10 Great Winter Reads at Bluerock Gallery

It’s no secret. Bluerock Gallery is a great place to pick up a great read. Gardeners, history buffs, hikers, cooks—we’ve got something for everyone. We invite you to stop by and browse. It’s a great way to discover something new. We will welcome you warmly.

1. West on One: The Stories Behind the Scenery
by Kathryn Manry (signed copies at Bluerock Gallery $32)

Summer will be here before you know it! February is the perfect time to plan the next road trip. Katherine Manry covers the 183 kilometres of the Trans Canada Highway between Calgary and Lake Louise with the eyes and ears of a time traveling adventurer. Part who’s who of Alberta history, part travel guide, West on One will have you hitting the road infused with a sense of wonder and adventure. Listen to Katherine Manry talking about her new book here.

 

2. Campie
by Barbara Stewart ($17.95)

A beautifully written memoir about the author’s transition from eating organic and owning her own home to bankruptcy, social isolation and cleaning toilets in an oil rig camp. “A view from the bottom of the oil barrel into work-camp culture, Campie is an entertaining, compelling account of how an ordinary person survives when things fall apart and there’s no “eat pray love” holiday to put them back together.”

Visit Barbara Stewart’s website here.

 

3. The Grizzly Manifesto: In Defense of the Great Bear
by Jeff Gailus ($16.95)

“Like the roar of an angry bear, this book should set your pulse racing. Jeff Gailus weaves science, policy and personal experience into into a passionate and a provocative critique of Canada’s failed efforts to halt the decline of the Grizzly Bear. ” —David R. Boyd, environmental lawyer, professor, activist

Visit Jeff Gailus on the web, here.

 

 

 

4. Boreal Herbal: Wild Food and Plant Medicines of the North : A Guide to Harvesting, Preserving and Preparing
by Beverley Gray ($44.95)

There are plenty of Boreal plants which thrive in the foothills of southern Alberta. And Mother Nature on the other hand provides a magnificent ecosystem teeming with foliage and medicine—if you know where to look. One part plant identification, one part food and medicine making guide—The Boreal Herbal will have you brewing Dandelion Wine and spraying a sore throat with Old Man’s Beard in no time.

5. Pic-A-Pix: The Latest Puzzle Fix
by Diane Baher ($16.00)

We are proud to support local writers at Bluerock! This one is for puzzle-heads. You know who you are! Sharpen your pencil, follow the numerical clues and start making pictures! Addictive and good for your brain—puzzles keep you sharp. Wanna know more about this puzzle craze?

Check out Diane’s website at learnpicapix.com

 

6. Whitewater Cooks at Home
by Shelley Adams ($34.95)

A Canadian National Bestseller, the Whitewater series of cookbooks fly off the shelves here at The Bluerock—for good reason. Making a dish from these pages transforms you from “cook” to kitchen goddess without any smoke or fireworks! The recipes are easy, crowd winning dishes with ingredients you probably have in the fridge right now. Yummy! A great gift.

 

7. Edible Plants for Prairie Gardens: The Best Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs
by June Flanagan ($19.95)

“The recently released Edible Plants for Prairie Gardens by June Flanagan is a “must read” for both gardeners and chefs. Ms. Flanagan, who lives and gardens in Lethbridge, also wrote Native Plants for Prairie Gardens she integrates her strong botanical background with her local experience … and draws on over fifty cited references to provide us with a wealth of information… The photographs are captivating … often mouth-watering … those raspberries and strawberries! There’s much in this book for both novice and experienced prairie gardeners.”  — The Scarboro Garden Scene, Calgary

8. Medicine Paint: The Art of Dale Auger ($59.95)

At Bluerock, we have a deep respect for the work of Dale Auger, Sakaw Cree and world renowned First Nations artist. This beautiful book is a selection of paintings—bold, beautiful artworks that touch on spirit, nature and the complexities of Native life in the contemporary world. Dale Auger passed away in 2008.  We are proud to represent his daughter, Neepin Auger, with her paintings in our gallery.

See a video “trailer” featuring paintings from this beautiful book here.
9. Jayber Crow: A Novel
by Wendell Berry ($23.95)
“This new war, like the previous one, would be a test of the power of machines against people and places; whatever its causes and justifications, it would make the world worse. This was true of that new war, and it has been true of every new war since…I knew too that this new war was not even new but was only the old one come again. And what caused it? It was caused, I thought, by people failing to love one another, failing to love their enemies.”—Wendell Berry, Jayber Crow

 

10. In Love with the Mystery
by Ann Mortifee ($28.95)

“Many years ago, I chose to begin awakening each morning at sunrise. These hours of quiet developed an awareness of the fertile stillness that underlies all things. At the beginning of last year, my husband, Paul Horn, who recorded “Inside the Taj Mahal” in the late 60’s, gave me a beautiful small book. Each day for a year I wrote a short passage in the space allocated for the day. It was from these passages that IN LOVE WITH THE MYSTERY emerged. —Ann Mortifee

This beautiful book from Ann Mortifee—musician, healer, speaker and author is the perfect gift for anyone who is in love with the mystery of life. Included with the book is a music CD – a collaboration between Ann and her husband, renowned flute player, Paul Horn.  Visit Ann’s website dedicated to the book, here.