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Jim Crace is the author of, among other books, Being Dead a novel about a middle-aged couple who sneak away for a beach picnic and spontaneous tryst among the sand dunes, who are subsequently accosted and bludgeoned (sounds gory and off-putting but it's fascinating). The reader experiences the victims' agonal death in a rather David Lynch, "Twin Peaks" hyper-real perspective from inside one of the victim's brains while the bodies become an entomology lesson in the art of decay. Coincidentally, I'd just read Being Dead when I attended a reading by Michael Cunningham at Royce Hall in Los Angeles. Cunningham admitted that he'd just read Being Dead and loved Jim Crace. I'm not calling to order a meeting of the Jim Crace admiration society, rather I am calling to your attention to the fact that a decade, yes a DECADE people, has elapsed since Jim Crace began writing his deliciously satirical literary review column for The Guardian entitled "Digested Read." It is an absolute scream. As Crace says, "The primary goal is to entertain – something the book itself has often failed to do – but it's also intended as a (semi) serious critique, for much of the fun is derived from clunky plot devices that don't work, pretentious stylistic tics, risible dialogue and an absence of big ideas. Literary criticism does not have to be dull to be serious." It's based on the premise that many books are reviewed glowingly and inadequately by people who either (gasp) haven't read the book, or worse, didn't really "get it." Jim pokes fun at the books and writers he has "digested" and regurgitates a delightful masticated blurb that will have you ruminating like a bovine on E. So celebrate a decade of critique with me by plowing through Crace's column and see how it effects your views on some of the books you've likely read and authors you likely admire. Crace says, "Satire when it's accurate isn't cruel." I for one will never look at Martin Amos or his books the same again.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Author Podcast: Annabel Lyon (Author Interviews)

The great thing about hosting the Olympics in Whistler, BC Canada this week is that we get to attract stunning literary figures like Annabel Lyon. I couldn't think of a more perfect author to feature this week as Annabel's book, The Golden Mean (published by Random House 2009) is set in 300BC Greece (and Olympia being the birth of the Olympics in 700BC... ) is about the relationship between Aristotle and his royal pupil, Alexander III of Macedon, son of King Philip II of Macedon, or as most of you know him, Alexander the Great. Don't miss this lesson in history and fiction writing as Annabel speaks to the Whistler Reads book group marking their 28th book discussion. Annabel tells us, "I didn't want to write an historic fiction - I wanted to write a modern book set 2300 years ago." This podcast is part of a growing series, the BookBuffet Author Podcast Series, with over 100 segments posted on iTunes and various other podcast aggregators. You get to listen here first! Our downloads average in the hundreds per day, and that bandwidth costs money. Consider making a donation to the site to support our efforts to bring you quality conversations with established and emerging writers. From Nobel prize laureate Orhan Pamuk to triple-prize-nominated Canadian writer Annabel Lyon, we bring you the voices and conversations of select authors that will intrigue and inspire you and your group.

Monday, February 01, 2010

20 Writerly Questions Series: Beth Powning (Feature Articles)

BookBuffet partners with Random House Canada to offer you a writerly glimpse into the lives of authors. First up, is Beth Powning. Check back for upcoming authors: Joy Fielding, Drew Hayden Taylor, and John Boyne.

Beth is the author of several books, including The Hatbox Letters, Edge Seasons: A Mid-life Year, Shadow Child, and The Sea Captain's Wife. She lives in an 1870s farmhouse with extensive gardens in Sussex, New Brunswick, with her husband, artist Peter Powning. For more information about Beth and her books, please visit her website The Sea Captain's Wife.ca, or read the first chapter of The Sea Captain’s Wife. <

1. How would you summarize your book in one sentence? The Sea Captain's Wife takes the reader around the world on a square-rigged sailing ship in the 1860's with a young woman and her captain husband; beneath the dramatic and fast-paced events of the adventure are the small, painful, and subtle moments that constitute a marriage.

2. How long did it take you to write this book? Three years.

3. Where is your favorite place to write? In my studio, which is a big room over the kitchen in our 1870's farmhouse. The room has tiny, low doors that even I have to duck to go through. There’s a skylight and narrow east-facing windows overlooking my vegetable gardens, forests and pastures. Questions 4-10... Continued below.

Apple Announces The iPAD (Technology Corner)

"It's going to change the way we do every day things." I confess outright to being a MAC fan on most technology gadgets. I have a Mac Book Pro laptop and several iterations of iPod's (including the iPod microphone attachment which I use to digitally record interesting literary events I attend). I download music, podcast courses and movies from the iTunes Online Store, and I have 4 "pages" of Apps on my iPhone that enable me to do a variety of things: from stitching my digital iphone photos together into panoramas, to using a handy translator application for languages (including changing English into Arabic script so that I can email directly to the native speaker I'm working with), to staying on top of my stocks via the Bloomberg App, to using the Mapquest app as a geo-locator for directions or to find the London tube stop I need, or the nearest ATM's where I'm traveling. I can view the latest movie trailers and determine the closest cinema playing my choice. I can electronically call a Taxi, predetermine what my fare will be with the likely route he'll take showing on screen and even pay for my fare in certain cities. Yawn. It goes on and on. As a book reviewer, book publisher, journalist and technology bibliophile, I of course downloaded the Amazon Kindle version for my iPhone the day it became available. But I don't really use it - the screen is pretty small. So for the sake of all the book groups who frequent our website I decided to enter the market by (gasp) ordering an Amazon Kindle before Christmas. The device went through postal purgatory for 3 weeks, eventually going to a wrong address and being sent back to Amazon. I figured that was digital karma because a few days later Steve Jobs made his long awaited announcement of APPLE'S new iPad Device which is largely aimed at destroying the e-reader market. Here's why I think that APPLE will dominate the competitive field: design, design, design. It's rather like the real estate axiom: location, location, location. Why would anyone want to own a clunky Amazon Kindle II or a 5th generation but still ugly Sony Reader, or a Barnes & Noble (mad-dash attempt to catch-up) Nook ?? when they can own an elegant, slim, weightless, superior interface iPad. The list of features, cost and dates you can get yours follow...

Monday, January 18, 2010

The Gold Globe Winners 2010 (Feature Articles)

The Golden Globes are always a pre-curser to the Academy Awards (The Oscars) and this year awards went to some actors whose careers have well deserved recognition in the past and who receive it now, as well as the expected sweep of AVATAR. Kudos to James Cameron who once again breaks box office records by making over $1 Billion USD in the fastest time from opening date. (If you're interested in the animation, get this excellent book, The Art of Avatar: James Cameron's Epic Adventure) BookBuffet was particularly pleased to see Vieneese actor, Christopher Waltz win Best Supporting Actor for "Inglorious Bastards", and also Mo'Nique, Best Supporting Actor in "Precious". Check out the list of winners and nominated to see which films and their adapted books you want to start plowing through before Oscars March 7th, as you may have heard that the Academy of Motion Pictures announced back in June '09 that the Best Picture award will list 10 not 5 movies in the running. In the 30's and 40's The Academy used to feature 8-10 nominees, so this is not a completely new concept. One assumes it's a bid to increase theatre attendance across the spectrum of films before the award ceremony, and I have to agree, when an average of 400 films are released each year it seems reasonable to allow 10 to shine in the annual spotlight. Read on for the Golden Globe list of nominees and winners with links to books, trailers and trivia.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Miep Gies, Who Helped Anne Frank Hide From Nazis, Dies at 100 (Feature Articles)

She was the secretary of a spice company doing business in the office where Anne Frank, her sister, parents and two others stowed away in the attic in Amsterdam. She brought food and clothing to the family, as well as books and newspapers. The hide-aways were discovered late 1944 (the informer has never been uncovered) and Anne was taken to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany where she died of typhus March 1945, just two weeks before the American liberation of the facility. Anne's diary was found by Miep Gies. She kept it and gave the diary to Anne's father Otto, the only survivor. He then published his daughter's diary in 1947. It has since been translated into 65 languages and read by millions of children and adults. The Diary of Anne Frank Miep worked to promote the diary and to ensure that its legitimacy was not destroyed by Holocost-deniers who alleged it was a forgery. Until her 99th birthday when she suffered a small stroke - she continued to answer hundreds of letters from the public.

Author Podcast: Orhan Pamuk (Author Interviews)

I had the good fortune while on business in snowy London, to nab a ticket to the sold out event on January 12th featuring Turkish author and Nobel Prize Laureate, Orhan Pamuk at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in the Southbank Centre. Pamuk of course is promoting his new novel, The Museum of Innocence (Published by Knopf, October 2009) which has been getting sensational critical reviews and popular acclaim. Pamuk has been working on Museum for many years and has alluded to it thus: “The story, which takes place in Istanbul between 1975 and today, is about obsessive passion and the great question: What is love, really?” Tonight, Pamuk is introduced by Hermione Lee who is herself a gifted writer and important critical reviewer. The following podcast begins with an introduction by Ms Lee, followed by a reading by Orhan Pamuk (with amusing antidotes), then a discussion period betwee Pamuk and Lee, and finally a selection of the questions from the audience. There is an interesting segment where Pamuk explains the derivation of the cover photo art: he found the picture in a Turkish photo archive, he photoshopped out the background and added the Bosphorous Sea, he added suspenders to the man in the back seat (which he then had to describe similarly in the book). After all the work, his publishers worried they'd be sued by anyone of the people depicted in the photo. A search to discover their identities and whereabouts found that the only surviving member is the woman seated in the front seat of the car wearing the kurchief. She was contacted and completely delighted by the story. Pamuk went to meet her and has a photograph taken of himself with her - she is now in her 90's.

Sunday, January 03, 2010

Masterpiece Classic: January Brings Gaskell, Austen and Buchan (WGBH Boston)

We're back into Classic Season at Masterpiece hosted by Laura Linney. BookBuffet partners once again with WGBH Boston to give our members free books (5 copies of the current book) from which the new series is adapted. As a television viewer you can luxuriate in the stunning performances of the actors playing the parts: Dame Judy Dench and Dame Eileen Atkins are just two of an ensemble cast of 50 playing opposite each other in the first 3-part drama titled, Cranford adapted by Heidi Thomas from 3 separate books by the Victorian author, Elizabeth Gaskell. Praised by both Dickens and Carlyle in her time, Gaskell was inspired by the changing social and economic times of the late 1800's as the classes met the challenges and opportunities of the Industrial Revolution. Raised by her Unitarian Minister father and later married to a Unitarian husband, Gaskell covers the topics of the day as diverse as: revenge of a trade unionist through murder, individual travails after the Napoleonic Wars, and the interlocking fortunes between 3 country families. (Wives and Daughters, 1864-66) adapted and aired previously by BBC-Masterpiece is considered to be her best work. Gaskell was a close friend of Charlotte Bronte and became her biographer, (The Life of Charlotte Brontë, (1857). Of the series, Director Simon Curtis says, "Treat classics like contemporary material and contemporary material like classics." Get the insider scoop on the making of the series and take advantage of the BBC production team's reverence for classic literature through the many resources available on the Masterpiece website. Limited online viewing of the series is available in the US (not Canada) and you can of course tune-in to the series on television, as well as read the book. Win copies of Elizabeth Gaskell's novels for your book group by participating in our online discussion group. Details below.

Friday, January 01, 2010

Inviting All Book Groups to Adopt a Student for a Year (Feature Articles)

At the ripe young age of 45 John Wood was a Microsoft director in charge of business development for greater China. He had a grueling schedule. One year he decided to take a break and do a trek in Nepal. That trip changed his life. Appalled by the lack of education opportunities, where children were being sold by their parents into bonded labor in neighboring countries instead of growing up in their own communities getting an education, he began bringing books back to Nepal. Hauling them to remote mountain locations by yak, by donkey, by whatever means he could, he was able to provide the people living there with no schools or libraries a chance to learn to read. He formed a charity called Books for Nepal. It's a similar story told in the popular title, Three Cups of Tea, but in this case John Wood has transformed his vision into a multi-country organization called ROOM TO READ that operates in 8 countries with an astounding record: ROOM TO READ has built more than 750 schools, established 7,000 libraries containing five million books, and funded nearly 7,000 long-term scholarships for girls. They publish books in the language of the countries they operate in - often authored and illustrated by local people using local stories told within the culture, that have often never been published before. This is a meaningful enterprise with a stunning track record. BookBuffet has become a corporate sponsor and we invite you to invite your book group to "adopt a student" for one year. It only costs $250 to provide all the books, uniforms, and tuition for one student to attend a Room to Read school for one year. We are challenging 50 of our book group members to join. Help transform the lives of others, and take inpride your own book group's impact on literacy around the globe.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Whistler Reads: THE GOLDEN MEAN (Whistler Reads)

The first book event kicking off the 2010 season in Whistler is going to be a doozy. Don't miss the 28th Whistler Reads book group discussion on Febuary 7th 2010 (apres ski) 4:00-5:30pm at 3313 Peak Drive on Blueberry Hill, Whistler - the home of Chris and Angela. (Tickets: $20 at door or online below) We are thrilled to bring you BC author Annabel Lyon, whose third book The Golden Mean (Random House Canada) was shortlisted for not one, not two, but for three of Canada's literary prizes: both the 2009 Governor General the Giller Prize winning her the the Rogers Writers' Trust Prize. (The Golden Mean is currently #3 on amazon.ca) This is the fictionalized story of Greek philosopher Aristotle's unique relationship to the boy who would become Alexander the Great. The title of the book, the golden mean, is a term used to describe the desirable middle between two extremes, one of excess and the other of deficiency. For example courage, a virtue, if taken to excess would manifest as recklessness and if deficient as cowardice. Socrates teaches that a man "must know how to choose the mean and avoid the extremes on either side, as far as possible". Buddha taught "the Middle Way" in 6th century B.C., sharing the supremely important notion that the main purpose of our existence is to lead a good life. Hence, in heralding the New Year with this book and this author, we are bringing together philosophies from many corners of the earth and from a fascinating point in history. Sound like a great way align your 2010? Purchase a copy of this book for yourself and for those bibliophiles in your world. Join us for Whistler Reads' first event of 2010. RSVP required. (OR your ticket purchase will put you on the guest list.)

Monday, December 14, 2009

Why Women Have Sex (Book Reviews)

Sex holds a universal fascination. From our basic limbic drive of "preservation of self and species" to the furthest extremes of sexual practice, everyone wants to know how it works and where they fit into the spectrum. Starting from our first sexual stirring and tracking behavior to the oldest fornicators, researchers are gathering information to determine what stimulates our sex drive, the mind-body connection and social-cultural differences for normal and abnormal behavior. In 1998 when Viagara came on the market for men, the push was on to discover the pink pill equivalent for women. Female sexuality, these studies show, is even more complex and nuanced than male sexuality. Researchers Cindy M. Meston and David M. Buss, both psychology professors at the University of Texas at Austin discovered some fascinating new information, which is contained in Why Women Have Sex: Understanding Sexual Motivations from Adventure to Revenge (and Everything in Between). I am particularly interested to read the section talking about the sex practices of young women today. What are these third generation feminists up to? You'd be surprised to see the frank level of experimentation and use of sex, almost as a tool in their armanentarium to get what they want. Seems like a good book to purchase for anyone who wants to understand the sexuality of women better. (Uh... who doesn't that include?)

Sunday, December 06, 2009

The 6 Best Technology Gifts This Season (Feature Articles)

Buy any of these technology gifts for people on your holiday shopping list and feel the ho-ho-ho; it's one-stop shopping for you and techno-bliss for them. We at BookBuffet either have or want to own one of each. Last year we bought the digital camera for our kids, our sibs and the G-parents, and smiles abounded from ear to ear. This year we're updating everyone with a new iphone and arming them with a Kindle. Canada has just gained access to the Kindle; the USA tested all the first generation models and the rest of us get to reap the benefits. What is there not to like about the Kindle? It makes sense environmentally and you can't beat it for convenience; transport hundreds of books with you, download new digital versions in minutes over 3G at a fraction of the regular book price. The killer item on this list is the tiny (fits in the palm of my hand) digital projector. It attaches to your iPod or iPhone and projects a 4 foot wide image on any white surface. Add a set of portable speakers and your next mobile presentation will impress even the board. Order all of these items in bulk from BookBuffet using the handy direct links. Tell them to giftwrap, write a custom note card, capitalize on the free delivery, et voila - Holiday Shopping completed. Now you can enjoy the parties, actually plan to ski or hit the beach before the Xmas rush, and relax throughout December. Peace, good will and happy holidays from all of us at BookBuffet!

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Gift Books for Holidays 2009 (Feature Articles)

Warning: gratuitous naked hockey player photo explained later; do NOT let your imaginations run to Bruno-like movie segments. Oh those book-wormy Canucks... Even in winter, or perhaps because of the long winters, there is a new literary related news item every week. What am I talking about? Let's take them sequentially. First, the November prizes: the Scotia Bank Giller Prize and its competitor the Governor General (aka the GG) award ceremonies. In Canada it does not suffice to wait-n-see who wins either of these awards. If you are worth your salty Canadian back bacon you are expected to have read several titles on both short lists and have an opinion on each. Phew! Then on December first, the Globe and Mail newspaper comes out with its Globe 100, staff picks for the best books of 2009, a list that features both national writers and an excellent sampling of the best books from the two other culture connections, the USA and the UK. You barely scrape through the list, reading the short summaries provided on each and circling titles targeted as gifts for holiday shopping, when the CBC Canada Reads group announces the list of 5 novelists and 5 celebrity defenders who will compete in media debates to win the public's vote for the top spot as the 2010 Canada Reads title - meant to be read by all Canadians. It's pure gladiator stuff. I liken the pairing of authors with celebs to a hockey team that has their buff defenseman shouldering opponents into the boards when they skate close to the team's goal scoring forward. Someone once complained to me that men in Canada are turning into hermaphroditic frogs (capable only of asexual reproduction) because of the strong feminist culture, and I had to counter with a hockey reference: "Where else do men willingly give up their front teeth for a sport and have the courage to wear a hairstyle known as the mullet?" Now refocus your attention from, ahem hockey, to books. Here is BookBuffet's hot pick list gleaned from all-of-the-above book lists (and a few more) in 6 easy categories for your holiday shopping pleasure. "A book is a gift you can open again and again." –Garrison Keillor

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Wine & Book Group Pick for Dec-Jan (Wine & Book Club)

Who can resist the delicious red cover of The Winter Vault by Canadian powerhouse, Anne Michaels (McClelland and Stewart, 2009) $15.88. Her last book Fugitive Pieces launched her literary career and garnered her several literary awards including the UK's prestigious Orange Prize and Guardian Fiction Prize. Readers say they "have been aching for her next novel" ever since. Now over a decade later, it has arrived. Judging by the reviews, Michaels has not disappointed her readership. Publisher's Weekly says Winter Vault is "a tender love story set against an intriguing bit of history is handled with uncommon skill." (starred review) and the New York Times writes, "Literature is all the better for it." What could be a better read over the holidays? The story is about a couple who travel to Egypt to live on a houseboat on the Nile River just below Abu Simbel during the '60's, the period of the building of the Aswan Dam.

"Avery Escher is one of the engineers responsible for the dismantling and reconstruction of a sacred temple... Jean is a botanist by avocation, passionately interested in everything that grows. They met on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, witnessing the construction of the Seaway as it swallowed towns, homes, and lives. Now, at the edge of another world about to be inundated in the name of progress, much of what they most believe in is tested.

When a tragic event occurs, nearing the end of Avery’s time in Egypt, he and Jean return to separate lives in Toronto; Avery to school to study architecture and Jean into the orbit of Lucjan, a Polish émigré artist..." - McClelland and Stewart What could be a better Wine & Book Group read over the holidays? To celebrate we've paired this book with a spicy delicious red, evocative of exotic locations from a stunning winemaker

Monday, November 30, 2009

Walmart Wins Canadian Supreme Court Ruling to Keep out Unions (Feature Articles)

In 2004 the employees of the Jonquiere Walmart store located 470 kilometers (290 miles) north of Montreal successfully organized and joined the United Food and Commercial Workers, or UFCW. Walmart famously does not allow its employees to unionize. Like other locations before this in the US, Walmart closed the store the minute union activity was initiated. In 2005 the workers sued Walmart and won their case on the grounds that closing the store violated their freedom of association rights guaranteed by Canada’s constitution. They were the first store North America-wide that had successfully won their case against the mega retailer. But Walmart fought back with a petition to the Supreme Court of Canada, who in examining the case overturned the ruling 6-3, saying that Walmart proved its reasons for closing the store were valid. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce sided with Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart, arguing that businesses ought to retain the freedom to make operating decisions. President Ken Georgetti of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLL) says this effectively hamstrings 100 workers at more than 300 stores across Canada. One can imagine Walmart in his crosshairs today, and it will be interesting to see what happens elsewhere in Canada. I first became aware of the pros and cons of the Walmart giant in a book Nelson Lichtenstien wrote titled, The Wal-Mart Effect: How the World's Most Powerful Company Really Works-and How It's Transforming the American Economy that detailed the employee practices as well as the no-inventory policy which forces suppliers into just in time deadlines to meet Walmart's high-volume, low profit customer expectations. If you want to understand how founder Sam Walton's store became the largest retailer chain in America, and how his Christian-values successor, Soderquist made it onto the top Fortune 500 companies with revenues in excess of $200 billion, then read The Wal-Mart Way: The Inside Story of the Success of the World's Largest Company (240 pgs, 2nd edition, Thomas Nelson Publisher, 2005) -Photo Credit: MindyourMind.ca

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Author Podcast: Amos Oz (Author Interviews)

BookBuffet attended the American Jewish University, LosAngeles where Israeli author, journalist and peace advocate Amos Oz was invited to speak about his life and his books with Rob Eshman, the Editor in Chief of The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. It is all part the Third Annual Celebration of Jewish Books held this November in the city of angels.

Amos Oz, as many of you will recall, was this year’s favourite in to win the Nobel Prize for literature, according to the UK betting site Ladbrokes who rated Oz at 4-1 odds. While he lost to a reasonably obscure Romanian author, the publicity still serves to bring attention to his writing and his political advocacy for a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Turning 70 this past May, Amos Oz said “Being a 70-year-old Israeli is probably like being a 200-year-old Swede.” [He uses 300 year-old American in this talk.] He is being celebrated in his homeland with a three-day festival in his honour that includes literary, musical and cultural events with President Shimon Peres taking part.

Oz has written 18 books and 450 articles and essays. His works have been translated into 32 languages. He famously writes with two pens, one colour for his fiction and another colour for his politics. Half of his books are set within a 30-minute radius of his home in Arad where he lives with his wife Nily. His last book is a slim 117 page memoir titled, Rhyming Life and Death, published in the USA by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and translated by Nicholas de Lange, Professor at University Cambridge. The author prefers to call it one of his “tales”. He says he just tells tales. Tales are what people told each other in caves and it is what we do today. The New Yorker says Rhyming is, “A prose poem… at once melancholic and sensual.” And that is how I find Amos Oz tonight. A warm, soft but firm-speaking man who exudes the depth of experience of his life – a life spent in war and peace, with family, soldiers, politicians, artists; loving, hating, and remembering.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Math: It Does A Body Good (Feature Articles)

Whether you are a whiz at math or not, there remains a universal fascination with how applied math principals help us understand the world around us. I've just discovered of a cool new website where you can get an answer to any math or physics question you want. Despite today's access to unlimited resources on the web, nothing beats this conversation style site that makes you feel like you've reconnected to that brilliant prof you had in your 20s and can only now appreciate in your 40s. Check out askamathmatician.com Questions range from trivial to philosophic: How can we prove that 2+2 always equals 4? What is the best way to understand relativity theory? Why is it so counter intuitive? Is teleportation possible? What is monotony? What is the connection between quantum physics and consciousness? Why does math work so well at modeling the world around us? In answer to the last question, one of the things that resounded with me was that mathematics "was primarily created for practical purposes... addition is used to count possessions, multiplication for trade, and geometry to measure plots of land (or some similar purposes). Mathematicians and scientists use math to model the world by constructing mathematical objects that capture important properties of physical things. Hence, it isn’t as though math just happens to work well for analyzing the world we live in, rather, it was specifically designed for that purpose. e.g. if I have two objects in one group and I combine them with three objects in another group, then my new group has five objects, which is mimicked by 2+3=5." I used this website as a jumping off point to discover other cool sites and books. Check out these math tatoos, how to books on overcoming your math phobia, learn about the Berkeley math circles that are inspiring our youth to gain a fascination with math, and other books with insights into some of the brilliant math minds of the century.

Friday, November 06, 2009

Technology Corner: Electric Literature Magazine, NOT #Edison (Technology Corner)

In keeping with my newfound love affair with the short story genre, I'd like to share with you an innovative new company out of NYC called, Electric Literature Magazine. It's the brainchild of co-founders and editors, Andy Hunter, and Scott Lindenbaum. The duo seeks to revitalize the (ss) genre by employing a variety of electronic formats and digital delivery systems: Sony Reader, ebook, the Kindle, the iPhone, audio books and a POD, print on demand paper version, with of course their online digital version. The cost of an electronic subscription is $24 and $48 for paper - and they've already got over 1,000 subscribers. "In the first two issues this year, the magazine attracted some of the country’s best writers — Michael Cunningham, Colson Whitehead, Lydia Davis, Jim Shepard — and created the kind of buzz that is a marketer’s dream," says New York Times Felicia Lee (Oct 27th) "Mr. Cunningham said he allowed Electric Literature to use an excerpt from his forthcoming novel, Olympia, in the debut issue 'as a vote of confidence' for [the founders] who were his students in the M.F.A. program at Brooklyn College." Get Electric Literature: #1 here. (photo credit:Michael Appleton)

eBook Summit: Media Bistro Presents Innovations in Digital Publishing (Events)

I just signed up for Mediabistro.com's two-day eBook Summit in NYC December 15-16th. If you register before November 18th it's only $345 for both days. Take a look at the heavy-hitting list of key note speakers: Brandon Badger, Product Manager, Google Books; Steve Haber, President, Digital Reading Business Division, Sony; Katty Kay, Washington Correspondent, BBC World News America Author, Womenomics; Jane Friedman, CEO & Co-Founder, Open Road Integrated Media and former CEO, HarperCollins. The program promises to "take a closer look at the changing digital publishing industry, from the perspectives of content creators and of publishers. Leaders in the field will uncover business development opportunities, and highlight the latest technological innovations currently driving the future of digital publishing." If you are a publishing professional, content creator, marketer, advertising and PR professional, business development and e-commerce leader, gather round. Get the Twitter feed with: #ebooksummit. In case you need a completely frivolous reason, take in some holiday shopping and window displays-there is no place on Earth like NYC in December. Details, details, details... here is the skinny on what's up for discussion:

Sunday, November 01, 2009

Ten Things I Learned About The Short Story Genre (Feature Articles)

The popularity of the short story genre has waxed and waned but it seems to be on a comeback. I had my suspicions about why this might be true but decided to read up on the matter while preparing for a public discussion of Alice Munro's new short story collection, "Too Much Happiness." It emerges that more novelists are turning to the short story to express themselves. There's even a new business venture coming out of NYC called Electric Literature that has people like Michael Cunningham, author of "The Hours" at the helm promoting short stories through eco-friendly electronic transmission modes. Learn about the roots of short story, how it evolved to the present form, exactly what that is, and which prominent authors use it with an example by each that you can click to purchase. Why is it popular now you ask? From the writer's perspective a novel that consists of between 100,000-250,000 words can take between 3-5 years of your life to complete. Now consider the modern reader's short attention span: (I am forever hearing from JQ Public about the lack of time to read.) We get our news in sound bites, do our social networking in 140 character tweets or through terse Facebook posts, and even text our voice messages via cell phone in preference to direct P2P conversations. The short story's time has come! We can download them onto our iphones and entertain ourselves with a complete one-sitting story during the nanosecond of free time left to us day or night. (photo credit: LA Times Blog)

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Brody & Tippet Tell How NOW PUBLIC Became The Biggest Citizen Journalism Site (Events)

Take a moment to join this "Fireside Chat With Leonard Brody and Michael Tippett at the Vancity Theatre (1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC) on 27 October 2009, Tuesday. Hosted by The Vancouver Enterprize Forum who write, "Leonard Brody is a highly respected entrepreneur, venture capitalist, best-selling author and Emmy nominated media visionary. He has helped in raising millions of dollars for startup companies, been through one of the largest internet IPOs in history and has been involved in the building, financing and/or sale of five companies to date. Much critical acclaim has followed him in his endeavours. At Onvia (where he was part of the initial executive), the company was voted Canada’s number one startup in 2000 and subsequently closed a $240 Million IPO on NASDAQ. In 2004, Leonard co-founded NowPublic.com which is a pioneer in the field of user generated news. The company was named by Time Magazine as one of the top 50 websites in the world, was inducted into the Newseum in Washington and was recently acquired by the Anschutz Corporation. Currently Leonard sits as the President of the Clarity Digital Group responsible for overseeing one of the largest online news conglomerates in the world including Examiner.com and NowPublic, which between them, share over 20 million unique visitors a month and over 200,000 contributors." As well at the fireside that night is his co-founder Michael Tippet, Emmy award winning...

