BOOK NEWS
Virtual Festival
The latest recording in our recently launched series of archived events from Festivals-past features Alberto Manguel in conversation with Hal Wake. Renowned bibliophile Alberto Manguel renovated a medieval presbytery in France to house his collection of more than 30,000 books. This interview tells the story of his library and many more past and present. http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/multimedia/audio-archives
Special Events
Alexander McCall Smith
The Cellist of Sarajevo author Steven Galloway talks with Alexander McCall Smith, bestselling author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency about his forthcoming book, Corduroy Mansions. Complete details on our website, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/mccallsmith. A review of Coruroy Mansions in the Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/27/AR2010072705064.html?wprss=rss_print/bookworld.
John Vaillant
The author of the multi-award-winning The Golden Spruce will discuss his new book The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival, a gripping tale of man and nature in collision, that leads inexorably to a final showdown in a clearing deep in the Siberian forest. Details here, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/vaillant.
Alissa York and Richard Harvell
Please join us as Giller-shortlisted author Alissa York and debut novelist Richard Harvell read from their new works. Details at http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/yorkharvell.
2010 FESTIVAL AUTHORS
The following authors will be attending the Festival in October or participating in special events in the fall.
Emma Donahue, Andrea Levy, and David Mitchell, are among the dozen authors on the Man Booker longlist.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/jul/27/booker-prize-longlist
Sarah Selecky's This Cake is for the Party is a dandy debut collection.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/839575--this-cake-is-for-the-party-a-dandy-debut-collection
Adam Lewis Schroeder's In the Fabled East is a "marvelous and compelling tale" "a novel to lose yourself in", writes Nancy Wigston.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/839764--in-the-fabled-east-a-novel-to-lose-yourself-in
The San Francisco Chronicle adds its praise to the accolades already given David Mitchell's The Thousand Autumns of Jakob De Zoet.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/06/27/RV811E1KAT.DTL
As well as an interview with the author.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/07/22/NS271EFGM2.DTL&type=books
We've read that endlessly skimming short texts on the internet is making us stupider, that we are becoming less attentive book-readers. Gary Shteyngart, one of the New Yorker's "20 Under 40" luminaries assumes that as a given in Super Sad True Love Story.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703724104575379562245765930.html?mod=WSJ_Books_LS_Books_5
The NY Times describes the book as "supersad, superfunny, superaffecting".
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/27/books/27book.html?ref=gary_shteyngart
AWARDS & LISTS
Toronto poet Christian Campbell is on the shortlist for Britain's Forward Prize for best first poetry collection.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/07/27/forward-prize-poetry.html
The Margaret Hewson prize for new writing talent, chosen by Beryl Bainbridge shortly before her recent death, has been presented to London student Laura McClelland for her story about a group of Pre-Raphaelites.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/21/prize-judged-beryl-bainbridge-london-student
R.J. Ellory's A Simple Act of Violence has won the £3,000 Theakstons Old Peculier crime novel of the year award.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/23/rj-ellory-wins-crime-novel-year
Swedish author Johan Theorin has won the Crime Writers' Association's International Dagger award. Last year's winner was French author Fred Vargas.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/26/johan-theorin-crime-writers-award
Ariana Franklin has won The Dagger In the Library for her body of work.
http://www.thecwa.co.uk/daggers/2010/library.html
Complete list of daggers:
http://www.thecwa.co.uk/daggers/2010/index.html
The top winner of this years TLS (Times Literary Supplement) poetry competition is Peter Daniels of London. Other prize-winners are from elsewhere in Britain and from the U.S.
http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/tsl-pdfs/poetrycompetition.pdf
NEWS & FEATURES
Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore has launched a review of the Revised Foreign Investment Policy in Book Publishing and Distribution.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/07/21/book-publishing-policy-review.html
Can gross-out humour convince reluctant readers to crack open a book?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/family-and-relationships/can-fart-jokes-get-boys-to-crack-open-a-book/article1648590/
Publisher, poet, pacifist, singer and songwriter Tuli Kupferberg has died.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/26/poetry-usa
Hodder Children's Books, the British publisher of Enid Blyton's Famous Five children's book series has announced it is updating the language used in the first ten books in the bestselling series.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/07/24/blyton-famousfive-updated.html
A court in Oslo has ordered a Norwegian journalist and her publisher to pay damages to an Afghan woman portrayed in the book The Bookseller of Kabul for breaching her privacy.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/07/24/bookseller-norway-fine.html
Claims of distortions endangering the bookseller's family has led the bookseller's two wives into exile in Norway and in Canada.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/27/asne-seierstad-the-bookseller-of-kabul-damages
More charges are expected.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/27/bookseller-kabul-author-lawsuit
Guy Dixon interviews Margaret Atwood on whether the fictional dystopias she's described could actually happen.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/before-the-flood/article1651889/
Andrew Wylie's Odyssey Editions has made an exclusive e-book arrangement with Amazon.com, bypassing now-angry publishers and book stores, claiming better royalties for authors.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/27/authors-guild-amazon-andrew-wylie
The Independent is not convinced this arrangement will benefit authors, except those with Wylie, most of whom, apparently, are dead.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/andrew-franklin-parasites-on-the-back-of-real-books-2036234.html
The Bookseller outlines how some American booksellers are responding.
http://www.thebookseller.co.uk/news/124201-wylie-splits-the-trade-over-odyssey.html
BOOKS & WRITERS
The NY Times focuses attention on seven new collections of poetry.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/23/books/23book.html?_r=1&nl=books&emc=booksupdateemb5
Ursula K. Le Guin acclaims the wise comedy of José Saramago in The Elephant's Journey.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/24/elephants-journey-jose-saramago-review
Bologna's fiction-writing collective Wu Ming have published Manituana, a provocative saga set in British America prior to 1776, through the eyes of the Mohawk nation.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/manituana-by-wu-ming-2033010.html
In its review of Inger Ash Wolfe's The Taken, the LA Times continues to wonder who is the author of this pseudonymous crime novel.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-rutten-20100721,0,5370588.story
Octogenarian Liam Dwyer started his literary career with Murder in Muskoka. His sixth book will be out this fall.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/839797--laptop-birthday-gift-launches-author-liam-dwyer-at-80
Donna Bailey Nurse writes that in Annabel, Kathleen Winter "exerts superb control over material that could easily turn exploitative".
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/Kathleen+Winter+powerful+debut+novel+Annabel+about+being/3309798/story.html
Damon Galgut's In a Strange Room is on the Booker longlist and shows the author "at a superb new high", knowing one big thing (hedgehog) vs. knowing many things (fox).
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/25/in-a-strange-room-review
Paul Greenberg's Four Fish is a study of overfishing and the rise of industrial sea-farming that is "enlightening without being preachy".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/25/four-fish-paul-greenberg
In a world of tweet messages, Howard Norman has written an epistolary novel, What is Left the Daughter.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/books/review/Wallace-t.html?ref=books
An excerpt from the novel is here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/books/review/excerpt-what-is-left-the-daughter.html?ref=review
"Lives like loaded guns", a line from an Emily Dickinson poem, is the title of the most recent biography of Dickinson, by Lyndall Gordon.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/23/AR2010072302549.html
Stieg Larsson becomes first author to sell 1m ebooks on Amazon.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/28/stieg-larsson-1m-ebooks-amazon
COMMUNITY EVENTS
GEORGE WOODCOCK LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Vancouver Public Library and BC BookWorld are pleased to present the sixteenth George Woodcock Lifetime Achievement Award for an outstanding literary career in British Columbia to acclaimed writer Anne Cameron. Thursday, July 29 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. For more information please contact the VPL at 604-331-3603.
BURNING WATER
The W.A. Deacon Literary Foundation is pleased to announce a 12 hour marathon reading of George Bowering's award winning novel. The general public is invited to participate by taking turns reading from the novel. Friday, July 30 starting at 8:00am. 700 block Granville Street (between West Georgia and Robson Street). For more information, visit deaconfoundation.com.
EVELYN LAU
The Intrepid Pens DTES Book Club and Writing Group presents a reading, talk, and question-and-answer session with Vancouver writer Evelyn Lau. All proceeds go to Intrepid Pens and the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre. Saturday, July 31 at 7:00pm. Admission by donation. Downtown Eastside Women's Centre, 302 Columbia. For more information, visit www.dewc.ca.
HARMONY ARTS FESTIVAL
Join poets Trevor Carolan, Daniela Elza and English guitarist Andrew Collins as they perform new and favourite poems and songs on the themes of Love and Art. Monday, August 2 at 1:00pm. Art Tent at the Ferry Building Gallery, Ambleside, West Vancouver. For more information, visit www.harmonyarts.ca.
VANCOUVER POETRY SLAM
Van Slam featuring Clint "Father Goose" Wilson. Monday, August 2 at 8:00pm. Admission: $5/$3. Cafe Deux Soleils (2096 Commercial). More information at www.vancouverpoetryhouse.com.
TADDLE CREEK LAUNCH
Launch of Toronto-based literary magazine's first out of towner issue with an evening of readings by Lee Henderson, Peter Darbyshire, Marguerite Pigeon and Michael Christie. Tuesday, August 3 at 9:00pm, free. Brickhouse Late Nite Bistro and Bar (730 Main Street). More information at www.taddlecreekmag.com.
SAD MAG ISSUE 4 LAUNCH
Sad Mag presents a launch party for its fourth issue featuring dancing and entertainment hosted by the Terminal City Roller Girls. Wednesday, August 4 at 9:00pm. Cobalt, 917 Main Street. More information at www.sadmag.ca.
SUNSHINE COAST FESTIVAL OF THE WRITTEN ARTS
Join Canada's longest-running summer gathering of Canadian writers and readers, featuring established literary stars and exciting new voices, with opportunities for writers and readers to mingle amidst Rockwood's heritage gardens. August 12-15, 2010. Tickets are now on sale by phoning 1-800-565-9631 or 604-885-9631. Details at www.writersfestival.ca.
Upcoming
SUMMER DREAMS AWARDS CEREMONY
Celebrate those in the writing community who deserve to be honoured. Friday, August 20 at 7:00pm. Jacana Gallery (2435 Granville Street).
