Who’s Who

Andrea Warner

A is for Andrea
Author Andrea Warner’s short book that packs a punch, The Time of My Life (ECW Press $19.95), delves into the enduring legacy of the film Dirty Dancing, which defied low expectations upon its release in 1987 to become a cultural phenomenon. Warner explores the film’s multifaceted themes, including its portrayal of abortion rights, class dynamics and political activism, alongside its iconic soundtrack and memorable chemistry between the lead characters. By highlighting the film’s feminist and socially relevant elements, Warner demonstrates why Dirty Dancing continues to captivate audiences over 30 years later, proving it to be more than just a summer romance or dance movie, but a timeless exploration of complex issues. ‎ 9781770417410

Brian Douglas

B is for Brian
Brian Douglas’ debut novel, They Flutter Behind You (FriesenPress $31.49), follows an illicit and illegal relationship of a high school student and her guidance counselor, Trent. When their relationship crashes and burns, the guidance counsellor finds himself in jail, trying to fathom how things went so awry. Along with the prison psychiatrist, Edmond Thackery, Trent works towards overcoming inexplicable trauma he had to endure as a child, while Trent’s closest family and friends try to deal with the aftermath of what his actions brought to light. Publicity states that this novel is about the human capacity for deplorable acts, redemption and transformation. Douglas holds a master’s degree with a double major in clinical counselling and pastoral leadership. 9781039195431

Megan Clendenan

C is for Clendenan
Every day, humans rely on food, regardless of their location or activities. Ever wondered how humans remain fed, even when surviving in an active warzone or while building the pyramids? Author Megan Clendenan’s fifth book for ages 9-12, What Do We Eat?: How Humans Find, Grow and Share Food (Orca $29.95), due out in September, celebrates human resourcefulness, ingenuity and collaboration, offering bite-sized glimpses into culinary history and innovations for the future. Despite challenges like resource depletion and unequal food distribution, food aid initiatives and urban food accessibility projects offer hope of providing adequate food sources to everyone across the globe. So, what’s for dinner? ‎ 9781459836761

Delreé Dumont

D is for Dumont
Illustrated by Indigenous artist, Delreé Dumont, This Land Is a Lullaby (Orca $21.95) is a soothing lullaby that celebrates the sounds and beauty of the Prairies and Plains on a stormy summer night. From the gentle hum of dragonflies to the rhythmic drumming of thunder, the lullaby captures the essence of the land’s natural symphony. The book showcases captivating, colorful pointillism artwork of all the animals that roam around the Prairies and the Plains and its beautiful, vast landscapes, thus honoring the spiritual bond between Indigenous children, ancestors, and their Traditional Territories. Dumont also creates smudge fans, dreamcatchers and pine needle baskets, and she is a traditional powwow dancer. She lives near Revelstoke, British Columbia. 9781459836099

Jann Everard

E is for Everard
Author Jann Everard’s debut short story collection, Blue Runaways (Stonehewer Books $23.95), delves into themes of love and loss through the journeys of its characters. Some women portrayed in these stories are grieving, others are seeking second chances. They navigate turning points in their lives across diverse settings, from Iceland to Bali, and Canada’s backcountry. Everard confronts the universal fears of death, love’s uncertainties, and the transient nature of promises. With vivid landscapes and empathetic characterizations, Blue Runaways offers a multifaceted exploration of the human experience, reminding readers that amidst sorrow, there is solace in shared experiences. 9781738993307

Andrea Fritz

F is for Fritz
Indigenous artist and storyteller Andrea Fritz writes the story of Smuy, a kind-hearted little deer, and Spaal’, a cunning raven. As winter approaches and food becomes scarce, Smuy hopes Spaal’ will share, but the raven only has tricks up his wings. Undeterred, Smuy devises a plan, mashing his remaining berries into the snow, creating a tempting treat. Spaal’ notices the yummy-looking red snow and asks to taste some. Smuy, prepared for Spaal’s tricks, is equipped with a little trick of his own – one that ensures both animals are warm and fed for the winter. Through Raven Gets Tricked (Orca $21.95), Fritz showcases Indigenous storytelling techniques, art and the rich culture and language of the Hul’q’umi’num’-speaking Peoples, building on her previous works Otter Doesn’t Know (Orca, 2023) and Crow Helps a Friend (Orca, 2024). 9781459836273

