Book recommendations for the spring season

Spring is here, and with it, a batch of new book recommendations.

CBC book columnist Erin Balser shares four novels that you can sink into as you soak up the first few rays of the season.

Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper

Described by Balser as a "very Canadian love story that is also about following your dreams," this light novel centres around married couple Etta and Otto, and their friend Russell. Now in her 80s, Etta journeys by foot from Saskatchewan to Halifax to fulfill her dream of seeing the ocean before she dies. Meanwhile, Otto stays home, and Russell pursues Etta.

As for James?

"James is a talking coyote," said Balser. "But it's not like in a weird, cheesy way. It's in a nuanced, subtle, beautiful way that could speak more to Etta, Otto and Russell than the fact that James is a coyote who talks."

The Damned by Andrew Pyper

In this supernatural thriller, protagonist Danny Orchard is haunted by his twin sister who died young in a fire. When Danny falls in love, his sister tries harder than ever to punish him for being alive, forcingDanny to go to great lengthsto protect the people he loves.

"This book isn't scary as in you go to hell and there are monsters and dragons and demons and three-headed dogs," Balser said.

"It's scary in the sense that these afterworlds [Pyeper] has created touch on something uncertain and scary about being human."

Other recommended novels include the non-fiction work Beyond the Pale by Emily Urquhart, and The Royal Weby Heather Cocks and JessicaMorgan.

To hear the full interview with Erin Balser, listen to the audio labelled: Book recommendations for spring