30 Canadian books to read in winter 2024

Cozy up with a great Canadian book during the cold and dark winter season.Check out this list of 30 buzzworthy Canadian titles to read right now!

• Calling all writers! The 2024 CBC Nonfiction Prize is now open

the berry takes the shape of the bloom by andrea bennett

Beginning as a linear narrative in verse,the berry takes the shape of the bloomencapsulates moments in the life of a trans person. andrea bennett writes of the entangled experiences of gender, family, abuse and more from their complex perspective.

bennett is a nonbinary poet and editor currently based in B.C. Their work has appeared in the Globe and Mail, the Walrus and Reader's Digest.bennett's other books include their poetry collectionCanoodlersand their first book of essays,Like a Boy but Not a Boy.

Nights Too Short to Dance by Marie-Claire Blais, translated by Katia Grubisic

Renis finally feeling his age in the novelNights Too Short to Dance. He wants nothing more but to continue to dress elegantly and be independent but those days are long gone.Ren is visited by old friends and together theyreminisceabout everything from past loves totragedies and fights. The old friends find comfort and hope in each other's presence as they fight to live on their own terms.

• Quebec author Marie-Claire Blais dead at 82

Marie-Claire Blais was often lauded as one of Quebec's greatest writers.Her latest novel isThe Acacia Gardens. She was the winner of numerous awards includingthe Mdicis Prize, the W.O. Mitchell Literary Prize, four Governor General's Literary Awardsand two Guggenheim Fellowships. She died in 2021.

Katia Grubisicis a writer, editorand translator.She has been a finalist for the Governor General's Literary Award for translation and the A.M. Klein Prize for Poetry. Her collection of poemsWhat if red ran outwon the Gerald Lampert award for best first book.

WATCH | An interview with Marie-Claire Blais from the CBC Archives:

Author Marie-Claire Blais on writing in 1967

57 years ago

Duration 8:09

Marie-Claire Blais speaks to Phillip Resnick about influences on her writing, solitude, and politics.

Songs of Irie by Asha Ashanti Bromfield

Songs of Irieis a historical coming-of-age YA novel set in 1976. Irie and Jilly are from two different worlds Jilly lives in the hills, safe in a mansion, while Irie is from the heart of Kingston, where fighting on the streets is a regular occurrence. Tension is building on the streets and there is civil unrest in the lead-up to animportant election.Irie and Jillybond at Irie'sdad's record store over their love ofReggae musicand must fight for their friendship, and budding romance, to survive.

• 'I write for my inner child': Asha Ashanti Bromfield tells stories to explore family, culture & coming-of-age

Asha Ashanti Bromfieldis a Toronto-based writer,actress, singer and producer of Afro-Jamaican descent. She is known for starringas Melody Valentine, drummer for the band Josie and the Pussycats, in the television showRiverdaleand as Zadie Wells in the Netflix showLocke and Key.Her YA novels includeHurricane SummerandSongs of Irie. CBC Booksnamed Bromfield aBlack Canadian writerto watch in 2022.

LISTEN |Asha Ashanti Bromfield talks about going from acting to writing:

The Next Chapter13:55Riverdale's Asha Ashanti Bromfield talks about her new career in writing

The Canadian actress and author talks with Ryan B. Patrick about her new novel Songs of Irie, which takes place in 1970s Jamaica.

What Wild Women Do by Karma Brown

What Wild Women Dofollows a screenwriter Rowan as she's searching for her purpose and finds an unsolved mystery the disappearance of camp leader Eddie Calloway at an abandoned camp in the Adirondacks.

• Ontario author Karma Brown's novel explores abandoned Adirondack camp get first look atWhat Wild Women Do

Karma Brown is the author of five other novels, includingRecipe for a Perfect Wife.She lives in Ontario.

LISTEN | Karma Brown discusses What Wild Women Do:

The Next Chapter53:59Karma Brown explores female empowerment, Claudia Deys Daughter tackle toxic parents, a Canadian screen star takes the Proust, and a guide to the Giller Prize

Karma Brown looks at the evolution of the womens movement in her novel What Wild Women Do; Claudia Dey explores the intricacies of father-daughter relationships in her novel Daughter; why R.H. Thompson loves being part of a good story; and everything you need to know about the 2023 Scotiabank Giller Prize.