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

The Soul of Money, by Lynne Twist (Book Reviews)

What if you were the head of a struggling non-profit that was working for the good of humanity, to stop global hunger, and a top executive at a food conglomerate offered you $50K as a public relations gesture to counter some bad press his company had received lately. Would you accept the check? Fast forward to a meeting in Harlem you are holding that same night where a group of significantly less privileged people have gathered because of your appeal for help for the hungry people in Africa. A tear-choked woman dressed very plainly listens and then, with barely any hesitation, comes forward from the back of the room and joyfully gives the $50 she earned that day doing housework for a white woman. This sets a stream of people in the room to come forward with shouts of glee as they toss their their dollar bills and change into the basket. The gifts that evening total $500.

Remarkably Lynne Twist was that struggling non-profit representative realized at that moment in time that money has a soul. She returned the food executive’s check to him the very next day with a note that went something like, “Dear Sir, I am returning your check to you. Please use it toward a charity that has meaning for you.” Years later when the executive retired, he contacted Ms. Twist, this time to give a far more substantial monetary donation from his own personal funds toward her cause, with the comment “In all my years of business, nothing stuck with me more than your act of returning our donation. Please accept this now, from the bottom of my heart.”

That point illustrated to me the very essence of, The Soul of Money: Reclaiming the Wealth of Our Inner Resources. Money can be used for good, or it can be used to destroy hope, integrity and incentive. It doesn’t matter how much you have, it is our attitude surrounding money that determines which way the balance tips. We have the power to choose.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Existentialism in Literature and Film: Podcast by Hubert Dreyfus, U of Berkeley (Author Interviews)

I enjoy listening to podcasts in the evenings, and discovered a series that I know you will love too. Professor Dreyfus is a real curmudgeon by the sounds of things. He teaches "Existentialism in Literature and Film" in the Department of Philosophy UC Berkeley. (When I took philosophy at UCLA the professor said, "I am going to teach you how to think, how to reason.") His classes are full with 200 eager students, and more on the waiting list. He started podcasting as a way to reach the people who couldn't get into class. Soon, as one LA Times correspondent pointed out, he was broadcasting to oil rigs and other remote and isolated places. He receives regular feedback from listeners in Russia on his discussion of Dostoyevsky-how enlightening that must be! Each podcast is directly recorded, with all its amateur sound quality (no false voiced intros such as you hear in Audible.com recordings) at UC Berkeley. They're are a delightful combination of lecture hall banter and didactic discourse, incorporating a select list of works of literature and film, from Plato to Present. If you're interested, tune into streaming audio or download the FREE podcasts from either itunes U or a podcast directory site called Learn Out Loud. The lectures address such questions as, "What is the similarity in sense of self between Dostoyevsky and Kierkegaard?" and "How does Plato's view the universe resemble (remarkably) some modern day philosophers?” Be sure to get the handouts he references here: The last movie, Breathless, is available free on Google Video. For those of you less interested in philosophy, the lectures are well worth listening to for the method of close reading Professor Dreyfus uses. It’s really a delight. A wonderful opportunity to read or re-read the books he references and get more out of them and to apply the knowledge to your own life or gain insights into your current reading. I’ve included the links and to purchase books online. Start your home Philosophy in Literature lessons today.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Whistler Reads: BICYCLE DIARIES (Whistler Reads)

What if you were a famous band member who traveled around the world? And what if you liked to take your handy fold-up bike with you when on tour, and get out into the streets and neighborhoods of cities like London, Sydney, Manila, Berlin, Buenos Aires, San Francisco, Detroit, New York? And what if you kept a diary of all the landscapes and architecture you saw, the fashion, culture and art you experienced, and the people that you met? That would be kind of interesting, don't you think? Well, Talking Heads band member, David Byrne did just that. A resident of New York city who started riding his bike exclusively in the 1980s, David has also been touring, cycling, and writing about it from this unique perspective for the past two decades. His notes, photos and musings were published last month in a book titled, Bicycle Diaries. It's a "highly personal mixture of humor, curiosity, and... views on urban planning, art, culture and postmodern society in general." According to Byrne, “Our values and hopes are sometimes awfully embarrassingly easy to read. They’re right there – in the storefronts, museums, temples, shops, and office buildings and in how these structures interrelate, or sometimes don’t… Riding a bike through all this is like navigating the collective neural pathways of some vast global mind“. As candid and engaging as it is cerebral and informative. If you like the band, touring by bike, or are interested in this unique perspective of world cities from a bicycling urban-planner point of view, get Bicycle Diaries. Whistler Read founder, Paula Shackleton says, "This is our 26th book title and it's going to include: chapter readings from the book, videos of Talking Heads band in concert, and our partnered affiliation of Whistler's Off Road Cycling Association - WORCA members talking about their own adventures on bikes. Venue is the FIREROCK LOUNGE, Westin Hotel, Whistler Save the date: November 25th, 7:30-9:30 pm - That's the day before the Whistler/Blackcomb ski mountains open to the public and the beginning of the Winter Olympic Ski seasons commences. The mood will be celebratory! We invite all visitors to Whistler to drop-in, as well as those people curious to see what goes on at a village book group discussion, and extend a warm 'welcome back' to all our regulars from near and far!" (See details for joining WR)

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Nobel 2009 For Literature Goes to Romanian Writer Herta Mueller (Feature Articles)

Better than the Oscars, this week is when my favorite literary prizes are awarded. First the Mann Booker (reported here), and now the Nobel Prize for Literature. This year's Nobel goes to a rather obscure German-Romanian writer, Herta Mueller. Born in Romania in 1952 the author fled her country due to the persecution and oppression she experienced after her first novel was published, under heavy censorship by the Communist government. A non-censored version was smuggled to West Germany where it received acclaim. Her writing centers on the injustices and politics of (old Communist) Romania with a strong prose style that is "lively, poetic, and corrosive". Mueller takes home a prize of $1.4million - a sum difficult to snort at. One imagines it offers economic freedom to writers enabling them to continue their craft - so with the Wrigleys gum advertisement in mind - that's two freedoms in one. What does this say about the Nobel Prize jury, who have been criticized for judging a writer's politics as much as their prose? Nobel wrote in his will that the prize should go to a person with "a lofty and sound idealism". It is the 20th Anniversary of the fall of Communism. Previous winners have been notable for their focus on revealing the injustices within their country and within their society. Herta is only the 12th woman to win the Nobel Prize for literature. She is in good company along with Nadine Gordimer, Doris Lessing, Toni Morrison and another German language writer, Austrian Elfriede Jelinek. The Nobel Prize has been awarded since 1901, 101 times; it was not awarded in 7 years when the funds were instead applied to the trust.

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Wolf Hall wins the 2009 Man Booker Prize for Fiction (Feature Articles)

Hilary Mantel is tonight, Tuesday 6 October, named the winner of the £50,000 Man Booker Prize for Fiction for Wolf Hall: A Novel, (Fourth Estate, 650 Pg) It is the story of Thomas Cromwell, a man who rose from humble beginnings as a blacksmith's son to become the 1st Earl of Essex and the chief advisor, fixer, and administrator to King Henry VIII during his reign, 1532-1540.

Says Mantel when asked what she likes about the Tudor period, "It has sex, melodrama, betrayal, seduction and violent death - what more could you want?" In interviews Hilary has said that it took her 5 years to write the book. She does not claim to be a historian, but she does careful research into the man and the times and this time she decided to choose an intimate point of view for the story, one that has captivated both her readers and the jury. Says Mantel, "I don't write historic fiction, rather I write contemporary fiction about people in history." Says a blogger, "It's a study of a politician: flawed, and prepared to do things which are questionable, even immoral, to get the result he wants. At the same time his humanity is an important part of the picture, and that's why we see him so much with his family. She even manages to make that old monster Henry VIII understandable, if not sympathetic." Learn more about the author, download excerpts to your phone and access links to author readings from the shortlist.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Technology Corner: Carbon Copy Cloner, Worry-free Back-Up (Technology Corner)

I use a MacBook Pro with the Mac OS X operating system. I'm on this thing so much I've had to replace the "i" key twice and my space bar has been worn down like the sandstone steps of La Seu Cathedral in Barcelona. I run tons of software such that the 40-odd miniscule icons lined up on my tool docking bar at the bottom of my screen are barely recognizable. I use a separate hard drive to store all my media: photos, audio files, movies from my own in-progress files and completed archived projects. This helps to maximize pc speed and performance, and it gives me some peace of mind against the loss of important data. So far I've had next to nil computer crashes: Unlike my friends with non-Mac PC's who experience "the blue screen of death" regularly, and are forced to spend hours upon hours reloading and re-booting their machines. However, that is not to say that I have become cavalier in my approach to some future inevitability. The reason I am telling you all of this is to illustrate how important our personal laptop computers have become, and how any temporary glitch or—yee gads—crash to our system would prove catostophique (spoken with a shrill French accent). SO, as you all nod your heads in frantic agreement, I have a juicy piece of information to ease your now troubled mind. CCC. No, it's not a hockey equipment manufacturer, or a stuttering expository text message. The letters stand for Carbon Copy Cloner, and it's FREE. In just 4 simple steps: Clone, Synchronize, Schedule, and Backup, you will never have to worry about your precious [gratuitous Gollum reference from Lord of the Rings] again! Sign up for our RSS feeds.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

It's National Punctuation Day on Sept 24th (Feature Articles)

You laugh and say, "Hah! What are they going to think of to celebrate next?" But the standards for everyday punctuation among the masses has eroded further than you think. It is reaching catastrophic proportions. I am in a state of apoplexy every other day, and I am not even a hardcore grammarian. It isn't just our email-ease, SMS semaphore or rampant use of smiley faces (to hedge against ambiguous rhetoric) that has replaced the proper use and understanding of punctuation. Indeed, for a while the prevailing thinking in education was that creative writing was being stifled by fussy teachers who insisted upon that nasty triad: correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. The red ink marks on papers disappeared and little star stickers were replaced, "Good job," they said. Students were told just to write, and worry about details later. Now look where it has got us. However, there is hope in site. Enclosed is a list of websites you can browse, bookmark and refer to - even take a quiz to test your knowledge or play games. We've included a short list of books you should keep beside your laptop, or better yet, beside your bed at night. Can you think of anything better for insomnia? And here are some of the most common errors we see in everyday writing. Happy Punctuation Day! Oh, here is the chap who started it all.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Sexual Ambiguity in Life and Literature (Feature Articles)

A recent article from the BBC News reported that the South African 800m world champion runner, Caster Semenya has tested positive to male genetics. This not only leaves her stigmatized with the ambiguous sex label, she could be banned from competition with women. In the face of this exposure, she withdrew from a scheduled race today. Media has sided on the outrage of a disclosure that should carry rights to the patient-doctor confidentiality agreement. The knowledge brings unimaginable psychological repercussions for Caster, because she has been raised female her entire life. While this very public medical debate takes place within the media and the IAAF, it reminds me of a collection of writers who tackled the topic by giving their characters intersex qualities and describing a scenario about its effect in their lives. Not only is it fascinating to learn what science currently understands, it is interesting to see how society handled sexual identity as reflected in literature at various periods of history. Learn about the four “types of sex” that current experts use to classify us, and discover (please help us add to the list) the novels, plays and poems that deal with intersex.

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Buying Books: Yeah... Where DO You? (Feature Articles)

With so many options available, BookBuffet asks the question, "Where do you buy your reading material these days?" Our site has a Browse Books icon at the top R corner of our home page banner that is linked to Amazon.com, .ca, and .uk. for purchases. I ask this question because I just finished speaking with two friends who told me they use Amazon exclusively to purchase "thousands of dollars worth of books and DVD's each year," and I responded, "OMG, why not buy them through BookBuffet?" They answered, "Oh, you mean I can do that and you'll get, like, a commission or something?" "YES!" was my whole hearty reply. "It's not much but every little bit helps!" I went on to explain, "The reason we use Amazon is because they've got the biggest selection of books when we did our online retailer comparison. AND the best digital support and user features that compliment our work in directing readers to good books. The more you buy, the more we benefit. When you purchase a few books at a time, the shipping is FREE. Beats driving to the local store where you may discover they do not carry what you came for, and you'll have to place an order and return a second time. As well, when you shop Amazon you can shop -the world- in the markets where books first become available. I just bought

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Ian McAllister The Last of the Wild Wolves (Book Reviews)

Ian McAllister’s latest book, The Last Wild Wolves: Ghosts of the Rain Forest is a collection of photographs and stories from the Great Bear Rainforest about a family of elusive Coastal Wolves. Ian and his wife Karen live on Denny island, where they have been working tirelessly to preserve BC’s threatened forest and its inhabitants.

The book is a testament of patience as well as an urgent call to action. McAllister spent days, weeks and years building the trust of the pack and waiting for the intimate photo opportunities that read like a family album of portraits from a bygone era of raw wilderness. The Great Bear Rainforest is in fact the last remaining temperate rainforest, relatively inaccessible and therefore retaining its rare magnificence—for now.

GRANTA Turns 30 (Publisher News)

Granta magazine is a literary quarterly from the UK that is turning 30 this year, and they’re asking you to help them celebrate by purchasing a subscription to GRANTA. Digital subscriptions fees have been wound back to 1979 for an annual cost of £3.50 – so there’s no excuse no matter where in the world you live. What’s inside?

Saturday, September 05, 2009

Manga That Rocks (Author Interviews)

Graphic novels are not just for kids. Manga is the Japanese version of this popular phenomenon and a Canadian duo by the name of Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki has joined forces to produce a work of art that blends poignantly funny text with award-winning graphics. SKIM (published by Groundwood Books, June 2009) has already been hailed by the NYT, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, Quill & Quire and Slate as a winner. The titular character, Skim, is being compared to Holden Caulfiel as, "a clear social commentator on adult and adolescent behaviour whose ironic observations on social hypocrisy ring sharp and true.“ The artwork has, "a swooping, gorgeous pen line — expressive, vibrant and precise all at once," say the journals. We took a look and couldn't agree more. If you've never tried graphic novels, this should be your first taste. If you want to understand the gestalt of the current generation, this should help you get a handle. If you're looking for looking for something to open the barriers of discussion with your teenager, what can I say, get this book. Listen to the podcast interview here (about a minute in after the musical intro).

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Whistler Writers Festival 2009 (Events)

&creativeMore than twenty invited Canadian authors and editors will descend on Whistler this September as special guests of a weekend-long siege of word wielding and poetry slinging at the 8th Whistler Writers Festival. Guest writers include the 2009 writers-in-residence (who will spend the fall at Alta Lake Station House): Wayne Grady Tree: A Life Story and Merilyn Simonds The Convict Lover: A True Story, as well as 2009 BC Book Prize winner, Lee Henderson The Man Game, Vancouver author, Annabel Lyon The Golden Mean and Claire Mulligan, long listed for the Giller Prize for her book, The Reckoning of Boston Jim. Whistler writer Sara Leach will also be celebrating the publication of her first book, Jake Reynolds: Chicken or Eagle? a children's story. Buy your books at significant discount at the links provided here, and have them ready for signing when you attend the session!

Masterpiece Mystery: Lewis Series Taking Us Thru Fall (WGBH Boston)

As the longest-running primetime drama on American television, Masterpiece is committed to bringing viewers the best in literature-based drama, mysteries filled with eclectic characters, and groundbreaking contemporary works. Next up is seven 90-minute mysteries starting August 30th and running through to October 18, 2009. Don't miss Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox who return as Detective Inspector Lewis and Detective Sergeant Hathaway in all seven NEW episodes. Like Sherlock and Watson, it's all about the detective relationship as the duo face an intriguing list of crimes in the picturesque village of Cambridge. Author Colin Dexter is the original creator of the Louis Series, which were taken from his Inspector Morse novels. Fourteen novels inspired the adaptation into 32 films spanning 5 years. Masterpiece is excited to continue in the tradition. The setting is not surprising as Dexter studied Classics at Cambridge and the sprinkling of clues using Latin and Greek draw on his experience as an A-level examiner in English, Latin and Greek for the Oxford Board. For all you crossword freaks, he was also a national crossword champion. For dates and episode summaries...

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Get The Skinny On Canada's Proposed New Copyright Law (Feature Articles)

We've all done it. Downloaded an in theatres only movie from the net before the Oscars; nabbed a file from one of the Napster-type music sites; used a picture off of Flikr for our own web article. But now that there are so many sites offering easy, cheap pay options for copyrighted material, this should be happening less and less - right?! What happens when you take a famous image and photoshop it into something new, or parody someone on your blog? Get the latest on this issue when the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association in partnership with the UBC School of Journalism and Tyee Magazine host renowned copyright and internet law expert Dr. Michael Geist. The talk is in Vancouver at the University of British Columbia's "Wise Hall" on October 1, 2009. Dr. Geist is Canada's leading technology law expert and the guru of the Canadian movement to prevent copyright restrictions from infringing on key free speech principles including parody, artistic use, fair use, and device transferability.

A national innovator in using Web 2.0 tools like blogs and Facebook for campaigns for law reform and policy change, Dr. Geist's advocacy, in partnership with Cory Doctorow, resulted in more than 30,000 people joining a Facebook group opposing proposed Canadian copyright law changes and ended in the tabling of the proposed changes by then Industry Minister Jim Prentice.

To learn more about Dr. Geist's work, visit his website at www.michaelgeist.ca

The time of the lecture and Dr. Geist's topic will be announced by the BCCLA. Check out their website www.bccla.org for details! Here is the run down on Bill C-61, the proposed changes to Canada's copyright law.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

10 Literary Terms You Should Know (Feature Articles)

When discussing books and examining literature we sometimes run into literary devices whose name and definition have escaped us since college and university days. Recognizing them and discussing their use elevates your discussions. Here is a test to refresh your memory.

Match these literary terms with the definitions below. 10/10: Head of the class; 8/10 Still teacher's pet; 6/10 Some review required; 4 or less: Purchase one of the reference books below.

• 1.Allegory
• 2.Metaphor
• 3.Parody
• 4.Allusion
• 5.Irony
• 6.Satire
• 7.Simile
• 8.Aphorism
• 9.Personification
• 10.Paradox

Friday, August 21, 2009

Espresso Book Machine: Will that be one lump or two? (Technology Corner)

I guess Starbucks is unintentionally to blame for the catchy name of the new one-off book machines coming to a book store near you. After all, doesn't book browsing and expresso-quaffing go hand in hand? Maybe the tagline of the new technology will be, "Sip your latté AND self-publish your own book!" POD, or Print On Demand technology is coming to Village Books in Bellingham, Washington. Yup that little store in the upscale waterfront neighborhood of Fairhaven owned by Chuck Robinson. Chuck and his team have just returned from Northshire Bookstore in Vermont. That's the book store claiming to be the first book store in North America (and only one of a few around the world) to have a POD book making machine. Chuck and his staff were toured and ostensibly tutored at the art of book making - Espresso-style. A video on YouTube shows the whole process. Just enter the book parameters, press the button (don't forget to order your latté) and voila - your self published book awaits you with full color soft cover, hot glued or perfect bound. ("And," my professional publishing friends might add "...all the original spelling mistakes, punctuation errors, style no-no's and lack of editorial vision..." You get their point.)

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Author Podcast: Our Review of B&N Author Podcasts (Author Interviews)

While satellite Internet has come to the farm, the rest of my audio gear didn't. So instead of processing one of our own author interviews as the feature podcast this week, I've instead scanned the web for sources of other people's author interviews to share with you. (Don't forget our past BB Podcasts) Let's begin with Barnes and Noble. You might think that B&N is just a brick and mortar chain store selling books. But they have an impressive website with all the latest technology applications. Why not listen to a favorite author or discover someone new by downloading a B&N "One on One: Meet the Author" podcast from their series? Each interview lasts about 30 minutes—enough time to get into sufficient depth and still hold the listener's interest. Online browsers are famously capricious. I scanned the list to find authors I know, and of course took a special interest in the interviewer's style. (Hey, it's my summer vacation - might as well learn something!) Here's what I discovered.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Whistler Reads: TOO MUCH HAPPINESS (Whistler Reads)

When Alice Munro publishes a new book of short stories, it becomes an international literary event. Too Much Happiness (available Aug 25th 2009, McClelland & Stewart/Canada; Knopf/US; and Chatto & Windus/UK) is her 14th book. Considered Canada’s most important living writer and a master of the short story genre, Munro's writing routinely receives accolades from luminaries of the literary world and she's bestowed with prestigious national and international awards: the Giller Prize twice, the Governor General award thrice, and in 2009 she was awarded the Man Booker International Prize for her lifetime body of work. (What next, the Nobel?) She has had an international following since the 70s and is described as "Canada's Chekhov" for her style of writing. Wouldn't you agree, it’s about time we all read Alice Munro? Read my review in the Pique and get your tickets ($15) here. Bring a friend and be entered into the draw for free books.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Les Paul Dies at 94 (Feature Articles)

There is perhaps no other person more renowned for the development of the electric guitar and advances to sound recording in the twentieth century than inventor and jazz musician, Les Paul. He died from complications of pneumonia today, surrounded by family and friends in White Plains Hospital, New York. Remarkably as late as last year, Les Paul age 93, played two sets every Monday night at a club in NYC. He was the inventor of mulit-track recording and the hard body electric guitar. The latter was first in commercial production by the Fender Guitar Company in a model called the Stratocaster. The following year, 1950 Fender's competitor the Gibson Guitar Company brought Les Paul on board to create their own solid body electric guitar bearing his name. Ironically, they had earlier turned him down when he first presented his design, named "the log" made with a 4 x 4 solid piece of wood, a bridge and strings mounted on top — back in 1941. A little know fact is that a near fatal car accident shattered Les Paul's left arm and elbow such that doctors said they could only repair it to a fixed position, and asked what he preferred. He told them to fix it in a 90 degree angle, and this disability is said to have contributed to the early design elements of the Les Paul guitar. Today the Gibson Les Paul is the widest used electric guitar in the industry. Paul McCartney used a "cherry burst left handed" Les Paul, Neil Young favoured his "Old Black" as did other guitar legends: Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Keith Richards. An award winning musician, Les Paul and his wife Mary Ford recorded dozens of pop hits that went gold. Tunes like, "Vaya Con Dios," "How High the Moon," "Nola" and "Lover." In February 2006 at the age of 90 he won two grammies for his album, American Made World Played and his wonderful comment was, "I feel like an old building with a new flag pole on it." Join us in listening to and learning about Mr. Les Paul. Following is list of book and CD recommendations. Watch this YouTube video of Les ripping it up.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Masterpiece Mystery: Lewis Series I and II Ends Summer Line-up (WGBH Boston)

As the longest-running primetime drama on American television, Masterpiece is committed to bringing viewers the best in literature-based drama, mysteries filled with eclectic characters, and groundbreaking contemporary works. Summer is mystery season at PBS Masterpiece. It started with the award winning Wallander detective series starring Kenneth Branah, followed by the ever popular Agatha Christie. This month is another detective series that is scheduled to take viewers through to fall when Masterpiece Classic takes over. It's based on the novels by Colin Dexter. Many of you will know

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Bee Culture: Books and Buzz (Feature Articles)

We are considering keeping bees at the farm. It’s a passion I was first exposed to through literature: The Secret Life of Bees and Bee Season, with advice from the experienced beekeeper a few miles down the road. We’re currently planting a small orchard above our existing vegetable patch, and I envision a field of lavender (like the one pictured here) next to produce lavender scented honey. Bee keeping isn’t just a country thing – they’re keeping bees on the tops of skyscrapers in Manhattan, and even producing a variety of honey from them sold on Bleeker Street!

Friday, July 24, 2009

TED Global Conference in Oxford: Stunning Speech About Windmills (Feature Articles)

&lMaybe it's because I'm here at the farm and looking into windmill technology to harness this ample daily resource so I can pump water into our fields—because this TED story, the one that's creating such a buzz, has also caught my attention. TEDGlobal 2009 is meeting in Oxford in the UK right now. You can get all the updates on their Twitter page. The speaker who has blown everyone away (literally speaking) is William Kamkwamba from Malawai. Back at TEDGlobal 2007, he was a shy young man who'd built his family a windmill from scrap in order pump water from the ground to save his family from starvation. His story captured the world's attention. Today he walked onstage with confidence to tell his story from that point to this. It's all captured in his book, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope Join me, as I compare the topic of his book with my own research, on our own farm, into wind technology here in North America. It's an interesting study in contrast and comparison. Photo: William Kamkwamba at TEDGlobal 2009, Session 7: "Radical development," July 23, 2009, in Oxford, UK. Credit: TED / James Duncan Davidson

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

The Wilderness by Samantha Harvey (Book Reviews)

When I was first given this book the subject matter made my heart skip as I watched my grandmother deteriorate with Alzheimer’s and it could not have been more heartbreaking. She recounted full stories about her childhood, how her school had a netball court that was slanted, how my granddad sent letters when he was in the war which she posted in sequence all over the kitchen. At other times, in contrast, she couldn’t remember who my family was and would shout and scream, when she had previously never in our whole time together raised her voice. Alzheimer’s changes not only your memory but your behaviour and personality, and at times neither one of us recognised the other.

The Wilderness: A Novel (published by Nan A. Talese 2009) throws the reader into a tangled web of memories and emotions as we follow the protagonist into the uncertain depths of Alzheimer’s disease. An architect by trade, Jacob Jameson is a Lincolnshire born, half-Jewish widower in his 60s. We follow him as he delves into the puzzle of his past, trying to decipher fact from fiction.

"In amongst a sea of events and names that have been forgotten, there are a number of episodes that float with striking buoyancy to the surface. There is no sensible order to them, nor connection between them."

