Azar Nafisi
The Vancouver International Writers Festival, in partnership with Random House of Canada and the Capilano University IKON Speaker Series, present the bestselling Iranian author Azar Nafisi (Reading Lolita in Tehran) who will give a talk on her latest project Things I Have Been Silent About, a deeply personal memoir about her early years in Iran.
7:30pm, Saturday, January 17, 2009
Capilano Performing Arts Theatre
Capilano University
2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver
Tickets are free but should be reserved in advance as there is limited availability. To reserve, call the Capilano Performing Arts Theatre Box Office on 604.990.7810.
Here is the Globe and Mail’s list of the 100 best books of 2008. Some time in the new year the paper will shut down its freestanding book section and merge books coverage into the Focus section.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20081129.BK100S29/TPStory/Entertainment/Books
Jim Bartley, first fiction columnist for the Globe and Mail, has chosen his ten best for 2008.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20081129.BKJIMB29/TPStory/Entertainment/Books
The Georgia Straight has chosen its Christmas book gift lists for adults and children.
http://www.straight.com/article-173218/throw-book-your-list
http://www.straight.com/article-173231/words-young
The Vancouver Sun has also put together a list of Christmas books for children.
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/best+Christmas+books+kids/1017293/story.htm
In the coming year we will likely see a lot of changes in the publishing industry. Random House in New York, one of the most important publishers in North America has already begun to consolidate.
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/major-reorganization-at-random-house/?ref=books
After choosing 100 notable books of 2008, the New York Times has chosen its ten best.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/14/books/review/10Best-t.html?ref=books
For those who have problems managing the volumes of books that threaten to take over the house, here is some advice on tending to your bookshelves.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/books/review/Miller-t.html?_r=2&ref=books
AWARDS
The Guardian has chosen its best first book published in the past year, Alex Ross’s The Rest is Noise.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/dec/03/guardian-first-book-alex-ross-rest-is-noise
Here are two very different opinions about the controversy over the Governor General’s Award for English language poetry.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20081129.BKREAD29/TPStory/Entertainment/Books
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2008/12/01/ecw-editor-michael-holmes-addresses-jacob-scheier-gg-controversy.aspx
The winners of the Saskatchewan Book Awards have been announced.
http://www.bookawards.sk.ca/year.php
The longlist for the Quebec Bookseller’s awards has been announced.
http://www.alq.qc.ca/pdlq/edition/liste_preliminaire.php
BOOKS & WRITERS
Henning Mankell’s new book, featuring Inspector Kurt Wallander employs two novellas and three stories to reveal aspects of Wallander’s past.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/545410
Nam Le, one of the featured writers at this year’s Festival, was interviewed in the Tyee.
http://thetyee.ca/Books/2008/11/27/NamLe/
Noted graphic novelist Art Spiegelman (Maus) is turning his talents to primers for young readers.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2008/12/02/art-spiegelman.html
Tough topics continue to be of interest to younger readers.
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Young+adult+writers+serious/1031402/story.html
Nobel prize winner V.S. Naipaul who has suffered his share of criticism has been given a curse to cast upon his critics.
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article5258466.ece
Tributes to the life and work of David Foster Wallace continue to be published around the world.
http://weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/015/835eqlmb.asp
EVENTS
FREE WRITE!
A series of free intensive writing workshops for youth in the Lower Mainland aged 14-19, is now accepting applications for its program. Youth will be taught by guest writers including novelist Jen Sookfong Lee, storyteller Brendan McLeod, playwright TJ Dawe, poet Barbara Adler, songwriter Dan Mangan, and screenwriter Evan Crowe. Applications are due December 15th. More information can be found at: www.myspace.com/freewritevancouver or by emailing fr***********@gm***.com.
MOTHER’S PEARLS READING
Kevin J. Cottam will be reading from his first book, Mother’s Pearls…27 Aha Moments of Realization. Thursday, December 4 at 7:00pm. Little Sister’s Book & Art Emporium (1238 Davie).
VANCOUVER AUTHORS TAKE AIM AT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Dr. Gabor Maté and writer and filmmaker Amber Dawn will mark the week between the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women with a reading. Thursday, December 4 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore Robson Square (Plaza Level, 800 Robson).
