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Still
Still is the story of Kayla, who lives and works on the streets of Kelowna, Canada, and of Little Zoe, a woman working in the sex trade who is missing. Set in a vibrant and diverse community of people living unhoused, the novel explores sex work, street life, the opioid crisis, what it means to survive, and what it means to find a home—especially in one’s self.
As Kayla—whose past is darker than she tells—searches for her missing friend, she also uncovers much about her own life. The novel delves into both the pain and resiliency of childhood, with flashbacks to Kayla's past with horses and how she came to be on the streets. Kayla also becomes friends with an outreach volunteer struggling with postpartum depression, alcohol abuse, and bipolar—yet who yearns to rekindle her passion for photography and share it with Kayla.
The book considers what home means, how picture-perfect lives are not always what they seem, how different forms of community are possible, and how we can tell the stories that are ourselves. It asks what it means to be missing and what we can—and cannot—go back to. Ultimately, Still is a story of community, friendship, resilience, and hope.
As Kayla—whose past is darker than she tells—searches for her missing friend, she also uncovers much about her own life. The novel delves into both the pain and resiliency of childhood, with flashbacks to Kayla's past with horses and how she came to be on the streets. Kayla also becomes friends with an outreach volunteer struggling with postpartum depression, alcohol abuse, and bipolar—yet who yearns to rekindle her passion for photography and share it with Kayla.
The book considers what home means, how picture-perfect lives are not always what they seem, how different forms of community are possible, and how we can tell the stories that are ourselves. It asks what it means to be missing and what we can—and cannot—go back to. Ultimately, Still is a story of community, friendship, resilience, and hope.
- GenresCanadaLiterary Fiction
184 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2025
16 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 25, 2025
You must read this excellent debut novel - it’s a beautiful, moving read.
Still is a moving story about Kayla, a young woman dealing with past trauma, living on the streets of Kelowna, British Columbia, who is searching for Little Zoe, her missing friend, another sex trade worker. The story follows Kayla over the course of a week and interweaves chapters from her life before she became unhoused.
Life is hard and cruel for Kayla and the other unhoused people she meets - the city bylaw comes by regularly to move them along, particularly before the spring tourist season. But even as they struggle to survive, a sense of community develops, based on looking out for and helping each other, recognizing their shared humanity. Her friends become Kayla’s found family and, as she searches for Little Zoe, she develops insights into herself and her past trauma and how healing might be possible.
The author sensitively and compassionately handles the subject matter and although the story depicts the harsh lives of the characters, she also infuses the story with hope, finding moments of joy, and resilience. The author also does a great job of “humanizing” Kayla and the other characters - of seeing, as the author says, people as people and not as discarded members often shunned by society.
Other highlights of the novel include the smooth, descriptive writing that paints a vivid picture of the setting, the even pacing, and the authenticity that shines through - the author is a long-time street outreach volunteer in Kelowna.
An excellent debut (!!!) novel that has deservedly been long-listed for the 2025 Canadian Giller Prize. Highly recommend!
Thanks to @joanna.e.cockerline and @ghp_pql for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Still is a moving story about Kayla, a young woman dealing with past trauma, living on the streets of Kelowna, British Columbia, who is searching for Little Zoe, her missing friend, another sex trade worker. The story follows Kayla over the course of a week and interweaves chapters from her life before she became unhoused.
Life is hard and cruel for Kayla and the other unhoused people she meets - the city bylaw comes by regularly to move them along, particularly before the spring tourist season. But even as they struggle to survive, a sense of community develops, based on looking out for and helping each other, recognizing their shared humanity. Her friends become Kayla’s found family and, as she searches for Little Zoe, she develops insights into herself and her past trauma and how healing might be possible.
The author sensitively and compassionately handles the subject matter and although the story depicts the harsh lives of the characters, she also infuses the story with hope, finding moments of joy, and resilience. The author also does a great job of “humanizing” Kayla and the other characters - of seeing, as the author says, people as people and not as discarded members often shunned by society.
Other highlights of the novel include the smooth, descriptive writing that paints a vivid picture of the setting, the even pacing, and the authenticity that shines through - the author is a long-time street outreach volunteer in Kelowna.
An excellent debut (!!!) novel that has deservedly been long-listed for the 2025 Canadian Giller Prize. Highly recommend!
