Historical or contemporary novels, gripping thrillers, hard-hitting essays, stories that you can't put down: the year 2023 was rich in truly interesting, original and captivating, astonishing publications. Here you will find a selection of 25 books, each of which stands out from the crowd for very specific reasons. These are great suggestions to put under your favorite readers' family tree…or great gifts to give yourself. Because reading is good for the head, heart and soul. Nice holidays!
1- Hexa
Photo provided by Éditions XYZ
Gabrielle Filteau-Chiba, author of the successful triptych Encabanée, Sauvagines et Bivouac, set in the woodlands of Kamouraska, has won a wide audience with her books that defend the beauty of Quebec's wild regions. Hexa begins a new, extraordinary cycle that focuses on rebellious women struggling with a society that is falling apart. (MFB)
2- Jeanne
Photo provided by Éditions Michel Lafon
Joan is a stunning novel written by four hands and a unique opportunity to rediscover Joan of Arc, far from the myths and preconceptions we may have. The authors fascinatingly bring to life the defining moment of the Hundred Years' War, when the English, the Burgundians and the Armagnacs clashed. We discover a freedom-hungry Joan of Arc, a free spirit and great spirituality. (MFB)
3- Qimmik
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An essential title for the literary season, Qimmik is a truth novel that tells the tragic and terrible fate that befalls Nordic dogs in Canadian territory. It tells the story of a majestic territory that governments wanted to subjugate and the people who live there. And survive. A shocking novel that you must read. (MFB)
4- Free verb or silence
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In her new book, the brilliant writer with international success Fatou Diomé asks whether today's novels come from industrial or home cooking. She is outraged by order books, social dictates, the control of creation and the intrusion of publishers into the author's garden. His book is a lively plea for literature and especially for the freedom of writers. (MFB)
5- Solène in three acts
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Author of numerous captivating novels that often hide refreshing literary surprises, Alain Beaulieu invites the reader to immerse himself in his imagination by reading his new novel. It chronicles the astonishing life of a man in the 1980s who is forever haunted by the elusive Solène, a waitress at a bar in Joliette who should never have set foot on his path. (MFB)
6- The defector
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Following the release of his best-selling Apollo: Deadly Mission in 2021, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield offers an absolutely riveting political thriller: The Defector. The author, obviously very competent in air combat and as a pilot, is fantastic: you really get the impression of sitting in the cockpit of a fighter plane, on a reconnaissance mission or in air combat. There's plenty of action, political flights of fancy and a brilliantly executed plot. (MFB)
7- A lake in the morning
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After Jean-Jacques Audubon in “The Twilight of Yellowstone,” Louis Hamelin looks at Henry David Thoreau, a role model of the environmental movement. In 1845, the writer moved into a cabin in Walden Pond, New England, to live away from the world and write what would become a must-read, Life in the Woods. Louis Hamelin, virtuoso writer and nature writer, tells of the journey and contradictions of this character and his friendship with his French-Canadian neighbor. (MFB)
8- Bitumen and wind
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Talented singer-songwriter Vincent Vallières shares his impressions during the tour, from Magog to Natashquan and Gaspésie to Yellowknife. As if in snapshots, he reveals his moods, talks about his encounters, his life as a father, lover, musician, citizen. It tells about the street, the music, life. And it is excellent. (MFB)
9- The Symphony of Monsters
Photo provided by Editions Robert Laffont / Versilio
A very well-informed and committed author, Marc Levy is not afraid to take a stand on issues that are close to his heart. In his new novel, he tells the story of a Ukrainian child who was deported by the Russian authorities in a story that can be read in one sitting. His mother and big sister do everything they can to find him, while he does the impossible to escape the orphanage where he was interned. Unforgettable. (MFB)
10- The gusts of Lent
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Author, composer, poet, dedicated activist and international star Zachary Richard has published his first novel, which is also the first novel by a Louisiana author to be published in French in 129 years. He showcases his immense talent as a writer and storyteller and reveals parts of Louisiana's history. His words transport us to a cotton field in the late 19th century, where the Morgan & Louisiana Railway train passes. A must. (MFB)
11- The Witches of Vardo
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Anya Bergman, a committed British writer, discovered the witch trials of Vardo, a small island bordering Norwegian territory, while living in Norway. When she visited the Steilneset memorial, she wanted to tell the stories of these sacrificed women. Mission accomplished with a compelling, remarkable and shocking historical novel that reflects the contemporary struggles of women. (MFB)
12- The Salt Trail
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When Raynor Winn and her husband Moth learned that the house they had built brick by brick was about to be foreclosed on, they were discouraged. Since misfortune never comes easy, Moth, 50, is diagnosed with an incurable degenerative disease. With nowhere to go and 250 euros in their pockets, they decided to walk. With their backpacks and tent, they set off to cover the 1013 km of the famous coastal path in southwest England. Inspiring. (MFB)
13- Vanishing points
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First volume in a new series, here is a thriller set in the world of art, forgery and counterfeiting of works of art. As a backdrop, the author brings to life the historic “Theft of the Century,” which took place in 1972 at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The twists and turns are numerous and unexpected, the story is intriguing and the pace is fast. Hold on tight: This is Martin Michaud at his best. (MFB)
14- It could have been a movie
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In her new book, Martine Delvaux traces the turbulent love affair of the Quebec painter Jean Paul Riopelle and a key figure in the American abstract expressionist movement, Joan Mitchell. In 1970s Paris, a young American woman, also a painter, Hollis Jeffcoat, was among the couple. This entire story was originally intended to be seen on screen… but now it's the centerpiece of a story that can be enjoyed without delay. (MFB)
15- Psychopomp
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With her unique way of telling, describing, analyzing and making connections, the impressive Amélie Nothomb explores the extraordinary power of birds in her new novel. In the pages she reveals traumas and the long illness she suffered, speaks of her difficult youth, of Japan, of her father, but also of what enables one to transform, to get up, to move on. from death to life. For her, it was writing. Because “to write is to steal”. (MFB)
16- migratory birds
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This novel was a real favorite…even though the story might seem a bit depressing at first glance. Toni, 54, has what it takes to be happy: he is healthy, has a good physique and has a rewarding, well-paid job. However, he decided to end it all by committing suicide. Not immediately, but in a year. This will give him time to describe his everyday life to us in a humorous way and, above all, to understand why he wants to put an end to it so much. Honestly, a paving stone worth its weight in gold. (KV)
17- Sarah, Suzanne and the author
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We were almost certain that this novel would win several prestigious awards this fall. In the end that wasn't the case. But make no mistake, this really is a great book. Based on a true story, it follows Sarah, an architect who discovers some pretty ugly things about her husband after battling breast cancer. And in order to be able to go freely into the details of his life, Éric Reinhardt (who, by the way, is the author of the title) will also create Suzanne, a fictional character that will allow us to better understand the situation in what he has towards this woman as repulsive as it is unfair. We repeat: very good. (KV)
18- The jealous one
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We have been fans of the American James Lee Burke from the very beginning and can therefore say that he has managed to surpass himself with this book.