Patrick Grace

G is for Grace
Author Patrick Grace’s debut book of poetry, Deviant (University of Alberta Press $19.99) explores queer self-discovery from childhood to adulthood, delving into themes of love, fear, grief and violence in same-sex relationships. Grace’s confessional poetry vividly captures intense emotions shaped by both beauty and brutality. The collection navigates coming-of-age identity struggles with wry wit, highlighting queer love as a coping mechanism against fear and cruelty. Later poems delve into psychological trauma, stalking and the justice system’s bias against gay men. Through memories, dreams and fears, Deviant offers significant insights into queer coming-of-age and intimate partner violence narratives. 9781772127416

Carl Cavanagh Hodge

H is for Hodge
In the current climate of growing discontent and confusion surrounding democratic governance and liberal economies, The Ethics and Economics of Liberal Democracies: Foundations for PPE (Routledge $39.16), co-authored by Carl Cavanagh Hodge (pictured at left) and Andrew David Irvine, emerges as a timely resource. Tailored for Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) courses, the book serves as a primer on essential liberal-democratic values and institutions. It covers topics from free elections and responsible government to corruption, climate issues and civil society. This comprehensive guide offers insights into key concepts like populism, globalization and academic freedom. With a focus on historical context, it appeals to students interested in public-policy work and those exploring the intricacies of democratic theory and practice. 9781032729497

Guy Immega

I is for Immega
Guy Immega, a retired aerospace engineer and entrepreneur living in Vancouver, has published his debut sci-fi novel Super-Earth Mother, the AI that Engineered a Brave New World ( ‎ EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing $20.95). The story is a journey into the heart of humanity, artificial intelligence and the uncharted realms of life beyond our home planet. It shows how humans could colonize the 40 billion habitable planets in the Milky Way. Guy Immega’s company, Kinetic Sciences Inc., built experimental robots for the ISS space station, robots to clean up nuclear waste, and invented miniature fingerprint sensors for cell phones. He was a Peace Corps Volunteer and has a lifelong interest in sub-Saharan Africa. He continues his volunteer efforts as a founding member of the Solar Option Group, providing an engineering proposal to save Lake Chad in the Sahel.  9781770532274.

M.J. Milne

J is for M.J.
When Gerri’s best friend seeks help, she willingly steps in as a substitute house-sitter at an Italian villa, as it was the perfect place to heal after learning about her late husband’s infidelity. Nestled on picturesque Lake Como, she finds herself drawn to Kate, a fellow guest from California. M.J. Milne’s latest novel, Secrets of the Italian Villa (Blue Heron Productions $17.99), follows their blossoming romance as it takes a surprising turn when they delve into the villa’s mysteries, uncovering dark secrets that seem intertwined with Gerri’s own fate. Together, they transition from lovers to amateur sleuths, realizing Gerri’s journey to the villa holds a deeper purpose. 9780973965452

Karen Lee White

K is for Karen
Karen Lee White’s latest novel, Bonewalker (Exile Editions $28.66) follows Krie Redsky, an extraordinary Indigenous child, who possesses both a curse and a blessing that enables him to traverse between our world and the Spirit Realm. Amidst the challenges of navigating friendships, experiencing first love, and grappling with loss and betrayal, he is guided by Knowledge Keepers who see him as fearless and capable of bridging realities. Recognized as a warrior against the dreaded ancient spirit stealers known as Bonewalkers, the question remains: does he possess the strength needed for the looming battle ahead? 9781990773228

Myriam Lacroix

L is for Lacroix
At a concert in a dilapidated punk house, Myriam and Allison fall in love. But what if they could rewrite their relationship endlessly in hopes of success? Myriam Lacroix’s debut novel, How It Works Out (Doubleday $32.00), due out in May, explores this premise as their love story evolves through hypothetical scenarios. From discovering a baby in an alley to realizing Myriam’s depression can only be cured by Allison’s flesh, Lacroix delves into various what-ifs. Whether imagining themselves as B-list celebrities or in darker, sexier roles, each scenario illuminates the complexities of love and its myriad promises and perils. 9780385698405

