The Dewey Divas and the Dudes

Connecting with Struggling Readers: Resources, Tips and Advice to Engage and Inspire

2012-01-28T18:12:00.000-05:00

Join Orca Book Publishers on January 31st for a cool webinar on reluctant readers. Orca publishes the extremely successful Soundings series for teen reluctant readers...with over a million in print they sure know what they are talking about! Check it out.

OLA Super Conference-HarperCollins Author Signings

2012-01-24T15:16:00.002-05:00

So, who is excited about OLA Super Conference next week? I know I am! It's always a great chance to catch up with people that we don't see often and to hear about new & upcoming books. The Deweys aren't doing a session this year, but I'll definitely have a list of my newest picks at my booth, which I'd love to share!

Part of the fun of the OLA show is meeting some of your favourite authors, so I thought I'd help with your conference planning by giving you the heads up about the authors who will be signing at the HarperCollins booth (#731/733).

Thursday February 2nd:

10-10:45 a.m: Vicki Grant- Signing copies of Betsy Wickwire’s Dirty Secret

11 a.m. -12 p.m.: Gail Vaz-Oxlade- Signing copies of It’s Your Money: Becoming a Woman of Independent Means
2-3pm: Kenneth Oppel- Signing copies of ‘This Dark Endeavour’

Friday Feb 3

10-11am: Allan Stratton - Signing copies of ‘The Grave Robber’s Apprentice’

1-2pm: Frank Viva- signing copies of ‘Along a Long Road’

If you have a moment, you might also want to check out the new HarperCollins Library Love Tumblr blog where I've posted a picture of one of the giveaways we'll have at our booth...

Hope to see you at OLA next week!

-Rosalyn

Teenage Girls Who Made a Difference

2012-01-14T15:32:00.000-05:00

This is a cool list of "teenage girls who made a difference" that George Stroumboulopoulos posted on his show last week.

There were 5 girls named:
1. Shannen Koostachin
2. Anne Frank
3. Mary Shelley
4. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (!)
5. Joan of Arc
Second Story Press published Shannen's story last year in Shannen and the Dream for a School. Shannen lived in Attawapiskat and brought national and international attention to the horrible conditions in which they were being educated. Tragically Shannen was killed in a car crash in 2010 and did not live to see the impact she has made in bringing this story to the attention of the Canadian government.

The Joy of Books

2012-01-10T10:41:00.000-05:00

This enchanting video is taking the internet by storm. Yay Type Books!!!

Globe and Mail Book Club

2012-01-10T04:45:00.019-05:00

The Globe and Mail has started their very first book club. They have selected 10 books and are asking readers to vote on which should should be their first book. Click here to cast your vote!

The Beguiling

2012-01-05T21:49:00.008-05:00

The Beguiling is touted as one of the best Comic Bookstores in the world. Many libraries and schools use the Beguiling as their source for all things graphic novelesque. The Comics Reported sat down with Peter Birkemoe for an in depth interview about his shop and the method behind it. This Fall they opened Little Island Comics just around the corner from their original store; a kids oriented comic store. He gives a shout out to Toronto Public Library and their support of TCAF (Toronto Comic Arts Festival). For the full interview click here.

Pantone Colour of the Year

2012-01-01T13:45:00.003-05:00

This year Chronicle release Pantone: The 20th Century in Color. Pantone has announced their 2012 colour of the year... Tangerine Tango ! Happy New Year!

PW's Best Kids Books of the Year

2011-12-30T13:32:00.001-05:00

The end of the year is filled with lists. PW's has a great kid's list...with many Dewey picks on it! Check it out.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T13:14:00.004-05:00

This picture has been sent to me by a few friends...enjoy!

Moleskine Star Wars

2011-12-20T13:27:00.000-05:00

This Fall, Moleskine came out with Star Wars limited editions of their notebooks. Check out this fun video. They have announced the limited edition for next season: LEGO!!!

How to Write (Bad) Copy

2011-12-07T11:29:00.022-05:00

Thanks again to Maureen at HPL who sent one of the funniest pieces I have read in a long time. It's a guide to writing flap copy from Daniel Menaker, the Editor of Grin and Tonic. I have decided to adapt Daniel's advice for my Dewey presentations so watch out while I talk about my "enthralling," "gritty," "original," "remarkable," "magical," "ground-breaking," "arresting," "dazzling," "heartbreaking," "compelling," "devastating," and "captivating" books.

Hollywood Left and Right

2011-11-28T10:36:00.003-05:00

This fascinating book describes how movie stars have influenced American politics. Each chapter is focuses on a different movie star beginning with one of the first stars, Charlie Chaplin. He used his fame to promote socialist views and this got him into trouble with the US government.
Jane Fonda was nicknamed “Hanoi Jane” after a disastrous trip to Vietnam to protest the war. She was also involved in many other causes and was a mentor for several younger celebrity activists like Sarah Jessica Parker. The chapter about Harry Belafonte describes his deep involvement with the Civil Rights movement and his close friendship with Martin Luther King Jr.
Hollywood Left and Right also includes chapters on Arnold Schwarznegger, Warren Beatty, Charlton Heston, Ronald Regan and George Murphy, Edward G. Robinson and Louis B. Mayer.

HarperCollinsCanada Author Events This Weekend Across Canada

2011-11-24T15:11:00.003-05:00

Friday November 25:

Helen Humphreys, author of The Reinvention of Love, will be reading at The Lorenzo Reading series from 7-9pm in Saint John, NB. Details here.

Robin Sharma, author of The Secret Letters of the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, will be speaking at Blue Heron Books in Uxbridge, ON. Details here.

Saturday November 26:

Vicki Grant, author of Betsy Wickwire’s Dirty Secret, will be signing copies of her book at the Chapters in the Bayers Lake Power Centre from 12-1pm in Halifax, NS.

Kenneth Oppel, author of This Dark Endeavor, will be signing copies of his book at Chapters Brampton at 2pm in Brampton, ON. Details here.

Sunday November 27:

Jennifer McLagan, author of Odd Bits, will be discussing her book at Books to Cooks at 5pm in Vancouver, BC. Details here.

Arlene Dickinson, author of Persuasion, will be singing copies of her book at Indigo Burlington at 2pm in Burlington, ON. Details here.

Canada Reads Finalists

2011-11-23T15:09:00.001-05:00

The five finalists have been chosen for Canada Reads.
The Game by Ken Dryden
On A Cold Road by Dave Bidini
Prisoner of Tehran by Marina Nemat
Something Fierce by Carmen Aguirre
The Tiger by John Vaillant
There is a good piece from the writer's POV on how Canada Reads has effected them. Click here to listen to Terry Fallis; last year's winner of Canada Reads.

Canada Reads

2011-11-01T14:39:00.000-04:00

CBC’s annual battle of the books, devoted for the first time this year to works of non-fiction, has named the titles in its 2012 Canada Reads: True Stories Top 10 list. Two of the titles are Dewey Picks...Louis Riel + The Tiger! Click here for more details.

