Celebrate Canada Day with these compelling narratives by Canadian authors. From gripping mysteries to poignant memoirs and thought-provoking social commentary, these books selected by the staff of the Champlain Library, showcase the breadth of talent from the Great White North. Enjoy!
I Must Say : My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend, Martin Short with David Kamp: Martin Short’s memoir chronicles his journey from a Canadian youth enthralled by American showbiz to becoming a beloved figure in comedy. Reflecting on a career that spans from Second City Toronto to Saturday Night Live and beyond, Short shares poignant moments of personal loss alongside the creation of iconic characters like Ed Grimley and Jiminy Glick. With candid insights from friends and colleagues like Steve Martin and Tom Hanks, Short’s memoir is a touching exploration of laughter, resilience, and the enduring joy he finds in both his professional success and family life.
Le Portrait, Suzanne Aubry : Clémence Deschamps, institutrice de vingt-deux ans, rêve de fuir sa vie monotone. Attirée par une annonce de gouvernante pour un garçon malade, elle se rend à Outremont où elle découvre des événements mystérieux dans la demeure du Dr Levasseur et de son fils Tristan.
Lucky, Marissa Stapley : Lucky Armstrong, a skilled grifter, faces a pivotal moment after a successful heist when she’s left alone and discovers a winning lottery ticket worth millions. With her past crimes catching up, she navigates a treacherous path to redemption, reconciling with family and confronting the complexities of her relationships, all while evading arrest and securing her newfound fortune.
Everyone Here is Lying, Shari Lapena : William Wooler, a seemingly stable family man, is reeling from a disastrous affair when he unexpectedly finds his young daughter, Avery, at home. In a fit of anger, he loses his temper, only for Avery to vanish hours later. As the search for Avery intensifies in their small town of Stanhope, dark secrets and lies among the neighbors surface, unraveling the community’s facade of safety. With unreliable witnesses and mounting tension, the mystery of Avery’s disappearance grips the neighborhood, leaving everyone to question who they can trust and who might be responsible for taking her.
My Effin’ Life, Geddy Lee, with Daniel Richler: Geddy Lee, renowned as the bassist of Rush, reflects on his journey from a childhood shaped by his family’s Holocaust experiences to becoming a pivotal figure in rock history. In his memoir, Lee chronicles Rush’s rise from humble beginnings to global acclaim, sharing personal insights into his friendships with bandmates Alex Lifeson and the late Neil Peart, alongside his enduring passion for music and beyond.
The Whispers, Ashley Audrain: A gripping exploration of suburban secrets and the consequences of hidden truths. When a tragic incident unfolds during a neighborhood gathering, the lives of several affluent families unravel over the course of a week, revealing the tangled web of deception and personal turmoil hidden beneath their polished facades.
La Force de vivre: t.1 : Les rêves d’Edmond et Émilie, Michel Langlois : En 1803, Edmond Grenon décide de transformer sa maison de Baie-Saint-Paul en auberge, malgré les avertissements que cela bouleversera la vie de sa famille et déplaira au curé local. Le roman suit la famille Grenon alors qu’ils affrontent les défis et réussites de la gestion de l’auberge, découvrent des mystères familiaux et poursuivent leurs rêves de Charlevoix à Québec.
This Little Light, Lori Lansens: Set against a backdrop of societal upheaval in 2024, Rory Anne Miller and her best friend are fugitives accused of bombing their elite California high school during an American Virtue Ball. With a bounty on their heads and a relentless pursuit by law enforcement, including drones and attack helicopters, Rory’s family is torn apart: her activist mother is arrested while her estranged father collaborates with authorities. Amidst gated communities, conservative values, and contentious social issues like re-criminalized abortion and birth control, Rory navigates a world where trust is scarce and betrayal lurks everywhere. Her raw and incisive commentary on gender dynamics and societal control resonates with fierceness, humor, sorrow, and truth.
