Finding a title that immediately makes you smile is a rare treat. When I read the synopsis for Septimus Brown's We've Come for Your Eggs: And Other Reasons to Annex the North, I knew a wonderfully chaotic ride waited for me. This story hits readers with the same chaotic energy as a Dungeons and Dragons game where every single dice roll goes disastrously wrong.

Alright, let's be honest folks. This review is a bit shorter because this book isn't a novel. This book is a workbook/planner to help you with finances and getting your life together. Which makes it a TAD bit harder to review because you need to use it to get real value. So, I'll share my thoughts, but know this workbook is much better when used.

The Bet of the Monsters by Sotto Voce was a thriller that had me hooked and obsessed, and one that also makes you wonder if there should be a reality tv show with the same premise. At 408 pages, it is a chunky read that demands a bit of attention, but every single page pays off in dividends. If you want a story that keeps you guessing while holding a positive, friendly stance on a dark premise, this book deserves a prime spot on your TBR.

Whenever I open a collection of poetry, I prepare myself to slow down. You should never rush through verse or treat it like a fast-paced read. Instead, you should sit on the porch with a warm cup of tea and let the words settle into your bones (that's mostly reminding myself to do that, to be fair). That is exactly the kind of experience waiting inside Tripping the Allegory Fantastic by Mara Recalis, a book that has been sitting on my mind for months.

Canadian, assemble! Or maybe... Canadians... Canuck! You come up with a fun catch phrase, I'm just here to read and write reviews. As a proud Canadian reviewer, discovering a book that speaks directly to your own backyard is an unmatched feeling. But when you open a shiny new anthology and actually spot your very own hometown mentioned inside its pages? That is a massive win that will have you doing a happy dance around the living room (er...

Whenever I pick up a story by Mike Russell, I know I am stepping entirely off the map. You never get a predictable plot or a safe, standard narrative. Instead, you get pulled straight into something wonderfully weird, wildly odd, and completely unlike anything else on your bookshelf. Even completely different from all of his other books! The Man Whose Wife Was The Moon is an absolute gem of a novella, and I was utterly charmed from the very first page.

If you ever want to fall down a glorious historical rabbit hole about what might have happened if European royalty managed to vanish into the wild frontier of early North America, I have the exact book for you. I know, oddly specific. Enter stage left: The King of Montreal by Daniela I. Norris. Honestly, I fell completely head over heels for this book, and I enjoyed it way more than I ever expected to.

As a proud Canadian reviewer, I am always looking for more Canadian voices. And sometimes, they sneak up on you (or in my case, contact me and ask me to read their books and then I get so giddy and excited like a kid because that means someone READ MY WORDS! In your face grade 7 teacher who said I had bad hand writing and no one liked me or my writing.

What topic have I not talked about that everyone else talks about? Well, folks... it's time... time to dive into AI. Human Again: In the AI Age by J.D. Macpherson is a great read into what AI is and how it can be used, responsibly and.... not. It is part memoir, part cultural reality check, and part frantic late-night internal panic about what the heck is happening to our collective sanity.

Few political thrillers possess the courage to hold up a mirror to a nation and ask whether the glue keeping everyone together is actually starting to dry out. The True North Talks by John D. Kingston is exactly that kind of story, and it really made me think about my home and native land, good ol' Canada. It is an incredibly smart and timely book that carries an immense amount of political weight.

Every so often, a novel comes along that completely pulls at your heartstrings and refuses to let go. (PS, yes, I've said that a lot lately. But when you read 200-300 books a year... that happens at least a few times). Gitwaałtk by Crystal AJ Smith is exactly that kind of story. It is a tiny but mighty book that carries an incredible amount of emotional weight.

I love books that match my own brand of weird, so The Unravelling of Ou by Hollay Ghadery was an instant must-read for me. It quickly jumped into my top ten favourite books of all time. This quirky and original novel opens in the most unexpected way, catching me completely off guard with a storytelling choice that sounds strange on paper but works beautifully.

What does WITMonth look like in the 2020s? In 2013, I was a tired university student, procrastinating on a tedious physics homework assignme...