They are:
Louis Riel by Chester Brown
The Tiger by John Vaillant
The Boy in the Moon by Ian Brown
Cockeyed by Ryan Knighton
The Game by Ken Dryden
On a Cold Road by Dave Bidini
Paris 1919 by Margaret MacMillan
Prisoner of Tehran by Marina Nemat
Shake Hands with the Devil by Romeo Dallaire
Something Fierce by Carmen Aguirre

The Castrato and His Wife

2011-10-31T16:00:00.006-04:00

This book tells the story of Giusto Tenducci, an Italian opera singer and castrato, who was wildly famous in the mid-1700s. He sang for Marie Antoinette and was friends with some of the leading composers of the time, including Bach and Mozart, who composed music specifically for Tenducci. He spent most of his adult life living and performing in England, but for a short time lived in Ireland.
In Ireland he was hired to tutor a very talented young woman, Dorothea Maunsell, who was from a rich and influential Protestant family. The two became very close and eventually eloped, causing a huge scandal. First of all, Tenducci was fifteen years older than Dorothea, he was a castrato, and he was also Catholic. Her family was outraged.
Dorothea’s father hired soldiers to chase the pair and Tenducci was thrown in prison twice, but eventually they made their way to England where they lived happily for five or six years. Then the spirited Dorothea eloped with another man.
The Castrato and His Wife is much more than a biography. It tells the story of a group of men, the castrati, who lived unusual lives at the edges of society. It’s also a fascinating look at the history of opera.

Celebrating Canada's Independent Bookstores!

2011-10-15T07:00:00.042-04:00

I love my indie bookstore...Book City on the Danforth. The staff is fantastic and I always come out with a whack of great stuff to read. They are big supporters of the community and my paty of the city would be greatly lessend without them. Today is Independents' Day so go and shop at your local bookstore. The CBA website has more details on Why Independents Matter.

"Long before I was a novelist, I was an independent bookseller, working at Toronto's Bakka Books--and ever since, I've made a point of supporting independents whenever I can; they are the heart and soul of the Canadian book trade, the people who are in it for the love of good books. There's nowhere I'd rather spend an afternoon than browsing in one of Canada's many find independent bookstores." - Robert J. Sawyer

Think Independent Read Independent Buy Independent

Three Cheers for Beer!

2011-10-14T14:58:00.004-04:00

The Oxford Companion to Beer is an A-Z guide that features more than 1,100 entries and 140 images. From barley and hops to local pub customs, it touches on every aspect of making and enjoying beer. There are several Canadian contributors and a four page section about beer in Canada. There are also entries about Labatts and Molsons, which happens to be the oldest brewery in North America. Surprisingly, the top selling beer in Canada is Budweiser and not Molson Canadian, which was knocked out of the top spot in 2004. The largest brewery that is still Canadian owned is Moosehead, but it only has about 3% of the market. One of the very first brewers in Canada was a woman named Marie Rollet, who grew up in France and immigrated in 1617, eventually brewing beer for the small community of New France.

Canada Reads and the Dewey Divas!

2011-10-12T15:23:00.000-04:00

This year the CBC asked the Deweys to submit their picks for Canada Reads. For the first time ever they are doing non-fiction. Check it out and don't forget to vote!

Lonely Planet and the UN

2011-10-11T20:43:00.000-04:00

There was lots of excitement in the office last Friday over some big news from Lonely Planet: in celebration of World Tourism Day, Lonely Planet is announcing a new partnership with the United Nations to provide information for first responders in humanitarian emergencies. Staff from UN agencies deployed in the event of a disaster will be able to use Lonely Planet’s information to help them familiarize themselves with the country before traveling. You can read more about the partnership here. This is super cool!

Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum Comes to the Big Screen

2011-10-10T23:00:00.002-04:00

Writer's Bill of Rights for the Digital Age

2011-10-07T17:52:00.005-04:00

There has been a great deal of conversation going on about e-books. I have been to numerous conferences on digital and one thing I have noticed is that there isn't much mention of the authors. The Writers' Union of Canada has recently posted the Writer's Bill of Rights for the Digital Age. It is worth a read.

Portlandia

2011-09-30T07:00:00.001-04:00

Portalndia is a hilarious series that was on IFC. I know people like this...or more worrisome; I might be like this!

Kate Beaton Comic Girl!

2011-09-26T08:00:00.000-04:00

Kate Beaton is setting the publishing world on fire. She is the cover girl of this month's Quill and Quire. Her long awaited first graphic novel Hark a Vagrant releases this month and it has already gone back to print. Her website gets over 1.2 million hits a month. Chris Oliveros, publisher of drawn and Quarterly, says he hasn't seen this much buzz about a book in 15 years. It's a hoot!

On the Road Again

2011-09-23T13:28:00.008-04:00

As a publishers’ sales rep I spend a lot of time in my car driving to libraries and bookstores, or just the office. In January someone gave me a gift of The Room on CD, and since then I’ve become hooked on listening to books in my car. Now, getting caught in traffic on the QEW is much less aggravating.

The Toronto Public Library has a wonderful selection of books on CD. When it comes to listening to books, fiction works best, and one of my recent favourites was The Help. It is performed like a play, with different actresses taking on the voices of various characters. (I think I developed a slight southern drawl during the week I spent listening to this). A surprise hit for me was a spiritual book called, The Shack. It’s a story about a man who spends a weekend at a shack where he meets and talks with God. I also got very involved in all the Jackson Brody literary mysteries by Kate Atkinson. They’re very dark, but Atkinson is a beautiful writer who is very good at creating characters with a lot of depth. Start with Case Histories and you won’t be able to stop until you’ve listened to all four books in the series.

Unfortunately, non-fiction doesn’t work as well on CD, but the exception is biography because it’s usually got a strong narrative like fiction. I was surprised that I enjoyed My Life by Keith Richards as much as I did – even though I still think the guy’s a jerk. It's read by Johnny Depp, Keith Richards and a British actor. However, my favourite biography on CD is When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead: Useful Stories from a Persuasive Man by Jerry Weintraub, a Hollywood producer who started in the music business managing John Denver. He also has some great stories about working with Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and many contemporary and actors like George Clooney. With a distinct Bronx accent, Weintraub reads his own story for the audio, and it’s an entertaining, funny and poignant tale of a very interesting and full life.

Roslyn Schwartz on the Creation of the Vole Brothers

2011-09-21T11:45:00.000-04:00

OwlKids will be coming out this Fall with The Vole Brothers. The Vole Brothers are the antithesis of Schwartz' very successful Mole Sisters...they get into all kinds of situations that those sweet Mole Sisters do not. From School Library Journal: "Publishers, you would do well to emulate this. Please make sure to stick around for “the editorial process”. It is fantastic!"

Castle: Heat Rises

2011-09-19T17:38:00.011-04:00

Season 3 of Castle ended with a shocking cliffhanger, but the long wait is finally over- Season 4 starts again tonight! Woo-hoo!Because I'm a fan, I'm celebrating the return of my favourite Monday night show with a giveaway.

