BOOK NEWS
Miriam Toews and Thomas King: Held Over
Due to popular demand, we've added an extra event with Thomas King and Miriam Toews, at 5 pm on Sunday, October 26, http://writersfest.bc.ca/2014/events/88-held-over-thomas-king-and-miriam-toews.
There are still tickets available for other events at the Vancouver Writers Fest including: Waking from the American Dream (http://writersfest.bc.ca/2014/events/11-waking-american-dream), The Real Deal (http://writersfest.bc.ca/2014/events/26-real-deal), Odd Jobs (http://writersfest.bc.ca/2014/events/45-odd-jobs), The Hook (http://writersfest.bc.ca/2014/events/46-hook), To Link or Not to Link (http://writersfest.bc.ca/2014/events/50-link-or-not-link), Probables and Impossibles (http://writersfest.bc.ca/2014/events/64-probables-and-impossibles), and Who I Really Am (http://writersfest.bc.ca/2014/events/77-who-i-really-am).
Special Events
Announcing! - Joseph Boyden & Friends
Spend an unforgettable evening with The Orenda author Joseph Boyden and Festival authors and support the Vancouver Writers Fest. Details at http://writersfest.bc.ca/events/boyden.
David Mitchell
The captivating David Mitchell talks to Hal Wake about his much-lauded new novel, The Bone Clocks, at St. Andrew's-Wesley United at 7:30 pm, Saturday, September 27.
"David Mitchell is a superb storyteller." The New Yorker
Special event tickets are also on sale for Bruce Cockburn (Nov 10), Alan Doyle (Nov 13) and Conrad Black (Nov 13).
More information at http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events.
Festival Contest
There are still a few days to enter our shelfie contest! Are you an avid reader who can't wait for the 2014 Vancouver Writers Fest? Show our Festival authors how much you are looking forward to seeing them in Vancouver this fall, show your friends how much you love to read AND be entered to win $50 to Book Warehouse (to buy more books!) with our #Shelfie contest. Click here for details on how to enter, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/prefaces/tavia/shelfie-contest.
A Literary Arts Centre for Vancouver? Yes. Indeed.
As Book News readers, we know you are interested in the literary arts. You may not know, however, that a group of publishers, and other interested parties are working on creating a public space to showcase the city's extraordinary practitioners in the written and spoken arts. This initiative will be the first of its kind in the city: a dynamic home for the city's vibrant publishing and writing communities, and a lively public venue for readings, launches, and other literary-related activities. They want to hear from you and for you to learn more about their ideas. If you would like to participate in the development of this unique literary space, please help by filling in the survey here, http://www.books.bc.ca/literary-arts-centre-vancouver.
FESTIVAL AUTHORS
Kim Thúy believes that Mãn is "her most personal work yet." She was on CBC's 'All in a Weekend' recently, and you can listen to her interview here:
http://www.cbc.ca/books/2014/09/kim-thuy-discusses-man.html
Carrie Snyder's Girl Runner is a "well-paced book that weaves together the past and present narratives of an uncompromising woman's life." That uncompromising woman is, of course, a runner, with much of the novel focusing on her preparations for the 800-metre race at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/girl-runner-fuses-history-and-personality-to-create-an-inspiring-record-of-the-need-for-speed/article20577730/
What's the book that changed your life? For Ian Weir, it's A Bear Called Paddington, which left him "with—among other legacies—the wistful notion that everything truly wonderful happens mainly in London."
http://www.straight.com/life/732801/book-changed-your-life-ian-weir
Speaking of which, The Paying Guests, by Sarah Waters, is a "superb, bewitching new novel" set in a boarding house in 1920's London. Waters recently appeared as a guest on NPR's All Things Considered, and you can listen to the interview here:
http://www.npr.org/2014/09/23/347418535/a-historic-backdrop-frames-forbidden-love-in-the-paying-guests
Esther Freud's eighth novel takes place a few years earlier, in 1914 on the Suffolk Coast. Mr Mac and Me is a "haunting, haunted story, full of ghosts and drownings, disappointments and sadness, but there's a quality of luminous wonder too, captured in Freud's delicate, lyrical prose."
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/mr-mac-and-me-by-esther-freud--book-review-9745153.html
Back on this side of the Atlantic, James Ellroy's Perfidia has "created an awe-inspiring vision of social, moral and human chaos in wartime LA." Perfidia is a 700-page crime novel filled with brutality, extortion, blackmail, eugenics, sex, back-stabbing and booze, that just might leave you "murmuring about how Irvine Welsh is going to have to be re-shelved with the children's books."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/17/perfidia-james-ellroy-review-crime-fiction
Eimear McBride's A Girl Is a Half-Formed Thing "forgoes quotation marks and elides verbiage for sense, sound and sheer appearance on the page...It is, in all respects, a heresy—which is to say, Lord above, it's a future classic."
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/21/books/review/a-girl-is-a-half-formed-thing-by-eimear-mcbride.html
Terry Fallis, whose new novel is called No Relation, has taken 'the Proust Questionnaire'. See his answers here:
http://www.cbc.ca/books/2014/09/terry-fallis-takes-the-proust-questionnaire.html
AWARDS & LISTS
Festival author Jane Smiley is on the longlist for the National Book Award in Fiction. She was nominated for her book Some Luck.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2014/09/18/fiction-longlist-for-the-national-book-award/
The Banff Mountain Book Competition has also announced its longlist. The prize features "the best in mountain and adventure literature, mountain fiction, mountain image, and guidebooks."
http://www.banffcentre.ca/media-release/1178/banff-mountain-book-competition-announces-2014-long-list/
The Vancouver Public Library has named Rosemary Georgeson the 2014 Aboriginal Storyteller in Residence. Georgeson is a Coast Salish and Dene storyteller, filmmaker and playwright.
http://www.vpl.ca/news/details/aboriginal_storyteller_in_residence_2014
The shortlist for the Hilary Weston non-fiction prize has been announced, and Festival author Kathleen Winter is among the nominees.
http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/Naomi+Klein+Kathleen+Winter+short+list+Hilary+Weston/10211106/story.html
The winners of this year's Copper Cylinder Awards have also been revealed. Festival author Cory Doctorow won the Young Adult Award for Homeland. The awards recognize works of speculative fiction published in the previous year.
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2014/09/22/2014-copper-cylinder-award-winners-announced/
David Martin has won the 2014 CBC Poetry Prize for his poem Tar Swan. The poem is "both traditional and innovative...an astonishing sequence of sonnets, with a rhythm that evokes the roots and muscular cadences of Old English, and simultaneously manages to be a fierce re-invention of the form."
http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadawrites/2014/09/2014-cbc-poetry-prize-and-the-winner-is.html
YOUNG READERS
I am Jazz is a new picture book about and by a transgender child. Based on Jazz Jennings' real-life story, it shares both her struggles and successes, and explains what it means to be transgender.
http://blog.sfgate.com/sfmoms/2014/09/22/jazz-jennings-new-childrens-book-tells-transgender-story/#13612101=0
NEWS & FEATURES
Jim Deva, a Vancouver community advocate, LGBTQ activist and bookstore owner, has died. He was the co-owner of Little Sister's Book and Art Emporium, famous for its landmark censorship battle with the Canada Border Services Agency.
http://www.theprovince.com/news/Vancouver+LGBTQ+activist+Deva+dead/10223688/story.html?__federated=1
Speaking of which, it's the 32nd annual "Banned Books Week," described by organizers as a "celebration of the freedom to read." Some of the bravest people to speak out against censorship are those on the front lines—teachers who have been professing aloud the importance of reading books that "give the most real view of life."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/22/teaching-banned-books_n_5851214.html
But what is censorship, exactly? The answer is not as easy as it sounds. "To dismiss censorship as crude repression by ignorant bureaucrats is to get it wrong. Although it varied enormously, it usually was a complex process that required talent and training and that extended deep into the social order."
http://www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2014/sep/17/what-is-censorship/
And one last thing about the matter: 33 must-read books to celebrate Banned Books Week.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/powellsbooks/33-must-read-books-to-celebrate-banned-books-week-ohuo
Extracts from this year's Giller Prize-nominated novels are now available online. You can check out the first few pages of each of them, here:
http://www.scotiabankgillerprize.ca/finalists/2014-longlist/
Vintage Books is set to release digital versions of nine Gabriel García Márquez books. "García Márquez, a towering figure in 20th-century literature and the master of magical realism, was often cited as one of the last holdouts in the shift to digital that has swept the publishing industry."
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/09/22/gabriel-garcia-marquez-e-books-to-be-released/
What's "the trouble with writing?" In this piece, Michelle Huneven expounds on the subject (and the fact that it never gets easier), here.
http://www.themillions.com/2014/09/the-trouble-with-writing-by-michelle-huneven.html
BOOKS & WRITERS
What do "the milk of figs, cows and nuts; lemon juice, orange juice and onion juice; saliva, urine, blood, vinegar, aspirin and laxatives" have in common? They have all been used to make invisible ink, the subject of Kristie Macrakis' new book Prisoners, Lovers, and Spies: The Story of Invisible Ink From Herodotus to al-Qaeda.
http://www.thenation.com/article/181641/shelf-life
Emmanuel Carrère is "the most important French writer you've never heard of." His new 'non-fiction novel', Limonov, has just come out in English.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/21/emmanuel-carrere-most-important-french-writer-youve-never-heard-of
In this week's New Yorker Poetry Podcast, Rae Armantrout reads Susan Wheeler's poem The Split. In the poem, the speaker bids farewell to a group of deceased acquaintances.
http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/poetry-podcast-rae-armantrout-reads-susan-wheeler
COMMUNITY EVENTS
WORD VANCOUVER
Festival promoting books and authors with free exhibits, performances, and hands-on activities for a wide range of ages and interests. September 24-28, 2014. Complete details at wordvancouver.ca.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Pandora's Collective in conjunction with Word Vancouver features Rita Wong, Jami Macarty, Lilija Valis & Kevin Spenst plus open mic. Thursday, September 25 at 7:00pm. Suggested donation at the door: $5. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at pandorascollective.com.
THE GREAT RAYMOND
Ruby Slippers Theatre presents a free open workshop on September 26 of gritty femme noir drama The Great Raymond, created with award-winning writer Timothy Taylor. Information at rubyslippers.ca.
THANKS A LOT EXPRESS-OH!
North Shore Writers' Association invites community & cultural co-creators: writers, dancers, musicians and artists, to join in this fun activity of giving thanks in this 2-hour workshop to expand upon and play with word prompts. Saturday, September 27 at 10:00am, free. North Vancouver City Library, 120 14th St. W., North Vancouver. More information at culturedays.ca.
