to overcome the thorns laid upon them in their journey. Michelle Good is a descendant of the Battle River Cree and a member of the Red Pheasant Cree Nation. The novel is based on her mother's and grandmother's real-life experiences as survivors of Canada's residential school system.  

The novel has been highly praised by many critics since its publication. It was longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize and was shortlisted for the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize in 2020. The debut book by Good also won the 2020 Governor General’s Literary Award and also the Amazon Canada First Novel Award in 2021.

2. A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliot

Award-winning Haudenosaunee writer Alicia Elliott offers a daring and poignant reflection on “trauma, legacy, oppression and racism in North America” in her book, A Mind Spread Out On The Ground. The book explores critical issues regarding the treatment of Indigenous people in North America and provides an invaluable insight into the ongoing legacy of colonialism. 

The compelling and evocative work by Elliot also relies on inner aspects of her own life and experiences with intergenerational trauma. Race, motherhood, love, mental illness, poverty, sexual assault, gentrification, writing and representation are just a few of the subjects she tackles in her book. This is Elliot’s debut novel and it was shortlisted for the 2019 Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction.

Since it's Mental Health Awareness Week, you should read my book, A Mind Spread Out on the Ground. It deals with depression, mental illness, racism, colonialism & the ways those things combine to create inequitable health outcomes. Here's an excerpt:https://t.co/AF7ao1tGp8

— Alicia Elliott (@WordsandGuitar) May 12, 2021

3. If I Go Missing by Brianna Jonnie

A few years ago, at the age of 14, Brianna Jonnie wrote a letter to the mayor of Winnipeg, Brian Bowman and then-police Chief Devon Clunis requesting changes to the way missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls’ cases are treated. The letter was nationally perceived and caught the attention of many people. If I Go Missing is a graphic novel that depicts a story based on a few excerpts of her letters. The young adult novel provides a glimpse into one of the many risks of being an Indigenous child in today’s world. Indigenous artist Neal Shannacappo provided the illustrations for the book. 

Published in 2019, the graphic novel won the 2021 Indigenous Voice Award for published graphic novels, comics and illustrated books in any language. Jonnie herself has been awarded the  City of Winnipeg Citizen Equity Committee’s Youth Role Model Award and the lieutenant-governor’s Vice-Regal Award among many others.

4. The Red Files by Lisa Bird-Wilson

The Red Files, published in 2016, is a debut poetry collection by Lisa Bird-Wilson which explores the impact and the horrifying legacy of the residential school system. Drawing on experiences of her own family and gathering other fragments of a past ripped apart by colonial brutality, this collection of poetry explores the wider political background that drove the processes which tore families and nations apart. The name of the collection comes from the federal government's organizational structure for residential school records, which is separated into "black files" and "red files."

“I can hold in the palm of my right hand
all that I have left: one story-gift from an uncle,
a father’s surname, treaty card, Cree accent echo, metal bits, grit—
and I will still have room to cock a fist.”

— Excerpt from The Red Files

5. The Strangers by Katherena Vermette

The Strangers by Métis writer, Katherena Vermette looks into how we are always linked to one another even when we are apart. The story is about the Stranger family’s strong relationship and the shared agony of their history. The book is a harrowing examination of intergenerational trauma, race, class and matrilineal ties that resist being severed against all odds. 

This book is a sequel to her first novel The Break, which has won many awards such as the 2017 Amazon First Novel Award, Margaret Laurence Award for Fiction, Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award and McNally Robinson Book of the Year.

6. Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice

Moon of the Crusted Snow is a post-apocalyptic novel where a small northern Anishinaabe village goes dark as winter approaches, leaving many people apathetic and confused. As the food supply runs out, panic sets in. An unexpected guest arrives, fleeing the disintegrating society to the south, as the band council and a small group of community members fight to keep order. Others quickly follow suit. The sequel to this thrilling story of survival is expected to be published in 2022.   

The book has won the OLA Forest Reading Evergreen Award in 2019 and it was also shortlisted for the 2019 John W.Campbell Memorial Award as well as the 2019-20 First Nation Communities READ Indigenous Literature Award.