Hyperion Books publishes the books of 'Richard Castle'. Yes, that's right, the ones featured in the TV show! Heat Wave, which introduced the character of Nikki Heat, came out in 2009. Naked Heat came out in 2010. Heat Rises, the third book in the series has just gone on sale. Fans of the show will definitely want to pick up this companion book, because you KNOW it will be referenced in the show this season (they always are)!

One lucky blog reader is going to get the prize pack depicted to the left- a hardcover copy of each of the three books in the series, along with an ALA READ poster featuring Nathan Fillion the (Canadian) actor who plays writer Richard Castle on the show. Don't worry- you won't be getting the poster tacked up on my cubbie wall (I'm not parting with THAT one). The winner will get a fresh, still-in-the-package READ poster.

“Richard Castle proves as adept at writing thrillers as he is at solving crimes. HEAT rises to the occasion.” –Dennis Lehane, bestselling author

So, if you are a librarian (in Canada) and interested in winning this prize, please send an e-mail to rosalyn.steele@harpercollins.com with the subject Castle Contest.

I'll collect names until September 30th at 9:00 a.m. EST and then notify the winner. Good luck!

Unshelved

2011-09-18T10:57:00.000-04:00

Unshelved is a hilarious website that does comic strips all about the library trade. I am sure you find yourself and your some of your patrons in a few of these strips!

The Little Yellow Bottle

2011-09-15T11:57:00.004-04:00

The Little Yellow Bottle from Second Story Press is a powerful book that deals with a very difficult subject...the impact of land mines on children. The book is told in a non-sentimental yet poignant manner. CM gave it 3 out of 4 stars and had this to say: "Christine Delezenne echoes Delaunois's authenticity with images,that at times,are both dark and disturbing. She does not shy away from illustrating the reality of war, but honours children of war by bringing to life its true scope."

Happy Mindfulness Day

2011-09-12T07:13:00.000-04:00

Mindfulness refers to being completely in touch with and aware of the present moment, as well as taking a non-evaluative and non-judgmental approach to your inner experience...so take a few moments today to be mindful...and breathe!

National Reading Summit on You Tube

2011-09-09T08:55:00.003-04:00

The National Reading Campaign has announced the dates for their third summit May 2nd-5th in Vancouver. They have also launched their own You Tube Channel. On this channel you will see Terry Fallis speak about what "Reading Means To Me".

Get Published!

2011-09-07T10:27:00.003-04:00

On September 17th, The Canadian Children's Book Centre will be hosting a seminar on how to get published. The panel will include Barbara Reid, Margie Wolfe (publisher of Second Story Press) as well as others...including yours truly! For more information you can contact Dawn Todd at dawn@bookcentre.ca or click here.

Awards News! 2011 Man Booker Shortlist & 2011 Scotiabank Giller

2011-09-06T09:40:00.004-04:00

Two major awards lists have been announced today!

The 2011 Man Booker Prize for Fiction Shortlist

The six books, selected from the longlist of 13, are as follows:

Julian Barnes The Sense of an Ending (Random House Canada)

Carol Birch Jamrach’s Menagerie (HarperCollins Canada)

Patrick deWitt The Sisters Brothers (House of Anansi Press)

Esi Edugyan Half Blood Blues (Thomas Allen)

Stephen Kelman Pigeon English (House of Anansi Press)

A.D. Miller Snowdrops (HarperCollins Canada)

The winner of the 2011 Man Booker Prize for Fiction will be announced on Tuesday October 18.

The 2011 Scotiabank Giller Longlist

The jury selected 16 titles out of 143 books – a record-setting number of submissions – put forward by 55 publishers from every region of Canada. And for the first time ever, the longlist includes a Reader's Choice nomination:

THE FREE WORLD by David Bezmozgis (HarperCollins Canada)

THE MEAGRE TARMAC by Clarke Blaise (Biblioasis)

THE BEGGAR'S GARDEN by Michael Christie (HarperCollins Canada)

THE ANTAGONIST by Lynn Coady (House of Anansi Press)

THE SISTERS BROTHERS by Patrick DeWitt (House of Anansi Press)

HALF-BLOOD BLUES by Esi Edugyan for her novel (Thomas Allen Publishers)

THE LITTLE SHADOWS by Marina Endicott (Doubleday Canada)

BETTER LIVING THROUGH PLASTIC EXPLOSIVES by Zsuzsi Gartner (Hamish Hamilton)

SOLITARIA by Genni Gunn (Signature Editions)

INTO THE HEART OF THE COUNTRY by Pauline Holdstock (HarperCollins Canada)

A WORLD ELSEWHERE by Wayne Johnston for his novel (Knopf Canada)

THE RETURN by Dany Laferrière for his novel (translation, David Homel) (Douglas & McIntyre)

MONOCEROS by Suzette Mayr (Coach House Books)

THE CAT’S TABLE by Michael Ondaatje (McClelland & Stewart)

A GOOD MAN by Guy Vanderhaeghe (McClelland & Stewart)

TOUCH by Alexi Zentner (Knopf Canada)

EXTENSIONS* by Myrna Dey (NeWest Press) *Reader’s Choice

The shortlist will be announced at a news conference in Toronto on Tuesday, October 4^th.

The History and Future of the Book...Again

2011-09-04T11:02:00.011-04:00

I was picking my son up from the airport the other day, when I was talking to another person also waiting for her son. She asked me what I did and I said I sold books...she laughed and said "aren't books dead?". There has been a great deal of ink spilt this past year on the future of the book. Russell Smith's piece in the Globe speaks to this person's amazement that people still buy books in their traditional format. On a much more positive note is Ann Patchett's piece in the NYT about how wonderful bookstores are...so much that she is planning to open her own bookstore.
And finally Lev Grossman wrote a very cool history of the book "From Scroll to Screen" also from the NYT.

I Don't Want to be a Pea!

2011-09-01T11:45:00.022-04:00

Hugo (the Hippo) and Bella (the Bird) are best friends, but when they are invited to a costume party they can't agree on what outfits to wear. Hugo wants to wear a princess costume and tries to convince Bella to dress up like a pea, but she refuses. Bella offers several alternative ideas for matching costumes, such as a mermaid and a rock, but Hugo is offended. He does not look like a rock!

Eventually the two friends come up with an innovative solution and have a wonderful time at the party. I don't want to be a pea! is a warm and funny story about the give and take of friendship. The book is illustrated with simple, brightly coloured pictures and it would be great for reading aloud at storytime.

Jane Lynch's Happy Accidents

2011-08-31T13:44:00.005-04:00

I've been a Jane Lynch fan ever since I saw 'Best in Show'. So, I'm really excited about Jane's new autobiography Happy Accidents, which will be hitting stores (and library shelves) September 13th!

Check out the video trailers below! The first, was filmed just after Jane finished recording the audio edition and will tell you a bit more about the book and the process of writing it.

And now- a special message recorded just for us in Canada!

Are you excited too?!! I have a five galleys up for grabs for the first five Canadian librarians to e-mail me at rosalyn.steele@harpercollins.com.

