Month: July 2007 (Page 2 of 2)

Since Harry …

July 18, 2007 / Monique

It was a warm summer day in 1998 when I read my first Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. I was working as an intern in the catalogue department at Raincoast Books. We were struggling to get a more prominent display in our Spring catalogue for the 3 Harry Potter books.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was being published in the spring and the books were doing ok in BC. Vancouver Kidsbooks was selling them like hot cakes and begging us to print more. But the East coast and Toronto reps were unsure. The enthusiasm for the books hadn’t reached their territory.

We decided to put the book image on the front cover of the catalogue.

I was sick of hearing about Harry Potter. The UK press coverage billed J.K. Rowling as an up-and-coming writer, the kids were posting online about how awesome the books were, we were brainstorming how to help series along. I was tired of hearing about Harry Potter and never having read a chapter.

With the teen fiction I was promoting, I would read the first chapter, if it was good, I’d read the full book. If it was bad, I’d read a middle chapter, scan a couple of other pages and read the last chapter. That was my plan for Harry Potter.

My bus ride was an hour long, lots of time to decide if Harry Potter was good or bad. When I walked into Raincoast that morning, I told them that I couldn’t do any work. Harry Potter was stuck in the dungeon and I needed to see what was going to happen.

I was hooked.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone wasn’t the best writing that I’d ever read, but it was definitely fun. There was something captivating about the characters, poor Harry trapped in the cupboard under the stairs.

Since that morning in 1998 I have changed jobs at least 5 times; I’ve started my own business; I’ve joined Harry Potter fan sites, attended midnight parties and been fuelled by the excitement of so many kids (young and old) dressed up as wizards; and I’ve fallen deeper into Pottermania than I thought possible.

The friendships that I’ve gained because of the books have been deeper than I expected. This is the book series that I feel most passionate about. I hide that passion because when I worked at Raincoast I didn’t want my “outside” friends to badger me about the stories or inside-scoops they thought I might have. Now as the series comes to a close I want to celebrate the fun times that have been the last 10 years.

To that end, I’ve created a quick survey.

If you’re a Harry Potter reader, take my survey, see what kinds of experiences we’ve collectively shared during our time with the books. I’ll post the results on SinceHarry.com.

Click Here to take survey

Alistair MacLeod Appointed to Order of Canada

July 13, 2007 / Monique

I read in the The Windsor Star today that Alistair MacLeod has been appointed to the Order of Canada by Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean.

Wahooooo!

MacLeod’s collection of short stories Lost Salt Gift of Blood is my all-time favourite collection. The stories are tight.

I also enjoyed As Birds Bring Forth the Sun, his second collection, and his novel No Great Mischief. The novel didn’t grab me as much as the short stories but as a fan of an author who publishes so rarely it was a treat nonetheless.

See all titles on Amazon.

Book Reviews from a Canadian blogger

July 6, 2007 / Monique

Canadian blogger … that’s me, Monique Trottier. Here in Vancouver. I review books.

Yah right, where and when you might ask?

Well, I’ve fallen behind recently. I like to post an individual review for each book, but I’m desperate so here’s the quick roundup.

Town House by Tish Cohen
Very funny. Jack is afraid to leave the house. Clinically. This is a novel about the madcap adventures of Jack Madigan, son of legendary rock legend Bas Madigan. It’s quirky. I really liked it. Please have a look at this book.

Falling Sideways by Tom Holt
My first science fiction read. Ok, maybe not the first but the first I remember. David Perkins is the victim of a well-orchestrated scheme to let clones and frogs control the Earth. That’s not entirely accurate but I have 3 minutes before my flight. This was a good book too. Really well written. Not sure if I’m a fan of sci-fi yet, but if it’s all like this, I’ll try it.

Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O’Neill
If you pick any title in this list to investigate further, sorry no links, then pick this one. Baby is the main character. We follow her from childhood to older childhood. I truly believe that we use stories to make sense of the world. Baby tells herself pretty incredible stories to try to understand her druggie father, her missing mother, her attraction to the wrong sorts of men, the screwed up system of Child and Family Services. Heather has created a strong and confident voice in this character. As a novel it does all sorts of things right. For good or bad, it reminds me of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Strange characters, a look inside those characters’ minds, great writing, a bit of soul searching and strong narrative. 5 starts for sure.

The Big Moo by Seth Godin
One-page case studies and inspirational stories from 33 experts and thought wizards. I really enjoyed this book too. It’s business but inspirational business. I think it will sit on my shelf for years to come and will be pulled off frequently. It’s one of those reads that will mean different things to you at different times. Even if you’re not self-employed, if you’re interested in company structures, organizational behaviour and big ideas, have a read.

