Summer Reads: Young Adult Fiction Must-Reads!

By Kaylie Seed

Young Adult (YA) books appeal to so many different people for so many different reasons. YA fiction is a genre that has blown up over the past few years and 2020 has shown readers that it is definitely the year to pick up some new YA novels. So if you’re new to the genre and don’t know where to start or a seasoned YA reader who is looking for something new to read, check out these 2020 YA releases that you should be adding to your TBR list.

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow

Bethany C. Morrow’s YA fantasy novel A Song Below Water follows Tavia as she tries to hide the fact that she is a siren by using American Sign Language while living in Portland, Oregon. Tavia and her best friend Effie experience the drama of high school and family secrets while also trying to navigate what it means to be a Black woman and how to be empowered by that when being who you are is frowned upon. With the Black Lives Matter movement bringing change to our society, A Song Below Water was released into the world at the perfect time and parallels this pivotal moment in history.

Golden Arm by Carl Deuker

Carl Deuker’s YA sports novel Golden Arm follows Laz, a teenage boy, living in poverty with his mom and brother. He also struggles with a speech impediment and a learning disability. Laz dreams of playing in baseball’s big leagues. When finding out that he has the opportunity to play for a high school that can set him on track to accomplishing his goal, Laz struggles with saying yes and leaving behind his younger brother Antonio who is starting to hang out with the wrong crowd. Golden Arm discusses themes such a socioeconomic inequality, drug use, and how family can impact the choices you make in life. 

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

Roseanne A. Brown’s first book in a YA fantasy duology A Song of Wraiths and Ruin uses West African folklore to guide the plot of the story. Malik must kill the Crown Princess of Ziran, named Karina, to save his sister Nadia. At the same time, Karina wants to resurrect her mother Sultana. To do this, she must marry the man who wins the Solstasia competition and then take his beating heart and use magic to bring her mother back. Malik manages to get into the contest to get close to Karina and while the two are unaware of each other’s intentions a spark ignites between them creating a new twist on star-crossed lovers.

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

Melissa Bashardoust’s YA fantasy novel Girl, Serpent, Thorn follows Soraya who has lived her entire life away from the world in her own secret garden because she is poisonous to the touch thanks to a curse. Soraya must decide if she should emerge from her garden to attend the wedding of her twin brother and decide whether she wants to seek out how to obtain her freedom from a demon locked away. Soraya also has to deal with a young man whose eyes seem to follow her and looks past the fact that she is poisonous. Soraya questions who she really is and if this curse is more than meets the eye. 

The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper

Phil Stamper’s YA LGBTQIA+ novel The Gravity of Us follows 17 year old social media sensation Cal as he and his family relocate to Houston so that his father can go to Mars with NASA. Cal’s family is pushed into the media spotlight and, at the same time, Cal finds himself falling hard for Leon and vice versa. As Cal and Leon find themselves in the beginning of a love story, Cal must find a way to reveal the true intentions behind the mission to Mars while trying not to hurt those closest to him.

Summer Reads: A Selection of Must Reads!

By Kaylie Seed

Summertime brings BBQ’s, beach days, and enjoying days in the sunshine. So far though, summer 2020 is shaping up to be one where we will have to spend more time in our backyards than at the beach. This is good news for bookworms though, we love reading anywhere and reading out in our backyards with an iced coffee is the perfect way to spend days outside. I’ve put together a collection of the hottest books that you need to add to your to-be-read list this summer.

 Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia takes the traditional gothic horror story and makes it something brand new. Mexican Gothic follows Noemí Taboada as she is summoned to High Place, a house set up in the Mexican countryside during the 1950s, when her cousin calls for help. Not aware of what dangers may lie ahead, strong-willed debutant Noemí heads out to High Place to help her cousin and in the process becomes enchanted by the unknowns that High Place holds.

Happy & You Know It by Laura Hankin

Do you enjoy witty satire? If you said yes, then you need to get your hands on a copy of Happy & You Know It. Claire ends up becoming a singer to a bunch of entitled babies whose mothers are addicted to wellness culture and all things “healthy”. Shockingly to Claire, she ends up becoming friends with the gossipy glamourous mothers and learns a thing or two about motherhood along the way. This satire looks at how motherhood is just another way for society to judge women and how at the same time women of different walks of life can come together to become unlikely friends.

The Lion’s Den by Katherine St. John

A voyage on a yacht in the Mediterranean should be a dream vacation, especially when you need a break from your mundane life. Belle goes on a voyage with her friend Summer and some other ladies however their Mediterranean escape becomes more of a nightmare situation than a relaxing getaway. The Lion’s Den is filled with deceit, secrets, and finding out people’s true colours and true intentions. This psychological thriller is bound to keep you entertained during these hot summer days.

