Probing account of representational ethics “is elucidating without ever being didactic and genuinely enjoyable to read,” yet prompts “more hope than outrage.”—Jessica Poon reviews Under the White Gaze: Solving the Problem of Race and Representation in Canadian Journalism, by Christopher Cheung (Vancouver: UBC Press/Purich Books, 2024) $24.95 / 9780774881111
“This is difficult to understand, considering the wealth of titles that New Star Books has produced over the course of just over a half-century.” Trevor Marc Hughes writes about the winding down of operations of accomplished BC publisher New Star Books.
At its best, a debut collection of 15 stories is deeply unsettling, anxiety-inducing, and memorably character-driven. —Zoe McKenna reviews I Will Wander On: Terrifying Tales of Life, Love, & Death, by Ron Prasad (Acheson: iUniverse, 2024) $30.95 / 9781663266477
“This book outlines these men’s actions, detailing the things some people then found to be positive, in terms of developing businesses and resource allocation. However, on their journey to success by method of coverup and coercion they have not only destroyed lives, but ways of living, culture, and human rights.” Jeffrey Stychin reviews When Heroes Become Villains: Helmcken, Trutch, Bowser, and the Streets, Lakes, and Towns Named After Them, by Jon Bartlett & Brian Robertson (Vancouver: New Star Books, 2024) $18 / 9781554202126
A striking, immersive sophomore collection of poems: “The end result is an impressive, well-considered, coherent, and powerful book whose emotional and linguistic subtleties reward frequent re-reading.” —Christopher Levenson reviews Water Quality, by Cynthia Woodman Kerkham (Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2024) $19.95 / 9780228022978
“It’s as if Catherine is trying to live vicariously through Michelle, and thus how devastating that Michelle’s life was cut short, leaving Catherine to wonder what it was for, was it all in vain? Was the mission to Afghanistan in vain?” Sheldon Goldfarb reviews Embedded: The Irreconcilable Nature of War, Loss and Consequence, by Catherine Lang (Qualicum Beach: Caitlin Press, 2024) $26 / 9781773861517
“There are about 115 hot springs mentioned in this book, some well-known and easy to access, others much visited but more of a trudge to get to (boat or plane needed), and some more recently discovered and worth the trek to visit. Most of the hot springs discussed in the book give the route to reach the place, fine photographs, and excellent primers and teasers in what will be seen when there.” Ron Dart reviews Hot Springs of Western Canada: A Complete Guide (4th edition) by Glenn Woodsworth & David Woodsworth (Madeira Park: Harbour Publishing, 2023) $26.95 / 9781990776441
In book form, a current exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario commands attention, draws the eye, and titillates the mind. —Brett Josef Grubisic reviews Light Years: The Phil Lind Gift, by Adam Welch (Fredericton: Goose Lane Editions and Art Gallery of Ontario, 2024) $40.00 / 9781773104393
A baker’s dozen of engrossing stories range broadly—from militaristic dystopias to the Vietnam War—and often portray the volatile dynamics of men in imbalanced relationships. —Theo Dombrowski reviews Unsettling Dreams, by Michael Whatling (Victoria: Mortal Coil Books, 2024) $16.99 / 1777569958
Author draws on true-life experiences to portray hardship and perseverance in a wintry city during a horrific three-year campaign of attrition. —Heidi Greco reviews Winter of Siege, by Jan DeGrass (Garden Bay: MW Books, 2023) $20.00 / 9780995277830
A young protagonist navigates family secrets, unreliable bonds, and sudden violence in a stylish and poetic debut novel. —Jessica Poon reviews The Pages of the Sea, by Anne Hawk (Windsor: Biblioasis, 2024) $24.95 / 9781771966535
“She loves the idea of motherhood, unconditional love, but the journey is harrowing, the gynecological/psychological equivalent of fingernails on blackboards, tearing the night sky apart. But, in the end, the blackboard embraces as it informs us that we are one in the many, stars burning bright.” Linda Rogers reviews Monsters, Martyrs, and Marionettes: essays on motherhood, by Adrienne Gruber (Toronto: Book*hug Press, 2024) $23 / 9781771669030
“Like many other books in this genre, Murray’s stories speak of the victimization of Indigenous people. But Murray is nobody’s victim and by his example others may heal themselves and their loved ones from intergenerational trauma, just as he had.” Richard Butler reviews Who We Are: Four Questions for a Life and a Nation by The Honourable Murray Sinclair CC, Mazina Giizhik (as told to Sara Sinclair and Niigaanwedom Sinclair), (Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 2024) $29.95 / 9780771099106
Debut novel immerses readers “in the infested Gothic stream of the American South” and portrays memorably obsessive characters “nurtured on beer and cigarettes.” —Michael Greenstein reviews After We Drowned, by Jill Yonit Goldberg (Vancouver: Anvil Press, 2024) $22.00 / 9781772142273
“Myth is the only truth, says Eros, echoing Jung, and perhaps we would be better served by a novel that focused more on myth and less on boring humans.” —Sheldon Goldfarb reviews A Bouquet of Darts: A European Travel Mystery, by Reed Stirling (Drayton Valley: BWL Publishing, 2024) $18.99 / 9780228631309
“With their offspring grown, they sought a new lifestyle and found it on Clayoquot’s Vargas Island during a kayaking trip (Clayoquot Sound is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve). Vargas lies northwest of Tofino, west of Meares Island and most of its territory is a Park Reserve.” Marianne Scott reviews Escape to Clayoquot Sound: Finding Home in a Wild Place, by John Dowd and Bea Dowd (Victoria: Heritage House, 2024) $34.95 / 9781772034714
“Given that Em’s bio tags her as a ‘chaotic wellness witch,’ I expected this book to be more witchy. There are no incantations, just the insight of a smart, irreverent human who has obviously done the work herself.” Petra Chambers reviews Shadow Work for Hot Messes: Transform from Chaos to Clarity by Embracing Your Authentic Self by Mandi Em (Toronto: Simon & Schuster, 2024) $24.99 / 9781507222997
“The result is: ‘a cacophony of birdsong, abundant other wildlife and a pleasant cool space for us to escape the summer sun.’ So, we are part of the equation of need. And if fish can’t live in a stream we don’t do as well ourselves.” DC Reid reviews Travels Up the Creek: a biologist’s search for a paddle, by Lorne Fitch (Victoria: Rocky Mountain Books, 2024) $25 / 9781771607131
Over the course of 18 questions, recent Writers’ Trust fiction prize winner Sheung-King discusses influences, ideal literary dinner companions, Sakamoto Ryūichi, autofiction, McDonald’s, Hong Kong, and QR codes.
—Interview by Jessica Poon.
“I would imagine this anthology as your new toolkit in a healthy pursuit towards your artistic natures. If anyone reading this is an artist at heart, I urge you to remember to think of the process as something you care about deeply.” Jeffrey Stychin reviews Bad Artist: Creating in a Productivity-Obsessed World by Nellwyn Lampert, Pamela Oakley, Christian Smith, Gillian Turnbull (eds.)(Victoria: TouchWood Editions, 2024) $24 / 9781990071256