As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been drawn to books. From a young age, I would read late into the night, unable to close a book without finishing it.
The school library was, for me, a place of discovery and relaxation. I would walk out with my arms full, planning hours of reading for the weekend. Once home, I carefully placed them on my dresser, imagining they were all mine. Even today, although I own hundreds of books, I’ve kept the habit of borrowing dozens from my local library—now stacking them on my work table.
My first novels were those of the Comtesse de Ségur. They opened the door to a vast and fascinating world.
When my son was younger, we read Sophie’s Misfortunes together. He loved the mischievous little Sophie and laughed a lot. Even today, I appreciate the way this author wrote and brought her stories to life.
I continued exploring family themes with books like Flowers in the Attic and Kramer vs. Kramer.
Over time, I discovered real-life stories through books such as Flowers in the Snow, Not Without My Daughter, and The Duplessis Orphans. These readings sparked my interest in history.
On other topics, The Shack is a book that can help us navigate grief or reconnect with ourselves.
A book that helps better understand alcoholism, anorexia, bulimia, and depression is I Lied by Joanie Gonthier.
I’ve never overlooked biographies—they hold many facets and a wide range of emotions. Without Makeup by Dominique Bertrand brings humour while showing how a makeup kit can also become a toolbox. It also shares a moving account of how she experienced the sudden loss of her partner.
Another unique autobiographical story is On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King. In it, he admits he doesn’t always remember what he’s written… This award-winning book offers a true window into the life of a successful author.
For a real-life story, read Together Forever. Quebec author Denis Monette shares his experience with his wife’s Alzheimer’s disease. You’ll discover surprising aspects of the condition through changing behaviours. It’s not a sad story—rather touching and heartfelt.
Encourage your child to discover the benefits of reading—even if they say they don’t like it. At bedtime, introduce them to The Secret Life of Snowmen. They’ll be charmed by the illustrations right from the cover and curious to explore what’s inside. I read it with my son—guaranteed success! You might just spark a love of reading.
Drawn in by the title of one of his works, I discovered author Michel Peyramaure. The Christmas Orange tells the story of a young teacher who must earn the trust of a village to fill her classroom.
You can explore many titles based on your interests through the book The Novel Cure: An A–Z of Literary Remedies.
You can find these books at bookstores, your local library, or through the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ), where membership is free. Like your local library, you can also borrow digital books there.
Reading improves memory, enhances language skills, and can help reduce stress. No matter how you feel, with a book, you’re never alone.
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