BOOK SOME TIME FOR CRIME
An afternoon on the edge of your seat with four local mystery authors, Sam Wiebe, E.R. Brown, Robin Spano and Owen Laukkanen. Listen as they share their latest novels, then book a one-on-one session for answers to any of your burning mystery questions. Saturday, September 27 at 1:00pm, free. West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver. More information at culturedays.ca.
Upcoming
WOOD AND WORDS
Award-winning writers Kate Braid and John Terpstra read from their work about wood. Wednesday, October 1 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen room, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
MEET THE AUTHOR: MARY NOVIK
Mary Novik discuses her sweeping work of historical fiction, Muse. Thursday, October 2 at 7:00p. Tickets: $22 (includes refreshments). Christianne's Lyceum. 3696 W. 8th Ave. To reserve your space call 604.733.1356 or email lyceum@christiannehayward.com. More information at www.christiannehayward.com.
THE TOWN SLUT'S DAUGHTER
Canadian poet Heather Haley launches her debut novel. Thursday, October 2 at 7:30pm. Slickity Jim's, 3469 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at howesoundpublishing@gmail.com.
BOOK LAUNCH
Cathy Ford and Julia Leggett launch their new fall books. Sunday, October 5 at 4:00pm. Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at mothertonguepublishing.com.
POETRY READING
Reading by poets Phinder Dulai and Renee Saklikar. Thursday, October 9 at 12:30pm, free. Room 7100, Special Collections, W.A.C. Bennett Library, SFU, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby. More information at lib.sfu.ca/special.
LAST OF THE INDEPENDENTS
Vancouver writer Sam Wiebe reads from his latest book. Friday, October 10 at 7:00pm. Pulp Fiction Books, Main street.
PEDAL
Chelsea Rooney launches her debut novel, Pedal. Readings and discussion also with Jen Neale, Erika Thorkelson, Tracy Stefanucci and Elizabeth Hand. Wednesday, October 15 at 7:30 pm. Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street, Vancouver. Fore more information, visit http://caitlin-press.com/event/vancouver-book-reading-chelsea-rooney-pedal/.
EMERGE 14
Emerge 14, the annual anthology from The Writer's Studio at Simon Fraser University, in which thirty-five emerging writers explore love, creation, death, regret, discovery and terror, will be launched in a special gala. Thursday, October 16 at 6pm. SFU Downtown Campus, Harbour Centre. More information at cormac_oreilly@hotmail.com.
JANE EATON HAMILTON
Author reads from her new book Love Will Burst Into A Thousand Shapes. Thursday, October 23 at 7:00pm. Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at http://caitlin-press.com/event/vancouver-book-reading-jane-eaton-hamilton-love-will-burst-into-a-thousand-shapes/.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Book News Vol. 9 No. 29
BOOK NEWS
We are pleased to announce the addition of a solo event with Australian author Tim Winton in conversation with VWF Artistic Director Hal Wake at 8 pm on Monday, October 20, http://writersfest.bc.ca/2014/events/87-tim-winton-conversation-hal-wake.
The Vancouver Writers Fest presents 104 international writers in 87 events including Waking from the American Dream (Joshua Ferris, Cristina Enriquez, Matthew Thomas), An Evening with James Ellroy, The Hook (Aislinn Hunter, Eric McCormack, Sarah Waters, Ian Weir), Rooted and Riveting (Rabih Alameddine, Michael Crummey, Heather O’Neill) and Rules of Engagement (Dionne Brand, Thomas King, Lee Maracle, Christos Tsiolkas) and many others. Pick up the Festival program guide at in the Lower Mainland bookstores and libraries, or check the Festival website for full details, http:/www.writersfest.bc.ca.
"David Mitchell is a superb storyteller." The New Yorker
The captivating David Mitchell talks to Hal Wake about his much-lauded new novel, The Bone Clocks, at St. Andrew's-Wesley United at 7:30 pm, Saturday, September 27.
Special event tickets are also on sale for Bruce Cockburn (Nov 10), Alan Doyle (Nov 13) and Conrad Black (Nov 13).
More information at http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events.
Festival Contest
Are you an avid reader who can't wait for the 2014 Vancouver Writers Fest? Show our Festival authors how much you are looking forward to seeing them in Vancouver this fall, show your friends how much you love to read AND be entered to win $50 to Book Warehouse (to buy more books!) with our #Shelfie contest. Click here for details on how to enter, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/prefaces/tavia/shelfie-contest.
Calling 'Gen Y' Readers
The Vancouver Writers Fest is recruiting for focus group participants. We are specifically interested in talking to Generation Y readers (born 1980 to 1995). If you, or someone you know, would consider participating in a focus group discussion in the future, please sign up, and we will be in touch, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/get-involved/focusgroup.
FESTIVAL AUTHORS
The inspiration for Aislinn Hunter's The World Before Us came from "the past, namely a bizarre encounter between two escaped asylum patients and a famous 19th-century poet." Hunter was recently interviewed by Shelagh Rogers. The full interview will air on September 22nd, but you can catch a sneak peak (or "sneak listen") here:
http://www.cbc.ca/thenextchapter/2014/09/15/tnc-sneak-listen-shelaghs-conversation-with-aislinn-hunter/
The fact that Joshua Ferris' To Rise Again at a Decent Hour was shortlisted for the Booker Prize is only one of several things that make it notable. It also "hits a high-water mark in the literature of dentistry, however limited that may be!"
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/16/books/joshua-ferriss-to-rise-again-at-a-decent-hour.html
James Ellroy is a crime writer with a very unique pedigree: his mother was murdered when he was a child, and the case has never been solved. "You could say his writing career has been a protracted grief reaction." Ellroy's new novel is called Perfidia.
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/09/perfidia-james-ellroys-furious-new-novel/379123/
What is the purpose of writing historical fiction? According to Ian Weir, it is "not to make things up, but to believe the world you are creating."
http://www.quillandquire.com/authors/2014/09/11/ian-weir-on-scaling-the-mountain/
Damon Galgut's new novel, Arctic Summer, shares its title with a book E.M. Forster began in 1909 and never finished. In fact, the author is the centerpiece of the novel.
http://arts.nationalpost.com/2014/08/13/the-afterword-reading-society-arctic-summer-by-damon-galgut/
Who's your favourite writer? Which fictional character most resembles you? Esther Freud answers these questions, and more, here:
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/esther-freud-novelist-i-love-tobias-wolff-for-his-elegance-thoughtfulness-and-inventiveness-9726438.html
"Namby-pamby protagonists, step aside!" says Caroline Adderson, author of Ellen in Pieces. Her latest novel marks a departure in format, with a protagonist who is "feisty and earthy and imperfect, and life has dealt her all kinds of blows."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/ellen-in-pieces-namby-pamby-protagonists-step-aside/article20279787/
Angie Abdou's new novel, Between, is her fourth book in eight years. It's also a "conversation starter, especially when it comes to the debate on foreign workers in Canada, as well as women's roles in society and the home."
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Elizabeth+Withey+Angie+Abdou+novel+conversation+starter/10195194/story.html
Eimear McBride's A Girl Is A Half-formed Thing "is a shockingly honest, devastatingly beautiful debut novel." Self-destruction and loss are two of the novel's main themes, a portrait of a young woman who is a still a child, as the title implies.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/a-girl-is-a-half-formed-thing-is-a-shockingly-honest-devastatingly-beautiful-debut-novel/article20577027/
AWARDS & LISTS
The Giller Prize longlist is out, "along with the unexpected news that its purse has doubled, immediately vaulting the literary award to among the richest in the English language." 2014 Vancouver Writers Fest authors Miriam Toews, Shani Mootoo, Arjun Basu and Heather O'Neill made the cut.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/giller-prize-unveils-long-list/article20614335/
Young Adult literature has come a long way, as proved by the amazing range in this year's National Book Award longlist. "The ten books, written by five men and five women, demonstrate the wide diversity of content and genre contained within teen and middle-grade literature, ranging from contemporary novels to historical fiction to narrative nonfiction to memoir-by-poetry."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2014/sep/15/national-book-award-longlist-young-adult-literature
YOUNG READERS
Two new picture books are reminiscent of out-of-time folk tales, as well as having a sweet, rustic appeal. They're Give and Take by Christ Raschka and Findus Disappears! by Sven Nordqvist.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/10/books/give-and-take-and-findus-disappears.html
NEWS & FEATURES
The European Union Court of Justice has ruled that European libraries can legally scan books without permission, and also make electronic copies available to patrons. Even more interestingly, "it gives libraries legal backing for creating their own electronic editions even when an e-book edition is available."
http://www.mhpbooks.com/german-technical-university-defies-german-textbook-publisher-in-a-case-with-a-surprising-amount-of-drama/
Where's the "magic building" where English majors go to work? In this piece, Cathy Day makes sense of Creative Writing's "job problem".
http://www.themillions.com/2014/09/the-magic-building-where-english-majors-work-making-sense-of-creative-writings-job-problem.html
"When John Ashbery, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, first learned that the digital editions of his poetry looked nothing like the print version, he was stunned. There were no line breaks, and the stanzas had been jammed together into a block of text that looked like prose." Thankfully, new innovations have made e-books more poet-friendly!
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/15/arts/artsspecial/line-by-line-e-books-turn-poet-friendly.html
The Amazon-Hachette struggle continues. This week, Hachette's authors are trying a "new tactic to get their work unshackled." They're targeting the Internet giant's board.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/15/technology/in-latest-volley-against-amazon-hachettes-writers-target-its-board.html
BOOKS & WRITERS
Autumn is almost here, heralding the arrival of colder temperatures and turning leaves. But for eager readers, there's something even more exciting coming: the fall book season! In this preview, authors tell us which books they can't wait to read.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/fall-preview/article20578330/
Roddy Doyle has a new book out. Called Two More Pints, it's a "savagely funny" follow-up to his 2011 novel of a very similar name: Two Pints. They're both dialogue-driven, written like a conversation between two old men in a Dublin pub. "They seem part mouthpiece for Doyle himself, part living social history."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/16/two-more-pints-roddy-doyle-review-novel
Nigerian fiction has been more and more in the news these days, thanks to up-and-coming writers like Teju Cole. But he's just one of many great writers to emerge from the West African nation. Here's a list of the top ten books about Nigeria.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/10/top-10-books-about-nigeria-barnaby-phillips
Speaking of top ten lists, here's another: the top ten fictitious biographies. "From Nabokov to Woolf to Coetzee, novelist Jonathan Gibbs selects the best imaginary lives presented as the real thing."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/aug/27/top-10-fictitious-biographis-jonathan-gibbs-nabokov
Victor Lodato's Jack, July is the featured story in this week's New Yorker. Its protagonist, Jack, is a twenty-two-year-old who's "coming down from a meth high on a hot July 4th in Tucson."
