Book News Vol. 10 No. 42

BOOK NEWS

Incite 2016
A novel, a poetry collection and a memoir about activism and protest: Sunil Yapa (Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of a Fist), Sarah de Leeuw (Skeena) and Sonja Larsen (Red Star Tattoo). Details at writersfest.bc.ca/feb3incite.

Do you like to plan far in advance? Tickets are now on sale for two great events coming up in May. On May 8, VWF is presenting David Sedaris at the Vogue Theatre. To purchase tickets during the pre-sale (ending Feb 11), use the promo code OWLS. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketfly at https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1032659/tfly?__utma=1.797300158.1452127610.1452551493.1453333174.9&__utmb=1.3.10.1453333174&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1452282302.4.4.utmcsr=writersfest.bc.ca|utmccn=(referral)|utmcmd=referral|utmcct=/events/david-sedaris&__utmv=-&__utmk=5347891 or by calling 888-732-1682. In addition, early bird tickets are on sale for A Dram Come True, our annual whisky tasting fundraiser on May 13. Save $15/ticket by purchasing your ticket today on our website here, http://writersfest.bc.ca/events/dram-come-true.

AWARDS & LISTS

Canada Reads is back, with five books vying for recognitions. The theme of this year's event is "'starting over,' with a focus on immigrant and other stories of transformation and change."
http://www.quillandquire.com/book-news/2016/01/20/books-by-hill-nawaz-and-winter-among-2016-cbc-canada-reads-contenders/

Lawrence Hill has been chosen to chair the 2016 Giller Prize jury. According to Hill, "it's a way of saying I care about CanLit and I'm prepared to spend nine months reading a truckload of Canadian literature."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/lawrence-hill-to-chair-giller-prize-jury/article28254167/

The resident of this year's Berton House Writers' Retreat have been named. The residency, which takes place in Dawson City, Yukon, will be welcoming Toronto poet Claire Caldwell, P.E.I. non-fiction writer Debra Komar, Vancouver children's author Stacey Matson, and playwright Drew Hayden Taylor.
http://www.quillandquire.com/authors/2016/01/19/writers-trust-announces-latest-berton-house-residents/

The Western Canada Jewish Book Awards is a new initiative of the Cherie Smith JCC Jewish Book Festival, designed to celebrate excellence in writing on Jewish themes and showcase the achievements of authors residing West of the Ontario-Manitoba border. Submission deadline is February 29, 2016.
https://jccgv.com/content/wcj-book-awards

YOUNG READERS

An unseen Beatrix Potter story featuring an older Peter Rabbit is set to be published! Quentin Blake has been chosen to illustrate The Tale of Kitty-In-Boots, "which was left unfinished when Potter died and was lost for more than a century."
http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2016/jan/26/beatrix-potter-tale-kitty-in-boots-quentin-blake

NEWS & FEATURES

Can an apparently "curious" computer improve students' writing? "Most roboreaders grade essays. This one wants to help make them better."
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2016/01/writelab_a_roboreader_that_helps_students_improve_their_writing.html

Iran has banned the use of the word 'wine' and the names of 'foreign animals' in books published in the country. "The decision to censor books published in Iran is to ensure that Iranians are protected from a Western 'cultural onslaught'"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/12109159/Iran-bans-use-of-the-word-wine-and-names-of-foreign-animals-in-books.html

Speaking of censorship, two missing Hong Kong publishers have resurfaced, albeit under scary circumstances. "The disappearances have had a chilling effect on Hong Kong's once-vibrant trade in books critical of the Chinese leadership."
http://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-missing-hong-kong-20160120-story.html

The United States and Cuba have joined forces to preserve Hemingway's Havana materials. Experts from both countries are working together to preserve thousands of the writer's books and papers in his house outside Havana.
http://www.mhpbooks.com/us-and-cuba-join-forces-to-preserve-hemingways-havana-materials/

