READsquared Reading Program

Reading Lists

Be YOU!

Books to remind you to be your self, after all everyone else is already taken!

Favourite Action Books

Book’s that jump, bounce, hop and wiggle!

Feeling Fancy!

Ooh la la! Summer is here and these books will keep you looking and feeling fine.

#OWNVOICES

Enjoy these books by Indigenous authors as a family, and learn more about Canada's history and present!

Adventurous, Amazing Girls! Early Chapter Books.

Check out these early chapter book series with smart, fun, active female protagonists. Love them? We’ve listed just one of the series, so feel free to dive into more!

All About ABCs

Check out these awesome titles to have fun with letters from Architects to Zizzer-Zazzer-Zuzz.

All About Unicorns

Let your imagination soar with these books about Magical Unicorns.

Amazing Women

Be inspired by these women who dared to be different.

Armchair Travel

So we may be hunkering down at home for the next while, but that doesn’t stop us from travelling the world via the page to exotic locales or exploring more deeply pe ...
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Autumn

The arrival of fall always puts us in the mood to read more. But what’s the best book to crack open when the calendar officially marks the start of autumn? Here are some suggestions.

Award Winners

Congratulations to these award-winning authors!

Best Friends Fur-ever

Whether they are furry, or scaly, or have a mane or feathers, animals amuse and comfort us. Check out these delightful tales/tails of humans and their animal best friends.

Brave Women

Whether it’s a famous lady pilot adventuring in Kenya, a ninja daughter searching for vengeance, or women athletes battling prejudice at the 1936 Olympics, these bra ...
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Breaking Barriers: Women who made a difference.

Engaging books about the incredible and often unrecognized contributions by women in the 20th century.

Breaking Barriers: Women who made a difference.

Engaging books about the incredible and often unrecognized contributions by women in the 21st century, from music to the differently-abled and beyond.

Celebrity Biographies

From their humble beginnings, to the sex, drugs, ups, downs and more these celebrity biographies will have you reading late into the night, sopping up all the salaci ...
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Check Out the Latest in Historical Fiction

Like 2019, there are many books set in Europe, particularly Paris. If that’s not your thing we also have recent historical novels that span all of time.

Chilly Beach Reads

Chill out this summer with one of these spine-tingling beach reads! Who wants to look out at the lake when you can read one more chapter?

Cold-hearted: Killer Thrillers

Warning: Reading these chilling thrillers late at night may cause too much excitement for you to fall asleep!

Compelling Reads for Cooler Days

Cooler days and darker evenings often mean more time spent indoors. From ice-cold mysteries to exotic locales to feel-good fiction, these reads make the perfect companions for a cool fall day.

Contemporary Thrillers

Pick up the latest thrillers with ripped-from-the-headlines plots. Dive into the non-stop world of spies, assassins, and journalists who will stop at nothing to complete their mission.

Crafty Fiction

Sewing, crafting and knitting is helping fill the time we have to spend apart. Pick up one of these books and channel your inner fashion designer or just find inspir ...
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Curl Up With a Book

Find your comfiest chair and grab a cup of something warm and curl up with a book that will enthrall.

Dazzling Debuts

A debut novel is often the start of a brilliant career - sample one of these and decide if you're hungry for more!

Diverse Picture Books for Kids JK - Gr. 3

Looking for ways to discuss race and diversity with your kids? Some of these books portray diversity in the characters, while others more directly address racism in ...
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Fall in Love

I dare you to not fall in love with these wonderful romance reads!

Fall into Romance

Just like each falling leaf is special and unique so is each story of love and romance.

Feel-good Reads

I never like to read anything too serious in the summer so check out these nice, light reads.

Forest of Reading® Evergreen Titles 2021

Here are the 2021 nominees for the Evergreen Award

Get Ready for Rhyme Time

Elbow to elbow, knee to knee. I’ll read to you and you’ll read to me!

Great Reads for Sports Lovers

Tired of watching sports events from several years ago on television? Pick up one of these recent titles about your sports heroes, or a new take on your favourite sp ...
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Have you Read...

Check out these hidden gems that you may have missed!

Hespeler Hits

A list of favourites, brought to you by the staff at our Hespeler location

Historical Nonfiction That Reads Like a Novel

I love digging into great non-fiction books, especially ones that are page-turners that read like novels. They take me to another place and time and connect the past ...
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Historical Nonfiction that Reads Like a Novel

I love digging into great non-fiction books, especially ones that are page-turners that read like novels. They take me to another place and time and connect the past ...
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Hitting the Trail

In my opinion, fall is the best time to get outside and go for a hike. The scenery is spectacular, the temperature is just right - and there are no bugs. These books ...
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Hygge - the Art of Cozy-making

These books are sure to warm your heart and your home. Snuggle up with a blanket and a hot drink and take your pick!

Indigenous & Canadian Memoirs

Experience the struggles and triumphs of extraordinary Canadians & Indigenous Peoples, each as diverse and unique as the land we live on.

Indigenous Fiction

Enjoy the latest Indigenous fiction writers from (mostly) Canada and beyond.

Laugh With Me

Smile, chuckle and guffaw to your heart’s content with these funny reads.

LOL!

