National Network for Equitable Library Service

About Face: Essays on Addictions, Recovery, Therapies, and Controversies seeks to broaden the conversation around addiction in Canada. Featuring essays by a diverse group of writers, About Face delves into the major categories of addiction: drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, video games, gambling, body dysmorphia, and eating disorders. With stories by those suffering from addictions, experts in the field, and service providers, this anthology is a far-reaching intervention into one of our country’s most rapidly expanding social problems.

In his 2018 Pratt Lecture, The Quest for a 'National' Nationalism, renowned author and critic George Elliott Clarke investigates E.J. Pratt's poetic attempt to become the epic poet of Canada. And while Pratt's epic poems, such as Brebeuf and His Brethrenand Towards the Last Spike, stand as lofty poetic achievements, the poet is never able to escape his own identity and speak convincingly for all Canadians. Unable to speak for Francophones, Indigenous peoples, and People of Colour, Pratt becomes the epic poet of the establishment, but never truly of the people.

When Bruce Heyman was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to Canada, he and his wife and confidante, Vicki, already knew the country north of the border as America's closest friend and neighbour. By the end of four years as ambassador, he and Vicki were in love with the country. Together, Bruce and Vicki opened their hearts to Canada and helped unite two countries that share so much more than just a border.

Laugh as you learn about America's friendly northern neighbor with this step-by-step guide to Canadian customs, pop culture, and slang -- perfect for anyone who's considered moving to (or just visiting) maple leaf country. Topics include: history; bewildering residency rules, demystified; unique laws and customs; contributions to the arts and pop culture (Celine Dion, Margaret Atwood, Justin Bieber); colorful slang, explained.

This program includes an introduction read by the author. A fascinating biography and in-depth look at the work of best-selling writer and psychologist Dr. Jordan Peterson, by award-winning author Jim Proser. Who is psychologist, professor, best-selling author, and YouTube personality Dr. Peterson? What does he believe in? Who are his followers? And why is he so controversial?

The story of a ship begins after the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo, when Great Britain had more bomb ships than it had enemies. The solid, reinforced hulls of HMS Erebus, and another bomb ship, HMS Terror, made them suitable for discovering what lay at the coldest ends of the earth. In 1839, Erebus was chosen as the flagship of an expedition to penetrate south to explore Antarctica. Under the leadership of the charismatic James Clark Ross, she and HMS Terror sailed further south than anyone had been before.

The greatest story never told, this formidable and gorgeous biography documents the amazing and controversial short life of Calixa Lavallée - the composer of O Canada - and the tumult of 19th-century North America. The story of O Canada is one of the great unknowns of our collective lives. No longer. This formidable and gorgeous tale documents the history of this song of a nation, from its origins in French Canada in the years just after Confederation to the surprisingly controversial story of its adoption as Canada's national anthem 100 years later.

In this extraordinary and inspiring debut memoir, Jesse Thistle, once a high school dropout and now a rising Indigenous scholar, chronicles his life on the streets and how he overcame trauma and addiction to discover the truth about who he is. If I can just make it to the next minute...then I might have a chance to live; I might have a chance to be something more than just a struggling crackhead. From the Ashes is a remarkable memoir about hope and resilience, and a revelatory look into the life of a Métis-Cree man who refused to give up.

Dan de Figueiredo is a humour columnist, journalist and television writer. His love of words and ideas began when he received a copy of Robinson Crusoe at the age of seven, and he has never looked back. After earning a BA in Political Science at McMaster University, Dan earned a journalism degree from Ryerson. In TV, he has written for the Canadian edition of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, TimeChase, Inside the Box and Cooler Facts, and has been producer of Reach for the Top. He was also head writer for the wacky Discovery Channel Quiz Show, Cash Cab.

Lisa Wojna is a Western Canadian writer, journalist and photographer in the community newspaper industry and has authored or coauthored more than 20 books.