Another year, another bonanza of books by Headwaters writers. Whether you’re looking for a book to thrill, amuse, comfort, inspire or inform, the perfect read awaits among this year’s genre-spanning offerings.

Sacred Rage, a collection of Steven Heighton’s finely crafted short stories, is sure to provoke thought, while Slavko Ray’s When Cheers Are Not Enough is an amusing must-read for any despairing Toronto Maple Leafs’ fan. And Scionwood Song, David E. Kendall’s fictional tale about a battle to stop development of a gravel pit will resonate with local readers.

In Presumptuous, Andrew C. James draws on his own life story to encourage those seeking to transcend the limits, self-imposed or otherwise, that may be holding them back. And in The Distinctive Leader, Alethia O’Hara-Stephenson also draws on her own experience, as well as that of others, to provide empowering advice to those aspiring to hone their leadership skills.

For kids, the year has produced a trove of engagingly illustrated picture books. Anita Yasuda tells the inspiring tale of real-life mountaineer Junko Tabei in Up, Up, Ever Up! And This Plant Is Not Boring, Marie Hoy-Kenny’s zany story about a girl who asks for a dog but gets a plant instead, will put smiles on the faces of children and grownups alike.

But there are many more books to choose among, so kick back and kick off your winter reading with a book by a Headwaters tale teller.

And if you’re looking for children’s books to add to your home library, check out our roundup of new books for young readers of all ages.

Fiction

Sacred Rage – Selected Stories

By Steven Heighton

In Sacred Rage, editor John Metcalf has collected 15 previously published short stories by poet, singer-songwriter and novelist Steven Heighton (1961–2022). Exploring themes of alienation, the stories are a testament to Heighton’s skill at illuminating the essence of his characters in subtly poetic, and often bitingly ironic, prose. In “Professions of Love,” for example, a self-important cosmetic surgeon who operates on his wife after a stroke disfigures her face remains completely unaware that his ostensibly devoted act of love for his wife is really for himself. Like Heighton, a self-described “rootless writer,” many of the characters in Sacred Rage are searching for meaning in the face of the rootlessness of their own lives.

Heighton’s writing earned many honours, including a Governor General’s Literary Award for his book of poetry The Waking Comes Late. His parents lived in Caledon East. (Biblioasis, $24.95)

The Fulcrum

By Michael Decter

In this second book of Michael Decter’s planned trilogy, trouble continues to follow Matthew Rice, who has changed direction and is studying to earn a doctorate in climate science. First, a chance encounter embroils him and his girlfriend, Mary Louise, in fallout from the conflict that plagued Northern Ireland for decades in the late 20th century. Then, when a monster hurricane threatens Miami, Matthew, whose PhD research predicted the unprecedented storm, must collaborate with Mary Louise and others to try to save the low-lying coastal city’s inhabitants. Drawing on Decter’s own Irish roots, as well as his experiences as a Harvard student and in government service, this suspenseful novel offers science-based information on climate change in an engaging format.

A member of the Order of Canada and the recipient of a Queen’s Jubilee medal, Decter lives in Mono. He is also the author of nine other books, including Shadow Life, his first novel. (Girl Friday Productions, $25.95)

Scionwood Song – An Eco-Tale

By David E. Kendall

In the opening chapters of David E. Kendall’s roman à clef, a towering black walnut tree reminds readers, in evocative and subtly poetic prose, of the cycle of life it supports. From that beginning, Song Creighton, eco-warrior, takes over a fast-paced narrative that focuses on her campaign to halt development of a gravel pit threatening the delicate ecosystems near her Belfountain home. Though Song and the particular pit she is fighting are fictional, readers will delight in the novel’s many local references (e.g., the Pinkney farmstead, the Higher Ground Café, Credit Valley Conservation). But the story will also resonate with a broader readership: Headwaters residents, and people everywhere, who are battling to protect the natural environment.