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/09/22/jack-july
Lodato also discusses the story, here:
http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/week-fiction-victor-lodato
COMMUNITY EVENTS
BIRTH OF A RARE BOOK
Christopher Levenson, poet and author, will present with Peter Braun, Master Printer of New Leaf Editions, and Sigrid Albert, graphic artist, a discussion about the genesis of producing a rare book of poetry and etchings. Sunday, September 21 at 3:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
BOOK LAUNCH
Book launch of Vancouver Confidential. Sunday, September 21 at 6:00pm. The Emerald Supper Club, 555 Gore St., Vancouver.
A SILENCE OF ECHOES
Book launch and signing of A Silence of Echoes by Candice James, Poet Laureate, New Westminster. With guest readers Renee Saklikar and Dennis E. Bolen. Wednesday, September 24 at 6:30pm. New Westminster Public Library Auditorium, 716-6th Ave, New Westminster.
VANCOUVER IS ASHES
Vancouver Is Ashes is the first detailed exploration of a landmark, yet seldom revisited event in Vancouver's history. Lisa Anne Smith uses eye-witness accounts to investigate events of that pivotal day. Monday, September 22 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
WORD VANCOUVER
Festival promoting books and authors with free exhibits, performances, and hands-on activities for a wide range of ages and interests. September 24-28, 2014. Complete details at wordvancouver.ca.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Pandora's Collective in conjunction with Word Vancouver features Rita Wong, Jami Macarty, Lilija Valis & Kevin Spenst plus open mic. Thursday, September 25 at 7:00pm. Suggested donation at the door: $5. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at pandorascollective.com.
THANKS A LOT EXPRESS-OH!
North Shore Writers' Association invite community & cultural co-creators: writers, dancers, musicians and artists, to join in this fun activity of giving thanks in this 2-hour workshop to expand upon and play with word prompts. Saturday, September 27 at 10:00am, free. North Vancouver City Library, 120 14th St. W., North Vancouver. More information at culturedays.ca.
BOOK SOME TIME FOR CRIME
an afternoon on the edge of your seat with four local mystery authors, Sam Wiebe, E.R. Brown, Robin Spano and Owen Laukkanen. Listen as they share their latest novels, then book a one-on-one session for answers to any of your burning mystery questions. Saturday, September 27 at 1:00pm, free. West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver. More information at culturedays.ca.
Upcoming
THE TOWN SLUT'S DAUGHTER
Canadian poet Heather Haley launches her debut novel. Thursday, October 2 at 7:30pm. Slickity Jim's, 3469 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at howesoundpublishing@gmail.com.
LAST OF THE INDEPENDENTS
Vancouver writer Sam Wiebe reads from his latest book. Friday, October 10 at 7:00pm. Pulp Fiction Books, Main street.
EMERGE 14
Emerge 14, the annual anthology from The Writer's Studio at Simon Fraser University, thirty-five emerging writers explore love, creation, death, regret, discovery and terror will be launched in a special gala. Thursday, October 16 at 6pm. SFU Downtown Campus, Harbour Centre. More information at cormac_oreilly@hotmail.com.
JANE EATON HAMILTON
Author reads from her new book Love Will Burst Into A Thousand Shapes. Thursday, October 23 at 7:00pm. Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at http://caitlin-press.com/event/vancouver-book-reading-jane-eaton-hamilton-love-will-burst-into-a-thousand-shapes/.
We are pleased to announce the addition of a solo event with Australian author Tim Winton in conversation with VWF Artistic Director Hal Wake at 8 pm on Monday, October 20, http://writersfest.bc.ca/2014/events/87-tim-winton-conversation-hal-wake.
The Vancouver Writers Fest presents 104 international writers in 87 events including Waking from the American Dream (Joshua Ferris, Cristina Enriquez, Matthew Thomas), An Evening with James Ellroy, The Hook (Aislinn Hunter, Eric McCormack, Sarah Waters, Ian Weir), Rooted and Riveting (Rabih Alameddine, Michael Crummey, Heather O’Neill) and Rules of Engagement (Dionne Brand, Thomas King, Lee Maracle, Christos Tsiolkas) and many others. Pick up the Festival program guide at in the Lower Mainland bookstores and libraries, or check the Festival website for full details, http:/www.writersfest.bc.ca.
"David Mitchell is a superb storyteller." The New Yorker
The captivating David Mitchell talks to Hal Wake about his much-lauded new novel, The Bone Clocks, at St. Andrew's-Wesley United at 7:30 pm, Saturday, September 27.
Special event tickets are also on sale for Bruce Cockburn (Nov 10), Alan Doyle (Nov 13) and Conrad Black (Nov 13).
More information at http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events.
Festival Contest
Are you an avid reader who can't wait for the 2014 Vancouver Writers Fest? Show our Festival authors how much you are looking forward to seeing them in Vancouver this fall, show your friends how much you love to read AND be entered to win $50 to Book Warehouse (to buy more books!) with our #Shelfie contest. Click here for details on how to enter, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/prefaces/tavia/shelfie-contest.
Calling 'Gen Y' Readers
The Vancouver Writers Fest is recruiting for focus group participants. We are specifically interested in talking to Generation Y readers (born 1980 to 1995). If you, or someone you know, would consider participating in a focus group discussion in the future, please sign up, and we will be in touch, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/get-involved/focusgroup.
FESTIVAL AUTHORS
The inspiration for Aislinn Hunter's The World Before Us came from "the past, namely a bizarre encounter between two escaped asylum patients and a famous 19th-century poet." Hunter was recently interviewed by Shelagh Rogers. The full interview will air on September 22nd, but you can catch a sneak peak (or "sneak listen") here:
http://www.cbc.ca/thenextchapter/2014/09/15/tnc-sneak-listen-shelaghs-conversation-with-aislinn-hunter/
The fact that Joshua Ferris' To Rise Again at a Decent Hour was shortlisted for the Booker Prize is only one of several things that make it notable. It also "hits a high-water mark in the literature of dentistry, however limited that may be!"
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/16/books/joshua-ferriss-to-rise-again-at-a-decent-hour.html
James Ellroy is a crime writer with a very unique pedigree: his mother was murdered when he was a child, and the case has never been solved. "You could say his writing career has been a protracted grief reaction." Ellroy's new novel is called Perfidia.
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/09/perfidia-james-ellroys-furious-new-novel/379123/
What is the purpose of writing historical fiction? According to Ian Weir, it is "not to make things up, but to believe the world you are creating."
http://www.quillandquire.com/authors/2014/09/11/ian-weir-on-scaling-the-mountain/
Damon Galgut's new novel, Arctic Summer, shares its title with a book E.M. Forster began in 1909 and never finished. In fact, the author is the centerpiece of the novel.
http://arts.nationalpost.com/2014/08/13/the-afterword-reading-society-arctic-summer-by-damon-galgut/
Who's your favourite writer? Which fictional character most resembles you? Esther Freud answers these questions, and more, here:
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/esther-freud-novelist-i-love-tobias-wolff-for-his-elegance-thoughtfulness-and-inventiveness-9726438.html
"Namby-pamby protagonists, step aside!" says Caroline Adderson, author of Ellen in Pieces. Her latest novel marks a departure in format, with a protagonist who is "feisty and earthy and imperfect, and life has dealt her all kinds of blows."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/ellen-in-pieces-namby-pamby-protagonists-step-aside/article20279787/
Angie Abdou's new novel, Between, is her fourth book in eight years. It's also a "conversation starter, especially when it comes to the debate on foreign workers in Canada, as well as women's roles in society and the home."
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Elizabeth+Withey+Angie+Abdou+novel+conversation+starter/10195194/story.html
Eimear McBride's A Girl Is A Half-formed Thing "is a shockingly honest, devastatingly beautiful debut novel." Self-destruction and loss are two of the novel's main themes, a portrait of a young woman who is a still a child, as the title implies.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/a-girl-is-a-half-formed-thing-is-a-shockingly-honest-devastatingly-beautiful-debut-novel/article20577027/
AWARDS & LISTS
The Giller Prize longlist is out, "along with the unexpected news that its purse has doubled, immediately vaulting the literary award to among the richest in the English language." 2014 Vancouver Writers Fest authors Miriam Toews, Shani Mootoo, Arjun Basu and Heather O'Neill made the cut.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/giller-prize-unveils-long-list/article20614335/
Young Adult literature has come a long way, as proved by the amazing range in this year's National Book Award longlist. "The ten books, written by five men and five women, demonstrate the wide diversity of content and genre contained within teen and middle-grade literature, ranging from contemporary novels to historical fiction to narrative nonfiction to memoir-by-poetry."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2014/sep/15/national-book-award-longlist-young-adult-literature
YOUNG READERS
Two new picture books are reminiscent of out-of-time folk tales, as well as having a sweet, rustic appeal. They're Give and Take by Christ Raschka and Findus Disappears! by Sven Nordqvist.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/10/books/give-and-take-and-findus-disappears.html
NEWS & FEATURES
The European Union Court of Justice has ruled that European libraries can legally scan books without permission, and also make electronic copies available to patrons. Even more interestingly, "it gives libraries legal backing for creating their own electronic editions even when an e-book edition is available."
http://www.mhpbooks.com/german-technical-university-defies-german-textbook-publisher-in-a-case-with-a-surprising-amount-of-drama/
Where's the "magic building" where English majors go to work? In this piece, Cathy Day makes sense of Creative Writing's "job problem".
http://www.themillions.com/2014/09/the-magic-building-where-english-majors-work-making-sense-of-creative-writings-job-problem.html
"When John Ashbery, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, first learned that the digital editions of his poetry looked nothing like the print version, he was stunned. There were no line breaks, and the stanzas had been jammed together into a block of text that looked like prose." Thankfully, new innovations have made e-books more poet-friendly!
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/15/arts/artsspecial/line-by-line-e-books-turn-poet-friendly.html
The Amazon-Hachette struggle continues. This week, Hachette's authors are trying a "new tactic to get their work unshackled." They're targeting the Internet giant's board.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/15/technology/in-latest-volley-against-amazon-hachettes-writers-target-its-board.html
BOOKS & WRITERS
Autumn is almost here, heralding the arrival of colder temperatures and turning leaves. But for eager readers, there's something even more exciting coming: the fall book season! In this preview, authors tell us which books they can't wait to read.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/fall-preview/article20578330/
Roddy Doyle has a new book out. Called Two More Pints, it's a "savagely funny" follow-up to his 2011 novel of a very similar name: Two Pints. They're both dialogue-driven, written like a conversation between two old men in a Dublin pub. "They seem part mouthpiece for Doyle himself, part living social history."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/16/two-more-pints-roddy-doyle-review-novel
Nigerian fiction has been more and more in the news these days, thanks to up-and-coming writers like Teju Cole. But he's just one of many great writers to emerge from the West African nation. Here's a list of the top ten books about Nigeria.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/10/top-10-books-about-nigeria-barnaby-phillips
Speaking of top ten lists, here's another: the top ten fictitious biographies. "From Nabokov to Woolf to Coetzee, novelist Jonathan Gibbs selects the best imaginary lives presented as the real thing."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/aug/27/top-10-fictitious-biographis-jonathan-gibbs-nabokov
Victor Lodato's Jack, July is the featured story in this week's New Yorker. Its protagonist, Jack, is a twenty-two-year-old who's "coming down from a meth high on a hot July 4th in Tucson."