Friday, July 10, 2009

Mid-Summer Reading Cattle-prod (Feature Articles)

OK, you've figured out I'm at the farm and so all of my metaphors today are going to reflect that. I am curious to know what escapes you have planned for the summer? Do you make a ritual foray up to the cottage on the lake? Do you take a driving tour of the local wineries in your region? Do you hop the big pond and immerse in the cultural offerings of Europe? Or, like me, do you turn off the Internet, your cell phone and all forms of communication and just hang out? My days at the farm are jam-packed. It's up with the birds at 4:30 am (yee gad) and after morning coffee, 3 hours of weeding the farmhouse garden patch, peeling a few logs for the bedsteads we're building for guests, I'm painting the new purple martin birdhouse to convince the swallows to relocate out from under the eves, take a drive in the tractor over the front 80... and of course, when the day heats up and my outside hammock under the cottonwood calls, I relax with a good book and perhaps a tall G&T. Isn't this what the lazy days of summer are all about? It's our chance to put away obligatory professional reading matter and the newspapers that draw us into world events, and instead allow ourselves to be transported to a fictional world, followed of course with the nonfiction title we've been saving for unfettered nights. Here's what's stacked in the shade next to my hammock...

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Wine & Book Group Pick for June-July (Wine & Book Club)

In 1965 Helen Gurley-Brown became the Executive Editor of Cosmopolitan Magazine. She earned the spot by coming up through the ranks as a secretary whose writing abilities were next scooped into the copy writing department at a prominent L.A. advertising agency. But what really tipped the scale for the position offered by Randolf Hearst's magazine was her first book, published at the unlikely age of 40, titled Sex and The Single Girl (1962) that is still in print and now labeled a cult classic. At the time, it was rare for a woman to choose a career over motherhood and a life of domestic bliss. (Yeah, yeah... we hear the criticism of those who say it was just a play at the secretary pool to seduce their bosses.) The magazine's profitability and circulation increase was as shocking as its content with its sexual preoccupation and encouragement of the emancipated woman. Heck, even I remember the stir in my young

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Twitterature: Classics in 140 Characters or Less (Feature Articles)

"Is there no end to Twittermania? Last week we saw the social networking tool Twitter deployed on the streets of Tehran. This week, moving seamlessly from the sublime to the ridiculous, it is being used to aid the digestion of the world's greatest literature." So writes Guardian correspondent Ed Pikington in New York. BookBuffet is delighted that our favorite (professional) social networking site is putting its technology to good use.

"Fans of the classics will either be delighted or appalled to learn that the New York-branch of Penguin books has commissioned a new volume that will put great works through the Twitter mangle. The volume has a working title that will make the nerve ends of purists jangle: Twitterature."

In it, the authors will squish the jewels of world literature - they mention Dante, Shakespeare, Stendhal, Joyce and JK Rowling - into 20 tweets or less - that is 20 sentences each with fewer than 140 characters.

The book is the brainchild of two 19-year-old first-year students at the University of Chicago who claim to be starting a cultural revolution from their college dormitory. Bashing their heads together one evening in their university digs, Emmett Rensin and Alex Aciman asked themselves what defined the grandest ventures of their generation, and best expressed the souls of 21st century Americans?

Pretentious, maybe. Precocious, certainly. The answer they came up with was double-headed. They identified high literature as a crucial pillar for any generation.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Author Podcast: Sarah Thornton (Author Interviews)

The Contemporary Art market has been on fire and who better to talk about it than Sarah Thornton, ethnographer and author of Seven Days in the Art World published by Norton in 2008. Her book has been making waves as having the best insights into this fascinating subculture, market segment and art world phenomenon. Join BookBuffet's host, Paula Shackleton in this three-part interview with Sarah who joins us from her studio in London. The New York Times says, “Seven Days in the Art World by Sarah Thornton is a field guide to the nomadic tribes of the contemporary art world. The book was reported and written in a heated market, but it is poised to endure as a work of sociology… Where others would be content to gawk and gossip, she pushes her well-chosen subjects to explore the questions ‘What is an artist?’ and ‘What makes a work of art great?” Alan Yentob, creative director at the BBC says, “It’s like having your own spy in the art world. Thornton parachutes the reader into the fascinating nitty-gritty of how it all works.” Annalyn Swan, co-author of DeKooning: An American Master says: “A smart, engagingly written insider’s look at the machinations and manipulations of today’s art world…. A great read.” Grayson Perry, (artist) says: “Seven Days in the Art World” is a great page-turner, I worry that the book demystifies things so much that the next generation of artists will be overinformed.” Join our RSS feeds to get our interviews monthly, or click on the mp3 link for this segment, or just read along with the transcript.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Miriam Toews: The Flying Troutmans (Book Reviews)

New out in paperback this month, Miriam Toews fourth novel, The Flying Troutmans (Vintage, June 2009) follows along the author’s well-worn path of funny-sad books about misfits who experience loss and misfortune, but somehow manage to deal with it. It is the story of two sisters, one functional, and the other eccentrically dysfunctional. All their lives the younger sister, Hattie has lived a mix of awe and dread for what spectacle or catastrophe her older sibling, Min would concoct that would either embarrass or frighten her. When Min carries the behavior over into adulthood and relinquishes her hold on life and motherhood to a paralysing depression that requires hospitalization, Hattie returns home to look after her sister’s two kids aged 14 and 11. Logan is a confused pubescent basketball-obsessed young man who writes precocious rants and his younger sister Thebes is a savant eccentric with purple hair, appalling hygiene and a penchant for quoting the dictionary and doing crafts like making giant novelty checks. Instead of facing their pathetic domestic non-routine with the spectre of their mother’s illness hanging over the household, Hattie packs the kids up for a road trip through the United States under the auspices of finding their long lost father who’d been driven out by their mother years earlier. What ensues is a poignant journey of discovery with frequent laugh-out-loud moments as they establish their fundamental bond and accept each other’s insecurities, deficiencies, and quirks. Ultimately they connect through their abiding love for Min. For anyone who doubts that an awesome road trip can't help but connect people, this book is for you. The insights into US-Canadian quirks is bonus.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

London Literary Festival 09 (Events)

This is the 3rd annual London Literary Festival held at the Southbank Centre July 2-16. Enjoy the best in international writing, performance, music and debate this summer. What I like about festivals in the UK is the diversity of participants and the scope of the topics. And of course, it's not all books! When you hang out in London you get to take in some of the greatest museums, galleries and restaurants of the world, too! Be sure to stay at the Berkeley (pronounced Bark-ley) in Knightsbridge, go for a drink at the swanky, newly renovated Coburg Bar at the Connaught in Mayfair, where the bartender makes exquisite cocktails and the patrons are always fun and interesting. Jog or walk through Hyde Park around the Serpentine under the cool of the deciduous forest canopy beside the lake where the Serpentine Gallery is showing renowned contemporary artist Jeff Koons, and for shits & giggles book a reservation on the London Eye, that huge futuristic ferris wheel right next to the Southbank Center, and view the cityscape courtesy of British Airways. Uhoh—sidetracked! Back to books. For the full programme of events visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk/londonlitfest. Tickets for the festival are still available and they range from 7-12. Here's a quick line-up of author events to mark on the calendar: Booker Prize winner, ARUNDHATI ROY, author of God of Small Things will headline the festival 2 July in discussion with Shami Chakrabarti on the topic of democracy. BUZZ ALDRIN 4 July On the 40th anniversary of the moon landing. One of the UK's poetry greats, BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH 10 July will be performing new work and favourites. PETER ACKROYD 13 July Peter Ackroyd retells The Canterbury Tales. HANIF KURESHI, DCB PIERRE, KAMILA SHAMSIE & JEANETTE WINTERSON 14 July Come together with original stories.

Friday, June 05, 2009

A Right to Bare Arms: The State of Feminism Today (Feature Articles)

It is becoming increasingly hard to convince young women that feminism is relevant today. What short memories we have. Only 2 generations ago, women couldn’t vote (for women of color and native women, that right came much later) and had few rights even within the home , expected to “cater to [their] husband’s personal comfort,” “never complain” and “know [their] place.” (See Goodhousekeeping, May 19955) Our mothers’ generation was the first to “have it all” meaning they were “allowed” to have careers and families, but I’m sure any one of them will tell you being a “supermom” wasn’t a walk in the park, nor were they perceived or paid as equals for the most part. It was only a few weeks ago, after all, that Barack Obama signed the Equal Pay bill. That means that 4 months ago it was legally OK to pay a woman less based solely on her gender. We still get called—and worse, call each other—sluts and whores. We still think certain women deserve respect, and others (prostitutes, transgender women) do not. Shockingly, 1 in 7 think it’s acceptable to hit a woman if she is “nagging or constantly annoying,” and is responsible for inviting sexual harassment if wearing provocative clothing. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article5875108.ece A disturbing majority of teenage girls thought pop-singer Rhianna must have “made [boyfriend Chris Brown] really mad” for him to have beat her unconscious. Clearly, we have a ways to go.

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Masterpiece Mystery: Six Agatha Christies Starting in June (WGBH Boston)

BookBuffet and PBS Masterpiece WGBH Boston have teamed up to offer you more great book give-away tie-ins for their upcoming Mystery Series. Join our Book & Film Club (instructions follow) and be entered to win free copies of these mystery classics for your summer beach reading. Then regardless of where you are, commencing in June 21st-July 26th, you can still tune in each Sunday to PBS at 9pm ET to catch six television episodes of the world's most popular crime writer, Agatha Christie. (check local listings) "Transcending the mystery genre, Christie remains the most popular novelist in history, with her work appearing in 50 languages in over 70 countries and more than two billion of her books sold to date. Published between 1920 and 1976, her 85 volumes of detective novels and short stories include other sleuths besides Poirot and Miss Marple.

Monday, June 01, 2009

Whistler Reads: SEVEN DAYS IN THE ART WORLD (Whistler Reads)

Summer is a favorite season in Whistler. The days grow long, the valley heats up, and people spread out to hike, bike, golf, canoe, dine al-fresco and participate in the village's summer art programs put on by the Whistler Arts Council. This summer Whistler Reads is adding to the fun. On Thursday July 30th, 2009 at 7:30 pm at the Whistler Public Library we'll be discussing Sarah Thornton's award-winning book about the Contemporary Art scene titled, Seven Days In The Art World. "It's a literary-art event", says Founder Paula Shackleton "that starts with delicious Cedar Creek wines and light jazz entertainment, followed by an impressive five-member panel of local to international art specialists who will gather to discuss this book from their various perspectives within the art world. If you are an artist, a collector, a gallery owner or simply interested in this fascinating subculture, ask yourself: Why is the art market thriving despite the economy? What defines art? How does an artist achieve success and even fame? How do curators determine what to collect? Join us!

Use the link to purchase the book online today and slip it into your beach bag or suitcase for summer reading. If you're a local, pick-up a copy from Armchair Books in the village. "I can't think of a better way to celebrate the fusion of art and books," says Shackleton. Listen to BookBuffet's interview with the author, Sarah Thornton. (Podcast here.)

Saturday, May 30, 2009

For The Love Of Book-Art: Check-out Alicia Martin (Feature Articles)

I came upon an amazing sculpture by contemporary Spanish artist, Alicia Martin who uses books as the raw material for her works. If you love books as much as we do, you will delight in her installations. The curator at Galleria Galica who represents the artist says, "Symbols of culture, of memory and of communication, the books in her works end up being at times restless, at others ironic, poetic or even aggressive, but always intent on forcing us to think about certain central issues of contemporary life: the instability of knowledge, the fragility of memory and the need for it, the information Babel of the mass media, the difficult relationship between cultures. No longer shut away in libraries or reduced to a furnishing accessory, the books/work of this artist turn into a shapeless incumbent concretion that tenaciously clings to the walls of the gallery and seems to elude the laws of gravity. Never repetitive, the works of Alicia Martín manage to turn books into animated objects, full of symbolisms that act as powerful but ungraspable echoes." The sculpture pictured here required 5,000 books. Watch the YouTube video as the location is stunning and the books seem to come alive as pages rustle in the breeze, and almost speak to the circling observers.—Cordoba, Spain

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Alice Munro Wins the Man Booker International Award Today (Feature Articles)

Canadian short-story specialist, Alice Munro has today won the biannuel Man Booker International Prize, worth £60,000. It is awarded once every two years to a living author for a body of work that has contributed to an achievement in fiction on the world stage. This is only the third time the award has been named. Ismail Kadaré won in 2005 and Chinua Achebe won in 2007. Munro's next collection of short stories, Too Much Happiness, (Douglas Gibson, McClelland & Stewart) will be published in October 2009. The judging panel for the Man Booker International Prize 2009 is: Jane Smiley, writer; Amit Chaudhuri, writer, academic and musician; and writer, film script writer and essayist, Andrey Kurkov. The panel made the following comment on the winner: "Alice Munro is mostly known as a short story writer and yet she brings as much depth, wisdom and precision to every story as most novelists bring to a lifetime of novels. To read Alice Munro is to learn something every time that you never thought of before." Wikipedia says, "Munro's work is often compared with the great short story writers. For example, the American writer Cynthia Ozick called Munro 'our Chekhov.' In Munro stories, as in Chekov's, plot is secondary and 'little happens.' As with Chekov, Garan Holcombe notes: 'All is based on the epiphanic moment, the sudden enlightenment, the concise, subtle, revelatory detail.' Munro's work deals with "love and work, and the failings of both. She shares Chekov’s obsession with time and our much-lamented inability to delay or prevent its relentless movement forward."

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Some Days You're The Dog, Other Times The Hydrant (Feature Articles)

BREAKING WORLD NEWS… The promised US presidential pooch has been picked, US media reports say. The soon-to-be "First Puppy" is a six-month-old black and white Portuguese water dog that Mr. Obama's daughters have named Bo, The Washington Post reports. Churchill had Rufus, the Queen of England has her corgis, now America has Bo.

Why are we so in love with our dogs? What do we find so fascinating about something that slobbers, eats us out of house and home and requires us to pick up after it? And what encourages us to write about them?

Ever since my boyfriend and I got our puppy, our lives have not been the same. Before getting our little pup we borrowed books out of the library, watched training DVD’s, browsed You Tube videos and, of course, had the Dog Whisperer playing incessantly. We would discuss with each other the commands we were going to use, the techniques we would implement and we nearly blew a month's wages at Pet Smart. Now she's a fully fledged member of the family, if a bit of a hairy addition, and I can’t imagine my life without her. Like most dog owners I have a few stories to tell ranging from the funny to the cringe worthy. Most of the time whilst recounting these tales the audience either nods in agreement or cries with laughter. I recently reviewed a book called Queen of the Road by Doreen Orion (Broadway, 2008), which is the real life story of a couple traveling the states of America with their two cats and dog in tow, which also reminded me of John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley. "A dog, particularly an exotic like Charley, is a bond between strangers. Many conversations en route began with 'What degree of dog is that?'" Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck (Penguin: 2002). In both accounts the dog plays a huge role in story, they are the companion, the friend, and often an ice-breaker in the most awkward situations.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Author Podcast: Patrick French (Author Interviews)

Patrick French is an English writer, historian and biographer educated at the University of Edinburough. His latest book, The World Is What It Is (Random House 2008) is his second work of biography. His subject is widely considered to be one of the masters of modern English prose, the Indo-Trinidadian novelist and essayist V.S. Naipaul who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2001 and subsequently knighted. People currently refer to him as Sir Vidia Naipaul. In an interesting, if not ironic twist, Patrick French was also offered the OBE for his literary contributions back in 2003. He turned it down. His comment was, "It is ridiculous that honours given in the 21st century would have the word empire in them. The motto that goes with the OBE is 'For God and the Empire'. Which God and which Empire?" He added that understanding the British Empire in history lessons is "crucially important" and that it was not "taught in enough detail in schools". But this argument about medals relates to the present. And so we have a citizen of Britain refusing the same honor that a colonialist (who he is writing about) has accepted with pride if not glee. Didn't the Duke of Edinburgh suggest, about 30 years ago, that "the word empire in the medals OBE, CBE etc should be replaced by the word 'Excellence'? 'The Order of British Excellence' has a good ring to it." At any rate, turning down the OBE hasn't stopped Patrick French from winning the 2008 National Book Critics Circle Award for this book, or being shortlisted for the prestigious Samuel Johnson Prize for Nonfiction 2008. BookBuffet caught up with Patrick French this past summer at the Southbank Centre on the banks of the Thames, London when he spoke about The World is What it Is and the issues of working with such a reputedly idiosyncratic personality.

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Masterpiece Mystery: WALLANDER Drama Series Aires May 10, 17, 31 (WGBH Boston)

OK, I must admit to having a certain soft spot for Kenneth Branagh. You too? Is it his thin lips or a lifetime of stunning acting, directing, producing and screenwriting achievements? Not surprisingly, we are not alone. PBS Masterpiece's Executive Producer, Rebecca Eaton admitted to a 20-year crush on him in Los Angeles this past April 29th when introducing Branagh at the Paley Center screening of, One Step Behind It's the first of 3 episodes in Series 1 that PBS Masterpiece Mystery airs this coming Sunday May 10th with Sidetracked and Firewall airing on May 17th and May 31st respectively. Each show is adapted from the "Wallander" mystery series written by Swedish uber-author, Henning Mankell. Kenneth Branagh produces and plays the lead character, Kurt Wallander, a a burned-out police detective in Sweden who has a deep empathy with the crime victims he comes into contact with. The show was a hit for the BBC last year and now it debuts in North America. Branagh admits he became entranced with the character after blitzing through all 9 novels in rapid succession. He later met the author in Sweden at an Ingmar Bergman Festival. With impeccable timing Branagh and the series have recently been bestowed prestigious BAFTA awards for Best Producer for Best Television Series 2009 respectively. (Check out the YouTube video Filmed on location in Ystad, Sweden where the scenery plays a big part in the fresh-otherness of the series, it uses a primarily British cast. Othe other actors include Jeany Spark as Linda Wallander, Sarah Smart as Anne-Britt Hoglund, Tom Beard as Svedberg, Tom Hiddleston as Martinsson, Richard McCabe as Nyberg, Sadie Shimmin as Lisa Holgersson and David Warner as Povel Wallander. Nicholas Hoult, star of the film "About a Boy", makes an appearance as Stefan Fredman in "Sidetracked".

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

What Is Obama Reading? (Feature Articles)

Isn't it nice that the USA has a President who openly admits to reading? And isn't it nice that his choice of books matters to the reading public. That is the conclusion that the publisher of Vintage/Anchor Books announced Monday when they tallied—the Obama effect—on a book they released last June as compared to sales this Thursday May 7th. There has been double-digit increase in sales since Obama revealed he was reading Joseph O'Neill's novel, Netherland (a highly praised novel about cricket, marriage and living in a post 9/11 world.) It all came about in a New York Times interview (article is free when you register) written by David Leonhardt, who spent 50 minutes in a one-on-one conversation with Obama. The whole article is worth reading because it encapsulates Obama's daily agenda since taking office, and it is both candid and intimate. When the president disclosed how much he was enjoying the book, sales hit the roof.

Learn more about the plot, the author (a dashing barrister-cricket player) and the celebrity effect on book sales historically. Then click to purchase this book as you'll be seeing the cover frequently in hands of your fellow commuters on the buses, subways and airplanes. It is sure to be a popular book group pick, and the topic of discussion around the office water cooler. Below is a synopsis of the book, a copy of the transcript posted on Amazon with the author and a bit of biographical background—your primer for many conversations to come! Hurry, the first printing was only 70,000 copies.

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Author Podcast: Orlando Figes (Author Interviews)

Orlando Figes is one of the most distinguished historians of Russia today. He is Professor of History at University of London, having the distinction of graduating with a rare double-starred First in 1982, and completing his PhD at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was a Fellow from 1984 to 1999. He was a Lecturer in History at the University of Cambridge from 1987 to 1999, before taking up the Chair of History at Birkbeck College, University of London.

All of his books on Russia are bestsellers and all are eminently readable. Figes borrows from a broad range of methodologies, including social, cultural and oral history, and his writing combines literary and academic qualities. His latest book is titled, The Whisperers: Private Life in Stalin's Russia. At 784 pages you may want the hardcover version (published in the UK by Allen Lane 2008) and softcover is published in US by Picador. It is a treatise on the lives of people in Russia during Stalin's reign of terror. "One in eight people in the Soviet Union were victims of Stalin's terror—virtually no family was untouched by purges, the gulag, forced collectivization and resettlement", says Figes.

BookBuffet caught up with Orlando at the Southbank Centre in London when he was speaking, along with the 5 other shortlisted authors, on behalf of organizers for the prestigious Samuel Johnson Prize for Nonfiction in 2008. Listen to him in this podcast rebroadcast, then click to the links for the other authors' talks, and to discover the winner. This is the cream of nonfiction titles around the globe for 2008.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Alchemist Author Says Giving Away His Books Increases Sales (Technology Corner)

Brazilian author, Paul Coelho of The Alchemist gave a keynote address at the Digital Life Design 08 conference in Munich, Germany (watch the video). Why would a Portuguese author entered into the Guinness World Record Book as the most successful living author in book sales worldwide (150M copies sold in 150 countries) be a guest at a digital conference? Because he has embraced the digital era like no other writer. Coelho spoke about his experiences using peer to peer file sharing and social networking, and he gave the three conclusions he has come to as a consequence of this activity. The first was the surprising realization that by giving away his books for free via digital downloads on the internet, his printed book sales have increased remarkably.* This has led him to challenge his publishers protectionism and claim that current copyright laws are outdated. I will get to the history of copyright laws later. For now, check out Pirate Coelho. The second of his observations is how rapidly world languages are evolving with the common use of internet slang, SMS and so forth to communicate. People use "u" for "you", and "4" for "for" in French, German, Spanish—in all languages, not just English, and Coelho predicts that in 20 years our languages will be very different as a consequence. The third experience is an enriched connectedness to his readers around the world through the internet. This point he finds the most rewarding aspect of all. Coelho is a man who has embraced new technology and recognizes its power to connect people the world over. He has been named "the Googliest author"—a reference to Google's ongoing attempts to digitize the world libraries, which has posed a perceived threat to publishers and adherents to copyright laws. Listen to his story of a party invitation...

Sunday, April 26, 2009

The London Book Fair 2009 (Feature Articles)

The London Book Fair takes place each spring for three glorious days offering over 100 seminars and events for over 3,000 industry professionals. It is the global marketplace for rights negotiations and the sale and distribution of content across print, TV, film and digital channels. The LBF closed today to reports of moderate attendance, compared with years past, due to the recession and publishing house cutbacks, but the people who came, did so "with a mind to doing business" was the conclusion. Checking out the big book deals in London this year, one of the biggest involved the Swedish thriller, The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler - a pseudonym, according to rumours at Earls Court, for Henning Mankell. The title, which has yet to sell in the US, was at the center of a heated auction in the UK involving some of the country's leading crime publishers. Also, the British literary agency David Godwin Associates Ltd. has sold Tiger Hills, a novel by Sarita Mandanna, to Penguin India for the largest advance the house has ever paid for a debut. Sophie Hoult of DGA did not give an exact amount but said the deal was for seven figures. Hoult called Tiger Hills “a sweeping popular novel set in India between 1878 and the second World War” and classified it as “an Indian Thorn Birds crossed with Gone with the Wind.” Mandanna is a banker in New York. HarperCollins signed Prince Charles for two books, the first about stewardship. The Free Press and Holt both ink debut authors to six-figure deals. Umberto Eco flew to London specifically to present the sixth annual LBF Lifetime Achievement Award in International Publishing to his old friend Drenka Willen, senior editor, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Just over half of publishers surveyed at the London Book Fair have put plans in place to sell books in any digital form. The British are at least three years behind Americans in adapting e-books; and American readers are much more interested in romance, while more British readers skew toward literary fiction.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Hitting the G (Grammar) Spot (Feature Articles)

Good grammar, just like good writing, is a lifelong pursuit. You can never give up! I continue to challenge myself with the intricacies of grammar and style, not merely for my own sake, (I confess to being a very late bloomer at this topic) but more particularly as the last-resort editor of this website with a responsibility for checking our contributors' writing. For reference sources I have three different books on grammar and style and two dictionaries. I often take one or another of these with me to bed—egad, I can't believe I just admitted that. But a reference book sitting on the shelf or at your bedside is of no use when most of your writing is done on your laptop or at your office computer. Hence, you can imagine my excitement in striking the motherload with the discovery of an excellent online grammar site that I now keep bookmarked at the #1 spot on my browser tool bar, (ahem, the aforementioned G spot). It's not Grammar Girl, the mainstream site for lightweight questions. It's not the pay site of The Chicago Manuel of Style, as I'm too cheap to pay when I own the book. It is a non-profit foundation out of Hartford Connecticut with a FREE site called, Guide to Grammar and Writing. More...

Monday, April 20, 2009

Canvey Island by James Runcie (Book Reviews)

How Water Marks

The news brings horrifying reports of floods in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, New Orleans and many other places. We are hit with images of people standing on top of their homes waiting for rescue while their belongings are swept away. In need of food, shelter and safety these people become refugees at the mercy of others. But what happens next? What happens to the survivors whose lives have been torn apart by this act of nature? James Runcie’s third novel Canvey Island (2006, The Other Press, NY) explores the aftermath of such a tragic event focusing on the struggles of one family over a forty-year time span in postwar England. It shows how a sound bite on the public's radar compares to the lifelong effect a tragedy evokes in the lives of the victims. It's also a book about uncommunicated truths. Secrets, both personal and political were handled differently in the '50s. Find out how. Runcie’s spare lyric style of writing makes this simple story a quiet thunderstorm on your weather map. Prepare to open the flood gates.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Twitter Don'ts: #7 Don't Twiiter When Drunk (Technology Corner)

Spring is here and I have to confess - I've become twitterpated. No, not the Disney Bambi type, but the 140 character online social networking type. As opposed to Facebook, a site I check each morning to see what my friends and family are doing, I find that Twitter.com has become my lifeline to my professional network. It's a shout-out from friends at work telling me what they're reading of interest, what's happening in the backroom at Granta, NPBooks, and BookNet. Twitter is where all the big and small publishers, editors of fine literary blogs, a sprinkling of authors, and other people whose tweets I share, congregate off-and-on throughout the day. It's the virtual water cooler. Of course the authors I know write the best tweets. Susan Orlean cracks me up daily! Regarding Easter she writes, "Haven't told [junior] about organized religion yet but [the 6 year-old] tells me that Google has all the answers." Now that's profound! Whether you're a DJ connecting to other spinners of vinyl, or an architect keeping up with designer friends, other artisans or the textile manufacturer - Twitter can connect your network. As I become more facile with the advantages and disadvantages of the blue bird site, I have to agree with some of PC Magazine's Top 13 Twitter Don'ts with my comments annotated with a * Oh, by the way - my Twiiter ID is BookBuffet.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Hay Literary Festival 2009 in Granada, May 7-10th (Events)

Over the last 21 years, the Hay Literary Festival audience has grown from 1,000 people in Hay (near Herefordshire, England) to 250,000 visitors on three continents every year. One would think that the four locations offer UK book lovers a chance to meet authors from different locales who write, as one would expect, about their cultures, influences, and life experiences which become fictionalized or not in some form of book. However, the reality is that The Hay is a new form of British Cultural Imperialism transporting English lit and culture to warmer climates. This becomes evident when reading the line-up of events (a sampling provided below) at venues named for the sponsors: "The Guardian Stage", "The Barclays Wealth Pavilion" and "The SONY Screen". That said, it still looks like a rousing good time in locations with better weather and interesting tourist ops. The next location in the calendar year is Granada, Spain this May 7-10th, 2009. Here's their blurb, "The Andalusia is a fantastic setting to meet regional writers and readers. In the beautiful setting of the Alhambra Palace, writers and poets from Spain, the Middle East and northern Africa, as well as the UK, US and many others, share their voices and stories to make this a truly international festival of thought and word." Download the Hay Festival Program in pdf format.

