BOOK NEWS
HOLIDAY GIVING
Looking for a special gift for the book-lovers on your list? Look no further! The VWF has gift ideas to bring joy to readers of all persuasions, from gift certificates to memberships.
http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/content/perfect-gifts-book-lovers
SPECIAL EVENT
Khaled Hosseini
The author of The Kite Runner talks to the Globe and Mail's Marsha Lederman about his latest book, And the Mountains Echoed.
"Khaled Hosseini's most assured and emotionally gripping story yet." - The New York Times
Event details: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/khaledhosseini.
SPECIAL FOR BOOK CLUBS! $16 per person, minimum of 5 people, book by phone only at 604-629-8849.
Thursday, December 5 at 7:30pm
St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church
Burrard at Nelson
AWARDS & LISTS
Amber Dawn has won the City of Vancouver Book Award for her book How Poetry Saved My Life: A Hustler's Memoir. Hailed as a "tribute to the marginalized and maligned", her book is a moving account of her years as a sex worker on the Downtown Eastside.
http://www.straight.com/blogra/535996/amber-dawn-takes-city-vancouver-book-award
The ReLit Awards shortlist has been released. The annual ReLit awards recognize novels, poetry and short fiction that have been published by Canadian independent literary presses.
http://www.quillandquire.com/blog/index.php/awards/relit-awards-announces-2013-shortlists/
YOUNG READERS
Time Magazine has named Welsh author Beth Reekles as one of the world's most influential teenagers. She began by self-publishing on the internet, and at 18, is about to finish her third novel. You can read an interview with her, here:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/25/welsh-author-beth-reekles-most-influential-teenagers-romantic-fiction
NEWS & FEATURES
Last week we heard Margaret Atwood's response to Doris Lessing's death. This week, Margaret Drabble has stepped up to the plate with a lovely account of their shared afternoons in Hampstead.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/23/hero-doris-lessing-margaret-drabble
How important is laughter in writing? When Paul Aster met his hero Samuel Beckett in 1974, he learned to "embrace the comic horror of being held helpless in absurd situations". He discusses his favourite Beckett passage here, from Watt, which he considers "a profound reminder of how humor can help writers and readers alike foster the courage to endure."
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/11/you-begin-to-breathe-again-samuel-becketts-humor-as-a-coping-mechanism/281642/
Is "official" Canadian literature biased? Why are few writers of colour nominated for major national awards? According to Madeleine Thien, "I've told myself that it was just an anomaly. It is only now, after more than 10 years of seeing this pattern, that I feel confident in saying that it is not an anomaly, but a fixed pattern that is very difficult to shift."
http://www.straight.com/life/536236/author-madeleine-thien-reveals-canadian-literary-establishments-bias-against-female-writers-colour
Have you ever wondered if your local bookstore clerk might be a secret writer, with a half-finished manuscript somewhere under their bed? This Saturday you won't have to wonder, because as an antidote to Black Friday, more than 1,000 authors will be staffing some 500 bookstores across the United States! It's Indies First day, spearheaded by Sherman Alexie, who says that his career "exists because of independent bookstores."
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-author-booksellers-20131127,0,415212.story
Have you ever wondered what Atlantis or Mordor might look like? Here's a collection of nine maps of imaginary worlds, from sources as diverse as medieval manuscripts and a 19th century interpretation of Ulysses' journey.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/25/world-map_n_4338749.html
It's Laurence Sterne's 300th birthday! How well do you know his classic novel Tristam Shandy? Virginia Woolf said that it brings readers "as close to life as we can be". Test your knowledge here:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/quiz/2013/nov/24/tristram-shandy-laurence-sterne-quiz
Speaking of anniversaries, Albert Camus has been in the news a lot lately, thanks to an anniversary of his own (it's his centenary). However, the controversies of his life have meant that celebrations have been few few: a major French exhibition was cancelled, and Paris has no grand retrospective planned. According to his daughter, this is because "Albert Camus will always be the outsider–and I'm proud of that".
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/23/albert-camus-outsider-catherine-camus
Sotheby's has just auctioned a copy of the first English-language book printed in America! Translated directly from Hebrew into English, The Whole Booke of Psalmes (also know as the Bay Psalm Book) was printed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1640. Of the original seventeen hundred copies, only eleven survive.
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2013/11/bay-psalm-sothebys-auction-americas-first-book.html
In more modern news, a recent British survey has revealed that young people prefer printed books to e-books.
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-young-people-prefer-printed-books-survey-20131126,0,7125735.story#axzz2lmd0Cu6O
BOOKS & WRITERS
What were the best books of 2013? Hilary Mantel, Jonathan Franzen, Mohsin Hamid, Ruth Rendell, Tom Stoppard, Malcolm Gladwell, Eleanor Catton and many others tackle that question, here:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/23/mantel-franzen-catton-writers-critics-best-books-2013
The Globe and Mail has also created a list of its own, called the Globe 100. The list is divided into sections, including: best Canadian fiction, best Canadian non-fiction, best international fiction, best poetry, best young adult and more!
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/holiday-guide/gift-guides-shopping/the-globe-100-guide-to-the-years-best-books/article15567921/
When James McBride won the National Book Award for fiction last week, he was so surprised that he did not even have a speech prepared. But it seems that improvisation just might be his forte. When researching the story of John Brown for his slave-narrative novel, The Good Lord Bird, he said "I knew what the melody of the song was going to be," he said. "It was a little improvisatory."
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/25/books/james-mcbride-on-his-novel-the-good-lord-bird.html
When the movie Hannah Arendt came out this year, it was clear that the controversy that surrounded her interpretation of Adolf Eichmann's trial was still very much alive. This week in The New York Times' "Bookends", Adam Kirsch and Rivka Galchen discuss why Eichmann in Jerusalem remains contentious fifty years after it was first published, and why it should be considered "a classic, a touchstone in the 20th century's thinking about morality and politics."
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/01/books/review/fifty-years-later-why-does-eichmann-in-jerusalem-remain-contentious.html
What has shaped Eleanor Catton as a writer? Find out about her favourite childhood authors, what books share a commonality with The Luminaries, her reading habits, and her interest in imitation, here:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/who-shaped-booker-prize-winner-eleanor-catton-as-a-writer/article15566763/
It's Hannukah! That means lots of noshing, but why not throw in some reading too? Gabriola Islander Sima Elizabeth Shegrin has written a cookbook called Jewish Fairy Tale Feats: A Literary Cookbook, which, according to the Georgia Straight "is as much about Jewish Lore as it is about recipes!
http://www.straight.com/food/537231/ring-hanukkah-jewish-fairy-tale-feasts-literary-cookbook
A Scandinavian professor once wrote to The Times Literary Supplement that "P.K. Page is to Canadian poetry what Alice Munro is to Canadian fiction or Canadian writing. It's like that, except Munro's influence, I think, is primarily through her published work. P.K.'s influence is through her person, as well as her published work. It's the fact that she existed." Sandra Djwa is interviewed about her 2013 Governor General's Award-winning book about P.K. Page, A Journey with No Maps, here:
http://thewalrus.ca/sandra-djwa/
COMMUNITY EVENTS
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features Pam Galloway and Sylvia Taylor plus open mic. Thursday, November 28 at 7:00pm. Suggested donation at the door: $5. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at www.pandorascollective.com.
BORIS PAHOR
A film interview and readings from the Slovenia author's works will be presented. Tuesday, December 3 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye rooms, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at 604-331-3603.
STORY/LINE: MUSIC, POETRY, AND ART
An evening featuring poetry inspired by Larry Wolfson's exhibit Story/Line and music by Tzimmers. Featured poets are Dennis E. Bolen, Chelsea Comeau, Daniela Elza, Christy Hill, Dethe Elza, Natasha Boskic, and Una Bruhns. Dec. 5th, 7-9 pm, at Sidney and Gertrude Zack Gallery, Jewish Community Centre, 950 West 41st Ave, Vancouver. Free admission.
ZAPATOS EN LAS PIEDRAS/SHOES ON THE ROCKS
An evening of storytelling, live music and tango performance with six Latino-Canadian writers. Friday, December 6 at 7:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. More information at 604-331-3603.
DANIELA ELZA
Daniela Elza will be featuring at Renaissance Books. Sunday, December 8th, 1-3pm, 43-6th Street, New Westminster. This event is free and will also have an open mic portion. http://www.renaissancebookstore.com.
ALIVE AT THE CENTRE
Twisted Poets Literary Salon will be hosting a reading for Alive at the Centre Anthology. Over 20 poets will be reading from the anthology. December 11, 7-9:30pm, at The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Hosts: Daniela Elza & Bonnie Nish. Suggested donation at the door: $5. All are welcome. More information at www.pandorascollective.com.
GRANT LAWRENCE
West Vancouver-raised CBC Radio broadcaster, musician and award-winning author will read from his new memoir, The Lonely End of the Rink: Confessions of a Reluctant Goalie. Sunday, December 15 at 2;30pm. West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver. For more information, phone 604-925-7403.
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Jordan Abel and Nicole Markotic featured at Dec 18 "Lunch Poems at SFU." Presented by SFU Public Square, 12-1pm in SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery (515 W Hastings St.). Free admission, no registration required. For more information visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.
Upcoming
DEAD POETS READING SERIES
Five poets/readers/poetry-lovers/writers with extensive public reading experience read poems from one of their favourite dead poets. Sunday, January 12 at 3:00pm, free. Meeting Room, level 3, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. More information at vpl.ca.
RAILWAY ROCK GANG
Join former BC RAIL Rock Gang foreman Gary Sim for a presentation on his new book. Wednesday, January 15 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. More information at vpl.ca.
SHY: AN ANTHOLOGY
Contributors Sylvia Stopforth, Dhana Musil and Elaine Woo will read. Tuesday, January 28 at 7:00pm, free. McGill Branch, Burnaby Public Library, 4595 Albert Street. More information and registration at 604-299-8955.
AUTHORS UNBOUND
An evening of readings of both brand new and established local authors in a variety of genres from poetry to short stories to novels. Monday, February 17 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. More information at vpl.ca.
F.G. BRESSANI LITERARY PRIZE
IL CENTRO Italian Cultural Centre is thrilled to announce the publication of the Rules & Regulations for the 2014 Edition of the F.G. Bressani Literary Prize. The literary prize honours and promotes the work of Canadian writers of Italian origin or Italian descent. Deadline: April 2, 2014. Complete details can be found here: http://italianculturalcentre.ca/blog/bressani-literary-prize/.
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 including Joseph Boyden. 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.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Book News Vol. 8 No. 40
BOOK NEWS
SPECIAL EVENTS
Tonight! - 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
Tickets available at the door!
Thursday, November 21 at 7:30pm
Waterfront Theatre
1412 Cartwright Street, Granville Island
Khaled Hosseini
The author of The Kite Runner talks to the Globe and Mail's Marsha Lederman about his latest book, And the Mountains Echoed.
A story is like a moving train. And The Mountains Echoed is a multigenerational-family story revolving around brothers and sisters, and the ramifications of their lives and loves around the globe-from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos. Event details: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/khaledhosseini.
SPECIAL FOR BOOK CLUBS! $16 per person, minimum of 5 people, book by phone only at 604-629-8849.
Thursday, December 5 at 7:30pm
St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church
Burrard at Nelson
SPECIAL FEATURE - 2013 FESTIVAL AUDIO
After Eleanor Catton won the Man Booker Prize for fiction in October 2013, the Vancouver Writers Fest added a special event with her. We think you will be impressed by her intelligence, ease, charm and great stories. You can listen to her conversation with VWF Artistic Director Hal Wake here:
http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/audio-archives/eleanor-catton
FESTIVAL
The 29th annual JCC Jewish Book Festival
The JCC Jewish Book Festival (Nov 23-28, 2013) presents an exciting roster of writers from across Canada, the US, and Israel. Featured 2013 Festival authors include opening night gala event headliner Sheila Heti, the Libidos Unleashed panel with Abe Morgentaler (Why Men Fake It: The Unexpected Truth About Men and Sex) and Daniel Bergner (What Women Want: Adventures in the Science of Female Desire).
