“Catcher In The Rye” Author J.D. Salinger Dead At 91

“Boy, when you’re dead, they really fix you up.  I hope to hell when I do die somebody has sense enough to just dump me in the river or something.  Anything except sticking me in a goddam cemetery.  People coming and putting a bunch of flowers on your stomach on Sunday, and all that crap.  Who wants flowers when you’re dead?  Nobody. ”

J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, 1945

Rest in peace, you damned crazy brilliant sonofabitch.

“Double For Death” Is The Best Detective Story I Ever Wrote…

Book marketing is an interesting game. If a book’s saleability increases with every high profile endorsement it receives, then this particular novel, “Double For Death”, which I found on my cabin shelf at Point No Point over the holidays, is pure gold. It seems when you can’t find anyone willing to recommend your work, you just do it yourself.

Taking 21st Century Web Services Back To The Late 1960’s

(via Laughing Squid) I get a kick out of these. The book covers by artist Stéphane Massa-Bidal are based on a popular 1960’s technical instruction textbook series, only they’ve morphed into manuals for 21st century web services like Wikipedia, Twitter, and Facebook. See a few up close after the leap… Read more

Endpapers: On Award-Winners & The Sunniest Of Characters…

If you’re feeling out of touch with contemporary authors – here’s a shortcut I found while clicking through The Millions today. A stellar post by Max Magee calculates (by the number of prizes awarded) the most celebrated novels of the last 15 years. Read more

It’s Time To Get Your Guerrilla Gardener On

So, the first week of Spring has gone, not that it feels that much different from the week previous (the gabillionth week of winter). But here it is. And amazingly, even though there are no obvious signals in the physical environment (i.e. sunshine), I can feel it. I have been digging out closets and sorting through papers – bitten by some kind of Spring cleaning bug – I am even thinking about what to plant on my wee little back deck garden (and other places around town). Read more

When Durbach Met Chaplin

Anyone who has ever met Robert Chaplin knows that when I describe him as a delightfully eccentric and multi-talented artist that I am understating on both counts. If you can keep up with him, I guarantee that any opportunity to engage in conversation with Robert will land you somewhere you have never been.

In my mind, this is what must have happened when Robert met chef Andrey Durbach: I picture Robert sitting at a corner table with a dinner crowd buzzing around him. After eating his meal, Robert somehow gains an audience with the chef. Caught off guard by Robert (and his unbridled enthusiasm), Durbach enters in to a passionate conversation about food and – wham – the next thing he knew, there he was, fixing a big pot of chicken soup for a crowd of people who have come to celebrate the launch of a cookbook for kids at Barbara-Jo’s.

I don’t know how it actually went down, the important thing is – it went down, and it was good.

Delicious Chicken Soup | Find it at Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks

One book. One recipe. A chicken soup recipe from Vancouver Chef Andrey Durbach (Parkside, La Buca, and Pied-à-Terre) paired with artwork and book design by local artist Robert Chaplin. A simple idea executed perfectly. This book is wonderful for both kids and grown-ups. It slows you down, makes you giggle and teaches you how to make a really nice chicken soup. Best 20 bucks you’ll ever spend on a chicken soup book.

Books: Bad Gods, Cake & Flames

Autobiographical essays, anecdotes, and the doings of devious demi-deities

I Was Told There’d Be Cake

by Sloane Crosley

Available at Chapters/Indigo | A collection of hilarious biographical essays. I am staring at the back cover as it sits on my desk next to my morning tea and this is what it says: “From accidentally despoiling an exhibit at the Museum of Natural History, siccing the cops on the wrong neighbor, Sloane Crosley can do no right, despite the best of intentions – or perhaps because of them. In a sharp, original storytelling style that confounds expectations at every turn, Crosley recounts her victories and catastrophes with an irresistible voice that is all her own, finding genuine insights in the most unpredictable places.” Think Gossip Girl – only intelligent, witty, and down to earth. No – Think David Sedaris, only younger, poorer, femaler, and straight.

When You Are Engulfed in Flames

by David Sedaris

Available at Duthie Books on Fourth Ave | This, the latest work by the author of the hilarious Me Talk Pretty One Day and the just as funny Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, is another page to page winner. Everyone has someone on their Christmas list who will appreciate a little bit of David Sedaris. Some, of course, would enjoy a lot of Sedaris. I’ve heard it said that the tone of this book is more mature and slightly darker than his previous stuff. I would have to agree, but I do think darker and wiser wear very well on the author, making for a better read. Engulfed in Flames may well be the most enjoyable book that I have tucked into all year.

Gods Behaving Badly

by Marie Phillips

Available at Duthie Books on Fourth Ave | Not quite Homer – but thoroughly entertaining nonetheless. The adventures and misadventures of Greek gods slumming it in modern day London. Life in contemporary UK is rough for a slough of aging Greek gods who share a run down flat and struggle to hold on to their fading powers. Did you ever think you would see Artemis (the huntress) stooping to become a dog walker and Aphrodite (goddess of love) earning a living as an operator for a telephone sex line? Me neither. It’s a clever concept and a very funny read.

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