The clock is ticking closer to the holiday break and that has us dreaming about what we are going to do with all of our newfound time. Topping our list is all the BOOKS we will finally be able to sit down and read. Did you know Glenbow’s Shop carries a tightly curated selection of specialty books? Abby Light, one of our extraordinary shop staff, has pulled a list of her Top Five Books for adults and a second list of her Top Five Books for children. Stop by the Shop before you leave for your holiday break and treat yourself to some inspired reading!
Top Five Books for Adults
Find Your Artistic Voice: The Essential Guide to Working your Creative Magic by Lisa Congdon
Through artist interviews and shared personal experiences, author and artist Lisa Congdon demystifies the creative process and provides practical tools and advice for tapping into your own voice as an artist. This book is fun, beautiful and will help anyone, not just artists, to find the value and importance in their own story and learn how to use it. ($26.95)
The Unmentionable History of the West by Nancy Millar
This is a fun and fascinating book about women and their “unmentionables” (i.e. underwear, corsets, pregnancy, birth control, sexuality, etc.) throughout history in Western Canada. There was so much silence and shame surrounding the private lives of women and men, it makes me think about all the ways our society has progressed, and in what ways it has stayed the same. This book tackles these topics seriously, but with a good sense of humour. Plus I love that Nancy Millar is a local Albertan and sourced many of the book’s photographs from the Glenbow Archives. ($22.95)
One Hundred Years of Struggle: The History of Women and the Vote in Canada by Joan Sangster
Not exactly a “light read over the holidays,” but definitely one to put on your list for the new year. This book looks at the real struggles women faced and reminds us that the political rights we often take for granted today were strongly opposed in years past. ($27.95)
Our Past Matters: Stories of Gay Calgary by Kevin Allen
Local author and historian Kevin Allen walks us through Calgary’s early gay scene with personal stories of LGBTQ elders in Calgary and archival material sourced from Glenbow Museum. I love this book because it illuminates a side of our history in Calgary that we all should know about but few do. ($24.99)
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Botanist, professor and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Robin Wall Kimmerer weaves together her personal narrative with Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and plant science. Reading this book gave me a deeper appreciation and fascination of the natural world and challenged me to think from a different perspective. An exceptional read for anyone interested in the connections between science and spirituality. ($26.95)
Top Five Books for Children
Anna At The Art Museum by Hazel Hutchins & Gail Herbert, Illustrated by Lil Crump
This story is about a little girl’s struggle to follow traditional museum rules and still have fun. Many kids (and adults) can relate to this story. ($21.95)
My Museum by Joanne Liu
This book is set in a museum but it’s completely wordless, so it’s up to the reader to decide the story: the illustrations are super fun and colourful, allowing for endless possibilities! ($19.50)
The Girl and the Wolf, by Katherena Vermette illustrated by Julie Flett
An Indigenous twist on Little Red Riding Hood, where instead of being a foe the wolf is a helpful friend and guide. ($19.95)
The Legend of the Buffalo Stone by Dawn Spring illustrated by Charles Bullshields
Based on the history of the Blackfoot people, this story follows a young girl and her quest to find a sacred stone that possesses the power to make the buffalo reappear after a long desolate winter. ($12.95)
Discovering People: English, French, Cree by Neepin Auger
Written by Cree artist and educator Neepin Auger, this board book is the latest addition to the Discovering series and has words in English, French, and Cree. Perfect for any nursery or library! ($12)