Complete details at jewishbookfestival.ca.
AWARDS & LISTS
Last night, upon winning the Writers' Trust Engel/Findley Award, which celebrates a writer at the midpoint of her career, Lisa Moore told the crowd: "I don't really think about writing as a career, I think about it as a vocation. It has no real midpoint for me. It's just a constant stream. It's not points on a line, it's the line." Colin McAdam won the Rogers Writers' Trust for his novel A Beautiful Truth. Find out what he had to say about his win here:
http://arts.nationalpost.com/2013/11/20/colin-mcadam-wins-rogers-writers-trust-fiction-prize/
The winners of the National Book Awards have been announced, among them are George Packer who was at the 2013 Festival with his widely praised book The Unwinding.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/21/books/james-mcbride-and-george-packer-receive-national-book-awards.html
Eimear McBride has won the inaugural Goldsmith Prize for fiction for her debut novel, A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing. The award is designed to celebrate creative daring, and to reward fiction that breaks the mould or opens up new possibilities for the novel form.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/bookprizes/10448861/Eimear-McBride-wins-inaugural-Goldsmiths-Prize.html
This may be a first: a Gaelic science fiction novel has won Scotland's top literary prize. Tim Armstrong's book, Air Cuan Dubh Drilseach (On a Glittering Black Sea) has been described as a "space-opera adventure, dark cyberpunk, romance and rock-band road-trip drama."
http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/arts/news/gaelic-science-fiction-novel-wins-literary-prize-1-3189330
YOUNG READERS
Christmas season is upon us, that time of year when many childhood favourites come off the shelf to be enjoyed by one and all. But what about books destined to be the next Velveteen Rabbit or Polar Express? A small press in New Hampshire believes it has a new classic on its hands: A Child's Christmas in New England, which takes you "back to the days when Christmas was magical."
http://www.publishersweekly.com/paper-copy/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/60003-could-a-small-press-in-new-england-have-one-of-this-year-s-christmas-favorites.html
NEWS & FEATURES
Fans of the Junie B. Jones children's books will be saddened to hear this news: Barbara Park, the series' author, has just died of ovarian cancer. Over her life, she wrote more than thirty illustrated chapter books, and inspired much laughter among her fans.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/junie-b-jones-author-barbara-park-dies-at-66-1.2430691
Nobel laureate Doris Lessing also died this week. Margaret Atwood wrote a tribute to her in The Guardian: "You never expect such rock-solid features of the literary landscape to simply vanish. It's a shock...If there were a Mount Rushmore of 20th-century authors, Doris Lessing would most certainly be carved upon it."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/17/doris-lessing-death-margaret-atwood-tribute
How hygienic are books? If you've picked up a copy of Fifty Shades of Grey recently, you might be disturbed to discover that the word "viral" describes more than just its popularity! Belgian professors have just completed a toxicological report on the ten most popular books in the Antwerp Library. Fifty Shades of Grey tested positive for herpes, and all ten tested positive for cocaine!
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/18/fifty-shades-of-grey-viral-library-herpes
What do Simon Cowell and literary promotion have in common? A whole lot, apparently. High profile televised literary competitions are taking off all over the world, from Itay's Masterpiece to the Arab World's answer to American Idol, called Million's Poet.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/nov/15/dose-reality-literary-events
What events have been happening at your local bookstore lately? Readings? How about alchemy workshops or fire-burning ritual cleanses? A new bookstore, Catland, has opened in Brooklyn, intending to provide an atmosphere that's "a little more intellectual" than that of other occult centres.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/17/nyregion/witches-dance-at-catland-occult-bookstore-in-bushwick.html
It seems inconceivable these days that a novelist would be asked to lend their name or face to an advertisement. But many authors, including Ernest Hemingway, Mark Twain and John Steinbeck shilled for products in the past. Here's a collection of twelve vintage advertisements starring famous authors (hint: they're mostly for alcohol!).
http://flavorwire.com/424785/12-vintage-advertisements-starring-famous-authors/view-all/
Google's eight-year literary legal battle over book photocopying has ended. A judge dismissed the lawsuit against them, saying that their project "advances the progress of the arts and sciences, while maintaining respectful consideration for the rights of authors and other creative individuals, and without adversely impacting the rights of copyright holders".
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/15/business/media/judge-sides-with-google-on-book-scanning-suit.html
How do we judge books written under pseudonyms? Though J.K. Rowling's recent attempt caused a massive stir in the literary world, it's hardly a new phenomenon.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/17/books/review/how-do-we-judge-books-written-under-pseudonyms.html
Where do literary jurors read? "I'm a great person for reading on the floor, sort of in a crouching position," says Margaret Atwood. For Alison Pick, who's on the jury for this year's Rogers Writers' Trust Prize, disappearing to an artist retreat in upstate New York made the task easier.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/books/literary-jurors-read-here-there-and-everywhere-232458481.html
What does a cowboy poet look like? Photographer Jay B. Sauceda has created a series of portraits called "All-Around Cowboys", which celebrates these poets of a different sort. "Everyone perceives cowboy culture as being this testosterone-driven thing. It's surprising to people when they find out there's this soft side of cowboys that involves heartache and girls and friends who died."
http://www.slate.com/blogs/behold/2013/11/18/jay_b_sauceda_photographs_cowboy_poets_and_their_fans_in_his_series_all.html
It has been fifty years since C.S. Lewis died. But what is his literary legacy? Are his works "dodgy and unpleasant" or "exceptionally good"? A.S. Byatt, Philip Pullman and others discuss, here:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/19/cs-lewis-literary-legacy
BOOKS & WRITERS
Chuck Palahniuk's newest book, Doomed, is "no Anne of Green Gables, unless Anne was a dead, chubby girl with a redeeming innocence and a scabrous mouth". Written as a follow up to his most recent book, Damned, it's a wicked and grim satire of modern American life.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/18/doomed-chuck-palahniuk-horror-review
University of Chicago professor David Tod Roy has just completed his translation of Chin P'in Mei (The Plum in the Golden Vase), a notorious Chinese novel of the late 16th century. The project took him almost 40 years to complete, a five-volume undertaking of encyclopedic proportions.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/19/books/david-tod-roy-completes-his-translation-of-chin-ping-mei.html
Walking and writing have often been linked together, from Wordsworth's rambles in the woods to the urban meanderings of the Parisan flâneur. Pete Hamill, a New York journalist and novelist, finds walking inspirational too, as recounted in this week's New York Times' "Sunday Routine":
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/17/nyregion/reading-walking-and-more-reading-for-writer.html
Literary prize season is drawing to a close, but that doesn't mean this year's nominees have stopped working! The Globe and Mail has asked the five nominated authors of the Writers Trust Prize to discuss what they're working on now, both in books, and in life. Krista Bridge, Lynn Coady, Cary Fagan, Colin McAdam and Lisa Moore respond.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/a-well-written-future-five-authors-on-life-and-books/article15462935/
Rachel Kushner was a hit at this year's Writers Fest, and her new novel, The Flamethrowers, has received international acclaim. In this interview, she reflects on what has shaped her as a writer:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/author-rachel-kushner-im-always-in-a-period-of-writing/article15469846/
Ian Rankin has written a new detective novel, called Saints of the Shadow Bible. His famous character, John Rebus, has come out of retirement, though this time demoted to Detective Sergeant, and outranked by high former right-hand woman, Siobhan Clarke.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/the-best-part-of-an-ian-rankin-detective-novel-is-the-soap-opera/article15467634/
Since this is turning out to be the year of short stories, it may be a good time to pick up T.C. Boyle's Stories II. That is, if you can pick it up. 918 pages long, and comprising fifty-eight short stories (including fourteen new ones), it's a considerable tome. He's interviewed in The Rumpus, here:
http://therumpus.net/2013/11/the-rumpus-interview-with-t-c-boyle/
If you haven't heard enough of her, Eleanor Catton has been interviewed by The New York Times. "The more that people watch you, the less you can watch yourself, "she says of her life in the Booker spotlight.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/20/books/eleanor-catton-discusses-the-luminaries.html
COMMUNITY EVENTS
LITERASIAN
Inaugural literASIAN: A Festival of Pacific Rim Asian Canadian Writing featuring a weekend of readings, workshops, panel discussions and book launches. November 21 to 24, 2013. UBC Learning Exchange, 612 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at asiancanadianwriters.ca.
ANDREW NIKIFORUK ON THE FATE OF HYDROCARBON CULTURE
Author of The Tar Sands and The Energy of Slaves: Oil and the New Servitude, acclaimed writer Andrew Nikiforuk will give this year's Ericson Lecture on "Energy Slaves and the Fate of Hydrocarbon Culture." Thursday November 21 at 4:30pm, free. Cecil Green Park House, UBC. Part of the Utopia/Dystopia lecture series organized by UBC's Creative Writing Program and Green College. More information http://www.greencollege.ubc.ca/index/spotlight508.php.
JANIE CHANG
Janie Chang discusses her novel Three Souls. Thursday, November 21 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.
MAC-PAP
Labour historian David Yorke will present Mac-Pap: Memoir of a Canadian in The Spanish Civil War by the late Ronald Liversedge. Friday, November 22 at 7:30pm, free. People's Co-op Bookstore, 1391 Commercial Drive, Vancouver. More information at newstarbooks.com/blog/.
AN EVENING OF POETRY AND FICTION
Readings from Memoria: An Anthology of Portuguese Canadian Writers. Friday, November 22 at 6:00pm. Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street, Vancouver.
DENISE CHONG
Launch of the author's new book Lives of the Family: Stories of Fate and Circumstance. Friday, November 22 at 7:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
RAWI HAGE
Note: New date and time! A special evening with Vancouver Public Library's writer in residence Rawi Hage. Sunday, November 24 at 2:30pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
DENISE CHONG
Launch of the author's new book, Lives of the Family. Monday, November 25 at 4:00pm. St. John's College, 2111 Lower Mall, UBC. More information and registration at eventbrite.ca/event/9115283057.
JOE CLARK
Pacific Arbour Speaker Series presents Joe Clark, the former Prime Minister weighs in on Canada's future from his own unique perspective. Monday, November 25 @ 7:30pm. Tickets $12/$10, BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts, Capilano University, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver. Tix & Info: 604.990.7810 / capilanou.ca/centre.
ASHLEY SPIRES
Reading by the author of Binky the Space Cat. Wednesday, November 27 at 10:15am. Cloverdale Library, 5642 176A Street, Surrey. For more information and to register, phone 604-598-7326.
JACQUELINE WINDH
Book reading and slide show of Hai kur mamashu chis, a collection of stories recounted by Cristina Calderón and her late sister Ursula Calderón. Wednesday, November 27 at 6:30pm, free. Banyen Books & Sound, 3608 4th Ave. W., Vancouver. More information at jacquelinewindh.com.
CHARLES VAN SANDWYK
An evening with internationally acclaimed artist and author. Wednesday, November 27 at 6:30pm, free. 32 Books & Gallery, 3185 Edgemont Blvd, North Vancouver. More information and RSVP at 604-980-9032.
IAN RANKIN
Meet bestselling author Ian Rankin as he talks and signs copies of his new book, Saints of the Shadow Bible, featuring Rebus and Malcolm Fox working together for the first time. Wednesday, November 27 at 7:00pm. Chapters Robson, 788 Robson Street, Vancouver.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features Pam Galloway and Sylvia Taylor plus open mic. Thursday, November 28 at 7:00pm. Suggested donation at the door: $5. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at www.pandorascollective.com.
Upcoming
BORIS PAHOR
A film interview and readings from the Slovenia author's works will be presented. Tuesday, December 3 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye rooms, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at 604-331-3603.
ZAPATOS EN LAS PIEDRAS/SHOES ON THE ROCKS
An evening of storytelling, live music and tango performance with six Latino-Canadian writers. Friday, December 6 at 7:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. More information at 604-331-3603.