Monday, April 13, 2009

The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz (Feature Articles)

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is the story of a family from the Dominican Republic living in Brooklyn. It is a story about immigration and immigrants, integration and alienation, family and dictatorships—and how one thing doesn’t necessarily preclude the other. Oscar is a dorky, obese virgin obsessed with science fiction and fantasy books. He has a difficult time making friends and an impossible time getting girlfriends. In fact most of his life in the US is a string of embarrassments and disappointments, and his life is more or less insignificant.

"Our hero was not one of those Dominican cats everybody's always going on about—he wasn't no home-run hitter or a fly bachatero, not a playboy with a million hots on his jock. And except for one period early in his life, dude never had much luck with the females (how very un-Dominican of him)."

His sister Lola is fiery and rebellious, much like her apparently maligned mother Hypatia was, we learn later, in her youth. Lola marries Oscar’s one-time college roommate Yunior, the books most frequent narrator, and the story is told through his and each of the other 4 characters’ eyes variously throughout the novel. Because it’s usually Yunior, the Dominican college frat boy/jock telling the story, the language is a patois of east coast hip-hop inspired 20-something slang and Dominican expressions—you might want to have a Spanish-English dictionary handy, because asking the Spanish guy next to you on the plane what “galletazo” means resulted in a lot of blushing and awkward laughter (“bitchslap”) for this reader.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Vampire Obsession (Feature Articles)

"Awaken to darkness on this place we call Earth, One vampire's bite brings another one's birth. A vampire wakes with blood thirsty needs On the warm rich sensation he feels when he feeds. He stalks in the night like a disastrous beast, And what once was alive will soon be deceased. So when the last bit of sunlight disappears from the sky, You better watch out unless you want to die." -Victoria Boatwright

What is our obsession with Vampires all about? They have been lurking in the depths of our human history for thousands of years, their popularity never diminishing; a myth that is perpetuated and reinvented throughout time with astonishing resilience. Is it the promise of eternal life that draws us in, or the sexy undertones of a stranger coming into your bedroom in the middle of the night…

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Author Podcast: Tim Butcher (Author Interviews)

Tim Butcher is a correspondent for the Daily Telegraph. When one thinks about journalists covering all the conflict hotspots: Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Algeria, Sierra Leone and Lebanon, you can think of Tim Butcher. After a four year tour of Africa for the Daily Telegraph Tim spent three years planning his solo return to the Congo retracing the river route of another Daily Telegraph journalist, Henry Morton Stanley. In part on motorbike, and in part by river barge and perugue (canoe), Butcher traveled almost 2,500 miles from the Eastern border and lake district of the DRC to the Western border on the Atlantic, thus crossing the width of the country. His resulting book, Blood River: A Journey to Africa's Broken Heart (Grove Press) was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize for nonfiction in 2008. Here is his account of aspects of his book and of course the perspectives he gained traveling and researching the country that is at the center of the continent of Africa. A former Belgian colony that passed into shakey independence in '62 and then kleptocratic rule under Mobutu as Zaire for close to 40 more years, the DRC or Democratic Republic of Congo has at last achieved political peace with hopes for continued stability and renewed prosperity through development of its ample natural resources with the return of foreign investment and aid. This is the first speaker in a 6-part series from the Southbank Centre on the banks of another great river, the Thames, London. Please listen to Tim Butcher and then follow along with the rest of the 5 shortlisted authors via the podcast. Click on links to purchase their books. You can subscribe to our RSS feeds for this and all audio content, or click on individual mp3 files to select authors or segments.

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

No Dribble From Drabble: Discovered Authors (Feature Articles)

A lovely essay in The Guardian (April 4 2009) caught my eye today, it was written by a person I did not previously know. The story is titled "The Missing Piece" and it is about how various people overcome their “black dogs,” (which could have been a direct Churchill quote, but whom she doesn’t reference). She does comment on various famous writers (Tennyson, Wharton, Henry James) who experienced periods of melancholia, and the methods they used to fight it: writing, walking. What I love about the piece is that she draws in personal anecdotes from her own family—her mother and other people’s mothers factor in there as ways not to handle melancholia, aging and the like. Read the piece and see what you think. The fact that I could think of at least 6 people to send the article to who are dealing with life issues and might take heart from an article that touches upon how not to give in, signifies to me that this is an important and inevitable part of the life process, and that from time to time we all need to be reminded that great people as well as the unwashed masses go through it. photo credit: National Portrait Gallery

TheNewHavingItAll.com: Poligamy (Book Reviews)

The 19th Wife: A Novel, by David Ebershoff (2008)

What in the world does polygamous community in the early Mormon Church (and the persistent remnants of the practice in modern renegade cults which refuse to banish the practice) have to do with having it all, today? This anwer is, a great deal and very little. At first glance, we are mystified by these communities. Recent and recurring media fascination with polygamist cults in the West reveals that the allegedly private exercise of religion often includes the underage 'marriage' of girls as young as 14 to men in their forties and fifties, and the teen pregnancies that inevitably follow. We cannot understand how the women in these communities can defend so staunchly a way of life that sentences their own teen daughters to such marriages. We see a concept of community gone awry—where admirable tenets of sisterhood and faith are twisted into a practice where women are often emotionally abused and where children hunger for scraps of a father's love and attention together with dozens of siblings, resulting in mass neglect. We can only assume that the women and girls in this community know no alternatives, and have been brainwashed into believing that their eternal salvation and, perhaps more significantly to a child, that their reunion in heaven with everyone whom they hold dear, depends upon their compliance.

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Whistler Reads: SOUTH (Whistler Reads)

When Sir Ernest Shackleton was looking for men to join his expedition to the South Pole in 1914 at the outbreak of WWI, the advertisement read: "Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness and constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success." Over 5,000 people responded to fill 24 positions. What ensued was an epic journey that while a historic failure—has none-the-less become the stuff of legend. Shackleton's autobiography is required reading for every adventurer or outdoors enthusiast—be they ocean mariner, mountain climber, wilderness survivalist or just your average human being interested in epic tales and the bi-gone era of exploration on this earth. There are several versions of the story; the one told by Ernest Shackleton himself and by various historians. Movies and A&E hit television miniseries have been made, and all of them have the key elements of a gripping story: a hero, his quest, a cast of characters, the catastrophe that threatens to destroy them, and the skill, stamina, courage and perseverance required from each to deliver them to safety. This is a story whose ending cannot be spoiled.

This event is sponsored by One Ocean Expeditions with guest speaker Andrew Prossin, Ones' Managing Director who is as passionate as you could get about the polar regions, from his extensive 16 years of travel there. He is bringing along stories and stunning pictures from The South!

Pick up one of the recommended books and join local Whistlerite, Christopher Shackleton in discussion about this epic story about a fascinating man and his contribution to the 20th century. Whistler Public Library, Sunday May 31, 2009 from 3-5 pm. This is the 23rd book that the Whistler Reads public book group will be discussing. Everyone is welcome. Whether you live, work or come to play here, read what Whistler Reads!" Details on how to join, stay in touch with us, and attend follow. RSVP me if you plan to attend, and purchase one of the bulk order of books brought in to Armchair Books here in Whistler. email: paulas (@) bookbuffet.com

My Brush With Arnold: How I learned to Love the Tesla (Feature Articles)

Driving down the Pacific Coast Highway between Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades I pass Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in his Hummer. Well, he wasn’t the California governor at that specific point in time. He was just a movie celebrity slash retired body builder and husband to broadcaster Maria Shriver, on his way home from the studio. My kids were in the car and as we passed “the Terminator” casually smoking a stogy while driving in the slow lane, the site was just too much for them. Squiggling in their seat belts trying to attract his attention from the back of the car, Arnold sees that I am attempting to negotiate traffic and deal with their minor commotion. For one brief moment his eyes lock with mine across the lanes as I pull alongside him, and he breaks into his characteristic wide, broken-tooth grin and nods to me. Then he gives my kids "the terminator good-bye wave” the one that his character makes while sinking into the molten goo at the end of the titular movie, and my kids go wild and cheer and wave. I accelerate ahead into traffic. Read on to see where this leads to The Tesla and the current state-of-the-art in electric motor cars.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Masterpiece Airs: Little Dorrit, Mar 29-Apr 26 (WGBH Boston)

Third in the Dickens Classics miniseries produced by WGBH Boston's Masterpiece and adapted by screenwriter Andrew Davies is "Little Dorrit" Dickens story about a woman, Amy Dorrit who spends her life caring for her father in the Marshalsea debtors prison. The five-part series features Claire Foy as Amy Dorrit, Tom Courtenay as Mr. Dorrit, Russel Tovey as John Chivary and the outstanding casts that WGBH Boston is known for. Check out the website's thorough resources, which include: cast and crew interviews, academic commentary by Tatiana Holway who received her Ph.D. from Columbia University, video excerpts of the films and extensive Dickens resources online. Don't miss our interview with Executive Producer, Rebecca Eaton in an earlier podcast introducing the series and BookBuffet's collaboration with Masterpiece. Join the Book and Film Club and stay in touch with other classic novel afficianados and receive updates on upcoming features. Andrew Davies and MASTERPIECE Producer, Erin Delaney also chat with Little Dorrit readers at bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/bn/board?board.id=Classics the week of March 30th and April 20th, respectively.

Friday, March 27, 2009

How To Make An iPhone Version of Your Blog (Technology Corner)

You can create an iPhone version of your blog or website's RSS feeds in less than a minute. Why would you do that? Because trends show that most people in a certain demographic stay on top of important news throughout the day using their mobile devices. To make your own iPhone version of your blog - do what we did - follow Jon's 1-minute videoinstructions. Go to Intersquash.com. Enter your RSS feed URL and website title into the boxes. Then click on the ‘iPhoneize’ button. You have the option to upload a 57x57pixel avatar or photo that will appear as you button. The web application will generate a code for your weblog. Next you place this code between <> <> of your website's header code so that any iPhone or iPhone touch users will be detected and will be so directed to the appropriate version for them to view your feeds via their handheld. It is all hosted on InterSquash.com server.

The originator of the video demo jon (pictured above) uses Vimeo to post his video content. It's a video site that allows you to post and share video content - but different from youtube. It's free and if you want a channel of your own, or more bandwidth it doesn't cost a fortune. Great place to connect to other video artists and filmmakers.

Elizabeth Gilbert: More Interesting Than I First Thought (Feature Articles)

OK, I'll admit it. I have been boycotting Elizabeth Gilbert. You remember her. She’s the author whose book all your girlfriends were reading and raving about two years ago. Yes raving. Like Oprah's book picks, I was highly skeptical and quite frankly annoyed. I mean, she charged over $10,000 plus first class travel expenses to come speak to a community not far from where I live, and the topic wasn’t something really very earth-shattering. Side bar: the highest paid writer-speakers are presidential biographers. Apparantly they can command $25,000 USD per talk, which is more than most authors make in royalties for the entire print-run of their book. But back to Elizabeth Gilbert and Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia (Viking 2006). I surmised that her book too easily became a popular (make that run-away) success, and was defacto best suited to the masses. The jacket blurb described a woman in pre-midlife crisis moaning about her ex-husband, traipsing around and gorging herself in Italy (Diane Lane already did that in “Under the Tuscan Sun”) and then channelling the divine in some remote cliché location, where again, the Beatles have been-there done-that, then she magically falls storybook-style in-love before the conclusion. Does that breath "fluff" to you? People were saying, “It’s so easy to read, and it incorporates travel with history and spiritualism. Oh, and it’s funny too.”

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Picador Uses Twitter To Market Books (Publisher News)

Since its launch in 1995 Picador has rapidly established itself as one of the leading literary trade paperback imprints in the country. Working closely with the esteemed hardcover houses Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Henry Holt and St Martin's Press, Picador's stable of authors include fiction and non-fiction Pulitzer Prize winners: Michael Chabon, Michael Cunningham, Marilynne Robinson and Jeffrey Eugenides; National Book Award winners Shirley Hazzard, Susan Sontag and Jonathan Franzen; and National Book Critics Circle Award winners Jim Crace and Philip Gourevitch. Picador's bestselling authors include Anita Diamant, Augusten Burroughs, Salman Rushdie, Lorrie Moore, Atul Gawande and Tom Wolfe. The fun part is every Tuesday Picador will announce a new book pick and give readers two weeks to complete it. You could be one of the lucky people to win a free copy of the book. Book picks range from mystery to literary fiction to a work in translation. On the second Friday you'll get to correspond directly with the authors and editors of the book! Or you can submit questions before Friday to be addressed by the authors the day of the "discussion." Picador will pick books for every taste and reader. Read on to learn about Picador's Twitter program.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

BookNet Canada: 6 Projects That Will Save The Publishing Industry (Feature Articles)

Michael Tamblyn, CEO of BookNet Canada, describes 6 projects/changes/initiatives that could make things better for publishers, readers, and others with an interest in the future of the book. Watch the Video BookNet is the non-profit dedicated to innovation in the book industry supply chain. The talk was given at BNC's annual technology conference, which was attended by 225 industry people in Toronto. Overall the message from the conference was: use mobile devices to disseminate news and content; seek new distribution chains such as www.shortcovers.com to distributes e-books on a fast track (not currently possible via traditional publisher streams); support the bloggers and freelance journalists [we second that]; add Web 2.0 capabilities such as hyperlinks in text to the e-books to make them more than just an electronic version of a traditional print book. For a list of video casts from the conference access the TWITTER stream from BookNet Canada and look for the series of video cast presentations upcoming on YOUTUBE and then check out their new website www.biblioshare.org.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Obama Spanks AIG: Will he get the money back? (Feature Articles)

American International Group (AIG), the faltering insurance giant, paid out $165 million in bonuses from their government bail-out check. Obama was quick to respond. (Watch the video) and the attorney general Andrew M. Cuomo of New York says that because AIG has received federal bailout money, it has to consider what is best for taxpayers. He will subpeona evidence and use every measure within his power to stop the payments. AIG says its hands are tied. They say that they are contractually obligated to pay the bonuses to their executives, including those who are part of the AIG division where the company’s crisis originated.

What If: The World Without Us (Book Reviews)

What if? In his extraordinary book, The World Without Us (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press 2007) Alan Weisner asks the question, "What if?" Imagine a world where suddenly humans didn’t exist, where we had suddenly vanished leaving the world as it is now. What would we leave behind? What would the world inherit from our existence? How quickly would nature take back the land we have borrowed? Do you think the Eiffel Tower would still be standing one thousand years from now, would the Panama Canal still be intact, would the Euro Tunnel have caved-in? Weisner takes the reader all over the world exploring different places and the effects we have had on them, and what effects we have set in motion for the future.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

The Perfect Stimulous Package (Feature Articles)

A recent post on BookFinder.com talked about their sure-fire "Stimulous Package." I clicked the link and instead of finding advice on finance or the economy, I found a selection of books on... coffee! When it comes to book-selling clever marketing still rules the day. With editor Scott Laming's permission we've posted that list of books, but I also want to share what I've discovered about the site. BookFinder.com is a blog about reading, buying and selling books. They claim to offer prices that are between 50 and 81% off list price at most stores and online venues. You can sell books to them as well, which is very handy for students wanting to off load textbooks. If you're looking to please a coffee-loving friend with a gift, one or more of these books along with a pound of organic locally roasted coffee beans, perhaps a set of those cute expresso cups and saucers and you're definitely going high-test. Throw one of those new fangled latte machines and you may never need your discount card clipped at the local java hut again! Just place her number on speed-dial.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Curious To Know What's On Your Friends' Bedside Table? (Feature Articles)

So are we! So as an experiment in social networking using the Facebook site, I posted an invite to my "friends list", an agreed distinguished but paultry list of 110 (gloat, all you people with over 400 friends) and to my surprise 67 of them joined the eponymous BookBuffet FB group. Of those, over 20 posted a note about what they're currently reading. It's a fascinating list both in its variety, and in what your friends have say about their on-the-go book(s). Lots of ideas!! Check it out. Regardless of whether you're a FB member, go to FB homepage and type "Bookbuffet" in the search field and our group will come up. Join and we'll post new results again here in a few weeks.

Sunday, March 08, 2009

James Patterson To Publish Collective Author Thriller (Feature Articles)

I've seen "collective novels" before, but this time uber-crime writer James Patterson will be kicking things off. Patterson will write the first and last chapters of AirBorne, a 30-chapter thriller that will be released one chapter at a time beginning next month. For all the chapters in between Borders and Random House held a contest to find 28 writers who could each create a fast-paced and thrilling chapter in less than 750 words. The contest closed just last month, and the judges are in the process of selecting the winners, each of whom will receive a copy of the finished book; one lucky author will also get a one-on-one master class by phone with Patterson himself. Once completed, AirBorne will be released one chapter at a time beginning on 20 March. Readers will be able to download each chapter electronically, but the final book will be published in print only for participants in the competition. Read on, as BookBuffet explores Patterson's career and his community works, as well as the ways he's using new media to market it all.

Saturday, March 07, 2009

Masterpiece Airs: David Copperfield Airs, Mar 15th and 22nd (WGBH Boston)

Fans of Dickens' epic novel David Copperfield get to have a sneak preview of actors David Radcliffe and Ian McKellen who star in the two-part episode on Masterpiece March 15 and 22nd. In the videotaped interview hear Daniel Radcliffe talk about what it was like to audition for his debut film role at the age of 9, and subsequently shoot the drama just as he turned 10. Harry Potter would become his next role. There's a short clip of Sir Ian McKellen describing why he likes playing Mr. Creakle, who we all know to be "the bad guy" in the story. (View Clip)
Meanwhile, the good people at WGBH Boston PBS have compiled a stunning list of resources to accompany your viewing/reading of this classic. The Teacher’s Guide for Dickens and the Book & Film Club resources for Dickens are live and also accessible from the home page. Join the MASTERPIECE BOOK & FILM CLUB today, and stay in touch with like-minded readers.

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Amazon Loading Books On iPhone App (Technology Corner)

It was just a matter of time, but the word is officially out - Amazon has bowed to Apple and created a FREE app for its iPhone and iPod. As an iPhone user and an avid reader who is on-the-go constantly, I am thrilled to see the collaboration in place. I've been reluctant to purchase a Kindle to download Amazon digital books, as who needs another soon-to-be-obsolete electronic device? Users can shop for books at www.amazon.com/kindlestore on a regular PC, and then transfer purchases over the air to the iPhone and iPod touch. Prices are the same whether books are purchased from a Kindle or from an iPhone, and the first chapter of every book is free. If you've already got a Kindle, you can download every Kindle purchase you've already made to the new iPhone app. The app also offers adjustable font size along with bookmarks and annotation features. Like on the Kindle e-book, you can bookmark pages, increase the font size, and access the table of contents. You can buy a book or download a sample directly to your iPhone, be it via 3G or Wi-Fi. Turning the page is as easy as swiping the iPhone's touch screen.To compare Kindle with iPhone, read Nicole Lee's article on CNet News.

Author Podcast: Stephen Lewis (Author Interviews)

Stephen Lewis is a consummate orator, which stems as he says from his days in the trenches as a "feckless politician" when he was NDP leader of the opposition in Ontario, Canada. A strong socialist reformer, his work took on global proportions when he became the Canadian UN Ambassador and Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa. Lewis has been working to help the continent since. His speeches are peppered with names, places, and people from all parts of Africa - from people in the smallest village in Malawi to the leaders and heads of state worldwide. His 2005 Massey Lecture became the basis for a best-selling book, Race Against Time: Searching for Hope in AIDS-Ravaged Africa has won many awards and accolades. The following presentation was sponsored by the Whistler Social Sustainability Society as part of their speaker series. Excerpts are with the permission of Stephen Lewis and the Stephen Lewis Foundation which funds community-based initiatives in Africa. TIME magazine listed Stephen Lewis as one of the ‘100 most influential people in the world.’ He was made a Companion to the Order of Canada in 2002.

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Mulit-tasking with Firefox for the Morning Challenged (Feature Articles)

If you’re like me, you have whittled the morning rituals down such as to maximize sleep, allowing the absolute bare minimum time to shower, dress, and travel to work. If one step goes wrong; a late bus, an incognito set of keys, the entire operation is derailed and I am late. Thus the mornings are a time of great stress and panic. You can imagine, then, how delighted I was when I discovered the good people at Firefox have made an application for people like me, who can’t waste precious time by typing tedious URLs to read the morning news. Enter “Morning Coffee,” the app that allows you to click a steaming cup of Joe icon (and hopefully I have the same in my hand at this point as well) and get all your usual websites pre-loaded into tabs in one window. For example, I usually read the NYTimes, BBC News, the Economist, the New Yorker and of course Bookbuffet every morning, so with the click of a button they are all there, awaiting my somnambular perusal. You can even customize your Morning Coffee by day, so if you like the Tuesday Science section of the Times, on Tuesdays your Morning Coffee will go directly to that page. Enjoy! Morning people need not imbibe.

Sunday, March 01, 2009

Wine & Book Group Pick for Mar-Apr (Wine & Book Club)

This month's Wine & Book Group pick is Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell (Little Brown & Co 2008) the latest block-buster nonfiction title from the New Yorker staff writer who moonlights as a penetrating social anthropologist. His first two books, "Tipping Point" and "Blink", talked about things that combine to push us over the edge into a new paradigm, and conversely, the things that we conclude in a flash or blink of an eye based on all of our previously learned knowledge and assumptions. This time Gladwell examines success - both debunking our misconceptions and drawing upon new examples to explain why some people succeed where others do not. This should be a thought-provoking discussion and so we've paired it up with some complex, "heady" wines... Details of how to join the group and discussion points and added research enclosed. Why not discover great wines and good books together! Enjoy

Monday, February 23, 2009

An Evening with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Events)

Just the mention of the Kennedy family name congers four generations of fame, tragedy, controversy and an intense dedication to public service. On March 4th 2009 the AWARE (Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment) is hosting An Evening with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in celebration of their 20th Anniversary. Through a twist of fate RFK Jr turned a private embarrassment into a public cause. Charged with 1,500 hrs of community service for his prosecution on a heroine possession charge, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. used his environmental law degree to build his reputation as a resolute defender of the environment, stacking up a litany of successful large legal actions. The organization retained him as council after his service was discharged, and he works tirelessly for them today. Mr. Kennedy was named one of Time Magazine's "Heroes for the Planet" for his success in helping Riverkeeper lead the fight to restore the Hudson River - New York City's water supply - from polluting companies, and returning access to the shoreline by the public. The group's achievement helped spawn more than 170 Waterkeeper organizations across the globe. Most recently, he was a frontrunner with President Obama to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. He is a renowned author, inspirational speaker, and active conservationist. Learn about this passionate man, his causes and this event put on by AWARE here...

TheNewHavingItAll.com: Passion (Book Reviews)

It's almost a cliché—mention heart transplant and we imagine dramatic deathbed scenarios with life-altering passion at their core. What is striking, and frankly somewhat surprising given its title, is that Stephen Lovely couches his heart-transplant story, Irreplaceable, in the lives of very ordinary and occasionally unlikeable characters. This is the February book review from the good folks at www.thenewhavingitall.com website, a source for consulting, speaking, training and mentoring women at all stages of balancing education, career, family and life.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Stealing Your Information: Facebook Does An About Face (Technology Corner)

If you haven't yet jumped on the bandwagon that is the social network revolution called Facebook, you've likely got your reasons: a stubborness toward technology or privacy issues. Well the NYT printed an article telling of the company's change in policy that has created an uproar among the Facebook community. It has caused the company to retract those changes for the meanwhile, but readers should know what they're signing on for when they create a Facebook presence and enter all that juicy information about themselves...

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Tomb Raiders of Books (Feature Articles)

Perhaps a little less glamorous than a theft in the art world, book thievery hit the headlines this week in the U.K. with some rather stunningly expensive and intriguing robberies. On average the BBC reports that shoplifters make off with around $750m worth of books a year, small change to these professionals. “Jacques is one of a handful of highly intelligent, well-educated criminals who operate in the somewhat murky world of international antiquarian book traders, collectors and curators. They successfully plunder priceless tomes, manuscripts and ancient maps, while the players in this closed world - the national and international libraries, the dealers and the victims themselves - largely remain silent about what is going on.”
Photo:King George III's library collection encased in its glass temperature-controlled column at the center of the British Library, St Pancras

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Masterpiece Airs: Oliver Twist Feb 15th-22nd (WGBH Boston)

A new "Oliver Twist" has been adapted for television from master-storyteller, Charles Dickens' classic tale of an orphan boy's struggle amid 19th century London. The memorable characters: Oliver, Fagan, the artful dodger, Bill Sikes and Nancy (among others)are played by a stunning cast:William Miller, Adam Arnold, Timothy Spall, Tom Hardy and Sophie Okonedo. Don't miss this two-episode show, which airs Feb 15th-22nd on PBS.

Monday, February 09, 2009

What You Need To Know About The 81st Academy Awards (Feature Articles)

On February 22nd at 5 pm Pacific Time and 8 pm Eastern Time, the 81st Oscar Awards Ceremony will go off at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, hosted by the unlikely, Hugh Jackmon. Get a list of the nominees and download the voting ballot, then catch up on some of the history, hype and trivia with us here at BookBuffet. Of course our special interest (aside from the gowns and hairdo's) are the awards for screenwriting. There are two categories: Best Original and Best Adapted. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has been organizing the annual event since 1929.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Whistler Reads: THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST (Whistler Reads)

Don't miss the next Whistler Reads discussion March 19th at the Nita Lake Lodge library 2131 Lake Placid Road Whistler, British Columbia. Opening comments by John Weston MP Whistler, West Vancouver, Sea to Sky and Sunshine Coast with special guest speaker, Graham E. Fuller (bio enclosed) Tickets $10 ($15 at the door) and your first glass of wine is free. The book selection is The Reluctant Fundamentalist (Harcourt Press) by Mohsin Hamid. It's a short, provocative fiction title—a novelette actually—whose theme and deceptively funny writing style will intrigue you. It's a one-night-stand book. Easy, you think... however, it will leave you thinking long afterwards, and have all of us discussing its many facets at the next meeting!

The premise of "The Reluctant Fundamentalist" is two strangers meet, and over the span of several courses at a restaurant become acquainted. However only one of the two dialogues is represented in the book. The reader is left to envision the reaction of the other guest by the comments of the single narrator. There is a growing tension between the two men, and the climactic ending will leave the reader trying to surmise what may or may not have just happened, who was responsible and how "chance" the meeting was. Interested? Thought so. This book has been optioned by Director Mira Nair of Monsoon Wedding fame. I've read several post 9/11 stories, but none have struck me as such an accurate portrayal of...