A Guest in the Houseby Emily Carroll

A Guest in the Houseis a haunting graphic novel about Abby, a newlywed to a recently widowed dentist. But the more she learns about her new husband's first wife, the more suspicious she becomes that she may not have died of natural causes.

Emily Carroll is aStratford, Ont.-basedartist whose books includeThrough the Woods,a collection of horror comics, andSpeak,an adaptation of Laurie Halse Anderson's YA novel, andWhen I Arrived at the Castle.

An Ordinary Violence by Adriana Chartrand

An Ordinary Violenceis a darkly funny horror novel about a young Indigenous woman named Dawn trying to findpeace in a world where the lines between the spirit realm and the real world are blurred. For most of her life, Dawn has been haunted by cryptic messages from her dead mother andwhen her life implodes, shereturns to her childhood home and must face the past.

Adriana Chartrand is a mixed-raceMtisauthor originallyfrom Winnipeg and currently based in Toronto.An Ordinary Violenceis her debut novel.

LISTEN | Adriana Chartrand discusses An Ordinary Violence:

Here and Now Toronto7:12Tuesday afternoon book club with Adriana Chartrand

Adriana Chartrand is a Toronto author. "An Ordinary Violence: A Novel " is Chartrand's debut novel. The book is out now, and Adriana Chartrand was our guest for Here and Nows Tuesday Afternoon Book Club.

The Lost Cause by Cory Doctorow

This sci-fi novel from Cory Doctorow imagines a world in the near future where climate change has gone from a divisive topic to a reality of life. Whole cities are being moved inland to prevent flooding and clean energy projects abound. But there are still aging holdouts, who refuse to let go of their old destructive ways and they are willing to use violence to protect their way of life.

• Cory Doctorow discusses the noir side of tech companies

CoryDoctorowis a Canadian science fiction writer, activist and journalist currently based in Los Angeles. Among his many novels are notable titles such asWalkawayandLittle Brother. His novelRadicalizedwas a finalist onCanada Readsin 2020.

LISTEN | Cory Doctorow on why the internet is getting worse:

Front Burner28:06Encore: Why the internet is getting worse

Does it feel harder these days to find the info you need on Google? Do the Amazon products that show up at the top of your search turn out to be poorer quality than the ones you really wanted?Cory Doctorow calls that 'Enshittification.'Today, an encore of our interview with Doctorow, explaining how the big internet companies have changed their profit-making strategy over time in ways that are making our experience of the internet worse.

The Syrian Ladies Benevolent Society by Christine Estima

The Syrian Ladies Benevolent Societyis a collection of connected stories traces the immigrant experience of an Arab family through multiple generations. From brave Syrian refugees to trailblazing Lebanese freedom fighters,Azuree knows she comes from a long line of daring Arab women.These stories follow her as she explores ideas oflove, faith, despair and the effects of war and what those family histories mean for her as an Arab woman in the 21st century.

• Christine Estima's vibrant story collection highlights the heart and history of the Arab diaspora in Montreal

Christine Estima is a writer, playwright and journalist living in Toronto. Shewas longlisted for the 2015CBC NonfictionPrizefor her essay Sarajevo Roses.The Syrian Ladies BenevolantSocietyis her first book.

LISTEN | Christine Estima discusses The Syrian Ladies Benevolent Society:

The Next Chapter19:27Christine Estima highlights the contributions of Arab Canadians in her latest book

The Syrian Ladies Benevolent Society is a collection of connected stories that trace the immigrant experience through multiple generations.

The Red One by Safia Fazlul

Nisha is an image-obsessed woman living the "perfect" life in a Toronto suburb in the novelThe Red One. But behind closed doorsshe is in a passionless marriage with anunfaithful husband. She hides the pain of her abusive past with shopping sprees, fake friends and a secret drug addiction. A chance meeting with a mysterious man who she's instantly attracted to makes her realize that she must face her past and overcome it.

Safia Fazlul is a Bangladeshi Canadian author and poet based in Toronto. She is also the author of the novelThe Harem.

