Is This A Cry For Help? by Emily Austin
Selected by Cathy Marengeur, Champion for the New Tecumseth Public Library
Darcy’s life turned out better than she could have ever imagined. She is a librarian at the local branch, while her wife Joy runs a book binding service. Between the two of them, there is no more room on their shelves with their ample book collections, and various knickknacks & bobbles. But when Darcy receives the news that her ex-boyfriend, Ben, has passed away, she spirals into a pit of guilt and regret, resulting in a mental breakdown and medical leave from the library. When she returns to work, she is met by unrest in her community, and protests surrounding intellectual freedom, resulting in a call for book bans.
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Julie Chan is Dead by Liann Zhang
Selected by Natasha Philpott, Champion for the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library
When supermarket cashier Julie discovers her twin Chloe’s lifeless body under mysterious circumstances, she seizes the chance to live the life she’s always envied. Julie effortlessly adopts Chloe’s lavish influencer life, complete with designer clothes, a meticulous skincare routine, and millions of adoring followers. However, Julie soon realizes that Chloe’s seemingly picture-perfect life was anything but. Haunted by Chloe’s untimely death and struggling to fit into the privileged influencer circle, Julie faces mounting challenges during a weeklong island retreat with Chloe’s exclusive group of influencer friends and discovers what may have led to her sister’s untimely death.
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Liberty Street by Heather Marshall
Selected by Rosemary Hartley, Champion for the Severn Township Public Library
Emily Radcliffe works as an editorial assistant at Chatelaine magazine, surrounded by the best female reporters in the country, whose articles tackle the controversial topics no other women’s publication dares to touch. When a bombshell letter from an inmate at the notorious Mercer Women’s Prison lands on Emily’s desk, she sees the scoop of a lifetime—one that could launch her career as a journalist. But after going undercover to investigate the inmate’s shocking claims, Emily discovers that getting into the prison is the easy part; the real challenge will be getting back out…
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Small Ceremonies by Kyle Edwards
Selected by Danielle Gibson, Champion for the Essa Public Library
Word on the street is that this is the Tigers hockey team’s last season. For Tomahawk “Tommy” Shields, an Indigenous, image-obsessed high school student, the potential loss of his team serves as a stark reminder of his uncertain future. He can’t help but feel that each of his peers has some skill or gift that he lacks, yet each of their perceived virtues hides darker truths, too. And the adults that populate Tommy’s life—his mother, who struggles with schizophrenia; Pete, the team’s wayward Zamboni driver; and elders Maggie and Olga—offer a mixture of well-intentioned but often misguided support and serve as a portent of what the future could hold.
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Finding Flora by Elinor Florence
Selected by Paula Murphy, Champion for the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library
In 1905, Scottish newcomer Flora Craigie jumps from a moving train to escape her abusive husband. Desperate to disappear, she claims a homestead near Alix, Alberta, determined to start a new life for herself. She finds that her nearest neighbours are also a Welsh widow with three children, two American women raising chickens, and a Métis woman who makes a living by breaking wild horses.
While battling the harsh environment , the five women grapple with the differences of their backgrounds and the secrets each struggles to keep. As the competition for land along the new Canadian Pacific railway lines heats up, Flora’s violent husband closes in, and a land agent threatens the lives and livelihoods of the women just as they’re coming into their own.
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21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph
Selected by Nahanni Born, Champion for the Midland Public Library
Since its creation in 1876, the Indian Act has dictated and constrained the lives and opportunities of Indigenous Peoples, and is at the root of many enduring stereotypes. Bob Joseph’s book comes at a key time in the reconciliation process, when awareness from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities is at a crescendo. Joseph examines how Indigenous Peoples can return to self-government, self-determination, and self-reliance—and why doing so would result in a better country for every Canadian. He dissects the complex issues around the Indian Act, and demonstrates why learning about its cruel and irrevocable legacy is vital for the country to move toward true reconciliation.
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The Spirit of Scatarie by Lesley Crewe
Selected by Jo-Hellen Berner, Champion for the Ramara Public Library
Christmas Day, 1922: three babies are born on Scatarie Island, off the coast of Cape Breton. Although born to different parents, Hardy, Sam, and Mary Alice grow up together in their wild homeplace, exploring the rocky coastline, picking bakeapples, and scavenging treasures from the countless ships that have wrecked there over the centuries.
But change is lapping at the shores of this isolated island, the Second World War the biggest change of all. One friend leaves to fight, one tends the light, and one struggles to understand how a place where wealth is measured in fish and family can possibly survive this outmigration.
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Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
Selected by Amanda Dyke, Champion for the Barrie Public Library
Pro hockey star Shane Hollander isn’t just crazy talented, he’s got a spotless reputation. Hockey is his life. Now that he’s captain of the Montreal Voyageurs, he won’t let anything jeopardize that, especially the sexy Russian whose hard body keeps him awake at night. Boston Bears captain Ilya Rozanov is everything Shane’s not. The self-proclaimed king of the ice, he’s as cocky as he is talented. No one can beat him—except Shane. They’ve made a career on their legendary rivalry, but when the skates come off, the heat between them is undeniable.
Check out this book at your local library: Innisfil ideaLAB & Library ● Barrie Public Library ● Essa Public Library ● Midland Public Library ● New Tecumseth Public Library ● Severn Township Public Library ● Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library