Heather Copeland

"Giving Strength to Caregivers"

Heather Copeland, whose mother is a three-time survivor of cancer, has grown up with the knowledge and compassion it takes to be able to help someone through a difficult time in their lives. After taking care of her mother, Heather was inspired to begin volunteering for the Canadian Cancer Society as a mentor to those who are caring for people going through cancer diagnosis and treatment.

 "I would hope that those who borrow me would gain insight into the difficulties this diagnosis comes with and an appreciation for the organizations that are out there to help you when you're in need," Heather explains.

David Demchuk

"The Life of a Gay Knitter"

Originally from Winnipeg, David Demchuk is a writer for theatre, film, print and online media, and is an activist working on social, cultural and political issues affecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer communities.

"I've had numerous mind-changing - and sometimes life-changing - encounters with people who opened my eyes to other ways of living and being, and I'd happily return the favour," David explains in his foreword. Check out David's stories about what it meant to be gay in the 1970s, through the age of AIDS and in our world today, and ask whatever questions you may have about gay sexuality and relationships, the role of activism in a healthy democracy, the human rights challenges we still face, politics and social media - and how to knit (yes, this book is also a how-to-text for knitting!).

Steve Ferrara and Lisa Martin

"Creatively Drawing People In"

Steve Ferrara and Lisa Martin head up Well and Good, an independent art service organization based in Toronto. Established in 2007, this two-book set - three if you count their new baby Metta, who will be observing - are passionate about the potential of art, especially street art to engage people and enrich lives.

As a cultural agency, they participate in all parts of the "creative chain to maintain a dynamic centre of gravity," they say. "Well and Good is equal part creator, manufacturer, producer, distributor and supporter of contemporary art, particularly art from the margins like graffiti and street art." This book set hopes to spread their passion for art all over the city.

Jonathan Goldsbie

"Meet the Reigning Ruler of the Twitterverse"

If you enjoy books about adventure and unusual career paths, we have a human book just for you. Jonathan Goldsbie, according to a recent review in Torontoist, "is something of a City Hall mongoose, calling out people for their serpentine behaviour with a limitless arsenal of municipal political knowledge."

Having spent the last seven years "meddling" in local politics, first as a public space activist and now as a journalist, Jonathan, who's known as the mayor of Twitter, is passionate about the relevance and entertainment value of civic affairs. He's covered the beat for Eye Weekly, spacing magazine and OpenFile, and currently pens columns for the National Post and The Grid TO. And while doing so has always been pretty fun, he says because "paying attention to urban issues has never been as urgent or as thrilling as it is right now."

Dr. Kenny Handelman

"Attention Difference Disorder"

Dr. Kenny Handelman is a psychiatrist who is an expert in ADD/ADHD. His new book, "Attention Difference Disorder", focuses on a "strength-based" approach to helping parents of kids and teens with the condition. "I love to educate people about the condition in order to decrease stigma about ADHD and mental health in general," Dr. Kenny says in his foreword.

Dr. Kenny conducts clinical research and writes the widely-read ADD/ADHD blog, getting over 500,000 visitors per year. Borrowers of Dr. Kenny will get an opportunity to discuss ADD/ADHD and mental health and get new insight into diagnosis, treatment and alternative treatments - for educational (not treatment) purposes.

C. Ross Hirning

"Information provides the Power to Live a Normal Life"

Ross Hirning began writing a new chapter when he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at the age of 42. He was not the typical Type 2 patient, he says, as he was slim and physically active. Consequently, lifestyle changes could not be used to manage the disease, and oral medication was prescribed.

This worked well for a while, but after eight years of steadily increasing doses, Ross's specialist recommended that he try insulin injections to achieve better blood glucose control. As a volunteer with the Canadian Diabetes Association, he believes that when people have the information, the will and the means to manage their diabetes, they can live a normal life.

May Mak

"Living a Life of Service"

Born in Hong Kong, May Mak has conquered mountains since she immigrated to Toronto at age seven. May started volunteering at age 10, mentoring younger students at her school, and has since volunteered with many organizations, most notably Habitat for Humanity Toronto.

In 2009, May founded the Full Tummy Farm Orphanage Food Project dedicated to helping orphaned and under-privileged children in developing countries and she has won many awards for her community service. An avid adventure traveller, May has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and trekked to Mount Everest Base Camp. This human book is available for loan in both English and Cantonese.

Eva Musso

"Getting a Gift of Life from a Stranger"

Ten years ago, a complete stranger from halfway around the world saved this book from permanent removal from life's collection. At 25, Eva Musso was diagnosed with leukemia. This human book will tell an incredible story about a journey to recovery from cancer.

As part of her treatment, Eva required a bone marrow transplant. On the evening of her scheduled transplant, a doctor flew to Europe, and came back with a thermos full of healthy bone marrow from a generous stranger. Last summer, Eva travelled to Germany to meet her bone marrow donor and, language barrier notwithstanding, it was an incredibly emotional experience for them both. "On September 1, I celebrated the 10th anniversary of my bone marrow transplant," Eva says in her foreword. "Sharing my experience as a human book feels like the perfect way to celebrate the night I was reborn."

Jackson Proskow

"If These Walls Could Talk!"

Every day is an adventure for this human book and he's prepared to spill all! As a Global News reporter covering municipal affairs, Jackson Proskow has a unique insight into the workings of Toronto City Hall and the people and politicians who make our city what it is.

Over the last decade, he has lived and worked in cities across Canada and covered everything from hurricanes and presidential visits, to the royal wedding in London. Jackson is full of behind-the-scenes stories that lend insight into what you see on TV (and what you don't!). He wants to share with you his thoughts on how to make journalism relevant to a changing audience, while keeping "old media" up to speed in the age of social media.

Alexis Kane Speer

"Stepping Towards a Better Future"

Alexis Kane Speer is full of stories from all over the world, inspiring tales she hopes will make her readers feel more connected to people and places, especially public spaces. At 27, Alexis has been recognized as an emerging city builder and was awarded a 2011 DiverseCity Fellowship by the Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance for her work leading city-building initiatives.

She founded the STEPS Initiative, a national organization that uses art to connect people to places. She has traveled to over 25 nations and driven her old Corolla over 21,000 km visiting nearly every North American province and state each with its own unique story. "My experience of being a human book will be a success," Alexis explains, "if I can get at least one person to think critically about the space in which they live or inspire one person to travel to a far-off place they previously were hesitant about."