Book News Vol. 5 No. 23

BOOK NEWS

Virtual Festival
Today we launch a new weekly feature in Book News: archive recordings from Festivals-past. Each Thursday from now until the Festival, we will release a recording of an author interview or reading. Our inaugural sound bite showcases the poet laureate of the UK, Carol Ann Duffy, who had the audience at the 2009 Poetry Bash rolling in the aisles. http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/multimedia/audio-archives

A Dram Come True
The Vancouver International Writers Festival presents the eighth annual Dram Come True Single Malt Scotch Whisky Tasting. Chat with experts while you enjoy a variety of delicious and distinguished single malts. Rare scotches available at auction include Members's Legacy Caperdonich 1967, a dram regarded as one of the most extraordinary batches of malt of all time. It rates 96 points in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible, an annual whisky book coveted by connoisseurs. Own this extra special treasure that you can't buy off the shelf. Details and photos from last year here: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/dramcometrue.

Join us!
Our membership drive continues with exciting new incentives to join, as well as the benefits of membership:...discounts, earlybird tickets, we could go on... Click for more information, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/get-involved/joinus.

Every two weeks we will draw the name of a new member to win an exciting prize. The prize for May 31: a stellar collection of 2010 BC Book Prize finalists! Thank you to the BC Book Prizes for donating this fabulous prize.


Special Event

Alexander McCall Smith
The Vancouver International Writers Festival and Random House Canada present the bestselling author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series who will talk about his forthcoming book, Corduroy Mansions. Complete details on our website, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/specialevents.

A recent review by Alexander McCall Smith of a book by Helen Simonson reveals McCall Smith's approach to writing.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/books/review/Smith-t.html

AWARDS & LISTS

French novelist and film director Philippe Claudel, and his translator, are the joint winners of the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize for the novel Brodeck’s Report.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/philippe-claudel-wins-independent-foreign-fiction-prize-1972537.html

Victoria writer Deborah Willis and Sarah Roberts of Gibsons, B.C. have been shortlisted for the Danuta Gleed Literary Award.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/05/17/literary-award-danutagleed-writersunion.html

J.G. Farrell's historical novel Troubles, the first title in his British Empire trilogy, has won the Booker Prize (the ‘lost’ Booker) four decades after the book's publication.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/jg-farrells-troubles-wins-lost-booker-prize/article1574150/

The English Opium Eater: A Biography of Thomas De Quincey by Robert Morrison, an English professor at Queen’s University has been shortlisted for the U.K.'s most venerable literary award, the James Tait Black Memorial Prize.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/05/18/tait-black-nominees.html

The winners of the 2010 Alberta Book Publishing Awards, the Alberta Literary Awards, and the highly anticipated Alberta Readers’ Choice Award have been announced.
http://www.cbabook.org/files/News/2010%20Alberta%20Book%20Award%20Gala%20Winners.pdf

NEWS & FEATURES

Take our word for it, because there is no link to Internet confirmation of this news. The third book in Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy is available in Canada, as of May 27!

Germaine Greer defends the literary worth of old wives' tales.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/may/15/germaine-greer-old-wives-tales

Stay away if you know what's good for you! Crawford Kilian lists the 10 most harmful novels for aspiring writers.
http://thetyee.ca/Books/2010/05/14/TenHarmfulNovels/

The new British Cabinet includes a published author. Vince Cable, MP, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, holds the portfolio of Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/boyd-tonkin-a-real-bestseller-joins-the-cabinet-1972704.html

Bill Bryson has a new book on the origins of modern life. Here is an extract on the journey from cesspit to cistern.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/may/17/bill-bryson-toilet

Author Denise Chong knows well the impact of the West‘s fear of offending Beijing.The nervousness isn't limited to Canada.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/books/review/Parker-t.html?nl=books&emc=booksupdateemb3

Wimbledon has appointed poet Matt Harvey its first writer in residence and its first official poet.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/may/19/matt-harvey-appointed-wimbledon-poet