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Jordan Abel and Nicole Markotic featured at Dec 18 "Lunch Poems at SFU." Presented by SFU Public Square, 12-1pm in SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery (515 W Hastings St.). Free admission, no registration required. For more information visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.
F.G. BRESSANI LITERARY PRIZE
IL CENTRO Italian Cultural Centre is thrilled to announce the publication of the Rules & Regulations for the 2014 Edition of the F.G. Bressani Literary Prize. The literary prize honours and promotes the work of Canadian writers of Italian origin or Italian descent. Deadline: April 2, 2014. Complete details can be found here: http://italianculturalcentre.ca/blog/bressani-literary-prize/.
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 including Joseph Boyden. 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.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Tonight! - 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
Tickets available at the door!
Thursday, November 21 at 7:30pm
Waterfront Theatre
1412 Cartwright Street, Granville Island
Khaled Hosseini
The author of The Kite Runner talks to the Globe and Mail's Marsha Lederman about his latest book, And the Mountains Echoed.
A story is like a moving train. And The Mountains Echoed is a multigenerational-family story revolving around brothers and sisters, and the ramifications of their lives and loves around the globe-from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos. Event details: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/khaledhosseini.
SPECIAL FOR BOOK CLUBS! $16 per person, minimum of 5 people, book by phone only at 604-629-8849.
Thursday, December 5 at 7:30pm
St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church
Burrard at Nelson
SPECIAL FEATURE - 2013 FESTIVAL AUDIO
After Eleanor Catton won the Man Booker Prize for fiction in October 2013, the Vancouver Writers Fest added a special event with her. We think you will be impressed by her intelligence, ease, charm and great stories. You can listen to her conversation with VWF Artistic Director Hal Wake here:
http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/audio-archives/eleanor-catton
FESTIVAL
The 29th annual JCC Jewish Book Festival
The JCC Jewish Book Festival (Nov 23-28, 2013) presents an exciting roster of writers from across Canada, the US, and Israel. Featured 2013 Festival authors include opening night gala event headliner Sheila Heti, the Libidos Unleashed panel with Abe Morgentaler (Why Men Fake It: The Unexpected Truth About Men and Sex) and Daniel Bergner (What Women Want: Adventures in the Science of Female Desire).
Complete details at jewishbookfestival.ca.
AWARDS & LISTS
Last night, upon winning the Writers' Trust Engel/Findley Award, which celebrates a writer at the midpoint of her career, Lisa Moore told the crowd: "I don't really think about writing as a career, I think about it as a vocation. It has no real midpoint for me. It's just a constant stream. It's not points on a line, it's the line." Colin McAdam won the Rogers Writers' Trust for his novel A Beautiful Truth. Find out what he had to say about his win here:
http://arts.nationalpost.com/2013/11/20/colin-mcadam-wins-rogers-writers-trust-fiction-prize/
The winners of the National Book Awards have been announced, among them are George Packer who was at the 2013 Festival with his widely praised book The Unwinding.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/21/books/james-mcbride-and-george-packer-receive-national-book-awards.html
Eimear McBride has won the inaugural Goldsmith Prize for fiction for her debut novel, A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing. The award is designed to celebrate creative daring, and to reward fiction that breaks the mould or opens up new possibilities for the novel form.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/bookprizes/10448861/Eimear-McBride-wins-inaugural-Goldsmiths-Prize.html
This may be a first: a Gaelic science fiction novel has won Scotland's top literary prize. Tim Armstrong's book, Air Cuan Dubh Drilseach (On a Glittering Black Sea) has been described as a "space-opera adventure, dark cyberpunk, romance and rock-band road-trip drama."
http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/arts/news/gaelic-science-fiction-novel-wins-literary-prize-1-3189330
YOUNG READERS
Christmas season is upon us, that time of year when many childhood favourites come off the shelf to be enjoyed by one and all. But what about books destined to be the next Velveteen Rabbit or Polar Express? A small press in New Hampshire believes it has a new classic on its hands: A Child's Christmas in New England, which takes you "back to the days when Christmas was magical."
http://www.publishersweekly.com/paper-copy/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/60003-could-a-small-press-in-new-england-have-one-of-this-year-s-christmas-favorites.html
NEWS & FEATURES
Fans of the Junie B. Jones children's books will be saddened to hear this news: Barbara Park, the series' author, has just died of ovarian cancer. Over her life, she wrote more than thirty illustrated chapter books, and inspired much laughter among her fans.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/junie-b-jones-author-barbara-park-dies-at-66-1.2430691
Nobel laureate Doris Lessing also died this week. Margaret Atwood wrote a tribute to her in The Guardian: "You never expect such rock-solid features of the literary landscape to simply vanish. It's a shock...If there were a Mount Rushmore of 20th-century authors, Doris Lessing would most certainly be carved upon it."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/17/doris-lessing-death-margaret-atwood-tribute
How hygienic are books? If you've picked up a copy of Fifty Shades of Grey recently, you might be disturbed to discover that the word "viral" describes more than just its popularity! Belgian professors have just completed a toxicological report on the ten most popular books in the Antwerp Library. Fifty Shades of Grey tested positive for herpes, and all ten tested positive for cocaine!
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/18/fifty-shades-of-grey-viral-library-herpes
What do Simon Cowell and literary promotion have in common? A whole lot, apparently. High profile televised literary competitions are taking off all over the world, from Itay's Masterpiece to the Arab World's answer to American Idol, called Million's Poet.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/nov/15/dose-reality-literary-events
What events have been happening at your local bookstore lately? Readings? How about alchemy workshops or fire-burning ritual cleanses? A new bookstore, Catland, has opened in Brooklyn, intending to provide an atmosphere that's "a little more intellectual" than that of other occult centres.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/17/nyregion/witches-dance-at-catland-occult-bookstore-in-bushwick.html
It seems inconceivable these days that a novelist would be asked to lend their name or face to an advertisement. But many authors, including Ernest Hemingway, Mark Twain and John Steinbeck shilled for products in the past. Here's a collection of twelve vintage advertisements starring famous authors (hint: they're mostly for alcohol!).
http://flavorwire.com/424785/12-vintage-advertisements-starring-famous-authors/view-all/
Google's eight-year literary legal battle over book photocopying has ended. A judge dismissed the lawsuit against them, saying that their project "advances the progress of the arts and sciences, while maintaining respectful consideration for the rights of authors and other creative individuals, and without adversely impacting the rights of copyright holders".
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/15/business/media/judge-sides-with-google-on-book-scanning-suit.html
How do we judge books written under pseudonyms? Though J.K. Rowling's recent attempt caused a massive stir in the literary world, it's hardly a new phenomenon.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/17/books/review/how-do-we-judge-books-written-under-pseudonyms.html
Where do literary jurors read? "I'm a great person for reading on the floor, sort of in a crouching position," says Margaret Atwood. For Alison Pick, who's on the jury for this year's Rogers Writers' Trust Prize, disappearing to an artist retreat in upstate New York made the task easier.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/books/literary-jurors-read-here-there-and-everywhere-232458481.html
What does a cowboy poet look like? Photographer Jay B. Sauceda has created a series of portraits called "All-Around Cowboys", which celebrates these poets of a different sort. "Everyone perceives cowboy culture as being this testosterone-driven thing. It's surprising to people when they find out there's this soft side of cowboys that involves heartache and girls and friends who died."
http://www.slate.com/blogs/behold/2013/11/18/jay_b_sauceda_photographs_cowboy_poets_and_their_fans_in_his_series_all.html
It has been fifty years since C.S. Lewis died. But what is his literary legacy? Are his works "dodgy and unpleasant" or "exceptionally good"? A.S. Byatt, Philip Pullman and others discuss, here:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/19/cs-lewis-literary-legacy
BOOKS & WRITERS
Chuck Palahniuk's newest book, Doomed, is "no Anne of Green Gables, unless Anne was a dead, chubby girl with a redeeming innocence and a scabrous mouth". Written as a follow up to his most recent book, Damned, it's a wicked and grim satire of modern American life.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/18/doomed-chuck-palahniuk-horror-review
University of Chicago professor David Tod Roy has just completed his translation of Chin P'in Mei (The Plum in the Golden Vase), a notorious Chinese novel of the late 16th century. The project took him almost 40 years to complete, a five-volume undertaking of encyclopedic proportions.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/19/books/david-tod-roy-completes-his-translation-of-chin-ping-mei.html
Walking and writing have often been linked together, from Wordsworth's rambles in the woods to the urban meanderings of the Parisan flâneur. Pete Hamill, a New York journalist and novelist, finds walking inspirational too, as recounted in this week's New York Times' "Sunday Routine":
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/17/nyregion/reading-walking-and-more-reading-for-writer.html
Literary prize season is drawing to a close, but that doesn't mean this year's nominees have stopped working! The Globe and Mail has asked the five nominated authors of the Writers Trust Prize to discuss what they're working on now, both in books, and in life. Krista Bridge, Lynn Coady, Cary Fagan, Colin McAdam and Lisa Moore respond.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/a-well-written-future-five-authors-on-life-and-books/article15462935/
Rachel Kushner was a hit at this year's Writers Fest, and her new novel, The Flamethrowers, has received international acclaim. In this interview, she reflects on what has shaped her as a writer:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/author-rachel-kushner-im-always-in-a-period-of-writing/article15469846/
Ian Rankin has written a new detective novel, called Saints of the Shadow Bible. His famous character, John Rebus, has come out of retirement, though this time demoted to Detective Sergeant, and outranked by high former right-hand woman, Siobhan Clarke.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/the-best-part-of-an-ian-rankin-detective-novel-is-the-soap-opera/article15467634/
Since this is turning out to be the year of short stories, it may be a good time to pick up T.C. Boyle's Stories II. That is, if you can pick it up. 918 pages long, and comprising fifty-eight short stories (including fourteen new ones), it's a considerable tome. He's interviewed in The Rumpus, here:
http://therumpus.net/2013/11/the-rumpus-interview-with-t-c-boyle/
If you haven't heard enough of her, Eleanor Catton has been interviewed by The New York Times. "The more that people watch you, the less you can watch yourself, "she says of her life in the Booker spotlight.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/20/books/eleanor-catton-discusses-the-luminaries.html
COMMUNITY EVENTS
LITERASIAN
Inaugural literASIAN: A Festival of Pacific Rim Asian Canadian Writing featuring a weekend of readings, workshops, panel discussions and book launches. November 21 to 24, 2013. UBC Learning Exchange, 612 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at asiancanadianwriters.ca.
ANDREW NIKIFORUK ON THE FATE OF HYDROCARBON CULTURE
Author of The Tar Sands and The Energy of Slaves: Oil and the New Servitude, acclaimed writer Andrew Nikiforuk will give this year's Ericson Lecture on "Energy Slaves and the Fate of Hydrocarbon Culture." Thursday November 21 at 4:30pm, free. Cecil Green Park House, UBC. Part of the Utopia/Dystopia lecture series organized by UBC's Creative Writing Program and Green College. More information http://www.greencollege.ubc.ca/index/spotlight508.php.
JANIE CHANG
Janie Chang discusses her novel Three Souls. Thursday, November 21 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.
MAC-PAP
Labour historian David Yorke will present Mac-Pap: Memoir of a Canadian in The Spanish Civil War by the late Ronald Liversedge. Friday, November 22 at 7:30pm, free. People's Co-op Bookstore, 1391 Commercial Drive, Vancouver. More information at newstarbooks.com/blog/.
AN EVENING OF POETRY AND FICTION
Readings from Memoria: An Anthology of Portuguese Canadian Writers. Friday, November 22 at 6:00pm. Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street, Vancouver.
DENISE CHONG
Launch of the author's new book Lives of the Family: Stories of Fate and Circumstance. Friday, November 22 at 7:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
RAWI HAGE
Note: New date and time! A special evening with Vancouver Public Library's writer in residence Rawi Hage. Sunday, November 24 at 2:30pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
DENISE CHONG
Launch of the author's new book, Lives of the Family. Monday, November 25 at 4:00pm. St. John's College, 2111 Lower Mall, UBC. More information and registration at eventbrite.ca/event/9115283057.