Friday, January 30, 2009

The Groom To Have Been (Book Reviews)

The Groom to Have Been, Saher Alam’s first novel has been lingering in my head ever since I opened its bright cover. In essence it is a story about finding love, but with a twist that makes the modern world meet a much more traditional ideal. It poses a lot of questions that are sometimes hard to debate or formulate a good argument for or against. How does traditional religion fit in with our everyday lives? Are we shifting in such a way that these ideals no longer transcend along with our modern culture? What is love and how do we decide to stay with the same person for the rest of our lives? This book intertwines the lives of several very different characters all held together by the bond of family, religion and wanting to do the right thing.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

The Poetry and Science of Snowflakes (Feature Articles)

Snow. When you live in a mountain community you see a variety of it. The temperatures that precipitation falls at along with the atmospheric conditions conspire to produce magical landscapes, or like this year in the Pacific Northwest, dangerous avalanche conditions. The natural progression from just living and playing in the snow is to explore the subject from the artistic and the scientist's perspective. Caltech physicist, Kenneth Libbrecht has published several books with images of snowflakes captured by a special photo-microscope that are exquisite. He says, "The most symmetrical crystals are usually found during light snowfalls, with little wind when the weather is especially cold." Libbrecht follows upon the tradition of scientific study of ice crystals that runs back to Johannes Kepler and includes René Descartes, Robert Hooke, the Vermont farmer Wilson Bentley (who recorded 5,000 different snowflakes) and the Japanese snow scientist Ukichiro Nakaya. Lastly, there are some works of literature whose main character is snow. Join us on the subject of snow.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Pinto Books: From Economist and Consulate to Publisher (Publisher News)

It has been a while since I met Jorge Pinto at the Stanford Professional Publishing course in Palo Alto, California. His distinguished looks, meticulous dress, soft-spoken nature and unassuming demeanour belied an illustrious career in academia, the law, economics, foreign relations and business. At the time, Jorge had just launched his own independent publishing house, Pinto Books specializing in his four areas of interest and expertise: the re-issue of heady out-of-print classics, art books and illustrated books, and books translated from his native Spanish language. He now adds to that an interest in translating Chinese language fiction and has been making connections to the East in both publishing directions: through acquisition and translation, and via marketing and distribution. His relationship with books began when he was on the board of Latin America’s paramount commercial publishing house: Fondo de Cultura Económica de México. Of note, hee has had great success in marketing and sales using first-adaptor technology such as applications for iPhones. Discover this unique polyglot visionary who continues to inspire with his world vision and unquenchable appetite to learn.

Monday, January 19, 2009

TheNewHavingItAll.com: The Models of Yesteryear, This Week (Book Reviews)

The Models of Yesteryear, this week: The Best of Everything, (Reissued by Penguin, 2005) Rona Jaffe (1958)

When The Best of Everything was published in 1958 it was considered revolutionary. The book chronicles a shift in the social dynamic even as it was occurring, as young women began to enter the workforce in droves. Jaffe writes in her 2005 foreward to the reissue of the book, "I had the vision of the beginning of the book, which is all the hundreds and hundreds of girls walking to work."

Friday, January 16, 2009

Interview with MASTERPIECE Executive Producer Rebecca Eaton (Author Interviews)

Behind every successful television production is a team of hard working, talented people. For the past twenty (plus) years, the woman at helm of WGBH Boston Masterpiece has been Executive Producer, Rebecca Eaton. BookBuffet caught up with Rebecca on her recent visit to California and we've podcast and transcribed our interview for you here. Listen to Rebecca tell us what she loves about her job, what's it's been like to nurture and grow the Masterpiece brand and to work with the incredible actors, writers and directors at the BBC with whom she has collaborated, and subsequently been awarded a bookcase full of Emmy, Peabody and Golden Glob Awards as recognition for excellence from her peers. Then register with the Masterpiece Book to Film Group and be entered to win one of several promotional give-a-ways: re-issued Penguin classic editions of the four Dickens novels adapted for Masterpiece with stunning new covers, and DVD's of the Masterpiece miniseries showing on network TV and for a limited time online during the series run.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Canada Reads 2009: Race To Pick From Top 5 (Feature Articles)

Reads has announced its five picks for the countdown to the finalist. People are encouraged to plow through these books and make their vote for this year's Canada Reads selection. The five books are: The Book of Negroes, The Fat Woman Next Door is Pregnant, Mercy Among the Children, and The Outlander. We've listed a summary of the books and author bios with links to purchase and to vote. See which titles interest you, purchase and share your copy and your opinions with friends. Debate airs Mar 2-6.

The Book Of Negroes, by Lawrence Hill | HarperCollins Canada

In Lawrence Hill’s gripping historical novel, an unforgettable heroine recounts a life story that spans more than 50 years and three continents. As Aminata Diallo moves from slavery to freedom, she fights to keep her dignity and find a place she can call home.
Defended by: Avi Lewis

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Author Podcast: Stephen Vogler (Author Interviews)

With the 2010 Winter Olympics coming to Whistler, BC Canada next February, listen to long-time resident, musician, journalist, author and poet, Stephen Vogler who speaks with BookBuffet today on location in his home town. Stephen is a quiet blend of determined talent. He's a two-book author who's beautiful coffee table book, Top of the Pass: Whistler and the Sea to Sky Country (Harbour Press) tells the history and shares the majesty of his mountain community, "where gravity drives the economy and the lifestyle." Whether you're an enthusiastic sports person or not, you'll be interested to hear how a remote village catering to honeymooners and hippies became the decades' top North American ski resort with an international community of residents and visitors. The bonus of course, is that you'll be ahead of the media hype on the town hosting the next Winter Olympics.

Saturday, January 03, 2009

Biomed Experts Dot Com: Websites That Connect Specialty Groups (Technology Corner)

Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Social Networking sites aren't just for programmers, technology buffs or citizen journalists. The staid institution of Medicine is getting on the band wagon. The other day my husband received an email announcing his enlistment on a website designed to connect biomedical specialists the world over. BiomedExperts.com It has a lot of cool features that include the individual's research areas, their network of contributers, a mapping system to see how their life-work is linked around the world to other researchers or clinicians, and a list of their publications. The advantage is that researchers (or plain old doctors) can locate THE person in the world who is leading in a particular area of expertise. Check it out, and then find out how this and other web publications are changing how medical professionals communicate, connect and collect data. There is even a website that asks patients to give their inputs on disease symptoms and reactions to drug Rx and other treatment modalities.

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Wine & Book Group Club Pick For Jan-Feb (Wine & Book Club)

The International Dateline sits in the Bering Straight. William L Iggiagruk Hensley was raised just north of the Arctic Circle on the shores of Kotzebue Sound in a sod house with an ice floor in the tradition of his people&emdash;the Inupiat. Just like Sarah Palin, he can probably see Russia from his house on a clear day. Let us not be embarrassed to say that it is because of Sarah Palin people are sensitized to know more about this frozen frontier, and the perfect book to bring you there is an autobiography called, Fifty Miles from Tomorrow: A Memoir of Alaska and the Real People (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2009) It is the epic story of Alaska told through the eyes of an Inupiat elder. Hensley is to Alaska what Joseph Boyden is to Canada (only the latter writes fiction, while the former writes nonfiction-but you get my gist). In this first-person history lesson witness a people going from a virtual icy stone age to the current petrostate with the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971, awarding 44 million acres of land and nearly $1 billion to the first Alaskans. making them shareholders in a series of regional corporations, some of which became Fortune 500 companies worth billions of dollars. Can you imagine that? As the Wine & Book winter selection, we've selected some delicious ice wines. So purchase this book online, gather your group beside a cozy fire while you sip the sweet elixir of the late-harvest vines, and together you will be transported to the land of the midnight sun.

2009 New Year Resolutions: Take the Reader Survey (Feature Articles)

You've popped the cork on the champagne to ring in the New Year, but does your 2009 resolution list include reading books and community interest? Last year we reported the alarming reading statistics from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) with a view to alerting people to this negative trend. This year I want to focus on you, the BookBuffet user, who admittedly is already an avid or at least a regular reader, to broaden your reading appetites and engage publicly in the literary arts. Ask yourself, "Do I challenge my reading palette or do I stick to similar books by similar authors?" "Do I include a provocative book on politics, history, economics or science?" "Do I reach into the list of classic literature for the best writing so I can compare all the modern novels I read with authors whose works have stood the test of time?" And finally ask yourself, "What do I do that positively effects the reading habits of others: my family , my friends, my colleagues?" Take the test below and see where you stand.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

2008 Yearend Review of Award Winning Books (Feature Articles)

This is the list of authors and books that won awards in 2008. I find that reading these titles (or other works by these authors) helps to mark time in a way that connects me to the literary Gestalt of countries around the world. See if any appeal to you.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Films You Gotta See Over The Holidays (Feature Articles)

With the holiday season upon us, and interest turning toward some easy cultural distractions why not treat yourself to one of these stunning movies at the local theatre? Go to the late matinee when there won't be a line up and tickets are a few bucks cheaper so you can splurge on a nice bottle of wine with your take-out on the way home. Here are my picks for some thought-provoking discussions over said take-out dinner.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Author Podcast: Julie Angus (Author Interviews)

This week's author interview podcast is with the first woman on record to have crossed the Atlantic Ocean—in a row boat. She survived four hurricane class storms and documented her astounding journey in a book titled, Rowboat in a Hurricane: My Amazing Journey Across a Changing Atlantic Ocean. Named personality of the year by National Geographic, join us today as Julie recounts her incredible story and gives witness to the state of the one of the world's oceans. It will inspire you and make you think. This is the perfect gift for any adventurer or enviro-centric person in your life. Help us put Julie's book on the bestseller lists where it belongs with your purchase here today.

Whistler Reads: HOT FLAT AND CROWDED (Whistler Reads)

You'd be forgiven if you thought Hot, Flat, and Crowded is a nightmare vacation experience instead of the title of Thomas Friedman's latest book published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, and rated #16 of all books on Amazon and bestseller lists everywhere. But if we don't all read this book, we may be in for conditions like this world-wide, and sooner than we think. This coming January 4th, 2009 Whistler Read's pick will be discussed by a panel of local Whistlerites and you at the Whistler Public Library 1:30-2:30. We hope you join us in tackling a serious discussion on the material brought forward in Friedman's book. The Boston Globe writes, "A compelling manifesto that deserves a wide reading, especially by members of Congress and candidates for President." Still not convinced? View this compelling video of the author speaking to Charlie Rose. See details for speakers and other resources and how to JOIN WR.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

How To Get Rid The Bah Humbug! (Feature Articles)

Having trouble getting into the spirit of Christmas, or the more politically correct holiday spirit? Then get yee down to the nearest reading of the Dickens classic A Christmas Carol and feel the "bah humbug" rattle right out of you. Ours happened at the local library with a bevy of readers lined up in their Sunday best to recite one of each of the five staves in their turn with all the flourish and sentiment they could muster. Interspersed were the voices of the children's choir singing carols and the crowd invited to join alternating songs using our best tenor voices held warbly-up to the too-high register of the children. Rather like church without the pews, we instead silently offered up our intentions to the snow god to bless our mountains so we could all get on with business-as-usual skiing and boarding in the winter wonderland. (This is Whistler, after all.) But more than anything, it is the comfort of the familiar words from the Dickens classic that thawed my icy exterior. Below are some of my favorite lines from the story, and a link to the full text online. Why not gather your family beside the fireplace amidst yuletide cheer and glogg, and do a reading together? (Full Text Online) Learn about BookBuffet's upcoming collaboration with WGBH Boston who is producing four Dickens productions for Masterpiece [Theatre] starting Feb 2009.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

A New Way to Shop for Gadget Gifts for the Holidays (Technology Corner)

Stumped as to which digital technology gadget you should purchase this holiday? Check out this excellent interactive feature at the NYT by David Pogue, the technology guru and columnist. Called Pogue-o-matic. It's fun and easy. All you do is pick the category you're shopping for: cameras, camcorders, smartphones or TV's. Then check the box of a list of defining questions that cues a video-speaking David to walk you through your options using just the right amount of detail and information. Consider him your personal shopping assistant. At the end of the entertaining interactive session, you'll have a shortlist of products that you can then choose to have sent to your phone or email for ease of shopping. I had my camera stolen last summer and have been wanting to replace it with the next level up in professional quality and features. David Pogues video-chat session gave me my answer. See if he can help you through the digital product maze!

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Author Podcast: Karen Essex (Author Interviews)

Join BookBuffet reviewer Dee Raffo in her very first author interview podcast. Dee speaks with Karen Essex (photo left), one of America's important contemporary historical fiction writers, who joins us from her home in Los Angeles. Karen is a mother, writer and we now discover, quite a feminist. She enjoys illuminating historic female protagonists with a view to educating readers on how far we've come in the pursuit of gender equality here in the West. Her captivating stories, exquisitely researched, bring history to life. The topic for discussion today is Karen's fourth novel, Stealing Athena published by Doubleday in 2008. It's a story where two characters 2300 years apart—one in ancient Greece, the other, 18th century Scotland—find themselves inexplicably linked with the Elgin Marbles, and the controversy and passion that surround them.

Monday, December 01, 2008

TheNewHavingItAll.com Book Review: Giving Thanks for What Is (Book Reviews)

Following upon the American holiday of giving thanks, we bring to you two books recommended not only for their messages of gratitude but for the very differences in perspective that make them a forceful combination. At the core of these two writings is a belief in embracing one's reality that perhaps can resonate for each of us at a time when so many are anxious and fearful and experiencing the pain of dramatically altered lives. Here is the review of To Love What Is, Alix Kates Shulman Loving What Is: Four, Byron Katie

Sunday, November 30, 2008

The NYT 100 Best Books of 2008 Announced (Feature Articles)

Each year I look forward to seeing which titles make it onto the NYT Top 100 List of Books in 2008. As a book reviewer I enjoy comparing notes on the books that passed my desk courtesy of the marketing departments of the publishers, and look forward to discovering the books we missed. It's interesting to tally which publishers have the strongest showing because it indicates to me the strength of their editorial departments. Publishers Farrar, Straus & Giroux and Knopf factor frequently this year. Check out these titles from the larger alphabetized 100 list. Any book club worth its salt would want to read them. There's something of interest everyone; supernatural call girls, paralyzed dissidents, Aussi surf noir characters, and whole insect colonies.
—photo:The Times Skyscraper

Monday, November 17, 2008

Jack Kerouac Isn't The Only Author Calling For (Book Reviews)

There have been many books about the value of a good road trip. From Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values (P.S.) where the author finds spiritual enlightenment to his troubles and which has been a manuel to people since, to Jack Kerourac's, On the Road(Penguin Great Books of the 20th Century) from the 60s Beat generation when wanderlust was a Life Skill 101 class field trip and required reading. A new book has emerged to join them. Written by Doreen Orion Queen of the Road: The True Tale of 47 States, 22,000 Miles, 200 Shoes, 2 Cats, 1 Poodle, a Husband, and a Bus with a Will of Its Own (Broadway Books, New York 2008) pretty much says it all. And BookBuffet reviewer Dee Raffo reports that it is "One of the best feel good books [she's] read all year." So if the financial crisis has got you down and you can't quit your job because that mortgage underwater, pick-up a little escapism and start planning your next - ROAD TRIP!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

TheNewHavingItAll.com Weekly Book Review: You Just Don't Understand (Book Reviews)

You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation (Harper) by Deborah Tannen. Lunch with your girlfriends whizzes by as you update each other on work, kids, schools, and husbands, and it feels like you barely scratch the surface. You know the names, sports and personalities of your female colleagues’ children, and where they are applying to college. You discuss their dating challenges and your mutual concerns about recent losses in your 529 and 401k accounts. The sole male in the conference room seems to dominate the discussion even though he is not leading the meeting. Your boss banters with male colleagues about NBA playoffs and free agents in baseball, but your efforts to connect with him on a personal level wither because you are not a sports fan. Your husband reads the paper over breakfast and watches the evening news when he gets home. He doesn’t ask about the details of your day, but is quick to interrupt your story before you finish telling it to offer “solutions.”

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Whistler Forum Hosts International Coalition (Events)

William Roberts is the founder of the Whistler Forum for Leadership and Dialogue and his connections to political, civic and humanitarian think-tanks run deep. Modeled on the Aspen Institute, the Whistler Forum just completed a weekend retreat with an interesting array of participants. The purpose was to discuss the current geo-political environment in the new Obama reign, and come up with a position paper that recommends how Canada needs to approach relations with our giant neighbors south of the 49th parallel. Participants asked the questions: What are Canada's values? What are the trends in the geo-politics? What should our priorities be in positioning ourselves in today's world? Issues of political stability and terrorism came up, as did the importance of global warming and development in the third world. Read more about the participants and the points they discussed. We'll see where it all goes.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

BookBuffet Partners With WGBH, Boston a Public Broadcasting Station (WGBH Boston)

WGBH in Boston is the public television network that has provided outstanding programing for over 35 years. They're the folks who bring us, among other incredible programing, the series Masterpiece, which features the finest classic and contemporary works interpreted by the world's foremost actors. For years Masterpiece Theatre was hosted by the late and beloved Alistair Cooke. This January-May 2009 WGBH is airing a new series of films, adapted from four works of the classic Victorian novelist, Charles Dickens. It has been ten years since the last Dickens series was produced by Masterpiece. It featured such luminary actors as: Charlotte Rampling, Ian McKellen, Maggie Smith, Bob Hoskins, and HARRY POTTER's Daniel Radcliffe. WGBH's educational outreach department contacted BookBuffet to help promote the 2009 series to our members, as part of their Book & Film Club.

"This is a fabulous opportunity for BookBuffet members who are already familiar with our "books to film" feature articles to get a head start on reading or re-reading the most classic of all British authors - Dickens," says BookBuffet Founder, Paula Shackleton. "I'm dying to see who is cast in the new series, and who produces and directs it," she adds. BookBuffet members who join will receive a compliment of resource information to go with the series and a chance to discuss it online. In addition, BookBuffet will be producing our own podcast series interviewing people associated with the production and distribution, and our own book group pages. Here's how you can participate...

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Wine & Book Group Club Pick for Nov-Dec (Wine & Book Club)

Distantly Related to Freud (Cormorant Books 2008) is Ann Charney's delicious novel about a Montreal girl named Ellen and her drive to control her destiny amidst generational codes and ethics. Set in the 50s and 60s this book explores the sexual morays of post-war European immigrants to Canada. "Sex is power," Ellen states after giving up her virginity with clear-eyed purpose. Distantly Related seemed like the perfect match for deep and delicious reds from the Niagara Wine Trail, which formally consists of twelve different wineries in the Niagara escarpment. We've singled out just three selections for you to track down and taste when you and your group discuss this book.

Couric Coverage of the Election: Embedded Live Video (Technology Corner)

For the first time in election history, a major television news network produced a widget that could be embedded on any person's website or blog which viewers could watch any place there is internet. I for one benefited from this as I have no cable or satellite TV where I happened to be on election night, and so I was thrilled to find live streaming video of the election online. It meant I could watch the election results on my computer screen. It was a "power to the people" sort of media move that was supported entirely by INTEL. (Intel of course being the computer chip found in virtually all computer technology.) This is another aspect of the success of people who embrace technology - as demonstrated by the campaign strategists in Obama's team. From the grass-roots fundraising campaign to the use of internet to distribute information and gather support, it represents a powerful message about the value of technology in media and politics.

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

BiblioBurro: A New Take On The Mobile Library (Feature Articles)

Each weekend Luis Soriano gathers his two donkeys, Alfa and Beto and loads them with books that he takes to villages in nearby towns in Columbia. “I started out with 70 books, and now I have a collection of more than 4,800,” says Mr. Soriano, 36, a primary school teacher who lives in a small house here with his wife and three children, with books piled to the ceilings.His project has won acclaim from the nation’s literacy specialists and is the subject of a new documentary by a Colombian filmmaker, Carlos Rendón Zipaguata. This kind act has made Luis the best-known resident of La Gloria, a town that was the inspiration for the setting of the epic novel of Luis's more famous countryman Gabriel García Márquez, author of “One Hundred Years of Solitude.”

Monday, November 03, 2008

Author Podcast: Katie Hafner (Author Interviews)

Join me for this week's BookBuffet author interview with Katie Hafner, as we discuss her fifth book, A Romance on Three Legs: Glenn Gould's Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Piano (McClelland & Stewart 2008, Canada; Bloomsbury in the USA and the UK) The quest for perfection is always a fascinating story - and here you have three stories in one. Katie Hafner is a journalist and author who's been known to write about technology and its effect on social behavior. Inspired by the idea of "writing a story through the prism of an inanimate object," she came upon CD318, a concert grand piano crafted by Steinway. What was so special about this piano? What were the demands of its owner, and who were they both reliant upon? Hafner tenderly unveils this three-pronged mystery for you today. Meet Glenn Gould, renowned Canadian pianist and one of the most complex, brilliant artists of the twentieth century. Famous for his bizarre habits, Hafner describes Gould's obsessive quest to obtain the perfect sound. Meet the blind Saskatchewan piano tuner, Verne Edquist, who labors with CD318 to produce her exquisite tone and responsiveness.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

November is National Novel Writing Month (Feature Articles)

It's been said that every person has at least one novel in them. Here is your chance to find out. Whether you're an individual wanting to test the waters, or an educator bringing your whole class to the pool, for the month of November, you just have to log on to http://ywp.nanowrimo.org and follow directions. Don't let the name of this organization fool you; it's for adults as well as youth. The Young Writers Program of National Novel Writing Month is a fun, "seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing." Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write your novel by midnight, November 30. The philosophy is not to get hung-up on style or grammar. It's volume, baby, volume that counts. (Studies show that when you stop freaking about the former, you end up in a writing groove to which the all the other details can be fixed post-op.) The word-count goal for our adult program is 50,000 words. (That's 1600 wrd/day) The Young Writers Program allows participants who are 17 and younger to participate too. Set reasonable, yet challenging, word-count goals. What matters at NaNoWriMo is output. BookBuffet would like to take our class to the pool. On November 1st, email us here with your intent to participate. Nov 30th email us with a copy of the final manuscript that you submit to NANO. Our editorial team will tally the results from participants and offer our own recognition. Details on how to participate follow.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Nobel Prize for Literature Goes to A Frenchman: Meet Him And His Publisher (Feature Articles)

To any writer the Nobel Prize for Literature is the ultimate award of the year because it recognizes the merit of not just one book or novel, but the work of a lifetime; the author's literary legacy brought to the attention of the world and placed among distinguished peers of past and present. This year the prestigious award goes to Frenchman, Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio. Jean-Marie has over 40 published works, 12 of which are translated to English. He is considered by some as one of France's greatest living writers and essayists. Here in North America we have a small Boston publisher to thank for his works. David Godine specializes in beautifully made books and hand selected literary properties and translations.Thank you David. (Read about DGB in next month's featured publisher.) The Swedish Academy praised Le Clézio as an “author of new departures, poetic adventure and sensual ecstasy.” Discover the 2008 Nobel Prize winner, and read excerpts from some of his books.

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Books to Film: Revolutionary Road (Feature Articles)

Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road (Vintage) was first published in 1961. It rocked people’s worlds then, but drifted off the radar screen until now. December 26th it will be rediscovered by modern audiences through the release of the feature film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslett, directed by Sam Mendes and written by Justin Haythe. It is the story of a young married couple, April and Frank Wheeler who live in the eponymous suburb that is a bedroom community of New York set in the '50s. Revolutionary Road is being compared in its film version to Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and significant Oscar buzz surrounds the lead actors. Take the opportunity to discover Yates now.

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Book Pricing: When Canadian and US Currencies Are At Par (Feature Articles)

I know I am not the first person to wonder why the sticker prices quoted on the back of books are still significantly higher for Canadians than Americans when it has been a full year since the US and CND dollar achieved parity. "So why don't books cost the same in Canada as the US?" Consider the list price on Alan Greenspan's The Age of Turbulence is $35 U.S. and $42 Canadian. Suggested retail prices for James Patterson's You've Been Warned are $27.99 and $32.50. I took a look at the history of the two currencies and what the Association for Canadian Publishers (ACP) and the Association of American Publishers (AAP) had to say. Read this and weigh-in with your thoughts. If you are a publisher, share your experience.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

$100 Laptops: Yves Behar Designs Innovative Solutions (Technology Corner)

Yves Behar demonstrates the new XO Laptop in this convincing video. It's the result of a 2005 competition challenging designers and manufacturers to come up with an affordable, resiliant product for the One Lap Top Per Child program headed by Nicolas Negroponte (the founder of MIT lab) and consists of leading mathematicians, programmers, psychologists, engineers, musician/activists, businessmen and humanitarians. Design forward construction and materials that make even the happiest Mac user envious: a screen that you can see in full sunlight, light, compact, strong, requiring very little energy and having the ability to be powered by solar panels or cranks or foot pedals. Bono of U2 was involved in the project from the beginning and gives his unbridled support.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Three Cups of Tea: The Story of One Man’s Promise (Feature Articles)

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time, By Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin is the prize-winning bestseller you have by now certainly heard of if not read. It has been the book of the month for many book clubs including both of mine, and before reading it I must say I was surprised at its popularity. A book about building schools in the Middle East is hardly the sort of terrorist expose we’ve seen hogging airport bookshelves since 9/11. It is a much simpler, yet far less reductionist story of a mountain climber cum philanthropist who made a sustainable impact in a part of the world known for its remote inaccessibility, both geographically and some would say ideologically. "Tea" succeeds in providing access to what is, of course, a universally human desire to improve the lives of our children.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Two Great Events on Both Coasts: The NewYorker Festival & VIWF (Events)

On the West coast we have 100 international writers speaking at the 2008 Vancouver International Writers Festival, held October 21-26th. From André Alexis to Ting-xing Ye check out the entire list on the festival website. Then on the East coast, it's the annual New Yorker Magazine FestivalOct 3,4 and 5th.

Whistler Reads: A ROMANCE ON THREE LEGS (Whistler Reads)

What has 88 keys, is tuned by a blind man, and played by an obsessive compulsive genius? Answer: The object of desire in Katie Hafner's new biography A Romance on Three Legs: Glenn Gould's Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Piano (MCcLelland & Stewart). Meet CD318. A concert grand piano hand-made by Steinway; she's a little old, a little battered and almost forgotten when she's discovered at the back of the Eatons flagship store showroom in Toronto back in 1960 by the young iconic Canadian pianist, Glenn Gould. The third "leg" of the story comes from Verne Edquist, the near-blind Saskatchewan farm boy who possessed the ear and training to meet Gould's demanding standards. All three combined to produce the sound that would be recorded for posterity in the famous sessions of Gould's most productive 10 years of life before his untimely death. Join me Thursday November 6th, 7:30pm at the Whistler Public Library in discussing this three-pronged tale. You don't have to be a Canadian or a particularly sophisticated music lover to enjoy this story. I've just completed the author podcast, which we'll debut at the next Whistler Reads book club meeting. If we have sufficient early interest, we will bring the author herself to speak to us. I'll let you know when the first 20 people sign up to attend. As well, we'll view segments of a related film documentary and hear expert guest speaker Paula McLaughlin, Professor of Music from UBC. Visit Katie Hafner's website.

