Book News Vol. 8 No. 32

BOOK NEWS

2013 Festival - October 22-27

VWF's Artistic Director Hal Wake has some suggestions for not-to-be missed events at this year's Festival. Check out Hal's YouTube video, the first in a new weekly series.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Al5mvGQjdo.

Tickets for the 2013 Vancouver Writers Fest are on sale now. The Festival includes non-fiction events at UBC's Frederic Wood Theatre, a finale event with comedian Colin Mochrie, and a French language event with Michel Tremblay at Radio-Canada's Studio One. Festival program guides are now available at bookstores, cafes and library branches around Vancouver. Complete Festival details including a downloadable PDF of the guide are available online.

VWF Writing Contests for Adults and Youth
Submit your finest prose and poetry to the 15th annual Vancouver Writers Fest Poetry & Short Story Contest, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/writingcontest. The top entries in poetry and fiction will be published in subTerrain magazine and receive cash prizes. New this year is our writing contest for BC students in grades 8-12 which also awards cash prizes, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/youthwritingcontest.

SPECIAL EVENTS

The Literati Gala Cabaret
The VWF's fundraising gala on October 21 is hosted by CBC's Gloria Macarenko and features a Literary Cabaret performance with Sal Ferreras and Poetic License, celebrating the Lit Cab's 25th year. Tickets are $175; available at http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/literatigala. Corporate tables are also available-call 604 681 6330 ext 104. Literati supports the VWF's Spreading the Word education program. Presenting sponsor: Scotia Private Client Group
Reception sponsor: Vancouver Film School.

Jung Chang
The best-selling author of the books Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China and Mao: The Unknown Story talks about her groundbreaking new biography, Empress Dowager Cixi. Sponsored by SFU Library Services. Event details: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/jungchang

SPECIAL FOR BOOK CLUBS! $16 per person, minimum of 5 people, book by phone only at 604-629-8849.

Thursday, November 21 at 7:30pm
Waterfront Theatre
1412 Cartwright Street, Granville Island

J.B. MacKinnon
The independent journalist and award-winning author of The 100-Mile Diet talks about his new book, The Once and Future World, providing an eye-opening account of nature as it was, as it is and as it could be. Event details: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/jbmackinnon.

SPECIAL FOR BOOK CLUBS! $16 per person, minimum of 5 people, book by phone only at 604-629-8849.

Thursday, October 3 at 7:30pm
Frederic Wood Theatre
6354 Crescent Road, UBC

FESTIVAL AUTHORS

In Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser attacked the American fast food complex. Now he has set his eyes on another iconic American industry: nuclear weapons. The New York Times has reviewed his new book, Command and Control.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/15/books/review/command-and-control-by-eric-schlosser.html

In an interview about his new novel, The Orenda, Joseph Boyden discusses world views, torture, Idle No More, moral responsibility and why he has called this book the one that he was always meant to write.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/joseph-boyden-tackles-native-torture-colonial-amnesia-and-ongoing-racism/article14308176/

J.B. MacKinnon's The Once and Future World has made it into this week's Hot Reads, according to the Daily Beast. "His goal here is to break down distinctions of nature as something apart from us, and his case is buttressed not only by a wealth of scientific investigation but also by some of the best writing about the outdoors that you'll find anywhere."
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/09/this-week-s-hot-reads-september-9-2013-on-the-trail-of-genghis-khan-the-once-and-future-world-stay-up-with-me-burial-rites-someone.html

"The desire of a man for his mother is an old and often tragic literary theme. Oedipus gouged out his eyes. Hamlet died in a sword fight. Percy Joyce, the very contemporary hero of Wayne Johnston's The Son of a Certain Woman, follows his bliss." St. John's takes on classical themes in Wayne Johnston's newest novel.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/wayne-johnstons-the-son-of-a-certain-woman-is-expertly-discomfiting/article14317062/

In 1977, a young Portuguese boy was killed in Toronto. Anthony De Sa was only 11 when it happened, though the incident stayed with him for years and years. "I was there, and who better to tell the story than someone who was there," he says. "For such a pivotal moment in this city's history, for it not to be told — it was just waiting for me." Kicking the Sky, which explores the impact that the murder had on the city, is set to be published this week.
http://arts.nationalpost.com/2013/09/16/young-streets-anthony-de-sa-explores-childhood-in-kicking-the-sky/

"If a story is a house, an enclosed space where you want to stay a while and explore, to paraphrase Alice Munro, then Vancouver writer Shaena Lambert's second collection Oh, My Darling, has 10 such houses you'll want to spend some time in." Shaena Lambert's new collection is reviewed in the Globe and Mail.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/shaena-lamberts-life-in-miniature/article14317789/

