Book News Vol. 5 No. 40

BOOK NEWS

Festival News
Tickets are on sale for the 23rd Vancouver International Writers & Readers Festival. For up-to-the-moment Festival information please visit our website: writersfest.bc.ca, or pick up a copy of the Festival program guide at various Lower Mainland locations including Book Warehouse locations, Chapters, Sitka Books and Art, Vancouver Public Library branches and on Granville Island at Blackberry Books.

The Vancouver International Writers Festival invites you to Literati, our annual Gala Dinner, presented by Scotia Private Client Group. Join a host of 2010 Festival authors for an unforgettable evening of festivity, food and literary laughs, hosted by Bill Richardson. In support of Spreading the Word, the educational program of the Vancouver International Writers Festival. Complete details here, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/literati.

Writers Festival Art Raffle! Win a beautiful Jamie Evrard painting, Leap of Faith II-Yellow, Green and Red Flowers (Edition 1/1). Jamie Evrard creates rich and exuberant still life and floral paintings using several mediums, including oil paint, monotype and watercolour. Look for her latest exhibition at the Bau-Xi Gallery. Raffle details here, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/literati/raffle.

Virtual Festival
The latest recording in our recently launched series of archived events from Festivals-past features Gillian Slovo talking to Bill Richardson about what led her to write not a historical novel, but a novel set in history. http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/multimedia/audio-archives

Special Events

Just announced - Stevie Cameron
Vancouver International Writers Festival presents a special event with journalist Stevie Cameron. Her new book is On the Farm: Robert William Pickton and the tragic story of Vancouver’s missing women. Details at http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/cameron.

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 are among those appearing at the Festival in October or participating in special events in the fall.

Donna Bailey Nurse describes Jane Urquhart's Sanctuary Line as a book lover's novel.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-sanctuary-line-by-jane-urquhart/article1694290/

Michael Helm's Cities of Refuge explores what happens when two types of exiles—the dispossessed and the spiritually homeless—come together writes Stephen Amidon.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-cities-of-refuge-by-michael-helm/article1544884/

The NY Times calls Eleanor Catton's The Rehearsal a "wildly brilliant and precocious first novel", a coming-of-age story with secrets.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/books/review/Ross-t.html

The Globe and Mail offers a few more details. Apparently a simple plot, but Catton reveals no clear distinction between what is the scandal, what is the saxophone lesson and what is the play.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-the-rehearsal-by-eleanor-catton/article1600727/

Barbara Casey says of Emma Donoghue's Room "Both gripping and poignant, it's a tribute to human resourcefulness and resilience in extremity, and a stirring portrait of a mother's devotion...a worthy Booker Prize contender."
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/859420--room-a-worthy-booker-prize-contender

The San Francisco Chronicle's Michael Berry writes that William Gibson's "Zero History can be enjoyed in isolation from its predecessors, but the entire trilogy rewards a thorough and sequential reading."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/10/RVHN1F93TL.DTL

The Washington Post's Art Taylor says that "Zero History proves momentous...Gibson remains as coolly incisive as ever in his observations, whether about technology or marketing or, yes, fashion."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/10/AR2010091006689.html

And in the NY Times, Scarlett Thomas writes that "Gibson is also celebrating a world where people do still care about something."
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/books/review/Thomas-t.html?ref=books

Alex Clark hails Yiyun Li's delicate and haunting short-story collection, Gold Boy, Emerald Girl. "A hugely impressive collection."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/sep/11/gold-boy-emerald-girl-yiyun-li

Fan Wu in the San Francisco Chronicle writes that the sophistication and honesty of Li's collection often derives from a deep understanding of the history, culture and politics of China, and of their impact on ordinary people."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/10/RVHN1F93MU.DTL

Drew Hayden Taylor uses Nanabush, the mischievous trickster, shapeshifter, and culture hero as inspiration in Motorcycles & Sweetgrass, his first novel for adults. A modern twist to ancient native folklore, says Erin Balser.
http://www.quillandquire.com/reviews/review.cfm?review_id=6809

Jon Paul Fiortina has a new poem in the October issue of The Walrus.
http://www.walrusmagazine.com/articles/2010.10-poetry-dying-in-winnipeg/

Charles Foran's biography Mordecai: The Life and Times will appear in October. Meanwhile, Noah Richler experiences his father's ghost on the set of the filming of Barney's Version.
http://www.walrusmagazine.com/articles/2010.10-arts-my-dad-the-movie-and-me/

Leah Hager Cohen finds Sara Gruen’s Ape House to be “fun, in an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink way”.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/books/review/Cohen-t.html?nl=books&emc=booksupdateema3

Here is an excerpt:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/books/review/excerpt-ape-house.html?ref=review

Gary Shteyngart's life story is more colourful than most fiction, says Peter Conrad.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/sep/05/shteyngart-super-sad-love-story-interview

AWARDS & LISTS

The finalists of the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize and the Bolen Book Children's Book Prize have been announced.
http://www.victoria.ca/contentmanager/press/100909_mr.pdf

