All Lit Up
LightNews LightNews
banner
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
All Lit Up
@alllitupcanada.bsky.social
360 followers 120 following 260 posts
An independent online bookstore and blog showcasing and selling Canada's best in indie books. Visit us at alllitup.ca
Posts Replies Media Videos
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Lucy E.M. Black’s A QUILTING OF SCARS (Now or Never Publishing) transports readers to a community where Larkin, a queer youth, struggles with loneliness, fear, & belonging.

For #ALUCozyFest, Lucy reads an excerpt where celebration leads to feelings of otherness: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-lu...
A graphic with the text: "Now Reading on Cozy Fest: Lucy E.M. Black, A Quilting of Scars" featuring the cover of the book and an inset photo of the author.
December 9, 2025 at 3:12 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Nadia Ragbar joins #ALUCozyFest to read a passage from her first novel THE PUGILIST AND THE SAILOR (@invisibooks.bsky.social), a compelling story about conjoined twins Dougie and Bruce, whose lives split in all kinds of ways even while they stay physically connected.

alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-na...
A graphic with the text: "Now Reading on Cozy Fest: Nadia Ragbar, The Pugilist and the Sailor," featuring the cover of the book and an inset photo of the author.
December 8, 2025 at 4:37 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
In THE UPENDING OF WENDALL FORBES (@latitude46pub.bsky.social), David Giuliano introduces Wendall & Ruby, an aging couple facing the messiness of later life.

Join us as David reads an excerpt for #ALUCozyFest, where Wendall takes in a snow day free from expectation: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-da...
A graphic with the text: "Now Reading on Cozy Fest: David Giuliano, The Upending of Wendall Forbes" featuring the cover of the book and an inset photo of the author.
December 8, 2025 at 3:40 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Cary Fagan joins #ALUCozyFest beside his wood-burning fireplace to read a passage from a story about a family trip and a defining moment in a young boy’s life, from his new collection A FAST HORSE NEVER BRINGS GOOD NEWS (@bookhugpress.bsky.social)

alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-ca...
A graphic with the text: "Now Reading on Cozy Fest: Cary Fagan, A Fast Horse Never Brings Good News," featuring the cover of the book and an inset photo of the author.
December 5, 2025 at 5:16 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Melanie Schnell’s THE CHORUS BENEATH OUR FEET (@radiantpress.bsky.social) follows a soldier’s return home after 8 years away, only to find his sister missing & caught up in a crime.

Watch Melanie read an excerpt for #ALUCozyFest: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-me...
A graphic with the text: "Now Reading on Cozy Fest: Melanie Schnell, The Chorus Beneath Our Feet," featuring the cover of the book and an inset photo of the author.
December 5, 2025 at 3:14 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
We're transported to the ocean in Kim Fahner's reading of "Sea Road Visitation, August 13, 2022" from her collection THE POLLINATION FIELD (Turnstone Press) for #ALUCozyFest:

alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-ki...
A graphic with the text: "Now Reading on Cozy Fest: Kim Fahner, The Pollination Field," featuring the cover of the book and an inset photo of the author.
December 4, 2025 at 6:09 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Love can feel like growth, even in uncertain times. In HELITROPIA (Brick Books), Manahil Bandukwala uses botanic & cosmic imagery to explore the pull between lovers & how we bloom through connection.

Manahil reads a few immersive poems for #ALUCozyFest in our latest: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-ma...
A Cozy Fest graphic featuring an inset author photo of Manahil Bandukwala alongside the cover of HELITROPIA (Brick Books),
December 4, 2025 at 4:01 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Next up on #ALUCozyFest is Coltrane Seesequasis with a passage from his YA fantasy series THE THREADS OF TIME (@kegedoncepress.bsky.social)

Tune in for a reading about unlikely friendships: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-co...
A graphic with the text: "Now Reading on Cozy Fest: Coltrane Seesequasis, The Threads of Time," featuring the cover of the book and an inset photo of the author.
December 3, 2025 at 5:17 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Catherine Hunter’s SEEING YOU HOME (Signature Editions) explores the quiet ways our existence, feelings, and relationships shift in the wake of grief.

