September 2020
Welcome, we're glad you're here!
Welcome to our first What We're Reading eNewsletter! You are receiving this email because at some point in the last two years you said you wanted to hear about book recommendations from us.

If you've changed your mind, that's OK! You can easily unsubscribe from this monthly newsletter at the bottom of this email.

We understand that many of you find out about new (and seasoned) books from book lists, so we've set out to create our very own staff curated book lists featuring a different 'topic' each month.

This month we're sharing some of our staff's favourite Hidden Gems that you can check out right now either digitally or from our Main Library which is now open.

As always, we are listening to you and want to hear what you'd like to see. If you have an idea for a book list topic or if there is something you're really not interested in, hit reply and let us know!

So, let's dig into the good stuff, shall we?
Hidden Gems for Readers of all Genres
By Susan Jane Gilman

We love the mid-life crisis, road-trip-gone-global premise of this book. We wonder if Gilman started with the question "What happens to punk rockers mid-life and post-alcohol"? The idea of a vicarious road trip is very appealing, and perhaps reading about Donna's flaws will make us all feel a little better about ourselves.
By Melodie Winawer

This book reminded me a bit of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, only it is a stand-alone novel, not a sweeping epic over several different volumes. It was also less of a bodice-buster and the characters and situations were a little more realistic - aside from the time travel aspect.
By Nancy Campbell Allen

This is a supernatural period murder mystery which re-imagines the classic fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast. If you like it, you'll be happy to know that it is the first book in the Steampunk Proper Romances series.
YA Titles you might have missed
By Kim Foster

A period piece set in 1800's England mixed with some Fantasy and
a couple of really good action packed moments.

This book is a nice easy read to escape reality for an afternoon.

It is a stand alone, but there is a room for a sequel, so here's hoping!
By Emily Barr

This book does more than just teach the reader to be empathetic towards a person with a disability. It spins a great story in answering the question: what if ...?

What if I couldn't remember anything past the time I turned 10 and I had to rely on others to tell me what was real - could you trust them?
By Vesper Stamper

The story focuses on Gerta and her experience surviving the Holocaust through her music.

There are moments of sadness, but it really is a story of hope, and not as heavy as it might sound.

Black and White illustrations are peppered throughout the book to accent the story in a powerful way.
We Can't Forget Our Youngest Readers!
Books with Beautiful Pictures
By Julia Denos, illustrated by E.B. Goodale

This is a beautiful picture book reminiscent of Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.

Readers can relate to this young boy’s curiosity and comfort as he explores his neighbourhood and all the window snapshots into familiar and comforting scenes of a community settling in for the night.
Books for Independent Readers

By Jennifer L. Holm & Jonathan Hamel, illustrated by Brad Weinman

This book is filled with cat & spy humor (a la James Bond) and it is so funny and well written. The ending of this book will have them eager to read the next in the series. Luckily, we have all three titles in this series in our collection.
Books for Kids Who Like Chapter Books

By Tyler Whitesides, illustrated by Jessica Warrick

This book is a funny, fast-paced read about a boy who unwittingly releases a genie from a peanut butter jar and gets unlimited wishes. Can he learn to use these wishes properly before all the world's cats and dogs turn into zombies who will eat mankind?! You'll have to read it to find out!
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