Thanks to @joanna.e.cockerline and @ghp_pql for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
November 15, 2025
Calling on her dual experience as an outreach worker and a creative writing Prof at UBC-O, Joanna Cockerline shines a compassionate light on characters who aren't often centred in novels.
As a new arrival to Kelowna, Kayla finds connection with the diverse community living on the city streets despite the ever present risks of being unhoused, of sex work, the opioid crisis and rcmp and community apathy.
The secondary plot of Kayla's friendship with outreach worker Livia reminds us that addiction does not discriminate. Same issues, better housing.
Debut novel by a Kelowna author and longlisted for the 2025 Giller Prize.
As a new arrival to Kelowna, Kayla finds connection with the diverse community living on the city streets despite the ever present risks of being unhoused, of sex work, the opioid crisis and rcmp and community apathy.
The secondary plot of Kayla's friendship with outreach worker Livia reminds us that addiction does not discriminate. Same issues, better housing.
Debut novel by a Kelowna author and longlisted for the 2025 Giller Prize.
September 1, 2025
This was a beautiful, emotionally intense book.
We follow Kayla, who lives and works on the streets of Kelowna. Kayla is looking for her missing friend, Little Zoe.
While we are shown a glimpse of street life, the opioid epidemic, and the gritty reality unhoused people are faced with, we are also shown how strong found family and connection can be. Terrible people and acts are juxtaposed with kindness by those who have little to their name. Despite tackling hard issues, this novel is brimming with hope and resilience.
The author has volunteered extensively with unhoused people in Kelowna.
We follow Kayla, who lives and works on the streets of Kelowna. Kayla is looking for her missing friend, Little Zoe.
While we are shown a glimpse of street life, the opioid epidemic, and the gritty reality unhoused people are faced with, we are also shown how strong found family and connection can be. Terrible people and acts are juxtaposed with kindness by those who have little to their name. Despite tackling hard issues, this novel is brimming with hope and resilience.
The author has volunteered extensively with unhoused people in Kelowna.
November 15, 2025
This book taught me a lot. Personally and professionally, I am connected to people who are sex workers and/or unhoused. I needed to learn that there is good in amongst all the struggles, that there is love, kindness, compassion, family and community. I needed to read this book.
December 2, 2025
I couldn't bear for it to end.
The honesty, grit, sadness - it all tells a story about Kayla and her friends on the streets of Kelowna. You can't help but admire their resourcefulness, adaptability, and resilience when faced with so many obstacles.
A fantastic debut novel from Joanna Cockerline. The writing style tells a heartbreaking story with such vivid detail. I couldn't put it down! I can not wait to read what she writes next!
The honesty, grit, sadness - it all tells a story about Kayla and her friends on the streets of Kelowna. You can't help but admire their resourcefulness, adaptability, and resilience when faced with so many obstacles.
A fantastic debut novel from Joanna Cockerline. The writing style tells a heartbreaking story with such vivid detail. I couldn't put it down! I can not wait to read what she writes next!
September 4, 2025
Still by Joanna Cockerline
Still is a deeply moving and multilayered story that celebrates the humanity and complexity of a community frequently marginalized, ignored and disdained - the unhoused.
The novel is centered on Kayla who flees to Kelowna, and turns to sex work in order to survive. Her story unfolds through a series of flashbacks, interwoven with the disappearance of her best friend, Little Zoe, and the bonds she forms with her street family. While the novel does address the foundational reasons for homelessness (abuse, trauma, addiction, mental health) and the harsh realities of survival on the street, its primary focus is not on trauma - but on connection, found family, hope and resilience.
Cockerline vividly portrays the strength, resilience and tenderness within the relationships of unhoused communities and the development of found family that they’ve been missing. She offers glimpses into lives often dismissed: their hopes, dreams, relationships, and small moments of joy. The reader witnesses powerful acts of generosity and quiet kindnesses that are beautiful and poignant, as well as the pain when you feel yourself disappearing and becoming invisible within society. The novel challenges the narrative that unhoused people are a problem to solve or hide rather than human beings to be seen.
The novel provocatively offers a parallel storyline of an outreach volunteer who befriends Kayla, and struggles with her own addiction and mental health issues. Powerfully underscoring that the only differences between the housed and unhoused may be access to resources.