JOE CLARK
Pacific Arbour Speaker Series presents Joe Clark, the former Prime Minister weighs in on Canada's future from his own unique perspective. Monday, November 25 @ 7:30pm. Tickets $12/$10, BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts, Capilano University, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver. Tix & Info: 604.990.7810 / capilanou.ca/centre.
ASHLEY SPIRES
Reading by the author of Binky the Space Cat. Wednesday, November 27 at 10:15am. Cloverdale Library, 5642 176A Street, Surrey. For more information and to register, phone 604-598-7326.
JACQUELINE WINDH
Book reading and slide show of Hai kur mamashu chis, a collection of stories recounted by Cristina Calderón and her late sister Ursula Calderón. Wednesday, November 27 at 6:30pm, free. Banyen Books & Sound, 3608 4th Ave. W., Vancouver. More information at jacquelinewindh.com.
CHARLES VAN SANDWYK
An evening with internationally acclaimed artist and author. Wednesday, November 27 at 6:30pm, free. 32 Books & Gallery, 3185 Edgemont Blvd, North Vancouver. More information and RSVP at 604-980-9032.
IAN RANKIN
Meet bestselling author Ian Rankin as he talks and signs copies of his new book, Saints of the Shadow Bible, featuring Rebus and Malcolm Fox working together for the first time. Wednesday, November 27 at 7:00pm. Chapters Robson, 788 Robson Street, Vancouver.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features Pam Galloway and Sylvia Taylor plus open mic. Thursday, November 28 at 7:00pm. Suggested donation at the door: $5. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at www.pandorascollective.com.
Upcoming
BORIS PAHOR
A film interview and readings from the Slovenia author's works will be presented. Tuesday, December 3 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye rooms, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at 604-331-3603.
ZAPATOS EN LAS PIEDRAS/SHOES ON THE ROCKS
An evening of storytelling, live music and tango performance with six Latino-Canadian writers. Friday, December 6 at 7:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia Street. More information at 604-331-3603.
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Jordan Abel and Nicole Markotic featured at Dec 18 "Lunch Poems at SFU." Presented by SFU Public Square, 12-1pm in SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery (515 W Hastings St.). Free admission, no registration required. For more information visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.
F.G. BRESSANI LITERARY PRIZE
IL CENTRO Italian Cultural Centre is thrilled to announce the publication of the Rules & Regulations for the 2014 Edition of the F.G. Bressani Literary Prize. The literary prize honours and promotes the work of Canadian writers of Italian origin or Italian descent. Deadline: April 2, 2014. Complete details can be found here: http://italianculturalcentre.ca/blog/bressani-literary-prize/.
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 including Joseph Boyden. 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.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Book News Vol. 8 No. 39
BOOK NEWS
SPECIAL EVENT
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
Khaled Hosseini
The author of The Kite Runner talks about his latest book, And the Mountains Echoed. Event details: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/khaledhosseini.
SPECIAL FOR BOOK CLUBS! $16 per person, minimum of 5 people, book by phone only at 604-629-8849.
Thursday, December 5 at 7:30pm
St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church
Burrard at Nelson
FESTIVAL
The 29th annual JCC Jewish Book Festival
The JCC Jewish Book Festival (Nov 23-28, 2013) presents an exciting roster of writers from across Canada, the US, and Israel. Featured 2013 Festival authors include opening night gala event headliner Sheila Heti, the Libidos Unleashed panel with Abe Morgentaler (Why Men Fake It: The Unexpected Truth About Men and Sex) and Daniel Bergner (What Women Want: Adventures in the Science of Female Desire).
Complete details at jewishbookfestival.ca.
AWARDS & LISTS
The Governor General's Literary Awards have been announced, and two of this year's Writers Fest authors have taken home prizes! Eleanor Catton won the English-language fiction award for The Luminaries, while Teresa Toten won the children's literature prize for The Unlikely Hero of room 13B. Find out more about all the winners, here:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/terrific-storyteller-eleanor-catton-nabs-governor-generals-literary-award/article15400603/
American author Claire Vaye Watkins has won the Dylan Thomas Prize for her short story collection, Battleborn. The prize is awarded to the best book by an author under the age of thirty.
http://www.dylanthomasprize.com/documents/DTP-2013-winner-FINAL.pdf
YOUNG READERS
Publisher's Weekly has released its list of the 50 best children's books of the year.
http://www.publishersweekly.com/paper-copy/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/59926-pw-s-best-children-s-books-of-2013.html
NEWS & FEATURES
Books can provide a fascinating window into the past. In this article, historical novelist Maria McCann chooses her ten favourite accounts of 18th century London, a city overrun by "alcoholism, gambling, card sharps, pick-pockets, priggers, highwaymen, bullies and mohocks".
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/06/best-books-18th-century-london-maria-mccann
It's the centennial of Marcel Proust's Swann's Way, and the city of New York is celebrating in unique fashion: "by bringing Proust's endlessly subdividing sentences, microscopic self-consciousness and, yes, plenty of madeleines to seven Proust-appropriate locations across New York City."
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/08/books/celebrating-the-centennial-of-prousts-swanns-way.html
Aldous Huxley died fifty years ago this month. What would he make of the way we consume popular media and culture? Adam Kirsch and Jennifer Szalai discuss the subject, here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/10/books/review/what-would-aldous-huxley-make-of-the-way-we-consume-media-and-popular-culture.html
How does an author's drink of choice perfume the pages of a novel? "Fitzgerald's very language is redolent of the gin rickey; Kerouac stinks of tequila; Chandler of gimlets; Hemingway of mojitos and red wine...and then there is Faulkner, the poet laureate of corn whiskey." Robert Moor reflects on the Faulkner he discovered while working at the Kings County Distillery.
http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2013/10/23/faulkners-cocktail-of-choice/
Have you ever considered living in a library? At New York University, where even subsidized graduate student housing can cost between $19,708 and $25,354, it's a fact of life for many students. Find out more about the accidental dormitory that is NYU's Bobst Library, here:
http://observer.com/2013/10/the-new-homeless-inside-the-accidental-dormitory-that-is-nyus-bobst-library/
What happens to books when they die? "Discarded books from the old Birmingham central library have been given a new life after being transformed into works of art and put on display at the new Library of Birmingham."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24825340
Here's a little whimsy for you: a collection of literary-themed wedding cakes. From Game of Thrones to The Cat and the Hat, there are some real butter and sugar-laced gems to be enjoyed.
http://bookriot.com/2013/11/06/sweetest-sweets-bookish-wedding-cakes/
On a more serious note, this week's Guardian Poem of the week commemorates Remembrance Day. In We Hear Larks, soldiers arriving home to camp after an evening of fighting are surprised by birdsong.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/nov/11/poem-week-returning-we-hear-larks-isaac-rosenberg
How did they move books back in the day? If you were Columbia University, you would use a giant slide, apparently! And it turns out that book slides are more common than you might think. Learn about a few, here:
http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2013/11/08/the-great-columbia-book-slide-of-1934/
Is this the year of the short story? Now that Alice Munro has won the Nobel, and Lynn Coady the Gilller, things are looking up for writers of short fiction. According to the Toronto Star, it's a brave new world out there.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2013/11/08/have_alice_munro_and_lynn_coady_ushered_in_year_of_the_short_story.html
What effect has recent government surveillance had on free expression in the literary world? The PEN American Center has just released a disturbing report which reveals that self-censorship among authors is on the rise. Is Henry Miller's notion that "you cannot eliminate an idea by suppressing it" still valid today?
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-pen-survey-nsa-surveillance -curbs-writers-20131112,0,1696567.story
BOOKS & WRITERS
Which dead author would you like to go on a date with? For Sherman Alexie, it would be Dorothy Parker! Why? Because he would like to "get verbally eviscerated."
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/10/books/review/sherman-alexie-by-the-book.html
On this week's Guardian Books podcast, William Boyd talks about the troubled soul of Ian Fleming's James Bond, and the pleasures and perils of taking on the 007 franchise. He also reads from his new James Bond novel, Solo.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/audio/2013/nov/08/james-bond-william-boyd-podcast
In Amsterdam, Russell Shorto writes the history of what he considers to be "the World's Most Liberal City". The book fuses large cultural trends with small, intimately personal tales, from the memories of Anne Frank's childhood friend to the concept of collectivity.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/11/books/amsterdam-by-russell-shorto.html
If you're a fan of Emily Carr, you might be interested in this new book about her friend and sketching partner Edythe Hembroff-Schleicher. It's the sixth in a series devoted to unheralded BC artists, and features more than 100 rarely seen paintings, prints and photographs.
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/books/Unheralded+artist+brought+light/9143493/story.html#ixzz2kLyJqOUU
Elizabeth Gilbert has gotten a lot of press lately for her new novel, The Signature of All Things, which breaks the stereotypes of many of her previous ones (hint: it's not self-help). In this article, she shares one of her all-time favourite passages in literature, written by a literary outsider named Jack Gilbert.
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/11/the-stubborn-gladness-of-elizabeth-gilberts-favorite-poet/281158/
Have you ever read any Arctic Poetry? Dan O'Brien has created a series of poems entitled Arctic Graffiti, "about untangled seal guts, elusive hares and Inuit sculptors in the Arctic tundra". They're all being featured in Geist, and you can read them here:
http://www.geist.com/fact/poetry/walk-in-the-arctic/#sthash.i9Hkt6XW.dpuf
It's a good time to be Lynn Coady, now that she's won the Giller Prize. The presses are rumbling to reprint many of her books, a lovely boon, since her last one (which one the prize) apparently arose out of writer's block.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/after-the-giller-presses-are-rumbling-with-lynn-coady-reprints/article15350004/?ts=131111104104&ord=1
Margaret MacMillan has written a follow-up to her highly successful book, Paris 1919. Called The War that Ended Peace, it "offers an equally evocative recasting of the interplay of European diplomats, emperors and senior military officers all manoeuvring for power and prestige in the years of peace before all-out war in 1914."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/the-war-that-ended-peace-historian-margaret-macmillan-deftly-reconsiders-the-great-wars-inevitability/article15347392/
COMMUNITY EVENTS
LOVE AND WAR
Mother Tongue Publishing presents the brilliant debut fiction from two exciting new literary voices, Kathryn Para (Lucky: A Novel) and Eufemia Fantetti (A Recipe for Disaster and Other Unlikely Tales of Love). Friday, November 15 at 3:30pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye rooms, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
TOO TRUE
Acclaimed BC poets, Elizabeth Bachinsky, Marita Dachsel, Amber Dawn, and Jennica Harper will read from their most recent books and engage in a discussion about the nature of truth in poetry, mining biography and autobiography in their works, and whether or not it is possible to be too true. Friday, November 15 at 7:30pm, free. Goldcorp Centre for the Arts. More information at sfuwoodwards.ca.
ROYAL CITY POETS ANTHOLOGY
Book launch presented by Silver Bow Publishing, hosted by Candice James and Janet Kvammen. Saturday, November 16 at 1:00pm. The Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia Street, New Westminster. More information at rclas.com.
BOWEN ISLAND AUTHOR READING SERIES
Readings by Leilah Nadir (The Orange Trees of Baghdad) and Kathy Para (Lucky: A Novel). Saturday, November 16 at 7:30pm. Gallery @ Artisan Square, Bowen Island. More information at biac.ca.
BOOK LAUNCH
Launch of author Michael Hetherington's first novel, The Playing Card. Tuesday, November 19 at 6:00pm, free. The Paper Hound Bookshop, 344 West Pender, Vancouver. More information at passfieldpress.ca.
THIS DAY IN VANCOUVER
Launch of Jesse Donaldson's latest book. Also Lani Russwurm's book Vancouver Was Awesome. Tuesday, November 19 at 7:00pm, free. The Portside Pub, 7 Alexander Street, Vancouver. More information at cynara@arsenalpulp.com.
