Books

Danny Ramadan is this year’s Haig-Brown House Writer in Residence. Ramadan is a Syrian-Canadian author and LGBTQ-refugees advocate. Photo submitted

Haig-Brown writer-in-residence typing up a storm in Campbell River heritage house

Danny Ramadan hopes to exchange writing ideas with locals at upcoming workshops

Danny Ramadan is this year’s Haig-Brown House Writer in Residence. Ramadan is a Syrian-Canadian author and LGBTQ-refugees advocate. Photo submitted
Librarian Kaitlin Ottenereit holds up one of the Greater Victoria Public Library’s most-borrowed books of 2021, Untamed by Glennon Doyle. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Greater Victoria Public Library announces most-borrowed books of 2021

More than 1.8 million library items accessed in 2021

Librarian Kaitlin Ottenereit holds up one of the Greater Victoria Public Library’s most-borrowed books of 2021, Untamed by Glennon Doyle. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
William Shakespeare’s First Folio, published in 1623, acquired by UBC Library. (UBC handout photo)

UBC Library gifted Shakespeare’s 1623 First Folio

The first folio, published in 1623, features 36 of 38 known Shakespeare plays

William Shakespeare’s First Folio, published in 1623, acquired by UBC Library. (UBC handout photo)
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer topped the list for most borrowed eaudiobooks at the Vancouver Island Regional Library in 2021. (Photo courtesy VIRL)

Vancouver Island Regional Library presents its most popular books of 2021

Nomadland, The Gruffalo’s Child, Indigenous Wisdom reach top spot on various lists

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer topped the list for most borrowed eaudiobooks at the Vancouver Island Regional Library in 2021. (Photo courtesy VIRL)
Author Teresa Schapansky, left, and illustrator Elly Mossman at the B.C. book launch of the Along The Way children’s book series at the Public Market in Chemainus. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Along The Way, children’s book series author met the ideal illustrator

B.C. launch in Chemainus for educational exploration of Canada

Author Teresa Schapansky, left, and illustrator Elly Mossman at the B.C. book launch of the Along The Way children’s book series at the Public Market in Chemainus. (Photo by Don Bodger)
‘Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants’ by Robin Wall Kimmerer topped the list for most borrowed e-audiobooks at the Vancouver Island Regional Library in 2021. (VIRL photo)

Vancouver Island Regional Library releases list of top borrowed books for 2021

Included are titles by Indigenous authors, murder mysteries from world-famous authors

‘Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants’ by Robin Wall Kimmerer topped the list for most borrowed e-audiobooks at the Vancouver Island Regional Library in 2021. (VIRL photo)
The cover of Qualicum Beach author Sally de la Rue Browne’s second children’s book in The Fairy Hollow Chronicles series, ‘Foxglove Squirrel Saves The Day!’ (Submitted photo)

Qualicum Beach author releases second book in ‘The Fairy Hollow Chronicle’ series

Book available at the McMillan Arts Centre and Milner Gardens gift shops

The cover of Qualicum Beach author Sally de la Rue Browne’s second children’s book in The Fairy Hollow Chronicles series, ‘Foxglove Squirrel Saves The Day!’ (Submitted photo)
Nanaimo children’s author Lois Peterson’s latest book is ‘Shelter: Homelessness in our Community.’ (Photo courtesy Louroo Photography)

Nanaimo author pens children’s book on homelessness

Lois Peterson to bring latest book ‘Shelter’ on virtual classroom tour

Nanaimo children’s author Lois Peterson’s latest book is ‘Shelter: Homelessness in our Community.’ (Photo courtesy Louroo Photography)
Author and book

Nanaimo author pens an instant-Christmas classic with a modern twist!

Christmas is a time of tradition. Most children look forward to enjoying…

  • Nov 29, 2021
Author and book
This group of CP Rail passengers helped remove rock from the tracks on Oct. 29, 1978. This photo, along with many other recently digitized photos, can be found in former CP conductor John Cowan’s new book. He hopes the book will help him reconnect with those helpful passengers that day. (John Cowan photo)

Former CP conductor on the hunt for helpful strangers in 70s photo

John Cowan is looking for the group of strangers who helped clear the tracks east of Golden in 1978

This group of CP Rail passengers helped remove rock from the tracks on Oct. 29, 1978. This photo, along with many other recently digitized photos, can be found in former CP conductor John Cowan’s new book. He hopes the book will help him reconnect with those helpful passengers that day. (John Cowan photo)
Book One of the ‘Along the Way’ series features Albert the dinosaur in Alberta at the start of his cross-Canada adventure. (Courtesy of Teresa Schapansky)