So place Aaron Holland Broussard, whose existence will completely change the year he turns 17. Firstly, because he falls madly in love with the great Valerie Epstein, and then because he also immediately makes a terrible enemy in the person of Grady Harrelson, Valerie's ex-boyfriend. Because from the moment Aaron starts dating Valerie, Grady will seek revenge by any means necessary. The good and the evil. (KV)
19- Fury
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Of all the dark novels released this year, this is hands down our favorite. It takes us to Virginia, where Isiah Randolph and Derek Jenkins were shot in cold blood on the street shortly after their wedding. Since the official police investigation did not produce any results, the fathers of the two young men decided to intervene. But beware. You have to see what kind of guys they are. Each of them had already been in prison and for both of them their sons' homosexuality was unacceptable. That's why now, with anger in their stomachs, they're so eager to redeem themselves by getting their hands on the murderer. (KV)
20- The Mad
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Belle-Île-en-Mer, Brittany's largest island, has long been home to a penal colony for children. If we had to describe this center in one word, we would choose “hell.” Abhorrent living conditions, abuse, excessive punishment, sexual assault, dungeons… Even today it is difficult to believe that such a place could have existed.
But on the night of August 27th to 28th, 1934, a child managed to escape. Since he was never found, French writer and journalist Sorj Chalandon took the liberty of inventing his story and, true to form, wrote a moving book. (KV)
21- The office for clarifying fate
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Many, many books have been written about the Nazi atrocities in World War II. But this one is different. Irene works at the International Tracing Service (now Arolsen Archives), a documentation, information and research center dedicated exclusively to the victims of the Hitler regime. And soon her mission will be to help return personal items found in concentration camps to the affected families. A little gem that also won the RTL-Lire Grand Prix. (KV)
22- splinters
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After 13 years of silence, it was a real joy to be able to rediscover the world of Bret Easton Ellis. It's all there: 1980s music, the golden youth of Los Angeles, drugs, alcohol, easy sex and a sadistic serial killer who targets the city's pretty girls.
Based on his own life experience, the author of “American Psycho” looks back on the year he turned 17, which could be described as very colorful. Of course because of the murderer who roams the streets, but also because of the arrival of a new student who is as beautiful as he is mysterious. A disturbing and magnificent romance novel. (KV)
23- Fairy tale
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If Stephen King enjoys reinterpreting fairy tales, we can expect anything. But first he invites us to meet Charlie Reade, his young 17-year-old hero. Charlie lives with his father in Sentry's Rest, a small town in Illinois where the “Psychosis House” can be seen. It's not the original one in the movie, except it looks a lot like it and everyone is a little afraid of it, Charlie included. However, through an unfortunate combination of circumstances, he has to go there regularly and inevitably he will see the strange shed at the end of the garden. Even though it's securely closed, all sorts of strange noises escape… and the story quickly becomes impossible to put down! (KV)
24- Weapons of Light
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This is the fifth and final installment of the Kingsbridge saga, which began in 1989 with the huge bestseller The Pillars of the Earth. However, it is still a good read even if you haven't devoured any of the previous volumes. The big plus is that this block really allows us to understand how the industrial revolution happened without it becoming difficult or boring for a moment. This is Ken Follett's great talent: he manages to captivate us by telling the big story through the small story. In this case, that of Sal Clitheroe, a spinner whose spinning wheel is about to be transformed into an antique! (KV)
25- The silence
Photo provided by Éditions Gallmeister
With this novel we are catapulted into the 1970s in South Boston. There we meet Mary Pat Fennessy, a pure Irish woman with a strong character. But right now, Mary Pat is worried. Jules, her 17-year-old daughter, still hasn't returned. And while she thought she could count on the unwavering support and loyalty of her neighborhood's residents to find her, she quickly realizes that she must fend for herself. Because what made matters worse was that on the night his daughter disappeared, a young black man from the area died under suspicious circumstances. It remains to be seen whether these two events are connected… An excellent, excellent Lehane. (KV)