Diving into a book written by a fellow Canadian is always a treat, but it is especially fun when the story bridges the gap between the beautiful streets of Montreal and the historic avenues of Paris. That local connection is exactly what caught my eye with Blood Bound: Unlacing Secret Ties by French-Canadian author Marie-Josée Poisson, which was translated into English by Flora-Lee Bendit.

Every time a new Valorie Dawes mystery comes out, I get excited. Well, more so every time Gary emails me and tells me there's a new book coming, I squeal with delight, have to calm myself down, and then act like a mature, professional adult again. At this point, picking up a Gary Corbin novel feels like a ritual. I get the email, I get super excited and know I won't be getting any sleep while I binge it, and then anxiously make sure I schedule my reading so I don't need sleep the next day.

First things first. Can we talk about that cover? Seriously. I know we aren't supposed to judge a book by it's cover... but... I'm a marketer. That's kind of my job. Right?? Before I even read the synopsis, I found myself staring at it. It's bright, beautiful, and full of life. After finishing the book, I appreciated it even more because so much of the artwork connects back to the story itself.

Every once in a while, a book comes along that feels like sitting beside a fireplace while someone tells you a story they genuinely love. Or like the moment in "The Princess Bride" film where you're the child in the bed, hearing their favourite story. That was exactly how I felt while reading Close Your Eyes by Chris Tomasini. And as a Canadian reader, I always love discovering and supporting Canadian authors.

Picking up The Day Aunt Gina Came to Town felt a bit like opening a door you’re not sure you’re meant to walk through. There’s that brief pause, then curiosity wins. Once inside, the story unfolds in ways that are strange, funny, and at times unexpectedly thoughtful. I enjoyed reading this from a place of curiosity as much as enjoyment. It’s not a typical read for me, and that’s part of what makes it stand out.

Picking up Shadowed Skies by Haley Cavanagh reminded me of the kind of young adult stories I used to devour in high school. The ones where you promise yourself one chapter before bed and suddenly the clock says 2 a.m. This YA dystopian book starts with a simple truth: this story pulled me in fast and held my attention the whole way through, and I am OBSESSED.

Before I started writing book reviews, I spent years working in education and athletics. I coached, I taught, and I helped train people who were learning how to guide younger athletes. A lot of those conversations centered on the same core ideas. Discipline matters. Balance matters. And being a student always comes before being an athlete. Reading Student-Athletes: Control Your Own Destiny by David T.

Reading Santa’s Secret: A Pine Bend Christmas Cold Case by Michelle Cornish reminded me of the kind of cozy, small-town mysteries I’ve always adored—with a sprinkling of Hallmark Christmas magic that made me feel like I could see the twinkling lights and smell the pine needles right off the page. From the very first moment, the story drew me in. I was immediately captivated by the mysterious disappearance of Clara Evergreen, a cold case that had haunted Pine Bend for years.

Who doesn't love a delightful children's book with great pictures and an even better message? Okay, don't answer that. Because, I do! Now, onto the review.... Twins Mac & Madi Play Field Hockey by Linda Herron, with illustrations by Marie Delon, manages weave in a very important lesson, all while giving a book full of sports and fun. This cheerful picture book review highlights a story that celebrates teamwork, perseverance, and the joy of sports.

Picking up The Shadow of Pharsalus: The River Rubicon II by Daniel Paul felt like walking straight onto a political chessboard where every wrong move could start World War III. Following the fall of Robert Standish, the United States is teetering on the edge of chaos. Martial law? Check. Domestic unrest? Double check. Foreign powers scheming in the shadows? Oh, you better believe it.

T/R Ellison’s The Chladni Progression: The Power to Heal is a truly fascinating journey that blends cutting-edge science, Eastern philosophy, and the enduring power of love and resilience. As someone who usually sticks to more conventional reads, I found this novel a refreshing and engaging departure. From the first page, it’s clear that Ellison has built a story that stretches the imagination and challenges readers to think differently about the possibilities of healing, connection, and human potential.

Step into the time machine and join me for a trip back to the eighties... Or if you're a 90s baby like me, remembering the late 90s and picturing something similar. Lena Gibson keeps getting better and better with her writing, and the magic she puts in her words has me binging along. And this book? I loved it. I loved it maybe TOO much, because it ended and I wanted even more.