Locals can stop into Armchair Books in the village where we have reserve copies for WR members at 10% discount. Get your $15 ticket now. (Your receipt is your ticket.) Tickets purchased at the door are $20. WR is a proud partner of the Whistler Public Library.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

The Common Bond by Donigan Merritt, Other Press, NY, 2008 (Book Reviews)

Donigan Merritt is a graduate of the Iowa Writer's Workshop and the author of seven novels. He lives in Washington, DC. A world traveler who has lived a rich life, Merritt imbues his novels with the same variety and intensity. He writes of love and loss and adventure in many different settings. The Common Bond is set in Hawaii in the '80s. The protagonist, Morgan Cary is a s a commercial fishing boat captain, who trolls the Pacific for yellowfin tuna and blue marlin. After a decade of life spent in California, Morgan flies home to Hawaii arriving with a broken heart and an overwhelming sense of guilt surrounding the death of his wife, Victoria. He finds comfort in the wet green mountain slopes, the pearl-colored volcanic haze, and the tropical perfume of gardenia, plumeria, and eucalyptus, but he cannot escape painful and persistent memories. "Resonant with human emotion and insight, The Common Bond is an exquisite novel of precision and grace that captures the depths of the human capacity for guilt, and the traps of compassion and hope in redemption."—Other Press. Join BookBuffet reviewer, Dee Raffo who untangles the unconventional story line of this novel, and follows with her interview with the author over SKYPE.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Wine & Book Group Pick for Sept-Oct 2008 (Wine & Book Club)

Step into Interior BC, Canada for this month's Wine & Book Pick. Red Dog, Red Dog by Patrick Lane is available in bookstores Sept 30th, 2008 but available online here. McLeland Stewart publishers write, "[This is] an epic novel of unrequited dreams and forestalled lives. Set in the mid-1950s, in a small town in the interior of BC in the unnamed Okanagan Valley. The novel focuses on the Stark family, centering on brothers Eddy and Tom, who are bound together by family loyalty and inarticulate love." It's shortlisted for the 2008 Giller Prize for fiction. We've matched local wines from the same region where this virtuoso debut novel is set. Road 13 Winery is owned by Mick Luckhurst and located near the town of Oliver, just across the way from the renowned Tinhorn Creek Winery which shares the same terroir. Enjoy these surprisingly true and tasty, "earthy" wines—a brilliant match for your October book group and tasting.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

David Foster Wallace: Dead At 46 (Feature Articles)

David Foster Wallace, the author best known for his 1,000 plus page 1996 novel Infinite Jest was found dead in his Los Angeles home on Friday night, according to police. He was 46. Sadly, this ends his long battle with depression, in which his father says, "Everything had been tried." Michiko Kakutani, chief book critic of The New York Times wrote in 2006. “He can do sad, funny, silly, heartbreaking and absurd with equal ease; he can even do them all at once.” David has been called one of America's most important young authors and is often compared to Thomas Pynchon. Of course the best way to know an author is through their books, but if you haven't taken the opportunity yet, there are ample places to read and "meet" him. My most illuminating moment of Wallace was in his television interview with Charlie Rose, taped in March of 1997. His brilliance and vulnerability, his modesty and honesty were all mixed up in a somewhat defiant, verbosity that bordered on pressure of speech in places where his thoughts were coming faster than he could form the words. Here is a small tribute to David Foster Wallace with some links for further reading and viewing.

Author Podcast: Joshua Henkin (Author Interviews)

Edith Wharton satirized New York carriage society's attitudes to love, marriage and fidelity at the turn of the century in her novel, The Age of Innocence (Oxford World's Classics). Richard Yates captured married life in the bedroom communities struggling outside of New York in the '50s in his novel, Revolutionary Road. In this week's BookBuffet podcast interview we speak with best-selling author Joshua Henkin who tells us about his second award winning novel, Matrimony: A Novel recently published in paperback by Vintage, 2008. Matrimony: A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries) captures contemporary couples dealing with the complexity of relationships in today's age. Julian, Mia, Carter and Pilar meet in an East coast liberal college and the book follows their lives for the next twenty years as they navigate adulthood and the most important aspects of life: love, friendship, careers and commitment. If you love Wharton and you know Yates, then you'll enjoy meeting Henkin.

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

2008 Short-list Announced Mann-Booker Prize (Feature Articles)

The Man Booker 2008 Shortlist was announced today. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the most important literary prize in the English speaking world. Winners of the prize become household names. This year there are two debut novelists and a broad geographical representation of authors from India, England, Australia and Ireland. The works are being touted as "intensely readable, page turning stories." For the first time extracts are available for download onto mobiles - that's just in time for my new iPhone! LIsten to: The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga and five more. Details inside.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Having It All: A Website About Choices Women Face Today (Feature Articles)

Marguerite Dorn and Carol O'Day are the founders of a new website and consulting business that addresses the work-life and work-family balance that women face. Check out www.thenewhavingitall.com. It's the age-old modern dilemna: stay home to be with your children or leave them to keep a job? There are likely as many variations to this spectrum as there are women with families. Everyone's circumstances are different. Some things are within your control, many things are not. How do we, as a society, rate on the scorecard of motherhood? Join us at BookBuffet as we explore the business concept that two former power-house professional women are carving out for themselves to help make a difference for the rest of us, while they maintain balance in their own lives.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Mapping Authors Through Literature-Map.com (Technology Corner)

Here is another creative technology websites that uses a unique mapping system to help readers find, compare and explore published authors. It's called www.literaturemap.com and it works like this. Type the name of any writer you wish to research. The site will come up with a page listing that writer's name as well as all the writers whose work is similar to them. The closer the names appear to each other, the more alike their body of work is supposed to be, and the more likely - it is said - that you will enjoy the style, subject matter or body of work of the close relation. TRY IT! I entered John Irving and got this.

Whistler Reads: DEVIL MAY CARE (Whistler Reads)

May 28th was the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond 007. To commemorate the date the Fleming estate commissioned renowned British fiction author, Sebastian Faulks to write a new novel for the series, released around the world in 21 languages amid a blaze of publicity not seen since the last Harry Potter book. It's titled Devil May Care (James Bond). It was the Whistler Reads pick for the summer, and members had frivolous fun at the September 13th party! Check out the event pictures and the resources we collected for you. Consider making a donation to Whistler Reads

Donate Amounts

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Thursday, August 21, 2008

Vicious Circle Hosts Whistler Writers Festival 2008 (Events)

The Vicious Circle Writing Group hosts The Whistler Writers Festival each September, and the marketing blurbs by Lisa Richardson just keep getting better and better. This year they have a host of classes planned on Saturday, Sept. 13th. Check out the 7th annual lit-fest offerings: 15 different seminars in fiction, non-fiction and magazine, and memoir/writing from life streams, with free sessions as well as ticketed events starting from $20. Participants can dabble and cross-genres, or devote a day to a particular focus. If the course content is half as entertaining as the creative titles - you'll be in for a treat! I recommend Shena Lambert's class. Shena attended BookBuffet's four author panel discussion last April. It's great to have her back in Whistler again!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

What They're Up To Now: Writers We've Podcast (Feature Articles)

Reading, researching and interviewing an author whose book comes across my desk for review at BookBuffet is a fun process. It's fascinating to be able to speak intimately with authors about: the source of their inspiration and characters, their methods of writing, the values they attach to their work, and who their mentors are. When it's time to say goodbye, you really feel as though you've gained some insight into an interesting life. So when we hear back from writers about their latest book, film or television projects, we love to share the updates with you. Here are (in alphabetic order): Zoe Archer, Joseph Boyden, Kit Bakke, Julian Fellows, Margaret MacMillan, Kem Nunn, Susan Orlean, Jonathan Safran Foer, Tracy Quan and Michela Wrong. Find out about their latest novels, tv pilots, babies, academic appointments, and life in general. We've been sent review copies of some of their new books and will give you a quick run-down.

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Web Analytics: What They Know About You & The Websites You Visit (Technology Corner)

Web analytics are the gurus of online companies. They collect information about who visits their sites and they know your age, sex, income, education, marital status, what browser you use and system platform you use, and lots more. Why is that useful? If you are a website owner, it pays to know who your site visitors and customers are. If you are the web editor, it pays to know which articles people are reading, how long they stay on your site, where they browse and where they bail. It's not just for the purposes of matching future content to visitor tastes. It's key information in determining advertisement placement and maximizing revenue. All the big websites have a web analytics department. Even if you are a little guy—it is worth your while to pay attention to web analytics. The New York Times and NBC, to use two examples, track site visits minute to minute. They titrate content and advertising that is specifically geared to your viewing tastes, as breaking news develops or gains particular traction. The articles are repositioned on the page and the ads are matched to your past viewing tastes and geographics. The head of the companies meet with their analytics department each and every day and get regular updates throughout the day. For a taste of what you can learn, visit Quantcast Media Planner and key in your own search variables.

Monday, July 28, 2008

"Stealing Athena" by Karen Essex, Doubleday 2008 (Book Reviews)

BookBuffet reviewer, Dee Raffo enjoys the historical fiction genre. Here is her July book review: "As I pick up Karen Essex’s fourth novel, Stealing Athena: A Novel (Doubleday 2008) I am struck by its beautiful cover. It is an 18th century self-portrait by French painter Marie-Genieve Bouliard, as she envisioned herself as the Greek courtesan and philosopher, Aspasia. The cover certainly does match the dual narratives of the book, where two characters 2300 years apart, one in ancient Greece, the other, 18th century Scotland, find themselves inexplicably linked with the Elgin Marbles, and the controversy and passion that surround them."

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Serpentine Gallery in London Features Architect Frank Gehry (Feature Articles)

Each summer in London's Hyde Park the Serpentine Gallery asks a different modern architect to design and build a temporary structure for public display. This year it happens to be Canadian-born uber-architect, Frank Gehry. This is his first built structure in the UK. Known for his dramatic fluid titanium sheet metal skins on the amorphous Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao in Spain, and the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Frank has this year designed a pavilion of glass and wood that could easily be adapted to a garden space connecting buildings on your property. Find out more about his inspiration for the project and browse through a collection of architecture books and films on the master. (photo credit, Paula Shackleton)

Author Podcast: Kem Nunn (Author Interviews)

Summer is here and all the folks at BookBuffet who have surfing on the brain decided to re-post an earlier interview [Nov 13 2004] with Kem Nunn, the legendary surf noir novelist. In addition to his own novel adaptations, Kem has a successful streak of screenplays to his name, Wild Things and his newest collaborations are with HBO Producer David Milch on the show "Deadwood" and he co-produced the HBO series "John from Cincinnati", a surfing series set in Imperial Beach, California which premiered on June 10, 2007. Kem spoke to BookBuffet about the third book in his surf-trilogy, Tijuana Straits, Random House (2004)

Sunday, July 13, 2008

2008 BBC Samuel Johnson Award for Nonfiction (Events)

Each year the BBC sponsors the Samuel Johnson Prize for Nonfiction recognizing excellence in nonfiction writing. BookBuffet editor Paula Shackleton attended the discussion and provides audio excerpts with the five out of six shortlisted authors whose books vary in subject matter from the history of the Congo, to life in the Soviet during Stalin, to the biography of V.S. Naipaul, to an encapsulated view on the vitality of twentieth century classical music and its connections to popular culture, and finally to the first murder case in Victorian history that sparked an entirely new genre in literature and crime fighting—the detective novel and the professional crime detective. Meet Tim Butcher, Mark Cocker, Orlando Figues, Patrick French, Alex Ross and Kate Summerscale.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Discipline in Jogging and Writing (Feature Articles)

Haruki Murakami has a wonderful article in the "Life and Letters" section of The New Yorker magazine (June 9 &16, 2008) that reveals the Japanese novelist's inner workings and how he became both a runner and a writer. It's not surprising that discipline, with a capital D is at the root of both, providing fascinating biographical insights into the author's life, his motivations and his writing. If you're a runner, a wannabe writer, or simply a lover of Murakami's books: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle (1997) Kafka on the Shore (2005) and After Dark (2007) to name three titles for starters... read on.

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Wine & Book Group Pick for July & August 2008 (Wine & Book Club)

I've always been a fan of Glen Gould. His playing of Bach and particularly the Goldberg Variations is like trance for the piano—starting at the first variation one is swept away in space and time. I always imagine that my math skills are subliminally being enhanced just by listening to the contrapuntal melody. The other fascination I have with Gould is hearing the stories of his unusual personality quirks. Declared a child prodigy by age three when he demonstrated perfect pitch, it is said that he could read a music score through just once and play the piece perfectly from memory. He had an obsession with his hands. He always wore gloves, even in summer, and never shook hands with people. He would stand for long periods of time at the sink running warm water over his hands. This month I'm recommending the Wine & Book Group pick-up a new book about this fascinating musical genius. (Your dinner conversations will sparkle and entertain even the most die-hard pop or rock fan.) A Romance on Three Legs: Glenn Gould's Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Piano borrows heavily on a previous biography on the artist, but it also tells the story of Gould's relationship with a particular piano and the blind farm-boy technician he relied upon to keep the instrument tuned to his grueling specifications. See what you think as you read further, and download Gould's music from iTunes as a wonderful accompaniment. For wines to go with this selection we've chosen a few delicious ones from the Niagara escarpment wine growing region of Ontario. (Gould was a native of Toronto, not far away.) The area is as physically beautiful as this love story and the music. Enjoy!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Survey Shows Increasing Use of E-Books As Research Tool Among Students (Technology Corner)

Digital resources are used as often, if not more often, than print books says 6,500 students at around 400 institutions across the globe who participated in a survey by Ebrary, the Palo Alto-based digital content service and delivery company. Craig Morgan Teicher who writes for Publishers Weekly, (6/25/2008 7:00:00 AM) says that "while the survey does indicate some skepticism and ignorance about e-books in institutional libraries, it also clearly shows that students are increasingly using e-books and other digital reference sources for research and other assignments."

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Rose Tremain Wins 2008 Orange Prize (Feature Articles)

Rose Tremain has twice been a Booker Prize judge and this year she wins the prestigious Orange Prize for her tenth novel, The Road Home: A Novel (Chatto and Windus 2007) The story is about an Eastern Eurpean migrant worker who travels to London for employment that can support his family. He discovers London is awash with money, celebrity and complacency. The contrast underscores the new East-West economic dichotomy that exists between disparate EU countries resulting in the flow of population to Western urban centers who must then grapple with a cultural divide.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Galway Kinnell (Feature Articles)

Poetry, that exacting science of words, art, expression and sometimes distance, has spoken to me through the voice of Galway Kinnell. Well, actually through the audio excerpt at the Paris Review. To be bitten by poetry you need to have it read to you. To have the author read it, is a delight most exquisite. Treat yourself to 07:55 minutes of escapism today: A cigarette break for the imagination. Then click on the link to purchase your own copy and get to know more of Kinnell's words. A New Selected Poems published by Mariner Books (2008).

Sunday, June 01, 2008

Newest release by Pulitzer Prize Winner Jumpha Lahiri (Feature Articles)

One of my favorite authors is Jumpha Lahiri because she writes about people I relate to who have experienced things I could not. Her latest book is a collection of short stories and critics are hailing it as her masterpiece. She writes about family and generational interactions, about immigrants and aspects of cultural identity and assimilation from her Bengali perspective. She writes about human emotions in exquisite variety - all of it rendered in delicious prose. With mentors in Hawthorne and Hardy, how could she go wrong? Pick up a copy of Unaccustomed Earth (Knopf April, 2008) and take it to the cottage, the beach or read it in installments at the leafy park near your work place on extended lunch breaks.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Canadian Feminist Writer Sarah Felix Burns Writes BIG Fish Story (Book Reviews)

Jackfish, The Vanishing Village (Inanna Poetry & Fiction) is not a regular fish story—but it will hook you. Clemance-Marie Nadeau is haunted by memories unraveling from a traumatic past. Her story begins as she boards a train bound for Sault Ste. Marie and falls under the spell of a charming stranger who promises her a life of adventure. Nothing she will experience could be further from that promise. Based on her own life and stories from the trauma/torture survivors that Sarah Felix Burns has counseled over the years, Jackfish will mesmerize and invoke a gamut of emotions. Not since, Bastard Out of Carolina will you be so moved by a book of this kind. Don't let your group miss Jackfish. The author writes, “This book is dedicated to all those people who battle with the demons of guilt, shame addiction, and mental illness.” Take a look at BookBuffet Reviewer Dee Raffo's review.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Dubai-based Translation Project Promises More Arabic Books (Feature Articles)

Last year the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) of the United Arab Emirates launched “Kalima,” a project to translate books into Arabic; its stated aim was to translate 100 works. Late last month, the ruler of Dubai, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, upped the ante: His eponymous foundation launched a similar project, albeit one that aims to translate 365 books in its first year – or, in other words, one per day.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Barbara Walters' New Autobiography (Feature Articles)

Since I don't have television, it's difficult to keep up with daytime shows like Oprah. But I happened to be traveling and turned on the hotel tube to see Barbara Walters' appearance on Oprah — talk about female power! Surprisingly, it sounds like Barbara has written an interesting book, which she titled, Audition: A Memoir because she's been doing just that her whole life. I picked up a copy and thumbed through it and here what is in store for all you BW fans. Auditions is published by Knopf May 6th,2008.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Author Podcast: CS Richardson (Author Interviews)

CS Richardson has worked in publishing for over twenty years. He is a multiple recipient of the Alcuin Award, Canada’s highest honor for excellence in book design, and a frequent lecturer on various facets of publishing, design, and communications. The End of the Alphabet: A Novel, published by Doubleday Canada, is his first novel and it has just been awarded the Commonwealth Writers Prize for A Writer's First Novel. Congratulations Scott!! [interview Feb 2008]

Who is Petri Liukkonen? (Feature Articles)

You may not have realized that the website you visit frequently for concise biographical information on world authors is coming from an obscure Finnish library near the Russian border!  Meet Petri Liukkonen, Director of The Kuusankoski Library, Finland.

Wine & Book Group Pick for June '08 (Wine & Book Club)

The cello is both the most beautiful and sorrowful of stringed instruments. And so, it is only fitting that The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway (Knopf, Canada April 2008) is a story of extraordinary beauty and imagination that will sweep you off your feet with its compelling prose. "One day a shell lands in a bread line and kills twenty-two people as the cellist watches from a window in his flat. He vows to sit in the hollow where the mortar fell and play Albinoni’s Adagio once a day for each of the twenty-two victims... " Entice your book group to read this month's Wine & Book selection, The Cellist of Sarajevo, based on the true story of Vedran Smailovic. Listen to the music while you taste the old-world wines from the region for a truly moving discussion and a memorable experience.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Two Cool Events in NYC Not To Miss (Events)

The NYPL's "LIVE" series presents, BOOKS THAT CHANGED MY LIFE with a stunning line-up of authors: Annie Proulx, Olivier Rolin, Yousef Al-Mohaimeed, Antonio Muñoz Molina, Catherine Millet & Paul Holdengraber, moderator. And PUBLIC LIVES-PRIVATE LIVES from the PEN Society's "International Voices Festival". This year’s theme couldn't be more timely. How do we draw a line between our private and public selves? When must we tell private stories for the public good? How, as readers, writers, and citizens, do we confront threats to our privacy? What is still considered private in the Internet age? Do we need to redefine the meaning of public and private in the 21st century? The writers in this year’s Festival will mine this rich theme in a variety of literary conversations, panels, readings, and performances. Links and details inside.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Farewell, My Subaru: Adventures in Green Living (Book Reviews)

"In Farewell, My Subaru: An Epic Adventure in Local Living, Doug Fine writes about his hilarious adventures in green living and some surprising facts he discovered about energy consumption; such as, it takes several thousand gallons of jet fuel to fly an organic banana from Honduras to Silver City, NM, or three times the amount of fuel he uses in his car each year. After graduating from Stanford, Doug Fine strapped on a backpack and traveled to five continents, reporting from remote perches in Burma, Rwanda, Laos, Guatemala and Tajikistan. He is a correspondent for NPR and PRI and the author of Not Really An Alaskan Mountain Man. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, Wired, US News and World Report, Christian Science Monitor, and Outside magazine. A native of Long Island, he lives in an obscure valley in Southern New Mexico alongside many goats and coyotes. Visit his web site at www.dougfine.com

Sunday, April 13, 2008

PEN Award Goes to Chinese Political Prisoner (Feature Articles)

With the news of world-wide protests over China's behavior in Tibet, and the resulting disruptions of the Olympic torch ceremonies for the Summer Games in Beijing, it seems appropriate that this year's PEN Freedom to Write Award go to imprisoned Chinese writer Yang Tongyan who is serving a 12-year prison term for posting anti-government articles on the Internet. What role does the PEN society perform and why should we care?

Monday, April 07, 2008

2008 Pulitzer Prize Winners (Feature Articles)

The winners of this year’s Pulitzer Prizes were announced on Monday, April 7, at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. The awards honor books in five categories — fiction, poetry, history, biography, and general nonfiction – though the judges may decline to give an award in any of them. The Pulitzer site, www.pulitzer.org, has all the results. A special citation was awarded to Bob Dylan for his profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power. Click on quick links to purchase.

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Technology Corner: Take A Free Course From Stanford or Berkeley at iTunesU.com (Technology Corner)

"Transforming learning from on campus to off campus to where there's no campus at all," that's what iTunes U is all about. Load up on lectures from the top professors at the top universities in the country. And it's FREE. This is the most thrilling discovery for me in years. I love the trend of podcasts and v-casts to access online education. Presentations, performances, lectures, demonstrations, debates, tours, archival footage — it's all about getting inspired. Listen to "An Evening with Leonard Cohen and Philip Glass" from Stanford U, watch a linear alegbra class at MIT, or catch a lecture by Thomas Friedman on how technology has made Beijing, Bangalore and Bethesda "next door neighbors." Just download to your iPod and listen on the way to work or in the comfort of your living room by plugging into your TV.

Saturday, March 08, 2008

Whistler Reads: THE AUDACITY OF HOPE (Whistler Reads)

The next Whistler Reads (WR) meeting will take place May 10th at the WPL. This is our eighteenth book pick. Alternating between fiction and nonfiction titles, we have chosen The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama. With the Democratic primaries heating-up in the neck-to-neck race between Hillary and Obama, this is going to be a stunning meeting. We have a political skit planned by a former Second City actor and his team. Conservative candidate John Weston (Sea to Sky Corridor + Sunshine Coast) will discuss the book and field questions. John is himself an author, and he is passionate about Obama's non-partisan politics. Listening to John's voice message I learned he is muliti-lingual, and speaks English, French and Mandarin fluently. Don't forget - Sunday is Mothers Day. Bring yours and we'll have a long-stemmed rose waiting for her.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

NYRB Is Having A Sale (Publisher News)

The New York Review of Books (NYRB) is moving offices from their current location to Hudson Street in Greenwich Village. Take advantage of the 40%-60% discounts on excellent titles not often available at these prices. Sale ends March 9th. Just browsing the list of fiction, translated fiction, essays and criticism along with other genres, I have pulled a few titles from my own shopping list. Aside from personal reading interests, it's always nice to have a few extra books on hand for gift occasions in the coming months; these are books suitable for most everyone. Learn more about this important literary and publishing force in America.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Introducing Video Book Reviews: Love A Book? Video A Review! (Feature Articles)

Put your FACE to a BOOK! It's a Whistler Public Library and WR-BookBuffet joint program. To celebrate the opening of the grand new Whistler Public Library, BookBuffet-Whistler Reads will be filming locals, resort visitors, World Cup and Olympic athletes as part of a video presentation putting your FACE to a BOOK. There is a child, teen, adult and athlete category. Everyone is welcome. Just pick a book and tell us, in about two minutes, what you loved about it. The video-book reviews will be compiled into a short feature film that will be previewed at the Whistler Library Opening Gala festivities April 12th-17th and available online here. Find out how you can participate below.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

20th Century Ghosts: Horror Fiction to Die For (Book Reviews)

It’s the variety that makes Joe Hill’s collection of 20th Century Ghosts, (William Morrow, 2007) stand out from the crowd of horror novelists. The stories range from the grotesque, to unnerving, even poignant and nostalgic.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Are You In For A Little Libration? (Events)

Libration joins "celebration" with "library," though I'm uncertain whether it's a noun or a verb - possibly both! April 11th-19th. Details are inside, but Save The Date for Saturday April 12th when BookBuffet/Whistler Reads Founder, Paula Shackleton hosts four stunning Vancouver writers: David Chariandy, Shaena Lambert, Timothy Taylor and Teresa McWhirter come to Whistler. What do they have in common? They each live in Vancouver. They each published a new book in 2007 that is garnering popular and critical acclaim. Join us fireside at the WPL from 6-8 pm for "Writing On The Edge: Perspectives of BC Writers." What is it about Vancouver's geography, economy, politics, history, climate, multiculturalism, or our proximity to the border that affects these writers? Check-out the Libration poster for all the events and activities

Sunday, February 10, 2008

UK Announces 2007 Top Library Lends (Feature Articles)

It is interesting to consider which books and authors are most popular with lending libraries versus the bestseller lists and literary fiction. James Patterson has just made the top spot, reports the Guardian, having tallied over 1.5 million copies of his books lent in the past year. He is the third author to have earned the distinction since they began keeping such records in 1982. J.K. Rowling and Ian McEwan only made it to 107 and 252 respectively on the library lending list, whereas their novels, Harry Potter and Atonement made it to 1 and 13 respectively on bestseller lists for the year. What does this say about borrowers? Check out the top 10 borrowed books list and see for yourself.

Friday, February 01, 2008

Wine & Book Group Pick for March '08 (Wine & Book Club)

Cellophane (Dial Press) by Marie Arana is a novel set in the Peruvian rain forest during the 1930s where Don Victor Sobrevilla and his wife, Doña Mariana, venture to find a location for their papermaking factory. Along with the discovery of the secret to making cellophane (a fascinating story in itself) the family is drawn into an erotically charged landscape of surreal history and obsession. Nominated as a National Book Award finalist, Arana's writing has been compared to other literary giants, Allende, Marquez and Conrad. We think this novel is the perfect choice for February, when romance and exotic locations can sweep you away in the best literary tradition. Marie Arana, editor of Washington Post Book World Wines recommended for this book naturally derive from Peruvian sources. Enjoy!

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Rediscovering Robertson Davies (Classic Literature)

While browsing through the stacks at a favorite independent bookstore, I came upon a copy of Fifth Business, a Canadian classic by Robertson Davies, the first novel of his acclaimed Deptford Trilogy. I cannot resist a Penguin paperback—the combination of superior cover art and binding make them a pleasure to hold, read and collect. If you've not yet discovered Canada's prominent novelist, playwright, critic, and journalist, then pick up a copy of Fifth Business as it is his most autobiographical work of fiction. It tells the story of three characters—Dunstan Ramsey, Boy Staunton, and Paul Dempster, whose life paths are haunted by a single boyhood event. Davies' prose is reflective of his academic study of mythology and archetypes, his career as a repertory actor and theater advocate. He was one of the founders of the Ontario Stratford Shakespearean Festival, North America's leading classical theater.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Facebook Asked to Ditch Scrabulous (Feature Articles)

Facebook, the social network site, invites members to invent applications for its users. The most popular of these is an online game called "Scrabulous" which is based on the Mattel-Hasbro board game Scrabble. The software was developed by Rajat and Jayant Agarwalla, who are based in Kolkata, India. Lawyers for the board game say the online version infringes their client's copyright and must be removed. According to the Scrabulous website it has 594,924 daily active users - about a quarter of the total that have signed up to play it - meaning that at any one time in the day there are half a million people worldwide playing the game online. Users admit to having never played the board version, but after becoming hooked on Scrabulous...

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Starting a New Book Group? Here's How To Avoid The Pitfalls (Feature Articles)

If one of your New Year's resolutions is to start a book group -- you're in good company. But it's important to lay the ground rules early and get into good habits.  Here are some of the ways you can -- avoid the pitfalls.

Sunday, January 06, 2008

Marquand Books: A Publisher With Bragging Rights (Publisher News)

If you attended any fine art gallery shows this past year, chances are that the art book created for one of the collections was designed by Ed Marquand's team in Seattle, Washington. The New York Times this past December featured four Marquand titles in their "Ten Best Art Books of 2007" one of a series of "Bests" that the world waits to peruse before shopping for the bibliophiles on their holiday list. Marquand Books, one of the most respected companies of its kind in the United States, produces fine illustrated books for museums, galleries, publishers, artists, collectors, and architects.

