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alllitupcanada.bsky.social
All Lit Up
@alllitupcanada.bsky.social
An independent online bookstore and blog showcasing and selling Canada's best in indie books. Visit us at alllitup.ca
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...
December 9, 2025 at 3:12 PM
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...
December 8, 2025 at 4:37 PM
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...
December 8, 2025 at 3:40 PM
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...
December 5, 2025 at 5:16 PM
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...
December 5, 2025 at 3:14 PM
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...
December 4, 2025 at 6:09 PM
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...
December 4, 2025 at 4:01 PM
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...
December 3, 2025 at 5:17 PM
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...
December 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
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...
December 2, 2025 at 5:42 PM
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...
December 2, 2025 at 3:32 PM
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
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...
November 28, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Author Greg Rhyno is today's #ALUGiftGuide recommender with five standout book picks for gifting.

alllitup.ca/gift-guide-w...
November 27, 2025 at 4:12 PM
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...
November 26, 2025 at 3:10 PM
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...
November 25, 2025 at 5:24 PM
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...
November 21, 2025 at 4:36 PM
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
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...
November 20, 2025 at 3:34 PM
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
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...
November 19, 2025 at 3:36 PM
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
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...
November 18, 2025 at 3:11 PM
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
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/
November 14, 2025 at 8:26 PM