Please use 'Happy Accidents' as the subject of your e-mail and please be sure to include the full mailing address of your library.

-Rosalyn

Trick of The Light

2011-08-30T10:33:00.007-04:00

I have just come back from two weeks of glorious holidays. We went on a road trip to California and before we went, I visited my local library to pick up the first four books in Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series. I like my murders with a cup of tea as they say or Agatha Christie style, so Louise Penny's books were just for me. Her latest book in the series: Trick of the Light is releasing today. In support of the book, Lousie is doing an extensive cross Canada tour: from PEI to Victoria. For a complete list of her tour dates click here.

Canadian Culinary Book Awards

2011-08-22T17:55:00.004-04:00

The awards season is truly heating up and it's not even September! Now here's a long list you can really sink your teeth into ;). Cuisine Canada has come out with their nominations for the best Canadian cookbooks. Lots of yummy books on the list including Whitecap's 3 Chefs: The Kitchen Men with Michael Bonacini, Massimo Capra, and Jason Parsons. For a look at all the books click here.

I hope I Win!

2011-08-22T15:27:00.004-04:00

This is a pretty cool and original contest brought to you by the folks at Our Public Library. In order to raise awareness about what is happening at City Hall and TPL, they have enlisted some of Canada's best authors such as Michael Ondaatje, Susan Swan and others. They are asking for people to submit "Why My Library Matters to Me”. Each participating author will accompany a small group of contest winners to a Toronto literary site (such as a location in one of their books) followed by lunch with their group at one of the author's favourite Toronto restaurants. The contest opens August 25th...spread this far and wide. Check it out!

Giller Contest

2011-08-16T17:34:00.005-04:00

The longlist for the Giller is announced on September 6th. The CBC is running a fun contest asking for people to nominate books for the list. The book that garners the most nominations will be added onto the official longlist.
There are also prizes to be won including a trip for two to the Giller Awards. Click here for more information.

Big Nate is On a Roll!

2011-08-11T17:26:00.014-04:00

Big Nate is back and better than ever! Big Nate On A Roll, the third book in this fun series that Kirkus likened to a 'latter-day Peanuts and a kinder, gentler Diary of a Wimpy Kid is now available in stores & on library shelves.

Nate has always looked forward to his Timber Scout meetings (even the berets are cool). But when the practically perfect foreign exchange student Artur joins his troop, Nate is going to have some serious competition to earn first place in the Timber Scout door-to-door sales competition. And Big Nate REALLY wants the customized skateboard that is the prize… Many laughs ensue as the competition heats up! With its mix of text and comic style panels, this book (and the others in the series) appeal to avid & reluctant readers alike.

I must admit to having had a soft spot for Nate- I do like a mischief maker! So, to celebrate the release of Big Nate on A Roll, I’m running a contest for Canadian teachers & librarians. The winner will receive the prize pack depicted in the picture on the right, consisting of an autographed copy of the first two books in the series (Big Nate in A Class By Himself and Big Nate Strikes Again), as well as a copy of Big Nate on a Roll, Big Nate Boredom Busters, the newly arrived ARC of the new comic strip collection Big Nate: What Could Possibly Go Wrong? and a Big Nate cardboard standee.

To enter, please send me an e-mail at rosalyn.steele@harpercollins.com with the subject ‘Big Nate’. Be sure to include your full name and the mailing address of your library or school. I’ll collect entries until Friday September 2nd and contact the winner on Tuesday the 6th.

Win A Trip for 2 to Toronto!

2011-08-10T12:46:00.004-04:00

To celebrate the release of Lindsey Kelk's new novel, The Single Girl's To-Do List, HarperCollins Canada is sponsoring a contest where the winner will win a trip for 2 to Toronto, a 2 night stay at the Four Seasons Hotel , salon services from Civello and dinner at MoRoCo.

To enter and for rules and regulations, follow this link.

Even if you live in Toronto, this prize would be a great 'staycation'. I only wish I could enter too!

The Single Girl's To-Do List was one of my Spring 2011 Dewey Picks. The main character, Rachel, is devastated after being dumped for the first time in her illustrious dating career. An avid list-maker & follower, Rachel starts a practical 'what to do now' list. The fun begins when her two best friends get hold of the list and decide to spice it up a little. Rachel's list begins with a makeover, moves on to tracking down 'the one that got away' (who now lives in Toronto) & includes a challenge that has Rachel facing her fear of heights. This book has great characters, a lot of laughs and is a fun summer read!

Happy Birthday Mr. McLuhan

2011-08-10T08:30:00.001-04:00

This season, we have taken on repping the University of Toronto Press. The first title they presented at their sales conference was a new edition of The Gutenberg Galaxy which they said was the most important book they had ever published...pretty exciting for us. On their blog, they have compiled all of the recent media around the Centenary Year of McLuhan's birth and his legacy which is more relevant today than ever. My favourite piece is by Doug Coupland in the Guardian.

Dear Baobab

2011-08-08T07:57:00.001-04:00

Second Story Press' list this Fall is exceptionally strong. One book that is really standing out is Dear Baobab. It is a sweet story about a young boy who is transplated from Tanzania to North America. His story has alot in common with the spruce tree that is growing too close to their house and has to be moved. In Quill and Quire's starred review they call it charming and superb!

Melanie Watt on Seven Impossible Things

2011-08-05T07:50:00.001-04:00

Melanie Watt does an interesting inteveriew with on the book blog Seven Impossible Things . In it she talks about her favourite books, music and you get to see some of her childhood drawings as well as non-kid sketches. Check it out!

Rob Ford: I can think of another word for her

2011-07-29T09:02:00.005-04:00

This video speaks for itself as author Vikki VanSickle speaks at the City of Toronto Council meeting last night.

WE SURE CAN!

2011-07-29T08:30:00.002-04:00

If you are in the neighbourhood, Sarah B. Hood author of We Sure Can!will be at the Leslieville Farmer’s Market in Toronto all day to answer questions about jamming and preserves.
Date: Sunday, August 7 (rain date Sunday, August 14th)
Time: 9am-2pm
This book is awesome and has folks such as Lorraine Johnson and Elizabeth Baird contributing over 100 recipes.

You have to laugh...

2011-07-26T20:06:00.001-04:00

This article appeared in last Sunday's New York Times. In an effort to create buzz around its digital magazine Think Quarterly, Google is using a "retro" technique...they are publishing it has a hardcover book!

Way to go Ms. Atwood!

2011-07-25T19:02:00.008-04:00

Long time admirer of the Deweys ;) and author extraordinaire, Margaret Atwood tweeted last Thursday that "Toronto’s libraries are under threat of privatization. Tell council to keep them public at http://ourpubliclibrary.to/ " The response was so big that the website ended up crashing! No worries...it's back up and running. You can read the Quill report here. And the Globe did a piece as well.

And another thing...

2011-07-22T21:22:00.004-04:00

In the Globe today there was a piece on privatizing public libraries. Janet sent this link about privatizing libraries in the States. This really hurts my head, this is wrong on so many levels...and it's too hot for that!

