Staff Reviews

Staff Reviews

Adult Review August 2026

Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Li

There are few writers I know who have mastery and full control over words as Yiyun Li. This qualification, I believe is necessary when you write two books upon the loss of two sons to suicide. The first book Where Reasons End is written for Vincent. The second, Things in Nature Merely Grow is for James, and captures - with sparse prose the essence of losing James, the sense of losing oneself within loss - not a loss of control, nor a loss of conserving emotions, but as falling into an abyss. Li is in full control of her emotions and presents the story of James, of family past, present and future with a clear voice that is spared adjectives because as she writes, James was direct and preferred logic. Li describes this as the now and now and now where children die, and parents go on living. As a reader the abyss is palpable, and haunting as the narrator realizes there is no freeing oneself from the abyss, but shall forever merely carry on in a Sisyphean motion. It is a book best allowed to breath, so the words can carry their full weight - though only 172 pages it is a clear eyed tome. -Mike Clark Acquisitions Associate
Adult Non-Fiction pr7911738

  

Rough Description : love letters and ghost stories from a life in music by Don Pyle

There are many ways to approach writing one’s history.  The most obvious is to start at point A and travel to point B.  Don Pyle has a lot to write about as a gay man growing up in Toronto during the 1980s, and has chosen to a messier path where events interlock, shift and evolve into something much bigger. What we learn about the drummer from Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet and Pyle’s life in music carries more weight because we learn alongside Pyle as he remembers events and people. Like a good drummer whose rhythm propels the band, music propels Rough Description, events and people come into focus and take their solos – many become ghosts: Louie Beeson, Reid Diamond, Wendy Coburn, Steve Albini and Dallas Good. While many events are tragic, Pyle never loses his sense of humor to remind readers of forgotten things without being overbearing: the 1980s AIDS epidemic, rampant homophobia, and an intolerant United States. Some readers may even find themselves back at a long forgotten Shadowy Men’s show. In the end readers feel the complete sense of Pyle’s world and the deep love that he has for the life he has created.  As a long time fan of Pyle’s music, it was a joy to see him at Kitchener Public Library. -Mike Clark Acquisitions Associate
Adult Non-Fiction pr8342476

  

 

 

 

Kids / YA Review August 2026

The Truth About Maura by Isabelle Jameson

Maura makes a careful plan - how, when, where to get it done so that no one will find out. Her plan works perfectly, except that there’s a class mate at the abortion clinic, and they see each other. Social media explodes. Maura’s mother is embarrassed; her best friend is furious with the father; strangers are disgusted, classmates are curious. Everyone has feelings and opinions and questions about her, the unplanned pregnancy, the abortion, the father and more. No one she loves asks Maura how she feels, what she thinks, what she needs. Two relative strangers offer her unconditional support. For them, the pregnancy and abortion are none of their business and don’t change who Maura is. Maura agrees.
This book is a high interest low-reading-level title in the Orca Soundings series. You don’t particularly notice this. Turning the last page, I wanted to find out more about Maura, and how her relationships would change. I think teenagers - in her position or not - would benefit from reading her story. It’s a great, suspenseful book. -Helen Wilding Cook

YA Fiction pr8383121

 

 

Details
Category: Collection Development

The monthly Bound for Gaming lists are selected by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Manager, Music and Video Games. In 2007, Tracy introduced Video Game services to LBI customers, making Library Bound the first Canadian wholesaler to provide this service.

 BTBH 2019
 

We offer the best selection of new and classic video games for libraries including:

  • Nintendo Switch
  • Nintendo Switch 2
  • Sony PlayStation 4
  • Sony PlayStation 5
  • Microsoft Xbox One
  • Microsoft Xbox Series X


 Our services include:

  • Opening Day Collections
  • ARPs available for all platforms and age levels
  • We can help you establish an ARP profile
  • Notification of titles with MATURE content
  • Monthly Bound for Gaming lists
  • Excellent cataloguing and processing services available
  • A range of accessories for programs in the library, as well as official game guides

Details
Category: Collection Development

Library Bound celebrates local authors and content regional to the province of British Columbia by releasing the Best of BC Adult and Kids' collection development lists in the Spring and Fall of each year. 

B-Side Fall 2026 B-Side Fall 2026

The Best of BC lists are selected by Ron Stadnik, Print Material Manager, who has over 27 years of experience in public library material selection. Ron is a graduate of the University of Waterloo and has a Journalism Degree from Conestoga College.

Details
Category: Collection Development

Bound for DVD is a monthly list of new releases that features the broadest selection of DVD and Blu-ray material, including the latest Hollywood hits, television favourites, Canadian and independent cinema, foreign films, documentaries and instructional titles. In addition to UPC barcodes the list includes icons which indicate the film rating, Canadian content and a highlight of Rotten Tomatoes Certified Fresh titles.

 
 

Bound for DVD monthly selection lists are produced by Anna Kardas, DVD Coordinator. Anna has 15+ years experience with selection and procurement of DVD material in the library services industry. Anna played an instrumental role in introducing the monthly “Bound for DVD” lists and continues to select material for those lists with an emphasis on Canadian content and the highest quality releases in each genre. She sources material from hundreds of studios and suppliers, while continuing to add new vendors to LBI’s extensive supply chain.

Details
Category: Collection Development

Following the Bestseller lists, Library Bound releases secondary lists called The B-Sides. B-Side titles are identified at the time of Bestseller selection and are considered “the best of the rest.” B-Side lists are especially useful as a selection aid for Librarians and Library staff who would like to see a broader selection of the season’s new releases, without reviewing every catalogue and peer journal.

B-Side Spring 2018 B-Side Spring 2018

B-Side Lists are selected by Ron Stadnik, Print Material Manager, who has over 30 years of experience in public library material selection. Ron is a graduate of the University of Waterloo and has a Journalism Degree from Conestoga College.

Subcategories

Bestsellers

Current seasons BS Lists

Kids

Kids Colldev

Staff Favourites

Ron

List of Ron's favourites

Helen

Helen's fav

Dan

Dan's fav

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