AWARDS & LISTS

J.B. MacKinnon and Priscila Uppal are among the finalists for the Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Non-Fiction, the richest prize of its kind in Canada.
http://arts.nationalpost.com/2013/09/18/graeme-smith-priscila-uppal-among-finalists-for-hilary-weston-writers-trust-prize-for-non-fiction/

The CBC has released its list of finalists for the CBC Poetry Prize/Prix du poésie Radio-Canada. You can read the shortlisted poems and vote for your favourite entry here:
http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadawrites/2013/09/cbc-poetry-prize-the-finalists-1.html

The National Book Foundation has teamed up with The Daily Beast to announce the 2013 National Book Awards Longlist for young people's literature.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2013/09/16/the-national-book-awards-longlist-for-young-people-s-literature-announced.html

The same duo have also released the National Book Awards Longlist for Poetry. The finalists will be announced on October 16th, and the winners on November 20th.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/17/exclusive-the-national-book-awards-longlist-for-poetry.html

Most exciting of all, the Giller Prize Longlist has been announced. Many Vancouver Writers Fest Authors have been honoured this year, including Joseph Boyden, Wayne Grady, Wayne Johnston, Lisa Moore and Michael Winter! It was a landmark event, as it was the first time that the announcement took place outside of Toronto. The event was staged in our own backyard, at UBC's Museum of Anthropology.
http://www.scotiabank.com/gillerprize/files/13/09/news_091013.html

YOUNG READERS

Ellen Hopkins is one of the American Library Association's most frequently banned authors. Her poetic young adult novels confront dark issues like teen prostitution, meth addiction and domestic abuse. She "keeps a file of about 1,000 fan letters from young readers who say her poetry changed their lives. It's not just to boost her ego. She sends copies of select letters to schools and libraries that removed her books after parents or teachers complained about their content."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324094704579067531035576264.html

NEWS & FEATURES

If Holden Caulfield spoke Russian, what would he sound like? Some books are beyond borders, and yet, when it comes to translation, they can sound very, very different. As anticipation grows for the release of new Salinger works, The New Yorker reflects on Catcher in the Rye, and the perils (and fruits) of alternatives contexts.
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2013/09/translating-catcher-in-the-rye-if-holden-caulfield-spoke-russian.html

The rules are changing at the Booker Prize. As of next year, the door will be open to US authors. Unsurprisingly, many are crying foul.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/sep/16/man-booker-prize-us-authors-2014

Lit Crawls are becoming popular in cities across America. "Let the publishing industry fret about the future of print. In an ever more digitized age, literature as live event appears to be thriving."
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/13/books/a-heady-cocktail-of-books-and-booze.html

Watch out for librarians, they can be sticklers! A university professor in Belfast, Ireland, was recently fined £8,500 after discovering that he was in possession of a library book that was 47 years overdue. He was eventually spared the fine, but the story is interesting nonetheless, especially since the long-lost book was discovered at a locker at UBC!
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/professor-spared-8557-fine-on-library-book-overdue-by-47-years-8817984.html

Are you thinking of pursuing a Masters degree in creative writing? Prajwal Parajuly graduated from Oxford with a two-book contract, but his story is a rare. He addresses the issue head-on here: http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/sep/17/will-creative-writing-masters-get-you-book-deal

The 3rd Annual Geist Erasure Poetry Contest has been extended to September 30! Information re: entries can be found here:
http://www.geist.com/contests/erasure/erasure/

BOOKS & WRITERS

It has been a busy year for Roddy Doyle. He has published a new novel called The Guts, and his first novel, The Commitments, is getting a musical treatment on the London stage. He recently appeared on Writers and Company, to discuss his life and work in an interview full of music, humour, insight and memory.
http://www.cbc.ca/writersandcompany/episode/2013/09/15/roddy-doyle-interview/

One of the 21st centuries favourite iconoclasts reflects on why he doesn't care for Pride and Prejudice. In an interview with the New York Times, Richard Dawkins discusses his favourite works of fiction, the place of science in literature, Tolstoy, philosophy, growing up in Kenya, and why he identified with Doctor Doolittle as a child.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/15/books/review/richard-dawkins-by-the-book.html

When Ernest Hemingway was 25 years old, Vanity Fair rejected a short story that he submitted called "My Life in the Bull Ring with Donald Ogden Stewart". Now, almost 90 years later, a request from Vanity Fair's editor-in-chief, Graydon Carter, to publish the story, has been rejected by the Hemingway Estate. Revenge from beyond the grave?
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/ernest-hemingways-last-word-from-beyond-the-grave-8669795.html

I don't think Hemingway would be bothered by this, however. A New York-based food writer delves into Hemingway's Cuban papers and finds beauty in the mundane–a hamburger recipe. Apparently Hemingway liked his burgers pan-fried, not grilled.
http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2013/09/16/hemingways-hamburger/

