Book News Vol. 7 No. 38

BOOK NEWS

2012 Festival - Hal's Picks

I always look forward to the readings at our Grand Openings event (9). It is always a trip around the world and this year is no exception with writers from France, Italy, Somalia and Mexico, as well as some great Canadians. I guarantee you'll discover someone you don't know you will want to read in the future.

Past Times (event#42) will bring together five writers who have taken very different approaches to the writing of historical fiction. The stories they tell range through centuries and continents, but give us characters who are vividly drawn and brimming with life. Great writers and great stories.

Tickets for all the 2012 Festival events are selling fast. Visit our website for a full overview. Details: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca.

UPCOMING EVENT

Literati Gala
A fundraising dinner in support of the Festival's Spreading the Word education program. Hosted by Gloria Macarenko.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Reception: 6:00 pm; Dinner: 7:30 pm
Tickets: $175
Call 604-681-6330 ext 109 or book online.

VIRTUAL FESTIVAL

Listen to the last installment in our series of audio archives from past Festival events. This week you'll hear Michael Chabon who recently appeared at our special event September 26, 2012. Details: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/multimedia/audio-archives.

AWARDS & LISTS

Chinese writer Mo Yan was awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize in literature today. Described as "one of the most famous, oft-banned and widely pirated of all Chinese writers", Mo Yan is known in the West for two of his novels which were the basis of the film Red Sorghum. The Swedish Academy, which selects the winners of the prestigious award, praised Mo's "hallucinatory realism" saying it "merges folk tales, history and the contemporary."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/chinas-mo-yan-wins-nobel-prize-in-literature/article4603865/

Rawi Hage's newest work, Carnival has been short listed for the Paragraphe Hugh MacLennan Prize for Fiction, as well as for the Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. He will be appearing at the festival in events 9 and 26.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/books/story/2012/10/10/qwf-award-noms.html

Fiction writers Junot Diaz and Dave Eggers are among the finalists announced Wednesday for the National Book Awards, the prestigious U.S. awards for literature. Diaz will be appearing at the festival in events 9 and 22.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/story/2012/10/10/national-book-award-noms.html

Renné Benoit, illustrator of Big City Bees has been short listed for the 2012 Governor General's Literary Award in the Children's Literature Illustration category.
http://www.dmpibooks.com/author/renne-benoit

Six "magisterial" books "which have the ability to change our view of the world" have been short listed for the Samuel Johnson prize for non-fiction. These include Wade Davis's Into the Silence. The complete list is here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/oct/05/six-magisterial-shortlist-samuel-johnson-prize

The novelist Andrew Krivak, who wrote The Sojourn and Adam Hochschild's To End All Wars have won the 2012 Dayton Literary Peace Prize for fiction and nonfiction.
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/30/winners-named-for-dayton-literary-peace-prize/?ref=booksupdate&nl=books&emc=edit_bk_20121005

Syrian author Samar Yazbek–forced into exile by response to her account of the revolution–has been honoured as 'international writer of courage' and her book A Woman in the Crosshairs, sharing the PEN/Pinter prize with poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/oct/09/syrian-author-pen-pinter-prize

2012 FESTIVAL AUTHORS FOR YOUNG READERS

Landlubbers and young fishers will learn to identify such items as wobblers, flashers and hoochies, the difference between a stern and a bow, a wheelhouse and a steering wheel, and the joy of fishing, thanks to Kim La Fave's illustrations enhancing Gary Kent's story, Gubby Builds a Boat. For ages 5 and up. (events 20, 31)
http://www.quillandquire.com/bfe/forms/Fishing%20with%20gubby.pdf

Readers of Susan Nielsen's Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom and The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen, as well as Susan Juby's Alice, I Think, and Bright's Like will have an opportunity to discover how these authors transform written stories into television series. What's the difference between reading and seeing the stories? For grades 8 to 12. (event 1)
http://www.susanjuby.com/brightslight.htm http://www.fabbityfabbookreviews.com/2012/09/review-reluctant-journal-of-henry-k.html?spref=fb

Many students in Lower Mainland schools have become involved in their communities, in environmental issues—including creating gardens—but they may not know what other students are doing. In this event, Janet Wilson and a number of young people, will share their stories. Grades 3 to 6. (event 16)