SOS! Save our Libraries

2011-07-21T09:28:00.003-04:00

As many of you know, the cost cutting agenda of Toronto City Council could target the TPL within weeks. A petition is going around to address this issue. If you are interested in signing it, click here. Make sure you pass this around!

Taverns, Saloons, Speakeasies and Grog Shops

2011-07-19T15:54:00.005-04:00

America Walks into a Bar is an informative and funny book about how taverns and bars helped to shape American history. It was written by Christine Sismondo, a former bartender, who is now a lecturer at York University in Toronto.

In many newly settled colonies in what was to become the United States, the tavern was often the first building to be built. In small communities that didn’t have many public buildings, the tavern often doubled as a courtroom, post office, community centre – and sometimes the library.

Many events central to the history of the US took place in bars, including some of the Salem witch trials. Plans for the Boston Tea Party were hatched at the Green Dragon, and the Declaration of Independence was ratified at a tavern in New Jersey. For runaway slaves escaping to Canada, it was often tavern owners who provided food and shelter to the refugees. Even the Star Spangled Banner has a connection to a bar; it was written over a few pints at the Fountain Inn to the tune of an old drinking song.

Yarn Bombers Unite!

2011-07-11T21:47:00.000-04:00

I had never heard of Yarn Bombing until this book. Otherwise known as knit graffiti, it is an international guerrilla movement that started underground and is now embraced by crochet and knitting artists of all ages stripes. Basically one knits something and then puts it in a public space. For lots of cool examples you can check out Yarnbombing.com.
This book has been everywhere recently...the New York Times, National Post, Good Morning America etc. The author has a new book coming out this fall: Hoopla: The Art of Unexpected Embroidery...it should be just as much fun!

Canadian Bookshelf is now in Beta Testing

2011-07-08T17:49:00.005-04:00

Canadian Bookshelf, the resource for all Canadian books is now in Beta testing. The intent is to officially launch in the Fall. They do have a section dedicated specifically for Teachers and Librarians. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, they would love to hear them. Their tagline is "if it's Canadian, it's here".

2011 BBC Samuel Johnson Prize Winner Announced

2011-07-06T15:50:00.008-04:00

Mao's Great Famine by Frank Dikotter (Bloomsbury USA) has won the 2011 BBC Samuel Johnson Prize, the U.K's most prestigious non-fiction prize.

On the shortlist:

Caravaggio by Andrew Graham Dixon (Penguin UK)

Liberty's Exiles by Maya Jasanoff (Knopf)

The Rational Optimist by Matt Ridley (HarperCollins)

Bismark: A Life by Jonathan Steinberg (Oxford University Press)

Reprobates by John Stubbs (Viking UK)

Best Canadian Political Books of the Last 25 Years

2011-07-04T17:14:00.006-04:00

I love lists and normally we start to see them at the end of the year, but to celebrate Canada's 144th birthday, the Writer's Trust of Canada is looking to find what we think is the Best Canadian Political Book of the past 25 years. Below is a list of the 12 filanists.
To vote for the best one click here.

On the Take: Crime, Corruption and Greed in the Mulroney Years
Trudeau and Our Times, Volume 1: The Magnificent Obsession and Volume 2: The Heroic Delusion
While Canada Slept: How We Lost Our Place in the World
Fights of Our Lives: Elections, Leadership and the Making of Canada
The Best Laid Plans
One-Eyed Kings: Promise & Illusion in Canadian Politics
John A: The Man Who Made Us; The Life and Times of John A. MacDonald, Volume One
Shakedown: How Our Government is Undermining Democracy in the Name of Human Rights
Harperland: The Politics of Control
1867: How the Fathers Made a Deal
A Fair Country: Telling Truths about Canada
Right Side Up: The Fall of Paul Martin and the Rise of Stephen Harper’s Conservatism

Westward Ho!

2011-07-01T22:27:00.000-04:00

The Klondike has been getting a ton of attention in the national media. It is a graphic novel filled with all kinds of great characters all about the Canadian Gold Rush. The Globe review says "trust Montreal publisher D&Q to go panning for graphic treasure and come up with gold almost every time.
The National Post really sums it up: "it is a Canadian document of a pivotal moment in our national history". This is perfect for fans (like me) of Chester Brown's Louis Riel and for Canada Day!

2011-06-28T15:07:00.000-04:00

Nanaimo's own Chevy Stevens follow up to Still Missing, Never Knowing , will be releasing on July 5th. In an interview with Author on-line she talks about where she go the idea for writing her first book...When she was a real estate agent, waiting between potential buyers at open houses, she spent hours scaring herself with thoughts of horrible things that could happen to her. She also talks about why she became a writer and gives some good tips for budding authors. Both are good thriller reads for the summer. Click here for the full interview.

What Big Media Can Learn From the New York Public Library

2011-06-27T10:28:00.000-04:00

Here's a great article from The Atlantic about how libraries are thriving. Thanks to Maureen from Hamilton PL for sending!

E-Reader Envy

2011-06-23T10:53:00.003-04:00

Russell Smith's piece in the Globe today was HILARIOUS! Many of us who are in the business of reading are in a kerfuffle about e-books and e-readers. Smith's piece on his wife's frustrating experience with her e-reader(s) had tears rolling down my eyes, as he calmly watched her and read his (embarassingly) paper book.

Robert Kroetsch 1927-2011

2011-06-22T22:44:00.004-04:00

Very sad news. The distinguished Alberta author, who won the Governor General’s Literary Award for the novel The Studhorse Man (1969), was returning from a literary festival in Canmore, Alberta, on Tuesday night when he died in a highway accident. He was 84. Click here to read the full story.

Thank you!

2011-06-20T15:41:00.004-04:00

On behalf of all of the Deweys many thanks to Maylin and Lahring for all their many years in the Dewey Divas. The rest of the Deweys have big shoes to fill and are looking forward to it!

Moving On. . .

2011-06-17T12:50:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note to say that mostly due to other work commitments and there being only so many hours in a day, Lahring and I have left the Dewey Divas group. We'll still be voraciously reading, recommending and doing book talks as individual book reps, and posting picks each season on the library portion of the Random House of Canada website.

I've really enjoyed blogging here over the last five years and I just want to say thanks to all the readers who have left comments or e-mailed me, particularly those who cheered me on during my NYRB Reading Challenge. I'll still be blogging and reviewing books over at my personal blog, Julia Hedge's Laces, although it has a slightly different focus than this blog. Blogging might be a bit slow over the summer though, as I take a break from all things electronic to focus on enjoying the summer, interacting with actual humans, and of course to get some reading done (the old-fashioned paper kind!). Hope all of you find time to relax and pick up your own great reads over the summer.

- Maylin

More Awards News!

2011-06-16T23:17:00.004-04:00

The 2011 finalists have been announced for Canadian Children's Book Centre. My favourite picture book of the year Spork was nominated...YAY! For a complete list click here.

2011 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award Winner Announced

2011-06-15T17:21:00.005-04:00

Colum McCann's Let the Great World Spin has been awarded the 2011 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.

