Staff picks: volume 1
There is a distinct magic that settles over Nottawa when the holidays wind down. The rush of gift-giving has faded, the snow is (hopefully) falling softly outside, and we are left with what we love most: the quiet promise of a new year and a fresh stack of books.
If you are looking for the perfect story to start your 2026 reading journey, we’ve curated our shelves with intention to bring you our favourite finds. Whether you are craving a wintery fairytale to match the view outside your window or a high-octane heist to wake you up, we have something special for you.
We'll continue updating our staff picks as we discover new favourites. Each is a guaranteed good read chosen with love by our team of expert booksellers. Just look for the pink heart online and at the cottage (don't worry, we used removable stickers so your cover stays pristine).
Without further ado, here's what our staff is reading and recommending this January.
Olivia’s Picks
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden A winter-soaked fairytale inspired by Russian folklore, this novel follows a fiercely independent young woman who challenges tradition, fear, and forgotten magic. Lyrical and atmospheric, it is a quietly powerful story of courage, belief, and listening to old voices. It is the perfect read for a snowy afternoon by the fire.
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson Darkly funny, sharply self-aware, and deliciously clever, this is a modern murder mystery that knows exactly what it is doing. With a narrator who breaks the rules as often as he explains them, the story balances wit and suspense while poking fun at the genre itself. This is for the reader who loves clever twists, fast pacing, and a mystery that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Beartown by Fredrik Backman A small town. Big emotions. Enormous stakes. Beartown explores how a community defines itself, what it protects at all costs, and what happens when loyalty and morality collide. Through deeply human characters and razor-sharp observations, this book examines ambition, silence, and the ripple effects of choices that refuse to stay contained. Heavy, heartfelt, and unforgettable.
Chris’s Picks
The Devils by Joe Abercrombie This is a high-octane fantasy heist fuelled by grit and black humour. When a hapless monk is forced to assemble a "suicide squad" of monsters—including a vampire, a werewolf, and a necromancer—to place a con artist on the throne, chaos ensues. Violent, hilarious, and surprisingly heartwarming, it is a raucous road trip through a world of magic and corruption.
House of Day, House of Night by Olga Tokarczuk In a small Silesian village straddling borders and time, reality blurs with the dream world in this "constellation novel" of fragmented stories, recipes, and local myths. This book explores how history and the supernatural seep into the mundane. It is a stunning meditation on place, memory, faith, community—and mushrooms.
North Woods by Daniel Mason Spanning four centuries within the walls of a single New England home, this kaleidoscope of a novel traces the lives, deaths, and ghosts of its inhabitants. From Puritan lovers to a lusty beetle, Mason weaves a tapestry of human and natural history. It is a stunning exploration of time, memory, and the land that outlasts us all. Get ready for Mason's new novel, Country People, out in July 2026!
Caleigh’s Picks
The Second Death of Locke by V.L. Bovalino A refreshingly epic fantasy where magic relies on the bond between a fierce knight and her mage. Grey and Kier’s heart-wrenching devotion drives a story of battles, secrets, and quiet longing. Gripping and elegant, it is a tale of love, sacrifice, and the unbreakable connections that define us.
Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum A gentle, heart-opening story about the courage to walk away from expectations. After burning out, Yeongju opens a bookshop in a quiet Seoul neighborhood, finding community and healing through the simple act of sharing books. Vulnerable and deeply human, it is a warm letter to anyone questioning the “right” path.
Hungerstone by Kat Dunn A moody, gothic feast for fans of historical horror and sapphic vampire tales. Set against the Industrial Revolution, this Carmilla reimagining follows Lenore, whose loveless marriage is upended by a mysterious arrival. Seductive and strange, it is an atmospheric dive into forbidden longing, creeping dread, and the dangerous hunger for autonomy.