Book News Vol. 5 No. 36

BOOK NEWS

Virtual Festival
The latest recording in our recently launched series of archived events from Festivals-past featuring Lorna Crozier. One of Canada's finest poets talks about her work straight from the heart. http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/multimedia/audio-archives

Twitter Contest
Only one day left to win tickets to Festival events and untold fame and glory, just by tweeting! Details on our website, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/get-involved/twittercontest.

Call for Volunteers
Volunteer registration for our 2010 festival October 19-24 is now on-line! Please see http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/volunteers/volunteers_needed.htm for details and on-line registration. Come and join us, it's fun and illuminating!

Special Events

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.

Amazon.com has 32 short reviews of John Vaillant's The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival which indicate that many readers find the book gripping, a page-turner, and they highly recommended it. The book will be released in Canada on August 24.
http://www.amazon.com/Tiger-True-Story-Vengeance-Survival/product-reviews/0307268934/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

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.

John Barber interviews Camilla Gibb on what some might see as her counter-intuitive way of preparing to write her latest novel, The Beauty of Humanity Movement.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/full-speed-ahead-into-the-unknown/article1670545/

Elaine Kalman Naves writes: "(Gibb) isn't satisfied with merely creating convincing characters and a bold plot. She educates and enlightens the reader."
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/Camilla+Gibb+explores+exile+identity+belonging+Hanoi/3391233/story.html

The Guardian's summer short story special includes stories by David Mitchell, Hilary Mantel, Barbara Trapido, and others.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/aug/14/summer-short-story-special

Richard VanCamp and Billeh Nickerson are among the authors with works on the longlists for Canada's ReLit Award, "the country's pre-eminent literary prize recognizing independent presses," according to the Globe and Mail.
http://relitawards.com/

Karl Marlantes' Matterhorn, a novel of the Vietnam war, has reopened old debates and old wounds In America. An unquestioning salute to loyalty, sacrifice and duty, writes Adam Mars Jones.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/aug/15/matterhorn-karl-marlantes-vietnam-war

AWARDS & LISTS

What Works, by Hamish McRae, the chief economic commentator for The Independent, is on the long list for the Financial Times/Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/independent-expert-shortlisted-for-book-award-2048052.html

Two crime novels featuring 12-year-old investigators are in the final cut for the Crime Writers' Association's Gold Dagger award. The authors are competing against George Pelecanos' The Way Home. Scott Turow's Innocent is among those shortlisted for the Ian Fleming Silver Dagger. Four authors are shortlisted for the John Creasey New Blood Dagger for the best first novel of the year.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/aug/10/gold-dagger-nominees-child-investigators

A Thousand Dreams: Vancouver's Downtown Eastside and the Fight for its Future by Vancouver Sun reporter Lori Culbert, Larry Campbell and Neil Boyd, has been shortlisted for the George Ryga award.
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/reporter+shortlisted+book+award/3411321/story.html

NEWS & FEATURES

In June a prominent critic proclaimed American literary fiction dead. But last week, for the first time in ten years, a living American author, Jonathan Franzen, was on the cover of Time magazine and his new book received ecstatic reviews.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/aug/15/jonathan-franzen-novels-freedom-preview

It began as a plan to introduce great literature to people who would never otherwise encounter it. Now literature is being used as part of a revolutionary therapy to transform people's lives.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/brian-viner/well-read-literature-is-being-used-as-part-of-revolutionary-therapy-to-transform-peoples-lives-2049774.html

Author Stuart Kelly argues that Sir Walter Scott invented English legends, the idea of England and the idea of Scotland.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/aug/16/walter-scott-edinburgh-book-festival

Tahar Wattar, one of Algeria's leading Arab-language writers, who used his novels to explore his nation's struggle for independence from France and its post-colonial history, has died, at 74.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/08/13/obit-wattar-tahar.html

Sir Frank Kermode, widely acclaimed as Britain's foremost literary critic, has died, aged 90.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/aug/18/frank-kermode-dies-aged-90

Alberta poetry publisher Frontenac House is celebrating its tenth anniversary by holding a competition with new publications of the ten winners (more than twice the number of Frontenac House's usual annual publications).
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/prairie-harvest-times-10/article1670587/

Chick Lit? Women's Literature? Why not just ... Literature? asks Diane Meier responding to some reviewers derisively deciding her first novel The Season of Second Chances was, alas, chick lit.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/diane-meier/chick-lit-womens-literatu_b_678893.html

Will poetry aid local business? The Long Beach CA business improvement association has installed two poetry boxes near local coffee shops in the hope that poetry will foster creativity in the community and, at the same time, bring people to businesses and boost sales.
http://blog.seattlepi.com/bookpatrol/archives/217845.asp

Beatrix Potter's publisher has invited actor Emma Thompson to write a new Peter Rabbit book to mark the 110th anniversary of The Tale of Peter Rabbit in 2012.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/08/16/peter-rabbit-emma-thompson.html

Marianne Ackerman interviews Dany Laferrière, whose Je suis un écrivain japonais (2009) has been translated by David Homell. I am a Japanese Writer will be published this fall.
http://www.walrusmagazine.com/articles/2010.09-books-the-work-of-art/1/

