Who’s Who
Daniel Anctil
A is for Anctil
A man living in a tree house who reads about mythical creatures from books, wonders why he hasn’t yet met such creatures in Daniel Anctil’s kidlit title, Monster Friends, Where Are You? (Orca $21.95), He thinks they must be hiding, so he goes on a journey to find and befriend them. Will he find these creatures, and can he make friends with monsters he’s seen only in books? Publicity for the book describes it as a “whimsical story about looking for friends and excitement.” Illustrations by Corentin Hunter. Daniel Anctil of Vancouver holds a Bachelor of Arts in religion and psychology from the University of Victoria. 9781988242569
B.R. Bentley
B is for Bentley
Often inspired by real events, B.R. Bentley’s mystery novels have realistic characters and plots set in international locales including his fourth title, The Blood Labyrinth (FriesenPress $20.99). Beginning in South Africa in 1948, a double agent working for England’s MI6 is murdered. He leaves behind his lover who, unbeknownst to him is pregnant. The lover hightails it back to England to give birth and adopt out the baby. Seventy-four years later, a woman in Canada gets a DNA test to confirm she is related to a dementing woman who is her mother. That DNA test connects her to the murdered man from 1948. The rest of the story links these characters together for a surprising conclusion. 9781038318985
Carol E. Mayer
C is for Carol
UBC’s Museum of Anthropology has Canada’s largest collection of objects from Oceania (more than 3,500) and its Research Fellow and curator of the Pacific Islands, Carol E. Mayer, has now written about them in Sea of Islands: Exploring Objects, Stories, and Memories from Oceania (Figure 1 $55). Artifacts include jewellery, barkcloths, woven mats, carvings and canoes from places like Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, the Marquesas Islands, Vanuatu and many more places as depicted in over 250 photos as well as images from Oceanic communities for context. Mayer has been honoured with awards from museum associations and a medal from Vanuatu for her cultural contributions. 9781773271552
Angela Douglas
D is for Douglas
A young woman, Bree, married to a cop begins hearing voices and suffering nightmares in Angela Douglas’s psychological crime thriller, Every Fall (Rising Action $25.99). When tragedy strikes and her husband spirals into grief, Bree must protect her children from the one person she thought would always keep them safe. The novel explores trauma, early motherhood, and the dark side of police culture. Angela Douglas lives in the Okanagan. Her next novel, The Bone Trail, is due in June 2026. 9781998076819
Marc Edge
E is for Edge
Having written about the ups and downs of the news media business for over 25 years, Marc Edge’s latest book, Tomorrow’s News: How to Fix Canada’s Media (New Star $21) peers into the emerging post-print world. How do we get away from all the misinformation that is fast becoming a feature in democratic countries that rely on the fourth estate to make informed decisions? Journalism isn’t going away Edge argues as he lays out ways for news organizations to thrive in the future. The key will be an ability to shift revenues from advertisers to readers. 9781554202140
Dr. Brett Finlay
F is for Finley
In their latest book, The Microbiome Master Key: Harness Your Microbes to Unlock Whole-Body Health and Lifelong Vitality (D&M $21.95) Dr. Brett Finlay, a microbiologist, and Dr. Jessica Finlay, an expert on aging, explore how the microbiome—microbes living in and around us—plays a crucial role in lifelong health and aging. While traditional health practices emphasize eliminating germs, new research suggests that embracing and nurturing beneficial microbes can improve sleep, cognition, mood, heart health and even reduce the risk of dementia, diabetes and cancer. The book provides practical insights on diet, hygiene, exercise, stress and probiotics, revealing how simple lifestyle changes can enhance well-being. 9798893030372
Kawika Guillermo
G is for Guillermo
Video games are often thought of as socially isolating mechanisms that create a wide array of harmful effects on youth. In Of Floating Isles: On Growing Pains and Video Games (Arsenal $26.95) Kawika Guillermo’s personal essays reframe the gamer’s retreat as a quest for a different community, “one where they feel seen, heard, and understood,” says publicity for the book. “Games provide reflective realms to swell, to imagine, and to build spaces for queer, trans, racialized, and neurodiverse groups.” Guillermo has a lifelong attachment to video games. They teach game studies at UBC. 9781834050065