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/09/22/jack-july
Lodato also discusses the story, here:
http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/week-fiction-victor-lodato
COMMUNITY EVENTS
BIRTH OF A RARE BOOK
Christopher Levenson, poet and author, will present with Peter Braun, Master Printer of New Leaf Editions, and Sigrid Albert, graphic artist, a discussion about the genesis of producing a rare book of poetry and etchings. Sunday, September 21 at 3:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
BOOK LAUNCH
Book launch of Vancouver Confidential. Sunday, September 21 at 6:00pm. The Emerald Supper Club, 555 Gore St., Vancouver.
A SILENCE OF ECHOES
Book launch and signing of A Silence of Echoes by Candice James, Poet Laureate, New Westminster. With guest readers Renee Saklikar and Dennis E. Bolen. Wednesday, September 24 at 6:30pm. New Westminster Public Library Auditorium, 716-6th Ave, New Westminster.
VANCOUVER IS ASHES
Vancouver Is Ashes is the first detailed exploration of a landmark, yet seldom revisited event in Vancouver's history. Lisa Anne Smith uses eye-witness accounts to investigate events of that pivotal day. Monday, September 22 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
WORD VANCOUVER
Festival promoting books and authors with free exhibits, performances, and hands-on activities for a wide range of ages and interests. September 24-28, 2014. Complete details at wordvancouver.ca.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Pandora's Collective in conjunction with Word Vancouver features Rita Wong, Jami Macarty, Lilija Valis & Kevin Spenst plus open mic. Thursday, September 25 at 7:00pm. Suggested donation at the door: $5. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at pandorascollective.com.
THANKS A LOT EXPRESS-OH!
North Shore Writers' Association invite community & cultural co-creators: writers, dancers, musicians and artists, to join in this fun activity of giving thanks in this 2-hour workshop to expand upon and play with word prompts. Saturday, September 27 at 10:00am, free. North Vancouver City Library, 120 14th St. W., North Vancouver. More information at culturedays.ca.
BOOK SOME TIME FOR CRIME
an afternoon on the edge of your seat with four local mystery authors, Sam Wiebe, E.R. Brown, Robin Spano and Owen Laukkanen. Listen as they share their latest novels, then book a one-on-one session for answers to any of your burning mystery questions. Saturday, September 27 at 1:00pm, free. West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver. More information at culturedays.ca.
Upcoming
THE TOWN SLUT'S DAUGHTER
Canadian poet Heather Haley launches her debut novel. Thursday, October 2 at 7:30pm. Slickity Jim's, 3469 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at howesoundpublishing@gmail.com.
LAST OF THE INDEPENDENTS
Vancouver writer Sam Wiebe reads from his latest book. Friday, October 10 at 7:00pm. Pulp Fiction Books, Main street.
EMERGE 14
Emerge 14, the annual anthology from The Writer's Studio at Simon Fraser University, thirty-five emerging writers explore love, creation, death, regret, discovery and terror will be launched in a special gala. Thursday, October 16 at 6pm. SFU Downtown Campus, Harbour Centre. More information at cormac_oreilly@hotmail.com.
JANE EATON HAMILTON
Author reads from her new book Love Will Burst Into A Thousand Shapes. Thursday, October 23 at 7:00pm. Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at http://caitlin-press.com/event/vancouver-book-reading-jane-eaton-hamilton-love-will-burst-into-a-thousand-shapes/.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Book News Vol. 9 No. 28
BOOK NEWS
Vancouver Writers Fest Tickets on sale
Tickets for the 2014 Vancouver Writers Fest are selling briskly and several events are already sold out. There are still tickets available for many more events with remarkable writers from around the globe including L.A. Confidential author James Elroy, Norwegian literary sensation Karl Ove Knausgaard, 2014 Man Booker Prize shortlisted author Joshua Ferris, Scottish crime fiction The Slap author Christos Tsiolkas, Legend fantasy trilogy
author Marie Lu, Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction winner Eimear McBride, technogeek Cory Doctorow and many more. Pick up the Festival program guide at in the Lower Mainland bookstores and libraries, or check the Festival website for full details, http:/www.writersfest.bc.ca.
Special event tickets are also on sale for David Mitchell (Sept 27), Bruce Cockburn (Nov 10), Alan Doyle (Nov 13) and Conrad Black (Nov 13). More information at http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events.
Calling 'Gen Y' Readers
The Vancouver Writers Fest is recruiting for focus group participants. We are specifically interested in talking to Generation Y readers (born 1980 to 1995). If you, or someone you know, would consider participating in a focus group discussion in the future, please sign up, and we will be in touch, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/get-involved/focusgroup.
Volunteers
September 14 is the deadline for NEW volunteers to register for 2014. Prospective volunteers who have lots of availability and flexibility about what they will do have the greatest chance of being scheduled. We especially need people with daytime availability during the work week, volunteers fluent in French as well as comfort with cash handling and able to lift, carry and patient enough to 'hurry up and wait'. For more info and on-line registration, click here, http://writersfest.bc.ca/get-involved/volunteer.
FESTIVAL AUTHORS
Martha Baillie's new novel, The Search for Heinrich Schlögel, is filled with wonderful "bits of ephemera—there are letters, journal entries, a map, a newspaper clipping." Her narrator's life is pieced together by all these things. He's European, but also "primitive,' a potential object of scrutiny, someone considered out of sync with the flow of time." Baillie discusses her inspiration, here:
https://www.tinhouse.com/blog/36231/an-interview-with-martha-baillie-author-of-the-search-for-heinrich-schlogel.html
Michael Cho's Shoplifter is a graphic novel with a setting reminiscent of Toronto. In it, the city "becomes something of a character, lonely but also full of possibility. This, along with his at times sparing use of language, gives the graphic novel an air of quiet desperation, of a decision about to be made."
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-michael-cho-graphic-novel-shoplifter-20140902-story.html
Cities are important for crime writer James Ellroy too, whose Los Angeles is both corrupt and complicated. His new novel, Perfidia, marks the beginning of a new literary quartet set in the City of Angels (he's already written one!), which takes place during the Second World War.
http://www.avclub.com/review/james-ellroy-begins-his-second-l-quartet-perfidia-208662
Sarah Waters' new novel is also set in the early 20th century, albeit a few years before Ellroy's The Paying Guests is an inter-war story of love between two women, who battle not only the prejudices of sexuality, but also gender and class.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/sarah-waters-interview-i-pay-attention-to-womens-secret-history-and-lives-9715463.html
Kathleen Winter's new book also features a strong female lead...herself! A work of narrative non-fiction, Boundless is the story of a year though the Northwest Passage. "Boundless not only chronicles that outward journey, but the inward journey which resulted for Winter, blending travel account with memoir, history with nature writing, a strong narrative with a keen meditative sense."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/in-traversing-the-northwest-passage-kathleen-winter-finds-a-route-into-herself/article20369423/
"There are few writers who embrace Faulkner's credo that 'the past is never dead. It isn't even past' quite so wholeheartedly, and skillfully, as Michael Crummey." His new novel, Sweetland, "is a thing of beauty, one of the finest novels we are likely to encounter this year."
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Michael+Crummey+Love+song+life+elegy+ending/10178759/story.html#ixzz3CjxjogLc
Sometimes abandoning one novel can lead to another, or at least so it was for Esther Freud. Her new book, Mr Mac and Me, is a fictional account of the artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh, who was accidentally taken for a spy during the first World War.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/aug/31/esther-freud-author-interview-mr-mac-and-me
Some writers abandon their work, others take detours. For Carrie Snyder, it was more a case of "almost-was." Last year, she almost gave up her career as a writer in order to become a midwife. Then, her new novel, Girl Runner, was accepted for publication.
http://arts.nationalpost.com/2014/09/03/carrie-snyder-going-the-distance/
Matthew Thomas is another writer with a second job: teacher. He has been dubbed the "new Jonathan Franzen," and is interviewed by The Guardian about his debut novel, We Are Not Ourselves, here:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/aug/17/matthew-thomas-we-are-not-ourselves-interview
Aislinn Hunter's second novel "is a richly layered narrative harmonizing the past and present, dissolving the boundaries of time frames and showing the possible connections between people and places and objects." The World Before Us is a book is about the connection between two missing people.
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Aislinn+Hunter+Delving+into+mysteries+time/10178745/story.html#ixzz3CkAE6KSA
Thomas King has written his first literary novel in 15 years, called The Back of The Turtle. In this interview with the CBC, he discusses how he tackles historic injustice with humour, aboriginal reconciliation, and the fraught relationship between humanity and nature.
http://www.cbc.ca/q/blog/2014/09/03/thomas-king-the-back-of-the-turtle/
When Alison Pick was a teenager, she made a shocking discovery: her father, who claimed to be a Christian, was actually Jewish, from a family of Czech Holocaust refugees. Pick's new memoir, Between Gods, is an account of her conversion to Judaism. She recently did an audio interview with the CBC, and you can listen to the recording, here:
http://www.cbc.ca/books/2014/09/between-gods-a-memoir.html
The CBC also recently interviewed British author Tom Rachman, author of The Rise and Fall of Great Powers. The novel begins in the most literary of places–an old, dusty bookshop.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19104786-the-rise-fall-of-great-powers
Wallflowers might be Eliza Robertson's debut short fiction collection, but she's already an accomplished journeyman of the craft, with prizes galore under her belt. In this interview with the Globe and Mail, she discusses her book, the best advice she's ever received, and more.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/eliza-robertson-on-her-new-book-the-best-advice-shes-received-and-more/article20364839/
The National Post asks its readers to respond to a new novel each Tuesday. Last week it was Kim Thúy's Mãn. Read their questions and her answers, here:
http://arts.nationalpost.com/2014/09/03/the-afterword-reading-society-man-by-kim-thuy/
AWARDS & LISTS
The Man Booker shortlist is out, and it includes two American authors for the very first time. It's looking to be a mostly transatlantic battle (with a quick diversion across the Pacific) as Joshua Ferris and Karen Joy Fowler square off against three Britons and one Australian.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/09/man-booker-prize-2014-shortlist
The shortlist for the International Dylan Thomas prize has also been unveiled. Two authors who will be appearing at the 2014 Vancouver Writers Fest, Eimear McBride and Joshua Ferris, made the cut. The award goes to the "best literary work in the English language, written by an author aged 39 or under."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/05/international-dylan-thomas-prize-shortlist
Louise Erdrich has won the 2014 PEN/Saul Bellow Award for Achievement in American Fiction. The $25,000 award is presented every other year to a living American author whose "scale of achievement in fiction, over a sustained career, places him or her in the highest rank of American literature."
http://www.pen.org/blog/louise-erdrich-wins-pensaul-bellow-award
Science fiction-fantasy legend Ursula K. Le Guin will be awarded the National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-ursula-k-le-guin-will-receive-national-book-foundation-award-20140910-story.html
YOUNG READERS
Here are three new pictures books worth a read. The first is a translation from French, featuring a "superhero bunny with a style fixation." The second is metafiction, and the third is "more a meditation than a narrative," a day in the life of a whale.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/three-new-picture-books-worth-a-read/article20365332/
NEWS & FEATURES
Are you a fan of footnotes, or do you consider them "like as gratuitous dressing—the literary equivalent of purple kale leaves at the edges of the crudités platter?" The New Yorker makes an argument for the footnote, here:
http://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/save-footnotes
How about metaphors, then? Neuroscientists have tested the theory that your body shapes your ideas. Here's "your brain on metaphors!"
http://chronicle.com/article/Your-Brain-on-Metaphors/148495/
Here's one way of arguing for the necessity of print: "Rather than stand on a street corner yelling, 'Literature is not commodity!' I decided to inflict a series of physical experiments on my published work."
