The Woes of the Comic Industry -- Interview with Faith Erin Hicks

Award-winning comics creator, Faith Erin Hicks, describes in her own words what it was like to write her first YA novel, Comics Will Break Your Heart, and her experience in the comic industry.

Hicks shares how as a comic creator, it was extremely difficult for her to read about how some comic creators don't retain ownership of the characters they create, or they lose copyright to their creations. This book was inspired by these issues, and to shed light on the struggle many comics face in this industry. 

Comics Will Break Your Heart is a sensitive and funny modern day romance, and shows what it takes to heal the past.  Click here to read more!

Canada Reads is finally here!

At long last, the week of Canada Reads is upon us, when bookish Canadians join together to listen to "literary Survivor." The debates take place at 11 a.m. today, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. There are many ways you can tune in: watch the livestream on cbc.ca/books, YouTube or Facebook, watch on CBC TV, listen on CBC Radio or on your favourite podcast app. For full details, check out the site. See you there!

The first Loan Star Jr. list!

BookNet Canada has finally announced their Loan Stars list for Juvenile and Young Adult titles, the Loan Stars Jr. list!

This new list allows library staff to recommend forthcoming picture books, middle-grade, and YA titles.  Click here to review the top 10 picks from BookNet's first Loan Star Jr. list! 

Kate Greenaway and CILIP Carnegie Medal Shortlists Announced

The shortlists for the Kate Greenaway Medal and the CILIP Carnegie Medal were released this week. The Kate Greenaway shortlist includes bewitching ode to nature The Lost Words (House of Anansi) illustrated by Jackie Morris, alongside the latest from Jon Klassen, an illustrated history of the suffragette movement by David Roberts, and more. Last year saw Canadian illustrator Sydney Smith win for his illustrations in Town Is by the Sea (Groundwood Books).

Mark your calendars for June 18th when the winner is announced!

Happy Birthday, Toronto! 5 of Toronto's Oldest Indie Bookstores

This year, the City of Toronto is turning 185 years old!  This post features some of the oldest independent bookstores throughout the city. Click here to see how these historic bookstores have changed and grown with the support of readers over the years!

Books in Fashion, Ooh La La!

French creator and fashion designer, Sylvie Facon, creates stunning designer dresses made from book spines! Click here to view more of her bookish creations.

Turning Death Threats into a Comic Book

Artist Ness Lee and writer Vivek Shraya are interviewed by Vice Canada in this video essay, about the making of their graphic novel Death Threat.  

Death Threat tells the story of Vivek Shraya's experiences with receiving vivid and disturbing transphobic  hate mail from a stranger in the Fall of 2017.  Together artist Ness Lee and Vivek Shraya bring these letters and Shraya's responses to startling life.  Book available April 2019.