Any resident of British Columbia is familiar with the urge to explore the offerings of their province. But it can feel easier said than done— where should one start?
This list of books is curated to equip anyone from lifelong residents, BC-newcomers, and PNW adventurers in their journey to discover the history and natural beauty of the province. Consider this your toolkit to unlocking BC in all its glory!
History
A Perfect Day for a Walk: The History, Cultures, and Communities of Vancouver, on Foot by Bill Arnott (Arsenal Pulp Press)
From the publisher: “Much has been written of Vancouver’s many nature trails and paths for dedicated hikers, but what does the city have to offer to the casual urban stroller?
Join bestselling author Bill Arnott for a revelatory journey through Vancouver—on foot—to uncover its hidden gems and best-kept secrets. A Perfect Day for a Walk details a series of strolls through Kitsilano, Granville Island, False Creek, the West End, Coal Harbour, Yaletown, Gastown, Chinatown, the Downtown Eastside, and more, accompanied by the stories and histories that make these neighbourhoods unique.”
Out now!
Brewmasters and Brewery Creek: A History of Craft Beer in Vancouver, Then and Now by Noëlle Phillips (TouchWood Editions)
From the publisher: “Few would dispute that these days Vancouver is a prime craft beer destination, with over 70 breweries in the greater Vancouver area and 35+ in Vancouver proper. Beer has shaped the city’s culture, and in turn, Vancouver’s idiosyncratic identity has also shaped its craft beer. But how did it all begin?
This rigorously researched deep dive into the history of craft beer in Vancouver makes an exciting addition to books on the city’s history, certain to appeal to beer-lovers and history buffs alike.”
Out now!
Jennie Butchart: Gardener of Dreams by Haley Healey, illustrated by Kimiko Fraser (Heritage House Publishing)
From the publisher: “The unlikely true story of Jennie Butchart, who saw the possibility of beauty in a hole in the ground and built a public garden that attracts millions of visitors from around the world.
The story of Jennie’s brilliant idea to transform a barren pit into the world-famous Butchart Gardens is beautifully illustrated for children. Jennie Butchart: Gardener of Dreams inspires young readers to see the potential in the most unlikely of places.”
Out now!
Who Shot Estevan Light? And Other Tales from the Salish Sea and Beyond
by Douglas Hamilton (Caitlin Press)
From the publisher: “In this eclectic collection, author Douglas Hamilton shares stories of maritime history and local folklore: The Flying Dutchman, a notorious BC pirate reputed to have been part of Butch Cassidy’s gang and who eluded the police only to resurface on Lasqueti Island; a BC lighthouse that was shelled by a Japanese submarine in 1942; an undeservedly little-known French explorer who rivalled Captain Cook in the extent of his travels in the Pacific, and more.”
Coming soon! Available February 14, 2025
Gumboots in the Straits: Nautical Adventures from Sointula to the Salish Sea edited by Lou Allison, compiled by Jane Wilde (Caitlin Press)
From the publisher: “Returning to the fascinating 1970s migration of young people to BC’s West Coast, Gumboots in the Straits gathers more stories of the romance of the sea and the demographic and personal change of that time.
Packed with stories of personal transformation, breaking new ground and adapting to the changing tides of life, Gumboots in the Straits joins bestsellers Gumboot Girls, Dancing in Gumboots and Gumboot Guys in capturing the dynamic momentum of the decade and the enduring allure of the sea.”
Out now!
Guidebooks
Seaside Walks on Vancouver Island – Revised Edition by Theo Dombrowski (Rocky Mountain Books)
From the publisher: “Seaside Walks on Vancouver Island is the perfect book for those who love to explore the seashore but also love walking through forests and seaside meadows. Whether discovering inviting stretches of sandy beach, hiking along rugged cliffs, or strolling through quiet estuaries, visitors to these trails will usually be far away from the crowds that choose to drive directly to the more popular, touristy beaches.”
Out now!
Cycling Vancouver Island by John Crouch (Rocky Mountain Books)
From the publisher: “Featuring over 40 routes, each trip includes a map, information on local history, topography, aesthetics, places of interest, type of road, general route condition, level of difficulty, start and end points, checkpoints and colour photographs.”
Out now!
Flora & Fauna of Stanley Park by Collin Varner (Heritage House Publishing)
From the publisher: “Vancouver’s Stanley Park is known around the world as a natural oasis in the midst of western Canada’s largest city. Unlike many urban parks, which are mostly cultivated, the 1,000-acre area now known as Stanley Park is part of the natural rainforest of this region.
