BOOK NEWS
UPCOMING VIWF EVENTS
Incite
At the next Incite on February 8, Tess Gallagher reads from Midnight Lantern, and Merilyn Simonds reads from A New Leaf. Details: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incitefebruary 8. Also appearing at Incite in the next few months are Linden MacIntyre, Richard Wagamese, Anne DeGrace, Will Ferguson, Richard Stursberg, John Boyne, Yasuko Thanh and Robert Hough, among others.
Pico Iyer will appear in a special Incite event on February 20 at the Improv Centre on Granville Island, admission is by donation. Details: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incitefebruary20
Richard Ford
Pulitzer Prize and PEN/Faulkner Award-winning author Richard Ford appears with his latest novel, Canada. Details: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/richardford.
AWARDS & LISTS
The National Book Critics Circle announced the finalists for its 2011 book awards at a public ceremony in New York on Saturday. Diana Ackerman, Jeffrey Eugenides, Alan Hollinghurst, Adam Hochschild and Jonathan Lethem are among the 30 finalists in six categories.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2012/01/national-book-critics-circle-announce-awards-finalists.html
Jack Gantos's "screwball mystery" Dead End in Norvelt has won the Newbery medal, America's most prestigious award for children's writing. Former Newbery winner Susan Cooper was named winner of the Margaret A Edwards award for her "significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature". The 75th Caldecott medal, for an illustrator, went to A Ball for Daisy, illustrated and written by Chris Raschka.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-books-site/2012/jan/23/jack-gantos-wins-oldest-childrens-books-prize
Andrew Miller's historical novel Pure, a vivid tale of life in pre-revolutionary Paris, has won the 2011 Costa Prize.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/24/costa-winner-andrew-miller-pure
The Ontario Arts Council has created The Ontario Arts Council Aboriginal Arts Award in recognition of the distinctive contributions made by Aboriginal artists and arts leaders in Ontario in a variety of media, including literature. The award will be presented annually. The winner will receive a cash award of $7,500.
http://www.arts.on.ca/Page4495.aspx
China Miéville is short listed in two categories of the British Science Fiction awards. The winners of the awards will be announced in April. The complete list of short listed authors is here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/24/shortlists-british-science-fiction-awards
NEWS & FEATURES
The tributes of an anonymous man in black with a white scarf and a wide-brimmed hat, who leaves three roses and a half-empty bottle of cognac at Poe's original grave on the writer's birthday (January 19), are thought to date to at least the 1940s. Edgar Allan Poe fans waited long past a midnight dreary this year but the Poe Taster failed to visit the grave for the third consecutive year. That tradition is now, quietly, over.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/story/2012/01/19/poe-tradition-toaster.html
Writers read excerpts from The Satanic Verses in support of Salman Rushdie, who pulled out of the Jaipur literary festival event amid assassination fears. Festival organisers fear for the event's future after high-profile writers read excerpts from the book, which is banned in India.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/20/salman-rushdie-jaipur-india-literary-festival
A video-linked appearance by Rushdie was cancelled when the venue owners decided it was unsafe to allow it.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/24/salman-rushdie-jaipur-festival-cancel
Rushdie launched a scathing attack on the Indian government for failing to protect free speech, reserving his harshest words for the "Muslim groups that were so unscrupulous, and whose idea of free speech is that they are the only ones entitled to it".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/24/salman-rushdie-attacks-indian-politicians
Hari Kunzru, one of the readers, explained "I wanted to give a voice to Salman Rushdie, a writer silenced by a death threat, not offend anyone's religious sensibilities."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jan/22/i-quoted-satanic-verses-suport-rushdie
The Wall Street Journal describes the Jaipur festival as one of the world's largest and cites Rushdie's 2007 festival appearance as a turning point, attracting global attention.
http://blogs.wsj.com/scene/2012/01/18/indias-literary-fest-swells/
William Dalrymple, the co-director of the Jaipur Festival, offers a detailed description of how difficult decisions were made regarding Rushdie’s speaking by video link from London, citing the combination of an upcoming election (described as ‘razor edge’) in Utter Pradesh and a history of politicians encouraging protesters rather than protecting writers and artists.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/26/salman-rushdie-jaipur-literary-festival
Some books haunt the reader. Others haunt the writer. The Handmaid's Tale has done both, writes Margaret Atwood. Atwood reflects on her thinking as she wrote.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/20/handmaids-tale-margaret-atwood
A new Folio Society edition of Atwood's landmark dystopian novel is accompanied by striking illustrations from Anna and Elena Balbusso. Here are a selection:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/gallery/2012/jan/23/margaret-atwood-handmaids-tale-in-pictures
Chinese dissident author Yu Jie and his family left China for the US last week, blaming harassment by Chinese authorities. Best known for his book Wen Jiabao: China's Greatest Actor, Yu now expects to complete his biography of his friend Liu Xiaobo, the jailed Nobel laureate.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/19/chinese-dissident-us-beatings-harassment
As holder of the book's copyright, the state of Bavaria has restricted access to Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf and has not allowed its publication inside Germany. British publisher Peter McGee has announced his intention to flout the ban and sell portions of the book.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/political-bookworm/post/mein-kampf-to-be-published-in-germany-for-first-time-since-world-war-ii/2012/01/24/gIQARTDhNQ_blog.html
On Wednesday, a regional court in Munich ruled that Mein Kampf may not appear on newsstands. Extracts from Mein Kampf will go on sale in kiosks in Germany today, but with the text blacked out since the court ruled that reprinting the Nazi manifesto broke copyright laws. Peter McGee said in a letter to readers that he would himself censor the text after the court's decision, under the title The Unreadable Book.
http://www.expatica.com/de/news/german-news/german-mein-kampf--reprints-to-be-blacked-out_203688.html
The Waterstones 11, which gathers together the new authors that the chain thinks are most likely to scoop literary prizes and hefty sales, is notable for the fact that eight of the writers are women. So far, however, the most talked-about novel on the list is by a man– The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/19/waterstones-women-writers-debut-novels
The giant online retailer, Amazon, seems to have its hands in all aspects of the business, from publishing books to selling them—and that has some in the book world wondering if there is any end to Amazon's influence.
http://www.npr.org/2012/01/23/145468105/publishers-and-booksellers-see-a-predatory-amazon
Launching this month in Amazon's Kindle Store, Coliloquy e-books are peppered with "choice points" that allow readers to take the story in the direction most appealing to them. Colloquy titles are so far available only in the US.
http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Digital+book+publishers+unveil+interactive+reading/6039333/story.html
There's still time to enter the Geist Postcard Story Contest . Get your entries in before February 15, 2012 for a chance at literary fame and fortune. Contest submissions guidelines and Postcard FAQs can be found on the Geist website.
http://www.geist.com/articles/8th-annual-literal-literary-postcard-story-contest
The Writers' Trust of Canada is accepting submissions for the Bronwen Wallace Emerging Author Award, which is awarded to authors under the age of 35 whose work has been published in a magazine or anthology. The deadline for submissions is January 30, 2012. Full submission guidelines here:
http://www.cbabook.org/files/RBC_BWA_Call%20for%20Submissions.pdf
The Writers Union of Canada has announced the jury and the submission deadlines for the Danuta Gleed Literary Award, which will be awarded to the best first short fiction collection by a Canadian writer. The submission deadline is January 31, 2012 and submitted words must have been published in 2011.
http://www.writersunion.ca/pdfs/2011_danutagleed_press_release.pdf
BOOKS & WRITERS
Six Winters, the brief sequence of poems by Tomas Tranströmer is a vivid illustration of the Nobel prizewinner's singular gifts, writes Carol Rumens.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/23/poem-of-the-week-tomas-transtromer
Dennis O'Donnell's memoir of his time as a psychiatric nurse should help to banish our prejudices – and fears – about madness, writes John Burnside. O'Donnell's main purpose in The Locked Ward is to get us to see the patients as people very much like ourselves.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/19/locked-ward-dennis-odonnell-review
Gillian Slovo's An Honourable Man explores the nature of goodness, writes Clare Clark. The story begins when the siege of Khartoum is eight months old, with food supplies nearly exhausted. They are cut off by "the vicious tourniquets of class and rank and propriety".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/20/honourable-man-gillian-slovo-review
The word "genius" tends to be overused, but it applies to Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy, writes Elaine Kalman Naves. Many critics rate him the greatest novelist ever. In Tolstoy: A Russian Life, British biographer Rosamund Bartlett rates him equally high as a humanitarian.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/Tolstoy+biography+offers+fascinating+portrait+great+Russian+novelist/6027064/story.html
Kevin Brophy's The Berlin Crossing is a story about reconciliation between the former east and west. Brophy's is an unusual and interesting perspective, writes Kapka Kassabova. In the end, says Kassabova, the reconciliation is between dogma and real lives.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/20/berlin-crossing-kevin-brophy-review
The main thrust of Tvetan Todorov's The Totalitarian Experience is a challenging assertion that totalitarianism survives, despite the collapse of Communism, in the ultraliberalism that emerged in its wake. It is a challenging and thought-provoking essay, says Michel Basilières.
http://www.thestar.com/news/books/article/1117538--review-tvetan-todorov-s-the-totalitarian-experience
The award of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 brought the name of Liu Xiaobo to the attention of the entire world. No Enemies, No Hatred: Selected Essays and Poems tells the truth about China's tyranny, says Simon Leys.
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2012/feb/09/liu-xiaobo-he-told-truth-about-chinas-tyranny/
William Gass' Life Sentence is a brilliant new book of essays that explores the unique experience of reading fine writing, writes Troy Jollimore. It might well have been called "Live Sentences" as Gass' sentences are among the liveliest being written today, says Jollimore.
http://www.salon.com/2012/01/25/the_words_we_live_by/singleton/
Some rank Mildred Valley Thornton's work with Emily Carr's. In addition to her portraits, Thornton published Indian Lives and Legends though she didn't understand that the stories were not hers to tell. The book opens the door to cross-cultural discussion, writes Mary Ann Moore.
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/books/Mildred+Valley+Thornton+sadly+forgotten+artist/6027225/story.html
Eva Stachniak's The Winter Palace is a setting, a character and a symbol, and Stachniak lays out in riveting detail how life is lived there by all sorts of characters, writes Jane Smiley. Stachniak's vision also casts light over recent Russian history.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/the-winter-palace-by-eva-stachniak/article2309747/
Boyet Hernandez arrived in New York from Manila, determined to triumph in the fashion world—and ends up imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay. In Alex Gilvarry's debut novel, From the Memoirs of a Non-enemy Combatant, satire reigns and worlds collide, writes Nancy Wigston.
http://www.thestar.com/news/books/article/1117476--review-from-the-memoirs-of-a-non-enemy-combatant-by-alex-gilvarry
Hilarious, fast-paced and exhilarating to the point of nausea, Sara Levine's Treasure Island!!! is a strikingly original creation that reads like a collaboration between Vladimir Nabokov and Jodi Picoult, writes John Barber.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/slow-writer-sara-levine-reimagines-treasure-island/article2311911/
COMMUNITY EVENTS
75 YEARS OF CONTROVERSY
75 Years of Controversy: The Governor-General's Literary Awards come to UBC for all of January. The UBC Library's Rare Books and Special Collections, located on the first floor of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, will display a number of the Literary Award-winning books. The exhibition is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. More information at: http://wire.arts.ubc.ca/events/75-years-of-controversy-the-ggs-come-to-ubc/.
SPIRITUAL ECOLOGY IN CONTEMPORARY MONGOLIAN LITERATURE
Presentation traces the internal and external forces that influence the expression of spirituality and ecology in the work of contemporary poets. Thursday, January 26 at 5:00pm, free. Room 120, Institute of Asian Research, 1855 West Mall, UBC.
GRACE SHIVER
Local author Cathy Stonehouse launches her second collection of poetry. Friday, January 27 at 7:00pm, free. People's Co-op Bookstore, 1391 Commercial Drive.
MASHED POETICS
Spoken word and music mash up where poets create new work based on songs from Gordon by the Barenaked Ladies. Friday, January 27 at 8:00pm. Tickets: $10. The Kosmik Zoo, 53 West Broadway. For more information, phone 604-215-9230.
CHARLOTTE GILL
Vancouver Book Club presents an intimate conversation with the author of Eating Dirt. Saturday, January 28 at 2:00pm. Project Space, 222 East Georgia Street. For more information, contact lindsay.glauser@gmail.com.
CANADA READS
For the first time ever, Canada Reads 2012 is a battle of non-fiction books! CBC Radio's North by Northwest is running a special writing contest celebrating the themes of the two BC books in the battle, and the winners will receive all the 2012 Canada Reads books, plus the Canada Reads book bag! To enter, describe in 400 words or less: your own true life experience with an amazing animal OR your own true life experience with being in personal danger. For all the details, go to www.cbc.ca/nxnw. Contest closes January 29 at midnight.
CHARLOTTE GILL
Reading by the author of Eating Dirt: Deep Forests, Big Timber, and Life with the Tree-Planting Tribe. Monday, January 30 at 7:00pm, free. World Arts Centre, 2nd floor, Goldcorp Centre for the Arts (149 W. Hastings Street). More information at www.sfuwoodwards.ca.
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Lynn Coady (The Antagonist) and Anne Perdue (I'm a Registered Nurse Not a Whore). Thursday, February 2 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore/Library at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
KRANKY READING SERIES
Readings by Cathy Stonehouse, Daniel Zomparelli, and Catherine Owen. Thursday, February 2 at 7:00pm. Kranky Cafe, 16-228 4th Ave. East, Vancouver. More information at talonbooks.com/events.
AT THE WORLD'S EDGE
Claudia Cornwall discusses her new book At the World's Edge–Curt Lang's Vancouver: 1937–1998. Thursday, February 2 at 7:30pm, free. McGill branch, Burnaby Public Library, 4595 Albert Street, Burnaby. More information at 604-299-8955.
