Book News Vol. 5 No. 25

BOOK NEWS

Virtual Festival

The third recording in our newly launched series of archived events from Festivals-past features Lisa Moore reading from her novel February, the story of a fictional Newfoundland family affected by a real-life tragedy.
http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/multimedia/audio-archives

A Dram Come True
This is your last chance to get in on the fun and support the Festival at the same time. Chocolate-dipped strawberries, roving musicians, a bearded lady, a fabulous silent auction, and of course scotch! Count your lucky stars tickets are still available to A Dram Come True.

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.

The Telegraph features a review of The Dog Who Came in From the Cold, the latest in The Corduroy Mansion serial, which includes a video on Alexander McCall Smith's inspirations.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/bookreviews/7686257/The-Dog-Who-Came-in-From-the-Cold-by-Alexander-McCall-Smith-review.html

AWARDS & LISTS

Congratulations to our Granville Island neighbour, Ron Burnett, President of Emily Carr University, who today (Thursday) will be designated a chevalier (knight) de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for his contribution to culture, including his prolific writing on culture.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/bc-academic-to-get-french-honours/article1588045/?cmpid=rss1

Literature professor Linda Hutcheon and Montreal choreographer Édouard Lock are the winners of this year's Canada Council of the Arts Molson Prizes, worth $50,000 each.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2010/05/27/molson-prizes.html

Howard Shrier's High Chicago won the best novel prize at the Arthur Ellis Awards, and Jean Lemieux won for best crime novel in French.
http://crimewriterscanada.com/cwcNew/pages/CCC/2010%20AE%20winners%20issue.htm

Ian McEwan has received the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Award for his most recent novel Solar.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/may/28/ian-mcewan-hay-prize-solar

The longlist for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize 2010 includes Unhooking the Moon, a tale of two children's rollercoaster journey from Winnipeg to New York.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/may/29/guardian-childrens-fiction-prize

The Canadian and the International shortlists for the Griffin Poetry Prizes have been announced; Paul Vermeersch reviews the list.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/theyre-off-who-will-win-the-griffins/article1584629/

This is the tenth anniversary of the Griffin. The Star tells some of the history between P.K. Page and Kate Hall, one of this year's shortlisted authors.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/816131--griffin-poetry-prize-turns-10

The shortlist for the BBC Samuel Johnson Award for Non-Fiction has been announced. Book subjects reflect an eclectic mix, ranging from teaching oneself to fish, to stories of adversity in North Korea.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/samuel-johnson-prize-shortlist-announced-1983023.html

Linden MacIntyre was the only double-winner at the CBA Libris Awards 2010. His critically acclaimed The Bishop's Man won the Fiction Book of the Year Award, and he won Author of the Year. The attached PDF includes all the other winners.
http://www.cbabook.org/files/LibrisAwards/LibrisWINNERSannouncement10%20-%20FINAL.pdf

Margaret Atwood, Alice Munro, Anne Michaels, and Ian Brown are among those shortlisted for the Trillium Book Award, and Daniel Poliquin for the corresponding French language Prix Trillium.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/06/01/trillium-book-nominees.html

NEWS & FEATURES

A couple of the authors on the New Yorker's "20 Under 40" list of fiction writers worth watching will be appearing at the Festival in 2010.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/03/books/03under.html?ref=arts

American poet/novelist Ron Rash writes of his illiterate grandfather's gift of reading.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/a-grandfathers-gift/article1589283/

C.M. Coetzee describes writing while under Apartheid-era surveillance, in last weekend's NY Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/30/weekinreview/30cowell.html?ref=books

Ian Fleming's estate has given American author Jeffery Deaver the license to thrill with a new James Bond book.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/may/28/james-bond-jeffery-deaver

Jean Auel has announced that The Land of Painted Caves, the final novel in her epic prehistoric series Earth's Children, will be published in March 2011.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/may/28/jean-auel-earths

It is now (as of April) a century since Mark Twain's death and so, Twain's autobiography can be published. The first volume is expected in November.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/after-keeping-us-waiting-for-a-century-mark-twain-will-finally-reveal-all-1980695.html

The Montreal Gazette gives some background to Lawrence Hill's speech to the Congress of Humanities and Social Sciences on learning history.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/Book+Negroes+author+gives+dramatized+black+history+lesson/3075447/story.html
Poet Glyn Maxwell describes his research for writing the libretto for The Lion's Face, an opera about Alzheimer's.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/may/25/the-lions-face-glyn-maxwell

