Remembrance Day Reading Guide

Remembrance Day Reading Guide

In honour of Remembrance Day, Huron County Library staff have put together a list of notable new and favourite books that focus on some of the forgotten stories from the men, women, children (and animals) who fought and served during the First and Second World Wars. The full reading list can be found on our online catalogue.

 

Book cover of The Dressmakers of Auschwitz

Non-Fiction/Biography – The Dressmakers of Auschwitz by Lucy Adlington

A powerful chronicle of the twenty-five Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp inmates who used their sewing skills to survive the Holocaust by stitching beautiful clothes at an extraordinary fashion workshop, the Upper Tailoring Studio. Established by Hedwig Höss, the camp commandant’s wife, these women were forced to produce fashionable garments for Nazi wives to wear to SS functions in the hopes it would save them from the gas chambers.

Place a hold online…

 

Book cover of The Diamond Eye

Fiction – The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

A vividly written historical fiction account based on the real life of Russian history student turned sniper, Mila Pavlichenko. Dubbed ‘Lady Death,’ Mila racked up 309 official kills before being sent to America as part of a Soviet delegation trying to garner American support on the Eastern front.

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Book cover of Sisters in Arms

Fiction – Sisters in Arms by Kaia Alderson

An incredible debut historical fiction novel about the true story of the Six Triple Eight, the only all-Black battalion of the Women’s Army Corps, who made the dangerous voyage to Europe to ensure American servicemen received word from their loved ones during World War II.

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Book cover of Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey

Fiction – Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey by Kathleen Rooney

An extremely interesting look at the role homing pigeons played during World War I written from the perspective of one of the most famous of them all, Cher Ami, a real bird who was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with palm for his heroic service.

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Book cover of Great or Nothing

Young Adult Fiction – Great or Nothing by Joy McCullough, Caroline Tung Richmond, Tess Sharpe & Jessica Spotswood

A creative YA reimagining of the Little Women sisters told from their individual perspectives as America enters the War in 1942. A different author writes each sister in this heartwarming coming of age story told both in prose and verse.

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Book cover of Louisa June and the Nazis in the Waves

Middle Grade Book – Louisa June and the Nazis in the Waves by Laura Elliott

A moving middle grade novel that highlights the efforts of an ordinary fishing family as they help to spot German U-boats off the East Coast after America joins the War in 1942. A great look at the way the War affected Americans on the home front and the ways they helped the cause.

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Book cover of Hidden on the High Wire

Middle Grade Book – Hidden on the High Wiare by Kathy Kacer

As the Nazis come to power in Germany and her father is taken away, a young Jewish high wire performer and her mother are forced to hide in plain sight traveling around with a new circus during World War II.

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Book cover of Just a Girl

Middle Grade Book – Just a Girl by Lia Levi

An award-winning memoir translated from Italian to English and adapted for young readers follows the life of Lia Levi, a Jewish Italian girl who grew up during a difficult time of racial discrimination and war, and discovered light in unexpected places during World War II.

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Book cover of Sergeant Billy

Picture Book – Sergeant Billy by Mireille Messier

This charming true story follows Sergeant Billy from his small prairie town to the trenches of World War I and back, through harrowing moments, sad moments, moments of camaraderie and moments of celebration.

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Book cover of Finding Winnie

Picture Book – Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick

A picture book about real life Captain Harry Colebourn, a Canadian veterinarian who rescued a bear cub on his way to Europe and took her with him during World War I.

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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Huron County Library Staff have compiled a list of 100 books to read in honor of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 30. These stories highlight and explore the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and stories of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The full list can be found here and the following are some of the most recent titles added to the Library’s collection.

 

Book cover for Our Voice of Fire

Memoir – Our Voice of Fire: A Memoir of a Warrior Rising by Brandi Morin

A wildfire of a debut memoir by internationally recognized French/Cree/Iroquois journalist Brandi Morin. Known for her clear-eyed and empathetic reporting on Indigenous oppression in North America. She is also a survivor of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls crisis and uses her experience to tell the stories of those who did not survive the rampant violence. This book chronicles Morin’s journey to overcome enormous adversity and find her purpose, and her power, through journalism.

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Book cover for Valley of the Birdtail

Non-fiction – Valley of the Birdtail: An Indian reserve, a white town, and the road to reconciliation by Douglas Sanderson and Andrew Stobo Sniderman

A heart-rending true story about racism and reconciliation that explores the history of two families, one white and one Indigenous, across multiple generations and weaves their lives into the larger story of Canada, ultimately offering hope for the future.

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Book cover for Scars & Stars

Poetry – Scars and Stars by Jesse Thistle

A beautiful and moving new collection of poems and stories from the author of the #1 bestselling memoir, From the Ashes.

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Book cover for The Theory of Crows

Fiction – The Theory of Crows by David A. Robertson

A beautifully moving and heartfelt story about an estranged father-daughter relationship, the importance of being there for those you love and the healing power of the land.

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Book cover of The Summer of Bitter and Sweet

Young Adult Fiction – The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson 

A wonderful debut YA novel featuring Lou, a demi/asexual Métis girl living on the Canadian prairies. Ferguson masterfully balances the light with the dark as Lou struggles with generational trauma, family secrets and her sexuality over a summer working with her friends at the family creamery. CW: violence against Indigenous women, rape, racism

Content warning: Violence against Indigenous women, rape, racism

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Book cover for Finding My Dance

Picture Fiction – Finding My Dance by Ria Thundercloud; illustrated by Kalila J. Fuller

In her debut picture book, professional Indigenous dancer Ria Thundercloud tells the true story of her path to dance and how it helped her take pride in her Native American heritage.

Place a hold online…

 

Must-read summer thrillers

Must-read summer thrillers

Looking for your next great beach read this summer? Check out some of these amazing standout mystery and thrillers by best-selling and debut authors. These books cover a variety of tropes, from vacations gone wrong, memory loss, family drama, grifters to cults and beyond. There is sure to be something for everyone! Visit our online catalogue for a full list of recommended reads.

Vacations gone wrong…
Book cover of The Island

The Island by Adrian McKinty

A horrible accident is just the start to one family’s vacation on a remote Australian island that has them running for their lives.

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Book cover of The Retreat

The Retreat by Sarah Pearse

The follow up to best-selling Reese Book Club pick’s The Santitorium sees the return of Detective Elin Warner as she’s called to investigate when dead bodies start turning up at an eco-wellness retreat on a remote island off the English coast.

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If you love a good con…
Book cover of The Lies I Tell

The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark

An incredible cat and mouse game between a veteran con artist and the journalist trying to expose her.

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Book cover of Portrait of a Thief

Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li

Ocean’s eleven meets Fast and the furious in this fast-paced art heist story featuring a group of Asian college friends who steal Chinese artifacts from around the world.

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No one to trust…
Book cover of Daisy Darker

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

A reunion turns deadly when a gathering to celebrate Daisy Darker’s 80th birthday sees family members trapped on a remote island while someone starts killing people off one by one.

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Book cover of The Blame Game

The Blame Game by Sandie Jones

A psychologist starts to fear for her life when one of her patients goes missing and her files start disappearing in this twisty, unputdownable thriller.

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Lost in the dark…
Book cover of Stay Awake

Stay Awake by Megan Goldin

An edge-of-your-seat suspenseful psychological murder mystery featuring a woman who forgets everything after she goes to sleep and is on the run from both the police who think she killed a man and the actual killer.

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Book cover of In the Dark we Forget

In the Dark We Forget by Sandra SG Wong

A standout Canadian debut about a woman who wakes up in the woods with no memory of how she got there and tries to piece together her last few days with help from her brother and a policewoman.

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Get a little cult-y…
Book cover of The Swell

The Swell by Allie Reynolds

Things get deadly when bodies start turning up among a private group of surfers living on a remote island off the Australian coast.

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Book cover of The Last Housewife

The Last Housewife by Ashley Windstead

A dark thriller about a woman seeking justice for her dead college friend and the vow she makes to destroy the cult her friend was involved with. Perfect for fans of true-crime podcasts and the psychology of cults.

Place a hold online…

 

Disability Pride Month

Disability Pride Month

July is Disability Pride Month, originating in the United States after the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990. It has since expanded into a global movement that recognizes those who face barriers every day due to a variety of conditions.

The Disability Pride flag was first designed by Ann Magill and has recently been refined by the Disabled Community to be more visually accommodating. Each element of the flag represents something different:

The Black Field represents mourning and rage; for those who are victims of Ableist violence, and also rebellion and protest.

The Five Colours represent the variety of needs and experiences (Invisible and undiagnosed disabilities, physical disabilities, neurodivergence, psychiatric disabilities, sensory disabilities).

The Parallel Stripes represent solidarity within the Disability Community and all its differences.

The Diagonal Band represents “Cutting across” barriers that separate disabled people; creativity and light cutting through the darkness.

The books listed below reflect just some of the many disabled experiences and/or call for greater disability justice and are amazing resources to help better understand those facing everyday challenges. Visit our online catalogue for a full list of recommended reads related to Disability Pride Month.