Those Pink Mountain Nights by Jen Ferguson

Those Pink Mountain Nightsis a YA novel set in Alberta that follows three teenagers Berlin,Cameron andJessie who are brought together byworking at Pink Mountain Pizza. A possible sighting of Kiki, Cameron's cousin who disappeared five months earlier, sets off a course of events overone week in theirsmall, snowy town that will alter all their lives.Those Pink Mountain Nightsexplores topics such asMissing and Murdered Indigenous Women,mental health and sexuality.

• Why writing fiction for young people inspires Jen Ferguson to keep hope alive

Jen Fergusonis a YAauthor, activist and academic of Michif/Mtis and Canadian settler heritage, based in Los Angeles. Ferguson has aPhD in English and creative writing. Her debut novel,The Summer of Bitter and Sweet, wonthe 2022Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature text.

LISTEN | Jen Ferguson discusses Those Pink Mountain Nights:

The Next Chapter12:17Self-discovery and pizza in Those Pink Mountain Nights

YA author Jen Ferguson tells the story of a young Indigenous protagonist who gets her first job at a local Alberta pizza shop. Those Pink Mountain Nights balances telling an inspiring coming-of-age story with timely topics such as missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

When My Ghost Sings by Tara Sidhoo Fraser

InWhen My Ghost Sings: A Memoir of Stroke, Recovery, and Transformation,Tara Sidhoo Fraser details how a stroke left her with amnesia and how, when her memories started coming back, she didn't always recognize the person who she used to be. She names that other version of her, Ghost, and in letting Ghost take up more space in her life, she eventually has to reclaim her sense of self.

Tara Sidhoo Fraser is a writer from Vancouver. Her work has been published in Autostraddle and Anathema magazine.When My Ghost Singsis her first book.

LISTEN | Tara Sidhoo Fraser discusses When My Ghost Sings:

On The Coast4:56Memoir about memory loss after a stroke

Tara Sidhoo Fraser had a stroke at the age of 32 and with it many of her memories were wiped away. She turned her journey to piece things back together into a memoir - When My Ghost Sings.

Normal Women by Ainslie Hogarth

Normal Womenis a darkly comic story about a stay-at-home momDani who is becoming increasingly anxious about what would happen to her financially if her husband died. Stumbling into a yoga centre called The Temple, she falls under the spell of its guardian Renatawho seems to becommitted to helping people reach their "full potential."Things take a turn when Renata disappears and Danitires to piece together exactly what's going on.

• A mother's love is supposed to be unconditional. What happens when it's not?

Ainslie Hogarth is a Canadian YA and speculative fiction writer.Her other books include Motherthing, The Lonely and The Boy Meets Girl Massacre (Annotated).

My Effin' Life by Geddy Lee

My Effin' Lifeis the long-awaited memoir from Rush bassist Geddy Lee.He writes candidly about his childhood, the history of theCanadian band Rush and their success after some struggles early on, as well as intimate stories about his friends and bandmatesAlex Lifeson and Neil Peart.

• Geddy Lee recalls Neil Peart's incredible Rush audition and how he showed up with his drums in garbage bags

Lee is the vocalist, bassistand keyboard player for the group Rush, with drummer Neil Peart and guitarist Alex Lifeson. Lee was ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the top bassists of all time. He is also theauthor ofGeddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book of Bass.

WATCH | Geddy Less disucsses his life and career on The National:

Geddy Lee explains his Effin Life

10 months ago

Duration 11:40

Geddy Lee is used to telling stories through music, but in his new autobiography, My Effin Life, the Rush lead singer shares his unlikely journey to rock n roll success. He talks to The Nationals Ian Hanomansing about the transformative moments and the importance of telling his familys Holocaust story.

What Comes Echoing Back by Leo McKay, Jr.

InWhat Comes Echoing Back, Sam and Robot share a few things in common. First, they are both in the same high school music class. Second, both of them became infamous for the worst things that ever happened to them. While the Internet moves on and small town rumour mills keep cycling, they can't. That is, until a friendship forms and they find music just might be the key to continue playing along.

