FVRL ReadRadio Podcast

Today, Dave tells us about two memoirs written by independent musicians: Orenda Fink of Azure Ray and Neko Case of the New Pornographers. The Witch’s Daughter: My Mother, Her Magic, and the Madness That Bound Us — by Orenda Fink “Acclaimed indie musician and songwriter Orenda Fink’s lyrical and moving memoir about growing up with a mother who battled mental illness and addiction is a ‘master text on surviving trauma as a child and adult.’” https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1964656 The Harder I Fight the More I Love You: A Memoir — by Neko Case “Singer-songwriter Neko Case paints a vivid portrait of an extraordinary life — one forged through a poverty-stricken childhood, obsessive desire, bursts of comedy and indispensable friendships — reflecting on the way art, music and a deep connection to nature helped her become a beloved, Grammy-nominated artist.” https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1940937

Today, Charlotte shares a heartfelt and uplifting book for kids ages 9 and up: Sparkle by Lakita Wilson. “After 12-year-old aspiring superstar Sparkle Moore is diagnosed with alopecia, she must navigate family, friends and her own self-esteem with the added challenge of losing her hair.“ Find this book in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1913746

In today’s podcast, Deanna tells us about FVRL’s exciting Family Literacy Day contest, which will run through the month of January. Family Literacy Day will take place on January 27, 2026, and it’s all about having fun while boosting your family’s love of reading and learning. This year’s theme is: “Make meal time family learning time!” FVRL is celebrating all month long with a contest. Until January 31, enter to win your copy of tawâw: Progressive Indigenous Cuisine by Shane M. Chartrand. “Acclaimed chef Shane M. Chartrand's debut cookbook explores the reawakening of Indigenous cuisine and what it means to cook, eat and share food in our homes and communities.” Find this title in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1797966 Enter the contest: https://www.fvrl.bc.ca/family-literacy-day-contest

Today, Larissa shares her review of The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones, a chilling historical horror novel set in the American West. “A diary, written in 1912 by a Lutheran pastor, is discovered within a wall. What it unveils is a slow massacre, a chain of events that go back to 217 Blackfeet dead in the snow. Told in transcribed interviews by a Blackfeet named Good Stab, who shares the narrative of his peculiar life over a series of confessional visits.” Find this title in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1952613

In today’s podcast, we explore Eden Royce’s The Creepening of Dogwood House, an award-winning horror novel for middle schoolers. After the tragic death of his mother, Roddie moves in with an aunt he barely knows at their eerie ancestral home in South Carolina. Strange and spooky things begin to happen, and Roddie learns that the house — and his family — are tied to powerful hoodoo traditions. As he uncovers these secrets, Roddie must face his grief and the eerie forces around him. Find this title in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1932437

In today’s podcast, staff from FVRL’s Maple Ridge Public Library share their top picks for the holiday season: Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night by Sophie Hannah https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1902696 The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1940424 Christmas in Spite of You by K.C. Mills https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1947097 Moo, Baa, Fa La La La La! By Sandra Boynton https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1869949

In today’s podcast, Sally shares the graphic novel The Dark Times by Tim Probert. This dark fantasy is the third installment in the Lightfall series. It features a unique art style and is a great read for kids in Grades 5 and up. While the rest of their fellowship seeks safety, Bea and Cad team up with a small group of survivors to travel to the Citadel of Knowledge, pursuing answers to their world's darkest mysteries. But their journey reveals even more secrets. Until an unexpected ally shines a light in the darkness, providing a clue to a mystery from long ago…and a beacon of hope for the future. Find this title in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1916400

Welcome to December! As we approach the holiday season, Reading Adviser Sally (our resident horror expert) wants to revive the Victorian tradition of sharing spooky stories around the Christmas season. In today's podcast, she offers a few of her favourite "holiday horrors": The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1880171 The Twelve Deaths of Christmas by Marian Babson https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1833620 Christmas and Other Horrors https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1915114

In today’s Kids’ ReadRadio podcast, Sally shares a daring superhero adventure story: Kitty and the Moonlight Rescue by Paula Harrison. It’s a great read for kids who are starting out with chapter books and still enjoy some pictures and shorter chapters. Kitty wants to be a superhero like her mother, once she gets over her fear of the dark. But when Figaro the cat needs help, she springs into action. Find this title in the FVRL catalogue: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1800605

In today’s podcast, Dave shares two fascinating novels written by independent musicians: Nobody’s Empire by Stuart Murdoch and Devil House by John Danielle. Nobody’s Empire by Stuart Murdoch follows Stephen, a young Glaswegian diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, as he navigates isolation, creative awakening and spiritual longing. Feeling trapped by illness, he forms bonds with fellow sufferers and eventually journeys to California in search of healing — and a new sense of purpose. https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1941137 Devil House by John Darnielle follows true-crime author Gage Chandler, who moves into the house where a gruesome double murder occurred during the 1980s Satanic Panic. As he investigates, he becomes entangled in a morally fraught narrative, questioning the ethics of storytelling, memory and the distance between sensationalism and real human lives. https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1857996