Eleven candidates are vying for the position of Oxford professor of poetry. Voting for the candidates opens May 21, closes June 18.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/may/18/oxford-professor-of-poetry-oxforduniversity

BOOKS & WRITERS

The Independent recommends reading Anne Michaels' The Winter Vault “for the eerily majestic music of her voice…”
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/the-winter-vault-by-anne-michaels-1972557.html

Martin Amis' writing continues to engender strong views. Lisa Moore in the Globe and Mail finds Amis' The Pregnant Widow laugh-out-loud funny; Michiko Kakutani in the NY Times calls it “remarkably tedious”.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-the-pregnant-widow-by-martin-amis/article1569180/
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/11/books/11book.html?scp=1&sq=Michiko%20Kakutani%20on%20Martin%20Amis&st=cse

The Dragon and the Stars, edited by two Chinese Canadians, is an anthology of new fantastic fiction works by 18 English-language writers from the Chinese diaspora.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/Fantastic+fiction+Stories+from+Chinese+Diaspora/3027708/story.html

Donna Bailey Nurse describes Steven Heighton's new (this month) book Every Lost Country as a “glorious novel”'; the Gazette describes it as “nuanced—and gripping.”
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/809774--every-lost-country-drama-at-the-top-of-the-world
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/Differing+degrees+desperation+Steven+Heighton+novel+Every+Lost+Country+nuanced+gripping/3024414/story.html

Heighton published the poetry collection Patient Frame in April, has just completed a week-long guest editorship of The Afterword, at the National Post, and has written a 10 year memo, a list of do's, don'ts and assorted advice to a younger Steven Heighton.
http://arts.nationalpost.com/2010/05/16/steven-heighton-ten-year-memoranda/

The World Is a Ball: The Joy, Madness and Meaning of Soccer by the Globe and Mail's TV critic John Doyle is described by the Montreal Gazette as “a perfect Canadian's primer for the imminent World Cup”.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/perfect+primer+world+game+John+Doyle+soccer+World+Ball+sets+stage+South+Africa+2010/3023835/story.html

Molly Worthen describes Marci McDonald's The Armageddon Factor as more responsible than some, but with an over-reliance on American sources.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-the-armageddon-factor-by-marci-mcdonald/article1569099/

Douglas Todd says McDonald makes a decent case.
http://www.vancouversun.com/life/book+digs+deep+into+Christian+political+activism+Canada/3040772/story.html

COMMUNITY EVENTS

SKAGIT RIVER POETRY FESTIVAL
Features three days of poetry performances, conversations, interviews, workshops, films, feasting, singing, strumming and storytelling in La Conner, Washington. May 20-22, 2010. For full details, visit www.skagitriverpoetry.org.

SUNSHINE COAST FESTIVAL OF THE WRITTEN ARTS
Tickets to the 28th Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts go on sale on Wednesday, May 26 at 8 am by telephone only at 1-800-565-9631 or 604-885-9631. Canada's longest-running celebration of Canadian writers takes place August 12-15 in the historic Rockwood Gardens in Sechelt, BC. Full details at www.writersfestival.ca.

STUDIO ONE BOOK CLUB
Judy Fong Bates, author of the acclaimed novel Midnight at the Dragon Cafe, has written an absorbing and beautiful new memoir of her search to understand her parents - from their mysterious and conflicting stories of their lives in China, to the poverty-stricken reality of Judy's childhood growing up in rural Ontario. Come meet the author of The Year of Finding Memory in the intimate setting of CBC's Studio One on Wednesday May 26 at 6:30 pm. The only way to get in, is to win! Go to www.cbc.ca/bc/bookclub to enter for free tickets.

DJ MACHALE
Reading by the author of his new book The Light. Wednesday, May 26 at 7:00pm. Tickets: $5. Vancouver Kidsbooks, 3083 West Broadway. More information and to purchase tickets, visit www.kidsbooks.ca.

