September 2024 Staff Picks

Alan’s Pick: Chasing Clayoquot : a wilderness almanac by David Pitt-Brooke

A clear-eyed and honest account of the past and future issues facing Clayoquot Sound and the surrounding area. It is an elegant and absorbing read, that always informs but doesn’t preach, and encourages the reader to draw their own conclusions.

 

 

David’s Pick: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Ishiguro is the master of the slowly-dawning realization, and in this one we follow a group of students at an elite boarding school who slowly unearth the true nature of their existences. A tale of misbegotten creatures told from their point of view and very effective.

 

 

Karen’s Pick: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

A Science Fiction classic that feels surprisingly relevant in today’s political climate, and a must-read for any lover of actual paper books.

 

 

 

Melani’s Pick: Funny Story by Emily Henry

A lighthearted, laugh out loud story about love and life in a small community.

 

 

 

Melani’s Pick: Haida Modern (DVD)

A stunning documentary about the life and works of Haida artist, Robert Davidson.

 

 

 

Melani’s Pick: The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn and Janie Chang

A characterful novel about historic San Francisco and the 1906 earthquake. Janie Chang’s vibrant description of the Chinatown community combined with Kate Quinn’s usual assortment of fantastic female characters and intriguing plot.

 

 

Simon’s Pick: Interstellar (DVD)

Interstellar is super interesting and it’s super mind-bending. It also has the most realistic black hole in all of cinema.

 

 

 

Simon’s Pick: A Quiet Place (DVD)

A Quiet Place is a great movie, probably in my top ten. It’s very well filmed and the storytelling is really hooking.

 

 

 

Sonia’s Pick: The Hidden World of Gnomes by Lauren Soloy

This joyous long-format picture book forays deeply and delightfully into the seasonal tasks and observances, as well as the individual oddities, of a wee community of gnomes who live in a happy place they call The Pocket. Through the activities of the gnomes the reader can connect with and delight in the small details that accompany seasonal change in the natural world.