JOSE AND PILAR
The VIFF VanCity presents Jose and Pillar, the story of Jose Saramago and his wife Pilar del Rio. Graced with apparently unfettered access to the Portugese Nobel prize-winning novelist (Blindness) for more than two years, Miguel Goncalves Mendes delivers something much more than a conventional “portrait of an artist”.
http://filmguide.viff.org/tixSYS/vifcguide/filmguide/eventnote.php?EventNumber=2166&
Upcoming
LIBRARIAN'S CHOICE
Evening of fast-paced reviews of recommended crime and mystery novels from around the world. Thursday, February 9 at 7:00pm, free. McGill branch, Burnaby Public Library, 4595 Albert Street. More information at www.bpl.bc.ca/events/librarians-choice-international-crime-mystery.
POETRY READING
Poets E.D. Blodgett and Susan McCaslin will be reading from their recent volumes of poetry. Thursday, February 9 at 7:00pm, free. Cadboro Bay Book Company, 3840B Cadboro Bay Road, Victoria. More information at cadborobaybooks@shaw.ca.
MARISSA MEYER
Author reads from Cinder, the first novel in the Lunar Chronicles series. Saturday, February 11 at 2:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby. More information at 604-431-0463.
BOOK LAUNCH
Jennifer Kramer will sign copies of the catalogue written to accompany the exhibition Kesu': The Art and Life of Doug Cranmer. Tuesday, February 14 at 4:00pm. Museum of Anthropology, UBC, 6393 NW Marine Drive. More information at www.moa.ubc.ca/events.
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Steve Burgess (Who Killed Mom?) and Daniel Griffin (Stopping for Strangers). Thursday, February 16 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore/Library at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
HOME FRONT, A READING SERIES
Reading by Sharon Thesen, author of The Serial Poems. Saturday, February 18 at 8:00pm. Cost: $5/pay what you can. 3966 Ontario Street, Vancouver. More information at 604-879-5200.
GALIANO LITERARY FESTIVAL
Third annual literary festival featuring George Bowering, Patrick Friesen, Susan Juby, Rhea Tregebov and many others. February 24-26, 2012. Galiano Island. More information at galianoliteraryfestival.wordpress.com.
CAMPBELL RIVER WRITERS' FESTIVAL
Eleventh annual Words on the Water Festival featuring Gurjinder Basran, Trevor Herriot, Daphne Marlatt, Garry Thomas Morse and others. March 23-24, 2012. Tickets on sale starting February 1. Maritime Heritage Centre, Campbell River. Details at www.wordsonthewater.ca.
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL
Second annual festival and poetry slam championship. April 23-28, 2012. Registration deadlines and complete details here: http://www.vancouverpoetryhouse.com/vipf-2012-is-coming/.
SKAGIT RIVER POETRY FESTIVAL
Three days of poetry, song and storytelling featuring Carolyn Forche', Tony Hoagland and many others. May 17-20, 2012. La Conner, WA. Complete information at www.skagitriverpoetry.org.
JOHN IRVING
The author will talk about his new novel In One Person on Friday, May 18th, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the North Shore Credit Union Centre for the Performing Arts. Capilano University, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver. Ticket price of $30 includes a copy of the new novel available for pick up at the event. More information at 604.990.7810 or http://www2.capilanou.ca/news-events/nscucentre.html.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Book News Vol. 6 No. 52
BOOK NEWS
The winners of the Vancouver International Writers Festival's 13th Annual Poetry & Short Story Contest have been announced. Details: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/get-involved/writingcontest
UPCOMING VIWF EVENTS
Incite
Just announced! Pico Iyer will appear in a special Incite event on February 20 at the Improv Centre on Granville Island, admission is by donation. Details: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incitefebruary20
The first Incite of 2012 features William Gibson reading from Distrust That Particular Flavor, his new collection of nonfiction writings. Also appearing at Incite in the next few months are Tess Gallagher, Merilyn Simonds, Linden MacIntyre, Richard Wagamese, Anne DeGrace, Will Ferguson, Richard Stursberg, John Boyne, Yasuko Thanh and Robert Hough, among others.
Richard Ford
Pulitzer Prize and PEN/Faulkner Award-winning author Richard Ford appears with his latest novel, Canada. Details: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/richardford.
AWARDS & LISTS
2012 marks the fifth anniversary of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction, which brings contemporary Arab voices to an international audience through translation. Five authors have been short-listed; the winner will be announced in March.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/12/international-prize-arabic-fiction-shortlist
The Arab spring was foreshadowed in fiction, writes Khaled Hroub.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/12/arab-spring-foreshadowed-fiction
Amitav Ghosh is one of seven authors short-listed for the Man Asian Literary Prize. The winner will be announced mid-March in Hong Kong.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/story/2012/01/12/man-asian-lit-prize-finalists.html
The Scottish poet John Burnside has won the most controversial TS Eliot poetry prize in years, for Black Cat Bone, a collection described as "haunting". Burnside beat a notably strong surviving list, including the poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/16/john-burnside-wins-ts-eliot-prize
The Alcuin Society has announced that Stan Bevington, C.M., founder of Coach House Press, will be the recipient of the 2012 Robert R. Reid Award and Medal for lifetime achievement in the book arts.
http://blog.alcuinsociety.com/2012/01/stan-bevington-gets-lifetime.html
NEWS & FEATURES
Evelyn Lau, the City of Vancouver's third Poet Laureate, invites emerging poets to apply for a free one-to-one manuscript consultation at VPL's iconic Central Library. The requirements for consultation consideration are here:
http://www.vpl.ca/news/details/media_release_poet_laureate_offers_free_consultations_to_emerging_poets
In partnership with publisher HarperCollins, U.K. McDonald's will hand out 9 million book vouchers for titles by Michael Marpurgo, entitling holders to buy a copy of the books for only £1 at WHSmith Stores. National Literacy Trust research reports one in three British children—nearly four million—do not own a book.
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1113811--mcdonald-s-to-be-britain-s-largest-retailer-of-children-s-books?bn=1
Publishers are convinced that ardent viewers of Downton Abbey will want to read stories about Edwardian and wartime England, not least stories about the grandeur of British estates. The British melodrama has become a marketing tool for booksellers and publishers.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/12/business/media/mad-for-downton-publishers-have-a-reading-list.html
Angered by the decision of a rising fascist group called CasaPound to name itself after her father in honour of his support for dictator Benito Mussolini, Ezra Pound's daughter Mary De Rachewiltz is seeking through the courts to force the group to drop the name.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/14/ezra-pound-daughter-fascism
The opening lines of Reginald Hill's first novel, Fell of Dark, were prophetic: "I possess the Englishman's usual ambivalent attitude to the police. They are at once protectors and persecutors:" a perfect description of Dalziel and Pascoe. Hill died last week, aged 75.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/13/reginald-hill
A quintet of writers is showing that Pakistan can produce fine writing. But largely out of fear, they publish only in English, writes Stephanie Nolan.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/in-pakistan-a-national-literature-struggles-to-be-born/article2302190/
A literary punch-up has arisen between readers, authors and agents on Goodreads reviews in the YA field, with readers clashing with publishers. Are reviews a sales promo tool or an honest assessment by someone who has read and digested the work?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/16/ya-novel-readers-publishing-establishment
The resurgence of the controversy over the death of Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda reflects the suspicions haunting the nation nearly 40 years after the coup. Some claim natural causes; others, Neruda was murdered. Suspicions have lingered for decades.
http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/arts_culture/view.bg?articleid=1396115&format=&page=3&listingType=arts#articleFull
Arizona's ban on ethnic studies proscribes Mexican-American history, local authors, and Shakespeare's The Tempest.
http://www.salon.com/2012/01/13/whos_afraid_of_the_tempest/
Geist is pleased to announce that Lauren Turner is the first Emerging Writer of the Month. Her poem Accuracy can be found at geist.com. Online guidelines for submissions here:
http://www.geist.com/gewm
Sparked by an article Zadie Smith had written about Liberia, which caught the attention of George Soros, Open Society Foundation's founder and chairman, ten writers were selected, a group name—Writers Bloc—selected, and all sent to different countries to write education-related articles.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/13/author-author-kamila-shamsie
To celebrate the publication of The Wind Through the Keyhole, the latest episode in Stephen King's fantasy series The Dark Tower, the publisher (Hodder) has offered lucky entrants to have their faces featured on the back of the jacket artwork. An invitation to help make literary history, they state.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2012/jan/17/stephen-king-face-cover
Are hard copy materials bad for the environment? Less efficient to produce? Not so, according to Rediscover Print, a new project that is collecting data and case studies in support of the effectiveness and value of printed media.
http://www.rediscoverprint.com/know/
There's still time to enter the Geist Postcard Story Contest. Get your entries in before February 15, 2012 for a chance at literary fame and fortune. Contest submissions guidelines and Postcard FAQs can be found on the Geist website.
http://www.geist.com/articles/8th-annual-literal-literary-postcard-story-contest
The Writers' Trust of Canada is accepting submissions for the Bronwen Wallace Emerging Author Award, which is awarded to authors under the age of 35 whose work has been published in a magazine or anthology. The deadline for submissions is January 30, 2012. Full submission guidelines here:
http://www.cbabook.org/files/RBC_BWA_Call%20for%20Submissions.pdf
The Writers Union of Canada has announced the jury and the submission deadlines for the Danuta Gleed Literary Award, which will be awarded to the best first short fiction collection by a Canadian writer. The submission deadline is January 31, 2012 and submitted words must have been published in 2011.
http://www.writersunion.ca/pdfs/2011_danutagleed_press_release.pdf
BOOKS & WRITERS
In his review of Guy Vanderhaeghe's A Good Man, Ron Charles writes: “Vanderhaeghe offers a chance to survey our history and our national myths from the more nuanced perspective of our giant, wary neighbor. An enlightening end to his trilogy."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/guy-vanderhaeghes-a-good-man-reviewed-by-ron-charles/2012/01/02/gIQAYYJGpP_story.html
P.D. James brings a murder mystery into Jane Austen territory with Death Comes to Pemberley. The characters are Austen's, but the novel reflects James's sensibility and preoccupations, writes Kenneth Turan. A violent death the night before the annual ball: most inopportune.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/books/la-ca-pd-james-20120115,0,294416.story
In Distrust That Particular Flavor, a collection of nonfiction pieces, the novelist William Gibson reveals our own world to us as a science-fictional marvel, writes Pagan Kennedy. William Gibson's future is now, says Kennedy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/15/books/review/distrust-that-particular-flavor-by-william-gibson-book-review.html?_r=1&nl=books&emc=booksupdateema1&pagewanted=all
Greg Quill states that Gibson's Distrust That Particular Flavor reveals the sci-fi guru's human side.
http://www.thestar.com/news/books/article/1115302--william-gibson-s-new-book-distrust-that-particular-flavor-reveals-the-sci-fi-guru-s-human-side
William Gibson talks about his first-ever collection of non-fiction and the ‘unutterable weirdness' of living in our time.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/you-can-never-know-your-own-culture-william-gibson/article2303794/
Gregory Maguire gave the world a new take on Frank L. Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, with four sequels. Out of Oz provides a satisfying conclusion to Maguire's series, writes Kelley Armstrong.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/out-of-oz-by-gregory-maguire/article2294364/
In January 2011, The Guardian asked Arab writers, including Tamim Al-Barghouti, Hisham Matar and Mourid Barghouti, to react to the uprisings. Their reflections on that extraordinary year are here.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/13/arab-spring-one-year-on
Alberto Manguel describes Tomás Eloy Martínez's efforts to write about the Argentinian dictatorship without descriptions of atrocities, but a recreation of what it felt like "to breathe in the contaminated air" of the time. The novel Purgatory is the successful result.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/13/purgatory-tomas-eloy-martinez-review
Chan Koonchung's novel The Fat Years portrays a China of the very near future that can best be described as slightly off-kilter, writes Jason Beerman. Between a good hell and a counterfeit paradise, which one would people choose?
http://www.thestar.com/news/books/article/1115257--review-the-fat-years-by-chan-koonchung
Initially tentative about Vanessa Diffenbaugh's The Language of Flowers, Tracy Sherlock became caught up in the book, reading it in two sittings. The meaning of flowers' names mixes well with a second theme, the theme of foster children, says Sherlock.
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/books/Flowery+conversation+captivating/5993694/story.html
Gillian Steward describes Christopher Evans and Lorene Shyba's 5,000 Dead Ducks: Lust and Revolution in the Oilsands, as a darkly funny, satirical novel. The Calgarian authors situate the book in the city of Bos Taurus (Latin for cow).
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/1116564--oilsands-satire-peers-into-the-future
Don DeLillo's The Angel Esmeralda provides a representative sampler of DeLillo's narrative strategies and thematic range. It comes as something of a shock to realize that he is only now publishing his first story collection, writes Ian McGillis.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/DeLillo+stories+show+strength+range/5991741/story.html
COMMUNITY EVENTS
75 YEARS OF CONTROVERSY
75 Years of Controversy: The Governor-General's Literary Awards come to UBC for all of January. The UBC Library's Rare Books and Special Collections, located on the first floor of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, will display a number of the Literary Award-winning books. The exhibition is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. More information at: http://wire.arts.ubc.ca/events/75-years-of-controversy-the-ggs-come-to-ubc/.
NOWHERE ELSE ON EARTH
Book launch and reading by Caitlyn Vernon from her new book Nowhere Else on Earth: Standing Tall for the Great Bear Rainforest. Thursday, January 19 at 7:00pm. Rhizome Cafe, 317 East Broadway. For more information, visit http://www.sierraclub.bc.ca/events/nowhere-else-on-earth-1.
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Sachiko Murakami (Rebuild) and Nick Thran (Earworm). Thursday, January 19 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore/Library at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
SHE-DEMONS: A MISTER JINNAH MYSTERY
Local author Don Hauka will read from his new book She-Demons: A Mister Jinnah Mystery, about a flirtatious and resourceful detective who has to use his investigative genius to solve a crime and make a few dollars on the side. Thursday, January 19 at 7:00pm, free. Burnaby Public Library McGill Branch, 4595 Albert Street, Burnaby. More information at www.bpl.bc.ca.
