Christmas Gift Guide | Non-Fiction Edition (2018)

Hi everyone! I'm back again with some Christmas Gift Guide recommendations. A lot of non-fiction, biography picks often come out at this time of year, so I have for you a non-fiction edition specifically. Here are some of the books I've read recently and what I thought of them!

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman (✮✮✮✮½ - 4.5/5 stars)
Publishing Date: October 2, 2018
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Pages: 288

My Review: I've been a fan of both Megan and Nick for a while now. I'm not a massive Will&Grace or Parks&Rec fan, but I just really enjoyed their work in movies. I honestly didn't even know they were married until I saw this book come out, and to learn they've been together for 18 years is pretty amazing. I opted for the audiobook version (secret bonus chapter) and it really felt like they were having a conversation the entire time. There were bits of childhood, so some history for them both, but mostly, it was about their relationship and some little essays/lessons sprinkled throughout. I also LOVE the photos included in the book because they dressed up and posed for a bunch of stuff. They are both very funny and down-to-earth individuals, and learning about how they make it work after all this time is not only encouraging, it's beautiful. You go from laughing a ton and to also swooning, because Nick is so incredibly sweet with Megan. Even if you are not familiar with their work, hearing them talk candidly about relationships and the business is really fascinating. Definitely recommend!!

Available for Purchase:
Indigo/Chapters - Kobo - Amazon - Audible -  Kindle - Book Depository

Whiskey in a Teacup: What Growing Up in the South Taught Me About Life, Love, & Baking Biscuits by Reese Witherspoon (✮✮✮✮½ - 4.5/5 stars)
Publishing Date: September 18, 2018
Publisher: Touchstone
Pages: 304

My Review: I also opted for the audiobook of this and if you are wondering about the cookbook aspect, when you purchase something like this on audible, they also include a PDF with all the photos and recipes. I much prefer hearing a book from the person who wrote it, so it was nice to hear Reese narrate it. The recipes included are so sweet too because they are linked to her roots. I especially loved learning about her grandmother Dorothea and from there we got the recipes for Sun Tea and Tea Punch. There's a section called Southern Dinner Party, and I definitely want to get together with my best friend and cook some of the recipes. It's such a beautiful looking book, with easy to follow recipes, and stories about how those recipes came about. You learn snippets of Reese along the way and with cute anecdotal bits too, like her adorable Ode to Quilts. There's also music playlists mixed in, and she even has as section recommending books by Southern authors! She also has a book club menu, which I'm totally going to do at some point with either of my two bookclubs.  I've been a fan of Reese for a while, so I'm glad to add this to my collection (I've already ordered a physical copy because it's just too beautiful!). I think fans of Reese who want lovely recipes with a bit of Southern charm will definitely enjoy this!

Available for Purchase:
Indigo/Chapters - Kobo - Amazon - Audible -  Kindle - Book Depository

Becoming by Michelle Obama (✮✮✮✮✮ - 5/5 stars)
Publishing Date: November 13, 2018
Publisher: Crown
Pages: 448

My Review: I definitely think this is THE book of the holiday season. I've been in at work a few times and this book literally flies off the shelves. I opted for the audiobook version of this because I just really miss hearing her speeches, and I'm so glad I picked this version. Michelle has always been such an inspiring and genuine individual and I was over the moon to learn that she was going to come out with a book. This book is more than just her time as First Lady, but it's about her childhood, her relationship with Barack, and how things are now. I particularly enjoy her talking about her education. I mean, it's Michelle Obama! You really don't need to say more than that. This book is everything you'd expect from her: classy, intelligent, humble, and funny, but it's also all of that and much, much, more. It's just so incredibly inspiring and heartwarming. I'm definitely getting this book for a few people in my life for Christmas because it's just so lovely. And I'm going to try my hardest to get tickets to see her talk about it next May in Toronto! *fingers crossed*

Available for Purchase:
Indigo/Chapters - Kobo - Amazon - Audible -  Kindle - Book Depository

Christmas Gift Guide | YA Edition (2018)

I'm back again with another Christmas gift guide and this time it will be all things YA! I primarily read YA contemporary so my recommendations will be heavier on that side, but I will include the few Sci-Fi/Fantasy that I did read and loved this year. At the end, I'm going to include oldies but goodies, so books that have been around for a while, but they make awesome gifts for any occasion and for any reader!