Island author and a dinosaur go ‘Along the Way’ in a new children’s book series

Teresa Schapansky releases 12-book series on Canadian geography

Book One of the ‘Along the Way’ series features Albert the dinosaur in Alberta at the start of his cross-Canada adventure. (Courtesy of Teresa Schapansky)
Museum at Campbell River Curator Beth Boyce is pleased to release ‘Twas the Wreck of Northwestern. Ronan O’Doherty/ Campbell River Mirror

Children’s book chronicles Christmas windfall from Vancouver Island shipwreck

Tale recalls hospitality of the locals/ sneaky salvaging after boat went aground in 1927

Museum at Campbell River Curator Beth Boyce is pleased to release ‘Twas the Wreck of Northwestern. Ronan O’Doherty/ Campbell River Mirror
Numerous containers onboard the MV Zim Kingston caught on fire and another 109 were lost at sea. (Canadian Coast Guard/Twitter)

Victoria publisher had thousands of children’s books on board MV Zim Kingston

Unknown whether books were burned, lost at sea, or survived

Numerous containers onboard the MV Zim Kingston caught on fire and another 109 were lost at sea. (Canadian Coast Guard/Twitter)
Nanaimo author Joshua Gillingham has released his second novel, ‘The Everspring.’ (Photo courtesy Joshua Gillingham/cover art by Helena Rosova)

Nanaimo fantasy author pens sequel to Norse mythology-inspired debut novel

Joshua Gillingham to unveil ‘The Everspring’ at Well Read Books

Nanaimo author Joshua Gillingham has released his second novel, ‘The Everspring.’ (Photo courtesy Joshua Gillingham/cover art by Helena Rosova)
Nanaimo writer Haley Healey has released her first fiction book, ‘Immortal Grit.’ (Photo courtesy Kristin Wenberg)

Nanaimo historical writer makes fiction debut with supernatural mystery novel

Haley Healey to unveil ‘Immortal Grit’ at book launch at Coach and Horses

Nanaimo writer Haley Healey has released her first fiction book, ‘Immortal Grit.’ (Photo courtesy Kristin Wenberg)
Island Eats co-authors Dawn Postnikoff and Joanne Sasvari toast to the release of their new cookbook during a launch party at Long Beach Lodge Surf Club on Oct. 21. (Nora O’Malley photo)

New ‘Island Eats’ cookbook celebrates Vancouver Island food

Book paints a picture of Vancouver Island with a compendium of over 80 recipes from signature chefs

Island Eats co-authors Dawn Postnikoff and Joanne Sasvari toast to the release of their new cookbook during a launch party at Long Beach Lodge Surf Club on Oct. 21. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Indigo staff read 5,000 books throughout the year and cast 4,000 votes, before discussing favourites and deliberating for 20 hours to determine an official selection of curated titles. (Black Press Media file photo)

Indigo staff read 5,000 books, cast 4,000 votes to determine top 10 of 2021

The Strangers takes No. 1 with exploration of intergenerational trauma, resilience

Indigo staff read 5,000 books throughout the year and cast 4,000 votes, before discussing favourites and deliberating for 20 hours to determine an official selection of curated titles. (Black Press Media file photo)
Eva Hilborn, the founder of ‘Wonderful World of Books,’ sitting in her Qualicum Beach home, looking at what books might be a good fit for her program which delivers free books to three-year-olds in the School District 69 (Qualicum) catchment area. (Mandy Moraes photo)

Vancouver Island author, 95, shares lifelong love of books with three-year-olds

Foundation hopes to expand delivery of free reading material to children

Eva Hilborn, the founder of ‘Wonderful World of Books,’ sitting in her Qualicum Beach home, looking at what books might be a good fit for her program which delivers free books to three-year-olds in the School District 69 (Qualicum) catchment area. (Mandy Moraes photo)
Nanaimo children’s author and illustrator Lindsay Ford’s latest book is ‘Lonely Doug.’ (Photo courtesy Bread and Clutter)

Vancouver Island children’s author writes about famous fir tree ‘Lonely Doug’

Writer and illustrator Lindsay Ford releases 10th children’s book

Nanaimo children’s author and illustrator Lindsay Ford’s latest book is ‘Lonely Doug.’ (Photo courtesy Bread and Clutter)
Nanaimo poet Joanne Dzierza’s latest book is ‘The Mountains Mock our Egos.’ (Photo courtesy Daiki Katawama)

Nanaimo poet gets ‘deeply reflective’ in her second book

Joanne Dzierza releases ‘The Mountains Mock our Egos’

Nanaimo poet Joanne Dzierza’s latest book is ‘The Mountains Mock our Egos.’ (Photo courtesy Daiki Katawama)