Spoken World
The Vancouver International Writers Festival presents a spoken word extravaganza. Spoken word stars Ivan E. Coyote, Shane Koyczan, Ariana Waynes and Skeena Reece provide the word power, underscored by the improvised grooves of Sal Ferreras and his band Poetic License and the visual pyrotechnics of VJ Candelario Andrade. Details and ticket information http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/community/specialevents.
VPL Writer in Residence
The Vancouver Public Library is pleased to announce that they will be accepting applications for their sixth writer-in-residence in 2010. Complete details can be found on their website at www.vpl.ca/writer_in_residence.
If you are looking for suggestions of books to give for Christmas, the Advent Book Blog may be the only place you have to go.
http://adventbooks.wordpress.com/
Five of the largest publishers of U.S. newspapers and magazines plan to challenge Amazon.com Inc.’s Kindle electronic-book reader with their own digital format that would display in colour and work on a variety of devices.
Carol Ann Duffy, who stole the show at this year’s Poetry Bash has written a new version of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/laureate-pens-a-new-12-days-of-christmas-1835037.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/dec/06/poet-laureate-duffy-christmas-poem
Ian McEwan has a new short story in the New Yorker called The Use of Poetry.
http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/features/2009/12/07/091207fi_fiction_mcewan
PRIZES & LISTS
Petina Gappah from Zimbabwe has won the Guardian First Book Award. We have links to an article, a video and a short story.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/dec/02/guardian-first-book-award-gappah
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/dec/04/guardian-first-book-petina-gappah
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/dec/05/petina-gappah-awardwinner-short-story
Haruki Murikami has been awarded Spain’s Order of Arts and Letters.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/japanese-writer-murakami-honoured-in-spain-1834682.html
The winner of this year’s Journey Award, Yasuko Thanh, tells the story behind her winning story.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/a-writers-all-too-real-tale-puts-her-in-spotlight/article1390883/
For those with a taste for history the New Yorker has chosen the top ten books of 1709.
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2009/12/the-top-ten-books-of-1709.html
BOOKS & WRITERS
Memoirs fueled by alcohol seem to be a popular genre. Here are reviews of two new ones Corked by Kathryn Borel Jr. and Lit by Mary Karr.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-lit-by-mary-karr/article1388548/
http://www.quillandquire.com/reviews/review.cfm?review_id=6690
When we hosted Barbara Kingsolver she was touring with her non-fiction book about growing her own food. Now she has a new novel called Lacuna.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-the-lacuna-by-barbara-kingsolver/article1388579/
Malcolm Gladwell may be one of the most popular non-fiction writers working in English. This is a review of his latest, What the Dog Saw.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/books/review-what-the-dog-saw-by-malcolm-gladwell/article1388984/
Don Gillmor dares to write nothing less than the history of the nation in novel form, with a legendary explorer up front.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/734696–review-geoff-pevere-on-kanata-by-don-gillmor
An interview with Malalai Joya the author of A Woman Among Warlords: The Extraordinary Story of an Afghan Who Dared to Raise Her Voice.
http://thetyee.ca/Books/2009/11/16/MalalaiJoyaCdnTour/
EVENTS
ROBSON READING SERIES
Readings from the anthology Hope In Shadows: Stories and Photographs of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Thursday, December 10 at 7:00pm, free. UBC Bookstore library, Robson Square (800 Robson Street).
THE SWEET AND THE BITTER
Vancouver novelist Michael Turner (8 X 10) who appeared at the 2009 Writers Festival is branching out into film screenings, with a showing of James Clavell’s shot-in-Vancouver and rarely seen independent film The Sweet and the Bitter. Thursday, December 10 at 7:30pm. Pacific Cinémathèque (1131 Howe Street). More information at www.cinematheque.bc.ca.
STONE THE CROW
Book launch for poetry collection Stone the Crow, with readings and signings by author Chris Bose. Sunday, December 13 at 7:00pm. Grunt Gallery (116 – 350 2nd Ave. E.). More information at www.kegedonce.com.
VANCOUVER POETRY SLAM
Van slam featuring Mike McGee. Monday, December 14 at 8:00pm. Admission: $5/$3. Café Deux Soleils (2096 Commercial). More information at www.vancouverpoetryhouse.com.
FRENZY
Anvil Press presents the launch of Frenzy by Catherine Owen with performances by folk musician Chika Marston, novelist Dennis E. Bolen, and electronic-music composer Soressa Gardner. Wednesday, December 16 at 7:00pm, free. Café Montmartre, 4362 Main Street. More information at in**@an********.com.
Upcoming
IAN FERGUSON
Reading by the award-winning playwright, humourist and author of How to Be a Canadian. January 4, 2010 at 2:00pm. Lillooet Room (level 3), Irving K. Barber Learning Centre (1961 East Mall). More information at www.ikebarberlearningcentre.ubc.ca.
GREG MORTENSON
The author of Three Cups of Tea is coming to Kidsbooks in January! His powerful presentation will highlight his new adult book, Stones Into Schools; Promoting Peace With Books, Not Bombs, In Afghanistan and Pakistan. Adult tickets include a copy of the new book. For tickets and details, visit www.kidsbooks.ca.
ANN ERIKSSON
Join author in a discussion of her most recent book In the Hands of Anubis. January 21, 2010 at 7:00pm. Christianne’s Lyceum of Literature and Art, 3696 W. 8th. For more information: http://www.christiannehayward.com/.
2010 HAIKU INVITATIONAL
While the cherry blossoms bloom from March through May, you are invited to write your haiku with fresh inspiration. The poems will be judged during the summer and winners announced in the fall 2010. Winning poems will then be featured during the 2011 festival. So start planning now to submit your cherry blossom haiku this coming spring. The deadline for the next round of haiku submissions will be May 31, 2010. More information at www.vcbf.ca.
Produced by the Book News Collective: Hal Wake, Clea Young, Brenda Berck, Ann McDonell and Sandra Millard.
To unsubscribe, please visit http://www.writersfest.bc.ca/community/booknews.
Hal Wake
Artistic Director
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2010 Festival – 19-24 October inclusive
Vancouver International Writers Festival
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Vancouver, BC V6H 3R8
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