This book will change how you see the panhandler on the corner and the tent city you drive past. As someone who volunteers weekly handing out food to unhoused people, I can say this novel captures their reality with honesty and compassion. Still is a must read - one that invites us to see, understand and act with empathy.
Still is a deeply moving and multilayered story that celebrates the humanity and complexity of a community frequently marginalized, ignored and disdained - the unhoused.
The novel is centered on Kayla who flees to Kelowna, and turns to sex work in order to survive. Her story unfolds through a series of flashbacks, interwoven with the disappearance of her best friend, Little Zoe, and the bonds she forms with her street family. While the novel does address the foundational reasons for homelessness (abuse, trauma, addiction, mental health) and the harsh realities of survival on the street, its primary focus is not on trauma - but on connection, found family, hope and resilience.
Cockerline vividly portrays the strength, resilience and tenderness within the relationships of unhoused communities and the development of found family that they’ve been missing. She offers glimpses into lives often dismissed: their hopes, dreams, relationships, and small moments of joy. The reader witnesses powerful acts of generosity and quiet kindnesses that are beautiful and poignant, as well as the pain when you feel yourself disappearing and becoming invisible within society. The novel challenges the narrative that unhoused people are a problem to solve or hide rather than human beings to be seen.
The novel provocatively offers a parallel storyline of an outreach volunteer who befriends Kayla, and struggles with her own addiction and mental health issues. Powerfully underscoring that the only differences between the housed and unhoused may be access to resources.
This book will change how you see the panhandler on the corner and the tent city you drive past. As someone who volunteers weekly handing out food to unhoused people, I can say this novel captures their reality with honesty and compassion. Still is a must read - one that invites us to see, understand and act with empathy.
October 17, 2025
I received this review copy from River Street Writing in exchange for a fair review.
A powerhouse of Canadian contemporary fiction, Still tackles two complex topics: sex work and homelessness in a thoughtful, compassionate way while framing it within a sombre story of female friendship.
This book was on the longlist for the Giller prize, and the others must be really good, given this one didn’t make it to the shortlist! I thought this book was excellent.
The main character, Kayla, a sex worker living on the streets of Kelowna, who is such a complex person. She is the prime example of why we shouldn’t judge sex workers or the unhoused. And while a lot of reasons why people become one or both of these things are rooted in similar causes - abuse, addiction, broken homes - Kayla’s story is also about other things, which are revealed to us as the story unfolds.
One of the most honest and raw aspects of the novel is how the sex work is addressed. We see Kayla accept jobs and are sometimes told how those unfold, but Kayla is never shamed or vilified in the narrative. And while there are moments of fear and concern, there are also times when she speaks of feeling empowered or even finds her work just work. Sex work is so often looked down on, but a great deal of that is rooted in misogyny. And while young people being coerced into it is a major problem, this is not that story, but one of a woman who panics and finds herself needing to take up sex work to survive.
The other characters help to give the story a bit of colour. While the story is not a happy one and contains some trigger warning content, there are moments of lightness, of joy, of love. The side characters not only round out the cast but are sometimes funny and also the way they help Kayla despite their own troubles shows the depths of humanity’s compassion for one another.
The story is, at its very basic, a mystery - about Kayla trying to find out what happened to her friend Zoe, but calling it such is doing it a disservice. It’s more a deep look into what life is like on the streets - the hardships, the connections, the friendships, and the tragedies. It, above all, huminizes a people we often try to deliberately overlook.
An excellent novel.
A powerhouse of Canadian contemporary fiction, Still tackles two complex topics: sex work and homelessness in a thoughtful, compassionate way while framing it within a sombre story of female friendship.
This book was on the longlist for the Giller prize, and the others must be really good, given this one didn’t make it to the shortlist! I thought this book was excellent.
The main character, Kayla, a sex worker living on the streets of Kelowna, who is such a complex person. She is the prime example of why we shouldn’t judge sex workers or the unhoused. And while a lot of reasons why people become one or both of these things are rooted in similar causes - abuse, addiction, broken homes - Kayla’s story is also about other things, which are revealed to us as the story unfolds.