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/interviews/article/63611-the-novel-as-core-sample-installation-art-and-the-novel-martha-baillie.html
Can a book change a reader's life for the worse? That's the question being asked in this week's New York Times' 'Bookends' section. Leslie Jamison and Francine Prose discuss.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/14/books/review/can-a-book-ever-change-a-readers-life-for-the-worse.html
BOOKS & WRITERS
Margaret Atwood has a new short story collection out called Stone Mattress. In this interview, she discusses her nine new tales, guilty (or not-so-guilty) pleasures, and writing bestsellers "not on purpose."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/qa-margaret-atwood-on-her-new-collection-stone-mattress-maddaddam-and-how-to-kill-a-man-in-the-arctic/article20375640/
Journalist Mireille Silcoff has also released a nine story collection, her debut. She began writing Chez l'arabe during the several years when "she was left 'deeply bedridden' and immobile with an alarming neurological condition...Silcoff unleashed the world that had evolved in her head (her condition meant that her brain was often unsuspended) through daily, 15-minute writing sessions."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/chez-larabe-brilliantly-depicts-a-world-of-largely-cloistered-lives/article20367687/
Have you ever wanted to explore the Bodleian Library? A new book, called Marks of Genius: Masterpieces from the Collection of the Bodleian Libraries, offers a chance to catch a glimpse of some of its great treasures, including a bivalve locket containing locks of hair from Mary and Percy Bysshe Shelley, and fragments of Sappho poems.
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-literary-treasures-from-oxford-bodleian-libraries-20140829-story.html
COMMUNITY EVENTS
DEAD POETS READING SERIES
Five poets/readers/poetry-lovers/writers with extensive public reading experience read poems from one of their favourite dead poet's work. Sunday, September 14 at 3:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
SPOKEN INK READING SERIES
Diane Tucker reads from her new poetry collection, Bonsai Love. Tuesday, September 16 at 7:30pm, free. la Fontana Caffe, 101-3701 East Hastings Street, Burnaby. More information at burnabywritersnews.blogspot.ca.
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Colin Browne and Catherine Owen are the featured poets. Wednesday, September 17 at 12:00 noon, free. SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery, 515 W Hastings St. For more information visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.
ALICIA PRIEST
Local Victoria-based author launches her new book A Rock Fell on the Moon, Dad and the Great Yukon Silver Ore Heist. Wednesday, September 17 at 7:30pm. Bard & Banker Pub, 1022 Government Street, Victoria. More information by calling Munro's Books, 250-382-2464.
BIRTH OF A RARE BOOK
Christopher Levenson, poet and author, will present with Peter Braun, Master Printer of New Leaf Editions, and Sigrid Albert, graphic artist, a discussion about the genesis of producing a rare book of poetry and etchings. Sunday, September 21 at 3:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
BOOK LAUNCH
Book launch of Vancouver Confidential. Sunday, September 21 at 6:00pm. The Emerald Supper Club, 555 Gore St., Vancouver.
A SILENCE OF ECHOES
Book launch and signing of A Silence of Echoes by Candice James, Poet Laureate, New Westminster. With guest readers Renee Saklikar and Dennis E. Bolen. Wednesday, September 24 at 6:30pm. New Westminster Public Library Auditorium, 716-6th Ave, New Westminster.
VANCOUVER IS ASHES
Vancouver Is Ashes is the first detailed exploration of a landmark, yet seldom revisited event in Vancouver's history. Lisa Anne Smith uses eye-witness accounts to investigate events of that pivotal day. Monday, September 22 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
Upcoming
WORD VANCOUVER
Festival promoting books and authors with free exhibits, performances, and hands-on activities for a wide range of ages and interests. September 24-28, 2014. Complete details at wordvancouver.ca.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Pandora's Collective in conjunction with Word Vancouver features Rita Wong, Jami Macarty, Lilija Valis & Kevin Spenst plus open mic. Thursday, September 25 at 7:00pm. Suggested donation at the door: $5. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at pandorascollective.com.
THANKS A LOT EXPRESS-OH!
North Shore Writers' Association invite community & cultural co-creators: writers, dancers, musicians and artists, to join in this fun activity of giving thanks in this 2-hour workshop to expand upon and play with word prompts. Saturday, September 27 at 10:00am, free. North Vancouver City Library, 120 14th St. W., North Vancouver. More information at culturedays.ca.
BOOK SOME TIME FOR CRIME
an afternoon on the edge of your seat with four local mystery authors, Sam Wiebe, E.R. Brown, Robin Spano and Owen Laukkanen. Listen as they share their latest novels, then book a one-on-one session for answers to any of your burning mystery questions. Saturday, September 27 at 1:00pm, free. West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver. More information at culturedays.ca.
THE TOWN SLUT'S DAUGHTER
Canadian poet Heather Haley launches her debut novel. Thursday, October 2 at 7:30pm. Slickity Jim's, 3469 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at howesoundpublishing@gmail.com.
EMERGE 14
Emerge 14, the annual anthology from The Writer's Studio at Simon Fraser University, thirty-five emerging writers explore love, creation, death, regret, discovery and terror will be launched in a special gala. Thursday, October 16 at 6pm. SFU Downtown Campus, Harbour Centre. More information at cormac_oreilly@hotmail.com.
Vancouver Writers Fest Tickets on sale
Tickets for the 2014 Vancouver Writers Fest are selling briskly and several events are already sold out. There are still tickets available for many more events with remarkable writers from around the globe including L.A. Confidential author James Elroy, Norwegian literary sensation Karl Ove Knausgaard, 2014 Man Booker Prize shortlisted author Joshua Ferris, Scottish crime fiction The Slap author Christos Tsiolkas, Legend fantasy trilogy
author Marie Lu, Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction winner Eimear McBride, technogeek Cory Doctorow and many more. Pick up the Festival program guide at in the Lower Mainland bookstores and libraries, or check the Festival website for full details, http:/www.writersfest.bc.ca.
Special event tickets are also on sale for David Mitchell (Sept 27), Bruce Cockburn (Nov 10), Alan Doyle (Nov 13) and Conrad Black (Nov 13). More information at http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events.
Calling 'Gen Y' Readers
The Vancouver Writers Fest is recruiting for focus group participants. We are specifically interested in talking to Generation Y readers (born 1980 to 1995). If you, or someone you know, would consider participating in a focus group discussion in the future, please sign up, and we will be in touch, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/get-involved/focusgroup.
Volunteers
September 14 is the deadline for NEW volunteers to register for 2014. Prospective volunteers who have lots of availability and flexibility about what they will do have the greatest chance of being scheduled. We especially need people with daytime availability during the work week, volunteers fluent in French as well as comfort with cash handling and able to lift, carry and patient enough to 'hurry up and wait'. For more info and on-line registration, click here, http://writersfest.bc.ca/get-involved/volunteer.
FESTIVAL AUTHORS
Martha Baillie's new novel, The Search for Heinrich Schlögel, is filled with wonderful "bits of ephemera—there are letters, journal entries, a map, a newspaper clipping." Her narrator's life is pieced together by all these things. He's European, but also "primitive,' a potential object of scrutiny, someone considered out of sync with the flow of time." Baillie discusses her inspiration, here:
https://www.tinhouse.com/blog/36231/an-interview-with-martha-baillie-author-of-the-search-for-heinrich-schlogel.html
Michael Cho's Shoplifter is a graphic novel with a setting reminiscent of Toronto. In it, the city "becomes something of a character, lonely but also full of possibility. This, along with his at times sparing use of language, gives the graphic novel an air of quiet desperation, of a decision about to be made."
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-michael-cho-graphic-novel-shoplifter-20140902-story.html
Cities are important for crime writer James Ellroy too, whose Los Angeles is both corrupt and complicated. His new novel, Perfidia, marks the beginning of a new literary quartet set in the City of Angels (he's already written one!), which takes place during the Second World War.
http://www.avclub.com/review/james-ellroy-begins-his-second-l-quartet-perfidia-208662
Sarah Waters' new novel is also set in the early 20th century, albeit a few years before Ellroy's The Paying Guests is an inter-war story of love between two women, who battle not only the prejudices of sexuality, but also gender and class.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/sarah-waters-interview-i-pay-attention-to-womens-secret-history-and-lives-9715463.html
Kathleen Winter's new book also features a strong female lead...herself! A work of narrative non-fiction, Boundless is the story of a year though the Northwest Passage. "Boundless not only chronicles that outward journey, but the inward journey which resulted for Winter, blending travel account with memoir, history with nature writing, a strong narrative with a keen meditative sense."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/in-traversing-the-northwest-passage-kathleen-winter-finds-a-route-into-herself/article20369423/
"There are few writers who embrace Faulkner's credo that 'the past is never dead. It isn't even past' quite so wholeheartedly, and skillfully, as Michael Crummey." His new novel, Sweetland, "is a thing of beauty, one of the finest novels we are likely to encounter this year."