SPOKEN INK
Readings by Bonnie Nish and Dennis E. Bolen. Tuesday, November 19 at 8:00pm. La Fontana Caffe, 101-3701 East Hastings, Burnaby.
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Dennis E. Bolen and Fiona Tinwei Lam featured at Nov 20 "Lunch Poems at SFU." Presented by SFU Public Square, 12-1pm in SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery (515 W Hastings St.). Free admission, no registration required. For more information visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.
PLAY CHTHONICS
Readings by Daniel Zomparelli and David McGimpsey. Wednesday, November 20 at 5:00pm. Green College, UBC, 6201 Cecil Green Park Road. More information at greencollege.ubc.ca.
DAVID ZIEROTH
The Governor General Award-winning poet and author will read from The November Optimist and talk about working with Gaspereau Press and about his own initiative, The Alfred Gustav Press. Wednesday, November 20 at 7:00pm, free. Peter Kaye room, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street. More information at www.vpl.ca.
LITERASIAN
Inaugural literASIAN: A Festival of Pacific Rim Asian Canadian Writing featuring a weekend of readings, workshops, panel discussions and book launches. November 21 to 24, 2013. UBC Learning Exchange, 612 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at asiancanadianwriters.ca.
ANDREW NIKIFORUK ON THE FATE OF HYDROCARBON CULTURE
Author of The Tar Sands and The Energy of Slaves: Oil and the New Servitude, acclaimed writer Andrew Nikiforuk will give this year's Ericson Lecture on "Energy Slaves and the Fate of Hydrocarbon Culture." Thursday November 21 at 4:30pm, free. Cecil Green Park House, UBC. Part of the Utopia/Dystopia lecture series organized by UBC's Creative Writing Program and Green College. More information http://www.greencollege.ubc.ca/index/spotlight508.php.
JANIE CHANG
Janie Chang discusses her novel Three Souls. Thursday, November 21 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.
POETRY PLEASE!
Tiffany Stone and Robert Heidbreder, two well-known BC children's poets whose published works include Rainbow Shoes, Floyd the Flamingo and His Flock of Friends, Black and Bittern Was Night and Crocodiles Play, will take you on a poetic ride. You will listen to poetry, act it out, read it, write your own poems, and discover some criteria for choosing and writing poetry with your class. Friday November 22 at the University Golf Club. Co-sponsored by CWILL. Early bird rates end October 31. For registration and information, go to www.vclr.ca.
AN EVENING OF POETRY AND FICTION
Readings from Memoria: An Anthology of Portuguese Canadian Writers. Friday, November 22 at 6:00pm. Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street, Vancouver.
DENISE CHONG
Launch of the author's new book Lives of the Family: Stories of Fate and Circumstance. Friday, November 22 at 7:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
RAWI HAGE
A special evening with Vancouver Public Library's writer in residence Rawi Hage. Monday, November 25 at 7:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
JOE CLARK
Pacific Arbour Speaker Series presents Joe Clark, the former Prime Minister weighs in on Canada's future from his own unique perspective. Monday, November 25 @ 7:30pm. Tickets $12/$10, BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts, Capilano University, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver. Tix & Info: 604.990.7810 / capilanou.ca/centre.
Upcoming
JACQUELINE WINDH
Book reading and slide show of Hai kur mamashu chis, a collection of stories recounted by Cristina Calderón and her late sister Ursula Calderón. Wednesday, November 27 at 6:30pm, free. Banyen Books & Sound, 3608 4th Ave. W., Vancouver. More information at jacquelinewindh.com.
CHARLES VAN SANDWYK
An evening with internationally acclaimed artist and author. Wednesday, November 27 at 6:30pm, free. 32 Books & Gallery, 3185 Edgemont Blvd, North Vancouver. More information and RSVP at 604-980-9032.
IAN RANKIN
Meet bestselling author Ian Rankin as he talks and signs copies of his new book, Saints of the Shadow Bible, featuring Rebus and Malcolm Fox working together for the first time. Wednesday, November 27 at 7:00pm. Chapters Robson, 788 Robson Street, Vancouver.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features Pam Galloway and Sylvia Taylor plus open mic. Thursday, November 28 at 7:00pm. Suggested donation at the door: $5. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at www.pandorascollective.com.
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Jordan Abel and Nicole Markotic featured at Dec 18 "Lunch Poems at SFU." Presented by SFU Public Square, 12-1pm in SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery (515 W Hastings St.). Free admission, no registration required. For more information visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.
F.G. BRESSANI LITERARY PRIZE
IL CENTRO Italian Cultural Centre is thrilled to announce the publication of the Rules & Regulations for the 2014 Edition of the F.G. Bressani Literary Prize. The literary prize honours and promotes the work of Canadian writers of Italian origin or Italian descent. Deadline: April 2, 2014. Complete details can be found here: http://italianculturalcentre.ca/blog/bressani-literary-prize/.
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 including Joseph Boyden. 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.
SPECIAL EVENT
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
Khaled Hosseini
The author of The Kite Runner talks about his latest book, And the Mountains Echoed. Event details: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/khaledhosseini.
SPECIAL FOR BOOK CLUBS! $16 per person, minimum of 5 people, book by phone only at 604-629-8849.
Thursday, December 5 at 7:30pm
St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church
Burrard at Nelson
FESTIVAL
The 29th annual JCC Jewish Book Festival
The JCC Jewish Book Festival (Nov 23-28, 2013) presents an exciting roster of writers from across Canada, the US, and Israel. Featured 2013 Festival authors include opening night gala event headliner Sheila Heti, the Libidos Unleashed panel with Abe Morgentaler (Why Men Fake It: The Unexpected Truth About Men and Sex) and Daniel Bergner (What Women Want: Adventures in the Science of Female Desire).
Complete details at jewishbookfestival.ca.
AWARDS & LISTS
The Governor General's Literary Awards have been announced, and two of this year's Writers Fest authors have taken home prizes! Eleanor Catton won the English-language fiction award for The Luminaries, while Teresa Toten won the children's literature prize for The Unlikely Hero of room 13B. Find out more about all the winners, here:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/terrific-storyteller-eleanor-catton-nabs-governor-generals-literary-award/article15400603/
American author Claire Vaye Watkins has won the Dylan Thomas Prize for her short story collection, Battleborn. The prize is awarded to the best book by an author under the age of thirty.
http://www.dylanthomasprize.com/documents/DTP-2013-winner-FINAL.pdf
YOUNG READERS
Publisher's Weekly has released its list of the 50 best children's books of the year.
http://www.publishersweekly.com/paper-copy/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/59926-pw-s-best-children-s-books-of-2013.html
NEWS & FEATURES
Books can provide a fascinating window into the past. In this article, historical novelist Maria McCann chooses her ten favourite accounts of 18th century London, a city overrun by "alcoholism, gambling, card sharps, pick-pockets, priggers, highwaymen, bullies and mohocks".
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/06/best-books-18th-century-london-maria-mccann
It's the centennial of Marcel Proust's Swann's Way, and the city of New York is celebrating in unique fashion: "by bringing Proust's endlessly subdividing sentences, microscopic self-consciousness and, yes, plenty of madeleines to seven Proust-appropriate locations across New York City."
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/08/books/celebrating-the-centennial-of-prousts-swanns-way.html
Aldous Huxley died fifty years ago this month. What would he make of the way we consume popular media and culture? Adam Kirsch and Jennifer Szalai discuss the subject, here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/10/books/review/what-would-aldous-huxley-make-of-the-way-we-consume-media-and-popular-culture.html
How does an author's drink of choice perfume the pages of a novel? "Fitzgerald's very language is redolent of the gin rickey; Kerouac stinks of tequila; Chandler of gimlets; Hemingway of mojitos and red wine...and then there is Faulkner, the poet laureate of corn whiskey." Robert Moor reflects on the Faulkner he discovered while working at the Kings County Distillery.
http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2013/10/23/faulkners-cocktail-of-choice/
Have you ever considered living in a library? At New York University, where even subsidized graduate student housing can cost between $19,708 and $25,354, it's a fact of life for many students. Find out more about the accidental dormitory that is NYU's Bobst Library, here:
http://observer.com/2013/10/the-new-homeless-inside-the-accidental-dormitory-that-is-nyus-bobst-library/
What happens to books when they die? "Discarded books from the old Birmingham central library have been given a new life after being transformed into works of art and put on display at the new Library of Birmingham."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24825340
Here's a little whimsy for you: a collection of literary-themed wedding cakes. From Game of Thrones to The Cat and the Hat, there are some real butter and sugar-laced gems to be enjoyed.
http://bookriot.com/2013/11/06/sweetest-sweets-bookish-wedding-cakes/
On a more serious note, this week's Guardian Poem of the week commemorates Remembrance Day. In We Hear Larks, soldiers arriving home to camp after an evening of fighting are surprised by birdsong.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/nov/11/poem-week-returning-we-hear-larks-isaac-rosenberg
How did they move books back in the day? If you were Columbia University, you would use a giant slide, apparently! And it turns out that book slides are more common than you might think. Learn about a few, here:
http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2013/11/08/the-great-columbia-book-slide-of-1934/
Is this the year of the short story? Now that Alice Munro has won the Nobel, and Lynn Coady the Gilller, things are looking up for writers of short fiction. According to the Toronto Star, it's a brave new world out there.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2013/11/08/have_alice_munro_and_lynn_coady_ushered_in_year_of_the_short_story.html
What effect has recent government surveillance had on free expression in the literary world? The PEN American Center has just released a disturbing report which reveals that self-censorship among authors is on the rise. Is Henry Miller's notion that "you cannot eliminate an idea by suppressing it" still valid today?
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-pen-survey-nsa-surveillance -curbs-writers-20131112,0,1696567.story
BOOKS & WRITERS
Which dead author would you like to go on a date with? For Sherman Alexie, it would be Dorothy Parker! Why? Because he would like to "get verbally eviscerated."
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/10/books/review/sherman-alexie-by-the-book.html
On this week's Guardian Books podcast, William Boyd talks about the troubled soul of Ian Fleming's James Bond, and the pleasures and perils of taking on the 007 franchise. He also reads from his new James Bond novel, Solo.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/audio/2013/nov/08/james-bond-william-boyd-podcast
In Amsterdam, Russell Shorto writes the history of what he considers to be "the World's Most Liberal City". The book fuses large cultural trends with small, intimately personal tales, from the memories of Anne Frank's childhood friend to the concept of collectivity.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/11/books/amsterdam-by-russell-shorto.html
If you're a fan of Emily Carr, you might be interested in this new book about her friend and sketching partner Edythe Hembroff-Schleicher. It's the sixth in a series devoted to unheralded BC artists, and features more than 100 rarely seen paintings, prints and photographs.
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/books/Unheralded+artist+brought+light/9143493/story.html#ixzz2kLyJqOUU
Elizabeth Gilbert has gotten a lot of press lately for her new novel, The Signature of All Things, which breaks the stereotypes of many of her previous ones (hint: it's not self-help). In this article, she shares one of her all-time favourite passages in literature, written by a literary outsider named Jack Gilbert.
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/11/the-stubborn-gladness-of-elizabeth-gilberts-favorite-poet/281158/
Have you ever read any Arctic Poetry? Dan O'Brien has created a series of poems entitled Arctic Graffiti, "about untangled seal guts, elusive hares and Inuit sculptors in the Arctic tundra". They're all being featured in Geist, and you can read them here:
http://www.geist.com/fact/poetry/walk-in-the-arctic/#sthash.i9Hkt6XW.dpuf
It's a good time to be Lynn Coady, now that she's won the Giller Prize. The presses are rumbling to reprint many of her books, a lovely boon, since her last one (which one the prize) apparently arose out of writer's block.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/after-the-giller-presses-are-rumbling-with-lynn-coady-reprints/article15350004/?ts=131111104104&ord=1
Margaret MacMillan has written a follow-up to her highly successful book, Paris 1919. Called The War that Ended Peace, it "offers an equally evocative recasting of the interplay of European diplomats, emperors and senior military officers all manoeuvring for power and prestige in the years of peace before all-out war in 1914."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/the-war-that-ended-peace-historian-margaret-macmillan-deftly-reconsiders-the-great-wars-inevitability/article15347392/
COMMUNITY EVENTS
LOVE AND WAR
Mother Tongue Publishing presents the brilliant debut fiction from two exciting new literary voices, Kathryn Para (Lucky: A Novel) and Eufemia Fantetti (A Recipe for Disaster and Other Unlikely Tales of Love). Friday, November 15 at 3:30pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye rooms, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
TOO TRUE
Acclaimed BC poets, Elizabeth Bachinsky, Marita Dachsel, Amber Dawn, and Jennica Harper will read from their most recent books and engage in a discussion about the nature of truth in poetry, mining biography and autobiography in their works, and whether or not it is possible to be too true. Friday, November 15 at 7:30pm, free. Goldcorp Centre for the Arts. More information at sfuwoodwards.ca.