Bonnie McGhie

M is for McGhie
In 1954, a young California woman, Bonnie McGhie went to the North seeking to escape conventional gender norms. She married a Canadian bush pilot and moved to Inuvik, at the time a new settlement. Housing was in short supply but they made a life for themselves in the remote, inhospitable Canadian Arctic. McGhie recalls her adventures and misadventures in Hard Landings: Chasing a Dream in Canada’s Changing Arctic (self-published $24.99) as she became a co-owner of a charter flying service and a fur trading company in the early 1960s. Later she moved to BC, where she now lives in Chilliwack. 9781738795000

Roz Nay

N is for Nay
Bestselling author of Our Little Secret, Roz Nay’s latest novel, The Offing (Viking $24.95) due out in May, follows two friends, Ivy and Regan on a month-long trip to Australia, to escape Ivy’s recent humiliating breakup. Drawn to a calmer type of holiday, the girls decide to take a job aboard a small yacht helmed by a father-daughter duo. Accompanied by a handsome third crewmember, they set off north into tropical waters, but it’s not long before doubts start to creep in. Tensions rise and dark secrets emerge, unfolding a dangerous cat-and-mouse game on land and at sea. 9780735248250

Onjana Yawnghwe

O is for Onjana
A family escapes from Myanmar’s military violence to Thailand, then Canada, carrying nothing but beat-up suitcases on a luggage cart. Onjana Yawnghwe’s third book of poetry, We Follow the River (Caitlin Press $20.00) explores growing up in a foreign land, sifting through family history and grief, and the experience of travelling across cultures and continents to find a home. Yawnghwe’s poetry collection spans two decades and the poems navigate quiet moments, unruly bursts of emotion and self-distillation. Her poems offer an intimate exploration of human complexity, inviting readers to contemplate the essence of identity and belonging. 9781773861388

Julie Paul

P is for Paul
A candid collection of poems by Julie Paul, Whiny Baby (McGill-Queen’s University Press $19.95) explores her personal experiences without resorting to blame or insult. Through various forms and voices, Paul navigates themes of love, loss and the intricacies of contemporary life. From construction sites to frozen rivers, the poems traverse landscapes both physical and emotional, urging readers to embrace the fleeting moments of existence. With a blend of frankness, introspection and occasional mischief, the collection provides perspectives on the female body, natural environments, and the quirks of modern living. Whiny Baby invites readers to celebrate the complexities of life’s brief journey on Earth. 9780228020745

Shahnaz Qayumi

Q is for Qayumi
“You are a man now, take care of your mother,” Zia’s father whispered to Zia just as he is arrested–never to return home. Kabul born author, Shahnaz Qayumi’s debut novel, Zia’s Story (Tradewind Books $14.95) due out in June, is set in the aftermath of the Russian withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989, as the country descends into civil war. The Taliban’s rule brings restrictions to women working and girls attending school. This book reflects the author’s personal journey as a young mother fleeing war-torn Afghanistan with her son. Qayumi found refuge in Canada. She now lives in Vancouver and teaches at Langara University. This book is illustrated by Nahid Kazemi. 9781990598142

Elspeth and Rowena Rae

R is for Rae
Book five of the “Meg and Greg” series by Elspeth and Rowena Rae, Meg and Greg: A Handful of Dogs (Orca $16.95), due out in August, is a decodable book comprising four phonics-driven stories tailored for struggling readers from ages 6-8, particularly those with dyslexia or language-based learning difficulties. The tales follow Meg, Greg and their friends as they embark on various autumn adventures, from organizing a dog event to navigating a scavenger hunt, and looking after kindergarteners at a pumpkin patch. Designed for shared reading, the book introduces different suffixes, prefixes and spelling rules, while incorporating comic-style pages and controlled prose to enhance reading proficiency. ‎ 9781459838239

Sara Cassidy

S is for Sara
Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Award winning author, Sara Cassidy’s new book, The Secret Office (Orca $8.95), due out in August, follows the story of twins Henry and Allie. They adore their apartment, but it’s become cramped with their mom, Sam, working from home. Desperate to reclaim their living room, they stumble upon a locked room in the basement. With the help of custodian Mr. Jeff, they transform it into an office for Sam. Along the way, they uncover secrets about themselves, Mr. Jeff and the building’s history. Will they succeed in helping their mom and get their apartment back at the same time? 9781459839465