A former journalist, Kendall is an environmental activist who lives in Belfountain. He is also the author of Lázaro and Slag. All proceeds from the sale of Scionwood Song will be donated to eco-charities. (David E. Kendall, $15)

Carried Away – Surviving the Unimaginable

By T.J. Derry

Suffering a mid-life crisis at age 36, Cole takes a break from his New York City life to join three friends for a surfing holiday on Indonesia’s Mentawai Islands. Although natural dangers lurk amid the beauty and wonder of these islands, nothing prepares the group for the terrifying tsunami that hits while they are surfing. T.J. Derry’s filmmaking background shines through in this cinematic survival story that is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit. To enhance the realism, the novel includes QR codes that point to the journals Cole kept on the trip.

Derry is originally from Orangeville. A portion of the proceeds from sales of Carried Away, his debut novel, will support Sungai Watch, an organization that works to reduce ocean pollution. (Lost Signal, $22)

Lies I Told My Sister

By Louise Ells

At 4 a.m., Lily Reynolds gets the kind of call no one ever wishes for. It’s Rose, Lily’s estranged younger sister. Rose’s husband has been seriously injured in a car crash. Though alive, he needs surgery and a new kidney. So begins Louise Ells’ exploration of the intimate connection between lying and loving. Through flashbacks that stretch well into the past, Ells reveals the complex dynamics – the lies of omission and truths withheld – that have driven Lily and Rose apart. But can the truth mend their broken relationship?

Ells lives in Caledon. She also penned Notes Towards Recovery, a book of short stories. (Latitude 46 Publishing, $23.95)

Anarchists in Love – A Novel

By Robert Hough

Set in New York City during the Gilded Age, a period of fabulous wealth for the few and grinding poverty for the many, the opening chapters of Robert Hough’s historical novel introduce readers to real-life anarchists Emma Goldman and Alexander “Sasha” Berkman. Fired by the revolutionary ideas inspiring the anarchist movement in this time of extreme economic disparity and social unrest, the two become lovers and dedicate themselves to advancing the cause. But in doing so, they become the targets of those whose interests are threatened by the drive for a more equitable society. Can their love for each other survive the turmoil that lies ahead?

The author of seven previous novels, including The Marriage of Rose Camilleri, Hough is a frequent Erin visitor. (Douglas & McIntyre, $24.95)

Stumblebum Waytes

By Glenn Carley

In Stumblebum Waytes, the prolific Glenn Carley has created an Alice-in-Wonderland world being navigated by retired pensioner Billy Hornpipe as he searches for a sense of purpose while suffering fever-induced delirium. Guided through this fantastical world by Turnip, a fox, Billy’s quest takes a turn when he starts a band called the Stumblebum Waytes. In this ambitious allegorical work, Carley explores the importance of living in the moment and finding contentment in everyday pleasures. 

A Bolton resident, Carley describes Stumblebum Waytes as an “unintentional sequel” to Jimmy Crack Corn, one of his many other books. (Rock’s Mills Press, $20)

Written in Stone – A.J. Cadell Mystery 1

By Diane Bator

After publishing her second romance novel to a tepid response, 20-something A.J. (Alison Jane) Cadell receives a mysterious offer: an all-expenses-paid, month-long gig as writer-in-residence at Thistlewood Manor, a bed and breakfast on Vancouver Island. She accepts, both to escape her day job and to find her father, who she thought had died when she was a child. But in Diane Bator’s deft combination of detective mystery and romance, things at the manor turn deadly – and A.J. struggles to unravel the clues.

An Orangeville resident, Bator is the author of several series, including the Glitter Bay Mysteries and the Gilda Wright Mysteries. (Escape With a Writer Publishing, $19.95)

Past Life’s Revenge + Revenge Is Not Enough

By Angela van Breemen

Past Life’s Revenge, the first of Angela van Breemen’s David Harris and Emma Jackson mystery series, begins as David absentmindedly steps in front of Emma’s car. Fortunately, she brakes in time, and romance ensues. But David suffers from paralyzing night terrors, and Emma, a web designer with psychic abilities, persuades him to see a hypnotherapist. The sessions reveal that he is the reincarnation of a man murdered 30 years earlier – and the murderer is still at large. As the two set out to catch the killer, Emma’s psychic gifts inject a supernatural twist into the events that unfold.

