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.