Join us for #ALUCozyFest & watch Catherine read an excerpt featuring a curious squirrel exploring a new space: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-ca...
A graphic with the text "Now Reading on Cozy Fest: Catherine Hunter, "Seeing You Home" featuring the cover of the book and an inset photo of the author.
December 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
James Cairns reminds us we’re not alone in times of crisis. In his book IN CRISIS, ON CRISIS (@wolsakandwynn.bsky.social) he offers thoughtful essays that provide a sense of connection in our existential times.

James reads a passage from the book for #ALUCozyFest:

alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-ja...
A graphic with the text "Now Reading on Cozy Fest: James Cairns, In Crisis, On Crisis" featuring the cover of the book and an inset photo of the author.
December 2, 2025 at 5:42 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Kicking off #ALUCozyFest is Dina Del Bucchia coming to us from a cozy spot in her home to read a passage about friendships, group texts, and perfect days from her book YOU'RE GONNA LOVE THIS (@talonbooks.bsky.social).

alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-di...
A graphic with the text: "Now Reading on Cozy Fest: Dina Del Bucchia, You're Gonna Love This" featuring the cover of the book and an inset photo of the author.
December 2, 2025 at 3:32 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Love a literary festival but don't want to leave your house? Cozy Fest has entered the chat!
December 1, 2025 at 6:20 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Wrapping up this year’s #ALUGiftGuide, author & educator Lindsay Zier-Vogel highlights 4 thoughtful, holiday-ready reads.

From essays & short stories to nonfiction, these picks blend humour, culinary flair, insight, and heart—perfect for almost everyone on your list!

alllitup.ca/gift-guide-w...
A graphic reading "Gift Guide Week with Lindsay Zier-Vogel." There is an inset photo of Lindsay and her four book picks: Living Expenses by Teri Vlassopoulos; Hearty by andrea bennett; Good Mom On Paper: Writers On Creativity And Motherhood edited by Stacey May Fowles and Jen Sookfong Lee; Encampment by Maggie Helwig.
November 28, 2025 at 3:18 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Author Greg Rhyno is today's #ALUGiftGuide recommender with five standout book picks for gifting.

alllitup.ca/gift-guide-w...
A graphic reading "Gift Guide Week with Greg Rhyno." There is an inset photo of Greg and his five book picks: Widow Fantasies by Hollay Ghadery, Revolutions by Hajer Mirwali, Heat Wave by Maureen Jennings, RIP Scoot by Sara Flemington, and Skin by Catherine Bush.
November 27, 2025 at 4:12 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Searching for the perfect bookish gift? Calgary short story writer @beingkirti.bsky.social shares four thoughtful titles to round out your holiday shopping list in our latest #ALUGiftGuide.

Read her picks: alllitup.ca/gift-guide-w...
A graphic reading "Gift Guide Week with Kirti Bhadresa" There is an inset photo of Kirti and her four book picks: The World So Wide by Zilla Jones; All Our Ordinary Stories by Teresa Wong; Contraband Bodies by Jide Salawu; The Years Shall Run Like Rabbits by Ben Berman Ghan.
November 26, 2025 at 3:10 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Looking for books to gift (or to read)? Writer and reviewer @selenamercuri.bsky.social has you covered with six fantastic book recommendations in this year's #ALUGiftGuide.

alllitup.ca/gift-guide-w...
A graphic reading "Gift Guide Week with Selena Mercuri" There is an inset photo of Selena and her six book picks: There Is No Blue by Martha Baillie; Starry Starry Night by Shani Mootoo; Speech Dries Here on the Tongue by Hollay Ghadery, Resiqra Revulva, & Amanda Shankland; from time to new by Lydia Kwa; Skin by Catherine Bush, and This Report Is Strictly Confidential by Elizabeth Ruth.
November 25, 2025 at 5:24 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Michael Mirolla’s latest novel HOW ABOUT THIS…? (@atbaypress.bsky.social) tells the story of partners Elspeth & Marybeth who find their lives upended after discovering abandoned twins and a warning not to return them.