Fairy tales are older than we ever knew! Many stories which had been thought to date back to the 16th and 17th Centuries are now revealed to be prehistoric.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35358487

Are we living in a new golden age of illustration? In a surprising turn, "the advent of e-books and digital publishing has rekindled the bibliophile's interest in the book as a physical object of beauty."
http://lithub.com/a-brief-history-of-book-illustration/

A copy of Don Quixote has been given to jailed drug lord El Chapo. According to prison officials, this is due to him being "depressed and tired."
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/jan/22/don-quixote-sent-in-to-jail-to-cheer-up-el-chapo

BOOKS & WRITERS

Elizabeth Strout's My Name Is Lucy Barton is an "exploration of memory," told from the perspective of an author reflecting on nine weeks she spent in the hospital. In channelling Lucy's voice, Strout is "breathtaking."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/review-elizabeth-strouts-my-name-is-lucy-barton-is-an-exploration-of-memory/article28338507/

In American Housewife: Stories, Helen Ellis takes a stereotype and "spins it into one of the most original and entertaining books in recent memory." Even more importantly, Margaret Atwood has called her "cackle-making!"
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2016/01/24/american-housewife-circa-2016.html

Julie Emerson's new book of poetry, Twenty-Seven Stings, offers seventeen "meditations on war and women." It's illustrated with "powerful" drawings by award-winning artist Roxanna Bikadoroff.
http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/poetry+twenty+seven+stings+offers+meditations+women/11670578/story.html#ixzz3yKG8d0j6

A "fascinating" new collection of essays has profiled the everyday people in Shakespeare's life, "from his wife to his actors to his landlord." Called The Shakespeare Circle, it's an anthology that tells exciting new stories about one of literature's most famous, yet elusive, characters.
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2016/01/shakespeare_biography_the_shakespeare_circle_reviewed.html

COMMUNITY EVENTS

READINGS BY THE SALISH SEA
Celebrated writer Susan Musgrave brings her most recent book A Taste of Haida Gwaii: Foraging and Feasting at the Edge of the World to the shores of White Rock. January 28, 7 pm, Turnbull Gallery in South Surrey Recreation and Arts Centre, 14601-20th Avenue. Tickets $10 at Semiahmooarts.com or call 604-536-8333.

MEET THE AUTHOR: CAROLINE ADDERSON
Caroline Adderson discusses her book, Ellen in Pieces. Thursday, January 28 at 7:00pm. Christianne's Lyceum. 3696 W. 8th Ave. Cost: $22 (includes refreshments). To reserve your space call 604.733.1356 or email lyceum@christiannehayward.com. More information at christiannehayward.com.

TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features Frances Boyle, Keith Garebian, Nasreen Pejvack, Manolis Aligizakis plus open mic. Thursday, January 28 at 7:00pm. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Sign up for open mic at 7pm. Suggested donation at
the door: $5. More information at pandorascollective.com.

ANDREW NIKIFORUK
Author presents his new book Slick Water. Thursday, January 28 at 7:00pm. Tickets: $20/$15/$10/$7.50. Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema, Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 W. Hastings St. More information at sfu.ca.

HADWIN'S JUDGEMENT
Presentation of Sasha Snow's cinematic adaptation of John Vaillant's Governor General Award-winning novel The Golden Spruce. Friday, January 29 at 7:00pm. Tickets: $12/$10. Richmond Cultural Centre Performance hall, 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond. More information at doxafestival.ca.

ASHLEY SPIRES
Author will be signing books and presenting her new picture book Over-Scheduled Andrew. Saturday, January 30 at 1:00pm. Black Bond Books, 5251 Ladner Trunk Road, Delta. More information at 604-946-6677.

POETIC JUSTICE
Featuring Navaro Franco, Keith Garebian, and Alan Hill. Hosted by Franci Louann. Sunday, January 31 at 3:00pm. Original's Restaurante Mexicano, 800 Carnarvon St., New Westminster.