The Subtweet by Vivek Shraya (Canadian Author)

We’ve all seen and read love stories throughout the ages: how they go through highs and lows and how some end in happy endings while others end tragically. But how many stories have we read that focus on falling into a friendship? Neela and Rukmini are both musicians and quickly become friends. The pair’s careers take different paths which leads to a falling out but then a single tweet blows up their entire friendship and throws the two of them into an internet fight. The Subtweet explores friendship in the internet era and just how quickly things can disintegrate when we let our insecurities get in the way of our relationships.

Indigenous History Month Reads: A Celebration of Indigenous Authors and Stories

By Kaylie Seed

In Canada, June is Indigenous History Month with June 21st being National Indigenous Peoples Day. While we need to celebrate our Indigenous brothers and sisters every month and not just in June, having this time dedicated to Indigenous People in Canada is a wonderful way to reflect upon the good, the bad, and the ugly that has happened to the first people who were on this great land.

Bone Black by Carol Rose GoldenEagle (Daniels) (Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Dene; Denesuline (Chipewyan); Cree (Nehiyawak))

Carol Rose GoldenEagle has written a breathtakingly haunting story that focuses on the missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. After Raven goes missing, her twin sister Wren StrongEagle takes justice into her own hands as she begins searching for her sister that no one seems to be looking for. A powerfully written story about the bond of sisters and an all too painfully true situation in Canada, Carol Rose GoldenEagle has created a story that not only pulls at your heartstrings but also forces Canadians to look at what is happening right before their eyes.

A Girl Called Echo: Pemmican Wars (Volume 1) by Katherena Vermette (Indigenous Canadian; Métis)

Katherena Vermette has created a graphic novel series called A Girl Called Echo that currently has three volumes: Pemmican Wars, Red River Resistance, and Northwest Resistance. Each of Vermette’s graphic novels follows Echo Desjardins as she learns about her Métis heritage by traveling back in time while sitting in her history class and gets to experience her heritage firsthand. Each of the graphic novels focuses on an important part of Métis history, so not only is the reader going to experience this history through reading they will also get to watch it unfold through gorgeous artwork.

A Two-Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Leader by Ma-Nee Chacaby (Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Anishinaabeg; Oji-Cree) with Mary Louisa Plummer

This is the harrowing story of how Ma-Nee Chacaby overcame multiple hardships throughout her life including the social, economic, and health impacts of colonialism. A Two Spirit Journey teaches us that with the right supports and mindset we can overcome anything that life throws at us. Chacaby allows readers into her traditional upbringing and surviving multiple instances of abuse, both from others and herself, while explaining how she overcame those hardships to become a successful leader who even lead the first Pride Parade in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliott (Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Haudenosaunee (Iroquois); Tuscarora)

Alicia Elliott asks difficult questions revolving around intergenerational trauma surrounding Indigenous People’s in Canada. Elliott draws conclusions between the past and present and touches on topics such as: race, parenthood, mental illness, poverty, and gentrification. Elliott takes a look at colonialism and how it has impacted the loss of language and history of her Indigenous ancestors. A Mind Spread Out on the Ground is a must-read book for Canadians because it calls out white privilege and puts Non-Indigenous Canadians in a position where they must learn the uncomfortable parts of our history.

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph (Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwakiutl); Gwawaenuk)

This fantastic nonfiction read is one that all Canadians should be reading. Bob Joseph uses this novel to dissect complex issues such as truth and reconciliation, and explains how The Indian Act in Canada is hindering Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Joseph explains how Indigenous Peoples can step out from under the clutches of The Indian Act and return to self-government and self-determination that would be better for all Canadians and the country in the long run.

Inuit Kinship and Naming Customs edited by Pelagie Owlijoot (Indigenous Canadian; Inuit) and Louise Flaherty (Indigenous Canadian; Inuit)

Instead of using given names like many other Canadians, Inuit Peoples have a network of kinship names, known as tuqurausiit (turk-thlo-raw-seet), that they use to show respect to one another and to form close familial bonds. Editors Pelagie Owlijoot and Louise Flaherty discuss how the traditional naming system is slowly disappearing and interview four Inuit Elders from Nunavut on the importance of keeping the tuqurausiit names thriving.