7. The Girl Who Grew A Galaxy By Cherie Dimaline

Métis author Cherie Dimaline’s The Girl Who Grew a Galaxy braids together a narrative of hope, hardships and magical beauty. Planets begin to develop around the main character as she goes through a string of terrible childhood traumas. The planets symbolize a variety of daily emotions such as guilt, worry, anxiety and jealousy, among other things. The book ultimately weaves “contemporary Indigenous experiences with fantasy and magic.”

8. Split Tooth by Tanya Tagaq

The internationally acclaimed Inuit throat singer imagines “a world where the distinctions between good and evil, animal and human, victim and transgressor, real and imagined” are blurred, yet love remains as the driving force in her novel Split Tooth. Tagaq glides seamlessly between fiction and biography and constructs a universe and a character that is compelling and unforgettable. 

The book won the 2018 Alcuin Society Awards for Excellence in Book Design and the 2019 Indigenous Voices Award for Published Prose in English. It was also shortlisted for Kobo Emerging Writer Prize and shortlisted for 2018 Scotiabank Giller Prize as well as the 2019 Sunburst Award. 

If you haven’t read my book Split Tooth yet or listened to the audiobook...you should! pic.twitter.com/OdOkWAVcZB

— tanya tagaq (@tagaq) November 13, 2020

9. Full-Metal Indigiqueer by Joshua Whitehead 

This poetry book by Joshua Whitehead centres on Zoa, “a hybridized Indigiqueer Trickster who combines the organic (the protozoan) and the technological (the binaric) to re-beautify and re-member queer Indigeneity.” The Trickster comes back to torment and recover in the apocalypse. Zoa “infects, invades and becomes a virus to canonical and popular works in order to re-centre Two-Spirit livelihoods,” as per oral tradition.  

The book was shortlisted in 2017 for Lambda Literary Award for Transgender Poetry as well as for the Stephan G. Stephansson Award for Poetry in 2018.

10. Not your Pocahontas by Lisa Charleyboy

Tsilhqot’in writer Lisa Charleyboy “dives into appropriations, pop culture and politics as she blends her story with her desire to change the climate around being an urban Native” with her debut book Not your Pocahontas. Developed out of a yearning to feed her passion and interact with Indigenous people from all across Turtle Island, Charleyboy talks to Indigenous adolescents with positive success stories in her book, breaking the stereotypes of 21st century.

Whether it be through a work of fiction, poetry or prose, all of these books establish a critical role in linking the lived experiences of Indigenous peoples and bringing attention to both present and past issues regarding the Indigenous community through literary expression. Happy reading!

A guide to breaking out of writer’s block

Advice from Canadian writers on how to finally put an end to this never-ending cycle

By: Sania Ali

(Aaron Burden/Unsplash)

It’s been a few days, and that article, paper or even novel that you’ve been meaning to write has yet to make a dent in your blinding-white word document. The looming deadline is seemingly coming closer and closer. This doesn’t mean you’re a bad writer, or that you’re never going to finish this project. You’re probably just facing writer’s block. 

Not to worry, you’re not alone here! It may feel like you’ll be unable to climb out of this pit, but every single writer in history has experienced writer’s block. I spoke to three different writers who have not only lived through writer’s block but also have tips to overcome it!

1. Know what you’re writing about

A lot of the time, writers sit down with a vague idea of what they want to write about, only to discover that they don’t really know what they’re writing about. Thus, they find themselves in the pit of writer’s block. 

Christina Anto, a technical writer with a master’s in literature of modernity from X University, said that researching what she’s writing about has almost always gotten her out of writer’s block. “You can borrow ideas and change them, you can get inspiration or even just know more of what you’re talking about. So I think that would be the research aspect. Just keep reading and reading and reading,” said Anto. Indeed, finding inspiration through the works of other writers is a great way to combat writer’s block and start getting your head around the content of your writing.

