Although the COVID-19 pandemic has affected many typical summer activities like concerts and festivals, it has also provided more time and opportunity for activities like reading. Here are seven books by Canadian authors that would make fantastic summer reading this year.

Ridgerunner, by Gil Adamson

The second novel from award-winning writer Gil Adamson, Ridgerunner is a literary Western set in the early 1900s. This captivating novel follows a notorious thief as he travels through the Rocky Mountains and tries to secure a future for his son. It is an immersive read that will pull you into the historic and natural backdrop of the story.

Soap and Water & Common Sense, by Dr. Bonnie Henry

One of the heroes of Canada’s COVID-19 pandemic response, Dr. Bonnie Henry has devoted her life to the study of public health. Her book, Soap and Water & Common Sense, is a guide to fighting all manner of infectious diseases. It was initially published in 2009 and has been re-released with an updated introduction about COVID-19.

Alone: A Love Story, by Michelle Parise

Alone: A Love Story is a beautifully written memoir by Michelle Parise, a CBC producer who is also known for her popular podcast series of the same name. Like the podcast, the book explores life after the end of her marriage due to infidelity. It is a powerful meditation on loneliness, love, success, single parenthood, and life.

The Glass Hotel, by Emily St. John Mandel

The Glass Hotel is the fifth novel from Emily St. John Mandel. It follows the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the collapse of an international Ponzi scheme, and the fallout from a graffiti incident at a luxury Vancouver Island hotel. The complex narrative spans several years and locations, from the Vancouver Island wilderness to the financial world of Manhattan.

This Red Line Goes Straight to Your Heart, by Madhur Anand

Madhur Anand is an ecology professor and poet whose parents came to Canada following the division of India and Pakistan. An experimental memoir, This Red Line Goes Straight to Your Heart tells her parents’ stories when read from one cover. Flip the book around, and you can also read the story from the perspective of the author as well.

The Pull of the Stars, by Emma Donoghue

A timely novel, The Pull of the Stars is set in a Dublin hospital during the second wave of the 1918 Spanish Flu. It is the 11th novel from Irish-Canadian writer Emma Donoghue. The book takes place over three days and follows the doctors, nurses, and patients in a makeshift maternity ward deeply impacted by the pandemic.

The Answer Is …: My Reflections on My Life, by Alex Trebek

In this highly anticipated book, the typically private Alex Trebek shares a candid look at his career and his personal life. The longtime Jeopardy! host was inspired to write The Answer Is …: My Reflections on My Life after receiving an outpouring of support following his pancreatic cancer diagnosis. It is an illuminating and inspiring book that confirms why Trebek is among entertainment’s most respected figures.

This summer, why not discover some new Canadian authors or learn more about beloved Canadian personalities? Whether you already love reading or you are looking for something to do while social distancing, it is always exciting to start on a new book.