Book News Vol. 10 No. 19

BOOK NEWS

Special Event

Louise Penny in Conversation with Hal Wake

Tickets for Louise Penny in Conversation with Hal Wake are going fast! Purchase your ticket today and on August 24, come hear Penny read from her newest book, The Nature of the Beast, and answer all your burning questions about Three Pines and Inspector Gamache. Bring a friend and introduce them to this thrilling crime series-they'll thank you!

Monday, August 24 at 7:30pm
Vancouver Playhouse
600 Hamilton Street
Details and to purchase tickets, https://www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/louise-penny.

Poetry and Short Story Contest
The 17th Vancouver Writers Fest Poetry and Short Story Contest is now open! Entries will be accepted until October 25th, so get writing or start polishing up your best work. The contest is open to all writers, so this could be the perfect opportunity for you to get published for the first time, kick start your writing career or add to your already impressive resume. First place winners will receive $500 and be published in subTERRAIN Magazine. Details and to enter: http://writersfest.bc.ca/writingcontest

Know a young writer? Tell them about our writing contest for BC grades 8-12 students, http://writersfest.bc.ca/youthwritingcontest.

FESTIVALS

Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts
Join Canada's longest running summer gathering of Canadian writers and readers, featuring Camilla Gibb, Alison Pick, Ian Weir, Michael Winter and others. August 13-16, 2015. Sechelt, BC. Information at writersfestival.ca.

Vancouver Queer Film Festival
The 27th Annual Vancouver Queer Film Festival runs Aug 13-23. For details on the full line-up and tickets, click here, http://queerfilmfestival.ca/tickets/.

AWARDS & LISTS

The just-announced 2015 Man Booker longlist features for the first time a Jamaican author, Marlon James, who will be appearing at this year's Vancouver Writers Fest.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/long-list-for-2015-man-booker-prize-revealed/article25749039/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/long-list-for-2015-man-booker-prize-revealed/article25749039/

The Guardian's Not the Booker Prize longlist has been announced. The newspaper's readers will determine the shortlist.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/27/the-magnificent-70-guardian-not-the-booker-prize-longlist-announced

Naomi Klein has won the 2015 American Book Award for her 2014 title This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate. The annual prize celebrates diversity in publishing.
http://www.quillandquire.com/awards/2015/07/21/naomi-klein-wins-2015-american-book-award/

YOUNG READERS

Ashlyn Anstee's first picture book, Are We There, Yeti?, has just been released. In this interview, the former Vancouverite discusses her recent move, the switch from animation to picture books, inspiration, and diversity in her book.
http://www.quillandquire.com/authors/2015/07/23/qa-kidlit-author-illustrator-ashlyn-anstee/

NEWS & FEATURES

We've all heard about Canada's two solitudes. In this interview, Joseph Boyden discusses Canada's third: its First Nations peoples, and a new project to "integrate indigenous knowledge" into cultural institutions.
http://www.quillandquire.com/authors/2015/07/27/qa-joseph-boyden-on-canadas-three-solitudes/

Salman Rushdie is speaking out against censorship in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo massacre. He says that, among other things, "if the attacks against The Satanic Verses had taken place today, these (writers) would not have
defended me."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11759789/Salman-Rushdie-says-he-could-not-depend-on-fellow-writers-for-support-to-write-Satanic-Verses-today.html

A self-publishing machine at a Windsor, Ontario, library has produced more than 10,000 books in three years. "There have been more than 248 individual titles produced, books in English, Arabic, Polish, Spanish and French, and authors from teenagers to writers in their 80s."
http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/with-10699-books-printed-windsor-librarys-self-publishing-machine-is-a-hit

Ragtime author E.L. Doctorow has died. A book review of Andrew's Brain (his most recent novel), described Doctorow as "operating in the shadow of the Transcendentalists, ‘a romantic, a true believer — in the myth of America as a shining city, despite its various and ongoing failures to live up to its better self.'"
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-e-l-doctorow-dies-ragtime-author-20150721-story.html