CONTEMPORARY

A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena - Review Here!

The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan - Review Here!

Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi - Review Here!

I Have Lost My Way by Gayle Forman - Review Here!

The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo - Review Here!

Save the Date by Morgan Matson - Review Here! 

SCI-FI/FANTASY

Everless by Sara Holland - Review Here!

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman - Review Here!

Sanctuary by Caryn Lix - Review Here! 

Grace and Fury by Tracy Banghart - Review Here!

Wildcard by Marie Lu - Review Here!

Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi - Review Here! 

OLDIES BUT GOODIES

Simon vs. The Homosapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli - Review Here!

To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han - Review Here!

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson - Review Here!

Let me know in the comments below what were some of your favorite YA reads this year that you'd recommend for having a spot under the tree! 

Christmas Gift Guide | Romance Edition (2018)

I've always read a bit of romance here and there in the past, but I feel like this year, I really jumped into the romance genre head on. I've met so many amazing people from the romance readers community and this year, I even started up a romance book club with some girlfriends. I primarily read contemporary romance, but I've read a bit of historical that I really loved (I also went on a crazy binge of buying a lot of historical, so my reading backlist is huge). Anyways, please see below some of my favorites that I've read this year that I think would make great gifting options for the romance reader in your life! Also, not all of these books were released this year, as some include ones I read this year and were published earlier.

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang - Review Here! 

I Flipping Love You by Helena Hunting - Review Here! 

Hate Notes by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward - Review Here!

Dirty Exes by Rachel Van Dyken - Review Here!

The Good Luck Charm by Helena Hunting - Review Here!

Do You Feel It Too? by Nicola Rendell - Review Here!

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

Scandal & Scoundrel Series by Sarah Maclean - I binged this series earlier this year on a camping trip with friends and my goodness, Maclean is the first historical romance author I've read and she was such a great starting point. I love her writing so much! She is able to weave such fun and sexy stories, but also demonstrate such strong values in the protagonist and their chosen love interest. I can't say enough good things about this series. The last book is definitely my favorite though because it deals with such a complicated matter of cheating, and this is the best I've seen it handled in a romance book context. It's about falling out of love, and falling in love again. 

The Wildes of Lindow Castle Series by Eloisa James - another series that I found myself absolutely devouring. There's a planned fourth book to come next year, so it's a great time to start this. I must admit, despite one of my favorites raving about the series, what really drew me in was the fact that all the male leads had the last name Wilde ;) This is the only series I've read by Eloisa James and I absolutely loved it! There's a big focus on family which is quite nice, but the books are so incredibly sweet and sexy. Too Wilde to Wed is my favorite so far because similar to Maclean's book, it's about falling in love again, and I really appreciate that because it focuses on what can happen after HEA. 

I've read a lot more romance this past year, but these are my absolute favorites that I think a seasoned romance reader AND someone who doesn't read romance often can enjoy. Let me know in the comments below what were some of your favorite romance reads of the year! 

Holiday Gift Guide | Fiction Edition (2017)

Hi everyone! So.. it is that time of year and I decided to bring back my gift guides for you all. I really like doing these kind of posts because it allows me to talk about a bunch of books and give mini reviews.. similar to if you were a customer in a bookstore and I was giving you a quick sales pitch on the title. I didn't do a fiction edition last year since I was mostly reading "grip-lit" but this year there are some fun titles that I think would make fantastic gifts for any book lover or even non-reader in your life. These are titles that I haven't spoken about before on the blog because I want to feature some newer titles for you all. I plan on making other gift guides so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for those posts. Let's get started!

Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami (✮✮✮✮✮ - 5/5 stars)
Publishing Date: May 9, 2017
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Pages: 240

My Pitch: Murakami is hands down my favorite author ever and it's a no brainer that I would recommend one of his books right off the bat. This is short story collection of 7 stories about men who find themselves without women. I am a bit biased because the text is partially translated by a professor of mine: Ted Goossen, and I'm a big Murakami fan, but I really enjoyed this short story collection. Samsa in Love is my favorite one. It just has the magical aura that Murakami's writing always has and I love the way he takes simple every day people and offers them such poignant backgrounds and inner narratives. The way he describes "feelings" and just how one interacts with another individual is just so special. I can't describe it more than that, but Murakami's writing always feels quite magical to me. If you haven't read Murakami before, this is a nice way to get into his work via short stories. This is must-have for your shelf!

Available for Purchase: 
Indigo/Chapters - Kobo - Amazon - Book Depository
Disclaimer: A copy of this book was sent to me by PRHC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Uncommon Type: Some Stories by Tom Hanks (✮✮✮✮ - 4/5 stars)
Publishing Date: October 17, 2017
Publisher: Knopf Canada
Pages: 416

My Pitch: There are tons of people in Hollywood who I really admire and Tom Hanks is definitely one of them. He is just a genuinely good person and I was so excited to learn that he was going to be writing a fiction book of short stories. (Do you see a theme in my gift guide recommendations so far?) When celebrities tackle writing, it often comes in the form of a biography/memoir so this was quite a nice departure. There are 17 short stories and they all follow various individuals and a typewriter is the common denominator between all of them. There's even a Holiday-esque short story titled "Christmas Eve 1953" - the story examines the night before Christmas in the Beuell household. It was such a sweet story and I really liked how Davey kept the secret of Santa Claus alive and well for his younger sister Jill. The typewriter in this specific story is where the kids write their letters for Santa. As everyone gathers to bed, Virgil Beuell, the patriarch, stays up late to call an old friend named Bud. They had previously spent a Christmas Eve together when they both served together and in a small phone call exchange and moments of Virgil heading to bed, you get a sense of what they experienced as soldiers and how their experiences still affect their day to day life. It's a bittersweet story in a way because the Beuell family is well as they approach the new year, but what Virgil and Bud went through years ago still lingers and has a sense that it will always linger. I think this was my favorite story out of all of them simply because of how I felt when I finished reading it. Hanks' writing is just beautiful and I'm genuinely pleased with this lovely collection of short stories. I think there is something in this book for everyone and there's also a nice added touch of photographs throughout the collection as well.

Available for Purchase:
Indigo/Chapters - Kobo - Amazon - Kindle - Book Depository
Disclaimer: A copy of this book was sent to me by PRHC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (✮✮✮✮✮ - 5/5 stars)
Publishing Date: February 3, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Pages: 448

My Pitch: I listened to Isabelle and Viann's story a few years back on audiobook, but the story still stays with me daily. I always find an opportunity to recommend this book whenever I can because it was such a beautiful and gut-wrenching story that lingers after you've read it (and in my case: for years). I loved reading about how two sisters dealt with WWII. Viann happy with her husband and child finds her world forever changed when her husband is sent off to fight the war, and she has to handle a Nazi-occupied France, even going so far as having one of the soldiers forcibly stationed with her. In contrast, you have determined and stubborn Isabelle who wants to do more with the current situation that help her sister Viann. She feels helpless and wants a more important role during these difficult times. Their relationship is tested time and time again, and there are so many moments that literally had me bawling my eyes out. I just loved this book so much. I will also say that those I have recommended this book to also love it. So basically, everyone loves it and if you haven't read it yet, you really need to change that ASAP.

Available for Purchase:
Indigo/Chapters - Kobo - Amazon - Audible -  Kindle - Book Depository

That's it from me folks! I plan on making more of these holiday edition guides so be sure to look out for them. Let me know in the comments below what is your number one fiction gift recommendation for this holiday season! 

Holiday Gift Guide | "Grip-Lit" Edition!