LLOYD KAHN
Lloyd Kahn, author of the counter-culture classic Shelter and Home Work: Handbuilt Shelter, spent two years shooting photos and interviewing builders along the Pacific Coast of North America. The result is Builders of the Pacific Coast, a book featuring 1200 photos of unique buildings and innovative design, most of it on and around Vancouver Island. Friday, December 5 at 7:30pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street. For more information, please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
A NUMBER OF THINGS
Toronto-based artist Micah Lexier launches his new book that present his favourite conceptual artworks as well as some related objects relating to counting and measurement. Friday, December 5 at 8:00pm. Artspeak (233 Carrall). Information: http://artspeak.ca/exhibitions/event_detail.html?event_id=215.
CLIMATE WARS
World-renowned Canadian journalist, historian, and author Gwynne Dyer will read from his new book. Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7 at 1:00pm. Park Theatre (3440 Cambie).
IMAGES OF INTERNMENT
Japanese Canadian National Museum presents a book launch and signing by Dr. Henry Shimizu, based on a series of oil paintings he created as a visual expression of his time in an internment camp in New Denver. Saturday, December 6 at 3:00pm. National Nikkei Museum and Heritage Centre (100-6688 Southoaks Cres., Burnaby).
THE GENIUS OF JAMES BARBER
Christina Burridge and special guests will celebrate James Barber with the launch of The Genius of James Barber: His Best Recipes. Sunday, December 7 at 3:00pm. Free but please call 604-688-6755 to register. Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks, 1740 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver.
WHEN MEMOIR INSPIRES FICTION
Jen Sookfong Lee will lead a fiction workshop that explores the issues of using what you know to create something entirely new. Monday, December 8 at 6:00pm, free. Peter Kaye Room (Vancouver Public Library, 350 W. Georgia).
CHRIS CZAJKOWSKI
The Canadian author gives an illustrated lecture on her new book, A Mountain Year. Monday, December 8 at 7:30pm, free. Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch (Alice MacKay Room), 350 West Georgia Street. For more information, please call 604-331-4041.
CBC RADIO STUDIO ONE BOOK CLUB
Win tickets to be in the audience of the CBC Radio Studio One Book Club with Peter C. Newman on Monday December 8th. Peter’s new book Izzy: The Passionate Life and Turbulent Times of Izzy Asper, Canada’s Media Mogul is the inside story of the Winnipeg boy whose empire changed the Canadian media landscape forever. Peter himself is no stranger to controversy with his other books including The Secret Mulroney Tapes. To win tickets to meet Peter C. Newman go to www.cbc.ca/bc/bookclub.
PETER C. NEWMAN
Join award-winning journalist, author and political commentator Peter C. Newman as he reads from his new book, Izzy: The Passionate Life and Turbulent Times of Izzy Asper, Canada’s Media Mogul. Tuesday, December 9 at 7:30pm, free. Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street. For more information please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
KATHERINE GORDON
Join award-winning author Katherine Gordon as she speaks about her best-selling book, The Garden That You Are which explores the culture of gardeners through the stories of eight people. Wednesday, December 10 at 7:30pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street. For more information please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
STEPHEN HAMMOND
The author of Managing Human Rights at Work and Steps in the Rights Directions will be discussing community and international human rights. Thursday, December 11 at 7:00pm, free. McGill Branch, Burnaby Public Library (4595 Albert Street). For more information, phone 604.299.8955.
C.C. HUMPHREYS
C.C. Humphreys reads from his newest novel, Vlad: The Last Confession: The Epic Novel of the Real Dracula. Friday, December 12 at 7:30pm, free. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level Central Library 350 West Georgia Street. For more information please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
Produced by the Book News Collective: Hal Wake, Brenda Berck, Clea Young, Ann McDonell and Sandra Millard.
To unsubscribe, please visit http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/community/booknews.
Hal Wake
Artistic Director
* * * * * * * * * * *
2009 Festival – 20-25 October inclusive
Vancouver International Writers Festival
Suite 202, 1398 Cartwright Street
Vancouver, BC V6H 3R8
Canada
p: 604 681 6330 x102
f: 604 681 8400
e: hw***@wr*********.ca
w: www.writersfest.bc.ca
……………………………………………………….