Douglas Hamilton
H is for Hamilton
Having lived in the past on the eccentric Lasqueti Island, Douglas Hamilton is no stranger to West Coast lore and tall tales. But he also has an MA in history so he knows the difference between the two as he shows in his collection, Who Shot Estevan Light? Tales from the Salish Sea and Beyond (Caitlin $26). Some of the stories are maritime history and others fall into the category of local folklore. They include a BC pirate who claimed he was part of Butch Cassidy’s gang; a little-known French explorer who rivalled Captain Cook for travels in the Pacific; and BC’s Estevan Point Lighthouse, reportedly shelled by a Japanese submarine in 1942 (although some say it was a conspiracy). 9781773861531
Anosh Irani
I is for Irani
In Behind the Moon (Talonbooks $21.95), award-winning playwright, Anosh Irani, explores the character of Ayub, a man haunted by his past and isolated in a cold, unfamiliar Toronto. Ayub works in a Mughlai restaurant, where his routine is disrupted by a late-night visit from a mysterious stranger, forcing him to confront the family he left behind and the dreams he abandoned. Through this lens, Irani delves into themes of love, loss, brotherhood and the complexities of starting anew. The play reflects Ayub’s emotional struggles, intensified by the harsh winter, as Irani examines the inner lives of his characters, embracing their strangeness and woundedness to uncover deeper truths about identity and resilience. 9781772016383
Leigh Joseph
J is for Joseph
Passionate ethnobotanist and author Leigh Joseph uses her book, The Land Knows Me: A Nature Walk Exploring Indigenous Wisdom (Epic Ink/becker&mayer! kids $25.99)to help kids and teens learn about plants by observing and interacting with living examples. Joseph and the characters in her book provide a hands-on experience through the lens of Indigenous plant relationships and Squamish First Nation’s traditions. Included are informative sidebars, reflection questions, how-to crafts, yummy treats and language lessons. Joseph included some plant names in Squamish and English. Joseph, a member of the Squamish Nation, teamed up with BC-based illustrator Natalie Schnitter to create this educational brightly-coloured walk through nature. 9780760392911
Kelly Shepherd. Randall Edwards Photography
K is for Kelly
Kelly Shepherd’s latest collection of poetry, Dog and Moon (University of Regina Press $19.95), illustrates his ability to paint images and evoke emotion writing about nature, wildlife and life experiences. He expresses many sides of himself including a sense of humor: “How to distinguish British Columbians from Albertans? / Look at their choice of Self-Help books.” Shepherd’s style is inspired by ghazals, traditional Arabic love poems from the 7th century. His free verse twists on this ancient form of couplets resulting in a distinctive musicality. He has a creative writing MFA from UBC Okanagan with a thesis on the intersections of eco-poetry and work poetry. 9781779400383
Victor Labonte-Smith
L is for Labonte-Smith
In Second-Hand Firsthand: Life Lessons on Wheeling & Dealing (self-published $15), Victor Labonte-Smith, a man who’s worked 54 different jobs, shares more than just business tips. Through humourous reflection and street-smart advice, he delivers a survival guide for both trade and life. Labonte-Smith reminds us that in exchange for the ease of an online click-to-cart lifestyle, we miss out on the opportunity to meet real people at bricks and mortar venues like vintage stores and learn from those who’ve lived through past eras. His stories aren’t just about objects, but the people and history attached to them. With humour, Labonte-Smith passes on a disappearing way of life. Whether you’re into second-hand finds or life lessons, this book delivers both. 9798319049100
Megan McDougall
M is for Megan McDougall
Yoga Adventures for Little Explorers (Pownal Street Press $24.95) written by Megan McDougall tells the story of a little one’s first journey into the world of yoga – a place full of imagination, relaxation, and safety. Hayley Lowe’s charming, realistic illustrations bring to life a cast of friendly animal companions, creating a visual world that feels both comforting and engaging. Told through gentle, poetic rhymes, the story captures the wonder and curiosity of a child trying yoga for the first time. The author and the illustrator are both experienced children’s yoga teachers. 978998129232
Darcy Nybo
N is for Nybo