SUMMER DREAMS LITERARY ARTS FESTIVAL
Annual one day event showcasing and celebrating the on-going literary events, programs and resources available to the community. Features Evelyn Lau, Brad Cran and many others. Saturday, August 21. Complete details here, http://sites.google.com/site/summerdreamsfest/home.
JILL EDMONSON
Author reads from her new novel, Blood and Groom, part of the Castle Street Mysteries. Saturday, August 28 at 1:00pm. Indigo Marine Drive (1025 Marine Drive).
GARY GEDDES
Reading by the author from his latest book of poetry, Swimming Ginger. Monday, September 13 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen Room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. For more information, phone 604-331-3603.
SUSAN BOYD
Join the author as she reads from her book Hooked: Drug War Films in Britain, Canada and the United States. Wednesday, September 22 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. For more information, phone 604-331-3738.
EVOLVE: VAMPIRE STORIES OF THE NEW UNDEAD
Listen to Vancouver writers Mary Choo, Sandra Wickham and Celdae (Colleen) Anderson, 3 of 22 Canadian authors featured in this most unusual and compelling collection as they re-imagine the future of vampires. Monday, September 27 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye rooms, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. For more information phone 604-331-3691.
MICHAEL NICHOLL YAHGULANAAS
Reading by the author of Red. Thursday, September 30 at 1:00pm, free. Lillooet Room (level 3), Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, 1961 East Mall, Vancouver. More information at www.ikebarberlearningcentre.ubc.ca.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Book News Vol. 5 No. 32
BOOK NEWS
Virtual Festival
The latest recording in our recently launched series of archived events from Festivals-past features Karen Connelly, Lorna Crozier and Brian Brett. Salt Spring Island, Burma and Saskatchewan. These places are at the heart of three works on non-fiction by Canadian authors interviewed by the estimable Bill Richardson. http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/multimedia/audio-archives
Special Event
Alexander McCall Smith
The Cellist of Sarajevo author Steven Galloway talks with Alexander McCall Smith, bestselling author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency about his forthcoming book, Corduroy Mansions. Complete details on our website, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/specialevents.
AWARDS & LISTS
Vancouver's Scot Ritchie is one of the nominees for the various Canadian children's book awards recently announced. All of the finalists are listed here.
http://www.bookcentre.ca/news/finalists_announced_2010_canadian_childrens_book_centre_awards
Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney's Human Chain has been shortlisted for the Forward prize for best poetry collection.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/20/forward-poetry-prize-shortlist
NEWS & FEATURES
There are 17 Poets Laureate in Canada and these rhymers, rappers and writers of verse met for their first national gathering last week in Halifax.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/07/15/poets-laureate-halifax.html
The book Three Cups of Tea by humanitarian worker Greg Mortensen has become required reading for US high command.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/19/greg-mortenson-us-army-afghanistan-pakistan
The connection was precipitated by military wives reading the book and recommending it to their husbands.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/18/world/asia/18tea.html?ref=books
Patrick Kingsley and others argue that endlessly skimming short texts on the internet is making us stupider. Just as we have had a 'slow food' movement, there is the beginning of a movement to reacquaint ourselves with the art of 'slow reading'.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/15/slow-reading
Academics report that we are becoming less attentive book-readers.
http://www.bookninja.com/
And lines of poetry are tough to fit in e-form.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/breaking-up-is-hard-lines-of-poetry-a-tough-fit-in-e-form/article1639820/
Clay Shirky and Nicholas Carr offer two other perspectives.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-the-shallows-by-nicholas-carr-and-cognitive-surplus-by-clay-shirky/article1642993/
The Vancouver Sun recommends three Canadian authors' new Young Adult titles for summer reading.
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Teen+heroes+with+second+chances/3290813/story.html
Michael Stanley's top 10 African crime novels.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/30/michael-stanley-african-crime
Douglas Coupland is moving from fiction to fashion, having launched a new line of clothing promising to 'explore a new way of seeing Canada'.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/14/generation-x-fiction-fashion
Bret Easton Ellis credits his abusive father for his becoming a writer.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2010/jul/18/bret-easton-ellis-interview
The Irish Independent calls his latest book, Imperial Bedrooms, "a merciless novel".
http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/review-imperial-bedrooms-by-bret-easton-ellis-2262617.html
Aspiring writers wishing to write like their favourite writer can assess themselves on "I Write Like" by clicking on the link, entering some text into the box, hitting "analyze" and voila.
http://iwl.me/
Alison Flood was thrilled to discover the website confirms she writes like Margaret Atwood.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/jul/15/i-write-like-margaret-atwood
Here is a Q & A with the creator of "I Write Like".
http://www.theawl.com/2010/07/a-qa-with-the-creator-of-i-write-like-the-algorithm-is-not-a-rocket-science
The Awl includes a short history of the bookmobile, established despite some fears about books in "the wrong hands".
http://www.theawl.com/2010/07/the-invention-of-the-bookmobile-rural-filesharing-networks
The Tyee has named Andrew Nikiforuk its first Writer in Residence.
http://thetyee.ca/News/2010/07/15/Nikiforuk/?utm_source=mondayheadlines&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=190710
Penguin Group USA and U.S. cable network Starz Entertainment have collaborated on a multimedia version of Ken Follett's blockbuster novel The Pillars of the Earth—the Amplified Edition-—combining the full text of the book, with video and audio clips, and more.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/07/20/follett-pillars-amplified-novel.html
French publisher Éditions du Public has initiated 'crowdfunded' publishing.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/19/france-pioneers-crowdfunded-publishing
BOOKS & WRITERS
A little-known 70-year-old novel by the Australian author Christina Stead has been given a new lease on life in the U.S., thanks to Jonathan Franzen’s rave review in the New York Times of Stead’s The Man Who Loved Children.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/14/jonathan-franzen-australian-writer
The New Yorker includes a story by Dinaw Mengestu, one of its 20 under 40.
http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/features/2010/07/12/100712fi_fiction_mengestu
Reviewers continue to praise David Mitchell’s The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet. The Gazette calls Mitchell the David Bowie of contemporary fiction.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/David+Mitchell+shows+cultures+conflict/3257743/story.html
James Bradshaw’s interview focuses on the varied complex structures of Mitchell’s stories.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/tricksier-than-it-looks/article1644085/
The first in a series of interviews with authors shortlisted for this year’s Guardian children’s fiction prize is with Marcus Sedgwick, author of the YA book White Crow.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/16/marcus-sedgwick-teenage-novel
Mai Peet, last year’s Guardian children’s fiction prize-winner reviews Michael Morpurgo’s An Elephant in the Garden. The elephant is called Marlene and the story includes a Canadian reference.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/16/elephant-in-garden-michael-morpurgo
Matt Stewart’s novel was first published as a series of tweets—and now it’s out in paperback—and easier to read.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/07/15/NS3U1EBDV8.DTL&type=books
Mameve Medwed, however, describes it as liberté, fraternité, gimmickry.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/13/AR2010071305649.html
The Letters, an assemblage of about 200 letters between Beat men Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac offers insight into their friendship, their souls and their writing.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-kerouac-ginsberg-20100718,0,6040928.story
COMMUNITY EVENTS
SKIN LIKE MINE
Join critically acclaimed BC poets Garry Gottfriedson, Rita Wong, and Joanne Arnott for a poetry reading to celebrate the release of Garry Gottfriedson's new collection. Thursday, July 22 at 7:00pm, free. Meeting room, level 3, VPL Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia Street. For more information, phone 604.331.3691 or email ronsdale@shaw.ca.
THE DEVIL YOU KNOW
Anvil Press presents the launch of Jenn Farrell's second collection of short fiction. Thursday, July 22 at 7:00pm, free. Railway Club (579 Dunsmuir). More information at www.anvilpress.com.
MORRIS BATES
Author reads from his book, Morris as Elvis: Take a Chance on Life. Friday, July 23 at 6:00pm, free. Carnegie Theatre, Carnegie Branch, 401 Main Street. For more information, please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
OCW MAGAZINE LAUNCH
Relaunch of one cool word magazine. Features Parlour Steps, Elephant Train, Wilderness Years and more. Tickets $15 and include magazine and subscription. Friday, July 23. Rickshaw Theatre.
VANCOUVER POETRY SLAM
Youth slam featuring Lara Bozabalian. Monday, July 26 at 8:00pm. Admission: $5/$3. Cafe Deux Soleils (2096 Commercial). More information at www.vancouverpoetryhouse.com.
GEORGE WOODCOCK LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Vancouver Public Library and BC BookWorld are pleased to present the sixteenth George Woodcock Lifetime Achievement Award for an outstanding literary career in British Columbia to acclaimed writer Anne Cameron. Thursday, July 29 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. For more information please contact the VPL at 604-331-3603.
BURNING WATER
The W.A. Deacon Literary Foundation is pleased to announce a 12 hour marathon reading of George Bowering's award winning novel. The general public is invited to participate by taking turns reading from the novel. Friday, July 30 starting at 8:00am. 700 block Granville Street (between West Georgia and Robson Street). For more information, visit deaconfoundation.com.
Upcoming
HARMONY ARTS FESTIVAL
Join poets Trevor Carolan, Daniela Elza and English guitarist Andrew Collins as they perform new and favourite poems and songs
on the themes of Love and Art. Monday, August 2 at 1:00pm. Art Tent at the Ferry Building Gallery, Ambleside, West Vancouver. For more information, visit www.harmonyarts.ca.
SUNSHINE COAST FESTIVAL OF THE WRITTEN ARTS
Join Canada's longest-running summer gathering of Canadian writers and readers, featuring established literary stars and exciting new voices, with opportunities for writers and readers to mingle amidst Rockwood's heritage gardens. August 12-15, 2010. Tickets are now on sale by phoning 1-800-565-9631 or 604-885-9631. Details at www.writersfestival.ca.
SUMMER DREAMS AWARDS CEREMONY
Celebrate those in the writing community who deserve to be honoured. Friday, August 20 at 7:00pm. Jacana Gallery (2435 Granville Street).
SUMMER DREAMS LITERARY ARTS FESTIVAL
Annual one day event showcasing and celebrating the on-going literary events, programs and resources available to the community. Features Evelyn Lau, Brad Cran and many others. Saturday, August 21. Complete details here, http://sites.google.com/site/summerdreamsfest/home.