2. Write, write and write some more

When you have an idea in mind but the execution seems nonexistent, it may be time to try freewriting. Calgary-based content creation specialist at Routeique and fiction writer Ethan Allan says that writing something down, even if you know you won’t like it, is a much better alternative to staring at a blank screen. Once you have something down, you can begin dissecting and figuring out exactly what you want to change and add. It’s also important to remember that writing is about having fun and the dreadful writer’s block is all a part of writing. Allan says, “If you can get anything down, I think that's going to be incredibly invaluable rather than just sitting at your desk and just hoping for magic to strike because it's probably not going to.”

3. Create an outline

Writing can become tedious when you don’t have a plan in place. To avoid this it can be beneficial to create an outline. Kelly Allers, the author of the fantasy book The Final Age of Magic, explains that to write his novel he used a large poster board and wrote down his ideas for the chapter on sticky notes, outlining the entire book chapter by chapter. This idea also allows you to collaborate with others on ideas. “All of it should serve a purpose,” said Allers. “If the work doesn't serve a purpose then you might be spinning your tires. You might not be writing about something that's really important to you or that really matters to you.”

4. Experience life

While it’s no secret that the work of writers can become reflections of their own lived experiences, it can be difficult to write when you haven’t experienced enough. For example, you may find yourself having trouble writing about a boat or a train if you’ve never seen one. “One of the things that really allowed me to break through it — and I know it's not an easy thing to do right now — but travelling and getting to explore different cultures,” says Allers. You never know where inspiration may strike. Allers recommends holding onto a pen and paper as you experience life. If you’re feeling like your story is leading nowhere, a great remedy to spark some ideas is to put your writing aside for a while and go out for a walk.

5. Remember to take care of yourself!

Despite contrary belief, writer’s block is no reflection of your capabilities as a writer. Anto goes back to the root of writer’s block and talks about the culture of being a writer. “Understand that writer's block is an emotional experience, it's a frustration, it's anger, maybe it's insecurity,” says Anto. “There are questions about how systems influence writer's block, how exhaustion and burnout and the 40-hour work week can negatively impact people's ability to write high-quality work. It's not just the writer, it's also everything around the writer.”

 If you’re faced with writer’s block you may want to ask if the deadline you’re working towards is reasonable. Are you getting enough sleep at night? Are you eating enough? Sometimes, writer’s block may not have anything to do with writing, it might just mean it’s time to take a break!

No matter what you’re writing or planning to write, writer’s block is almost always a certain checkpoint of writing. Hopefully getting an insight into the tricks and tips of other writers can inspire you to be kind to yourself and get back into the groove of finishing up that project. Good luck!

Six Canadian romance novels to help you believe in love again

With love in the air, CanCulture has compiled six romance novels by Canadian authors that will make your heart flutter. 

(Laura Ockel via Unsplash) 

By, Allissa Hibbs 

 Valentine's Day is just around the corner and while lockdown restrictions mean that we can’t have a romantic night out on the town, why should that stop us from diving into the night of love and romance? Regardless of whether you’re spending this Valentine’s Day taken or single, you can always make time for delving into a fictional world of love, romance and fantasy. Here are six romance novels by Canadian authors that you can fall in love with. 

1.  The Chai Factor by Farah Heron

Amira Khan has vowed to adhere to the one rule she’s made for herself: no dating until her grad school thesis assignment is done. With the hope that the success of her thesis will land her a promotion in Toronto, the engineering student isn’t looking for any distractions. But when she finds that her grandmother has rented out the basement to a barbershop quartet, Amira finds herself into the melodic and entrancing lives of the musical group.  When sparks fly between her and Duncan, the small-town baritone, will Amira break her no-dating rule? Or will she walk away from love and romance? 

The romance and comedic fiction novel portrays a classic “enemies to lovers” trope, a usual guilty pleasure among readers. You can purchase the book from Indigo. 

2. Comics Will Break Your Heart by Faith Erin Hicks

After Miriam’s grandfather sold the rights to the smash-hit comic series, The TomorrowMen, in the ‘60s, her family has been left with practically nothing. She can’t afford college now and can barely afford a roof over her head. But a cute boy arrives in town and life for her gets a little bit more complicated. It turns out that the boy who arrives is the grandson of the man who bought her grandfather's comic series and is heir to its fortune. 

