ALU Summer Book Club: Follow-up Reads After Yaga

If you want more Baba Yaga + family saga:

The Taste of Hunger by Barbara Joan Scott (Freehand Books)

A compelling saga of a Ukrainian immigrant family with a side of Baba Yaga, we chose Barbara Joan Scott’s debut novel The Taste of Hunger as a literary follow-up for your list. Set in 1920s Saskatchewan, a young girl is forced into marriage with a man twice her age setting off a chain of turbulent events that reverberate through generations. Featuring a crone-like aunt who sets up the Baba Yaga trope, The Taste of Hunger will satisfy the readerly need for drama, mystery, and gorgeous writing!

If you were all in on the witchy magic:

The Witching Hours, edited by Hannah Lou Myers (Cloudscape Comics)

A comics anthology featuring 11 stories by women and non-binary artists celebrates witches and magical women. Ranging from fantasy to horror to slice of life, these tales include Filipino folklore, a historical overview of the medieval witch trials, and even a recipe for herb strawberry bread!

If you want more representations of older women in lit (+ a whodunit plot):

The Last Unsuitable Man by Louise Carson (Signature Editions)

Like Yaga, The Last Unsuitable Man is a slow-burn thriller that will keep you guessing to the end. In this propulsive cozy murder mystery, a struggling mystery author finds herself involved in a real-life murder plot while vacationing at her brother’s secluded house in the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. And like Yaga, this is a novel that contemplates aging as its older female narrator comes to terms with becoming old. In our opinion, this one’s the perfect followup!

If you want more of Kat Sandler’s quick-fire dialogue:

Mustard by Kat Sandler (Playwrights Canada Press)

You’ll get the same witty, fast-paced dialogue and propulsive plot that Sandler is known for in this darkly comedic fairy tale about a troubled teenager whose imaginary childhood friend becomes not-so-imaginary. A coming-of-age story with a twist, Mustard is a surreal comedy about friendship, love, and finding magic in unexpected places. We’ll gladly recommend all of Sandler’s plays as followups, but we pick Mustard for its magical bent and wonderfully weird story!

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That’s a wrap on Yaga! Catch up on the month’s happenings with our introduction to the book, interview with Kat Sandler, and staff discussion. Remember you can still pick up your own copy of Yaga for 15% off here on All Lit Up.

Thanks for joining us for another #ALUbookclub!