Many, many apologies for the lack of links but I know you can all Google and Amazon. I’ll fill in the blanks later. Also no spell check so the editors in the crowd, maybe skip this post, or read lightly.

Cheers and now I’m off to Banff for a wedding.

Exit stage left. Zing!

Raincoast Announces Winner of Harry Potter Contest

July 5, 2007 / Monique

Via the Raincoast Harry Potter newsletter;

Lucky Matthew Pincin is going to London to attend the launch of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, ” J.K. Rowling and The Moonlight Signing”.

Quote: 1,700 fans will gather on the evening of Friday July 20 and will have the opportunity to meet J.K. Rowling and have their book signed at the Natural History Museum starting at one minute past midnight. The first 500 randomly selected winners will attend the midnight reading. The subsequent signing is expected to last until dawn. Every ticket holder will receive a free book from Bloomsbury Publishing, the British publisher.

I particularly like the note about why Matthew loves reading Harry Potter.

Quote: When entering the contest, Matthew explained his attraction to Harry Potter. “I love reading Harry Potter because I enjoy all his adventures and wish that I had a pet owl and could go to a school like Hogwarts.” His mother Sandra added, “Matthew and I have read the books together and I am also a big fan, so having the chance to be in London for the launch of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows is a great thrill for both of us.”

Lucky ducks!

The Raincoast newsletter also announced that over 15,000 Canadian fans between 8 and 18 entered the contest.

Holy Hogwarts!

Better Books: Gumboot Books Plays Online

July 3, 2007 / Monique

Ok, I’m behind in closing out the Better Books series, but this tidbit in the Vancouver Sun this morning caught my attention.

Gumboot Books is a Vancouver publishing company who is using the web in an interesting way to market books.

Quote: Gumboot invites non-profits, charities and community groups to sign up on its website and receive 10 per cent of every sale they generate. The more buyers the groups send to the Gumboot website, the more books are sold and the more money they raise. Book buyers choose which cause will benefit.

Sounds good to me.

For more info: Gumboot Books: spREAD the word fundraising project.

Want to make perfume?

July 2, 2007 / Monique

I met Ayala at Portobello West last week and she runs perfume workshops. I can’t make it on Tuesday and Thursdays but for those of you interested in perfume, check out the below info.

There is a new calendar of workshops for July at Ayala Moriel Perfume Studio.
http://www.ayalamoriel.com/

Workshops are now offered on both Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6:30-8:30pm.

Or visit the SmellyBlog which is always up-to-date:
http://ayalasmellyblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/calendar.html

Spaces in each workshop are extremely limited, so sign up in advance to reserve your spot.

* July 3rd (Tues.): Ice Cream and Hydrosols (children are invited to this
workshop with their parents!)

* July 5th (Thurs.): “Behind the Scents” – learn about the creative process
and the stories behind the creations of some of Ayala’s most haunting
perfumes.

* July 10 (Tues.): Scented Body Care Products (learn how to make simple and
fun body care products such as wonderful smelling bath salts and massage
oils)

* July 12 (Thurs.): Solid Perfumes – learn how to make your own solid
perfume from rare and precious oils and floral waxes!

Monique Likes To …

July 1, 2007 / Monique

Silly game over on the Facebook.

Type your name in quotations with the words “likes to” in Google and post the top 10 things.

“Monique likes to” results:

Monique Likes to Get Her Exercise.
Monique likes a workout that brings her pulse to around 140 BPM for a good 8 minutes.

This is sooooo not true.

Monique likes to let kids know how much fun math and science can be.

Yay, right.

Besides the ability to make friends and family feel right at home, Monique likes to entertain with a salute to her French heritage.

That means we drink wine.

Monique likes to go into a power walk as soon as my seat touches the saddle when I get on.

Sweet Jesus, I don’t want to know more about this one.

Monique likes to break free from the ordinary in her expression but also goes back into the more realistic look.

Indeed. Have you seen my avatar?

In her spare time, Monique likes to paint, has a keen interest in real estate and loves spending time with her best friend Tom.

I hope Tom doesn’t mention this to James.

Monique likes to be different. But it sure is hard to be different when you go to a school where all the students have to wear uniforms.

True enough.

Monique likes to create an easy-going atmosphere in her classes, focussing on awareness of breath and an understanding of the essence of a posture.

Sounds like me.

Monique likes to set up her classroom so students are free to take materials and work independently without constantly asking “Where are the scissors?”

Precisely why I never have any scissors. Damn Monique.

Monique likes to mention the first members who signed up because she was one of them.

I’m sure a spazz.

And here’s the first image that shows up for “Monique Likes To”

Maybe the most fitting find. It’s the cover of a book.

Thanks Sio.