We’ve curated a list of BC stories that align with every giftee you have this holiday season, from gardeners, film buffs, potters, advocates, to young ones tucked under the covers. Pick the perfect gift for a loved one, or find something to curl up with yourself this winter.
With poetic journeys through ones garden, the landscapes of BC, girlhood, and the intersections of culture, these titles will uproot you from the hardened winter soil, and show you the warmth in the world around us.
Don’t forget to shop local and find an indie bookseller near you to celebrate BC Buy Local Week.
For those seeking reflection
Better This Year: More Tales from Christmas Survivors edited by JJ Lee (Tidewater Press)
In the final volume of the Better Next Year a collection of true stories, contributors share hilarious and moving stories of holiday mishaps that still pack a punch.
Out now
Bloom: Letters on Girlhood by Nicole Breit & Claire Sicherman (Caitlin Press)
a candid memoir-in-letters in which Claire and Nicole explore the awkwardness and confusion of adolescence, delving into everything from periods, first bras and body hair to desire, sexuality and consent. As they reflect on their silent struggles as girls, women and mothers from the perspective of mid-life, the true impact of patriarchy and misogyny on their lives becomes increasingly apparent.
Out now
Uiesh / Somewhere by Joséphine Bacon, translated by Jessica Moore (Talon Books)
The poems in Uiesh / Somewhere are rooted in Innu Elder Joséphine Bacon’s experiences of moving between the nomadic ways of her Ancestors in the northern wilderness of Nitassinan and the clamour of the city. Wherever she is, Bacon is attentive to the smallest details of her environment, from the moon and the stars, the Northern Lights, and the falling snow, to the sirens of fire engines and the noise of a busy bar night. From her quiet centre, she listens to the voices of the Old Ones, whose stories are alive within her, and reflects on the beauty and the pain of her long life.
Out now
For Plant Lovers
Journeys to the Nearby: A Gardener Discovers the Gentle Art of Untravelling by Elspeth Bradbury (Ronsdale Press)
A timely gift book for travellers, gardeners and those looking for solace in our overwhelming and relentlessly-fast-paced digital world. Inspired by adventures of world travellers but unwilling to rack up her fossil fuel consumption, Elspeth sets out with a deep curiosity to explore the world that exists in her own garden. Told over the course of four seasons this is an inspiring book of the beauty in the small moments of discovery.
Out now
A Festive Season on Vancouver Island Illustrated by Bill Arnott (Rocky Mountain Books)
In A Festive Season on Vancouver Island, Bill Arnott transports readers to the enchanting holiday season on Vancouver Island, blending personal insights with the stunning landscapes of the region. From snow-capped mountains to lush forests, Arnott captures the island’s natural beauty and rich cultural history, offering an immersive experience that highlights the connection between tradition, adventure, and local charm.
Out now
Decking the Halls: Trees, Flowers, Herbs, & Greenery to Celebrate the Holiday Season by Janet Melrose, Sheryl Normandeau (Touchwood Editions)
A perfect holiday gift or stocking stuffer, this luxurious hardcover illustrated book is a pleasure to hold. From seasonal forest plants to kitchen herbs, from tiny berries to towering trees, Decking the Halls shines a light on the uplifting greenery that helps us weather the darkest months of the year.
Out now
For Creatives
The Magic of Pockets by Jess Driscoll (Nine Ten Publications)
Ever grabbed a cute dress only to discover it has fake pockets? Or worse—no pockets at all? Welcome to the club nobody wanted to join. “The Magic of Pockets” reveals the shocking truth: women’s clothing lacks pockets by design. This delightfully subversive guide teaches you to pocket-fy your existing wardrobe with simple, satisfying sewing projects. Stop letting the patriarchy hold your keys. Start your pocket revolution today!
Out now
Developing Glazes: Low-Fire Reduction and Oxidation by Mary Fox (Harbour Publishing)
Renowned potter Mary Fox shares her hard-earned knowledge about glazing in this book that encourages ceramic artists to experiment with confidence. Many potters find the glazing process difficult, if not downright intimidating. And with the prevalence of ready-made glazes, potters often overlook the exceptional results that can be achieved by experimenting with minerals and clay slips.
Mary Fox takes readers on an exploration of unique glaze materials, providing step-by-step instructions and demonstrating how to bring a creative and adventurous attitude to the process.
Out now
Nothing But Time: Conversations with Peter Mettler on Life and Cinema by José Teodoro and Peter Mettler (Anvil Press)
In the cosmology of Canadian cinema, Peter Mettler is our seeker. From his early experimental narrative feature, Scissere, to his inventive adaptation of Robert Lepage’s Tectonic Plates, from his sprawling, Genie Award-winning essay film, Gambling, Gods and LSD, to his god’s-eye survey of the Alberta tar sands, Petropolis, Mettler has maintained a constant forge into the terra incognita of the transcendental.
Out now
For Advocates
Leading from the Heart: The Battles of a Feminist, Union Leader and Politician by Judy Darcy (Douglas & McIntyre)
In this rich and inspiring memoir, Judy Darcy recounts the remarkable turns that brought her from library worker to president of Canada’s largest labour union, and from there to groundbreaking legislator focused on many of our most pressing issues, including health care, the rights of immigrant workers and the toxic-drug crisis.
Out now
For Imaginative Bedtime Stories
The First Christmas Tree by Ovila Fontaine, illustrated by Charlotte Parent, Translated by Ann Marie Boulanger (Orca Books)
The Great Manitou, wanting to give the Innu people a special tree to brighten their winter, asks all the trees of the North if they would like to be chosen as the first Christmas Tree, but they are all too proud. Only the humble little fir tree, who Manitou had originally overlooked, agrees.
Out now
Emerson the Elephant Seal by Ginger Ngo (Harbour Publishing)
A colourful, imagination-filled picture book for children aged 3-5, based on the true story of Emerson the elephant seal, who decided to abandon his home in the wilds for life in the bright city lights of Victoria, BC
Out now
Jack and the Beanstalk by Michale Rosen, illustrated by Talleen Hacikyan (Tradewind Books)
In Michael Rosen’s wonderfully humourous and poetic retelling of this classic tale, the impoverished Jack trades his cow for magical beans that sprout into a towering beanstalk. As he ascends the formidable vine, he discovers a castle inhabited by a menacing giant. In the chase that ensues, Jack manages to secure enough wealth to sustain himself, his mother and his village.
Out now