Shared Vision Bestsellers are compiled by TBM Bookmanager from sales data provided by more than 200 independent bookstores across Canada. The March 2006 lists report sales from early February. For more information, see bookmanager.com. Vancouver-area booksellers that provided data for these lists include: 32 Books, Abraxas Books, Albany Books, Armchair Books, Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks, Black Bond Books, Cadboro Bay Book Co., Copper Beech Books, Crown Publications, Fables Cottage, Fireside Books, FreeSpirit Books, Granville Book Co., Gibsons Coast Books, Hager Books, Ivy’s Bookshop, Kidsbooks, People’s Co-Op Books, Tanners Books, Timeless Books, Vine & Fig Tree Books, Wanderlust, Watermark Books, and Whitby’s Bookstore.

Literary Events: Reading, Writing, Workshops, and More
bill bissett & Adeena Karasick An eclectic evening of performance poetry fusing work from bissett’s new collection, ths is erth thees ar peopul, with Karasick’s intellectual energy. April 4, 7:30 pm, Peter Kaye Room, Central Library (350 W. Georgia St.). Free. Info: 604-331-3603.
William Apel: There Comes a Time Book launch of Signs of Peace: The Interfaith Letters of Thomas Merton and of Merton’s correspondence with Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and Hindu friends. April 16, 7:30 pm.,Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Central Library. Free. Info: 604-331-3603.
Nina Newington Author reads from her book, Where Bones Dance: An English Girlhood, An African War. April 24, 7:30 pm, Peter Kaye Room, Central Library. Free. Info: 604-331-3603.
Poet-Tree Families and children are invited to create poetry inspired by natural objects, pictures, and words. April 29, 1-3 pm, VanDusen Botanical Garden (5251 Oak St.). Free for members or included in admission. Pre-registration required: 604-878-5860.
THE ANTI 9-to-5 GUIDE: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside the Cube Talk and book signing by author Michelle Goodman. April 27, 7:30 pm, Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Central Library. Free. Info: 604-331-3603.
Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures by Vincent Lam (Anchor, $18) Winner of the 2006 Giller Prize, this collection of short stories follows four characters from their student days, through medical school, and into their careers as doctors.
The Song of Kahunsha by Anosh Irani (Anchor Canada, $20) A compelling story of hopes and dreams, and of the fragility of childhood innocence, as seen through the eyes of a young homeless boy.
Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay (Viking, $34) Explores the ways in which history, whether of a culture or a family, refuses to be buried.
Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything by Don Tapscott & Anthony D. Williams (Portfolio, $33) Challenges our most deeply rooted assumptions about business, exploring how firms can harness collective capability and genius to spur innovation, growth, and success.
The Weather Makers by Tim Flannery (HarperCollins, $23) An outline of the history of climate change, how it will unfold over the next century, and what we can do to prevent a cataclysmic future.
The Carbon Buster’s Home Energy Handbook: Slowing Climate Change and Saving Money by Godo Stoyke (New Society, $15) Learn how to reduce carbon emissions in the most cost-effective way.
The Best Life Diet by Bob Greene (S&S, $30) A lifetime plan for losing weight and keeping it off that is easily tailored to an array of tastes, lifestyles, and activity levels.
The Thrive Diet by Brendan Brazier (Penguin, $24) Researched and developed by a professional Ironman triathlete, this long-term, easy-to-follow diet results in a lean body, sharp mind, and everlasting energy.
The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-term Health by T. Colin Campbell & Thomas M. Campbell II (Benbella Books, $23) A summary of health and nutrition findings across rural China and Taiwan that demonstrates the link between nutrition and heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Inside My Heart: Choosing to Live with Passion and Purpose by Robin McGraw (Nelson, $22) A personal account to inspire women to make choices that reflect their heart’s truest priorities and highest goals.
The Law of Attraction: The Basics of the Teachings of Abraham by Esther & Jerry Hicks (Hay House, $18) Learn how all things, wanted and unwanted, are brought to you by this most powerful law of the universe.
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne (Beyond Words, $29) Learn to understand the hidden, untapped power that’s within you and how to use The Secret in every aspect of your life—money, health, relationships, happiness.

Literary Events: Reading, Writing, Workshops, and More
The Totalitarian Urge Cory Doctorow, champion of anti-copyright, explores how technology changes the way we view social problems and discusses his newest book, Overclocked: Stories of the future present. March 8, 6 pm. Segal Graduate School of Business (500 Granville St.). Free. Reservations: 604-291-5100 or cs_hc@sfu.ca.
This/That and the Other Thing Paul Mazzucca, assistant professor at Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, discusses his limited-edition letterpress book This/That and the Other Thing, which explores the cognitive connection between the physical landscape and the printed word. March 12, 7:30-9 pm. Peter Kaye Room, Central Library (350 W. Georgia St.). Free. Info: 604-331-3778.
Zentrepreneurism Allan Holender, author of A Twenty-First Century Guide to the New World of Business, speaks about personal and business transformation. March 13, 7 pm. Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms, Central Library (350 W. Georgia St.). Free. Info: 604-331-3778.
The Slow Down Diet Marc David offers a new way to understand our relationship to food, which focuses on food quality and explores the pleasure of eating to increase energy and improve metabolism. Talk and book signing March 30, 7 pm. Canadian Memorial Centre for Peace (1825 W. 16th Ave.); Tix: $15 at Banyen Books (604-737-8858). Workshop March 31, 9 am-5 pm. Arbutus Club (2001 Nanton Ave.). $185/$200. Registration: 604-738-3663 or springwellnutrition.com.
Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures by Vincent Lam (Anchor, $18) Winner of the 2006 Giller Prize, this collection of short stories follows four characters from their student days through medical school and into their careers as doctors.
The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai (Penguin, $22) Novel set in mid-1980s India that explores cultural identity and the forces of modernization, the ambiguities of post-colonialism, and how happiness comes at a cost when one person’s wealth means another’s poverty.
Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb (Anchor Canada, $21) A British Muslim woman’s quest to maintain faith and love through revolution and social upheaval.
The Song of Kahunsha by Anosh Irani (Anchor Canada, $20) A compelling story of hopes and dreams, and of the fragility of childhood innocence, as seen through the eyes of a young homeless boy.
The Best Life Diet by Bob Greene (S&S, $30) A lifetime plan for losing weight and keeping it off that is easily tailored to an array of tastes, lifestyles, and activity levels.
Ageless: The Naked Truth About Bioidentical Hormones by Suzanne Somers (Crown, $33) An inspiring, medically validated approach to the aging process.
The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Starling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-term Health by T. Colin Campbell & Thomas M. Campbell II (Benbella Books, $23) A summary of health and nutrition findings across rural China and Taiwan that demonstrates the link between nutrition and heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Inside My Heart: Choosing to Live with Passion and Purpose by Robin McGraw (Nelson, $22) A personal account to inspire women to make choices that reflect their priorities and goals.
The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent: Living the Art of Allowing by Esther & Jerry Hicks (Hay House, $19) Achieve goals and desired outcomes more rapidly, while enjoying every step along the path, even before their manifestation.
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne (Beyond Words, $29) Learn to understand the hidden, untapped power that’s within you and how to use The Secret in every aspect of your life—money, health, relationships, happiness.
Natural Capitalism by Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, & L. Hunter Lovins (Little, Brown, and Company, $24) Envisions a bright and earth-friendly future driven by four central business strategies.
The Ethical Imagination by Margaret Somerville (House of Anansi, $19) The author proposes that only through human imagination—by heeding stories, myths, and moral intuition—is it possible to relate to the world.
SharedVISION Hot Titles is compiled by gleaning alternative media and TBM Bookmanager, which reports sales data from more than 200 independent bookstores across Canada. For more information, see bookmanager.com or shared-vision.com.

Literary Events: Reading, Writing, Workshops, and More
15th Annual Vancouver Storytelling Festival A weekend of performances and workshops by storytellers from around the world. Feb. 1-4 at VanDusen Botanical Garden (5251 Oak St.). Tickets at Tickets Tonight (604-231-7535). Info: 604-876-2272 or vancouverstorytelling.org.
We Have a Voice: An Anthology of African & Caribbean Student Writing in B.C. Launch of book that promotes the importance of African and Caribbean studies through the writings of B.C. post-secondary students. Feb. 15, 7:30 pm. Alice MacKay Room, Central Library (350 W. Georgia St.), free. Info: 604-331-3603.
John O’Donohue Irish poet and philosopher leads a talk on Feb. 16, 7:30 pm at Unitarian Church (49th and Oak) and a workshop on Feb. 17, 9 am-4 pm at UBC Botanical Gardens. Tickets $20/$125 at Banyen Books, 604-737-8858.
VANCOUVER WRITES Teams of eight participants—both new and established authors— and a writing coach collaborate to create a piece of fiction or poetry at Performance Works, Granville Island. Feb. 23, 7:30 pm. Admission $20/18. Info: 604-681-6330.
World Poetry 6th Anniversary Gala This evening presents the World Poetry Lifetime Achievement Awards, a tribute to Black Heritage Month, Poetry for Peace in 12 languages, music by the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra, and more! Feb. 23, 7 pm. Alice MacKay Room, Central Library (350 W. Georgia St.), free. Info: 604-331-3603.
ECOKIDS: Raising Children Who Care for the Earth by Dan Chiras (New Society, $25) An inspiring guide for parents to foster love of nature and to teach children the importance of environmental protection.
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH by Al Gore (Rodale, $29) A companion to the former U.S. vice- president’s documentary about the perils of climate change.
TO BE OF USE by Dave Smith (New World, $29) A pioneer in the sustainability business inspires people to reconcile compassionate values with capitalism with the idea that business can be a force for radical change.
WAKING UP THE WEST COAST by Jaime Kowal (New Society, $40) A dynamic resource that educates and offers socially responsible solutions for personal and planetary health.
HEAT: How To Stop the Planet from Burning by George Monbiot (Doubleday, $30) One of the world's leading environmental activists proves that there is a way to constructively cope with climate change.
GREEN BUILDING PRODUCTS by Alex Wilson & Mark Piepkorn (New Society, $42) Discover what it really means to “green” your home. A homeowner and builder’s manual to ensure homes are healthy, safe, beautiful, and efficient.
EARTH DEMOCRACY: Justice, Sustainability, and Peace by Vandana Shiva (South End, $19) Outstanding activist/leader outlines principles for building a just and sustainable future.
CHANGE THE WORLD FOR TEN BUCKS: 50 Actions to Change the World by We Are What We Do (New Society, $10) This non-profit global movement aims to inspire actions of kindness, compassion, and consciousness with its inexpensive suggestions to improve the world.
THE HOME ENERGY DIET: How to Save Money by Making Your House Energy-Smart by Paul Scheckel (New Society, $26) An authoritative guide teeming with energy-saving strategies for cost-effective improvements at home.