Hi everyone. I'm back with another holiday gift guide. Many thanks on the amazing response on twitter from the last holiday gift guide. I'm so pleased to see many of you picking up those suggestions. For my next category, I want to focus on "Grip-Lit" aka Gripping Literature.. or rather Thrilling Reads. I feel like since the emergence of Gone Girl there has been an influx of thrilling reads and I'm all about that life. I love reading thrillers so much. They keep me on the edge of my seat and they aren't too far that they venture into horror (I'm still a bit of a chicken). They kind of venture into the mystery realm too. Anyways, I have a few older books on this list and some that came out this year, but I hope you will pick some up regardless.

Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson (✮✮✮✮ - 4/5 stars)
Publishing Date: September 17, 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 368

My pitch: At my store, we have a table titled "thrilling reads" - during a shift of fixing up books, I picked this up because I had seen a trailer for it and didn't realize it was a book first. I saw that the protagonist's name was Christine, so instantly I was intrigued. A woman wakes up with no memory of where she is, does not recognize the man she's in bed with, and when she looks in the mirror, she has aged. Christine wakes up every day not remembering and she is told by Ben, her husband, that she suffered memory loss from an accident. As Christine uncovers the truth about her past and what really happened, things get extremely complicated. It is one of those keep-you-constantly-guessing reads. It reminded me a lot of Marcela the TV series, and I think fans of that show will definitely enjoy this! I haven't watched the movie adaptation yet, but I definitely plan to!

Available for purchase: Indigo/Chapters - Kobo - Book Depository

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena (✮✮✮✮ - 4/5 stars)
Publishing Date: August 23, 2016
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Pages: 320

My pitch: This story touches on a difficult subject and on a scenario that no parent ever wants to get in. Marco and Anne are next-door having dinner with their friends one evening and because their sitter canceled, they couldn't find anyone to watch their child. Instead of bringing the baby to the dinner, they left the baby next door and checked on the child every half hour and used the baby monitor. Of course, chaos struck the couple & the child goes missing. As a detective attempts to uncover the mystery and try and locate the child, more horrible truths start coming to light. The couple begins to doubt one another, they start to doubt their friends and family while the safety of their child is at the center of it all. I read this in one sitting and I could not put it down. I was so intrigued and I felt like I was watching an episode of Criminal Minds.. (I think you can tell now from my two suggestions that I have a thing for crime shows). I also really liked the character Anne and empathized with her throughout the entire story.

Available for purchase: Indigo/Chapters - Kobo - Book Depository
Disclaimer: A copy of this book was sent to me by PRHC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh (✮✮✮✮✮ - 5/5 stars)
Publishing Date: May 3, 2016
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Pages: 384

My pitch: Another book that tackles a dark subject again... during a dark night, a mother loses grasp of her child and her son dies in a tragic car accident. The hit-and-run is never solved and there are many dead leads and the mother attempts to move away to deal with the loss of her child. I really can't say too much more than that. But please listen to me when I say, this book is a must read. I picked it up after one of my friends raved about it and I have to tell you, it is the first time ever reading a book that I felt the author geniunely tricked the reader. I remember getting to a moment in the book and going "WAIT! WHAT?" and I had to flip back and re-read a few pages because I was astonished. The book is so incredibly clever and I love how the entire story unravels. I just could not put this book down and I enjoyed it so much. I can definitely see why it was a Staff Pick of the month book. If you are new to Gripping Lit, this is the one to start you off. It is simply amazing!! Can't say enough good things about it. (Also.. currently reading Mackintosh's new one and that is also really good.. full review to come ;))

Available for purchase: Indigo/Chapters  - Book Depository
Disclaimer: A copy of this book was sent to me by PRHC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Other books I'd like to mention but I already wrote full reviews on are:

 

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins - Full Review HERE!

With Malice by Eileen Cook (YA Grip Lit) - Full Review HERE! 

Let me know in the comments below what other holiday gift guides you'd like to see! 

Holiday Gift Guide | YA Books Edition!

