Summer Reads That Open New Worlds
Summer invites us to slow down.
Maybe it's enjoying a quiet morning with a cup of coffee before the house wakes up. Reading a chapter while waiting for a flight. Stretching out on a blanket at the park. Or finally opening the book that's been sitting on your bedside table for months.
Wherever summer takes you, a good book has a way of travelling with you.
The best stories do more than entertain. They introduce us to people we've never met, places we've never been, and ideas we haven’t considered. They make us laugh, challenge our thinking, and sometimes leave us seeing the world a little differently.
This summer, we invite you to discover a few authors whose voices you may not have encountered before.
The writers on this list all live with disabilities, but that's not what makes their books memorable. They are here because they tell compelling stories. Some are funny. Some are moving. Some are imaginative. Others encourage us to look at ordinary life through a fresh lens.
Whether you're looking for literary fiction, memoir, essays, or fantasy, this list offers books worth packing in your beach bag, taking on your next trip, or curling up with on a quiet afternoon – each one is chosen for its thoughtful storytelling, memorable characters, and perspectives that stay with you long after you've turned the last page.
- If you're looking for a story about finding where you belong…
True Biz by Sara Nović
What does it really mean to belong?
Set at a residential school for Deaf students, True Biz follows teenagers, parents, and teachers as they navigate friendship, first love, family expectations, and identity.
Sara Nović, who is Deaf, draws readers into a world that may feel unfamiliar at first, but quickly becomes deeply relatable.
At its heart, this is a novel about communication, family, and discovering who we are. It reminds us that belonging is about finding the people and places where we can truly be ourselves.
Rather than presenting Deafness as something to overcome, the story celebrates language, culture, relationships, and the many ways people connect. It offers a perspective that feels both fresh and deeply human.
Warm and emotionally rich, this is the kind of novel that lingers long after the final page.
- If you enjoy stories filled with honesty, humour, and resilience…
Look Ma, No Hands by Gabrielle Drolet
Life doesn't always change all at once.
Sometimes it changes little by little, until one day we realize we need to find a different path.
Canadian writer and illustrator Gabrielle Drolet never expected chronic pain to change the course of her life. When it begins affecting her hands, she has to rethink her future, her work, and even her sense of identity.
What follows is a memoir filled with vulnerability and unexpected moments of joy.
Rather than focusing on what was lost, Drolet explores what it means to adapt, rediscover creativity, and embrace life's unexpected turns. Her reflections are honest, reminding readers that resilience is about finding new ways to move forward, not to pretend everything is fine.
Anyone who has experienced change, disappointment, or the need to start over will find something familiar in these pages.
- If you love beautifully written fiction…
Wild Life by Amanda Leduc
Sometimes the quietest stories leave the deepest impression.
Canadian novelist Amanda Leduc, who has cerebral palsy, has a remarkable gift for revealing the extraordinary within ordinary lives.
Her novel ‘Wild Life’ brings together a cast of unforgettable characters whose lives become intertwined as they search for connection, healing, and hope. Set against the backdrop of nature and community, the novel explores grief, kindness, forgiveness, and the unexpected ways people help one another through difficult times.
Rather than offering dramatic twists at every turn, Leduc allows the story to unfold with patience and compassion, reminding us that even small acts of kindness can change a life.
Thoughtful and beautifully written, this is a novel to savour slowly.
- If you enjoy quiet stories with unforgettable characters…
All the Little Bird-Hearts by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow
Sunday has carefully built a peaceful life for herself and her teenage son.
When new neighbours arrive, that peaceful routine slowly begins to change.
Written by autistic author Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow, this thoughtful novel explores friendship, motherhood, trust, and the courage it takes to let others into our lives.
While the main character is also autistic, the story reaches far beyond labels.
It is about protecting the people we love, learning when to open our hearts, and discovering that true friendship often begins when we allow ourselves to be seen as we are.
Beautifully observed and quietly powerful, this is a story that stays with readers because its emotions feel so real.