The Globe and Mail has released a new version of a piece that Aislinn Hunter wrote about Raymond Carver's poem, Late Fragment. For anyone who attended the Tess Gallagher event last festival, this will be especially poignant to read.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/how-poems-work/article1029144

Aislinn Hunter's novel, Stay, was recently adapted into a film, which appeared as an Official Selection at the Toronto International Film Festival. In this Globe and Mail piece, she discusses what happened when she met her fictional creations in the flesh. Aislinn will host event #63, Corner Stories, at this year's Writers Fest.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/awards-and-festivals/tiff/what-happens-when-a-novelist-meets-her-fictional-creations-in-the-flesh/article14226567/?page=1

COMMUNITY EVENTS

BOOK LAUNCH
Poet Bonnie Nish will launch her collection Love and Bones. Friday, September 20 at 7:00pm. St. Mark's Church, 1805 Larch S. Vancouver. For more information, contact blnish_pandoras@yahoo.ca.

ALLY CARTER
Author celebrates the release of the final book in the Gallagher Girls' series, United We Spy. Saturday, September 21 at 2:00pm. Chapters Granville, 2505 Granville Street.

THE MAYAN MYSTERIES
Sharon MacGougan will talk about her novel, The Mayan Mysteries. The real-life ancient mystery of the disappearance of the Mayan people converges with the inner transformation of a fifteen-year-old girl in this adventure story. Wednesday, September 25 at 7:30pm. West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver. More information at 604-925-7403.

SURVIVING PROGRESS
Award-winning author Ronald Wright will outline the "progress traps" that threaten our civilization and assess what has changed since his bestselling 2004 Massey Lecture A Short History Of Progress. Thursday, September 26 at 5:00PM, free. Cecil Green Park House, UBC. Part of the Utopia/Dystopia lecture series organized by UBC's Creative Writing Program. Information at www.greencollege.ubc.ca/index/spotlight490.php.

TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features poets Celeste Snowber and Carl Leggo with open mic in collaboration with Word Vancouver. Thursday, September 26 at 7:00pm. Suggested donation at the door: $5. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at www.pandorascollective.com.

INTO THE ABYSS
Carol Shaben discuses her book Into the Abyss, with special guest former pilot Erik Vogel. Thursday, September 26 at 7:00 PM. Christianne's Lyceum. 3696 W. 8th Ave. $20 (includes refreshments). To reserve your space call 604.733.1356 or email lyceum@christiannehayward.com. More information at www.christiannehayward.com.

ELIZABETH WEIN
Author of Code Name Verity reads from her latest book Rose Under Fire. Thursday, September 26 at 7:00pm. West Point Grey United Church Sanctuary, 4595 8th Ave. W. For tickets and information, visit kidsbooks.ca.

MARIE-LOUISE GAY
Author reads from her new book, Read Me a Story, Stella. Monday, September 30 at 7:00pm at Kidsbooks Surrey (15033 32nd Ave., South Surrey). And Tuesday, October 1 at 7:00pm at Kidsbooks Vancouver (3083 West Broadway). Information and tickets available at kidsbooks.ca.

Upcoming

NICHOLAS SPARKS
The bestselling author of blockbuster books and films such as Safe Haven, The Lucky One and The Notebook signs his new novel, The Longest Ride. Wednesday, October 2 at 7:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby. More information at 604-431-0463.

SIDNEY LITERARY FESTIVAL
Sidney will host 14 award-winning local authors whose genres cover mystery, war, children's literature, poetry, short story whimsy and local life. October 4-6, 2013. Sidney, BC. Complete information at www.sidneyliteraryfestival.com.

ANTHONY DALTON
Author reads from his first novel, Relentless Pursuit. Monday, October 7 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. More information at vpl.ca.

EMERGE 2013 LAUNCH GALA EVENT
36 distinct voices experiment with the written word in emerge 2013, the Writer's Studio Anthology. Guest edited by JJ Lee, author of The Measure of a Man: The Story of a Father, a Son, and a Suit, the student produced anthology blurs the boundaries between genres as contributors push past limits with their writing process in the year-long program at SFU. Launching with a gala event on October 17th at Simon Fraser University's downtown campus at Harbour Centre, contributors will read from their work. 515 West Hastings. 6 to 9pm. More information at www.facebook.com/EmergeTWS2013 or contact lindsay.glauser@gmail.com.

ICELAND WRITERS RETREAT
The Iceland Writers Retreat invites published and aspiring book writers (fiction and non-fiction) to participate in a series of workshops and panels led by a team of international writers from April 9-13, 2014. Between intimate workshops and lectures tour the spectacular Golden Circle, sit in the cozy cafés of Reykjavik, soak in hot geothermal pools, listen to new Icelandic music, and learn about the country's rich literary tradition. More information at www.IcelandWritersRetreat.com.