Sometimes, people feel down in the dumps, even if they are grown-ups or when they are kids. Kyo Maclear's Spork and Virginia Wolf describe some grown-ups who feel down in the dumps and how their friends help them; Sheree Fitch's imagination in Night Sky Wheel Ride will cheer us up. Grades 2 to 4. (event 33)

2012 Festival Authors

The latest issue of TIME magazine reports that Margaret Atwood is joining another avant garde group: authors of serialized e-books. Atwood's book Positron is being serialized by Byliner, The author spoke to TIME about writing in installments, turning her work into TV, interacting with readers—and why books don't need saving.
http://entertainment.time.com/2012/10/08/margaret-atwood-on-serial-fiction-and-the-future-of-the-book/#ixzz28pK1uX65

In her review of M.G. Vassanji's The Magic of Saida, Jennifer Hunter writes that there are glimmers of how such 19th century writers as Russian novelist Fydor Dostoevsky and Polish novelist Joseph Conrad have been major influences on Vassanji's most recent work. There are glimmers of how these 19th century writers, with their focus on men emotionally removed from their societies, have imbued Vassanji's unique storytelling, says Hunter. (events 23, 25)
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/1266137--m-g-vassanji-s-the-magic-of-saida-review

In books and in films, we are surrounded, and affected by ghouls and spirits, ghosts and mythic thrillers, expressed in different media—John Burnside's thriller, Tess Gallagher's poems, Seán Virgo's new collection of short stories and an afterlife adventure novel by Susan Musgrave: tales that are firmly rooted in reality, but take flight into other worlds. (event 47)

Experiences, or remembrances, of Cambodia's genocide, oppression in South Africa, and first contact between Aboriginals and early settlers in Australia prompt the recognition of the need for reconciliation--without forgetting. Kim Scott's Benang: from the Heart, Zakes Mda's Sometimes There Is a Void and Madeleine Thien's Dogs at the Perimeter together have the capacity to provoke a thoughtful, if challenging conversation. (event 56)

Given the Canadian government's particular interest in China, a conversation between Chan Koonchung and Charles Foran is timely indeed. Chan continues to live freely in Beijing, many Chinese read Chan's The Fat Years, and yet it remains true that, whether or not you are a Chinese dissident, is up to the state. (event 59)

NEWS & FEATURES

The Orange prize has been saved by such private donors as Cherie Blair and Martha Lane Fox after organisers failed to find a sponsor when Orange stopped its sponsorship.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/oct/08/orange-prize-private-donors-sponsor

Biz, a well-known Quebec nationalist singer, has requested that his book be withdrawn from consideration for a Governor General's Literary Award because he is "not a subject of Her Majesty."
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/1266260--governor-general-s-literary-award-nod-snubbed-by-quebec-author

If most novel-readers are female, why are at least half of Canadian novel writers still men? asks Russell Smith. And men are not reading much fiction. Smith quotes Stacey Madden's four suggestions for exciting the male child about made-up stories, beginning with telling them that reading is rebellious.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/hey-kids-reading-novels-will-make-you-rich-and-other-lies-worth-telling/article4587109/

The 15 winners of this year's Foyle Young Poets award, open to 11-17-year-olds from around the world, have been announced. Chosen from a record 7,351 entries to the competition, the winning poems can be found here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-books-site/2012/oct/04/national-poetry-day-foyle-young-poets

Margaret Atwood offers advice on writing while traveling on airplanes. Bring Pencils (note the plural), stay limber, get a thesaurus, and follow the eight further morsels of writerly wisdom.
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/10/bring-pencils-on-planes-and-other-writing-advice-from-margaret-atwood/263300/

Do you know a young book lover who also dreams of being a CBC Radio host? Here's their chance! Enter to win the position of co-host with Sheryl MacKay in a special Studio One Book Club on October 18 at CBC Vancouver in partnership with the Vancouver Writers Festival. The guest is Shane Peacock, author of The Boy Sherlock Holmes series, who is nominated for this year's TD Canadian Children's Literature Award. All the details are on www.cbc.ca/bc/bookclub, but don't delay-contest ends October 14!

COMMUNITY EVENTS

BLUEBACKS AND SILVER BRIGHTS
Local author Norman Safarik and his son, Allan Safarik, read from their captivating memoir set during the pinnacle of West Coast fishing. Thursday, October 11 at 7:00pm. McGill Branch, Burnaby Public Library, 4595 Albert St. More information and registration at 604-299-8955.

ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Darren Bifford (Wedding in Fire Country) and Grant Lawrence (Adventures in Solitude). Thursday, October 11 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, plaza level. More information at robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.

RAINA TELGEMEIER
Meet the author/illustrator of Smile as she presents her newest graphic novel Drama. Thursday, October 11 at 7:00pm. Complete details, ticket purchase and other appearances in the Lower Mainland can be found here: www.kidsbooks.ca.

111 WEST COAST LITERARY PORTRAITS BOOK LAUNCH
Celebrate the first five years in trade publishing with the launch of 111 West Coast Literary Portraits-Photographs by Barry Peterson and Blaise Enright, text by BC authors, introduction by Alan Twigg. Thursday, October 11, 8 pm, 2012 (Doors open at 7:30 pm) at Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, Vancouver.

JIAN GHOMESHI
Author will be on the CBC Vancouver plaza meeting fans and signing copies of his new book, 1982. Friday, October 12 at 3:00pm. CBC Plaza, 700 Hamilton Street. More information at www.cbc.ca/bc/community.

THE INVASION ANGLE
A book launch and reading featuring Spencer Gordon, Nathaniel G. Moore, Elizabeth Bachinsky and Dina Del Bucchia. Hosted by Sean Cranbury. Friday, October 12 at 7:00pm, free. W2 Media Cafe, 111 West Hastings. Details at realvancouverwriters.org.

LISA GENOVA
Meet the bestselling author of Still Alice and Left Neglected, as she talks about and signs her newest novel, Love Anthony, an unforgettable story about motherhood, autism, and love. Saturday, October 13 at 2:00pm. Chapters Robson, 788 Robson Street. More information at 604-682-4066.

SYLVIA TAYLOR
Author launches her new book The Fisher Queen: A Deckhand's Tales of the BC Coast. Saturday, October 13 at 6:30pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye rooms, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at www.vpl.ca.

VISIBLE VERSE FESTIVAL
Program includes entries from 56 international artists and 100 videopoems from Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Russia, the U.S. and Canada. Saturday, October 13 at 7pm, Pacific Cinemathque, 1131 Howe St, Vancouver. More information at http://www.cinematheque.bc.ca/visible-verse-festival-2012.

WAYSON CHOI SPECIAL TRIBUTE EVENING
The evening will take the audience on a 73-year journey back in time to witness the remarkable life of this literary iconic born in Vancouver's Chinatown in 1939. Sunday, October 14 at 6:00pm. For tickets and more information, visit chinesecanadian.ubc.ca.

JON KLASSEN
Author of I Want My Hat Back presents his new book This Is Not My Hat. Tuesday, October 16 at 7:00pm. Tickets: $25. Kidsbooks on Broadway. For more information and registration, call 604-738-5335 or email general@kidsbooks.ca.

LUNCH POEMS @ SFU
Jen Currin and Dorothy Trujillo Lusk featured at October 17 lunch poems @SFU. Presented by SFU Public Square, 12-1pm in SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery (515 W Hastings St.). Free admission, no registration required. lunch poems @ SFU hosts well-known and up-and-coming poets on the third Wednesday of every month. For more information visit www.facebook.com/LunchPoemsAtSFU.

KENNETH OPPEL
Author presents his most recent novel This Dark Endeavour: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein. Wednesday, October 17 at 2:00pm. 3rd floor, G. Paul Singh room, North Vancouver Public Library, 120 14th Street West, North Vancouver. More information at www.cnv.org.

CONFLICT TIGER
Screening of the film that inspired John Vaillant's The Tiger. Wednesday, October 17 at 7:00pm. A fundraiser with a suggested donation of $10, though no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema, SFU's Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 W. Hastings Street. More information at http://sfuwoodwards.ca/index.php/events/details/screening-of-conflict-tiger-with-john-valliant.

LUCY FALCONE
Meet the author of The Devil, the Banshee, and Me with her latest novel The Midnight Curse. Thursday, October 18 at 10:00am. Cloverdale Library, 5642 176A Street, Surrey. To register, phone 604-598-7326.

THE {NEW/OLD} BOOK
The Alcuin Society is pleased to announce the presentation of the 30th Awards for Excellence in Book Design in Canada as a part of a special one-day symposium dedicated to the history and future of the printed and electronic book. Headlining the evening portion of our event is celebrated book cover designer Chip Kidd. Thursday, October 18. Central Branch, VPL, 350 W. Georgia Street. For more information and to register, visit http://blog.alcuinsociety.com.

