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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
For Black History Month, we’re sharing 28 new and newish books by Black authors in Canada. From novels to poetry collections to essays, these books speak to different histories, places, and lived experiences.

alllitup.ca/book-list/bo...
February 2, 2026 at 2:59 PM
In TRACHEA (@mawenzihouse.bsky.social), Mayank Bhatt traces struggles with marriage, identity & even the weather through linked stories told in refreshing, direct prose. Vivid & uncompromising, the novel captures the realities of becoming a new Canadian.

Read an excerpt: alllitup.ca/excerpted-tr...
January 30, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Mallory Tater reads from her forthcoming poetry book LOCKERS ARE FOR BEARCATS ONLY (@palimpsestpress.bsky.social), a candid collection tracing movement, grief, & healing after loss.

Read about Mallory’s poetry below, & look for this collection on shelves Feb. 15:
alllitup.ca/poetry-in-mo...
January 29, 2026 at 2:22 PM
"there are things I can’t do with words. / there are words that are flexed too far off the body."

Read two poems from @dearkestrel.bsky.social's
THE BOOK OF INTERRUPTIONS (@wolsakandwynn.bsky.social), a collection about place & identity moving between Toronto & Iran.

alllitup.ca/two-poems-th...
January 28, 2026 at 2:16 PM
"When I was about fifteen, I went up into the woods behind my family’s house (I went up there a lot at that time), sat down in the long grass, and prayed to be given words."

Judith Pond reflects on writing life & her book THAT'S WHERE YOU WERE, THEN (Freehand Books).

alllitup.ca/writers-bloc...
January 27, 2026 at 3:25 PM
A poetry reading you don't have to travel to: Christina Shah reads from her first full-length collection IF: PREY, THEN: HUNTRESS (@nightwoodeditions.bsky.social) on Poetry in Motion.

alllitup.ca/poetry-in-mo...
January 23, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Our latest #PressPlaybacks highlights six stellar backlist titles deserving of a second spotlight from Newfoundland-based @breakwaterbooks.bsky.social.

Check out these essential reads with stories that will stay with you long after the last page: alllitup.ca/press-playba...
January 22, 2026 at 3:13 PM
If you liked SCHITT'S CREEK, you'll want to check out Michelle Swallow's wonderfully fun debut novel NORTHERN BULL (Freehand Books), a joyful story of love and friendship.

alllitup.ca/if-you-liked...
January 21, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Canada Reads 2026 longlisted author PP Wong joins us for #writersblock & talks about her second novel, SLICE THE WATER (@gooselane.bsky.social), the grounding power of nature, & the impact of spending years writing one protagonist.

Read the full interview at: alllitup.ca/writers-bloc...
January 20, 2026 at 2:56 PM
We'd love your feedback! Take our ALU reader survey until Feb 2.

Complete the survey anonymously, or leave your name to be entered into a draw to win a package of great books from indie Canadian publishers + an ALU bag. The draw is open to Canadian residents only.

forms.gle/ivgbGnRZrTge...
January 19, 2026 at 4:14 PM
For #TamilHeritageMonth, we're sharing two poems from TAMIL TERRAINS (@tracepress.bsky.social), a new collection of poems, translations, and reimagined texts that trace the journeys of Tamil language and culture through migration, colonialism, labour, and love.

alllitup.ca/two-poems-ta...
January 16, 2026 at 3:41 PM
M.A.C. Farrant’s SEVENTY-TWO SEASONS (Ronsdale Press) draws on the Japanese tradition of noticing nature in five-day cycles, offering a calm, thoughtful, and welcome pause from everyday noise.

Read an excerpt here: alllitup.ca/excerpted-se...
January 15, 2026 at 3:28 PM
“Grief became a meditative and sustaining energy throughout the writing of this book and in my life.”

Isabella Wang reflects on grief, illness, and writing her second poetry collection NOVEMBER NOVEMBER (@nightwoodeditions.bsky.social)

alllitup.ca/under-the-co...
January 14, 2026 at 3:44 PM
@angieellis.bsky.social joins us to talk about her debut novel A SNAKE AND A FEATHERED BIRD (@thistledownpress.bsky.social), the importance of community, and how leaning into other passions can help break through creative blocks.

Read the full interview at: alllitup.ca/writers-bloc...
January 13, 2026 at 2:59 PM
We consulted the stars (and Moon Omens) to bring you reading recommendations that are simply *fated* to be your best books of the year.

alllitup.ca/your-2026-li...
January 9, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Looking to refresh your TBR this new year?

These six backlist titles from @radiantpress.bsky.social are reads well worth revisiting.

Explore the full list at: alllitup.ca/press-playba...
January 8, 2026 at 3:23 PM
One big throughline in our 2026 reading goals: slowing it down and spending more time with the books we pick up.

Check our our reading intentions here: alllitup.ca/our-reading-...
January 7, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Just a reminder that any print orders placed on All Lit Up after 12 p.m. ET will be fulfilled on January 5, 2026.

Wishing you many good reads this holiday season.

Happy holidays from the ALU team! ❄️
a cartoon of a person reading a book with the website debbiechi.com written on the bottom
Alt: a cartoon of a person reading a book with the website debbiechi.com written on the bottom
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December 19, 2025 at 2:48 PM
What are we reading in our downtime over the holidays?

Read more about our picks from @cormorantbooks.bsky.social, @cloudscapecomics.com, @fernpub.bsky.social, @gooselane.bsky.social & Freehand Books:

alllitup.ca/staff-picks-...
December 17, 2025 at 2:35 PM
@kegedoncepress.bsky.social shares four beloved books worthy of a second look.

alllitup.ca/press-playba...
December 16, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Attention shoppers! All Lit Up is closing up shop for the holidays starting on December 19 at 12pm ET. Any print orders placed after the 19th will be filled on January 5th, 2026.
December 15, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Dive into the world of animal healers in HEAL THE BEASTS by Philipp Schott, DVM (@ecwpress.bsky.social) where stories explore human-animal bonds full of colourful anecdotes & unforgettable creatures.

Get cozy as Philipp reads an excerpt featuring a very familiar bear: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-ph...
December 12, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Jaik Josephson reads “On Becoming a Country Mouse” from QUEER COUNTRY CROSSROADS (@caitlinpress.bsky.social), a collection of nonfiction & poetry by rural 2SLGBTQIA+ writers. For #ALUCozyFest Jaik shares a story about two city guys finding their way in rural Manitoba.

alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-ja...
December 11, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Lynda Williams’ THE BEAUTY AND THE HELL OF IT & OTHER STORIES (@guernicaeditions.bsky.social) follows women (and one man) through moments of resistance, transition, and self-discovery.

Join us for #ALUCozyFest as Lynda reads a fittingly Christmassy excerpt: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-ly...
December 11, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Alison Acheson’s sweater game is as strong as her #ALUCozyFest reading from BLUE HOURS (Freehand Books), a passage that follows a father and son on a Saskatchewan summer road trip.

alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-al...
December 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM