BookLust

Post Christmas Cheer...

It is always at this time of the rolling year that I suffer most. Those post-Christmas blues. Holiday purgatory. Christmas is over, and New Year's is yet to come. How to battle the blahs? Throw out some more linky-links, of course!

Here's a few gems to tide you over 'til New Year's Eve:

Kimbooktu
You'll never guess what her blog is about! Gadgets for book lovers!! She's found some amazing unique items, I must say. Gifts, jewelry, books, games and whatever book-related item comes her way. Of course this means I'll have to spend more money, dammit.

The Books of My Numberless Dreams
A lovely new book blog I recently discovered, written by a very bright, witty and talented young Jamaican gal who for the time being is "lost in Canada".

Newyorkette
Delightful blog by a really talented lady. Carolita Johnson is funny and smart and just happens to draw cartoons for The New Yorker. Oh yeah, and she's a freelance illustrator who just happens to have her masters in Literature and Linguistics, and is, well...a model in her spare time. Great. Now I'm really depressed.

Guess What I Got fer Christmas?

Yes. Finally. A digital camera. It's a Canon Powershot (can't remember the number). I'm still learning, so my first batch will be a tad rough around the edges. I don't yet know how to link my Flickr photo page on to my Typepad account (anyone who knows, please tell me!), so just click here to see some of my Christmas photos of the house!

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas!

Christmas Gifty Linky-Links

This will more than likely be my last post before the Holidays begin (We're hosting an open house on the 23rd, and I'm still working on some book illustration projects, though thankfully, one of the big projects is finally finished! Hooray!)

So in the spirit of the Season, I want to pass on to you some links that I hope you will enjoy – think of it as my Christmas gift to you! (Yeah, I know, boy that gal is cheap).

Here are a few blogs that I highly recommend, if you don't already know of them:

Very Short Novels
Just what the blog title says. Snippets of stellar writing, by a really, really talented guy who is also a cartoonist, copywriter, illustrator and graphic designer. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't hate this dude.

Seen Reading
Once again, just what the blog title says, ok? She sees you reading on the subway in Toronto, tries to estimate where you are in your book, goes and gets book, writes down section from book she thinks you're reading, as well as a lovely description of you, and what you're all about. Why the hell didn't I think of this brilliant idea, dammit?

BooksEtc.
I'm particularly thrilled about this blog, 'cuz I feel that I had a part to play in its creation. Ok, not really, but did I nag this lady close to death to try and get her to get off her fanny and start writing a blog 'cuz I knew she would love blogging, and in turn, that others would love her blog. This gal can write, and she has an amazing sense of humour.

When it comes to Christmas music, the best radio station to listen to as far as I'm concerned is AM 740. There's a section you can click on so you can hear this station on your computer, so no matter where you are in the world, you should be able to connect to this station. AM 740 plays some of the best old lounge lizard music, do-wop, jazz, and lots of old-time favourites, and it really has been my saviour while I slave away in my little studio.

And finally, for any of you who missed it last year, here's a link to my little interview on Rex Murphy's radio program Cross Country Check-Up. The program is a Christmas special they do every year, where they have  listeners call in to recommend their favourite books, as well as a few special guests talking for about  ten minutes each about their own treasured  books they would recommend to others. I was one of the special guests (go figure), and I come in about half-way through the program (56:20).

Here's a link to an mp3 file of the show, as well as a link to the show via Real Player.

So there ya go! Don't say I never gave ya nuthin'! And of course...Merry Christmas!

TRANSITory Reading 8

Actually, I really should title this post TRANSITory Evesdropping, 'cuz that's what I was honestly doing on the subway yesterday morning. But I couldn't help myself!

I was travelling on the subway, happily reading Bill Gaston's amazing collection of short stories, Gargoyles, when I suddenly heard a very familiar voice. It was, of all people, Evan Solomon, co-host of CBC's SUNDAY as well as the book program Hot Type. Well there Evan was, standing right in front of me on the subway, chatting to a friend he just happened to bump into on the train. Now I confess that I have been rather critical of Mr. Solomon in the past (he can come across as so arrogant on TV), but I gotta say that he was very warm and friendly and personable (and rather good-looking, I must say), as I hid behind my book pretending to read a story by Mr. Gaston. Just goes to show that so often media types are not how they appear on televison. Does this mean I may even like George Stoumboulopoulos if I met him in person? Hmmm...