BOOK LAUNCH
Talon Books and READ Books launch Carl Peter's new book, textual vishjuns: image and text in the work of bill bissett. Also reading is bill bissett from his latest book, novel. Thursday, January 19 at 7:30pm. READ Bookstore, Emily Carr University, 1399 Johnston Street, Granville Island. More information at talonbooks.com/events.
VANCOUVER POETRY SLAM
All youth poetry slam featuring Magpie Ulysses. Monday, January 23 at 8:00pm. Cost: $6/$3. Cafe Deux Soleils, 2096 Commercial Drive. More information at www.vancouverpoetryhouse.com.
AFRICA'S FIRST FEMALE PILOT
Kucki Low talks about her memoir This Is Kucki Your Pilot Speaking, which recounts the challenges, triumphs, and joys of being a twentieth-century aviation pioneer. Registration required. Tuesday, January 24 at 7:00pm, free. Parkgate Branch Library, 3675 Banff Court, North Vancouver. More information at 604-929-3727.
REAL VANCOUVER WRITERS SERIES
Second anniversary celebration with Angie Abdou, Zsuzsi Gartner, David Lester, Arley McNeney, Garry Thomas Morse, Jen Neale, Ayelet Tsabari. Tuesday, January 24. W2 Media Cafe, 111 West Hastings Street. More information at talonbooks.com.
KEVIN MCNEILLY
Reading by the author of his debut poetry collection, Embouchure. Featuring percussionist Nicholas Jacques. Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 2:00pm. Rm301, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre 1961 East Mall, UBC.
MASHED POETICS
Spoken word and music mash up where poets create new work based on songs from Gordon by the Barenaked Ladies. Friday, January 27 at 8:00pm. Tickets: $10. The Kosmik Zoo, 53 West Broadway. For more information, phone 604-215-9230.
CHARLOTTE GILL
Vancouver Book Club presents an intimate conversation with the author of Eating Dirt. Saturday, January 28 at 2:00pm. Project Space, 222 East Georgia Street. For more information, contact lindsay.glauser@gmail.com.
CANADA READS
For the first time ever, Canada Reads 2012 is a battle of non-fiction books! CBC Radio's North by Northwest is running a special writing contest celebrating the themes of the two BC books in the battle, and the winners will receive all the 2012 Canada Reads books, plus the Canada Reads book bag! To enter, describe in 400 words or less: your own true life experience with an amazing animal OR your own true life experience with being in personal danger. For all the details, go to www.cbc.ca/nxnw. Contest closes January 29 at midnight.
Upcoming
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Lynn Coady (The Antagonist) and Anne Perdue (I'm a Registered Nurse Not a Whore). Thursday, February 2 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore/Library at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
KRANKY READING SERIES
Readings by Cathy Stonehouse, Daniel Zomparelli, and Catherine Owen. Thursday, February 2 at 7:00pm. Kranky Cafe, 16-228 4th Ave. East, Vancouver. More information at talonbooks.com/events.
POETRY READING
Poets E. D. Blodgett and Susan McCaslin will be reading from their recent volumes of poetry. Thursday, February 9 at 7:00pm, free. Cadboro Bay Book Company, 3840B Cadboro Bay Road, Victoria. More information at cadborobaybooks@shaw.ca.
MARISSA MEYER
Author reads from Cinder, the first novel in the Lunar Chronicles series. Saturday, February 11 at 2:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby. More information at 604-431-0463.
BOOK LAUNCH
Jennifer Kramer will sign copies of the catalogue written to accompany the exhibition Kesu': The Art and Life of Doug Cranmer. Tuesday, February 14 at 4:00pm. Museum of Anthropology, UBC, 6393 NW Marine Drive. More information at www.moa.ubc.ca/events.
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Steve Burgess (Who Killed Mom?) and Daniel Griffin (Stopping for Strangers). Thursday, February 16 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore/Library at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
HOME FRONT, A READING SERIES
Reading by Sharon Thesen, author of The Serial Poems. Saturday, February 18 at 8:00pm. Cost: $5/pay what you can. 3966 Ontario Street, Vancouver. More information at 604-879-5200.
GALIANO LITERARY FESTIVAL
Third annual literary festival featuring George Bowering, Patrick Friesen, Susan Juby, Rhea Tregebov and many others. February 24-26, 2012. Galiano Island. More information at galianoliteraryfestival.wordpress.com.
CAMPBELL RIVER WRITERS' FESTIVAL
Eleventh annual Words on the Water Festival featuring Gurjinder Basran, Trevor Herriot, Daphne Marlatt, Garry Thomas Morse and others. March 23-24, 2012. Tickets on sale starting February 1. Maritime Heritage Centre, Campbell River. Details at www.wordsonthewater.ca.
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL
Second annual festival and poetry slam championship. April 23-28, 2012. Registration deadlines and complete details here: http://www.vancouverpoetryhouse.com/vipf-2012-is-coming/.
JOHN IRVING
The author will talk about his new novel In One Person on Friday, May 18th, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the North Shore Credit Union Centre for the Performing Arts. Capilano University, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver. Ticket price of $30 includes a copy of the new novel available for pick up at the event. More information at 604.990.7810 or http://www2.capilanou.ca/news-events/nscucentre.html.
The winners of the Vancouver International Writers Festival's 13th Annual Poetry & Short Story Contest have been announced. Details: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/get-involved/writingcontest
UPCOMING VIWF EVENTS
Incite
Just announced! Pico Iyer will appear in a special Incite event on February 20 at the Improv Centre on Granville Island, admission is by donation. Details: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incitefebruary20
The first Incite of 2012 features William Gibson reading from Distrust That Particular Flavor, his new collection of nonfiction writings. Also appearing at Incite in the next few months are Tess Gallagher, Merilyn Simonds, Linden MacIntyre, Richard Wagamese, Anne DeGrace, Will Ferguson, Richard Stursberg, John Boyne, Yasuko Thanh and Robert Hough, among others.
Richard Ford
Pulitzer Prize and PEN/Faulkner Award-winning author Richard Ford appears with his latest novel, Canada. Details: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/richardford.
AWARDS & LISTS
2012 marks the fifth anniversary of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction, which brings contemporary Arab voices to an international audience through translation. Five authors have been short-listed; the winner will be announced in March.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/12/international-prize-arabic-fiction-shortlist
The Arab spring was foreshadowed in fiction, writes Khaled Hroub.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/12/arab-spring-foreshadowed-fiction
Amitav Ghosh is one of seven authors short-listed for the Man Asian Literary Prize. The winner will be announced mid-March in Hong Kong.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/story/2012/01/12/man-asian-lit-prize-finalists.html
The Scottish poet John Burnside has won the most controversial TS Eliot poetry prize in years, for Black Cat Bone, a collection described as "haunting". Burnside beat a notably strong surviving list, including the poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/16/john-burnside-wins-ts-eliot-prize
The Alcuin Society has announced that Stan Bevington, C.M., founder of Coach House Press, will be the recipient of the 2012 Robert R. Reid Award and Medal for lifetime achievement in the book arts.
http://blog.alcuinsociety.com/2012/01/stan-bevington-gets-lifetime.html
NEWS & FEATURES
Evelyn Lau, the City of Vancouver's third Poet Laureate, invites emerging poets to apply for a free one-to-one manuscript consultation at VPL's iconic Central Library. The requirements for consultation consideration are here:
http://www.vpl.ca/news/details/media_release_poet_laureate_offers_free_consultations_to_emerging_poets
In partnership with publisher HarperCollins, U.K. McDonald's will hand out 9 million book vouchers for titles by Michael Marpurgo, entitling holders to buy a copy of the books for only £1 at WHSmith Stores. National Literacy Trust research reports one in three British children—nearly four million—do not own a book.
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1113811--mcdonald-s-to-be-britain-s-largest-retailer-of-children-s-books?bn=1
Publishers are convinced that ardent viewers of Downton Abbey will want to read stories about Edwardian and wartime England, not least stories about the grandeur of British estates. The British melodrama has become a marketing tool for booksellers and publishers.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/12/business/media/mad-for-downton-publishers-have-a-reading-list.html
Angered by the decision of a rising fascist group called CasaPound to name itself after her father in honour of his support for dictator Benito Mussolini, Ezra Pound's daughter Mary De Rachewiltz is seeking through the courts to force the group to drop the name.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/14/ezra-pound-daughter-fascism
The opening lines of Reginald Hill's first novel, Fell of Dark, were prophetic: "I possess the Englishman's usual ambivalent attitude to the police. They are at once protectors and persecutors:" a perfect description of Dalziel and Pascoe. Hill died last week, aged 75.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/13/reginald-hill
A quintet of writers is showing that Pakistan can produce fine writing. But largely out of fear, they publish only in English, writes Stephanie Nolan.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/in-pakistan-a-national-literature-struggles-to-be-born/article2302190/
A literary punch-up has arisen between readers, authors and agents on Goodreads reviews in the YA field, with readers clashing with publishers. Are reviews a sales promo tool or an honest assessment by someone who has read and digested the work?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/16/ya-novel-readers-publishing-establishment
The resurgence of the controversy over the death of Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda reflects the suspicions haunting the nation nearly 40 years after the coup. Some claim natural causes; others, Neruda was murdered. Suspicions have lingered for decades.
http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/arts_culture/view.bg?articleid=1396115&format=&page=3&listingType=arts#articleFull
Arizona's ban on ethnic studies proscribes Mexican-American history, local authors, and Shakespeare's The Tempest.
http://www.salon.com/2012/01/13/whos_afraid_of_the_tempest/
Geist is pleased to announce that Lauren Turner is the first Emerging Writer of the Month. Her poem Accuracy can be found at geist.com. Online guidelines for submissions here:
http://www.geist.com/gewm
Sparked by an article Zadie Smith had written about Liberia, which caught the attention of George Soros, Open Society Foundation's founder and chairman, ten writers were selected, a group name—Writers Bloc—selected, and all sent to different countries to write education-related articles.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/13/author-author-kamila-shamsie
To celebrate the publication of The Wind Through the Keyhole, the latest episode in Stephen King's fantasy series The Dark Tower, the publisher (Hodder) has offered lucky entrants to have their faces featured on the back of the jacket artwork. An invitation to help make literary history, they state.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2012/jan/17/stephen-king-face-cover
Are hard copy materials bad for the environment? Less efficient to produce? Not so, according to Rediscover Print, a new project that is collecting data and case studies in support of the effectiveness and value of printed media.
http://www.rediscoverprint.com/know/
There's still time to enter the Geist Postcard Story Contest. Get your entries in before February 15, 2012 for a chance at literary fame and fortune. Contest submissions guidelines and Postcard FAQs can be found on the Geist website.
http://www.geist.com/articles/8th-annual-literal-literary-postcard-story-contest
The Writers' Trust of Canada is accepting submissions for the Bronwen Wallace Emerging Author Award, which is awarded to authors under the age of 35 whose work has been published in a magazine or anthology. The deadline for submissions is January 30, 2012. Full submission guidelines here:
http://www.cbabook.org/files/RBC_BWA_Call%20for%20Submissions.pdf
The Writers Union of Canada has announced the jury and the submission deadlines for the Danuta Gleed Literary Award, which will be awarded to the best first short fiction collection by a Canadian writer. The submission deadline is January 31, 2012 and submitted words must have been published in 2011.
http://www.writersunion.ca/pdfs/2011_danutagleed_press_release.pdf
BOOKS & WRITERS
In his review of Guy Vanderhaeghe's A Good Man, Ron Charles writes: “Vanderhaeghe offers a chance to survey our history and our national myths from the more nuanced perspective of our giant, wary neighbor. An enlightening end to his trilogy."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/guy-vanderhaeghes-a-good-man-reviewed-by-ron-charles/2012/01/02/gIQAYYJGpP_story.html
P.D. James brings a murder mystery into Jane Austen territory with Death Comes to Pemberley. The characters are Austen's, but the novel reflects James's sensibility and preoccupations, writes Kenneth Turan. A violent death the night before the annual ball: most inopportune.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/books/la-ca-pd-james-20120115,0,294416.story
In Distrust That Particular Flavor, a collection of nonfiction pieces, the novelist William Gibson reveals our own world to us as a science-fictional marvel, writes Pagan Kennedy. William Gibson's future is now, says Kennedy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/15/books/review/distrust-that-particular-flavor-by-william-gibson-book-review.html?_r=1&nl=books&emc=booksupdateema1&pagewanted=all
Greg Quill states that Gibson's Distrust That Particular Flavor reveals the sci-fi guru's human side.
http://www.thestar.com/news/books/article/1115302--william-gibson-s-new-book-distrust-that-particular-flavor-reveals-the-sci-fi-guru-s-human-side
William Gibson talks about his first-ever collection of non-fiction and the ‘unutterable weirdness' of living in our time.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/you-can-never-know-your-own-culture-william-gibson/article2303794/
Gregory Maguire gave the world a new take on Frank L. Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, with four sequels. Out of Oz provides a satisfying conclusion to Maguire's series, writes Kelley Armstrong.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/out-of-oz-by-gregory-maguire/article2294364/
In January 2011, The Guardian asked Arab writers, including Tamim Al-Barghouti, Hisham Matar and Mourid Barghouti, to react to the uprisings. Their reflections on that extraordinary year are here.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/13/arab-spring-one-year-on
Alberto Manguel describes Tomás Eloy Martínez's efforts to write about the Argentinian dictatorship without descriptions of atrocities, but a recreation of what it felt like "to breathe in the contaminated air" of the time. The novel Purgatory is the successful result.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/13/purgatory-tomas-eloy-martinez-review
Chan Koonchung's novel The Fat Years portrays a China of the very near future that can best be described as slightly off-kilter, writes Jason Beerman. Between a good hell and a counterfeit paradise, which one would people choose?
http://www.thestar.com/news/books/article/1115257--review-the-fat-years-by-chan-koonchung
Initially tentative about Vanessa Diffenbaugh's The Language of Flowers, Tracy Sherlock became caught up in the book, reading it in two sittings. The meaning of flowers' names mixes well with a second theme, the theme of foster children, says Sherlock.