The books that I’ve chosen for our Indigenous must-reads is only a small sample of books written by Indigenous authors in Canada and I highly recommend doing your own research to find some more must-reads not only for June, but to incorporate into your reading regularly. A fantastic website where you can find Indigenous Canadian reads is https://www.strongnations.com/

Happy Father's Day: Daddy-and-Me Children's Book Recommendations

By Kaylie Seed

While we understand that not everyone has a Father (either figuratively or literally), we can take Father’s Day to recognize the people in our lives who have helped raise us, celebrate us, nurture us, and love us unconditionally. Father’s Day is meant to celebrate people in our lives who do all of these things for us and one way to be reminded of those actions is through wholesome and heartwarming children’s books.

My Daddy Rules the World: Poems about Dads by Hope Anita Smith

Hope Anita Smith has put together a collection of poems that are told through the voice of a child and shines light on those small moments in our lives that we get to spend with our Dad. Combining beautiful illustrations with loving poems, Smith has put together a lovely children’s book that dads can read with their children.

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems

This adorable children’s story tells a tale about Trixie and her Daddy spending the day together that includes Trixie’s beloved Knuffle Bunny. Trixie isn’t quite old enough to be talking and when things don’t go as planned how will Trixie tell her Daddy that something isn’t quite right? This special story reminds us that the dads in our lives have superpowers.

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison

This absolutely lovely tale tells the story of Zuri and her Father as he steps in to try and help Zuri style her hair for a special occasion. Throughout this story Zuri learns to love her natural hair. Hair Love reminds us to love ourselves (especially our hair) just as we are and is meant to empower young Black girls. Hair Love also shows the special bond between daughters and their fathers!

Two Dads: A book about Adoption by Carolyn Robertson, illustrated by Sophie Humphreys

Two Dads is told from the perspective of their adopted child and focuses on the normalcy of LGBTQIA+ families. Two Dads is a precious read and it is written in a way that is easy for children to understand. Robertson has created a wonderful story that opens up conversations about same-sex parenting as well as adoption.

Darth Vader and Son by Jeffrey Brown

Jeffrey Brown takes the Star Wars story that we all know and love and reimagines it to show off the father/son relationship through a single parent’s eye. Brown highlights the bond of the father and son relationship while mixing in adorable imagery that can only be found in a galaxy far, far away. Darth Vader and Son is an excellent read for all parents!

Pride Reads: Book recommendations to celebrate Pride!

By Kaylie Seed

Pride 2020 is going to look a lot different than it has in previous years. With parades and parties being put on hold (or not happening altogether) due to COVID-19, we need to show off our Pride and be trusted allies louder than we have in the past. Reading is a great way we can do this! Authors of LGBTQIA+ literature use their voices so that we can not only share their work but celebrate in Pride together. I’ve put together some of 2020’s most anticipated LGBTQIA+ reads that you need to add to your To-Be-Read list.

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

A love triangle, self-discovery, and falling in love? Sign me up! Felix Ever After is a Young Adult novel about a transgender teen navigating becoming who he is while looking for love and learning how to love himself. Felix has to deal with an anonymous transphobic student while at the same time finds himself in a love triangle. This is a Young Adult novel that needed to be written and one that any teen can relate to. It’s a great way to educate ourselves on what it means to grow up transgender.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Alex Claremont-Diaz is thrust into the spotlight after his mother becomes the President of the United States, but the spotlight shines on Alex for more than one reason! Alex and Prince Henry of England end up in an altercation that causes tension between the Unites States and Britain. What starts out as a rivalry slowly turns into an organic and flourishing relationship that is deeper than either Alex or Henry could’ve imagined. Red, White & Royal Blue has readers asking how to find the courage to dive into love in a place we weren’t expecting and how to allow our true selves to shine.

We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir by Samra Habib (Canadian Author)

Samra Habib, an Ahmadi Muslim, came to Canada with her family as refugees from Pakistan and she has spent much of her life trying to figure out how to safely be herself. While already struggling with her identity, Habib was thrown into a completely new culture with an entirely new set of problems. In addition to these things, Habib had to deal with everyone in her life trying to tell her how to live her life. Habib’s memoir is meant for anyone who feels out of place and is in need of finding the power to embrace everything about who they are unapologetically.

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

This Young Adult memoir encompasses a large number of topics and themes written in a series of personal essays including consent, gender identity, and toxic masculinity. George M. Johnson takes readers through his childhood, adolescence, and college years to create a safe space for both allies and young queer men of colour to find solace and hope as they navigate through their own identity.