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Michael+Crummey+Love+song+life+elegy+ending/10178759/story.html#ixzz3CjxjogLc
Sometimes abandoning one novel can lead to another, or at least so it was for Esther Freud. Her new book, Mr Mac and Me, is a fictional account of the artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh, who was accidentally taken for a spy during the first World War.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/aug/31/esther-freud-author-interview-mr-mac-and-me
Some writers abandon their work, others take detours. For Carrie Snyder, it was more a case of "almost-was." Last year, she almost gave up her career as a writer in order to become a midwife. Then, her new novel, Girl Runner, was accepted for publication.
http://arts.nationalpost.com/2014/09/03/carrie-snyder-going-the-distance/
Matthew Thomas is another writer with a second job: teacher. He has been dubbed the "new Jonathan Franzen," and is interviewed by The Guardian about his debut novel, We Are Not Ourselves, here:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/aug/17/matthew-thomas-we-are-not-ourselves-interview
Aislinn Hunter's second novel "is a richly layered narrative harmonizing the past and present, dissolving the boundaries of time frames and showing the possible connections between people and places and objects." The World Before Us is a book is about the connection between two missing people.
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Aislinn+Hunter+Delving+into+mysteries+time/10178745/story.html#ixzz3CkAE6KSA
Thomas King has written his first literary novel in 15 years, called The Back of The Turtle. In this interview with the CBC, he discusses how he tackles historic injustice with humour, aboriginal reconciliation, and the fraught relationship between humanity and nature.
http://www.cbc.ca/q/blog/2014/09/03/thomas-king-the-back-of-the-turtle/
When Alison Pick was a teenager, she made a shocking discovery: her father, who claimed to be a Christian, was actually Jewish, from a family of Czech Holocaust refugees. Pick's new memoir, Between Gods, is an account of her conversion to Judaism. She recently did an audio interview with the CBC, and you can listen to the recording, here:
http://www.cbc.ca/books/2014/09/between-gods-a-memoir.html
The CBC also recently interviewed British author Tom Rachman, author of The Rise and Fall of Great Powers. The novel begins in the most literary of places–an old, dusty bookshop.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19104786-the-rise-fall-of-great-powers
Wallflowers might be Eliza Robertson's debut short fiction collection, but she's already an accomplished journeyman of the craft, with prizes galore under her belt. In this interview with the Globe and Mail, she discusses her book, the best advice she's ever received, and more.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/eliza-robertson-on-her-new-book-the-best-advice-shes-received-and-more/article20364839/
The National Post asks its readers to respond to a new novel each Tuesday. Last week it was Kim Thúy's Mãn. Read their questions and her answers, here:
http://arts.nationalpost.com/2014/09/03/the-afterword-reading-society-man-by-kim-thuy/
AWARDS & LISTS
The Man Booker shortlist is out, and it includes two American authors for the very first time. It's looking to be a mostly transatlantic battle (with a quick diversion across the Pacific) as Joshua Ferris and Karen Joy Fowler square off against three Britons and one Australian.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/09/man-booker-prize-2014-shortlist
The shortlist for the International Dylan Thomas prize has also been unveiled. Two authors who will be appearing at the 2014 Vancouver Writers Fest, Eimear McBride and Joshua Ferris, made the cut. The award goes to the "best literary work in the English language, written by an author aged 39 or under."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/05/international-dylan-thomas-prize-shortlist
Louise Erdrich has won the 2014 PEN/Saul Bellow Award for Achievement in American Fiction. The $25,000 award is presented every other year to a living American author whose "scale of achievement in fiction, over a sustained career, places him or her in the highest rank of American literature."
http://www.pen.org/blog/louise-erdrich-wins-pensaul-bellow-award
Science fiction-fantasy legend Ursula K. Le Guin will be awarded the National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-ursula-k-le-guin-will-receive-national-book-foundation-award-20140910-story.html
YOUNG READERS
Here are three new pictures books worth a read. The first is a translation from French, featuring a "superhero bunny with a style fixation." The second is metafiction, and the third is "more a meditation than a narrative," a day in the life of a whale.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/three-new-picture-books-worth-a-read/article20365332/
NEWS & FEATURES
Are you a fan of footnotes, or do you consider them "like as gratuitous dressing—the literary equivalent of purple kale leaves at the edges of the crudités platter?" The New Yorker makes an argument for the footnote, here:
http://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/save-footnotes
How about metaphors, then? Neuroscientists have tested the theory that your body shapes your ideas. Here's "your brain on metaphors!"
http://chronicle.com/article/Your-Brain-on-Metaphors/148495/
Here's one way of arguing for the necessity of print: "Rather than stand on a street corner yelling, 'Literature is not commodity!' I decided to inflict a series of physical experiments on my published work."
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/interviews/article/63611-the-novel-as-core-sample-installation-art-and-the-novel-martha-baillie.html
Can a book change a reader's life for the worse? That's the question being asked in this week's New York Times' 'Bookends' section. Leslie Jamison and Francine Prose discuss.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/14/books/review/can-a-book-ever-change-a-readers-life-for-the-worse.html
BOOKS & WRITERS
Margaret Atwood has a new short story collection out called Stone Mattress. In this interview, she discusses her nine new tales, guilty (or not-so-guilty) pleasures, and writing bestsellers "not on purpose."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/qa-margaret-atwood-on-her-new-collection-stone-mattress-maddaddam-and-how-to-kill-a-man-in-the-arctic/article20375640/
Journalist Mireille Silcoff has also released a nine story collection, her debut. She began writing Chez l'arabe during the several years when "she was left 'deeply bedridden' and immobile with an alarming neurological condition...Silcoff unleashed the world that had evolved in her head (her condition meant that her brain was often unsuspended) through daily, 15-minute writing sessions."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/chez-larabe-brilliantly-depicts-a-world-of-largely-cloistered-lives/article20367687/
Have you ever wanted to explore the Bodleian Library? A new book, called Marks of Genius: Masterpieces from the Collection of the Bodleian Libraries, offers a chance to catch a glimpse of some of its great treasures, including a bivalve locket containing locks of hair from Mary and Percy Bysshe Shelley, and fragments of Sappho poems.
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-literary-treasures-from-oxford-bodleian-libraries-20140829-story.html
COMMUNITY EVENTS
DEAD POETS READING SERIES
Five poets/readers/poetry-lovers/writers with extensive public reading experience read poems from one of their favourite dead poet's work. Sunday, September 14 at 3:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
SPOKEN INK READING SERIES
Diane Tucker reads from her new poetry collection, Bonsai Love. Tuesday, September 16 at 7:30pm, free. la Fontana Caffe, 101-3701 East Hastings Street, Burnaby. More information at burnabywritersnews.blogspot.ca.
LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Colin Browne and Catherine Owen are the featured poets. Wednesday, September 17 at 12:00 noon, free. SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery, 515 W Hastings St. For more information visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.
ALICIA PRIEST
Local Victoria-based author launches her new book A Rock Fell on the Moon, Dad and the Great Yukon Silver Ore Heist. Wednesday, September 17 at 7:30pm. Bard & Banker Pub, 1022 Government Street, Victoria. More information by calling Munro's Books, 250-382-2464.
BIRTH OF A RARE BOOK
Christopher Levenson, poet and author, will present with Peter Braun, Master Printer of New Leaf Editions, and Sigrid Albert, graphic artist, a discussion about the genesis of producing a rare book of poetry and etchings. Sunday, September 21 at 3:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
BOOK LAUNCH
Book launch of Vancouver Confidential. Sunday, September 21 at 6:00pm. The Emerald Supper Club, 555 Gore St., Vancouver.
A SILENCE OF ECHOES
Book launch and signing of A Silence of Echoes by Candice James, Poet Laureate, New Westminster. With guest readers Renee Saklikar and Dennis E. Bolen. Wednesday, September 24 at 6:30pm. New Westminster Public Library Auditorium, 716-6th Ave, New Westminster.
VANCOUVER IS ASHES
Vancouver Is Ashes is the first detailed exploration of a landmark, yet seldom revisited event in Vancouver's history. Lisa Anne Smith uses eye-witness accounts to investigate events of that pivotal day. Monday, September 22 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
Upcoming
WORD VANCOUVER
Festival promoting books and authors with free exhibits, performances, and hands-on activities for a wide range of ages and interests. September 24-28, 2014. Complete details at wordvancouver.ca.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Pandora's Collective in conjunction with Word Vancouver features Rita Wong, Jami Macarty, Lilija Valis & Kevin Spenst plus open mic. Thursday, September 25 at 7:00pm. Suggested donation at the door: $5. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at pandorascollective.com.
THANKS A LOT EXPRESS-OH!
North Shore Writers' Association invite community & cultural co-creators: writers, dancers, musicians and artists, to join in this fun activity of giving thanks in this 2-hour workshop to expand upon and play with word prompts. Saturday, September 27 at 10:00am, free. North Vancouver City Library, 120 14th St. W., North Vancouver. More information at culturedays.ca.
BOOK SOME TIME FOR CRIME
an afternoon on the edge of your seat with four local mystery authors, Sam Wiebe, E.R. Brown, Robin Spano and Owen Laukkanen. Listen as they share their latest novels, then book a one-on-one session for answers to any of your burning mystery questions. Saturday, September 27 at 1:00pm, free. West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver. More information at culturedays.ca.
THE TOWN SLUT'S DAUGHTER
Canadian poet Heather Haley launches her debut novel. Thursday, October 2 at 7:30pm. Slickity Jim's, 3469 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at howesoundpublishing@gmail.com.
EMERGE 14
Emerge 14, the annual anthology from The Writer's Studio at Simon Fraser University, thirty-five emerging writers explore love, creation, death, regret, discovery and terror will be launched in a special gala. Thursday, October 16 at 6pm. SFU Downtown Campus, Harbour Centre. More information at cormac_oreilly@hotmail.com.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Book News Vol. 9 No. 27
BOOK NEWS
Vancouver Writers Fest Tickets on sale September 8
The buzz is mounting-tickets go on sale soon for the 2014 Vancouver Writers Fest. Get your tickets for events with acclaimed writers from Canada and around the world including Norwegian literary sensation Karl Ove Knausgaard, Icelandic novelist and Bjork collaborator Sjon, antipodeans Tim Winton, Anne Kennedy and Christos Tsiolkas, UK authors Kate Pullinger, Tom Rachman, Sarah Waters, Louise Welsh, Esther Freud and Eimear
McBride, Canadians Michael Cummey, Cory Doctorow, Miriam Toews, Ann-Marie MacDonald, Justin Trudeau, Steven Galloway, Ian Weir, Aislinn Hunter and Richard Wagamese and many more. Pick up the Festival program guide at
bookstores in the Lower Mainland, or check the Festival website for full details, http:/www.writersfest.bc.ca.
Special event tickets are on sale now, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events.
Volunteer
Volunteer registration is now open for our 2014 festival, a full six days of 86 amazing events running 21-26 October! Up to 350 volunteers will be needed...the greater your availability-and the greater your flexibility about what you will do as a volunteer-the greater the likelihood we can fit you in! For more info, visit the volunteer pages of our website, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/get-involved/volunteer.
