Author: Hilary

Mark Curfoot-Mollington Launch

Local favourite, Mark Curfoot-Mollington is back with a second novel for us all to enjoy! Be sure to come to the store on Saturday, October 28 from 11:00am to 1:00pm to meet Mark and hear all about his new heroine (and book of the same name), Alice MacKenzie.

Growing up, every child has at least one teacher during their school career whom they secretly think is a spy. For Alice MacKenzie’s students, that assumption turns out to actually be the truth. When a cartel with roots in terrorism and white supremacy crops up on NATO’s radar, Alice is once again drawn into a world of danger, violence, and usnpeakable acts. Along with a retired colonel, a young Pakistani-Canadian girl, and an elderly British woman, Alice must come to grips with her past and face this new threat head-on if any of them are going to have a future.

Set in a world of secrets, spies, and cartels, Alice MacKenzie is a thrill ride not to be missed!

“Lost Ottawa” Book Launch

The popular facebook page Lost Ottawa now has a book! Officially launching on Sunday, October 22 from 12:00-2:00pm, Lost Ottawa has been flying off our shelves!

Put together by local archivist and historian, David McGee, Lost Ottawa is a wonderful book full of old photographs and fascinating historical notes – a real treat for any local history buff!

We hope to see you this weekend! Snacks and refreshments will be served!

“Railroad of Courage” Book Launch

Join us on Saturday, October 21 from 1:00-3:00pm to celebrate the launch of Dan Rubenstein and Nancy Dyson‘s new book for young readers, Railroad of Courage.

Set in during the time of the Underground Railroad, this story follows the journey of twelve-year-old Rebecca and her family as they try to escape slavery on a cotton plantation to start new, free lives in Canada. With a brave and courageous character that children will instantly warm to, Railroad of Courage relays the store of the Underground Railroad to a brand new crop of readers!

About the authors:
DAN RUBENSTEIN‘s interest in runaway slaves began when he attended a school in an old house which had been part of the Underground Railroad. Dan is a geographer, environmentalist and writer. NANCY DYSON studied international development at Vassar College and was deeply concerned about issues of inequality. Later she became an early childhood educator with a special interest in children’s literature. Nancy and Dan make their home in Gloucester, Ontario. Visit www.rubenstein-dyson.com.

Titles@Table40 with Davin de Kergommeaux

Whether it’s the nose, the peaty taste, or just the intriguing glassware that does it for you, the world of whisky has a little bit of something for everyone. We’re very excited to announce that Canadian whisky expert Davin de Kergommeaux will be joining us in late November for a spirit-filled evening in our Titles@Table40 series. Just in time to start your holiday season off right, be sure to join us for a delicious dinner, great conversation, and a wee dram!

Date: Sunday, November 26
Time: 5:30pm
Place: Table 40, 7 Springfield Road (next to The Fraser Cafe)

Here’s how it works:
The evening starts at 5:30pm with dinner, followed by the author presentation and book signing. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the bookstore. The non-refundable cost is $60.00 which includes the cost of the meal (a set menu of three courses with a vegetarian option), tax and tip. All beverages are extra and will be charged at the end of the evening. The Fraser Cafe can accommodate all special dietary needs if informed in advance.

Call or visit us to purchase your tickets today!
Books on Beechwood
35 Beechwood Avenue
613-742-5030

Elie Nasrallah Signing “Hostage to History”

Local author, Elie Nasrallah will be here on Saturday, September 30 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm to sign copies of his book Hostage to History.

Check out the following links to find out more about Elie Nasrallah and his work!

Elie’s essay from the Ottawa Citizen:

http://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/nasrallah-lets-stop-the-myth-making-around-multiculturalism

This is a great article from Ottawa Life Magazine in which Elie Nasrallah is named one of the top 25 people in the Capital:

http://www.ottawalife.com/2016/09/meet-the-16th-annual-top-25-people-in-the-capital-2/

Christopher Levenson Poetry Reading

Join us on the evening of Thursday, September 28 to hear local poet and former Carleton University professor, Christopher Levenson read from his newest book of poetry, A Tattered Coat Upon a Stick. The reading will begin at 7:00pm.

Copies of A Tattered Coat Upon a Stick will be available to purchase, as well as copies of an earlier poetry collection, Night Vision, which was shortlisted for the 2014 Governor General’s Literary Awards.

“At the Stranger’s Gate” by Adam Gopnik

This is an unusual memoir by a writer about a writer. Adam Gopnik tells us all about himself, his blessed marriage, and his hugely successful career in New York City where he is famous as an essayist and a novelist.

At the Stranger’s Gate covers the 1980s when Gopnik and his bride left a secure spot in their hometown of Montreal and decided to go for the bigger challenges that New York offered. Gopnik had a fellowship in art history and planned to get writing jobs on the side. He was soon working at the Frick Art Reference Library, the Museum of Modern Art, and sending essays to the The New Yorker which quickly earned him a permanent spot.

He and Martha could only afford a basement studio which measured 9 x 11 feet and was situated on the Upper East Side. They called it their Blue Room, after a popular song of the day and were apparently happy for three years. They explored the whole of Manhattan, often by walking, and the book’s title refers to a distant corner of Central Park which they loved.

Adam’s writing career continued to flourish, thanks to his funny and frank way of expressing himself. There were also some terrible moments, however, as when his brand new suit trousers fell out of the garment bag on the way home and he never did find them. In the 80s, New York was becoming a city of greed where its beauty (like art and music) and its necessities (food and real estate) went to the highest bidder. This book gives an excellent picture of how one family persevered in making it a successful home.

Reviewed by Anne McDougall