HAVE A HOLLY AND A JOLLY :)

Harry Potter Book Night is Thursday 7th February 2019!

This year's theme is Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. If you are a bookstore or a library and want to host Harry Potter Book Night please contact michelle@raincoast.com and she will set you up with an awesome kit sure to delight all! For more information you can go here. Let the good times begin!

Loan Stars Jr is rocking and rolling!

Loan Stars Jr. is here! The adult program has been a great success. 

Every month for three years, library staff have voted for their most anticipated fiction and non-fiction reads. And thanks to their efforts, the Loan Stars top pick lists boast over 300 adult titles! 

And now the kidlets (books) can join in.

Titles publishing in March 2019 (and beyond) are eligible for Loan Stars Jr. picks. The first list will be released in March and it will consist of March and April 2019 titles (10 in total).  Read more about how you can participate. 

Snoop is in the House!

Snoop Dogg has written a new cookbook  From Crook to Cook and it is cannabis free. Here's a clip from his tour promoting the book...he really loves Canada!

Friday Black

Race, class, consumerism, and justice? Tackling some of the most relevant issues we face today, Nan Kwame Adjei-Brenyah's debut collection of short stories has it all. Friday Black has been described by Roxane Gay with three simple words: "read this book." Adjei-Brenyah recently joined CBC's Q with guest host Saroja Coelho to chat about his sudden rise and the themes he tackles in his fantastic authorial debut. Check out the interview here. 

A Message to Caregivers: You Are Not Alone

This is one of my favourite books of the year.
Seven years ago, accomplished poet and author Mike Barnes became his mothers caregiver. "I think I'm about where anyone would be seven years into caregiving, which is fairly embattled and somewhat ground down," Barnes told CBC's Tapestry host Mary Hynes. Along the way, Barnes began to write letters about the issues and emotions he lived day-to-day. Those letters now form his newest book, Be With: Letters to a Caregiver, a collection of letters and vignettes that share Barnes' experience, and let caregivers know that it is okay to feel overwhelmed. Barnes discussed his new book and his experience caring for his mother with CBC's Mary Hynes. Listen to the full interview here. 

Contest Alert! 2018 Scotiabank Giller Prize Pack

Five amazing novels are on the 2018 shortlist for one of the top honours in Canadian literature- the Scotiabank Giller Prize.

• French Exit by Patrick deWitt, published by House of Anansi Press
• Songs for the Cold of Heart by Eric Dupont, translated by Peter McCambridge, published by QC Fiction, an imprint of Baraka Books 
• Washington Black by Esi Edugyan, published by HarperCollins Canada
• Motherhood by Sheila Heti, published by Knopf Canada
• An Ocean of Minutes by Thea Lim, published by Viking Canada

The winner will be revealed on Monday November 19th at a gala event hosted by the award winning comedian Rick Mercer which will be aired on CBC at 8 p.m. ET (11:30 AT / Midnight NT), CBC Radio One at 8 p.m. ET (9:00 AT/ 9:30 NT) and will be livestreamed at CBCBooks.ca at 8 p.m. ET.

To celebrate this exciting event, we are going to be giving one lucky librarian a complete set of the books on this year's shortlist so you can skip the holds queue and get reading some of the best books of the year.  

Open to librarians in Canada. If you are interested in entering, please send an e-mail to rosalyn.steele@harpercollins.com with the subject 'Dewey Diva Giller Contest' and provide your full name along with your library or school mailing address. I will draw the winner on Monday November 26th, 9 a.m. EST. 

Good luck! 

-Rosalyn

To Kill a Mockingbird...again

Well it's one of my favourite books of all time and all of America agrees with me. :)
Below is the top 11 books (I made it 11 as our own beloved Anne was #11).

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Outlander (series) by Diana Gabalon
Harry Potter (series) by J.K. Rowling
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Lord of the Rings (series) by J.R.R. Tolkien
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Charlotte's Web by E.B. WhiteLittle Women by Louisa May Alcott
The Chronicles of Narnia (series) by C.S. Lewis
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

To see the full list go to CBC Books.

Judging a Book by Its Cover

We all know the saying, but sometimes it's impossible to not judge a book by its cover! The Casual Optimist complied a list of notable covers for October 2018 titles, and from the minimalist inspired to the artistically striking, all of these covers are fantastic. You'd definitely be forgiven for buying for the cover first and content second! 