Read an excerpt from this winding narrative at alllitup.ca/excerpted-ho...
A background of washed, dark green with the cover of "How About This...? on top of it. The cover also features a light green background with marble texture. There is an illustrated pram in the bottom left corner, wth two bright yellow circles surrounding it. The title of the text is in the top centre of the cover in between square brackets in a dark blue sans serif font.
November 21, 2025 at 4:36 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Our final #ALUGiftNext haul are for the readers who like their prose tight: here are six short story collections we think your giftees will love.

Shop our short fic recommendations (+ more!) here: alllitup.ca/gift-their-n...
November 20, 2025 at 4:29 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Indie publishers @pressassembly.bsky.social & Brick Books merged operations a month ago. Today, they share a little about what led to their decision and how the early days of working as one have taken shape.

alllitup.ca/teamwork-mak...
A graphic labelled "In House with Assembly Press" featuring the two presses logos at the top. The text is overlaid on a photo of a bookshelf lined with books in the Assembly Press office.
November 20, 2025 at 3:34 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
These #ALUGiftNext picks are perfect for the young (and young-at-heart) readers on your list. From romances and shape-shifting fantasies to mechanical monsters and coming-of-age stories, there's a book for every craving.

Shop our YA recommendations (+ more!) at: alllitup.ca/gift-their-n...
November 19, 2025 at 6:57 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Read two poems from Gillian Sze's AN ORANGE, A SYLLABLE (@ecwpress.bsky.social), this year's A.M. Klein Prize-winning collection of prose poems about motherhood and language.

alllitup.ca/two-poems-an...
The cover of An Orange, A Syllable by Gillian Sze features an open window with sheer curtains drawn to one side.
November 19, 2025 at 3:36 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Today's #ALUGiftNext haul is for the curious readers on your gift list. Here are seven thoughtful non-fiction books to consider.

Shop our recommendations here and get 10% off: alllitup.ca/gift-their-n...
November 18, 2025 at 4:37 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Our latest #WritersBlock features @thesunnydhillon.com on his debut memoir, HIDE AND SIKH (@wolsakandwynn.bsky.social), how writing helps him make sense of the world, & the stories of growing up with racism he hopes will prepare others who share his experience.

🔗: alllitup.ca/writers-bloc...
The image is a "Writer's Block" graphic with the series title in the upper right corner and the All Lit Up logo in the upper left. The graphic's image is a black and white author photo of Sunny Dhillon. The cover of his memoir "Hide and Sikh" is in the bottom left corner. The cover is a gradient of vibrant purple and orange tones, and the title of the text takes up the entire cover in large, slightly transparent, sans serif white text.
November 18, 2025 at 3:11 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Our next #ALUGiftNext picks are for readers who love stories as bold as they are. Explore 6 graphic novels that provide laugh-out-loud humour, supernatural twists, and dystopian dives into identity and mental health.

Shop our graphic novel recommendations (+ more) here: alllitup.ca/gift-their-n...
November 17, 2025 at 3:54 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
Carissa Halton’s debut novel REVOLUTION SONGS (@newestpress.bsky.social) tells the powerful story of divided loyalties, dangerous politics, and the women who stood firm in a 1930s Rocky Mountain town on the brink.

Read an excerpt from the novel at:
alllitup.ca/excerpted-revolution-songs/
The cover of Revolution Songs features a red background with two tone black and beige mountains at the bottom. There are black birds flying up the cover. The title is in bold yellow sans serif text across the cover.
November 14, 2025 at 8:26 PM