THE SUSTAINABLE REVOLUTION: Portrait of a Paradigm Shift by Andres Edwards (New Society, $23) An analysis of sustainability in five sectors—community, commerce, natural resources, ecological design, and the biosphere—that serve as guidelines for policy decisions and future activities.
ECOVILLAGES: A Practical Guide to Sustainable Communities by Jan Martin Bang (New Society, $30) A comprehensive manual for planning, establishing, and maintaining a sustainable community, using a permaculture approach.
SUPERBIA! 31 Ways to Create Sustainable Neighbourhoods by Dan Chiras & Dave Wan (New Society, $28) A book of practical ideas for creating and remaking suburban and urban neighbourhoods more socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable.
SharedVISION Hot Titles are compiled by gleaning from New Society Publishers and TBM Bookmanager (from sales data provided by more than 200 independent bookstores across Canada. The February 2007 lists report from early January).

Literary Events: Reading, Writing, Workshops, and More
CUBA: MUSIC, RUM, AND REVOLUTION Join writer Brendan Sainsbury for the Vancouver launch of the 4th edition of the Lonely Planet's Guidebook to Cuba. Jan. 8, 7:30 pm. Central Library (350 W. Georgia St.). Free. Info: 604-331-3603.
PAUL TALBOT—BOOK LAUNCH Join the author as he launches his new book, Clear the Clutter and Simplify Your Life. Jan. 11, 7:30 pm. Central Library (350 W. Georgia St.). Free. Info: 604-331-3603.
JEAN BARMAN AND JAN HARE—TALK & BOOK SIGNING Authors of Good Intentions Gone Awry give an illustrated talk highlighting the roles of women and aboriginal people in the missionary movement in B.C. Jan. 16, 7:30 pm. Central Library (350 W. Georgia St.). Free. Info: 604-331-3603.
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON & OPEN MIC With poets and guest speakers Sheardown (Quills Magazine) and Manfield and Torres (Room of One’s Own). Jan. 16, 7 pm. The Bump N’ Grind Café (916 Commercial Drive). Contact: binish_pandoras@yahoo.ca.
THE ART OF THE PERSONAL NARRATIVE Readings from authors Farrell, English, and Gadd; a discussion on the writing process. Jan. 25, 7:30 pm. Central Library (350 W. Georgia St.). Info: 604-331-3603.
WRITING FROM THE FRONT LINES WITH LINDA SOLOMON Learn how to create written material that can inspire others. Gain skills to structure clear and powerful pieces. Jan. 26-27. Info:
1-800-933-6339 or registration@hollyhock.ca.
AGELESS: The Naked Truth About Bioidentical Hormones by Suzanne Somers (Crown, $33) An inspiring, medically validated approach to the aging process.
SWEETNESS IN THE BELLY by Camilla Gibb (Anchor Canada, $21) A British Muslim woman’s quest to maintain faith and love through revolution and social upheaval.
FOODS THAT FIGHT CANCER: Preventing and Treating Cancer through Diet by Denis Gingras (M & S, $30) A highly accessible and practical text authored by one of the world’s foremost experts in the groundbreaking area of how food chemistry can fight cancer.
THE BONE-BUILDING SOLUTION by Sam Graci (Wiley, $22) A comprehensive guide to building bone health, providing advice for the teenage years through the sixties and beyond on the prevention and reversing of osteopenia and osteoporosis.
THE BOOK OF SECRETS: Unlocking the Hidden Dimensions of Your Life by Deepak Chopra (Crown Publishing, $21) A collection of insights and wisdom that provides an exquisite new tool for personal breakthrough.
THE ETHICAL IMAGINATION by Margaret Somerville (House Of Anansi, $19) The author proposes that it is only through human imagination—by heeding stories, myths, and moral intuition—that it is possible to relate to the world.
THE UP SIDE OF DOWN: Catastrophe, Creativity, and the Renewal of Civilization by Thomas Homer-Dixon (Knopf, $37) A mind-stretching tour of societies’ management, or mismanagement, of disasters over time.
HEAT: How To Stop the Planet from Burning by George Monbiot (Doubleday, $30) One of the world’s leading environmental activists proves that there is a way to constructively cope with climate change.
THE END OF FOOD by Thomas F. Pawlick (Grey Stone, $25) How corporations are destroying the food supply.
INSIDE MY HEART: Choosing to Live with Passion and Purpose by Robin McGraw (Nelson, $22) A personal account to inspire women to make choices that reflect their heart’s truest priorities and highest goals.
UNIVERSE IN A SINGLE ATOM: The Convergence of Science and Spirituality by the Dalai Lama (Morgan Road, $19) An analysis of why all avenues of inquiry—scientific and spiritual—must be pursued to arrive at the truth.
EXPLORING THE LEVELS OF CREATION by Sylvia Browne (Hay House, $24) An exploration of the structure of Creation suggesting there is purpose and order in our sometimes seemingly chaotic world and existence.
SharedVISION Hot Titles are compiled by gleaning from Conscious Choice and TBM Bookmanager, from sales data provided by more than 200 independent bookstores across Canada. The January 2007 lists report from early December. For more information and a list of contributing booksellers, see bookmanager.com or shared-vision.com.
CEO of Hollyhock, hollyhock.ca, registration@hollyhock.ca
by ERICA GEHRKE
What book is on your bedside table?
The Speed of Light by Elizabeth Rosner (Ballentine Books, $19.95).