Hi everyone! I hope that you are all doing well. The holiday season is upon us! As some of you may know, I work in a bookstore and I'm constantly asked by customers for good books for the holidays. It is easy enough to recommend a new release, but so many books have been released this year and some are fantastic gems! I've compiled a mini list/batch review of some books I've read this year and loved. Some of I have full reviews for on my blog, which I'll link. Other books... I haven't gotten around to fully review yet, so, think of it as a mini-review! I'm going to sell you these books in a small paragraph. I've hit a wide range of YA books, from contemporary/romance, sci-fi, fantasy and dystopian! I don't really need more books myself, but if you think there's a book that is a MUST-READ, Perfect-gift, YA book.. please let me know in the comments & I'll add it to my ever-growing wishlist.

Replica by Lauren Oliver (✮✮✮✮ - 4/5 stars)
Publishing Date: October 4, 2016
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 520
Sci-Fi/Fantasy

My pitch: I first fell in love with Lauren Oliver books when her Delirium series came out. I loved that series so much and ever since then, anything written by Oliver is a must read for me! This book was first pitched to me by the girls at HCCFrenzy and it comes in such a unique format. It has two stories: Lyra and Gemma, and you can choose to read one first, and then flip the book over and read the other side. You can also read them both at the same time with alternating chapters. The story follows Lyra and Gemma and they both search to discover the truth behind their identity in a world where replicas/human models are made. It is a thrilling read for those that are interested in clones and AIs. I definitely was reminded of Dollhouse. It was so intriguing and both characters stand-alone so strongly, you end up loving them both! This would make a great gift for the reader in your life who is a fan of dystopian/sci-fi fantasies.

Available for purchase: Indigo/Chapters - Kobo - Book Depository
Disclaimer: A review copy of this book was given to me at an HCCFrenzy event. All opinions are my own.

Our Chemical Hearts by Krystal Sutherland (✮✮✮✮ - 4/5 stars)
Publishing Date: October 4, 2016
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Pages: 320 
Contemporary Romance 

My pitch: A few of my friends and co-workers had read this book before me and by the way they were raving about it, I instantly picked it up and I could not put it down. The story follows Henry and Grace, two people who are completely different who find themselves paired together because of a school newspaper project. Grace is a new student at the school and she brings with her a dark past and secrets, and Henry is a hopeless romantic. They both get tangled into a sweet and complicated romance that simply tugs at your heartstrings. It reminded me a lot of Paper Towns by John Green, in a sense, where falling in love can be complicated. Sometimes you fall in love with your expectations of a person and not the actual person. It's also a great story about friendship and highschool experiences. I think fans of John Green, Rainbow Rowell and Jenny Han will love this book! 

Available for purchase: Indigo/Chapters - Kobo - Book Depository 
Disclaimer: A review copy of this book was sent to me as a bookseller from Penguin Random House. All opinions are my own. 

Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi (✮✮✮✮✮ - 5/5 stars)
Publishing Date: August 30, 2016 
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Pages: 416 
Fantasy 

My pitch: I loved the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi so much and when I heard she was writing something completely different for young readers (9-12.. but I'm sneaking it on here under YA), I was so on board! I later learned that it was an interesting take on Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland (one of my favourite classics) so that only solidified my love for it. Immediately, you are introduced to a very interesting narrator who introduces you to Alice and the world in which she occupies. In a world full of colour, Alice is colourless and she attempts to find her father who has long gone missing. It is a charming read that has a wittiness to it! I loved all the characters and the world building so much. It focuses on identity, family and friendship. I think readers of all ages would love this book. We love it so much at my store that my co-worker and I, share a staff-pick sticker for it! 

Available for purchase: Indigo/Chapters - Kobo - Book Depository
Disclaimer: A review copy of this book was sent to me as a bookseller from Penguin Random House. All opinions are my own. 