Virtual Festival
The latest recording in our recently launched series of archived events from Festivals-past features Karen Connelly, Lorna Crozier and Brian Brett. Salt Spring Island, Burma and Saskatchewan. These places are at the heart of three works on non-fiction by Canadian authors interviewed by the estimable Bill Richardson. http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/multimedia/audio-archives
Special Event
Alexander McCall Smith
The Cellist of Sarajevo author Steven Galloway talks with Alexander McCall Smith, bestselling author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency about his forthcoming book, Corduroy Mansions. Complete details on our website, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/specialevents.
AWARDS & LISTS
Vancouver's Scot Ritchie is one of the nominees for the various Canadian children's book awards recently announced. All of the finalists are listed here.
http://www.bookcentre.ca/news/finalists_announced_2010_canadian_childrens_book_centre_awards
Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney's Human Chain has been shortlisted for the Forward prize for best poetry collection.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/20/forward-poetry-prize-shortlist
NEWS & FEATURES
There are 17 Poets Laureate in Canada and these rhymers, rappers and writers of verse met for their first national gathering last week in Halifax.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/07/15/poets-laureate-halifax.html
The book Three Cups of Tea by humanitarian worker Greg Mortensen has become required reading for US high command.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/19/greg-mortenson-us-army-afghanistan-pakistan
The connection was precipitated by military wives reading the book and recommending it to their husbands.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/18/world/asia/18tea.html?ref=books
Patrick Kingsley and others argue that endlessly skimming short texts on the internet is making us stupider. Just as we have had a 'slow food' movement, there is the beginning of a movement to reacquaint ourselves with the art of 'slow reading'.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/15/slow-reading
Academics report that we are becoming less attentive book-readers.
http://www.bookninja.com/
And lines of poetry are tough to fit in e-form.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/breaking-up-is-hard-lines-of-poetry-a-tough-fit-in-e-form/article1639820/
Clay Shirky and Nicholas Carr offer two other perspectives.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-the-shallows-by-nicholas-carr-and-cognitive-surplus-by-clay-shirky/article1642993/
The Vancouver Sun recommends three Canadian authors' new Young Adult titles for summer reading.
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Teen+heroes+with+second+chances/3290813/story.html
Michael Stanley's top 10 African crime novels.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/30/michael-stanley-african-crime
Douglas Coupland is moving from fiction to fashion, having launched a new line of clothing promising to 'explore a new way of seeing Canada'.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/14/generation-x-fiction-fashion
Bret Easton Ellis credits his abusive father for his becoming a writer.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2010/jul/18/bret-easton-ellis-interview
The Irish Independent calls his latest book, Imperial Bedrooms, "a merciless novel".
http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/review-imperial-bedrooms-by-bret-easton-ellis-2262617.html
Aspiring writers wishing to write like their favourite writer can assess themselves on "I Write Like" by clicking on the link, entering some text into the box, hitting "analyze" and voila.
http://iwl.me/
Alison Flood was thrilled to discover the website confirms she writes like Margaret Atwood.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/jul/15/i-write-like-margaret-atwood
Here is a Q & A with the creator of "I Write Like".
http://www.theawl.com/2010/07/a-qa-with-the-creator-of-i-write-like-the-algorithm-is-not-a-rocket-science
The Awl includes a short history of the bookmobile, established despite some fears about books in "the wrong hands".
http://www.theawl.com/2010/07/the-invention-of-the-bookmobile-rural-filesharing-networks
The Tyee has named Andrew Nikiforuk its first Writer in Residence.
http://thetyee.ca/News/2010/07/15/Nikiforuk/?utm_source=mondayheadlines&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=190710
Penguin Group USA and U.S. cable network Starz Entertainment have collaborated on a multimedia version of Ken Follett's blockbuster novel The Pillars of the Earth—the Amplified Edition-—combining the full text of the book, with video and audio clips, and more.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/07/20/follett-pillars-amplified-novel.html
French publisher Éditions du Public has initiated 'crowdfunded' publishing.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/19/france-pioneers-crowdfunded-publishing
BOOKS & WRITERS
A little-known 70-year-old novel by the Australian author Christina Stead has been given a new lease on life in the U.S., thanks to Jonathan Franzen’s rave review in the New York Times of Stead’s The Man Who Loved Children.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/14/jonathan-franzen-australian-writer
The New Yorker includes a story by Dinaw Mengestu, one of its 20 under 40.
http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/features/2010/07/12/100712fi_fiction_mengestu
Reviewers continue to praise David Mitchell’s The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet. The Gazette calls Mitchell the David Bowie of contemporary fiction.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/David+Mitchell+shows+cultures+conflict/3257743/story.html
James Bradshaw’s interview focuses on the varied complex structures of Mitchell’s stories.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/tricksier-than-it-looks/article1644085/
The first in a series of interviews with authors shortlisted for this year’s Guardian children’s fiction prize is with Marcus Sedgwick, author of the YA book White Crow.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/16/marcus-sedgwick-teenage-novel
Mai Peet, last year’s Guardian children’s fiction prize-winner reviews Michael Morpurgo’s An Elephant in the Garden. The elephant is called Marlene and the story includes a Canadian reference.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/16/elephant-in-garden-michael-morpurgo
Matt Stewart’s novel was first published as a series of tweets—and now it’s out in paperback—and easier to read.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/07/15/NS3U1EBDV8.DTL&type=books
Mameve Medwed, however, describes it as liberté, fraternité, gimmickry.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/13/AR2010071305649.html
The Letters, an assemblage of about 200 letters between Beat men Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac offers insight into their friendship, their souls and their writing.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-kerouac-ginsberg-20100718,0,6040928.story
COMMUNITY EVENTS
SKIN LIKE MINE
Join critically acclaimed BC poets Garry Gottfriedson, Rita Wong, and Joanne Arnott for a poetry reading to celebrate the release of Garry Gottfriedson's new collection. Thursday, July 22 at 7:00pm, free. Meeting room, level 3, VPL Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia Street. For more information, phone 604.331.3691 or email ronsdale@shaw.ca.
THE DEVIL YOU KNOW
Anvil Press presents the launch of Jenn Farrell's second collection of short fiction. Thursday, July 22 at 7:00pm, free. Railway Club (579 Dunsmuir). More information at www.anvilpress.com.
MORRIS BATES
Author reads from his book, Morris as Elvis: Take a Chance on Life. Friday, July 23 at 6:00pm, free. Carnegie Theatre, Carnegie Branch, 401 Main Street. For more information, please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
OCW MAGAZINE LAUNCH
Relaunch of one cool word magazine. Features Parlour Steps, Elephant Train, Wilderness Years and more. Tickets $15 and include magazine and subscription. Friday, July 23. Rickshaw Theatre.
VANCOUVER POETRY SLAM
Youth slam featuring Lara Bozabalian. Monday, July 26 at 8:00pm. Admission: $5/$3. Cafe Deux Soleils (2096 Commercial). More information at www.vancouverpoetryhouse.com.
GEORGE WOODCOCK LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Vancouver Public Library and BC BookWorld are pleased to present the sixteenth George Woodcock Lifetime Achievement Award for an outstanding literary career in British Columbia to acclaimed writer Anne Cameron. Thursday, July 29 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. For more information please contact the VPL at 604-331-3603.
BURNING WATER
The W.A. Deacon Literary Foundation is pleased to announce a 12 hour marathon reading of George Bowering's award winning novel. The general public is invited to participate by taking turns reading from the novel. Friday, July 30 starting at 8:00am. 700 block Granville Street (between West Georgia and Robson Street). For more information, visit deaconfoundation.com.
Upcoming
HARMONY ARTS FESTIVAL
Join poets Trevor Carolan, Daniela Elza and English guitarist Andrew Collins as they perform new and favourite poems and songs
on the themes of Love and Art. Monday, August 2 at 1:00pm. Art Tent at the Ferry Building Gallery, Ambleside, West Vancouver. For more information, visit www.harmonyarts.ca.
SUNSHINE COAST FESTIVAL OF THE WRITTEN ARTS
Join Canada's longest-running summer gathering of Canadian writers and readers, featuring established literary stars and exciting new voices, with opportunities for writers and readers to mingle amidst Rockwood's heritage gardens. August 12-15, 2010. Tickets are now on sale by phoning 1-800-565-9631 or 604-885-9631. Details at www.writersfestival.ca.
SUMMER DREAMS AWARDS CEREMONY
Celebrate those in the writing community who deserve to be honoured. Friday, August 20 at 7:00pm. Jacana Gallery (2435 Granville Street).
SUMMER DREAMS LITERARY ARTS FESTIVAL
Annual one day event showcasing and celebrating the on-going literary events, programs and resources available to the community. Features Evelyn Lau, Brad Cran and many others. Saturday, August 21. Complete details here, http://sites.google.com/site/summerdreamsfest/home.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Book News Vol. 5 No. 31
BOOK NEWS
Virtual Festival
The ninth recording in our recently launched series of archived events from Festivals-past features Dennis Bock. The celebrated author of the Ash Garden reads a selection from The Communist's Daughter, a novel based on the legendary Dr. Norman Bethune. http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/multimedia/audio-archives
Special Event
Alexander McCall Smith
The Cellist of Sarajevo author Steven Galloway talks with Alexander McCall Smith, bestselling author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency about his forthcoming book, Corduroy Mansions. Complete details on our website, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/specialevents.
Visit Alexander McCall Smith's new website at http://www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk.