According to the IMPAC website, Let the Great World Spin was the popular favourite, with 14 separate nominations from libraries in six countries.

The other shortlisted titles were: Brooklyn by Colm Toibin, The Vagrants by Yiyun Li, Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey, Love and Summer by William Trevor, Little Bird of Heaven by Joyce Carol Oates, Galore by Michael Crummey, After the Fire, a Still, Small Voice by Evie Wyld, Ransom by David Malouf, and The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver.

Sounds like a perfect summer reading list!

Congratulations to Colum McCann!

Cupcake Cakes

2011-06-01T22:39:00.006-04:00

This year at my daughter's school funfair we entered a cake into the cake raffle. This was the first time we have ever entered...it is probably no surprise that it is pretty competitive and the cakes are FABULOUS! We had just received Cupcake Cakes from Gibbs Smith and decided to give it a try. It was so easy!!!!!! My 8 year old pretty much made "Spots" (see picture) all by herself! I would highly recommend giving this a try. There are all kinds of different cupcake cakes you can try: hippos, flowers, butterflies etc. Another great thing about cupcake cakes is you don't have to cut them, which makes them perfect for taking into class.

Dystopian Tour Contest

2011-05-26T14:29:00.003-04:00

Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting authors Veronica Roth (Divergent) and Lauren Oliver (Delirium) when they were in Toronto for the Dystopian Fiction Tour. InnerSPACE hosted the event that I attended at Indigo Yorkdale and aired the footage of the event during their broadcast the following night! Some fans had been there waiting in line for hours!

So what did Veronica Roth and Lauren Oliver have to say about their trip to Canada? Check out this link for Veronica's blog and this link for Lauren Oliver's blog.

As promised, for those who could not attend the events, I did get books signed. I'm offering up THREE of the following fabulous prize packs:

A Signed copy of both Divergent and Delirium
A Signed poster of Divergent
A 'Swag' bag full of cool tattoos & fun extras

If you are a librarian or teacher located in Canada and would like to win one of these great prize packs, please send me an e-mail at rosalyn.steele@harpercollins.com with Dystopian Fiction Contest in the subject line.

I'll collect entries until 9 a.m. on Friday June 10th and randomly draw three winners from the qualified entrants.

Remember- your odds of winning a fabulous prize on the Dewey Diva blog are MUCH better than winning the lotto!

Summer Reading. . .

2011-05-23T08:52:00.000-04:00

The L.A. Times has a sneak preview of lots of great upcoming summer reading. Check it out here. Just put your cursor over each title to read more about it. There are sections on fiction & poetry, biography, travel, history, page turners and children's books as well. I'm looking forward to Nicholson Baker's new novel House of Holes, and Paris to the Past: Travelling Through French History by Train by Ina Caro also piques my interest.

Bragging Rights!

2011-05-16T21:03:00.004-04:00

I attended the CBA Libris Awards dinner on Saturday night which were held in Toronto. Emma Donoghue won for Author of the Year as well as Book of the Year. Our very own Debbie Brown won Sales Rep of the Year! Our company has won the CBA Sales Rep of the Year, three out of the past four years. For a complete list of winners click here!

The Next Day

2011-05-12T22:27:00.004-04:00

Last week, Pop Sandbox launched The Next Day during the Hot Docs Festival in Toronto. From the publisher that did Kenk (a Quill and Quire Best Book of 2010), comes an intensely amazing portrait of four people who attempt suicide. The title comes from the question: what if they had waited one more day? The book deals with the suicide attempts right up front, which is a relief; waiting for that until the end of the book would be tough to endure. The reviews have been amazing...from Open Book:"as a rule, Open Book doesn’t post reviews or recommendations, but I am going to break that rule. I urge you to buy a copy of The Next Day. It is a sublimely beautiful, haunting and viscerally moving book." Check out the stunning trailer and the rest of what they have to say here.

Dystopian Tour Stopping in the GTA!

2011-05-11T09:29:00.006-04:00

If you are located in the Greater Toronto Area and are a fan of Dystopian fiction, you'll want to mark one of the following events on your calendar!

Critically acclaimed YA author Lauren Oliver will be signing her much lauded second novel Delirium, which to date has received starred reviews from Publishers' Weekly, School Library Journal, VOYA and Kirkus. And you won't want to miss debut author Veronica Roth either- she'll be signing Divergent, the stunning first novel in a thrilling series that reviewers are comparing to The Hunger Games.

Here are the tour locations:

Indigo Yorkdale Toronto, Ontario: Tuesday, May 17th 7:00 pm
Chapters Barrie Barrie, Ontario Wednesday, May 18th, 7:00 pm
Chapters Brampton Brampton, Ontario Thursday, May 19th 7:00 pm

For those readers located out of town, remember to check the blog the week of the 23rd for your chance to win signed books!

May the 4th Be With You

2011-05-10T21:57:00.008-04:00

Sorry this is a bit late, but I have been in sales conference. DK Canada is running a great contest celebrating Star Wars Day (May the 4th...be with You)...it's corny but it works! They are asking Wookies and their kind to send in pictures of themselves reading a Star Wars book. By doing so, you could win a complete DK Star Wars library worth over $400 as well as a full set of their Star Wars DK Readers donated to a Canadian school or library of your choice!

For every picture they receive, they will donate a Toonie to Frontier College, Canada's original literacy organization.

There is still lots of time to enter...deadline is May 31st, 2011. Click here to see more details.

Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

2011-05-05T11:41:00.004-04:00

This month the Deweys are visiting SOLS with the topic of Beyond Chick Lit: Women's Fiction. While at sales conference I heard about this very popular blog: Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. This is a great site that reviews Romance Fiction. In April 2009, their book, Beyond Heaving Bosoms, The Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance Novels, was published by Touchtone/Fireside, and is now in use in undergraduate courses at Yale, Princeton, and DePaul.

Boo: The World's Cutest Dog

2011-04-29T01:48:00.002-04:00

I am currently at sales conference finding out about the new upcoming books and am totally smitten with Boo: The World's Cutest Dog. This dog puts cuteness on a whole new level...and apparently I am not the only who thinks so...Boo has over one million followers on Facebook! It is a public page, so you don't have to be a member.

CBA Libris Awards Are Announced

2011-04-28T01:34:00.003-04:00

The Canadian Booksellers Association has announced their short list for 2011. The awards recognize the best in Canadian books (adult and children's), bookselling, marketing and many other categories. You can check out the full list here.

one of the greatest vegetarian cookbooks of all time

2011-04-25T20:48:00.004-04:00

Wow...that is high praise. This comes from the Globe and Mail's Rob Mifsud. Plenty was a huge hit at CGTA...people were falling over themselves to get this book. It comes from the London restaurant Ottolenghi. The chef Yotam Ottolenghi is a huge carnivore but he has created a fabulous vegetarian cookbook. As Anthony Bourdain famously said: "the problem with vegetarians is that they can't cook vegetables"! You can read the full review here.

Hey Small Press!. . .