Earthrise

The space race defined the mid-twentieth century, and culminated in one of the most remarkable achievements in human history. But in one poignant moment the gaze of this incredible, decades-long campaign was shifted from the unimaginable depths of the universe to the rare beauty of our own home. As the crew of Apollo 8 emerged from the dark side of the moon during their orbit, they became the first humans to witness Earthrise - the magnificent view of the Earth breaking the lunar horizon. The pictures the crew scrambled to take would prove awe-inspiring. This incredible documentary by Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee explores this human connection to the earth from space, and contains raw footage of the Apollo 8 Earthrise. Also be sure to checkout James Gladstone and Christy Lundy's beautifully touching picture book Earthrise, that explores the impact and details of the Apollo 8 mission. 

Rock and Roll!

Are you a Led Zeppelin fan? I mean, are you really a Led Zeppelin fan? If you answered yes, both times, then you must be DYING to get your hands on the first ever official book by the band themselves! With over 40% of the photos in this book being never-before-seen from band's own archive, while also featuring lyrics, letters, posters and more, this book is a must have for any and all Zeppelin fans.  The official illustrated book 'Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin', is out this October 9th from Reel Art Press. 

New City, New Bookstore

You can learn a lot from a city by visiting it's indie bookstores. Do they focus on the classics and grandeur of the past? Is it named after (or founded by) a famous author, like Victoria, B.C.'s Munro's Books? Maybe it's packed with classics like Sweden's The English Bookshop in Uppsala, or chalk full of modern, photo-op flair like New York's Books Are Magic. Where ever you find yourself in the world, indie bookstores are a must visit. Check out this list on gaaventures.com for these bookstores and more on their 10 Must-Visit Independent Bookstores Around the World. 

Where Will We Be by 2030?

Robot pharmacists, implanted microchip cellphones, and 3-D printed organ transplants were at once considered zany science-fiction - and are still considered ludicrously far fetched today! But over 800 experts at The World Economic Forum would disagree: according to them, these once-impossible advances could be commonplace within the next 12 years! Check out Tech Insiders awesome vision of the future based on what they learned at The World Economic Forum in the video above. 

Go Where Your Stomach Tells You

To Bar-hop on the streets of San Sebastian, or to attend a sushi masterclass in traditional Tokyo? THAT is the real question. Whatever your palette or preference, there is an perfect foodie experience out there for you, and Lonely Planet's Ultimate Eats knows just where you can find it. Still undecided? Take this quiz to find out just what your belly needs! 

Toronto International Film Festival 2018: September 6th- 16th

342 films, eleven days! The world of cinema is heading to Toronto starting today.

If you find yourself in town and are trying to decide which rush line to queue up for, perhaps you should add these films, inspired by great books, to your list! 

• Beautiful Boy: Read the book, watch the film.  
• Boy Erased: Read the book, watch the film. 
• Donnybrook: Read the book, watch the film. Read the sequel, The Savage.
• First Man: Read the book, watch the film.  
• The Front Runner: Read the book, watch the film.
• The Hate You Give: Read the book, watch the film (world premiere!)
• If Beale Street Could Talk Read the book watch the film.
• The Old Man and the Gun: Read the book, watch the film.

Be on the look out for not just celebrities, but some pretty excited authors seeing their work depicted on the big screen!

  

Happy film watching!

-Rosalyn 

P.S.- Canadian Caitlin Cronenberg (daughter of director David Cronenberg) is an award-winning photographer and has a new book out called The Endings that she created with Jessica Ennis. Filled with gorgeous shots of iconic female actresses, the book launches at TIFF and will be sold in the TIFF store.

P.P. S.: PRH lists their books on CataList, and has created a catalogue of titles they publish related to TIFF- Follow this link .  

Read Science Books, Win Prizes!

Are you a student or teacher? Do you love science-fiction novels, or are a general lover of all things science? This September 20th is National Science Reading Day, and awesome prizes are up for grabs. All you have to do is read! Readings can include non-fiction books, science-fiction novels, science-themed graphic novels, scientist's biographies, and more! For suggested readings, contest rules, and prize lists, check out details here.

Fiction meets Reality

True Crime style? YA fiction? Sign us up for The Girls podcast ASAP! Adapted from Courtney Summers' forthcoming novel Sadie, this podcast  breaks convention by blending elements of true crime with fiction, and stays true to the events of the novel. In Sadie, the 19-year-old titular protagonist narrates the first half of the book, with fictional radio journalist telling the rest via podcast transcripts. Now that podcast is a reality, available now. Check it out, and get up to date before Sadie hits the shelves on September 4th! 

Your Gateway to NYTimes.com

Do you ever get struck by a link to an awesome New York Times article, start scrolling through, and have your heart broken when you're told that the story is for subscribers only? For Toronto Public Library cardholders, those days of frustration are over! TPL has added the NYT to its awesome list of digital subscriptions that already includes the Globe and Mail, the Atlantic, Macleans, and so much more! To access these great sources, via a library computer or your own advice, click here. 