In this week’s Kids’ ReadRadio podcast, Sally shares the 5 Worlds Series. These graphic novels are filled with colourful drawings and fun characters set in a magical galaxy unlike our own. This series is ideal for middle school students or older. The first book in the series is 5 Worlds: The Sand Warrior. The Five Worlds are on the brink of extinction unless five ancient and mysterious beacons are lit. When war erupts, three unlikely heroes will discover there’s more to themselves — and more to their worlds — than meets the eye…. Find the 5 Worlds series in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1738056

Today, Larissa shares her thoughts on Cormac McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Road. The Road follows a father and son journeying through a bleak, post-apocalyptic landscape, struggling to survive as they head toward the coast. With few supplies and constant danger from other survivors, their bond becomes their only source of hope. The novel is a stark meditation on love, endurance and what it means to carry the flame of humanity in a dying world. Find this title in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1467964

It’s Climate Action Week (November 1 to 7, 2025), and FVRL is joining libraries across Canada to focus on climate change-related challenges. In this special climate action podcast, Corinne and Andrea share the books of climate fiction author Charlotte McConaghy: Migrations, Once There Were Wolves, and Wild Dark Shore. Find books by Charlotte McConaghy in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/search?query=McConaghy%2C%20Charlotte&searchType=author

In this episode of Kids' ReadRadio, Hoda makes the BIG announcement you’ve all been waiting for: the 2025–2026 Reading Link Challenge book list! She introduces listeners to the main characters of each book and the stories you’re about to fall in love with. Ready, set, read! The books are: 1. The Ice Chips and the Magical Rink by Roy MacGregor 2. Just Harriet by Elana K. Arnold 3. Stella Díaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez 4. Willodeen by Katherine Applegate 5. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo 6. The Islands of Elsewhere by Heather Fawcett The Reading Link Challenge competition is a partnership between local schools and public libraries that promotes a lifelong love of reading for children in Grades 4 and 5. In this award-winning program, students work in teams to read books and answer questions in a quiz-show format, earning points and advancing through four levels of friendly competition. www.readinglinkchallenge.ca

Book or movie? Fans of Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us have strong opinions on which version they like more. Today, FVRL Reading Adviser Margarita offers her hot take on the issue! It Ends With Us follows Lily Bloom, who falls for the charismatic Ryle Kincaid but soon discovers a darker side to their relationship. When her first love, Atlas Corrigan, reappears, Lily must confront painful memories and make a life-changing choice. Powerful and emotional, the novel explores love, trauma and the courage it takes to break free from the cycle of abuse. Find this title in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1739768

In today’s podcast, Reading Adviser Sally shares a fantastic first chapter book: Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher and Âhâsiw's Forest Powwow by Sita MacMillan. It’s perfect for kids in Grades 2 and up – especially if you’re just starting to read chapter books but still enjoy a few pictures. When Sarah moves to the city, she feels lost and far from home — until a dream about a magical forest powwow helps her discover courage and connection in unexpected ways. This heartwarming story celebrates imagination, friendship and the strength of Cree traditions. Find this title in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1936736

In today’s podcast, Larissa shares The Lotus Shoes, a book of historical fiction by author Jane Yang. The novel explores the lives of two girls from significantly different social backgrounds in 18th-century China. As a child, Little Flower is sold to Linjing's wealthy family to become a muizai. In a fit of childish jealousy over her new handmaiden's ladylike bound feet and talent for embroidery, Linjing ensures Little Flower can never leave her to ascend in society. Find this title in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1956175

In this special episode of FVRL ReadRadio, we're joined by R.S. Twells, the award-winning author of The Bennet Saga. This series has captivated YA readers since the release of her first novel, The Field Agent, in 2021. The series currently includes three books, with a fourth set for release in spring 2026. In this interview with FVRL Events Specialist Deanna, Twells discusses her journey toward publication, from the start of an idea to a finished published book, and all the bumps along the way. She takes a deep dive into her creative process and her thoughts on using writing as an outlet to help work through challenging times and emotions. Find R.S. Twells' novels in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/search?query=Twells%2C%20R.%20S.&searchType=author

Today, Reading Adviser Sally shares a great mystery book for kids in Grades 4 and up. The Case of the Pilfered Pin is part of Michael Hutchinson’s Mighty Muskrat series. This story is full of suspense, adventure and teamwork. The Windy Lake First Nation's lands have been shared with cottagers for 50 years, but no one can agree on where the reserve land ends. When the Mighty Muskrats hear that the only thing that can prove the boundary is a steel surveyor's pin that was stolen years ago, they make it their mission to find the missing pin and prove that the land belongs to their people. Find this title in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1916196

In the second of this two-part podcast, the FVRL Reading Advisers explore more not-so-cosy cosy mysteries: Pies Before Guys Mystery series by Misha Popp https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/search?query=Pies%20before%20guys%20mystery&searchType=series She Doesn’t Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1950573