Two are two common elements that unite many of the Au Lit staffers: a passion for quality sheets, and a love of reading! Pop into our store any day of the week, and you'll notice books tucked under the cash register that the staff are exchanging, or a discussion about a new hot novel amongst the web team. Not to mention our CEO moonlights as a bestselling author!
Although it's been a couple of years since our last book club, we thought we'd share the latest reads that are inspiring our staff. Happy reading!
Leann, Store Manager
All the Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr
My favourite book so far this year has been All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. It's a beautiful tale of a young blind girl navigating through the turmoils of WWII in France. Her struggles with blindness were very insightful and really made me appreciate the capacity of my own faculties. The plot also follows a young German orphan boy going through the ranks in one of Hitler's "army" schools. He excels in radio engineering and is eventually sent out in the field to stop resistance messages from coming through in radio waves. The two main characters are expertly crafted with solid back stories; the reader truly feels all of their struggles. I loved this book because it is historical fiction, a bit of truth mixed with a compelling story line.
Heather, Photographer/Graphic Designer
Ready Player One, Ernest Cline
Loved this book! I thought the concept was unique and I really appreciate a story line that I’ve never read before. Cline’s futuristic world was so believable that I could actually picture it happening to our society one day. The characters and their development were a bit young for me but I still enjoyed the read. Worth it if you’re into fantasy/sci-fi that isn’t weird.
Matty, Shipping/Receiving
I've been KILLING Stephen King lately, he's a god. I can't stop. I only need to read about six more of his 80 books and then I've read them all! Lately I've been reading "Dreamcatcher", which is awesome. I'm just shy of halfway. I love Stephen King because he's such a great storyteller; he doesn't waste time with explaining the smell of a room or something for five pages, but keeps the detail so specific and quick that you get the whole picture. He really is unreal and one of the best authors of our generation, hands down.
Della, Office Manager
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
I've had this book on my nightstand for a while after my friend Heather lent it to me. I'm intrigued by the premise; the author set out to conquer a new goal each month for a year in her search for happiness. Although I'm only a couple of chapters in, I can see this book having a big impact on my life. It really makes you think about taking the time to enjoy and get excited about your life.
Taylor, Online Sales Intern
It has taken me half a year to make a sizeable dent in this book (but this is not to say it’s dull). This Donna Tartt novel has reached “modern classic” status, aided by its prestigious Pulitzer prize award. With 800 pages of thoughtful prose, the narrative arch of this story is a slow burn that rewards its dedicated readers. The novel revolves around Theo, a teenage New Yorker who has to fend for himself after a life-altering situation. Tartt’s ability to paint characters and scenes in such vivid depth is what makes this coming-of-age tale come to life. Though it has sat untouched on my nightstand for days on end, this book consistently lures me back in to read about the tragic and curious life of Theo Decker.
Maddie, Online Sales Coordinator
The Nest, Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
I just picked up Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney’s “The Nest” as my first summer read! While I haven’t gotten far, I really like Sweeney’s style of writing and I’m definitely intrigued. I look forward to curling up at my cottage this summer with a glass of wine in hand and diving into the Plumb family’s latest drama.
Diana, Sales Associate
Circling the Sun, Paula Mclain
Set in 1920, this book is about a family's move from England to Kenya for the parents' dream of a new life on an African farm. Her mother and brother return to England, leaving Beryl Markham behind with her father to run the farm. This is the last time she will ever see her mother. This book reveals the extraordinary adventures of Beryl and her love of things in the wild.
Rosemary, Sales Associate
The Home for Unwanted Girls, Joanna Goodman
Louise Penny, A Great Reckoning
I was given Louise Penny's book as a gift, and have been fascinated by the Eastern Townships and the people who love their ever since. After reading this book, and an advanced copy of Joanna's Home for Unwanted Girls, I decided to take a trip to Sherbrooke and the surrounding area last fall. Joanna sent me a photograph and address of where her mother lived, which was the background for her book.
Both of these books, and their marvellous storytelling, have led to my fascination with Quebec's history, and made all of my knowledge so much more relevant.
