Dear Readers
One of the things I love most about my life as a writer—when I have time, I read advance copies of books.
I was on book tour this fall. In airports, on trains, in hotels room, I read many books I was sent. The result: I am happy to report there is a bumper crop of books coming out soon.
Here are a few January books I've read and loved (plus one I haven’t and one that is out in February).
[1]
Black Bear: A Story of Siblinghood and Survival
by Trina Moyles
Knopf Canada & Pegasus Books
Jan 6, 2026
Trina and I share a love of black bears. This book is about her experience learning to live alongside bears while working in a fire tower on a wildlife corridor. It’s also about her relationship with her brother. It’s this combination that has seared this book onto my heart. I want you to read it because of how it tackles the biggest problems in life—as I said in my endorsement of it, “There is so much conflict in the world. Oil extraction, climate change, wildlife management, the pandemic...What if there is a way to co-exist?” This memoir is beautiful and heart-wrenching. You’ll love it.
[2]
Life After Ambition: A "Good Enough" Memoir
by Amil Niazi
McClelland & Stewart, Atria/One Signal Publishers
Jan 6, 2026
‘I don’t want to just grow up, do work, and then die!’ These words were spoken by Amil Niazi’s young son and they serve as a perfect rallying cry for this book. Life After Ambition deconstructs achievement, identity, and expectation to ask the most important question: How can we find contentment in work and life? In my official endorsement, I wrote that reading this memoir feels like having the best conversation with a close friend—it does. Amil is bold in her opinions. They are always refreshing. I find her writing comforting (as in, I am not alone). I read this back in September and I have been thinking about it ever since.
[3]
Live to See the Day: Impossible Goals, Unimaginable Futures, and the Pursuit of Things That May Never Be
by Mark Medley
McClelland & Stewart
Jan 6, 2026
Disclosures: First, Mark is my editor at The Globe. Second, I haven’t managed to get my hands on a copy of his book yet. However, I read Mark's article in the weekend paper and I can't wait for more. Mark's piece is about the key to a perfect New Year resolution—the trick, pick something you will never achieve. Like interstellar travel, for example. This is a book about people who straddle the line between determination and delusion. It's about hope. It looks fun and engaging and like one giant rabbit hole. Thank you, Mark, I need this right now.
[4]
Good Guys: A Novel by Sharon Bala
McClelland & Stewart
Jan 20, 2026
I couldn’t put this novel down. I ended up bingeing it in two days. You know that kind of book? It’s full of office politics that have terrible consequences. Many of the characters are flawed in the most delicious ways. It’s a satire, a send up, about a charity falling from grace—what happens when good intentions go bad. The main character is named Claire and I didn’t take this personally. This novel is timely, too. Good Guys asks important questions about autonomy, colonial legacies, and self-determination. I am going to send a copy to Mr. Trump. I hope he reads it.
[5]
A Love Affair with the Unknown: Leaning into the Uncertainty of Modern Life
by Gillian Deacon
House of Anansi Press Inc
Jan 27, 2026
Gill and I have a bond. We have both had our share of operations and health issues. We have both struggled with big questions like, why me? I'm happy to report that we have come out the other side and Gill is wiser for it. I wrote an endorsement of this book, that it, "brims with curiosity, wisdom, and life. It's a balm for our troubled times." It is! Such a smooth, interesting, and engaging read for all who might be expecting the unexpected this year (note, that's all of us).
[6]
Warning Signs: A Novel
by Tracy Sierra
Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books
Feb 10, 2026
Tracy is another author with whom I share a lot of things, the big one being a love of the outdoors. Her new book is set in the backcountry. It asks smart questions about fear. She grew up in Colorado and her knowledge of the mountains shows on every page. My endorsement: "The mountains have a way of showing our true nature…While leading a reader across the line between wonder and terror, she asks the most important question—what should we fear?" This is gripping and tense. A true heart pounder about a difficult relationship between a father and son.
I hope you find a book you will love on this list. It’s winter. You have my permission to curl up under a blanket and read all day.
Happy reading!
Yours in books,
Claire
P.S.
We have questions [gift link]—my piece I assembled using the top questions Canadians asked Google in 2025. It’s fun.
Sentimental Value, a film for adults. It’s about complicated lives, sisters, a dad, and how a family copes through generations. I loved it. You might, too.
Forged is a podcast about the work of Norval Morriseau, one of the most celebrated Indigenous artists in the world, and the thousands of paintings that have been forged in his name. It’s really well done. I found the extent of the scams quite heartbreaking.
My news, I am working on a film. More about this soon!
In 2026, I hope to spend most of my time writing, but I have a few events planned.
I quoted from your review of Black Bear in my Substack, Becoming (“Hollow Time”). All of these books sound tremendous!
What a great list! Thank you, Claire!