Toronto's Best Indies!

Culture Junkie? Second-Hand lover? Activist? What kind of reader are you? Lucky for Torontonians, there is an indie bookstore for just about everybody! Looking to fuel your creative side? Try Page & Panel, or Faith/ Void. Seeking some activist or socially minded reads? Hit up Another Story Book Shop, The Beguiling, or Glad Day. From Steeles to the 401, and everywhere in between, Toronto is packed with great indie bookstores that reflect and celebrate the diversity and passion of the people that live there. Check out NOW's in-depth look at 10 of Toronto's best spots for books. 

Harry Potter - House Editions

Courage? Loyalty? Ambition? Wisdom? What's your most valued trait? Which house do you belong to? Better find out soon, because the House Editions of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets are here! Whether you want the green of Slytherin, the blue of Ravenclaw, the yellow of Hufflepuff, or the red of Gryffindor, there's a copy with your name on it! 

Beautiful Boy

David Sheff's touching memoir recounting the harrowing tale of his son's journey through addiction, adapted by Amazon Studios, is hitting the big screen this fall. Initially published in 2009, Beautiful Boy is the haunting and heartbreaking story of a journalist desperately researching ways to help, and a father that refuses to give up on his son. Check out the first full trailer here. 

Cut in Half

Have you ever wanted to see the inside of your phone? How about a bisected vacuum cleaner? As enticing as it sounds, it might get a little pricey very quickly. No matter - Mike Warren's Cut In Half has you covered! Check out the insides of all these objects, common and weird, in the video above, with even more featured in his book!

Awesome Canadian Authors!

From vivid graphic novels and heart-warming picture books to white-knuckle murder mysteries and profound literary fiction, Canada's Authors are absolutely killing it! CBC Books kicked off July with their list of 100 Canadian writers you need to know, featuring a diverse mix of old favourites and incredible newcomers. Check out the full list here!

Which Anne of Green Gables Character Are You?

Marilla or Matthew? Diana or Gilbert? Or are you Anne all the way? Anyone who's read L.M. Montgomery's classic, or fell in love with any one of the films or T.V. series has a favorite character! Find out who you are with this fun Bookriot Quiz!

TD Summer Reads

Summer time is for splashing in the pool, playing in the park, and lazy afternoons with great reads! From history and change-making, to hockey players and ninja warriors, TD's summer reading club has it all this season. For books to keep kids of all ages creative, inquisitive, or just flat-out entertained, check out the full list here! 

Fighting for Israel, Searching for Peace

There are no easy solutions. This sentiment has echoed throughout the world as the conflict between Israel and Palestine has rumbled along generation through generation. In his new memoir, former Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Barak recounts growing up in this reality, the first seven decades of his country's existence and, through candid assessment of his fellow Israeli politicians, its major successes and its biggest misjudgments. Barak recently joined CBC's The Current to discuss his memoir, as well as current Prime Minister Netanyahu and the future of Israel. My Country, My Life: Fighting for Israel, Searching for Peace is available now.

#NotYourPrincess

#NotYourPrincess, edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale, hit bookstores last fall. A collection of poems, essays, interviews, and artwork submitted by Native American women, #NotYourPrincess is a visual anthology that challenges stereotypes and celebrates the diverse voices of the many women who shared their stories.

Teaching Books is now sharing #NotYourPrincess audio resources with over 33,000 schools! Listen to Lisa Charleyboy's clip here, and Mary Beth Leatherdale's clip here, where both editors read an excerpt from #NotYourPrincess and discuss how the book came to be (believe it or not, Beyoncé's Lemonade had a little something to do with it).

Dave Itzkoff on CBC

From Mork & Mindy, to Aladdin, to Mrs. Doubtfire, Robin Williams's career brought joy to many. His biography, written by New York Times culture reporter Dave Itzkoff, was released on May 15. In Robin, Itzkoff attempts to answer some of the lingering questions we have about the beloved entertainer following his death four years ago.

In his interview with Tom Power on CBC q, Itzkoff describes Williams as more subdued and thoughtful than the mania of some of his roles would suggest; he describes Williams as "empathetic" and "generous of self." Williams spoke openly about his battle with addiction and depression, either through his comedy or in interviews. Toward the end of his life, he was plagued by a debilitating condition, the effects of which never fully came to light until after his death. 

Listen to the interview here. 

