don't get strung out by the way I look

Richard Cohen, author of Israel is Real ponders how to dress for an author reading.

First, I want clothes that are soothing, calming, that give the impression of sanity and the most moderate kind of adulthood; that say: “I am not a firebrand attacking your core beliefs. I am a banker, and not that new kind with the derivatives and flash, but the old kind, who can put you to sleep by talking.”

and so much for the rest of the night

A little bird just bought a fine present for me.
Now if only they'd do it twice.

Oh hell, it's not like I won't ask again.

all in all a good day

We've got signed copies of one of my favourite novels of the year due today and a stake is being driven through the vampire trend by...well never mind, it has a perverse kind of logic.

swing and a miscast

Geoff Pevere asks if a "terrific novelist like Jonathan Lethem produce a so-so novel?"

If a film critic can produce book reviews, then yes.

That's a cult I can live with

We've just come off of 25 years around here, and if we're lucky we may squeeze out another 25 before everything goes to hell.

(Philip) "Roth has long been pessimistic about the survival of the novel in a gaudy, short-attention-span culture, but his latest prophesy is one of his bleakest yet, predicting that the form will dwindle to a "cultic" minority enthusiasm within 25 years."

Perhaps so, but yesterday a young lad came in and asked straight away for any other Ron Currie Jr.after reading his first book.

It made my whole week and frankly, the future looked pretty damn great there for a moment.

Currie's new book is one of my faves of the year.

Now remit for the rest of your evil, Disney

Well it's about time.

Parent alert: the Walt Disney Company is now offering refunds for all those “Baby Einstein” videos that did not make children into geniuses.

They may have been a great electronic baby sitter, but the unusual refunds appear to be a tacit admission that they did not increase infant intellect."

Amazing Children's Author Barbara Reid

November 8 2009
In Store - Free - 2pm

We are so EXCITED to have Barbara come to Words Worth! Barbara is an incredible children's author and illustrator who is famous for her Plasticine artwork. This will be an incredible afternoon that your children won't want to miss!

Click HERE to watch a video about Barbara Reid

About Perfect Snow:
A perfect snow has fallen, and first-grader Scott and fourth-grader Jim have been
daydreaming the morning away, making plans, doodling sketches of snowmen
and snow forts, all in anticipation of recess and the endless possibilities of this
perfect snow.

Barbara Reid uses her signature Plasticine style and blends it for the first time
with ink wash panels to create a unique mixed media masterpiece. Drawing
inspiration from the schoolyard of her own Toronto childhood and the ones she
visits today, she manages to create authentic images to which readers of all ages
will relate. Perfect Snow is a timeless Canadian tale that will beautifully enhance
any snowy day!

About Barbara Reid:
Barbara Reid is an acclaimed Canadian author and illustrator, who won the CBA Libris Award’s Children’s Author and Illustrator of the year in 2007. Her first book, The New Baby Calf, by Edith Newlin Chase was shortlisted for the Canada Council Prize for Illustration. More than twenty books later, her other awards include the UNICEF Ezra Jack Keats Award, the Amelia Francis Howard Gibbon Medal, The Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award, the Mr. Christie's Book award, the Elizabeth Cleaver Award and the IBBY Honor List . The Party won the Governor General's Award for Illustration. Most recently, Fox Walked Alone was named to the IBBY International Honour List and shortlisted for The Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and The Blue Spruce Award. Her books have been published in Canada, the U.S.A. Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Holland, Finland, Norway, China, Germany and Thailand.

Words Worth Night of Mystery

On Tuesday November 10th at 7:00pm Linwood Barclay, Robert Robertson and John McFetridge will be reading their latest mysteries at the Princess Twin Cinema. Linwood Barclay has become a literary sensation and an international bestseller. In his new novel, FEAR THE WORST, Barclay has written an utterly frightening story about an ordinary man’s desperate search for his daughter that reminds us just how easily our normal lives can be shattered.
Robert Rotenberg’s debut novel, Old City Hall opens with Canada’s most famous radio personality, Kevin Brace, claiming that he killed his dead wife in the bathtub. Rotenberg’s writing style is fluid and enhanced by his insider knowledge of Toronto’s criminal courts and the streets surrounding “the Hall.”

John McFetridge, will be sharing his newest novel, Swap. He is also the author of two novels and a short story collection. Swap is a fictionalized account of the underbelly of the Toronto crime world. He is currently a writer on the new CBS/CTV television series The Bridge. The event will be held at the Princess Twin Cinema, 46 King St N in Uptown Waterloo. The event starts at 7pm on November 10.