Anyway, Evan's friend was talking about his future trip to Cuba, and how he wants to do more writing, but wasn't sure what kind of writing he should do, since he felt that he had to take into consideration what the market was interested in publishing. Evan told his friend that one could try to write 'what sells' but in the long run it was best to write about what you are interested in, what you are passionate about, because the writing will of course be authentic and true, and in the end, most editors will pick up on that. He used the example of Mordecai Richler, who apparently when he first tried his hand at writing, made the attempt to write myseries, because he figured that kind of genre would sell. Well, we all know Richler never published any mysteries, because according to Solomon, he just couldn't write that kind of book. Solomon also used a similar example with the author Martin Amis, but I couldn't quite hear the example used, because remember I was evesdropping on a conversation on the subway. (But let's face it – I know damn well I wasn't the only one listening in on these two, ok? These guys were a tad loud and very energetic and interesting).

It was a surreal experience to put it mildly. Here I was, listening to this media dude, whom I have often watched interview authors on his show Hot Type, who was now standing right in front of me, talking about books, writing and authors. It was like one of his book shows on TV, except that if I had wanted to, I could just reach over and touch him! (Of course I wouldn't do that, silly).

You know, even though I could not stand let alone finish Solomon's novel Crossing The Distance, I agree wholeheartedly with his sentiments on writing. I may have not enjoyed Solomon's book, but he wrote what he was interested in, what he was passionate about, and hats off to him for doing that. And I was so in agreement with what he was saying to his friend, it was all I could do to control myself and not jump out of my seat exclaiming, "Yes! Yes! Oh Evan you media cutie, you're so right!!" Thank goodness common sense prevailed in this instance.

So the lesson here is...always pay attention to what is around you, even on the subway! You never know when and where you will find inspiration!

How Could I Forget?

Here's one more Christmas book recommendation that slipped my mind – shame on me! In my world, it's not really Christmas unless you're snuggled up in your favourite jammies with a hot drink, a warm blanket and a few fat kitties, and you're reading Christmas At The New Yorker. This was one of my Christmas gifts last year (hugs and kisses, Guido!), and I shall read it every Christmas from now on, as part of my Christmas reading rituals.

The book is a delicious cornucopia of stories, poems, humour and art all about this crazy time of year. Beautiful New Yorker Christmas covers are scattered throughout the book, both old and more contemporary illustrations. I found this one particularly charming, as I've always had a sweet spot for the artwork of Helen Hopkinson:

You will recognize some of the Christmas stories in this collection from Alberto Manguel's Penguin Book of Christmas Stories, but there are many other wonderful contributors, such as: H.L. Mencken, Odgen Nash, Calvin Trillin, E.B. White, Roger Angell, S.J. Perelman, Harold Ross and James Thurber.

At the end of the book is a delightful selection of New Yorker Christmas poems, which may not exactly put you in the traditional Christmas spirit, but will certainly make you laugh and ponder:

Christmas Family Reunion
Peter De Vries – 1949

Since last the tutelary hearth
Has seen this bursting pod of kin,
I've thought how good the family mold,
How solid and how genuine.

Now once again the aunts are here,
The uncles, sisters, brothers,
With candy in the children's hair,
The grownups in each other's.

There's talk of saving room for pie;
Grandma discusses her neuralgia.
I long for time to pass so I
Can think of all this with nostalgia.

