Recommended READING
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FOREST BATHING Author, Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller, M.D.
Victoria feels shaped by cedar and tide. Forests breathe alongside daily life. Sea-cooled air encourages you to slow down. Light filters through Douglas firs, turning ordinary walks into moments of calm. Even the deer move quietly through neighborhoods, reminding you that wilderness still shares this space. Forest bathing isn’t something you schedule here. It waits just beyond the doorstep.
This book tops our list for a simple reason. One of the things that drew Sheila back to Vancouver Island was the abundance of forested trails woven into everyday life. What surprised her was discovering that forest bathing is not only familiar here, but widely practiced. The island is home to experienced guides who lead mindful walks through old-growth forests, coastal paths, and gardens. These walks emphasize presence, awareness, and well-being. Sheila will share more soon about her own introduction to Shinrin-Yoku.
Your Guide to Forest Bathing (Expanded Edition) offers a gentle introduction to the practice. It treats forest bathing as a meaningful habit rather than a passing trend. The tone is warm and reassuring, with short reflections and simple exercises that fit easily into daily life. Whether you live near vast forests or a small city park, the book encourages a personal, unhurried connection with nature.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Forest bathing is about presence, not distance traveled—even a short walk can nurture emotional and physical well-being.
Engaging all five senses deepens relaxation and heightens awareness, making the forest feel like a partner rather than a backdrop.
Scientific studies now support what many cultures have known intuitively: time in nature lowers stress, improves immunity, and boosts creativity.
Simple, repeatable practices—breathing exercises, mindful observation, quiet sitting—help integrate forest bathing into everyday life.
Connection over accomplishment is the heart of the experience; there is nothing to achieve, only to receive.
Warm, calming, and quietly transformative, this guide is ideal for anyone seeking a restorative practice rooted in nature’s steadying presence.
HOMEWARD BOUND Author, Robin Pascoe
In Homeward Bound, Robin Pascoe offers a practical and reassuring guide for Canadians considering a return home after years abroad. Drawing on personal experience and solid research, she unpacks the emotional, financial, and logistical realities of repatriation. The book cuts through nostalgia to show what “coming home” really involves. Pascoe divides her time between two places she loves: Costa Rica and British Columbia.
Rather than romanticizing the move, Pascoe addresses the cultural reverse shock many returnees experience. Canada has changed. So have they. Returning can feel as disorienting as leaving once did. The book is especially strong on healthcare, taxes, housing, and employment. Advice is clear and grounded, without becoming dry or bureaucratic.
What sets Homeward Bound apart is its empathy. Pascoe makes it clear that returning home is not failure or retreat. It is not an erasure of an expat life. It is simply another chapter—one that deserves the same care and preparation as the original departure.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Coming home can be as challenging as moving abroad; “reverse culture shock” is real and common
Canada you remember may no longer exist—flexibility and openness are essential
Practical preparation (taxes, healthcare, housing) is as important as emotional readiness
Repatriation is not a loss of identity, but an evolution of it
Homeward Bound is an invaluable companion for expats weighing a return to Canada, offering clarity, honesty, and reassurance at a moment when all three are badly needed.
VANCOUVER ISLAND, THE ART OF THE LANDSCAPE Author, Kelly Hutchinson
Kelly Hutchinson’s Vancouver Island: The Art of the Landscape is a warm and observant introduction to one of Canada’s most storied regions. Part travel companion and part cultural sketchbook, the book moves with ease and confidence. It invites readers not just to see the Island, but to feel its rhythms, its quiet eccentricities, and the wild presence beneath rain-soaked forests. The book represents a twenty-year photographic journey, created in collaboration with Hutchinson’s husband and photographer, Dave Hutchinson.
Hutchinson excels at revealing contrasts. Rugged coastlines sit beside gentle communities. Ancient Indigenous histories unfold alongside contemporary creativity. The climate feels both untamed and deeply nurturing. Her writing is clear, accessible, and quietly lyrical. It works equally well as an entry point for newcomers and a thoughtful refresher for long-time Islanders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The Island is defined by contrast—storm-sculpted shores and tranquil harbours, bustling cities and remote villages, dense forests and open sky. Hutchinson captures this duality beautifully.
- Indigenous presence and history are central to understanding Vancouver Island’s identity; the book offers respectful, entry-level context without claiming to be definitive.
- Community life shines—from markets and artisans to hikers, fishers, and ferry-goers, the book highlights the quirks and charm that give the Island its unmistakable character.
- Nature is the true protagonist—whether you’re drawn to orca-watching, cedar forests, windswept beaches, or alpine trails, Hutchinson makes each feel within reach.