In Revenge Is Not Enough, David, Emma and Emma’s stepdad, a retired cop, have started a private detective agency specializing in cold cases – and Emma’s psychic skills have intensified. These abilities play a deepening role in the trio’s investigation of their first disturbing case.

A poet, singer and volunteer at Procyon Wildlife Centre, van Breemen lives in Loretto. (Iconic Scribes Press, $24.95)

’Sconset Serenade – A Tale of Nantucket

By Marilyn Boyle Taylor

In her second novel, Marilyn Boyle Taylor returns to Nantucket, this time to pen a suspenseful romance set during the Prohibition era. Elementary teacher Dot O’Gorman and a friend are enjoying a summer break on the island’s lush shores. But Nantucket is not always idyllic, and Dot almost drowns in its dangerous waters. And like the island, some of Dot’s romantic interests, such as the handsome Wilson Ainsworth, may harbour dark secrets beneath a charming surface. Incorporating historical photographs and popular songs of the time, such as “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and “Blue Skies,” Boyle Taylor transports readers to another time and place.

Also the author of Dream’s End: A Tale of Nantucket, Boyle Taylor lives in Caledon. (Pender Press, $24.95)

When Cheers Are Not Enough – A Novel of Hockey, Music, and Magic

By Slavko Ray

When four long-suffering fans of the Toronto Mighty Pines (read Toronto Maple Leafs) decide that only magic can end their team’s Clarence Cup (read Stanley Cup) drought, they come up with a plan. They use their garage band to invoke witchcraft that conjures up the ghosts of six legends from the Pines’ storied past – in hopes that the former greats will inspire the current team’s efforts. But when Covid derails the 2019–20 season, the four find that their wacky project has redefined their lives in unexpected ways. Laced with witty dialogue and clever references, Ray’s thinly disguised allegory will keep readers, Leaf fans or not, turning the pages.

A retired teacher, Ray lives in Erin. When Cheers Are Not Enough is his debut novel. (FriesenPress, $25)

Psycholo-Jest – Is Everyone Nuts?

By Nathaniel Watt

When McGill University student Jean Blais lands a position as an assistant at Toronto’s Lakeside Mental Hospital in the 1960s, he realizes that he’s unsure of who is more insane, the doctors or the patients. This satire on outmoded psychological treatments will both amuse and disturb – and in a note that introduces the book, Nathaniel Watt is careful to point out that the treatments he describes do not represent approaches used today.

Psycholo-Jest is Watt’s fifth book. The former psychologist lives in Mono. (Nathaniel Watt, $14.95)

Sanctity of Freedom – An Inspector William Fox Series 

By Peter Thomas Pontsa

When a body washes up on an island near Montreal, RCMP inspector William Fox interrupts his leisurely Sunday cruise along the St. Lawrence River to investigate. He finds that a note addressed to his former taekwondo mentor, Mr. Kim, was found on the brutally murdered victim. The discovery launches an investigation that swirls around a missing thumb drive, AI, microchip technology, arms dealers and corporate espionage played out against a backdrop of international political intrigue.

Pontsa lives in Loretto. Sanctity of Freedom is a follow-up to Outfoxed, the first book in the Inspector William Fox series. (Iconic Scribes Press, $24.95)

Next of Kin + Henry’s Dream

By A. E. Lawrence

Next of Kin, a sequel to A. E. Lawrence’s Ghosts of Angels, opens with the ritualistic murder of a young student – and leads Nicholas Palmer, a former cop with paranormal abilities, to set off on a global chase to catch the sadistic leader of the cult responsible for the killing.

In Henry’s Dream, a young Walmart employee, the “Henry” of the book’s title, finds himself constantly dreaming that he is a secret agent named Jonathan Hunt. But when the deadly missions of Henry’s dreams begin to feature on the daily news, he fears for his mind – and his life, as he seems to have become the target of malicious forces. The suspense builds as Henry’s fantasies collide with his reality. Or is it the other way around?