One of the most honest and raw aspects of the novel is how the sex work is addressed. We see Kayla accept jobs and are sometimes told how those unfold, but Kayla is never shamed or vilified in the narrative. And while there are moments of fear and concern, there are also times when she speaks of feeling empowered or even finds her work just work. Sex work is so often looked down on, but a great deal of that is rooted in misogyny. And while young people being coerced into it is a major problem, this is not that story, but one of a woman who panics and finds herself needing to take up sex work to survive.
The other characters help to give the story a bit of colour. While the story is not a happy one and contains some trigger warning content, there are moments of lightness, of joy, of love. The side characters not only round out the cast but are sometimes funny and also the way they help Kayla despite their own troubles shows the depths of humanity’s compassion for one another.
The story is, at its very basic, a mystery - about Kayla trying to find out what happened to her friend Zoe, but calling it such is doing it a disservice. It’s more a deep look into what life is like on the streets - the hardships, the connections, the friendships, and the tragedies. It, above all, huminizes a people we often try to deliberately overlook.
An excellent novel.
August 24, 2025
Set in Kelowna, British Columbia, Still follows the story of a sex worker navigating life on the streets amid the opioid crisis. Through her perspective, we glimpse the harsh realities of addiction, poverty, and survival while also uncovering themes of resilience, found family, and hope. This isn’t just a story of hardship, it’s a story about the human need for connection, even in the most unforgiving circumstances.
What struck me most about Still is its unflinching honesty and compassion. Joanna Cockerline paints a vivid portrait of life on the margins—raw, gritty, yet deeply human. The book beautifully captures the idea that family isn’t always defined by blood but by the people who stand beside you when you have nothing left.
I loved the diversity of the characters, each with their own backstory, struggles, and resilience. The writing balances heartbreak with hope, giving space for moments of light even in the darkest corners. It also offers a poignant commentary on the opioid crisis and the social systems that fail so many, without ever losing sight of the individuals at its core.
If you appreciate character-driven narratives that explore social issues with empathy and depth, this book is for you. Perfect for readers of literary fiction, those interested in stories about resilience, and anyone who values nuanced portrayals of marginalized voices.
What struck me most about Still is its unflinching honesty and compassion. Joanna Cockerline paints a vivid portrait of life on the margins—raw, gritty, yet deeply human. The book beautifully captures the idea that family isn’t always defined by blood but by the people who stand beside you when you have nothing left.
I loved the diversity of the characters, each with their own backstory, struggles, and resilience. The writing balances heartbreak with hope, giving space for moments of light even in the darkest corners. It also offers a poignant commentary on the opioid crisis and the social systems that fail so many, without ever losing sight of the individuals at its core.
If you appreciate character-driven narratives that explore social issues with empathy and depth, this book is for you. Perfect for readers of literary fiction, those interested in stories about resilience, and anyone who values nuanced portrayals of marginalized voices.
January 10, 2026
Actually, I really would put this at 3 and 3 Quarters.
First off this is a brave book, about the unhoused, opiate epidemic, Prostitution and the disappearances that haunt the Diaspora in Kelowna.
Cockerline runs non-profit irl to help marginalized folk, so kudos to her. Her prose is warm, a little too warm. As now I'll get into a, controversial?.... take on why I didn't give it that extra quarter star to a 4 Star review.
Well it's the way this book is presented, this is about hardcore addicts, the mentally ill, the homeless ( or as Cockerline constantly uses is the PC term "unhoused"), and this is where the problems start, as a dark topic that is meant to be portrayed is written with kids gloves. Should be chalked full of Gallows Humor, and this book is humorless. It just feels like a voyeuristic take on a popular subject made infamous by idiot YouTubers.
This is wear I'll take some shit. It seems the fairer sex (cis gendered girls/women,) are poor at writing about the trendy topic at hand, there's no edge in a world where edge is currency. There's no descriptions of the senses, the smells, the trauma experienced. In fact on Addiction the only one written by a Women that got to core and did not sugarcoat was Jowita Bydlowska's Drunk Mom. So with her as an exception just look at Irvine Welsh and how he handles worlds like that, there's a lot more bodily fluids. Like waking up with the knowledge that through your Nod Noddy adventure 12 hours earlier you shit your pants. Sexual hilarity, cringe scenes you never see coming. Anyways, I'm nitpicking. but this book STILL, despite being about a Sex Worker who is looking for a fellow Prozzie, who has seemingly disappeared. And many know (this being based in Kelowna, just think Pig Farm and you'll get it) of the murders and disappearances of (largely Indigenous Women). But we get barely any tension, no suspects, no real fear amongst these cherry picked characters.
