TTC Library Map

Maybe this is going to give you a headache; maybe you'll think it's the coolest thing ever. The reddit user prettydisposable has created a TTC map that includes a listing of every Toronto Public Library Location. If you need help deciphering this behemoth (like most of us do), check out the full blog.to article right here:

So Many ARCs!

We are all set up and can't wait to see everyone at the OLA Superconference Expo! 

Here's a sneak peek of some of the ARCs we have at the HarperCollins Canada booth. Be sure to stop by booth 732/734 early in the day for the best selection!  

We have so many amazing adult fiction titles this year, including new novels from Canadian authors Helen Humphries (Rabbit Foot Bill), Paulette Jiles (Simon the Fiddler), and Janie Chang (The Library of Legends). If you are a nonfiction reader, don't miss the hilarious new book (Open House) from Jane Christmas about the THIRTY TWO houses that she has bought and sold over the years! Can you imagine packing up your book collection that many times? 

We have limited quantities of three of the hottest ARCs on our Summer 2020 YA list- The Betrothed by Kiera Cass, Faith by Julie Murphy, and Rules for Being a Girl by Candace Bushnell & Katie Cotungo. We also have some summer reads from Canadian authors Sarah Mlynowski (Just a Boy and a Girl in a Little Canoe), Toronto-based Wattpad star Alex Light (The Upside of Falling), and a debut fantasy inspired by a Polish fairy tale from Vancouver-based author Aleksandra Ross (Don't Call the Wolf).  

 
  

On the middle grade side, don't miss the new magical book from New Brunswick-based author Wendy McLeod MacKnight, The Copycat, and a Shakespeare inspired graphic novel from father-daughter team Jeremy and Hermione Tankard, Yorick and Bones. 

Hope to see you at the Expo! 

Rosalyn

Infused: Adventures in Tea

2020 is off to a bit of a rough start, so we could all use a steaming cup of tea and a dip into the history and culture of this beloved beverage. Written by Henrietta Lovell, tea expert and founder of the Rare Tea Company, Infused is halfway between armchair travel and a loving ode to the perfect brew, complete with recipes!

Lovell made an appearance on CBC's The Current, which you can listen to or read here. Pour yourself a cuppa and dive in!

OLA Superconference 2020 Author Signings- HarperCollins/Harlequin

Please be sure to visit the HarperCollins (732/734) and Harlequin (730) Booths at the OLA Superconference this week! 

We have some great authors signing throughout the day on Thursday and Friday, and lots of great ARC giveaways and contests in-booth!

Thursday, Jan 30^th

• Molly Fader (The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season) 10:30am
• Kate Hilton (Better Luck Next Time) 10:30am
• Bryn Turnbull (The Woman Before Wallis) 11:30am 
• The Fan Brothers (The Scarecrow) 12:30pm 
• Hannah Mary McKinnon (Sister Dear) 2:30pm.

 Friday, Jan 31st

• Kelly Rimmer (Truths I Never Told You) 10:30am 
• Jessica Westhead (Worry) 10:30am
• Ken Oppel (Bloom) 11:30am 
• Kate Elizabeth Russell (My Dark Vanessa)- 12:30 pm 

Tune in tomorrow for a preview of some of the ARCs we'll have on hand at the HarperCollins booth!

Hope to see you at the conference!

Rosalyn

Child of Glass by Beatrice Alemagna

A tribute to strength and sensitivity, Child of Glass perfectly expresses our dual desires to embrace ourselves and to fit in. Italian author Beatrice Alemagna uses transparent pages and collage-like illustrations to bring her heroine to life in this poignant tale.

Resonating with many, the book has received a starred review in the School Library Journal, and was a 2019 NYT/NYPL Best Illustrated Children's Book.

Kirkus Reviews say it will "reach both small and older readers struggling to conceal, manage, and express complicated inner worlds."

Highly Anticipated: DISFIGURED by Amanda Leduc

Coming on February 4th: DISFIGURED by Amanda Leduc is a challenging and affirming treatise on disability in fairy tales.

One of the Toronto Star's Twenty Books You Need to Know About In Spring 2020, DISFIGURED has also received a starred review in Library Journal, and author Leduc was interviewed for a piece in the Toronto Star. Leduc is the Communications Coordinator for the Festival of Literary Diversity.

Why We Can't Sleep by Ada Calhoun

Sandwiched between Boomers and Millennials are Gen X, a generation many say are underserved. In Ada Calhoun's new book, Why We Can't Sleep, she examines the mid-life crisis facing Gen X women, which she discussed on CBC's The Current.

A January Indie Next Pick and one of the New York Times' 10 Books to Watch for in January.

