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! ❄️

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-...

@kegedoncepress.bsky.social shares four beloved books worthy of a second look. alllitup.ca/press-playba...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

Autumn chills set the scene in Vanessa Westermann’s SHUDDER PULP (@cormorantbooks.bsky.social), the latest Charley Scott Mystery where Charley navigate myths, murder, & sparks of romance. Join Vanessa reading a cozy scene for #ALUCozyFest: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-vanessa-westermann-shudder-pulp/

Monique Polak serves up gezellig this #ALUCozyFest with a short reading from her YA novel CHRISTMAS WEEKEND (Linda Leith Publishing) about the uncertain moments of a newly forming blended family during the holidays. alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-mo...

Lucy E.M. Black’s A QUILTING OF SCARS (Now or Never Publishing) transports readers to a community where Larkin, a queer youth, struggles with loneliness, fear, & belonging. For #ALUCozyFest, Lucy reads an excerpt where celebration leads to feelings of otherness: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-lu...

Nadia Ragbar joins #ALUCozyFest to read a passage from her first novel THE PUGILIST AND THE SAILOR (@invisibooks.bsky.social), a compelling story about conjoined twins Dougie and Bruce, whose lives split in all kinds of ways even while they stay physically connected. alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-na...

In THE UPENDING OF WENDALL FORBES (@latitude46pub.bsky.social), David Giuliano introduces Wendall & Ruby, an aging couple facing the messiness of later life. Join us as David reads an excerpt for #ALUCozyFest, where Wendall takes in a snow day free from expectation: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-da...

Cary Fagan joins #ALUCozyFest beside his wood-burning fireplace to read a passage from a story about a family trip and a defining moment in a young boy’s life, from his new collection A FAST HORSE NEVER BRINGS GOOD NEWS (@bookhugpress.bsky.social) alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-ca...

Melanie Schnell’s THE CHORUS BENEATH OUR FEET (@radiantpress.bsky.social) follows a soldier’s return home after 8 years away, only to find his sister missing & caught up in a crime. Watch Melanie read an excerpt for #ALUCozyFest: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-me...

We're transported to the ocean in Kim Fahner's reading of "Sea Road Visitation, August 13, 2022" from her collection THE POLLINATION FIELD (Turnstone Press) for #ALUCozyFest: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-ki...

Love can feel like growth, even in uncertain times. In HELITROPIA (Brick Books), Manahil Bandukwala uses botanic & cosmic imagery to explore the pull between lovers & how we bloom through connection. Manahil reads a few immersive poems for #ALUCozyFest in our latest: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-ma...

Next up on #ALUCozyFest is Coltrane Seesequasis with a passage from his YA fantasy series THE THREADS OF TIME (@kegedoncepress.bsky.social) Tune in for a reading about unlikely friendships: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-co...

Catherine Hunter’s SEEING YOU HOME (Signature Editions) explores the quiet ways our existence, feelings, and relationships shift in the wake of grief. Join us for #ALUCozyFest & watch Catherine read an excerpt featuring a curious squirrel exploring a new space: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-ca...

James Cairns reminds us we’re not alone in times of crisis. In his book IN CRISIS, ON CRISIS (@wolsakandwynn.bsky.social) he offers thoughtful essays that provide a sense of connection in our existential times. James reads a passage from the book for #ALUCozyFest: alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-ja...

Kicking off #ALUCozyFest is Dina Del Bucchia coming to us from a cozy spot in her home to read a passage about friendships, group texts, and perfect days from her book YOU'RE GONNA LOVE THIS (@talonbooks.bsky.social). alllitup.ca/cozy-fest-di...

Love a literary festival but don't want to leave your house? Cozy Fest has entered the chat!

Wrapping up this year’s #ALUGiftGuide, author & educator Lindsay Zier-Vogel highlights 4 thoughtful, holiday-ready reads. From essays & short stories to nonfiction, these picks blend humour, culinary flair, insight, and heart—perfect for almost everyone on your list! alllitup.ca/gift-guide-w...

Author Greg Rhyno is today's #ALUGiftGuide recommender with five standout book picks for gifting. alllitup.ca/gift-guide-w...

Searching for the perfect bookish gift? Calgary short story writer @beingkirti.bsky.social shares four thoughtful titles to round out your holiday shopping list in our latest #ALUGiftGuide. Read her picks: alllitup.ca/gift-guide-w...

Looking for books to gift (or to read)? Writer and reviewer @selenamercuri.bsky.social has you covered with six fantastic book recommendations in this year's #ALUGiftGuide. alllitup.ca/gift-guide-w...

Michael Mirolla’s latest novel HOW ABOUT THIS…? (@atbaypress.bsky.social) tells the story of partners Elspeth & Marybeth who find their lives upended after discovering abandoned twins and a warning not to return them. Read an excerpt from this winding narrative at alllitup.ca/excerpted-ho...

Our final #ALUGiftNext haul are for the readers who like their prose tight: here are six short story collections we think your giftees will love. Shop our short fic recommendations (+ more!) here: alllitup.ca/gift-their-n...

Indie publishers @pressassembly.bsky.social & Brick Books merged operations a month ago. Today, they share a little about what led to their decision and how the early days of working as one have taken shape. alllitup.ca/teamwork-mak...