A.E. Lawrence is the pen name of Caledon resident Lawrence Ayliffe. (FriesenPress, $21.99)

Till the Swallows Awaken – Lord James Horn & Anthony Hillman Mystery Thriller

By Hugh Russel

Hugh Russel’s second book in the Lord James Horn & Anthony Hillman Mystery Thriller series transports readers back to the early days of the British military intelligence service. As World War I looms, James and Anthony, partners in a successful private detective agency, are persuaded to set aside their business and lead MI2 (present-day MI5), which is in charge of security at home. As the two are drawn ever deeper into the dangerous world of domestic espionage, they must try to foil a plot that threatens to destroy England’s entire population.

The author of several other books, including The Traitor’s Brand, Russel lives in Mulmur. (Hugh Russel, $21.95)

Non Fiction

Spotted Salamanders and Their World – A Lifetime of Observations from a Pondside Naturalist

by Don Scallen

Observing spotted salamanders takes patience and a deep understanding of their life cycle. Don Scallen has plenty of both. He spends early spring lurking in seasonal wetlands, waiting for these elusive amphibians to emerge from their underground slumber for a brief breeding period. In this book, Scallen shares not only his fascination with these creatures, but also the knowledge gained over his many years of studying them – and the other species that inhabit their world.

Chock full of colour photos, the book brims with information and includes an ode to “Calvin,” a very special spotted salamander whose distinctive appearance makes him easily recognizable. This feature may help scientists gain greater insight into the largely hidden life of Calvin and his kin.

A regular contributor to In The Hills, both in print and through his blog “Notes from the Wild,” Scallen is also the author of Nature Where We Live. He lives in Georgetown. (Knotty Toad Press, $24.95)

The East Coast Trail – An Illustrated Field Journal 

By Nicola Ross

In her latest hiking guide, award-winning author and hiking guide savant Nicola Ross offers the perfect guide for Canadians staycationing north of the 49th parallel: Newfoundland’s East Coast Trail. National Geographic named the trail one of the world’s top 10 adventure destinations and also rated the Avalon Peninsula, site of the trail, as the world’s number 1 coastal destination. Doing double duty as writer and illustrator, Ross includes essentials, such as the distance of each section of the trail, the time required to hike it, the degree of difficulty, expected weather conditions and nearest accommodations. Where the guide shines is in the colourful, informative illustrations and the “journal” entries that make the sights and sounds of each section and locale come alive.

A resident of Alton, Ross is the author of the Loops & Lattes Hiking Guides and a frequent contributor to In The Hills. (Woodrising Consulting, $11.95)

The Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants of the Southern Great Lakes Region

By Rick Gray and Shaun Booth

Not unlike many children, insects are picky eaters, preferring a diet of native plants over non-native species. Rick Gray and Shaun Booth have collaborated to produce this comprehensive guide for gardeners interested in creating a vibrant flower garden focused on native plants that restore and sustain the local ecosystem – and the wildlife that relies on them. Illustrated with vibrant, full-colour photos of native species, the guide is loaded with helpful information about, for example, a plant’s hardiness zone and bloom period, preferred soil conditions and light preference, as well as the pollinators – and pests – it attracts. The message? Helping the local ecosystem to thrive begins in our own backyard.

Booth lives in East Garafraxa, while Gray is from Ridgetown. (Firefly Books, $45)

Against the Grain – Defiant Giants Who Changed the World

by Terry O’Reilly 

Terry O’Reilly’s latest book shines the spotlight on mavericks everywhere who bucked tradition, endured ridicule and dared to challenge cherished beliefs and bureaucratic institutions – not to tear them down, but to make something even better. From pop star Taylor Swift, whose unorthodox approaches are transforming the music business, to Gustave Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame, and Katalin Karikó, whose years of painstaking research went largely unrecognized until the development of the mRNA vaccine against Covid, O’Reilly’s “defiant giants” include a fascinating list of extraordinary people who left an indelible mark on the world by refusing to be constrained by convention.

Host of CBC Radio’s Under the Influence, O’Reilly is the author of three other non-fiction books, including The Age of Persuasion. He previously lived in Creemore. (HarperCollins Canada, $27.74)

A Remarkable Life – The Journey of Alice Porter Medical Missionary

By Joseph D. Driskill

Growing up on a farm near Corbetton, Alice Porter, now 99, learned the value of hard work – and to take pride in a job well done. These lessons and her Christian faith grounded her as she pursued her goal of becoming a medical missionary in India. There, the nursing program she founded continues to graduate highly qualified nurses, and she was among the first to help the victims of the deadly 1984 Union Carbide gas leak in Bhopal.

