Good Reads

August is a time for relaxation. The days are long and warm and the busyness of September is far enough away to be ignored for a little bit. And what better way to relax than to settle into a Muskoka chair with a beverage in one hand and a book in the other?


Muskoka is home to many authors, both seasonal and year-round residents, and some have set their works in our beautiful region. Here are a selection of nonfiction and fiction Muskoka-based tomes from local authors. Check them out online or at one of our local bookstores. And if you have a favourite that we haven’t mentioned, make a note in the comments to tell us about it.

• Trails and Tribulations: Confessions of a Wilderness Pathfinder - Canoeist and naturalist Hap Wilson shares stories of his adventures in the Canadian Shield.
  


• PenLake: Reflections on Peninsula Lake - The Peninsula Lake Historical Committee presents a look back at pioneering and cottaging on our very own Pen Lake!
  


• The Law of Three: A Sarah Martin Mystery - Caroline Rennie-Pattison’s second novel in the Sarah Marin Mystery series.
  


• Getting Rid of Rosie - Lynda Simmons’ fun tale of a ghost that won’t go away. Partially set in Muskoka.
  


• The Drowned Violin - An Alan Nearing Mystery by Mel Malton for kids 9-12.


• Murder in Muskoka series - 4 books by 88-year-old author Liam Dwyer featuring Inspector Murdoch: Murder in Muskoka, Gold & Greed, Muskoka Cross & Double Cross, Muskoka Death & Diamonds.


• The Muskoka Novels (The Summer Before the Storm and Elusive Dawn) - Historical novels set in Muskoka by Gabriele Wills.

If you’ve always wondered what inspires authors to write, consider attending the 2nd annual North Words Muskoka Literary Festival in Huntsville from Sept 30-Oct 2.

The theme is “Stories Behind the Books” and features authors Margaret Atwood, Vincent Lam, Charles Foran, Cathy Buchanan, Gill Deacon, Tish Cohen, Claudia Dey, Richard B. Wright, Camilla Gibb, Terry Fallis, Ed Lawrence and Cynthia Lord. And if you come, you just might catch the first wave of fall colors while you’re at it. Yet another great reason to visit Colonial Bay!

You can see the availability of our Muskoka cottages here.

We hope to see you soon!

The Howell Family
Colonial Bay Cottage Resort