Start your 2023 reading journey with some of our favourite reads from the past 12 months.
After an anonymous hookup goes horribly wrong, a young man attempts to hide what happened from his husband.
The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill
The scream of a murdered woman unites four strangers in the Boston Public Library. A thrilling mystery that features a story that will tantalize and enthrall from beginning to end.
A young maid at a high end motel seeks out to solve the mystery of the murder of a high profile businessman in one of the rooms she cleans.
Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier
Paris Peralta has been arrested for killing her husband, but what worries her most is that someone is threatening to reveal her deepest, darkest secrets.
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
A woman suspects that the only other black woman at work is trying to get her fired in this Devil Wears Prada meets Get Out thriller.
If We Were Villians by M.L. Rio
Seven aspiring Shakespeare actors live out their own Shakespearean tragedy at the Classical Conservatory in this tale of jealousy and murder.
Hello, Molly! By Molly Shannon
A raw and candid memoir of the pain behind the laughter and the struggle to come out stronger on the other side.
Son of Elsewhere: A Memoir in Pieces by Elamin Abdelmahmoud
In this moving and funny collection of essays by Elamin Abdelmahmoud chronicles his life growing up in Toronto while covering topics like pop culture, faith, and blackness.
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
Carmen Maria Machado recounts her experiences in an abusive same-sex relationship in this powerful memoir.
Black Water: Family, Legacy and Blood Memory by David A. Robertson
Author David A Robertson and his father reconnect with their Cree heritage as they make a trip to their northern traplines. A moving memoir about identity and family.
Run Toward the Danger: Confrontations with a Body of Memory by Sarah Polley
Sarah Polley remembers her life in a series of personal essays and learning to run towards the danger. A powerful collection about growth and learning in one’s own body.
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict
A librarian becomes one of the most powerful woman in early 1900s NYC despite the secrets she keeps.
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
A moving and thought-provoking dystopian novel about a woman who is sent to ‘Mother School’ after losing custody of her young daughter. Told in haunting own voice narrative, The School for Good Mothers is a complex and powerful story with strong characters and stark social commentary.
Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP) – a childless aging actor becomes the primary caregiver to his young niece and nephew after their mother (and his best friend) passes away and their father has to take care of his own health problems. Serious start aside, it is a heartwarming and funny read.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
Identical twin sisters run away from their small southern black community, but soon embark on their own paths when one twin decides to vanish.
What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon
Columnist and podcast host, Aubrey Gordon explores how anti-fat bias affects fat people and has led to them being denied basic needs. This smart and well researched collection of essays is a must read for people who wish to change the world.
Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
Set in a dystopian America where draconian laws preserve American culture, a 12 year old boy sets out to find his mother after receiving a mysterious letter from her.
Toronto Restauranteur Suzanne Barr chronicles her journey to becoming a chef, from the challenges of being a black woman in an industry dominated by men to the death of her mother from cancer. This is a touching and powerful memoir about love, loss, and food.
Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci
A gastronomic journey with Stanley Tucci, his unwavering love of food and making the perfect Negroni. Each chapter will leave you salivating.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
A touching memoir about a mother’s love and the food that ties us to family. You will feel like you are in the kitchen tasting delicious pajeon, jatjuk, and gimbap.
World Travel: an Irreverent Guide by Anthony Bourdain
Take a trip to some of the most interesting places in the world in this travelogue by Laurie Woolever and the late Anthony Bourdain. Full of fun facts, travel tips, local history, and mouth-watering descriptions of food.
A Lady for a Duke by Alexis J. Hall
A trans woman is able to cast off her former life and live on her own terms after mistakenly being declared dead on the battlefield. She may not regret losing the title, the money, and the prestige she once held but can the same be said for the man she once loved?
Three women are unknowingly dating the same man in this intricately plotted rom-com. Beth O’Leary moves between character storylines with grace and ease while keeping readers hoping for that happily ever after.
The lead actor of a hit TV show based on a series of books, turns to writing fan-fiction to vent his anger over his character’s storyline and ends up meeting a super-fan with her own secrets.
Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola
In order to save her reputation, a radio host must pretend to date her arch nemesis in this laugh out loud rom-com from Bolu Babalola.
One last Stop by Casey McQuistion
A fresh and romantic offbeat comedy about a young woman who finds herself falling for a female punk rocker from the 1970s. Jane is lost in a time slip and doomed to ride the Brooklyn subway for eternity unless August can help her break free of her time warp prison.
A Lady’s Formula by Elizabeth Everett
Beauty and brains are the formula behind this steamy Victorian era romance novel featuring clandestine clubs, secret government contracts and red-hot attraction. Lady Violet Hughes may be under the protective eye of officer Arthur Kneland but mixing business with pleasure may be just too hard to resist.
The Hatak Witches by Devon Mihesuah
A security guard at a museum is gruesomely murdered and unidentified human remains from the collection are stolen. Detective Monique Blue Hawk initially believes that a human killer is responsible but she quickly realizes that a family of shape-shifting witches may be responsible.
Road of Bones by Christopher Golden
In this fast-paced horror thriller, a documentary film crew tries to survive the night while fleeing from angry ghosts on the Kolyma Highway, a Siberian road built on top of the bones of prisoners of Stalin’s gulag.
After her father is killed in Mexico’s War of Independence, Beatriz marries the myserious Don Rodolfo Solorzano and is whisked away to his isolated estate where she soon realizes that a malevolent presence is out to get her.