Tariq Malik

T is for Tariq
Tariq Malik revisits Kotli, a millennium-old city in the Punjab province of Pakistan, where he spent his formative years in Blood of Stone (Caitlin $20.00), his second poetry collection. Malik’s descriptions point to the city’s tapestry of “secrets and yearnings,” shaped by his collective experiences of dislocation and migration. This deeply personal exploration precedes Malik’s immigration to Canada, offering a reflection on his roots and identity. As the inhabitants of Kotli scatter in search of new homes, their journeys intertwine with those of Malik’s fellow mohijar, creating a diasporic narrative that resonates with themes of longing and adaptation. 9781773861265

Ujjal Dosanjh

U is for Ujjal
Born in rural India, Ujjal Dosanjh emigrated to the UK at 18, where he worked various jobs while attending night school and learning English by listening to BBC Radio. He moved to Canada in 1968 and became a lawyer and advocate for the rights of BC farm and domestic workers. Eventually, Dosanjh rose to become the first person of Indian descent to serve as Attorney General and Premier of British Columbia. Dosanjh’s memoir, Journey After Midnight (Speaking Tiger Books $26.95) tells of that journey. 9789354471278

Alli Vail

V is for Vail
Author Alli Vail’s debut novel, Brooklyn Thomas Isn’t Here (Post Hill Press $25.99), due out in May, follows the narrative of young Brooklyn Thomas as she faces a series of challenges: her best friend is missing, her career is in shambles, and she’s back living with her parents. Strangely, Brooklyn is also pretty sure that she’s mostly dead. She can’t feel her heart beating and her reflection keeps vanishing from mirrors but no one else in her life seems to notice. While working at a doughnut shop after losing her high-paying marketing job, Brooklyn faces embarrassment in front of her crush. She also struggles to make ends meet in her parents’ basement. To add to her woes, Brooklyn begins hallucinating about stars from her favourite TV shows who urge her to confront her past. In the face of this collision with past and present, Brooklyn must find the courage to deal with her demons and seize a second chance at life before it’s too late. 9798888452899

Sam Wiebe

W is for Wiebe
Crime Writers of Canada award winner, Sam Wiebe, spins a new mystery thriller about a paroled killer and a small-town police officer, whose paths converge in the aftermath of a college student’s murder by arson. Against the backdrop of escalating gang violence along the forty-ninth parallel, Wiebe juxtaposes the dynamics of small-town life with the sprawling reach of multinational criminal enterprises. Ocean Drive (Harbour $24.95) explores the moral quandaries people face when confronted with the allure of easy money. 9781990776694

Xiran Jay Zhao

X is for Xiran
They’ve got over 250,000 YouTube subscribers, 65,000 Twitter followers, 25,000 Instagram followers and a website that averages 5,000 unique visitors per month. Now, non-binary Xiran Jay Zhao of Vancouver is publishing their first sci-fi/fantasy novel Iron Widow (Penguin $21.99) for ages 14 and up. Using a blend of Chinese history and futuristic mecha (humanoid mobile robots) science fiction, the book features a heroine inspired by China’s only legitimate female sovereign, Wu Zetian (who is credited with reducing corruption and revitalizing the country’s culture and economy). Xiran is a first-generation Chinese immigrant who lives and works in Vancouver where they are training to become a biochemist. 9780735269934

Yolanda Ridge

Y is for Yolanda
“Poop can’t fight the climate crisis alone, of course. But the truth is that healthy ecosystems rely on poo-producing animals and the plants that benefit from their excrement,” writes Yolanda Ridge in her latest book for ages 9-12, What Poo Can Do: How Animals Are Fighting the Climate Crisis (Orca $21.95). From whales to dung beetles, Ridge educates children about animals fertilizing plants, storing carbon, preventing fires, reducing methane and much more – one poop at a time! 9781459835412

George Zukerman

Z is for Zukerman
In Have Bassoon, Will Travel: Memoir of an adventurous life in music (Ronsdale $24.95), George Zukerman, a concert bassoonist who played with the Vancouver Symphony, humorously recounts his worldwide tours that elevated the instrument’s profile and freed it from obscurity. Zuckerman describes his travels across Canada navigating diverse terrains, often with unconventional modes of transportation. As an impresario, Zukerman’s Overture Concerts left a lasting impact, inspiring new audiences and musicians. 9781553807131