by Clea Young |  The Vancouver Writers Fest is set to present author John Irving to a sold out house at the Playhouse on December 1st.  If you weren’t quick enough to nab tickets to this shindig, don’t despair. The VWF is hosting a raft of events in the New Year, some of which are free. Mark your calendars now for the first instalment of Incite (Jan 20), the VWF’s reading series in partnership with the VPL, featuring Andrew Battershill, Pauline Holdstock and Billie Livingston.

In wake of recent terror attacks, Ernest Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast has returned to the French bestseller list. “Copies of A Moveable Feast have currently sold out on Amazon’s French website, and has reportedly sold more copies in the last few days than a typical year.” Full story

Last week, Margaret Atwood turned 76. “Let’s face it: she is smarter than all of us. Here are 10 of the funniest, wittiest, most incisive and most all-around boss things Margaret Atwood said in her 75th year.”

Stuart McLean has cancelled his annual Vinyl Cafe Christmas Tour. Last Saturday, he revealed that he’s beginning treatment for melanoma. In McLean’s words, “we wondered about the option of doing both—the tour and the therapy—but there is the possibility of side effects from the treatment and I don’t want to be doing shows if I can’t be my best self.” Full story

Bookstores have launched “Civilised Saturday” as an antidote to Black Friday. “With promotions including butlers serving prosecco and free hand massages, booksellers [are planning] to draw shoppers away from the scramble for bargains.” Full story

Indie booksellers have created an online “anti-Amazon book club,” featuring hand-written book recommendations, including one for Joseph Boyden’s The Orenda. To participate readers only need to pick one of the four recommended books. Full story

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The Vancouver Writers Fest is a celebration of story, told by authors, poets, spoken word performers, and graphic novelists. Each October we present 6 days of events on Granville Island for readers of all interests with 100+ acclaimed and emerging writers from around the world. Subscribe to the VWF newsletter here.