Reading Recommendations from SJK Faculty

SJK's English Department
The SJK Upper School English Department has worked together to create a list of their favourite reads. This list will serve as inspiration for our students and SJK community in search of some enjoyable reading, especially as warmer weather sets in. 
Books So Good We Fought Over Who Got To List Them

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
Ms. Hunter Stewart says, “This novel is not only my favourite Irving novel by far, but it contains one of my favourite first lines of all time. Just try to put it down after that first page. I dare you.” Mr. Newman says, “You could safely pick any one of half a dozen others by Irving, but this is a favourite.” Ms. Gallagher says, “I read this once a year, every year.  It fills my heart.” Mr. Breen says, “My favourite book of all time.”

Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Along with the rest of her Grishaverse books, is a wonderful, action-packed young adult fantasy series for teens and adults alike. Ms. Rogers-Hern and Ms. Gallagher are both addicted!

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
Ms. Hunter Stewart says, “This is one of my all-time favourite novels. It has six nested narratives spanning several centuries and shifts between a 19th century sailing ship to a post-apocalyptic future. Nearly impossible to describe, you have to read it to believe it. It is magical.”  Mr. Newman says, “Innovative in form and style and still immensely readable - one of my absolute favourites.”

Mr Breen’s Recommendations

Note from Mr. Breen: "I’ve taken my list in a different direction! I present all graphic novel recommendations, with something for every grade."

Bone: The Complete Edition by Jeff Smith
“A book for ages 9-99. I adore this 1300 page epic. A graphic novel that reads like a twisted Disney movie. Even if you started reading it when you were younger, I urge you to give it a second look and see it through.”

Scott Pilgrim (Volumes 1-6) by Bryan Lee O’Malley
“What’s not to love about a story following a videogame-loving musician in Toronto who falls for a delivery girl? Oh, but he has to defeat her seven evil exes before he can date her. Truly fun escapism.”

The Underwater Welder by Jeff Lemire
“Beneath an oil rig off the coast of Nova Scotia, an underwater welder has a supernatural encounter that has him reevaluate his life before the birth of his first child.”

It’s a Good Life, if You Don’t Weaken by Seth
“This book tells the story of Seth trying to track down the work of a forgotten 1940’s cartoonist. This is a story about nostalgia, the feeling of belonging and how a series of “meaningless” events can amount to something bigger.”

Daytripper by Fabio Moon & Gabriel Ba
“Follow Bras de Olivias Dominguez through his life, but with a unique twist: each chapter ends with his death with the following picking up as if it didn’t happen. This is an incredibly thoughtful and engaging story that shows that our decisions matter and that those around us leave a profound impact. As a side note, the artwork is beautiful! Recommended for DP students.”

Killing and Dying by Adrian Tomine
“A collection of six short stories that investigate love, loss, identity, family, and all of the emotions that come with them. This is probably the most mature and literary of my choices.  Also recommended for DP students.”


Ms. Gallagher’s Recommendations

The Little Mole Who Knew It Was None Of His Business by Werner Holzwarth 
“This is my most favourite picture book. A little science, a little perseverance, and a whole lot of giggling!” 

On Thin Ice by Jamie Bastedo  
“After having just read this young adult novel through the March Break, I can’t believe it took me this long to cross paths with it. It is incredible! Set in the Northwest Territories, every Canadian should read this novel that explores Inuit culture, climate change, spirituality, and identity through the eyes of the main character, Ashley - someone with both a gift and a destiny.”

The Power Of One by Bryce Courtney
“Reading this book inspired me to buy a plane ticket and head to South Africa to fully engulf myself in the setting, history, and beauty of this land. Categorized as a historical fiction, the reader journeys through time, war, politics, and self-discovery with the main character, Peekay.”

Kingfisher Days by Susan B. Coyne
“A whimsical and sentimental look at the wonderment and awe of childhood memory.  To start every summer, I reread this book to capture that magical feeling of growing up on a lake in Northern Ontario, surrounded by woods and people who knew things and sometimes shared their secrets.”