Dominick Parenteau-Lebeuf, a playwright and screenwriter based in Montreal, is one of seven mid-career artists to win Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Awards, each worth $15,000.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/09/08/mid-career-artists.html

Andrew Motion, chair of the judges, explains how the shortlist for this year's Man Booker prize was decided, "We didn't mean to be popular."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/sep/11/booker-prize-andrew-motion-judging

NEWS & FEATURES

The New Republic writes that the numbers have been crunched and it's official: The New York Times really does review more fiction by men than by women. Far more.
http://www.tnr.com/article/books-and-arts/77506/the-read-franzen-fallout-ruth-franklin-sexism

It is well known that the trapped Chilean miners are organized and have been assigned various leadership responsibilities. The Guardian reports that among these positions are an Official Biographer and an Official Poet—perhaps not so surprising in the country that produced the Nobel prize-winning poets Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/09/chilean-miners-typical-day

The film Life, Above All, based on a novel by Toronto author Allan Stratton and a screenplay by Vancouver-based Dennis Foon, will be South Africa's official entry for the 2011 Academy Awards.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/s-africa-enters-oscars-with-movie-based-on-toronto-authors-novel/article1702681/

William Gibson speaks to the Wall Street Journal about the future of publishing: made to order books.
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/09/06/william-gibson-on-the-future-of-book-publishing/

After Wallander: the bleak Scandinavian landscapes have inspired a series of hit books about dour detectives. More writers are lining up to claim the Nordic crime crown.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/sep/12/stieg-larsson-henning-mankell-wallander

Monday, September 13 was Roald Dahl Day 2010. To mark the day, Philip Ardagh, winner of the Roald Dahl Funny prize set up in his memory, selected his top ten Dahl tales.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/sep/13/top-10-roald-dahl-children-books

BOOKS & WRITERS

Now that the publication bans have been lifted, Stevie Cameron has produced On The Farm: Robert William Pickton and The Tragic Story of Vancouver's Missing Women, the first comprehensive overview of how Willie Pickton became a psychopathic monster and how he wasn't caught for so long.
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/predator+prey/3510795/story.html

Dan Falk finds Sam Keen's The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements—to be jargon-free, with its focus on the magic (including parlour tricks) and the horrors of chemical science.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-the-disappearing-spoon-by-sam-kean/article1699796/

David Suzuki sums up his life's work in his new book The Legacy: An Elder's Vision for our Sustainable Future. Despite everything, he is optimistic.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/Despite+everything+David+Suzuki+optimistic/3495656/story.html

Wait for Me! Memoirs of the Youngest Mitford Sister, Deborah Mitford's story, written at age 90, is a worthy addition to the family oeuvre, says Rachel Cooke.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/sep/12/mitford-debo-deborah-devonshire-nancy-decca

In an interview, the Duchess says she embarked on her memoir because she felt her family, and her parents in particular, had been portrayed unfairly in the media.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/sep/12/deborah-duchess-of-devonshire-chatsworth?CMP=EMCGT_130910&

Donald Sturrock's Storyteller: The Life of Roald Dahl informs us that Dahl was controlling and bullying, that critics and librarians deprecated him and Ursula K. Le Guin reported that exposure to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory had turned her daughter ‘quite nasty'. But Dahl knew the road to the hearts of his readers.
http://www.spectator.co.uk/books/6257818/beating-his-demons.thtml

Dahl described himself in his later years as "a geriatric child".
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/storyteller-the-life-of-roald-dahl-by-donald-sturrock-2073902.html

Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters, a picture book written by President Obama before he took office in 2009, will be released November 16. Meanwhile, illustrator Loren Long is completing the illustrations.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/14/obama-writes-childrens-book/?ref=books

COMMUNITY EVENTS

ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Annabel Lyon (The Golden Mean) and Naomi Beth Wakan (Book Ends: A year between the covers). Thursday, September 16 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Library, Robson Square (plaza level, 800 Robson Street).More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.

THE LEGACY
People's Co-op Bookstore and Greystone Books present a live appearance by David Suzuki in support of his book The Legacy: An Elder's Vision for Our Sustainable Future. Friday, September 17 at 8:00pm. Kitsilano Secondary (2550 W. 10th). More information at www.legacy.davidsuzuki.org.

EILEEN MYLES AND LISA ROBERTSON
Contemporary poets Myles and Robertson read from their latest books Inferno: A Poet's Novel and R's Boat. Saturday, September 18 at 2:00pm. Charles H. Scott Gallery, Emily Carr University, 1399 Johnston, Granville Island. More information at 604-844-3809.

FREE WRITING WORKSHOP
In partnership with the North Vancouver District Library, the Lynn Valley Literary Society is holding free writing workshops for adults and youth. At noon, drop in for information about the society's upcoming adult workshops and its Young Writers' Club program. Saturday, September 18 at 12:00pm, free. Lynn Valley branch, North Vancouver District Library, 1277 Lynn Valley Rd. For times and information, visit www.nvdpl.north-van.bc.ca.

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.