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/books/Flowery+conversation+captivating/5993694/story.html
Gillian Steward describes Christopher Evans and Lorene Shyba's 5,000 Dead Ducks: Lust and Revolution in the Oilsands, as a darkly funny, satirical novel. The Calgarian authors situate the book in the city of Bos Taurus (Latin for cow).
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/1116564--oilsands-satire-peers-into-the-future
Don DeLillo's The Angel Esmeralda provides a representative sampler of DeLillo's narrative strategies and thematic range. It comes as something of a shock to realize that he is only now publishing his first story collection, writes Ian McGillis.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/DeLillo+stories+show+strength+range/5991741/story.html
COMMUNITY EVENTS
75 YEARS OF CONTROVERSY
75 Years of Controversy: The Governor-General's Literary Awards come to UBC for all of January. The UBC Library's Rare Books and Special Collections, located on the first floor of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, will display a number of the Literary Award-winning books. The exhibition is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. More information at: http://wire.arts.ubc.ca/events/75-years-of-controversy-the-ggs-come-to-ubc/.
NOWHERE ELSE ON EARTH
Book launch and reading by Caitlyn Vernon from her new book Nowhere Else on Earth: Standing Tall for the Great Bear Rainforest. Thursday, January 19 at 7:00pm. Rhizome Cafe, 317 East Broadway. For more information, visit http://www.sierraclub.bc.ca/events/nowhere-else-on-earth-1.
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Sachiko Murakami (Rebuild) and Nick Thran (Earworm). Thursday, January 19 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore/Library at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
SHE-DEMONS: A MISTER JINNAH MYSTERY
Local author Don Hauka will read from his new book She-Demons: A Mister Jinnah Mystery, about a flirtatious and resourceful detective who has to use his investigative genius to solve a crime and make a few dollars on the side. Thursday, January 19 at 7:00pm, free. Burnaby Public Library McGill Branch, 4595 Albert Street, Burnaby. More information at www.bpl.bc.ca.
BOOK LAUNCH
Talon Books and READ Books launch Carl Peter's new book, textual vishjuns: image and text in the work of bill bissett. Also reading is bill bissett from his latest book, novel. Thursday, January 19 at 7:30pm. READ Bookstore, Emily Carr University, 1399 Johnston Street, Granville Island. More information at talonbooks.com/events.
VANCOUVER POETRY SLAM
All youth poetry slam featuring Magpie Ulysses. Monday, January 23 at 8:00pm. Cost: $6/$3. Cafe Deux Soleils, 2096 Commercial Drive. More information at www.vancouverpoetryhouse.com.
AFRICA'S FIRST FEMALE PILOT
Kucki Low talks about her memoir This Is Kucki Your Pilot Speaking, which recounts the challenges, triumphs, and joys of being a twentieth-century aviation pioneer. Registration required. Tuesday, January 24 at 7:00pm, free. Parkgate Branch Library, 3675 Banff Court, North Vancouver. More information at 604-929-3727.
REAL VANCOUVER WRITERS SERIES
Second anniversary celebration with Angie Abdou, Zsuzsi Gartner, David Lester, Arley McNeney, Garry Thomas Morse, Jen Neale, Ayelet Tsabari. Tuesday, January 24. W2 Media Cafe, 111 West Hastings Street. More information at talonbooks.com.
KEVIN MCNEILLY
Reading by the author of his debut poetry collection, Embouchure. Featuring percussionist Nicholas Jacques. Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 2:00pm. Rm301, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre 1961 East Mall, UBC.
MASHED POETICS
Spoken word and music mash up where poets create new work based on songs from Gordon by the Barenaked Ladies. Friday, January 27 at 8:00pm. Tickets: $10. The Kosmik Zoo, 53 West Broadway. For more information, phone 604-215-9230.
CHARLOTTE GILL
Vancouver Book Club presents an intimate conversation with the author of Eating Dirt. Saturday, January 28 at 2:00pm. Project Space, 222 East Georgia Street. For more information, contact lindsay.glauser@gmail.com.
CANADA READS
For the first time ever, Canada Reads 2012 is a battle of non-fiction books! CBC Radio's North by Northwest is running a special writing contest celebrating the themes of the two BC books in the battle, and the winners will receive all the 2012 Canada Reads books, plus the Canada Reads book bag! To enter, describe in 400 words or less: your own true life experience with an amazing animal OR your own true life experience with being in personal danger. For all the details, go to www.cbc.ca/nxnw. Contest closes January 29 at midnight.
Upcoming
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Lynn Coady (The Antagonist) and Anne Perdue (I'm a Registered Nurse Not a Whore). Thursday, February 2 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore/Library at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
KRANKY READING SERIES
Readings by Cathy Stonehouse, Daniel Zomparelli, and Catherine Owen. Thursday, February 2 at 7:00pm. Kranky Cafe, 16-228 4th Ave. East, Vancouver. More information at talonbooks.com/events.
POETRY READING
Poets E. D. Blodgett and Susan McCaslin will be reading from their recent volumes of poetry. Thursday, February 9 at 7:00pm, free. Cadboro Bay Book Company, 3840B Cadboro Bay Road, Victoria. More information at cadborobaybooks@shaw.ca.
MARISSA MEYER
Author reads from Cinder, the first novel in the Lunar Chronicles series. Saturday, February 11 at 2:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby. More information at 604-431-0463.
BOOK LAUNCH
Jennifer Kramer will sign copies of the catalogue written to accompany the exhibition Kesu': The Art and Life of Doug Cranmer. Tuesday, February 14 at 4:00pm. Museum of Anthropology, UBC, 6393 NW Marine Drive. More information at www.moa.ubc.ca/events.
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Steve Burgess (Who Killed Mom?) and Daniel Griffin (Stopping for Strangers). Thursday, February 16 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore/Library at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
HOME FRONT, A READING SERIES
Reading by Sharon Thesen, author of The Serial Poems. Saturday, February 18 at 8:00pm. Cost: $5/pay what you can. 3966 Ontario Street, Vancouver. More information at 604-879-5200.
GALIANO LITERARY FESTIVAL
Third annual literary festival featuring George Bowering, Patrick Friesen, Susan Juby, Rhea Tregebov and many others. February 24-26, 2012. Galiano Island. More information at galianoliteraryfestival.wordpress.com.
CAMPBELL RIVER WRITERS' FESTIVAL
Eleventh annual Words on the Water Festival featuring Gurjinder Basran, Trevor Herriot, Daphne Marlatt, Garry Thomas Morse and others. March 23-24, 2012. Tickets on sale starting February 1. Maritime Heritage Centre, Campbell River. Details at www.wordsonthewater.ca.
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL
Second annual festival and poetry slam championship. April 23-28, 2012. Registration deadlines and complete details here: http://www.vancouverpoetryhouse.com/vipf-2012-is-coming/.
JOHN IRVING
The author will talk about his new novel In One Person on Friday, May 18th, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the North Shore Credit Union Centre for the Performing Arts. Capilano University, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver. Ticket price of $30 includes a copy of the new novel available for pick up at the event. More information at 604.990.7810 or http://www2.capilanou.ca/news-events/nscucentre.html.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Book News Vol. 6 No. 51
BOOK NEWS
Check out next week's edition of Book News for the winners of the 13th annual VIWF Poetry and Short Story writing contest!
Incite
The first Incite of 2012 features William Gibson reading from Distrust That Particular Flavor, his new collection of nonfiction writings. Also appearing at Incite in the next few months are Tess Gallagher, Merilyn Simonds, Linden MacIntyre, Richard Wagamese, Anne DeGrace, Will Ferguson, Richard Stursberg, John Boyne, Yasuko Thanh and Robert Hough, among others.
AWARDS & LISTS
Wade Davis, author of Into the Shadows; Charlotte Gill, author of Eating Dirt; J.J. Lee, author of The Measure of a Man; Madeline Sonik, author of Afflictions & Departures; and Andrew Westoll, author of The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary are the finalists for the 2012 Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction. The prize will be awarded in early March.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/charles-taylor-prize-short-list-announced/article2297369
Anna Bikont (Poland) was awarded the essay prize in the 2011 European Book prizes, for Le Crime et le Silence. The "novels and narratives" award went to Maxim Leo (Germany) for Histoire d'un Allemand de l'Est.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/dec/16/european-book-prize-julian-barnes?newsfeed=true
The poet Jo Shapcott, who began the year by winning the Costa book of the year award for her collection Of Mutability, ended 2011 by being named the latest recipient of the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/dec/23/jo-shapcott-queen-gold-medal-poetry
Caitlin Moran's witty take on modern feminism, How to Be a Woman, has been voted book of the year by the public. What Lauren Laverne has dubbed "an indispensable guide to Ladyhood" came in ahead of titles by esteemed literary names.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/dec/23/caitlin-moran-book-of-the-year
A new British literary prize aims to reward book reviews with edge. The Hatchet Job of the Year Award honours "the angriest, funniest, most trenchant" review published in a newspaper or magazine in 2011. Eight finalists for the prize were announced Tuesday; the prize will be awarded February 5.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/new-brit-award-honours-the-art-of-the-lacerating-book-review/article2297432/
NEWS & FEATURES
Stephen Lawrence, a poem by the British poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, was prompted by the recent conviction of two men for the teenager's murder in 1993.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/06/carol-ann-duffy-stephen-lawrence
The internationally acclaimed, bestselling novelist Chinua Achebe and 36 other Nigerian authors issued a "Statement of Solidarity with the Nigerian People", following the announcement that the country's state fuel subsidy programme would be discontinued. The authors called the timing of the move "ill-advised".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/09/chinua-achebe-nigeria-fuel-subsidy-protests
Bosnia's national library is set to become the country's third cultural institution to close its doors, the victim of political disputes over its funding.
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/bosnian-national-library-facing-closure
An influential conservative Indian Muslim cleric has declared Salman Rushdie should be barred from India. Rushdie is scheduled to speak on "Inglish, Amlish, Hinglish: the Chutneyfication of English" at the Jaipur festival, the biggest literary festival in Asia. Rushdie will "absolutely" be attending, said Festival organizers.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/10/salman-rushdie-jaipur-festival-protest
A YouTube video featuring books that come alive to dance after dark inside a Toronto bookstore is delighting viewers online. Shot inside Type Books's Queen Street West location, the video uses stop-motion to make the books move to music seconds after the owner locks the door and leaves for the night.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/story/2012/01/10/youtube-dancing-books-video.html
The biggest literary mystery is how very many Canadian authors are topping the bestseller lists in Norway and elsewhere in Scandinavia, as well as Germany and Brazil.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/canadian-authors-really-big-just-not-in-canada/article2274101/
Kate Harrad is reinventing classic novels with 'genderswitching'. Dr. Jane Watson? James Eyre?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/dec/23/classic-fiction-genderswitching
A new set of Royal Mail stamps celebrating the work of children's author Roald Dahl went on sale this week. A gallery of photos of the stamps is here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/gallery/2012/jan/09/roald-dahl-stamps-in-pictures
Random House of Canada has become the sole owner of McClelland & Stewart. It says it has made long-term commitments to the publishing house, including existing programs and prizes.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/story/2012/01/10/random-house-mclelland-stewart.html
Michael Patrick Albano, resident stage director at the University of Toronto's opera program, has written the libretto for 'Rob Ford: The Opera.' The "wonderful veneer of silliness" allows the opera to entertainingly explore serious issues. There will be one performance on Sunday, Jan. 22.
http://www.thestar.com/news/cityhallpolitics/article/1110187--in-rob-ford-the-opera-atwood-is-god
Under attack from e-books and e-commerce, independent bookstores fight back by creating their own unique titles.
http://www.salon.com/2012/01/02/indies_battle_amazon_by_becoming_publishers/
When asked about Where the Wild Things Are as an e-book, Maurice Sendak responded: "It's not a book. It's a tchotchke. It's a toy."
http://www.denverpost.com/books/ci_19604256?source=rss#ixzz1hkdD7lBj
Rick Geckowski examines the question: what is the definition of a great book?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/dec/23/definition-great-book-rick-gekoski
Bestselling authors aren't always what they seem, writes Greg Quill. So, instead of the usual year-end best-of round-up, he offers some unusual and little known facts, anecdotes and revelations about 10 great writers, present and past.
http://www.thestar.com/news/books/article/1105677--bestselling-authors-aren-t-always-what-they-seem
The latest issue of The Thing Quarterly, an American periodical in the form of an object, is by Dave Eggers. Fans can buy Eggers' imagining of a monologue told to him by his shower curtain, published on an actual shower curtain one could read while showering.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/06/dave-eggers-shower-curtain
Ron Charles describes the production of the Washington Post's annual guide to the best books of 2011, and points out that Amazon would not have been able to help.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/arts-post/post/could-amazon-do-this-for-us-no/2011/12/09/gIQALQDqiO_blog.html?wprss=arts-post
Alison Flood explores how British reading habits differ from those of North American readers. There is a strong difference when it comes to adult non-fiction.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2011/dec/23/us-uk-non-fiction
Traditional print dictionaries have long enlisted lexicographers to scrutinize new words as they pop up, weighing their merits and eventually accepting some of them. Not Wordnik, the vast online dictionary.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/business/wordniks-online-dictionary-no-arbiters-please.html?hpw&pagewanted=all
Liberty Hardy visits GNAW, a support group for the chronically mispronounced, which includes in its membership many literary prizewinners.
http://bookriot.com/2011/11/14/welcome-to-gnaw-a-support-group-for-the-chronically-mispronounced/
Farhad Manjoo writes how independent bookstores can fight back against Amazon.
