We may not be teenagers anymore, but we still remember those years well, with a mix of some happy memories, and some extremely drama-filled ones! Whether you're shopping for a teen reader, or adults like us who love to read YA novels, here are some of our recent faves for those on your list who have already devoured both the Harry Potter and The Hunger Games series. Eleanor & Park, by Rainbow Rowell: This story of two misfit teenagers who fall in love against the odds is sure to tug on your heartstrings, even if you're not much of a romantic. Set over the course of one school year in 1986, Eleanor and Park's unlikely relationship will bring you back to your own first love, and how desperately you believed it would also be your last. The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green: In its essence, this is a book about two teenagers with cancer. But it's not a story about dying from cancer, it's a story about living (and loving) with cancer. This book will probably make you cry, but it'll also make you laugh hysterically -- author John Green does an amazing job of blending the heartbreaking moments with the heartwarming ones. When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead: If you loved Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time as a kid (we know we sure did!), you have to read this delightful middle-grade novel that will charm readers of all ages. A Wrinkle in Time's plot is integral to Rebecca Stead's book, but even if you're not familiar with the earlier novel, you'll still enjoy unravelling this story's incredibly clever mystery. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs: Probably the least teen-oriented book in the bunch, this quirky and creepy read follows 16-year-old Jacob Portman and the horrific family tragedy that leads him to a series of mysterious photographic clues and an abandoned orphanage in Wales. What makes this teen read so unique (and so eerie) are the black-and-white photographs sprinkled throughout the novel — real photos that the author collected from various sources. Will Grayson, Will Grayson, by John Green and David Levithan: This two-author special tells the story of two teens, both named Will Grayson, whose lives begin to collide and intertwine in unexpected ways. But even though this entertaining and endearing novel gives you a double dose of Will Grayson, its the character of Tiny Cooper (one Will's best friend and the other Will's boyfriend) that will truly steal your heart with his insanely epic and absolutely fabulous high school musical production. The Rule of Thirds, by Chantel Guertin: Trust us, you'll want to be BFFs with Pippa, the honest, funny and artsy protagonist in Canadian author Chantel Guertin's debut YA novel. With an excellent blend of a light, fun romance with the serious story of a teen girl dealing with her father's death from cancer, this funny yet sad read will make you antsy for its sequel that comes out next year. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, by Jennifer E. Smith: For the romantics at heart, this incredibly charming love story of chance and connections is worth picking up. The entire story is set over a period of only 24 hours as the main character Hadley travels to London for her father’s second wedding to her soon-to-be stepmother who Hadley has never even met. Of course, she runs into a boy along the way, but their meet-cute is so endearing that even the less romantically-inclined readers will fall for this sweet, fluffy tale. Do you have a favourite YA novel that you'll be giving as a gift this year? Or this there one you're really hoping to receive? Share your picks in the comments below!

Have you been reading Lynn Coady's Hellgoing along with the Cityline Book Club? Recently we chatted with Coady at our studio, and she took time out of her busy post-Giller schedule to answer all of her questions about her stunning short story collection. Watch the video below and find out all about Coady's favourite story in the collection, her first thoughts after winning the Giller, and what she's working on next. [embed]bcid:2897112673001[/embed] Are you enjoying Hellgoing so far? Share your thoughts in the comments - we can't wait to discuss it with you. Stay tuned for a list of our favourite contemporary Canadian short story collections, coming up right here in the Cityline Book Club next week!

We’re fortunate to have the best lifestyle experts in the biz on our show – so naturally we think their books would make great gifts for your loved ones this holiday. Here’s a selection of titles from our guest experts: The Vegetarian’s Complete Quinoa Cookbook, edited by Mairlyn Smith: Quinoa is more popular than ever, for its health properties as well as its versatility. Filled with more than 150 quinoa recipes, including salads, sides, and even desserts, this book edited by Mairlyn Smith recently won the People’s Choice prize at the 2013 Taste Canada Awards. Healthy Starts Here, by Mairlyn Smith: Yes, these recipes from Mairlyn Smith are healthy, but they’re also delicious. Whether you’re in the mood to cook Jamaican spiced pumpkin soup or Jambalaya, Triple chocolate brownie cookies or Blueberry oatmeal muffins, Mairlyn’s got you covered! 3 Chefs: The Kitchen Men, by Michael Bonacini, Massimo Capra, Jason Parsons: You know Michael, Massimo and Jason are always cooking up something good when they’re at Cityline – here are some of their best-loved recipes in one volume. The Best of Rose Reisman, by Rose Reisman: Rose distils 20 years of healthy eating advice and recipes into this best-of collection. Inside it, you’ll find diet advice, tips on how to avoid the fads, and of course plenty of her healthy and delicious recipes. Choose It and Lose It, by Rose Reisman: You love Rose’s popular – and sometimes downright shocking – segment, Choose It and Lose It. Now here’s a handy guide to help you determine which are the better choices when you’re eating restaurant and convenience food. Wylde on Health, by Bryce Wylde: We all know the importance of living healthy lives but what does that mean, exactly? Bryce outlines how to self-test to find out where we’re vulnerable, examines the latest health trends, and details which natural health remedies are worth their salt. The Metabolism Boosting Diet, by Dr. Joey Shulman: Dr. Joey says that before embarking on a new diet, you need to ask yourself if you can imagine still following it in 5 years’ time. Joey’s The Metabolism Boosting Diet seeks to permanently shift the way you think about food and eating. Dr. Karyn’s Guide to the Teen Years, by Dr. Karyn Gordon: Having trouble understanding your teen? You’re not alone. A fantastic resource for parents, Dr. Karyn covers a plethora of subjects including depression and mental illness, sex, privacy, peer pressure and much more. I Am So the Boss of You, by Kathy Buckworth: There are so many parenting resources out there – which ones can you trust? Kathy’s latest clarifies that as a parent, you are indeed the boss, and suggests that you let the boardroom be your guide! Filled with tongue-in-cheek humour, Kathy’s book is entertaining and full of great suggestions for parents. Get Growing, by Frank Ferragine: Whether or not you have a green thumb, you’ll love this gardening 101 guide by our very own Frankie Flowers. Broken down by season, Frankie takes you through everything you need to do in each season to make your garden the envy of your neighbours! Pot It Up, by Frank Ferragine: You don’t need a yard to have a stunning garden. In his most recent gardening book, Frankie Flowers designs more than 100 beautiful ‘recipes’ for stunning containers. Feel free to follow them to the letter, or branch out and come up with your own designs. Colin & Justin’s Home Heist Style Guide, by Colin and Justin: Remake your home room by room with this easy to follow guide from Colin & Justin. Budget-conscious? No problem! There are so many frugal ways to beautify your living space – let the lovable Scots show you how. Check out our other Holiday Book Gift Guides on top cookbooks and coffee table books.  