PEN IN HAND
Readings by Patricia Young and Eve Joseph. Monday, September 20 at 7:30pm. Serious Coffee, Cook Street Village, 230 Cook Street, Victoria. More information at 250-590-8010.

SARAH LEAVITT
Book launch of Tangles: A story about Alzheimer's, my mother and me. Also live music and a silent auction to benefit selected Alzheimer's charities. Tuesday, September 21 at 7:00pm, free. Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street.

ERIC ENNO TAMM
The author reads from his book The Horse that Leaps through Clouds, a cautionary tale about the rise of modern China. Tuesday, September 21 at 7:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, VPL, 350 W. Georgia Street. More information at 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.

JOHN PASS AND THERESA KISHKAN
Authors will be reading from their works. Thursday, September 23 at 12:30pm, free. Refreshments will be served. Special Collections, room 7100, 7th floor of the W.A.C. Bennett Library, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby.

IN MANIA'S MEMORY
Launch of Vancouver writer Lisa Birnie's latest book. Thursday, September 23 at 6:00pm. Bau-Xi Gallery, 3045 Granville Street. For more information, 604-733-7011.

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.

THE ARTEMIS ROCKS!
Launch of best-selling author Eoin Colfer's seventh book in his Artemis Fowl adventure series. Thursday, September 23 at 7:00pm. Free admission but tickets required via online contest at www.vpl.ca. Alice MacKay room, VPL, 350 W. Georgia Street. More information at 604-331-3603.

WRITER'S STUDIO SNEAK PREVIEW
The SFU Writer's Studio will be launching emerge, its 2010 anthology, at the Vancouver International Writers & Readers Festival, but for those people looking for a sneak preview, the authors will be performing pre-release readings at the Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street, on Thursday, September 23, from 7-10 p.m. More information at www.thewritersstudio.ca.

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.

DAVID GLENN
The Burnaby Arts Council will host a launch of The Queen's Sword and The Queen's Jewels. Saturday, September 25 at 1:00pm. Deer Lake Gallery, 6584 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby.

BOOK ARTS MOSAIC OPENING
Books by award-winning local writers will be showcased for the opening of A Book Arts Mosaic. A book sale and meet the authors event happen in conjunction. Saturday, September 25 at 1:00pm. Burnaby Arts Council's Deer Lake Gallery, 6584 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby. Details at info@burnabyartscouncil.org.

ROBERT BATEMAN
One of the world's greatest wildlife artists signs his new book, Bateman: New Works. Saturday, September 25 at 2:00pm. Chapters Broadway and Granville, 2505 Granville Street. More information at 604-731-7822.

WRITING AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS
An interactive program led by Silvana Goldemberg Faifman, designed for those who love stories and want to unlock their creative potential. Saturday, September 25 at 3:30pm, free. Limited seating, please register here: http://behappyalltogether.wordpress.com. Richmond Public Library, 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond.

SHILPI SOMAYA GOWDA
Meet Canadian author Shilpi Somaya Gowda as she signs copies of her debut novel, Secret Daughter. Saturday, September 25 at 4:00pm. Chapters Park Royal, 900 Park Royal South, West Vancouver. More information at 604-922-3222.

EVENING THE FRAYED EDGES
Launch of the Recovery Narrative Project's first anthology of collected works, edited by Susan J. Katz, featuring a series of narratives and poems bringing first-hand accounts of turning points in recovery from mental illness. Sunday, September 26 at 7:00pm, free. John Braithwaite Community Centre, 145 West 1st Street, North Vancouver.

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.

Upcoming

JACK WHYTE
Bestselling author from Kelowna, BC, signs the first book in his exciting new trilogy, The Forest Laird. Monday, September 27 at 7:00pm. Chapters Marine Drive, 1025 Marine Drive, North Vancouver. More information at 604-988-6681.

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.

CBC RADIO STUDIO ONE BOOK CLUB
On September 29, the CBC Radio Studio One Book Club will welcome author Marina Nemat with her second memoir "After Tehran: A Life Reclaimed". Marina was thrown into Iran's most notorious prison at the age of 16 after demanding her teacher stop teaching religious propaganda and resume teaching math. After two years of hell, she finally emigrated to Canada in 1991. A powerful, shocking, and ultimately inspiring story, enter to win free tickets to see Marina at www.cbc.ca/bc/bookclub.

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.

ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Mette Bach (Off the Highway) and Melanie Siebert (Deepwater Vee). Thursday, September 30 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Library, Robson Square (plaza level, 800 Robson Street).More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.

CBC RADIO STUDIO ONE BOOK CLUB
On October 5, the CBC Radio Studio One Book Club is pleased to once again partner with CBC Ideas to present the 2010 Massey Lecturer in an exclusive book club taping. This year Vancouver's own Douglas Coupland presents the first ever Massey in fiction! In "Player One: What is to Become of Us", Doug has created a five hour story that explores time, human identity, society, religion and the afterlife. Enter to win free tickets and a preview of the Masseys at www.cbc.ca/bc/bookclub.