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alllitupcanada.bsky.social
All Lit Up
@alllitupcanada.bsky.social
380 followers 130 following 280 posts
An independent online bookstore and blog showcasing and selling Canada's best in indie books. Visit us at alllitup.ca
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alllitupcanada.bsky.social
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...
A graphic labelled "14 Books + 14 More for Black History Month (and any other month)" showing 14 book covers.
February 2, 2026 at 2:59 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
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...
The graphic features the cover of TRACHEA by Mayank Bhatt against a darkened sunset image that complements the dusk, long exposure city scape on the cover.
January 30, 2026 at 2:39 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
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...
The cover of Mallory Tater's "Lockers Are for Bearcats Only" set against a background of pink tones that match the pink cover and its lava lamp.
January 29, 2026 at 2:22 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
"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...
The cover of The Book of Interruptions by Khashayar “Kess” Mohammadi.
January 28, 2026 at 2:16 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
"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...
A photo of Judith Pond with an inset image of her book That's Where You Were, Then. Her hair is pulled back into a ponytail and she is smiling as she reclines on a couch, wearing a black top and holding a phone.
January 27, 2026 at 3:25 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
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...
The cover of if: prey, then: huntress by Christina Shah. A blurred dark foreground frames a sunset-lit industrial harbour with cranes silhouetted against an orange sky.
January 23, 2026 at 2:44 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
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...
The graphic reads "Press Playbacks with Breakwater Books" and features the over of all six titles included in the article: MELT, EYES IN FRONT WHEN RUNNING, THE BLUE MOTH MOTEL, THE WEATHER DIVINER, EVEN WEIRDER THAN BEFORE, and SOME PEOPLES CHILDREN
January 22, 2026 at 3:13 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
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...
A graphic labelled "if you liked x, read y" with two images: on the left is the promotional graphic for Schitt's Creek, and on the right is the book cover of Northern Bull by Michelle Swallow.
January 21, 2026 at 3:50 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
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...
Black and white author photo pf PP Wong
January 20, 2026 at 2:56 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
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...
A graphic of eight books and text reading "Take our survey for a chance to win these books!"
January 19, 2026 at 4:14 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
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...
The cover of Tamil Terrains, edited by Geetha Sukumaran and Nedra Rodrigo
January 16, 2026 at 3:41 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
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...
This image depicts the cover of "Seventy-Two Seasons" by M.A.C. Farrant imposed on a light brown textured background. The colour of the background matches the colour of the three sheep centred on the book's cover.
January 15, 2026 at 3:28 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
“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...
A photo of Isabella Wang with an inset photo of her book November November. She is a woman of Asian descent with long pink and black hair. She is sitting on a chair and smiling into the camera.
January 14, 2026 at 3:44 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
@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...
An author photo of Angie Ellis. This author is sitting on a wooden fence at sunset, a west coast beach scene is the setting behind her.
January 13, 2026 at 2:59 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
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...
A graphic labelled "Reading by the Stars, Your 2026 Literary Horoscope"
January 9, 2026 at 3:47 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
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...
The graphic reads "Press Playbacks with Radiant Press" and includes the covers of 6 backlist titles from the publisher, including: Adam's Tree, Remedies for Chiron, If you lie down, she will find you there, Rebellion Bow, The Dark King Swallows the World, and The Island Gospel According to Samson Grief.
January 8, 2026 at 3:23 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
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
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
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
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
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-...
A graphic labelled "What We're Reading for the holidays" with five book covers: Old Souls by Jackarais, The Longest Night by Lauren Carter, As We Forgive Others by Shane Peacock, Thyme Travellers edited by Sonia Sulaiman, and Skin by Catherine Bush.
December 17, 2025 at 2:35 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
@kegedoncepress.bsky.social shares four beloved books worthy of a second look.

alllitup.ca/press-playba...
A graphic labelled "Press playbacks with Kegedonce Press" featuring four book covers: That Tongued Belonging by Marilyn Dumont, A Gentle Habit by Cherie Dimaline, The Colour of Dried Bones by Lesley Belleau, and You Are Enough: Love Poems for the End of the World by Smokii Sumac.
December 16, 2025 at 2:31 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
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.
A graphic with text reading "Our ALU staff are taking a seasonal breather...We're closed for print orders as of 12pm ET on December 19. (We reopened on January 5, 2026.) Happy holidays"
December 15, 2025 at 2:27 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
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...
A graphic with the text: "Now Reading on Cozy Fest: Philipp Schott, Heal the Beasts; featuring the cover of the book and an inset photo of the author.
December 12, 2025 at 5:51 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
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...
A graphic with the text: "Now Reading on Cozy Fest: Jaik Josephson, Queer Country Crossroads; featuring the cover of the book and an inset photo of the author.
December 11, 2025 at 4:20 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
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...
A graphic with the text: "Now Reading on Cozy Fest: Lynda Williams, The Beauty and the Hell of It," featuring the cover of the book and an inset photo of the author.
December 11, 2025 at 3:10 PM
alllitupcanada.bsky.social
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...
A graphic with the text: "Now Reading on Cozy Fest: Alison Acheson, Blue Hours," featuring the cover of the book and an inset photo of the author.
December 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM