Book News Vol. 9 No. 47

BOOK NEWS

A Dram Come True
Join us for A Dram Come True, a whisky tasting fundraiser in support of the Vancouver Writers Fest. A Dram Come True has been the best kept secret of the local single malt scotch scene for 13 years—eagerly anticipated by local scotch aficionados, and a delight for those newly initiated to the world of whisky.

7:30pm, June 5
Hycroft Manor
Details and to purchase tickets here, http://writersfest.bc.ca/events/dram-come-true.

Ann-Marie MacDonald Podcast
Our latest audio from the 2014 Vancouver Writers Fest features actor, playwright, broadcaster and author Ann-Marie MacDonald in conversation with Jerry Wasserman. This sold out event was a highlight of the festival. "We need our stories. MacDonald says. "Remember who we are. Remember where we came from."
Details here, http://writersfest.bc.ca/audio-archives/ann-marie-macdonald.

Incite 2015
An exploration of the human condition: Susan Juby (The Republic of Dirt), Julie Paul (The Pull of the Moon), and Marguerite Pigeon (Some Extremely Boring Drives). Details: https://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incite.

FREE!
7:30pm, February 25
Alice MacKay room, VPL Central Library
Click here for details: https://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/incite

In the Community
Compagnie Marie Chouinard (Montreal): Canada's Reigning Queen of dance returns to the DanceHouse stage with two works; Gymnopédies–set to the music of Eric Satie, and Henri Michaux: Mouvements–inspired by the 1951 book of abstract illustrations by the French artist Michaux. February 27 and 28. Details (http://dancehouse.ca/event/compagnie-marie-chouinard/) and tickets (https://tickets.dancehouse.ca/TheatreManager/1/login&event=53). Use this code to access a special $10-off rate on premium and regular tickets: WRITER.

AWARDS & LISTS

Miriam Toews has been shortlisted for the Folio Prize. In its second year, the prize is open to international authors of English-language fiction published in the United Kingdom. Colm Tóibín, who also appeared at the 2014 Writers Fest, made the cut as well.
http://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/folio-fiction-prize-shortlist-includes-canada-s-miriam-toews-others-1.2227440

The Writers' Union of Canada has named the winner of its 2015 Freedom to Read Award: Ron Brown, founder of the prize. The award aims to recognize "advocacy on behalf of free expression in Canada."
http://www.quillandquire.com/book-news/2015/02/09/2015-freedom-to-read-award-goes-to-prizes-founder-ron-brown/

Malala Yousafzai's audiobook, I Am Malala, has won the Grammy Award for Best Children's Album.
http://www.adweek.com/galleycat/i-am-malala-audiobook-wins-grammy/98788

The 2015 Carnegie Medal longlist has also been revealed. You can discover it, in pictures, here:
http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/gallery/2015/feb/10/carnegie-medal-longlist-2015

YOUNG READERS

"Are stories with wishes in them still popular today?" This articles explores the "'if only...' in children's books and discovers it's as important to be careful what you wish for now as it ever was."
http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/feb/09/best-childrens-books-with-wishes-book-doctor

NEWS & FEATURES

British author Hilary Mantel has received a Damehood for her "services to literature." The honour is fitting for a writer who specializes in royal intrigue. Her novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies, which both won the Booker Prize, chronicle "the machinations" of Thomas Cromwell, adviser to Henry VIII.
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-hilary-mantel-is-made-a-dame-20150206-story.html

Margaret Atwood recently visited West Point for "a frank conversation of gender, politics and oppression." The catalyst for discussion was her dystopian novel, The Handmaid's Tale, required reading for first-year cadets.
http://www.salon.com/2015/02/08/margaret_atwood_visits_west_point_for_a_frank_conversation_on_gender_politics_and_oppression/

Do you like a little coffee with your morning read? Here's a list called "Beans and Books: Coffee and Book Pairing Recommendations." Of course the pumpkin spice latte has many things in common with James Patterson's novels...it's the same reason why Gary Shteyngart should always be read while sipping "shade-grown, fair-trade, carbon-free Organic Peruvian!"
http://bookriot.com/2015/02/05/beans-books-coffee-book-pairing-recommendations/

What's the fiction writer's most critical task? According to Nick Harkaway, naming characters. "Very often, the name comes with the character, along with of a sense of who they are and what they do...All names are masks, as well as identifiers."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2015/jan/29/name-christen-literary-character-nick-harkaway-tigerman

A new survey has revealed that a mere 54% of Americans read any book last year, whether print or digital. "Poetry saw the sharpest decline in readership of any 'literary genre,' falling from 12% to just 6.7%."
http://publishingperspectives.com/2015/02/just-54-americans-read-book-last-year-says-nea/

Americans don't read translated fiction either, claims Daily Beast author Bill Morris. "Like many of us after Patrick Modiano won the Nobel Prize for Literature last fall, Morris was struck by the scarcity of his books to be found in English translation – only a few of his thirty some works."
http://publishingperspectives.com/2015/02/asked-dont-americans-read-translated-fiction/

Speaking of all things south of the border, "crime, homelessness and crumbling infrastructure are still a problem in almost every part of America, but two cities have recently cracked down on one of the country's biggest problems: small community libraries where residents can share books." Apparently those little free libraries are on the wrong side of the law.
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-little-free-libraries-on-the-wrong-side-of-the-law-20150204-story.html

Back here in Canada, Quill and Quire is launching a survey to find out "what is the most underrated CanLit title?" You can answer the question here. The most popular response will be published in April's 80th anniversary issue.
http://www.quillandquire.com/book-culture/2015/02/05/survey-what-is-the-most-underrated-canlit-title/

What's your book's "love DNA?" Just in time for Valentine's Day, here's an infographic that measures romance in classic novels.
http://electricliterature.com/infographic-love-dna-of-classic-novels/

On that note, "Christian Grey may lure millions of moviegoers into theaters on Valentine's Day, but not everyone's a fan of the fictional billionaire and the story he's helping to tell." In the wake of Fifty Shades of Grey's film adaptation, a grassroots organization is urging people to donate to women's shelters instead.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/05/activists-fifty-shades_n_6621840.html

In more positive women's news, here's a profile of "seven women in the book industry who are encouraging diversity." The list, which features Canadian-based women, includes Silvia Moreno-Garcia, who appeared at the 2013 Vancouver Writers Fest.
http://www.quillandquire.com/omni/imprinting-change-seven-women-in-the-book-industry-who-are-encouraging-diversity/1/

BOOKS & WRITERS

Kelowna author Alix Hawley's new novel, All True Not a Lie in It, is a fictionalization of the life of Daniel Boone. "I've always struggled with first-person," states Hawley in this interview with Quill and Quire. "But I gritted my teeth and gave it a try. When the voice came to me, I realized, 'Yeah, this is how it needs to be.'"
http://www.quillandquire.com/authors/alix-hawley-on-fictionalizing-the-life-of-frontiersman-daniel-boone/

What's fact and what's fiction? In this piece, Vancouver writer Michael Christie discusses "the art of good, and bad, memoir writing, and the interplay between fact and fabrication." His new book, a novel, is called If I Fall, If I Die.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/the-art-of-good-and-bad-memoir-writing-and-the-interplay-between-fact-and-fabrication-by-a-fiction-writer-10036313.html

Harper Lee is "hurt and humiliated" that people believe she was "duped" into releasing her new book, Go Set a Watchman. "She is a very strong, independent and wise woman who should be enjoying the discovery of her long lost novel," states her lawyer and friend Tonja Carter. "Instead, she is having to defend her own credibility and decision making."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11399306/Harper-Lee-hurt-and-humiliated-by-speculation-she-was-duped-into-releasing-new-book.html