Catherine Hernandez's Scarborough Shortlisted for Trillium Book Award

Catherine Hernandez's Scarborough has been shortlisted for the 2018 Trillium Book Award. Scarborough tells the story of this diverse Toronto neighbourhood through the eyes of several of its inhabitants. It was previously named winner of the Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop Emerging Writers Award in 2015 and was a finalist for the $50, 000 Half the World Global Literati Award for best unpublished manuscript in 2016.

Scarborough is also shortlisted for “One Book, One Brampton” by the Brampton Library (cast your vote here); the 2017 City of Toronto Book Award; and the 2018 Edmund White Award for Debut Fiction. It was longlisted for Canada Reads.

Read more at the Toronto Star or check out the other nominees here.

The Sisters Brothers Trailer

With over 150, 000 copies sold in Canada since it's release in 2011, The Sisters Brothers will soon be coming to a theatre near you. Eli and Charlie are (you guessed it) brothers. Immersed in a life of alcohol and violence, they follow Hermann Kermit Warm to his gold-mining claim outside San Francisco; along the way, Eli tries to make sense of his life in the face of the job he must carry out.

A new edition of the multi-award-winning title is coming out to coincide with the release of the film. Directed by Jacques Audiard and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Joaquin Phoenix, and John C. Reilly, The Sisters Brothers is dark, funny, absurd, and gritty. We can't wait!

If You Build It, They Will Come

Following in the footsteps of Oslo's Deichmanske bibliotek and Stuttgart's City Library, Calgary's $245 million Central Library is expected to open its doors to the public on November 1st. The library is located in Calgary's historic East Village, itself part of a huge revitalization project. "This [library] doesn't belong only to the rich, or to a university...everybody has access to it," says Calgary Public Library's chief executive officer Bill Ptacek. 

Gone are the days when the public library was thought of as a dying institution. Libraries like the Calgary Central Library, or the 216,000-square-foot "super library" set to be built in Ottawa, prove that, more than ever, we consider libraries a necessary part of our community. 

Check out the Globe and Mail's article here. 

History, Family, Promises

Through touching narrative and surreal illustration, Margie Wolfe's The Promise tells the true story of two sisters, her Mother and her Aunt, forced into labour at Auschwitz during the holocaust. Before being stolen away, they received from their parents three gold coins and a promise to keep - stay together. Wolfe, co-founder of Second Story Press, recently joined CBC's The Next Chapter to discuss the story behind the story, her family's history, and the making of the book - Listen to the full discussion here. 

Black Klansman Movie Trailer

The trailer for the highly anticipated film BlacKkKlansman is here! 

Based on the novel of the same name (albeit spelled differently) Black Klansman tells the true story of Detective Ron Stallworth, Colorado Springs Police Department’s first African American detective. Upon discovering an ad in the local paper reaching out to anyone interested in joining the Ku Klux Klan, Stallworth responds with a yes, thereby launching himself into an incredible months-long undercover investigation.   

BlacKkKlansman is directed by Spike Lee and produced by Jordan Peele. Check it out in theatres August 10^th. 

James Comey in Toronto

It’s been one year since former FBI director James Comey was fired. His recently-released book A Higher Loyalty discusses Comey’s career in the American government as well as ideas surrounding ethical leadership. In his interview with Piya Chattopadhyay on CBC’s The Current, Comey discusses the ways in which leadership should remain focused on truth, integrity and fairness; he also provides us with the one question we should ask before making a significant decision: "How would I explain this to my grandchildren?". 

Listen to the interview here.

Tomi Adeyemi

We’ve all agreed that Tomi Adeyemi is pretty much the greatest right? Her viral reaction to unboxing her first book sure isn’t the only reason! In her phenomenal interview with CBC’s Q with Tom Power she describes her personal relationship with character representation in fiction, and how her debut novel works to change that. In The Guardian she talks empowerment and inspiration from West Africa. And in this review from The Atlantic, her novel is explored for its incredible value in the Black Lives Matter Movement. We can't get enough!

Reading Without Walls

Books have tremendous power in expanding our horizons. So many of us have unique stories, and so many of these stories are told through books! In the spirit of expanding these horizons, National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, Gene Luen Yang has announced the Reading Without Walls Challenge encouraging readers to explore books of diverse voices, genres, and platforms. If you're a teacher, encourage your students! If you're a bookseller, encourage your customers! If you're a lover of books, take the challenge - and read beyond your comfort zone! 

STEAM guides: Owlkids

Fostering learning and curiosity is so important for students - and to usher forth the next generation of big thinkers! STEAM learning and inquiry works to engage students on a deeper learning,  building on critical thinking, creativity, and innovation that will be critical to tackle the issues the next generation may face. This STEAM guide from Owlkids has all you could need, from simpler classroom activities to in-depth explorations - perfect for any teacher or parent looking to spark the curiosity in their students! 