WELCOME HOME, EH? Author: Harp Sandhu
Welcome Home, Eh?: A Guide for Canadians (Old and New) to Navigate Moving to Canada from the U.S. by Harp Sandhu is a warm and practical companion for anyone heading north. It speaks to returning Canadians and to Americans beginning expat life in Canada. Sandhu blends personal insight with clear, down-to-earth guidance. She demystifies immigration paperwork, banking quirks, healthcare realities, and everyday cultural rhythms. She even tackles the subtle art of fitting in.
The tone is readable, reassuring, and refreshingly candid. This guide feels less like a manual and more like a friendly voice saying, “You’ve got this. You’re home now.”
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Practical clarity: Clear explanations of visas, residency pathways, and what to expect from Canadian bureaucracy.
Money matters made simple: Straight talk on taxes, banking, credit transfers, and the true cost of living in different provinces.
Healthcare decoded: A realistic (but encouraging) breakdown of how provincial systems work and what newcomers should prepare for.
Cultural cues: Gentle insights into Canadian social norms—politeness, understatement, and why “sorry” really does mean many things.
GRIZZLIES & WHITE GUYS, Author, Clayton Mack
Welcome Home, Eh?: A Guide for Canadians (Old and New) to Navigate Moving to Canada from the U.S. by Harp Sandhu is a warm and practical companion for anyone heading north. It speaks to returning Canadians and to Americans beginning expat life in Canada. Sandhu blends personal insight with clear, down-to-earth guidance. She demystifies immigration paperwork, banking quirks, healthcare realities, and everyday cultural rhythms. She even tackles the subtle art of fitting in.
The tone is readable, reassuring, and refreshingly candid. This guide feels less like a manual and more like a friendly voice saying, “You’ve got this. You’re home now.”
KEY TAKEAWAYS
A window into Indigenous knowledge: Mack shares a Nuxalk worldview that helps newcomers understand B.C. beyond its scenic postcards.
Nature here is participatory: The book illustrates that in Canada—especially the West Coast—you don’t just see nature; you negotiate with it.
Humor as a cultural bridge: Mack’s wry observations about guiding outsiders highlight the learning curve expats often face when adjusting to Canadian ways of doing things.
Stories that reveal the “real” B.C.: From remote rivers to bear country, this memoir offers insight into the rugged spirit that shaped the province long before modern cities existed.
A reminder to listen first: Mack’s experiences underscore something expats quickly learn—humility and curiosity go a long way in Canadian culture.
BLOOM WHERE YOU'RE PLANTED Author, Lasairiona McMaster
Bloom Where You Are Planted is a refreshingly candid and practical guide for anyone considering life as an expatriate or navigating the realities of living abroad. Drawing on her own decade of international experience—including time in the U.S. and India—Lasairiona McMaster combines personal anecdote with useful insights on the emotional and logistical challenges of expat life. Rather than offering a glossy travel fantasy, McMaster shares the messy, funny, and eye-opening truths that come with uprooting your life and trying to flourish in a foreign culture. Her voice is honest, often humorous, and grounded in the everyday realities that prospective expats rarely hear before making such a leap.
What sets this book apart is its blend of memoir, cultural commentary, and real-world advice. McMaster doesn’t just talk about visas and packing lists; she explores identity, belonging, adaptation, and how to grow where you’ve been planted—even when that soil feels unfamiliar. It’s both a useful handbook for relocation and a thoughtful reflection on what it means to define “home.”
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Expect the unexpected: No matter how much research you do, life abroad will present surprises; flexibility and humor go a long way.
Cultural adaptation matters: Actively engaging with the local culture (language, customs, community) helps bridge gaps and deepen your experience.
Emotional resilience is essential: Moving overseas isn’t just a logistical challenge—it’s a psychological journey requiring patience with yourself and others.
Support networks transform the experience: The people you meet—whether locals or fellow expats—can be key to feeling grounded and supported.
Overall, Bloom Where You Are Planted is an engaging, honest companion for anyone thinking about expatriation or trying to make the most of life far from the famili
YOUR MOVE TO CANADA Authors: Sonya Dolguinna, CPA and Carl Linton, CFA
Your Move to Canada is a smart, friendly guide that cuts through the tax and financial complexity of a U.S.–to–Canada relocation, giving you clear steps to protect your money, simplify your move, and feel confident about your new life north of the border. This book stands out because it demystifies a wildly complex subject: combining Canadian and U.S. financial systems, retirement plans, taxes, and estate-planning rules. The authors break everything down into understandable, actionable steps — from handling U.S. retirement accounts and planning for Canadian savings vehicles (RRSPs, TFSAs, FHSAs) to understanding tax residency, reporting obligations, real-estate issues, and estate planning in a cross-border context.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1. Taxes change the moment you change countries.
The book explains how tax residency works and why the date you enter Canada matters. It’s your anchor point for everything—filing requirements, what income gets taxed where, and how to avoid double taxation.
2. Your U.S. retirement accounts need a strategy, not guesswork.
Dolguina and Linton outline what to do with IRAs, Roth IRAs, and 401(k)s when you move. Some should stay put, some may need rethinking, and all have cross-border implications you don’t want to stumble into.
