What To Read: January & February 2019

A collection of recent books particularly recommended by Chris Hall. Look for our in-store What To Read display tables.

The Wolf by Nate Blakeslee. Softcover. $21.00. RRC Price $18.90. In recent decades, conservationists have reintroduced wolves to Yellowstone National Park. Nate Blakeslee tells the story of one of these wolves, an alpha female named O-Six. She's a merciful leader, a fierce fighter, and a doting mother and even becomes something of a social media star. But as she raises her pups and protects her pack, O-Six is being challenged: by hunters who compete for the elk they all prize; by cattle ranchers who are losing livestock and have the ear of politicians; and by other Yellowstone wolves who resent her dominance of the beautiful Lamar Valley. (Vintage. October)

Woman at 1,000 Degrees by Hallgrimur Helgason, translated by Brian FitzGibbon. Softcover. $25.95. RRC Price $23.35. Herra Björnsson is at the end of her life. She has maybe three weeks left so she has booked her cremation, at a crispy 1,000 degrees. But until then she has her memories to sustain her and what a life this remarkable eighty-year-old narrator has led. From her childhood in the islands of Iceland, to teen years spent living by her wits in war-torn Europe while her father fought on the side of the Nazis, to love affairs on several continents, Herra moved through the major events of her century. Now, as she awaits death in Reykjavík, she shows us a woman unbowed by the forces of history. (Algonquin Books. January)

See more What To Read picks after the jump...

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Anna Burns wins the 2018 Man Booker Prize

This year's Man Booker Prize has been awarded to Anna Burns for her novel, Milkman.

Milkman is a timely story — in an era when the wrong flag, wrong religion, or even a sunset can be subversive — of the way inaction can have enormous repercussions. The novel follows a character known as middle sister, who stands out for all the wrong reasons and who suddenly becomes "interesting" — the last thing she ever wanted to be.

The book has not yet been released in North America, however we expect it to be published in early December of this year. Please get in touch with your nearest McNally Robinson bookstore to set up a pre-order, or pre-order online.

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Michael Ondaatje wins Golden Man Booker Prize

Michael Ondaatje has been awarded the Golden Man Booker Prize for his novel, The English Patient, making him the greatest-ever winner of the Man Booker Prize.

The Golden Man Booker Prize was made to celebrate the Man Booker's 50th anniversary. All previous 51 Man Booker winners were eligible for the Golden prize, and the shortlist, which consisted of five finalists, one from each decade of the Prize's history, was determined by a panel of judges. Ultimately the winner — Mr. Ondaatje — was decided by popular vote.

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Independent Bookstore Day 2018

April 28th, 2018, is Independent Bookstore Day. Formerly known as Authors for Indies Day, Independent Bookstore Day is a one-day party to celebrate indie bookstores across North America.

As Canada's largest independent bookseller, McNally Robinson is excited to take part in the festivities. This year we asked a number of our favourite authors to recommend some of their favourite books, and we present those suggestions below (after the jump).

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank you, our dear readers, for your continued support. It is no secret that the bookselling trade has seen dark times in recent years, due to competition from ebooks and online retailers, but thanks to our loyal customers McNally Robinson has stood strong against the competition, and thus we are able to continue our support of the artistic and cultural communities of Winnipeg and Saskatoon.

So thank you for choosing us as your bookseller.

Reading recommendations from authors are coming up after the jump...

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