SPIRITUAL SMORGASBORG
An Evening of Poetry with Sandy Shreve, Richard Osler, Susan McCaslin, KIen Klonsky and Kate Braid. Wednesday, May 26 at 7:00pm, free. The Wired Monk, 2610 4th Ave. W. For more details, visit www.merton.ca.

DAVE MARGOSHES
Regina writer Dave Margoshes will be reading from his two new books of poetry, The Horse Knows the Way and Dimensions of an Orchard. Wednesday, May 26 at 7:30pm, free. Peter Kaye Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street.

JOHN JUNG
Reading by the author of Southern Fried Rice: Life in a Chinese Laundry in the Deep South. Thursday, May 27 at 6:00pm. Foo's Ho Ho Restaurant, 120 E. Pender.

ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Brian Brett and Audrey Thomas. Thursday, May 27 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore Library, Robson Square, 800 Robson Street.

JUDY FONG BATES
Reading by the author of The Year Finding Memory. Friday, May 28 at 5:00pm. Rm 301, Irving K. Barber Centre, 1961 East Mall, UBC. For more information, phone 604.822.6799.

WRITE ON VANCOUVER
The Greater Vancouver chapter of the Romance Writers of America hosts its annual conference. May 28-29, 2010. Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Richmond Campus, 8771 Lansdowne Road, Richmond. For complete details, visit their website http://www.rwagvc.com/wov2010/index.html.

SHUSWAP LAKE 2010 INTERNATIONAL WRITERS FESTIVAL
Enjoy a weekend of writing, readings, and inspiring connections. Many different genres will be offered. May 28-30, 2010. Salmon Arm, BC. For complete details, visit their website at www.saow.ca.

HENRY CHOW AND OTHER STORIES
Readings by Asian-Canadian writers including Evelyn Lau, Marty Chan, Kagan Goh and Kellee Ngan. Saturday, May 29 at 2:00pm. Rm 120 C.K. Choi Building, 1855 West Mall, UBC. For more information, phone 604.822.6799.

STUDIO ONE BOOK CLUB
Anosh Irani has a new novel Dahanu Road and it's his most personal yet, inspired by his own family history. It's a love story full of tragedy and humour about three generations of the Irani clan, Zoroastrians who fled persecution in Iran and settled in Bombay. As with all of Anosh's writing, it will make you weep and laugh, and weep again because you're laughing so hard!. Come meet Anosh Irani in the intimated setting of CBC's Studio One on Monday May 31 at 6:30 pm. The only way to get in, is to win! Go to www.cbc.ca/bc/bookclub to enter for free tickets.

JOHN TURK
Reading and book signing by the author of The Raven's Gift. Monday, May 31 at 6:30pm, free. Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre, 1668 Duranleau Street, Granville Island. More information at www.ecomarine.com.

Upcoming

ERICA EHM
Author and TV personality will sign copies of her new book The Mischievous Mom at the Art Gallery. Tuesday, June 1 at 4:00pm. Vancouver Kidsbooks, 3083 West Broadway. More information at www.kidsbooks.ca.

MICHELE GENEST
Join author for a cooking demonstration and book signing from her new cookbook The Boreal Gourmet: Adventures in Northern Cooking. Thursday, June 3 at 6:00pm. Tickets $45 and include a copy of the cookbook. Barbara-Jo's Books to Cooks, 1740 2nd Ave. W. For more information, phone 604.688.6755.

BOOK TALKS
A monthly book club presented by Pandora's Collective and the VPL will be discussing Jose Saramago's "The Cave". Wednesday, June 9 at 6:30pm. Britannia Library, 1661 Napier. For more information or to register contact: booktalks@yahoo.ca.

WRITE ON BOWEN!
Early-bird registration is now being accepted for the 3rd annual Write on Bowen Festival for Writers and Readers. July 2-4, 2010. For the full Festival line-up and registration details, visit www.biac.ca/writersfestival.