Traditionally, imagery associated with Valentine’s Day has been fairly limited, or even exclusive. Each February 14th, cupids, romance and Valentine’s propositions abound. But love looks different for everyone, which is why this year, we wanted to step outside the box and celebrate all kinds of love. These BC-published books highlight the kinds of love we can find in family, the natural world, the self, and community. We hope you can find one that speaks your love language, so to speak!
A Haida Wedding by Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson with Robert Davidson (Heritage House Publishing)
In this visually stunning book, author Terri-Lynn Davidson documents her marriage to Robert Davidson in their 1996 wedding–– the first traditional ceremony in over a century that was legalized under Haida law.
This book is a visual and cultural celebration of a traditional Haida wedding ceremony, exploring its roots, rituals, symbolism, joyfulness, and contemporary significance for a thriving Indigenous Nation.
Available now!
We’re Happy You’re Here by Julie Wilkins, illustrated by Brady Sato
This picture book celebrates the many roles that are required to bring a baby into a family. With inclusive illustrations depicting diverse family journeys, including single parents, LGBTQ+ parents and a variety of family structures, this joy-filled picture book invites children and their special people to explore the meaning of family, community and the beautiful mix of science, wisdom and love that brought them into the world.
Coming soon! 03/12/2024
My Life Off-Key by Gail Anderson-Dargatz (Orca Book Publishers)
This book for young readers follows the story of seventeen-year-old singer and music-lover Jen, who accidentally meets her biological father, who she never knew existed! The revelation that her dad is not her biological father turns Jen and her family’s life upside down. This story explores family dynamics, themes of identity and belonging, and the complexities of dealing with big emotions and the intertwining of parents’ and kids’ lives!
Available now!
Sex in Canada: The Who, Why, When and How of Getting Down Up North by Tina Fetner (UBC Press)
Guided by the results of a one-of-a-kind survey of adults aged eighteen to ninety – and infusing her research with a sense of humour – Tina Fetner delves into sex among singles and couples, marriage and monogamy, hooking up and committed relationships, cheating, desire, risk, and pleasure. Is there such a thing as “normal” sexual behaviour? How do age, gender, sexual identity, education, region, and other dimensions of our social lives affect our sex lives? Fetner shows us how the social forces that shape us also nudge our sexual behaviour into patterns that reflect the world we see.
Available now!
Hazard, Home by Christine Lowther (Caitlin Press)
Hazard, Home is a love letter to all the wonder of the Earth’s inhabitants and systems. Former Tofino Poet Laureate Christine Lowther delves into the pressing issues of urbanization, climate change, and loss of biodiversity while expressing her deep concern for those feathered, furred, webbed, and rooted. Hazard, Home is set apart from traditional nature poetry by its decolonial lens which pays tribute to stolen lands as well as displaced people and cultures. The perfect Valentines read for nature lovers!
Available now!
A Brief and Endless Sea by Barbara Pelman (Caitlin Press)
This collection celebrates finding comfort in the “smallest life you can love.” If, instead of reading a traditional human-meets-human love story, you want to read about love for the world and creating a life you can fall in love with, this book is for you!
Available now!