Whistler Reads: OUT STEALING HORSES (Whistler Reads)

Our next Whistler Reads book selection is going to appeal to all the male (and female) members who joined last month who tend to nonfiction. Challenge yourself to some world-class fiction. To our regular members, you are in for a treat. The spare, haunting prose of Per Petterson, Norway's most prominent fiction writer, has been receiving critical acclaim worldwide for his third novel, Out Stealing Horses: A Novel. Published by Graywolf Press, this story will captivate you from the first page forward. The style is nothing like typical North American prose. Here is a book I would encourage you to read out loud to family or friends in segments each night,for the pure pleasure of capturing this beautiful translated work. Join us at the Whistler Public Library on Thursday, March 6th 7-9 pm. Discussion Questions Below

Monday, December 31, 2007

2008 New Year's Resolution (Feature Articles)

My 2008 New Year's Resolution is to take the National Endowment for the Arts "To Read or Not to Read" report seriously and take action. The NEA produces the most comprehensive and reliable survey on reading there is. It draws from consistent, widespread sources that produce measurable conclusions: Only one in four Americans read a book last year. "Despite improved reading abilities in elementary school . . . all progress appears to halt in teenage years at age thirteen. There is a general decline in reading among teenage and adult Americans, and they read less well. Even college graduates' regular habit of reading has declined. These declines have demonstrable social, economic, cultural, and civic implications." What can we do? Read this and find out.

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Wine & Book Group Pick for January 2008 (Wine & Book Club)

For January we thought you'd enjoy reading Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia (Viking 2007), the runaway bestselling memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert. Facing a difficult divorce and a punishing affair, the New York journalist decides to escape her personal hardship by traveling to Italy then India, finally ending up in Bali. At once funny and profound, Gilbert's self-indulgent journey can be your guilty pleasure this month, along with fine wines picked by our partners at Women & Wine. Paramount Pictures has acquired the rights and will star Julia Roberts, according to Variety.com

Sunday, December 16, 2007

2007 Yearend Review: Award Winning Books (Feature Articles)

This is the list of authors and books that won awards in 2007.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Author Podcast: Lucy O'Brien (Author Interviews)

It is always a delight to speak with authors in the UK. BookBuffet caught up with Lucy O'Brien, who hails from London. Lucy is the author of several female rock biographies and female rock historical bestsellers. Her latest is the groundbreaking biography of pop icon Madonna. The Material Girl turns fifty in 2008 and in anticipation, Lucy has produced a thorough, sensitive, and illuminating treatise that will help demystify the woman who has made history as the most successful female singer to date.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Bookbuffet Holiday Pick List 2007 (Feature Articles)

In our household every member receives a book for the holidays. When the busy social schedule calms down and before we have to return to work or school, it's nice to read a hand-picked book. Check out our highly personalized gift list, and make your shopping easy with one trip to the bookstore or order online, (make that "express, wrapped and labeled with free shipping") and save yourself the hassle of parking, shopping, and schlepping.

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Xiaolu Guo's Third Novel is Set in London (Book Reviews)

A poet from the age of fifteen, Xiaolu Guo first came to London in 2002 as an experienced novelist and filmmaker from mainland China. Her observations led to her third book, the first in English, a remarkable mix of eastern and western ideals with a clever, funny, often profound and engaging writing style. Titled A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers: A Novel (Published by Nan A. Talese, September 4, 2007), The novel explores a subject that many people can relate to, the acquisition of a new language. This book was nominated for the 2007 Orange Prize for fiction. Read the review then listen to the interview, and view clips from her filmography. Xiaolu Guo is a talent we will see and hear more.

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Book Review: American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin (Book Reviews)

"Prometheus stole fire and gave it to men." -Apollodorus, The Library, book 1:7, second century B.C.

"My two great loves are physics and New Mexico. It is a pity that they can't be combined." So wrote J. Robert Oppenheimer, the enigmatic and mystic genius who managed to do just that at Los Alamos following his appointment as Scientific Director of the Manhattan Project.

The father of the atomic bomb was a unique polymath who can justifiably be credited with founding the foremost school of theoretical physics in America. Moreover, in contrast to many gifted mathematicians and physicists, Oppenheimer's intellectual curiosity extended well beyond the limits of his chosen career. He was a prolific reader and loved the arts, especially poetry. He was also fascinated by mysticism and with his remarkable facility to acquire languages with astounding ease, he learned Sanskrit so that he could study the ancient Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad-Gita.

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Technology Corner: SMS Etiquette (Technology Corner)

Short Message Service (SMS) allows users to "text" a message between cell phone, pocket PC's. More than 500 billion SMS messages were sent across the world's global system messenging in 2004. But just like the annoyance we've all experienced in public places when someone is talking loudly, endlessly and personally on their phone, SMS has its own set of issues. Learn some SMS etiquette

Thursday, November 29, 2007

CS Richardson's Amazing Little Gem: The End of the Alphabet (Book Reviews)

The End of the Alphabet by CS Richardson (Doubleday, 2007) is a one-hundred-and-nineteen-page gem coming out in paperback that you can read in one sitting. Be prepared to be taken on a roller coaster of emotion. It is the story of a couple, one of whom has just been diagnosed with a terminal illness and told will not live past one month. It is a story of love, of courage, and of loss. It is a story you will read and pass on to friends, because we all admire this kind of love; we all fear this kind of devastation and find ourselves compelled to look into their abyss. The End of the Alphabet has just been awarded the Commonwealth Writers Prize for First Novel. Congratulations Charles!!

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Bluerectangle.com Offers Video Book Reviews (Feature Articles)

The folks at Bluerectangle.com have a great idea -- one I've been working towards myself -- video book reviews you can watch in about a minute or two delivered by (what appears to be) regular folks. It's a great concept for those of us attempting to look past the hype of a book by mainstream publishing marketers and get a peer review of a new book. It's like taking the Amazon visitor reviews one step further. With Blurectangle.com you get to see the reviewer and determine their sincerity and honest opinion. Click on title for more details.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

BookBuffet.com Is Looking to Crack the Top 100,000 Site Rank (Press Releases)

Help us with our goal to break the top 100,000 websites. Today we're at 115,886 which is up there with www.health.com (117,423) and www.readinggroupguides.com (168,348). Did you know there are over 140 million domains registered world wide. That places Bookbuffet.com in the top 8.27%. How can you help? (a) Browse our latest features and click on the social networking links at the bottom of each to post it to Digg, Facebook or your own blog or favorite social networking sites. (b) Subscribe to our RSS feeds and get the latest book news, author interviews, member generated reviews and timely editorials. Our podcasts are a great way to discover new authors. (c) Register your book group. Easy as A B C - Click, Share, Join, Subscribe. Prizes to the lucky members who join on day 100,000! Stay tuned.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Amazon to Launch An Electronic Reader Device Monday Nov 19th (Technology Corner)

Will libraries holding book stacks become a thing of the past? Amazon's Jeff Bezos plans to announce his new electronic book-reader device called The Kindle on Monday in New York City at the W Hotel's swanky Union Square location. The Kindle will cost $399 but the W Hotel has a corporate alliance with Amazon that will allow guests to check out devices like a library book, with downloaded books coming straight off Amazon's website. Marketing research by the company followed iPhone's launch strategy that used celebrity endorsement. Rumors have it the year-long awaited e-readers will come with a pre-loaded bestseller. Watch for the announcement Monday. For a re-cap on the battle between Google and Amazon technology click feature title.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Norman Mailer Dies At Eighty-four (Feature Articles)

American novelist, playwright, journalist, screenwriter and film director Norman Mailer died on this day of renal failure following lung surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award once, he was awarded the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters from The National Book Foundation in 2005. His break-out novel in 1948, The Naked and the Dead, published when he was just twenty-five, describes the face of war from his military experience when drafted into the US army serving in WWII Philippines theatre. It is on the Top 100 Novels List. Mailer and co-founder Dan Wolf started The Village Voice in Greenwich Village in 1955. Mailer was married six times and is survived by four children and one adopted son. For a list of his other creative works and links to noted obituaries, click feature title.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Wine & Book Group Pick for November '07 (Feature Articles)

Madonna is the most famous female pop artist of our time; singer-songwriter, dancer, record and film producer, actress, and a fashion icon. She has won multiple Grammy and Golden Globe awards and is known for her controversial music videos, stage performances, and use of political, sexual, and religious themes in her work. Discover the woman behind the mystery. Journalist Lucy O'Brien's groundbreaking biography, Madonna: Like an Icon (HarperCollins, Nov 2007) gets at the heart of Madonna's chameleonlike existence. Extensively researched and perceptively written, it explores the complex personality and legendary drive that made her "the world's most successful female musican" (Guinness Book of World Records). A great book to discuss with your group over equally provocative wines picked for you by our partners at www.womenwine.com

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Whistler Reads: THE AGE OF TURBULENCE (Whistler Reads)

Follow the example of Whistler Reads - a village book group that is now on its sixteenth book selection, The Age of Turbulence by Alan Greenspan. This discussion promises to be one of the most thought provoking of the year. It is a must-read for anyone involved in business, finance, economics, politics or who simply wants to understand how the world operates. Penguin writes, "This book is the distillation of a life's worth of wisdom and insight into an elegant expression of a coherent world view. The Age of Turbulence will stand as Alan Greenspan's personal and intellectual legacy." Hosted by BC Entrepreneur of the Year Lukas Lundin, and with special guest speaker Glen Donaldson PhD from the Sauder School of Business. With economists forecasting a recession, the changes to the Cnd-US currency exchange rates, and the banks reeling from the sub-prime mortgage crisis - it behooves you to attend this talk. Don't miss the chance to meet Mr. Greenspan at a sold out event in Vancouver later in January. Sponsorship generously provided by Lundin Mining. Plus, Lukas Lundin has donated two tickets to see Greenspan that will be up for raffle at the January 4th discussion.
Join WR and get your ticket for Jan 4th online today! $20 advance/ $25 at the door

Your receipt is your ticket.

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Financial Times Reveals Winner of The Best Business Book of All Time (Feature Articles)

The Financial Times last week unveiled the results of an online poll of readers to find the best business book of all time, and the winner, by a wide margin, was The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith's influential economic treatise published in 1776.

Friday, November 02, 2007

Whistler Reads: THE FEMALE BRAIN (Feature Articles)

What makes us women? Whistler Reads fifteenth reading selection November 1st at the Durlacher Hof was a resounding success as members new and old (with tourist visitors attending from Mexico and Switzerland) had a one-hour conversation with the author, Dr. Louann M. Brizendine, via speaker phone. Available as podcast shortly As a neurobiology undergrad at Berkeley in the '70s, Louann asked the question, "Why is there no research study results of female animal behavior and brain physiology?" Since that time, researchers like Louann have, along with advances in non-invasive MRI and PET scanners, learned a wealth of information encapsulated in Dr. Brizendine's book, The Female Brain. Written in an easy to read, "Ahhah!" format that weaves what Publisher's Weekly calls "a trove of information and stunning facts" and that Huffington exclaims is "bloody brilliant ... answers questions that have plagued me for years, as well as ones I hadn't even formulated yet."

Monday, October 29, 2007

Technology Corner: iPhone Features (Feature Articles)

The iPhone is a multimedia and Internet-enabled quad-band GSM EDGE-supported mobile phone designed and marketed by Apple Inc. Its single-touch screen technology is so easy to use, they've sold more than 1.4 million iPhones since the release date on June 29th. To stop people from buying phones and reselling them, Apple announced last Thursday that it will limit sales to two per person (down from five) and you can no longer pay cash - they want to track credit cards and checks. What's so great about the iPhone? It's a virtual office enabling you to multi-task with a single finger. Take a look at what this amazing piece of technology can do, then read on to discover some of the perks and quirks of how people are using the phone.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Noted Humanitarian and AIDS-HIV Activist Steven Lewis Comes to Whistler (Events)

I heard the first firecracker go off in the street outside my office window just now, reminding me that Halloween is approaching for all the happy, carefree school children here in the West. This is not the case for the millions of children in Africa. Last evening the third in a series of talks put on by Whistler Community Services Organization hosted world-renowned Canadian human rights advocate, UN ambassador and HIV-AIDS speaker, Stephen Lewis. The sold-out 800-seat crowd gathered in the Whistler High School gymnasium gave organizers a fright just two days away from the event when only a quarter of them had purchased their $20 ticket. Proceeds go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Click title for full article.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Doris Lessing Wins 2007 Nobel Prize for Literature (Feature Articles)

Ms. Lessing, who turned 88 on October 22, never finished high school and largely educated herself through her voracious reading. She was born to British parents in Persia (now Iran), was raised in colonial Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), and now lives in London. She has written dozens of books of fiction, as well as plays, non-fiction, and an autobiography. She is the 11th woman to win a Nobel Prize in literature. Here is the latest coverage of the announcement with links to books.

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Author Podcast: Joseph Boyden (Feature Articles)

When Canadian Joseph Boyden came on the literary scene he wowed readers with his powerful historical fiction set during WWI about brotherhood, native identity, and the raw face of war. To meet and speak with Joseph is a pleasure. He's handsome, and has a quick smile and a generous personality. His self-effacing modesty makes him accessible to people despite his success and obvious talent. Please join me in listening to Joseph talk about his life, his writing, and his upcoming new novel, which will follow on the success of Three Day Road.

Monday, October 01, 2007

Wine & Book Group Pick for October '07 (Feature Articles)

With the harvest and Thanksgiving on everyone's mind, BookBuffet invites you to take a look at Barbara Kingsolver's nonfiction treatise Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life for this month's Wine & Book pick. It's about eating local, eating seasonal, supporting small farms, and saving the planet from extinction through your everyday purchasing choices of food that is not trucked, flown or shipped using fossil fuels to your market. Don't miss the opportunity to drink a lovely local wine along with this book when you meet to discuss it with your group. Women & Wine have lots of ideas on wine makers whose products are organic, too. Learn about wine as you read the wonderful titles selected especially for this group.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

It's Film Festival Season: Check Out the Books to Film (Feature Articles)

It's Film Festival season in Canada again, which means right after Toronto, comes Vancouver and then Whistler. With so many excellent novels adapted to film we are going to list some of our favorites and introduce a "Books to Film" night on alternate months. Grab your book group members for a feature film in your neighborhood and meet for coffee to compare the book with the film. We'll provide details to spice up your discussion, but obviously everyone reads and views things from their individual perspective. Bring your expertise and share it liberally -- with the popcorn.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

National Punctuation Day is September 24th (Feature Articles)

Let's eat, John. (OR) Let's eat John. The first is a request to John about a meal. The second is suggesting that John become the meal. "A misplaced comma can be a big deal!" says Jeff Rubin, the founder of National Punctuation Day®. What a brilliant idea. If you despised all that grammar stuff in school, now is your chance to brush up on punctuation. While your spell check program can hide one bad habit, it only takes a few memorized rules to keep you out of punctuation purgatory. A properly punctuated document can mean the difference between getting your point across, or losing your audience (or client, or job) altogether. Take this one day to celebrate the comma, apply the period, learn when to use a semicolon or a colon, and ensure you know where to put the apostrophe or how use a dash. An ellipsis -- what's that? Check out this website dedicated to punctuation, and purchase a copy of one of these excellent resource books for yourself or someone in need.

Sunday, September 09, 2007

Whistler Reads: END OF EAST (Whistler Reads)

The Whistler Writers and Readers Festival takes place September 14-16th. This year event organizer Stella Harvey and her Vicious Circle team invited Whistler Reads to take part. Sign up for a class. Don't miss our readers and writers mixer, Saturday Sept 15th 8-10 pm at Millennium Place. This evening is arranged and moderated by Whistler Reads founder, Paula Shackleton. It's Book Club Night when you get to chat with author Jen Sookfong Lee about her wonderful novel that is set in Vancouver's Chinatown, The End of East (Knopf, Canada). Thanks to our sponsors who are providing door prizes. WR now boasts ~200 members. Everyone is welcome. "Whether you live, work or play in Whistler -- read what Whistler is reading." Join the WR Shanghai Tang After-Party, 10-12 pm at Ric's Mix Lounge located nearby. Tickets and how to join WR below.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Want to Raise Your IQ and Improve Your Memory: Exercise! (Feature Articles)

As a book group moderator in a ski-resort town, I like to say, "You already exercise your body, come exercise your mind!" in my bid to get people to join our village book group. But studies show aerobic exercise actually doubles blood flow to the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for neurogenesis (new brain cell growth, new memory). It works for everyone: from aging brains to children, and everyone in between. Exercise in combination with social stimulation is even better, they say. That old adage "the body feeds the mind" turns out to be true. Here are three excellent books on fitness for three age groups. Motivation for everyone. Click the title for the full article describing the science and some cool products to use while working out.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Canada Gets a New Territory: Nunavik in Northern Quebec (Feature Articles)

They have been negotiating for decades, but just this week Canada, Quebec, and Nunavik came to an "agreement in principle" between the three sides, with a formal signing ceremony to follow within weeks. What does it mean for residents north of the 55th parallel in Quebec consisting of one-third of the land mass? Residents -- regardless of ethnicity -- will be given an opportunity to vote for their own government. A Nunavik Assembly of five members will act as the cabinet and elect a speaker. Each member will be responsible for one governmental department, such as health, education, and local and regional affairs. This treaty is different from BC's Nisga'a Treaty, which is based on ethnicity. Learn more about the treaty, the region, and the people with links to literature from the region.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Booker Prize Long List Announcement: Get One, Get'em All (Feature Articles)

Now in its thirty-ninth year, the Man Booker aims to reward the best novel of the year written by a citizen of the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland. It has the power to transform the fortunes of authors and even publishers; last year's winner Kiran Desai has traveled the world since winning in 2006. The 2007 longlist of thirteen books -- the Man Booker's 'Baker's Dozen' -- was chosen from 110 entries; 92 were submitted for the prize and 18 were called in by the judges. Browse the list (below), click on book titles to purchase; challenge yourself to read as many as you can. Each book is a gem crafted this year by authors from around the world. See list below... -photo credit ManBooker

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Sacred: The British Library's Exhibit on Jewish, Christian and Muslim Faith Books (Feature Articles)

For the first time the rarest and most exquisite examples of the sacred texts of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths are on display together at the British Library: Torahs, Bibles and Qur’ans. If you are in London this summer it is worth a visit. If not, browse the BL's interactive online exhibit for a look at what these texts have meant to "people of the book" all around the world for centuries. It includes videos with discussions by historians and religious experts, a chance to "flip through" the books that are on display, and more. In these troubled times, it behooves us to understand the similarities between world religions. Here is a taste of my visit...

Monday, July 30, 2007

Wine & Book Group Pick for August '07 (Feature Articles)

The Saxon word for pebble is chesil. Ian McEwan's brilliant new novelette, On Chesil Beach: A Novel is this month's Wine & Book Group pick. Set in 1962, it begins on the wedding night of a young virgin couple, Edward and Florence. After meeting and falling in love at a London college, they anticipate their vows as the entry into 'real adult' life; however, naiveté brings disappointment. The story is a touching examination of relationships, love, sex, the era, and how, despite best intentions, people somehow manage to get it wrong. McEwan asks, "Can the entire course of a life can be changed –- by a gesture not made or a word not spoken?" Despite differences in sexual politics today, readers will resonate with these two characters. Chesil Beach is an excellent choice for the last month of the summer. So pack your beach bag and slip in a delicious wine selected by our partners at Women and Wine. McEwan calls this a movie-length book that will take about three hours to complete -- just right for a lazy afternoon picnic!

Sunday, July 29, 2007

A LuLu of an Idea: Putting Your NOKIA Phone to 'Novel' Use (Feature Articles)

TORONTO (Reuters) - An Italian writer decided to put his mobile phone to good use during his daily commute to and from work -- by writing a book. Robert Bernocco, an IT professional, took advantage of his travel time by writing a 384-page science fiction novel, Compagni di Viaggio (Fellow Travelers), on his Nokia using the phone's T9 typing system.

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Last of the Potter Books Goes on Sale Saturday (Feature Articles)

Is it the pitter-Potter of little feet I hear? In case you are like me, the only person left on the planet who has not managed to run out on Day One to purchase a copy of the latest and last Harry Potter books published by Bloomsbury, here is an excellent round-up on BBC of all the books in the series. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. J.K. Rowling is richer than her Queen from the royalties earned from book sales and associated film and merchandizing revenues. Click on feature title for excerpts and links to purchase.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Katanga: Land of Copper by Paula Shackleton (Feature Articles)

When Sir Ernest Shackleton was looking for men to join his expedition to the South Pole in 1914 at the outbreak of WWI, the advertisement is supposed to have gone like this: "Men wanted for hazardous journey. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success." My initial thoughts wandered to that when I was asked to travel for a book commission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the spring of 2006. Just eight weeks shy of the first democratic election in forty years, Global Watch was reporting rebel bands still roaming the eastern countryside, preying on civilians after the civil war that brought rape, starvation and genocide to 4 million people. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned of malaria and a host of curable and incurable endemic diseases. What follows is an account of my trip and the fruit of my travels, a 217 page photographic coffee-table book with accompanying essays on - the history, land and people of the richest undeveloped copper region in the world - Katanga: Land of Copper (Marquand Books, Dec 2006) Take a look at this snap shot of a country on the brink of change with renewed optimism for peace and prosperity. There is no Lonely Planet guide to the Congo as yet, but there soon will be!

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Moderator Tips: The 'Job' of the Participant in Book Group (Feature Articles)

Your job as a participant of a book group discussion is not to understand. It’s a search, a seeking. A close-reading and discussion of a novel or short story does not require conclusions. Some writers write against easy answers, and endeavor to explore the ambiguities and paradoxes of life in their fiction.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Timely Reads from the Rand Institute (Feature Articles)

The RAND Institute is the original socio-political and scientific think tank. Everyone who read A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar, or saw the movie based on the book, is familiar with the story of the Nobel Prize-winning mathematician, John Nash. Nash worked at RAND, the scientific think tank established in 1946.

An acronym for "research and development," RAND is a non-profit institution that helps improve policy and decision-making through research and analysis. Much of this research is available to the general public through the institute's publications.

Residents in Whistler, BC are being treated to a visit by Graham Fuller - CIA and RAND Corporation Expert Sunday July 22 Spruce Grove Field House Public Talk and Forum at 4:30 Friends of the Forum BBQ at 6 pm. This event is being hosted by The Whistler Forum for Dialogue. Don't miss it, and come prepared with some light pre-reading material. (Click title for details)

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Whistler Reads: THE INHERITANCE OF LOSS (Whistler Reads)

&deThe Whistler Reads group is set to discuss this year's Mann-Booker prize winner, Inheritance Of Loss by Kiran Desai on Thursday July 5th at 7pm at the Tandoori Grill restaurant in Whistler. With the group membership approaching 200, Founder Paula Shackleton is thrilled to see the support of the Sea to Sky corridor that includes the communities of West Vancouver, Squamish and Pemberton. "It is very exciting to see members from each of these communities participating in Whistler Reads. We welcome everyone - individuals, member of other groups, locals and visitors. Our mantra is, 'whether you live, work or play here'. Exciting opportunities are on the way!" Here is a list of research and discussion points the group will cover. Why not join WR today?

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Michael Moore's New Documentary Earns 2nd Highest Box Office in History (Feature Articles)

Michael Moore's latest documentary "Sicko" deals with the healthcare debate in America. BookBuffet's Political Books Contributer, Loree Fayhe brought this excellent movie review by Isaiah J. Poole to our attention. It was posted on the affiliate website of the Institute for America's Future. Whether you agree with Moore's political bent or not, the film stirs the political pot and it will be interesting to see how the public responds and the pundits react. As Poole says, "Go see "Sicko" this week, and since members of Congress are in their states and districts, invite them to accompany you—especially if they think that the nation's medical care ills can be solved by Bush's little tax cut pills.

Sunday, July 01, 2007

Wine & Book Group Pick for July '07 (Feature Articles)

July is the month that promises long summer days and time to escape into a delicious novel set in far-away lands. This month’s Wine & Book Pick take us to Beijing, China, where Nicole Mones (bestselling author of Lost in Translation) brings us an enticing story of friendship, love and, cuisine The Last Chinese Chef (HoughtonMifflin, 2007)

Friday, June 29, 2007

2007 CBC Literary Competition (Feature Articles)

The 2007 CBC Literary Awards competition is now open! The deadline for submissions is November 1st, 2007. The Awards are Canada's only literary competition celebrating original, unpublished works in both official languages. There are three categories: short story, poetry, and creative nonfiction, with cash prizes totaling $60,000, courtesy of the Canada Council for the Arts, publication in Air Canada's enRoute magazine and visibility for the winners and their winning entries offered by CBC. To find out how to enter, visit their website at http://www.cbc.ca/literaryawards, email them at literary_awards@cbc.ca or call toll-free at 1-877-888-6788.

Author Podcast: Monica Magnetti (Feature Articles)

Stress is an endemic fact of life for people juggling career, family and personal needs. How do you recognize the signs, and how do you restructure your priorities to reduce stress and return to balance? Monica Magnetti is the author of, Outsmart Stress and Being in the Present Moment: How to Create the Blueprint of your Life, she is and the founder of Luna Coaching.  BookBuffet spoke with Monica about this social phenomenon and the ways her life coaching practice has helped clients. Listen to the podcast of this interview, and read along with the transcript. Then click to Monica's site for an appointment or book purchase.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

US Authors Guild Receives $500,000 from Dutch Libraries (Feature Articles)

The Authors Guild is the nation's largest and oldest society of published authors and the leading writers' advocate for fair compensation, effective copyright protection, and free expression.  They have just been sent a check for $537,000 from the Dutch Lending Libraries for royalties on US books lent out. The practice is not done in North America - but it is in 19 countries in the EU.  Read on to see how it works. 

 

Monday, June 25, 2007

The NewYorker Conference 2012: View this Excellent Podcast Series (Events)

I am a big fan of the NewYorker magazine and many of their staff writers. Everyone who knows Malcolm Gladwell is familiar with his groundbreaking books, Blink and The Tipping Point. Gladwell (and others) made some fascinating presentations at their first "Conference 2012: Letters from the Near Future," on subjects ranging from the nature of genius, to morality, to gaming, to intellectual property. Don't miss these excellent podcasts. Some favorites below.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Nigerian Author Wins the Orange Prize (Feature Articles)

One of the world's top literary prizes has been won by the twenty-nine year-old Nigerian novelist for her book set in the 1960's Biafran civil war. Meet Chimamanda Ngozi Adichel and  her winning novel, Half of a Yellow Sun (Knopf, 2006) 

Friday, June 01, 2007

Wine & Book Group Pick for June '07 (Feature Articles)

For June's Wine & Book Group pick we couldn't resist the novel that bumped The Da Vinci Code off of its number one spot on the New York Times Bestsellers List. The Birth House: A Novel (William Morrow 2006) by Ami McKay is a story about midwifery, with all its controversy and struggles, set in the 1900s in a small town in Nova Scotia with the story-telling tradition of Annie Proulx.

Monday, May 28, 2007

Summer Reading Suggestions (Feature Articles)

Look no further for your summer reading picks, as three of my favorite authors have new books out just in time: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseni, and Falling Man: A Novel by Don DeLillo. We've thrown in a sexy beach read and a beloved classic for good measure. Order any three online for ontime and free delivery.   

