The Owl

The history of a book

CP — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 23:33:12 +0000

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

The Word on the Street

CP — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 23:06:50 +0000

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

The downside of readings

CP — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 16:31:56 +0000

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

Geekin’ out

CP — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 22:37:58 +0000

This is a pretty accurate representation of what Shhh I’m Reading and I look like when we hit the bookstores.

The Real San Francisco Treat

CP — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 23:49:29 +0000

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.

First stop—City Lights Books

Mesmerizing City Light Show

Co-founded by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, City Lights is not only a great bookstore, but it is also a literary landmark. The store was founded in 1953 and became a hub for the Beat movement. Today, you can still find a sizable section devoted to the Beats upstairs, along with a large general poetry section. But this store offers so much more than Beat lit. The main floor and the basement are filled with scads of other books to suit every taste, with one exception. Due to the store’s anti-authoritarian stance, do not come here looking for the latest business book—unless you’re looking for a scathing criticism of all that big business traditionally holds dear. City Lights not only sells books, it also publishes them. Check out their selection at the store and take one home with you for the perfect (non-tacky) San Francisco souvenir.

Next stop—Books Inc.

This regional chain calls itself “The West’s Oldest Independent Bookseller”. I visited the location in the Marina District and it was bright and friendly, complete with handwritten staff reviews nestled in stacks of favourite books. I even overheard the man behind the counter passionately recommend City of Thieves by David Benioff to a few customers, which is a book that I have also been compelled to recommend to others. As I was leaving San Francisco at SFO Terminal 2, I was delighted to find another outpost of the chain operating under the name Compass Books. Long story short, this bookstore is not trying to be cooler than you. If the essence of a much-needed hug from a non-judgemental friend could be distilled into a bookstore, Books Inc. would be that store.

Last stop—Book Passage

Another regional chain, Book Passage seems to be event and book signing central. At least that’s what I gather from the newsletter I picked up at the Ferry Building outpost. Unfortunately, I did not experience any events first hand, but as I flip through the (32 page!) newsletter, I get the feeling that community building is very important to Book Passage. If you’re planning on spending any time in the SF area, check out the Book Passage website to make sure you’re not missing your favourite author, live and in person.

Special Mention

Chronicle Books—This local publisher has 3 locations in SF. A great spot to pick up a beautiful gift book (after the delectable morning bun I ate at Tartine Bakery, I’d go with this book).

During my short trip to San Francisco, I was only able to spend a bit of time book shopping. There are many independent booksellers in the city and if you’re interested in exploring them, I recommend the following link:

Northern California Independent Booksellers Association: List of San Francisco Bookstores

Image credits: TV Acres and This is Not Poetry

Smart enough for the winter, Fun enough for the summer

CP — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 01:49:58 +0000

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.

Can a book save your life?

CP — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 15:24:53 +0000

Books—a matter of life and death

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.

Read books? Read blogs!

CP — Mon, 30 May 2011 00:44:24 +0000

Are you looking for your next great read or simply want to keep up with the endless stream of new titles being published? Here are three blogs that provide book news and reviews to help keep you in the loop.

Quillblog

Maintained by Quill and Quire, the only magazine focused solely on the Canadian publishing industry, Quillblog is required reading for Canadian publishing professionals and will also appeal to CanLit lovers.

EW’s Shelf Life

Entertainment Weekly magazine’s Shelf Life offers timely news on books written by and about celebrities while also covering bestsellers and soon to be bestsellers. This blog is a great way to keep up with mainstream book news.

PowellsBooks.Blog

If your tastes veer more toward independent or quirky literature, PowellsBooks.Blog should be right up your alley. With profiles of new books from small presses along with news and reviews about buzzy, hipster-ish titles, this blog from the famous Portland, Oregon book chain will introduce you to new, interesting titles you may not otherwise hear about.