As the festive season of giving approaches, we have curated a selection of books penned by talented British Columbia writers that would make great holiday gifts. From captivating poetry to gripping fiction and compelling narratives, let’s celebrate the gift of local literature this Christmas and unwrap the brilliance of B.C. authors, one page at a time.
Rise Up and Sing! for Young Adults
In her book Rise Up and Sing!, Vancouver born Andrea Warner delves into the transformative power of music in the ongoing struggle for social justice. Navigating through eight crucial realms of activism, Warner introduces a myriad of historical and contemporary artists, who have left an indelible mark on the world through both their performances and impactful contributions to various causes.
Storylines for the Storytelling Admirer
In Storylines, J Edward Chamberlin delves into the enduring strength of narratives and their pivotal role in our survival throughout tens of thousands of years. These stories have served as the guiding threads of our collective knowledge, cautionary tales and sources of curiosity. Illuminating the profound impact of storytelling, Chamberlin explores how it simultaneously binds us together and, at times, creates divisions. Storylines meticulously examines the mechanics of stories, seeking a path forward that places emphasis on hope and the boundless realm of possibilities.
Uncontrolled Flight for the Fiction Aficionado
Uncontrolled Flight by the North Vancouver based Frances Peck, unfolds against the backdrop of wildfire season in the British Columbia Interior. Seasoned firefighting pilot Rafe Mackie tragically crashes to his death during a routine drop. The investigation that follows becomes a catalyst for profound changes in the lives of three individuals: Will, Rafe’s protege; Sharon, Rafe’s grieving widow; and Nathalie, an accident investigator with mysterious ties to the incident.
Crushed Wild Mint for the Poetry Enthusiast
Crushed Wild Mint is a poetic anthology that encapsulates a profound love for the land and ancestral wisdom, intimately connected to the poet’s homeland and their roles as a parent, herbalist, and keen observer of the patterns and potency within their surroundings. Bella Bella based Jess Housty navigates the realms of the natural and the supernatural, exploring themes of transformation and the arduous journey of existence that our bodies undertake—supported by mountains, oceans, ancestors, and the poignant emotions of grief and love that accompany communion with the world.
In the Belly of the Sphinx for the History Buff
In the historical novel by Mayne Island author Grant Buday, we meet nine-year-old Pearl Greyland-Smith in 1882 Victoria’s James Bay neighbourhood. Living with her widowed mother, Florence, Pearl believes her father died in Afghanistan. However, when a visitor addresses Florence as Sinead, Pearl begins to question her origins. Despite societal limitations for women, Pearl’s life is anything but dull, filled with colourful characters and a fateful encounter at a solstice fête that throws her future into uncertainty. Grant Buday’s delightful coming-of-age story, enriched with Victorian fascination for auras and the afterlife, offers a captivating narrative that turns West Coast history upside down, resonating with readers today.