AWARDS & LISTS
American authors dominate the short list for the Frank O'Connor award, the richest short story prize in the world.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/07/10/oconnor-shortstory-prize.html
Paolo Bacigalupi's first novel has won both the Nebula Award—given by the Science Fiction Writers of America for best novel of the year—and the Locus Magazine Award for best first novel. In his review, “A writer to watch”, says Michael Dirda in his review.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/07/AR2010070704582.html
NEWS & FEATURES
The Canada Council for the Arts has announced that the federal government has launched a fund of $4.25 million for English and French translation of books over the next three years.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/07/12/book-translation.html
The unexpurgated autobiography of Mark Twain shows that he was more pointedly political and willing to play the role of the angry prophet than his droll and cantankerous earlier writing suggested.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/10/books/10twain.html?hp
Stieg Larsson's fourth manuscript is clouded in mystery.
http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/books/view.bg?articleid=1267403&format=&page=2&listingType=book#articleFull
An email the late Swedish author sent to a friend reveals the unpublished work was set in a remote part of northern Canada.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/13/stieg-larsson-millennium-fourth-book
A graphic novel based on Anne Frank's diaries was released last week in The Netherlands. An English version will be released in North America in September.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/07/09/anne-frank-graphic-novel.html
William Gibson wrote a literary riff based on an ashtray. Does narrative transform insignificant objects into significant ones?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/jul/08/significant-objects-ebay-writers
Michael Holroyd has written an appreciation of his hero, Beryl Bainbridge.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/10/beryl-bainbridge-hero-michael-holroyd
Robert McCrum suggests the possibility that we have lost our cultural way.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/jul/12/apocalypse-now-lost-cultural-way
The Shirley Jackson Awards for excellence in "literature of psychological suspense, horror, and the dark fantastic" were awarded over the weekend, and yet, writes Laura Miller, the author of The Lottery is still not getting the respect she deserves.
http://www.salon.com/books/laura_miller/index.html?story=/books/laura_miller/2010/07/14/shirley_jackson
BOOKS & WRITERS
Maggie de Vries has written an engrossing and often suspenseful tale of a bear whose life is intertwined with the Chinook salmon. The Globe and Mail review of this new children's book—Fraser Bear: A Cub's Life—reports that the full-colour illustrations are an important addition to the story.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-fraser-bear-a-cubs-life-by-maggie-de-vries/article1633010/
Kathleen Winter's debut novel Annabel refers to a murder, but no one is killed. Nor is this a murder mystery. The Ottawa Citizen review focuses on a metaphor of bridge as a path to understanding and the images of masculine and feminine at war and in balance.
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Gender+confusion/3263071/story.html
Readers of G.W. Bernard's Fatal Attractions will find that it demolishes many of the statements that we are accustomed to taking as fact about the life of Anne Boleyn, statements that are, he claims, based on gossip and speculation.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-anne-boleyn-20100711,0,3157261.story
Donna Bailey Nurse finds Moon Over Marrakesh and The Butterfly Mosque, two memoirs by women who embrace love and Islam in North Africa, to be captivating.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-moon-over-marrakech-by-nazneen-sheikh-the-butterfly-mosque-by-g-willow-wilson/article1633044/
Todd Hirsch reviews two unusual books about "Big Oil". The first, Why We Hate the Oil Companies, is by a former president of Houston-based Shell Oil, John Hofmeister, who is critical of the industry. Oil: Money, Politics and Power in the 21st Century, by British journalist and historian Tom Bower, takes an investigative and narrative approach.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-why-we-hate-the-oil-companies-by-john-hofmeister-oil-by-tom-bower/article1625550/
COMMUNITY EVENTS
DENMAN ISLAND READERS AND WRITERS FESTIVAL
Eighth annual event featuring Brian Brett, Des Kennedy, Nancy Turner, Jan Zwicky and more. Hosted by Bill Richardson. July 12 to 18, 2010. Denman Island, BC. For complete details, visit www.denmanislandwritersfestival.com.
THE STORYBOX
The Thursdays Writing Collective launchs its 4th chapbook. Thursday, July 15 at 8:00pm, free or by donation at the door. The Brickhouse, 730 Main Street. For more information, visit www.thursdayspoemsandprose.ca.
LOUIS CABRI
Poetry reading by the author of What Is Venice?. Friday, July 16 at 8:00pm. Admission: $3-$5 sliding scale. W2 Storyeum, 151 West Cordova.
HEATHER HALEY
Author launches her new book Three Blocks West of Wonderland. Saturday, July 17. W2 Media Arts Centre. More information at www.heatherhaley.com.
SKIN LIKE MINE
Join critically acclaimed BC poets Garry Gottfriedson, Rita Wong, and Joanne Arnott for a poetry reading to celebrate the release of Garry Gottfriedson's new collection. Thursday, July 22 at 7:00pm, free. Meeting room, level 3, VPL Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia Street. For more information, phone 604.331.3691 or email ronsdale@shaw.ca.
THE DEVIL YOU KNOW
Anvil Press presents the launch of Jenn Farrell's second collection of short fiction. Thursday, July 22 at 7:00pm, free. Railway Club (579 Dunsmuir). More information at www.anvilpress.com.
MORRIS BATES
Author reads from his book, Morris as Elvis: Take a Chance on Life. Friday, July 23 at 6:00pm, free. Carnegie Theatre, Carnegie Branch, 401 Main Street. For more information, please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
OCW MAGAZINE LAUNCH
Relaunch of one cool word magazine. Features Parlour Steps, Elephant Train, Wilderness Years and more. Tickets $15 and include magazine and subscription. Friday, July 23. Rickshaw Theatre.
Upcoming
GEORGE WOODCOCK LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Vancouver Public Library and BC BookWorld are pleased to present the sixteenth George Woodcock Lifetime Achievement Award for an outstanding literary career in British Columbia to acclaimed writer Anne Cameron. Thursday, July 29 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. For more information please contact the VPL at 604-331-3603.
SUNSHINE COAST FESTIVAL OF THE WRITTEN ARTS
Join Canada's longest-running summer gathering of Canadian writers and readers, featuring established literary stars and exciting new voices, with opportunities for writers and readers to mingle amidst Rockwood's heritage gardens. August 12-15, 2010. Tickets are now on sale by phoning 1-800-565-9631 or 604-885-9631. Details at www.writersfestival.ca.
Virtual Festival
The ninth recording in our recently launched series of archived events from Festivals-past features Dennis Bock. The celebrated author of the Ash Garden reads a selection from The Communist's Daughter, a novel based on the legendary Dr. Norman Bethune. http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/multimedia/audio-archives
Special Event
Alexander McCall Smith
The Cellist of Sarajevo author Steven Galloway talks with Alexander McCall Smith, bestselling author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency about his forthcoming book, Corduroy Mansions. Complete details on our website, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/specialevents.
Visit Alexander McCall Smith's new website at http://www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk.
AWARDS & LISTS
American authors dominate the short list for the Frank O'Connor award, the richest short story prize in the world.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/07/10/oconnor-shortstory-prize.html
Paolo Bacigalupi's first novel has won both the Nebula Award—given by the Science Fiction Writers of America for best novel of the year—and the Locus Magazine Award for best first novel. In his review, “A writer to watch”, says Michael Dirda in his review.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/07/AR2010070704582.html
NEWS & FEATURES
The Canada Council for the Arts has announced that the federal government has launched a fund of $4.25 million for English and French translation of books over the next three years.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/07/12/book-translation.html
The unexpurgated autobiography of Mark Twain shows that he was more pointedly political and willing to play the role of the angry prophet than his droll and cantankerous earlier writing suggested.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/10/books/10twain.html?hp
Stieg Larsson's fourth manuscript is clouded in mystery.
http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/books/view.bg?articleid=1267403&format=&page=2&listingType=book#articleFull
An email the late Swedish author sent to a friend reveals the unpublished work was set in a remote part of northern Canada.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/13/stieg-larsson-millennium-fourth-book
A graphic novel based on Anne Frank's diaries was released last week in The Netherlands. An English version will be released in North America in September.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/07/09/anne-frank-graphic-novel.html
William Gibson wrote a literary riff based on an ashtray. Does narrative transform insignificant objects into significant ones?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/jul/08/significant-objects-ebay-writers
Michael Holroyd has written an appreciation of his hero, Beryl Bainbridge.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/10/beryl-bainbridge-hero-michael-holroyd
Robert McCrum suggests the possibility that we have lost our cultural way.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/jul/12/apocalypse-now-lost-cultural-way
The Shirley Jackson Awards for excellence in "literature of psychological suspense, horror, and the dark fantastic" were awarded over the weekend, and yet, writes Laura Miller, the author of The Lottery is still not getting the respect she deserves.
http://www.salon.com/books/laura_miller/index.html?story=/books/laura_miller/2010/07/14/shirley_jackson
BOOKS & WRITERS
Maggie de Vries has written an engrossing and often suspenseful tale of a bear whose life is intertwined with the Chinook salmon. The Globe and Mail review of this new children's book—Fraser Bear: A Cub's Life—reports that the full-colour illustrations are an important addition to the story.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-fraser-bear-a-cubs-life-by-maggie-de-vries/article1633010/
Kathleen Winter's debut novel Annabel refers to a murder, but no one is killed. Nor is this a murder mystery. The Ottawa Citizen review focuses on a metaphor of bridge as a path to understanding and the images of masculine and feminine at war and in balance.
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Gender+confusion/3263071/story.html
Readers of G.W. Bernard's Fatal Attractions will find that it demolishes many of the statements that we are accustomed to taking as fact about the life of Anne Boleyn, statements that are, he claims, based on gossip and speculation.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-anne-boleyn-20100711,0,3157261.story
Donna Bailey Nurse finds Moon Over Marrakesh and The Butterfly Mosque, two memoirs by women who embrace love and Islam in North Africa, to be captivating.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-moon-over-marrakech-by-nazneen-sheikh-the-butterfly-mosque-by-g-willow-wilson/article1633044/
Todd Hirsch reviews two unusual books about "Big Oil". The first, Why We Hate the Oil Companies, is by a former president of Houston-based Shell Oil, John Hofmeister, who is critical of the industry. Oil: Money, Politics and Power in the 21st Century, by British journalist and historian Tom Bower, takes an investigative and narrative approach.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-why-we-hate-the-oil-companies-by-john-hofmeister-oil-by-tom-bower/article1625550/
COMMUNITY EVENTS
DENMAN ISLAND READERS AND WRITERS FESTIVAL
Eighth annual event featuring Brian Brett, Des Kennedy, Nancy Turner, Jan Zwicky and more. Hosted by Bill Richardson. July 12 to 18, 2010. Denman Island, BC. For complete details, visit www.denmanislandwritersfestival.com.
THE STORYBOX
The Thursdays Writing Collective launchs its 4th chapbook. Thursday, July 15 at 8:00pm, free or by donation at the door. The Brickhouse, 730 Main Street. For more information, visit www.thursdayspoemsandprose.ca.