A woman longing to become a mother leaves a trail of dead men behind her in Cleansing Water (Artistic Warrior $19.99), a crime novel by Darcy Nybo. When a career cop gets involved, it’s unclear who’s hunting who. The story is the first in a four-part series, with the second, Healing Earth, expected in winter 2025. Known for her short stories and children’s books, Nybo is also a writing coach, instructor at UVic, and founder of Always Write. Last fall, she reached #1 on Amazon Canada with her short story collection, Rescue Tails (Artistic Warrior, 2024). 9781987982763
Elizabeth Oldham
O is for Oldham
In her second novel Shadows on the Heart (Doppia Press $17), Elizabeth Oldham explores what happens when life forces you into roles you never expected. This character-driven story follows three generations of women as they navigate love, memory and the long reach of grief. Oldham’s storytelling is gentle, offering a compassionate look at family bonds and personal transformation. Through shifting perspectives, the novel highlights how connection can grow in even the most complicated circumstances. Shadows on the Heart is a testament to resilience and the ways we carry both pain and hope across generations. 9781738822638
Nina Peers
P is for Peers
In the depths of addiction, Nina Peers of Powell River sought support to understand her sense of powerlessness over her condition. She began reading some Nar-Anon literature and found relief. It led Peers and her girlfriend to start a new 12-step meeting program. She also earned an addictions counsellor certification at McMaster’s University and now works as a Mental Health Substance Use Counsellor at a non-profit Men’s treatment center in Powell River. She has written about her journey in Dancing with Addiction (self published $25). “My experience helped shape my path in giving back,” she says. “I hope that my book will bring both inspiration and hope to those who need it the most.” 9781998495016
Christine Quintana
Q is for Quintana
Set in a Mexican resort, the lives of Sarah, a cynical Canadian wedding guest, and Adriana, a perfectionist hotel floor manager, intersect in unexpected ways in Christine Quintana’s latest play, Espejos: Clean (Playwrights Canada Press $19.99). Sarah’s pessimism and Adriana’s quest for order mask deeper anxieties, which come to light as their parallel realities collide. Through poignant and often humorous monologues, the bilingual play delves into themes of female strength, solidarity, and the struggles each woman faces in navigating her world. Speaking directly to the audience, their stories reveal both contrasts and commonalities, magnifying their shared pain and resilience. The play was adapted and translated into Spanish by Paula Zelaya-Cervantes. 9780369104588
Heather Ramsay
R is for Ramsay
Chilliwack-based Heather Ramsay sets her debut novel, A Room in the Forest (Caitlin Press $25), in Haida Gwaii, where Ramsay worked as a reporter for ten years. The coming-of-age story follows nineteen-year-old Lily when she leaves a job at her father’s furniture store in Alberta for a job in the ancient forests of Haida Gwaii. As Lily settles into her new living and working environment, she sees a mysterious figure, a man who disappeared into the forest many years before. Each local has their own version of what happened. Lily continues to ask questions and discovers surprising secrets about her estranged mother’s experience in the area. In pursuit of answers, Lily dives deeper into the forest. 9781773861678
Kim Spencer
S is for Spencer
Kim Spencer has followed up her multi-award-winning YA debut novel about a young girl, Mia, growing up in Prince Rupert in the 1980s, Weird Rules to Follow (Orca, 2022), and the later novel set in 1989, I Won’t Feel This Way Forever (Orca, 2025), with Here for a Good Time (Swift Water Books/Penguin Random House $26.99). In the third installment, due out in May 2026, an Indigenous girl faces difficult issues as she navigates through her late teen years, starting in 1990. The story tells how Morgan, a resident of Prince Rupert takes care of her father while attending school, dealing with intergenerational trauma and experiencing young love. A new connection helps her in the face of tragedy and Morgan works her way through to a fresh start based on love and forgiveness. Spencer is from the Gitxaala Nation in northwest BC and now lives in Vancouver. 9781774887806
Tash McAdam
T is for Tash