2011-04-24T10:46:00.001-04:00

Here's a great new blog to check out. Hey Small Press! is a site devoted to getting more great books by small and independent publishers into public libraries. It's a U.S. initiative, started by librarians, and they hope to review ten new and upcoming titles a month. They will then send their list to libraries across the country urging them to stock these great finds on their shelves. What a terrific idea!

One of their latest posts is a review of Imre Kertész's novel Fiasco, translated by Tim Wilkinson, which has just been brought into English translation by Melville House. This is a perfect example of why the small presses shouldn't be ignored. Despite winning the Nobel Prize for literature, it's still taken this long to get some of his works translated into English! Fiasco is the third is a loose trilogy that began with Fatelessness and Kaddish For An Unborn Child, and details the experience of coming home from Auschwitz, only to find one's country taken over by the Communists. So yes, an important writer for all library shelves.

Barbarian Librarian

2011-04-21T21:20:00.002-04:00

Say it ain't so! Everyone's favourite Barbarian Librarian failed to win in last Sunday's Wipeout Canada competition. However, he did make it to the third round, which is about three rounds further than I would have made it. Way to go Joel! You made book lovers proud.

Bardolatry. . .

2011-04-21T10:54:00.000-04:00

In honour of Shakespeare's birthday coming up this weekend, I'll be starting Arthur Phillips' new novel The Tragedy of Arthur which stars a man named Arthur Phillips whose family just may have in their possession an undiscovered play by Shakespeare (all five acts included in the text) and whose father - a con man - wants to get it published, by Random House no less. My critic boyfriend Michael Dirda cheekily reviews it in the Washington Post here. It looks terrific and I enjoyed some of Phillips' previous novels, in particular, Prague and The Egyptologist.

The Midnight Curse

2011-04-19T12:52:00.009-04:00

This was such a fun book to read...I love scary stories...but not TOO scary so this was totally my speed. It has all of the elements you need for a good haunted tale...abandoned children, an isolated house and a family curse. I can imagine some young girl at camp huddled up under her sleeping bag with a flashlight reading til the wee hours...BOO!

Pulitzer Prizes Announced. . .

2011-04-18T15:24:00.000-04:00

I HAVE to find the time to read this book. Jennifer Egan has done it again - A Visit From the Goon Squad has just won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, after narrowly beating Jonathan Franzen at the Morning Tournament championship and also picking up the National Book Critics' Award. You can see all the Pulitzer winners, including the journalism awards here.

Good to see Clydebourne Park by Bruce Norris win in the drama category. I caught this hilarious and very un-politically correct play in London a few weeks ago. CanStage will be bringing it to Toronto in April 2012.

CLA Awards Announced

2011-04-15T10:39:00.009-04:00

I'm thrilled to announce that my Dewey pick from last Fall, Kenneth Oppel's Half Brother, has been awarded the Canadian Library Association's 2011 Book of the Year for Children Award as well as the 2011 CLA Young Adult Book Award!

The CLA’s Book of the Year for Children Award has also selected two Honour Books this year: Dear George Clooney Please Marry My Mom by Susin Nielsen (Tundra Books) and The Secret Fiend by Shane Peacock (Tundra Books).

The Honour Books in the Young Adult category are Dust City by Robert Paul Weston (Puffin) and Room by Emma Donoghue (HarperCollins).

Also announced this morning were the winners of the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award. The winner is Roslyn Rutabaga and the Biggest Hole on Earth! (Groundwood Press), written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay.

Honour books are Book of Big Brothers (Groundwood Press), illustrated by Luc Melanson and written by Cary Fagan, and Owls See Clearly at Night: a Michif alphabet (Simply Read Books), written and illustrated by Julie Flett.

Super Smitten. . .

2011-04-14T10:53:00.000-04:00

I browse a lot of food blogs, occasionally jotting down the odd recipe. But mostly I'm daydreaming. Which is why I like Smitten Kitchen so much - it gets me off my butt and actually cooking something. Apart from the gorgeous photography, I really like this foodie's style of writing and the lengths she goes in taking a recipe from a cookbook, trying out different variations, and recording what works and what doesn't. Her latest post has me salivating - it's her take on a blackberry and coconut macaroon tart taken from Heidi Swanson's new cookbook Super Natural Every Day. I am definitely making this on the weekend, substituting blueberries for blackberries. Swoon over the post here.

And to see why she had me running around the city looking for a spaetzle maker last weekend (my new favourite kitchen gadget) check out her experiments with this Bavarian noodle recipe from The Balthazar Cookbook by Keith McNally, Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson. To see my messier, but no less tasty results, click here.

All Sorts of Awards News. . .

2011-04-12T09:59:00.000-04:00

We tend to think of the fall as the big awards season, but the spring has plenty of them too and Canadians (and Dewey picks) are all over them!

The Orange Prize Shortlist has been announced. Congrats to Canadians Emma Donaghue and Kathleen Winter who made the cut. The full shortlist is located here.

And the Dublin IMPAC Award just announced its 10 book shortlist. Read about it here. Thrilled that Michael Crummey has made it with Galore as well as personal favorites William Trevor for Love and Summer and Evie Wyld for After the Fire, A Still, Small Voice.

And the shortlist for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize has also been announced. Read it here. Delighted to see Per Petterson in particular on the list. I really loved I Curse the River of Time.

New Dr. Seuss!. . .

2011-04-12T09:40:00.000-04:00

Hooray, seven "new" Dr. Seuss stories that he wrote for magazines in the 1950s will be published this fall as The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories. You can read more about the find here. The title story sounds like fun - it's about a conniving cat who convinces an innocent duck to make a bad decision.

Dinos in 3-D!!!

2011-04-08T19:01:00.000-04:00

You don't see alot of originality in publishing. With over one MILLION (double from five years ago) titles published every year in the English language alone, it is easy to understand why. This season, DK is coming out with a book like I have never seen before. 3-D Pop Dinosaurs that you don't need glasses for. Incredible as it seems, you need to watch the video below to believe it.

Book Event- Sylvia Tyson

2011-04-05T10:21:00.012-04:00

If you are in the Toronto area today and are interested in meeting Sylvia Tyson, (of Ian and Sylvia fame), she will be launching her new novel Joyner's Dream tonight, Tuesday April 5th. The event is open to the public and will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Dora Keogh, 141 Danforth Avenue (Danforth Avenue & Broadview). "We always knew Sylvia Tyson was a wonderful storyteller in song. Turns out that's true for the page, too. Joyner's Dream is a square-dance of family history. The partners change, but music courses through it all like blood. I was swept away by Sylvia's sweeping saga. This is one good read!" – Shelagh Rogers, O.C., host of CBC Radio’s “The Next Chapter”

"What a page-turning family saga, this tale of 'a long line of thieves and cheats, liars and con artists and even a murderer.' Sylvia Tyson's storytelling is absolutely and shrewdly captivating."- Wayson Choy, author of The Jade Peony and All That Matters

"As one half of the legendary '60's folk duo Ian & Sylvia, Sylvia Tyson was (and continues to be) a talented songwriter. With her fiction debut, Joyner's Dream, she proves to be a masterful storyteller as well... Brilliantly employing a vast range of voices, Joyner's Dream is a hugely satisfying, lyrical read."- Chatelaine

As seen in the window of a Borders store soon to close in Chicago…

2011-04-05T08:42:00.001-04:00

On Film Adaptations. . .