Words Worth Books - Book Launch for Carol Poduch

On Saturday November 7th Waterloo resident, Carol Poduch presents her second book, More Shared Moments, Creating a Life of Joy. Poduch’s daughter Lauren died at the age of nine as the result of an accident in 1999. After her death, Poduch was inspired to write a series of books, entitled Shared Moments, about the grief journey after a child dies. Carol will be at the store for a signing starting at 2:30pm. Visit Poduch online at www.carolpoduch.com

Words Worth's First Author Event!!!

Words Worth Books is hosting an amazing lineup of writers and their ideas this Fall. The bookstore’s first event on November 3rd will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church with authors, Catherine Gildiner, Michael Crummey and Karen Connelly. Gildiner’s second autobiography, After the Falls, recounts her remarkable coming-of-age in the 1960s with the same wit, candour and exhilarating storytelling that has made Too Close to the Falls a bestseller for many years. As the 1960s dramatically unfold, Cathy takes on many personas, but when tragedy strikes, it is her role as daughter that proves to be most challenging.
Governor General Shortlist author, Michael Crummey, will be sharing his most ambitious and accomplished work to date. Galore is an intricate family saga and a rural Newfoundland love story. This is a sprawling, intimate and fantastical novel about the power of stories to shape and sustain us. Crummey is the author of a memoir, several books of poetry, and two bestselling novels, River Thieves and The Wreckage. Galore has been nominated for the Governor General’s Fiction Award. which will be announced on November 17th.

Karen Connelly will also be reading from her latest autobiography, Burmese Lessons. This book is illuminated by the sensual language and flashes of humour that have won her fans around the world. Connelly is the author of nine books of non-fiction, fiction and poetry, her first being, Touch the Dragon which won the Governor General’s Award. Connelly was the youngest person to ever win the prestigious honour. The event takes place at Knox Church, on the corner of Erb and Caroline streets, at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10 or free with the purchase of any of the author's newest books at Words Worth Books before the event.

Don't get around much anymore

I've not been keeping up with things around here, but I'm going to be more available shortly.

Too much time spent elsewhere.

For the purposes of design, everything relating to crime fiction is going to end up here.

Everything else stays on this page.

Alice Munro

reveals a bout with cancer, and offers a clear eyed assessment of Canadian health care.

“I've been lucky with my health. Also, I think we are lucky now in our medical intervention that keeps us going. I have a heart bypass and I’ve just had cancer and things like that are just dealt with now.”

Forthcoming

I've been reading Richard Powers' new novel Generosity, and it stands with '09s best novels. Like the last book Echo Maker, the plots and subplots merge seamlessly, but essentially Powers ruminates on the nature of happiness; who has it, and what's wrong with them for having it. One member of a "creative non-fiction" writers group is an Algerian refugee whose tumultuous life to now shouldn't yield anything close to bliss, but Thassadit Amzwar seems to have overcome everything, and to have an instant, positive chemical effect on others around her.

It's a great hook and Power's if off to the races from there. He's a writer I try to read slowly, even as impulse demands a race to the finish. More a bit later.

it's scary because it's true

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2009/10/19/091019sh_shouts_weiner

place yer bets

The Globe has the usual backgrounder on the Giller horses here.

Alas, no Kindle for us.

(Sniff)

how can I miss you when you won't go away?

British booksellers are politely telling Katie Price (?) thanks, but no thanks.

"Book chains including Blackwell's have said they will not be stocking her latest offering unless managers specifically request copies.

A spokesman said: "She has done three already.

"This is not a book we would say to our readers, 'You must buy'."

Waterstone's has also indicated that it would only make the books available in its stores "if we thought it was the right thing to do."

Because that's the guiding principle behind stocking all manner of memoir.

Fingers crossed

It's Hilary Mantel for the Booker and a strong shortlist for our own prize.

Mantel was expected to win, so no surprise there, and this is a strong shortlist for the Giller.

I was an early booster for the Disappeared, so if it wins, that will be fantastic.

Alas, the only other book I've read on the list is Winter Vault by Anne Michaels and Annabel Lyon is a beautiful writer, but I think it might be Kim Echlin's year.

Words Worth Books 25th Anniversary Party

Even though Words Worth Books does not look a day over sweet sixteen, the store will be celebrating its 25th year of business all day on Saturday October 17th. Join in the fun with birthday cake, free giveaways, a children’s comic book event, and more. And another reason to stop by and help the store blow out their 25 candles - everything in the store will be 25% off all day – excluding periodicals and special orders.