Leo McKay Jr. is a writer and a high school teacher. He is known for his novelTwenty-Six, which won the Dartmouth Book Award and was chosen for the One Book Nova Scotia event. His debut collection of stories,Like This, also won the Dartmouth Book Award and was a finalist for theScotiabank Giller Prize.

LISTEN | Leo McKay, Jr. discussed What Comes Echoing Back:

Mainstreet NS8:26Leo McKay Jr.'s 'What Comes Echoing Back' makes Canada Reads 2024 longlist

The Canada Reads 2024 longlist was just announced and Nova Scotia's own Leo McKay Jr. has made the cut with his debut novel, What Comes Echoing Back. He joins host Jeff Douglas to talk about the achievement.

A Season in Chezgh'un by Darrel J. McLeod

A Season in Chezgh'unis a fictionalized year in the life of aNehiyaw man and what he experiencesworking in a remoteB.C. First Nation.James, a man from a small settlementin Northern Alberta has created a comfortable life for himself in a trendy neighbourhoodin Vancouver. He has all the things he once dreamed of hetravels, has great friends, a great career and a caring partner but part of him is wary of assimilating into mainstream culture. When his mother dies suddenly, James embarks on a journey to reconnect with his roots. After securing a job as a principal in a remote northern Dakelh community where he encounters poverty, cultural disruption and abuse, he is haunted byghosts from his past that threaten to throw him off balance.

• Governor General's Literary Award winner Darrel J. McLeod publishing first novel this fall

Darrel J. McLeod isfrom Treaty 8territory in Northern Alberta. Before his retirement, hewas chief negotiator of land claims for the federal government and executive director of education and international affairs with the Assembly of First Nations.He's the author of thememoirsMamaskatchandPeyakow.Mamaskatchwon the2018 Governor General's Literary Award for nonfictionandPeyakowwas shortlisted for theHilary Weston Writers'Trust Prize for Nonfiction.

LISTEN | Darrel J. McLeod discusses A Season in Chezgh'un:

North by Northwest18:40Darrel J. McLeod on his new novel "A Season in Chezgh'un"

Acclaimed Cree author Darrel J. McLeod joins us in the NXNW studio to talk about his debut novel, A Season in Chezgh'un, which follows a young Indigiqueer man taking on the role of school principal in a remote northern Dakelh community. Taking place over the course of a single year, the novel explores the indomitable spirit of the Dakelh culture, the splendour of nature, and a struggle with identity and connection to surroundings.

Held by Anne Michaels

Weaving in historical figures and events, the mysterious generations-spanning novelHeldbegins on a First World War battlefield near the River Aisne in 1917, where John lies in the falling snow unable to move or feel his legs. When he returns hometo North Yorkshire with life-changing injuries, he reopens his photography business in an effort to move on with his life. The past proves harder to escape than he once thoughtand John is haunted by ghosts that begin to surface in his photos with messages he struggles to decipher.

• Anne Michaels latest bookHeldis a decades-spanning novel about desire, life and death

AnneMichaelsis the winner of the Orange Prize for Fiction, the Guardian Fiction Prize, the Commonwealth Poetry Prize, the Trillium Book Award and a Guggenheim Fellowship. She has been shortlisted for theGovernor General's Literary Award, the Griffin Poetry Prize and the ScotiabankGiller Prize.

LISTEN | Anne Michaels discusses her long career and latest book:

Q30:51Anne Michaels: Held, how she knows shes finished writing a book, and the unexpected reason shes so private

Anne Michaels is an award-winning Canadian poet and novelist who just published her long-awaited third novel, Held. The story spans 115 years and deals in themes familiar to her work: history, grief and the power of love. Anne tells Tom why it took nearly 15 years to write the novel, why shes so interested in writing about war, and why she chooses to live an intensely private life.

Are You Willing to Die for the Cause? by Chris Oliveros

Are You Willing to Die for the Cause?is an oral history of the movement known as the Quebec Liberation Front, told in comic book form. The story starts in 1963, when a dozen mailboxes in an affluent Montreal neighbourhood are destroyed by homemade bombs. Chris Oliveros' book explores how this eight-year-long movement turned violent and explores the ingredients to dissatisfaction and dissent.