ROYAL CITY POETS ANTHOLOGY
Book launch presented by Silver Bow Publishing, hosted by Candice James and Janet Kvammen. Saturday, November 16 at 1:00pm. The Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia Street, New Westminster. More information at rclas.com.
BOWEN ISLAND AUTHOR READING SERIES
Readings by Leilah Nadir (The Orange Trees of Baghdad) and Kathy Para (Lucky: A Novel). Saturday, November 16 at 7:30pm. Gallery @ Artisan Square, Bowen Island. More information at biac.ca.
BOOK LAUNCH
Launch of author Michael Hetherington's first novel, The Playing Card. Tuesday, November 19 at 6:00pm, free. The Paper Hound Bookshop, 344 West Pender, Vancouver. More information at passfieldpress.ca.
THIS DAY IN VANCOUVER
Launch of Jesse Donaldson's latest book. Also Lani Russwurm's book Vancouver Was Awesome. Tuesday, November 19 at 7:00pm, free. The Portside Pub, 7 Alexander Street, Vancouver. More information at cynara@arsenalpulp.com.
SPOKEN INK
Readings by Bonnie Nish and Dennis E. Bolen. Tuesday, November 19 at 8:00pm. La Fontana Caffe, 101-3701 East Hastings, Burnaby.
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Dennis E. Bolen and Fiona Tinwei Lam featured at Nov 20 "Lunch Poems at SFU." Presented by SFU Public Square, 12-1pm in SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery (515 W Hastings St.). Free admission, no registration required. For more information visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.
PLAY CHTHONICS
Readings by Daniel Zomparelli and David McGimpsey. Wednesday, November 20 at 5:00pm. Green College, UBC, 6201 Cecil Green Park Road. More information at greencollege.ubc.ca.
DAVID ZIEROTH
The Governor General Award-winning poet and author will read from The November Optimist and talk about working with Gaspereau Press and about his own initiative, The Alfred Gustav Press. Wednesday, November 20 at 7:00pm, free. Peter Kaye room, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street. More information at www.vpl.ca.
LITERASIAN
Inaugural literASIAN: A Festival of Pacific Rim Asian Canadian Writing featuring a weekend of readings, workshops, panel discussions and book launches. November 21 to 24, 2013. UBC Learning Exchange, 612 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at asiancanadianwriters.ca.
ANDREW NIKIFORUK ON THE FATE OF HYDROCARBON CULTURE
Author of The Tar Sands and The Energy of Slaves: Oil and the New Servitude, acclaimed writer Andrew Nikiforuk will give this year's Ericson Lecture on "Energy Slaves and the Fate of Hydrocarbon Culture." Thursday November 21 at 4:30pm, free. Cecil Green Park House, UBC. Part of the Utopia/Dystopia lecture series organized by UBC's Creative Writing Program and Green College. More information http://www.greencollege.ubc.ca/index/spotlight508.php.
JANIE CHANG
Janie Chang discusses her novel Three Souls. Thursday, November 21 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.
POETRY PLEASE!
Tiffany Stone and Robert Heidbreder, two well-known BC children's poets whose published works include Rainbow Shoes, Floyd the Flamingo and His Flock of Friends, Black and Bittern Was Night and Crocodiles Play, will take you on a poetic ride. You will listen to poetry, act it out, read it, write your own poems, and discover some criteria for choosing and writing poetry with your class. Friday November 22 at the University Golf Club. Co-sponsored by CWILL. Early bird rates end October 31. For registration and information, go to www.vclr.ca.
AN EVENING OF POETRY AND FICTION
Readings from Memoria: An Anthology of Portuguese Canadian Writers. Friday, November 22 at 6:00pm. Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street, Vancouver.
DENISE CHONG
Launch of the author's new book Lives of the Family: Stories of Fate and Circumstance. Friday, November 22 at 7:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
RAWI HAGE
A special evening with Vancouver Public Library's writer in residence Rawi Hage. Monday, November 25 at 7:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
JOE CLARK
Pacific Arbour Speaker Series presents Joe Clark, the former Prime Minister weighs in on Canada's future from his own unique perspective. Monday, November 25 @ 7:30pm. Tickets $12/$10, BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts, Capilano University, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver. Tix & Info: 604.990.7810 / capilanou.ca/centre.
Upcoming
JACQUELINE WINDH
Book reading and slide show of Hai kur mamashu chis, a collection of stories recounted by Cristina Calderón and her late sister Ursula Calderón. Wednesday, November 27 at 6:30pm, free. Banyen Books & Sound, 3608 4th Ave. W., Vancouver. More information at jacquelinewindh.com.
CHARLES VAN SANDWYK
An evening with internationally acclaimed artist and author. Wednesday, November 27 at 6:30pm, free. 32 Books & Gallery, 3185 Edgemont Blvd, North Vancouver. More information and RSVP at 604-980-9032.
IAN RANKIN
Meet bestselling author Ian Rankin as he talks and signs copies of his new book, Saints of the Shadow Bible, featuring Rebus and Malcolm Fox working together for the first time. Wednesday, November 27 at 7:00pm. Chapters Robson, 788 Robson Street, Vancouver.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features Pam Galloway and Sylvia Taylor plus open mic. Thursday, November 28 at 7:00pm. Suggested donation at the door: $5. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at www.pandorascollective.com.
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Jordan Abel and Nicole Markotic featured at Dec 18 "Lunch Poems at SFU." Presented by SFU Public Square, 12-1pm in SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery (515 W Hastings St.). Free admission, no registration required. For more information visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.
F.G. BRESSANI LITERARY PRIZE
IL CENTRO Italian Cultural Centre is thrilled to announce the publication of the Rules & Regulations for the 2014 Edition of the F.G. Bressani Literary Prize. The literary prize honours and promotes the work of Canadian writers of Italian origin or Italian descent. Deadline: April 2, 2014. Complete details can be found here: http://italianculturalcentre.ca/blog/bressani-literary-prize/.
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 including Joseph Boyden. 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.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Book News Vol. 8 No. 38
BOOK NEWS
SPECIAL EVENT
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
Just announced! - Khaled Hosseini
The author of The Kite Runner talks about his latest book, And the Mountains Echoed. Event details: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/khaledhosseini.
SPECIAL FOR BOOK CLUBS! $16 per person, minimum of 5 people, book by phone only at 604-629-8849.
Thursday, December 5 at 7:30pm
St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church
Burrard at Nelson
FESTIVAL
The 29th annual JCC Jewish Book Festival
The JCC Jewish Book Festival (Nov 23-28, 2013) presents an exciting roster of writers from across Canada, the US, and Israel. Featured 2013 Festival authors include opening night gala event headliner Sheila Heti, the Libidos Unleashed panel with Abe Morgentaler (Why Men Fake It: The Unexpected Truth About Men and Sex) and Daniel Bergner (What Women Want: Adventures in the Science of Female Desire).
Complete details at jewishbookfestival.ca.
AWARDS & LISTS
Lynn Coady has won the Giller Prize for this year's best book of Canadian fiction! "In her victory speech, Ms. Coady also celebrated the Giller Prize and its popularizing effect, noting that it made her "proud not just to be a Canadian writer, but to be a Canadian–to live in a country where we treat our writers like movie stars."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/edmonton-author-lynn-coady-wins-2013-giller-prize/article15286641/
The Walrus Poetry Prize has just been announced. Also, if you check out this link for a second time on November 12th, you can download a free ebook that celebrates the past ten years of poetry in The Walrus! You can read this year's winning poems here:
http://thewalrus.ca/foundation/projects/poetry-prize/
Lucy Hughes-Hallett's biography of Gabriele D'Annunzio has just won the Samuel Johnson prize for non-fiction. The Pike tells the story of the poet-turned-fascist's transformation into an Italian national hero.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/04/biography-fascist-samuel-johnson-prize
YOUNG READERS
What are the best illustrated children's books of the year? Here is the New York Times' list:
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2013/10/31/books/review/31best-illustrated.html
NEWS & FEATURES
Controversy continues to surround Harper Lee, the author of To Kill a Mockingbird. She claims that a local museum has been exploiting her literary fame.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/01/harper-lee-monroeville-museum-lawsuit-mockingbird
What's the ideal day job for a poet? According to Lorrie Moore, any would-be writer should "first, try to be something, anything, else". Amy Woolard, poet and child-welfare attorney, tackles that question here:
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/11/whats-the-ideal-day-job-for-a-poet/281081/
For those who don't become lawyers, here's some advice for broke writers:
http://therumpus.net/2013/10/advice-for-broke-writers/
Truth really can be stranger than fiction, and sometimes they can even go hand in hand. Here's a list of ten crime writers who used their literary chops in order to solve real-life crimes!
http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/nov/01/inside-job-10-crime-writers-turned-detective-pd-james
Score another point for gay marriage! Thanks to the relevantly recent chances to US marriage laws, we're thrilled to announce that Chip Kidd (who appeared at last year's Writers Fest) has just gotten married! His husband, Joseph Donald McClatchy is a writer himself, as well as the editor-in-chief of The Yale Review.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/03/fashion/weddings/j-d-mcclatchy-and-chip-kidd.html
Next time you pick up a folded Metro newspaper from an empty seat at the back of the bus, be sure consider its literary content. On November 4th, Metro started to publish an exclusive serialized fiction story by Douglas Coupland.
http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1249953/metro-to-publish-exclusive-fiction-entitled-temp-written-by-douglas-coupland
Sometimes the best interviews happen when the interviewee takes over and asks questions of their own. Such was the case with David Foster Wallace and John Freeman (who recently appeared at the festival).
http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2013/11/05/in-conversation/
BOOKS & WRITERS
How long does a book have to be in order to be considered a novel? Only 69 pages, if you're Zadie Smith, apparently! Of her mini-novel, The Embassy of Cambodia, the Guardian says: "Reading it is a bit like having a starter in a restaurant that is so good you wish you had ordered a big portion as a main course, only to realise, as you finish it, that it was exactly the right amount."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/04/embassy-of-cambodia-zadie-smith-review
Apparently being a nanny to the London literati can be great fodder for storytelling...or letter-writing, if you're Nina Stibbe. Her book Love, Nina is set to be this year's Christmas hit.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/10418353/Love-Nina-confessions-of-a-north-London-nanny.html
Joe Sacco, most famous for his political journalism, has just written a graphic novel about the battle of the Somme. Of course, "written" is a misnomer, since there are no words in it at all. And it's hard to call The Great War a book, too, since it's actually just a 24 foot long piece of paper, folded. It all began when a friend challenged him to draw a panorama of the Western Front.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/04/books/joe-saccos-the-great-war-july-1-1916.html
On a similar note, the Globe and Mail has reviewed three new books about the Second World War, all of which remind us of the war's power to fascinate and horrify. These books all tell uniquely Canadian war stories, and are especially timely as Remembrance Day approaches.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/how-we-remember-in-literary-form-the-second-world-war-has-lost-none-of-its-power-to-fascinate-and-horrify/article15213802/
It's rare that poets become superstars, but Shane Koyczan (a long-time Writers Fest icon) seems to be headed that way. His star rose rapidly after his performance at the opening ceremonies for the Vancouver Olympics, and one of his recent poems has received more than 10 million views on YouTube (in its video form). He's currently working on the libretto for an anti-bullying opera, set to premier in collaboration with the Vancouver Opera next fall.
http://thewalrus.ca/the-last-word/
Malcolm Gladwell's newest book, David and Goliath, operates under the premise that the underdog is inherently stronger than his colossal adversary. According to this Globe and Mail reviewer, "he had me at hello–the initial thesis is simply irresistible. After all, who doesn't want to believe that small things make a huge difference...or that gorgeous, rich, powerful people are actually functioning at a serious disadvantage to my messy, non-powerful, non-rich self?"