This is a funny contemporary and romantic story inspired by the notorious Shakespearean play, Romeo and Juliet. “A modern romance, geek royalty and what it takes to heal the long-festering scars of the past,” according to CBC Books. This novel is perfect for young adults and can be purchased on Audible, Google Play Books or Amazon.

3. Carnal Control by Lilith Darville

This erotic romance novel explores the forbidden. This novel is about love, lust, danger, sex, intrigue and a man wanting to protect a woman. A part of The Masquerade series, this book by Canadian author Darville is for an adult audience looking to dive into the world of temptation. This novel can be purchased on Kobo.  .

4. Highland Treasure by Lynsay Sands

This historical romance novel is about Lady Elysande de Valance, who escapes from the English soldiers that attacked her home and threw her into a dungeon. She never expected to find the warm embrace of Rory Buchanan, a man who many say is a healer, as he escorts her home safely. While Rory’s brother is getting married, he himself is too busy looking after the sick to find a wife. Though after accompanying a family friend’s “treasure” to the Highlands, he learns that the treasure is a beautiful woman on the run. 

This historical romance novel is great for those readers who seek adventure, love and mystery all wrapped in one. From a New York Times bestselling author Sands, this novel is for young adults and can be purchased at Indigo, along with her other romance books.  

5. The Matchmaker's List by Sonya Lalli

A modern girl and an old-fashioned grandmother don’t always mix. In this not-so-typical romance novel, Raina Anand has found herself caving in to the family pressure and allowing her grandmother, Nani, to set her up with someone of her choosing. Though Raina doesn’t always want to play by the rules, and Nani wants her to marry before it is too late. Raina has tried looking outside their tight-knit Indian immigrant community in Toronto, but Nani is bombarding her with a list of her personal ideal bachelors. Blind date after blind date, Nani might be going a little too far.

This unconventional romance novel is full of surprises, love and comedy. Exploring cultural beliefs and values in a traditional sense, this novel will warm your heart this Valentine’s Day. It is perfect for young adults and can be purchased on Amazon, Kindle, Google Play Books, Kobo and Audible. 

6. A Stitch in Time by Kelley Armstrong 

This ghostly love story follows Thorne Manor, which has always been haunted by Bronwyn Dale. When Bronwyn was young, she would pass through a time slip in her grand-aunt’s house to meet William Thorne, a boy her age who was born two centuries earlier. After an unfortunate family tragedy, Thorne Manor was closed off and her family convinced her that William was only a part of her imagination. 20 years later, Bronwyn inherited the manor and when she arrives, William is waiting. Though he is not the same as she remembered, as their friendship rekindles and love beings to spark, Bronwyn must also deal with the current ghost in the home now and the secret scandal that drove William back to the manor. 

This novel is perfect for all ages and is a twist on the typical romance novel. It can be purchased through Kindle, Audible and by hardcopy off of Amazon. 

5 must-read Canadian books by BIPOC authors

Canada’s history of oppression: These 5 Canadian books and authors bring truth into the limelight 

By: Sama Nemat Allah 

These five Canadian books, written by Black and Indigenous authors, offer both present and historical perspectives on racism. They serve to educate readers by providing a Canadian context to oppression, all while challenging current dialogue regarding violence and resistance. Though not an exhaustive list, these poignant stories will enable us to observe our shortcomings as a nation as well as identify how we can go about remedying them. 

As Canadians, we watch as widespread attacks on Indigenous peoples and their land proliferate. We witness microaggressions committed daily against racialized groups. And our response?

“We could be worse. I mean look at our neighbors to the south.”

Yet, oppression in the United States is not an isolated incident; we are not exempt from systemic marginalization because we feign benevolence. However, in our attempt to ignore and conceal our fault lines, we fail to recognize the deep-rooted and harrowing history of racism in Canada. 

