Vol. 5 No. 7
BOOK NEWS
Special Events
Ian McEwan
The Vancouver International Writers Festival and Random House of Canada present the acclaimed author of Atonement and On Chesil Beach will make his eagerly anticipated Vancouver appearance to read from and discuss his latest book, Solar. Details at http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/community/specialevents.
Peter Carey
The Vancouver International Writers Festival and Random House of Canada present the Man Booker Prize for Fiction winner and the author of Oscar and Lucinda and True History of the Kelly Gang in conversation with Hal Wake. Details at http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/community/specialevents.
New Westminster Poet Laureate Search
New Westminster seeks its next Poet Laureate: the Poet Laureate of the Royal City is responsible for creating and presenting poetry and spoken word works to mark special city events. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to express the richness and complexity of life in New Westminster. Deadline to apply: January 29, 2010. For more information visit: http://www.newwestcity.ca/2009/12/21/poet_laureate_wanted.php.
BC Bestsellers
The Association of Book Publishers of British Columbia is posting a weekly list of BC's bestselling books, http://books.bc.ca.
AWARDS & LISTS
The Book Critics Circle in the U.S. has announced its shortlist.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/01/24/bookcritics-shortlists.html
Christopher Reid, whose book of poetry sold fewer than 1,000 copies has won the Costa book of the year prize.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jan/26/christopher-reid-costa-prize
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jan/26/christopher-reid-costa-book-prize
NEWS & FEATURES
American author J.D. Salinger, long acclaimed for his 1951 novel The Catcher in the Rye, has died at 91 in New Hampshire.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/01/28/obit-salinger-jd.html#ixzz0dwBJLtrO
Q: What writer has sold more books than Stephen King, John Grisham and Dan Brown combined? A: James Patterson and this article explains why.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/magazine/24patterson-t.html?ref=magazine
The NY Times plans to charge for web content in a year and the editor of the Guardian says why that is a bad idea.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2010/01/20/consumer-new-york-times.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/jan/25/guardian-editor-paywalls
After 90 years of providing library resources to the blind and visually impaired, the CNIB announced that it will no longer continue to pay $10 million annually to provide braille and accessible audio materials to libraries.
http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Library+access+blind+danger/2457268/story.html
The Ripple Effect Arts and Literature Society is among many BC social profit organizations that has been devastated by deep funding cuts and an uncertain economy. The organization, which promotes youth literacy, reading, creative writing and artwork has put its Youth Literacy in Arts Program and its annual Youth Writing and Design Contest on hold. http://www.rippleeffect.ca/ripple_contests.htm
You've already heard a lot about the iPad and you are going to hear a lot more.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2358480,00.asp
BOOKS & WRITERS
Jean Baird and George Bowering, asked a broad spectrum of Canadian writers to share their experiences of grief and mourning. And Quill and Quire says: " Each essay is compelling; the writing throughout the collection is honest and highly skilled."
http://www.quillandquire.com/reviews/review.cfm?review_id=6755
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/Canadian+writers+reflect+grief/2467801/story.html
One of the most idiosyncratic and provocative voices in fiction belongs to Don DeLillo, Here is a review of his latest.
http://nymag.com/arts/books/reviews/63210/
Katherine Govier reviews Beth Powning's The Sea Captain's Wife http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/afterword/archive/2010/01/23/book-review-the-sea-captain-s-wife-by-beth-powning.aspx
According to the Vancouver Sun Ashok Mathur's "sweeping novel about India ranks with those of Mistry, Rushdie".
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Sweeping+novel+about+India+ranks+with+those+Mistry+Rushdie/2475814/story.html
Rabindranath Maharaj has another winner in his fourth novel, in which comic book culture aids a Trinidadian boy's first year in T.O.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/754955--review-the-amazing-absorbing-boy-by-rabindranath-maharaj
An interview and review with the legendary E.L. Doctorow.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jan/23/el-doctorow-homer-and-lamgley
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jan/24/homer-langley-doctorow-book-review
The NY Times says that Zachary Mason's first novel The Lost Books of the Odyssey is"...an ingeniously Borgesian novel that's witty, playful, moving and tirelessly inventive".
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/28/books/28book.html?ref=books
Greg Mortenson of Three Cups of Tea fame has a new book, Stones into Schools.
