Staff Picks: February 2026Like this list

20 items

• This Gilded Abyss

  Thorne, Rebecca, 1991-

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  The newest book from Rebecca Thorne takes a genre jump from her cozy work to horror fantasy. Picture a zombie apocalypse happening on a submarine the size of a skyscraper, and instead of getting bit the trigger is a substance that is used for…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• We Are Canada

  Saddy, Rikia

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  A short but powerful essay on the key points of Canadian history and how the impact the Canadian identity.

• The Spellshop

  Durst, Sarah Beth

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  A cozy fantasy about returning to your roots and the importance of found family. As a bonus there’s a sentient talking plant sidekick.

• That's a Great Question, I'd Love to Tell You

  Myers, Elyse

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  In this collection of stories Tiktok personality Elsye Meyers covers day-to-day life as someone with anxiety. Equal parts charming and heartwarming, Meyer’s humour and personality shine through the stories and illustrations.

• The Storm

  a Novel

  Hawkins, Rachel, 1979-

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  Hurricanes are nothing new in the coastal South. A new one is brewing, and it is going to pack a big punch. In 1984, a hurricane hit St. Medard’s Bay, and in the aftermath, the body of an up-and-coming politician was found dead. Then, teenager…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Awake

  a Memoir

  Hatmaker, Jen

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  You don’t need to follow this author on Instagram (or even know who she is, for that matter) to find this memoir compelling and thought-provoking. Written in small snippets, and with equal parts hilarity and heartbreak, Hatmaker ’s story, and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Swordheart

  Kingfisher, T.

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  Romance, except he’s trapped in a sword and she’s a widowed housekeeper on the run from her meddling and slightly homicidal in-laws. Toss in a road trip with a lawyer-priest, a badger-like gnole, and an ox; add a scholar or two up to no good, and a…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Atmosphere

  a Love Story

  Reid, Taylor Jenkins

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  Science, women in space, secret romance, 1980s nostalgia, lots of David Bowie references…what more could one ask for in a historical fiction??

• Cold Eternity

  Barnes, S. A.

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  "Halley", as she has been forced to re-brand herself, seeks dubious employment and refuge on ship packed with cryogenically frozen corpses, but soon discovers she may be in more danger than ever before. The ship, once a museum, is all but…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• I Who Have Never Known Men

  Harpman, Jacqueline

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  A small but powerful piece of feminist speculative fiction. While somber and unsettling, it is also a thought-provoking exploration of loneliness, freedom, and what it means to be human.

• The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

  a Novel

  Mandanna, Sangu

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  Whimsy and intrigue, a little romance and lots of magic! A beautiful cast of characters and Mika is easy to care about and root for.

• The Measure

  a Novel

  Erlick, Nikki

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  The premise of this debut novel is fascinating. All 22-year-olds receive a box in the mail with either a long or short string, The string determines how much time the character has left on planet earth. This book is a page turner with characters…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• And Now, Back to You

  Borison, B. K.

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  BK Borison does such a good job with the characters and this very sweet love story. A lot of fun!

• Behind the Net

  Archer, Stephanie (Romance author)

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  The whole Vancouver Storm series is a delight. I devoured the series in 4 days. The characters are so sweet and loveable, an excellent hockey romance!

• Still Me

  a Neuroscientist's Guide to Caring for Someone With Dementia

  Brennan, Sabina

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  A wonderful guide, full of helpful insights and practical tips, for those who are caring for a loved one with dementia.

• Brigands & Breadknives

  Baldree, Travis, 1977-

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  The cozy adventure sequel to Legends & Lattes. A big change in life has left our main character, Fern, feeling uncomfortably empty. An accidental adventure should fix that, right?

• Red Threads

  Nguyen-Hayama, ila,

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  A teenager in Japan discovers that magic is real. This story borrows aspects from several Asian folktales and is a great read for fans of Studio Ghibli films.

• Song of the Lioness. Book 1, Alanna, a Graphic Novel Adaptation

  Ayala, Vita,

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  A very compelling story of a girl who disguises herself as a boy to become a knight. Having not read the original story and not knowing what to expect, I found this book very enjoyable! Elements of magic, friendship, and betrayal come into play in…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• How to Read a Book

  a Novel

  Wood, Monica

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  An inspiring read, despite the uninspiring title. This is a novel about the story of being human, forgiveness, and the opportunity to start over. "We are a continuum of human experience, neither the worst nor the best thing we have ever done. Or,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Of Monsters and Mainframes

  Truelove, Barbara

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  A love letter to the classic horror novels mashed up with modern science fiction. Demeter, the ship’s AI, has a mission to serve her company but with every classic horror villain showing up and dispensing with her passengers, she’s running out of…Read moreRead more of this annotation