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/desirable-disadvantages-an-unproven-theory-is-a-dangerous-thing/article15209295/
When Ernest Hemingway killed himself in 1961, he was apparently perpetuating a family tradition. As it turns out, seven in his immediate family also committed suicide, a curse that his granddaughter, Mariel, likens to that of the Kennedy's. Famous for her appearance in Woody Allen's Manhattan, she has just created a documentary about the subject.
http://www.salon.com/2013/11/05/mariel_hemingway_nobody_talked_about_anything_in_my_family/
Will Alice Munro come out of retirement? "Every day I have mixed messages to myself over whether I will retire" she tells the Wall Street Journal. "I have promised to retire but now and then I get an idea."
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/10/22/will-nobelist-alice-munro-come-out-of-retirement/
What are the books to watch out for this November? From highly creative autobiography to Flanner O'Connor's letters to God, check out the New Yorker's list (and a collection of short reviews), here:
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2013/11/books-to-watch-out-for-november.html
Two months before his death, Seamus Heaney wrote a poem called "In a Field" for a memorial anthology marking the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. It is his last-known poem, and thanks to the Guardian, we can all read it ahead of publication. It's printed here:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/25/seamus-heaney-last-poem-published
Along similar lines, Canada's own Alistair MacLeod has written a story called "Remembrance", which McClelland & Stewart has just released as an e-book. "I thought it had been done", says MacLeod in reference to tales of trench warfare and the laying of wreaths. "What I wanted to do...was the after-effects of war: What is left behind?"
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/books/alistair-macleod-looks-at-after-effects-of-war-with-remembrance-story-230550161.html
COMMUNITY EVENTS
MYSTERY @ MCGILL
Two Canadian mystery authors, Miriam Clavir and Glynis Whiting, team up for an evening of readings & discussion. Thursday, November 7 at 7:00pm, free but register by phoning 604-299-8955. McGill branch, Burnaby Public Library, 4595 Albert Street. More information at bpl.bc.ca.
ANNE RICE
Pacific Arbour Speaker Series presents Anne Rice, the grand dame of gothic horror, will talk about her latest series on Werewolf legend on Thursday, Nov 7, 2013 @ 7:30pm. Tickets $10/$35 (includes a copy of her new release: The Wolves of Midwinter), Kay Meek Centre, 1700 Mathers Ave, West Vancouver, Tix & Info: 604.981.6335 / kaymeekcentre.com.
TWS READING SERIES
Featuring guest reader Eufemia Fantetti. Thursday, November 7 at 8:00pm. Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street. More information at sfu.ca.
FENCEPOST 13
Features readings by Leacock Medal for Humour winners W.P. Kinsella, Joe Kertes, Dan Needles, Terry Fallis, Trevor Cole. Sunday, November 10 at 3:00pm, free. Yale & District Community Centre, 65050 Albert Street, Yale, BC.
DEAD POETS READING SERIES
The first reading of the Dead Poets Reading Series at its new venue the Vancouver Public Library's Central Branch (350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver) will take place on November 10 from 3-5PM. The reading will be hosted in the Central Branch's Level Three Meeting Room and will feature: A Medley of War Poets, read by Christopher Levenson, Kofi Awoonor (1935-2013), read by Leslie Timmins, John Donne (1572-1631), read by Ken Klonsky, Anna Swirszczynska (1909-1984), read by Fiona Tinwei Lam, William Wordsworth (1770-1850), read by Charles Carroll. Admission is free. For further information, please visit www.deadpoetslive.com.
PEN-IN-HAND READING SERIES
Launch of A Recipe for Disaster by Eufemia Fantetti, plus a reading by M.A.C. Farrant. Sunday, November 10 at 4:00pm. Serious Coffee, 230 Cook Street, Victoria.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features New Voices: Christina Shah, Sho Wiley, Elaine Woo, Eva Waldorf, Jason Morden, Taslim Jaffer, Kagan Goh, Christy Hill, Lindsay Kwan. Wednesday, November 13, 7-9:30 pm, at The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. All are welcome. More information at www.pandorascollective.com.
INDIE LIT EXTRAVAGANZA
Book launches of Ashley Little's new book, Anatomy of a Girl Gang, Jennica Harper's book, Wood, and Nathaniel G. Moore's Savage. Hosted by Sean Cranbury. Wednesday, November 13 at 8:00pm, free. Penthouse Night Club, 1019 Seymour Street, Vancouver.
LOVE AND WAR
Mother Tongue Publishing presents the brilliant debut fiction from two exciting new literary voices, Kathryn Para (Lucky: A Novel) and Eufemia Fantetti (A Recipe for Disaster and Other Unlikely Tales of Love). Friday, November 15 at 3:30pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye rooms, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
TOO TRUE
Acclaimed BC poets, Elizabeth Bachinsky, Marita Dachsel, Amber Dawn, and Jennica Harper will read from their most recent books and engage in a discussion about the nature of truth in poetry, mining biography and autobiography in their works, and whether or not it is possible to be too true. Friday, November 15 at 7:30pm, free. Goldcorp Centre for the Arts. More information at sfuwoodwards.ca.
BOOK LAUNCH
Launch of author Michael Hetherington's first novel, The Playing Card. Tuesday, November 19 at 6:00pm, free. The Paper Hound Bookshop, 344 West Pender, Vancouver. More information at passfieldpress.ca.
Upcoming
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Dennis E. Bolen and Fiona Tinwei Lam featured at Nov 20 "Lunch Poems at SFU." Presented by SFU Public Square, 12-1pm in SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery (515 W Hastings St.). Free admission, no registration required. For more information visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.
PLAY CHTHONICS
Readings by Daniel Zomparelli and David McGimpsey. Wednesday, November 20 at 5:00pm. Green College, UBC, 6201 Cecil Green Park Road. More information at greencollege.ubc.ca.
DAVID ZIEROTH
The Governor General Award-winning poet and author will read from The November Optimist and talk about working with Gaspereau Press and about his own initiative, The Alfred Gustav Press. Wednesday, November 20 at 7:00pm, free. Peter Kaye room, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street. More information at www.vpl.ca.
LITERASIAN
Inaugural literASIAN: A Festival of Pacific Rim Asian Canadian Writing featuring a weekend of readings, workshops, panel discussions and book launches. November 21 to 24, 2013. UBC Learning Exchange, 612 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at asiancanadianwriters.ca.
JANIE CHANG
Janie Chang discusses her novel Three Souls. Thursday, November 21 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.
POETRY PLEASE!
Tiffany Stone and Robert Heidbreder, two well-known BC children's poets whose published works include Rainbow Shoes, Floyd the Flamingo and His Flock of Friends, Black and Bittern Was Night and Crocodiles Play, will take you on a poetic ride. You will listen to poetry, act it out, read it, write your own poems, and discover some criteria for choosing and writing poetry with your class. Friday November 22 at the University Golf Club. Co-sponsored by CWILL. Early bird rates end October 31. For registration and information, go to www.vclr.ca.
DENISE CHONG
Launch of the author's new book Lives of the Family: Stories of Fate and Circumstance. Friday, November 22 at 7:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
RAWI HAGE
A special evening with Vancouver Public Library's writer in residence Rawi Hage. Monday, November 25 at 7:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
JOE CLARK
Pacific Arbour Speaker Series presents Joe Clark, the former Prime Minister weighs in on Canada's future from his own unique perspective. Monday, November 25 @ 7:30pm. Tickets $12/$10, BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts, Capilano University, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver. Tix & Info: 604.990.7810 / capilanou.ca/centre.
JACQUELINE WINDH
Book reading and slide show of Hai kur mamashu chis, a collection of stories recounted by Cristina Calderón and her late sister Ursula Calderón. Wednesday, November 27 at 6:30pm, free. Banyen Books & Sound, 3608 4th Ave. W., Vancouver. More information at jacquelinewindh.com.
IAN RANKIN
Meet bestselling author Ian Rankin as he talks and signs copies of his new book, Saints of the Shadow Bible, featuring Rebus and Malcolm Fox working together for the first time. Wednesday, November 27 at 7:00pm. Chapters Robson, 788 Robson Street, Vancouver.
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Jordan Abel and Nicole Markotic featured at Dec 18 "Lunch Poems at SFU." Presented by SFU Public Square, 12-1pm in SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery (515 W Hastings St.). Free admission, no registration required. For more information visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.
F.G. BRESSANI LITERARY PRIZE
IL CENTRO Italian Cultural Centre is thrilled to announce the publication of the Rules & Regulations for the 2014 Edition of the F.G. Bressani Literary Prize. The literary prize honours and promotes the work of Canadian writers of Italian origin or Italian descent. Deadline: April 2, 2014. Complete details can be found here: http://italianculturalcentre.ca/blog/bressani-literary-prize/.
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 including Joseph Boyden. 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.
SPECIAL EVENT
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
Just announced! - Khaled Hosseini
The author of The Kite Runner talks about his latest book, And the Mountains Echoed. Event details: http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/khaledhosseini.
SPECIAL FOR BOOK CLUBS! $16 per person, minimum of 5 people, book by phone only at 604-629-8849.
Thursday, December 5 at 7:30pm
St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church
Burrard at Nelson
FESTIVAL
The 29th annual JCC Jewish Book Festival
The JCC Jewish Book Festival (Nov 23-28, 2013) presents an exciting roster of writers from across Canada, the US, and Israel. Featured 2013 Festival authors include opening night gala event headliner Sheila Heti, the Libidos Unleashed panel with Abe Morgentaler (Why Men Fake It: The Unexpected Truth About Men and Sex) and Daniel Bergner (What Women Want: Adventures in the Science of Female Desire).
Complete details at jewishbookfestival.ca.