I live in a city where the Opioid Epidemic has really hit hard, for a city that's only about 45,000, per capita, well, it's a big number of addicts. I have to walk past some of these marginalized and strange creatures to get my own dose of something that keeps me clean. I see guys bent in half, with their heads almost touching the ground, Infact just last week I had to Narcan a guy who fell into the Nod outdoors on a -18°C day, his hands were bluer than a Smurfs. I hear he might lose a few fingers, but he's alive..for now. See how me, a Man can craft up what it's really like in the Streets!??? We're visual creatures, and understand the world through our interpretation of it with our eyes, gives us exegesis on such dark topics. Anyways, obviously I love many books by Women, there was a period around 2004 to 2012 that all I was reading were written by Women, as Men Authors seemed to have dropped off a cliff. Cyclical though, as now Men are coming back, in a big fucking way, and we're pissed. So props to Vladimir Sorokin, Michel Houellebecq, David Szalay, Bret Easton Ellis, Paul Murray, Irvine Welsh, Aleksandar Hemon, Richard Powers, Douglas Stuart Lázló Krasznahorkai...
Lawyers Edit: This is just Benway's interpretation, S.D Boyd published this under extreme duress, and is officially "vehemently opposed to the contents published in therein".
- S.T Lockjaw (lawyer for Shitty reviews by a shitty reviewer)
#Bad fucking Idea
# Delete in 6 days
First off this is a brave book, about the unhoused, opiate epidemic, Prostitution and the disappearances that haunt the Diaspora in Kelowna.
Cockerline runs non-profit irl to help marginalized folk, so kudos to her. Her prose is warm, a little too warm. As now I'll get into a, controversial?.... take on why I didn't give it that extra quarter star to a 4 Star review.
Well it's the way this book is presented, this is about hardcore addicts, the mentally ill, the homeless ( or as Cockerline constantly uses is the PC term "unhoused"), and this is where the problems start, as a dark topic that is meant to be portrayed is written with kids gloves. Should be chalked full of Gallows Humor, and this book is humorless. It just feels like a voyeuristic take on a popular subject made infamous by idiot YouTubers.
This is wear I'll take some shit. It seems the fairer sex (cis gendered girls/women,) are poor at writing about the trendy topic at hand, there's no edge in a world where edge is currency. There's no descriptions of the senses, the smells, the trauma experienced. In fact on Addiction the only one written by a Women that got to core and did not sugarcoat was Jowita Bydlowska's Drunk Mom. So with her as an exception just look at Irvine Welsh and how he handles worlds like that, there's a lot more bodily fluids. Like waking up with the knowledge that through your Nod Noddy adventure 12 hours earlier you shit your pants. Sexual hilarity, cringe scenes you never see coming. Anyways, I'm nitpicking. but this book STILL, despite being about a Sex Worker who is looking for a fellow Prozzie, who has seemingly disappeared. And many know (this being based in Kelowna, just think Pig Farm and you'll get it) of the murders and disappearances of (largely Indigenous Women). But we get barely any tension, no suspects, no real fear amongst these cherry picked characters.
I live in a city where the Opioid Epidemic has really hit hard, for a city that's only about 45,000, per capita, well, it's a big number of addicts. I have to walk past some of these marginalized and strange creatures to get my own dose of something that keeps me clean. I see guys bent in half, with their heads almost touching the ground, Infact just last week I had to Narcan a guy who fell into the Nod outdoors on a -18°C day, his hands were bluer than a Smurfs. I hear he might lose a few fingers, but he's alive..for now. See how me, a Man can craft up what it's really like in the Streets!??? We're visual creatures, and understand the world through our interpretation of it with our eyes, gives us exegesis on such dark topics. Anyways, obviously I love many books by Women, there was a period around 2004 to 2012 that all I was reading were written by Women, as Men Authors seemed to have dropped off a cliff. Cyclical though, as now Men are coming back, in a big fucking way, and we're pissed. So props to Vladimir Sorokin, Michel Houellebecq, David Szalay, Bret Easton Ellis, Paul Murray, Irvine Welsh, Aleksandar Hemon, Richard Powers, Douglas Stuart Lázló Krasznahorkai...