LOUIS CABRI
Poetry reading by the author of What Is Venice?. Friday, July 16 at 8:00pm. Admission: $3-$5 sliding scale. W2 Storyeum, 151 West Cordova.
HEATHER HALEY
Author launches her new book Three Blocks West of Wonderland. Saturday, July 17. W2 Media Arts Centre. More information at www.heatherhaley.com.
SKIN LIKE MINE
Join critically acclaimed BC poets Garry Gottfriedson, Rita Wong, and Joanne Arnott for a poetry reading to celebrate the release of Garry Gottfriedson's new collection. Thursday, July 22 at 7:00pm, free. Meeting room, level 3, VPL Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia Street. For more information, phone 604.331.3691 or email ronsdale@shaw.ca.
THE DEVIL YOU KNOW
Anvil Press presents the launch of Jenn Farrell's second collection of short fiction. Thursday, July 22 at 7:00pm, free. Railway Club (579 Dunsmuir). More information at www.anvilpress.com.
MORRIS BATES
Author reads from his book, Morris as Elvis: Take a Chance on Life. Friday, July 23 at 6:00pm, free. Carnegie Theatre, Carnegie Branch, 401 Main Street. For more information, please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
OCW MAGAZINE LAUNCH
Relaunch of one cool word magazine. Features Parlour Steps, Elephant Train, Wilderness Years and more. Tickets $15 and include magazine and subscription. Friday, July 23. Rickshaw Theatre.
Upcoming
GEORGE WOODCOCK LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Vancouver Public Library and BC BookWorld are pleased to present the sixteenth George Woodcock Lifetime Achievement Award for an outstanding literary career in British Columbia to acclaimed writer Anne Cameron. Thursday, July 29 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. For more information please contact the VPL at 604-331-3603.
SUNSHINE COAST FESTIVAL OF THE WRITTEN ARTS
Join Canada's longest-running summer gathering of Canadian writers and readers, featuring established literary stars and exciting new voices, with opportunities for writers and readers to mingle amidst Rockwood's heritage gardens. August 12-15, 2010. Tickets are now on sale by phoning 1-800-565-9631 or 604-885-9631. Details at www.writersfestival.ca.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Book News Vol. 5 No. 30
BOOK NEWS
Virtual Festival
The eighth recording in our recently launched series of archived events from Festivals-past features Robert Arthur Alexie and Cathleen With. http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/multimedia/audio-archives
Special Event
Alexander McCall Smith
The Cellist of Sarajevo author Steven Galloway talks with Alexander McCall Smith, bestselling author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency about his forthcoming book, Corduroy Mansions. Complete details on our website, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/specialevents.
AWARDS & LISTS
Sandra Birdsell, Marq de Villiers, Hélène Dorion, John Mighton and Glen Sorestad—six writers of poetry, plays, fiction and nonfiction—were among the 74 new appointments to the Order of Canada, announced last week.
http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=13725&lan=eng
Barbara Demick, chief of the Los Angeles Times' Beijing bureau, has won the Samuel Johnson Prize for Nothing to Envy, a journalistic investigation into the lives of North Koreans in the 21st century.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/01/samuel-johnson-prize-barbara-demick
W.S. Merwin has been named the 17th U.S. Poet Laureate.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-poet-20100702,0,687560.story
The octogenarian's 'profound and accessible' poems will gain a wider audience when he takes up his post later this year.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/05/ws-merwin-us-poet-laureate
Sierra Leone's Olufemi Terry has won the Caine prize for African writing (known as the African Booker) for Stickfighting Days.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/06/olufemi-terry-wins-caine-prize
Hiromi Goto's Half World is one of the novels shortlisted for the Young Adult 2010 Sunburst Award, which recognizes the finest of Canadian fantastic literature. The complete list of Adult nominees and YA nominees is here:
http://www.sunburstaward.org/content/shortlists-2010-sunburst-awards
NEWS & FEATURES
Ria Bleumer, who managed Duthie Books' 4th Avenue store for 16 years (prior to its closure last February), will open Sitka Books & Art on West 4th Ave. in Kitsilano in August. A detailed press release (PDF) is here:
http://www.cbabook.org/files/News/Sitkapressfinal.pdf
Beryl Bainbridge, one of the grandes dames of the UK's literary scene, has died. Five books shortlisted for the Booker, twice a winner of the Whitbread, she was working on her nineteenth book when she died.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/02/beryl-bainbridge-dies
This obituary supports the belief that her novels drew upon the drama of her own life.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/02/beryl-bainbridge-obituary-author
Academics, collectors and readers gathered at a conference in Bristol last week to mark the 75th birthday of Penguin Books.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/30/penguin-books-75th-birthday
Amazon offers authors 70% royalties in a bid to become publisher of digital editions of their books.
htttp://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/06/amazon-lures-authors-with-70-percent-royalty-deal.html
American critic Lee Siegel has declared the Amercan novel dead: "damagingly self-referential and led by the nose by publicists". The focus of his attack seems to be the British critic James Wood, who writes for the NY Times.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/04/literary-storm-lee-siegel-american-novel-dead
Robert McCrum argues that not only is Siegel wrong, but that history will view this as a golden age of English language creativity.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/jul/05/lee-siegel-death-of-the-novel
Elsewhere, McCrum argues in favour of reading books aloud, if only for the health benefits.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/04/reading-aloud-therapy-health-books
The Independent reports that there is now a glut of new literary magazines.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/notes-from-the-underground-a-fresh-breed-of-literary-magazines-2018295.html
BOOKS & WRITERS
Thomas Hurka writes that Bernhard Schlink’s Guilt About the Past has thoughtful reflections on a variety of topics.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-guilt-about-the-past-by-bernhard-schlink/article1624188/
The poet C.K. Williams has written On Whitman, the second of Princeton’s series Writers on Writers.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/04/books/review/Vendler-t.html?_r=1&nl=books&emc=booksupdateema3
Jonathan Raban writes about his hero, and friend, poet Robert Lowell.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/03/robert-lowell-hero-jonathan-raban
Karen Armstrong hails Marilynne Robinson’s Absence of Mind, the published version of the Terry lectures Robinson delivered at Yale University last year.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/03/absence-mind-marilynne-robinson-review
There are differences of opinion about the literary worth of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/over-hyped-or-unforgettable/article1626780/
It is equally clear that the book’s characters and storyline have had a strong and lasting impact on its readers.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/a-novel-about-family/article1626778/
And Helen Taylor in The Independent reminds that the novel remains an icon of literature—and law.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/to-kill-a-mockingbird-the-life-and-afterlife-of-harper-lees-misunderstood-classic-2015863.html
Editor Kaye Webb believed that every child could read six hundred books during childhood and that each should be filled with imagination and subtle characterization. The publication of Valerie Grove’s So Much to Tell, a biography of Webb, adds to Puffin Books 90th birthday celebrations.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/830571--puffin-books-hits-a-milestone-70-years
In Wolf: The Lives of Jack London, Texas historian James L. Haley has written a sharply focused biography recapturing the breadth of London's achievements and the intricacies of his personality.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/02/AR2010070202258.html
Tim Waterstone, former and again book chain owner, has written In for a Penny, In for a Pound, described as a thinly disguised saga of book world treachery.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/04/tim-waterstone-book-world-waterstones
Charles Foran describes David Mitchell’s The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet as ‘masterful’. ‘intelligent’, ‘rich’.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-the-thousand-autumns-of-jacob-de-zoet-by-david-mitchell/article1625703/
In his review, Ron Charles declares that Granta, the Guardian and the Mail on Sunday were prescient a decade ago when they marked David Mitchell as one of Britain’s best young writers.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/29/AR2010062904512.html
The New York Review of Books includes an excerpt of Literary Peace Prize winner David Grossman’s To the End of the Land.
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2010/jul/15/to-the-end-of-the-land/
COMMUNITY EVENTS
BILLIE LIVINGSTON AND ANTONIA BANYARD
Robson Reading Series featuring Billie Livingston, author of short-story collection Greedy Little Eyes, and Antonia Banyard, author of novel Never Going Back. Thursday, July 8 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore Robson Square, Plaza Level, 800 Robson. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
4POETS
An evening of poetry and conversation with Daniela Elza, Al Rempel, and Onjana Yawnghwe, who will read from their new poetry collection. Thursday, July 8 at 7:30pm. Admission by donation. Historic Joy Kogawa Houes, 1450 West 64th Avenue. For more information and to RSVP, email kogawahouse@yahoo.ca.
AN EVENING OF POETRY
An evening of poetry with Fiona Tinwei Lam (reading from Enter the Chrysanthemum), Al Rempel (guest author, launching his new book *understories*), Daniela Elza (reading from 4poets plus selected work), and Christi Kramer (reading from selected work). Saturday, July 10 at 7:00pm, free. The Wired Monk Bistro, 2610 West 4th Avenue.
POETRY
Please join poets Kate Braid, Al Rempel, Daniela Elza, and musician Clyde Reed (on bass) with guest poet Al Rempel who will be launching his new book *understories*. Sunday, July 11 at 7:00pm. Cafe Montmarte (4362 Main Street).
SARAH SELECKY
Book launch for This Cake Is for the Party. Monday, July 12 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore Robson Square, Plaza Level, 800 Robson. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
OFF THE HIGHWAY
New Star Books presents a launch of author Mette Bach's new book about growing up in North Delta. Tuesday, July 13 at 7:00pm, free. The Sylvia Hotel, 1154 Gilford. For more information, visit www.newstarbooks.com.
THE STORYBOX
The Thursdays Writing Collective launchs its 4th chapbook. Thursday, July 15 at 8:00pm, free or by donation at the door. The Brickhouse, 730 Main Street. For more information, visit www.thursdayspoemsandprose.ca.
HEATHER HALEY
Author launches her new book Three Blocks West of Wonderland. Saturday, July 17. W2 Media Arts Centre. More information at www.heatherhaley.com.
Upcoming
SKIN LIKE MINE
Join critically acclaimed BC poets Garry Gottfriedson, Rita Wong, and Joanne Arnott for a poetry reading to celebrate the release of Garry Gottfriedson's new collection. Thursday, July 22 at 7:00pm, free. Meeting room, level 3, VPL Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia Street. For more information, phone 604.331.3691 or email ronsdale@shaw.ca.