Award Winner: The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom

Making lots of 2019 round-ups is Sarah M. Broom's The Yellow House. This touching, multigenerational memoir was highly anticipated, and that excitement was justified as it later won the 2019 National Book Award for Nonfiction and became a New York Times bestseller. Kirkus Reviews calls it, "A tribute to the multitude of stories one small home can contain." Available now!

Coming in January: The Shadow King!

Start 2020 off with a powerful novel about female strength: Maaza Mengiste's The Shadow King. Named one of The New York Times' 100 Notable Books of 2019, The Shadow King is set in Ethiopia around WWII as Mussolini’s army mobilizes for an invasion. Garnering praise from the likes of Salmon Rushdie, Marlon James, and Aminatta Forna, PW called it an "evocative, mesmerizing account of the role of women during wartime" in a starred review. Available from PGC on January 17th!

The Serious Goose by Jimmy Kimmel

Download the Classroom Activities here. 

We have a winner! A Scotiabank Giller Prize Winner!

Everyone is Falling in Love with The Authenticity Project

Click on the below link to download a digital galley:

https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/172332

Whodunit in the Library: Someone Keeps Hiding the Anti-Trump Books

A recent article in The New York Times tells a fascinating story of a public library in northern Idaho whose books about gun rights and President Trump keep wandering far from their correct spots on the shelves.

The latest works to be targeted cover a whole range of topics, from gun control and women’s suffrage to LGBTQ issues and the impact of misdemeanor prosecutions on people of color. About half the books specifically deal with President Trump.

Credit...

Matthew Hamon for The New York Times

Lonely Planet's Top 10 Countries to Travel to in 2020

Lonely Planet has released their list of the top 10 countries to travel to in 2020, based on both sustainability and experience, among other factors. We won't spoil all the surprises and excitement for you, but there are a few destinations on here that you wouldn't expect! All of them, certainly, make you want to rush off to the nearest airport and buy a one-way ticket immediately.

Lonely Planet has also compiled a few more travel lists, grouped by cities, regions, and economic value.

Top 10 Cities: here

Top 10 Regions: here

Top 10 Value: here

Bad Dog

The differences between cats and dogs have never been funnier! 

In this hilarious new story from the illustrator of I Don't Want to Be a Frog, a little girl really, really wants a dog . . . but gets a cat instead!

Cat lovers and dog lovers alike will howl with laughter at this little girl's willful insistence that her cat is a dog. The hilarious ways in which cats and dogs are different are brilliantly illuminated with each turn of the page and will leave young readers and their grown-ups giggling.

Don't miss this hilarious Dewey Diva pick!

The Biblio File - An Amazing Bookish Podcast!

The Biblio File, hosted by Nigel Beale, is one of the world's leading podcasts on all things book-nerdy! In Nigel's own words, his podcast "features wide-ranging conversations with authors, poets, book publishers, booksellers, book editors, book collectors, book makers, book scholars, book critics, book designers, book publicists, literary agents and other certified bibliophiles". Recently, he sat down with Leslie Hurtig and Jan Walter to discuss, among other things, their experiences over the years in the Canadian book industry and the lasting impact that Leslie's father, Mel Hurtig, had on the industry.

Check out Nigel's interview with Leslie Hurtig & Jan Walter here

No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference

Last week, climate change activist Great Thunberg appeared on Ellen. 

Ellen announced that her show has created a special section on EllenTube dedicated to Greta’s movement and climate change education.

The show will dedicate $100,000 to promoting the webpage, which includes a link to purchase Greta’s book NO ONE IS TOO SMALL TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. 

Green Eggs and Ham on Netflix!

GREEN EGGS AND HAM 

will air on NETFLIX on November 8^th

Based on the beloved book by Dr. Seuss, the new animated series follows opposites Guy and Sam as they venture out on a road trip to save an endangered animal from a far off zoo. Along the way they learn to try new things like hope, friendship, and a certain delectable dish!

Booknet Canada - Innovative Bookselling Podcast

The good data folks over at Booknet Canada have been putting out consistent podcasts for the past couple years that delve into all sorts of Book-Industry topics, hosted by the charming and knowledgeable Zalina Alvi. Recently, one of their podcasts focused on outside-the-box partnerships in book-selling, as well as innovative practices that several interviewed bookstore owners offer. But there's so much more! And if podcasts aren't for you, there's an entire transcript of the conversation to skim through.

Check out the podcast here:

Interested in more Booknet Canada podcasts? There's a whole bunch more here

John Landis`s Favourite Monsters!