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2011/12/independent_bookstores_are_not_doomed_here_s_how_they_can_fight_back_against_amazon_.html
A rare first edition of John James Audubon's sumptuously illustrated The Birds of America, is going on the auction block for an estimated $7 million to $10 million, writes Ula Ilnytzky. 120 complete first editions remain of the original 200.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2017157102_apusaudubonfirstedition.html
The Writers' Trust of Canada is accepting submissions for the Bronwen Wallace Emerging Author Award, which is awarded to authors under the age of 35 whose work has been published in a magazine or anthology. The deadline for submissions is January 30, 2012. Full submission guidelines here:
http://www.cbabook.org/files/RBC_BWA_Call%20for%20Submissions.pdf
The Writers Union of Canada has announced the jury and the submission deadlines for the Danuta Gleed Literary Award, which will be awarded to the best first short fiction collection by a Canadian writer. The submission deadline is January 31, 2012 and submitted words must have been published in 2011.
http://www.writersunion.ca/pdfs/2011_danutagleed_press_release.pdf
BOOKS & WRITERS
Long-listed for the Man Booker Prize, Yvette Edwards' A Cupboard Full of Coats stays with you long after you have finished the story of Jinx, whose past collides with her present, writes Laura Eggertson, describing Edwards as a ‘natural-born storyteller'.
http://www.thestar.com/news/books/article/1107897--review-a-cupboard-full-of-coats-by-yvvette-edwards
For two centuries, outsiders have offered explanations for why Haiti remains so poor. There are few better places to turn than Avengers of the New World: The Story of the Haitian Revolution, by Laurent Dubois, writes Adam Hochschild.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/books/review/haiti-the-aftershocks-of-history-by-laurent-dubois-book
For David Adams Richards, hunting is a way of life, writes David Carpenter. Facing the Hunter is stuffed with hunting stories that are a far cry from the usual fare; a sort of oral history that an old hunting guide might have recounted, says Carpenter.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/facing-the-hunter-by-david-adams-richards/article2289831/
Miranda July's mission to interview every small ads seller in her area has produced a collection of touching, unsettling stories, writes Hermione Hoby. In It Chooses You, July pursues the question of how other people are making it through life.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/jan/08/it-chooses-miranda-july-review
As Charles Dickens died before he could finish The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Gwyneth Hughes set out to complete it for the BBC. She soon wished she hadn't. She describes how Katey Dickens Collins, Dickens's "wise and sensible favourite daughter", came to her rescue.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/04/mystery-edwin-drood-dickens-bbc?CMP=EMCNEWEML1355
Chad Harbach's The Art of Fielding may be the first debut novel to have another book written about it before it was even published, writes Ruaridh Nicoll. The literary hive is buzzing, says Nicoll.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/07/art-of-fielding-baseball-novel
Under The Hawthorn Tree, a novel by an anonymous Chinese author living in America, has become a worldwide publishing sensation. Publishers bought the book, based on the writing. None of the publishers, translators or editors knows the author's identity.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/08/hawthorn-tree-zhang-yimou-ai-mi
In Hemingway's Boat, Paul Hendrickson traces Ernest Hemingway's life through the thing he loved most purely – his cabin cruiser Pilar. The result is both original and beautiful, writes Olivia Laing. A bewitchingly beautiful near-biography of Hemingway, says Laing.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/08/ernest-hemingway-boat-hendrickson-review
Smut, Alan Bennett's two novellas about two British matrons, is of a piece with The Uncommon Reader, writes David L. Ulin: farce with an unlikely punch. The subject is sex, approached with a certain tongue-in-cheek reserve.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/books/la-ca-alan-bennett-20120108,0,6352488.story
Pico Iyer travels widely in his thoughtful The Man Within My Head, writes Ronald Wright. Biography, memoir, travelogue, literary criticism and personal meditation, this is a tale of fathers and sons, real and assumed. Insightful, eloquent, and truthful, says Wright.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/the-man-within-my-head-by-pico-iyer/article2294116/
Gregory Maguire gave the world a new take on Frank L. Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, with four sequels. Out of Oz provides a satisfying conclusion to Maguire's series, writes Kelley Armstrong.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/out-of-oz-by-gregory-maguire/article2294364/
COMMUNITY EVENTS
75 YEARS OF CONTROVERSY
75 Years of Controversy: The Governor-General's Literary Awards come to UBC for all of January. The UBC Library's Rare Books and Special Collections, located on the first floor of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, will display a number of the Literary Award-winning books. The exhibition is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. More information at: http://wire.arts.ubc.ca/events/75-years-of-controversy-the-ggs-come-to-ubc/.
GRACE LI XIU WOO
Author of Ghost Dancing with Colonialism discusses her new book. Thursday, January 12 at 7:00pm, free. Alma vanDusen room, lower level, Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia Street.
A HUNT TO THE DEATH
John Vaillant takes you to the dangerous Siberian wilds with a show of photographs and reads from his book The Tiger. Thursday, January 12 at 7:30pm, free. West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver. More information at www.westvanlibrary.ca.
TWS READING SERIES
Come and hear established and emerging writers read their poetry, fiction and nonfiction, and help support the writing community. This month, guest author will be Heidi Greco, whose novella, Shrinking Violets, was published in 2011 by Torontos Quattro Books after it was selected as co-winner of their annual manuscript competition. Friday, January 13 at 7:00pm. Take 5 Cafe, 429 Granville Street.
WRITING FROM REAL LIFE
Madeline Sonik, award-winning author and university teacher of writing, will teach autobiographical writing techniques, structure and theme. Saturday, January 14 at 1:00pm, free. Alma vanDusen room, lower level, Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia Street. More information at www.vpl.ca.
BRIAN HERBERT
Meet Brian Herbert as he signs Sisterhood of Dune, the newest addition to this amazing legacy and the first installment in a new and exciting trilogy. Sunday, January 15 at 2:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby. More information at 604-431-0463.
ROYAL CANADIAN BARE FARCE
Literary readings by naked Burlesque artists Trixie Hobbitses, Bunny Meugens, Sherry Hymen, and Diamond Minx. Sunday, January 15 at 7:30pm. Tickets: $20/$15 from ngrvanfarce.eventbrite.ca. Backstage Lounge, 1585 Johnston Street, Granville Island.
BETTY JEAN MCHUGH
Please join the author as she reads from My Road to Rome: The Running Times of BJ McHugh, the story of how she became the world's fastest senior long-distance runner. Monday, January 16 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street.
PEN-IN-HAND POETRY/PROSE READING SERIES
Featuring readings by JoAnn Dionne and DC Reid. Monday, January 16 at 7:30pm. Cost: $3. Serious Coffee, 230 Cook Street, Victoria. More information at ainbinder.collins@gmail.com.
PLAY CHTHONICS
Readings by bill bissett and Alex Leslie. Wednesday, January 18 at 5:00pm. Piano lounge, Graham House, Green College, UBC. More information at talonbooks.com.
EILEEN COOK
The YA author reads from her latest work Unravelling Isobel, a darkly comic teen novel. Wednesday, January 18 at 7:00pm, free. North Vancouver City Library, 120 W. 14th. More information at www.nvcl.ca.
NOWHERE ELSE ON EARTH
Book launch and reading by Caitlyn Vernon from her new book Nowhere Else on Earth: Standing Tall for the Great Bear Rainforest. Thursday, January 19 at 7:00pm. Rhizome Cafe, 317 East Broadway. For more information, visit http://www.sierraclub.bc.ca/events/nowhere-else-on-earth-1.
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Sachiko Murakami (Rebuild) and Nick Thran (Earworm). Thursday, January 19 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore/Library at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
SHE-DEMONS: A MISTER JINNAH MYSTERY
Local author Don Hauka will read from his new book She-Demons: A Mister Jinnah Mystery, about a flirtatious and resourceful detective who has to use his investigative genius to solve a crime and make a few dollars on the side. Thursday, January 19 at 7:00pm, free. Burnaby Public Library McGill Branch, 4595 Albert Street, Burnaby. More information at www.bpl.bc.ca.
AFRICA'S FIRST FEMALE PILOT
Kucki Low talks about her memoir This Is Kucki Your Pilot Speaking, which recounts the challenges, triumphs, and joys of being a twentieth-century aviation pioneer. Registration required. Tuesday, January 24 at 7:00pm, free. Parkgate Branch Library, 3675 Banff Court, North Vancouver. More information at 604-929-3727.
REAL VANCOUVER WRITERS SERIES
Second anniversary celebration with Angie Abdou, Zsuzsi Gartner, David Lester, Arley McNeney, Garry Thomas Morse, Jen Neale, Ayelet Tsabari. Tuesday, January 24 at 8:00pm. W2 Media Cafe, 111 West Hastings Street. More information at talonbooks.com.
Upcoming
KEVIN MCNEILLY
Reading by the author of his debut poetry collection, Embouchure. Featuring percussionist Nicholas Jacques. Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 2:00pm. Rm301, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre 1961 East Mall, UBC.
MASHED POETICS
Spoken word and music mash up where poets create new work based on songs from Gordon by the Barenaked Ladies. Friday, January 27 at 8:00pm. Tickets: $10. The Kosmik Zoo, 53 West Broadway. For more information, phone 604-215-9230.
CHARLOTTE GILL
Vancouver Book Club presents an intimate conversation with the author of Eating Dirt. Saturday, January 28 at 2:00pm. Project Space, 222 East Georgia Street. For more information, contact lindsay.glauser@gmail.com.
CANADA READS
For the first time ever, Canada Reads 2012 is a battle of non-fiction books! CBC Radio's North by Northwest is running a special writing contest celebrating the themes of the two BC books in the battle, and the winners will receive all the 2012 Canada Reads books, plus the Canada Reads book bag! To enter, describe in 400 words or less: your own true life experience with an amazing animal OR your own true life experience with being in personal danger. For all the details, go to www.cbc.ca/nxnw. Contest closes January 29 at midnight.
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Lynn Coady (The Antagonist) and Anne Perdue (I'm a Registered Nurse Not a Whore). Thursday, February 2 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore/Library at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
MARISSA MEYER
Author reads from Cinder, the first novel in the Lunar Chronicles series. Saturday, February 11 at 2:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby. More information at 604-431-0463.
BOOK LAUNCH
Jennifer Kramer will sign copies of the catalogue written to accompany the exhibition Kesu': The Art and Life of Doug Cranmer. Tuesday, February 14 at 4:00pm. Museum of Anthropology, UBC, 6393 NW Marine Drive. More information at www.moa.ubc.ca/events.
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Steve Burgess (Who Killed Mom?) and Daniel Griffin (Stopping for Strangers). Thursday, February 16 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore/Library at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL
Second annual festival and poetry slam championship. April 23-28, 2012. Registration deadlines and complete details here: http://www.vancouverpoetryhouse.com/vipf-2012-is-coming/.
JOHN IRVING
The author will talk about his new novel In One Person on Friday, May 18th, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the North Shore Credit Union Centre for the Performing Arts. Capilano University, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver. Ticket price of $30 includes a copy of the new novel available for pick up at the event. More information at 604.990.7810 or http://www2.capilanou.ca/news-events/nscucentre.html.
Check out next week's edition of Book News for the winners of the 13th annual VIWF Poetry and Short Story writing contest!
Incite
The first Incite of 2012 features William Gibson reading from Distrust That Particular Flavor, his new collection of nonfiction writings. Also appearing at Incite in the next few months are Tess Gallagher, Merilyn Simonds, Linden MacIntyre, Richard Wagamese, Anne DeGrace, Will Ferguson, Richard Stursberg, John Boyne, Yasuko Thanh and Robert Hough, among others.
AWARDS & LISTS
Wade Davis, author of Into the Shadows; Charlotte Gill, author of Eating Dirt; J.J. Lee, author of The Measure of a Man; Madeline Sonik, author of Afflictions & Departures; and Andrew Westoll, author of The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary are the finalists for the 2012 Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction. The prize will be awarded in early March.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/charles-taylor-prize-short-list-announced/article2297369
Anna Bikont (Poland) was awarded the essay prize in the 2011 European Book prizes, for Le Crime et le Silence. The "novels and narratives" award went to Maxim Leo (Germany) for Histoire d'un Allemand de l'Est.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/dec/16/european-book-prize-julian-barnes?newsfeed=true
The poet Jo Shapcott, who began the year by winning the Costa book of the year award for her collection Of Mutability, ended 2011 by being named the latest recipient of the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/dec/23/jo-shapcott-queen-gold-medal-poetry
Caitlin Moran's witty take on modern feminism, How to Be a Woman, has been voted book of the year by the public. What Lauren Laverne has dubbed "an indispensable guide to Ladyhood" came in ahead of titles by esteemed literary names.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/dec/23/caitlin-moran-book-of-the-year
A new British literary prize aims to reward book reviews with edge. The Hatchet Job of the Year Award honours "the angriest, funniest, most trenchant" review published in a newspaper or magazine in 2011. Eight finalists for the prize were announced Tuesday; the prize will be awarded February 5.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/new-brit-award-honours-the-art-of-the-lacerating-book-review/article2297432/
NEWS & FEATURES
Stephen Lawrence, a poem by the British poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, was prompted by the recent conviction of two men for the teenager's murder in 1993.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/06/carol-ann-duffy-stephen-lawrence
The internationally acclaimed, bestselling novelist Chinua Achebe and 36 other Nigerian authors issued a "Statement of Solidarity with the Nigerian People", following the announcement that the country's state fuel subsidy programme would be discontinued. The authors called the timing of the move "ill-advised".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/09/chinua-achebe-nigeria-fuel-subsidy-protests
Bosnia's national library is set to become the country's third cultural institution to close its doors, the victim of political disputes over its funding.
