We’ve all been there—staring at a stack of unread books, feeling the pull of a story but not quite finding one that sticks. Whether life got busy, you’re succumbing to evenings spent doomscrolling on the couch, or you’re drowning in indecision, reading slumps are real.
But with slower days ahead and more time to unwind, now’s the perfect moment to reconnect with the joy of a truly good book. To help you break the cycle and fall back in love with reading, we’ve put together a list of local titles to remedy your rut—books that encourage you with their unique form, friendly length, or a plain old gripping plot.
Let this be your fresh start!
Approachable graphic forms
All Our Ordinary Stories by Teresa Wong (Arsenal Pulp Press)
This graphic memoir by Teresa Wong, about reconnecting with her immigrant parents, was shortlisted for Canada Reads 2024 and praised by Madeleine Thien and Jen Sookfong Lee—but don’t let that be the only reason you pick it up. Though Wong originally planned to commission the illustrations from an artist friend, once she shared her rough sketches with him, it became clear the entire book had to come from her own hand. Let this poignant memoir mark your re-entry into a rich reading era.
Available now
The Mother: A Graphic Memoir by Rachel Deutsch (Douglas & McIntyre)
(Less than 200 pages)
Change up genres with this graphic memoir from New Yorker cartoonist Rachel Deutsch. Perfect for current and future mothers—or anyone curious about an unconventional take on parenting—this snappy, honest portrayal of modern motherhood will have you giggling, tearing up, and dog-earing pages from start to finish.
Available now!
Poetry to devour
Cop City Swagger by Mercedes Eng (Talonbooks)
(Less than 200 pages)
This page-turning poetry book is sure to enrage and rivet readers as it dives into Vancouver’s deeply problematic systems of policing and violence against marginalized people. Pulling from lived experience and publicly available information from Vancouver’s major and police department, this collection is just as enlightening as it is poignant.
Available now!
You’re Gonna Love This by Dina Del Bucchia (Talonbooks)
(Less than 200 pages)
As binge-able as a poetry book can get. You’re Gonna Love This is a book-length poem packed with TV and pop culture references, written with Del Bucchia’s signature wry humour. Add the depth of a personal essay and the sharpness of media critique, and you get a uniquely compelling read. With nuanced media literacy, a distinctly working-class perspective, and darkly funny reflections on mental health, Del Bucchia makes the deeply personal feel wildly relatable.
Available now!
Page-turning fiction
Bad Houses by John Elizabeth Stintzi (Arsenal Pulp Press)
Bizarre, humourous, and completely surreal, this collection of modern fairytales from the author of Vanishing Monuments and My Volcano will keep you on your toes. Populated with characters who are wretched yet deeply human, each story invites you into a new fantastical world.
Available now!
Burr by Brook Lockyer (Nightwood Editions)
This 90’s-era Sourthern Ontario Gothic revolves around 13-year-old Jane who dreams about reuniting with her recently deceased father by burrowing down to his coffin. Rural small town suspicions, an obsession with death, and writing that transforms. Be seduced!
Available now!
The Wedding by Gurjinder Basran (Douglas & McIntyre)
Full of family secrets, juicy drama, and vibrant characters, this electrifying Vancouver-set novel about the union of two South Asian families will keep you hooked ’til the last page. For fans of Crazy Rich Asians and Bollywood films, this lavish, funny story is full of heart and is sure to encourage you to dive into another story once you’re done.
Available now!
Citizens of Light by Sam Shelstad (TouchWood Editions)
This noir anti-thriller that explores the dark underbelly of Canada’s Niagra Falls will delight fans of Twin Peaks and Ottessa Moshfegh. Come for the deadpan wit, and stay for the mystery that’s bound to both surprise and engage readers.
Available now!
Engaging memoirs
Unbroken: My Fight for Survival, Hope, and Justice for Indigenous Women and Girls by Angela Sterritt (Greystone Books)
This inspiring memoir from former CBC journalist Angela Sterritt was a long-running BC bestseller for a reason! From the publisher: “Unbroken is a remarkable work of memoir and investigative journalism focusing on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, written by an award-winning Gitxsan journalist who survived life on the streets against all odds.”
Available now!
Drumming Our Way Home: Intergenerational Learning, Teaching, and Indigenous Ways of Knowing by Georgina Martin; foreword by Jo-ann Archibald (UBC Press)
(Less than 200 pages)
In just 150 pages, Georgina Martin’s powerful memoir traces her deeply personal journey to reclaim her Secwepemc identity after being separated from her mother at birth. Brimming with emotional revelations and reflections on both personal and collective identity, this compelling and educational narrative is a testament to resilience, healing, and the strength of Indigenous knowledge systems. Readers will come away inspired—and eager to continue their own journey of learning and understanding.
Available now!
The Erotics of Cutting Grass: Reflections on a Well-Loved Life by Kate Braid (Caitlin Press)
Seasoned memoirist and tradeswoman Kate Braid turns her focus to ageing “with audacity” in this celebration of a life as someone who refuses to conform to societal expectations of a woman past her youth. Braid’s sparkling voice is sure to ensnare and inspire readers at all stages of womanhood.
Available now!
For kids
Cheat Code by M.J. McIsaac (Orca Book Publishers)
(Less than 200 pages)
Get Gen Alpha hooked on reading with this form-bending short novel written entirely in texts! With a gripping plot and page-turning dialogue, young readers won’t be able to resist devouring this book in a single afternoon.
Available now!