Returning home, Porter helped organize pastoral care at the now closed Shelburne Hospital, the Shelburne Residence retirement home and the Dufferin Oaks long-term care home. And in 2009, her contributions, local and international, were recognized when she was named to the Order of Ontario. Hers is a life that is, indeed, remarkable.

An educator, clergyperson and author, Driskill was Porter’s colleague and friend. (Joseph D. Driskill, hardcover $25)

Choreographing the North – Settler Affinities in Contemporary Dancemaking

By Bridget Cauthery

As her book’s subtitle suggests, Bridget Cauthery explores how, when creating contemporary dance pieces that depict the North, various non-Indigenous and non-resident choreographers from countries around the world have represented – or misrepresented – Indigenous peoples, their cultures and the landscapes they inhabit. Rich in historical, biographical and cultural detail, the book argues that the works of these choreographers “are colonizing acts that either ignore or erase the land and people upon which they are based.”

But as a counterpoint, Cauthery’s final chapter introduces the works of Indigenous artists and suggests that Indigenous-led collaborations and creations can help deconstruct the persistent myths that inform southerners’ ideas of the North – and lead to greater understanding of life in the North today.

An associate professor in York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design, Cauthery lives in Inglewood. (Routledge, hardcover $144 USD.)

Presumptuous – Living Beyond Limits, Labels, & Logic

By Andrew C. James

As a child, Andrew C. James watched in amazement as Michael Jackson performed his signature moonwalk on live TV. Suddenly, the impossible had become possible, a realization that eventually inspired James “to step boldly beyond the limits imposed by fear, doubt, and convention.”

His commitment to living a “presumptuous life” led him to, among other things, pursue modelling and singing, publish a music magazine and become a youth pastor. And now, after moving with his family to Shelburne, he is the co-founder and chair of Streams Community Hub, a registered charity dedicated to encouraging people of all ages to connect with the arts. Written with grace and humour, this memoir also offers prompts to help guide readers toward living their own presumptuous lives.

James is also the author of Bird Words: Inspirational Thoughts for Everyday Life in 140 Characters or Less. (Summerhill Publishing, $24.99)

A Tapestry of Two Worlds

By Cynthia Young

Once again, Cynthia Young has drawn on her family history, her own imagination and historical research to produce a work of creative non-fiction. The inspiration this time is the life of her paternal great-grandfather, James Veevers (1837–1907), whose artistic temperament is often at odds with his father’s Quaker values. To forge his own path, James leaves England for Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, and later India, where he spends the rest of his life. Against the background of the changes taking place in India, Young’s story tracks James as he navigates the changes in his own life.

Young, who lives in Caledon, has written three other books based on her family’s history. (Cynthia Young, $20)

Erin Fall Fair … since 1850

By June Switzer

June Switzer’s updated history of the Erin Fall Fair reminds readers of how, for early settlers, country fairs were places where communities could gather to socialize and share agricultural practices, as well as arts and crafts. Having survived a fire, two world wars and the Covid pandemic, the Erin Fall Fair celebrated its 175th anniversary this past Thanksgiving weekend. Packed with archival photos and personal anecdotes – Switzer herself recalls taking breaks to nurse her newborn son while running events – this book is a heartfelt testament to Erin’s community spirit.

A former teacher and lifetime member of the Erin Agricultural Society, Switzer lives in Hillsburgh. (June Switzer, Erin Agricultural Society, $30)

The Distinctive Leader – Unlocking Leadership Excellence and Personal Growth

By Alethia O’Hara-Stephenson

Drawing on her personal experiences, the insights of industry leaders and examples of corporate strategies, both successful (e.g., PepsiCo) and disastrous (e.g., Volkswagen), Alethia O’Hara-Stephenson has written the book that she herself needed when starting her career. From navigating workplace relationships and overcoming self-doubt to balancing the three Ms (motherhood, marriage and an MBA) and fostering team engagement, O’Hara-Stephenson’s wide-ranging, inspirational advice speaks not only to young Black or racialized women, but also to anyone who aspires to lead effectively by empowering others.