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/bosnian-national-library-facing-closure
An influential conservative Indian Muslim cleric has declared Salman Rushdie should be barred from India. Rushdie is scheduled to speak on "Inglish, Amlish, Hinglish: the Chutneyfication of English" at the Jaipur festival, the biggest literary festival in Asia. Rushdie will "absolutely" be attending, said Festival organizers.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/10/salman-rushdie-jaipur-festival-protest
A YouTube video featuring books that come alive to dance after dark inside a Toronto bookstore is delighting viewers online. Shot inside Type Books's Queen Street West location, the video uses stop-motion to make the books move to music seconds after the owner locks the door and leaves for the night.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/story/2012/01/10/youtube-dancing-books-video.html
The biggest literary mystery is how very many Canadian authors are topping the bestseller lists in Norway and elsewhere in Scandinavia, as well as Germany and Brazil.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/canadian-authors-really-big-just-not-in-canada/article2274101/
Kate Harrad is reinventing classic novels with 'genderswitching'. Dr. Jane Watson? James Eyre?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/dec/23/classic-fiction-genderswitching
A new set of Royal Mail stamps celebrating the work of children's author Roald Dahl went on sale this week. A gallery of photos of the stamps is here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/gallery/2012/jan/09/roald-dahl-stamps-in-pictures
Random House of Canada has become the sole owner of McClelland & Stewart. It says it has made long-term commitments to the publishing house, including existing programs and prizes.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/story/2012/01/10/random-house-mclelland-stewart.html
Michael Patrick Albano, resident stage director at the University of Toronto's opera program, has written the libretto for 'Rob Ford: The Opera.' The "wonderful veneer of silliness" allows the opera to entertainingly explore serious issues. There will be one performance on Sunday, Jan. 22.
http://www.thestar.com/news/cityhallpolitics/article/1110187--in-rob-ford-the-opera-atwood-is-god
Under attack from e-books and e-commerce, independent bookstores fight back by creating their own unique titles.
http://www.salon.com/2012/01/02/indies_battle_amazon_by_becoming_publishers/
When asked about Where the Wild Things Are as an e-book, Maurice Sendak responded: "It's not a book. It's a tchotchke. It's a toy."
http://www.denverpost.com/books/ci_19604256?source=rss#ixzz1hkdD7lBj
Rick Geckowski examines the question: what is the definition of a great book?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/dec/23/definition-great-book-rick-gekoski
Bestselling authors aren't always what they seem, writes Greg Quill. So, instead of the usual year-end best-of round-up, he offers some unusual and little known facts, anecdotes and revelations about 10 great writers, present and past.
http://www.thestar.com/news/books/article/1105677--bestselling-authors-aren-t-always-what-they-seem
The latest issue of The Thing Quarterly, an American periodical in the form of an object, is by Dave Eggers. Fans can buy Eggers' imagining of a monologue told to him by his shower curtain, published on an actual shower curtain one could read while showering.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/06/dave-eggers-shower-curtain
Ron Charles describes the production of the Washington Post's annual guide to the best books of 2011, and points out that Amazon would not have been able to help.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/arts-post/post/could-amazon-do-this-for-us-no/2011/12/09/gIQALQDqiO_blog.html?wprss=arts-post
Alison Flood explores how British reading habits differ from those of North American readers. There is a strong difference when it comes to adult non-fiction.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2011/dec/23/us-uk-non-fiction
Traditional print dictionaries have long enlisted lexicographers to scrutinize new words as they pop up, weighing their merits and eventually accepting some of them. Not Wordnik, the vast online dictionary.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/business/wordniks-online-dictionary-no-arbiters-please.html?hpw&pagewanted=all
Liberty Hardy visits GNAW, a support group for the chronically mispronounced, which includes in its membership many literary prizewinners.
http://bookriot.com/2011/11/14/welcome-to-gnaw-a-support-group-for-the-chronically-mispronounced/
Farhad Manjoo writes how independent bookstores can fight back against Amazon.
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2011/12/independent_bookstores_are_not_doomed_here_s_how_they_can_fight_back_against_amazon_.html
A rare first edition of John James Audubon's sumptuously illustrated The Birds of America, is going on the auction block for an estimated $7 million to $10 million, writes Ula Ilnytzky. 120 complete first editions remain of the original 200.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2017157102_apusaudubonfirstedition.html
The Writers' Trust of Canada is accepting submissions for the Bronwen Wallace Emerging Author Award, which is awarded to authors under the age of 35 whose work has been published in a magazine or anthology. The deadline for submissions is January 30, 2012. Full submission guidelines here:
http://www.cbabook.org/files/RBC_BWA_Call%20for%20Submissions.pdf
The Writers Union of Canada has announced the jury and the submission deadlines for the Danuta Gleed Literary Award, which will be awarded to the best first short fiction collection by a Canadian writer. The submission deadline is January 31, 2012 and submitted words must have been published in 2011.
http://www.writersunion.ca/pdfs/2011_danutagleed_press_release.pdf
BOOKS & WRITERS
Long-listed for the Man Booker Prize, Yvette Edwards' A Cupboard Full of Coats stays with you long after you have finished the story of Jinx, whose past collides with her present, writes Laura Eggertson, describing Edwards as a ‘natural-born storyteller'.
http://www.thestar.com/news/books/article/1107897--review-a-cupboard-full-of-coats-by-yvvette-edwards
For two centuries, outsiders have offered explanations for why Haiti remains so poor. There are few better places to turn than Avengers of the New World: The Story of the Haitian Revolution, by Laurent Dubois, writes Adam Hochschild.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/books/review/haiti-the-aftershocks-of-history-by-laurent-dubois-book
For David Adams Richards, hunting is a way of life, writes David Carpenter. Facing the Hunter is stuffed with hunting stories that are a far cry from the usual fare; a sort of oral history that an old hunting guide might have recounted, says Carpenter.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/facing-the-hunter-by-david-adams-richards/article2289831/
Miranda July's mission to interview every small ads seller in her area has produced a collection of touching, unsettling stories, writes Hermione Hoby. In It Chooses You, July pursues the question of how other people are making it through life.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/jan/08/it-chooses-miranda-july-review
As Charles Dickens died before he could finish The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Gwyneth Hughes set out to complete it for the BBC. She soon wished she hadn't. She describes how Katey Dickens Collins, Dickens's "wise and sensible favourite daughter", came to her rescue.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/04/mystery-edwin-drood-dickens-bbc?CMP=EMCNEWEML1355
Chad Harbach's The Art of Fielding may be the first debut novel to have another book written about it before it was even published, writes Ruaridh Nicoll. The literary hive is buzzing, says Nicoll.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/07/art-of-fielding-baseball-novel
Under The Hawthorn Tree, a novel by an anonymous Chinese author living in America, has become a worldwide publishing sensation. Publishers bought the book, based on the writing. None of the publishers, translators or editors knows the author's identity.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/08/hawthorn-tree-zhang-yimou-ai-mi
In Hemingway's Boat, Paul Hendrickson traces Ernest Hemingway's life through the thing he loved most purely – his cabin cruiser Pilar. The result is both original and beautiful, writes Olivia Laing. A bewitchingly beautiful near-biography of Hemingway, says Laing.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/08/ernest-hemingway-boat-hendrickson-review
Smut, Alan Bennett's two novellas about two British matrons, is of a piece with The Uncommon Reader, writes David L. Ulin: farce with an unlikely punch. The subject is sex, approached with a certain tongue-in-cheek reserve.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/books/la-ca-alan-bennett-20120108,0,6352488.story
Pico Iyer travels widely in his thoughtful The Man Within My Head, writes Ronald Wright. Biography, memoir, travelogue, literary criticism and personal meditation, this is a tale of fathers and sons, real and assumed. Insightful, eloquent, and truthful, says Wright.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/the-man-within-my-head-by-pico-iyer/article2294116/
Gregory Maguire gave the world a new take on Frank L. Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, with four sequels. Out of Oz provides a satisfying conclusion to Maguire's series, writes Kelley Armstrong.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/out-of-oz-by-gregory-maguire/article2294364/
COMMUNITY EVENTS
75 YEARS OF CONTROVERSY
75 Years of Controversy: The Governor-General's Literary Awards come to UBC for all of January. The UBC Library's Rare Books and Special Collections, located on the first floor of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, will display a number of the Literary Award-winning books. The exhibition is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. More information at: http://wire.arts.ubc.ca/events/75-years-of-controversy-the-ggs-come-to-ubc/.
GRACE LI XIU WOO
Author of Ghost Dancing with Colonialism discusses her new book. Thursday, January 12 at 7:00pm, free. Alma vanDusen room, lower level, Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia Street.
A HUNT TO THE DEATH
John Vaillant takes you to the dangerous Siberian wilds with a show of photographs and reads from his book The Tiger. Thursday, January 12 at 7:30pm, free. West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver. More information at www.westvanlibrary.ca.
TWS READING SERIES
Come and hear established and emerging writers read their poetry, fiction and nonfiction, and help support the writing community. This month, guest author will be Heidi Greco, whose novella, Shrinking Violets, was published in 2011 by Torontos Quattro Books after it was selected as co-winner of their annual manuscript competition. Friday, January 13 at 7:00pm. Take 5 Cafe, 429 Granville Street.
WRITING FROM REAL LIFE
Madeline Sonik, award-winning author and university teacher of writing, will teach autobiographical writing techniques, structure and theme. Saturday, January 14 at 1:00pm, free. Alma vanDusen room, lower level, Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia Street. More information at www.vpl.ca.
BRIAN HERBERT
Meet Brian Herbert as he signs Sisterhood of Dune, the newest addition to this amazing legacy and the first installment in a new and exciting trilogy. Sunday, January 15 at 2:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby. More information at 604-431-0463.
ROYAL CANADIAN BARE FARCE
Literary readings by naked Burlesque artists Trixie Hobbitses, Bunny Meugens, Sherry Hymen, and Diamond Minx. Sunday, January 15 at 7:30pm. Tickets: $20/$15 from ngrvanfarce.eventbrite.ca. Backstage Lounge, 1585 Johnston Street, Granville Island.
BETTY JEAN MCHUGH
Please join the author as she reads from My Road to Rome: The Running Times of BJ McHugh, the story of how she became the world's fastest senior long-distance runner. Monday, January 16 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street.
PEN-IN-HAND POETRY/PROSE READING SERIES
Featuring readings by JoAnn Dionne and DC Reid. Monday, January 16 at 7:30pm. Cost: $3. Serious Coffee, 230 Cook Street, Victoria. More information at ainbinder.collins@gmail.com.
PLAY CHTHONICS
Readings by bill bissett and Alex Leslie. Wednesday, January 18 at 5:00pm. Piano lounge, Graham House, Green College, UBC. More information at talonbooks.com.
EILEEN COOK
The YA author reads from her latest work Unravelling Isobel, a darkly comic teen novel. Wednesday, January 18 at 7:00pm, free. North Vancouver City Library, 120 W. 14th. More information at www.nvcl.ca.
NOWHERE ELSE ON EARTH
Book launch and reading by Caitlyn Vernon from her new book Nowhere Else on Earth: Standing Tall for the Great Bear Rainforest. Thursday, January 19 at 7:00pm. Rhizome Cafe, 317 East Broadway. For more information, visit http://www.sierraclub.bc.ca/events/nowhere-else-on-earth-1.
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Sachiko Murakami (Rebuild) and Nick Thran (Earworm). Thursday, January 19 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore/Library at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
SHE-DEMONS: A MISTER JINNAH MYSTERY
Local author Don Hauka will read from his new book She-Demons: A Mister Jinnah Mystery, about a flirtatious and resourceful detective who has to use his investigative genius to solve a crime and make a few dollars on the side. Thursday, January 19 at 7:00pm, free. Burnaby Public Library McGill Branch, 4595 Albert Street, Burnaby. More information at www.bpl.bc.ca.
AFRICA'S FIRST FEMALE PILOT
Kucki Low talks about her memoir This Is Kucki Your Pilot Speaking, which recounts the challenges, triumphs, and joys of being a twentieth-century aviation pioneer. Registration required. Tuesday, January 24 at 7:00pm, free. Parkgate Branch Library, 3675 Banff Court, North Vancouver. More information at 604-929-3727.
REAL VANCOUVER WRITERS SERIES
Second anniversary celebration with Angie Abdou, Zsuzsi Gartner, David Lester, Arley McNeney, Garry Thomas Morse, Jen Neale, Ayelet Tsabari. Tuesday, January 24 at 8:00pm. W2 Media Cafe, 111 West Hastings Street. More information at talonbooks.com.
Upcoming
KEVIN MCNEILLY
Reading by the author of his debut poetry collection, Embouchure. Featuring percussionist Nicholas Jacques. Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 2:00pm. Rm301, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre 1961 East Mall, UBC.
MASHED POETICS
Spoken word and music mash up where poets create new work based on songs from Gordon by the Barenaked Ladies. Friday, January 27 at 8:00pm. Tickets: $10. The Kosmik Zoo, 53 West Broadway. For more information, phone 604-215-9230.
CHARLOTTE GILL
Vancouver Book Club presents an intimate conversation with the author of Eating Dirt. Saturday, January 28 at 2:00pm. Project Space, 222 East Georgia Street. For more information, contact lindsay.glauser@gmail.com.
CANADA READS
For the first time ever, Canada Reads 2012 is a battle of non-fiction books! CBC Radio's North by Northwest is running a special writing contest celebrating the themes of the two BC books in the battle, and the winners will receive all the 2012 Canada Reads books, plus the Canada Reads book bag! To enter, describe in 400 words or less: your own true life experience with an amazing animal OR your own true life experience with being in personal danger. For all the details, go to www.cbc.ca/nxnw. Contest closes January 29 at midnight.
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Lynn Coady (The Antagonist) and Anne Perdue (I'm a Registered Nurse Not a Whore). Thursday, February 2 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore/Library at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
MARISSA MEYER
Author reads from Cinder, the first novel in the Lunar Chronicles series. Saturday, February 11 at 2:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby. More information at 604-431-0463.
BOOK LAUNCH
Jennifer Kramer will sign copies of the catalogue written to accompany the exhibition Kesu': The Art and Life of Doug Cranmer. Tuesday, February 14 at 4:00pm. Museum of Anthropology, UBC, 6393 NW Marine Drive. More information at www.moa.ubc.ca/events.
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Steve Burgess (Who Killed Mom?) and Daniel Griffin (Stopping for Strangers). Thursday, February 16 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore/Library at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL
Second annual festival and poetry slam championship. April 23-28, 2012. Registration deadlines and complete details here: http://www.vancouverpoetryhouse.com/vipf-2012-is-coming/.