RICHARD VAN CAMP
Reading by acclaimed storyteller and author of books for babies, children and adults, graphic novels and comics. Tuesday, February 2 at 7:00pm. Admission by donation. Sunshine Coast Art Centre, Sechelt.

SAY WHA?!
Eric Fell, LeeAnn Keple, Jacob Samuel, and Michael John Unger read from terrible books. Tuesday, February 2 at 8:00pm. Tickets: $10 at the door. Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main, Vancouver.

JOHN VAILLANT
Meet the author of The Golden Spruce and The Jaguar's Children. Wednesday, February 3 at 6:30pm. City Centre Library, Surrey. More information at surreylibraries.ca.

TWS READING SERIES
Featuring Janet Hudgins, Esmeralda Cabral, Mark Bondyra, Chelene Knight, Sean Kirk, Gayle Mavor, Yaana Dancer, and Nicola Harwood. Thursday, February 4 at 8:00pm. Admission by donation. Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street, Vancouver. More information at 778-782-8000.

LOVE POETRY AND CHOCOLATE
Join poets Terry Ann Carter, Wendy Morton, Barbara Pelman, Steven J. Thompson, and Victoria's poet laureate Yvonne Blomer, for a special afternoon of poetry readings, personalized poems, and chocolate. Saturday, February 6 at 1:00pm. Community room, Central Branch, Greater Victoria Public Library. More information at gvpl.ca.

TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Features Amber Dawn, Carolyn Smart, Lucas Crawford and Shannon Rayne plus open mic. Wednesday, February 10 at 7:00pm. The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street, Vancouver. Suggested donation at the door: $5. Sign up for open mic
at 7pm. More information at pandorascollective.com.

EVE ZAREMBA
Book launch of the author's memoir The Broad Side. Wednesday, February 10 at 7:00pm, free. Little Sister's Book & Art Emporium, 1238 Davie, Vancouver.

CAROLYN SMART
Author reads from her latest poetry collection Careen. Friday, February 12 at 7:30pm. Hillside Coffee and Tea, 1633 Hillside Ave., Victoria.

ALYX DELLAMONICA
Storm Crow Tavern Reading Series presents the author of Daughter of No Nation. Saturday, February 13 at 3:00pm. Storm Crow Tavern, 1305 Commercial Drive, Vancouver. More information at 604-366-9669.

JORDAN ABEL
Reading by Nisga'a author of The Place of Scraps and Un/inhabited. Tuesday, FEbruary 16 at 4:00pm. Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey Library. More information at kpu.ca.

POETRY READING
Featuring Ali Blythe, Arleen Pare, and Kayla Czaga. Hosted by Sheryda Warrener. Thursday, February 18 at 7:00pm. Pulp Fiction Books, Main Street, Vancouver.

GALIANO LITERARY FESTIVAL
Sixth annual festival with over 25 writers. February 19-21, 2016. Galiano Island, BC. Complete details at galianoliteraryfestival.com.

AUTHORS IN OUR COMMUNITY
Mother Tongue Publishers presents a joint launch of Peter Busby's The Life and Art of Jack Akroyd and Trevor Carolan's Literary Storefront: The Glory Years: Vancouver's Literary Centre 1978-1984. Wednesday, February 24 at 7:00pm. Welsh Hall West, West Vancouver Memorial Library. More information at 604-925-7403.

ON EDGE READING SERIES
Elaine Woo reads from her book Cycling with the Dragon. Sunday, February 28 at 7:00pm. Emily Carr Univerity of Art and Design, Granville Island, Vancouver.

DAVID WALLIAMS
Appearance by the author of Grandpa's Great Escape, Awful Auntie, and Mr. Stink and many more! Thursday, March 3 at 7:00pm. School gym, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 2550 Camosun Street. For complete details and to purchase tickets, visit kidsbooks.ca.