Previous Staff Recommends…

Book Title: The Hypnotist, by Lars Keplar
Review: Stieg Larsson fans, this is your next read! A triple homicide is committed in Tumba, Sweden. Detective Inspector Joona Linna investigates the grisly murders — against the wishes of the national police. All of the victims are from the same family. The killer is at large, and it appears that the elder sister of the family escaped the carnage; it seems only a matter of time until she, too, is murdered. The only surviving witness is an intended victim — the boy whose mother, father, and little sister were killed before his eyes. Whoever committed the crimes intended for this boy to die: he has suffered more than one hundred knife wounds and lapsed into a state of shock. He's in no condition to be questioned. Desperate for information, Linna enlists Dr. Erik Maria Bark to hypnotize the boy, hoping to discover the killer through his eyes. It's the sort of work that Bark had sworn he would never do again. When he breaks his promise and hypnotizes the victim, a long and terrifying chain of events begins to unfurl. A suspense-filled, fast-paced plot filled with twists and turns. Don't read this one after dark! The Hypnotist, by Lars Keplar. McClelland & Stewart, hardcover, $29.99.
Book Title: Tiger Hills, by Sarita Mandanna
Review: Review: Tiger Hills, the debut novel by Sarita Mandanna is an epic tale of love and family life steeped in the beauty, culture and customs of Coorg in Southern India. The story begins in the late 1800s and runs through the war time years of the 20th century. Devi is the first girl born in the Nachimandas family in over six generations. Charming, beautiful, courageous and very determined, at age ten she meets Machu, the Tiger Killer and decides she will marry no one else. Devi’s best friend and confidante, Devanna, doesn't understand her fascination with his cousin, Machu. He is determined to win Devi’s love for himself. However, Devanna’s experiences at a prestigious boarding school set in motion events that change the course of the lives of all three main characters. Penguin, hardcover, $32..
Book Title: 22 Britannia Road, by Amanda Hodgkinson
Review: Gripping story about a Polish couple who are separated during World War II. Janusz escapes Poland to fight with the British army, leaving behind his wife, Silvana, and their small son, Aurek. The war ends, the family reunites in England, and so begins the difficult task of rebuilding their relationship in vastly altered circumstances. Random House, hardcover, $30.
Book Title: Before I Go to Sleep, by S. J. Watson
Review: “As I sleep, my mind will erase everything I did today. I will wake up tomorrow as I did this morning. Thinking I'm still a child. Thinking I have a whole lifetime of choice ahead of me ...” Memories define us. So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep? Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love - all forgotten overnight. And the one person you trust may only be telling you half the story. Welcome to Christine's life. A great summer read, this suspense-filled story will keep you turning pages right to the end. Harper Collins, paperback, $21.99
Book Title: Annabel, by Kathleen Winter
Review: Mary recommends Annabel, by Kathleen Winter. "In 1968, into the beautiful, spare environment of remote coastal Labrador, a mysterious child is born: a baby who appears to be neither fully boy nor girl, but both at once. Only three people are privy to the secret — the baby's parents and a trusted neighbour".

Winter's debut novel was short-listed for the Giller, the GG and the Writer's Trust Award. Moving, thought-provoking, beautifully written. Highly recommended! Harper Collins, hardcover, $32.95.
Book Title: The Best Laid Plans, by Terry Fallis
Review: Mary recommends The Best Laid Plans, by Terry Fallis. Clever, humourous satire about Canadian politics. Scottish engineering professor Angus McLintock reluctantly agrees to run for the federal Liberal party in his home riding, with the promise that there is no chance of his being elected. However...scandal erupts and the longtime Conservative incumbent is kicked out of the party in disgrace. Angus is off to Ottawa, much to the dismay of all concerned. This book made me laugh out loud! Angus for Prime Minister! Winner of Stephen Leacock Award for Humour; Canada Reads 2011 finalist. Random House, paperback, $19.99 .
Book Title: The Bells, by Richard Harvell
Review: Fascinating historical fiction, set in 1700's Europe. "Moses Froben was born in a belfry high in the Swiss Alps, the bastard son of a deaf-mute woman banished to the church tower to ring each day the Loudest and Most Beautiful Bells in the land. His life is simple but he is content, until the day his father recognizes Moses's singular sense of hearing and its power to expose his sins. Cast into the world with only his ears to protect and guide him, Moses finds refuge in the choir of the great Abbey of St. Gall and becomes its star singer, only to endure the horrifying act of castration meant to preserve his angelic voice and turn him into a musico." Random House, hardcover $32.
Book Title: Room by Emma Donoghue
Review: Mary recommends this brilliant new book by Emma Donoghue. All the reviews you've read about this book are true! Fascinating, disturbing, thought-provoking. Harper Collins, Hard Cover, $29.99.
Book Title: Freedom, by Jonathan Franzen
Review: Rosemary recommends Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. "An epic of contemporary love and marriage, Freedom comically and tragically captures the temptations and burdens of liberty: the thrills of teenage lust, the shaken compromises of middle age, the wages of suburban sprawl, the heavy weight of empire." Harper Collins, Hard Cover, $34.99.
Book Title: Far to Go by Alison Pick
Review: Karen recommends this "gem of a book". "Alison Pick's own grandparents embarked upon from their native Czechoslovakia to Canada during the Second World War. Far to Go is an epic historical novel that traces one family's journey through these tumultuous and traumatic events. A layered, beautifully written, moving, and suspenseful story by one of our rising literary stars." House of Anansi, Hard Cover, $29.95. Attend the Books & Brunch event with Alison Pick
Book Title: The Year of Finding Memory by Judy Fong Bates
Review: Karen recommends The Year of Finding Memory by Judy Fong Bates. A engrossing memoir by the author of Midnight at the Dragon Café. "An elegant and surprising book about a Chinese family’s difficult arrival in Canada, and a daughter’s search to understand remarkable and terrible truths about her parents’ past lives." The Year of Finding Memory, Judy Fong Bates. Random House, Hard Cover, $29.95
Book Title: Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford.
Review: Rosemary recommends Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. This novel tells a "heartwarming story of fathers and sons, first loves, fate, and the resilient human heart. Set in the ethnic neighborhoods of WWII Seattle and Japanese-American internment camps of the era, the times and places are brought to life by the marvelous, evocative details." A beautiful, gentle story, suitable for teens and adults alike. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Jamie Ford, Ballantine Books, Paperback, $18.95