Words Worth Books has been a community fixture in Uptown Waterloo since 1984. Previously the owners, Chuck Erion & Tricia Siemens, carried on a bookstore business for seven years in Mount Forest. The couple was inspired to open a store in Waterloo because of its two universities and vibrant community.

The bookstore has a reputation for great books and great staff. From the thousands of titles that the staff has collectively read, each takes personal delight in placing the right book with the right person. “We are eager to share our love and knowledge of books. We have grown with our readers and introduced them to wonderful books and wonderful authors. We know and like our customers,” says Siemens, one of the co-owners. One of the store’s regular customers, Jennifer Stacy, says “I have a feeling of being among like-minded people whom I’ve come to think of as family: extreme readers like I am, and everyone so knowledgeable about books.” Another loyal customer remembers when Siemens recommended a book for a granddaughter who didn’t like to read. “I gave Danielle the book and said my friend Tricia had chosen it JUST for her.” Later on Danielle was sitting cross-legged in the rocking chair, nose buried and reading intently. She looked up and asked ‘Grandma, does your friend have another book?’’ Doris Lemon says, “Tricia hooked my granddaughter into reading.”

In addition to recommending excellent reads the store also supports book clubs with suggestions, a monthly book club pick and two in-store book clubs. As part of the 25th Birthday, the store is unveiling their list of their top 25 favourites from 25 years of business.
Words Worth is also proud to have a strong history of bringing outstanding authors to Kitchener-Waterloo. Since opening its doors, the store has been honoured to host some of the best authors in the world to their events. W.O. Mitchell, Timothy Findley, Margaret Atwood, John Irving, Robertson Davies, M.G. Vassanji, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Rohinton Mistry, Karen Armstrong, Louis de Bernieres, and Jean Chrétien are only a few of the hundreds of authors that the store has brought to this community. John Siebert, the executive director of Project Ploughshares, recalled his favorite Words Worth author event with Ishmael Beah, a former child solidier from West Africa. “The proceeds for the evening went to Project Ploughshares, which was really terrific, but more so was the response of my 2 teenage children to Beah’s presentation. They needed to read the book. It was one of those rare times where a parent literally sees the light go on in their child’s eyes.”

Words Worth Books is dedicated to nurturing the Waterloo community by supporting many local causes not only with donations but also with time and energy. For example, Words Worth donates $1 per author event ticket to the Record Literacy Fund or some other local cause. The store also supports local authors by hosting book launches and carrying their titles. Words Worth is also committed to being green. The retailer has been using Bullfrog Power for their electricity since 2007. This means that there are no greenhouse gas emissions resulting in the running of the store. The store also has switched all of their light to a more energy efficient system and now uses biodegradable plastic for their bags.

October 17 is Independents' Day, a day celebrating the importance of independent bookstores. Independents Matter is a national grassroots campaign with a community focus created by Canadian Booksellers Association to celebrate the independence and promote the benefits of shopping at local bookstores. On October 17, 2009 independent booksellers all across the country will celebrate Independents' Day. By a huge margin, independent booksellers carry more Canadian-published and regional titles than any other stores. For Canadian towns and cities, independent booksellers mean local jobs, local investment and local culture.

This free celebration takes place all day Saturday October 17, 2009 from 9am to 6pm at Words Worth Books, 100 King Street South, Waterloo. There will be giveaways, cake, and more. David Okum will be demonstrating a comic book drawing lesson to children at 10:30am. The store is offering 25% off everything in the store for the day (excluding special orders and periodicals). You may enter to win a $25 gift card by submitting your favorite memory of the store to Bronwyn Addico. Email to bronwyn@wordsworthbooks.com.

Roman Polanski

The to and fro around this doesn't seem to be going away.

Anyone who wants to can get the parameters of the case in a few keystrokes, but Salon has it right.

Roman Polanski raped a child, and unless we're going to judge artists/entertainers differently than the rest of the world, then Polanski should stand trial.

Although it's been distressing to see elements of Hollywood defend Polanski because he made some movies and is seen as excellent dinner guest, he raped a child.

I could care less what most celebrities have to say about much, but when Salman Rushdie and Paul Auster sign a petition in Polanski's defense, that stings a bit.

I'm a huge fan of the work of wife, Siri Hustvedt, and I haven't read a Rushdie novel in years, but I guess I just naively thought that premier novelists were across the board better than that.

One must keep perspective, so for the rest of the day, I'm switching my allegiance to Chris Rock.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/02/chris-rock-compares-roman_n_307816.html