Picking up This Little Piggy by J.G. Brin felt like stepping into a fairy tale that had been launched into orbit. At first glance, the title hints at something playful, but then the story opens and you realize this is not the nursery rhyme you remember! Instead, it is a fast-moving science fiction adventure where pigs pilot ships, explore strange planets, and try very hard not to get eaten by a terrifying predator.

Screaming. Crying. Throwing up. Isn't that the whole millennial "OMG" thing we used to say? Something like that? Anywho, I'm OBSESSED. Lena Gibson became my favourite author when I started reading her books last year, but this book continues to cement her as one of my top faves. I disappear into her books, have all of the feels (good and bad, depending on the scenario, because...

There are some books you pick up for comfort, and some you pick up knowing full well they are going to mess with your feelings. Vice by Rosanna Leo somehow manages to do both! Set against the glittering, dangerous pull of Las Vegas, this contemporary romance delivers intense chemistry, sharp banter, and a surprisingly thoughtful look at addiction and its ripple effects.

As a fan of middle-grade books that perfectly balance humor, heart, and relatable childhood struggles, Danica Panica and the Thing Under the Bed by Kevin Miller was an absolute delight. This is the second book in the Danica Panica series, and it continues to hit all the right notes for young readers. At its heart, it’s a story about confronting fear, but with plenty of laughs along the way.

As a Canadian who loves hockey romances, picking up The Tao of Hockey by Melanie Ting felt like muscle memory. Hockey, romance, and Vancouver as a setting. Yes please! From the first chapters, this book made it clear that it was about second chances, discipline, and figuring out who you are when everything you planned falls apart. This contemporary hockey romance opens with Eric Fairburn, a former first-round NHL draft pick whose career derailed after a serious car accident.

Ben Ladouceur’s I Remember Lights follows a young man from New Brunswick as he steps into Montreal for the first time during the bright, bustling summer of 1967. He carries hope, curiosity, and a sense of youthful possibility, arriving with dreams of love and connection. Yet what he encounters is both exhilarating and complicated! A world where desire, joy, and the thrill of self-discovery are entangled with secrecy, danger, and social constraints.

Kendall begins Everlasting believing the world makes sense. His life follows rules that feel settled and unquestioned, shaped by lessons he has never had reason to doubt. That certainty starts to unravel when small moments stop lining up the way they should. Words linger longer than expected, objects seem to remember things people have forgotten, and events that should be unrelated begin to echo one another.

I love a really well-written middle-grade read, and Paul Breau is becoming one of my faves. Surviving Summer Camp by Paul Breau starts quietly enough, with a kid who wants nothing more than a peaceful, indoor summer full of video games and snacks, and then suddenly drops you straight into chaos. This action-packed middle grade novel is written for boys ages 8 to 12, but honestly, it has wide appeal for any reader who enjoys survival stories, sibling dynamics, and fast-moving plots that refuse to slow down.

Retirement is often framed as an ending, a slowing down, or a gentle retreat from ambition. Young Salt at Sixty: Becoming Better Than Retired pushes back on that idea, not with speeches or slogans, but with action. Deborah Hammett waits until after she leaves the classroom to begin something entirely new with her life. She does not take up gardening, or a casual hobby like knitting (#goals).

Kevin Miller’s Danica Panica and the Thunderstorm of Doom (Book 3 in the Danica Panica series) is a delightful, fast-paced, and slightly chaotic adventure that perfectly balances humor, suspense, and relatable childhood fears. In this installment, Danica agrees to go on a simple fishing trip with her dad, expecting calm waters and easy sailing. Of course, nothing goes according to plan.

There are stories that unfold quietly, like fog rolling in from the ocean, and you do not realize how deeply they have settled until you try to shake them off. Tofino by Tom Stewart is that kind of novel. It does not rush. It does not hurry to impress. Instead, it allows emotion, memory, and setting to stretch out, trusting the reader to stay with it.

A Collection That Knows How Real Life Feels The Beauty and the Hell of It & Other Stories by Lynda Williams is the kind of short story collection that makes you sit up a little straighter as you read (or if you're me, relax more because books bring the shoulders back down to place). From the opening pages, it is clear these stories are not here to impress with polish or perfection (in a good way).

