On July 29, 1935, Penguin published the first of its now-iconic paperbacks. Before Penguin, the paperbacks of the 1850s onward were cheap pulp fiction made mainly for the duration of train rides, not intended to last. Allen Lane, the founder of Penguin, wanted to make books that were less expensive and more portable than hardcovers but still were quality printing. By releasing ten reprint titles of popular books, such as Agatha Christie’s The Mysterious Affair at Styles and Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms, Penguin changed book publishing forever.
The anniversary of this revolutionary change to the publishing world is celebrated as Paperback Book Day, so whether you are planning a camping trip, a family BBQ, a beach vacation, or a staycation there is a perfect paperback for every occasion.
For Post-COVID Summer Gatherings
Within the pages of the Campfire Stories series, you’ll be sure to find the perfect tale to tell for the next time you gather around a campfire for ghost stories or have a storytelling contest at your family BBQ.
Campfire Stories from Coast to Coast
By Barbara Smith
$19.95 CAD
Ghostly Campfire Stories of Western Canada
By Barbara Smith
$12.95 CAD
For Vacations
Whether you would like to read the inspirational stories of many trailblazing women of Vancouver Island or the towns of British Columbia that have faded into memory, these titles are great for a quick read between dips in the ocean or other vacation adventures.
Flourishing and Free: More Stories of Trailblazing Women of Vancouver Island
By Haley Healey
$9.95 CAD
On Their Own Terms: True Stories of Trailblazing Women of Vancouver Island
By Haley Healey
$9.95 CAD
Ghost Town Stories of BC: Tales of Hope, Heroism and Tragedy
By Johnnie Bachusky
$9.95 CAD
Paperback Originals
Both Always Pack a Candle and Home on the Strange are the true stories of two women’s journeys to find where and how they fit in the world. Full of charm and poignancy and plenty of heartwarming moments, these two books are ideal summer reads.
Always Pack a Candle: A Nurse in the Cariboo-Chilcotin
By Marion McKinnon Crook
$22.95 CAD
Home on the Strange: Chronicles of Motherhood, Mayhem, and Matters of the Heart
By Susan Lundy
$22.95 CAD
Upcoming Paperbacks
Keep an eye out for these beautiful and impactful picture books soon to be available in paperback editions.
Little Wolf
By Teoni Spathelfer
Illustrated by Natassia Davies
$12.95 CAD
Publication Date: September 14, 2021
Magical Beings of Haida Gwaii
By Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson and Sara Florence Davidson
Illustrated by Alyssa Koski and Judy Hilgemann
$14.95 CAD
Publication Date: October 5, 2021
For Adventure
From bird watching to finding secret beaches, see our previous blog post (click here or on the photo below) for paperbacks to inspire you next summer adventure.