How did you come across the book?
The author was recommended to us at Hollyhock as an extraordinary presenter.
Page-turner or doorstop?
Definitely a page-turner!
Would you put it on your Desert Island list?
Absolutely, it is one of those books I think about many times after having read it.
How would you describe the book in one word?
Haunting
If you had to design a poster for the book, what would it look like?
All glowy and yellow and orange. Maybe with an old wooden chair to express the history, and to suggest the untold story may be greater than the difficult truth.
What’s the main idea/theme of this book?
A haunting tale of timeless secrets about three unique people who overcome the tragedies of the past and reconnect with one another and the world around them.
List three new words you learned in the book.
Gegenschein (counter-glow; faint patch of light), deliquescent (becoming liquid on exposure to air), triple-point (the particular temperature and pressure at which the solid, liquid, and gaseous phases of a given substance are all at equilibrium with one another).
Who would you recommend the book to?
People who enjoy complexity and depth and an excellent quick read at the same time.
What’s the paragraph re-read factor, on a scale of one to ten?
nine-juicy! But if it means hard to understand then a two.
By Erica Gehrke, our Circus Trapeze Artist and Star Associate Editor.
CBC Radio news reporter, registered yoga teacher (RYT) and (MCT) Mother in Continual Training (currently in lesson IV: the early teen years)
by ERICA GEHRKE
What book is on your bedside table?
The Silence of the Heart by Paul Ferrini.
How did you come across the book?
Serendipitous moment in Banyen Books.
Page-turner or doorstop?
The former . . . but could be both, in a pinch, which only adds to its practicality.
Would you put it on your Desert Island list?
Right up there with The Power of Now, The Joy of Sex, The Nonsense Verse of Lewis Carroll, the complete Harry Potter series, and Good Night Moon.
How would you describe the book in one word?
Satchitananda (Sanskrit word meaning: being, consciousness, and bliss).
If you had to design a poster for the book, what would it look like?
The actual cover shows a beautiful detail from one of Titian’s paintings of a beatific Jesus. My cover would show my sleeping daughter’s also beatific face, our two cats purring by her side. An artful border of tea-stained, glitter-glued rainbow Corinthian columns reads: “If only I stay up ’til midnight working on this, I know my kid will get an ‘A’ in Mr. Schmidt’s Grade 6 Socials class.” Did I mention, I’m a Mom?
What’s the main idea/theme of this book?
Embracing the divine self, courageously encountering the “dark wings” of our pain with compassion, to find that spiritual alchemy that turns the base metal of suffering back into the gold of our true nature: bliss. The realization of how original sin is a flimsy mask to original innocence. How we can’t blame others for our suffering. How the bastards in your life are just there to remind you of your beauty.
Who would you recommend the book to?
George Bush, fundamentalists everywhere, and all three Dixie Chicks.
By Erica Gehrke, SharedVision's Assistant Editor.

Literary Events: Reading, Writing, Workshops, and More
OHN KAIN—TALK & BOOKSIGNING Oregon-based author John Kain shares his views on how to choose the spiritual guru that’s right for you in his book A Rare and Precious Thing—The Possibilities and Pitfalls of working with Teacher. Thursday, Dec. 7, 7:30-9:30 pm, Central Library (350 W. Georgia St.). Free. For more info, contact the Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
Arthur Black Canadian funny man Arthur Black will read from his latest book Black Gold: Nuggets from a Lifetime of Laughs, a collection of his most humourous musings to date. Monday Dec. 13, 7:30 pm, Alice MacKay Room in the Lower Level of the Central Library (350 West Georgia St.). Free. For more info, contact the Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
City Poets series—World Poetry Vancouver-based World Beat poets Ariadne Sawyer and Alejandro Mujica-Olea host a bilingual poetry and music jam on Monday, Dec. 18, 7:30 pm at the Alice MacKay Room in the Lower Level of the Central Library (350 West Georgia St.). They’ll be dropping their rhymes with special guests Jan Furst, Carole MacRury, Edgar Garcia, Naomi Narvey, Mary Duffy and The West End Choir. Free. For more information please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in the Robson Reading Series Marking the 17th anniversary of the Montreal massacre, this Dec. 6 event is geared to raise awareness of the ongoing efforts to make our cities, towns, workplaces, and homes free of violence against women. Special guests include authors Pauline Holdstock and Charlotte Gill. Readings start at 7 pm at the UBC Robson Square Bookstore.
Untitled Document
CANADIAN FICTION
- THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BRIDGE by Mary Lawson (Knopf, $35) A novel of jealousy, rivalry and the dangers of obsession.
- THREE DAY ROAD by Joseph Boyden (Penguin, $22) The journey of two Cree Indians who leave Northern Canada to fight in the First World War.
- APRIL FOOL by William Deverell (M&S, $11) A retired lawyer, now a hobby farmer on B.C.’s Garibaldi Island, is dragged back to court to defend an old client who has been accused of rape and murder.
- THE VIEW FROM CASTLE ROCK by Alice Munro (M&S, $35) A collection of short stories drawn from the author’s personal material.
- SECRETS FROM THE VINYL CAFÉ by Stuart McLean (Penguin Canada, $34) A collection of family secrets, lies, aliases, double lives, and everyday transgressions.
HEALTHY LIVING
- LIFE IN THE BALANCE: My Journey with Breast Cancer by Marla Shapiro (Harper Collins, $30) The author’s intimate and inspiring account of her battle with breast cancer.