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab (✮✮✮✮✮ - 5/5 stars)
Publishing Date: July 5, 2016
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 464
Sci-Fi/Fantasy

My pitch: How could I write a holiday gift guide and not feature my favourite author? This book is this year's MUST.READ. I've been throwing it at everyone I know. It is a fantastic read. Schwab builds this world of monsters and chaos and gives us two opposing characters. We are given August, who is a monster and who is enticed by the human world and we have Kate, daughter of the man who will protect citizens from the monsters, and she wishes to be as ruthless as him. They are thrown together in a strange happenstance and they discover each other secrets. This is the first book in a duology and this story follows both of them as they figure their city out. This is a fantastic read because it does not push romance on you! These are two characters that have the potential to be together, but aren't. I really enjoy that. It is essentially Romeo & Juliet but without the romance, in a world of monsters! What more could you ask for. It is also written by Schwab who has amazing writing that just simply draws you in. I highly recommend picking this up as soon as possible!

Available for purchase: Indigo/Chapters - Kobo - Book Depository
Disclaimer: A review copy of this book was sent to me by HCCFrenzy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

When We Collided by Emery Lord (✮✮✮✮ - 4/5 stars)
Publishing Date: April 5, 2016
Publisher: Bloosmbury USA
Pages: 352 pages
Contemporary Romance

My pitch: I've seen Emery Lord books in the past, and I know people who absolutely love her, but I've never read anything by her until this book. I followed her on twitter and I absolutely love her personnality so I was a bit disappointed with myself that it took me this long to discover her. I will say, this book has fully converted me. I instantly went out and bought every book written by her after finishing this. I listened to it via Audible the first time and then I bought a hard copy. The book follows Vivi, a character who has bipolar disorder and Jonah, who is struggling with his five siblings after the death of his father, and his mother, who is experiencing deep depression. They both meet over the summer in Verona Cove and a magical romance begins. I don't want to get into details of it and spoil it, but as someone who suffers from mental illness, I found myself in many passages of this book. I empathized so much with Vivi and Jonah's mother. I felt like it was such an accurate depiction written by Lord. Nothing was exaggerated and especially the manic moments with Vivi, felt so vivid to me. I really enjoyed her writing and I just loved how the story unravelled. It is a beautiful story about falling in love, family and friendship. For those who love a good romance and are fans of complicated relationships, this one is for you! It focuses on mental health which is a great factor as well.

Available for purchase: Indigo/Chapters - Kobo - Book Depository

And because I usually like to save the best for last.... here is my NUMBER ONE recommendation for this year's YA books!: 

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas 
[Book #2 in ACOTAR series] - (✮✮✮✮✮ - 5/5 stars)
Publishing Date: May 3, 2016
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Pages: 640
Fantasy

My pitch: I know it is a bit unusual to be picking a second book in a series, but I loved this book so much that you could honestly start from here. I read the first book in the series earlier this year and really enjoyed it. It was a Beauty and the Beast retelling in a way, but with fairies. I read the second book and I was simply blown away. Maas introduces the reader to new courts, new political deceit and NEW romance. Oh my, oh my. I was simply blown away by this book and I don't think I've had such a bad book hangover as this one. When I finished, I was simply in a daze for days... I honestly functioned as if I was in the Night Court. Maas gives Feyre and Rhysand amazing character development and I honestly felt I was right there in the novel the entire time. Maas also introduces the reader to brand new characters at the Night Court and you simply fall in love with them. It is a massive book but it definitely didn't fell long, I couldn't get enough of it. When I finished, I was so sad because there wasn't more. If you are a fan of her other books, you will love this one. It was simply amazing! I can't say enough good things about it, but I also don't want to say too much without spoiling the book. Do yourself a favour and immediately get started on this series and read this book. It was beautiful, spell-binding and simply blew me away. I loved it so much (I love it so much, I immediately ordered ACOMAF merchandise and I am now a proud owner of two pillows with quotes from the book). Just please read it? And then message me so we can go fangirl over it ;)

Available for purchase: Indigo/Chapters - Kobo - Book Depository

Other books I'd like to mention but I already wrote full reviews on are: 

Scythe by Neal Shusterman - Full Review HERE!

Heartless by Marissa Meyer - Full Review HERE!

I hope to write a few more holiday gift guides in the coming weeks! Let me know in the comments below what you'd like to see next! :D