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

What Big Media Can Learn From the New York Public Library

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

E-Reader Envy

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

Robert Kroetsch 1927-2011

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

Thank you!

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

Moving On. . .

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

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

- Maylin

More Awards News!

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

2011 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award Winner Announced

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

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

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

Sounds like a perfect summer reading list!

Congratulations to Colum McCann!

Cupcake Cakes

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