Lello & Irmao Bookstore in Porto, Portugal
“That was unimaginable, not remembering where a book has come from! and where it was bought from! That was part of the whole history, the whole point, of any book that you owned! And when you picked it up later in the house at home, you knew, you just knew by looking and having it in your hand, where it came from and where you got it and when and why you’d decided to buy it.”
—There but for the by Ali Smith, pg 296-297
Image Credit: Matthew Furtado
It’s time to think of your game plan. How are you going to take in all that The Word on the Street has to offer? It really depends on what you consider to be a must-see. I might wander into a reading or a cooking demo, but that’s just gravy—for me, it’s all about the books. That is, I want to leave there carrying at least twice my weight in books!
Toronto, I love that you love books, but get out of my way!
If you want to hit all the book tents, you better set your alarm, get up, and get out to the festival by 11 am on Sunday before every Torontonian (and tourist) descends on Queen’s Park. The later in the day you arrive, the more people there will be between you and the books. While it’s encouraging to see that this city really loves reading, if your goal is buying books it’s best to try to maintain your bubble of personal space. You might be tempted to get to the festival even earlier than 11 (some people do) but it’s much more respectful to let the vendors set up in peace before the onslaught.
Another version of this plan is to arrive towards the end of the festival. This is when publishers and booksellers may further discount the books they have left to avoid packing them up and hauling them back from whence they came. While this is a fine plan, ’tis not for me. I want the cream of the crop, not the leftovers. But if you don’t have specific titles in mind, this may work for you.
You might want to check out some authors and engage with ideas while at the festival. There are a ton of readings and talks scheduled throughout the day and you may need to make some tough choices due to scheduling conflicts. Check the program online beforehand to plan your day.
However you choose to approach it, The Word on the Street is a great way to spend a Sunday.
The Word on the Street festival takes place this Sunday, September 25 in Vancouver, Lethbridge, Saskatoon, Kitchener, Toronto, and Halifax.
Image credit: Digital Journal
I haven’t been to many readings and panel discussions. Reading for me is more about actually reading than talking about reading or listening to people read. But from the few events I’ve been to, this strikes me as very valuable advice. When you’re at a reading and some bloviator, enamored with the sound of his/her own voice, asks a rambling two-part question, it’s enough to keep you locked in a room with your books away from the pretension until you forget the pain of it all.
So, remember, when you ask a question, make it a good one. Otherwise, know that your fellow book nerds are not looking upon you with admiration, but are actually seething with repressed rage until you shut your mouth.
Image credit: someecards
This is a pretty accurate representation of what Shhh I’m Reading and I look like when we hit the bookstores.
If you’ve been as brainwashed by advertising as I have, the title of this post should bring something like this to mind:
On a recent trip to San Francisco, I didn’t find a lot of Rice a Roni, but I did find a plethora of independent bookstores to satisfy literary cravings. If you like spending hours upon hours getting lost between the shelves of a welcoming bookstore, San Francisco will not disappoint. Continue reading
If you don’t want your summer reading to be mindless, but you still want it to be fun, you should pick up The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt. But, this book is more than fun (and funny!), it’s touching, sad, dark, gruesome, and amazingly somehow both inhuman and human.
This story of a pair of brothers—who happen to be hit men—making their journey from Oregon City to San Francisco to finish a job is a Western that feels very contemporary. We experience this world through Eli Sisters, whose inner voice will ring true to modern ears. With no superflous words or descriptions, the language throughout is concise, yet powerful. Here is just one example where Eli is describing his horse:
Tub was a healthy enough animal but would have been better suited to some other, less ambitious owner. He was portly and low-backed and could not travel more than fifty miles in a day. I was often forced to whip him, which some men do not mind doing and which in fact some enjoy doing, but which I did not like to do; and afterward he, Tub, believed me cruel and thought to himself, Sad life, sad life.
Poor Tub.
You’ll experience gun fights, sibling rivalry, the California Gold Rush, the joy of clean teeth, and so much more. With short, action-filled chapters, this fast-paced read is perfect for the beach or the bus and is The Owl‘s pick for a summer read that’s just fun enough.
P.S. While we all know not to judge a book by its cover, this one’s awesomeness matches its marvelous innards. Just thought you should know.
You may keep your favourite book close to your heart, but will it protect you from gunfire? Watch this video from Electric Literature to learn if a book can save your life. Hint: the prognosis isn’t good for the e-reader camp.