Recommended Reads

Top Reads For Kids

Book Title: The Giant Slayer, by Iain Lawrence
Review: Set in 1955 when fear of polio was rampant in North America, this is a wonderfully uplifting tale of Laurie, a young girl with a gift for telling stories, and three children in the local hospital's polio ward. Confined to iron lungs, their only escape is into Laurie's fantastic tale of giants and unlikely heroes. Touching, heartwarming, exciting. Forest of Reading list. Recommended for ages 7-11. Random House, hardcover $21.00
Book Title: Half Brother, by Kenneth Oppel
Review: 13-year-old Ben Tomlin's parents are scientists who bring their work home with them — in the form of a baby chimpanzee! The project: to see if a chimp raised as a human child can acquire language. An engrossing read that raises important ethical questions. Age 12 and up. Harper Collins, hardcover, $19.99
Book Title: The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-Fu Caveman from the Future, by George Beard and Harold Hutchins
Review: The creators of "Captain Underpants" strike again! Hilariously silly graphic novel that will appeal to children and adults alike. Action! Laffs! Flip-o-Rama in every chapter! Great for "Wimpy Kid" fans. Gr. 3 and up. Scholastic, hardcover, $11.99
Book Title: Making the Moose Out of Life, by Nicholas Oldland
Review: Endearing picture book with a definite Canadian twist. Moose learns to put his fears aside and enjoy all the adventures life has to offer. Ages 4-7. Kids Can Press, hardcover 16.95
Book Title: And Then it Happened series, by Michael and Laura Wade
Review: If you have reluctant readers at your house, this series by local authors Michael and Laura Wade is for you! Each chapter presents a hilarious new adventure starring Gordon, Paulo and "Me". Fast paced, easy to read, these books are favourites of children and parents alike. Ages 7-12. Books for Boys, paperback 6.99
Book Title: Splinters, by Kevin Sylvester
Review: In this Canadian version of Cinderella, Cindy Winters aspires to be chosen for the all star girls' hockey team. With the help of her Fairy Goaltender and riding on a golden zamboni, Cindy joins coach Charmaine Prince's team. Fantastic! Tundra Books, Hard Cover Picture Book. $19.99
Book Title: The Cardturner, by Louis Sachar
Review: From the author of Holes, a wonderful story of family secrets, growing up, romance and… playing bridge. Yes, bridge. Great for teens and adults, Mary highly recommends this book! Doubleday, Hard Cover. $21.95
Book Title: The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
Review: Wonderful tale of the summer cottage adventures of the Penderwick sisters—Roasalind, Skye, Jane and Batty. Lively plot, highly engaging characters, strong family values. National Book Award winner. You’ll be back for the sequel, The Penderwicks on Gardham Street. Recommended for Gr. 4-6
Book Title: Eye of the Crow by Shane Peacock
Review: The first of The Boy Sherlock Holmes series. Thirteen-year-old Sherlock Holmes is a misfit. Friendless and bullied at school, he belongs nowhere and has only his wits to help him make his way. But what wits they are! His keen powers of observation are already apparent. Partly for fun, he focuses his attention on a sensational murder to see if he can solve it. But his game turns deadly when he finds himself the accused. And in London, they hang boys of thirteen. A favourite of young readers everywhere. Winner of the Arthur R. Ellis Award for best juvenile fiction. Other books in The Boy Sherlock Holmes series include Death in the Air, Vanishing Girl and The Secret Friend.
Book Title: Wondrous Strange and Darklight by Lesley Livingston
Review: Award winning urban faerie series features 17-year-old Kelley Winslow, who discovers that she is actually the stolen daughter of Auberon, king of the fairies’ Unseelie Court. Also, a great introduction to Shakespeare’s works! Autographed copies available.
Book Title: The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Susanne Collins
Review: If you haven’t read this series yet, you need to! Perfect for both adults and teens. Gripping tale of suspense set in a dystopian future society. Will Sixteen-year-old Katniss must fight for her life in the government-mandated Hunger Games. If she is to survive the cruel contest, she will have to make choices that weigh survival against humanity and live against love. Highly recommended! The final book of the trilogy, Mockingjay, is coming in August!

Other great series in stock…

  • Geronimo Stilton
  • Thea Stilton
  • The Sisters Eight
  • Artemis Fowl
  • Percy Jackson and the Olympians