Book cover of Disability Visibility

Essays – Disability Visibility edited by Alice Wong

A groundbreaking collection of first-person writing on the joys and challenges of the modern disability experience highlighting the passions, talents, and everyday lives of this very diverse community.

Place a hold online…

 

Book cover of What Doesn't Kill You

Non-fiction/Memoir – What Doesn’t Kill You by Tessa Miller

A riveting and candid account of a young journalist’s awakening to a life of chronic illness, weaving together her personal story with reporting to shed light on how Americans live with long-term diagnoses today.

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Book cover of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow

General Fiction – Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

The new book by the bestselling author of The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry, is a moving tale of friendship, success and the costs of fame. Sadie and Sam bond over a shared love of videogame design only to find success isn’t always what it seems. There is great disability and chronic pain representation through Sam, whose foot is mangled in a car accident and eventually needs to be amputated.

Place a hold online…

 

Book cover of You, Me, and Our Heartstrings

Young Adult Fiction – You, Me, and Our Heartstrings by Melissa See

A beautiful YA story about Daisy, a violinist with cerebral palsy and Noah a cello prodigy with anxiety. The two fall in love while auditioning for Julliard only to have their relationship scrutinized by the press that sees Daisy as an inspiration because of her disability and Noah as a “saint” for seeing past it.

Place a hold online…

 

Book cover of Fight & Flight

Middle Grade – Fight + Flight by Jules Machias

A powerful middle grade book about two friends who undergo a traumatizing experience at school. The book has great disability and mental health representation for anxiety and panic attacks and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Content warning: Active shooter drill  in school

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Book cover of Sam's Super Seats

Children – Sam’s Super Seats by Keah Brown; illustrated by Sharee Miller

A joyful picture book about a disabled girl with cerebral palsy who goes back-to-school shopping with her best friends, from #DisabledandCute creator and The Pretty One author, Keah Brown.

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Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Reading Recommendations

Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Reading Recommendations

June is both Pride and National Indigenous History Month and too often the unique history and culture of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer individuals are overlooked. Some recent standout volumes are listed below to help showcase the extremely talented voices and diverse experiences shared within their pages. For more recommendations check out the list curated by Library staff here or ask us in the branches for more ideas.

Book cover of Daughters of the Deer

Historical fiction – Daughters of the Deer by Danielle Daniel

A powerful adult fiction debut that focuses on the life of a Two-Spirited daughter of an Algonquin woman and her White settler father as she comes to terms with her identity as both an outsider and an ‘other’ in early 17th century New France.

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Book cover of Buffalo Is the New Buffalo

Short stories – Buffalo Is the New Buffalo by Chelsea Vowel

A debut collection of eight short stories focusing on “Métis futurism”. These science fiction stories explore Indigenous existence and resistance through the specific lens of being queer and Métis. Tune in on June 21 for a virtual reading by the author.

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Book cover of Fireweed by Tunchai Redvers

Poetry – Fireweed by Tunchai Redvers

A collection of poems that explore the rawness, trauma, and realities of adolescence compounded with the experience of being a young, Indigenous, and two-spirit intergenerational residential school survivor.

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Book cover of A History of My Brief Body by Billy-Ray Belcourt

Memoir – A History of My Brief Body by Billy-Ray Belcourt

A deeply personal and emotional memoir that touches on grief, joy, love, and sex at the intersection of indigeneity and queerness. Intense, honest, and excessively quotable, these essays demonstrate over and over again the power of words to both devastate and console us.

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Book cover of Surviving the City Vol. 2 by Tasha Spillett

Young Adult/Graphic Novel – Surviving the City series writte by Tasha Spillett; illustrated by Natasha Donovan

A graphic novel series featuring Miikwan, an Anishinaabe teen and Dez, an Inninew teen as they navigate life in an urban city, their developing friendship and Dez’s Two-Spirit identity. Traditional ways of thinking are challenged as Dez’s friends and family learn how to best support them.

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Book cover of The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson

Young Adult Fiction – The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson

A wonderful debut YA novel featuring Lou, a demi/asexual Métis girl living on the Canadian prairies. Ferguson masterfully balances the light with the dark as Lou struggles with generational trauma, family secrets and her sexuality over a summer working with her friends at the family creamery.

Content Warning: violence against Indigenous women, rape, racism

Place a hold online…

 

Book cover of 47,000 Beads by Koja Adeyoha and Angel Adeyoha

Picture Fiction – 47,000 Beads by Koja Adeyoha and Angel Adeyoha; illustrated by Holly McGillis

Peyton, a young Lakota loves to dance, especially at Powwow, and learns to embrace her Two-Spirit identity with the help of a nonbinary friend and other members of their community.

Place a hold online…