Actor David Duchovny has written his first novel. As it turns out, it's not your standard Hollywood literary debut—he actually "comes from a family of writers and majored in English at Princeton." Funnily enough, he also something to say about Vancouver.
http://www.salon.com/2015/02/10/i_would_rather_my_child_see_a_pig_circumcised_than_a_deers_mom_getting_killed_david_duchovny_on_his_madcap_fairy_tale_holy_cow/

In Amanda Filipacchi's novel, The Unfortunate Importance of Beauty, "a beautiful woman disguises herself as repulsive and tests men in bars." The book is "partly a meditation of the power of beauty, partly a roiling mystery."
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2015/02/amanda_filipacchi_s_the_unfortunate_importance_of_beauty_reviewed.html

Nick Hornby has always been known for so-called lad's lit, the "bard of young men perennially stuck in place." His new novel, Funny Girl, instead features a woman "who's constantly hungry for more." He's interviewed here:
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2015/02/nick_hornby_interview_about_funny_girl_wild_and_television.html

COMMUNITY EVENTS

CANOE CROSSINGS
Join author Sanford Osler for an illustrated lecture based on his latest book, Canoe Crossings: Understanding the Craft that Helped Shape British Columbia. Hear about local canoe stories and people, including tales of sailing canoes that crossed the Pacific. Thursday, February 12 at 6:00pm. TK Gallery, Vancouver Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver. More information and tickets here, http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/canoe-crossings-tickets-15602186560.

RED BRICK READINGS
Features Lorna Crozier and Patrick Lane. Friday, February 13 at 7:00pm. Tickets: $10. Red Brick Cafe, Sidney. More information at sidneyliteraryfestival.ca.

WORLD POETRY
Celebrate Black History Month with a book launch for Roger Blenman's new book Dead'er featuring a reading by Adelene da Soul Poet. Hosted by Ariadne Sawyer and Russell Dior. Saturday, February 14 at 1:00pm. Britannia Branch, VPL.

DR. GEORGE BAXTER-HOLDER
Author of Food Sex and God will be reading and autographing his new book. Monday, February 16 at 7:00pm. Book Warehouse, 4118 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at 604-879-7737.

PAINFUL JOURNEY
The remarkable story of Burnaby resident Jerry Gbardy, author of Painful Journey-A Story of Escape and Survival. Tuesday, February 17 at 7:00pm. Free but register at 604-522-3971. Tommy Douglas branch, Burnaby Public Library.

SPOKEN INK
Reading by mystery writer Debra Purdy Kong. Tuesday, February 17 at 8:00pm. La Fontana Caffe, 101-3701 East Hastings, Burnaby. More information at bwscafe@gmail.com.

LUNCH POEMS AT SFU
Alex Leslie and Roy Miki are the featured poets. Wednesday, February 18 at 12:00 noon, free. SFU Harbour Centre's Teck Gallery, 515 W Hastings St. For more information visit www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/lunchpoems.

TIMOTHY TAYLOR
Timothy Taylor talks about his novel Stanley Park. Wednesday, February 18 at 7:00pm. Book Warehouse Main Street, 4118 Main Street. Details at Book Warehouse Main Street, 604-879-7737.

JEAN BARMAN
Author presents an illustrated talk about her book French Canadians, Furs, and Indigenous Women in the Making of the Pacific Northwest. Wednesday, February 18 at 7:00pm. Central branch, VPL. More information at 604-331-3603.

RUTH DERKSEN SIEMENS
Reading by the author of Daughters in the City, about the lives of young Mennonite women working as domestic servants in Vancouver from 1930 to 1960. Saturday, February 21 at 2:00pm. Registration required. Clearbrook Library, Abbotsford. More information at 604-859-7814.

JOSEPH BOYDEN
Author of Three Day Road, Through Black Spruce, and The Orenda discusses writing and approaching First Nation issues in Canada. Saturday, February 21 at 8:15pm. Lecture Hall No. 2, Woodward Instructional Resources Centre, 2194 Health Sciences Mall, UBC. More information at greencollege.ubc.ca.