One last tidbit from this charming book. Probably my favourite Charles Addams cartoon, ever:

Read Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

The Holiday Season is a very busy time, but I do hope that everyone does try and set aside some quality reading time, as a Christmas present to oneself. I sure plan on it! And what is Christmas, if one does not partake in the reading of stories specifically about this glorious time of year? If you are bored with the usual Christmas reading fare on your plate, or you simply cannot think of anything to read at all that speaks of this festive, and yes, sometimes not-so-festive Season, then please allow me to suggest some interesting titles to add to your Christmas reading list:

Auggie Wren's Christmas Story
by Paul Auster with illustrations by Isol
I'm always attracted to small-sized books, and this is certainly one of the reasons I picked up this gem. It's a small hard-cover illustrated book that sits comfortably in one's hand, and is a visual joy, as well as being a charming Christmas tale. If you  know anything about the work of Paul Auster, then you'll know that he often writes himself into his works of fiction, and this little tale is no different – the author is in a funk because he has been asked by The New York Times to write a Christmas story that will appear in the paper on Christmas morning, but Auster's problem is that he has no idea how to write such a story without it becoming predictably sentimental. Lucky for Auster, his friend Auggie Wren (love the name!) says he will tell Auster the best Christmas story ever, as long as Auster buys him lunch. And so begins Wren's anything-but-sentimental Christmas fable, all about giving and truth and stealing. The collage-like illustrations by Isol are perfect for this tale – quirky and engaging, and, yes, anything but sentimental. Here's one of my fave illos from the book, and if you know anything about me, you'll understand why I like this illo so much!

Holidays On Ice
by David Sedaris
What's The Holidays without some good ol' fashioned Christmas dysfunction? Anyone can write a jolly good Christmas tale, but it takes a special kind of person to look at this Season with a dark, twisted and hilarious eye. David Sedaris' collection of six twisted Christmas stories reminds us that this time of year can often go seriously wrong, and so above all else, we must be able to retain our sense of humour (a few stiff drinks couldn't hurt, either). I especially enjoyed his first tale, SantaLand Diaries about Sedaris' crazy experiences working as an elf at Macy's. Also memorable is Season's Greetings to Our Friends and Family!!! one of those oh-so-familiar-and-damned-annoying family Christmas newsletters that gradually begings to dissolve into a litany of horrid dysfunctional incidences. Good fun for the whole family! And of course, I adore the cover design. Makes me thirsty just looking at it...

Feast of the Seven Fishes:
The Collected Comic Strip & Italian Holiday Cookbook
Written by Robert Tinnell, Art by Ed Piskor & Alex Saviuk,
Cookbook Author/Editor Shannon Tinnell
Now this is not your average graphic novel, to be sure. A story about Christmas, and family, and love and Italian culture and...fish. Lots and lots of fish...eaten at, of all times, Christmas! Ya see, I'm one of those munga cakes who thinks of Christmas dinner in terms of Turkey and stuffing and mashed taters – not...fish!!

Originally created as an online comic strip, Feast of the Seven Fishes developed a loyal audience, and so the creators decided to publish the story in book format, along with recipes of some of the dishes at the end of the story. So not only will you discover what life was like in Greentown, USA for an Italian-American family during the early 80s,  but you'll also find out how to make Stuffed Calamari in Tomato Sauce, Marinated Eel, Baccala, and probably the only thing I could eat from this list, Tiramisu.

Feast of the Seven Fishes is full of warmth and humour and cursing – all of the best things in life. It's close to Christmas Eve, and Tony Oliverio meets Beth, the queen of all munga cakes, and decides to invite her to his family's Christmas Eve dinner, the feast of the seven fishes, which not only involves a lot of drinking and eating, but also includes plenty of playful bickering and cussing from Tony's colourful collection of relatives. Will Beth be welcomed into Tony's family? Will she enjoy herself? Will there be a future for Beth and Tony? You'll have to read the book to find out!

The Penguin Book of Christmas Stories
Edited by Alberto Manguel
Also published under the title The Ecco Book of Christmas Stories, this collection is definitely a keeper. Alberto Manguel, the Renaissance Man of the New Millennium and bonafide Bibliophile Extraordinaire has brought together in this book some of the most charming, beautiful, mysterious, sad and touching Christmas stories every to be found. The warmth and sadness of Capote's A Christmas Memory brought tears to my eyes; Richard Ford's Crèche was jarring and also touched with sadness and a dash of hope; and Muriel Spark's The Leaf-Sweeper was a fascinating mixture of humour and melancholy. Other talented contributors to this collection include Alice Munro, Vladimir Nabokov, Mavis Gallant, Grahame Greene and John Cheever.

