April is bound to be a big month for book lovers across B.C.
With BC Book Day on April 17 and Canadian Independent Bookstore Day on April 29, the entire month will focus on encouraging the timeless, essential act of reading while supporting local authors with a curated collection of books on display at their favourite local bookstores.
As the Canadian Independent Booksellers Association (CIBA), which organizes Canadian Independent Bookstore Day, says, “booksellers are an integral part of Canadian culture. As professionals, they are deeply passionate about their work, prioritize best-in-class customer service, and provide unmatched value for the book-buying public. Indie bookstores are pillars of the communities in which they reside and play a vital role in the Canadian literary ecosystem.”
One of the province’s oldest book publishers, Heritage House Publishing encourages Canadians of all ages and interests to read, learn, and discover more about our country’s history, people, and ideas. They have proudly published a wide variety of regional stories and championed Indigenous voices.
Heritage House recently partnered with ten independent bookstores in B.C. to promote a ‘read-local’ campaign in stores for all of April.
As part of the campaign, Prince George’s independent bookstore, Books and Company will have some surprises in store.
Books and Company’s knowledgeable staff can speak to each book and the wonderful stories, history, and important lessons their pages contain. Readers can ask the team for suggestions of their favourite featured B.C. authors and what they believe are must-have books. No matter what, you’ll be delighted by their opinions and information offered, plus it’s most helpful when choosing books to take home with you.
Here are a few notable titles to consider when shopping at Books and Company during the month of April and beyond:
- Adventure Roads of BC’s Northwest Heartland just won the prestigious 2023 Jeanne Clarke Local History Award, making it the successor to last year’s award winner, Aggie and Mudgy: The Journey of Two Kaska Dena Children. Targeted to middle-grade readers, the latter book, which also won the Victoria Book Prize, is based on the true story of the author’s biological mother and aunt.
- Always Pack a Candle: A Nurse in the Cariboo-Chilcotin, is a regional book set in Williams Lake, Lac La Hache, Akali Lake, Dog Creek, 150 Mile House, and numerous other locations. A B.C. bestseller for nearly a year, this novel was also a finalist for the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Historical Writing.
- From Denmark to the Cariboo: The Epic Journey of the Lindhardt Sisters is another regional book well worth curling up with, and very likely getting lost in. Set 150 years ago during the gold rush, this is a story of the bravery and strength of women in difficult historical times.
- Indigenous children’s books by Heiltsuk author Teoni Spathelfer and Coast Salish illustrator Natassia Davies include the much-loved Little Wolf series, White Raven, Abalone Woman and Little Wolf. White Raven was shortlisted for 2022 Indigenous Voices Award, plus nominated for the Victoria Book Prize.
- Written by Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson & Sara Florence Davidson, the Magical Beings of Haida Gwaii picture book is well suited for little ones. Together with the book’s companion colouring and activity book, kids of all ages will be fully immersed in learning while having fun at the same time - a combination that for many children is a magical thing.
- Book collectors will want to add the newly revised edition of the very first book published by Heritage House to their bookshelves, titled Wagon Road North: The Saga of the Cariboo Gold Rush. Originally published in 1960 by Heritage House founder Art Downs, this essential part of B.C. literature was nominated for the 2022 Jeanne Clarke Award.
Be sure to visit Books and Company during April for the Treat Your Shelf campaign, as a most timely and rewarding experience is sure to be had for readers of all ages.
For more information on Heritage House Publishing and Books and Company, visit www.heritagehouse.ca and www.booksandcompany.ca.