GALIANO LITERARY FESTIVAL
Sixth annual festival featuring Theodora Armstrong, George Bowering, Bill Gaston, Elizabeth May, Spider Robinson and others. February 20-22, 2015. Complete details at galianoliteraryfestival.com.

MARK FORSYTHE
The White Rock History Club is hosting the co-author of From the West Coast to the Western Front. Monday, February 23 at 7:00pm. White Rock Library, 15342 Buena Vista, White Rock. More information at 604-541-2201.

ELSIE PAUL
Author talks about her book Written as I Remember It. Tuesday, February 24 at 7:00pm. Central Branch, VPL. More information at vpl.com.

MICHAEL HETHERINGTON
Michael Hetherington's latest novel Hooked tells the story of an innocent schoolteacher whose life becomes a nightmare after a chance encounter with a woman and a fish hook. Wednesday, February 25 at 7:00pm. Welsh Hall West, West Vancouver Memorial Library. More information at 604-925-7403.

ANN ERIKSSON
Author reads from her novel High Clear Bell of Morning. Thursday, February 26 at 7:00pm. Christianne's Lyceum, 3696 8th Ave. W.

TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features Rob Taylor and Ruth Kozak with open mic. Thursday, February 26, 7:00pm. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. Sign up for open mic at 7 pm. More information at www.pandorascollective.com.

Upcoming

CEA SUNRISE PERSON
Author talks about her memoir, North of Normal: A Memoir of My Wilderness Childhood, My Counterculture Family, and How I Survived Both. Wednesday, March 4 at 7:00pm. Central Branch, VPL. More information at vpl.ca.

JANE EATON HAMILTON
Author reads from her book love will burst into a thousand shapes. Thursday, March 5 at 8:00pm. Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at 604-876-6138.

SERENDIPITY 2015
The Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable invites you to an Edgy, Eerie, Exceptional Serendipity 2015 with Holly Black, Andrew Smith, Mariko Tamaki, Molly Idle, and Kelli Chipponeri. March 7, 2015 at the University of British Columbia, 8:00am to 3:30pm, breakfast and lunch included. Register now to take advantage of the early bird rates. More information at www.vclr.ca.

MISSION WRITERS & READERS FESTIVAL
Features Evelyn Lau, Daniel Elza, Lois Peterson, Chris Gilpin, and John Carroll. Saturday, March 7 at Heritage Park Centre, 33700 Prentis Avenue, Mission. Details at http://www.lifetimelearningcentre.org/uncategorized/8th-annual-mission-writers-and-readers-festival-linking-generations/.

MYSTERY AND CRIME
Hear writers E.R. Brown, Robin Spano, Dietrich Kalteis and Sam Wiebe share their experience on writing mystery and crime stories. Featuring. Saturday, March 7 at 11:45am. Fleetwood Library, Surrey.

HEART OF A HOOFBEAT
Margaret Evans will take you on a journey that begins 35,000 years ago in southern France to tell the fascinating story of the evolution of the horse. Saturday, March 7 at 1:00pm. Yarrow Library, Chilliwack. More information at 604-823-4664.

MIRIAM TOEWS
Vancouver Institute lecture featuring Governor General's Award for Fiction winner Miriam Toews. Saturday, March 7 at 8:15pm. Lecture Hall No. 2, Woodward Instructional Resources Centre, 2194 Health Sciences Mall, UBC. More information at greencollege.ubc.ca.

A CELEBRATION OF GAIA AS A MUSE
North Vancouver based poet, librettist and non-fiction writer Elaine Woo reads from her debut poetry collection Cycling With The Dragon. Saturday, March 14 at 1:00pm. Brittania branch, VPL, 1661 Napier Street, Vancouver. More information at nightwoodeditions.com.

PEN AND SWORD
Authors C.C. Humphreys, Sebastien de Castell and Kris Sayer will discuss their personal journeys studying swordplay to enrich their writing, characters and stories. Monday, March 23 at 7:00pm. Central Branch, VPL. More information at 604-331-3603.