It’s still January, right? I’m not too late?

I’ve been missing at CBI for several months, but I’ve come back to share my favourite books of 2025.

But first… The greatest highlight of my year was opening The Happy Duck Bookshop & Readery. I’ve been working on a post about it, but in the meantime, now you know where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing. You can read more about it in the Truro News!

As I work on this, a few people come and go from the shop, commenting on the connections they have with Sheree Fitch and deliberating on which Lesley Crewe book they haven’t read yet. A pair of sisters are chatting happily as they look around, commenting on the books they’ve read. These are the moments I love around here.

(Onslaught of Happy Duck pictures to follow.)

Amongst the chaos of my life, I scrabbled together a rough list of my favourite books of the year, because, as absent as I’ve been here lately, I could not let the year go by without some kind of record of it.

Here are the best books I read this year, in no particular order…

Fiction

Red=Atlantic Canada, Orange=Canada, Green=Other

Vigil by Susie Taylor (Newfoundland): I read this at the very beginning of 2025 and I am still thinking about it and recommending it. See my review here. Susie Taylor also wrote Even Weirder Than Before.

Two Sams by Sharon Robart-Johnson (Nova Scotia): This historical novel features the Black Loyalist experience. See my review here. Sharon Robart-Johnson also wrote Jude and Diana.

Five Seasons of Charlie Francis by Danica Roache (Nova Scotia): This is the most recently read novel on the list, so I haven’t reviewed it yet. I loved reading from the perspective of a contemporary mixed-Indigenous young woman on the verge of great things who gets waylaid by her uncle’s suicide and an accidental pregnancy. Among other things, this novel highlights the systemic racism existing in academia. Written with levity and humour, it’s a book I will be recommending to everyone. This is Danica Roache’s first novel.

A Sense of Things Beyond by Renee Belliveau (Nova Scotia): This historical novel is about a nurse who goes to the front during WWI and a man who spends the war in a civilian internment camp in Germany. Both feel relatively invisible and misunderstood. Eventually, on the shores of Nova Scotia, their paths cross. Renee Belliveau is also the author of The Sound of Fire.

The Austens by Sarah Emsley (Nova Scotia): If someone were to ask me what my book of the year is, this would be it. It’s about Jane Austen’s family and their connection to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Magnificently researched and written, it was 18 years in the making. Perfect for Jane Austen fans, yet there’s no need to have read Jane Austen to enjoy this book. Read it! Sarah and I have also been blogging buddies (and real life friends) for a long time now – visit her website/blog here.

Mrs. Walford by Brenda Tyedmers (Nova Scotia): I am loving all these historical novels focused on women. This one follows Mrs. Walford, as she travels alone from New York to Halifax, and, two weeks later, is declared dead. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives as well as journal entries and letters. This was a page-turner as I tried to put the pieces together.

Boom Road by Shawn Lawlor (New Brunswick): It was a nice change to read from the perspective of a gruff, mid-life male character. In my blurb on Instagram I said, “Boom Road is a surprisingly tender read with a main character who might not immediately be seen as a tender guy. Great dialogue. I especially loved the pre-internet time and rural setting. Oh, to take your canoe to work everyday!”

On Hammet Shore by Shelagh Meagher (Nova Scotia): The two loves of Henry’s long life are Sybil and Little Hammet Island. Nearing the end of his life, Henry is trying to make sense of them both. Find my review at The Seaboard Review.

The Tudor Prophecy by Julie Strong (Nova Scotia): A Tudor era novel, impeccably researched. Read my review at The Seaboard Review.

We Could Be Rats by Emily Austen: I have loved all of Emily Austin’s books and am reading her fourth right now. Read why at The Seaboard Review.

Born by Heather Birrell: A lockdown at a high school and one of the teachers goes into labour. Told from the perspective of the teacher, the students acting as impromptu midwives, and the intruder. An unexpected story.

I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue: What would you do if–by some glitch–you could suddenly see all the emails and messages between your employers and coworkers? Would you fess up, or would you try to use it to your advantage? A clever premise and surprisingly heartfelt.

All Kidding Aside by Jean Christophe-Rehel, translated by Neil Smith: Narrated in the first person by a man who lives with his father and brother, supports them both by working at Tim Hortons, but dreams of being a stand-up comedian. Like his last novel, Tatouine, I found this incredibly moving. Soon to be reviewed at The Seaboard Review.

