Allison Murray works at Carrefour Atlantic Emporium in Historic Properties on the Halifax waterfront and she’s shared five of her favourite titles from our Holiday Gift Guide.

Operating since 1994, Carrefour Atlantic Emporium is a combination art gallery, bookstore and gift shop that aims to showcase amazing things from all over Atlantic Canada. About 99 per cent of the books in their shop originate from Atlantic Canadian authors, illustrators and publishers.

Murray said there is something extraordinary about recommending a book about the Halifax Explosion to somebody from Belgium, or a classic Newfoundland novel to somebody from the south-western United States, and getting great Atlantic Canadian books out into the world.

Fresh, Local and Delicious: Dishes from Mi’kma’ki and around the world from Kiju’s Restaurant in Membertou, by Shaun Zwarun. Formac Publishing.

One of the great benefits of managing a bookshop with a substantial cookbook section is the privilege of trying out a variety of fantastic recipes in the name of research … and deliciousness!

When we get a new cookbook for our section, I often go through it with some bookmarks to puzzle out which recipes I’d like to try in the near future, and this title was loaded up with bookmarks by the time I got to the end.

Although I’ve never been up to Kiju’s in Membertou, this book has me contemplating a visit sometime soon!

Halifolks: The Faces and Stories of Halifax, by Jack Scrine. Nimbus Publishing.

There are no names to be found with the faces in this book, but instead, stories!

Something I’ve always loved about Halifax is that it’s simultaneously a large city, but it can, at times, have a bit of a small-town feel. I’ve lived in places big and small all over Canada, and no place is quite like Halifax with its local characters and folks you run into time and time again.

This book is a great pick for any Haligonian who loves a good personal tale!

Len & Cub: A Queer History, by Meredith J. Batt & Dusty Green. Goose Lane Editions.

This book was incredibly personally significant for me. My entire family is from New Brunswick, and I am also part of the LGBTQ+ community. Seeing this unique, small-scale, queer history presented so carefully meant a lot to me. Even in our modern world, it can be difficult to remember that LGBTQ+ people have always been here, even if their stories haven’t been told.

I have a background in academic history, and have always been interested in less traditional historical narratives. Len and Cub’s story was never documented from beginning to end, but instead these two archivists have researched thoroughly Len’s photography work, as well as local history, to infer what these two men were to one another. Although there was no happy ending, knowing that these two found solace with one another for some time was very moving.

Wabanaki Modern|Wabanaki Kiskukewey|Wabanaki Moderne, by Emma Hassencahl-Perley & John Leroux. Goose Lane Editions.

I love a good history book. I love a good art book. So this recent release from Gooselane was the perfect combination!

The “Micmac Indian Craftsmen” of Elsipogtog became well known in the early 1960s. Their multidisciplinary work was featured all over the country, including at Expo 67, until the Government of Canada pulled funding for the group. These great artists were primarily self-taught, incorporating the unique design aesthetics of the time period within their works, and they were among the first modern Indigenous artists in Atlantic Canada. On top of the beautiful art within the book, it weaves an interesting narrative of the history of race, capitalism and art in Canada that directly influenced the emergence, and decline, of the art movement it is documenting.

This book is perfect for anyone looking to learn more about an almost-forgotten era of modern Canadian art history!

The Adventures of Theodore Too, by Michelle Mulder and Yolanda Poplawska. Nimbus Publishing.

In many ways, Carrefour Atlantic Emporium is a tourism operator. When people come in whilst visiting from around the world and ask for a children’s book that is quintessentially Halifax, Theodore is always my number one choice. Although the tugboat may have sailed for Ontarian waters, the stories are still Halifax through-and-through.

This collection of three older books into one is accessible for kids of all ages, with fun stories and bright illustrations that fold out like a love letter to Halifax harbour.

(There does need to be a bit of a disclaimer with this write up: alongside growing up watching and loving Theodore Tugboat on the CBC, the illustrator of this book, Yolanda Poplawska, is my coworker here at Carrefour Atlantic Emporium!)

This book is the perfect pick for any young ones, or young ones-at-heart, with a passion for all things nautical and friendly boats with friendly faces!

There were so many more books that I wanted to include on my list this year, but it seems I’ve run out of space! I’ll leave you all with a photo of Carrefour Atlantic’s at-home-correspondent, Britta the Cat, who helps me pick out all the books for our shop. Hopefully we’ll be back next year to bring you even more fantastic Atlantic Canadian book picks. Happy holidays!