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/afterword/archive/2010/01/23/book-review-stones-into-schools-by-greg-mortenson.aspx
Jay McInerney reviews Joshua Ferris's new novel.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/books/review/McInerney-t.html?ref=review
Atwul Gawande is a doctor and a gifted writer for the New Yorker. His new book argues that the use of checklists in medicine can save lives.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/books/review/Jauhar-t.html?ref=review
COMMUNITY EVENTS
MEMOIRS FROM THE WRITING WORKSHOPS OF THE 2009 WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE
Join the participants of the Seniors' Memoir Writing Workshop and Generate: Intergenerational Writing Workshop as they read from their memoir writing projects. Thursday, January 28 at 7:00pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level Central Library
350 West Georgia Street.
ON EDGE READING SERIES
Poet Fabiola Nabil Naguib reads from her work. Thursday, January 28 at 7:00pm, free. SB406 at Emily Carr University, Granville Island, Vancouver.
ROBSON READING SERIES
An evening of readings and discussion featuring poet Billeh Nickerson and short-story writer Craig Boyko. Thursday, January 28 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore Robson Square (Plaza Level, 800 Robson Street). More information at www.robsonreadingseries.ubc.ca.
BRIAN BRETT
White Rock resident and former city councillor Brian Brett reads from his book Trauma Farm, a memoir based on his experiences working at a small farm on Salt Spring Island. Thursday, January 28 at 7:30pm. Pelican Rouge Coffee House (15142 North Bluff Rd., White Rock). More information at www.whiterockartscouncil.com.
PRISM INTERNATIONAL 50TH ANNIVERSARY
PRISM International, Canada's oldest literary magazine, celebrates its 50th birthday with toasts from past and present editors, a cash bar, hors d'oeuvres, a launch of a special retrospective anniversary edition, and readings by Bill Gaston, Deborah Willis, George McWhirter, and Elizabeth Bachinsky. Thursday, January 28 at 8:00pm. Tickets: $15. Thea's Lounge (Thea Koerner Building, 6371 Crescent Rd., UBC). More information at www.prismmagazine.ca.
MASHED POETICS
A night of music and spoken word featuring a performance by Rush tribute band YYZ, plus local poets writing and performing new work in response to the Moving Pictures album. Thursday, January 28 at 9:30pm. Sliding scale $5-10. Cottage Bistro (4470 Main).
VANCOUVER POETRY SLAM
Van slam featuring Scruffmouth. Monday, February 1 at 8:00pm. Admission: $5/$3. Café Deux Soleils (2096 Commercial). More information at www.vancouverpoetryhouse.com.
GWYNNE DYER
Vancouver Community College presents an evening with Gwynne Dyer, acclaimed writer, broadcaster, historian, Georgia Straight columnist, and author of Climate Wars, a study of the geopolitical implications of large-scale climate change. Tuesday, February 2 at 7:30pm, free. Vancouver Community College Broadway (1155 E. Broadway).
ANNABEL LYON
Annabel Lyon will be speaking on the role of her Philosophy degree in her writing and reading from her work. Friday, February 5 at 4:00pm, free. Special Collections, Room 7100, WAC Bennett Library, SFU, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby. More information: http://www.lib.sfu.ca/node/10224.
EVERY GOODBYE AIN'T GONE
Author Evelyne White and photographer Joanne Bealy sign and discuss Every Goodbye Ain't Gone: A Photo Narrative of Black Heritage on Salt Spring Island. Friday, February 5 at 7:00pm, free. Rhizome Cafe (317 East Broadway). More information at www.dancingcrowpress.com.
LONGHOUSE COFFEE NIGHT
A pot luck event featuring an evening of poetry, song, reading and performance hosted by the UBC First Nations Student Association and Richard Van Camp's Creative Writing with an Aboriginal Focus class. Monday, February 8 at 6:00pm, free. First Nations Longhouse, 1985 West Mall, UBC. For more information, visit http://www.calendar.events.ubc.ca/cal/event/showEventMore.rdo.
Upcoming
The Vancouver Opera presents two events in conjunction with the Canadian premiere of Nixon in China. Presented in partnership with the Vancouver International Writers Festival. Complete information at http://www.vancouveropera.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=239&Itemid=15.
A LITERARY LUNCH WITH MARGARET MacMILLAN and ALEXANDRE TRUDEAU
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
12:30 – 2:30pm
“Seasons” at Four Seasons Hotel, 791 West Georgia
Tickets: $50 available from the VO Ticket Centre, 604.683.0222
An intimate encounter with acclaimed Canadian historian Margaret MacMillan and journalist and filmmaker Alexandre Trudeau as they take us behind the headlines of history. Moderated by Hal Wake and co-hosted by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.
MARGARET MacMILLAN IN CONVERSATION WITH ELEANOR WACHTEL
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
7:30 – 9:30pm
Granville Island Stage
Tickets: $18 available from VancouverTix, 604.629.8849 or www.vancouvertix.com
Margaret MacMillan talks with celebrated interviewer Eleanor Wachtel, host of CBC Radio’s “Writers and Company” about her most recent book The Uses and Abuses of History and her earlier chronicle Nixon in China: The Week that Changed the World.