DK Publishing has put together a fabulous interview with John Landis, a revered film director, where he discusses all his favourite monsters in the history of cinema, just in time for Halloween! Of course, Mr. Landis has some esteemed experience in the horror genre, directing both the classic film An American Werewolf in London, and Michael Jackson`s `Thriller` music video, after Jackson saw the movie and was incredibly impressed. His list includes Frankenstein, King Kong, The Creature From the Black Lagoon, and other celebrated monsters in the history of film, coupled with insights both from Mr. Landis`s childhood memories and behind-the-scenes knowledge of how these films and their characters were brought to life on the big screen. Isn`t it so cool to learn where legendary creators take their inspiration from?

To read the full article, click the link here

The Booksellers Association: Leading the Climate Change Battle

On July 23rd, the Booksellers Association published an extensive Manifesto concerning the state of the environmental impact within the Book Industry. This Manifesto represents "part of [the BA's] ongoing commitment to reducing waste across its membership and throughout the supply chain". Extensive details on both their ideas to reduce waste and studies that include thousands of participants; details too innumerable to fit in this teensy little blog post!

To check out the BA Article, click here

"Pumpkinheads" Graphic Novel Trailer!

A collaboration for the ages! Bringing together Rainbow Rowell - the author of Fangirl and Elanor & Park, among other celebrated YA novels - and the beautiful illustrations of Faith Erin Hicks, who won the Eisner award for her work on The Adventures of Superhero Girl, the new graphic novel Pumpkinheads is a perfect fit for the fall season. If you want to read a quick review, check out this article by the Hollywood Reporter; if you're more the visual type, click the link below for a trailer!

Yellowknife's Book Cellar Celebrates 40 Years!

The CBC wrote a piece earlier in the month of August giving due praise to one of Canada's oldest indies, the Book Cellar in Yellowknife. They've been around for 40 years! The article's main interviewee was Judith Drinnan, a long-time owner who shares some of her joys and tribulations while noting that although she was due to retire shortly after the big anniversary, the Book Cellar is still going strong. 

You can read the full article here:

The Most Borrowed Library Books of 2019 - So Far!

Amidst all the great studies and data sifting, BookNet Canada put together a study that delves into library books and Canadians' borrowing habits in the first half of 2019. They explore the metrics of popularity within age range and genre, coupling together the most popular titles with a few surprises. Curious? Check out the full article here - and remember to keep supporting your local library branch!

Hervé Tullet: Inside the Creative Process

Hervé Tullet is the wondrous mind behind the worldwide-acclaimed children's book Press Here, published by Chronicle Books, among another 80-odd titles he's put out. He recently sat down with the New York Times to discuss his studio work-space and the methods he utilizes in crafting his unique art, as well as moving his entire operation (and family) from Paris to Harlem. The extended interview can be found here

Mr. Tullet is currently engaged in a project he calls "The Ideal Exhibition", a multifaceted, hands-on workshop that allows all who visit to contribute to his art. You can check out the promotional vid here

Allison Mills Talks "The Ghost Collector"

Allison Mills, the debut author of Annick's lead title for the Fall 2019 season, "The Ghost Collector", recently sat down with the good people over at School Library Journal for an extended interview. All sorts of topics were covered, including Allison's familial inspiration for the book, the thematic presence of troubled and healing relationships, what kind of books she wanted to read as a kid, and her background in children`s literature. Allison`s book comes out September 10th; it`s spooky, fun, and heartwarming. You don`t want to miss it!

Link to the full interview:

https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=allison-mills-on-the-ghost-collector

#MOVETHEDATE - Earth's Overshoot Day

The good folks over at New Society Publishers are doing their part to raise awareness about climate change, and our relationship with the environment. Ecological Footprint, written by Mathis Wackernagel and Bert Beyers. Earth's Overshoot Day, according to a quote on New Society's website, "marks the date when humanity’s annual demand on nature exceeds what Earth’s ecosystems can regenerate in that year." In 2019, Earth's Overshoot Day was July 29th - the earliest ever. It's a natural reaction to feel individually dwarfed by the global crisis of climate change, but there are ways to help! Every little thing you do matters. If you want to check out some steps to move the date, follow the link here - and if you want an extended overview of the whole situation, check out https://www.overshootday.org/ and explore. Blessings to you, fellow Earthling! We're all in this together.

Curiosity Day - September 14th!

Curiosity Day is approaching, my friends! The smiling legend that is Curious George, published for decades by the renowned Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, will be celebrated nationwide on September 14th, 2019. Booksellers, please consult the handy-dandy poster for any information you might need, and if there's anything you need to know that isn't on there, please email Michelle & Ellen over at Raincoast with your requests!

In the meantime, friends, stay Curious, and enjoy the rest of the summer!

