Thunder Bay

5 northwestern Ontario books for summer

We asked some avid readers in Thunder Bay to share some of their favourite reads by authors from Northwestern Ontario.

Thunder Bay booklovers pick some their favourite reads

We asked avid readers in Thunder Bay to share some of their favourite reads by authors from northwestern Ontario. (Stock photo)

Whether you're at the beach, at camp, or at home, nothing goes with summer and summer holidays like a good book.

We asked some avid readers in Thunder Bay to share some of their favourite reads by authors from northwestern Ontario. Here are some of their top picks:

The Beggar's Garden - Michael Christie 
The Beggar's Garden, by Michael Christie

Michael Christie hits it out of the park with this debut collection of short stories, which made the longlist for the 2011 Giller Prize. 

The stories follow a cast of characters in Vancouver's notorious Downtown Eastside.

Nowadays - Kurt Martell and Christopher Merkley

Nowadays, but Kurt Martell and Chris Merkley
Get ready for a wild ride with this graphic novel about a zombie apocalypse set in northwestern Ontario. 

This gory story was in popular demand even before it was published. The creators turned to crowdfunding to make their dream a reality.  

Warning: parental guidance is advised.

Core Samples - Para-tactics poetry group

Rich with the natural imagery of the Canadian Shield, this poetry collection includes the work of five women, members of a poetry group in Thunder Bay. 

The Underpainter - Jane Urquhart

Urquhart draws on her northwestern Ontario roots in this novel about an aging artist looking back at his life. Cool off with the icy winter imagery set in the mining settlement of Silver Islet.

Winner of the 1997 Governor General's Award for fiction. 

In the Land of the Long Fingernails, by Charlie Wilkins

In the Land of the Long Fingernails - Charles Wilkins

Known for his fascinating, and funny works of non-fiction, fans will tell you that any pick by Charles Wilkins is a good pick. 

In the Land of the Long Fingernails chronicles his stranger than fiction experience working as a gravedigger.