In a new monthly column, Postmedia asks Canadian librarians to share their insights on the books that fill their shelves. This month, Jan Smith, Manager of Collection Development at Calgary Public Library, reveals the three most overlooked books of the past decade.
1. The Boy and His Dog at the End of the World by C.A. Fletcher (Orbit, 2019)
This dystopian novel stands out among the many published in recent years. It follows Griz, a young man living in a post-apocalyptic United Kingdom, who embarks on a journey to track down a stranger who stole one of his dogs. Along the way, he explores abandoned cities and towns he has only read about, meets an unexpected companion named John Dark, and uncovers a truth he never anticipated but desperately needed. Unlike many dystopian tales, this story remains hopeful despite its grim setting. Readers become deeply attached to Griz and his growth throughout the novel.
2. Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2024)
Although critically acclaimed, Beautyland did not achieve commercial or library success, making it a hidden gem. The novel centers on Adina Giorno, born in Philadelphia in 1977. As she grows up, Adina realizes she is different from her peers, colleagues, and even her mother. She possesses knowledge of an alien race from a distant planet and believes she herself is an alien sent to Earth to study humans. She reports her findings via an old fax machine. Through her communications, Adina explores the essence of humanity: happiness, loneliness, grief, regret, love, friendship, joy, and everything in between. This beautifully written book lingers long after reading.
3. Big Mall: Shopping for Meaning by Kate Black (Coach House Books, 2024)
This nonfiction work examines the role of malls in society, both past and present, and delves into shopping culture. What sets it apart is its focus on the author's experiences growing up in Edmonton and the outsized influence of West Edmonton Mall. By reflecting on a mall familiar to many Canadians, the book evokes nostalgia that reinforces its message. Readers who have visited West Edmonton Mall will recognize features like the whale sculpture, the waterpark, the Fantasyland hotel, and the various animals that have called the mall home. Big Mall offers a thoughtful and engaging look at consumerism, why malls attract teenagers, their history, and how they reflect both the positive and negative aspects of human progress.