Independence: Roots in the Community

Sales at independent bookstores rose nearly 5 percent in 2018. CreditJeenah Moon for The New York Times

Although the book business seems to be shifting in the direction of e-commerce, spurred on by Amazonian giants, independent bookstores are not going away; rather, they are experiencing a resurgence, and becoming cultural hearths of their communities. The New York Times recently published a very interesting article on this topic, interviewing booksellers from New York`s McNally Jackson, exploring the tailspin of Barnes and Noble, and shedding light on how difficult yet important it is to keep independent bookstores afloat.

Check out the article! It elaborates on much more than we can summarize:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/23/business/independent-bookstores.html?searchResultPosition=1

Bestselling Indigenous Books in Canada

BookNet Canada has compiled a useful and informative list on the bestselling Indigenous books in Canada, which you can find here. Forty titles are included in total, ranging in the categories of Fiction, Non-Fiction, Juvenile and YA Fiction, and Juvenile and YA Non-Fiction. BookNet put some serious work into this data collection, so please check it out! It`s a great place to start if you`re interested in exploring Canadian Indigenous Literature for the first time, or catching up on any titles you might`ve missed.

BookNet has also put together a handy Catalist catalogue containing all 40 titles, to compliment their research.

Esme Weijun Wang: The Collected Schizophrenias

"In Wang's kaleidoscopic essays, memoir has been shattered into sliding and overlapping pieces...Her multifaceted arguments can be gratifyingly mind-expanding" - The New York Times

Esme Weijun Wang, author of The Collected Schizophrenias, which was published by Graywolf Press, was interviewed by Peter Armstrong on CBC The Sunday Edition on June 30. Wang's book presents a rare first-person account of someone suffering from schizophrenia, relating her terrifying involuntary hospitalizations and constant social alienation as she attempts to dissolve the stigma that surrounds the disorder. In her own words, Wang says "I haven't figured out what OK is, but I think the closest thing to OK is what is not actively suffering...being healthy is not having to think about how you feel all the time."

Link to the CBC interview:

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thesundayedition/writer-esm-

weijun-wang-on-life-with-the-collected-schizophrenias

John Oliver & the Amazon Warehouses

 

John Oliver, the celebrated host of Last Week Tonight, spent almost an entire episode discussing the perils of Amazon and their labyrinthine warehouses. The Week wrote a nice article that condenses many of Oliver`s key points, and provides a good summation of the episode for those of us without HBO (and those of us in Canada, blocked by YouTube`s access). Our main takeaway is this: don`t be a lazy shopper! Get out there and support your local Independent Bookstore, friends!

Where To Travel - Based On Your Hogwarts House!

For the Potters, Cedrics, Lunas, and Malfoy's alike: Lonely Planet has the ultimate article on your next travel destination! Based upon your House (which, if you don't know where you belong yet, head over to pottermore.com to take the test), Lonely Planet offers a plethora of ideas, from Canada to Tokyo, from Nicaragua to Ethiopia. If only broomsticks were real...but then again, would any of us really want to jet over the Pacific on a Firebolt, romantic as it sounds?

Whatever you do, remember the Sorting Hat's wisdom: you have the final say on where you end up!

Anthony Daniels and C-3PO: The Man In The Machine

How else are you supposed to prepare for Episode 9? DK Publishing has a very exciting new title coming out this November, a little over a month before the third Star Wars trilogy is set to conclude, and it is written by a droid who's been there since the beginning. Anthony Daniels is the man behind the lovable golden visage that is C-3PO: companion to Luke, translator to R2-D2, made animate by the yet-to-be sinister Young Anakin in Episode One...no, maybe we should forget about Episode One. Except Darth Maul; oh, and Liam Neeson's ponytail.

Anyways, Mr. Daniels' autobiography, I AM C-3PO: The Inside Story (with a foreword by J.J. Abrams) jets from his first words onscreen - and the first words in the entire Star Wars franchise - to lifelong friendships with George Lucas, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill, among others. What was it like, clumping around in that gold shell for twelve-hour day shoots? Was Anthony Daniels ever in danger? How'd he use the bathroom? Perhaps you'll find out, young Padawan!  

Tarnished Wisdom: John Waters, the First Filth Elder

The grotesque king sits upon his throne, and imparts as much wisdom as we can bear! John Waters, the pencil-mustache visionary behind such cult classics as Pink Flamingos and Hairspray, has been all over the US late-night talk shows recently, sharing some revelations and excerpts from his book, Mr. Know-It-All. An interview Mr. Waters did with Bill Maher can be found here, as well as a delightful chat with Terry Gross from NPR. Hopefully, we'll see the legend himself on CBC Q with Tom Power at some point in the future!

Head on over to  Farrar, Straus, and Giroux's website to order yourself a copy of John Waters' new book; or enjoy the summer air, and waltz on over to your nearest independent bookstore!