Some things in this world are meant to go together: salt and pepper; pencil and paper; milk and cookies. There’s a certain delight in the perfect duo, and here at Read Local BC, we’ve found some flawless BC Bestseller pairings to delight every reader, from trivia seekers and birdwatchers to fiction lovers and #CanadaReads fans. Dive in and read up!
For #CanadaReads Fans
Canada Reads is Canada’s annual “Battle of the Books,” in which five celebrities champion their favourite book in a competition to decide the winning title. Each year, the competition is stiff and the books excellent––and this year, there are two local books from Arsenal Pulp Press in the running!
- Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi (Arsenal Pulp Press)
- Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead (Arsenal Pulp Press)
For Mystery Lovers
Can’t get enough intrigue in your life? Why not grab a two-for-one with this BC Bestseller pairing of local mysteries? Pick up these novels and be swept away by intellectual protagonists on the search for the truth, and a host of other characters both sympathetic and suspicious.
- Primary Obsessions by Charles Demers (Douglas & McIntyre)
- A Match Made for Murder by Iona Whishaw (TouchWood Editions)
For Short Story Snackers
Whether you love short stories or just a perfectly crafted story, you can’t go wrong with this incredible BC Bestseller pairing of Indigenous fiction collections, full of intricate family dynamics and imagined queer futures, these collections provide tantalizing stories that can be read during a break or just before bed.
- Moccasin Square Gardens by Richard Van Camp (Douglas & McIntyre)
- Love After the End by Joshua Whitehead (Arsenal Pulp Press)
For Local Trivia Masters
Looking for the perfect gift for your trivia-loving friend (or yourself)? Look no further than this bestselling book pairing that will have them dropping insider tips about Vancouver’s architecture, night life, and wild history for years to come. Buy the books, then join Vancouver Writers Fest on February 17 as the authors are joined by Jesse Donaldson for a free Incite event.
- Vancouver Exposed by Eve Lazarus (Arsenal Pulp Press)
- Vancouver After Dark by Aaron Chapman (Arsenal Pulp Press)
For Readers on the Move
Some of BC’s most popular books surround the wonderful world of transportation, from the province’s extensive railroads to idyllic ferries. This bestseller pairing will tickle any traveler-at-heart or lover of beautiful books––it’s pretty hard to go wrong!
- Railway Nation by David Laurence Jones (Heritage House Publishing)
- The E. J. Hughes Book of Boats by Robert Amos (TouchWood Editions)
For Hikers & Bikers
It won’t be long before BC residents start packing up their winter wardrobe and seek the great outdoors (especially after the year we’ve had!) Pick up this pairing to learn all the best trails and day-trips to try, perfectly suited for cyclists, families, and amateur to professional hikers.
- Family Walks and Hikes on Greater Vancouver’s North Shore by Harry Crerar (Rocky Mountain Books)
- Let’s Go Biking: Okanagan and Beyond by Colleen Macdonald (Sandhill Book Marketing Ltd.)
For Chill Adventurers
Grab your compasses, maps, and a really comfy chair, because this book pairing is for the grand adventurer stuck at home! Follow author-explorers Bill Arnott through glacial Scandinavian passes and Wayne Sawchuk to the highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains in dual journeys of discovery and wonder.
- Gone Viking by Bill Arnott (Rocky Mountain Books)
- Crossing the Divide by Wayne Sawchuk (Creekstone Press)
For Literary Birders
So we might be a little biased (this writer has five birds at home), but birds are pretty incredible. Learn about all the varieties BC has to offer, then settle in for a charming, literary essay collection on the surprise and delight a hobby in birdwatching brings.
- Birds of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest by Richard Cannings, Tom Aversa and Hal Opperman (Heritage House Publishing)
- Field Notes from an Unintentional Birder by Julia Zarankin (Douglas & McIntyre)
For (Grand)fathers
Looking for the perfect gift for a dad or granddad? We’ve got you covered! Check out this charming BC Bestseller pairing for the person you want to celebrate––or make laugh most. Fathers, uncles, grandfathers, godfathers, and more––these collections celebrate the unique relationships we share with our paternal figures.
- Forty Fathers, edited by Tessa Lloyd (Douglas & McIntyre)
- Grandfathered by Ian Haysom (Heritage House Publishing)
Tell us what BC books you think make the perfect pairing. Engage with us on social media by using #readlocalbc.