We know not everyone is a hardcore Reader (with a capital R). For those people on your list, give a visually delightful book. These 10 dazzling books cover everything from iconic Indigenous art to expansive coastal landscapes—offering something special for everyone on your list. It may be cliché but it’s true: sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words.
Indulge the foodie on your list with four books in a beautiful box set: Recipes for Oil and Vinegar Lovers Boxed Set (Touchwood Editions). Author Emily Lycopolus and photographer Danielle (DL) Acken bring together mouthwatering delicacies from four destinations—Italy, Greece, Spain, and Syria—in this one convenient package.
If you’re after a more lighthearted gift, Caroline Woodward’s A West Coast Summer (Harbour Publishing) is a stunning choice. This heartwarming picture book pairs two dozen of Carol Evans’s watercolours with a rhyming story about the idyllic season. While technically for kids, readers of all ages will enjoy this charming collaboration, sure to become a West Coast classic.
Robert Amos’s EJ Hughes Paints Vancouver Island (Touchwood Editions) is an excellent way to give a little local love this holiday season. A handsome retrospective on one of BC’s most beloved artists, the book unveils, for the first time, photographs, sketches, and ephemera from the EJ Hughes’ estate. For those art admirers who appreciate artists like Emily Carr, Jack Shadbolt, and the Group of Seven.
For the serious art fan, pick up a copy of Sonny Assu: A Selective History (Heritage House). Alongside gorgeous artwork from the artist himself, co-authors Richard Van Camp, Marianne Nicolson, Candice Hopkins, and Ellyn Walker provide commentary on Assu’s practice, its meaning in the context of contemporary art, and its wider significance in the struggle for Indigenous cultural and political autonomy.
Emily Wight’s Dutch Feast (Arsenal Pulp Press) is a mouth-watering gift for the culinarily inclined. A Taste Canada Award finalist, the book provides a modern take on Dutch cuisine, highlighting how simple meals bring joy and comfort. Alongside vibrant colour photography, Wight’s recipes add charm and sophistication to a cuisine that is wholesome, accessible, and stubbornly delicious.
Marit Hovland’s Bakeland: Nordic Treats Inspired by Nature (Greystone Books) is more than just hygge or lagom. From chocolate seashells to pinecone-shaped gingersnaps, these innovative desserts invite bakers to explore and celebrate the wonders of the natural world, one bite at a time. Bakeland will inspire and challenge the friend who always has baked goods to share.
The Hidden Life of Trees: The Illustrated Edition (Greystone Books) will enchant anyone who loves nature, trees, or photography. An adaptation of Peter Wohlleben’s international bestseller The Hidden Life of Trees, this breathtaking edition brings the wonders and diversity of the forest to life like never before pairing Wohlleben’s writing with stunning images.
Another book for nature-lovers and amateur photographers, Natural Reflections (Rocky Mountain Books) takes readers on an unforgettable walk through the vast beauty of Canada’s outdoors, one photograph at a time. Mike Grandmaison’s images are seamlessly interwoven with observations by Robert L. Peters in this lavishly produced volume. It will look dazzling on any photographers’ coffee table.
Out of Concealment (Heritage House) presents a powerful collection of photo collages that celebrate supernatural female beings rooted in Haida culture. Contributions from Wade Davis complement Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson’s whimsical images, offering a view into a surreal world. This unique book is a must-read for anyone interested in avant-garde art or in learning more about Haida culture.
In Sculpture in Canada (Douglas & MacIntyre), distinguished cultural historian Maria Tippett offers new insights into a fascinating yet under-appreciated art form. Richly illustrated and researched, this authoritative account of sculpture’s coming of age in Canada will enchant history buffs and art fanatics alike.
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