- If you're curious about seeing the world through different eyes…
The Cage Was Never Mine to Stay In by Nicola Di Capua
Freedom can mean different things to different people.
For Canadian author Nicola Di Capua, it meant learning to embrace his identity as a Deaf person in a world that often misunderstood him.
In this thoughtful memoir, he reflects on childhood, family, education, work, relationships, and the moments that shaped his life.
What makes this book stand out is its honesty.
Rather than asking readers for sympathy, Di Capua offers something far more meaningful: understanding. Through stories that are sometimes difficult, and always genuine, he invites readers to see everyday experiences from a different perspective.
His message is one that resonates far beyond the Deaf community. We all want to belong. We all want to be heard. We all want to be valued for who we are.
It's an uplifting reminder that understanding often begins with listening.
- If you're ready for an inspiring adventure…
Haben by Haben Girma
Some of life's greatest adventures begin with curiosity.
As the first Deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School, Haben Girma has travelled the world, met remarkable people, and found creative ways to communicate in every situation.
Her memoir is filled with warmth, humour, and unforgettable stories that celebrate problem-solving, connection, and the possibilities that emerge when people approach barriers with creativity rather than assumptions.
Rather than focusing on limitations, Haben is a celebration of curiosity, determination, and the belief that communication can take many forms.
It is an inspiring read that leaves readers feeling hopeful about what becomes possible when people work together.
- If you'd like to experience the world through a guide dog's eyes…
Have Dog, Will Travel by Stephen Kuusisto
Stephen Kuusisto takes readers on a journey that is both deeply personal and surprisingly funny.
Receiving his first guide dog transforms not only the way he travels through the world but also the way he understands independence, trust, and partnership.
Together, Stephen and his guide dog discover new places, overcome challenges, and build a relationship that is both practical and deeply moving.
While the book offers fascinating insight into blindness and guide dog travel, it is ultimately a story about freedom, friendship, and embracing new possibilities.
Dog lovers will especially enjoy this heartfelt memoir, but anyone who appreciates thoughtful storytelling will find something to love.
- If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about everyday life…
Sitting Pretty by Rebekah Taussig
Some books don't try to change your mind.
They simply invite you to notice the world a little differently.
In this engaging collection of essays, Rebekah Taussig reflects on relationships, family, beauty, work, education, and belonging. A wheelchair user since childhood, she writes with warmth, honesty, and humour, encouraging readers to question everyday assumptions while recognizing how much we all have in common.
Rather than offering simple answers, Taussig asks thoughtful questions that encourage reflection long after each essay ends.
It is the kind of book you can read one chapter at a time, returning to it throughout the summer whenever you're ready for another meaningful conversation.
One of the greatest gifts of reading is the chance to step into someone else's world.
The books on this list span different experiences and perspectives. Some explore disability directly. Others don't. What connects them is their ability to surprise us, move us, and remind us of our shared humanity.
They show us that great stories are not defined by the backgrounds of the people who write them. They're defined by the emotions they leave behind, the questions they ask, and the conversations they inspire.
Every summer has a story. Maybe one of these books will become part of yours.
Happy reading!
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Learn More About These Books
Interested in adding one of these books to your summer reading list? Visit the publisher's or author's website to learn more.
True Biz by Sara Nović
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/670269/true-biz-by-sara-novic
Look Ma, No Hands by Gabrielle Drolet
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/740612/look-ma-no-hands-by-gabrielle-drolet
Wild Life by Amanda Leduc
https://houseofanansi.com/products/wild-life
All the Little Bird-Hearts by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/720285/all-the-little-bird-hearts-by-viktoria-lloyd-barlow
The Cage Was Never Mine to Stay In by Nicola Di Capua
https://www.nicoladicapua.com/the-cage-was-never-mine-to-stay-in
Haben by Haben Girma
https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/haben-girma/haben/9781538728727
Have Dog, Will Travel by Stephen Kuusisto
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Have-Dog-Will-Travel/Stephen-Kuusisto/9781439189047
Sitting Pretty by Rebekah Taussig
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/sitting-pretty-rebekah-taussig