• Not all comic books are graphic novels. But all graphic novels are comic books!

Oliveros is a Montreal-based writer and publisher. In 1989, he founded Drawn & Quarterly, a Montreal publishing company that specializes in comics. He left the company in 2015 to work onAre You Willing to Die for the Cause?

LISTEN | Chris Oliveros discusses Are You Willing to Die for the Cause?

Day 610:00New graphic novel details a difficult part of Canadian history the rise of the FLQ

Chris Oliveros, the founder of Drawn and Quarterly and author of the new graphic novel Are You Willing To Die For The Cause, explores the people behind those earlier formations of the FLQ and why they never gained the power theyd hoped to exert.

Sonnets from a Cell by Bradley Peters

In his debut collection,Sonnets from a Cell, Bradley Peters writes from personal experiences as a young manin the Canadian prison system. Combining lyrical verse with inmate speech,Sonnets from a Celloffers empathy and grace within moments of isolation and fear.

• Bradley Peters: Sonnets from a Cell, solitary confinement, and how a sonnet is like prison

Peters is a poet and actor currently based in Mission, B.C. His poetry has been featured in numerous literary magazines.Sonnets from a Cellis his debut poetry collection.

LISTEN | Bradley Peters discusses writing poetry about being incarcerated:

Q22:45Bradley Peters: Sonnets from a Cell, solitary confinement, and how a sonnet is like prison

When the poet Bradley Peters discovered sonnets while studying poetry and creative writing, he knew it was the perfect form to write about his experience with incarceration as a teenager and young adult. Bradley talks to Tom about his new poetry collection, Sonnets from a Cell, what it felt like to be in solitary confinement, and how he held on to his humanity in prison.

On Community by Casey Plett

Casey Plett writes about the implications of community as a word, an idea and a symbol inthe book-length essayOn Community. Plett usesher firsthand experiences to eventually reach a cumulative definition of community and explore how we form bonds with one another.

• Casey Plett's latest book explores the essence of community and the power of lived experience

Plett is the author ofA Dream of a Woman,Little Fish, andA Safe Girl to Love. She is awinner of the Amazon First Novel Award, the Firecracker Award for Fictionand a two-time winner of the Lambda Literary Award. Her work has also been nominated for the Scotiabank Giller Prize. Plett splits her time between New York City and Windsor, Ont.

LISTEN | Casey Plett discusses the power of community:

The Next Chapter11:29Casey Plett talks about her book On Community

Author Casey Plett talks with Ryan B. Patrick about growing up in a small town in Manitoba before moving to the Pacific Northwest. In her latest book, Casey draws on a range of firsthand experiences as a trans woman to spark a conversation on the larger implications of community as a word, idea and symbol.

How to be Found by Emily Pohl-Weary

How to be Foundis a YA novel about best friends Michie and Trissa, who were raised by their single mothers in the same duplex. At 16-years-old, the friends suddenly find themselves with different interests Trissaloves going to the hottest nightclub in town, while Michie would prefer to stay in reading her favourite book. When Trissa goes missing one night everyone writes her off, but Michierefuses to give up on her friend. Her search for Trissa takes her to dangerous places, all the while a serial killer is targeting girls in their city.

Emily Pohl-Weary is a writer andcreative writing instructor at the University of British Columbia. Her previous books include the YA novelsNot Your Ordinary Wolf GirlandStrange Times at Western Highand the poetry bookGhost Sick. Pohl-Wearyis originally from Toronto and now lives in Vancouver.

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

The Mystery Guestis a sequel to the bestsellerThe Maid.The Mystery Guestsees Molly now risenthrough the ranks to become the Head Maid at the five-starRegency Grand Hotel. Things are looking great until world-renowned mystery author J.D. Grimthorpedrops dead in the hotel. Molly must look deep into her past to unlock clues that revealher connection toGrimthorpeand hopefully solve his murder.

• Toronto author's bestselling novelThe Maidstarted as an idea on a napkin

Nita Prose is an Toronto author and editor. She is currently the Canadian vice president and editorial director for publishing company Simon & Schuster.

