The cooler season is the perfect time to curl up with a good read. Ideal for gifting or losing yourself in, our selection contains stories that inspire reflection, spark curiosity, and offer windows into the world of others.

Stephen King called books “a uniquely portable magic.” And they are. They are a world between two covers that allow you to visit history, travel, revel in love and loss, or take a peek into other people’s lives. But are they still relevant in the day and age of YouTube, TikTok, or Snapchat? If you ask us: Yes!

Our curated lineup of our favourite reads transcends genres and geographies. Some are hot off the press, others have been published a while ago and have already delighted thousands of readers. Some whisk you off to North America, others to the Mediterranean shores. Some are memoirs that speak of great resilience, others tell of unique adventures, and some are self-published while others are international bestsellers. But each and every one of them is a rare gem. These aren’t just books, these are experiences waiting to unfold, conversations waiting to happen. Each one is a world unto itself, ready to surprise, challenge, and linger in your mind long after the final page. So, leave the ordinary behind and dive into stories that really matter. Our top picks, in no particular order:

The Silent Echo of My Childhood by Sylvie Larivière-Traub

A life shaped by triumphs over tragedies

Sylvie Larivière-Traub’s The Silent Echo of My Childhood is not merely a memoir of a life marked by great tragedies – from spending a harrowing youth in the dysfunctional Canadian foster care system, to surviving several life-threatening illnesses, and experiencing the loss of a beloved husband – it is first and foremost an ode to life itself, to love, courage, and optimism.

At age 70, Larivière-Traub recounts her struggles with unflinching honesty, great self-awareness, and incredible strength, exploring how these formative experiences rippled through her relationships and life choices. Her writing is imbued with a rare vulnerability, unfolding like a tapestry, with each chapter revealing a thread of insight into the complexities of survival, identity, and healing. Those who look for a deeply human and transformative narrative will find Larivière-Traub’s work both heart-wrenching and inspiring.

Finders Keepers by Sean Kingsley

A treasure trove of maritime intrigue

It is said that there are 3 million shipwrecks on the ocean floors, waiting to be discovered. In his debut novel, British marine archaeologist and historian Sean Kingsley  turns the pursuit of one such shipwrecked naval pride into a gripping intellectual odyssey. Finders Keepers is the story of an exhilarating adventure in quest of sunken riches. But hidden in plain sight is also a provocative exploration of who owns the past and what it means to recover, preserve, or exploit historical artifacts.

With the author’s trademark mix of English humour and historic rigor, the narrative arcs feel deliberately cinematic while readers are plunged into the murky waters of international politics, private greed, and archaeological ethics. This is the perfect book for adventurers at heart and thinkers who love a good moral puzzle, bound together with tales of high-seas drama.

Love Her Madly: Jim Morrison, Mary, and Me by Bill Cosgrave

Where music meets memory

Before Jim Morrison became a legend, he was just a young man navigating love, friendship, and ambition. Canadian writer Bill Cosgrave had the great good fortune of becoming friends with the singer before The Doors rose to global fame. Both men were also smitten with the beautiful and enigmatic Mary Werbelow. Love Her Madly is Cosgrave’s memoir of that three-way friendship, transporting readers to the counterculture of Los Angeles in the 1960s and offering a front-row seat to an era of upheaval, creativity, and fleeting innocence.

But this isn’t just another rock memoir. What sets this book apart is Cosgrave’s effortless charm, gentle humour, and respectful honesty. Rather than sensationalizing his connections to fame, he reflects on the formative moments that shaped all three lives. Cosgrave writes with a wistful intimacy that makes the reader feel like a trusted confidant. His reflections on love and ambition – their spark and their cost – go beyond the legends of The Doors, reminding us of the humanity beneath the mythology. A gift for anyone who’s ever loved deeply or dreamed recklessly.

The Little Liar by Mitch Albom

A lie that outlives a lifetime

Mitch Albom is the undisputed master of philosophical fiction (“Tuesdays with Morrie”, “The Five People You’ll Meet in Heaven”) and, unsurprisingly, his latest work, The Little Liar, shot straight onto the New York Times bestseller list. Narrated by the voice of The Truth, it takes us to Nazi-occupied Greece, telling the gut-wrenching tale of a boy whose single lie sets off a chain of irreversible events. The war story becomes the canvas on which a painting is drawn of the things we carry inside of us: guilt, love, and the echoes of choices we can’t undo.

Albom’s writing brims with poignancy, turning historical tragedy into an intimate tale of redemption. This isn’t a story of black-and-white morality though – instead, it lingers in unsettling grays, where choices made under duress define lives. And while the topic may appear weighty, Albom’s characteristic light touch makes this book an enjoyable read. The perfect choice for deep thinkers unafraid of meandering down the mind’s winding alleys.

Deputy While Immigrant by Tom Peine

The American badge seen through a German lens

When Tom Peine, a successful German businessman, immigrated to the USA just a couple of months prior to 9/11, nothing could predict the career path that lay ahead. Part memoir, part sociological critique, and wholly compelling, Deputy While Immigrant explores Peine’s astonishing journey from corporate executive to deputy sheriff in Arizona. It also provides a unique perspective as both an insider enforcing the law and an outsider navigating cultural differences in America’s southwest.

Peine’s reflections are as insightful as they are humorous, shedding light on the quirks of law enforcement while tackling broader questions of identity, belonging, and the immigrant experience. For readers interested in cross-cultural narratives, this is a must-read. There is also a recent interview with Tom Peine on Stan Berteloot’s podcast “Back in America”.

Niçoise: Market-Inspired Cooking from France’s Sunniest City by Rosa Jackson

Cooking up a sense of place

No book list would be complete without a Southern French theme, and Rosa Jackson’s Niçoise lays out a literary and culinary feast. The Canadian food writer turned Niçoise by way of immersion captures the soul of the French Riviera through its food, markets, and sun-soaked streets.

This book is as much about recipes as it is about the stories behind them. Locals who share their culinary secrets… intimate moments that inspire Jackson’s kitchen creations… Niçoise is a love letter to a region and a way of life. The book captures the essence of the cuisine of Nice: its simplicity, its connection to the seasons, and its deep roots in local identity. Jackson’s prose is as delightful as the culinary experiences she describes – unhurried, attentive, and joyful, making this a perfect gift for food lovers and Francophiles alike.

Where to Find these Treasures?

We always advocate for shopping locally. And if you are in or near Nice, you are in luck: Masséna Around The World opened earlier this year. In this little peaceful English bookshop just across from the original Librairie Masséna, Amy and Amandine help you source your literary heart’s desire. If you’re too far away to stop by in person, you can still order by phone or email. Or you can support your own small local bookstore. Whatever your choice, happy reading, and share the joy!

Courtesy: Masséna Around The World

Lead image of Booklover Phil by Thomas Koch; all other photos courtesy of their authors except Finders Keepers, © Natja Igney.

All book covers are the authors’ officially released photos of their relevant titles