- AGELESS: The Naked Truth About Bioidentical Hormones by Suzanne Somers (Crown, $33) An inspiring, medically validated approach to the aging process.
- YOU ON A DIET: The Owner’s Manual by Michael F. Roizen & Mehmet C. Oz (S&S, $32) A life-changing how-to guide for enhancing the quality of life.
- ALLEN CARR’S EASY WAY TO STOP SMOKING by Allen Carr (Clarity, $20)
- MORE NATURAL “CURES” REVEALED by Kevin Trudeau (Alliance, $30) An advocate of natural healing methods.
CURRENT AFFAIRS
- STATE OF DENIAL: Bush at War, Part III by Bob Woodward (Simon & Schuster, $36) An inside journey from the start of the Iraq War in 2003 to the present day.
- THE ETHICAL IMAGINATION by Margaret Somerville (Anansi, $19) The author proposes that it is only through human imagination that it is possible to relate to the world.
- AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH by Al Gore (Rodale, $29) A companion to the former U.S. vice-president’s documentary about the perils of climate change.
- RACE AGAINST TIME by Stephen Lewis (Anansi, $19) The former UN envoy chronicles the AIDS crisis in Africa and discusses possible solutions.
- HEAT: How To Stop the Planet from Burning by George Monbiot (Doubleday, $30) One of the world’s leading environmental activists shows that there is a way to constructively cope with climate change.
SPIRITUALITY
- LIFE AFTER DEATH: The Burden of Proof by Deepak Chopra (Harmony, $32)
- THE POWER OF NOW: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle (New World, $20) Live in the moment.
- THE FOUR AGREEMENTS: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz (Amber-Allen, $16) A code of personal conduct, based on ancient Toltec wisdom.
- A NEW EARTH: Awakening To Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle (Plume, $18). Making a new paradigm based on authentic choices.
- ASK AND IT IS GIVEN: Learning to Manifest Your Dreams by Esther and Jerry Hicks (HayHouse, $18) How to create the life you desire.

Literary Events: Reading, Writing, Workshops, and More
Two Poets in the Robson Reading Series Two of Canada’s best-loved poets, bill bissett and Steve McOrmond, are brought together. Bissett is a rare man, with personality to burn and a style all to himself. Nominated for a number of awards, McOrmond has a new book pending this fall. Nov. 2, 7 pm, UBC Robson Square Plaza. Free.
BRANDON BAYS British author (The Journey) gives a talk “Freedom is Liberating your Boundless Potential.” Book signing to follow. Nov. 6, 7:30 pm, Vancouver Public Library (350 W. Georgia). Free.
The Upside of Down: Catastrophe, Creativity and the Renewal of Civilization Author Thomas Homer Dixon, director of the Centre for the Study of Peace and Conflict and associate professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto, leads a lecture and discussion. Nov. 6, 7:30 pm, UBC Robson Square Plaza. Free.
GEORGE MONBIOT British environmentalist, protester, author, and columnist for The Guardian, reads and discusses issues from his critically acclaimed book Heat: How to Stop the Planet from Burning, which discusses solutions and challenges in the fight on global warming. Nov. 15, 7:30 pm, Canadian Memorial Church (15th and Burrard). Free.
MARK L. TOMPKINS and JENNIFER MCMAHON Writing duo give a talk on their new book,
Illuminations, a collection of art, photographs, prose, poetry, and interview excerpts from more than 180 contributors from 43 countries all dealing with personal spiritual experiences. Nov. 30, 7:30 pm, Vancouver Public Library (350 W. Georgia). Free.
CANADIAN FICTION
- 1 LIFE OF PI by Yann Martel (Seal, $11) A magical story of a young Indian
boy who moves to Canada and must survive a shipwreck with a Bengal tiger.
- MORAL
DISORDER by Margaret Atwood (M&S, $33) This collection of short
stories traces the course of a woman's life from the 1930s to the present.
- THREE DAY ROAD by Joseph Boyden (Penguin, $22) The journey of two Cree Indians
who leave Northern Canada to fight in the First World War.
- SWEETNESS IN THE
BELLY by Camilla Gibb (Anchor Canada, $21) A British Muslim woman’s quest
to maintain faith and love through revolution and social upheaval.
- KNIGHTS
OF BLACK AND WHITE by Jack Whyte (Viking, $36) The first in a trilogy about
the Knights Templar.
HEALTHY LIVING
- ALLEN CARR’S EASY WAY TO STOP SMOKING by Allen Carr (Clarity,
$20) A how-to guide for quitters.
- YOU: The Owner’s Manual by Michael
F. Roizen & Mehmet C. Oz (Harper
Collins, $33) A life-changing how-to guide for enhancing the quality of life.
- NATURAL CURES THEY DON’T WANT
YOU TO KNOW ABOUT by Kevin Trudeau (Alliance, $37) A guide to natural remedies
often overlooked.
- LIFE IN THE BALANCE: My Journey with Breast Cancer by Marla
Shapiro (Harper Collins, $30)
- MORE NATURAL “CURES” REVEALED
by Kevin Trudeau (Alliance, $30).
CURRENT AFFAIRS
- RACE AGAINST TIME by Stephen Lewis (Anansi, $19) The former UN envoy
chronicles the AIDS crisis in Africa and discusses solutions.
- AN INCONVENIENT
TRUTH by Al Gore (Rodale, $29) A companion to the documentary about the
perils of climate change.
