CBA Libris Award Nominations

We are thrilled to announce that for the second year in a row, the Canadian Booksellers Association has nominated us for Specialty Bookseller of the year! It is an honour to be recognized alongside Toronto staple Books for Business and the beloved Halifax institution, Woozles Ltd. 

Since it’s inception in 1998, the CBA Libris Awards recognizes excellence in the Canadian book industry by celebrating the achievements of authors, editors, publishers, distributors, sales reps, and booksellers. These awards are nominated and voted on by members of the bookselling community, which is what makes this nomination so meaningful. The Canadian book industry is rife with innovative and committed individuals. We are honoured to have made the shortlist from such a deep and varied pool of contenders.

Full Moon Over The Flying Dragon

In honor of Guy Gavriel Kay coming to the store in May to celebrate the launch of his new book Under Heaven 

I've selected a poem by Li Bai 

Alone and Drinking Under the Moon

Amongst the flowers I

am alone with my pot of wine

drinking by myself; then lifting

my cup I asked the moon

to drink with me, its reflection

and mine in the wine cup, just

the three of us; then I sigh

for the moon cannot drink,

and my shadow goes emptily along

with me never saying a word;

with no other friends here, I can 

but use these two for company;

in the time of happiness, I 

too must be happy with all

around me; I sit and sing

and it is as if the moon

accompanies me; then if I

dance, it is my shadow that

dances along with me; while 

still not drunk, I am glad 

to make the moon and my shadow

into friends, but then when

I have drunk too much, we

all part; yet these are 

friends I can always count on

these who have no emotion

whatsoever; I hope that one day

we three will meet again,

deep in the Milky Way. 

(poem from Poet Seers)

As I walked the dog around the courtyard on this evening of the full moon, I remembered another poem by an Australian writer, Judith Wright, that is included in Classic Poetry: An Illustrated Collection  selected by Michael Rosen with pictures by Paul Howard 

Full Moon Rhyme

There's a hare in the moon tonight,

crouching alone in the bright buttercup field of the moon;

and all the dogs in the world

howl at the hare in the moon.

(read the rest here and then buy the book here or there)

Over at Terri Windling's Drawing Board she has reminded me that we are close to Beltane , it brings to mind the haunting music, Huron 'Beltane' Fire Dance, by Lorenna McKennitt and the novel, Ysabel , by Guy Gavriel Kay that takes place at Beltane.

Etcetera

Make a cup of tea and settle down to enjoy Nancy Pearl 

interviewing Guy Gavriel Kay. - Cath

Bones of Faerie

Vikki VanSickle speaks about Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simmer 

A dark fairy-tale twist on apocalyptic fiction—
as familiar as a nightmare, yet altogether unique.

Etcetera
Check out Vikki's written review at Pipedreaming

Melodic Sounds of Gianmaria Testa

I first heard Italian singer-songwriter Gianmaria Testa's warm, dusky voice on a Putumayo World Music CD, Italian Cafe. I was bewitched and floated in a trace like state to my favourite music store, L'atelier Grigorian, to pick up his first CD, Montgolfières. Testa is one of the artists that creates the musicial atmosphere of the Flying Dragon. He has become a personal and customer favourite. - Cath

When listening to Testa's songs for the second time, it becomes clear to what extent his music has always followed the same thread. A delicate thread that has been held onto every since that day of celebration and childhood when he discovered the power of suggestion of simple song. Music that roams the subterranean shocks, the sometimes veiled confusion which, without warning and everlastingly, can give rise to that agonizing happiness, that indescribable fervor of feeling alive, penetrated, affected by the world, and that disturbing desire to be able to and to know how to describe it. - Richard Robert (Les Inrockuptibles)

etcetera
Follow L'atelier Grigorian on twitter for melodious recommendations.

An Intimate Evening with Guy Gavriel Kay

Our next author event will be an intimate evening with Guy Gavriel Kay. On Wednesday, May 19th, Guy will be joining us in our cozy literary salon for an in-depth and insightful discussion with resident expert Ashley Benson.

Multi award-winning Guy Gavriel Kay is one of Canada’s most acclaimed authors. His innovative blend of history and fantasy has endeared him to millions of fans world-wide. If you aren’t already familiar with his name, be prepared to hear more about him. His latest book, Under Heaven, is poised to become his most wide-reaching novel yet.

The cost of the event is $50, which includes the price of Kay’s latest release, Under Heaven. The remainder of the proceeds will be donated to Frontier College. Space is limited, so call to book you ticket today. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime chance to get up close and personal with a Canadian superstar.

Call The Flying Dragon Bookshop to book your ticket 416-481-7721.

A Triumvirate of Fossil Hunters

Nina McCreath talks about a triumvirate of fossil hunters: Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier, Curiosity by Joan Thomas and The Fossil Hunter by Shelley Emling.

Meet the Aviators of the Flying Dragon Bookshop

Nina can tell you exactly where she was when she read each book in the store. Her optimism and passion for life is reflected in our adult section, which she lovingly selects, one special title at a time.

Cath brings magic to everything she touches. When she isn't reading about faraway places, she can be found hunting for beautiful books and other treasures to enrich the store.

Elaine specializes in performative picturebooks and good ole British Whodunnits. She has legions of young fans who come back year after year to her storytimes and bookclubs.

Patti loves contemporary literary fiction with an international bent. Due to her fiscal finesse we are able to stock piles of our favourite books.

Vikki will read anything that is described as a poignant coming of age story. She spends most of her time nosing around in middle grade and teen, where she hopes to find books with her name on them in the near future.

Ashley reigns over all things sci-fi and fantasy, and can be found digging for artifacts in Jordan when she's not digging in the prop room for displays.

Casey, our zen master, balances his love of international fiction with laugh-aloud novels from our middle section.

Kerry is our resident shelf elf and can most often be found in the middle grade section.

Inderjit is our newest member, after finishing an internship at Kids Can Press, she has decided to join us in our literary realm.

Journey with The Sea Captain's Wife

Historical Fiction, with its focus on days gone by, is often a relaxing break from today's world; a steaming cup of soup that warms and envelops. I was hoping for this kind of enjoyment from The Sea Captain's Wife as I started it early one Saturday morning. How nice to go back to bed with a cup of tea and the promise of a few hours reading.

Set in the mid 1800s, the story begins on the banks of the Bay of Fundy and transports the reader, along with a sea captain, his wife and child, around the world on a voyage that is filled with the wonders and misfortunes that are part of a life dictated by the wind and the stars. What gives the story added elements of depth and tension are the often turbulent waters of this young couple's relationship as they navigate the customs and conventions of the day, when women were not welcomed on board and the opportunity for privacy and intimacy was scarce. The Sea Captain's Wife is a completely engrossing read; I could barely put it down. When I turned the last page, I was sorry to find myself back on shore. - Nina

Visit Beth Powning's site for fascinating history of the period including diaries and dirivations. The Globe and Mail gave the book a wonderful review.