2011-04-04T08:10:00.000-04:00

Jonathan Coe, who is curating the upcoming From Page to Screen Film Festival in Bridport, pens this article in The Guardian about film adaptations that have worked, and those that haven't. Among the films he discusses (and that will be screened) is Barney's Version. I have to agree with him about why it didn't entirely work as a film. You can read the full article here.

New Quebec Writing. . .

2011-04-03T18:06:00.000-04:00

Words Without Borders, an online magazine devoted to international literature, has published its April issue which is devoted to writers from Quebec. Elsa Pépin gives an overview of the current literary scene here. And you can read a very funny short story about a book that literally takes over the world, by writer Nicolas Dickner (author of Nikolski and Apocalypse for Beginners). It's called "The Zacharias Ascaris Affair" and you can read it here. There is also a short story by Dominique Fortier whose debut novel On the Proper Use of Stars , translated by Sheila Fischmann, was one of my Dewey picks last fall. You can read "Unagi" here.

Slam Poet Taylor Mali on what teachers make

2011-04-01T08:06:00.000-04:00

Totally rocks...'nuff said.

The Look of the New Murakami. . .

2011-03-30T15:04:00.000-04:00

Fall may seem a long time off, but not for sales reps (the catalogues and marketing plans are piled up on my desk as I write). One of the books I'm most looking forward to reading is Haruki Murakami's latest novel 1Q84. It's going to be a doorstop (over 900 pages) and it's going to look gorgeous. The book is designed by Chip Kidd who discusses the process here. It'll be out in late October -can't wait!

Scaredy Squirrel Televison Debut this Weekend

2011-03-30T12:16:00.006-04:00

Scaredy makes his TV debut this weekend on YTV this Sunday 9:30 am. There will be a sneek peek this Friday at 4:30. To see some clips click here.

Vote Compass

2011-03-28T22:03:00.007-04:00

Its election time again. I heard about this yesterday on CBC. It's a survey they are conducting so you can see which party's views are closest to your own. The first day over 200,000 people used it. I did it myself and was surprised by the result. Click here if you want to try the quiz.

Why You Need A Little More Romance In Your Life This April

2011-03-25T23:39:00.006-04:00

April 2011 marks the debut of a new Canadian romance author to watch- Lecia Cornwall, author of Secrets of A Proper Countess (Avon). Born in Toronto, Lecia raised her family in Ottawa, and now lives in Calgary, Alberta.

I can't say that I am a voracious reader of romance novels, as I probably average only one book every two months or so. I will admit to much eye-rolling and under-my-breath cynical muttering before setting two separate romance novels aside as unreadable in the past month alone. I like writers like Jude Devereaux, Amanda Quick, and Julie Garwood- good writers who create books with plausible plots, great historical details, heroines with a bit of backbone, and romances that set pages aflame.

There was definitely no eye-rolling or muttering as I opened 'Secrets of a Proper Countess'. I was hooked in the first chapter, intrigued by the heroine Isobel Maitland, as she boldly seduces London's most notorious rake, the Marquess of Blackwood, at a masquerade ball.

Isobel, the widowed Countess of Ashdown, is forbidden by a restrictive clause in her deceased husband's will to exhibit any behaviour that would be deemed 'inappropriate' by her mother-in-law, the horrid Honoria. The cost of any indiscretions? The loss of custody of her beloved son Robin. However, emboldened by the anonimity offered by the costume she is wearing to the ball, Isobel takes the chance to seize a moment of happiness with a man she has long admired from afar.

The Marquess (Phineas) cannot get the bold, passionate, and mysterious woman from the masquerade ball out of his head, and is determined to find her again. He not only wants the opportunity to repeat their romantic encounter, but he also suspects that she may have some connection to a smuggling/spy ring that has been importing goods (and plots) from France. The Marquess' reputation as a rake is a carefully constructed cover. Phineas is actually an agent for the British government, and his bad reputation allows him to infiltrate the 'right' circles- where he can root out spies, traitors and other threats to his country.

Part Cinderella, part spy thriller, Secrets of a Proper Countess is fun and engaging, smartly written and features characters that ring true. If you are a fan of a good historical romance, do check this book out!

According to the author's blog, she has been working on a follow up, The Price of Temptation, which is currently scheduled to be released in January 2012. This book tells the story of one of the minor characters introduced in 'Secrets of a Proper Countess'- Evelyn Renshaw.

Read an excerpt of Secrets of a Proper Countess here.

Check out an interview with the author on Romance Novel News.com

TD Canadian Children's Book Week is Coming!

2011-03-25T08:32:00.001-04:00

The list of authors has been announced for the TD Canadian Children's Book Week and the list is pretty awesome. If you would like to host an author, illustrator or storyteller click here. The theme this year is Changing the World, One Child at a Time.

Literary Indecision. . .

2011-03-25T06:25:00.037-04:00

Here's something fun for a Friday. I f you are one of those people that has many books on the go, or who often spends an agonzing amount of time trying to decide what to read next from a huge pile of options, then you'll enjoy the short story "Books" from the upcoming collection Guadalajara by Quim Monzó, translated by Peter Bush. It's published by Open Letter Books and on their blog Three Percent, they offer this short story in its entirety. Just click on this blogpost (the link to the story PDF is about half-way down). A good companion read would be Herman Melville's classic novella Bartleby the Scrivener. Enjoy!

Canadian Book Publishing’s Next Chapter

2011-03-23T19:42:00.004-04:00

Last week the Globe and Mail did a week long series on the state of Canadian publishing. It created a bit of a stir and lots of letters to the editor. One of my students wrote a piece which was very well thought out. Check it out!

Piaf en Rose. . .

2011-03-22T09:22:00.029-04:00

For all those Edith Piaf fans out there, Carolyn Burke's new biography, No Regrets has just been published. It's quite the life! I'd also like to recommend Martha Wainwright's amazing collection of Piaf songs. What I love about this CD is that Wainwright has stayed away from the big hits and chosen a lot of songs that normally don't get covered. And she can belt them out with all the emotional passion of Piaf herself - it's really a terrific album.

Franklin is 25!

2011-03-21T21:26:00.005-04:00

It's hard to believe that Franklin is celebrating 25 years! to commemorate this, Kids Can Press has just release a 25th Anniversary Edition of Franklin in the Dark. Not only does this edition include the original story (which was found in the slushpile) but is jammed packed with all kinds of goodies such as a letter from Paulette and Brenda, samples of the original art work, a look at Franklin around the world and lots more. KCP has partnered with WWF to celebrate Earth Hour. Paulette and Brenda will be at Indigo Queensway on March 26th 2pm for this event. Click here for all the details! Above is the window at Mables Fables .