We hope you're reading along with the Cityline Book Club and enjoying Hellgoing by Lynn Coady! Our Cityline team is devouring this Giller Prize-winning collection of stories, and we can't wait to discuss it in our upcoming book club meeting! To help our book club get some additional insight into Coady as a writer, we asked her 10 questions about her writing habits and favourite books. 1. What was your favourite book as a child? It was this gorgeous picture book about a community of bunnies that painted the forest every season -- red on the autumn leaves, blue shadows on the snow, that sort of thing. And then when their beloved grandpa bunny died, he painted a beautiful sunset for them in the sky! Sniff. 2. What’s your current favourite book? I kind of think books are too complex and individual for me to pick a favourite. It would be like deciding on a favourite human being. That's my sneaky way of avoiding admitting that I've been too busy to read these past few months. 3. Was there a moment when you first knew you wanted to be a writer? I think it was when my grade four teacher told our class that I was such a good writer that one day I might have a book I'd written on her classroom shelves. That was the first time it was made tangible to me. 4. What is your favourite music to write to? I can't write to music -- it's too distracting. 5. What author do you wish you could write like? I don't know if I'd ever say that I wish I could write like someone else at this stage in my career, as I've worked pretty hard to learn how to write precisely the way I want.  But I will say the last book I read that made me think: I don't know how the author did that, but I wish I could! was The Master by Colm Toibin. I think it was his ability to write in such an understated and subtle way, but be so devastating and compelling. 6. Where is your favourite place to write? A quiet, empty room in a house that has a busy, bustling street very nearby. 7. What time of day do you do your best writing? Not long after I get up. Usually, that's in the morning. 8. What was your last great read? This is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz 9. What is the last book you gave as a gift? I think it was probably my own -- Hellgoing. Nice, huh? 10. What do you do when you’re not writing? These days: go to the gym, listen to podcasts or audiobooks, walk, watch TV, have a quiet drink with a friend. Are you enjoying Hellgoing so far? Share your thoughts in the comments – we can’t wait to discuss it with you. Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with Lynn Coady, coming up right here in the Cityline Book Club next week!

Are you racking your brain trying to find the perfect gifts for your friends and family this holiday season? A great go-to gift for anyone is a coffee table book. They are a beautiful, weighty and satisfying gift to give. You never know, if you choose a great book, you might just surprise them with their favourite gift of the season. Here are some coffee table books for everyone on your list. For the décor fan: Vogue Living: Houses Gardens People by Hamish Bowles, gives you a glimpse into the homes of the fashion, music and art stylemakers of the world. With stunning photographs by celebrated photographers such as Annie Leibovitz, Mario Testino and Miles Aldridge we get to take a look at the owners and how they live. For the photography buff: Ansel Adams: 400 Photographs by Ansel Adams and Andrea G. Stillman, celebrates the work of legendary photographer Ansel Adams, this collection presents his work in chronological order from his early work photographing Yosemite in 1916 to his final work in the 1960s. This book is a must-have for anyone who appreciates photography. For the cat lover: The Life and Love of Cats by Lewis Blackwell, is the perfect gift for anyone who loves cats - and we all know someone who loves cats! This book takes you on a journey from the modern house cats of today, to the cats hiding in medieval Europe, to their wild cousins on the plains of Africa and everything in between. For the fashion-conscious: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty by Andrew Bolton, showcases the work of Alexander McQueen; one of the most influential, imaginative and provocative designers of his generation. This retrospective book celebrates his career and creativity and makes the perfect gift for your fashion conscious pal. For the movie buff: Dressed: A Century of Hollywood Costume Design by Deborah N. Landis is the perfect coffee table book for any movie buff, detailing the costumes from Hollywood's Golden Age to the big blockbusters of today. Drawing on years of research, this book features stories, sketches and photographs of some of the most iconic costumes in cinematic history. For the fans of street photography: Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton is the book of the season for any fan of street photography. With beautiful photographs and touching anecdotes, this book will keep you coming back again and again. For the foodie: Eleven Madison Park: The Cookbook by Daniel Humm and Will Guidara with photographs by Francesco Tonelli is a gorgeous cookbook from one of New York City's most popular fine-dining restaurants. With over 125 recipes accompanied by stunning photographs this cookbook can be both a coffee table piece and a book used in the kitchen. Do you have any favourite coffee table books? Let us know in the comments below!