AWARDS & LISTS
Lynn Coady has won the Giller Prize for this year's best book of Canadian fiction! "In her victory speech, Ms. Coady also celebrated the Giller Prize and its popularizing effect, noting that it made her "proud not just to be a Canadian writer, but to be a Canadian–to live in a country where we treat our writers like movie stars."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/edmonton-author-lynn-coady-wins-2013-giller-prize/article15286641/
The Walrus Poetry Prize has just been announced. Also, if you check out this link for a second time on November 12th, you can download a free ebook that celebrates the past ten years of poetry in The Walrus! You can read this year's winning poems here:
http://thewalrus.ca/foundation/projects/poetry-prize/
Lucy Hughes-Hallett's biography of Gabriele D'Annunzio has just won the Samuel Johnson prize for non-fiction. The Pike tells the story of the poet-turned-fascist's transformation into an Italian national hero.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/04/biography-fascist-samuel-johnson-prize
YOUNG READERS
What are the best illustrated children's books of the year? Here is the New York Times' list:
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2013/10/31/books/review/31best-illustrated.html
NEWS & FEATURES
Controversy continues to surround Harper Lee, the author of To Kill a Mockingbird. She claims that a local museum has been exploiting her literary fame.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/01/harper-lee-monroeville-museum-lawsuit-mockingbird
What's the ideal day job for a poet? According to Lorrie Moore, any would-be writer should "first, try to be something, anything, else". Amy Woolard, poet and child-welfare attorney, tackles that question here:
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/11/whats-the-ideal-day-job-for-a-poet/281081/
For those who don't become lawyers, here's some advice for broke writers:
http://therumpus.net/2013/10/advice-for-broke-writers/
Truth really can be stranger than fiction, and sometimes they can even go hand in hand. Here's a list of ten crime writers who used their literary chops in order to solve real-life crimes!
http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/nov/01/inside-job-10-crime-writers-turned-detective-pd-james
Score another point for gay marriage! Thanks to the relevantly recent chances to US marriage laws, we're thrilled to announce that Chip Kidd (who appeared at last year's Writers Fest) has just gotten married! His husband, Joseph Donald McClatchy is a writer himself, as well as the editor-in-chief of The Yale Review.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/03/fashion/weddings/j-d-mcclatchy-and-chip-kidd.html
Next time you pick up a folded Metro newspaper from an empty seat at the back of the bus, be sure consider its literary content. On November 4th, Metro started to publish an exclusive serialized fiction story by Douglas Coupland.
http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1249953/metro-to-publish-exclusive-fiction-entitled-temp-written-by-douglas-coupland
Sometimes the best interviews happen when the interviewee takes over and asks questions of their own. Such was the case with David Foster Wallace and John Freeman (who recently appeared at the festival).
http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2013/11/05/in-conversation/
BOOKS & WRITERS
How long does a book have to be in order to be considered a novel? Only 69 pages, if you're Zadie Smith, apparently! Of her mini-novel, The Embassy of Cambodia, the Guardian says: "Reading it is a bit like having a starter in a restaurant that is so good you wish you had ordered a big portion as a main course, only to realise, as you finish it, that it was exactly the right amount."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/04/embassy-of-cambodia-zadie-smith-review
Apparently being a nanny to the London literati can be great fodder for storytelling...or letter-writing, if you're Nina Stibbe. Her book Love, Nina is set to be this year's Christmas hit.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/10418353/Love-Nina-confessions-of-a-north-London-nanny.html
Joe Sacco, most famous for his political journalism, has just written a graphic novel about the battle of the Somme. Of course, "written" is a misnomer, since there are no words in it at all. And it's hard to call The Great War a book, too, since it's actually just a 24 foot long piece of paper, folded. It all began when a friend challenged him to draw a panorama of the Western Front.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/04/books/joe-saccos-the-great-war-july-1-1916.html
On a similar note, the Globe and Mail has reviewed three new books about the Second World War, all of which remind us of the war's power to fascinate and horrify. These books all tell uniquely Canadian war stories, and are especially timely as Remembrance Day approaches.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/how-we-remember-in-literary-form-the-second-world-war-has-lost-none-of-its-power-to-fascinate-and-horrify/article15213802/
It's rare that poets become superstars, but Shane Koyczan (a long-time Writers Fest icon) seems to be headed that way. His star rose rapidly after his performance at the opening ceremonies for the Vancouver Olympics, and one of his recent poems has received more than 10 million views on YouTube (in its video form). He's currently working on the libretto for an anti-bullying opera, set to premier in collaboration with the Vancouver Opera next fall.
http://thewalrus.ca/the-last-word/
Malcolm Gladwell's newest book, David and Goliath, operates under the premise that the underdog is inherently stronger than his colossal adversary. According to this Globe and Mail reviewer, "he had me at hello–the initial thesis is simply irresistible. After all, who doesn't want to believe that small things make a huge difference...or that gorgeous, rich, powerful people are actually functioning at a serious disadvantage to my messy, non-powerful, non-rich self?"
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/desirable-disadvantages-an-unproven-theory-is-a-dangerous-thing/article15209295/
When Ernest Hemingway killed himself in 1961, he was apparently perpetuating a family tradition. As it turns out, seven in his immediate family also committed suicide, a curse that his granddaughter, Mariel, likens to that of the Kennedy's. Famous for her appearance in Woody Allen's Manhattan, she has just created a documentary about the subject.
http://www.salon.com/2013/11/05/mariel_hemingway_nobody_talked_about_anything_in_my_family/
Will Alice Munro come out of retirement? "Every day I have mixed messages to myself over whether I will retire" she tells the Wall Street Journal. "I have promised to retire but now and then I get an idea."
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/10/22/will-nobelist-alice-munro-come-out-of-retirement/
What are the books to watch out for this November? From highly creative autobiography to Flanner O'Connor's letters to God, check out the New Yorker's list (and a collection of short reviews), here:
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2013/11/books-to-watch-out-for-november.html
Two months before his death, Seamus Heaney wrote a poem called "In a Field" for a memorial anthology marking the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. It is his last-known poem, and thanks to the Guardian, we can all read it ahead of publication. It's printed here:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/25/seamus-heaney-last-poem-published
Along similar lines, Canada's own Alistair MacLeod has written a story called "Remembrance", which McClelland & Stewart has just released as an e-book. "I thought it had been done", says MacLeod in reference to tales of trench warfare and the laying of wreaths. "What I wanted to do...was the after-effects of war: What is left behind?"
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/books/alistair-macleod-looks-at-after-effects-of-war-with-remembrance-story-230550161.html
COMMUNITY EVENTS
MYSTERY @ MCGILL
Two Canadian mystery authors, Miriam Clavir and Glynis Whiting, team up for an evening of readings & discussion. Thursday, November 7 at 7:00pm, free but register by phoning 604-299-8955. McGill branch, Burnaby Public Library, 4595 Albert Street. More information at bpl.bc.ca.
ANNE RICE
Pacific Arbour Speaker Series presents Anne Rice, the grand dame of gothic horror, will talk about her latest series on Werewolf legend on Thursday, Nov 7, 2013 @ 7:30pm. Tickets $10/$35 (includes a copy of her new release: The Wolves of Midwinter), Kay Meek Centre, 1700 Mathers Ave, West Vancouver, Tix & Info: 604.981.6335 / kaymeekcentre.com.
TWS READING SERIES
Featuring guest reader Eufemia Fantetti. Thursday, November 7 at 8:00pm. Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street. More information at sfu.ca.
FENCEPOST 13
Features readings by Leacock Medal for Humour winners W.P. Kinsella, Joe Kertes, Dan Needles, Terry Fallis, Trevor Cole. Sunday, November 10 at 3:00pm, free. Yale & District Community Centre, 65050 Albert Street, Yale, BC.
DEAD POETS READING SERIES
The first reading of the Dead Poets Reading Series at its new venue the Vancouver Public Library's Central Branch (350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver) will take place on November 10 from 3-5PM. The reading will be hosted in the Central Branch's Level Three Meeting Room and will feature: A Medley of War Poets, read by Christopher Levenson, Kofi Awoonor (1935-2013), read by Leslie Timmins, John Donne (1572-1631), read by Ken Klonsky, Anna Swirszczynska (1909-1984), read by Fiona Tinwei Lam, William Wordsworth (1770-1850), read by Charles Carroll. Admission is free. For further information, please visit www.deadpoetslive.com.
PEN-IN-HAND READING SERIES
Launch of A Recipe for Disaster by Eufemia Fantetti, plus a reading by M.A.C. Farrant. Sunday, November 10 at 4:00pm. Serious Coffee, 230 Cook Street, Victoria.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features New Voices: Christina Shah, Sho Wiley, Elaine Woo, Eva Waldorf, Jason Morden, Taslim Jaffer, Kagan Goh, Christy Hill, Lindsay Kwan. Wednesday, November 13, 7-9:30 pm, at The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. All are welcome. More information at www.pandorascollective.com.
INDIE LIT EXTRAVAGANZA
Book launches of Ashley Little's new book, Anatomy of a Girl Gang, Jennica Harper's book, Wood, and Nathaniel G. Moore's Savage. Hosted by Sean Cranbury. Wednesday, November 13 at 8:00pm, free. Penthouse Night Club, 1019 Seymour Street, Vancouver.
LOVE AND WAR
Mother Tongue Publishing presents the brilliant debut fiction from two exciting new literary voices, Kathryn Para (Lucky: A Novel) and Eufemia Fantetti (A Recipe for Disaster and Other Unlikely Tales of Love). Friday, November 15 at 3:30pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye rooms, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
TOO TRUE
Acclaimed BC poets, Elizabeth Bachinsky, Marita Dachsel, Amber Dawn, and Jennica Harper will read from their most recent books and engage in a discussion about the nature of truth in poetry, mining biography and autobiography in their works, and whether or not it is possible to be too true. Friday, November 15 at 7:30pm, free. Goldcorp Centre for the Arts. More information at sfuwoodwards.ca.
BOOK LAUNCH
Launch of author Michael Hetherington's first novel, The Playing Card. Tuesday, November 19 at 6:00pm, free. The Paper Hound Bookshop, 344 West Pender, Vancouver. More information at passfieldpress.ca.
Upcoming
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Dennis E. Bolen and Fiona Tinwei Lam featured at Nov 20 "Lunch Poems at SFU." Presented by SFU Public Square, 12-1pm in SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery (515 W Hastings St.). Free admission, no registration required. For more information visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.
PLAY CHTHONICS
Readings by Daniel Zomparelli and David McGimpsey. Wednesday, November 20 at 5:00pm. Green College, UBC, 6201 Cecil Green Park Road. More information at greencollege.ubc.ca.
DAVID ZIEROTH
The Governor General Award-winning poet and author will read from The November Optimist and talk about working with Gaspereau Press and about his own initiative, The Alfred Gustav Press. Wednesday, November 20 at 7:00pm, free. Peter Kaye room, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street. More information at www.vpl.ca.
LITERASIAN
Inaugural literASIAN: A Festival of Pacific Rim Asian Canadian Writing featuring a weekend of readings, workshops, panel discussions and book launches. November 21 to 24, 2013. UBC Learning Exchange, 612 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at asiancanadianwriters.ca.
JANIE CHANG
Janie Chang discusses her novel Three Souls. Thursday, November 21 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.
POETRY PLEASE!
Tiffany Stone and Robert Heidbreder, two well-known BC children's poets whose published works include Rainbow Shoes, Floyd the Flamingo and His Flock of Friends, Black and Bittern Was Night and Crocodiles Play, will take you on a poetic ride. You will listen to poetry, act it out, read it, write your own poems, and discover some criteria for choosing and writing poetry with your class. Friday November 22 at the University Golf Club. Co-sponsored by CWILL. Early bird rates end October 31. For registration and information, go to www.vclr.ca.
DENISE CHONG
Launch of the author's new book Lives of the Family: Stories of Fate and Circumstance. Friday, November 22 at 7:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
RAWI HAGE
A special evening with Vancouver Public Library's writer in residence Rawi Hage. Monday, November 25 at 7:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
JOE CLARK
Pacific Arbour Speaker Series presents Joe Clark, the former Prime Minister weighs in on Canada's future from his own unique perspective. Monday, November 25 @ 7:30pm. Tickets $12/$10, BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts, Capilano University, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver. Tix & Info: 604.990.7810 / capilanou.ca/centre.
JACQUELINE WINDH
Book reading and slide show of Hai kur mamashu chis, a collection of stories recounted by Cristina Calderón and her late sister Ursula Calderón. Wednesday, November 27 at 6:30pm, free. Banyen Books & Sound, 3608 4th Ave. W., Vancouver. More information at jacquelinewindh.com.
IAN RANKIN
Meet bestselling author Ian Rankin as he talks and signs copies of his new book, Saints of the Shadow Bible, featuring Rebus and Malcolm Fox working together for the first time. Wednesday, November 27 at 7:00pm. Chapters Robson, 788 Robson Street, Vancouver.
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Jordan Abel and Nicole Markotic featured at Dec 18 "Lunch Poems at SFU." Presented by SFU Public Square, 12-1pm in SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery (515 W Hastings St.). Free admission, no registration required. For more information visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.
F.G. BRESSANI LITERARY PRIZE
IL CENTRO Italian Cultural Centre is thrilled to announce the publication of the Rules & Regulations for the 2014 Edition of the F.G. Bressani Literary Prize. The literary prize honours and promotes the work of Canadian writers of Italian origin or Italian descent. Deadline: April 2, 2014. Complete details can be found here: http://italianculturalcentre.ca/blog/bressani-literary-prize/.
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 including Joseph Boyden. 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.
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