Beat the heat with one of these fantastic new summer reads. There’s nothing better than lying by the water and losing yourself in a good book and this list has something for everyone. For a full list of staff picks for easy breezy summer reading, visit our online catalogue.
Non-Fiction: Canada’s Main Street: The Epic Story of the Trans-Canada Highway by Craig Baird
Non-fiction lovers should check out this fascinating new history of the Trans-Canada Highway by Craig Baird. It is the perfect book to bring on a long family road trip if you want to learn about all the political intrigue, budgetary disasters and the heroic innovation that created our 7000-kilometre national lifeline.
Memoir: Free Ride by Noraly Shoenmaker
By the YouTube sensation with more than two million followers comes an inspiring account of a woman in her thirties who, in a moment of personal crisis, embarked on an epic, transcontinental motorcycle ride—and along the way found a new sense of purpose.
Historical Fiction: The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly
Two sisters living on Martha’s Vineyard during World War II find hope in the power of storytelling when they start a wartime book club for women in this spectacular novel inspired by true events, from the bestselling author of Lilac Girls.
Romance: One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
Return to Barry’s Bay, ON, in this latest summer romance from bestselling Canadian author Carley Fortune. Toronto photographer Alice takes the summer off to care for her grandmother at their family cottage and unexpectedly finds herself falling for the guy across the lake.
Cozy Mystery: Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds by Allison Brennan
In this sun-dappled mystery from bestselling author Allison Brennan, a risk-averse bibliophile gets in over her head when strange notes in a book draw her into a real-life investigation. A fun page-turner perfect to enjoy at the beach!
Young Adult Fiction: Meet me on Love Street by Farah Heron
A fun Canadian YA retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma in which a pansexual teen, Sana Merali tries to save her quickly gentrifying Toronto neighborhood and make her cynical festival-planning partner, Miles, believe in love. Highly recommended for fans of authors like Jenny Han or Jackie Khalilieh.
Juvenile Fiction: Summer of Rocks by Jenna Greene
Three sisters spend an adventure-filled summer in the Canadian wilderness, exploring rock quarries, escaping bear attacks, and fighting over space in the back seat of the family pickup truck.
Juvenile Non-fiction: A Field Guide to Summer by Gabby Dawnay; illustrated by Dorien Brouwers
Experience the sunny days and colorful displays of summer as this little book guides you through the season’s changes. Packed with poems, hands-on activities and fascinating facts, this guide is designed to be taken into the wild to encourage curiosity, creativity and connection with nature.
Graphic Novel: Carousel Summer by Kathleen Gros
When her best friend heads to summer camp, 12-year-old Lucy is left to her own devices in a small town called Milforth. As the season progresses, she navigates a budding romance with confident bisexual visitor Anaïs and comes to understand more about who she is and who she wants to be.
Picture Book: Big Family Beach Day written and illustrated by Nina Crews
An extended family enjoys a day at the beach in this intergenerational tribute to family, friendship, new experiences, and summertime fun by the acclaimed author-artist Nina Crews. A fresh take on Cynthia Rylant’s classic, The Relatives Came.