BOOK LAUNCH
Launch of Sandra Hayes-Gardiner's book One Life, Growing Up in The Pas and Joan-Dianne Smith's poetry collection, All Things Considered. Friday, October 19 at 4:30pm. Cooper's Boating, Mast Tower Road, Granville Island.

Upcoming

CORY DOCTOROW
Meet this outspoken and controversial author/blogger/podcaster and hear his take on technology, sci-fi and writing. Sunday, October 21 at 7:00pm. Tickets: $23.50 and include a copy of his new book Pirate Cinema. West Point Grey United Church, 4595 8th Ave. W. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit kidsbooks.ca.

NVCL LOCAL AUTHOR SERIES
Readings by Zsuzsi Gartner and Fran Bourassa. Wednesday, October 24 at 6:30pm. 3rd floor, G. Paul Singh room, North Vancouver Public Library, 120 14th Street West, North Vancouver. More information at www.cnv.org.

THE WRITER'S STUDIO (SFU)
Participants in The Writer's Studio 2012 (@ SFU Harbour Centre) are pleased to announce the launch of emerge 2012, an anthology of new work -- Fiction, Poetry, Non-Fiction -- at the W2 Media Cafe, Woodward's Atrium, 111 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25th, 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm (Doors open at 6:30 pm) -- FREE ADMISSION -- Come early to secure a seat!!

CAROLINE ADDERSON
Meet the author of A History of Forgetting, Sitting Practice and The Sky is Falling. Tuesday, October 30 at 10:00am. City Centre Library, 10350 University Drive, Surrey. To register, phone 604-598-7426.

WEYMAN CHAN
Reading by the author of Chinese Blue. Tuesday, October 30 at 3:30pm, free. Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, 1961 East Mall, Point Grey campus, UBC. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.

ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Michael Kenyon (A Year at River Mountain) and Grant Lawrence (Adventures in Solitude). Thursday, November 1 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, plaza level. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.

ETERNAL HYDRA
Anton Piatigorsky's fascinating, award-winning play Eternal Hydra will open Touchstone's 2012/13 season. Sex, identity politics and the myth of genius are some of the themes tackled, as the play looks for the truth about the origins of a long lost literary masterpiece. http://www.touchstonetheatre.com/productions/eternal-hydra

CELEBRATE SCIENCE
The third annual Celebrate Science, a Festival of Science Writers for Children and Youth-and Canada's only science writer's festival-will be held November 3rd at UBC's Beaty Biodiversity Museum, in conjunction with Family Science Day. Events include a panel discussion with top science writers for children, a keynote speech and introduction by the Dean of Education, and storytelling for younger children as well as hands on science activities. The event is free and open to the public and includes admission to the Beaty Museum. http://blogs.ubc.ca/celebratescience.

JOURNEY WITH NO MAPS
Author Sandra Djwa presents her biography of poet and artist P.K. Page. Wednesday, November 7 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye rooms, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at www.vpl.ca.

111 WEST COAST LITERARY PORTRAITS
Photographer Barry Peterson discusses his new book that featuring rare portraits of writers who have lived in B.C., accompanied by excerpts of their writing. Guest writers will also speak at the event. Wednesday, November 7 at 7:00pm, free. McGill branch, Burnaby Public Library, 4595 Albert St. For more information and to register, phone 604-299-8955.

DEAD POETS READING SERIES
Readings of works by Robin Blaser, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Robert Hayden, Glyn Hughes and Roy Kiyooka. Sunday, November 11 at 3:00pm. Admission by donation. Project Space, 222 East Georgia Street. More information at deadpoetslive.com.

GARRY THOMAS MORSE
Writer Garry Thomas Morse reads from his new book of fiction Minor Episodes/Major Ruckus, concerning surrealist and speculative genres. Wednesday, November 14 at 7:00pm, free. Peter Kaye room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at www.vpl.ca.

CARRIE MAC
Reading by the award-winning author of teen novels ‘The Opposite of Tidy', 'The Beckoners', 'The Gryphon Project', the Triskelia trilogy, and others. Wednesday, November 14 at 7:00pm, free. McGill branch, Burnaby Public Library, 4595 Albert St. More information at 604-297-4803.

ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings by Dani Couture (Algoma) and Julie Wilson (Seen Reading). Thursday, November 22 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Plaza level. More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.