A ship captain and her crew pick up a distress signal and discover a luxury space-liner that vanished twenty years ago. Can this crew be spared the same fate?
After moving back to Malaysia with her parents, Jessamyn discovers that she can talk to spirits and quickly finds herself caught up in a fight between gangsters, real-estate moguls, and angry gods.
The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu
Ropa, a fourteen year-old ghost-talker starts hearing ghostly whispers about children disappearing and feels compelled to investigate. Her inquiry leads her to a library hidden underneath a graveyard where she discovers that her powers may be greater than she thinks.
Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar
A fake relationship turns into something more when two girls decide to help each other out in this sweet queer romance.
Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkaf
A year after her best friend died, a teen sets to solver the murder at a prestigious Scrabble tournament.
A girl sets out to avenge her sister’s death and uncovers a series of lies.
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Two black students at a prestigious private school begin receiving anonymous text messages threatening to reveal their deepest and darkest secrets.
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
Two teens risk it all to show their love to the world.
I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
In a country under the thumb of an oppressive dictator, 17 year old Cristian is coerced into becoming a police informant for the regime. Unwilling to remain under their control, Cristian looks to subvert his enemies and inspire revolution for his people.
The Fabulous Zed Watson by Basil Sylvester
Zed Watson and their friends set out on a crazy cross-boarder road trip to follow the clues to solve a literary mystery.
The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson
Morgan and Eli, two foster kids, find a magical portal in their attic that takes them to a world of talking animals that is in danger.
The thought of swimming scares Bree more than anything, yet she’s forced to dive headfirst into one of her greatest fears. Lucky for her, Etta, an elderly occupant of her apartment building and former swim team captain, is willing to help.
Children of the Fox by Kevin Sands
Five kids with unusual talents are brought together to steal a powerful weapon from a wizard, but they soon realize that they are in way over their heads.
Forever Birchwood by Danielle Daniel
Thirteen year-old Wolf lives in a northern town and spends her days exploring the wilderness with her three best friends. Their secret refuge is their treehouse hideaway, Birchwood. But their town is changing and Birchwood is threatened, can the girls save this special place?
The Undercover Booklist by Colleen Nelson
An unlikely friendship develops between two seventh graders who begin corresponding by notes left in a book.
Paranothern and the Bunny A-hop-calypse by Stephanie Cooke
A witch named Abby and her three other worldly friends work together to try and save their supernatural town from an invasion of rabid (but adorable) chaos bunnies.
Mellybean and the Giant Monster by Mike White
A funny and vibrant Graphic Fiction novel about a dog that is magically transported into a world of medieval fantasy. Full of enchantment, escapades, and rife with humour; a perfect choice for an afternoon of adventure.
The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza by Mac Barnett
A humourous and action-packed graphic novel about a fearless, pizza loving bioengineered cat who must save the moon from being eaten by intergalactic rats.
Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott
In Brooklyn, nine-year-old Jax joins Ma, a curmudgeonly witch who lives in his building, on a quest to deliver three baby dragons to a magical world, and along the way discovers his true calling
Fluffy McWhiskers: Cuteness Explosion by Stephen W. Martin
Get ready for cuteness overload with this hilarious picture book about a cat who is just too darn cute.
Fern isn’t your typical unicorn. She doesn’t do typical unicorn things. She loves all things STEM. When the other unicorns are in trouble, Fern will use her ‘Nerdycorn’ powers to save the day.
Counting to Bananas: a Mostly Rhyming Fruit Book by Carrie Tillotson
A delightful, silly and downright hilarious counting story that proves that food can be fun! Count along with Banana as he and the author get into a metaphorical food fight in this fun counting book for children.
Knight Owl by Christopher Denise
A small owl has big dreams of becoming a Knight. After attending Knight School, he must prove to everyone that even little owls can achieve big things.
Be a Good Ancestor by Gabrielle Prince
A stunning book that encourages the reader to think about all the ways that we are all connected in this world and how we share our lives.
Jo Bright and the Seven Bots by Deborah Underwood
A quirky and fun futuristic twist of the tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. With fast-paced action and whimsical storytelling, children will fall in love with the bot-building princess who crafts her own happily ever after.
Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty
This Cat will do anything to avoid having a bath, including changing around the family chore chart! Hilarity will ensue when the lawn is to be vacuumed and the baby is to be mopped but will the cat ever get his bath?
Little Witch Hazel by Phoebe Wahl
Follow the quiet adventures of Little Witch Hazel as she tacks challenges with the changing of the seasons. Loving, simple stories that will warm your heart.
I Love You Like Yellow by Andrea Beaty
A sweet book that celebrates all the ways a family can love.
Daddy Speaks Love by Leah Henderson
A beautiful book celebrating Dads and the joy, support, magic and love they bring to their children’s lives.
A one-horned calf believes they are a magical unicorn. A book about learning to embrace how special YOU are, just as you.
A lovely book that shows how both kids and animals both play. Features some words in Cree.
Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog Take an Evening Stroll by Britta Teckentrup
A story about appreciating the simple beauties of life and the gentle comfort of a cozy night with those we love.
We Adopted a Baby Chick by Lori Joy Smith
New additions to the family are exciting but they are challenging times, too. A sweet story about what new additions bring and all the feelings we share.
Hippos Go Berserk by Sandra Boyton
How many hippos can be at one party! Count and find out!
Peek-a-You! By Andrea Davis Pinkney
Come and play a game of peek-a-boo with your little one with this fun board book.
The Hair Book by LaTonya Yvette
Learn all about hair!
