34. Of Love and Lies

Why does love so often seem to be fraught with secrets, fakery, and lies? The protagonists of these coming-of-age novels navigate complicated relationships and false narratives, striving towards the truth in whom and how they love. Tanya Boteju’s Lake Life follows two teens who agree to fake-date for their own self-serving reasons, until their plan goes awry. In Ramin Abbas Has MAJOR Questions, Ahmad Saber shares the tender and funny story of a gay Muslim teen wondering if he needs to choose between his faith and his queer identity. And a young man must confront a long-buried family secret, his tumultuous relationship with his father, and the girl who connects it all, in Aaron Cully Drake’s When the World Was Twice as Big. Hear how to depict difficult relationships on the page—and how to face them in real life. Moderated by Rachel Sargeant. Grades 8–12.

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Event Participants:

Tanya Boteju

TANYA BOTEJU is a writer and educator living on stolen Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh land (Vancouver, BC). Her debut novel, Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens, was named a Top Ten Indie Next Pick by the American Booksellers Association and Messy Perfect was a BC and Yukon Book Award finalist. Setting the Stage for Christmas is her debut adult novel. Typically, you can find her cozy in her cabin, writing at cafés, or smooshing any dog that will let her. In both teaching and writing, Tanya hopes she’s bending the universe even the tiniest bit toward justice.

Aaron Cully Drake

AARON CULLY DRAKE was shortlisted for the Amazon Canada First Novel Award and longlisted for the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour for his debut novel, Do You Think This Is Strange? Drake is a former newspaper reporter and editor. He lives in Coquitlam, BC, with his wife and children.

Ahmad Saber

AHMAD SABER grew up in Pakistan before his family moved to Canada. He is a medical doctor specializing in rheumatology, and Ramin Abbas Has MAJOR Questions is his debut novel and is based in part on his own lived experience. Follow him around on social media @TheAhmadSaber or at SaberBooks.ca.

Rachel Sargeant

RACHEL SARGEANT, aka AModelWhosRead, is a Canadian book blogger passionate about dark fantasy novels, queer romcoms, and dinosaur facts. With almost a decade of experience in the publishing world, she uses her social medias to share her love for stories and fascination with the fantastical. When not reading, you can find her browsing local bookstores, arguing with her sewing machine, and drinking copious amounts of iced coffee. You can find her @AModelWhosRead on all platforms.