Lawyers Edit: This is just Benway's interpretation, S.D Boyd published this under extreme duress, and is officially "vehemently opposed to the contents published in therein".
- S.T Lockjaw (lawyer for Shitty reviews by a shitty reviewer)
#Bad fucking Idea
# Delete in 6 days
September 10, 2025
Still
Still by Joanna Cockerline is hands down one of my favourite books! It is powerful and moving, and really touched my soul. Yet I am struggling to write my review. I can’t seem to find the right words to express my thoughts and feelings on this phenomenally written masterpiece. That being said, I will try, but honestly, I think you just need to read this book to experience it all. To connect with the story, the characters and environment.
Still follows the life of Kayla, a teen sex worker who lives on the city streets of Kelowna, BC. Kayla grew up in a dysfunctional home in Ontario, and was subjected to unthinkable abuse. At the age of 16 Kayla leaves her abusive home life behind and moves to a farm where she lives and takes care of horses. But when the unthinkable happens Kayla must once again flee and leave her life and troubled past behind. However once she arrives in Kelowna, with no money nor shelter, Kayla turns to the streets and sex worker to survive.
Ironically, living in the streets of Kelowna, Kayla finally finds true friendships, connections and a sense of family. Kayla forms an instant connection with Little Zoe. The two young women look out for one another as they work the streets. But when Little Zoe goes missing Kayla is determined to find her. What transpires is a heartbreaking yet beautiful story of friendship, chosen family, loyalty, resilience, and a glimpse into the opioid crisis, sex work and the unhoused community in Kelowna.
While a work of fiction the story reads more like a memoir and that is perhaps because the author is very involved in the unhoused community. Still reminds me of the memoir From the Ashes by Jesse Thistle. Which also shows the incredible resilience of those who face seemingly insurmountable challenges and abuse yet fight to survive and have hope for a better future.
Joanna Cockerline is a very gifted and talented writer. Her words were poetic, impactful and beautiful. She was able to write in a way that made the reader feel the emotion and connections and visualize the city streets and alleyways of Kelowna.
Still by Joanna Cockerline is hands down one of my favourite books! It is powerful and moving, and really touched my soul. Yet I am struggling to write my review. I can’t seem to find the right words to express my thoughts and feelings on this phenomenally written masterpiece. That being said, I will try, but honestly, I think you just need to read this book to experience it all. To connect with the story, the characters and environment.
Still follows the life of Kayla, a teen sex worker who lives on the city streets of Kelowna, BC. Kayla grew up in a dysfunctional home in Ontario, and was subjected to unthinkable abuse. At the age of 16 Kayla leaves her abusive home life behind and moves to a farm where she lives and takes care of horses. But when the unthinkable happens Kayla must once again flee and leave her life and troubled past behind. However once she arrives in Kelowna, with no money nor shelter, Kayla turns to the streets and sex worker to survive.
Ironically, living in the streets of Kelowna, Kayla finally finds true friendships, connections and a sense of family. Kayla forms an instant connection with Little Zoe. The two young women look out for one another as they work the streets. But when Little Zoe goes missing Kayla is determined to find her. What transpires is a heartbreaking yet beautiful story of friendship, chosen family, loyalty, resilience, and a glimpse into the opioid crisis, sex work and the unhoused community in Kelowna.
While a work of fiction the story reads more like a memoir and that is perhaps because the author is very involved in the unhoused community. Still reminds me of the memoir From the Ashes by Jesse Thistle. Which also shows the incredible resilience of those who face seemingly insurmountable challenges and abuse yet fight to survive and have hope for a better future.
Joanna Cockerline is a very gifted and talented writer. Her words were poetic, impactful and beautiful. She was able to write in a way that made the reader feel the emotion and connections and visualize the city streets and alleyways of Kelowna.
September 14, 2025
A couple favourite quotes from this stunning story of a young person on the streets of Kelowna, finding her way, found family, strength, trauma, and resilience:
“Pain is not a pissing contest. Just because I’ve had things rough doesn’t mean I can’t be there for someone else. It means I can be. Because I know how much that matters.”
“Eventually we found a medication, but with the meds came a numbness. I lost the brightness I’d once known, any spark. They let me function. I could go through the motions of daily life. But where did I go?”
