You’d Think This Was A Blog About Books
Monday, September 28th, 2009 by admin
Cappucino by Ella's Uncle, where the proprietress bakes delicious things right in front of you, and makes delicious designs on the surface of your cup of joe. Book by new fav. author Nino Ricci
Yesterday morning I woke up early in preparation. To plan my day for The Word on the Street Festival, I pour over the schedule on their website. Steph calls me at 10:00AM to advise on what not to miss etc. Margaret Atwood at 3:00. Nino Ricci at 1:30, Anthony De Sa, and so on. ) I rely on Steph for book advice. You can ask her about any random author, and without missing a beat, she’ll tell you every book he’s written, where you can get it on sale, and any random minutiae about his life).
Barnacle Love, Anthony De Sa
I caught Anthony De Sa at 12:15 (winner 2009 Giller for Barnacle Love) and totally fell in love. (he wears Blundstones and swears by his Mac). I haven’t read Barnacle Love yet, but when it first came out, immediately wanted to covet it because of the gorgeous cover. (I can totally judge a book by its cover, by the way). Definitely my next read.
The Origin of Species, Nino Ricci
I heard Nino Ricci read from his latest book The Origin of Species (Govener General Literary Awards) for the second time. I first heard him when Steph and I went to this Literary Author Reading Book Bonanza at Hart House last spring. Ricci is smart. And has big black eyebrows that frame his face, which I also like. Hearing him speak, I knew his book would be a good influence for my painting, and I picked up a beautiful copy on my way home at a second hand book store (She Said Boom, on College St.) for $10.00. I am now half way through and can’t stop. I even woke up at 6:30AM on my day off and tucked myself in for a good few hours of reading while the wind and the rain howled outside. Mmmm. (Along with peppermint ginger tea, I’m getting a cold).
Margaret Atwood was brilliant, as usual. Sprightly, energetic, hilarious, impish, and ridiculous in her giant, red sketchers. Elenor Wachtel from CBCs Writer’s In Company was the host, and the whole thing went cross-Canada with Halifax and Vancouver connected on screens flanking the stage. She read a short excerpt from her latest novel The Year In The Flood (not a sequel or prequel to Oryx and Crake, but a simultaneous one, experienced from a girl’s perspective, as opposed to Jimmy’s.) I must admit, I got a little bit emotional when she trotted on stage – her dedication to a writing life, the arts, and politics makes me overwhelmed with gratitude. Atwood has been, for many, many years, my most favourite author and person.
The View From Out Here was a panel discussion between Dionne Brand, Camilla Gibb, Nino Ricci (sigh!) and Jane Urquhart. Urquhart was totally on fire and kept interrupting everyone, but since what she had to say was pretty intelligent, I didn’t mind, although Ricci looked a little irked at one point.
I arrived home pretty exhausted and overwhelmed and inspired. And also a little delirious from not having eaten all day.
Work in Progress
Above is a work in progress, an experiment. I’m sketching some things, sticking them under my projector, blowing things up, scaling things down, and sort of collaging as I go along. I like the process which is freeing in that I never know what’s going to happen next, but restrictive in that I’m staying within specific perimeters which gives me a lot less to worry about.
P.S. Seems I can’t create a link in a caption for an image, so check out Ella’s Uncle on Dundas St.