3. Canadian savings tools (RRSP, TFSA, FHSA) play by different rules.
The authors walk you through how these vehicles work—and, crucially, how the IRS views them. They clarify which ones require extra reporting and which can help you optimize taxes on both sides of the border.
4. Investments don’t always travel well across the border.
Mutual funds, ETFs, and even simple brokerage accounts can become tax headaches once you’re a Canadian resident. The book highlights what to adjust before you move and what to avoid afterward.
5. Estate planning becomes a two-country puzzle.
Wills, inheritances, and beneficiary rules can conflict across jurisdictions. The authors give you a roadmap to align your estate plans so your cross-border life doesn’t create cross-border complications.
FIRST NATIONS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA Author, Robert J.Muckle
Robert Muckle’s The First Nations of British Columbia is a warm-hearted yet rigorous introduction to the diverse Indigenous peoples of B.C. — their histories, cultures, languages, struggles, and resilience. Written through an anthropological lens, the book takes care to avoid stereotypes and instead offers nuanced portrayals rooted in archaeological, ethnographic, and historical research. The third edition feels especially timely: updated contexts, modern-day concerns, and readers’ own misconceptions are challenged, reframing older narratives in light of ongoing social and political change. At about 180 pages, it remains accessible and digestible — ideal for anyone new to Indigenous studies, local history, or simply wanting to learn more about the land and its first peoples. As one reviewer put it: the book is “concise and accessible,” and “an indispensable resource for teachers, students, and anyone interested in BC First Nations.”
What’s especially appealing is how Muckle balances breadth and clarity — touching on pre-contact ways of life, colonial impacts, and contemporary issues — without overwhelming you. It invites empathy, respect, and curiosity rather than guilt or despair. If you prefer a deeper dive, this is hardly exhaustive. However, it is a powerful gateway into deeper understanding.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Enormous cultural and linguistic diversity. The book illustrates that what we call “First Nations of B.C.” is not a monolith. There are many distinct groups, languages, territories, and social systems — each with its own traditions, histories, and ways of life.
Deep historical roots revealed via archaeology. Muckle traces human presence in the region far back into pre-contact times — showing how Indigenous people have lived, adapted, and thrived across millennia long before European arrival.
Traditional lifeways: art, spirituality, economy. The book delves into Indigenous worldviews — the role of myth and spiritual practices, traditional diets and trade networks, social organization, potlatch ceremonies, art, and the integration of all parts of life into a cohesive culture.
Colonial disruption and decline — but not erasure. Muckle lays out the devastating impacts of epidemics, the fur trade, settlement, resource rushes, missionization, and residential schools — factors that drastically reduced population, disrupted culture, and displaced communities. Yet, the book also shows that many communities survived and are reasserting their identities, rights, and voices in modern times.
Modern realities: rights, identity, reconciliation. This “Third Edition” updates readers on current debates and issues — from treaty negotiations to cultural and economic revitalization. It encourages readers to confront old misconceptions, understand legal and political contexts, and appreciate ongoing efforts toward recognition, justice, and self-determination.
ON ISLAND TIME. Author, Chandler O'Leary
On Island Time, A Traveler’s Atlas feels like a long, cozy exhale — a hand-drawn love letter to the islands of the Pacific Northwest. O’Leary mixes gorgeous illustrations, hand-drawn maps, and short, charming narratives to whisk you away to the archipelagos of Puget Sound, the San Juan islands, and British Columbia’s Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island.
Whether you’re a seasoned island-hopper or someone who can only dream of sea breezes and forested shores, this book invites you to slow down and savor the small, beautiful details — tidal beaches, hidden coves, local pie shops, misty forest trails, quaint harbours.
It’s warm, unpretentious, and full of wander-lust — ideal for armchair travelers, locals curious about their region, or anyone wanting a gentle companion to plan future adventures.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Islands thrive on detail. The book shows how each island — from big ones like Vancouver Island to small Gulf Islands — has its own character: its landscapes, hidden trails, local quirks, and unique vibe.
Slowness and observation matter. Through illustrations and stories, O’Leary encourages a slower pace: noticing tides, forests, wildlife, small towns — a reminder that travel doesn’t need to be fast or grand to be meaningful.
Local history and culture add richness. The book includes little-known facts, local history, and past stories of the islands — weaving culture, nature, and human history together. Amazon+1
Travel can be accessible — even from your armchair. The vivid illustrations and accessible writing make it feel like you’re already on the ferry, coffee in hand, peering at rocky shores or misty cedar trees — inviting without needing a big trip or budget.
The Pacific Northwest’s islands are part of a shared landscape. By covering both U.S. and Canadian islands, the book highlights connections across borders and reminds readers how the islands — though politically divided — are part of one larger region of natural beauty and shared maritime heritage.