Relax and unwind with these meditative local reads that are an ideal companion for a restorative retreat on your next long-weekend getaway. Some of these books take you on the trails to explore and connect in nature, while others offer unique environmental histories. So get ready to unplug, kick your feet up, and spend an afternoon getting lost within the pages!
For the (couch-side) explorers
The Trophy Hunter: The Last Chronicles of a West Coast Fishing Guide by David Giblin (Heritage House Publishing)
Get a snippet of small-town maritime life in The Trophy Hunter, a novel full of quirky characters, and bizarre dreams, where tall tales abound. In this final addition to the Chronicles of a West Coast Fishing Guide series, Giblin delves deep into the history and geography of Stuart Island and the Salish Sea. This book will take readers on a hilarious, nostalgic journey that will stick with you longer than barnacles on the hull of a boat.
Out Now
Seaside Walks on Vancouver Island — Revised Edition by Theo Dombrowski (Rocky Mountain Books)
Take a deep dive into Vancouver Island through new eyes. Seaside Walks on Vancouver Island explores not only the seashore but also the stretches of sandy beach and quiet estuaries that are far away from the foot traffic of touristy beaches. Each walk, suitable for all abilities, features a colourful, easy-to-follow map, and step-by-step descriptions of what to expect, including the most challenging wilderness trails for more adventurous souls. Seaside Walks on Vancouver Island is an invaluable guide for lovers of both lush, coastal forests and ocean shores, even if you prefer to read it out on the deck.
Out Now
A Season in the Okanagan by Bill Arnott (Rocky Mountain Books)
Experience the spellbinding allure of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley through the vivid imagery and captivating travel tales in A Season in the Okanagan. Acclaimed travel writer Bill Arnott once again takes readers on an epic trip through the picturesque Okanagan region and its surrounding areas. Through Bill’s meaningful encounters with locals, wildlife, the exquisite cuisine, and unique natural landscapes, readers will discover what makes the Okanagan Valley stand out as another of BC’s premier tourist destinations.
Out Now
hiking beyond: poems from the trail by bronwyn preece (Caitlin Press)
Experience the wonders of solo backcountry travel in this second poetry collection from writer bronwyn preece. Through poems, reflections, and deeply personal pieces, readers are invited along on preece’s hiking adventures, while she lives with Wilson’s Disease. With reverence for geology, ornithology, botany, and history, the author explores what it means to hike, to heal, and to discover a sense of belonging.
Out on April 10, 2026; pre-order available
John Clarke: Explorer of the Coast Mountains by Lisa Baile, foreword by Wade Davis (Harbour Publishing)
Don’t just enjoy hiking along the mountain ridges on your getaway. Explore the vast, unnamed peaks of British Columbia’s Coast Range through mountaineer John Clarke’s expeditions. Clarke achieved more first ascents than almost any climber in history, travelling light, and shunning modern technology up until his death due to cancer in 2003. In John Clarke, Lisa Baile traces his extraordinary life through his own words, photographs, and the memories of those who knew him.
Out Now
For the budding vacationers
Fern and Newt and the Lost Loot by Mireille Messier, illustrated by Catarina Oliveira (Orca Book Publishers)
It’s Fern’s birthday, and all she wants is a metal detector—but instead she gets clothes and a weeding job from her mysterious neighbor, Madame Musette. But Fern and her friend Newt need that metal detector to find a lost jewelry box they buried at the beach before Fern’s sister comes home from camp. To earn the money, they pull weeds and collect butterfly eggs for Madame Musette to sell—but with time running out, will they manage to find the treasure before it’s too late? For ages 5-7.
Out Now
Color in Nature: Secrets of Animal Survival by Stephen Aitken (Orca Book Publishers)
Take a break to fall in love with the mystery of nature’s most intricate habitats. From rainbow-coloured parrots, to red-nosed mandrills and brilliant blue peacocks, these animals all use their vibrant colours to survive and hide from predators. Color in Nature is an in-depth look at many flamboyant species and ultimately champions why conservation of these habitats is essential to maintaining a healthy and colourful planet for all life on Earth. For ages 11-13.
Out Now
For fans of short, impactful reads
Growing My Way Home by Jenn Ashton (Talonbooks)
Pass the hours getting lost in a poignant and eye-opening work of autofiction from Sḵwx̱wú7mesh author, visual artist, filmmaker, and historian, Jenn Ashton. Growing My Way Home is about Ashton’s long journey to acceptance and understanding. Drawing from her teenage journals and fifty years of lived experience, Ashton retraces her journey from surviving abuse and early encounters with the criminal justice system, to becoming a young mother, and ultimately, an award-winning multidisciplinary artist. Ashton’s story will resonate with you long after you’ve unpacked your bags.
Out on April 7, 2026; pre-order available
Alone in Wonderland: Longing for Connection and Adventure in the Shadow of Mount Rainier by Christine E. Reed (Rocky Mountain Books)
A raw, relatable, and refreshing story about the healing power of wild places, Alone in Wonderland is a memoir of a woman who defies the confines of a conventional life to explore the wild solo. What she learns about herself is the result of a journey of thousands of miles on the Appalachian Trail. Battling rough terrain, unpredictable weather, and the emotional weight of her past, she reclaims her identity. Along the way, Reed learns that solitude and breaking away from the expectations of daily life, is the only place we truly hear our own voice.
Out on April 14, 2026; pre-order available