The first printing run of Go Set a Watchman has missing text! Customers who ordered the book online have been promised a new copy, while e-book lovers are thumbing their noses at their paper-reading brethren, thanks to the automatic update-capabilities of digital versions.
http://goodereader.com/blog/e-book-news/go-set-a-watchman-missing-text-debacle-makes-people-switch-to-kindle

What's another great thing about e-books? They can't get stolen! Here's a great little piece on combating book theft in the middle ages.
http://medievalbooks.nl/2015/07/10/chain-chest-curse-combating-book-theft-in-medieval-times/

How does a writing career get launched? If you're Haruki Murakami, it's thanks to baseball!
http://www.openculture.com/2015/07/read-online-haruki-murakamis-new-essay-on-how-a-baseball-game-launched-his-writing-career.html

Speaking of American pastimes, Richard Kreitner has compiled an "obsessively detailed map of American literature's most epic road trips!" It includes "every place-name reference in 12 books about cross-country travel, from Mark Twain's Roughing It (1872) to Cheryl Strayed's Wild (2012), and maps the authors' routes on top of one another."
http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-obsessively-detailed-map-of-american-literatures-most-epic-road-trips

BOOKS & WRITERS

Jane Urquhart's The Night Stages is "a novel of melancholy and missed chances." "Tender" and "meditative," Urquhart's eighth novel contains three narratives, all of which are linked by a night spent by an Englishwoman in a Canadian airport circa 1960.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/27/books/review-jane-urquharts-the-night-stages-a-novel-of-melancholy-and-missed-chances.html

In this week's Out Loud Podcast (published by the New Yorker), David Remnick interviews Ta-Nehisi Coats. He discusses his life, new book, Between the World and Me, and journalism career, here:
http://www.newyorker.com/podcast/out-loud/bonus-ta-nehisi-coates

Susan Musgrave's new book tackles more than poetry…it's also a cookbook! A Taste of Haida Gwaii: Food Gathering and Feasting at the Edge of the World "celebrates through words, photos, and recipes both the cuisine and the community that has become her home."
http://www.quillandquire.com/authors/2015/07/20/qa-susan-musgrave-on-her-new-cookbook/

In her second novel, A Little Life, Hanya Yanagihara "wanted everything turned up a little too high." She discusses writing in a "fevered" state and "a childhood spent drawing cadavers and waiting in motel rooms" here.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/26/hanya-yanagihara-i-wanted-everything-turned-up-a-little-too-high-interview-a-little-life

An original short story, Two Families, by Sheila Heti, is the subject of this week's Guardian books podcast. In the story, the Canadian author tackles a pretty common problem: "what happens when you don't find your comedian brother funny?"
http://www.theguardian.com/books/audio/2015/jul/27/short-story-two-families-sheila-heti

It's always fun to read about the literary inspirations of well-known authors. The Pleasure of Reading, a "collection in which acclaimed writers explained what first piqued their interest in literature, and what made them continue to do so" has been reissued, 22 years after it was first released. Here's an excerpt, featuring Margaret Atwood and Tom Stoppard.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/goodlife/11730754/My-favourite-books-Sir-Tom-Stoppard-and-Margaret-Atwood.html

COMMUNITY EVENTS

PATRICK TAYLOR
Join the bestselling author of the Irish Country Series for conversation and a reading from An Irish Country Doctor in Peace and at War. Thursday, August 6 at 2:30pm. Ambleside Park, West Vancouver Memorial Library. More information at 604-925-7403.

CHINESE CANADIAN AUTHORS' BOOK LAUNCH (in Mandarin)
The Chinese Canadian Writers' Association (CCWA) will have a book launch featuring three books: A History of Global Modern Chinese Literature (3 volumes) by Dr. Sen Ma; Letters Across the Straits by Ya Xian and Yang Jiasheng; and Essays on Chinese Literature by Mr. Jingsheng Ren. Saturday, August 8 at 2:00pm. Central Branch, VPL, 350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver. More information at vpl.ca.

DEANNA YOUNG
Author launches her latest book of poetry, House Dreams. Saturday, August 8 at 7:00pm, free. Salt Spring Public Library, Salt Spring Island. More information at saltspring.bc.libraries.coop.

