Get a free book this Saturday at Indigo, Chapters and Coles

This Saturday, Sept. 14, Readers are invited to visit an Indigo, Chapters or Coles and pick up a free copy of one of four Heather's Picks titles, while supplies last.

Published Sep 11, 2024  •  3 minute read

This Saturday, Sept. 14, Readers are invited to visit an Indigo, Chapters or Coles and pick up a free copy of one of four Heather's Picks titles, while supplies last. Photo by Ryan Remiorz /The Canadian Press

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If you’re looking to get lost in a book, maybe a free book will help.

This Saturday, Sept. 14, Readers are invited to visit an Indigo, Chapters or Coles and pick up a free copy of one of four Heather’s Picks titles, while supplies last.

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“This giveaway is in celebration of the books that create a lasting impact and aims to encourage Canadian book lovers to share the books that have inspired them over the years,” read a press release.

When asked, a company spokesperson said the giveaway was not for a special occasion and is “purely to encourage and inspire Canadians to pick up a new read or revisit some old favourites and celebrate the impact books can have on us and our lives.”

Heather’s Picks are titles picked by Indigo CEO Heather Reisman. The seal serves as a recommendation and an indicator a book has been selected by Reisman as an engaging read.

The seal also often helps to drive sales, with stacks of Heather’s Picks displayed prominently at the entrance of every Indigo store.

Metro Vancouver Indigo, Chapters and Coles locations are found in Abbotsford, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Langley, Surrey, Vancouver and West Vancouver.

The giveaway this weekend will offer customers the chance to pick up a copy of one of four titles:

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Summary: The Kite Runner tells the story of a childhood friendship between Amir and Hassan set against the fall of Afghanistan’s monarchy and the rise of the Taliban regime.

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Heather’s review: “There are novels that you never forget reading — you remember where you read it, how you felt for each character’s journey, and how much you wanted to share the experience with others. The Kite Runner is that kind of book for me. I have read it beginning to end three times, and I will likely return to it again at some point. This is a true classic.”

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Summary: Botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer shares reflections of how other living beings, plants and the earth can teach us lessons we’ve long forgotten and how we can reawaken our “ecological consciousness.”

Heather’s review: “Robin Wall Kimmerer will change how you think about the world around you. Every walk you take after reading this book will be different. Kimmerer’s incredible knowledge and her talented storytelling come together to inspire each reader to be a thoughtful and aware steward of the earth. This is no typical book on the environment. This is a work of pure magic.”

The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd

Summary: The Book of Longings is the fictional story of a rebellious woman who marries Jesus — yes, that Jesus — and follows their life together as she grapples with her own role in society and finds her voice.

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Heather’s review: “A bold and imaginative work of historical fiction set in the time of Jesus. The main character, Ana, is a fiercely independent but romantic character who will leave an indelible imprint upon your soul. I fell under Ana’s spell and was totally compelled by her journey. I suspect you will, as I did, pause from time to time to reflect upon your own journey. This is the effect of a great story.”

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Summary: The Glass Castle is a memoir by Jeannette Walls about her dysfunctional family and her upbringing under a father who was alcoholic and a mother who had no desire to parent. Despite the challenges, Walls recounts how she persevered and was able to build a successful life and career for herself.

Heather’s review: “The word that perfectly describes this memoir for me is ‘beloved.’ I have a tenderness for the child in this memoir and the obstacles she had to clear to get to a place where she could write this story. A good memoir is like making a new dear friend, and The Glass Castle is a very close friend to this reader.”

Reisman and her company have been the target of boycotts in recent months, due to her support of the Heseg Foundation for Lone Soldiers, which she established alongside her husband Gerald Schwartz.

The foundation provides scholarships and wages for those who serve in the Israeli Defense Forces, which critics say entices foreign soldiers into service with a military that has been accused of war crimes.

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