Pale Shadows by Dominique Fortier, translated by Rhonda Mullins: Beautifully written, this is about the lives of the women left behind after Emily Dickinson’s death. I have been wanting to read one her books for a long time. Now I want to read more.

James by Percival Everett: As good as everyone says it is.

Sandwich and Wreck by Catherine Newman: I read them both this year. I think Sandwich has the edge but they are both about the same woman as she navigates life at middle age with grown(ish) children and ageing parents. Read what I thought of her first novel here.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt: There’s a talking octopus. My only complaint is that he didn’t have enough page time.

NonFiction

Captain Solitude by RC Shaw (NS): I started a review for this book after I read it months ago, but it’s still sitting in my draft folder (with several others). RC Shaw’s books are a lot of fun; he takes you with him on his adventures. In his first book, he takes his bike and surfboard to Louisbourg, and now in Captain Solitude he chases the ghost of Joshua Slocum down the south shore of NS and up again to Brier Island where Joshua Slocum grew up. I recommend his books to anyone who likes travel memoirs.

In Search of Puffins by Marjorie Simmins (NS): A memoir of loss and starting over. Read what I have to say about this one here.

The Illogical Adventure by James MacDuff and Mirriam Mweemba (NS): This unique love story really pulled at my heartstrings. Read my review at The Seaboard Review.

Jennie’s Boy by Wayne Johnston (NL): A funny memoir about a short time in the author’s life as a child in rural Newfoundland. Everyone considered Wayne sickly, but no one ever took him to a doctor to figure out what the problem was. Instead, they put wheels on his bed so that if he was keeping his brothers awake at night from coughing too much, they could just scoot him out into the hallway. Priceless storytelling.

Pluck by Donna Morrissey (NL): Another memoir of rural Newfoundland. This one spans decades of Donna Morrissey’s life – and what a life she has lived. I had no idea. Be careful, though, this one’s a tear-jerker. I was out for a walk, listening to the end of this, and hoping not to come across anyone because the tears were streaming down my face. Donna Morrissey has written several novels, one of which I wrote about here.

(Has anyone else noticed that the Atlantic Canadian nonfiction books are all shades of blue-green?)

Care Of by Ivan Coyote: Another great storyteller. This book is made up of letters that Ivan Coyote had received and wanted to give proper answers to. During the pandemic lockdown, they got a chance to dig in. More tears.

A Two-Spirit Journey by Ma-Nee Chacaby, with Mary Louisa Plummer: After every kind of hardship you can imagine, Ma-Nee spends her life helping others. An incredible story of resilience.

Winipek by Niigaan Sinclair: A collection of well-thought-out essays about the areas in and around Winnipeg, Manitoba, but relevant for everyone.

How To Survive A Bear Attack by Claire Cameron: Impressively, this is a cancer memoir mashed up with nature writing and a bear attack investigation. And she does it beautifully. I wrote about her novel The Bear here.

At a Loss for Words by Carol Off: From the book: “Award-winning author and broadcast journalist Carol Off digs deep into six words whose meanings have been distorted and weaponized in recent years—including democracy, freedom and truth—and asks whether we can reclaim their value.” I hung on every word and then felt a whole lot smarter at the end.

The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer: A beautiful idea to aspire to.

Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green: This was full of fascinating facts about TB. Who knew it would be so absorbing?

Middle Grade Novels

Tig by Heather Smith: It will tear your heart into pieces and then put it back together with a big cheese wheel-shaped band-aid.

Reasons to Look at the Night Sky by Danielle Daniel: A teacher shows a student how to look at science, art, and the world in a whole new way. Novel in verse.

Alone by Megan E. Freeman: I love a good survival story. This one features a young girl with only a Rottweiler named George to keep her company. Will she ever see her family again?

Top Books of the Year:

• The Austens by Sarah Emsley
• Vigil by Susie Taylor
• Five Seasons of Charlie Francis by Danica Roache
• We Could Be Rats by Emily Austin
• James by Percial Everett
• How to Survive A Bear Attack by Claire Cameron
• Tig by Heather Brown

If you’re ever in Truro, NS please stop by and see me! You can find me at 586 Prince St., or online at @thehappyduckbooks on Instagram and Facebook.

Happy Reading! 🙂