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Rave review for Johnston’s “Maze”

Posted by Mike Hunter on January 2, 2015

Another rave review for A.J.B. Johnston’s “Maze” (#pichonnovels)

Check out this glowing review of the Maze, A Thomas Pichon Novel in the latest issue of Nashwaak Review (vol. 32-33, 2014)

Reviewer Trevor Sawler calls The Maze “a thoroughly enjoyable novel.”

“Johnston has managed to improve the quality of the historical fiction genre by quite a margin.”

“Pichon is as real and developed a character as you will find anywhere … both believable and impressive.”

You can read the full review here.

A.J.B. Johnston is one of the featured writers at the January 20 edition of Governors Book Pub. During his visit to Sydney, he will also be speaking with students at Cape Breton University.

Another rave review for A.J.B. Johnston’s “Maze” (#pichonnovels) Check out this glowing review of the Maze, A Thomas Pichon Novel… Continue»

“The Manager” a contender for Hamilton literary award

Posted by Mike Hunter on

Fingers crossed for Caroline Stellings and her YA novel The Manager which is shortlisted for the Hamilton Literary Awards Monday night (January 5). The Hamilton (Ontario) Literary Awards are an annual event with the goal of recognizing and celebrating the city’s published authors.

The Manager, was also recently shortlisted for the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC). It was earlier selected for inclusion in the CCBC Best Books for Kids and Teens publication.

Read our previous post here.

Fingers crossed for Caroline Stellings and her YA novel The Manager which is shortlisted for the Hamilton Literary Awards Monday… Continue»

Season’s Greetings from CBU Press

Posted by Mike Hunter on December 22, 2014

cbup-xmas-2014

Celtic Life – latest issue praises Celtic culture books

Posted by Mike Hunter on

Celtic Life International Magazine, vol. 29, no. 1 (February 2015)

Nova Scotian Gaelic poet Lodaidh MacFhionghain (Lewis MacKinnon) publishes the first of a promised six-part series of articles on “what it means to be Celtic” (p. 9).

He is, of course, author of two published collections: most recently, Rudan Mì-bheanailteach is an Cothroman, Dàin / Intangible Possibilities, Poems and, in 2008, Famhair: agus dàin Ghàidhlig eile / Giant: and Other Gaelic Poems.

In this piece, MacKinnon highlights the consensus in Nova Scotia that it is “important to assert the community’s identity in its own linguistic and culturally-based terms.”

Elsewhere in the issue (p. 70), Lewis’s new book gets reviewed as “moving … a thoughtful and deeply personal exploration of the spirit of a modern Gael.”

Also in the reviews section is one of Reeling Roosters and Dancing Ducks: Celtic Mouth Music, calling Heather Sparling’s book “engaging, entertaining, and educational” (p. 70). By the way, you can view any of a series of interviews with Heather Sparling on our YouTube channel (cbupressmedia).

Celtic Life International Magazine, vol. 29, no. 1 (February 2015) Nova Scotian Gaelic poet Lodaidh MacFhionghain (Lewis MacKinnon) publishes the… Continue»

Paul MacDougall on roster opening new Halifax library

Posted by Mike Hunter on December 12, 2014

Great to see that our own Paul MacDougall is one of the writers scheduled for an inaugural day of readings tomorrow when the new Halifax Public Library opens officially.

Paul will be reading from his Christmas stories recently published in Cape Breton’s Christmas (Breton Books). If you’re in Halifax, check out the new library. Paul’s reading is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., organized by the Writers Federation of Nova Scotia.

Paul MacDougall is the author of Distinction Earned: Cape Breton’s Boxing Legends (CBU Press 2010), as well as numerous short stories and plays. He is also the host of The Good Sentence on The Coast 89.7.

Great to see that our own Paul MacDougall is one of the writers scheduled for an inaugural day of readings… Continue»

Two positive recommendations from the Charlottetown Guardian

Posted by Mike Hunter on December 8, 2014

Here’s a sneak peek at a two-book review forthcoming in this weekend’s Guardian (Dec. 13, 2014).

Of Frank Macdonald’s Tinker and Blue, Elizabeth Cran writes: “although the boys are naive to a fault – partly because throughout their adventures they firmly believe Cape Breton is the centre of the world – often enough their observations are to the point, and cut right through the excitement that’s swirling around them.”

“Frank MacDonald,” she continues, “who is a fine novelist, has written no better book than Tinker & Blue.”

She calls The Maze, A Thomas Pichon Novel, by A.J.B. Johnston, “a good read.” Of the novel’s main characters Thomas and Hélène, well, she says they “are not attractive people.” That’s true – and what makes it such a great read!