MORRIS BATES
Author reads from his book, Morris as Elvis: Take a Chance on Life. Friday, July 23 at 6:00pm, free. Carnegie Theatre, Carnegie Branch, 401 Main Street. For more information, please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
GEORGE WOODCOCK LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Vancouver Public Library and BC BookWorld are pleased to present the sixteenth George Woodcock Lifetime Achievement Award for an outstanding literary career in British Columbia to acclaimed writer Anne Cameron. Thursday, July 29 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. For more information please contact the VPL at 604-331-3603.
SUNSHINE COAST FESTIVAL OF THE WRITTEN ARTS
Join Canada's longest-running summer gathering of Canadian writers and readers, featuring established literary stars and exciting new voices, with opportunities for writers and readers to mingle amidst Rockwood's heritage gardens. August 12-15, 2010. Tickets are now on sale by phoning 1-800-565-9631 or 604-885-9631. Details at www.writersfestival.ca.
Virtual Festival
The eighth recording in our recently launched series of archived events from Festivals-past features Robert Arthur Alexie and Cathleen With. http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/multimedia/audio-archives
Special Event
Alexander McCall Smith
The Cellist of Sarajevo author Steven Galloway talks with Alexander McCall Smith, bestselling author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency about his forthcoming book, Corduroy Mansions. Complete details on our website, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/specialevents.
AWARDS & LISTS
Sandra Birdsell, Marq de Villiers, Hélène Dorion, John Mighton and Glen Sorestad—six writers of poetry, plays, fiction and nonfiction—were among the 74 new appointments to the Order of Canada, announced last week.
http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=13725&lan=eng
Barbara Demick, chief of the Los Angeles Times' Beijing bureau, has won the Samuel Johnson Prize for Nothing to Envy, a journalistic investigation into the lives of North Koreans in the 21st century.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/01/samuel-johnson-prize-barbara-demick
W.S. Merwin has been named the 17th U.S. Poet Laureate.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-poet-20100702,0,687560.story
The octogenarian's 'profound and accessible' poems will gain a wider audience when he takes up his post later this year.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/05/ws-merwin-us-poet-laureate
Sierra Leone's Olufemi Terry has won the Caine prize for African writing (known as the African Booker) for Stickfighting Days.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/06/olufemi-terry-wins-caine-prize
Hiromi Goto's Half World is one of the novels shortlisted for the Young Adult 2010 Sunburst Award, which recognizes the finest of Canadian fantastic literature. The complete list of Adult nominees and YA nominees is here:
http://www.sunburstaward.org/content/shortlists-2010-sunburst-awards
NEWS & FEATURES
Ria Bleumer, who managed Duthie Books' 4th Avenue store for 16 years (prior to its closure last February), will open Sitka Books & Art on West 4th Ave. in Kitsilano in August. A detailed press release (PDF) is here:
http://www.cbabook.org/files/News/Sitkapressfinal.pdf
Beryl Bainbridge, one of the grandes dames of the UK's literary scene, has died. Five books shortlisted for the Booker, twice a winner of the Whitbread, she was working on her nineteenth book when she died.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/02/beryl-bainbridge-dies
This obituary supports the belief that her novels drew upon the drama of her own life.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/02/beryl-bainbridge-obituary-author
Academics, collectors and readers gathered at a conference in Bristol last week to mark the 75th birthday of Penguin Books.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/30/penguin-books-75th-birthday
Amazon offers authors 70% royalties in a bid to become publisher of digital editions of their books.
htttp://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/06/amazon-lures-authors-with-70-percent-royalty-deal.html
American critic Lee Siegel has declared the Amercan novel dead: "damagingly self-referential and led by the nose by publicists". The focus of his attack seems to be the British critic James Wood, who writes for the NY Times.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/04/literary-storm-lee-siegel-american-novel-dead
Robert McCrum argues that not only is Siegel wrong, but that history will view this as a golden age of English language creativity.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/jul/05/lee-siegel-death-of-the-novel
Elsewhere, McCrum argues in favour of reading books aloud, if only for the health benefits.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/04/reading-aloud-therapy-health-books
The Independent reports that there is now a glut of new literary magazines.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/notes-from-the-underground-a-fresh-breed-of-literary-magazines-2018295.html
BOOKS & WRITERS
Thomas Hurka writes that Bernhard Schlink’s Guilt About the Past has thoughtful reflections on a variety of topics.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-guilt-about-the-past-by-bernhard-schlink/article1624188/
The poet C.K. Williams has written On Whitman, the second of Princeton’s series Writers on Writers.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/04/books/review/Vendler-t.html?_r=1&nl=books&emc=booksupdateema3
Jonathan Raban writes about his hero, and friend, poet Robert Lowell.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/03/robert-lowell-hero-jonathan-raban
Karen Armstrong hails Marilynne Robinson’s Absence of Mind, the published version of the Terry lectures Robinson delivered at Yale University last year.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/03/absence-mind-marilynne-robinson-review
There are differences of opinion about the literary worth of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/over-hyped-or-unforgettable/article1626780/
It is equally clear that the book’s characters and storyline have had a strong and lasting impact on its readers.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/a-novel-about-family/article1626778/
And Helen Taylor in The Independent reminds that the novel remains an icon of literature—and law.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/to-kill-a-mockingbird-the-life-and-afterlife-of-harper-lees-misunderstood-classic-2015863.html
Editor Kaye Webb believed that every child could read six hundred books during childhood and that each should be filled with imagination and subtle characterization. The publication of Valerie Grove’s So Much to Tell, a biography of Webb, adds to Puffin Books 90th birthday celebrations.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/830571--puffin-books-hits-a-milestone-70-years
In Wolf: The Lives of Jack London, Texas historian James L. Haley has written a sharply focused biography recapturing the breadth of London's achievements and the intricacies of his personality.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/02/AR2010070202258.html
Tim Waterstone, former and again book chain owner, has written In for a Penny, In for a Pound, described as a thinly disguised saga of book world treachery.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jul/04/tim-waterstone-book-world-waterstones
Charles Foran describes David Mitchell’s The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet as ‘masterful’. ‘intelligent’, ‘rich’.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-the-thousand-autumns-of-jacob-de-zoet-by-david-mitchell/article1625703/
In his review, Ron Charles declares that Granta, the Guardian and the Mail on Sunday were prescient a decade ago when they marked David Mitchell as one of Britain’s best young writers.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/29/AR2010062904512.html
The New York Review of Books includes an excerpt of Literary Peace Prize winner David Grossman’s To the End of the Land.
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2010/jul/15/to-the-end-of-the-land/
COMMUNITY EVENTS
BILLIE LIVINGSTON AND ANTONIA BANYARD
Robson Reading Series featuring Billie Livingston, author of short-story collection Greedy Little Eyes, and Antonia Banyard, author of novel Never Going Back. Thursday, July 8 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore Robson Square, Plaza Level, 800 Robson. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
4POETS
An evening of poetry and conversation with Daniela Elza, Al Rempel, and Onjana Yawnghwe, who will read from their new poetry collection. Thursday, July 8 at 7:30pm. Admission by donation. Historic Joy Kogawa Houes, 1450 West 64th Avenue. For more information and to RSVP, email kogawahouse@yahoo.ca.
AN EVENING OF POETRY
An evening of poetry with Fiona Tinwei Lam (reading from Enter the Chrysanthemum), Al Rempel (guest author, launching his new book *understories*), Daniela Elza (reading from 4poets plus selected work), and Christi Kramer (reading from selected work). Saturday, July 10 at 7:00pm, free. The Wired Monk Bistro, 2610 West 4th Avenue.
POETRY
Please join poets Kate Braid, Al Rempel, Daniela Elza, and musician Clyde Reed (on bass) with guest poet Al Rempel who will be launching his new book *understories*. Sunday, July 11 at 7:00pm. Cafe Montmarte (4362 Main Street).
SARAH SELECKY
Book launch for This Cake Is for the Party. Monday, July 12 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore Robson Square, Plaza Level, 800 Robson. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
OFF THE HIGHWAY
New Star Books presents a launch of author Mette Bach's new book about growing up in North Delta. Tuesday, July 13 at 7:00pm, free. The Sylvia Hotel, 1154 Gilford. For more information, visit www.newstarbooks.com.
THE STORYBOX
The Thursdays Writing Collective launchs its 4th chapbook. Thursday, July 15 at 8:00pm, free or by donation at the door. The Brickhouse, 730 Main Street. For more information, visit www.thursdayspoemsandprose.ca.
HEATHER HALEY
Author launches her new book Three Blocks West of Wonderland. Saturday, July 17. W2 Media Arts Centre. More information at www.heatherhaley.com.
Upcoming
SKIN LIKE MINE
Join critically acclaimed BC poets Garry Gottfriedson, Rita Wong, and Joanne Arnott for a poetry reading to celebrate the release of Garry Gottfriedson's new collection. Thursday, July 22 at 7:00pm, free. Meeting room, level 3, VPL Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia Street. For more information, phone 604.331.3691 or email ronsdale@shaw.ca.
MORRIS BATES
Author reads from his book, Morris as Elvis: Take a Chance on Life. Friday, July 23 at 6:00pm, free. Carnegie Theatre, Carnegie Branch, 401 Main Street. For more information, please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
GEORGE WOODCOCK LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Vancouver Public Library and BC BookWorld are pleased to present the sixteenth George Woodcock Lifetime Achievement Award for an outstanding literary career in British Columbia to acclaimed writer Anne Cameron. Thursday, July 29 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. For more information please contact the VPL at 604-331-3603.
SUNSHINE COAST FESTIVAL OF THE WRITTEN ARTS
Join Canada's longest-running summer gathering of Canadian writers and readers, featuring established literary stars and exciting new voices, with opportunities for writers and readers to mingle amidst Rockwood's heritage gardens. August 12-15, 2010. Tickets are now on sale by phoning 1-800-565-9631 or 604-885-9631. Details at www.writersfestival.ca.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Book News Vol. 5 No. 29
BOOK NEWS
Virtual Festival
The seventh recording in our recently launched series of archived events from Festivals-past features Pauline Holdstock. Join her and Bill Richardson for a glass of champagne (or two?) and some equally effervescent conversation. http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/multimedia/audio-archives
Donate your Aeroplan miles
We're getting closer to our goal! So far we have 21,500 airmiles and we need 3,500 more to secure one flight within North America for a writer. Help us bridge that final distance by donating your airmiles today. You can download the donation form from our website, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/supportus/aeroplan.