Readers will find quotes like this throughout. I dare you not to cry at least once.
As I said in a previous post, Still by Joanna Cockerline (and gifted by The Porcupine’s Press and River Street Writing) does not hide the ugly side of life living unhoused and sex work. The terrible sleep from being cold or on alert, the trauma many of the folks come from, the way that johns treat sex workers like something to be used and abused. But the focus here is on the companionship, cooperation, generosity, and courage of people living this way and by those who dedicate some of their life to helping.
In a book under 200 pages, Cockerline has managed to introduce us to some of the many people in these communities, share their strengths, while also building tension and empathy.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an advanced copy of Still in exchange for my honest opinions. Still is available now.
“Pain is not a pissing contest. Just because I’ve had things rough doesn’t mean I can’t be there for someone else. It means I can be. Because I know how much that matters.”
“Eventually we found a medication, but with the meds came a numbness. I lost the brightness I’d once known, any spark. They let me function. I could go through the motions of daily life. But where did I go?”
Readers will find quotes like this throughout. I dare you not to cry at least once.
As I said in a previous post, Still by Joanna Cockerline (and gifted by The Porcupine’s Press and River Street Writing) does not hide the ugly side of life living unhoused and sex work. The terrible sleep from being cold or on alert, the trauma many of the folks come from, the way that johns treat sex workers like something to be used and abused. But the focus here is on the companionship, cooperation, generosity, and courage of people living this way and by those who dedicate some of their life to helping.
In a book under 200 pages, Cockerline has managed to introduce us to some of the many people in these communities, share their strengths, while also building tension and empathy.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an advanced copy of Still in exchange for my honest opinions. Still is available now.
November 28, 2025
Just finished Still by Joanna Cockerline, a fantastic debut novel that can’t be missed.
Set in Kelowna, BC, it follows Kayla, a young woman living on the streets and searching for her missing friend, Little Zoe, another sex trade worker. Over the course of a week, we see Kayla’s story unfold, how she became unhoused, what survival looks like day to day, and what it means to keep hope alive in a world that keeps pushing you to the margins.
This is a novel that celebrates and uplifts the voices we rarely hear. The author’s writing is rich and compassionate, capturing both the harshness of street life and the beauty that exists within it. There are found families, quiet acts of care, and resilience that refuses to fade.
The author is a long-time street outreach volunteer, and that lived experience shows in every detail. The authenticity and empathy in her storytelling make the characters feel heartbreakingly real.
It is about a community that hardly ever finds its place in most of the books we read—people living in tents, parks, or alleys. Wounded souls who look out for one another and show up when it matters most. The book is a testament to their kinship and humanity.
Still is unforgettable and deeply poignant, a story that makes you rethink the world around you with compassion and hope. Long-listed for the 2025 Giller Prize, it’s a well-deserved recognition for an exceptional debut.
This one is going to stay with me for a long time.
Set in Kelowna, BC, it follows Kayla, a young woman living on the streets and searching for her missing friend, Little Zoe, another sex trade worker. Over the course of a week, we see Kayla’s story unfold, how she became unhoused, what survival looks like day to day, and what it means to keep hope alive in a world that keeps pushing you to the margins.
This is a novel that celebrates and uplifts the voices we rarely hear. The author’s writing is rich and compassionate, capturing both the harshness of street life and the beauty that exists within it. There are found families, quiet acts of care, and resilience that refuses to fade.
The author is a long-time street outreach volunteer, and that lived experience shows in every detail. The authenticity and empathy in her storytelling make the characters feel heartbreakingly real.
It is about a community that hardly ever finds its place in most of the books we read—people living in tents, parks, or alleys. Wounded souls who look out for one another and show up when it matters most. The book is a testament to their kinship and humanity.
Still is unforgettable and deeply poignant, a story that makes you rethink the world around you with compassion and hope. Long-listed for the 2025 Giller Prize, it’s a well-deserved recognition for an exceptional debut.
This one is going to stay with me for a long time.
September 16, 2025
Still is the story of Kayla who lives and works on the streets of Kelowna. Her friend, Little Zoe, goes missing. Kayla searches for her friend. This is a look at life on the streets, what its like being unhoused and working in the sex trade. Mix in drugs and its a fight for survival. Those on the streets form a community of their own trying to look after each other while struggling themselves. Kayla searches for Little Zoe while trying to look after herself.
