Immigrant Clarkson to sign books

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/11/2011 (5441 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ADRIENNE Clarkson’s fifth book, reviewed in these pages this week, has been described as a “tale of many destinies.” The former journalist and governor general of Canada will be at the West End Cultural Centre on Sunday at 2 p.m. to speak and sign.

In a recent CBC interview, Clarkson said, “Immigration is increasingly vital to the success of our country.” She also said, “I am like all the eight people that I profile in my book.”

Tickets are $10 and are available at McNally Robinson Booksellers, or by calling 475-0483.

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Online bookseller and e-reader sales giant Amazon has launched a digital-lock lending library, available only to Kindle owners and paid subscribers of Amazon Prime.

Subscribers may borrow titles one at a time. When a new e-book is borrowed, the earlier one will disappear from the reader’s device.

The program came into effect Thursday. However, the six largest U.S. publishers have not yet signed on, stating concerns that the program may harm backlists and relationships with other booksellers.

Amazon said the program is intended to drive Kindle sales, and therefore will not be available on non-Kindle devices with Kindle apps. It is not yet available in Canada.

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If on Tuesday you hope to dine on roasted chicken and Chocolate Mozart in McNally Robinson’s Café, while watching the Scotia Bank Giller Awards broadcast, be quick and good luck. At last check there were only four Giller Light Bash tickets left, $50 each or $100 with a $50 tax receipt.

Prior to the broadcast, James Christie, Celine Kear, Joanne Kelly, Jenna Khan, Jake MacDonald and John Toews will advocate for their favourites.

The Giller Light Bash is held annually in Winnipeg, Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver. Proceeds go to Frontier College literacy programs.

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HarperCollins Publishers has partnered with the makers of the Espresso Book Machine (EBM), which will allow any bookstore with an EBM to instantly print any of its backlist. No physical inventory taking shelf and storage space, and for the customer, no waiting. Industry watchers are calling this a historic turning point.

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The formerly doomed Aqua Books continues its upswing with a second fundraiser. On Wednesday, South African storyteller Erik de Waal, and U of M storyteller-in-residence Patrick Ryan will perform in support of the new, not-for-profit Winnipeg Cultural City Hall.”

London-based Ryan said he was aware of Aqua Books from the moment he arrived in Winnipeg. During the Thin Air International Writers’ Festival, he attended events at Aqua Books, and learned the store was “going through a rough patch.” He was eager to help out.

“I love independent and second-hand bookshops. That Aqua is also a cultural and performance centre and a place for social gathering and events makes it unique, and very special.”

The event is called Stories of Light and Dark. Tickets are $10. Call Aqua books at 943-7555 for details.

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