- THE TIPPING POINT by Malcolm Gladwell (Back Bay,
$22) How small ideas can create large social changes.
- TOWERS OF DECEPTION:
The Media Cover-Up of 9/11 by Barrie Zwicker (New Society, $28) Examines
evidence suggesting 9/11 was an inside job.
- SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL:
The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda by Roméo
Dallaire with Brent Beardsley (Vintage Canada, $25) A first-hand account
of Dallaire's struggle to find reconciliation and hope.
SPIRITUALITY
- A NEW EARTH: Awakening To Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle
(Plume, $18). Author of the bestseller The Power Of Now, on making a new
paradigm based on authentic choices.
- THE FOUR AGREEMENTS: A Practical Guide
to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz (Amber-Allen, $20) Code of ethics
based on ancient Toltec wisdom.
- THE POWER OF NOW: A Guide to Spiritual
Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle (New World, $20) Live in the moment, to
rediscover consciousness.
- INSIDE MY HEART: Choosing to Live with Passion
and Purpose by Robin McGraw
(Nelson, $22) A personal account to inspire women to make choices that
reflect their heart's truest priorities and highest goals.
- ASK AND IT IS
GIVEN: Learning to Manifest Your Dreams by Esther & Jerry
Hicks (HayHouse, $18) How to create the life you desire.

Literary Events: Reading, Writing, Workshops, and More
DEREK HAYES Widely-published author speaks on the making of his latest work, The Historical Atlas of Vancouver and the Lower Fraser Valley. Oct. 2, 7 pm. Vancouver Public Library (350 W. Georgia). Free.
JEFFREY ARMSTRONG Astrologist and author reads from his new book, The Vedia Astrology Deck: Find Your Hidden Potential Using Ancient India's Science of the Stars. Oct. 12 & 13, 6:30-8 pm. Ayurveda (3636 W. 4th). Free.
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL WRITERS AND READERS FESTIVAL More than 80 authors, playwrights, and poets from around the world gather for readings, book signings, and lectures. Highlights include David Sedaris, Margaret Atwood, Vikram Seth, and Alice Munro. Oct 18-22 at various Granville Island venues. Tix: ticketmaster.ca or 604-280- 3311. Info: writersfest.bc.ca
ADRIENNE CLARKSON Former Governor General of Canada presents stories from her recently-published memoir, Heart Matters. Oct. 22, Chan Shun Concert Hall (Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, UBC). Tix: ticketmaster.ca or 604-280-3311.
MYSTERY BOOK CLUB Weekly book club devoted to mystery literature meets at the Vancouver Public Library. Thursdays, 7-9 pm, Sept. through April. Info: vpl.ca
WISDOM MASTER MATICINTIN Author of Secrets of the Golden Spiral: Handbook for Enlightenment, this spiritual leader and founder of the HUMUH Monastery and Retreat Centre in the B.C.’s Kettle River Valley speaks on “life as a dream time, with its capabilities to reach enlightenment.” Oct. 27, 7 pm. Vancouver Public Library. Free.
MURRAY OXMAN, author of The How to Easily Handle Diffcult People Handbook identifies different types of difficult people and offers strategic advice for how to successfully communicate with and respond to them. Oct. 10, 7:30 pm. Central Library.
CANADIAN FICTION
- THE WRECKAGE by Michael Crummey (Anchor, $21) A strife-torn love story between a Newfoundland Catholic girl and a Protestant boy.
- KNIGHTS OF BLACK AND WHITE by Jack Whyte (Viking, $36) The first in a trilogy about the Knights Templar.
- CROW LAKE by Mary Lawson (Seal, $11) A Northern Ontario family struggles through the aftermath of their parents’ death in an auto accident.
- THE EAGLE by Jack Whyte (Viking, $12) Conclusion to the popular Arthurian series.
- SWEETNESS IN THE BELLY by Camilla Gibb (AnchorCanada, $21) A British Muslim woman’s quest to maintain faith and love through revolution and social upheaval.
- THREE DAY ROAD by Joseph Boyden (Penguin, $22) The journey of two Cree Indians who leave Northern Canada to fight in the First World War.
- A COMPLICATED KINDNESS by Miriam Toews (Knopf, $22) Two women disappear and a young girl is left with her father in a stifling Mennonite town.
- THE BIRTH HOUSE by Ami McKay (Knopf Canada, $30) An Acadian woman fights medical convention to preserve the art of midwifery.
- THE GIRLS by Lori Lansens (VintageCanada, $21) A former conjoined twin reflects on the profound bond she shares with her sister.
- THE TIME IN BETWEEN by David Bergen (M&S, $21) A Canadian’s emotional return to Vietnam 30 years after fighting there as a reluctant soldier.
HEALTHY LIVING
- FOODS THAT FIGHT CANCER: Preventing and Treating Cancer through Diet by Denis Gingras (M&S, $30)
- NATURAL CURES THEY DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT by Kevin Trudeau (Alliance, $37) A guide to natural remedies often overlooked by traditional medicine.
- ALLEN CARR’S EASY WAY TO STOP SMOKING by Allen Carr (Clarity, $20) An updated version of the how-to guide for quitters everywhere.
- MORE NATURAL “CURES” REVEALED by Kevin Trudeau (Alliance, $30)
- YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT: The Plan That Will Change Your Life by Gillian McKeith (Penguin, $23)
- THE HIDDEN MESSAGES IN WATER by Masaru Emoto (Beyond Words, $24) Examines the power of water to hold and transmit human emotions.