JOHN IRVING
The author will talk about his new novel In One Person on Friday, May 18th, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the North Shore Credit Union Centre for the Performing Arts. Capilano University, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver. Ticket price of $30 includes a copy of the new novel available for pick up at the event. More information at 604.990.7810 or http://www2.capilanou.ca/news-events/nscucentre.html.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Book News Vol. 6 No. 50
BOOK NEWS
Incite
The first Incite of 2012 features William Gibson reading from Distrust That Particular Flavor, his new collection of nonfiction writings. Also appearing at Incite in the next few months are Tess Gallagher, Merilyn Simonds, Linden MacIntyre, Richard Wagamese, Anne DeGrace, Will Ferguson, Richard Stursberg, John Boyne, Yasuko Thanh and Robert Hough, among others.
AWARDS & LISTS
Vancouver poet Fred Wah has been named the Parliamentary Poet Laureate, a two-year appointment.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/multicultural-obsession-drives-new-parliamentary-poet-laureate/article2278971/
Among those most recently appointed Officers of the Order of Canada are authors Stuart McLean and Tim Wynne-Jones. Newfoundlander poet and teacher Thomas (Tom) Dawe was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada.
http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=14390&lan=eng
W.P. Kinsella has won the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame's Jack Graney Award for his 1982 novel Shoeless Joe. The Jack Graney Award is for a significant contribution to the game of baseball in Canada through a life's work or a singular outstanding achievement.
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/story/2011/12/21/sp-kinsella-jack-graney-award-shoelessjoe.html
Andrew Motion, the former UK poet laureate, selected Australian poet Mark Tredinnick as winner of the $50,000 Montreal International Poetry Prize. A second poem was selected from the shortlist by U.S. painter and sculptor Eric Fischl as the basis for a "broadside," or illustrated poem. All the poems were judged "blind". The competition was initiated to help raise the profile of Montreal's anglo arts scene.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/move-guide/Australian+wins+Montreal+Poetry+Prize/5869906/story.html
2011 Costa book award winners include Canadian-born (New Westminster) Moira Young, for her debut novel, dystopian thriller Blood Red Road (children's books); Matthew Hollis for Now All Roads Lead to France: The Last Years of Edward Thomas (biography); and Andrew Miller for Pure (best novel prize). Carol Ann Duffy won for The Bees (poetry), and Christie Watson, for Tiny Sunbirds Far Away (first novel). Each winner receives £5,000 and a chance of the £30,000 overall Costa book of the year prize, announced in three weeks' time.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/03/moira-young-costa-blood-red-road?CMP=twt_gu
NEWS & FEATURES
Czech émigré, novelist, poet, U of T lecturer, and publisher, Josef Skvorecky has died, at 87. Among his works is The Engineer of Human Souls, which won the Governor-General's Award in 1984. He and his wife founded 68 Publishers, an important western outlet for dissident writers.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/czech-writer-and-publisher-josef-skvorecky-dies-in-toronto-at-age-87/article2289712/
Artist and cartoonist Ronald Searle, best known for his illustrations of the St. Trinian's and Molesworth books, has died aged 91. He sold his first sketch at 15.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/03/ronald-searle
Global economic meltdown, the euro crisis, Occupy protests: this year has been dominated by financial issues. The Guardian invited writers and artists including Jonathan Franzen, Margaret Atwood, Sebastian Faulks, and Naomi Klein to invent/design new currencies and banknotes for modern times.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/gallery/2011/dec/17/writers-artists-design-money
Christopher Hitchens has died, age 62. Ian McEwan writes of Hitchens' last weeks, and how his love of journalism and literature, and his finishing touches on the Chesterton work, sustained him to the end.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/dec/16/christopher-hitchens-appreciation-by-ian-mcewan
Award-winning Spanish novelist Lucía Etxebarria claims that the illegal downloading of ebooks has forced her to give up writing. "More illegal copies of my book have been downloaded than I have sold", she said, claiming politicians are too scared to act.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/dec/20/spanish-novelist-quits-piracy-protest
The Star's graphic novel and comic book expert, Jonathan P. Kuehlein, has chosen the best of 2011, including a couple of Canadian favourites.
http://www.thestar.com/news/books/article/1102632--top-10-graphic-novels-of-2011
Scott McIntyre, D&M Publishing's co-founder, talks about literary idealism, digital realism and why 'it's the wild west' now.
http://thetyee.ca/Books/2011/12/15/Scott-McIntyre/
A furious row has broken out in American poetry circles, after Helen Vendler attacked former poet laureate Rita Dove's The Penguin Anthology of 20th Century American Poetry, for its focus on "multicultural inclusiveness" rather than quality.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/dec/22/poetry-anthology-race-row
Both Vendler and Dove have written separately on the subject in the New York Review of Books.
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2011/nov/24/are-these-poems-remember/
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2011/dec/22/defending-anthology/
American poetry circles, says the Chronicle of Higher Education, "have seen nothing like this since the teeth-gnashing of the Foetry skirmish in 2004".
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/21/books/21poet.html?ex=1271736000&en=0a4119ffa25ea9a4&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss
Is the year's best novel a western? asks Katherine A. Powers, referring to Patrick deWitt's deadpan novel The Sisters Brothers.
http://www.salon.com/writer/katherine_a_powers/
The Toronto Public Library has provided a round-up of 2011's hottest titles, according to their popularity among TPL users: ten fiction titles; ten nonfiction.
http://www.thegridto.com/culture/arts/bookem-t-o-2011s-top-books-as-borrowed-by-the-readers-of-toronto/
The Writers' Trust of Canada is accepting submissions for the Bronwen Wallace Emerging Author Award, which is awarded to authors under the age of 35 whose work has been published in a magazine or anthology. The deadline for submissions is January 30, 2012. Full submission guidelines here:
http://www.cbabook.org/files/RBC_BWA_Call%20for%20Submissions.pdf
The Writers Union of Canada has announced the jury and the submission deadlines for the Danuta Gleed Literary Award, which will be awarded to the best first short fiction collection by a Canadian writer. The submission deadline is January 31, 2012 and submitted words must have been published in 2011.
http://www.writersunion.ca/pdfs/2011_danutagleed_press_release.pdf
BOOKS & WRITERS
A December issue of The New Yorker includes Stone Mattress, a story by Margaret Atwood that was inspired by a geologist and a trip to the Arctic.
http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/features/2011/12/19/111219fi_fiction_atwood
Margaret Atwood talks with New Yorker fiction editor Deborah Treisman about Stone Mattress.
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2011/12/this-week-in-fiction-margaret-atwood.html
Born in Massachusetts to a Quebecois family, Raymond Beauchemin's Everything I Own is a love song to a complicated Quebec, writes Anne Chudobiak. Chudobiak describes the structure of the book as "amazing" and highly recommends it to book clubs.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/Raymond+Beauchemin+novel+love+song+complicated+Quebec/5872654/story.html
In her review of Scottish poet Robin Robertson's "delightful" ‘versions' of the poems in Nobel prize winner Tomas Tranströmer's The Deleted World, Barbara Carey explains that Robertson calls them "versions" rather than translations, to emphasize that he has taken liberties.
http://www.thestar.com/news/books/article/1101936--review-nobel-prize-winner-tomas-transtr-mer-s-the-deleted-world
All of the Conan Doyle Holmes stories are in the public domain. Nonetheless, his estate "commissioned" author Anthony Horowitz to write The House of Silk. Horowitz's efforts will please those who crave more of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, says Leslie S. Klinger.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/the-house-of-silk-by-anthony-horowitz/article2273721/
Gary Geddes' Drink the Bitter Root: A Writer's Search for Justice and Redemption in Africa, documents his travel across sub-Saharan Africa to explore forgiveness and the redemptive powers of imagination, and how it altered his ideas about justice.
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/books/African+journey+alters+ideas+justice/5872129/story.html
If the publishing industry had the equivalent to baseball's end-of-season awards, Chad Harbach would be the odds-on favourite to win rookie of the year, writes Mark Medley. Harbach's The Art of Fielding, is the buzz book of the fall, says Medley.
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/books/Literary+debut+hits+home/5904882/story.html
"If I don't laugh, I'll cry" is the leitmotif of Robyn Levy's medical memoir Most of Me, the account of her voyage through Parkinson's disease and cancer. She did survive. Kathleen Byrne calls the book "the world's happiest misery memoir".
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/most-of-me-by-robyn-michele-levy/article2276340/
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn is remembered as a literary giant, a magisterial witness to, and activist against, the crimes of the Soviet regime. Solzhenitsyn's Apricot Jam belongs on the literary table for us all to taste, writes Janice Kulyk Keefer.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/apricot-jam-and-other-stories-by-aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/article2288863/
Graham Swift's novels and stories have been chronicling a traditional but decidedly untrendy strain of Britishness. Wet weather and grey skies notwithstanding, James Grainger writes that Wish You Were Here is a worthy addition to that body of work.
http://www.thestar.com/news/books/article/1107673--review-wish-you-were-here-by-graham-swift
COMMUNITY EVENTS
75 YEARS OF CONTROVERSY
75 Years of Controversy: The Governor-General's Literary Awards come to UBC for all of January. The UBC Library’s Rare Books and Special Collections, located on the first floor of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, will display a number of the Literary Award-winning books. The exhibition is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. More information at: http://wire.arts.ubc.ca/events/75-years-of-controversy-the-ggs-come-to-ubc/.
DEAD POETS READING SERIES
Reading featuring David Zieroth, Diane Tucker, Miranda Pearson, Garry Thomas Morse, and John Donlan. Sunday, January 8 at 3:00pm. Project Space, 222 East Georgia Street. More information at http://www.deadpoetslive.com.
75-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE ON THE GG AWARDS
This talk by Andrew Irvine will give a short history of the awards and an overview of many of the books and authors that have won over the past 75 years. Tuesday, January 10 at 5:00pm. Coach House, Green College, UBC. Details at www.greencollege.ubc.ca.
CHINATOWN STORIES
Come hear about forgotten Chinatowns and stories about growing up Chinese in Vancouver and in Mexico. Meet authors Rebeca Lau, Chad Reimer, and Larry Wong and learn more about the new book series Gold Mountain Stories. Wednesday, January 11 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street.
GRACE LI XIU WOO
Author of Ghost Dancing with Colonialism discusses her new book. Thursday, January 12 at 7:00pm, free. Alma vanDusen room, lower level, Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia Street.
A HUNT TO THE DEATH
John Vaillant takes you to the dangerous Siberian wilds with a show of photographs and reads from his book The Tiger. Thursday, January 12 at 7:30pm, free. West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver. More information at www.westvanlibrary.ca.
TWS READING SERIES
Come and hear established and emerging writers read their poetry, fiction and nonfiction, and help support the writing community. This month, guest author will be Heidi Greco, whose novella, Shrinking Violets, was published in 2011 by Torontos Quattro Books after it was selected as co-winner of their annual manuscript competition. Friday, January 13 at 7:00pm. Take 5 Cafe, 429 Granville Street.
WRITING FROM REAL LIFE
Madeline Sonik, award-winning author and university teacher of writing, will teach autobiographical writing techniques, structure and theme. Saturday, January 14 at 1:00pm, free. Alma vanDusen room, lower level, Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia Street. More information at www.vpl.ca.
BRIAN HERBERT
Meet Brian Herbert as he signs Sisterhood of Dune, the newest addition to this amazing legacy and the first installment in a new and exciting trilogy. Sunday, January 15 at 2:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby. More information at 604-431-0463.
BETTY JEAN MCHUGH
Please join the author as she reads from My Road to Rome: The Running Times of BJ McHugh, the story of how she became the world's fastest senior long-distance runner. Monday, January 16 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street.
Upcoming
PLAY CHTHONICS
Readings by bill bissett and Alex Leslie. Wednesday, January 18 at 5:00pm. Piano lounge, Graham House, Green College, UBC. More information at talonbooks.com.
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Sachiko Murakami (Rebuild) and Nick Thran (Earworm). Thursday, January 19 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore/Library at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
AFRICA'S FIRST FEMALE PILOT
Kucki Low talks about her memoir This Is Kucki Your Pilot Speaking, which recounts the challenges, triumphs, and joys of being a twentieth-century aviation pioneer. Registration required. Tuesday, January 24 at 7:00pm, free. Parkgate Branch Library, 3675 Banff Court, North Vancouver. More information at 604-929-3727.
REAL VANCOUVER WRITER'S SERIES
Second anniversary celebration with Angie Abdou, Zsuzsi Gartner, David Lester, Arley McNeney, Garry Thomas Morse, Jen Neale, Ayelet Tsabari. Tuesday, January 24 at 8:00pm. W2 Media Cafe, 111 West Hastings Street. More information at talonbooks.com.
KEVIN MCNEILLY
Reading by the author of his debut poetry collection, Embouchure. Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 2:00pm. Rm301, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre 1961 East Mall, UBC.
MASHED POETICS
Spoken word and music mash up where poets create new work based on songs from Gordon by the Barenaked Ladies. Friday, January 27 at 8:00pm. Tickets: $10. The Kosmik Zoo, 53 West Broadway. For more information, phone 604-215-9230.
CHARLOTTE GILL
Vancouver Book Club presents an intimate conversation with the author of Eating Dirt. Saturday, January 28 at 2:00pm. Project Space, 222 East Georgia Street. For more information, contact lindsay.glauser@gmail.com.
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Lynn Coady (The Antagonist) and Anne Perdue (I'm a Registered Nurse Not a Whore). Thursday, February 2 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore/Library at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
MARISSA MEYER
Author reads from Cinder, the first novel in the Lunar Chronicles series. Saturday, February 11 at 2:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby. More information at 604-431-0463.
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Steve Burgess (Who Killed Mom?) and Daniel Griffin (Stopping for Strangers). Thursday, February 16 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore/Library at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL
Second annual festival and poetry slam championship. April 23-28, 2012. Registration deadlines and complete details here: http://www.vancouverpoetryhouse.com/vipf-2012-is-coming/.
JOHN IRVING
The author will talk about his new novel In One Person on Friday, May 18th, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the North Shore Credit Union Centre for the Performing Arts. Capilano University, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver. Ticket price of $30 includes a copy of the new novel available for pick up at the event. More information at 604.990.7810 or http://www2.capilanou.ca/news-events/nscucentre.html.