The novelist and screenwriter Dave Eggers has set up a series of enticing drop-in centres in cities across the US to promote writing and reading among children. Now a British team of writers and arts entrepreneurs is to create a version in London.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/may/30/dave-eggers-literacy-project-london

Publishing house McClelland & Stewart has launched a book in serialized podcast for the first time ever.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/06/01/fallis-podcast-book.html

Author and NY Times Editorial Board member Verlyn Klinkenborg reflects on the distinction, created by E-readers, between reading texts and reading books.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/30/opinion/30sun4.html

'I now think poetry has more capacity to change people than psychotherapy' says Sean Haldane, a poet and neuroscientist and a nominee for the post of professor of poetry at Oxford.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2010/may/30/sean-haldane-poet-neuroscientist

BOOKS & WRITERS

David Lipsky has published a transcription of interviews carried out in a five-day road trip with David Foster Wallace.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/30/books/review/Kalfust.html?nl=books&emc=booksupdateema3&pagewanted=all

Michael Hingston in the Georgia Straight, adds: "For Wallace fans, this is essential reading".
http://straight.com/article-325589/vancouver/book-review-although-course-you-end-becoming-yourself-david-lipsky

Tom Pow, winner of Scotland's top poetry prize last year, is visiting and creating a poetic chronicle of dying villages.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/may/28/tom-pow-poetry-dying-villages

Guardian correspondent Gary Younge, raised in Britain by a single mum from Barbados and who now lives in the US, has written Who Are We And Should It Matter in the 21st Century?, a fascinating book about identity.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/may/29/gary-younge-who-are-we

In its review of Darwin's Bastards, the LA Times says "the quality of writing across the collection is wonderfully high."
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-zsuzsi-gartner-20100523,0,5505157.story

James Macgowan describes Sebastian Junger's memoir War, based on his experience as an embedded reporter gathering material for two Vanity Fair articles and a documentary film, as "arguably his best work to date".
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/815813--sebastian-junger-s-war-in-the-valley-of-death

Antanas Sileika writes that Junger is "particularly good at taking us into their (combat soldiers’) heads".
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-war-by-sebastian-junger/article1584470/

The Times (UK) review includes a startling portrayal of an initiation rite.
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/non-fiction/article7138175.ece

An excerpt from the book can be found here:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/for-a-long-time-i-hated-god/article1584592/

The Globe and Mail includes a variety of pieces that together reflect the genius that was Paul Quarrington. John Barber profiles Quarrington and calls his final year, "his best work".
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/paul-quarrington-his-final-year-was-his-greatest-work/article1584668/?cmpid=rss1

In his review of Quarrington's memoir, Cigar Box Banjo. Mark Kingwell describes him as a "genius at living".
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-cigar-box-banjo-notes-on-music-and-life-by-paul-quarrington/article1584522/

An excerpt from the book can be found here:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/bittersweet-notes-on-music-and-life/article1584674/

One of three songs on a CD included with Quarrington's memoir can be heard here:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/a-final-song/article1584596/

Santiago Roncagliolo's Red April returns to the aftermath of the guerrilla war and counter-insurgency of the 1980s and 90s that Mario Vargas Llosa's describes in Death in the Andes. The Guardian review says that Roncaglioio, like Vargas Llosa, uses the crime thriller genre to riveting effect.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/may/29/red-april-santiago-roncagliolo-review

The New Yorker reviews Robert McCrum's book Globish. If the whole world speaks English, will it still be English?
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2010/05/31/100531crbo_books_chotiner

John Allemang interviews McCrum on the subject of language, rather than a country or a corporation, as the dominant power.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/world-power-the-english-language/article1585106/

Marina Nemat recommends Vancouver author Yadi Sharifirad's The Flight of the Patriot to anyone who wants to learn more about Iran.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-the-flight-of-the-patriot-by-yadi-sharifirad/article1587935/

COMMUNITY EVENTS

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.

THE NIGHTS ALSO
Author Anna Swanson launches her new book of poetry. Thursday, June 3 at 7:00pm. Cafe Montmartre, 4362 Main Street.

IT'S ADVENTURE
Rene Cormier, a motorcycle and a goal: to go around the world with no idea of what to expect. Join Rene for a slideshow and readings from his book of the experience, The University of Gravel Roads. Saturday, June 5 at 3:00pm, free. Joe Fortes Branch of the VPL, West End Community Centre, 870 Denman Street. For more information please contact Joe Fortes Branch at 604-665-3972.