LISTEN | Nita Prose discusses The Mystery Guest:

Here and Now Toronto7:40Tuesday afternoon Book Club: Nita Prose

Toronto author Nita Prose hit it big with her debut novel The Maid. The sequel, The Mystery Guest is out now. Nita Prose was our Here and Nows Tuesday afternoon book club guest.

The Jazz Club Spy by Roberta Rich

The 1930s-set novelThe Jazz Club Spyfollows Giddy Brodsyk, a Jewishgirl who makes a living serving cigarettes at a Manhattan jazz club called Sid's Palace.When she thinks she recognizes the man who burned her Russian village to the ground decades earlier, she agrees to become a spy for Carter van der Zalm, Commissioner of Immigration at Ellis Island. Betrayals and intrigue ensue as Giddy finds herself in the middle of a political conspiracy on the eve of the Second World War, and has to choose between justice and forgiveness.

• Music, spycraft and political intrigue meet in Roberta Rich's novelThe Jazz Club Spy read an excerpt now

Roberta Rich is a former lawyer andthe bestselling author of aseries of historical novels set in Venice in the 16th century and revolve around the life of a midwife. Her books includeThe Midwife of Venice,The Harem MidwifeandA Trial in Venice.

People You Know, Places You've Been by Hana Shafi

People You Know,Places You've Beenis a collection of poetry and illustrations that focuses on those everyday interactions that leave a lasting impression on your own identity.HanaShafi gives insight into the liminal spaces of waiting rooms, checkout counters, public transit and more.

• Hana Shafi's new book asks us to think about who we are in somebody else's story

Shafi is a visual artist and poet also known as Frizz Kid. Her writing often explores feminism, race, body politics and popular culture.Her previous poetry collections includeIt Begins With The BodyandSmall, Broke, and Kind of Dirty. She is currently based in Toronto.

LISTEN | Hana Shafi discusses People You Know, Places You've Been:

Q9:56Hana Shafi's new book asks us to think about who we are in somebody else's story

Hana Shafi is an illustrator, essayist and poet whose new book People You Know, Places Youve Been takes us on a journey from public transportation to antique stores to waiting rooms, looking at the connections we create with total strangers as we go through our daily lives. She speaks with Talia Schlanger about the book and the power of those seemingly mundane interactions. Plus, she reads a poem from her book.

The Cobra and the Key by Sam Shelstad

The Cobra and the Keyis a satirical novel centred around the life of a writer named Sam Shelstad who is busy at work ona book about his failed relationship, while he awaits word from a publisher about the manuscript he's sure will make him a star. He's also got another project in the works: a how to book for aspiring fiction writers detailing the finer points of the craft.

• 18 books by past CBC Short Story Prize winners and finalists from 2023

Sam Shelstad is a writer currently based in Toronto. He was formerlylonglisted for theCBC Short Story Prizeand a runner-up for the Thomas Morton Memorial Prize. He has previously published a short story collection calledCop House. His debut novel wasCitizens of Light.

Where the Falcon Flies by Adam Shoalts

InWhere the Falcon Flies,explorer Adam Shoalts writes about five Canadian ecoregions and centuries of history through following the peregrine falcon's 3,400-kilometre long migration from southern Canada to the Arctic. He exploresthe importance of the connections between the wilderness and urban parks.

• How Adam Shoalts explored Canada's past, one epic map at a time

Shoalts is a writer, historian, archaeologist and geographer. He is the author ofAlone Against the North,Beyond the Trees,The Whisper on the Night WindandA History of Canada in Ten Maps. In 2018, he was the Royal Canadian Geographical Society'sExplorer-in-Residence.

The Space Between Here & Now by Sarah Suk

InThe Space Between Here & Now, Aimee Roh has a rare condition calledSensory Time Warp Syndrome. When Aimee smells something that is linked to a memory, she willtravel in time to that moment in her life. When Aimeetime travels to a memory about her estranged mother, the moment she is brought back to doesn't match up with the story she was told aboutwhy her mother left.Aimee decides to travel to Korea in search of some answers.

• Vancouver writer Sarah Suk's new book explores memory and Korean Canadian identity

Sarah Suk is a YA writer living in Vancouver. Her debut novel,Madein Korea, was named one ofthe best Canadian books for kids and young adults of 2022byCBC Books.