The Flora and Fauna of Stanley Park is a practical and colourful keepsake, highlighting more than 200 trees, shrubs, wildflowers, berries, seaweeds, birds, land mammals, and shoreline creatures. With clear colour photography, detailed descriptions, etymology, and safety tips and warnings, this book is the perfect go-to guide for visitors to the park, and anyone interested in the rich biodiversity of the Vancouver area and beyond.”
Out now!
Backpacking on Vancouver Island: The Essential Guide to the Best Multi-Day Trips and Day Hikes by Taryn Eyton (Greystone Books)
From the publisher: “Vancouver Island is home to legendary backpacking routes, and this expertly researched book takes you to the best of the best, whether you’re looking for a weekend trip to a mountain peak, a multi-day adventure to a secluded beach, or an easy day trip to a waterfall. The author, Taryn Eyton, is an experienced backpacker and Leave No Trace Master Educator. In addition to sharing the best backpacking routes on the Island, she provides practical advice to promote fun wilderness experiences and minimize your environmental impact.”
Out now!
Camping British Columbia, the Rockies, and the Yukon: The Complete Guide to Government Campgrounds, 9th Edition by Jayne Seagrave (Heritage House Publishing)
From the publisher: “Western Canada’s quintessential camping guide—now in its 9th edition—lays the groundwork for anyone planning to get out of the city and explore the best that nature has to offer. [This guide] offers over 150 possibilities for campers of every age and experience level.
For those packing up the RV with all the comforts of home or pitching a tent next to a quiet spot by a picturesque lake, this practical guide tells would-be campers everything they need to know: which campgrounds have the best playgrounds, safe swimming beaches, and interpretive programs; which parks have hot showers and nearby restaurants; which grounds are RV accessible; and which are best for families, young adults, and retirees. Every provincial, territorial, or national park campground in the region is listed alphabetically, along with clear maps and directions, more than 100 photos, and the latest health and safety regulations.”
Out now!
The Sunshine Coast: From Gibsons to Powell River, 3rd Edition by Howard White (Harbour Publishing)
From the publisher: “British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast is a sublimely scenic 160-kilometre stretch of waterfront between Howe Sound and Desolation Sound, reached by a 40-minute ferry ride from West Vancouver. Join Howard White, award-winning humorist and lifelong coast denizen, on a guided tour from Gibsons, where the long-running TV series The Beachcombers was filmed, to Powell River, the largest community in the region.
First published in 1996, this fully revised edition contains updated text and all new photographs of coast life from the area’s most talented photographers including Dean van’t Schip and Keith Thirkell.”
Out now!
Granville Island ABC: A Family Adventure by Alison Kelly, illustrated by Linda Sharp (Heritage House Publishing)
From the publisher: “Granville Island ABC is a visual treasure hunt that invites families to explore the sights, sounds, and smells of this exciting arts and culture destination. With fun (and mostly free) discoveries for every letter of the alphabet—from buskers to houseboats, industrial relics to parks, seawalls to turtles—this book is the perfect companion to a family outing.”
Out now!
Poetry and Prose
Blue Runaways by Jann Everard (Stonehewer Books)
From the publisher: “As diverse in situation as it is controlled in theme, this [short story] collection serves as a multifaceted exploration of loss, love, and what it takes to move on. With a keen eye for landscape and an uncanny knack for inhabiting hearts and minds, Everard ventures into her character’s darkest days. By confronting the sorrow of being alive, Blue Runaways reveals the joy of knowing we are not alone.”
Out now!
Boundary Territory by Renée Harper (Now or Never Publishing)
From the publisher: “Boundary Territory finds its locus in British Columbia’s sparsely populated interior valleys—on greyhound buses, in motel rooms paid for by social services, and in the unsettled body of its speaker. This collection of poems offers a dual perspective, exploring geographic location from the vantage point of a transient teenager navigating small towns and the immediacy of trauma, as well as that of an adult interrogating the language of academia and examining landscape through the lens of ecocritical theory, situating themselves within geographic and emotional landscapes and a family lineage of failed settlements. “With precision and care, the poems of Boundary Territory offer meditations on homelessness, trauma and resilience as they find their footing in the sensory details of geographic space.”
Out now!