Open Book Toronto

Huzzah! It's official, folks – Fall is finally here! And what better way to celebrate this beautiful and blustery season than with book talk? Because what is Autumn without books? They go together like...I dunno, Atwood and that Longpen. Well, maybe not. But anyway, back to book talk. Have you heard of the fabulous new site Open Book Toronto? Here's what it's all about:

Open Book: Toronto celebrates the new and wonderful books, authors and events coming out with Ontario's independent, Canadian-owned publishers. Open Book is committed to showcasing the outstanding range and quality of contemporary Canadian writing and invites Torontonians to connect with their very own vibrant and cutting-edge publishing scene.

October 2007 marks the launch of Open Book's annual celebration of the Fall book season. Throughout the month, Ontario publishers, bookstores, literary festivals and Open Book (along with several partners) will host a fabulous series of events to introduce Torontonians to this season's new books. Our website and newsletter will keep you up-to-date on our festivities.

This site is amazing. I'm exhausted trying to devour everything it offers. They've even got a section called Words With where Canadian authors talk about what Canadian literature means to them. I really like the one by comedian and children's author Sean Cullen.

Hmmm...he's a celebrity who is now venturing into children's books...I should probably review him for my BACA Off! segment, shouldn't I? I've actually been meaning to read his books. I must confess that I do like a kid's book with the name Hamish in it. It is, after all, the name of one of my cats. However, upon close inspection, I'm not impressed with the fact that the illustrator's name, Johann Wessels, is not mentioned on the cover of the book. Not off to a good start.

Comments

[Beth]

I just went to that site. You could attend some literary event almost every day! (And, of curse, get nothing done of your own.)

Excellent idea to start off your BACA OFF! segment with a Canadian celebrity.

[Beth]

Me again. I made a spelling mistake in my previous comment. ("curse" instead of "course")
I'm not going to any literary event. I'm staying home to practice my spelling skills.

[Patricia]

I like 'of curse'. It seemed to me to fit perfectly with what you were saying!

[Bernita]

Yes!
It's a lovely site.
I'm happy to see it.

[Corey Redekop]

I highly recommend the Hamish X series. Cullen is so far off the wall I don't think he can see it anymore, and while the stories do drag a bit, they're terrific fun.