Everyone asks me for personal recommendations because I work at the library, and I suppose they are expecting me to share with them the newest bestseller, or trending genre. But actually, my reading habits are very selective, heavily favouring non fiction. Age has changed what I read now, and being a host of the Last Chapter Book Club has also shifted the type of book I am drawn to.
I want to share a few of my all time favourite reads.
The books I’m recommending have made me think, given me pause to change my beliefs about the world or marked me emotionally. Some hopefully will grab your attention and you can try them on for size. No one size fits all here, books are as peculiar as people, and always just as interesting.
The Good Women of Safe Harbour by Bobbi French
This Canadian author captured my heart with her story. It was almost as if she was writing about me and my character was coming to life on the page. This one caught me emotionally, there are some tough topics embraced, and the outcome is not happy. Bittersweet, bright and funny all the way through, there’s no way you won’t cry.
The Good Women of Safe Harbour
Bet Me by Jennifer Cruise
I read this book about 30 years ago, and it has stuck with me ever since. It is a rom com, full of smart funny characters, halting and realistic relationships and a tightly woven friendship. I don‘t think I have ever remembered a male lead from a romance novel. This guy's name is Cal. And Min wears inappropriate footwear. Enough said.
Finding The Mother Tree- Suzanne Simard
This was a big book, but ecological and scientific takeaways are scattered throughout a heartwarming and touching personal Canadian story. You will never drive past a regrowth block and think about it the same way, you will be rooting for the Mother Tree. We would best hurry up and accept this new science before it is too late.
Home by Whitney Hanson
This poetry collection left me raw. All about heartbreak, finding yourself and loving your place in the world. It will tear you down and build you back up again even better. Whitney is Tik Tok famous turned published poet. It was so good I bought it. And I don’t buy books on principle because I support borrowing.
The Boy, The Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
This graphic fable depicts beautiful artwork on which the characters journey looking for cake. It is touching and simple (it’s meant for children) but speaks so clearly about life’s purpose. I purchased this book as gifts for the graduates, the new mothers and anyone else who might need a few friends to get through life's challenges. So sweet, I bring it home from time to time in all its different forms. It was also made into a short film if you like that kind of thing.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
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