Some books ask you to slow down and listen, Under the Full and Crescent Moon by Aamir Hussain is one of those stories. Set in the fictional hilltop city of Medina’tul-Agham during the Islamic Golden Age, this novel blends history, faith, and political tension into a thoughtful and absorbing read. From the first pages, the city feels alive, shaped by loss, resilience, and a fragile peace that has been hard won.

Some books catch your attention. Others grab you by the collar, pull you trackside, and refuse to let you go until the final lap. Racing Towards Destiny by Lena Gibson did exactly that for me. I went in curious and came out completely invested, heart racing right alongside the engines on the MotoGP circuit. This sports romance blends high-speed competition with emotional depth in a way that feels natural and welcoming, even for readers who have never watched a motorcycle race (like me!).

In Danica Panica and the Sharp, Scary Needle, Kevin Miller dives into a scenario that nearly every child can relate to: the fear of vaccinations. Danica thinks she’s clever, laughing as her classmates line up for their routine shots, confident that she’s escaped unscathed. But when her parents reveal that she also has to get vaccinated, panic sets in. What follows is a comical and heartfelt adventure, as Danica employs every trick in her book to avoid the dreaded jab.

Danica Panica and the Comfort of Routine Danica Panica and the Snapping, Snarling Dog by Kevin Miller introduces readers to Danica, a child who finds comfort in routine. Her days feel best when they unfold the same way each time, especially her walks with her beloved dog, Clark. That predictable path through the neighborhood is a source of calm, a way to keep the world orderly and manageable.

Hollywood is a place where dreams sparkle, but reality has a way of tripping you up. In Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous, Christine Stringer delivers a delightful and hilarious story about one young woman’s attempt to break into the film industry during the chaotic, colourful 1990s. Charity Trickett moves to Los Angeles with big ambitions, only to discover that fame and glamour come with backstabbing coworkers, office politics, and enough disasters to make you laugh and cringe at the same time.

If you’ve ever wished fairy tales were a little sillier, a little spikier, and a whole lot funnier, Prince Prickly Spine by Tekeyla Friday is your next great read. It’s absolutely ridiculous in the most delightful way, the kind of book that makes you laugh out loud and then wonder, “Who comes up with this stuff?” Well, okay. Maybe that's just me??

Gail Ward Olmsted’s Class Action: What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You is an absolute delight from start to finish. This gripping legal thriller is fast-paced, emotionally engaging, and full of twists that kept me turning pages late into the night. As someone who enjoys character-driven thrillers, I was immediately drawn to the story of Lennon Gallagher, a third-year law student whose life is already complicated enough without being caught up in a scandal that could ruin her future.

Danica Panica is back, and this time her adventure takes place right at home. Trying to avoid a long road trip and hours stuck with her little brother Ivan, Danica convinces her parents to let her stay home with her grandmother. She thinks she’s outsmarted the world! No deep, dark water, no family chaos. But instead of peace and quiet, she discovers a new challenge: collecting eggs from the family’s big, intimidating hen.

If you love a good thriller with heart, Taxed to the Max by Michelle Cornish is a must-add to your reading list. This is the sixth and final book in the Cynthia Webber series, and what a finale it is. Michelle Cornish wraps things up with high tension, clever twists, and just enough emotion to keep you hooked from the very first page.

If there’s one thing readers can count on in the Milligan Creek series, it’s that something completely ridiculous is about to happen... and it’ll probably involve the entire town. Off the Hook! continues Kevin Miller’s hilarious streak of middle grade adventures set in small-town Saskatchewan. This time, Milligan Creek finds itself at the center of Canada’s biggest fishing tournament, and chaos hits the water faster than a walleye on a worm.

If you’re in the mood for a heartfelt second-chance romance that feels like summer captured on the page, The Summers Between Us by Noreen Nanja is a wonderful choice. This debut novel blends love, identity, and self-discovery into a tender story that lingers long after the final chapter. Set in a small lakeside town in rural Canada, the story follows Lia, a young lawyer whose carefully built life begins to unravel when she returns to her family’s summer cottage.