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

Nishat and Flávia both decide to use henna as the main focus for their business idea in a school competition. Nishat only wishes to be herself but her family is having a hard time accepting who she is when she comes out to them which leads her to head back into the closet. The two girls quickly become rivals as they try to prove whose henna business is best and at the same time the two begin to fall for each other. Nishat must decide if she wants to stay loyal to her family or to enter a relationship with Flávia and embrace who she truly is.

Happy Mother’s Day: Mommy-and-Me Children’s Book Recommendations

By Kaylie Seed

Mother’s Day is an opportunity to recognize the people in our lives who have helped raise us, celebrate us, nurture us, and love us unconditionally. Mother’s Day is meant to celebrate people in our lives who do all of these things and one way to be reminded of their amazing actions is through wholesome and heartwarming children’s books.

You Mean the World to Me by Bayne Gibby and illustrated by David Walker

This adorable tale is about a Mother’s unconditional love for her child and taking the time to reassure and remind their little one that they will always be there for them. You Mean the World to Me is a poetic story with bright and warm pictures that puts this children’s book on the top of our list of books to read with our Mother figures.

 How to Raise a Mom by Jean Reagan and illustrated by Lee Wildish

Moms put in a lot of hard work raising their children even when they’re all grownup! How to Raise a Mom is a heartwarming “how-to” book that shows children how to raise their Mom - even if it’s just for one day! What we enjoy about this story is that the roles are reversed in a clever and adorable way. How to Raise a Mom is meant to show children just how much love and time a mother puts into raising them. 

Two is Enough by Janna Matthies and illustrated by Tuesday Mourning

Whether you are a single parent, have only one parent yourself, or just one person who has raised you, it’s important to remember that just the two of you is enough and that’s worth celebrating! Two is Enough is an adorable feel-good children’s book that isn’t meant just for young readers. Adults who struggle with being a single parent or caregiver will also benefit from this story that offers a gentle reminder that your family is perfect regardless of its size. 

Mommy, Mama, and Me by Leslea Newman and illustrated by Carol Thompson

While some families have a “mom and a dad” structure, and others have one parent, it is also important to introduce and include stories about same-sex parents as well! Whether you’re in a same-sex family or you want to show your children that families come in all shapes and sizes, picking up a copy of Mommy, Mama, and Me would be an excellent addition to your book collection. There’s also a book by the same author called Daddy, Papa, and Me that should also be considered.

Every Family is Different by Constance O’Connor & Natalia Rojas and illustrated by Lucy Poley

My last recommendation covers the diversity of families in Every Family is Different.This lovely children’s book shows just how diverse families can be through animals! This is an engaging story that not only teaches children about family structures but also gives them an opportunity to learn about new animals.

Reads to Brighten Your Day: Book Recommendations

By Kaylie Seed:

With uncertainty at an all-time high right now, I think it’s important to find some joy in the world. Books bring joy to so many people and whether you enjoy a good thriller or a romantic comedy, books are an escape. Authors have done us a service in creating a place for us to go while we hide away from our real lives for a little while. I’ve compiled a small list of books that are bound to bring a smile to your face and to bring a little sunshine into these gloomy days. 

Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore

Oona Lockhart has no idea what kind of ride she is in for when she turns nineteen on New Year’s Eve in 1982. Each year Oona jumps through time into a different year of her life, unaware of where she will end up next. This fun book takes readers through different decades with different pop-culture references while Oona lives out her life in a very unexpected way. 

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

This adorably quirky novel follows genetic professor Don Tillman as he searches for love in an unconventional way. Don is socially awkward and thinks that the best way to meet a woman is to create a questionnaire that he hopes will help him find the woman of his dreams. Enter Rosie: the complete opposite of what Don is looking for and yet they somehow work together. This quirky romantic comedy is bound to keep you smiling until the very end but the best part is that there are two more books in this trilogy: The Rosie Effect and The Rosie Result.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

The lonely, crotchety, old man named Ove is what some would call “the neighbour from hell”. Quick to aggravate, Ove keeps to himself until his new neighbours move in and turn his life around. Ove reminds the reader that having a thick outer shell doesn’t always mean that our insides match the outside. It’s a reminder that we need to be kind as we never truly know what others have been through. A Man Called Ove is a heart-warming tale that is bound to make your heart just as warm as your favourite cup of tea. 

Procrastibaking by Erin Gardner

Many people have taken up new hobbies to help pass the time during these uncertain and unfamiliar days. Baking is a delicious hobby to get into and Procrastibaking came out at the perfect time. Erin Gardner filled Procrastibaking with enchanting and easy to follow recipes that are sure to keep you busy (or to keep you from doing the things that you should be doing - which is totally okay in our books!). Either way you will have a smile on your face as you bake your way through this recipe book.