- THE TRUE POWER OF WATER: Healing and Discovering Ourselves by Masaru Emoto (Beyond Words, $24) Also a Healthy Living bestseller.
- WHEN THE BODY SAYS NO: The Cost of Hidden Stress by Gabor Mate, M.D. (Vintage Canada, $23) Local doctor and writer explores the mind/body connection and the immune system.
- HEAL YOUR BODY by Louise Hay (HayHouse, $10) How to transform negative emotions through positive thought.
- DR. JOSHI’S DETOX: 21 Days to a Healthier Slimmer You For Life by Nish Joshi (HodderHeadline, $20)
CURRENT AFFAIRS
- AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH by Al Gore (Rodale, $29) A companion to the former U.S. vice-president’s documentary about the perils of climate change.
- RACE AGAINST TIME 2nd Edition by Stephen Lewis (Anansi, $19) The former UN envoy chronicles the AIDS crisis in Africa and discusses possible solutions.
- THE TIPPING POINT: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell (Little Brown, $22) Engaging book on how small ideas can create large social changes.
- DARK AGE AHEAD by Jane Jacobs (Vintage Canada, $21) A scrutiny of impending cultural decay through current political and social systems.
- SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda by Roméo Dallaire with Brent Beardsley (Vintage Canada, $25)
- END OF FOOD by Thomas F. Pawlick (GreyStone, $25) How corporations are destroying the food supply.
- RACE AGAINST TIME by Stephen Lewis (Anansi, $19)
- THE FAILED STATES: The Abuse of Power and the Assault of Democracy by Noam Chomsky (Metropolitan, $32)
- FIASCO: The American Military Adventure In Iraq by Thomas E Ricks (Penguin, $37)
- THE END OF POVERTY: Economic Possibilities for Our Time by Jeffrey D. Sachs (Penguin, $23) Economist’s plan to improve lives of the poor.
SPIRITUALITY
- THE FOUR AGREEMENTS: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz (Amber-Allen, $20) A code of personal conduct based on ancient Toltec wisdom.
- THE POWER OF NOW: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle (New World, $20)
- ASK AND IT IS GIVEN: Learning to Manifest Your Dreams by Esther & Jerry Hicks (HayHouse, $21) How to create the life you desire.
- DREAMHEALER 2: A Guide to Healing and Self-Empowerment by Adam (Penguin Canada, $18) How we all have the ability to affect our own health.
- LEFT TO TELL: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculée Ilibagiza with Steve Erwin (HayHouse, $20) A survivor of genocide discovers spirituality and the power of forgiveness.
- THE POWER OF INTENTION: Learning to Co-Create Your World Your Way by Wayne W. Dyer (HayHouse, $23) A text for living purposefully.
- A NEW EARTH: Awakening To Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle (Plume, $18)
- THE HIDDEN MESSAGES IN WATER by Masaru Emoto (Beyond Words, $24) Also a Healthy Living Bestseller.
- THE HOLY BLOOD AND THE HOLY GRAIL by Michael Baigent, et al. (RandomHouse, $15) Three authors’ quest for the truth behind the Holy Grail.
- WAY OF THE PEACEFUL WARRIOR by Dan Millman (HJ Kramer, $16) Inspired by the film about a mentor relationship that ignites a young man to discover himself.

Literary Events: Reading, Writing, Workshops, and More
KEITH DOWMAN Renowned Buddhist teacher and author (Flight of the Garuda, Sky Dancer, Masters of the Mahamudra) will give a talk and book signing during his annual teaching journey from his home in Kathmandu. Sept. 6, 6:30-8:30 pm at Ayurveda (3636 W. 4th), Free.
Tony Penikett Former premier of the Yukon, ex-BC deputy minister and now a Vancouver-based mediator, Penikett reads from his new book, Reconciliation: First Nations Treaty Making in British Columbia. Penikett has been involved in aboriginal rights negotiations for over 20 years. Tuesday, Sept. 12, 3:30-4:30 pm. Information: 604-291-5100 or dialogue-info@sfu.ca.
MICHAEL MEADE Reading and book signing from the author of The Water of Life. Sept 13, 7 pm at Vancouver Public Library (350 W. Georgia), Free.
DAVID AND SABRINAH FIDELER Reading from their book Love’s Alchemy: Poems from the Sugi Tradition. Sept. 19, 7 pm at Vancouver Public Library (350 W. Georgia), Free.
BHAGAVAN DAS Kirtan master, yogi and author of It's Here Now (Are You)? gives a talk/chant and book signing session. Sept. 21, 6:30 pm at Ayurveda (3636 W. 4th). Free.
BIG TREES, NOT BIG STUMPS Book Launch Party Join Paul George and the Wilderness Committee for a celebration to launch their new book Big Trees, Not Big Stumps. Three years in the making, this 500 page tome and accompanying DVD compiles over 560 photos, cartoons, music videos, and 2 hours of unreleased video footage of the Committee’s campaigns. Features a First Nations welcome song and dance, local celebrities, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, and a no-host bar. Sept. 20, 7-10 pm at the Roundhouse Community Centre. Tickets: $15 each or 2 for $25 from 604-683-8220 or wildernesscommittee.org.
CANADIAN FICTION
- A MAP OF GLASS by Jane Urquhart (M&S, $21) Two parallel stories about love, loss, and place.
- THREE DAY ROAD by Joseph Boyden (Penguin, $22) The journey of two Cree Indians
who leave Northern Canada to fight in the First World War.