1) Policing Black Lives

Summary:

Robyn Maynard’s Policing Black Lives delves into the concerted efforts of Canadian institutions to maintain and uphold systems of anti-Black racism. From slave ships to classrooms, to prisons and beyond, Maynard historicizes the state-sanctioned violence and subjugation of Black communities while highlighting the ongoing legacy of Black resistance. Policing Black Lives is a call-to-action, urging readers to radically re-imagine an equitable society and work to dismantle current systems of injustice and brutality. 

Quote from the Book:

“White individuals and white settler society profited from owning unfree Black (and Indigenous) people and their labor for hundreds of years while exposing them to physical and psychological brutality, and the inferiority ascribed to Blackness in this era would affect the treatment of Black persons living in Canada for centuries to come.”

Buy it here.

2) Indian Horse

Summary:

Written by Ojibwe author Richard Wagames, Indian Horse follows protagonist Saul Indian Horse in his journey to escape the intergenerational trauma of the residential schooling system in Canada. Amidst his harrowing journey, Saul finds solace in hockey. He, however, continues to encounter acts of anti-Indigenous racism, cultural displacement, and identity erasure. Though a work of fiction, Wagames allows his readers to allegorically unpack the very real reality faced by Indigenous peoples through overarching themes of communal trauma, storytelling, and recovery within Indigenous communities. 

Quote from the Book:

“When your innocence is stripped from you, when your people are denigrated, when the family you came from is denounced and your tribal ways and rituals are pronounced backward, primitive, savage, you come to see yourself as less than human.”

Buy it here.

3) They Said This Would Be Fun

Summary:

Journalist Eternity Martis’ They Said This Would Be Fun is a memoir highlighting the complex—and inherently racist—realities of the post-secondary education system in Canada. Confronted by white students in Black face, tokenization and a series of pejorative and derogatory slurs, Martis recounts her experiences as a Black woman on a white campus. She situates her narrative within a wider scope of historical materials that illuminate the hidden patterns of white supremacy in Ontario universities. Martis now teaches “Reporting Race: The Black Community in the Media," a course offered at the Ryerson School of Journalism following an urgent petition for its addition by the student body. The memoir is set to be adapted into a screenplay. 

Quote from the Book:

“White rage is considered a legitimate, acceptable form of anger—one intended to maintain the integrity and purity of the country—so it is rarely viewed as threatening. White rage encourages and enacts violence against racialized bodies; yet when racialized people speak up against harm, they are told by society that they don’t have a right to be angry.”

Buy it here.

4) 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act 

Summary

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph is an essential guide to understanding the ingrained effects and continual repercussions of the 1876 governmental document. In the midst of the Canadian reconciliation process, Joseph guides readers to understand how the Indian Act has shaped a Canadian society which perpetuates and benefits from the marginalization and control of Indigenous peoples. The book examines how dissecting this historical document is a cardinal step in attaining true reconciliation and how non-Indigenous allies can participate in the process. 

Quote from the Book:

“The insights, tips and suggestions included here are all practical and doable. We’re sure you will have some “aha!” moments as you read. You may even have some “oh no!” moments that you squirm. Don’t feel bad. We’re all on this learning journey together, and together we will make this world a better place.”

Buy it here.

5) The Skin We’re In

Summary:

In The Skin We’re In, author and activist, Desmond Cole, documents a singular year of racism and resistance in Canada, in an attempt to dissolve widespread beliefs of a nation devoid of racism. Through a monthly chronicle, Desmond captures and historicizes the local racist events—and anti-racist responses—of 2017, ranging from the police killing of Abdirahamn Abdi to the condemnation of the Canada 150 celebrations. The book allows Canadians to challenge and dispel previously-held beliefs of how and where white supremacy manifests. 

Quote from the Book:

“This idea that Canada's racial injustices are not as bad as they could be, this notion of Slavery Lite, of Racism Lite, of what my friend calls the ‘toy version of racism’ is a very Canadian way of saying: remember what we could do to you if we wanted to. Passive-aggressive racism is central to Canada's national mythology and identity.”

Buy it here.