Tash McAdam’s most recent title, No One Left But You (Penguin Random House 17.99) explores the world of a newly out trans teen in his final year of high school. Max starts the year dealing with the object of his summer romance who has turned into a bully. Then, remarkably, Max becomes the focus of Gloss, the new It Girl. A “rager” goes wrong and accusations fly, hitting both Gloss and Max. Although Max’s memories of the night are fuzzy, he is determined to find out the truth. McAdam is passionate about social justice and mentors trans youth through the Gender Generations Projects. When not writing, hobbies such as lake time, thinking about monsters, getting a tattoo, making miniatures, having tea, existential philosophy and a fascination with sharp objects takes up their time. 9781641294898
Umar Turaki
U is for Umar
In Umar Turaki’s novel, Every Drop of Blood Is Red (Little A $23.51), lives intertwine in Jos, Nigeria, when Dareng Pamson, a family man seeking redemption, hires Murmula Denge, a young woman on a vengeful quest, at his auto repair shop. Dareng strives to rebuild trust with his pregnant wife after infidelity, while Murmula seeks revenge for the pain his greed caused her family. As Murmula’s plans for destruction deepen, both confront their pasts, faith and unexpected connections. A mysterious turning point forces them to reckon with justice, closure and the transformative power of their intertwined fates. 9781662508103
Vanessa Winn
V is for Vanessa
Victoria based author, Vanessa Winn, has contributed to writing Métis Matriarchs: Agents of Transition (University of Regina Press $34.95), due out in September, edited by Cheryl Troupe and Doris Jeanne MacKinnon. The book explores the crucial roles Métis women played in preserving their communities during the transition from the fur trade era to a more industrialized and agrarian economy in Western Canada. Covering the late 19th to mid-20th century, this collection highlights the lives of prominent Métis women who were respected for their knowledge and leadership. It sheds light on how they navigated colonial and settler interventions to sustain their cultural heritage, challenging traditional views on Western Canadian settlement and Indigenous displacement. 9781779400116
Wendy Donawa
W is for Wendy
It takes a poet to capture the sensory appeal of the West Coast in a few words, such as these lines from Wendy Donawa’s third collection, The Time of Falling Apart (Harbour $22.95): “the tide’s pebbly click and shush / and crows cawing in the arbutus.” Donawa is reflecting on her childhood in the towns of Vancouver Island while also writing about all that happens in life on earth including the horrors. Colonialization, competing ideologies and a pandemic are experienced side-by-side with bees humming in flowers, Bach, friends and cappuccinos. Donawa’s first poetry book, Thin Air of the Knowable (Brick Books, 2017) was longlisted for the Raymond Souster Award and a finalist for the Gerald Lampert Award. 9781998526307
Xiran Jay Zhao
X is for Xiran
In author Xiran Jay Zhao’s new book, Heavenly Tyrant (Tundra Books $28.99) Zetian navigates political intrigue and a thirst for revenge after rising to power in Huaxia. She discovers hidden truths about her world and faces an enemy holding one of her loved ones hostage. Forced to collaborate with a dangerous ally, Zetian must confront both external enemies and internal struggles. As revolution brews and former elites retaliate, she grapples with the challenges of leadership, torn between being a just ruler or succumbing to violence to achieve her goals of vengeance and liberation. Zhao’s latest is a sequel to her #1 New York Times Bestseller, Iron Widow. 9780735269989
Anne and Laurence Yeadon-Jones
Y is for Yeadon-Jones
Anne and Laurence Yeadon-Jones bring their expertise to the territory of Broughton Archipelago in The Broughtons: And Vancouver Island—Kelsey Bay to Port Hardy (Harbour $49.95), Volume 5 of their Dreamspeaker series. This guide features detailed charts, aerial photos and hand-drawn maps by Laurence, ensuring safe navigation through Queen Charlotte Strait and its intricate waterways. Anne’s lively commentary highlights the region’s rich Kwakiutl heritage, hidden gems and must-see attractions. Enhanced by Laurence’s scenic photography, this visually striking marine guide continues the series’ tradition of offering invaluable resources for cruising enthusiasts exploring these captivating coastal waters. 9781990776991
Zena Sharman
Z is for Zena
The editor of two books about what good healthcare for LGBTQ+ people looks like, Zena Sharman has now written a memoir in essays, Staying Power: On Queerness, Inheritances, and the Families We Choose (Arsenal Pulp $24.95), about raising three children in a four-parent queer family. She covers topics such as care work, grief, parenting and chosen family in the wake of intergenerational trauma. The publisher promises that this portrait of parenting as a queer femme “doesn’t leave out the messy or the erotic.” 9781834050164