- THE TIME IN BETWEEN by David Bergen (M&S, $21) A Canadian’s emotional
return to Vietnam 30 years after fighting there as a reluctant soldier.
- THE GIRLS by Lori Lansens (VintageCanada, $21) A former conjoined twin reflects
on the profound bond she shares with her sister.
- A COMPLICATED KINDNESS by Miriam Toews (Knopf, $22) Two women disappear and
a young girl is left with her father in a stifling Mennonite town.
- SWEETNESS IN THE BELLY by Camilla Gibb (AnchorCanada, $21) A British Muslim
woman’s quest to maintain faith and love through revolution and social
upheaval.
- THE WRECKAGE by Michael Crummey (Anchor, $21) A strife-torn love story between
a Newfoundland Catholic girl and a Protestant boy caught between religion and
the Second World War.
- CROW LAKE by Mary Lawson (Seal, $11) A Northern Ontario family struggles
through the aftermath of their parents’ death in an auto accident.
- THE BIRTH HOUSE by Ami McKay (Knopf Canada, $30) An Acadian woman fights
medical convention to preserve the art of midwifery.
- BOOK OF LONGING by Leonard Cohen (M&S, $33) A collection of poetry and art
from the Canadian icon; his first book in 22 years.
HEALTHY LIVING
- ALLEN CARR’S EASY WAY TO STOP SMOKING by Allen Carr (Clarity, $20) An updated version of the how-to guide for quitters everywhere.
- THE HIDDEN MESSAGES IN WATER by Masaru Emoto (Beyond Words, $24) Examines
the power of water to hold and transmit human emotions.
- BOB GREENE’S TOTAL BODY MAKEOVER by Bob Greene (Simon&Schuster, $19)
- FOODS THAT FIGHT CANCER: Preventing and Treating Cancer through Diet by
Denis Gingras (M&S, $30)
- THE TRUE POWER OF WATER: Healing and Discovering Ourselves by Masaru Emoto
(Beyond Words, $24).
- YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT: The Plan That Will Change Your
Life by Gillian McKeith (Penguin, $23)
- NATURAL CURES THEY DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT by Kevin Trudeau (Alliance, $37) A guide to natural remedies often overlooked by traditional medicine.
- FRENCH WOMEN DON’T GET FAT: The Secret Of Eating For Pleasure by Mireille Guiliano (Knopf, $33)
- MORE NATURAL “CURES” REVEALED by Kevin Trudeau (Alliance, $30)
- WHEN THE BODY SAYS NO: The Cost of Hidden Stress by Gabor Mate, M.D.
(Vintage Canada, $23) Local doctor and writer explores the mind/body connection
and immune system.
CURRENT AFFAIRS
- AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
by Al Gore (Rodale, $29) Former U.S. vice-president on the perils of climate
change.
- THE TIPPING POINT: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
by Malcolm Gladwell (Little Brown, $22) Engaging book on how small ideas
can create large social changes.
- RACE AGAINST TIME by Stephen Lewis
(Anansi, $19) Former UN envoy on the AIDS crisis in Africa.
- SHAKE HANDS
WITH THE DEVIL: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda by Roméo Dallaire with Brent Beardsley (Vintage Canada, $25)
- FAILED STATES: The Abuse of Power and the Assault of Democracy by Noam
Chomsky (Metropolitan, $32)
- THE END OF POVERTY: Economic Possibilities
for Our Time by Jeffrey D. Sachs (Penguin, $23) Economist’s plan to improve the lives of the world’s
poorest one billion people.
- END OF FOOD by Thomas F. Pawlick (GreyStone,
$25) How corporations are destroying the food supply.
- DARK AGE AHEAD
by Jane Jacobs (Vintage Canada, $21) A scrutiny of impending cultural
decay.
- THE COLLAPSE OF GLOBALISM by John Ralston Saul (Penguin Canada,
$34)
- THE END OF FAITH: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason by
Sam Harris (WW Norton, $18) A call for the end of religious faith in the
modern world.
SPIRITUALITY
- THE FOUR AGREEMENTS: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel
Ruiz (Amber-Allen, $20) A code of personal conduct based on ancient Toltec
wisdom.
- THE POWER OF NOW: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart
Tolle (New World, $20) Live in the moment, to rediscover consciousness.
- ASK AND IT IS GIVEN: Learning to Manifest Your Dreams by Esther and
Jerry Hicks (HayHouse, $18) How to create the life you desire.
- DREAMHEALER
2: A Guide to Healing and Self-Empowerment by Adam (Penguin Canada, $18)
A young distant-energy healer explains how we all have the ability to
impact our own health.
- THE PATH OF THE DREAMHEALER: The Quantum World
of Energy Healing by Adam (Penguin Canada, $30)
- THE HIDDEN MESSAGES
IN WATER by Masaru Emoto (Beyond Words, $24) Also a Healthy Living Bestseller.
- LEFT TO TELL: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculée Ilibagiza with Steve Erwin (HayHouse, $20) A survivor of genocide discovers spirituality.
- THE HOLY BLOOD AND THE HOLY GRAIL by Michael Baigent, et al. (RandomHouse,
$15) Three authors’ quest
for the truth behind the Holy Grail.
- THE BOOK OF SECRETS: Unlocking
The Hidden Dimensions Of Your Life by Deepak Chopra (Crown Publishing,
$21)
- THE POWER OF INTENTION: Learning to Co-Create Your World Your
Way by Wayne Dyer (HayHouse, $23) A text for living purposefully.
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