SUSAN JUBY
Author reads from her memoir, Nice Recovery. Monday, June 7 at 7:30pm, free. Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street.

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.

CHARLES DEMERS
Writer and performer Charles Demers examines the who, what, where, when, why, and how of Vancouver in his new book Vancouver Special. Wednesday, June 9 at 7:30pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street. For more information please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.

ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Andrew Binks and Sarah Roberts. Thursday, June 10 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore, Robson Square, Plaza Level, 800 Robson Street. More information at http://www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca/.

WE, OUR STORIES
The 18th annual Vancouver International Storytelling Festival features local and international artists & storytellers RC Weslowski, Allison Cox, Little Woo, Wang Su Ma, Jacques Lalonde, Kwii ge ii wans (Roberta Kennedy), Erin Graham, Mary Gavan, Zamir Dhanji, Chris Murdoch and others. June 11-13, 2010. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, 578 Carrall Street. For complete details, visit http://www.vancouverstorytelling.org/.

THE LIFE AND ART OF GEORGE FERTIG
Opening and book launch of the George Fertig Retrospective. Saturday, June 12 at 1:00pm. Burnaby Art Gallery, 6344 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby.

NEIL PASRICHA
Reading and book signing by the author of The Book of Awesome. Saturday, June 12 at 2:00pm. Chapters Robson and Howe, 788 Robson Street. More information at 604.682.4066.

JACQUELINE CAREY
New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline Carey reads from Namah's Curse, book two of her lushly imagined Namah trilogy featuring daughter of Alba, Moirin. Monday, June 14 at 7:30pm, free. Alma VanDusen Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street.

WRITING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE READING SERIES
Visit the intimate living room at Historic Joy Kogawa House for a series of small salon evenings with five writers who use literature to call for social change and justice and as a tool for social transformation. The fourth writer in the series, Karen Connelly will read from and sign her works. Monday, June 14 at 7:30pm, admission by donation. Historic Joy Kogawa House, 1450 64th Ave. W. More information here: http://www.kogawahouse.com/.

Upcoming

MOLLY WIZENBERG
Book signing by the author of A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table. Wednesday, June 16 at 3:30pm. Barbara Jo's Books to Cooks, 1740 2nd Ave. W. More information at http://www.bookstocooks.com/.

RHEA TREGEBOV
Reading by the author of The Knife Sharpener's Bell. Wednesday, June 16 at 7:30pm, free. VPL, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. More information at http://www.vpl.ca/.

MATT ROSS
Author reads from his book Short Straws. Sunday, June 20 at 3:30pm, free. Joe Fortes Branch, VPL, 870 Denman Street. More information at http://www.vpl.ca/.

WORLD POETRY
First Nations celebration including a tribute to Vera Manuel, a Secwepemc-Ktunaxa playwright, poet, storyteller and healer. Monday, June 21 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. More information at www.vpl.ca.

RANDALL HANSEN
Author presents his Governor General's award-nominated book, Fire and Fury: the Allied Bombing of Germany. Wednesday, June 23 at 7:30pm, free. Alma VanDusen Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. More information at http://www.vpl.ca/.

ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Des Kennedy and Steve Noyes. Thursday, June 24 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore, Robson Square, Plaza Level, 800 Robson Street. More information at http://www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca/.

MORRIS BATES
Author reads from his book Morris as Elvis: Take a Chance on Life. Thursday, June 24 at 7:30pm, free. Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. More information at http://www.vpl.ca/.

EVELYN C. WHITE AND JOANNE BEALY
Authors read from their book Every Goodbye Ain't Gone: A Photo Narrative of Black Heritage on Salt Spring Island. Monday, June 28 at 7:30pm, free. Alma VanDusen Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. More information at http://www.vpl.ca/.

WRITING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE READING SERIES
Visit the intimate living room at Historic Joy Kogawa House for a series of small salon evenings with five writers who use literature to call for social change and justice and as a tool for social transformation. The last writer in the series, Nancy Lee will read from and sign her works. Monday, June 28 at 7:30pm, admission by donation. Historic Joy Kogawa House, 1450 64th Ave. W. More information here: http://www.kogawahouse.com/.

HEATHER SPEARS
Author gives a poetry reading and slide show of her drawings. Wednesday, June 30 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. More information at http://www.vpl.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.