Loÿs Maingon reviews The Seabird Trials: How a Scientist Took Big Oil to Court and Won, by Briony Penn (Madeira Park: Harbour Publishing, 2026) $26.95 / 9781998526666

DescriptionThe pelt of a dog named “Mutton” languished in a drawer at the Smithsonian for 150 years until it was discovered, almost accidentally, by an amateur archivist. This book tells Mutton's stor...

DescriptionThe pelt of a dog named “Mutton” languished in a drawer at the Smithsonian for 150 years until it was discovered, almost accidentally, by an amateur archivist. This book tells Mutton's stor...

The Independent is an important voice in the community of readers and writers dedicated to book reviews and writing about the world of books.

Ten titles you’ll need to get your hands on

YouTube video by John Ackermann

A Review by Melanie Jackson

‘Exploring Vancouver’ tells the story of a city through its architecture

Excerpt

Artist Roy Henry Vickers marks 80 with a new retrospective. Plus BC Wildfire Service crew leader Kyle Gilson on fighting fire on Vancouver Island - on the Pulse Podcast.

National Honour Recognizes a Lifetime of Transforming Shakespeare and Canadian Theatre June 26, 2026, Vancouver, BC / Traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and...

The Sunshine Coast: From Gibsons to Powell River, Third Edition is available from Harbour Publishing

By Kathryn MacDonald Two Songs: Selected Poems 2000-2025 by Russell Thornton Harbour Publishing (2026) With nine previous collections, Russell Thornton is

Reviewed by ​Josie Di Sciascio-Andrews

The Teachings of Mutton: A Coast Salish Woolly Dog brings forward a history that, for many Coast Salish people, was never fully gone—only interrupted, misnamed, or held in places that did not know how...

Sam Wiebe  [photo credit: Mel Yap] is the author of the bestselling Ocean Drive (2024), as well as the Wakeland novels, one of the most aut...

Visual artist and storyteller Roy Henry Vickers considers his artwork to be his children and, just like his six human children, they are all special.So, as a celebration of his 80th birthday, when Vic...

He has made a career out of using clean lines, vivid colours, and natural themes to reflect the rugged beauty of BC. Now, Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers has returned with a new book, looking back...

YouTube video by John Ackermann

Until now, there has been very little written about the Coast Salish Woolly Dog, or sqʷəmey̓ in the Hul’q’umi’num language. Teachings of Mutton: A Coast Salish Woolly Dog tells the story of the ...rea...

© CBC/Radio-Canada 2026. All rights reserved.

© CBC/Radio-Canada 2026. All rights reserved.

Here are the new and upcoming Canadian books of poetry we're most excited for this season.

Ryan Frawley reviews Guns Across the River, by Sam Wiebe (Madeira Park: Harbour Publishing, 2026) $24.95 / 9781998526550

Spoken Word Open Mic, pay what you can at the door Featuring: Wendy Donawa Emcee: Derek Hanebury Moderator: Karl Korven FMI: electricmermaidreads@gmail.com

gillian harding-russell reviews Two Songs: Selected Poems 2000-2025, by Russell Thornton (Madeira Park: Harbour Publishing, 2026) $26.96 / 9781998526574

ART | HISTORY | CULTURE