Founder of the Dufferin County Canadian Black Association, O’Hara-Stephenson lives in Shelburne. (Redchair Branding, $26.99)

Shining Through – Finding the Balance between Heartache and Hope while Raising a Child with Special Needs

By Liana Cancian

In elementary school, Liana Cancian had no idea that helping Little Elizabeth, a classmate with special needs, was foreshadowing her experience as a parent raising a child with special needs. Her second child, Olivia, was born with a genetic disorder that causes developmental delays and seizures. In Shining Through, Cancian relates how she and her husband, Mark, navigate the constant cycles of heartache and hope as they search for a cure while maintaining their marriage and raising their three other children. What shines through in this inspirational read is Cancian’s honesty, resilience and wisdom gained as she tackles each new challenge by drawing on her never-say-die motto: “Bring it on, baby!”

Cancian lives in Bolton. (Live Life Happy Publishing, $24.99)

For the Love of Food: Family Edition – A Celebration of Food Through Five Generations

By Barbara Heagy 

Tucking poems, photographs and family stories between simple and classic recipes, Barbara Heagy invites readers into her kitchen – and her family life. Heagy’s recipes spark loving memories, giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “comfort food.” Highlights of this combination cookbook and memoir include the secret ingredients that make a really good Hungarian goulash and how to roast a whole pig. 

A longtime Hockley resident, Heagy now calls Guelph home. She is also the author of 10 – A Story of Love, Life, and Loss. (One Thousand Trees, $29.95)

Soulful Healing – A Guided Journey Through Trauma Recovery, Inner Work and Self Compassion

By Jennifer Abel and Tyler Pinkney

Emerging from pain in their own pasts, Jennifer Abel and Tyler Pinkney have created this guide to recovering from trauma and regaining inner peace. Meant to complement, not replace, a therapist, this book comprises 12 weekly themes, each presented in four steps: an educational section based on the theme (e.g., boundaries); a body-based exercise for calming the nervous system (e.g., a mantra walk); spiritual reflection through meditation or prayer; and journal prompts to inspire self-exploration.

Abel and Pinkney live in Shelburne. (Jennifer Abel and Tyler Pinkney, $24.99)

Radical Revelry – A Bespoke Guide to Healing Trauma, Drama, and All That Sh*t from Your Mama

By Carley Johnson

“What does it take to live a life of meaning, purpose, joy, and freedom?” asks Carley Johnson, healer, meditation teacher, life coach and, now, writer. Despite a life that checked all the boxes (married, two children, suburban house, job with paid vacation and benefits), pain subsumed Johnson’s life as she ignored the childhood trauma of her parents’ divorce and set aside her own needs. Her account of her journey toward understanding, loving and forgiving herself provides readers with a guide for embarking on their own search for healing.

Radical Revelry is Johnson’s first book. She lives in Orangeville. (Balboa Press, $16.99)

The Prophetic Call to Love & Justice – Rediscovering the Old Testament

 By Arnold H. De Graaff

As daily international headlines suggest an imminent apocalypse, Arnold H. De Graaff’s book about an alternative interpretation of the Bible is timely. Based on the Amsterdam way of interpreting scripture, De Graaff’s approach is grounded not in a fundamentalist, historical, literary, doctrinal or apologetic analysis, but in one that considers every verse in the context of the entire Bible, as well as present-day knowledge. Closer to the “good news” of the New Testament, this approach focuses on the concepts of love and restorative justice. A section of one chapter, for example, addresses the conflict between Israel and Palestine and envisions a resolution that involves reconciliation, caring for the land and solidarity with all people.

De Graaff, who lives in Mono, is also the author of The Gods in Whom They Trusted. (Resource Publications, $78)

Fredbits – A Daily Dose of Wisdom, Wit and Wonder

By Fred Dyke

In Fredbits, Fred Dyke distils a lifetime of experiences into 365 pages of daily “wisdom, wit and wonder.” The former bank manager and management consultant, whose sixth-degree black belt in judo reflects his lifelong passion for the sport, shares pastoral duties at Belfountain Village Church with his wife, Judee. Topics included in the book range from love, marriage and science to political correctness, politics, religion and even Elvis Presley. Designed to provoke thought, Dyke’s reflections are perfect for browsing by topic or starting from the beginning and reading a page a day.