Blake Gopnik describes the tremendous mental kick he got from reading difficult books when he was ill.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/12/AR2010081206668.html?wprss=rss_print/style

BOOKS & WRITERS

Edited extracts of Michael Frayn's new memoir My Father's Fortune: A Life reveal a man who "had a certain lightness of being".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/aug/14/michael-frayn-memoir

What Stieg Larsson's Trilogy has done for Sweden and Alexander McCall Smith did for Botswana, American writer Zoë Ferraris, hopes to do for Saudi Arabia, with her thriller City of Veils. The San Francisco Chronicle’s review says that Ferraris follows the formula for successful global crime fiction, and feels fresh.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/08/13/RVQ01ER7HI.DTL

Keith Oatley's new novel Therefore Choose (the title is based on a phrase from Dante) follows a Berlin love triangle through war and its aftermath.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/847623--therefore-choose-a-love-triangle-informed-by-world-war-ii

Boyd Tonkin describes A.B. Yehoshua’s Friendly Fire – last year shortlisted for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize – as a bitingly well-observed novel.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/friendly-fire-by-a-b-yehoshua-2050887.html

"In the end, there is magic" says Kate Webb in her review of Started Early, Took My Dog, the fourth of Kate Atkinson's books about the private detective Jackson Brodie.
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/the_tls/article7165158.ece

In Doggy Slippers, Mexican poet Jorge Luján, with illustrations by Argentinian artist Isol, brings to life the thoughts kids have about their precious pets.
http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/activities/familytime/stories/article/846831--doggy-slippers-a-mexican-poet-brings-to-vivid-life-the-thoughts-kids-have-about-their-precious-pets

Katie Roiphe writes that any dreamy or bookish girl who once loved "Harriet the Spy" should immediately take up The Brave Escape of Edith Wharton, a lively new biography by Connie Nordhielm Wooldridge.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/15/books/review/Roiphe-t.html?nl=books&emc=booksupdateema4

The story in Howard Norman's What is Left the Daughter is large, set against the backdrop of a simmering war whose violence sometimes hits close to home.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2012607766_br13norman.html

The NY Times review adds that What is Left the Daughter is a novel about the illogic of love and the violent chaos it leaves in its wake. And the book ends on a promise.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/books/review/Wallace-t.html

Here is an excerpt:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/books/review/excerpt-what-is-left-the-daughter.html?ref=review

COMMUNITY EVENTS

THE MAIN STREET MAGAZINE TOUR
The Magazine Association of B.C. presents a celebration of local arts, literary, and cultural magazines featuring readings by local poets Elizabeth Bachinsky and Jennica Harper, performances, and exhibits. August 19 at 6:00pm, free. Rhizome Cafe, 317 East Broadway. More information at www.mainstreetmagazinetour.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.

VANCOUVER POETRY SLAM
Youth Slam featuring Rob Gee. Monday, August 23 at 8:00pm. Admission: $5/$3. Cafe Deux Soleils (2096 Commercial). More information at www.vancouverpoetryhouse.com

VANCOUVER THEN AND NOW
Launch of Francis Mansbridge's new book featuring a series of archival images juxtaposed with photos from the present. Thursday, August 26 at 7:00pm, free. City of Vancouver Archives, 1150 Chestnut Street. For more information, phone 604.323.7163.

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).

COMIX & STORIES
Vancouver Comiccon's annual event featuring independent, small-press, and alternative publishers, comics, artists, animators,
and zines. Guests include Emily Horne and Joey Comeau. Sunday, August 29 from 11am to 5pm. Tickets $4. Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street. For more information, visit www.vancouvercomiccon.com.

Upcoming

SPIDER ROBINSON
The Library's sixth Writer in Residence will read from some of his many award-winning works and talk about the writing process at his inaugural reading. Thursday, September 9 at 7:00pm, free. Alice McKay room, lower level, Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia Street. For more information please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.

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.

KATHY PAGE AND ALISSA YORK
Authors will be reading from their works. Saturday, September 18. Bolen Books (111 - 1644 Hillside Avenue, Victoria). For more information, visit www.kathypage.info or contact Bolen Books, (250) 595-4232.

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.

THE RAVEN'S GIFT
Author John Turk will read from his new book. Thursday, September 23 at 7:00pm. Banyen Books & Sound, 3608 4th Ave. West.

KOOTENAY BOOK WEEKEND
Discuss four books in small groups throughout the weekend. This year's books are The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid, The Winter Vault by Anne Michaels, The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barberry and our guest author, Anita Rau Badami's book Can You Hear the Nightbird Call? September 24-26, 2010, Nelson BC. Further information and registration forms can be found here, www.kootenaybookweekend.ca.

WORD ON THE STREET
Annual event dedicated to promoting reading and literacy throughout the community. Sunday, September 26 from 11am to 6pm. Library Square, Central Libray, 350 West Georgia Street. For more information, visit www.thewordonthestreet.ca/wots/vancouver.

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.