Books that will make you laugh and get you into character with silly voices and sound effects! Fun, interactive and whimsically spirited tales.

Look Through My Eyes

Take a journey in someone else’s shoes with these wonderful fiction and non-fiction reads.

Magical Books to Read if you love Harry Potter

Yes, put down that Harry Potter book that you’re reading for the 8th time and try these magical reads!

Man Cave Reads

All the action anyone can handle in this list of thrillers, action adventures and bro-friendly reads. No beard wax needed.

Must Love Dogs

Who doesn't love dogs? Enjoy the dog days of summer with these books focused on man's best friend.

Never Too Graphic

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so this eclectic list of graphic novels will certainly keep you inspired and reading all autumn long!

New Beginnings

Stories about young refugee's struggle for freedom, hope and a new life.

New General Fiction

The newest fiction titles. Sink into your comfiest chair and be swept away by the best of the most recent fiction releases.

OH Canada!

Feeling particularly patriotic? Check out this list of books all about Canada! Learn more about our home and native land through this small collection of Canada themed reads.

Our Diverse World

Books about the beautiful colours of diversity in the world.

Phil's Nonfiction Reading List

Here’s a list of recent non-fiction titles to keep you deep in a book all winter long. I’ve made a list with a special focus on non-fiction titles that are ver ...
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Phil's Summer Reading List

For those patrons who have gotten to know me over the number of years I’ve been on the fiction desk at Idea Exchange, you know my fiction tastes are fairly varied. H ...
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Phil's Winter Reading List

For those patrons who have gotten to know me over the number of years I’ve been on the fiction desk at Idea Exchange, you know my fiction tastes are fairly varied. H ...
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Preschool Favourites

Check out some books that Natasha loves reading in programs at Idea Exchange!

Previous OBOC Selections

Did you miss one of the One Book, One Community selections? Here are the chosen titles from the past ten years.

Read the World

Escape with us to another time, another place, and spend a small part of your day somewhere else.

Read...if you Dare!

Do you like a good scare? Then look no further than this list of spine-tingling tales of evil, murder and horror.

Science Fiction & Fantasy

Enjoy one of these recent titles from our Science Fiction and Fantasy collection.

SciFi All Summer

Get lost in space, time, new worlds (or all three) with these Science Fiction titles!

Season of the Witch

Double, double, toil, and trouble... it must be the season of the witch! Discover new spells and stories with this cauldron full of witchy novels.

Seventeen Again

Go back to high school with a mix of new reads and beloved classics about the trials and tribulations of being a teenager!

Summer Lovin'

We love summer and we love romance! Now these books may not all be set in summer, but they’re all perfect reads to enjoy this summer: at the beach, at home, on the deck…really everywhere!

Summer Romance

This eclectic mix of romantic page-turners will get you reading this summer, whether you like contemporary reads, diverse romance, historical love stories or something to tickle your funny bone.

Teen Must-Reads - Fall 2020

Read and review any title from this list to earn a ballot into our gift card drawings! Review any ten titles to earn all possible ballots for our grand prize draw at the end of January!

The Great Escape - Books to Lift Your Spirits

Like a hug in book form, these uplifting reads will make you feel all warm and fuzzy.

The Passion of Science

Great science writing goes beyond facts, figures and rote information. Seeing things more completely, gaining a fuller understanding, or shining a light into a littl ...
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Thrillers

Don’t miss all the thrills and chills these nail-biting books have to offer.

To Remember is to Read

With Remembrance Day coming, this book list focuses on the trauma war has on civilians, from individuals to families.

When I Grow Up

Maybe it’s a doctor, a baseball player or a forest ranger? What do you want to be when you grow up? Here are some books to help you shoot for the stars!

Winter Romance

Hot romance picks for cold winter nights!

Wintry YA Reads for Adults

Cozy up with some wintry young adult fiction this season. Follow the stories of WWII refugees, a dog adopter, conflicted young lovers, fantastical Russian Imperial Enchanter hopefuls, and more!

YA for Adults

A selection of popular young adult books that includes something for everyone. From Ransom Riggs' latest instalment in the Miss Peregrine series to Monica Hesse's ne ...
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Deborah's Recent Favourites

These are some of Deborah's favourite reads from the past six months.

Have a Rom-Com Summer!

Romance! Laughs! Love! How can you go wrong?

Book of Legends

Love mythology? Try one of these captivating reads!

Indigenous & Canadian Poetry

"Poetry is just the evidence of life." - Leonard Cohen. Dip a proverbial toe into the world of poetry, with this list of published collections by Indigenous & Canadian poets.

Girls Just Wanna Have Sun

Female protagonists to burn up your summer reading list!

Island Issues

Island life always seems ideal, but paradise can come with complications.

Missing Persons

Secrets, murder & missing people: these novels delve into the dark side of human nature.

What The Kids Are Reading

Check out what kids and teens are reading with this list of popular and acclaimed Middle School and Young Adult novels from the past year. From family to fantasy, th ...
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Reply Hazy, Ask Again

A Magic 8 Ball may hint at what's to come, but these authors have concocted fantastic possibilities for the future of the earth and humankind. Think way, way ahead t ...
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Retellings

Experience an old story retold in a new way.