Saturday, May 26, 2007

What Does It Take To Make It In Literary Fiction? (Feature Articles)

As a person who leads book groups, meets and interviews new authors and reviews books,  I frequently get asked the question, "How do books make it in the literary fiction market?"  Rachel Donadio's article "Promotional Intelligence," in the May 21, 2006  edition of NYT reveals the window is smaller than a space shuttle trying to land in hurricane season—new authors have two weeks to make it.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Book Expo '07: Must Do's in The Big Apple (Feature Articles)

As a member of the torchered, ahem privileged people who call themselves "bi-coastal," I get to hangout in New York regularly. It is the publishing capital of America and my job requires that I meet with industry people. With Book Expo America taking over the city next month, there will not be a single hotel vacancy. I thought it would be fun to share a few of the things I like to do there.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Take the Whistler Reads Challenge! (Events)

Interested in meeting people and exploring new ideas? Then throw down the gauntlet and take The Whistler Reads Challenge!

Monday, May 14, 2007

Wine & Book Group Pick for May '07 (Feature Articles)

Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen is an imaginative story set during the American depression involving an orphan boy named Jacob and the tribe of circus performers and animals that become his world. Alternating between Jacob's early life and his final years in a nursing home, the story is sure to intrigue and stimulate interesting discussions. For wines we've picked labels with elephants! Join the Wine & Book Group and meet more hearty food, story and wine lovers!

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Whistler Reads: THREE DAY ROAD (Feature Articles)

The Path Gallery, owned by Brit Germann was the perfect location for this month's Whistler Reads (the village book group) discussion of Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden. This critically and popularly acclaimed novel is set in both Ontario and the trenches of WWI France where Canadians distinguished themselves in the courageous battle of Vimy Ridge. Three Day Road powerfully evokes this history from a Canadian Native perspective in the same way that Vonnegut's  Slaughterhouse Five has etched in our minds the bombing of Dresden WWII. Horrifying and beautiful, it will resonate with the group for a very long time. Take a look at the discussion of this novel, which is certainly destined to become a Canadian classic.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Interview with Shauna Hardy Michaw, Co-Founder of The Whistler Film Festival (Feature Articles)

What do you do if you happen to live in a small town with only one theatre that only screens one box-office blockbuster every one to two weeks? If you’re the red-headed dynamo Shauna Hardy Mishaw, you get your buns in gear and turn that paucity of celluloid vacuity into The Whistler Film Festival—Western Canada’s fastest growing cultural phenomenon, screening 80+ films (including top North American directors), $40,000 in prizes and commissions, and the country’s most innovative programming through the Filmmakers Forum.  All that and more in just five short years! Learn more about this vital regional addition to the world film festival circuit in this interview with the WFF Co-Founder and Executive Dirctor.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Books to Film (Feature Articles)

Several films are coming to theatres starting this month that have been adapted from books you have either read or been planning to read. Check out these trailers and see how the screenwriters, directors and actors make artistic alchemy of the book on (or that should be on) your shelf. The Namesake: A Novel (Mar 9th), No Country for Old Men (Aug 2nd), Atonement: A Novel(Sept 6th), The Kite Runner(Nov 2nd) Time Travelor's Wife (starts shooting in Aug)

Friday, April 13, 2007

Kurt Vonnegut Dies at Age 84 (Feature Articles)

Playright, essayist, novelist and literary icon, Kurt Vonnegut died in Manhattan on April 12th of brain injuries sustained after several falls in the previous few weeks. He is survived by his wife Jill Krementz, his six adopted children and one biologic son. Vonnegut's "dark comic talent and urgent moral vision" produced novels like Slaughterhouse-Five , Cat's Cradle and God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater. In all, he wrote fourteen novels ranging on metaphysical themes, the banalities of our consumer culture, the destruction of the environment, and creative science fiction worlds that all contained his own brand of philosophy and jokes. (click on title for full feature)

Monday, April 09, 2007

Wine & Book Group Pick for March '07 (Feature Articles)

For our March Wine & Book Group book selection we have a wonderful story by Chinese-American author Lisa See. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan: A Novel (Random House Trade 2006), Lisa's third novel, is both a suspenseful and poignant story and an absorbing historical chronicle. Her books deal with the cultural divide between her two nascent cultures. To purchase wines suggested by our partners at Women & Wine, click link for more details. Author details and more inside...

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

ABA Announces the 2007 Book Sense Book awards (Feature Articles)

The American Book Sellers Association is comprised of independent bookstore owners across America. Each month their internet arm, Book Sense tallies book sales in various categories to let consumers know what has been popular. Here are the books we shoppers purchased most in all categories in 2007.

Monday, March 26, 2007

Stephen Hawking Turns 65 & Plans to Celebrate in Space (Feature Articles)

Celebrated British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, author of A Brief History of Time (originally published in 1988 with 10 million copies sold) plans to celebrate his 65th birthday by taking a zero gravity flight and then a trip into space courtesy of Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Galactic. The lifelong wheelchair-ridden scientist is famous for educating the masses on the origins of the universe, gravity, black holes, time travel and quantum mechanics.

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Author Podcast: Margaret MacMillan (Author Interviews)

The Whistler Reads village book group met March 7th at 7pm at Millennium Place to discuss Margaret MacMillan's award winning, Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World (Random House) Three community members (City Councillors and the former Mayor of Whistler) brought history to life with a fun MadLib of the world leaders from the conference; (see pictures) the audience watched them argue and debate the terms of the peace and participated with their own comments and questions. Margaret MacMillan "addressed" the WR group via an earlier podcast interview with WR Director, Paula Shackleton.  Fabulous Alsace regional wine was provided by Dundarave Wine Cellar with tasting notes and given out as door prizes. Thanks to Telus, for their support of WR literacy arts in our community.

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

NYT Bestselling Author Lisa Unger Has a KickAss Website (Feature Articles)

Marketing, marketing, marketing. Authors either get it, or they struggle with out-dated, inefficient marketing plans. Lisa Unger, NYTimes bestselling author of Beautiful Lies: A Novel and Sliver of Truth: A Novel gets it! Her personal website has all the latest bells and whistles of a one-woman techno-band—great design, great audio excerpts, cool use of Flash® , interactive feedback ops, and reading group extras. Check it out!

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Author Podcast: Kit Bakke (Feature Articles)

Seattle author, Kit Bakke has had an interesting life. In the '60s she was a member of the Underground Weatherman, an activist group who protested the Vietnam war. This interested the FBI enough to compile a 100 page file on her.  Today this mother of two with two post graduate degrees and a book publication speaks to us about another reformer, the one featured in her first novel, Miss Alcott's E-mail: Yours for Reforms of All Kinds(David Godine Books 2006) Intrigued? Click on the link to our podcast in this article and listen along.

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Introducing Linguistics (Feature Articles)

While researching a book project this summer at the British Library I came upon a concise little primer on linguistics, Introducing Linguistics (Introducing... S.) in the souvenir shop. If you have ever wondered about the science of language and the various disciplines that study it, this little gem will suffice.

Monday, February 19, 2007

Women & Wine's Vino Picks for Oscar Night (Feature Articles)

Wondering how to make this year's Oscar house party even more fun and entertaining? Why not serve the wines matched to each of the Best Picture nominations. Here's what the gals at W&W have picked. Click on title for the full article with movie round-up and wine tasting notes.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

1000 People Have A Valentine's Day Pillow Fight in SanFrancisco (Feature Articles)

Hilarious pillow fight captured by Scott Beale from the Laughing Squid.

View the video

Thursday, February 08, 2007

The Talking Stick Festival: Vancouver, BC February (Feature Articles)

Residents of the Pacific Northwest have many opportunities to cross into the rich cultural firmament of our indigenous peoples from their own perspective of the immigrant mosaic. The Talking Stick Festival (Feb. 5-11) in Vancouver, BC brings together established and emmerging Aboriginal artists from across Canada in expressions of theatre, storytelling, writing, music, dance and visual arts.  I attended a reading by the captivating and acclaimed author, Joseph Boyden Three Day Road (Penguin, Canada) at the First Nations House of Learning at UBC on Feb 7th, and came away with a greater appreciation of the proud and steady strides of this nation's founding culture.

Monday, February 05, 2007

Loree Fahy Review: War On the Middle Class (Book Reviews)

BookBuffet's political books review editor, Loree Fahy tackles the latest book by CNN anchor and managing editor, Lou Dobbs. Read this review of War on the Middle Class (Viking, Oct 2006) and weigh-in with your comments.

Friday, February 02, 2007

Wine & Book Group Pick for February '07 (Feature Articles)

For February's Wine & Book Group we return to Australia with the fifth novel of two-time Booker Prize-nominated Tim Winton, and his post-WWII Australian saga Cloudstreet (Schribner, reprint 2002). Purchase the book online and read the tasting notes of the fabulous regional wines our partners at Women & Wine have picked to match this title. Sip, discuss, enjoy! This is our 14th session. Register for the group, and join in the online discussions.

Annie Leibovitz: Iconic Photographer Bares All (Feature Articles)

If you are a fan of photography you will no doubt be familiar with the work of Annie Leibovitz. Brandished on the covers of so many Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair magazines her fold-out spreads of celebrities characterize a style. We look forward to "the movie star issue" "the music issue," the industry has become synonymous with her work. In her current exhibit at the Brookline Museum the lens is turned around—on Annie, her loves, family and friends. A Photographer's Life: 1990-2005 (Random House, Oct 2006) 472 pages.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

February is Black History Month (Feature Articles)

"Many people describe Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'Letter from Birmingham Jail', and the civil rights movement as the defining moment in their lives and the generation since has been shaped from it."

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Oprah's Book Group is Back After Taking a Year-Off (Feature Articles)

After putting her book club on hold for a year subsequent to her debacle with James Frey, Oprah has reconvened and she's sticking with the autobiography genre and Sidney Poitier's (Yes, the actor) The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography published by Harper San Francisco 2000.

Friday, January 26, 2007

Do Smart Women Intimidate Men: Breaking the Myth (Feature Articles)

For at least this generation women have been hearing that smart men are not attracted to smart women. I happen to think the opposite is true --- and here is a book by Dr. Christine B. Whelan Why Smart Men Marry Smart Women(Simon & Schuster, Oct 2006) Even if marriage isn't your goal, (Is there a book Even Smarter Women Don't Wed--just kidding?!) click on our header for details of the ABC News article discussing this topic & take their quiz.

Friday, January 19, 2007

Winteruption: Feb 23-25 Vancouver, BC (Feature Articles)

Gotta love these names... Hal Wakes incoming Artistic Director for the Vancouver International Writers Festival has asked us to post this notice about a cool event they're presenting -- an evening of competitive wordplay that brings together Vancouver's finest. Host Billieh Nickerson, authors Caroline Adderson, Elizabeth Bachinsky, Kevin Chong, Steven Galloway and more! Click on header for details

Friday, January 12, 2007

2006 Yearend Review: Book Award Winners (Feature Articles)

This is the list of authors and books that won awards in 2006.   

   

Monday, January 08, 2007

Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures: Book Review (Feature Articles)

The life of doctors and the medical profession has been a source of fascination to the general public for years as witnessed by the success of television series from "ER" and "House," going back to "Marcus Welby" and "Ben Casey." Doctors and nurses do consult on the sets to ensure authenticity, and sometimes they cross-over careers to become professional writers. Vincent Lam's first novel, Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures (Anchor Canada 2006) won Canada's most prestigious literary award -- the Giller Prize for this first work. It gives the raw and honest perspective of medical students and young physicians struggling with the demands of the profession in the Canadian healthcare system. Click on the title for the full article. This is Whistler Reads "January" book discussion: Spruce Grove Field House 7pm Jan 24th. WR partners with the Whistler Public Library

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Canada Reads: Annual Literary Jousting Up North (Feature Articles)

As popular as national hockey the Canada Reads book debate has become a national (literary) sport that pits a select panel in a series of broadcasts to promote the book title that they feel the whole country should read. Host Bill Richardson, veteran CBC broadcaster, print columnist and author of about a dozen books brings his wry wit and honed moderating skills to the sessions with the objective of involving the whole country in voting (and reading) not one, but perhaps several of the five books announced on the shortlist. It's a brilliant tactic to get Canada reading! Here are this year's books and the panelists who picked them. The debates run from February 28th to March 2nd and are broadcast 11:30 am and 7:30 pm EST. See how many books you can plow through, and don't forget to cast your vote.

Monday, January 01, 2007

Wine & Book Group Pick for January '07 (Feature Articles)

January is a great month to review your resolutions. If one of them is "read more books" or "taste more wine" then this is the group for you! Join our Wine & Book Group, meet other people, and use the author, book and wine information to meet those ny's resolutions. This month we feature Joseph Kanon's compelling thriller that has been adapted to film starring Cate Blanchett and George Clooney and directed by Steven Soderbergh.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Babel, Bobby, Borat & Bond (Feature Articles)

Ah yes, the holidays are upon us. After your last-minute shopping, why not take in one of these films with family or friends? Our four "B" movies -- er, not that kind of movie -- all start with the letter B: Babel, Bobby, Borat, and Bond. (Technically the new Bond movie is Casino Royal) Purchase the book suggestions that follow each movie for excellent post-view reading.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

New York Times' Top 10 Books of 2006 (Feature Articles)

It's always interesting to see which authors the books editor for the NY Times will pick for their annual Top 10. Here is the list, which has a selection of fiction, nonfiction and short stories by authors that include Gary Shteyngart, Claire Messud, Richard Ford, Marisha Pessl and more. Click on our article's title for complete list, or the hyperlink above to get to the NYT. (log in required for full NYT articles)

Friday, December 01, 2006

Wine & Book Group Pick for December '06 (Wine & Book Club)

The folks at Women & Wine have made the book selection this month -- they had a burning urge to match wines to Elizabeth Kostova's popular historical novel about vampires -- but better than Rice, with plenty of suspense, romance and intrigue, The Historian  (Little, Brown & Co) 2005. Read about the author, the plot, and the wines you can purchase and enjoy at your next meeting. And don't forget to join our Wine & Book Group!

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Author Podcast: Swain Wolfe (Author Interviews)

Award winning Montana author and documentary filmmaker, Swain Wolfe joins BookBuffet host Paula Shackleton in speaking about his fourth book, The Boy Who Invented Skiing: A Memoir (St. Martins Press, June 2006) Listen to this podcast by clicking on the link, and follow along with the transcript. Swain's lilting, intentioned speech describes a world of experience growing up in the West during hard times, and points to the basis of his lyric prose and the complex characterizations in his novels. This book is an excellent gift for the men on your holiday shopping list.

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Loree Fahy Reviews: Audacity (Book Reviews)

As Barack Obama ponders the presidential bid, our new political books editor, Loree Fahy has chosen a timely review of this US Senator from Illinois' book, The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream(Crown, Oct 17, 2006)

Monday, November 06, 2006

Wine & Book Group Pick for November '06 (Feature Articles)

When Stephen King rated Kate Atkinson's new novel, One Good Turn (Little, Brown and Company, Oct 2006) "the best mystery of the decade," I just had to bite. What a perfect book for stormy, rainy November and for our Wine & Book Group.  Kate is best known for her Whitbread award-winning novel Behind the Museum. One Good Turn is a sequel which takes now ex-private eye Jackson Brodie, also wealthy, retired and bored, mooching around Edinburgh festivals.  Buy the book, join the group, and see what our partners at Women & Wine have in store for you to taste along with this delicious mystery.

Friday, November 03, 2006

Canadian Book Awards: The GG and the Giller Short lists (Feature Articles)

Each year Canadians look forward to the announcement of the short list for their two important literary awards -- the Governor General Award (fondly referred to in Canada as The GG's) and the Scotia Bank Giller Prize. Here are the authors and books that made it on 2006's list AND THE WINNERS AS AN UPDATE.

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Technology Corner: iPod turns 5 (Feature Articles)

click title for article Apple's hugely successful personal audio device has just had its fifth birthday. This little gizmo revolutionized the music and talking book world by taking Apple's superior technology, design and marketing to bring us a device that weighed 6.5 ounces, could hold 5 GB of music, connected to our computer -- if you were a MAC user (PC's available the following year) and essentially became part of the urban wardrobe.  Where are we now?

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Philip Gourevitch: Editor of the Paris Review (Feature Articles)

I met George Plimpton in front of his Paris Review booth at the Los Angeles Times Book Festival back in 2002. A gentle giant, he blended a career of acting (Good Will Hunting) and literary arts as one of three founding members of The Paris Review. He died at the age of 73 in 2003. AbeBooks spoke with the new editor, Philip Gourevitch, and here is what he had to say about one of the world's most respected literary magazines.  

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Orhan Pamuk Wins 2006 Nobel Prize for Literature (Feature Articles)

This Istanbul-born writer is described by Margaret Atwood as having put Turkey "on the map" of world literature. Now that distinction is confirmed since he has won this year's Nobel Prize for Literature. The Nobel is usually awarded to a writer for their body of work (not just one novel) whose focus challenges their country's social or political practices, or brings attention to uncomfortable truths. Learn more about Pamuk in this article. (click title to expand)  

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Kit Bakke Comes to Whistler Reads at Cornucopia (Whistler Reads)

Our Whistler Reads Cornucopia party last year was such a success, they have asked us to do it again! Join us in Whistler, November 10th for a "Suffragette Luncheon" with Seattle author, Kit Bakke whose first novel, Ms. Alcott's E-mail (David R Godine Books, Sept 2006) is getting rave reviews. Wine provided by Sumac Ridge Estate Winery and a delicious lunch and demonstration by Vancouver's hottest new restaurant, NU. Purchase Tickets Here. Learn more...

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Whistler Writer's Retreat (Feature Articles)

Whistler's Writer's Festival presents a public reading by: Maude Barlow, Joseph Boyden and Eden Robinson at Millenium Place Thurs, Friday and Saturday Sept 14th 15th & 16th. Tickets $9.95 or 3 for $25

Friday, September 01, 2006

Wine & Book Group Pick for September '06 (Feature Articles)

Sue Miller, Lost in the Forest  examines love, sensuality, and betrayal in idyllic Napa Valley wine country. A perfect setting for our September Wine and Book Group where we select a popular book each month and our partners at Women&Wine.com match delicious wines.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

How and Why to Join WHISTLER READS -- village wide book group (Feature Articles)

You live in Whistler or own recreation property. You've just learned of our village wide book group and want to participate. You found a book mark or viewed a poster talking about WHISTLER READS during your vacation and want to stay in touch with the community and people. You're a BookBuffet member and have never been to Whistler but are intrigued by our group and the books we choose.

All good reasons to Join WHISTLER READS!! Here's how.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Wine & Book Group Pick for August '06 (Wine & Book Club)

For August we mind-travel to Mexico where Luis Alberto Urrea captures the landscape and soul of his native country through the voice of his young protagonist, Teresita, who has been gifted with the power to heal. The Hummingbird's Daughter, (Little, Brown 2006) won Urrea the Kiriyama Prize for fiction in 2006. The prize is awarded to voices from the Pacific Rim.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Francine Prose Writes to Readers and Aspiring Writers (Feature Articles)

One of my favorite writers and critics, Francine Prose, has published a new work directed toward just about anyone interested in books. It has the unwieldy title, Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write. (Harper Collins 2006) An excellent interview of the author appears in The Atlantic today.

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Wine & Book Group Pick for July '06 (Feature Articles)

Just in time for summer, Lauren Weisberger's bitchy New York fashion novel has been released as a feature film produced by Wendy Finerman (Forrest Gump) and the new movie tie-in copy of her first novel is now available.  It's the perfect beach read AND the perfect choice for our Wine & Book Club! Click on the book to link to purchase and join us. Find out more...

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

VidLit: The Future of Book Promotion is Here (Feature Articles)

Can anyone imagine a hit music single without its corresponding hit music video? Well, think what's in store, er...avail online for you in the book world now that VidLit, a company established by ten year film veteran Liz Dubelman, has changed the face of book marketing with her irreverent flash animated "trailers" for books. Case in point—VidLit's fun piece created for THE FUTURIST: A Novel by James P. Othmer.

Monday, June 26, 2006

Three Great Books from OTHER PRESS (Feature Articles)

Small independent publishing houses are a great place to shop for books that have been hand crafted from the selection processs through the editing, design and printing process. The one thing they lack is a big budget to market to you -- hense we at BookBuffet strive to bring you some of the gems available just a click away! Take a look at these three titles from Other Press: O My Darling by Amity Gaige, And the Word Was by Bruce Baumann and Hosack's Folly by Gillen D'Arcy Wood.

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Back From the Congo (Feature Articles)

Many of you have been asking about my trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The purpose for the trip was to gather photos and essay material for a coffee table-style book on Katanga, the southern-most province of the DRC. Here are a few thoughts and accompanying photos. The photographer on the project was Roger Moore.

Saturday, June 24, 2006

2005 Summer Film Festivals (Feature Articles)

Escape the dog days of summer by catching a new Indi Film in one of the many Film Festivals going on around the globe. Variety has the best list of these we have found. No matter where you live or plan to travel, there's sure to be a festival nearby. Check out the ones we've profiled -- some you may never have heard of before.

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Lesbian Lit: Brokeback For Babes (Feature Articles)

Male sexuality has been getting a lot of attention lately, so where does popular culture stand on female sexuality these days? Once upon a time, Anne Carson was an obscure academic with a small cult following. Eros the Bittersweet, the quirky academic treatise that marked her debut, was published by Princeton University Press in 1986.

Monday, June 05, 2006

An Inconvenient Truth: The Companion Book to Al Gore's Movie (Feature Articles)

When you live in a mountain community where our livlihood depends on the weather, people are especially sensitized to the issue of global warming. In the wake of Vice President Al Gore's 2000 election defeat, he dropped the campaign trail for an environmental crusade in an effort to halt the progress of global warming by exposing the myths and misconceptions that surround it. [Meanwhile President Bush instituted a law against gay marriage—go figure.] If you don't see the movie, pick up the book, send copies to your friends with gas-guzzling cars, and make an effort yourself in at least one way - every week.

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Wine & Book Group Pick for June '06 (Feature Articles)

The Wine and Book Group pick for June combines literary biography with a travel, cultural, and historic perspective. Why not let Christopher Ondaatje (yes, Michael's brother) take you to Sri Lanka where his own roots derive, to read about another relative of a famous writer, Leonard Woolf, husband of Virgina. Woolf in Ceyon (HarperCollins 2006) It is emerging that Leonard is one of the literary giants of the twentieth century. 

Monday, May 29, 2006

Whistler Reads: THE GOLDEN SPRUCE (Feature Articles)

The Golden Spruce was three hundred years old—an arboreal miracle. In 1997 it was tragically cut down by an eco-terrorist, whose identity it emerged, was a handsome, increasingly disturbed professional forester by the name of Grant Hadwin. The tree was revered by Haida Indians, and had become a destination the world over for people fascinated by its uniqueness, its golden beauty. This is the story of a man, a tree, and the forest industry that was the economic backbone of the Pacific Northwest -- a must read for anyone living in BC.

Come meet John Vaillant. June 7th at 7pm hosted in a beautiful Whistler view home.  Advance Ticket Purchase Required. Buy this book online or at Armchair Books in Whistler Village where Whistler Reads members receive 10% off. Join WR today [click on "Register" select "New member of existing group" type Whistler Reads in the Group name box] and be a part of Whistler's reading community - whether near or far!

Saturday, May 20, 2006

Annual Summer Dinner & Cookbook Meeting (Feature Articles)

Each May our book group selects a food themed book or a cookbook for our June dinner meeting before breaking for two months over the summer. With everyone's busy schedules we've relegated the cooking to the wonderful culinary experts at Barbara Joe's Cookbook store, who host us in the shop amidst book stacks and their custom demonstration kitchen. Check-out bookstore owner, Barbara's pick list.

Friday, May 19, 2006

Wine & Book Group Pick for May '06 (Feature Articles)

May's book selection introduces us to Australia's author-equivalent of Barbara Kingsolver—Carrie Tiffany is a former park ranger and agricultural journalist who combines her two passions in this stunning debut novel set in the '30s in the Australian countryside. Everyman's Rules for Scientific Living (Scribner May 2006) has just been shortlisted for the Orange Prize, and we can't wait to introduce you to this author and her country's fabulous wines when you join Bookbuffet's Wine & Book Club Come and learn about wines as you read, courtesy of our partners at www.womenwine.com!

Friday, May 12, 2006

Morrison’s ‘Beloved’ Voted Best Work of American Fiction in Past 25 Years (Feature Articles)

At the beginning of this year, Sam Tanenhaus, editor of the New York Times Book Review sent a letter to a few hundred writers, editors, publishers, critics, editors, and others in the literary fold asking them to name "the single best work of American fiction published in the last 25 years."

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Little, Brown Denies 'Opal' Re-release (Feature Articles)

Readers who have a copy of Kaavya Viswanathan's How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild and Got a Life may want to hold on to it, as the book is now a collector's item. In a statement issued from Little Brown,the publisher finally said that it will not be releasing a revised edition of the book. And Viswanathan's second book in the two-title deal she signed with LB is dead too.—By Rachel Deahl, Reprinted from PW Daily Archives  

                                    

Thursday, May 04, 2006

John Kenneth Galbraith Dies at 97 (Feature Articles)

Celebrated Economist wrote over 40 books

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

PEN Awards Announced May 1 (Feature Articles)

                                                                                   Philip Roth has been awarded the $20,000 PEN/Nabokov award for "a living author whose body of work, either written in or translated into English, represents achievement in a variety of literary genres and is of enduring originality  and consummate craftsmanship."  Mr. Roth will receive his award May 22 at New York’s Lincoln Center.   

Thursday, April 27, 2006

English Majors Unite: Lynn Coady Feels Your Pain (Feature Articles)

Lynn Coady chronicles the plight of English majors everywhere through the eyes of nineteen-year-old aspiring poet Lawerence Campbell.  As poetry month draws to a close, Mean Boy eases the transition with quirky, entertaining account of the poetic community.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Computer Program Predicts Book Title Success (Feature Articles)

 How much does the title of a book contribute to its success? Authors and their book editors agree, it's the toughest part of the job. Computer science researcher, Dr. Atai Winkler at LuLu.com plugged in all the bestselling hard cover fiction titles off the New York Times bestseller list from the last 50 years and here is what he discovered: 

Monday, April 24, 2006

Copy This: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Reading (Book Reviews)

Growing up with Dyslexia and ADHD, Kinko's founder Paul Orfalea learned to become an expert at reading people.  He used these skills, 'learning opportunities' as he calls them, to build a $2 billion dollar empire.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

April is Poetry Month! My Own Poet: A Modern Case for Poetry (Feature Articles)

Donna Pierce, librarian-turned public administrator-turned diplomat reflects on poetry's place in the information age, and her personal relationship with a certain Mr. Pound.

Monday, April 10, 2006

April is Poetry Month: What's The Appeal? (Feature Articles)

Poetry is a dying art. At least for most people. Flame me with e-mails if I'm wrong, but it just seems to me that no one takes the time to write it, read it, much less memorize it and recite it. Of course this is preposterous!

Saturday, April 08, 2006

BookBuffet Introduces LSD: Literary Speed Dating (Events)

Have You Tried LSD?

BookBuffet launches LSD - Literary Speed Dating in Vancouver, BC and Victoria, BC starting this May. It's not a new concept -- in fact there are 880,000 google search results. "The point is, it's not just for singles—it's for people who want to connect on an intellectual level," says BookBuffet President Paula Shackleton who has been touting the idea since she first saw [regular] speed dating in a Santa Monica bar in 2002.

Whether you're an occassional reader or an avid bibliophile, there's bound to be people just like you. Come and join the fun. 8:00-10:30 pm all locations.

Tickets $10 and your first drink FREE, courtesy of Bacardi. Try our Hemingway Shooters or the In Cold Bloody Marys or why not an Emma Martini? Rub shoulders with celebrity authors and local book publishers. Here's how it works...

Wednesday