Calling 'Gen Y' Readers
The Vancouver Writers Fest is recruiting for focus group participants. We are specifically interested in talking to Generation Y readers (born 1980 to 1995). If you, or someone you know, would consider participating in a focus group discussion in the future, please sign up, and we will be in touch, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/get-involved/focusgroup.
AWARDS & LISTS
The winner of the inaugural Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Student Nonfiction Writing Contest has been chosen. Toronto student Ashley Ash was selected for her essay No One's Girl, about being a foster child.
http://www.cbc.ca/asithappens/features/2014/09/01/reading-ashley-ash-winner-of-inaugural-writers-trust-student-nonfiction-writing-contest/
Here is the 2014 Samuel Johnson prize longlist...in pictures! "Two surgeons, an 'accidental professor' and a songwriter are among the contenders for the UK's most prestigious award for nonfiction."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/gallery/2014/sep/02/2014-samuel-johnson-prize-longlist-in-pictures
YOUNG READERS
Fans of Reading Rainbow will be excited to hear this bit of news: LeVar Burton's first children's book will be coming out this fall. The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm combines prose and rhyme to create "a story designed for parents and kids to read together when facing stressful or difficult situations."
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-levar-burton-first-childrens-book-coming-this-fall-20140902-story.html
NEWS & FEATURES
With Labour Day celebrations this past weekend, the question begs to be asked: what kind of worker is a writer? In this piece, The New Yorker reflects on Tillie Olsen, a writer whose work lent a heartfelt voice to the struggles of working-class people.
http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/kind-worker-writer
On the other hand, much of the work in the book world is not done by writers, but rather by those who are "mostly invisible" to people outside their industries. Happy Labour Day to the editors, proofreaders, book designers, press operators and distributors, without whom many a writer would be lost!
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-for-labor-day-an-appreciation-of-unheralded-literary-labor-20140829-story.html
On a final Labour Day-related note, here's chance to learn about the bizarre day jobs of 20 famous authors! From an exterminator to an apothecaries' assistant, this certainly was an eclectic bunch!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-anthony-jones/famous-author-day-jobs_b_5724482.html
If Shakespeare wrote Pop songs, what would they sound like? "As the debate wages on about the Bard's relatability—and whether or not relatability matters to begin with—a hilarious Tumblr has surfaced that translates modern-day pop songs into Shakespearean sonnets."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/27/pop-sonnets-shakespeare_n_5718453.html
Don't judge a (classic) book by its cover! As the new school year begins, a mother (and writer) reflects on "approaching the classics with dread, fearing irrelevant, dull stories written in archaic styles," and overcoming that fear to find the gold within.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-fuller/classic-book-stereotypes_b_5698261.html
Speaking of classics, a previously unpublished chapter of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has emerged. Called Fudge Mountain, you can read it here, along with a new illustration by Quentin Blake.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/aug/30/roald-dahl-extract-unpublished-chapter-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory
Would you buy a waterproof eReader? It seems like a logical consideration for us Vancouverites, whether reading in the winter rain, in the bath, or by the beach in summer.
http://www.cbc.ca/books/2014/08/kobo-reveals-new-waterproof-ereader.html
Grades aren't everything! Award-winning writer Kim Thúy once got two zeros at mid-term in a university creative writing class. She discusses her academic career, sex, and the afterlife, here:
http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadawrites/2014/09/gg-winner-kim-thuy-on-the-zeros-she-got-in-creative-writing-class.html
A teacher in Maryland was recently placed on administrative leave after it was discovered that he had published two novels, one of which featured school shootings in a futurist setting. A University of California professor comes to his defence, here:
http://blog.lareviewofbooks.org/essays/letter-dorchester-county-board-education-regarding-patrick-mclaw/
Eleanor Catton is using her recent award money (for The Luminaries) in an innovative way. She has decided to set up a grant that will give writers "time to read", "the first step" to good writing.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/02/eleanor-catton-grant-time-to-read-the-luminaries
BOOKS & WRITERS
No Man's Land: Fiction From a World at War 1914-1918 is a new anthology that sets out to fill the gaps in our knowledge of the First World War. "Mr. Ayrton has captured the global sweep of the conflict by not awarding undue emphasis to the Western Front already so familiar to us from films and books."
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/01/books/no-mans-land-unfamiliar-writing-about-world-war-i.html
"There is a certain kind of bad writing that occurs when you are between the ages of 16 and 24 and have an audience of one." Drivel: Deliciously Bad Writing by Your Favorite Authors is a new humor collection that "conveys the real meaning of a work-in-progress," featuring work by Mary Roach, Chuck Palahniuk, Amy Tan and Dave Eggers, among others.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julia-scott/confessions-of-a-bad-writ_b_5698207.html
The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell dazzles with "narrative fireworks," says Ursula Le Guin in this book review. A novel of epic proportions, it "spans the Iraq war, the Eternal Battle of Good and Evil and the downfall of civilization."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/02/the-bone-clocks-david-mitchell-review-novel
In Ben Lerner's newest novel, 10:04, New York is more than a mere backdrop. It's a character! The author is "a walker in the city in conscious league with Walt Whitman, but also with writers up through Teju Cole, whose protagonists are wide-awake flâneurs."
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/03/books/in-ben-lerners-1004-new-york-is-a-character.html
When Michael Crummey confronted the economic facts of two children in university (not to mention long days—"there's only so much laundry a man can fold, only so many times a lawn needs mowing"), he realized that something had to be done: either write a new book or work at Marie's Mini-Mart.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/newfoundland-author-michael-crummey-on-career-options-write-a-new-book-or-work-at-maries-mini-mart/article20278718/
Bill Gaston's latest short-story collection, Juliet Was a Surprise, is filled with CanLit themes, twisted and made new. "Through some mysterious alchemy, Gaston has managed to wring a quiet kind of horror from components that could easily collapse into a pile of creative-writing-class clichés."
http://www.straight.com/life/714861/bill-gastons-juliet-was-surprise-twists-canlit-conventions-skill
COMMUNITY EVENTS
SEBASTIEN DE CASTELL
Fantasy author reads from his swashbuckling adventure novel Traitor's Blade and gives a talk on the use of swordplay in fantasy and historical literature. Thursday, September 4 at 7:00pm, free. Peter Kaye room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
The TWS READING SERIES
The Writer's Studio September readers will be Ingrid Rose, Angela Kenyon, D.N. Simmers, Diana Joy, Sheila Galati, Jude Neale, and Dhana Musil. Our feature author will be poet Daniela Elza. Hosts: Ivan Antoniw and Romney Grant.Thursday, September 4 at 8:00pm. Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street, Vancouver.
DOUBLE ENTENDRE
An evening of fiction and poetry with Ann Eriksson reading from her new novel, High Clear Bell of Morning, and Gary Geddes reading selected poems from, What Does a House Want? Monday, September 8 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
ELLEN IN PIECES
Launch of Caroline Adderson's new book. Tuesday, September 9 at 7:00pm. Book Warehouse, 4118 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at blackbondbooks.com.
RONSDALE'S FALL POETRY
An evening of poetry with three award-winning B.C. poets: Garry Gottfriedson, Pamela Porter and Henry Rappaport—all with new collections to showcase. Wednesday, September 10 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia. More information at vpl.ca.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features Cynthia Flood and Elise Partridge plus open mic. Wednesday, September 10 at 7:00pm. Suggested donation at the door: $5. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at pandorascollective.com.
Upcoming
DEAD POETS READING SERIES
Five poets/readers/poetry-lovers/writers with extensive public reading experience read poems from one of their favourite dead poet's work. Sunday, September 14 at 3:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
SPOKEN INK READING SERIES
Diane Tucker reads from her new poetry collection, Bonsai Love. Tuesday, September 16 at 7:30pm, free. la Fontana Caffe, 101-3701 East Hastings Street, Burnaby. More information at burnabywritersnews.blogspot.ca.
ALICIA PRIEST
Local Victoria-based author launches her new book A Rock Fell on the Moon, Dad and the Great Yukon Silver Ore Heist. Wednesday, September 17 at 7:30pm. Bard & Banker Pub, 1022 Government Street, Victoria. More information by calling Munro's Books, 250-382-2464.
BIRTH OF A RARE BOOK
Christopher Levenson, poet and author, will present with Peter Braun, Master Printer of New Leaf Editions, and Sigrid Albert, graphic artist, a discussion about the genesis of producing a rare book of poetry and etchings. Sunday, September 21 at 3:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
VANCOUVER IS ASHES
Vancouver Is Ashes is the first detailed exploration of a landmark, yet seldom revisited event in Vancouver's history. Lisa Anne Smith uses eye-witness accounts to investigate events of that pivotal day. Monday, September 22 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
WORD VANCOUVER
Festival promoting books and authors with free exhibits, performances, and hands-on activities for a wide range of ages and interests. September 24-28, 2014. Complete details at wordvancouver.ca.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Pandora's Collective in conjunction with Word Vancouver features Rita Wong, Jami Macarty, Lilija Valis & Kevin Spenst plus open mic. Thursday, September 25 at 7:00pm. Suggested donation at the door: $5. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at pandorascollective.com.
THANKS A LOT EXPRESS-OH!
North Shore Writers' Association invite community & cultural co-creators: writers, dancers, musicians and artists, to join in this fun activity of giving thanks in this 2-hour workshop to expand upon and play with word prompts. Saturday, September 27 at 10:00am, free. North Vancouver City Library, 120 14th St. W., North Vancouver. More information at culturedays.ca.
BOOK SOME TIME FOR CRIME
an afternoon on the edge of your seat with four local mystery authors, Sam Wiebe, E.R. Brown, Robin Spano and Owen Laukkanen. Listen as they share their latest novels, then book a one-on-one session for answers to any of your burning mystery questions. Saturday, September 27 at 1:00pm, free. West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver. More information at culturedays.ca.
THE TOWN SLUT'S DAUGHTER
Canadian poet Heather Haley launches her debut novel. Thursday, October 2 at 7:30pm. Slickity Jim's, 3469 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at howesoundpublishing@gmail.com.
Vancouver Writers Fest Tickets on sale September 8
The buzz is mounting-tickets go on sale soon for the 2014 Vancouver Writers Fest. Get your tickets for events with acclaimed writers from Canada and around the world including Norwegian literary sensation Karl Ove Knausgaard, Icelandic novelist and Bjork collaborator Sjon, antipodeans Tim Winton, Anne Kennedy and Christos Tsiolkas, UK authors Kate Pullinger, Tom Rachman, Sarah Waters, Louise Welsh, Esther Freud and Eimear
McBride, Canadians Michael Cummey, Cory Doctorow, Miriam Toews, Ann-Marie MacDonald, Justin Trudeau, Steven Galloway, Ian Weir, Aislinn Hunter and Richard Wagamese and many more. Pick up the Festival program guide at
bookstores in the Lower Mainland, or check the Festival website for full details, http:/www.writersfest.bc.ca.
