Authors take over – for longer
This year’s International Festival Of Authors is slated for October 21 to November 3 at Harbourfront Centre, with events in Barrie and Midland. If that sounds longer than usual to you, you’re right. The fest’s expanded from 10 days to two weeks, and the sked is crammed with major talent.
There’s a strong and varied Canadian contingent – from Margaret Atwood to Anne Murray (!) – but they don’t call this an international festival for nothing. Look for appearances by the amazing Malaysian Tash Aw, author of the sensational Map Of The Invisible World, always fascinating UK novelist Sarah Waters, who comes with The Little Stranger, very smart musician-turned-author David Byrne, who reads from Bicycle Diaries, and many more.
Most tix are $15, and – get this – events are free to students, subject to availability. readings.org.
Revisiting the Falls
Catherine Gildiner’s Too Close To The Falls was a major hit, so no wonder she couldn’t resist going back to the well – I mean the river – for more. After The Falls (Knopf) continues the story, bringing Gildiner’s fascinating heroine, Cathy, to Buffalo to deal with the pressures of being 13. The book launches October 7, 7 pm, at Stones Place (1255 Queen West). Pre-register at rsvpcanada@randomhouse.com.
Whittall’s wherewithall
Poet Zoe Whittall made the shift to fiction with great skill in her debut novel, Bottle Rocket Hearts. She follows up with Holding Still For As Long As Possible (Anansi), which evokes the experiences and anxieties of the generation that grew up with 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. What are they really like, these 25-year-olds addicted to text messaging and articulating their emotions in short form? Whittall reads from the new book at McNally Robinson (1090 Don Mills), the new hot spot for readings, October 8 at 7 pm. 416-384-0084.
The book of David
Ray Robertson follows up the sharp What Happened Later, his reimagining of Ken Kesey’s final years, with another fiction based on fact. David (Thomas Allen) is the story of a former slave who rebels against the man who set him free. Robertson reads from the new book at McNally Robinson October 14 at 8 pm. 416-384-0084.
