It would be a shame to let summer pass by without reading at least one good book. Below, two local bookshops have offered their best picks so Greater Victoria readers can stock up with page-turners.
NEW BOOKS (PUBLISHED IN 2024), SUGGESTED BY BOLEN BOOKS
Satire, small town & rural: 'Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books' by Kirsten Miller
Two arch-enemies – Beverly, on the school board, and Lula, a local celebrity on the mission to eradicate 'inappropriate' books from public libraries – go head to head in this hilarious read. The joke's on Lula when a troublemaker restocks Lula's library, replacing her wholesome books with banned books disguised by the removed dust jackets. The tension escalates as Lula and Beverly run against each other to replace the town's disgraced mayor.
Romantic comedy: 'The Rom-Commers' by Katherine Center
Emma Wheeler, desperately longing to be a screenwriter, gets her big break when she gets a chance to rewrite a script for famous screenwriter Charlie Yates. In this light-hearted tale on the dangers of meeting our heroes and the motivation to create something bigger than life for ourselves, Wheeler has to dig deep to convince him that love stories matter, while finding herself in the middle of her own.
Historical fiction: 'The Women' by Kristin Hannah
Published just in February of 2024, 'The Women' has already racked up over 500,000 ratings on Good Reads with an average rating of 4.65/5 stars. This heroic story follows a 21-year-old nursing student who joins the Army Nurse Corps in the Vietnam War. It's lauded for its emotional depth, strong female protagonist, historical detail and engaging plot.
Fiction, family life, psychological: 'The God of the Woods' by Liz Moore
In August 1975, lives unravel when a camp counselor discovers an empty bunk. This thrilling drama follows the frantic search for the missing girl, the 13-year-old daughter of the family that owns the summer camp, and unveils layers of her family's secrets.
Fiction, family life, humourous: 'All Fours' by Miranda July
July, a New York Times bestselling author, returns with this critically-acclaimed sexy, hilarious and surprising novel about a semi-famous artist upending her life to find freedom from her domestic existence.
Sci-fi, fantasy: 'The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands' by Sarah Brooks
Fans of Piranesi and The Midnight Library will love this historical fantasy novel set on the Trans-Siberian Express, where passengers embark on a dangerous journey through a magical landscape. As the train's secrets unfold, a grieving woman, a disgraced naturalist, and a beguiling stowaway must confront the changing rules of the Wastelands and the peril that threatens them all.
Noir, crime, magical realism: 'Pet, Pet, Slap' by Andrew Battershill
Boxer ‘Pillow Fist’ Pete Wilson, distracted by his ethical awakening and new vegan lifestyle, struggles to prepare for his comeback fight while his car and new pet shark go missing. Luckily, his roommate is Detective Sherlock Holmes who is ready to aid in the investigation in this quirky tale.
Mystery & detective – historical/noir: ‘The Road to Heaven: A Patrick Bird Mystery’ by Alexis Stefanovich-Thomson
Set in Toronto's Parkdale during the tumultuous '60s, this novel introduces young detective Patrick Bird. Bird, who typically works divorce cases, has his routine shattered when he takes on a new case involving a missing 16-year-old girl. Written in clear, evocative prose, Bird's writing style is engaging and accessible, and Bird makes a nuanced, intelligent protagonist in this winding mystery.
Japan/family life: 'More Days at the Morisake Bookshop' by Satoshi Yagisawa, Eric Ozawa
The perfect read for those who share the love of books. A follow-up to the international bestseller 'days at the Morisaki Bookshop', Yagisawa paints a thoughtful portrait of life, love and how much books and bookstores mean to the people who love them.
Women, family life, small town/rural: 'Death and Other Inconveniences' by Lesley Crewe
Margo, recently widowed by her husband Dick, is overwhelmed by the paperwork he always managed. Her ex-husband Monty tries to support her as she navigates adulthood at 62, while their daughter Julia struggles to help amid her own life complications. Amidst the turmoil of family, health issues, and bureaucracies in New Brunswick, Margo faces living alone for the first time, confronting judgments and seeking her own identity.
With humour and heart, Crewe portrays the disruptive domino effects of one 'unremarkable' man's death and asks, how old do you have to be to come of age? And has anyone seen Dick's will?
BOOKS OF OLD, SUGGESTED BY RUSSELL BOOKS
'Beach Read' by Emily Henry
'Brooklyn' by Colm Toibin
'The Summer Book' by Tove Jansson
'The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie' by Alan Bradley
'Another Country' by James Baldwin
'Tom Lake' by Ann Patchett
'Call Me By Your Name' by Andre Aciman
'Daisy Jones & the Six' by Taylor Jenkins Reid
‘About a Boy’ by Nick Hornby
‘Legends & Lattes’ by Travis Baldree