MAGPIE ULYSSES
The Vancouver Poetry House presents Magpie Ulysses at Van Slam. Monday, August 10 at 7:00pm. Cost: $6-$10 sliding scale. Cafe Deux Soleils, 2096 Commercial Drive, Vancouver. More information at vancouverpoetryslam.com.

POETRY IN THE PARK
Featuring Bonnie Nish, Elaine Woo and Deanna Young. Hosted by Lilija Valis. Wednesday, August 12 at 6pm, free. Queen's Park Bandshell, New Westminster. Details at rclas.com.

KILLER CANADIANS
Featuring Barbara Fradkin, E.R. Brown and Sam Wiebe. Wednesday, August 12 at 7:00pm. Book Warehouse Main Street, Vancouver. More information at 604-879-7737.

CAITLIN ROTHER
Author discusses her most recent books including the mystery novel Naked Addiction and true crime books I'll Take Care of You and the upcoming Then No One Can Have Her. Thursday, August 13 at 4:00pm, free. Library Program room, Salt Spring Island Public Library, Salt Spring Island. More information at 250-537-4666.

RICHARD GOODFELLOW
Vancouver author signs his debut thriller novel, Collector of Secrets. Saturday, August 15 at 2:00pm. Chapters Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby.

ROBERT WIERSEMA
The author of Black Features will read from his book, answer questions and sign. Saturday, August 22 at 7:00pm. Book Warehouse Main Street, Vancouver. More information at 604-879-7737.

PLAY ON WORDS
The Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL) Central Branch is hosting the 2nd annual two day celebration of literary arts in all its diverse forms. August 28 at 12:00pm. Central Courtyard, Greater Victoria Public Library. More information at gvpl.ca.

Upcoming

W. JAMES DICKINSON
Local author will read from his book Raptor Night. Friday, September 11 at 4:00pm, free. Salt Spring Island Public Library, Salt Spring Island. More information at saltspring.bc.libraries.coop.

DEAD POETS READING SERIES
Five poets/poetry-lovers/readers/writers bring to life the works of their favourite deceased poets. Each reader will give a brief presentation on the life and work of their chosen poet, followed by a poetry reading. Sunday, September 13 at 3:00pm. Central Branch, VPL, 350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver. More information at deadpoetslive.com.

SPOKEN INK READING SERIES
Features poets Bren Simmers and Raoul Fernandes. Tuesday, September 15 at 8:00pm. La Fontana Caffe, 101-3701 East Hastings Street, Burnaby. More information at harbourpublishing.com.

KOOTENAY BOOKWEEKEND
The Kootenay Bookweekend will be hosting passionate page-tuners reading and discussing The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King, Daughters of the Witching Hill by Mary Sharratt, Local Customs by Audrey Thomas and our guest author, Arno Kopecky's book The Oil Man and the Sea. September 18-20, 2015 in Nelson, BC. Registration forms and information at kootenaybookweekend.ca.

EUROPEAN BOOK CLUB
Presents My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante. Moderated by Dr. Elisa Segnini. Saturday, September 19 at 3:00pm, free but register at eubookclub.vancouver@gmail.com. Kitsilano Branch, VPL. More information at alliancefrancaise.ca.

COMPLETELY MIXED UP
A display of creativity exploring what it means to be of mixed Asian North American Heritage. Monday, September 21 at 7:00pm. Central Branch, VPL, 350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver. More information at vpl.ca.

WORD VANCOUVER
Featuring books and authors with free exhibits, performances, and hands-on activities for a wide range of ages and interests. September 23-27, 2015. Various locations. For complete details, visit wordvancouver.ca.

AUTHORS UNBOUND UNINTERRUPTED
An evening of entertainment and inspiration provided by six local People of the Page: Mauro Azzano, Margo Bates, Kempton Dexter, Pattry Emry, Ron Kearse and Lillja Valis. Monday, September 28 at 7:00pm. Central Branch, VPL, 350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver. More information at vpl.ca.