BC Books Online was created for anyone interested in BC-published books, and with librarians especially in mind. We'd like to make it easy for library staff to learn about books from BC publishers - both new releases and backlist titles - so you can inform your patrons and keep your collections up to date.
Our site features print books and ebooks - both new releases and backlist titles - all of which are available to order through regular trade channels. Browse our subject categories to find books of interest or create and export lists by category to cross-reference with your library's current collection.
A quick tip: When reviewing the "Browse by Category" listings, please note that these are based on standardized BISAC Subject Codes supplied by the books' publishers. You will find additional selections, grouped by theme or region, in our "BC Reading Lists."
Everybody has a train story. Whether it comes from a distant relative who worked on the railways or from a family train trip that formed a lasting impression of the Canadian landscape, trains inspire a sense of wonder and nostalgia. They are embedded in the history of Canada as a whole and western Canada in particular, and for generations they were how most people travelled and saw the country. Today, trains get the most attention in the context of tragedy, in the aftermath of rare but catastrophic derailments. However, train stories go beyond these modern-day disaster tales or romantic glimpses into the past. Whistle Posts West presents a compelling array of stories that illustrate how and why the railways continue to capture our imaginations. From the heartbreaking to the humorous, from the awe-inspiring to the absurd, this fascinating collection of railway tales from BC, Alberta and Yukon is sure to please.
"Whistle Posts West is a must-read for serious train buffs and armchair rail travellers alike. It has tragedy, intrigue, humour, poetry, and railroad jargon. It is especially rich with Western Canadian history . . . so sit back and enjoy the ride!" —Garry Marchant, author of The Peace Correspondent
"Terrific stories about the lure and impact or railroading in Canada [told with] punchy, robust writing." —Mike Harcourt, former premier of British Columbia and former railroader
"Capturing the environment of railroading and putting it on paper embeds the reader in the dedication of the writers. This book will become a classic." —Herb Dixon, president, Alberta Railway Museum
"The authors bring their train tales alive through striking incidents, surprising anecdotes, and wonderful writing . . . Read Whistle Posts West and jump aboard Canada's love affair with trains." —Don Waite, author of British Columbia and Yukon Gold Hunters