Special event tickets are on sale now, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events.
Volunteer
Volunteer registration is now open for our 2014 festival, a full six days of 86 amazing events running 21-26 October! Up to 350 volunteers will be needed...the greater your availability-and the greater your flexibility about what you will do as a volunteer-the greater the likelihood we can fit you in! For more info, visit the volunteer pages of our website, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/get-involved/volunteer.
Calling 'Gen Y' Readers
The Vancouver Writers Fest is recruiting for focus group participants. We are specifically interested in talking to Generation Y readers (born 1980 to 1995). If you, or someone you know, would consider participating in a focus group discussion in the future, please sign up, and we will be in touch, http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/get-involved/focusgroup.
AWARDS & LISTS
The winner of the inaugural Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Student Nonfiction Writing Contest has been chosen. Toronto student Ashley Ash was selected for her essay No One's Girl, about being a foster child.
http://www.cbc.ca/asithappens/features/2014/09/01/reading-ashley-ash-winner-of-inaugural-writers-trust-student-nonfiction-writing-contest/
Here is the 2014 Samuel Johnson prize longlist...in pictures! "Two surgeons, an 'accidental professor' and a songwriter are among the contenders for the UK's most prestigious award for nonfiction."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/gallery/2014/sep/02/2014-samuel-johnson-prize-longlist-in-pictures
YOUNG READERS
Fans of Reading Rainbow will be excited to hear this bit of news: LeVar Burton's first children's book will be coming out this fall. The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm combines prose and rhyme to create "a story designed for parents and kids to read together when facing stressful or difficult situations."
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-levar-burton-first-childrens-book-coming-this-fall-20140902-story.html
NEWS & FEATURES
With Labour Day celebrations this past weekend, the question begs to be asked: what kind of worker is a writer? In this piece, The New Yorker reflects on Tillie Olsen, a writer whose work lent a heartfelt voice to the struggles of working-class people.
http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/kind-worker-writer
On the other hand, much of the work in the book world is not done by writers, but rather by those who are "mostly invisible" to people outside their industries. Happy Labour Day to the editors, proofreaders, book designers, press operators and distributors, without whom many a writer would be lost!
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-for-labor-day-an-appreciation-of-unheralded-literary-labor-20140829-story.html
On a final Labour Day-related note, here's chance to learn about the bizarre day jobs of 20 famous authors! From an exterminator to an apothecaries' assistant, this certainly was an eclectic bunch!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-anthony-jones/famous-author-day-jobs_b_5724482.html
If Shakespeare wrote Pop songs, what would they sound like? "As the debate wages on about the Bard's relatability—and whether or not relatability matters to begin with—a hilarious Tumblr has surfaced that translates modern-day pop songs into Shakespearean sonnets."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/27/pop-sonnets-shakespeare_n_5718453.html
Don't judge a (classic) book by its cover! As the new school year begins, a mother (and writer) reflects on "approaching the classics with dread, fearing irrelevant, dull stories written in archaic styles," and overcoming that fear to find the gold within.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-fuller/classic-book-stereotypes_b_5698261.html
Speaking of classics, a previously unpublished chapter of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has emerged. Called Fudge Mountain, you can read it here, along with a new illustration by Quentin Blake.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/aug/30/roald-dahl-extract-unpublished-chapter-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory
Would you buy a waterproof eReader? It seems like a logical consideration for us Vancouverites, whether reading in the winter rain, in the bath, or by the beach in summer.
http://www.cbc.ca/books/2014/08/kobo-reveals-new-waterproof-ereader.html
Grades aren't everything! Award-winning writer Kim Thúy once got two zeros at mid-term in a university creative writing class. She discusses her academic career, sex, and the afterlife, here:
http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadawrites/2014/09/gg-winner-kim-thuy-on-the-zeros-she-got-in-creative-writing-class.html
A teacher in Maryland was recently placed on administrative leave after it was discovered that he had published two novels, one of which featured school shootings in a futurist setting. A University of California professor comes to his defence, here:
http://blog.lareviewofbooks.org/essays/letter-dorchester-county-board-education-regarding-patrick-mclaw/
Eleanor Catton is using her recent award money (for The Luminaries) in an innovative way. She has decided to set up a grant that will give writers "time to read", "the first step" to good writing.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/02/eleanor-catton-grant-time-to-read-the-luminaries
BOOKS & WRITERS
No Man's Land: Fiction From a World at War 1914-1918 is a new anthology that sets out to fill the gaps in our knowledge of the First World War. "Mr. Ayrton has captured the global sweep of the conflict by not awarding undue emphasis to the Western Front already so familiar to us from films and books."
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/01/books/no-mans-land-unfamiliar-writing-about-world-war-i.html
"There is a certain kind of bad writing that occurs when you are between the ages of 16 and 24 and have an audience of one." Drivel: Deliciously Bad Writing by Your Favorite Authors is a new humor collection that "conveys the real meaning of a work-in-progress," featuring work by Mary Roach, Chuck Palahniuk, Amy Tan and Dave Eggers, among others.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julia-scott/confessions-of-a-bad-writ_b_5698207.html
The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell dazzles with "narrative fireworks," says Ursula Le Guin in this book review. A novel of epic proportions, it "spans the Iraq war, the Eternal Battle of Good and Evil and the downfall of civilization."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/02/the-bone-clocks-david-mitchell-review-novel
In Ben Lerner's newest novel, 10:04, New York is more than a mere backdrop. It's a character! The author is "a walker in the city in conscious league with Walt Whitman, but also with writers up through Teju Cole, whose protagonists are wide-awake flâneurs."
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/03/books/in-ben-lerners-1004-new-york-is-a-character.html
When Michael Crummey confronted the economic facts of two children in university (not to mention long days—"there's only so much laundry a man can fold, only so many times a lawn needs mowing"), he realized that something had to be done: either write a new book or work at Marie's Mini-Mart.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/newfoundland-author-michael-crummey-on-career-options-write-a-new-book-or-work-at-maries-mini-mart/article20278718/
Bill Gaston's latest short-story collection, Juliet Was a Surprise, is filled with CanLit themes, twisted and made new. "Through some mysterious alchemy, Gaston has managed to wring a quiet kind of horror from components that could easily collapse into a pile of creative-writing-class clichés."
http://www.straight.com/life/714861/bill-gastons-juliet-was-surprise-twists-canlit-conventions-skill
COMMUNITY EVENTS
SEBASTIEN DE CASTELL
Fantasy author reads from his swashbuckling adventure novel Traitor's Blade and gives a talk on the use of swordplay in fantasy and historical literature. Thursday, September 4 at 7:00pm, free. Peter Kaye room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
The TWS READING SERIES
The Writer's Studio September readers will be Ingrid Rose, Angela Kenyon, D.N. Simmers, Diana Joy, Sheila Galati, Jude Neale, and Dhana Musil. Our feature author will be poet Daniela Elza. Hosts: Ivan Antoniw and Romney Grant.Thursday, September 4 at 8:00pm. Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street, Vancouver.
DOUBLE ENTENDRE
An evening of fiction and poetry with Ann Eriksson reading from her new novel, High Clear Bell of Morning, and Gary Geddes reading selected poems from, What Does a House Want? Monday, September 8 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
ELLEN IN PIECES
Launch of Caroline Adderson's new book. Tuesday, September 9 at 7:00pm. Book Warehouse, 4118 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at blackbondbooks.com.
RONSDALE'S FALL POETRY
An evening of poetry with three award-winning B.C. poets: Garry Gottfriedson, Pamela Porter and Henry Rappaport—all with new collections to showcase. Wednesday, September 10 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia. More information at vpl.ca.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features Cynthia Flood and Elise Partridge plus open mic. Wednesday, September 10 at 7:00pm. Suggested donation at the door: $5. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at pandorascollective.com.
Upcoming
DEAD POETS READING SERIES
Five poets/readers/poetry-lovers/writers with extensive public reading experience read poems from one of their favourite dead poet's work. Sunday, September 14 at 3:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
SPOKEN INK READING SERIES
Diane Tucker reads from her new poetry collection, Bonsai Love. Tuesday, September 16 at 7:30pm, free. la Fontana Caffe, 101-3701 East Hastings Street, Burnaby. More information at burnabywritersnews.blogspot.ca.
ALICIA PRIEST
Local Victoria-based author launches her new book A Rock Fell on the Moon, Dad and the Great Yukon Silver Ore Heist. Wednesday, September 17 at 7:30pm. Bard & Banker Pub, 1022 Government Street, Victoria. More information by calling Munro's Books, 250-382-2464.
BIRTH OF A RARE BOOK
Christopher Levenson, poet and author, will present with Peter Braun, Master Printer of New Leaf Editions, and Sigrid Albert, graphic artist, a discussion about the genesis of producing a rare book of poetry and etchings. Sunday, September 21 at 3:00pm, free. Alice MacKay room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
VANCOUVER IS ASHES
Vancouver Is Ashes is the first detailed exploration of a landmark, yet seldom revisited event in Vancouver's history. Lisa Anne Smith uses eye-witness accounts to investigate events of that pivotal day. Monday, September 22 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen room, lower level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. More information at vpl.ca.
WORD VANCOUVER
Festival promoting books and authors with free exhibits, performances, and hands-on activities for a wide range of ages and interests. September 24-28, 2014. Complete details at wordvancouver.ca.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Pandora's Collective in conjunction with Word Vancouver features Rita Wong, Jami Macarty, Lilija Valis & Kevin Spenst plus open mic. Thursday, September 25 at 7:00pm. Suggested donation at the door: $5. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at pandorascollective.com.
THANKS A LOT EXPRESS-OH!
North Shore Writers' Association invite community & cultural co-creators: writers, dancers, musicians and artists, to join in this fun activity of giving thanks in this 2-hour workshop to expand upon and play with word prompts. Saturday, September 27 at 10:00am, free. North Vancouver City Library, 120 14th St. W., North Vancouver. More information at culturedays.ca.
BOOK SOME TIME FOR CRIME
an afternoon on the edge of your seat with four local mystery authors, Sam Wiebe, E.R. Brown, Robin Spano and Owen Laukkanen. Listen as they share their latest novels, then book a one-on-one session for answers to any of your burning mystery questions. Saturday, September 27 at 1:00pm, free. West Vancouver Memorial Library, 1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver. More information at culturedays.ca.
THE TOWN SLUT'S DAUGHTER
Canadian poet Heather Haley launches her debut novel. Thursday, October 2 at 7:30pm. Slickity Jim's, 3469 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at howesoundpublishing@gmail.com.
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