Book News Vol. 10 No. 20

BOOK NEWS

Special Event

Louise Penny in Conversation with Hal Wake

"A monster once visited Three Pines. And put down deep roots. And now, it is back."

Return to Three Pines, Quebec with the 11th book the Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series, The Nature of the Beast. In a little over two weeks, Penny will be talking to Hal Wake about the series and reading from her new book. It promises to be a thrilling, memorable night and we'd love to see you there!

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/.

YOUNG READERS

Bear With Me is the story of "a very special red bear." It began as a sketchbook, travelling over 1000 miles, passing from illustrator to illustrator (including very famous ones like Quentin Blake!) in order to create very unique book about a "beguiling bear named Lawrence."
http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/gallery/2015/jul/28/bear-with-me-illustration-project-chris-riddell-quentin-blake

Recently we mentioned the fact that Dr. Seuss' What Pet Should I Get had finally been released. Now The Globe and Mail is calling it "the most important work of cultural criticism this year!"
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/why-dr-seusss-what-pet-should-i-get-is-the-most-important-work-of-cultural-criticism-this-year/article25737153/

NEWS & FEATURES

Who should be removed from the literary canon? Who should take their place? That's the question being asked in this week's New York Times Bookends. James Parker and Francine Prose discuss.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/02/books/review/who-should-be-kicked-out-of-the-canon.html

Hey there, book lovers! This new Japanese hotel might be the place for you. Hint: it's the "bookstore of your dreams!"
http://www.cbc.ca/books/2015/07/new-japanese-hotel-is-the-bookstore-of-your-dreams.html

"Canadians have a global reputation for being polite and even deferential. But when it comes to our literature, our writers don't shy away from challenging the status quo, exploring taboos, and offering bold perspectives." Here are 10 controversial Canadian books "you need to read," according to the CBC.
http://www.cbc.ca/books/2015/07/10-controversial-canlit-classics-you-need-to-read.html

The US Postal Service has put Flannery O'Connor on a postage stamp. "But it's kind of an ugly one (Peacock feathers have never more resembled dune grasses.)" The Paris Review's art editor, Charlotte Strick, take a stab at a redesign here:
http://www.fsgworkinprogress.com/2015/07/a-stamp-of-good-fortune/

Speaking of redesign, here are some new illustrations of a very old manuscript: Johannes Kepler's Somnium. Believe it or not, Kepler was more than just a world-changing scientist...he also was a science-fiction author.
http://harpers.org/blog/2015/07/moon-dream/

The US Authors Guild is calling for shorter literary contracts. According to them, "diamonds are forever, but publishing contracts should not be!"
http://the-digital-reader.com/2015/07/28/the-authors-guild-diamonds-are-forever-but-publishing-contracts-should-not-be/

BOOKS & WRITERS

Julia Pierpont's first novel, Among the Ten Thousand Things, breathes new life into a very old story: a marriage that's falling apart. "It shows a remarkably mature understanding of the delicate emotional balances in families—how feelings can flow back and forth like electricity in some kind of zero-sum game—and the subtle, irrational vicissitudes of people's psyches."
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/23/books/review-in-among-the-ten-thousand-things-julia-pierponts-first-novel-a-family-struggles.html

The Mark and the Void, by Paul Murray is "messy, profound and hilarious." Written as a follow-up to the highly acclaimed Skippy Dies, it's a "tricksy post-crash comedy set among bankers and chancers in a Dublin on the verge of collapse."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/22/the-mark-and-the-void-by-paul-murray-review

Claudia Rankine's poetry collection, Citizen: An American Lyric, has been adapted for the stage. In this interview, Stephen Sachs, co-artistic director and playwright, discusses the play's basic purpose. "I hope the play makes our highly educated, professional, and privileged patrons uncomfortable in the best possible way."
https://www.graywolfpress.org/blogs/citizen-adapted-stage

What's it like being a celebrity memoir ghostwriter? Hilary Liftin has built her career doing just that, and now has written her first novel, Movie Star. She discusses both here:
http://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/schedule-for-tuesday-july-28-1.3170526/hilary-liftin-s-movie-star-is-decidedly-human-1.3170539

Max Beerbohm, whose writing had a "high masquerading style," is the subject of a new anthology called The Prince of Minor Writers. Beerbohm was an essayist and caricaturist, "one of the great figures of the late Victorian and Edwardian era in London."
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/08/03/the-comparable-max

My Sunshine Away, by MO Walsh is "an intense and unsettling debut." Set in small-town Louisiana, it tells the story of a rape that tears a community apart, a dark tale of "teenage obsession, guilt and lost innocence."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/23/my-sunshine-away-mo-walsh-review

COMMUNITY EVENTS

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.