“There is a sense in Canadian literature that the true and only season here is winter: the others are either preludes to it or mirages concealing it.”
This line, from Margaret Atwood’s Survival, has been top of mind for me lately. I’m certainly guilty of this mindset, particularly at this time of year, when fingers start to numb and frost threatens to steal the last vestiges of summer. It’s easy to bemoan the brevity of our wet springs, scorching summers, and incandescent autumns. But this year, I’m trying to remind myself that their fleeting nature makes them all the more sweet. Enjoy the russet leaves and fresh harvests while you can—they’ll be gone before long, and that’s what makes them worth savouring.
But enough waxing poetic. On to books!
What we’re reading
Caleigh
Try to contain your jealousy. A Court of Splintered Harmony has arrived at the cottage just in time for our midnight release party at Side Launch. This is a no-spoiler zone, but we think you’re going to love it.
Chris
As you might have guessed from the intro, Chris is reading Survival by Margaret Atwood. This heady literary treatise uses Canadian literature as a lens on our collective psyche, particularly Atwood’s ideas about colonial dependence and our relationship to our neighbours to the south. Although it was first published in 1972, it does help make sense of our modern moment.
Most anticipated
How could this be anything but ACOTAR? With all the excitement around A Court of Splintered Harmony, it’s easy to forget that a whopper of a sequel, A Court of Forgotten Melody, is arriving before long on January 12, 2027. We’ll be celebrating a little differently the second time with an early-morning Dawn Court Gathering, featuring pastries from Good Deeds Bakeshop and a special goodie for the first 50 folks who preorder.
RSVP and get your preorders in today!
New at the cottage
Ferris Wheel Press designs premium fountain pens and inks right here in Ontario. Their whimsical stationery products have fans the world over—and now you can get them at the cottage. If you’ve ever been curious to try bottled ink, this is your sign. Their Carousel fine-nib fountain pen comes with an ink converter for $25 plus tax.
MIDORI’s 2027 Diary Collection has touched down at the cottage as well. The cute illustrations make every page a delight and inject a little joy into your day.
Links worth your time
- Speaking of Midori, JetPens shared a lovely video covering their 2027 planner lineup.
- Thistle Bookshop in St. Catharines and The Spaniel’s Tale in Ottawa both relocated books to new locations with help from a human chain of community members.
- The Sacred Art of Wintering, a charming blog out of Calgary about embracing winter and the wonders of discovering a new bookstore.
Upcoming events
Midnight Release Party for ACOTAR 6
Monday, October 26 · 9 p.m.–midnight · Side Launch Brewing Company, Collingwood
Costumes, trivia, a night market, and a countdown to A Court of Splintered Harmony. The party is full, but you can join the waitlist.
Tarot Reading Pop-Up with A Medium Named Bri
Saturday, October 31 · noon–3 p.m. · At the cottage
Bri returns for $20 mini tarot readings among the books. Drop in, first come, first served.
Silent Book Club: Swan Society Edition
Wednesday, November 11 · 6–8 p.m. · At the cottage
Our introvert happy hour for Swan Society members. Bring whatever you’re reading; we’ll supply snacks, seasonal drinks, and quiet company. Registration is subject to approval.
Silent Book Club: Community Edition
Wednesday, November 25 · 6–8 p.m. · At the cottage
An evening of quiet reading in good company, open to everyone. No assigned reading—just bring your current book and settle in.
Coming soon: holiday watercolour cards with Brittany DeSantis
We’re planning a holiday watercolour card workshop with Brittany DeSantis of Peak Paper Co. for late November. Dates are still being confirmed, so keep an eye out for the details.
Grand prize winner
Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who came out for our second birthday party. We felt warm and fuzzy for days afterward and are incredibly grateful to you, our little community of readers.
We’ve also determined the winner of our grand prize giveaway: a one-year membership to the Swan Society, which includes 15% off all purchases, free shipping, first dibs on events, and a limited-edition pink welcome tote. Keep an eye on your inboxes. We’ll be reaching out to the winner soon!
— With ❤️ from Nottawa Cottage Bookstore
Cover: Clarissa Munger Badger, Red Maple, from Wild Flowers Drawn and Colored from Nature (1859). Biodiversity Heritage Library / Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.