Ms. Hunter Stewart’s Recommendations

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
“While this novella has recently been in the spotlight because of the 2018 Netflix series, it has long been considered by many writers (Stephen King and Neil Gaiman, to name two!) to be the best ghost story of the 20th century. Note: The Netflix series, while excellent in its own right, is very different from the novel.”

Red Dwarf: Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers by Grant Naylor. 
“The Red Dwarf novels contained the hilarious magic I was searching for after I finished Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series (also highly recommended.) If you are not a fan of the TV show - neither am I. The novels are where it’s at!”

Greenwood by Michael Christie 
“This one is a bit of a cheat, because I just started it this week, but so far, it’s fantastic. It’s a multi-generational saga of a family in the near future whose livelihoods depend - in more ways than one - on the old-growth forests of British Columbia.”

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
“I love hiking narratives, and it was a toss up between Bryson’s classic about through-hiking the Appalachian trail, Cheryl Strayed’s Wild, or Aspen Matis’ Girl in the Woods (the latter two are about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail). In the end, Bryson won out with his humour and fascinating examination of the history of the ACT. Both Matis and Strayed’s narratives, while very compelling, are about healing from trauma, which may prove difficult for some readers.”

Wild and Crazy Guys: How the Comedy Mavericks of the 80’s changed Hollywood Forever by Nick de Semlyen
“A fascinating look at the rise of comedy icons Bill Murray, John, Candy, Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Chevy Chase, Dan Ackroyd and John Belushi. While their comedy can seem loose and improvisational to the viewer, it was the result of years of honing and diligent practice. If you enjoy reading about comedy as craft, I can also recommend Steve Martin’s Born Standing Up.” 


Mr. Newman’s Recommendations 

Little Princes by Conor Grennan 
“Non-fiction for anyone considering taking part in SJK’s Trek Nepal adventure or just wanting to know more about Nepal and its people.”

Into Thin Air by John Krakauer
“Another non-fiction. This one is an account of the disastrous 1996 climbing season on Everest.”

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
“If you missed this on the Summer Reading List, now’s the perfect chance.”

Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese
“This is not a long book, but powerful - every Canadian should read it.”

Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson 
“You can’t travel right now, but if you could you would want to travel with Bill Bryson. This look at the British and their island is both entertaining and enlightening.”

Road Trip Rwanda by Will Ferguson
“Canadian novelist and travel writer Will Ferguson explores Rwanda, somehow infusing his unique sense of humour into this compassionate look at a country and its remarkable recovery from genocide.”

Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
“This is a very readable classic, and the most recent film version, starring Carey Mulligan, is also excellent.”

Alone Against the North or Beyond the Trees by Adam Shoalts
“More adventure travel escapism. Thinking about a canoe trip this summer? Don’t go with this man, but do read the book!”


Ms. Rogers-Hern's Recommendations

Leviathan Wakes by James. S.A. Corey
“This is the first book in the Expanse series, a fast-paced, politically charged space opera for adult readers.”

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
“Two boys who get the call that they will die within twenty-four hours meet up to live a lifetime together in a single day. So many feelings.”

Chaotic Good by Whitney Gardner
“Taking a page from Twelfth Night, this White Pine-nominated young adult offering is set in the land of comic book shops, Dungeons & Dragons, and cosplay.” 

The Incredible Space Raiders from Space by Wesley King
“This junior science fiction mystery novel was so much fun that I read it in a single sitting.”

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
“I’m a big believer in reading The Chronicles of Narnia in their original publication order, so start with this one. It may seem like an obvious pick, but I can confirm that the series doesn’t get signed out of the Learning Commons as often as it should!” 

The Secrets of Droon: The Hidden Stairs and the Magic Carpet by Tony Abbott
“The first in a series of primary chapter books, this fantasy adventure takes readers to the magical and dangerous world of Droon. Heads up - there are 44 books in the series, and it can be hard to stop once you get started!”

The Lonely Book by Kate Bernheimer
“A beautiful picture book for children and adults alike about the lifecycle of a library book. Be warned - I still can’t read it without tearing up!”


Mrs. Yuan’s Recommendation

Wuhan Diary: Dispatches from a Quarantined City by Fang Fang  
“A profound read during this time.
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