A moving story, a well written look at those marginalized .
A moving story, a well written look at those marginalized .
January 7, 2026
Moving and passionate
The book reads like a documentary. A well researched documentary where characters come alive and show the reader their way of life in this unhoused community. The writer paints a community united in their various hustles. Joanna keeps you glued to the book as you keep moving not knowing what to find yet yearning to find out what happens. Kayla takes you through her life from her mum’s house to the streets and with flashbacks to the road that takes her there. It’s satisfying to read.
The book reads like a documentary. A well researched documentary where characters come alive and show the reader their way of life in this unhoused community. The writer paints a community united in their various hustles. Joanna keeps you glued to the book as you keep moving not knowing what to find yet yearning to find out what happens. Kayla takes you through her life from her mum’s house to the streets and with flashbacks to the road that takes her there. It’s satisfying to read.
September 3, 2025
Still is an unforgettable and inspiring novel that I highly recommend. As an avid reader of many Canada Reads books, this is on the level of the best. Compelling, mysterious, gritty, and above all else, human. It takes you into the world of the streets and of the main character of Kayla, who lives on them and is searching for her missing friend and fellow sex worker. I couldn't put it down. This book, and the feeling of hope it offers, will stay with me for a long time.
October 10, 2025
This was such a good read. I read this one in two sittings. It was a profound story that moved me and made me feel for the characters. It really drove home how hard living on the streets is, the opiate crisis, living rough and the kind of lasting relationships people make in order to survive. This was a beautiful story about finding yourself and I'm definitely keeping this one on my shelf for a reread in the future.
November 15, 2025
This felt predictable and trite. Set up a mystery and never solve it for the sake of the main character's growth. I'm mad about that. Little Zoe was the only character I was interested in and she was just a plot device. Glad her presence through absence helped Kayla find her bootstraps.
The writing comes across as juvenile at several points.
I did not enjoy this and it was only determination to complete the Giller Longlist that got me through it.
The writing comes across as juvenile at several points.
I did not enjoy this and it was only determination to complete the Giller Longlist that got me through it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2026
I finished this today and found it genuinely hard to put down. The book is engaging and thought-provoking throughout, though it does begin to lag toward the end, lingering longer than necessary after the core argument has been clearly made. That repetition feels rooted in the author’s enthusiasm and passion for the subject, even if it slightly softens the impact of the conclusion. Overall, a compelling and rewarding read.
November 5, 2025
A great short story on the increasing issues in Canada of homelessness & addiction. For anyone whom these issues have affected this is worth a read. These are complex issues with no easy fixes entrenched in trauma, mental illness, lack of support, rising costs, judgement to name a few.
January 7, 2026
A good choice for starting a new year. Extra points for being set where I'm from. Not a perfect book technically, but I hope lots of people read Still for its thoughtful, non-judgmental look at people not often depicted in CanLit — unhoused folks and sex workers in a small BC city.
September 2, 2025
A well-researched, emotionally evocative, and brilliant account of life on the streets of Kelowna, BC and what it means to have a home. Could not recommend enough!
October 17, 2025
An amazing story. It felt real and gives insight into the lives of those in the story and what their life is really like. Highly recommend this book.
November 10, 2025
It was a decent story. However, there are some aspects that kept me from loving it, the main one being, I had trouble connecting with the MC. I kept wishing the book had been written in first person.
December 13, 2025
3.5 for the character's stories and the fact that it's local.
December 27, 2025
Beautifully written story that made me see Kelowna from a whole new perspective.
November 22, 2025
My only 5 star of the year, I'm afraid. And not always any easy one. But Joanna Cockerline brings the story of Kayla and Little Zoe to life in this story of the streets of Kelowna, British Columbia. Kelowna is not a small town, but it's not a big city either, with a population of ~135K. The story of the community of the people we so often don't (or more properly, won't) "see" is compelling, and it forces us to see them as human beings beyond the pat definition of "homeless", "druggy", or "whore". Yes, they're unhoused; yes, some of them addicted; and yes, some of them are sex workers. But they are more than those simplistic descriptions, and Ms. Cockerline gives her characters depth and compassion. A worthy and enjoyable read.
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