Here’s a sneak peek at a two-book review forthcoming in this weekend’s Guardian (Dec. 13, 2014). Of Frank Macdonald’s Tinker and Blue,… Continue»

“Delightful … Macdonald is a consummate storyteller”: review

Posted by Mike Hunter on December 4, 2014

Great review of Tinker and Blue and author Frank Macdonald in Rural Delivery.

Anne Gray writes: “In a word, delightful.”

“Macdonald develops his characters with such grace and ease [he] captures and maintains the innocence and righteousness of a young rural man, full of world views formed by his experiences, or lack of same.”

“Frank Macdonald has a unique ability to see the absurdity in a situation, and better still, to skew and skewer that absurdity so we can laugh about the most deplorable situations….”

Tinker and Blue is available in independent and chain bookstores across the region and on-line, including as an e-book.

Great review of Tinker and Blue and author Frank Macdonald in Rural Delivery. Anne Gray writes: “In a word, delightful.”… Continue»

Authors headed to France

Posted by Mike Hunter on November 21, 2014

Just learned that CBU Press authors A.J.B. (John) Johnston and Anne Marie Lane Jonah, who are both historians and experts on Louisbourg, are making presentations at a conference on Louisbourg in Rochefort, France, at the end of the month. The conference is being held at the Centre international de la Mer, Rochefort. Johnston’s talk is entitled, “Qu’est-ce que c’est, ce Louisbourg?” On Nov. 30, there’s a screening of Marc Jouanny’s and Françoise Mamolar’s excellent documentary film shot in France and at the Fortress in 2013 and released in 2014.

Johnston is author of numerous books on Louisbourg and the author of two historical novels: Thomas, A Secret Life and The Maze, A Thomas Pichon Novel (both from CBU Press). Lane Jonah is coauthor, with Chantal Véchambre, of French Taste in Atlantic Canada – 1604-1758: A Gastronomic History / Le goût Français au Canada Atlantique 1604-1758 : Une Histoire Gastronomique (CBU Press 2012).

Just learned that CBU Press authors A.J.B. (John) Johnston and Anne Marie Lane Jonah, who are both historians and experts… Continue»

Interviews with CB novelist Frank Macdonald now on-line

Posted by Mike Hunter on November 10, 2014

A series of interviews with Cape Breton writer Frank Macdonald – whose latest novel Tinker and Blue is now in stores – has been published on-line by CBU Press.

With interviewer Paul MacDougall, recorded at Cape Breton University, the interviews cover a wide range of topics including Tinker and Blue, A Forest for Calum and A Possible Madness.

Click here to access the interviews.

Frank Macdonald is the award-winning author of A Forest for Calum (CBU Press 2005) and A Possible Madness (CBU Press 2011), both long-listed for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, and both finalists for an Atlantic Book Award. A long-time and award-winning columnist, Macdonald is also an accomplished writer of short stories, drama, poetry and songs. His humorous, often satirical columns in the Inverness Oran have twice been anthologized; Assuming I’m Right in 1990 became a stage production that has toured Nova Scotia and elsewhere in Canada. His play Her Wake won Best Canadian Play at the Liverpool International Theatre Festival in 2010 and, also in 2010, he authored T.R.’s Adventure at Angus the Wheeler’s (CBU Press), a children`s book, illustrated by Virginia McCoy. His new novel, Tinker and Blue is now in stores. Frank lives in Inverness, Cape Breton

A series of interviews with Cape Breton writer Frank Macdonald – whose latest novel Tinker and Blue is now in stores – has… Continue»

Interviews on mouth music with Heather Sparling now on-line

Posted by Mike Hunter on

A series of interviews with Heather Sparling, author of Reeling Roosters and Dancing Ducks: Celtic Mouth Music, is now available on-line. With interviewer John Alick MacPherson, recorded at Cape Breton University, the series covers a wide range of topics inspired by the book.

Click here to link to access the interviews.

Reeling Roosters and Dancing Ducks was launched during the Royal National Mod in Inverness, Scotland in October. A Cape Breton launch is scheduled for Saturday, November 22, 2:30 p.m. in Christmas Island.

Heather Sparling, PhD, is the Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (Musical Traditions) and an Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology at Cape Breton University,where she teaches a range of ethnomusicology and Celtic music courses.

A Gaelic speaker and teacher, she is actively involved with both local and international Gaelic organizations, sharing her expertise in Cape Breton Gaelic song.

Her publications have addressed genre theory, Bourdieu’s theories of social distinction, language attitudes, and oral and print transmission. Her current research focuses on disaster songs of Atlantic Canada, including their role in processing grief, nationalism and commemoration.

A series of interviews with Heather Sparling, author of Reeling Roosters and Dancing Ducks: Celtic Mouth Music, is now available on-line…. Continue»