These #ALUGiftNext picks are perfect for the young (and young-at-heart) readers on your list. From romances and shape-shifting fantasies to mechanical monsters and coming-of-age stories, there's a book for every craving. Shop our YA recommendations (+ more!) at: alllitup.ca/gift-their-n...

Read two poems from Gillian Sze's AN ORANGE, A SYLLABLE (@ecwpress.bsky.social), this year's A.M. Klein Prize-winning collection of prose poems about motherhood and language. alllitup.ca/two-poems-an...

Today's #ALUGiftNext haul is for the curious readers on your gift list. Here are seven thoughtful non-fiction books to consider. Shop our recommendations here and get 10% off: alllitup.ca/gift-their-n...

Our latest #WritersBlock features @thesunnydhillon.com on his debut memoir, HIDE AND SIKH (@wolsakandwynn.bsky.social), how writing helps him make sense of the world, & the stories of growing up with racism he hopes will prepare others who share his experience. 🔗: alllitup.ca/writers-bloc...

Our next #ALUGiftNext picks are for readers who love stories as bold as they are. Explore 6 graphic novels that provide laugh-out-loud humour, supernatural twists, and dystopian dives into identity and mental health. Shop our graphic novel recommendations (+ more) here: alllitup.ca/gift-their-n...

Carissa Halton’s debut novel REVOLUTION SONGS (@newestpress.bsky.social) tells the powerful story of divided loyalties, dangerous politics, and the women who stood firm in a 1930s Rocky Mountain town on the brink. Read an excerpt from the novel at: alllitup.ca/excerpted-revolution-songs/

This round of #ALUGiftNext picks are those on your gift list who crave a little more excitement this holiday season, here are five thrillers brimming with mystery, small-town tensions, and psychological suspense. Shop our thriller recommendations (+ more!) here: alllitup.ca/gift-their-n...

"SYNCOPATION is doing a lot to underscore Black histories, Black geographies, and also to highlight ways of telling our tales." We chat w/ Whitney French about her speculative novel-in-verse SYNCOPATION (@wolsakandwynn.bsky.social) & how Black futurism informs her work. alllitup.ca/it-was-poetr...

In the latest edition of #UndertheCover, award-winning author Brad Smith reflects on BILLY CRAWFORD’S DOUBLE PLAY (@wolsakandwynn.bsky.social) where baseball meets politics in a character-driven story about passion, ambition & the love of the game. Read more at: alllitup.ca/under-the-co...

Today's #ALUGiftNext picks are for the poetry devotee: six collections to gift wonder, reflection, and a little rebellion. Shop our poetry recommendations (+ more!) here: alllitup.ca/gift-their-n...

Today @benzalkind.bsky.social talks to us about writing inspirations, world-building, and his new dystopian novel HONEYDEW (@radiantpress.bsky.social), which pits a band of hapless rebels against a megacorporation and its celebrity CEO. alllitup.ca/writers-bloc...

Today’s #ALUGiftNext haul bends time, space, and genre for your favourite speculative fiction reader. Shop our spec fiction recommendations (+ more!) here: alllitup.ca/gift-their-n...

We're here to help you find your giftee’s next favourite book. Our first #ALUGiftNext recommendations are for the person on your list who savours language as much as plot. Shop our lit fic recommendations (+ more!) here: alllitup.ca/gift-their-n...

"LONG EXPOSURE” is a book-length poem that fluidly reflects on tragedy, depictions of thoughts & feelings, & uncomfortable spaces between self and other. Stephanie Bolster reads from her newest work w/ @palimpsestpress.bsky.social at: alllitup.ca/poetry-in-motion-stephanie-bolster-long-exposure

"“We can return to the poem, but we don’t live there.” We chat with @margolapierre.bsky.social about her new book AJAR (@guernicaeditions.bsky.social), a collection exploring the intersections of womanhood, bipolar psychosis, and gendered trauma. alllitup.ca/we-can-retur...

For In House, Richard-Yves Sitoski of @kegedoncepress.bsky.social shares the storied history behind the award-winning Indigenous-owned and -operated publishing house that involves Indigenous people in all aspects of its book production. Read more here: alllitup.ca/in-house-with-kegedonce-press/

Author Neal Davis Anderson (Signature Editions) talks about his new novel LAUNCH, a pre-apocalyptic exploration of collective trauma & fragile hopes for a future. We chat about his writing process & what happens when you give characters full autonomy. Read more at: alllitup.ca/writers-bloc...

Closing out Halloweek, Métis author Griffin Bjerke-Clarke shares four contemporary classics you may have missed. These haunting selections remind us that any good tragedy has the potential to create a happy ending. Find the picks here: alllitup.ca/book-week-yo...

Today's roundup of spooky reads is from thriller writer M.S. Berry who recommends four cerebral slow-burns that trade jump scares for something more insidious. alllitup.ca/book-week-your-guide-to-thrilling-reads-with-m-s-berry/

Continuing Halloweek, scientist and speculative fiction author @premeemohamed.com reminds us that horror can be both thrilling and thought-provoking with her list of six frightfully delightful reads. #halloweenreads #horror #spookyseason #canlit alllitup.ca/book-week-yo...

Brit Griffin (THE HAUNTING OF MODESTO O'BRIEN, @latitude46pub.bsky.social) and Mackenzie Nolan (VEAL, @ecwpress.bsky.social) talk monsters, small towns, and the art of the ending in our final instalment of #ALUWomenAskingWomen. alllitup.ca/women-asking...