This is not a jolly little book of Christmas stories, to be sure, but if one is a fully formed individual, one knows well enough that Christmas, though wonderful for many, can also be a time of pain and lonliness for others. As much as I love Christmas, I myself am often touched with a (thankfully brief) deep melancholy during this time – I find it a bittersweet holiday, for not only am I reminded of how fortunate I am compared to others who are not, but it also marks the last few days of the end of the year. For me Christmas is more about death than birth (please don't think me too morbid), because it is the death of another year, a strange reminder of the mortality of all of us. Perhaps if I believed in the story of Jesus, and what he brings for all of us, I would find more comfort during this time, but alas, I do not. Faith is not something that can be bought at the downtown mall, along with your Christmas lights and wrapping paper. That does not mean that I am a miserable sod during this time, only that my happiness is mixed. And for some odd reason, I like that feeling. I like to be reminded of the sad things in life, how fleeting joy can be, and this collection of stories brings all those muddled feelings of mine to life. Every time I open this book I know I am not alone in my feelings – there are others out there, much more talented than I, who can express the ambiguity of this time of year in just a few short pages.

For anyone else who may feel as I do during this season, I highly recommend this wonderful collection.

Zanta, Baby...

Last year around this time I wrote a post about this funny, shirtless muscle-bound guy sporting a Santa hat and doing push-ups in The Bloor West Village. At that time I had no idea who Zanta was, and just how adored he was by so many in our city of Toronto. Well, I know different now!

Not too long ago while checking my stats, I discovered that I was a link in of all things, the Wikipedia entry for Zanta. Well, I guess some university student was amused by my Zanta post, and so he or she emailed my link on some university email list, and next thing you know, I'm getting a whole new series of comments from that post. And yes, all the kids are singing the praises of Zanta, and his energy and spirit. It's really quite wonderful, the love they have for this man. There's even been a little movie made about Zanta.

Thing is, everyone is talking about where they've spotted Zanta, and how great it was, and you know what? Since that day last year, I have not seen Zanta once. No Zanta anywhere. Zanta, baby, where are you? I need a little Zanta Zing to brighten up my Christmas Season. Won't you come back to The Bloor West Village and make me laugh?

But even if I don't see you this year, Zanta, I wish you well. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas, and that your holidays are full of peace and goodwill and lots of fun, yesyesyes.

Happy Chrismukkah!!

A fun animation by my talented pal Revilo.

365 Penguins!!

Remember when I illustrated that little counting book, Fifty Little Penguins? And how I griped about having to draw so many freakin' penguins? Well, now I'm just damned embarrassed. 'Cuz illustrating 50 penguins is small potatoes these days. You're not a bonafide artist unless you can illustrate 365 penguins, buddy!

Yup, that's right, 365. Yesterday I bought me an absolutely adorable book, 365 Penguins, written by Jean-Luc Fromental, and illustrated by Joelle Jolivet. It's a hard cover over-sized book that's tons of fun to read and explore, all about the adventures of this family who keeps getting packages of penguins in the mail, every single day, for an entire year. Eventually their house is jam-packed with penguins, and as you all know, "Once you've reached the point of no return, one penguin more or one penguin less each day doesn't make much difference anymore. You live penguin. You think penguin. You dream penguin. You become penguin." 

So if you get a chance, pick up this book at a store or a library, and like me, immerse yourself in this funny story, and become penguin!

In Writers & Poets and Didn't Know It

A big thank you must go out to Callie of Counterbalance who recently brought to my attention the fact that my cover illustration for Gargoyle 50 has been favourably mentioned in of all places, Poets and Writers magazine. You can read the small write-up here.

I was so thrilled about being mentioned in P&W that I went out and bought the print edition for posterity. You see, many years ago when I first started sending out cartoons to magazines, I sent a crapload of 'toons to P&W, and well, they rejected every single one of them. I wasn't accustomed to the sensation of rejection back then (like I'm so comfortable with it now – ha!), and so immediately stopped submitting to that mag. P&W eventually stopped using cartoons, anyway.

But now I am finally vindicated! My name and my artwork mentioned in their magazine! And it only took 20 years! Woo-hoo!!

UPDATE: I  have since found out from the publisher of Gargoyle, that this was the first time in 30 years that P&W has noticed their existence. What took them so freaking long?