Special Event
Alexander McCall Smith
The Cellist of Sarajevo author Steven Galloway talks with Alexander McCall Smith, bestselling author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency about his forthcoming book, Corduroy Mansions. Complete details on our website, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/specialevents.
AWARDS & LISTS
Ian Brown's Boy in the Moon and Ryad Assani-Razaki's Deux Cercles, a collection of stories dealing with the frustrations of immigration, have each won the 2010 Trillium Book Award. The winners of the Trillium Book Award for Poetry are Karen Solie for Pigeon and Michèle Matteau for Passerelles.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/brown-assani-razaki-share-top-trillium-book-award/article1616367/
Novelist Neil Gaiman has won the UK's top children's literature prize, the Carnegie medal, for The Graveyard Book. Gaiman is the first author ever to win the Carnegie and the Newbery medals with the same book.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/24/neil-gaiman-carnegie-graveyard-book
Both Tom Stoppard and Ken Follet are concerned about the decline in the printed word and of writing standards. Stoppard calls for more commitment to the humanities. Follett has established an award for good writing. Former Children's Laureate Anne Fine was selected the winner of a Montblanc pen for her written clarity and sense of nuance.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/charlottehigginsblog/2010/jun/22/anne-fine-ken-follett-tom-stoppard
Peter Temple has won the Miles Franklin Award for Truth, the first time Australia's oldest literary award has gone to a crime novel.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/25/miles-franklin-booker-prize-crime
Jack Batten writes that much about the book comes as new ground for everybody concerned: the detective Villani, Temple and readers.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/827635--truth-aussie-mystery-star-unveils-a-new-stripped-down-style
Margaret Atwood's The Year of the Flood is one of four Canadian finalists for the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for science fiction writing.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/827044--margaret-atwood-shortlisted-for-sci-fi-award
The complete list of finalists is here:
http://www2.ku.edu/~sfcenter/campbell-finalists.htm
Hilary Mantel has won the inaugural Walter Scott prize for historical fiction.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/21/hilary-mantel-walter-scott-prize
The results of the annual Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest (worst opening sentence) were announced Tuesday by San Jose University. Toronto's Paul Chafe was a winner in the romance category, with Jonathan Blay of Bedford, N.S., named runner-up.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/830148--t-o-man-tops-at-writing-wretched-romance
NEWS & FEATURES
The New Yorker magazine has gone Canadian, with its June 28 edition featuring all Canadian advertising. The issue's editorial content is the usual New Yorker fare, but includes a profile of Canadian novelist Howard Engel written by neurologist Oliver Sacks.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/media/story/2010/06/22/new-yorker-canadian-issue.html
President Abraham Lincoln was both a reader and a writer of poetry. This article includes "My Childhood-Home I See Again".
http://www.slate.com/id/2257666/
The Wall Street Journal argues that Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning To Kill A Mockingbird is neither a 'timeless classic' nor 'great literature'.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703561604575283354059763326.html
The New York Observer has responded to the New Yorker's ‘20 Under 40' list with what it describes as "the elephant-sized fact that has been hidden in plain view", namely, that "fiction has become culturally irrelevant".
http://www.observer.com/2010/culture/where-have-all-mailers-gone#
The LA Times challenges, point by point, the argument that "fiction is dead".
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2010/06/fiction-is-dead-again.html
In response to all those "best under 40" lists, there is Walt Whitman, proving that "you're never too old to start writing".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/27/robert-mccrum-books-walt-whitman
Hull (U.K.) is celebrating Larkin25, a 25-week celebration of the poet Philip Larkin's life and work. A new book of letters to his partner Monica Jones reveals a softer side to him.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/27/philip-larkin-love-hate-women
Inspired by Yann Martel's belief in the power of literature to change the world, and his project of sending books to political leaders, the Guardian's Robert McCrum has developed his own list of books to inspire current British and American world leaders.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/28/books-to-inspire-world-leaders
New Zealand author Lloyd Jones is leading a project to plan, build, and stock a community library on Bougainville (PNG), the setting for Jones' prize-winning novel Mister Pip.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/24/bougainville-library-author
Jan Swafford explains why e-books will never replace real books.
http://www.slate.com/id/2258054/pagenum/all/
BOOKS & WRITERS
Nora Ephron channels Stieg Larsson in The Girl Who Fixed the Umlaut.
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2010/07/05/100705sh_shouts_ephron
In the half-century following World War II, there was no more admired British historian than Hugh Trevor-Roper. Michael Dirda describes History and the Enlightenment, a new posthumous collection, as "a wonderfully intelligent and civilized book".
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/23/AR2010062305093.html
"A police procedural of the soul" is how the blurb describes Adam Ross' Mr. Peanut. Intricately patterned, stuffed with wit and some lapses of judgment, says the Guardian.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/26/mr-peanut-adam-ross-review
Scott Turow describes the book as a daring, arresting first novel, and Adam Ross, an author of prodigious talent.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/27/books/review/Turow-t.html?nl=books&emc=booksupdateema1&pagewanted=all
Publisher St. Martin's Press has high hopes for Still Missing, a debut thriller by Chevy Stevens, the pen name for 37-year-old former Vancouver Island realtor Rene Unischewski. Vit Wagner interviews the author for The Star.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/827021--big-buzz-for-thriller
Whatever ones perspective on addiction and addiction memoirs, Bill Clegg's Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man is a book that will not soon be forgotten, writes Susan Juby in her review.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-portrait-of-an-addict-as-a-young-man-by-bill-clegg/article1617834/
David Carr, in the NY Times, reminds us that addicts are narcissistic as a matter of course. So engaged is Clegg in his own story, that characters are so minimally drawn that we get no sense of the collateral damage around him.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/27/books/review/Carr-t.html?ref=books
Colombian author Juan Gabriel Vásquez is writing a book that focuses on how the drug trade affects those who aren't a part of that life, who've never seen a gram of coke.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/26/juan-gabriel-vasquez-life-writing
In anticipation of the publication of David Mitchell's latest book, Wyatt Mason interviews Mitchell about a variety of topics, including the 'humility topos'.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/27/magazine/27mitchell-t.html
Here is an excerpt from The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/27/magazine/27mitchell-excerpt.html?ref=magazine
COMMUNITY EVENTS
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.
PRIDE IN THE WORD
Tightrope Books hosts an annual celebration of queer words. Featuring readings from John Barton, Tony Correia, matthew heinz, Jay McLaughlin, Billeh Nickerson, Anna Swanson and Mariah Wilkinson. Special guest Ivan E. Coyote. Saturday, July 3 at 7:00pm. Ambrosia Conference Centre, 638 Fisgard Street, Victoria.
SYMPOSIUM ON THE BOOK CONTEST
Think you're funny? Submit a 500-700 word essay of your best humour writing and become eligible for a variety of wonderful prizes! Deadline for entries is: Monday, July 5 at 5:00 p.m. The winner will be announced July 14. For more details, including the three agencies (pick one!) that will accept your submission, go to http://tinyurl.com/257ovhu.
UBC FARM FUNDRAISER
Barbara-Jo's Books to Cooks and Brian Brett, author of Trauma Farm, host a fundraiser for UBC Farm. Brian will read from his book and answer questions on farming issues. Reception will include local wines and early bounty from UBC Farm. Wednesday, July 7 at 6:00pm. Tickets: $75 and includes a signed copy of Trauma Farm. For complete information and registration, visit www.bookstocooks.com.
BILLIE LIVINGSTON AND ANTONIA BANYARD
Robson Reading Series featuring Billie Livingston, author of short-story collection Greedy Little Eyes, and Antonia Banyard, author of novel Never Going Back. Thursday, July 8 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore Robson Square, Plaza Level, 800 Robson. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
4POETS
An evening of poetry and conversation with Daniela Elza, Al Rempel, and Onjana Yawnghwe, who will read from their new poetry collection. Thursday, July 8 at 7:30pm. Admission by donation. Historic Joy Kogawa Houes, 1450 West 64th Avenue. For more information and to RSVP, email kogawahouse@yahoo.ca.
AN EVENING OF POETRY
An evening of poetry with Fiona Tinwei Lam (reading from Enter the Chrysanthemum), Al Rempel (guest author, launching his new book *understories*), Daniela Elza (reading from 4poets plus selected work), and Christi Kramer (reading from selected work). Saturday, July 10 at 7:00pm, free. The Wired Monk Bistro, 2610 West 4th Avenue.
POETRY
Please join poets Kate Braid, Al Rempel, Daniela Elza, and musician Clyde Reed (on bass) with guest poet Al Rempel who will be launching his new book *understories*. Sunday, July 11 at 7:00pm. Cafe Montmarte (4362 Main Street).
Upcoming
OFF THE HIGHWAY
New Star Books presents a launch of author Mette Bach's new book about growing up in North Delta. Tuesday, July 13 at 7:00pm, free. The Sylvia Hotel, 1154 Gilford. For more information, visit www.newstarbooks.com.
HEATHER HALEY
Author launches her new book Three Blocks West of Wonderland. Saturday, July 17. W2 Media Arts Centre. More information at www.heatherhaley.com.
SKIN LIKE MINE
Join critically acclaimed BC poets Garry Gottfriedson, Rita Wong, and Joanne Arnott for a poetry reading to celebrate the release of Garry Gottfriedson's new collection. Thursday, July 22 at 7:00pm, free. Meeting room, level 3, VPL Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia Street. For more information, phone 604.331.3691 or email ronsdale@shaw.ca.
SUNSHINE COAST FESTIVAL OF THE WRITTEN ARTS
Join Canada's longest-running summer gathering of Canadian writers and readers, featuring established literary stars and exciting new voices, with opportunities for writers and readers to mingle amidst Rockwood's heritage gardens. August 12-15, 2010. Tickets are now on sale by phoning 1-800-565-9631 or 604-885-9631. Details at www.writersfestival.ca.
