Rainy days, snow, and dark, cold nights—there’s no denying that December is finally here. Whether it’s candles, hot cocoa, wool scarves, or cuddling up with a blanket, everyone has their way of preparing for the long months ahead.
Want to spark a bit of warmth and joy this holiday season? Give a gift that inspires! From stories of friendship to tales of triumph, these 10 brilliant new books are sure to brighten even the Grinchiest of spirits.
Paul Suter was an elite endurance athlete who went from competing in Ironman-distance triathlons to being unable to take his dog for a five-minute walk—all because of a concussion. In Flat Out in Pieces: Crippled by Concussion – An Athlete’s Journey Back (Tidewater Press), he tells the inspiring account of his quest for recovery and recognition. Athletes of all stripes will enjoy this hopeful and empowering read.
In Mamaskatch: A Cree Coming of Age (Douglas & McIntyre), Darrel J. MacLeod shares his experiences of growing up Cree in the tiny village of Smith, Alberta. Weaving stories from his own childhood with those of his mother, he offers a moving portrait of family life, deep ties, and a shared history that both binds and haunts. This uplifting account of overcoming personal and societal obstacles is an edifying read for any reader.
Just as every queer person has their own coming-out story, every LGBTQ2 family has a unique journey to becoming a family. In Swelling with Pride: Queer Conception and Adoption Stories (Caitlin Press), editor and proud queer mom Sara Graefe brings together stories of belonging from more than 25 creative non-fiction LGBTQ2 authors across North America. Candid and human, this groundbreaking anthology is a must-read for anyone with queer family members. Forget Chicken Soup for the Parent’s Soul, this would be an enlightening read for anyone with a young child or considering starting a family.
Packed with charm and humour, Papa Goose: One Year, Seven Goslings, and the Flight of My Life (Greystone Books) has everything animal lovers could wish for. Author and scientist Michael Quetting shares the hilarious true story of how he became an unexpected “father” to seven adorable goslings—and the surprising things he learned about life along the way.
In Daughters are Forever (Theytus Books), Lee Maracle reaffirms her position as one of the most important First Nations writers in North America. The novel follows Marilyn—a First Nations woman who is alienated from her culture, her family, and herself—as she gradually heals and reconciles with her estranged daughters. A powerful look at self-discovery and reconnection, Daughters are Forever will captivate mothers and daughters alike.
For a completely different look at love, try A Bright and Steady Flame: The Story of An Enduring Friendship (Caitlin Press), a tender account of Luanne Armstrong’s long-standing friendship with Sam Moore. Both single mothers, the duo supported each other through child-rearing, personal identity crises, feminist activist work, and more. A testament to the power of companionship, A Bright and Steady Flame provides a special way to show a friend just how important they are.
In The Journey Forward: Two Novellas on Reconciliation (McKellar & Martin), two award-winning voices come together in one beautifully illustrated volume. Richard Van Camp’s When We Play Our Drums, They Sing! follows a 12-year-old boy who learns about his Indigenous history and discovers a new sense of self. Monique Gray Smith’s Lucy & Lola is about two 11-year-old twin girls who spend the summer with their Kookum (grandmother) and learn what it means to be intergenerational Survivors. These two timely and sensitive stories are an excellent choice for the middle grade kid on your list.
Not sure what to get the teen on your list? Shannon McFerran’s Synchro Boy (Arsenal Pulp Press) is a unique coming-of-age story that blends queer teen romance with athletic competition. The novel follows Bart, a 16-year-old jock who has recently taken up synchronized swimming. While training to make it to the Olympics, he juggles his crushes on two different genders, and attempts to overcome the stereotypes associated with his new sport.
Joanna Lilley’s Worry Stones (Ronsdale Press) is a tale of love and connection—a top pick for the fiction reader on your list. Will Jenny, a young art historian, be able to help her mother escape from a religious cult? To do so, she must make sense of a jumbled past, survive a chaotic present, and seize a seemingly unattainable future. Joanna Lilley has a way with language and unfolding the story in her debut novel, which may be attributed to her previous work as a poet.
For fans of literary fiction, Sophie Bienvenue’s Around Her (Talonbooks) is a compassionate exploration of love in all of its manifestations. The novel traces the lives of a mother, Florence, and her estranged son, Adrien, through the prism of 20 characters who have crossed their paths. These other characters each take a turn and—with their own unique voices—tell their stories. Readers of Donna Tartt and any Booker Prize–nominated novel will be absorbed by Around Her.
Explore more Holiday Gift Guides here.