LISTEN | Sarah Suk discusses The Space Between Here & Now:

North by Northwest11:59Vancouver-based author Sarah Suk taps into time travel and memory with new novel "The Space Between Here & Now"

Vancouver-based author Sarah Suk explores memory, family and identity in her new YA novel "The Space Between Here & Now." The book follows Korean-Canadian teen Aimee Roh, as who copes with "Sensory Time Warp Syndrome," a rare condition causes her to time travel whenever she smells anything that's linked to a specific memory.

Skid Dogs by Emelia Symington-Fedy

Skid Dogsis a first-hand account of what it was like being an unsupervised and wild girl in a small town in the 1990s. Emelia Symington-Fedy recalls her teenage years after coming home two decades later and following the murder of an 18-year-old girl on the same tracks that she used to hang out at as a kid.

Symington-Fedyis an essayist, storyteller and documentary producer. She is the creator of the blog and radio show that became an audiobook,Trying to Be Good: The Healing Powers of Lying, Cheating, Stealing, and Drugs.Shegrew up in Armstrong, B.C. and currently lives in Shuswap, B.C.

LISTEN | Emelia Symington-Fedy discusses Skid Dogs:

Radio West13:41Armstrong author Emelia Symington Fedy honors the life of murdered teen Taylor Van Diest and highlights teen friendship and 90s rape culture in her new memoir, Skid Dogs.

Armstrong author Emelia Symington Fedy honors the life of murdered teen Taylor Van Diest and highlights teen friendship and 90s rape culture in her new memoir, Skid Dogs.

By the Ghost Light by R.H. Thomson

By the Ghost Lightis a personal look at the wonder of youth, the power of art and how the First and Second World Wars forever changed his family. Growing up hearing stories about eight of Thomson's great uncles who fought in the First World War and his Aunt Margaret who served as a nurse, Thomson shares his family history. The memoir explores his childhood playing toy soldiers on the carpet of his grandmother's house and being enamoured by romantic notions of war.

• Celebrated stage and screen actor R.H. Thomson explores family and the legacy of war inmemoir

R.H. Thomson, is a Canadian television, film and stage actor. He is best known for playing Jasper Dale inRoad to Avonleaand as Matthew Cuthbert inAnne with an E.By the Ghost Lightis his debut book.

LISTEN | R.H. Thomson takes the Proust Questionnaire:

The Next Chapter6:35Canadian actor and Anne With an E Star R.H. Thomson answers the Proust questionnaire

The celebrated stage, film and TV actor takes The Next Chapters version of the Proust questionnaire and shares his thoughts on everything from dealing with his six-year-old self to his love for maple syrup. The Ontario-raised Thomson also discusses the irreversible damages of war, a topic he writes about in debut novel By the Ghost Light.

Landbridge by Y-Dang Troeung

In her memoirLandbridge: Life in Fragments, Y-Dang Troeungwrote about the transactional relationship host countries have with the refugees they admit. Troeung herself was only one-year-old when she came to Canada from Cambodia fleeing Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge regime. Thebook also explores the complex ethnic, regional and national identities of family legacies and how they are passed down to the next generation.

Troeung was a researcher, writerand assistant professor of English at the University of British Columbia. Her first book,Refugee Lifeworlds: The Afterlife of the Cold War in Cambodia, explored the enduring impact of war, genocide and displacement. She died of pancreatic cancer at the age of42 in 2022.

Bad Medicine by Christopher Twin

Inspired by Cree folklore and modern Cree life,Bad Medicinefollows five teens who share chilling horror stories around a campfire.

• Edmonton comic creator makes the CBC Books list for Best Canadian Comics of 2023

Christopher Twin is from the Swan River First Nationin northern Alberta. Currently based in Edmonton, he does comic work and illustrations as a freelancer.

LISTEN | Christopher Twin discusses Bad Medicine:

Edmonton AM3:54Bad Medicine by Edmonton's Christopher Twin makes it to CBC Books' list of best comics

CBC Books has released its list of best Canadian comics of 2023. Edmonton writer and cartoonist Christopher Twin made the cut with his graphic novel, Bad Medicine.