Incite
The first Incite of 2012 features William Gibson reading from Distrust That Particular Flavor, his new collection of nonfiction writings. Also appearing at Incite in the next few months are Tess Gallagher, Merilyn Simonds, Linden MacIntyre, Richard Wagamese, Anne DeGrace, Will Ferguson, Richard Stursberg, John Boyne, Yasuko Thanh and Robert Hough, among others.
AWARDS & LISTS
Vancouver poet Fred Wah has been named the Parliamentary Poet Laureate, a two-year appointment.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/multicultural-obsession-drives-new-parliamentary-poet-laureate/article2278971/
Among those most recently appointed Officers of the Order of Canada are authors Stuart McLean and Tim Wynne-Jones. Newfoundlander poet and teacher Thomas (Tom) Dawe was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada.
http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=14390&lan=eng
W.P. Kinsella has won the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame's Jack Graney Award for his 1982 novel Shoeless Joe. The Jack Graney Award is for a significant contribution to the game of baseball in Canada through a life's work or a singular outstanding achievement.
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/story/2011/12/21/sp-kinsella-jack-graney-award-shoelessjoe.html
Andrew Motion, the former UK poet laureate, selected Australian poet Mark Tredinnick as winner of the $50,000 Montreal International Poetry Prize. A second poem was selected from the shortlist by U.S. painter and sculptor Eric Fischl as the basis for a "broadside," or illustrated poem. All the poems were judged "blind". The competition was initiated to help raise the profile of Montreal's anglo arts scene.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/move-guide/Australian+wins+Montreal+Poetry+Prize/5869906/story.html
2011 Costa book award winners include Canadian-born (New Westminster) Moira Young, for her debut novel, dystopian thriller Blood Red Road (children's books); Matthew Hollis for Now All Roads Lead to France: The Last Years of Edward Thomas (biography); and Andrew Miller for Pure (best novel prize). Carol Ann Duffy won for The Bees (poetry), and Christie Watson, for Tiny Sunbirds Far Away (first novel). Each winner receives £5,000 and a chance of the £30,000 overall Costa book of the year prize, announced in three weeks' time.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/03/moira-young-costa-blood-red-road?CMP=twt_gu
NEWS & FEATURES
Czech émigré, novelist, poet, U of T lecturer, and publisher, Josef Skvorecky has died, at 87. Among his works is The Engineer of Human Souls, which won the Governor-General's Award in 1984. He and his wife founded 68 Publishers, an important western outlet for dissident writers.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/czech-writer-and-publisher-josef-skvorecky-dies-in-toronto-at-age-87/article2289712/
Artist and cartoonist Ronald Searle, best known for his illustrations of the St. Trinian's and Molesworth books, has died aged 91. He sold his first sketch at 15.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/03/ronald-searle
Global economic meltdown, the euro crisis, Occupy protests: this year has been dominated by financial issues. The Guardian invited writers and artists including Jonathan Franzen, Margaret Atwood, Sebastian Faulks, and Naomi Klein to invent/design new currencies and banknotes for modern times.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/gallery/2011/dec/17/writers-artists-design-money
Christopher Hitchens has died, age 62. Ian McEwan writes of Hitchens' last weeks, and how his love of journalism and literature, and his finishing touches on the Chesterton work, sustained him to the end.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/dec/16/christopher-hitchens-appreciation-by-ian-mcewan
Award-winning Spanish novelist Lucía Etxebarria claims that the illegal downloading of ebooks has forced her to give up writing. "More illegal copies of my book have been downloaded than I have sold", she said, claiming politicians are too scared to act.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/dec/20/spanish-novelist-quits-piracy-protest
The Star's graphic novel and comic book expert, Jonathan P. Kuehlein, has chosen the best of 2011, including a couple of Canadian favourites.
http://www.thestar.com/news/books/article/1102632--top-10-graphic-novels-of-2011
Scott McIntyre, D&M Publishing's co-founder, talks about literary idealism, digital realism and why 'it's the wild west' now.
http://thetyee.ca/Books/2011/12/15/Scott-McIntyre/
A furious row has broken out in American poetry circles, after Helen Vendler attacked former poet laureate Rita Dove's The Penguin Anthology of 20th Century American Poetry, for its focus on "multicultural inclusiveness" rather than quality.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/dec/22/poetry-anthology-race-row
Both Vendler and Dove have written separately on the subject in the New York Review of Books.
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2011/nov/24/are-these-poems-remember/
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2011/dec/22/defending-anthology/
American poetry circles, says the Chronicle of Higher Education, "have seen nothing like this since the teeth-gnashing of the Foetry skirmish in 2004".
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/21/books/21poet.html?ex=1271736000&en=0a4119ffa25ea9a4&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss
Is the year's best novel a western? asks Katherine A. Powers, referring to Patrick deWitt's deadpan novel The Sisters Brothers.
http://www.salon.com/writer/katherine_a_powers/
The Toronto Public Library has provided a round-up of 2011's hottest titles, according to their popularity among TPL users: ten fiction titles; ten nonfiction.
http://www.thegridto.com/culture/arts/bookem-t-o-2011s-top-books-as-borrowed-by-the-readers-of-toronto/
The Writers' Trust of Canada is accepting submissions for the Bronwen Wallace Emerging Author Award, which is awarded to authors under the age of 35 whose work has been published in a magazine or anthology. The deadline for submissions is January 30, 2012. Full submission guidelines here:
http://www.cbabook.org/files/RBC_BWA_Call%20for%20Submissions.pdf
The Writers Union of Canada has announced the jury and the submission deadlines for the Danuta Gleed Literary Award, which will be awarded to the best first short fiction collection by a Canadian writer. The submission deadline is January 31, 2012 and submitted words must have been published in 2011.
http://www.writersunion.ca/pdfs/2011_danutagleed_press_release.pdf
BOOKS & WRITERS
A December issue of The New Yorker includes Stone Mattress, a story by Margaret Atwood that was inspired by a geologist and a trip to the Arctic.
http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/features/2011/12/19/111219fi_fiction_atwood
Margaret Atwood talks with New Yorker fiction editor Deborah Treisman about Stone Mattress.
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2011/12/this-week-in-fiction-margaret-atwood.html
Born in Massachusetts to a Quebecois family, Raymond Beauchemin's Everything I Own is a love song to a complicated Quebec, writes Anne Chudobiak. Chudobiak describes the structure of the book as "amazing" and highly recommends it to book clubs.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/Raymond+Beauchemin+novel+love+song+complicated+Quebec/5872654/story.html
In her review of Scottish poet Robin Robertson's "delightful" ‘versions' of the poems in Nobel prize winner Tomas Tranströmer's The Deleted World, Barbara Carey explains that Robertson calls them "versions" rather than translations, to emphasize that he has taken liberties.
http://www.thestar.com/news/books/article/1101936--review-nobel-prize-winner-tomas-transtr-mer-s-the-deleted-world
All of the Conan Doyle Holmes stories are in the public domain. Nonetheless, his estate "commissioned" author Anthony Horowitz to write The House of Silk. Horowitz's efforts will please those who crave more of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, says Leslie S. Klinger.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/the-house-of-silk-by-anthony-horowitz/article2273721/
Gary Geddes' Drink the Bitter Root: A Writer's Search for Justice and Redemption in Africa, documents his travel across sub-Saharan Africa to explore forgiveness and the redemptive powers of imagination, and how it altered his ideas about justice.
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/books/African+journey+alters+ideas+justice/5872129/story.html
If the publishing industry had the equivalent to baseball's end-of-season awards, Chad Harbach would be the odds-on favourite to win rookie of the year, writes Mark Medley. Harbach's The Art of Fielding, is the buzz book of the fall, says Medley.
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/books/Literary+debut+hits+home/5904882/story.html
"If I don't laugh, I'll cry" is the leitmotif of Robyn Levy's medical memoir Most of Me, the account of her voyage through Parkinson's disease and cancer. She did survive. Kathleen Byrne calls the book "the world's happiest misery memoir".
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/most-of-me-by-robyn-michele-levy/article2276340/
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn is remembered as a literary giant, a magisterial witness to, and activist against, the crimes of the Soviet regime. Solzhenitsyn's Apricot Jam belongs on the literary table for us all to taste, writes Janice Kulyk Keefer.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/apricot-jam-and-other-stories-by-aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/article2288863/
Graham Swift's novels and stories have been chronicling a traditional but decidedly untrendy strain of Britishness. Wet weather and grey skies notwithstanding, James Grainger writes that Wish You Were Here is a worthy addition to that body of work.
http://www.thestar.com/news/books/article/1107673--review-wish-you-were-here-by-graham-swift
COMMUNITY EVENTS
75 YEARS OF CONTROVERSY
75 Years of Controversy: The Governor-General's Literary Awards come to UBC for all of January. The UBC Library’s Rare Books and Special Collections, located on the first floor of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, will display a number of the Literary Award-winning books. The exhibition is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. More information at: http://wire.arts.ubc.ca/events/75-years-of-controversy-the-ggs-come-to-ubc/.
DEAD POETS READING SERIES
Reading featuring David Zieroth, Diane Tucker, Miranda Pearson, Garry Thomas Morse, and John Donlan. Sunday, January 8 at 3:00pm. Project Space, 222 East Georgia Street. More information at http://www.deadpoetslive.com.
75-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE ON THE GG AWARDS
This talk by Andrew Irvine will give a short history of the awards and an overview of many of the books and authors that have won over the past 75 years. Tuesday, January 10 at 5:00pm. Coach House, Green College, UBC. Details at www.greencollege.ubc.ca.
CHINATOWN STORIES
Come hear about forgotten Chinatowns and stories about growing up Chinese in Vancouver and in Mexico. Meet authors Rebeca Lau, Chad Reimer, and Larry Wong and learn more about the new book series Gold Mountain Stories. Wednesday, January 11 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street.
GRACE LI XIU WOO
Author of Ghost Dancing with Colonialism discusses her new book. Thursday, January 12 at 7:00pm, free. Alma vanDusen room, lower level, Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia Street.
A HUNT TO THE DEATH
John Vaillant takes you to the dangerous Siberian wilds with a show of photographs and reads from his book The Tiger. Thursday, January 12 at 7:30pm, free. West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver. More information at www.westvanlibrary.ca.
TWS READING SERIES
Come and hear established and emerging writers read their poetry, fiction and nonfiction, and help support the writing community. This month, guest author will be Heidi Greco, whose novella, Shrinking Violets, was published in 2011 by Torontos Quattro Books after it was selected as co-winner of their annual manuscript competition. Friday, January 13 at 7:00pm. Take 5 Cafe, 429 Granville Street.
WRITING FROM REAL LIFE
Madeline Sonik, award-winning author and university teacher of writing, will teach autobiographical writing techniques, structure and theme. Saturday, January 14 at 1:00pm, free. Alma vanDusen room, lower level, Central Branch, 350 W. Georgia Street. More information at www.vpl.ca.
BRIAN HERBERT
Meet Brian Herbert as he signs Sisterhood of Dune, the newest addition to this amazing legacy and the first installment in a new and exciting trilogy. Sunday, January 15 at 2:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby. More information at 604-431-0463.
BETTY JEAN MCHUGH
Please join the author as she reads from My Road to Rome: The Running Times of BJ McHugh, the story of how she became the world's fastest senior long-distance runner. Monday, January 16 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street.
Upcoming
PLAY CHTHONICS
Readings by bill bissett and Alex Leslie. Wednesday, January 18 at 5:00pm. Piano lounge, Graham House, Green College, UBC. More information at talonbooks.com.
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Sachiko Murakami (Rebuild) and Nick Thran (Earworm). Thursday, January 19 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore/Library at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
AFRICA'S FIRST FEMALE PILOT
Kucki Low talks about her memoir This Is Kucki Your Pilot Speaking, which recounts the challenges, triumphs, and joys of being a twentieth-century aviation pioneer. Registration required. Tuesday, January 24 at 7:00pm, free. Parkgate Branch Library, 3675 Banff Court, North Vancouver. More information at 604-929-3727.
REAL VANCOUVER WRITER'S SERIES
Second anniversary celebration with Angie Abdou, Zsuzsi Gartner, David Lester, Arley McNeney, Garry Thomas Morse, Jen Neale, Ayelet Tsabari. Tuesday, January 24 at 8:00pm. W2 Media Cafe, 111 West Hastings Street. More information at talonbooks.com.
KEVIN MCNEILLY
Reading by the author of his debut poetry collection, Embouchure. Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 2:00pm. Rm301, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre 1961 East Mall, UBC.
MASHED POETICS
Spoken word and music mash up where poets create new work based on songs from Gordon by the Barenaked Ladies. Friday, January 27 at 8:00pm. Tickets: $10. The Kosmik Zoo, 53 West Broadway. For more information, phone 604-215-9230.
CHARLOTTE GILL
Vancouver Book Club presents an intimate conversation with the author of Eating Dirt. Saturday, January 28 at 2:00pm. Project Space, 222 East Georgia Street. For more information, contact lindsay.glauser@gmail.com.
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Lynn Coady (The Antagonist) and Anne Perdue (I'm a Registered Nurse Not a Whore). Thursday, February 2 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore/Library at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
MARISSA MEYER
Author reads from Cinder, the first novel in the Lunar Chronicles series. Saturday, February 11 at 2:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby. More information at 604-431-0463.
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Steve Burgess (Who Killed Mom?) and Daniel Griffin (Stopping for Strangers). Thursday, February 16 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore/Library at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL
Second annual festival and poetry slam championship. April 23-28, 2012. Registration deadlines and complete details here: http://www.vancouverpoetryhouse.com/vipf-2012-is-coming/.
JOHN IRVING
The author will talk about his new novel In One Person on Friday, May 18th, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the North Shore Credit Union Centre for the Performing Arts. Capilano University, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver. Ticket price of $30 includes a copy of the new novel available for pick up at the event. More information at 604.990.7810 or http://www2.capilanou.ca/news-events/nscucentre.html.
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