Bookworms to B.C.!

From Galiano to Kootenay, British Columbia is full of Canadian Literary gems! Take in the Galiano Literary Festival from the ocean side Galiano Inn; Get lunch at The Library Lounge in the Hume Hotel; Or grab a coffee at Oso Negro, one of the best coffee shops on the west coast. B.C. is no doubt a must visit destination for every bookworm. 

The Big Cloud

Camille Seaman has spent years as an environmental photographer; today her book The Big Cloud comes out...and it's a stunner.

Canadian Indie Bookstore Day

Saturday April 28th, Canadian book lovers celebrate Independent Bookstore Day! Head on out to your local independent bookstore to meet authors, participate in activities, shop, and so much more. In an increasingly digital and big-box world, it's amazing how much you can discover and learn by connecting, browsing, and chatting within the book community - Let's make it a great day for our indie bookstores! 

Literary London Town

Harry Potter? Shakespeare? Woolf? Shelley? All in the same place?? Only in London! From the George Inn, to the Sherlock Holmes Museum, to the Harry Potter Shop, London is chalk full of any literary lovers dream spots! Check out Buzzfeed’s complete list here! 

Britain's Great Book History

Talk about a book lovers dream! From Kent to Whitby to the British Library, Britain is filled with breathtaking literary monuments and landscapes. This incredible Mashable list explores Jane Austen’s Bath, William Shakespeare’s Stratford, and everywhere in between, showing that Britain truly is a must visit destination for any bibliophile.

Canada's Best New Picture Books!

Spring is upon us. And what better way to spend a rainy afternoon than curled up with a picture book! CBC has put together a collection of 12 New Canadian Picture Books to look forward to this Spring 2018, and with stories about family, fantasy, adventure, and opportunity. Canada’s picture book authors and illustrators have never looked so good! 

Out this Week

World renowned statistician Hans Rosling's Ted Talks have had over 10 million views. Sadly he passed away in 2017. He spent the last two years of his life writing Factfulness:

Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World - and Why Things Are Better Than You Think

Rosling takes complicated concepts and makes them very palatable to read. It is a fascinating book.

Instant Contest! March Break Thriller Pack

HarperCollins is moving offices next week, and in cleaning out my cupboards, I discovered some hidden gems- several stacks of signed books/ARCs!

So, if you are a Canadian librarian who is a fan of mysteries and thrillers, and think that the stack of books depicted below looks like the perfect way to spend your March Break (or summer holidays), be one of the first 2 people to e-mail me at rosalyn.steele@harpercollins.com and I'll ship you out a set. 

Please include your name and the shipping address of your library in your e-mail. 

Ready...

Set...

Go!

Rosalyn

54 Years in the Making...

In 1963, a 10 year old Catherine Hand wrote a letter to Walt Disney about her favorite book - one that had given her hope. 54 years later, A Wrinkle in Time is finally set to hit the big screen, and the now movie producer Hand has nearly seen her childhood dream come true. Here, time explores the journey from dream to reality, and why the book to film adaptation has had such a bumpy road along the way. Based on Madeline L'Engle's 1962 award winning, best selling novel, A Wrinkle in Time hits theaters March 9, 2018. 

What Happens Next

Bullying is no easy issue to tackle, but Susan Hughes' newest release, What Happens Next is a fantastic and powerful starting point for discussions on emotions, empathy, and how we can relate to others. With a brand new trailer, and new discussion guides written by a child psychologist with research background in bullying, What Happens Next is a moving and informative read on the difficult issue of bullying. 

The Shape of Water: Two Stories, One Idea

The novelization of Guillermo del Toro's newest film, The Shape of Water, a collaboration written by the iconic filmmaker and novelist Daniel Kraus, is so much more than a typical adaptation. Born from Kraus' lifelong idea, both the film and novel tell the story of a mute woman and imprisoned, mute creature falling in love in distinctly different ways. For more on this unique tale, and the collaboration of its two writers, check out this gizmodo article. 

Against Amazon

Bookshops: A Reader's History author Jorge Carrion, has come out to defend the traditions of books with his original essay "Against Amazon: A Reader's Manifesto." Carrion's insightful, in-depth piece presents seven arguments against the digital "hypermarket," as well as the "hows" and "whys" it's important to support the little guys. 

Books to Screen 2018!

Modern classics? Sought after-bachelors? Astral travelers and astrophysicists? 2018 will have some insane book to film adaptations that we are crazy excited for! From Red Sparrow to A Wrinkle in Time and more, check here for Publisher's Weekly's 10 Most Anticipated Book-to-Film Adaptations of 2018.