Virtual Festival
The seventh recording in our recently launched series of archived events from Festivals-past features Pauline Holdstock. Join her and Bill Richardson for a glass of champagne (or two?) and some equally effervescent conversation. http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/multimedia/audio-archives
Donate your Aeroplan miles
We're getting closer to our goal! So far we have 21,500 airmiles and we need 3,500 more to secure one flight within North America for a writer. Help us bridge that final distance by donating your airmiles today. You can download the donation form from our website, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/supportus/aeroplan.
Special Event
Alexander McCall Smith
The Cellist of Sarajevo author Steven Galloway talks with Alexander McCall Smith, bestselling author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency about his forthcoming book, Corduroy Mansions. Complete details on our website, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/specialevents.
AWARDS & LISTS
Ian Brown's Boy in the Moon and Ryad Assani-Razaki's Deux Cercles, a collection of stories dealing with the frustrations of immigration, have each won the 2010 Trillium Book Award. The winners of the Trillium Book Award for Poetry are Karen Solie for Pigeon and Michèle Matteau for Passerelles.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/brown-assani-razaki-share-top-trillium-book-award/article1616367/
Novelist Neil Gaiman has won the UK's top children's literature prize, the Carnegie medal, for The Graveyard Book. Gaiman is the first author ever to win the Carnegie and the Newbery medals with the same book.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/24/neil-gaiman-carnegie-graveyard-book
Both Tom Stoppard and Ken Follet are concerned about the decline in the printed word and of writing standards. Stoppard calls for more commitment to the humanities. Follett has established an award for good writing. Former Children's Laureate Anne Fine was selected the winner of a Montblanc pen for her written clarity and sense of nuance.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/charlottehigginsblog/2010/jun/22/anne-fine-ken-follett-tom-stoppard
Peter Temple has won the Miles Franklin Award for Truth, the first time Australia's oldest literary award has gone to a crime novel.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/25/miles-franklin-booker-prize-crime
Jack Batten writes that much about the book comes as new ground for everybody concerned: the detective Villani, Temple and readers.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/827635--truth-aussie-mystery-star-unveils-a-new-stripped-down-style
Margaret Atwood's The Year of the Flood is one of four Canadian finalists for the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for science fiction writing.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/827044--margaret-atwood-shortlisted-for-sci-fi-award
The complete list of finalists is here:
http://www2.ku.edu/~sfcenter/campbell-finalists.htm
Hilary Mantel has won the inaugural Walter Scott prize for historical fiction.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/21/hilary-mantel-walter-scott-prize
The results of the annual Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest (worst opening sentence) were announced Tuesday by San Jose University. Toronto's Paul Chafe was a winner in the romance category, with Jonathan Blay of Bedford, N.S., named runner-up.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/830148--t-o-man-tops-at-writing-wretched-romance
NEWS & FEATURES
The New Yorker magazine has gone Canadian, with its June 28 edition featuring all Canadian advertising. The issue's editorial content is the usual New Yorker fare, but includes a profile of Canadian novelist Howard Engel written by neurologist Oliver Sacks.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/media/story/2010/06/22/new-yorker-canadian-issue.html
President Abraham Lincoln was both a reader and a writer of poetry. This article includes "My Childhood-Home I See Again".
http://www.slate.com/id/2257666/
The Wall Street Journal argues that Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning To Kill A Mockingbird is neither a 'timeless classic' nor 'great literature'.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703561604575283354059763326.html
The New York Observer has responded to the New Yorker's ‘20 Under 40' list with what it describes as "the elephant-sized fact that has been hidden in plain view", namely, that "fiction has become culturally irrelevant".
http://www.observer.com/2010/culture/where-have-all-mailers-gone#
The LA Times challenges, point by point, the argument that "fiction is dead".
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2010/06/fiction-is-dead-again.html
In response to all those "best under 40" lists, there is Walt Whitman, proving that "you're never too old to start writing".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/27/robert-mccrum-books-walt-whitman
Hull (U.K.) is celebrating Larkin25, a 25-week celebration of the poet Philip Larkin's life and work. A new book of letters to his partner Monica Jones reveals a softer side to him.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/27/philip-larkin-love-hate-women
Inspired by Yann Martel's belief in the power of literature to change the world, and his project of sending books to political leaders, the Guardian's Robert McCrum has developed his own list of books to inspire current British and American world leaders.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/28/books-to-inspire-world-leaders
New Zealand author Lloyd Jones is leading a project to plan, build, and stock a community library on Bougainville (PNG), the setting for Jones' prize-winning novel Mister Pip.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/24/bougainville-library-author
Jan Swafford explains why e-books will never replace real books.
http://www.slate.com/id/2258054/pagenum/all/
BOOKS & WRITERS
Nora Ephron channels Stieg Larsson in The Girl Who Fixed the Umlaut.
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2010/07/05/100705sh_shouts_ephron
In the half-century following World War II, there was no more admired British historian than Hugh Trevor-Roper. Michael Dirda describes History and the Enlightenment, a new posthumous collection, as "a wonderfully intelligent and civilized book".
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/23/AR2010062305093.html
"A police procedural of the soul" is how the blurb describes Adam Ross' Mr. Peanut. Intricately patterned, stuffed with wit and some lapses of judgment, says the Guardian.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/26/mr-peanut-adam-ross-review
Scott Turow describes the book as a daring, arresting first novel, and Adam Ross, an author of prodigious talent.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/27/books/review/Turow-t.html?nl=books&emc=booksupdateema1&pagewanted=all
Publisher St. Martin's Press has high hopes for Still Missing, a debut thriller by Chevy Stevens, the pen name for 37-year-old former Vancouver Island realtor Rene Unischewski. Vit Wagner interviews the author for The Star.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/827021--big-buzz-for-thriller
Whatever ones perspective on addiction and addiction memoirs, Bill Clegg's Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man is a book that will not soon be forgotten, writes Susan Juby in her review.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-portrait-of-an-addict-as-a-young-man-by-bill-clegg/article1617834/
David Carr, in the NY Times, reminds us that addicts are narcissistic as a matter of course. So engaged is Clegg in his own story, that characters are so minimally drawn that we get no sense of the collateral damage around him.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/27/books/review/Carr-t.html?ref=books
Colombian author Juan Gabriel Vásquez is writing a book that focuses on how the drug trade affects those who aren't a part of that life, who've never seen a gram of coke.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/26/juan-gabriel-vasquez-life-writing
In anticipation of the publication of David Mitchell's latest book, Wyatt Mason interviews Mitchell about a variety of topics, including the 'humility topos'.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/27/magazine/27mitchell-t.html
Here is an excerpt from The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/27/magazine/27mitchell-excerpt.html?ref=magazine
COMMUNITY EVENTS
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.
PRIDE IN THE WORD
Tightrope Books hosts an annual celebration of queer words. Featuring readings from John Barton, Tony Correia, matthew heinz, Jay McLaughlin, Billeh Nickerson, Anna Swanson and Mariah Wilkinson. Special guest Ivan E. Coyote. Saturday, July 3 at 7:00pm. Ambrosia Conference Centre, 638 Fisgard Street, Victoria.
SYMPOSIUM ON THE BOOK CONTEST
Think you're funny? Submit a 500-700 word essay of your best humour writing and become eligible for a variety of wonderful prizes! Deadline for entries is: Monday, July 5 at 5:00 p.m. The winner will be announced July 14. For more details, including the three agencies (pick one!) that will accept your submission, go to http://tinyurl.com/257ovhu.
UBC FARM FUNDRAISER
Barbara-Jo's Books to Cooks and Brian Brett, author of Trauma Farm, host a fundraiser for UBC Farm. Brian will read from his book and answer questions on farming issues. Reception will include local wines and early bounty from UBC Farm. Wednesday, July 7 at 6:00pm. Tickets: $75 and includes a signed copy of Trauma Farm. For complete information and registration, visit www.bookstocooks.com.
BILLIE LIVINGSTON AND ANTONIA BANYARD
Robson Reading Series featuring Billie Livingston, author of short-story collection Greedy Little Eyes, and Antonia Banyard, author of novel Never Going Back. Thursday, July 8 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore Robson Square, Plaza Level, 800 Robson. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
4POETS
An evening of poetry and conversation with Daniela Elza, Al Rempel, and Onjana Yawnghwe, who will read from their new poetry collection. Thursday, July 8 at 7:30pm. Admission by donation. Historic Joy Kogawa Houes, 1450 West 64th Avenue. For more information and to RSVP, email kogawahouse@yahoo.ca.
AN EVENING OF POETRY
An evening of poetry with Fiona Tinwei Lam (reading from Enter the Chrysanthemum), Al Rempel (guest author, launching his new book *understories*), Daniela Elza (reading from 4poets plus selected work), and Christi Kramer (reading from selected work). Saturday, July 10 at 7:00pm, free. The Wired Monk Bistro, 2610 West 4th Avenue.
POETRY
Please join poets Kate Braid, Al Rempel, Daniela Elza, and musician Clyde Reed (on bass) with guest poet Al Rempel who will be launching his new book *understories*. Sunday, July 11 at 7:00pm. Cafe Montmarte (4362 Main Street).
Upcoming
OFF THE HIGHWAY
New Star Books presents a launch of author Mette Bach's new book about growing up in North Delta. Tuesday, July 13 at 7:00pm, free. The Sylvia Hotel, 1154 Gilford. For more information, visit www.newstarbooks.com.
HEATHER HALEY
Author launches her new book Three Blocks West of Wonderland. Saturday, July 17. W2 Media Arts Centre. More information at www.heatherhaley.com.
SKIN LIKE MINE
Join critically acclaimed BC poets Garry Gottfriedson, Rita Wong, and Joanne Arnott for a poetry reading to celebrate the release of Garry Gottfriedson's new collection. Thursday, July 22 at 7:00pm, free. Meeting room, level 3, VPL Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia Street. For more information, phone 604.331.3691 or email ronsdale@shaw.ca.
SUNSHINE COAST FESTIVAL OF THE WRITTEN ARTS
Join Canada's longest-running summer gathering of Canadian writers and readers, featuring established literary stars and exciting new voices, with opportunities for writers and readers to mingle amidst Rockwood's heritage gardens. August 12-15, 2010. Tickets are now on sale by phoning 1-800-565-9631 or 604-885-9631. Details at www.writersfestival.ca.
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