A Mono resident, Dyke wrote about the lives of his parents in Skipper Ches: As Tough as It Gets. (Fred Dyke, hardcover $24.99)

New Age Healer – A Guide to Creating a Future-Focused Healing Business

By Debra Jones

Reiki master, astrologer, life coach and holistic healer, Debra Jones provides a guide to creating a sustainable healing business that incorporates current technologies while remaining rooted in collaboration with community members and local businesses. She offers advice to healers of all kinds, from yoga teachers and holistic wellness coaches to practitioners of traditional medicine and psionics. For Jones, “Our healing and the planet’s healing are one and the same.”

Also the author of The Successful Healer: A Practical Guide for Holistic Health Practitioners, Jones lives in Melancthon. (Debra Jones, $28)

Imagine – Volume 1 and Volume 2

By June Hustler

In these two volumes, author June Hustler has assembled a charcuterie board of writings, past and present. Imagine: Volume 1 begins with an ode to her inspirational English teacher and Olympic gold medallist Doug Anakin and goes on to present a collection of short stories, plays, a sequel to her novel Kindred and excerpts from Downhome, a country music magazine that she owned and operated. Imagine: Volume 2, subtitled Recollections from Lives Well Lived, is a sequel to her eclectic mix of memoir and fiction.

An Orangeville resident, Hustler has written seven other books. (June Hustler, Imagine: Volume 1, $19.95; Imagine: Volume 2, $35.63)

Poetry

La Casa di Riposo – The House of Rest

By Glenn Carley

Evoking the style and images of classic poets, most notably John Milton and W.B. Yeats, Glenn Carley’s novella in verse and poetic prose was inspired by his father-in-law’s journey into dementia – and his family’s struggle to help and care for him. With an unflinching eye, Carley depicts how a family becomes emotionally wound up as they watch the life of their Italian-born “Old Contadino” wind down in a care home (la casa di riposo).

An odour of feces, assaults us:
A new Citizen arrives at the bar,
Cries for family who will not come.
This perpetual indignity of Jordan:
Where moaning peels slow, like a scab; 
Tears linen, pulls down curtains, tips tables
The Clatter, the jingle and spatter-spray
Cuts open our hearts:

The author of many other books including The One about Stella: A Little Fish, Carley lives in Bolton. (Rock’s Mills Press, $20)

A Raven in the Snow

By K.P. Alexander

What is in a raven’s call?
A warning? A message? For you?
The raven screams, but is there anyone left to hear it?
Does anyone listen to this raven’s call?

So begins K.P. Alexander’s second poetry collection, told in three parts: “The Cold of a Singing Sleep,” “The Path of Affection’s Favour” and “The Flight of Wisdom’s Name.” In an abstract style reminiscent of Sylvia Plath, Alexander – whose muse is the metaphorical raven – explores the real and ethereal worlds of life, love and death as she guides readers on her journey “between cradle and grave.”

K.P. Alexander is also the author of A Quill in the Ink: A Collection of Poetry. She lives in Orangeville. (K.P. Alexander, $16.95)

My Journey Up the Mountain – Selected Poems 

By Vern Shute

Inspired by a decades-long habit of jotting down his thoughts, Vern Shute’s My Journey Up the Mountain is an eclectic collection of poems on topics ranging from love, family and death to the poetry of Walt Whitman and Leonard Cohen, and even the games of bridge and curling. In the end, this haiku, one of several in the volume, may sum up what the journey means to Shute – and to all of us:

Monk, Iman, Priest or Shaman
Each climbs his mountain seeking truth
At the top, they all have the same view.

Shute lives near Lisle. (Vern Shute, $14.95)

By Peter Yan and Emily Dickson. With thanks to the staff of BookLore in Orangeville for their invaluable help in compiling this year’s list – and for supporting local writers.

Note: Prices listed may be subject to change. Unless specified otherwise, prices are for paperback editions.